Howdy, my fellow readers/writers in the wonderful, expansive world that is . Throwing out the disclaimer: I do not own The Smurfs or Smurfs; The Lost Village in any way or form. They belong to Peyo and Hasbro, respectively. Aria Smurf is my O.C. She belongs to me. SmurfAggie belongs to I.M. Rally. I also do not own the song and the lyrics that I use today. Now, let's get this chapter underway!
It has been a couple of months since Smurf Village and Smurfy Grove combined, and now, everyone was living together in perfect harmony. If there was one smurf who could say that she has never been happier about this union, it's Aria. Now, she got to be with her friends and family permanently, and this time, she would be here to stay. It took a while for the girls to adjust to the village life, but with Handy's help, not only were they able to construct tree houses, like back in Smurfy Grove, but at the same time, they were able to teach the other smurfs about some of their traditions and ways of life. Papa and Willow have started to manage the village together, helping each other out, and it's been going very well, and while they won't fully admit it, there is a tiny, pea-sized romance beginning to blossom between the two. They've developed quite the tight-knit bond.
Speaking of bonding, while their houses were being constructed, Aria invited Smurflily and Smurfstorm to stay at her mushroom, and the trio has been bonding closer as siblings. Every night, they'd share stories, tell jokes, and sometimes have a friendly conversation. Once their treehouses were built, Aria made it a personal goal to stop by popping a friendly hello or asking them to hang out every day. Smurfstorm, deep down, was really excited about this because, over the last couple of months, she's gotten to teach Aria a couple of tricks such as how to make a leaf mask and how to properly ride a dragonfly, with help from Spitfire, which made her feel proud, getting to teach her something like a proper big sister would. At the same time, Smurflily, Aria and Smurfstorm's younger sister, showed Aria some defensive mechanisms she can use in battle, while at the same time, Aria taught them both the ins and outs of the forest. She showed them how to maneuver on tree branches and which areas to avoid, especially near Gargamel's lair.
Smurfette was also excited about this village unification because now, aside from Sassette and Aria, she was no longer the only female Smurf in the village. She easily made friends with the other female smurfs, and at the same time, they became fast friends with her, and many of them were curious about why Sassette and Smurfette did not look like them. Papa then explained to everyone the story about their origins, and with some time, they were able to look past it and befriend Smurfette and Sassette. The boys have gotten along with the girls quite nicely, and while it took a bit of getting used to, the girls were able to get along with the boys as well.
At the moment, the sun was rising to the brand new day in Smurf Village. Aria was asleep in her bed, dreaming of who knows what. Fireball stuck its head inside the window and gave a chirp, trying to wake her up. Aria just turned away, tossing the covers over her head. Fireball shook its head, knowing that it needed another idea. It came up with a genius one and flew away, looking to get something. About two minutes later, someone kicked the door open, shouting, 'We're under attack"! Aria jumped out of bed and let out a startled scream before falling out, landing on her head on the other side of the bed. The mysterious figure had a good laugh as she said, "That's why you don't sleep in, kid." Aria groaned as she knew that it was Smurfstorm who woke her, saying in a sarcastic tone of voice, "I didn't exactly order a wake-up call, Stormer, but thank you so much." Smurfstorm was still laughing as she walked over to Aria, saying, "Don't blame me for your predicament. Blame your pet, who basically dragged me over here to wake you up. Besides, sisters joke around with each other sometimes, so loosen up a bit." Aria, though upside down, rose an eyebrow while saying, "I need to loosen up? Says the smurf who likes to, and I quote, jump to conclusions and punch first, ask questions later"? Smurfstorm chuckled as she responded with, "Touche," as she helped Aria up to her feet.
Aria dusted herself off before saying, "Just give me a sec so I can change and make myself look presentable." Aria went to her dresser and picked out her clothes before rushing into the bathroom to change, shutting the door behind her. Smurfstorm sat on one of Aria's chairs, saying, "I take it Smurflily has left her impression on you." Aria responded with, "What makes you say that," as Smurfstorm playfully rolled her eyes, saying, "Just a hunch, I guess." Soon, Aria came out, tying her signature red bandanna on. Meanwhile, Smurfstorm noticed that Aria had her newly dark blue hair down instead of up in its usual ponytail. It escalated down her back, reaching to almost the heels of her feet as Smurfstorm mentioned, "Wearing it down today, huh? Who are you trying to impress"? Aria blushed as she turned her head away, crossing her arms while saying, "I don't know what you're talking about." Smurfstorm got up and started walking towards her, saying, "Come on. We may have been separated for a while, but even you know that I can always tell that something's up when you make a change. You're quiet when something's bothering you, you become reclusive when you're hiding something, and when some smurf's got your heart, you change your appearance in the hope of getting them to notice you."
