Being foolish couples
"Miss Mio, what are we doing?"
With shiny curious eyes, Suletta was always watching her back; the daughter of the President felt so chilly even when she is walking through the school halls. Taking the title of Holder and wandering around in a white uniform, the Mercurian bumpkin was never audacious.
"We're going to my room," Mioline Rembran finally answered, and Suletta replied with the usual "huh?" The purpose behind it was not clear. When they went to her room, Mio sat on her bed and gestured Suletta to sit opposite her. It was closer to the pillow side.
It was near Mio's birthday, and the daughter of the President would be legal to marry. Going by the guidelines of this Benerit group and its school, the Holder—which was meant to go to Jeturk—would be the one to marry the president's daughter. The Holder was currently the pilot of Aeriel Gundam, Suletta Mercury. The two had supported one another, the dipping steps of being in a proper relationship, so what was the next step? How to solidify it?
In her heart, the President's daughter believed that Suletta was precious. Mercury's thoughts somehow gave her inspiration, and along with her naivety, her gentle upbringing soothed her. She was unlike the other classmates, who brown-nose to reach the top and strolled around with an air of arrogance.
"Is this how it's supposed to work?!" Suletta gawked. She had her back to the bed, head on the pillow, and above her were Mioline's sharp eyes. The girl from Mercury felt her shoulders tighten against Mio's grasp.
"Ask me something." To her best effort, Mio tried to get that cutting tone out of her words, softening it to a near whisper. Suletta stared blankly; her lips moved but words did not come out. She was so addled that whatever idea compelled her to run out of the room was tucked away.
Mio repeated herself. "Suletta, ask me something." This time, she partially closed her eyes, which brought a gentleness to her face.
"L-Like what?"
"About yourself, idiot." Somehow, when Mio berated the bumpkin, it came off as alluring as a flower field. Suletta gave out a sigh, her eyes shining through half-parted lids. There was a melting feeling in her chest that could not be understood. She considered asking her mom later about what having a bride was like, or rather, a partner.
"Miss Mio….w—what…do you like about me?" Mercury finally asked.
"You're a fool, and it's contagious." Mio leaned down, and her face pushed into Suletta like a pillow. She slowly cuddled, closing her eyes. An awkward sound slipped from Suletta's voice, an inhale seeping into her tightened chest. She was at a loss for words; everything struck her in waves—the confusion from Mio's answer and Mio's movement.
"Maybe now…even doing this...it's probably also because of your foolishness." Such foolery. Mio pressed against another human being, someone unlike her beloved family because she wanted to be nurtured. That had to be the answer; Mioline was being roped in by a caring individual, and it made her yearn to be in that individual's embrace. Her chest. Maybe her face. Suletta Mercury, recollecting herself, gave in to her instincts. Her slender hands lifted and touched Mioline's face. The two had forgotten that they were wearing soft bed gowns, bearing their legs, shoulders and arms. Suletta looked soothed as she looked up to her groom.
"Miss Mio, is there anything else?"
"Something about your hair." Mioline Rembran took a hand off Suletta's shoulder and slid it through her hair. Loosened without her headband, it flowed like a jagged flame; a little splayed out made it tame and enticing. The hair curls rolled around Mio's fingers.
"Do you like my hair, Miss Mio?"
"It seems wild, but maybe it hides your nature. Are you strong?"
"M-m-maybe."
"Yes, yes you are," the President's daughter insisted. "When you want to. Your strength spurs out at a moment's notice." She kept it hidden, but Suletta was getting charmed by Mioline's honest way of speaking under a chilly whisper. Mio's head moved to Suletta's shoulder, and without thought, Suletta closed her eyes and grasped the back of Mio's head. There's a breath on her shoulder.
"I like Miss Mio too," Suletta murmured. "Miss Mio is smart and strong."
"It's my crap father's fault." A tad bitter taste entered those words. In a slow wave, Suletta moved her hand down Mio's head and to her bare back.
"Miss Mio can put her mind into anything. Sometimes, my bride is angry and makes angry faces. She doesn't say things the right way, but she is kind."
"Suletta?"
"Miss Mio, you were always nice to me. You tell me to never give up. Do you mean it?"
"Don't forget, idiot." Mio breathed again, her nose pressing against Suletta's neck. Suletta caressed Mio's nape; did she forget what she was doing? No, this is what humans do. When they first met, and Suletta won her first duel and was acknowledged as both the new Holder and groom, Mio told her that "conventions didn't matter". It was a thing of the past. But such words were easy to say; this was a first time chance to bridge that gap and put that to the test. As they touched one another, Mioline was now swept in the moment where she had to be cautious. It was strange to think deeply in such a situation; how to not make Suletta uncomfortable and how to appreciate her partner? Appreciate the groom tomorrow, the next day, the next week, maybe a year or two. Think over why they had to stay? Since there was no resistance, it was the sign of a first step.
"I like your greenhouse, Miss Mio." Suletta engaged this time. "Your fresh tomatoes. I think it makes Miss Mio pretty."
