Greetings, once again! Here we are with Day 2.
I'll ramble at the bottom, so, have the following aftermath to D1 from everyone's favorite, innocent, naive dolt, the Nep herself!
Onward!~
Gazing down at the barely-moonlit pale skin, that perfect shimmer of it, the doll-like beauty of it, the entirety of a woman made to be the exact, spitting image of perfection, I felt my mind was already waaay foggier than I'd intended. There was the nipping of my more mature, sincere, focused side - a nagging demand to devour her and leave mark after mark on the pristine softness below me. Even against the silky material covering what would be like heaven, or maybe even just some sorta' angelic insane onslaught that I could lose myself in, her heat radiated into my fingertips, the sensation oh-so-hot and hunger-inducing. She felt so good, it was making my every fiber shiver, as if I was starving for air at just the slightest contact. It had to be a crime to be so… perfect~.
And that wasn't factoring in how steamy, lovely, and utterly mind blowing her lips felt against mine. It's getting hard to think, they're so soft and inviting, and those little breaths escaping her, the way she squeaks when my hands or body press against her, digging in to get closer, to grasp more of her unbearably attractive body. I needed more, more, more, more. My brain was shutting down on itself, like constant flares and fireworks and things exploding and all the good stuff, it was just over and over, endless. I can't even think straight, but… Goddess, give me more give me more give me more~!
Her hands and legs cling to me, pulling me closer, and I can sorta' feel my control slipping, my inner self coming forward - both sides of me want, need to devour this adorable, perfect piece of heaven before us, and it's tempting to let myself run rampant and just transform. There'd be more of me to have against her… right? No, wait, but then I'd tire out faster… Mnnn… Kissing's pretty nice, when it's her…~
My hands are swift, moving without me even really paying any attention to them until I felt the full, unabated squishiness, the sweltering heat and enticing sensation of her skin, bare, at my fingertips, rubbing against me, in my control. She whimpers, melting for me, and I could see it in those desperate, willing, submissive crimson eyes, and I can't evennnn~ stop that shudder surging through me. I needed to get my mouth on more of her, to taste more, to see what cute sounds come from where…
"Aaahn!~" She reacts really well to the ears, and I lick my lips and the bright red skin, giggling silently. She was too good, too perfect. I wanted to just play with every part, spend every instant getting to memorize every millimeter of her.
"Noire~..." My voice is hungry, definitely. Overpoweringly, and if it were any other occasion, I'd wonder if it was even me. But, I know it - deep down, to be in this position, it's completely expected. Especially with a bit of the personality I've got in my divinity seeping out as the heat and softness and wetness clinging to me, her little breaths and gasps sending my body spiraling out of control, I know it's just because it's her. I swallow hard, having been lapping at her neck, my inner thoughts bubbling out before I can even really think about stopping them. "I love you, my Noire~..."
Lifting my head to stare deep into those endless, eternal red eyes that I could lose myself in, I gulped hard, my wolf-like grin no doubt presenting itself plainly to her. Now… for the fun part…
...AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhHHHHHHH!
I say again. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
I bolt upright in bed, my hands flying to my face to cover it in a futile attempt, shutting my eyes tight. The redness, the blush, it's spreading! The virus, it's taking over, and I can't stop it, Cap'n. It's fearsome, we're going down with the ship…!
...Aagh. I shiver throughout my entire body, starkly aware that I've reacted a tiny bit to that dream-memory-thing, and I really didn't want to. I-I mean, it's impossible not to, but… but, I don't need those sorts of thoughts right now! I've just woken up, man!
...Okay, Neptune. You can do this, focus, focus, focus. Clapping my hands against my cheeks firmly, I inhale sharply, willing the embarrassment and fluster down. It's just a dream, it's nothing worth reacting over, it's not going to happen right now, it's okay to calm down, down there…
...Haaah. Okay, I think I might be good. Well, as good as I can be. I mean, it's just so vivid, I'm kinda' impressed how well that stuck…
...Ah, right. I pissed her off… really bad, didn't I? I didn't manage to talk to her at all after that, though I was a little terrified to properly try. I swallow hard, doing my best to ignore the internal pangs throwing waves of guilt-ridden javelins at my heart as I slowly open my eyes, exhaling quietly.
I don't know what to do. That's the problem here, and I'm perfectly aware of it. What am I supposed to do? I mean, it's just… really hard to stare her in the face right now, to… to not recall that all the time. And my divinity's always nipping at me, wanting to pick up where that night left off, going further, doing more, doing it agai-
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
Internal screaming works wonders! I just sure hope a psychic doesn't read my mind. They'd probably be a little confused, maybe even dumbfounded or horrified. But that's okay, since I don't think I have any on hand right now anyway.
Allllright! Some semblance of normalcy's beginning to work its way through me, and that's good enough to get myself up and at 'em! Nodding to myself, I peer about the darkness with a little bit of interest, contemplating. Everything's the same light purplish-pink as always, things scattered here and there relatively haphazardly, including the handheld sitting by my foot and the bag of chips on the floor beside my head for ease-of-snacking, though I can't exactly say I'm wholly smitten with this wonderful little bachelorette pad I've got going here, today.
It was… kinda' nice, waking up in those silky covers, in warm and loving arms, in that organized, tidy, and plenty dark and cozy room. Didn't she even put in some specific effort on my behalf to adjust the temperature, redecorate a little, and the like…? It was really comfy.
And yet… here I am. The corner of my lips twitch at the simplicity of this revelation, but, there's no changing it, the reality of that statement, nor that I'm the one that made it this way. I would normally crack a joke here, or say something silly or lighthearted, but… the look on her face is still cemented at the forefront of my noggin.
I hurt her, which, really, was the exact opposite of the intention. I did kinda' screw this one up, and for the life of me, I'm not sure what to do to fix it. Not without kinda' burning up at the concept of talking about it, or figuring out what the heck to do… Gah! Blush, go away, you're literally supposed to be all for the tsunderes, not me! I'm not tsunning it up!
It's not cooperating, I'm not cooperating with myself, and that's certainly that. This is a bit of a predicament, really. What's a naive girl in love to do…?
Well, maybe, talking to her to sort this out, and, heck, that's obvious, but… if I could do that, I'd have done so! I groan aloud, scratching and scrubbing at my head in frustration, unable to quell the self-irritation washing over me. For all the darn talk, for all the playful flirting, I'm being such a viiiirrrrgiiiiiin!
Okay, no, wait, let's try to analyze these kinds of things without a sense of poisoned rationality. Well, in fact, if I look at it this way, technically, everything is going well! I mean, we'd finally stumbled… no, um, that probably sugarcoats it - bulldozed right through the final hurdles between us, and, now, I'm just being extremely stupid and embarrassed and she's still serious enough about this to be upset about it, right?
So if I can just figure out why I'm so… off about it, maybe that'll help me solve this conundrum sooner? Okay, yeah, that makes a good amount of sense, I'm pretty sure. Now, where the heck do I begin…?
Well, let's see. First things first - do I love her? Well, no duh I love her, that's entirely indisputable and stupid to have asked, me! Alright, alright, no need to get testy. Next… how do I love her? Eh? Ah, now you're silent, are you?!
