WARNINGS: a little erotic tension between two clumsy teenagers. No red lights, nothing graphic.

Chapter Soundtrack: watch?v=zFYEYRcjK2g

26.

"Tomorrow" sighed heavily Marben, letting herself fall on her bed. "Tomorrow it's the big day. And then IT'S DOOOOOOOONEEEEEEEE!". Five, unawarely folding his shorts, sank his head between his shoulders and squeezed his eyes shut at the sudden noise.
"Ouch!" he complained, making a show of massaging his own ear. "Marben, dear, it's late! Don't be noisy!". Marben lifted up her head to give him a once-over and then burst out laughing. Five frowned massively and looked down at himself.
"What's wrong?".
"Nothing, it's just…seeing you in my dorm, stripped down to your underwear, folding the clothes you've just taken off and reprimanding me about being loud at this hour of the night…is all very domestic. And oldish".
"Be reasonable, Peaches, if someone finds us out because you're rambunctious our little idyll ends here and now" mumbled the boy, struggling with the folding of his shirt, this time around. That all just made Marben laugh more.
"You even sound like an old man!" she told him in a fit of mirthful giggles. Five then chose to deliberately change the subject.

"So, you're excited at the idea of being finally done with the benefit concert?".
"Aren't you?".
"Yes, but…if I have to be completely sincere, there's something concerning it I'm excited about".
"Like what?" asked Marben, turning to look at him.
"I get to see you in a fancy dress, and that's definitely a big pro of the situation!" smirked Five, lowering himself on the bed with her; in a matter of seconds, they were entwined like ivy branches.
"Relax, it'll be dark, modest and the same as every other girl's in the whole orchestra. Nothing special to remember" the blonde girl told him, distractedly caressing his chest. "Will you be wearing something fancy too?".
"Sure as hell" Five groaned.
"Oooooh, I can't wait to see it, then!".
"Not just any suit, mind you. My Father wants us to be proper, but above all to never forget where we belong, as the people who see us. So it will be full of Umbrella Academy references".
"Oh my god, oh my god, don't tell me you'll be wearing a kilt!?" Marben got oh so thrilled by the idea that Five could feel her vibrate with excitement; he craned is neck to gave her a perplexed glance.
"Why…why should we be wearing kilts, babe? Does the Academy seem to you like the place where men wear skirts and people is generally very proud of its own ancestry? We're all adopted, for goodness sake!". Marben humphed and pulled herself upright, straddling him.
"First, keep calm or you'll end up sleeping on the floor, tonight". Five opened his mouth to protest, but Marben put a hand on it and went on. "Second, kilts are not skirts, you ignorant, ignorant clod! They're fascinating, traditional, sexy and manly garments, and it's told that real men wear them with no briefs underneath!". At that point Five's eyes went as wide as saucers, and he whimpered something under Marben's hand. She just smiled devilishly at him.
"I would love to see you in one of those…" she purred, and then leaned to whisper in his ear "And to check if you are man enough to wear it the proper way". A little shift on the mattress, and Marben jumped up with a yelp which immediately transformed into a fit of laughter. "OH, MY! It surely feels like you are!". Five took advantage of that moment of surprise to free his face from his girlfriend's grasp.
"Don't push me, baby" he warned her in a sultry tone that made her bones turn into jelly. Lacking a smart retort, Marben let herself fall again on the mattress, by Five's side.

"I still am sure you'll look delectable in the fine, tailored 'whatever' your father will impose on you. Even if it won't be a kilt".
"That's probably because you're biased, my dearest" Five giggled fondly, passing a finger on the outline of her cheekbone.
"No, that's because you're hot. And if any of the girls who will be attending the concert gives you as much as a glance I swear…".
"Aaaaaaw, my little Princess getting all jealous and territorial over me…and we're not even at the concert yet!" cooed the boy, delighted and a little turned on.
"I'm serious, Five. Heads are gonna fall if some fan, or groupie, or…whatever the likes of you attract makes a move on you".
"Nobody's gonna make a move on me, and you know why?".
"Because I'll kill 'em slowly and painfully if they even think of trying?". Marben's bloodcurdling smile left Five completely unfazed.
"No, because I'm already taken by the loveliest, smartest, hottest, sweetest and generally most sensational girl ever!".
"Yeah, for sure".
"Really! And I'll be having eyes only for her, so…" Five smiled candidly "If you see her, could you please tell her not to be jealous?". Marben's eyes went instantly wide, and next thing Five knew she was again on top of him, tucking her head under his jaw and blowing an unexpected raspberry on his neck, which made him squirm.
"In the name of…Marben, what are you doing?".
"Obviously blowing raspberries on the neck of an old man wearing an ugly vest. And there's yet sooooo much worse that I could do!". Saying so, she promptly raised the hem of his vest and blowed a raspberry right on his belly. Five then started thrashing and laughing wildly, claiming that if Marben kept being so childish he would probably pee himself; that, instead of discouraging the girl, rather spurred her to redouble her efforts; Five then decided to fight back leaving a hickey on the first available part of Marben that he found within range (which earned him a scandalized 'FIVE YOU CAN'T! Everybody's gonna see when I'll be wearing the dress for the concert!'). Neither of them surrendered to the other for quite some time, in their silly, funny, sweet battle of playful love which left them exhausted and even more enamored with each other, when on the verge of sleep they exchanged a kiss light as a feather and then were swallowed by peaceful oblivion with their lips still touching.

.oO°Oo.

"I…did not tell you the whole truth".
"Mmmh?".
"About the concert".
"You can…tell me now?".
"I can't wait for it to pass…because It's been a very stressful month, yes, but mostly for all the sadness that surrounds it too".
"Sadness?".
"The dead people, Five. That's why we're doing this blasted benefit concert".
"Oh, shit, right. Sorry, love, it's not even dawn and…".
"You're tired, I understand. Sorry. But I wanted you to know why I'm eager to be done with it, even if I love playing my violin and it's going to be a great opportunity".
"I'm sorry you'll always associate the memory of your first time as First Chair with the fire's casualties…".
"I'll be okay. I'm just…feeling sad after yesterday morning's memorial, I guess. And restless at the idea of having to deal with your father too. Sorry, but he gives me the chills".
"Of course…don't think about it, if it makes you feel anxious. Tell me something about you that I don't know yet, rather".
"…uhm…".
"Whatever comes to your mind, my love, it's not important what you choose. Just let go of all the thoughts that make you upset".
"Don't you wanna go back to sleep?".
"No, let's talk. Sleep is overrated, and I never tire of talking with you".
"I…once I painted my grandma's hens green. With my cousin's help".
"YOU WHAT?".

A/N: Thumbs up for the green hens! I wonder if they made green-streaked eggs...who knows!

How are you? All well, I hope. Stay strong, we can't give up!

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