These chapters have been really rather long. I'm sorry if it feels like rambling! From here on out, the chapters should be shorter than the four thousand word average I've been dishing, but I can't make any guarantees…

Again - thanks, everybody!


Chapter Seven
Thursday, Spring 5
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Molly was absolutely delighted when the snow finally melted. The grass poked through, brown at first, but rapidly grew greener. She felt fresh and new like the year, ready to see what was in store for this next birthday.

Twenty-four certainly wasn't an extraordinary number, and Molly knew she didn't act like it. She was more like some high schooler ready for the summer. And often times, she was that awkward child in the back of the classroom, reading a novel layered over her text book. If you asked her for a pencil, she would scream in surprise, drawing all eyes to her.

But this year, Molly was determined to shed that part of her. That shy, quiet, uncomfortable insecurity she had harbored since her earliest memories. It had to go.

Of course, the New Years' Festival was a little nerve-wracking at first. Julius and Molly walked hand-in-hand into the glowing display of Harmonica Town. As the town's only farmer, Molly was Castanet's quiet golden girl. When people saw her locked hands with the flamboyant fashion guru, eye brows lifted and questions were asked. Molly surprised herself how easy it was to talk to other people when the topic wasn't about her. She valiantly defended whatever it was they had, but the villagers stared on doubtfully. Still, they made it through and had a good time without much bother.

Molly also got another call from her mother, and this time she got to speak to her father as well. Both wished her a 'Happy New Year.' Molly debated telling her parents about Julius, but finally caved and told her mother that she had made a new friend. Though she pried for details, Molly left it at that, promising to inform them if it was anything serious.

The only real disappointment was that Luna purposefully avoided her. Molly could tell she was angry, but since she was spending the festival with her family (and Gill and Hamilton, of course) she figured she was keeping her distance for Candace's sake. Or at least Molly hoped she was. If Molly had to choose Julius over Luna or vice versa, she would've had to find a way to split herself in half. There was no way she was giving either one of them up now.

To start off the year and her new, extroverted self, Molly made a raspberry pie and knocked on Julius' door.

She had never been to his house, but she had seen it in passing. For seasons, she had thought it was another house for rent. It was directly across from the giant water wheel in Flute Fields. It was a small cottage, lacking in style – shockingly enough. But perhaps there was some sort of building code that he was following. Knowing Julius, he'd be flying flags and loading his house with flowers in typical peacock fashion.

Molly swayed on her feet nervously for a few seconds. She wasn't the type to knock more than once, even though she might have knocked too quietly. Molly would sooner wait for fifteen minutes than dare appear rude and impatient.

Eventually, the door swung open. Luckily, she didn't have to wait the quarter of an hour she was prepared to, but the few minutes had given her enough time to collect her bearings and smile at Julius on the threshold. Molly held up the raspberry dessert. "Pie?"

Julius cracked a smile, but the farmer could tell he had been frustrated with something prior to her appearance. "Well, aren't you the sweetest, little thing? Come in, doll face, you're just in time."

"In time for what?" Wrinkling her brow in confusion, Molly stepped past Julius as he closed the door. Now the interior was much more reminiscent of the jewelry maker. Much like the Accessory Shop, the first color she saw was red. There were variations in pinks and purples and the furniture was stained cherry. Molly stared at the room, blinking slowly. "Wow, your home is very nice. And very red."

Julius chuckled, his violet hair in a high ponytail again. There was a pencil jauntily stuck at the base, but it was obviously more for show than functionality. "What can I say? It's my color."

Molly set the pie on the counter with the server she brought. "So what was it I'm in time for exactly…?"

"Come, come," Julius snapped his fingers and pointed at another room.

Molly walked first with him following close behind. Her face grew warm when she saw that it was his bedroom. Clothes were hanging around the room, hangers jammed into anything that would hold them. Some were strewn across the striped blue comforter of the bed and an orange dress was draped over the desk chair.

"See, these are all wrong," Julius motioned to the outfits scattered about the room, waving his hands around his head to point at all of them at once.

"What are they? Why are they wrong?" Molly asked two questions at once, her eyes fixed on the chair.

Julius sighed, crossing his arms and putting his weight in one hip as usual. "They're late entries for Sonata Tailor's spring collection. I just hate them all."

"Oh, don't say that," She scolded, quickly passing him by and picking up the orange dress. Molly held it up for him to see. "This is lovely!"

Julius smirked. "I knew you'd like that one. Why don't you try it on, doll face?"

"Oh, I don't want to soil it," Molly quickly rejected.

"Nonsense!" Julius said, throwing his arms in the air again. "It's just a draft anyways. The real ones are made by the people at the tailor shop."

"You mean there's no other dress like this one?" Molly asked in slight awe. The ruffles around the neck and the slim design were eye-catching to her. She liked it very much.