Knock it off, this is important, me. Inhaling and then exhaling again, and then once more, I set aside the silly thoughts, willing myself to really psychoanalyze this question. So, how do I love her? Is it more like a friend, or is it…
I want to know every single millimeter of her; she will be mine.
...Well, that's a fair enough point of view, me. I really do sometimes think I might be a bit of a split-personality, but I'm consciously aware of my divinity's thoughts and feelings and just choose to let them only really surface when I'm in that form… or something?
Hard to explain, confusing to figure out, and even more difficult to really understand as the source of such a predicament. Who knows why it's worked out that way, but I'll roll with it. Regardless! A solid, excellent answer, Neptson! I'm in agreement, I think! Well, I'd still like us to be like we are now, just… with more to it? I wonder if she'd hit me for saying that?
Urrrrrgh! I should've read more of those romance stories or watched some gushy stuff before all this! Were all of those action flicks, those fighting games, and absurd romcoms not enough to prepare me for this?!
No, wait, of course they wouldn't. This isn't an anime, or a fantasy world! Well, it is, but that's not exactly going to fly for me somehow smoothly acing these whole love and relationship things! Gaaaaah…
Well, no, if I think about it, doesn't Noire just love me for, well, me? Would just trying to tackle this honestly and head-on be best? But, what if that's too simple or I make her even more angry?
What if I lose her?
This question in particular is enough to stop me cold, ice water dumping on me as every nerve inside me just immediately stands on end, the instantaneous reaction of a hard and icy pain stabbing me through the heart. I shudder, my temperature dropping internally, and I frown.
I… really, really don't want that. And if I keep avoiding her and screwing things up, that'll happen, won't it? I can't afford for that. Not one bit. Not just because it'd make the interactions between Planeptune and Lastation awkward, or that it'd get in the way of our little sisters hanging out, or even how it'd harm our friend group - because those're the first things you'd have thought I'd of thought of, right? No? Surprised? So am I, since that's far off from my own personal realm of worries - losing her, losing my best friend, the awkward, adorable tsundere I've known for wayyyy longer than anyone reading this' been alive, well, I'd probably not be sure what the heck I'd even do!
What would I do? I don't think I'd enjoy acquiring the answer to that.
So, maybe a forward approach, no matter what happens, is best. If I keep dragging my feet, I'll assure things'll explode in the worst way possible, and that just won't be good, at all. She can hit me or yell and throw stuff at me, but disappearing or hating me? I can't let that one happen.
Mm, alright, that should probably be a great idea, then. Contact her, set up some way to talk it out, and then go see her about it face-to-face. That should be good, shouldn't it? Though… showing up unannounced miiight not be smart or respectful or whatever else, right? So… nodding confidently to myself, I begin surveying my room, scanning over the various articles and objects scattered about…
Not that, that's a Lowee handheld. Mm… that's the calculator with all the fun little games on it, isn't it? Those are so weird, but they're really… Wait, focus! Okay, so, not that either… old clothes, whoops, better get those washing while I'm out today, uh… Oh, so that's where the stacks of manga books went, huh? Tumbled over underneath the pillows I'd thrown over there a few days back. Still not what I'm looking for, though…
There, there! On the desk next to Nepgear and I's laptop; plugged in and sitting with the thinnest layer of dust on it, my phone! Just as purple and fully charged as always, when I'm not using it for games. I should… probably begin carrying that thing around, huh? Might be good, now that I've got a reason to.
Trotting over to it, I pat my hands against my legs, humming cheerfully. This is gonna' go pretty well, I'm expecting! I'm sorting things out and she'll like it because I'm making the first attempt to talk and all that jazz, so I'll score some points! Cute girls aren't hard to figure out, ya' know~? After all, I'm a professional in this subject, being a fine example…
Aaand, I'm getting derailed while chattering on with a silent section of my mind, again. Not really the time for this, so, shoo, shoo!
Eyeing the small thing, I cock my head curiously, debating how I'm going to have to approach this… like, how'm I gonna' break the ice? Something cute? Something sincere? Maybe something l-NOPE!
Well, I guess I'll just first unlock the silly thing and get a message pulled up, and then go from there, right? Scooping it up off of the desk, I rub the thing off on my light blue undershirt, bobbing my head in satisfaction once the screen isn't all dusty. Still, I glance down, now conscious of my attire…
No bottoms, short and sleeveless light blue shirt, the holy stripes to maintain peak cute appeal, and my clips - not exactly something I should wear out in public, huh? Spinning about after disconnecting the phone from its charger, I end up skipping over to my dresser on the adjacent wall, beginning to pull open and rummage through the drawers. Do I want to wear my usual stuff, or something new…?
Hmm… hoodie, hoodie, hoodie, pajamas that I probably shoulda' worn, another pair, ooh - my swimsuit! Kinda' cute still, hmm… whatever. Jersey, jersey, undershirt, undershirt… Santa suit? Huh. So this is where I put you! It's a little early to pull this one out though, huh…? Hm, what else do we have in here…
I also chance a glance toward the pile on the floor, but not knowing whether I've worn those or even if they're mine makes them a bit unappealing. Plutie dumps her stuff off here from time to time, too, and so does Peashy, so… maybe not a great idea!
Well, I guess the normal image isn't too bad. Tugging out another blue undershirt and one of the monochrome hoodies, I then go to the drawer below it, quickly withdrawing matching black shorts. I don't really remember where I shoved the sneakers and socks for this outfit, nor the little clips, but, I'm sure I'll stumble across them!
Whistling merrily, I carry the small pile of clothes to the bed, plopping down on it as I throw… ah! I forgot the new pair of underwear! Crap, crap, crap. Hopping back up, I hurriedly return to the dresser and retrieve one at random alongside its matching bra, diving for the bed again as I get back to stripping off all of the old stuff. Out with the old, in with the new!
Dumping everything else off to the side, I briefly throw it all on top of the pile, reminding myself silently to actually bring that out to the laundry room before heading out, seriously this time. After feeling the cool air brush against me for a moment or two, and then subsequently shivering a bit, I roll my shoulders and begin donning piece after piece of the outfit, kicking my legs absentmindedly into the air in excited anticipation.
I'll make this work, one way or another! I'm sure of that.
Now then, time to get moving a bi...oh wait, no, I should probably type something up to Noire? Hm. What am I gonna' say, though…? I eye the phone skeptically, wondering why we haven't just invented an auto-suggestion-sorta'-thing yet for these sorts of occasions, and when this fails to make the device do just that, I grumble and set aside the concept entirely as I grab it while zipping up my hoodie finally.
Hm… What can I come up with…?
'Hey darling~!' Nnnnope. Go away, redness.
'Hiya', Noire!' Maybe. But that's like nothing's wrong, and that'd irritate her.
'I'm sorry.' That's not like me at all! Vetoed!
Maybe an amalgamation of them, or something?
'Hey, Noire. Um, can we talk?' Maybe? Maybe. This one might be a winner, folks. Still, it seems a little… off? Gaaah. Scratch, scratch, scratch. It's really difficult to not overthink this, or think I'm giving it no effort at all. Is this what love is supposed to be?! It's absurd, man! How am I supposed to go about i…
Maybe I'll ask Nepgear? She might know more. She's… hanging out with Uni, I think? Where the heck would those two be, I wonder? I don't remember her saying that they'd be heading out, so maybe they're just chilling out in front of the main TV?