Despite her blush becoming more heated, Aria groaned as she said in defeat, "Ok, you're right. the truth is...I've developed a crush on someone." Smurfstorm was surprised but happy nonetheless as she said, "No worries. I won't tell, but if I may ask, who is the "lucky" smurf you got eyes on"? Aria then froze as she didn't know how to answer. Before she could, Harmony began playing his trumpet, signifying that breakfast was ready. Aria sighed a breath of relief as she said, "Oops, looks like breakfast is ready. Looks like I can't say it now. come on, Stormer," as she rushed out of the house. Smurfstorm was a little surprised as she said to herself, "Strange. Aria never acted like that before. Wonder if the smurf she likes knows something I don't." She started to walk to Greedy's tables to join everyone for breakfast as everyone sat and ate while chatting with one another. For the rest of the morning, Smurfstorm paid attention to Aria, trying to see what might be the source of her behavior towards who she likes.
She soon found Aria sitting at a picnic table, coloring what looked like a drawing of her and another smurf in a big red heart. Smurfstorm quietly approached her from behind, asking, "What'cha drawing, sis"? Aria froze and hid the drawing behind her back while turning to face her sister, saying, "N-nothing. It's nothing, Stormer." Smurfstorm tried to see the picture, but Aria kept hiding it. Smurfstorm then tried to grab it, but Aria kept it out of her older sister's reach as Smurfstorm said in mid-struggle, "Just let me see, sis. I only want to look at it." Aria said while keeping her picture hidden, "No way! It's personal! Ok"?! Aria then somersaulted under her older sister's arm, leaving Smurfstorm to fall face-first into the ground, giving Aria enough time to run and hide behind a mushroom. Aria looked down at her picture as she smiled and hugged it while blushing.
Meanwhile, Smurflily saw Smurfstorm on the ground and helped her up while asking, "Are you ok"? Smurfstorm dusted herself off while saying, "I'm all right, little, little sister. Say, have you noticed Aria acting weird"? Smurflily shook her head, answering, "Not really." Smurfstorm then asked, "Has she told you anything about her "love" interests, at all"? Smurflily thought for a minute, saying, "Now that you mention it, I saw her looking at something the other day with a dazed expression on her face, and she also seemed to be blushing. When I asked her if she was ok, she shook her head, saying that she was just dazed for a minute. She then walked away, and I noticed that when she did, she was blushing. Aw, some smurf's got her heart, and she doesn't know how to admit it." Smurfstorm chuckled at Smurflily's comment before saying, "Whoever it is, we need to find out. I saw her with a picture, so if we get the picture, we find out who her crush is." With their gameplan set into action, the two sisters went to stake out by Aria's house.
They waited for about an hour before Aria finally came and went inside. Smurflily looked through the window with a pair of binoculars and watched Aria look around before pulling out a piece of paper from her pocket. She then placed it on her desk and looked at it for a minute, saying, "Oh, my heart skips a beat when I think of you. You make all my planets align perfectly." Aria then left her house to get something as Smurfstorm, who watched from atop a roof, signaled Smurflily to go inside. Smurflily walked inside Aria's house and went to her desk. When Smurflily saw the hand-drawn picture on the desk, her jaw drop in shock. Smurflily then noticed that Aria's diary was open right next to the picture. Despite being against reading it since that would be an invasion of privacy, she quickly read over it, becoming even more surprised. She then walked back out as she and Smurfstorm walked to the side to talk privately. Smurfstorm then asked, "So, what did it look like? Did it show who Aria likes"? As Smurflily was about to give her an answer, Smurfette was walking past them, overhearing what the two were talking about. Smurflily then shakily said, "You're not going to believe it, but..Aria's crush...it's someone she really likes. Not just as a friend, but the "like" like-kind." Smurfstorm thought for a minute before saying, "Really? Ari must be in love because this is the first time she's ever "liked" liked someone, and it must be someone special for her to be acting hesitant to us about admitting it. Who is it, Smurflily"? Smurfette was about to be for the biggest shock of her life when Smurflily told Smurfstorm, "It might sound weird, but...it's Smurfette."
Smurfstorm's jaw dropped to the floor, metaphorically speaking, and Smurfette, who overheard, gasped in surprise as a heated blush overcame her face. Her gasp caught Smurflily and Smurfstorm's attention as they instantly froze, realizing that she overheard them. None of them said a word, or dared to, for a full minute, and before someone could break the silence, Aria came by, saying, "Hello, ladies. Who's up for a game of smurf ball"? When she saw them with weird looks on their faces, Aria looked at them confusingly, asking, "Did I miss something or is something going on and I should leave"? Everyone looked at one another before Smurfette got the courage to go up to Aria, asking, "How long have you been feeling like this"? Aria was even more confused as she responded with, "What do you mean? Feeling like what? Myself? If that's the case, then about most of my life."