Mio's eyebrows lifted in the obscurity of Suletta's view; she was still snuggled in the Witch's neck. "Huh? How?" The timbre of her voice rose a little.
"Um…when I first tasted them, it was unlike anything I ever had. When you tend to them, do you take care of them well? You don't look busy, but relaxed and determined."
"I see…"
"Miss Mio likes gardens and greenhouses. I think you like pretty things. Hm..what else do I like about Miss Mio?" There's a short gap of silence as Mioline waited patiently—her anticipation is felt in the subtle tightness of her fingers.
"Suletta," Mio called calmly, "Do this. Your hand, lift it up and down."
"From you?"
"No, the one touching my back. Go up and down."
"Um..okay." Suletta Mercury felt a twitch in her fingers; she went up Mio's spine and it was unlike what she ever felt. Repeating the motion, down and back up, Suletta hummed without a second's thought. Was it like touching her mother? Close enough perhaps or did that give her a slight idea? Embracing the one she loved because the two appreciated each other's presence? Was it love? The promise to love and protect? A desperate feeling?
She didn't know why, but Suletta moved her hand further-up from Mio's back until her fingers went through the girl's white hair. Now, her other hand took the duty of caressing the rich daughter's back, and Suletta could take the bride in a genuine embrace. The Mercury girl sighed through her nose; a hand touched her cheek, and what followed were Mioline's words.
"Okay you idiot, prepare yourself." That was when Suletta froze from a strange anxiety. She saw Mio's face again, which leaned down closer. Suletta tightened her lips, her heart thumping hard.
Mio slid her hand around and now took Suletta's chin.
"W-w-w-w-hat is she do-?!" The thoughts of Suletta were arrested by an abrupt answer. Her mouth loosened from a feeling she could not describe. Mioline's lips touched Suletta's; the Witch shuddered, her eyes widening. As soon as the shudder ebbed, and she calmed, she closed her eyes and refused to let go. Her cognition changed immediately and her nervous system relaxed. Mio pulled away, tilted her head, and kissed again. Suletta responded with a simple "mm" and didn't release the bride.
Mio sighed and moved her head to Suletta's shoulder again.
"Is this what grooms and brides do?" Asked Suletta.
"Apparently."
"It—it's nice, Miss Mio." A bright, innocent smile. "We really kissed." Mioline held her tongue; she contained her surprise as Suletta dealt with it so smoothly.
"I hear that you touch a person's face before you kiss," said Mio, "everything matters on how you touch."
"C…can I try Miss Mio?"
The two rolled around, but not before an annoyed face flashed on Mioline. Unlike Mio's stout, determined eyes, Suletta could not hide her nervousness. She gulped.
"Suletta, aren't you going to be a scary Witch and claim what you want?" Mio said it in her usual, cold manner; it was another move between bride and groom, teasing through words to tempt the other. Suletta uttered a "yes", took in a breath, and arced down her head. She touched Mioline's lips – to think that she could kiss the President's daughter. If asked, Suletta could never explain why. Before she knew it, her lips were drawn in and suctioned on another's. Mioline's hand touched Suletta's temple, sliding down her cheek and her neck. When they broke away, their glittering eyes touched their hearts.
"Miss Mio, what other things do grooms and brides say to each other?"
"Hm?"
"Do they say, 'do your best'? 'I love you'? 'You are great'?"
"All of that, I think," Mio said, thinning her eyes. "And 'you're beautiful'?"
"Huh?!" When Suletta gasped, two of Mio's fingers touched her mouth to keep it close. It was still sensitive from the kiss. Did the bumpkin not think she was good-looking? Her heart fluttered.
"Stop making that face, Suletta."
"mm—mmhmm!"
"Uh, they also say, 'I want you more,' "let's do it again," and 'I believe in you.'" Somehow, after those words, the usual Mio returned, and she snapped her head to the side. "Do you get it?! Look, don't make me say it again." Her face flushed.
"Miss Mio, please look at me. I believe in you too."
"Hah?!" Shocked at such a demand coming from Suletta's sweet and gentle tone, tinting with shyness, Mioline did exactly that and looked back up. Suletta's green eyes glimmered. It was like a fresh sea, which held a promise.
"I believe in you, so do your best tomorrow. I'll do the same."
Suddenly, there was a low lunge. Suletta Mercury threw herself down again and her arms locked around Mioline. Her head squeezed against Mio's neck, and the surge of it all was enough to surprise the bride.
"A-agh!"
"I'm giving Miss Mio a biiiiiiig hug! Chuuuu-!"
Mioline made bizarre sounds, whether it was a hiss or a groan as she contended against the Witch's embrace. Or maybe what she was contending with was fainting…from the hot energy that was pooling in her veins. Suletta giggled and said that Mio sounded upset, and the princess bride retorted by calling the groom an 'idiot' once more. Moments later, that idiot groom and bride held hands and, with their smiles, fell into a content sleep.