At least things are going well for the little sisters, I guess. It'd be pretty bad if it was super awkward for both them and us simultaneously, wouldn't it? Hopping from my bed onto my feet, I survey the room briefly in hopes of locating the last pieces from the outfit again, but to no avail. What a pain in the butt!
Well, maybe I'd left them out in the main space. Who knows? Checking out there or asking Nepgear might go better than just idling away in here. So, without further ado, time to go check on things! Gonna' bug 'em good, especially Uni, so I can figure out the best way to approach that adorable and oftentimes difficult tsundere of a sister of hers~!
Skipping along to the door, I turn the handle and open it, proceeding lackadaisically down the hall toward the living room. Humming a soft tune to myself, I peer here and there without too much thought as I walk, though I do pay the pink walls and their purple baseboards a bit of attention, trying to recall what the ones in her room were like. Did she go monochrome on those, too, or was it more ornate and pretty because of the fussy and detailed habit she's always had? I can't recall, but now I kinda' wanna' head straight over and find out. I really ought to sort this out ASAP, because not hanging out at the Lastation Basilicom on a day with nothing to do was a big 'ol favorite pastime even before all this stuff started.
Off to the left, on the couch, I hear something quiet, though I can't really tell. Raising an eyebrow, I cock my head while scanning over the room with interest and a sprinkle of surprise. Where the heck're…? Did they maybe fall asleep over there? I'd done that a lot with Noire whenever we'd stay up late, so maybe.
Better to call out though, right? "Oi, Nepgear, Uni, where the heck're…"
Fwip, fwip. Nepgear suddenly pops up from the couch, her eyes centering on me, widening as she inhales sharply. "A… Ah! Big Sister, you're awake!"
"Mm! 'Course I am, got stuff to do today. Were you sleepin'?" I ask after my sound of affirmation, taking a step toward the couch. Swiveling my head around, I search around, but… "Where's Uni, too? I thought you guys were hanging out, weren'tcha?"
"A-ah, u-uhm, we'd… fallen asleep, hahahaha… Goodness, this is a little embarrassing…," she mutters, rubbing her head as she flushes from embarrassment. I smirk at her, shrugging while raising my hands, clicking my tongue with a tsk, tsk, tsk.
"Silly little sister. Hopefully you'd covered yourselves up before zonking in front of the TV. Even we can catch colds, y'know?" I point out, nodding. Peering around more intently, I frown. "Do you remember where I'd left my clips or my shoes and socks for this outfit? I can't find 'em for the life of me… ah, and, I hate to say it, can ya' get Uni up? I need to ask her about somethin'," I request, offering a look of apology to my younger sister as she blinks, her expression curious. "Important stuff, I'll talk about it after she's…"
"...What's up, Neptune…?" Uni's voice quietly appears from the couch as well, the small black-haired girl sitting up beside Nepgear with her back to me. She raises her arms, stretching them over her head as she yawns, and I chuckle.
"Did you two fall asleep on one another? How cute~," I tease, wandering over to the bookshelf near the door leading out to the rest of the Basilicom, scanning over it with interest. They're not responding super fast, which is fine since they probably just woke up, but the day's not getting any earlier like this. "But, yeah, uh, Nepgear - do you recall…?"
She coughs, and then I hear her hop to her feet as she trots over to me, eyeing me still. "What were you, um, looking for, Big Sister?"
"My clips and the footwear for what I'm wearing. I wanna' match a bit, today, so I'm askin' you. If ya' don't know, can ya' help me look around a bit? I'm…"
"Ummm… I think that the shoes and the pairs of socks that go with them are in that little shoe rack over there," she gestures toward the wall to our left, pointing at a little wooden shelf brimming with tons of footwear. So that's where it went! "And your clips… um, let me check. I think I had put them over here…," she mumbles, departing toward the laundry room, leaving me with the mini-tsundere.
"So, did ya' sleep well, or did ya' stay up all night?" I ask her, moving toward where those monochrome sneakers were, scooping them up as I pivot on my heel, the socks already folded and stuffed into them. Ambling comfortably to the couch in the center of the room, I plop down on one of the corners of it, raising my feet to get to putting these things on.
"Um… y-yeah, I slept a bit, though we'd… played a lot of games for a good portion of the night, so I'm a little tired," she responds weakly, and I snort, shaking my head. Typical teenagers, making bad decisions about staying up super late. But, I guess it's better than being an avid workaholic like my favorite tsundere, health-wise, maybe? Aaah. That's embarrassing, actually, isn't it? 'Favorite tsundere'. "W-what're you laughing about?"
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, y'know. You don't have to hide it from me. These things happen a lot for girls your age, y'know. I know Noire and I've done this stuff quite a lot even nowadays," I elaborate, nodding my head. The amount of all-nighters while trying to beat each other in various games… definitely occurs more than I probably should admit, but oh well.
"A-ah?! Y-you and Big Sis?! N-no way…," I hear her blurt out in surprise, and I shrug nonchalantly. "B-but… then…? You're… okay with it…?"
"Well, why wouldn't I be? That's just how life goes, y'know? Just don't make a habit out of it, and don't tell Noire I'm cool with it. She'd probably flip," I say, winking while holding a finger to my lips. She swallows hard, nodding.
"T-that's true… Big Sis worries more than you do, I guess… but still… maybe that's a problem…," she mutters, and I feel my ears twitch. What's she mean, I worry less?! Isn't that a bad thing?! "D-do you… do you think she'll… accept us?"
Cocking my head, I shrug. Weird thing to be so worried about, and her phrasing sounds funny, but maybe she's slow to wake up? Or am I missing something, here? "I mean, probably? If Noire's been able to put up with me and all the silly stuff I do up until now, why would she ever have a problem with you and Nepgear doing stuff?" I ask, perplexed. Is Noire actually super strict about curfews with this one…?!
"...Mm… that's… that's true. You say nice things, sometimes, when you're not being useless…"
"Hey! That's mean, y'know. I'm plenty capable and plenty dependable! I just don't get as serious about stuff as the others do, so cut me some credit!" I object, sulkily pouting at the girl before me, though she's… smiling with a look of relief on her face. Well, okay, fine. She seems happy, and she's in a good mood, so I guess it works out… sorta'. Maybe she'll be more willing to help me with figuring out how to approach this, now…? "So, mini-tsun, you mind if I ask you somethin'?"
"...Mini-tsun?" Crimson rolls up to eye me with disinterest, and I snicker slightly. It's not really all that imposing from Noire, so it's even less so from the little sister. "And… fine, what do you want?" she grumbles out, aware that I've got no intention to retract my nickname of her.
From off to the side, I see Nepgear returning, carrying the little clips, and I smile widely. "Big Sister, here they are - I had them stored in that little bin on top of the washing machine, so…"
"You're the best, Nepgear!" I chirp, happily accepting them, hurriedly attaching them to the top of my head while humming. "So, I'd like to know, Uni. What's the best way to send a preliminary message off to Noire, to um… apologize?" I back off slightly at once, suddenly, starkly aware that this will probably sound…
"...Big Sister, you're…?"