"The one and only," he confirmed, throwing himself onto the chair the dress vacated.

"I… I didn't know that you designed clothes for them," Molly piped up. She knew it was loose ground, but she wanted to know anyways.

Julius frowned, cocking his head to the side. "We may not see eye to eye, but Luna knows when good business is good business. They're rubbish at designs, so I do the foot work for them."

Molly giggled. "Oh, don't say that… But I'm glad you get to design these things. They're so lovely."

Julius looked her up and down shamelessly, making her blush. "See, that's why you have perfect timing, doll face. I'd like you to be my mannequin."

"Y-Your wh-what?" Molly held the dress to her chest protectively.

"Good gracious, don't sound so thrilled," Julius teased, poking her in the side. She yelped, jumping back. "You've a good figure for the job, albeit you're a bit petite. So go put that dress on for kicks and giggles, and then we'll see what we can swap with these outfits to make a decent ensemble. We need five more for the collection – what are you still wearing those hideous jeans for? Get that dress on, so we can get to work!"

Flustered, Molly squeaked about a bathroom. Julius insisted constant trips would take too long, but Molly wouldn't budge – she didn't want to change in front of him! Though he insisted he would be completely unbiased and gentlemanly (like hell!), he finally brought out a screen for her. Red in the face and heart all in a flutter, Molly went behind the screen and stripped.

"After this, can we eat pie?" Molly's small voice asked from behind the paper divider.

Julius laughed, rolling his eyes. "Yes, we'll eat your pie, doll face. Now come on out! Let's have a look-see!"

"Er, uh…" Molly was trying to be her new, bubbly self, but so far, she was failing miserably. There was just too much for her to handle at once. So tomorrow, definitely. She'd be brave tomorrow… Right now, she was having a bit of trouble. "I can't seem to get the zipper…"

Julius stood and slinked around the screen to see what the issue was. Molly was reaching for it behind her back, but she couldn't seem to find it. He laughed at her and spun her around. Purposefully, Julius ran his fingers along the bare skin of her back, making Molly shiver with nerves. He smirked, grabbing the zipper tag and pulling the dress closed. "There we go! And I bet you were worried you were too fat. Silly doll face!"

Molly looked down at her bare feet. The ruffles were just in front around the neck and the orange was vibrant. It hugged her tight. "D-Does it look alright?"

"Of course! You look ravishing, darling!" Julius spun her in circles to get the full view.

Molly was feeling dizzy by the time he had stopped twirling her, so she wasn't prepared to catch the clothes that were thrown into her arms. Most of them hit the floor, but she caught a pink tank top with one strap. "What are these?"

"A sudden idea – quick, put them on!" Julius insisted, picking the things up she had dropped and placing them in her outstretched arms. "Your beauty is inspirational, doll face! Quick now before I lose it!"

Julius unzipped the dress. She wasn't prepared – again, with all of the articles in her hands – and the dress started to slip off with him still there. Angered, she yelled about rushing her and dropped everything, holding up the dress. Molly shoved him away from the screen – he was laughing, of course – and quickly wriggled her way out of the orange number.

Julius was busy as a bee as he continued to throw different pieces at her over the top of the screen. Whenever she emerged, Molly felt rather silly, but Julius' bright smile cheered her up and motivated her to continue.

When they reached the last outfit, Molly was wearing a dashing cap that matched her striped bell bottoms. The vest and boots – she felt anyways – were a bit over the top, but it was one of the first outfits with pants, so she wasn't about to complain. Molly liked dresses, but she was a pants girl; always one to prefer blue jeans over a pencil skirt any day.

She adjusted her hat, giving Julius a twirl. "So what do you think of this one? Julius?"

His mouth was a thin line as he concentrated on the sketch pad balanced on his knee. Julius had one leg on the ground and the other scrunched on the chair so the paper was close to his face. After a minute of not answering Molly, she stepped behind him to see what he was drawing.

"What are you erasing?" Molly asked over his shoulder.

Julius smiled at her. "Sorry, doll face, had to change the design before I forgot. My sketches go to the shop with the outfits. Now let's have a look – step back a bit."

Molly did as she was told, spreading her arms out horizontally. "Well?"

"Hm…" Julius tapped the pencil to his lip. He still had the other jammed in his hair, proving it was a fashion statement alone. He smirked evilly. "I just don't see it. Your emotionless face is bringing me down."

The brunette stomped her foot. Insulted, she said: "Well, what do you want me to do? Ham it up?"

"That would be excellent!" He nodded in all seriousness. "Strike a pose!"

"Oh, Julius, I'm no good at this sort of thing…" Molly awkwardly stood there holding her arm. "I don't know what to do."