Smurflily then shouted, "She meant how long you've liked her," as Smurfstorm quickly covered her mouth, but was too late. Aria blushed a deep crimson as she stammered, trying to find the right words to say. She then took a deep breath before saying, "To be honest, I've been feeling this way since we've first met. The day you, Tracker, and the smurflings found me. At first, I didn't know how to describe what I felt and thought it would pass. However, it didn't, and it kept growing stronger each day. I only realized that what I was feeling was love was when you and the others followed me when we went into the Forbidden Forest. The fact that you chose to help despite my protests, how should I smurf it...drew me to you. Many can say that they like you because you're beautiful and look pretty. But my reason for liking you comes from knowing who you are as a smurf. No matter where you came from or who made you, I only see what's right in front of me, the true you, and that's the you that I love. I've been trying to find a way to tell you this for some time, but I was always nervous, and it only grew when we found my family because...I didn't know how to tell them that I liked you or liked girls in a general sense. I was afraid that if I told you guys, you would not like me or consider me your sister anymore, or worse if I told Papa or Willow. I understand if you don't feel the same way about me, Smurfette, but I just wanted to tell you how I felt not only to get it off my chest but for my own state of mind. I knew that I would never truly feel better if I didn't get what was on my mind out in the open, whether the moment was right or not."
Aria's siblings were stunned as Smurfstorm asked, "So, was that why you were acting hesitant this morning when I asked about who you liked"? Aria slowly nodded as Smurfette placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, saying, "Aria...I'm glad you told me how you felt. That's something I like about you: you're always honest about how you feel. No matter how long you keep it bottled up, you always find a way to express your true emotions. Since you got the chance, to be honest with me, I might as well tell you...I've been feeling the same way around you." Aria gasped in shock as Smurfette looked down at her feet with a red blush on her face. Smurflily and Smurfstorm looked on in awe, curiosity, and amazement as Smurfwillow joined them, asking, 'What are you girls doing"? Smurflily shushed her as Smurfwillow looked on at Smurfette and Aria, talking to one another. Smurfette then continued with, "Believe it or not, I've been having these feelings for a while. Mines also started the day we met, around after we did that little duet. Like you, I was afraid of telling anyone because I worried you wouldn't feel the same way. I feared the others, especially Papa, would not understand or be ok with it. I can say with the little confidence I have here, and now, I like you too. But..." as Aria slowly asked, "But what? You can tell me."
Smurfette added, "I don't know if this feeling is...how should I put it lightly...something that I can see as a permanent thing. Maybe it might disappear, maybe I might fall for another smurf, boy or girl, maybe I'll continue liking you, I just don't know...yet. So, until I can figure this out, I don't think I can settle on liking someone permanently." Aria smiled and nodded, saying, 'I understand. I have the same worries and doubts as you. Plus, I completely agree with you, I may like girls, but I don't know if it will stay that way. It might change. So, how about we give it some time? We wait for a little bit until we are both comfortable and sure about this. Sound good,"? Smurfette nodded, saying, "I'd like that. Thanks, Aria," as they both hugged each other while blushing. Smurflily wiped tears from her eyes while Smurfstorm allowed her tears to fall while smiling, feeling extremely proud of Aria. Aria then looked up and saw Smurfwillow, who was stunned from what she had just witnessed.
Aria separated herself from Smurfette and went up to Willow, awaiting whatever she had to say to her. Aria was expecting something bad or a hint of disappointment but was not prepared for Willow pulling her into a tight hug. Everyone watched in curiosity as Willow looked at Aria, saying, "I'm proud of you, Aria. It takes a lot of courage to admit a self-truth, especially to someone close to you. However, you shouldn't be afraid of telling this kind of truth to me. I love you for who you are, and nothing like you being in love with girls will change that. You're one of my smurfs, always have been, always will be. We'll still like you, no matter what. Right girls," as Smurflily and Smurfstorm nodded in agreement. Aria felt deeply touched as small tears started to develop around her eyes as she spoke in a teary-eyed voice, saying, "You guys...it makes me so happy knowing you understand. It has been a struggle these past few months being able to come out, but having caring friends and family members like you allowed me to go through with it with confidence, so, thank you, I am forever grateful...for everything." Smurflily and Smurfstorm went and hugged their sister tightly, with Smurfette joining them. Once they separated, Smurfwillow went up to Aria, saying, "I know you may struggle to tell the others, but if you need, we are here for you." Aria smiled, responding with, 'I'd like that. But, there's something I need to do before that. Smurfette, Lily, Stormer, will you help me"?