"Huh? You've gotten into a fight with Big Sis?" Uni continues, disregarding Nepgear's question as she crosses her arms, her eyes centered sternly on me. "Wait, no, that's probably normal, but… you're apologizing? How badly did you mess up, you big dimwit?"
"Hey now, hey now," I begin defensively, holding up my hands while grimacing. "What kinda' image do you have of me, anyway? It hurts my poor, gentle, fragile little feelings!"
"...That you're a bit of an idiot, and you're insensitive, and that you're oblivious, and that you're stupid, and that you're an idiot."
"Did you just call me an idiot twice? My heart!"
"It has to be said multiple times. Especially if you hurt Big Sis' feelings. What'd you end up doing, anyway?" the younger Lastation gal asks, and I stiffen, averting my eyes. Craaaap, I can tell she's noticed, the redness is piercing deep into my soulllll… "Well? If you want my help, you'll have to explain something about it."
"Aaaah… um… I'd rather not, though, if we're being honest, sooo…"
"Then, no help."
"Noooo!"
"Uni! Don't be mean to Big Sister," Nepgear pipes in, scolding her friend who visibly stiffens and droops, wilting like a flower. "But, Big Sister, what did you do…?"
"Um… well, I uh… might've frozen up on something important between us, and I've been avoiding her since I'm, uh… ahahaha, not handling it well?" I explain as best I can, keeping my eyes averted as I feel the redness beginning to spread firmly over my face. Aaaagh, digging my own graaaave!
The silence between the two is… really kind of intimidating, with Nepgear's eyes widening while Uni sighs, a pitying yet smug expression hanging on her face. Wait, why's she like that?! "So, then… you two finally… got somewhere?" the black-haired teen asks, though her phrasing is just as awkward as I'm sure we all must be feeling right now. I nod weakly, and she chuckles. "Well, I-I guess that's expected, though… it really took you long enough, you know?"
"W-well, I just… uh, haven't known how to adjust yet, so…?" She seems less surprised about this than I'd anticipated, though… maybe this was a bit of a long time coming, maybe. Just a little. "And, well…"
"You really must've made her upset, then," she mutters, and I hang my head in slight dejection. "Well… um, let's see…"
"...You're not surprised, Uni?" Nepgear asks quietly, watching the Lastation gal shrug.
"Big Sis has really been serious about this harebrain over here for quite a while," she admits, pointing disinterestedly at me. Could she be any more rude? I mean, c'mon, I'm slow, but at least it's happening! "And, I might be nicer if you can stop hurting my sister," she mutters, as if reading my mind.
"...I'll, uh, take it under advisement… So…?"
"Go see her, and talk it out," Uni commands flatly.
"...Uh?" Arching an eyebrow doesn't help. She just sits there, staring blankly at me. "Anything… else?"
"...Mmm… text her, let her know you're coming, and expect her to yell at you. A lot, if this is anything like what I'm thinking," she continues nonchalantly, yawning into a hand quietly. "Nepgear, can we sleep after this? I'm a… little tired."
Narrowing my eyes on them, I sigh. "You can get all loveydovey or whatever when I leave. Help me figure out what I should text her, mini-tsun," I grumble, crossing my arms with a huff. That phrasing, too. She's treating me like a nuisance!
Nepgear just goes quiet, her eyes shifting between us while smiling awkwardly, which makes me wonder whether or… Wait a minute… No, wait, it couldn't be…
...Well, I'd rather it isn't, until I sort out things with Noire. Coming in second, knowingly, to my younger sister? Nuh-uh, mister. No way, Jose! Nada. Not happening. Nein. Negative. Negatory. I refuse!
Rolling her eyes, she rests her chin in her hand, balancing both on a knee as she yawns again. "Tell her that you have something to talk about. This should be obvious."
"...You kids and your technological social dependency. Back in my day…"
"Send the message. You're just making it worse by dragging your feet," Uni points out, and I straighten up, fishing my phone out of my hoodie pocket. Quickly unlocking it, I smile wearily, looking up at the completely unhelpful teen before me, taking a deep breath.
"Is… like, the cute stuff better, or am I gonna' be better off being direct?" It's really awkward talking to the sister of the girl you like, when you're starkly aware of the implications of matters you'd previously waived off as if they were nothing. Like, now that I'm thinking about it, could I have told them…?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
Okay. Ignore that, ignore it good, and ignore it entirely. That isn't importan-my sister's gonna' shake off her V-card, isn't she? I'm so proud, Nepgear! And conflicted!-t! We have to focus on squaring things away with Noire, brain! She's more important than anything else right now.
But these two? I mean, I saw it coming, but, like… wow. Right under our noses, too. That takes guts. I wonder if I should rat them out when everything else is over and done with? Good payback for how I'm being treated, eheheheh…
Opening up a text chat with Noire, I stare at Uni, waiting patiently. She half-lids her eyes in boredom, scratching her cheek as she gazes off to the side. "Probably serious and direct. You've hurt her, so that usual stupid thing you do would probably just make her angrier. Can't you figure this out? You're like… how much older than we are?"
"Don't ask a woman about her age," I state flatly, and the three of us collectively nod at this unspoken agreement, never mentioning it again. Instead, I stare at the phone, thinking…
'Hey, Noire. I'd like to talk about something important, so I'm coming over, okay? I'll be there in a bit. Please don't go anywhere.'
Aaaand… before I doubt this… is it too serious-SEND!
Message sent.
Rising from my seat as I let out an exasperated breath, I hold the phone high above my head, my heart really knockin' over this. I'll… adjust to this, won't I? Maybe it's just because it's the first time?
I really wish this had something to do with all the trivia I've got memorized. At least I'd be confident, but… man. I'm flying blind here and it's terrifying.
I do stand there awkwardly for a few moments, with the other two staring at me with a mixture of nervous, awkward, and otherwise bored expressions. The phone just sits there, silent, and I discover the cold sweat crossed with butterflies brewing firmly in my insides, my eyes lowering to Uni who shrugs.
"Maybe, you're screwed? Well, I guess that I won't be calling you 'Big Sister' like Nepgear here will, anytime soon," she comments lackadaisically, and the desire to crumble and re-evaluate why I'd ever held faith in this evil little tsundere builds exponentially. She is definitely not as cute as Noire. She's far more mean, too. I'll make her regret it when she's stuck with me, of this, I vow! Hell hath no fury as a Nep shall scorn you, or whatever the saying is!
Well, I'd ought to stop being the third wheel here… wait, this is my residence, my home, my abode! Why should I feel like a stranger in my own… "You know, I could just look after you both all day today…," I say coolly.
And the reaction is as expected. The disdainful, reproachful look of unpleasant dissatisfaction, of a tsun thwarted in her greatest moment, is all the satisfaction a girl could want. "I'd… prefer you didn't do that."
"Address me properly, lil' tsunsis," I begin, smirking triumphantly. I will ruin this if that uppity attitude doesn't get fixed before I leave, and she knows it.
"...I… you're… you're serious, aren't you?" she mutters, the indignant glare in her eye completely matching her tone.
