Author: daringu
Rating: All PG-13 to R, as Excel says, for things that are "mmmfffmm"
Notes: these are manga based! based on the 30 kisses theme challenge on livejournal. Each installment is stand-alone.
Spoilers: Episode 21. Nobody said I couldn't randomly insert an anime character.
2: news, letter
Excel was glad for the quiet. Elgara had found some extra money somewhere (part-time work, gambling, prostitution - all the same as long as it got her out of the house) and was out drinking, so she and Hyatt had a nice, Elgara-free afternoon to do the laundry. Well, when Hyatt was alive, anyway.
"Senior, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
Dramatic music played out of nowhere; suddenly, Excel felt as if her entire composition had changed and she was skinnier, prettier and had much bigger eyes.
"What is that crappy music that sounds like an elephant had a bad run-in with a motorcycle?"
The door blew open with a perfumed wind.
"I'm back, ladies."
Excel gaped. It was him! It had seemed so long ago that the gorgeous, unwavering, pretty-boy band man had left ACROSS HQ after his mission was accomplished. He claimed he had stayed a week the first time instead of the actual five seconds needed to deliver the message because he had "needed time to gain the heart to sing". Excel thought in her secret little dirty heart of hearts that he had stayed so long because he wanted to collect as many women's souls as possible. And some mens' souls too, but she couldn't bear to think about that since she had already thought sacrilege against Lord Ilpalazzo and Key in that way and-
He was bending and kissing her hand. She nearly fell over at the impact of his lips to her hand, tips of soft blonde hair brushing against her hand and her fingers. (She would maybe have had that hand somewhere else if she could- no, sacrilege!)
He stood and smiled at Hyatt, flipping his hair back. Bubbles floated in the air.
"I'm so happy to be back to my angels for a short time. I have..." he paused, dramatically, "business to attend to in the city."
"Does it pertain to our Lord Ilpalazzo?" Hyatt asked, demure.
He put one finger to his lips. "I cannot say." He looked upward at the sky. "The gods of music are fickle. But I am glad to be here with my angels."
Excel couldn't even find words. "I-uh, do you, uh, need a place to stay!"
"Thank you."
You are cheating on your precious Lord. You will burn for eternity for this, a little voice said in a small corner of her mind, but a louder voice said Hey, He Doesn't Have To Know, Does He? You're helping out a person in need! That's right! And when the Revolution comes you will be helping everyone, though that has absolutely nothing to do with how Key's leaning in and looking like he's going to kiss you on the mouth-
Hyatt let out one shocked "Oh my". Elgara, newly freed of a good hundred thousand yen, stumbled into the doorway and dropped the half-full bottle of sake in her hand. It rolled and hit Excel's foot, but she didn't notice.
Excel would've taken a picture of Elgara's expression and said something snarky if her eyes weren't closed and her mouth open at that point.