They nodded in agreement as Aria added, "And we'll need Smurfblossom's help too, but I think I have a great idea on how to break it to the others slowly."Later on, Willow and Papa gathered everyone in the center of the village for an important announcement. He let Aria have the floor as she stood in front of a black piano, with her friends standing around it. She cleared her throat before saying, "Uh..hey guys. So, this is...hard for me to do...but...I need to tell you guys something. I recently discovered a truth about myself, and...it was hard to accept at first, but now, I feel like I can share it with you. So, however you react, just hear me out first and understand what I am saying. It's a lot harder for me to admit it than for you guys to listen to it." Aria then sat by the piano and began to play it as Smurfette harmonized along with the melody.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Who Are You by Fifth Harmony~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Smurfette: Oooooooooohh. x4
Smurfstorm: Monday, you sent me flowers. Tuesday, made me feel stupid. Wednesday, the world was ours. Thursday, you didn't prove it.
Aria: Friday, fell back in love. Saturday, we didn't talk. Sunday, you said you needed space.
Smurfblossom: Do you miss me? Am I crazy? Am I losing hold of your love, baby?
Smurfette: Either you want me, or you don't. I need to know. I need to know.
Smurflily: Who are you today? Will you be the sun or the pouring rain? Who are you tomorrow? Will you make me smile or just bring me sorrow? Who are you ( All: Who are you ) gonna be when I'm lost, and I'm scared? Who are you ( All: Who are you ) gonna be when there's nobody there? Who are you ( All: Who are you ) today, 'cause I am still ( Smurfblossom: Still ) the same.
Smurfette: Oooooooooohh. x2
Aria: Monday, you had my heart. Tuesday, you had me screaming. Wednesday, we didn't part. Thursday, you didn't mean it.
All: Friday, I shook it off.
Smurfblossom: Saturday, you got it wrong.
Aria: Sunday, I said I needed space.
Smurfblossom and Smurfette: Do you miss me? Am I crazy? Am I losing hold of your love, baby?
Smurfette: Either you want me or ( Smurfette and Smurfblossom: you don't ). I need to know. I need to know.
Smurflily: Who are you today? ( Smurflily and Smurfette: Will you be the sun or the pouring rain )? Who are you tomorrow? Will you make me smile ( Smurflily and Smurfette: or just bring me sorrow )? Who are you (All: Who are you ) gonna be when I'm lost, and I'm scared? Who are you ( All: Who are you ) gonna be when there's nobody there? Who are you ( All: Who are you ) today, 'cause I am still the same.
All: Who are you? Who are you? Who are you?
Smurflily and Aria: It's so strange how the same thing can make you feel so right but bring you so much pain. It's so strange how the same face can make you love until it hurts.
Smurfette and Smurfstorm: Where do we go ( Smurfblossom: Where do we go )? I need to know ( Smurfblossom: I need to know )!
Smurflily: Who are you today ( Smurfblossom: Today )? Will you be the sun or the pouring rain ( Smurfblossom: Or the pouring rain )? Who are you tomorrow? ( Smurflily and Smurfette: Will you make me smile or just bring me sorrow )?
Smurflily and Smurfblossom: Who are you ( All: Who are you ) gonna be when I'm lost, and I'm scared?
Smurflily: Who are you ( All: Who are you ) gonna be when there's ( Smurflily and Smurfblossom: nobody there )? Who are you ( All: Who are you ) ( Smurfblossom: Who are you ) today ( Smurfblossom: Today ), 'cause I am still ( Smurfblossom: Still )
All: The same. Oh yeah, the same.
Smurfette: Oooooooooohh. x2
Everyone in the crowd did not seem to understand the message Aria was trying to convey, except for one smurf. SmurfAggie walked up to her, asking, "How long have you been feeling like this"? Aria sighed, saying, "For some time now." The crowd seemed to be more confused than ever as Aria got up, clarifying, "Let me explain. You see...I found out that...I like girls. Not just as friends, but in the "like" like fashion. It doesn't change anything else about me. I still love music, I still love to sing and dance, I love hanging out with you guys. This is just something personal that I have come into term with. I hope this does not change how you see me, but this was something I have struggled with for a long time. Now, I am happier that I was able to share this truth with you. I do not expect everyone to understand it right away, it might take time, but I hope you understand that this does not change our friendship in any way."
Aria looked on at everyone and was surprised to find them all accepting and happy for her. Papa even commented, "That was brave of you to admit that. I understand that something like this can be hard to talk about, but we are here to help when needed." Aria was happy to see everyone accepting her, even after spilling her pent up secret to them. It made her happy to know that she had great friends and a stellar family to rely on whenever she needed help. As she joined up with her friends, only one smurf had a disapproving look towards Aria. It was Brainy, who huffed and walked away in anger, saying, to himself, "Honestly, no smurf has ever had that kind of feeling before, and it's sickening."