"Mess with the NepBull, and you get the… bitter and disgusting flavor?" I respond, thinking. Or was it sugary beyond belief? I haven't had one in quite some time… huh. I wonder what big me's even doing?
"...Go see my Big Sis… s… s…" She's struggling, Cap'n! "Sss… sss… sssih…" We got her on the ropes! "Ssssiii...sss."
"What was that? I couldn't hear~..."
"I-if you make me say it again, I'll… I'll never forgive you, you gigantically stupid Neptune!" Ouch, those are harsh words being shouted at me by an utterly flustered little black-haired teenager. "You haven't even resolved it yet, so why should I have to, anyway?!"
Well, because you might be with my sister, anyway, so…? I'll refrain from saying that, for reasons as I'd already told myself, but it's on the tip of my tongue. If she hasn't realized it yet, though, welllll… she'll figure it out at some point.
Wasn't I forgetting something I'd decided to do here before I left? I don't know, though. Well! "Regardless, I think I'm done here, ladies. Try to play nice while I'm gone, okay?" I wave to them, flashing a signature warm smile as I pivot on my heel, stowing the phone away again while making for the door. "Pick up and clean up before you sleep, too. Nepgear, don't let her bully you too much, either, and put the mini-tsun in her place, got it?" I call out.
"A-aaah… o-okay, Big Sister…," she responds meekly, and I nod, sort of. Temper your determination, Nepgear! Don't let the tsundere rule you, or else you'll end up… nepped? I dunno'. I had something, and then I lost it.
Might just be the giddiness at trying to sort all of this out with Noire, now, though. I can even feel my divinity nipping at me to get a move-on, and that's usually the sign of it really being time to get to it.
We have our own little tsundere to contend with, after all. Perhaps, I should tend to this matter so that it doesn't fall through, once again?
Nuh-uh! I will figure this out, so just sit back and enjoy the show, me! After all, I'm kinda' the part that's always in control, so, it'd be a bit of a waste if I froze up every time, right? Yeah, exactly! Thanks for agreeing with me. No problem, me-
Get going.
Throwing the door open, I set off at a brisk jog through the halls, humming as I proceed along. Destination: Lastation! Target: the twin-eared, adorable and probably pissed off Noire! Plan: Lonely Heart, no more! Chance of success… well, I hope it's high.
The lack of response from my phone, however, does make me a little leery. I really hope it's not quite as bad as the gut instinct's telling me it could be…
There's a buzz in my pocket as I jog along the bright and sunny forests between Planeptune and Lastation. Having been listening to the birds chirping and freaking the hell out about what I'm going to say and how to best go about apologizing but still not ruining this and making her even madder, it's a good distraction, and my heart just about leaps out of my chest even more than before, please help me, and I wonder who it might be from!
Slipping my hand into the baggy front pouch of my hoodie, I grope around and manage to get the darn thing, withdrawing it at once while tapping the button on the side to open up the screen. I wonder what she said, or what took so long. Maybe she's hurt? Is it a multi-page rant about how much she hates me? Was she busy? Am I overthinking it?
Sender: Uni. Uh? Wait, huh?
Subject: [nothing]. Wonder what she wants? I'd have long figured they'd be busy doing something by now. And boy, let me tell you, I don't think I want to know what that 'thing' is, brain! I mean, considering what I woke up to… Tap.
Y did u leave sooo much crap all over ur floor?! Its super gross & making us clean it up is terrible. Ur even worse than i thought.
...So that was what I'd forgotten about! Huh. Knew it was something. Still, I guess that checks off my cruel and unusual punishment I'd had planned for her. Should I be worried that they might get the wrong impression with the other clothes thrown in there, too…?
Ding. Another message, huh? Wonder what it is this time… wait, no, is this where the misunderstandings begin?!
Sender: Uni.
Subject: Re: [nothing].
Nepgear already told me so dont b an idiot abt that ethr. Go cheer up my sister u useless lazy idiot!
Well. I think that's a relief. Thanks, little sister...s? I appreciate the support if that's what this actually is… actually…~
Subject: Re: Re: [nothing].
Awww, arent ya just the cutest for worrying bout lil ol me~~ such a good lil sis XOXO
Message sent.
Ding.
Sender: Uni.
Subject: useless
Dont trip over anything until i shoot u.
What a loving little sister-in-law, I'll have!
Wait a minute.
I've been saying that repeatedly up until now, but… technically, a sister-in-law requires marriage, right…? So… like…
Short circuiting has commenced.
...Ah, I'm here…
Okay, well, I'm… not mentally prepared for that yet, but… I'd… I'd do it for her. I just, well… it's a little sudden, y'know…?
It has been centuries - I wouldn't call it sudden, and neither should you. We are a deity; reacting to such a thing in such a manner is both cute and yet unnecessarily problematic. How long have we known our little Noire?
...Longer than my memory holds, really. But still…
There is no room for debate, then. It would be wiser to claim her before there are any further hiccups or complications, as well. Surely we know this?
But, like…
If you cannot handle something so important, I wish to ensure that things will continue as they should. We are one. We do not wish to lose her, and thus, this should be our first priority. This is obvious, no?
...Yeah. Okay, fine, I make a good point…
Breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe out…
I want Noire. I love Noire. I'm sure of that - I'm freaking out like this because I'm sure of it, aren't I? I'll talk to her, be honest about all of this, and properly tell her how I feel so that I'll never have to be this embarrassed and flustered ever again. If I could just get past this part, I think I'll be perfectly fine again. And then, it'd be peachy keen! Come on, focus. I can pull this off, I can do this…
Stepping up the stone steps toward the entrance, I center my attention on my breathing as I proceed, using the rhythm of it to help keep me distracted. The doors are open as I arrive, and I continue on into the entryway of her Basilicom, scanning over the room absentmindedly.
There are eleven people from her staff here, and a few folks that look like citizens. The staff guys are all behind these large, expansive wooden desks in plain chairs, with a couple sitting behind the rest while writing stuff down as the other people chatter at them from across the desk. One of the ones not directly at the desk takes notice of me, and a brief hesitation or concern flashes on their face - or the part that I can see, being mostly just the mouth and cheeks and stuff - as they then wave me forward, motioning off to my left. That's where her room is, isn't it…?
So… why am I getting the concerned gaze as if I'm heading up to a chopping block…? I gulp, the minor anxiety budding anew as I trudge forward, unwilling to turn back now. Whatever awaits me is just an obstacle, after all, to keeping my best friend-turned-eventual-w… wife. Yeah! I'm getting better at this.
In time to die.
Thank you, sobering thought! I really appreciated that one.
What was I saying about hell's fury and women's scorn…? I wonder if this is irony! Aaaah… I hate whoever created this horrible twist of fate. Really, if there's something dictating how this all plays out, it really sucks. I'm not laughing, you hear me?! Not laughing at all!
Maybe it all turns out in the end, though…?
Well, only one way to find out, I guess. If I die here, let the whole world know that I, Neptune, died for love.
Wow, that sounded kinda' cool. I like it. Though, hey, little controller out there somewhere! Make sure I get the girl instead, okay? I'm beggin' ya'. I don't want to end up like the guy at the end of Nep Days, please! That'd be the opposite of what I want, thank you!