Julius dropped his leg, resting the sketch pad on this lap. He clapped his hands together once. "Pretend you're a superstar – the highest fashion magazine wants to snap your picture!"

"Oh, I don't know…"

He leapt to his feet, leaving his notebook on the chair. He held up his hands like he had an invisible camera. "See, I'll be the paparazzi! Pose for me, darling. Smile! Pout!"

"Pout?!" Molly groaned, slouching her shoulders.

"I suppose you could seduce me instead," Julius gave her a wink.

Molly swatted at him, but missed. Putting her hands on her hips, she gave him a doubtful smile.

"Closer," Julius admitted, pushing one of her arms down. "Now shift your weight – that's my girl!"

He had never said that before, throwing Molly for a spin. His girl? She shook her head, quickly bringing herself back into the moment. "So… pretend to be you," Molly concluded, growing a mischievous smile of her own that may or may not have been encouraged by his term of endearment. "Oh, that's easy!"

Julius watched, biting the inside of his cheek as Molly twirled, smiled brightly, winked, and blew kisses. He watched, slightly baffled, turning a deep crimson.

Molly finished the show with a peace sign and then held the brim of her cap, looking out from under it with the most seductive look Julius had ever seen on her. The blush on his face was complete, so he looked away.

"What's the matter?" Molly asked sweetly, enjoying her effect on him. She laced her hands behind her back, leaning towards him. "Intimidated by my impression? Hit the nail on the head, eh?"

Julius swiped the hat off her head, spinning away from her. "N-No! You're simply too much, doll face. Hysterical."

Molly gasped, a large smile spreading across her face. She pointed accusingly. "You stuttered! Oh my goodness, I made you nervous! You're embarrassed, aren't you? Got you flustered, didn't I? Haha! The tables are finally turned!"

When Julius whirled around, she knew she had made a mistake. Molly quickly backed up, hitting the wall by his desk. Julius smirked; his face still tinged pink as he closed in on her, putting an arm on either side of her shoulder, crossing his feet casually. "Careful what you wish for, doll face. I don't react the same way you do."

Eating her words, Molly looked at his arm planted firmly next to her against the wall and threw her best glare at him though she looked red as the walls. "Why do you d-do that? Cornering me like, like this?"

He put his lips next to her ear; his breath making shivers run down her spine and her heart ignite. "Because…" his voice was lowered. "Those eyes of yours always say: run."

Molly knew Julius was right, but the truth never sits well. She tried to jerk away, but he kept her pinned. "J-Julius, let me go!"

The demand was pitiful, but he answered, backing away. Julius was wearing the amused smirk again; smug that he could read her so easily. "Go on, Molly. I'm not going to force you into anything. Let your legs carry you away with your nerves! I'll still be back here where you left me."

He's so calm and collected all the time – he never gets nervous! Always so confident and cool. Always taunting her, mocking her, for her timidity. It was infuriating!

Luna had a bad influence on her. Temper flaring, Molly shoved him. "N-No! Shut up! You've no idea what it's l-like!"

Julius glared down at her. "What do you mean I don't know? What it's like to be rejected?"

"No…" she mumbled, quickly cooling.

"Good," he still glared, arms crossed. It was quiet between them for a moment before he took the initiative to tap her on the chin. "What if I told you I wouldn't push you away, no matter what you did or said?"

Molly colored but gave a small smile. She spread her arms. "Even if I told you this outfit was hideous?"

He twitched. "Okay, except that."

She giggled. "I was just kidding… But… um… okay?"

Testing his promise, Molly stepped forward onto her tip toes and gave him a soft kiss. She hurriedly fell back to her heels, biting her lip. "S-Sorry…" She tried again, straining her feet. Molly thought she didn't know what the hell she was doing – especially since her first kiss ever was a hit and run a couple of weeks ago. But something clicked this time. Their lips locked again but longer, parting and moving.

Julius' hand held the back of her head, pressing her closer. Molly's eyelids fluttered in surprise, but she let the kiss deepen. Her legs were shaking so much she almost fell over.

Molly forced them apart, not able to reach him anymore. The contact broken, both of them blinked in confusion – for Molly that it seemed to go well and for Julius that she was the one to instigate it.

The farmer looked down at her shoes, trying to get her mind off of the intoxicating smell of him. "C-can we have pie now?"

Julius rolled his eyes, quickly snapping out of the daze. "Of course – I didn't forget."

"Liar."

He smirked, lightly poking her cheek. "Alright, I did forget. I can't help it, doll face – you taste much better~"

"Eh, Julius - gross!" She complained, covering her burning ears.

Julius laughed, following her out to the kitchen.

Since Molly was still wearing his design and they were both blushing like mad, for once they were on the same ground. Equals. And they finally looked like an actual couple.