We're good, right?
Having arrived at the door in question, I decide to listen for a few moments as to whether or not I'm screwed or just in inconveniently deep water. Or rather, I would listen, but there's nothing at all, at the moment. It's pretty much entirely silent, actually, and I think that's more unnerving. Their weird looks did mean she was in, right…?
"Hnn." The sound is quiet, but it cuts off my thought at once. Blink, blink. Pressing my ear to the door, I push forth my best efforts to listen, to hear, to try and pick up anything…
Sniffling.
She's crying? She's crying. That's definitely crying, I'm acutely aware as cold water dumps itself down my spine. She's hurt, she's upset, she's in pain. That's what that means, isn't it? The door's already open as I hurry inside, though I'm met with a very dim, dark bedroom, and I end up blinking rapidly, squinting while searching over the room. Where is she, where is she, where is she? I don't want to let that continue, my heart agreeing as it thuds hard against me, threatening to pour out and hunt through the room for her itself.
Where? Scanning over the room, I try to briefly recall where each piece of furniture is, but as my eyes dilate, I discover… the place is in a bit of a chaotic mess. A typhoon hit it - a raging, emotional, explosive typhoon of grand proportions, with things littering everywhere, and haphazard messes strewn about. She really tore this place apart, didn't she?
Well, the furniture hasn't moved, but everything's been either swept off of the various pieces, or it's just instead made a temporary vacation home of the floor.
That's not important. Where is she.
Let's see… nothing at that chair, nothing at the bed, nothing on the floor… Darn it, she's not in the bathroom, is she? Leaning forward, I try to look into the darkness there, but the darn curtains have made this place a whole lot more murky and low-visibility than I remembered.
Maybe my best decision would be calling out to her…? I can't hear the noise anymore, but I'm sure it hasn't stopped. She's just… aware of me? Could that be it? Maybe it's a test, to see if I'm gonna' look for her?
I mean, it sounds a little… wonky, but it's the best I've got, I'd say.
"...Noiiiire. Noire, where are you?" I call softly, stepping further into the room, progressing toward the various items, picking up some of the more dangerous stuff to set back on top of her desks, drawers, and the like. I'd of really expected her by the bed, but, I'm not sure, and anything beyond that initial few feet of light cast by the doorway isn't really enough to go off of - Goddesses' rooms tend to be on the bigger side, after all.
Squeaaak, click. Wait, was that the door? Spinning my head around, I discover the blackness has now properly spread to the entirety of the room, and that's not even exaggerating. It's hard to see anything, let alone my surroundings - just how hard did she work at de-lighting this place? Or was it this way even when I'd stayed over that night?
And that means she was behind me, but… where…?
Step, step. I sense movement to my right, and whirl to face it, half-expecting a sword to meet my nose like the usual scheme of things, but instead…
Head hung low, a soft and unsettled breathing emanating from her, her face hidden behind a small wall of black hair in a dark room, her form seeming smaller than I'd remembered as she's shorter than me at the moment. Is her back hunched? She stands there for a moment, and I find myself lost at what to do, what to say.
Great, I've found her - in less than desirable, unclear conditions, and now I'm freezing up again. Crap, what am I supposed to say first…?
"...Hey…," I hear a tiny voice, and I blink, flicking my attention down to the fluffy mess of hair before me. Was that her…? It sounded so weak, and a little distant… She sniffles, raising a hand to wipe at probably her eyes, and then continues. "...Tha'… you? 'R… dream…?"
Cocking my head, I blink at her. Why the heck would this be a dream? "It's me, Noire," I reply without a single thought otherwise, genuinely curious. "Why would I be a dream? I'm not a figment of your imagination, y'know…"
"...Pfftt…," she interrupts me, shaking her head. "...Prob'ly a dream. Makes… sense. Losinit. Jusanother lil' dream, 'cuz I canh… canh have th'real one." Huh? What's… "...Stupid, too. Why'd I gemmy' hopes up, anyway?"
Blink, blink. Even for crying, she's reacting a little… funny. I frown, opening my mouth to respond, though before I can, pressure sets itself firmly on both of my arms. If someone doubts my jumping at the unexpectedness of this action, well, they're insane, and it's just a little tight, ow, ow, ow.
"Id's… stupid, yannow. Why'd I think that we'd work out anyway…? Too free 'n happy 'n whatever…" Ow, ow, tightening, tightening. "I mean… id'sss dumb. Here I am, so damn happy that id finally happened, 'n id… turns out jus' like id definitely woulda'. Jus… Jusd a damn dream. 'M such 'n… idiot…"
"That's not true, at all," I cut in without thinking, narrowing my eyes. Giving an attempt to raise my arms, she weakly resists, though not enough as I clasp my hands on her shoulders, giving her a gentle shake while leaning my head in. Confidence, stay with me here. You have to, it's important. "It isn't just a dream. I'm right here, aren't I…"
"For how damn long, huh?! You're… you're jusd a figmenta' my imagination… aren'tcha? Jusd more false hope, like always." A bitter laugh, something cold and unpleasant, "The real Neptune'd jus… jusd never say anything. Night… was a joke, a dream, after all…"
Wait… is she…? "Do you… think what happened was just a dream…? That night, where…?"
Slap, my hands get knocked to the side as she grips at the collar of my hoodie, shaking me a little as she raises her head - that pale skin is flushed red, stained with tears as her eyes tremble angrily at me. "Washn't it?! Washn't it?! Why'm I alone?! It'sh been months, damn it! Alone! Not even a damn… reason why!" So she can be… kinda' coherent, if she's angry… "It'sh… it'sh… all one big damn joke… Not even an explanation… Just messhing with me…"
"I'm not! I'm not at all!" I object, and she glares at me… or tries. She's not all there, I'm quickly realizing…
"Shhhut up! You're not even her! You're jusht something… nice! More falshe hope!" she shouts, "If not, why…'ve I been all alone?!"
"I…! It's… it's complicated, or… or rather I'm complicated…"
"You're fuckin' difficult!" Ouch. Well, maybe that's not far off. "Try bein' ignored by your… besht friend, your damn lover… after everything'sh happened! You want me t'believe that wash real?! Why'd I… get ditched?!"
"W-well, I…"
"Iiiif you tell me you were embarrasshed, I'll… kill you!" Clamming up against that, she hazily continues to offer me an icy, pathetic, slightly weepy look. "Shtupid! Shtupid 'n completely idiotic! I hate you, you know that…?!" she shout-grumbles at me as she presses her face into my hoodie, her grip loosening a little as she does so. "How d'y'think it felt?! I wash… lonely! There, I shaid it, too! I. Wash. Lonely!"
...Score one for the honest tsundere books?
"'N yet, that doeshn't matter, 'cuz I can take it… right?! Ya' think I'm invinshible over here?! I'm a girl, too, y'big, shtupid, idiotic, moron! I can't jusht take being ignored all th'time!" Bat, bat, bat, go the fists against my shoulders, though it's far gentler than she could be being, which… I'm really thankful for. Getting seriously hit by her would be a bit… painful.
But, then again, so is this. Have I really been like this for months…? Has it really been that long? That's… I grimace, raising a hand, smack, but it gets batted away again.
"You're not… sholving it sho… eashily, dammit! Lemme' be angry at you!"
Haaaah… "...Okay," I mumble quietly, eyeing the bed now that my eyes have had some time to adjust and acclimate to the darkness. Sitting down might at least make this more manageable for both of us, since just awkwardly standing here… well, it just doesn't feel like it's really all that helpful, I guess. "...Wanna' sit down?" I offer.
She pauses her mumbling, her head brushing against my cloth-covered chest as she eyes me skeptically… kind of. Still hazy as heck, so… "...Nothin' funny. Not gettin'... fooled again. Mighbe…"
"I'm not cheating on you. I can assure that," I respond instinctively, though inwardly I'm wondering whether that was what she was referring…
"...Better not be. Fine, we can… ssssit." She was conscious of how that was about to go, huh? Kinda' cute, even when like this. I giggle, and-piiiinch-Ow! "Not… funny. Y…'go firsht."
"Yes ma'aaam," I drawl, trying to turn to move, but… "You're not lettin' go, y'know," I point out.
"Migh' jus' poof again. Not lettin' go."
Well, I guess she's at least not too intently believing I'm a figment of her imagination… I think. It's kind of hard to tell right now. Though, this leaves me with the responsibility of solving this predicament, and I don't really…
Well, I could do that. I wonder if she'd like it? It's really embarrassing, though, and I dunno' if I can even pull it off…
Aaaaah. What the heck, if it helps her, I don't care!
"Well, then, don't mind meee~," my voice carries gingerly through the room as I lean forward, placing a hand on her back and one at the back of her thighs. Shifting her head up to eye me with dazed, perplexed crimson, I stick my tongue out playfully, sliding my other hand down to below her rump. "Up we go...fff," I wince as I tug out her weight from underneath her, scooping her up against me.
"...Hmnn?" A sound of intrigue, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist as her hands rise, doing the same as her lower body, but instead around my neck. At once, I discover how dangerous of an idea this wassss… so waaarm. She's squished up against me, which is… really pleasant, but, not what the purpose of this was. "Heeeyyy… you're tenshing up," she breathes into my ear, and I jerk sideways while squinting. Her breath's so hot! Crap, crap, crap. "...Oooh? Sho, you're jusht ash… hehehe," she giggles, nuzzling into my cheek while conveniently relenting.
Thank the Goddess.
Carefully proceeding toward the bed, I huff as she just cozily rests on me, acutely aware of just how close we are now. It's really distracting, the way things are pressed up, or how warm her breath is as it rushes lightly against my neck, or how her skin radiates heat through our clothing, causing me to feel like a furnace, or most importantly… I didn't mean to have my hands firmly pressed against bare thighs, and it's really, really, hard to ignore.
Is it time to commence the mental screaming again? Nay! We'll hold off as long as possible, until more reinforcements arrive. Go, Commander! We'll take it from here, we need you to finish this! Go, go, go!
Plop. I let myself fall down onto the bed without too much care, the two of us bouncing briefly on the springy mattress as she sits on me while I hurriedly withdraw my hands, letting them sit by my head on either side instead.
They were squishy, yet pleasantly firm-
AAAAAAAAAAH. NONE OF THAT! NONE, NOT RIGHT NOW.
Okay. Back to our regularly scheduled programming…
"...Your face is red," she mutters quietly.
"...And whose fault is that?" I respond in kind, exhaling with a huff, my eyes resting firmly on her neck at the moment. Her eyes, I can see to a degree, are brimming with warm, vulnerable emotions I didn't intend to bring to us at the moment, and now that I'm noticing, she's not really wearing much beyond a black silk nightie, and I'm not brave nor stable enough to figure out if there's anything else there at the moment.
Question; does a Nep wear pants under her hoodie? It's the same principle. You won't know until you check, and right now, that'd be horrible timing!
"...Are you… real?" Her question interrupts my thoughts, and I blink, cocking my head at her. So she's still thinking this is a dream? That what happened before was a dream? Gaaah. "Y'didn't wanna'... stay, yesterday… so… why now?"
I'm kind of glad that her coherency's returning. Though, it is pretty cute to hear her slur. I wonder if she drank something…? Flicking my eyes up toward the nightstand, I discover the culprit - definitely the explanation here. Maybe next time, I'll get the slurs without the crying and stuff like this?
Ah, crap, right, response. "'Course I'm real, Noire. As real as what I'd said that night, y'know." A subdued yet sharp inhale, her eyes widening just a tiny bit as her hands grope at my hoodie again, the ironclad hold returning once more. "I'm just a little bit of… an idiot about stuff, ya' see, so…"
"...Has to be a dream," she mutters, shaking her head as tears begin welling in her eyes. Crap! Why's that happening again?! "Too… nice. Too kind. Not running away."
Pursing my lips while pondering the best answer I can muster, she scrutinizes my face doubtfully. What's the safest way to shoot down that claim…? Maybe… "I'm not going anywhere, ever again. I've sorted that out."
A mirthful, yet entirely unconvinced laugh. "Ahahaha… sure, sure. I'll wake up 'n y'll be gone. But… fine, maybe I'll… enjoy it while it lasts, anyway…"
A gentle shake of my head. "You'll see. This Nep's not going anywhere when she's got such…" Swallow the embarrassment. Swallow it right now. "...a beautiful girl t-to spend her… life with." Somewhere, someone's screaming in joy, and internally, I am definitely doing the same. I will make as many efforts as I can, I'm guaranteeing that to myself. Even if my face is as red as a tomato right now, and gosh, that's annoyingly warm to suffer through.
"...Pfft… trying t'... sound loveydovey now? Not… workin'," she mutters, though she's definitely tsunning it up right now, or I'm just imagining the little fingers tracing on my chest, and I'm not too imaginati-well, that's a lie, but that's not important! I feel it, okay?! Oh? She's leaning in a little b-
Focus, focus, focus, focus. Eyes. Up. She has beautiful bangs. Ooh, I've never really paid it attention when her hair's down, but she's really, really pretty, isn't she? I'd always liked her HDD form's hair style, so seeing it in black with those nice red eyes is really pleasant. Yeah, that's all I'm staring at at the moment, and that's good.
"...Hmmn? You're… staring at me," she whispers with a twinge of fluster to her tone, and I chuckle awkwardly. "...Hnh?"
"Just… um, noticing how really pretty you are, again," I explain nervously, averting my eyes temporarily. "You just look… really nice, so, it's hard not to stare, so…"
"...That so…?" A hint of satisfaction, her lips turning upward ever-so-slightly.
"Now that's better," I speak without thinking, immediately widening my eyes in surprise as she arches an eyebrow questioningly at me.
"S'that mean…?"
Aaaah… I'm just gonna' keep putting myself in the position to say stuff, aren't I…? "Um… it's emb…"
"Don't care. Talk," she orders with a slightly childish, pouty tone, and it's just so darn cute. I wanna' make her say more, but something tells me that that'd probably be a bad idea.
"J-just… I really love your smiles, y'know?" I explain warmly, offering her a matching expression. "They're bright, 'n lively, and I just… well, d-do I really have to…?"
"Mmmhmm! I wanna' hear allll of it," she declares, raising her head with a smug and proud expression on her face. Is she actually all there and just pretending?! Gah, have I been played for a fool?! Oh, the humanity!
"They're… j-just one of the reasons I love you, I guess…? Gaaah, so embarrassing…," I mutter, and that quizzical, unimpressed expression returns. Crap, was that out loud?
"Embarrassing, huh…?"
"Ah… Um… You're, uh, hearing things!"
"Don't think I am. Gonna'... stab you."
"Anything but that ending! Anything at all!"
Poke, poke. "Stab, stab."
"Nooooo!"
She giggles quietly before taking a breath, sighing. "Still mad't you. Gonna' pay for this later'f you're real."
Offering her a weary look, I bob my head in understanding. Not outta' the fire yet, huh? I guess that's to be expected, really, though I'm hoping that she'll cool off if we… wait a minute. What time is it…?
Glancing over to the digital clock on her nightstand, it seems to be only… two or three, I think? It's hard to really see; the image is a little fuzzy from this angle, and I can't pay it too much attention, or else…
"...Where're y'lookin', huh?" is grumbled at me as she wiggles, making herself comfortable while sitting on me - a distractingly nice feeling that I'm not paying attention to while she smiles, lowering herself down to rest her head on my chest. She's humming a tune that is wayyy off key, but it's strangely cute as it's coming from her, from that gentle and lovely voice, and I find myself relaxing a little as she continues with it. Still's nice, her fingers tracing on me, and now I'm listening to her breathing - methodical, slow, calming, as we rest here.
"Tryin' to figure out if it's nap time, or if we have a few hours to blow," I tell her, and the messy raven-haired head lazily lifts itself to focus on me, the tiniest questioning glint in her tired red eyes. "It's pretty early in the day, so, just tryin' to keep track."
"...Haven't… slept yet," she mumbles, her head returning to laying limply on me as she exhales tiredly. "Y'can… be my pillow."
Moving a finger to scratch with a pinch of pleased embarrassment at this, I grin and shrug inwardly. She has a point, I guess - I don't have too much to do, or too much to think about at the moment, and I didn't tell anyone I was going to hang out today, so… "Fine, fine, for you, I guess," I respond quietly, moving a hand to, timidly, since I'm worried about getting smacked away again, gently run my fingers over her head.
"...Hhh," she inhales, flinching before settling in more comfortably, laying still. Success! Moving my other hand down, I wrap it gingerly around her - fortunately unimpeded, too, as she nuzzles into me. So far, so good. Thus, I begin petting her head while holding her still, the silkiness of her hair true even now. Slipping fingertips through it, flowing down like a river of obsidian, or a curtain of onyx, I glide along, combing through the velvety sea.
I'd never really expected her hair to feel so soft, so… dang it, what's the word? I don't even know, but it's just nice, y'know? I've been missing out, I'd say, especially since she's warmer and comfier than a blanket. Or would Noire plus blanket equal even cozier equation? I should probably find out, so that she doesn't catch a cold. Yeah, responsible excuses, ahoy!
"...Hey, lemme' get us a blanket," with effort, my voice remains gentle and barely audible, so as to not disturb her too much…
"...Voice's nice, dun… worry 'bouddit."
I doubt she can see the pout, but I offer her it anyway. "Fiiine," I mumble, reaching around on the bed as I shove and tug the covers down and out of the way, eyeing them with a hint of confusion. "...Do ya' have any… unconnected blankets?"
A halfhearted hand gestures to the footboard beside us. "Throw. Bouddit. 'M okay," she says, the tired incoherency beginning to make it sound a lot more like babble as she returns her face to my hoodie again. Smiling at her, I rub the back of her head and reach the thing she pointed out - the thing I'd thought was just part of the bed up until now, tugging it off behind my head.
Dark violet, huh? I wonder if she'd intended for that. It's a floral pattern, really - big, gigantic, elegant-looking flower with a jet-black background, the purple and black mixing quite beautifully.
"...Hhhh… Hhhh…" Hm? Ah. She's sleeping, is she? Suppose that's to be expected, huh? I still can't really see her face when it's shoved nose-first into me, but, I guess I'll just enjoy staring some other time. Thinking that now, it's not as embarrassing, though it's certainly not something I can vocalize yet.
Nudging and dragging the throw over us, our feet dangling over the edge with the rest of the cushy, thick material, the warmth surrounding me pretty much doubles after a few moments, and I can immediately figure out that I might very well be able to sleep like this.
Still, maybe I'll just enjoy the peaceful moment while I can, and get myself together for the future ahead of us. It sounds pretty daunting, and boy, it really is. But, this cute and maybe a little scary tsundere's worth it, really. I'll give it my best shot, and hopefully, tomorrow, whenever she's awake… or, well, maybe today? Ah, not important. Anyway. I'll just hope that she'll forgive me once she's slept off her emotions and however much of that bottle she's downed. Tilting my head slightly, I glare at it with half-lidded eyes.
Darn thing. Stuff's dangerous, kids. Don't play with it, especially in the quantities a Goddess probably drinks - we're a bit tougher, but we're not really human, so that's not fair! Drink responsibly, and only if you're of age, and all that!
Well. Stroking her head again, I hear her mutter something. Leaning forward, I listen intently as her fingers readjust and reaffirm their grip on me, and I hear, ever-so-slightly, "...Neptune… love… you…"
...Awwwwh, darn it, the redness just completely obliterated my face in record speed. Even my best well-timed comment toward her can't match this, and Goddess, it's hotter than the blankets and little heater laying on me right now.
Well, big heater. She is a bit taller than I am, though she's also down on my body, so… little heater, I say! No arguing this.
Still, I wanna' respond. Swallowing hard, I open my mouth, ushering myself to say it, to do it, to carry forward… to finally endorse the future, instead of hanging on the edge like this.
"...I… l-love you too… my Noire…~"
Maybe now's a good time to try and get some rest. I'll probably be awake again in like, a few hours, but, maybe I can just try to shuffle us along the bed and get her into a better position, or something…
...Her legs are farther off the bed than they really should be. Yeah. I'll have to figure something out, so that this drunk bunny doesn't get all cramped up or anything bad like that.
Wait, do I need to try and grab a bucket? Crap, probably a little late to think of that now. Can we even get sick with hangovers? Aaah, where was the bathroom if she gets up in a hurry…?
...Guess I'll have to do some thinking for tomorrow.
And that about does it, for the time being!
I will say first and foremost - there's been a lot of rewriting and remapping to this portion as I tried to capture a better and better scene of it, re-detailing and building up on it, and thus, I hope it's turned out at least minutely close to what I'd initially hoped. One can only do so much, however, from as canonically probable I could try and craft a Neptune out of, though, and that was relatively what I'd had in mind; realism.
I'm not sure I nailed it, but here we are, regardless!
Now, we're going to continue with this and we'll see where it takes us - I sprinkled places and plot directives in the first post where this was all about the carefree Nep trying to patch things up, and we'll soon find out if her best efforts even made a dent.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, after all!
Regardless, I'll be back with further stuff in the coming days - it's a slow process, but, I don't think it's too bad of one. Will catch you all at a later time with whatever comes next!
Tainted out!~