Chapter 12: Let Loose!
Weekends were reserved for sleeping in. They had always been, and with the way the professors had suddenly been cracking down in order to make up for lost time, the students treasured the weekend more than usual. With that being said, Zeke couldn't control the amount of irritation that surfaced when he felt an extra presence crawling across his bed and the sound of his window being shoved open. He knew it wasn't Blair because the feline hadn't come by to visit lately due to her currently work flow, and secondly, the order in which the actions taking place had happened was off. There was a sound of contentment that caused the white haired boy to open his eyes groggily and peer at the girl sitting on his bed, practically hanging out of his window. She was wearing an over sized shirt that looked worn, probably something of her father's, and her hair was hanging loose to the middle of her back. There was an excited gleam in her eyes as she leaned further out the window, allowing the light breeze to tousle her hair.
"Ayame…" Zeke started, eyes never leaving her face and watching her expression. She let out a sound of acknowledgement. "What the hell are you doing in my room?" She turned her head fully now, a wide smile crossing her face as she pointed out the window.
"Can't you hear it? They're setting up for the Fall Festival!" she informed before turning and leaning further out the window, enjoying the morning breeze. "We didn't have it last year. And it looks like there's gonna be new stuff out." She informed. Zeke watched his partner silently before rolling his eyes and pushing himself up to look out his window as well. He came up behind her, more so to the right side of her, and leaned into her slightly as he looked out the window with his chin placed on her shoulder. You could smell pies and various sweets in the air, and the shouted instructions of those setting up.
"You wanna go that bad?" Zeke hummed tiredly and felt her nod. They had always gone to the Fall Festival since they were kids, only missing it on two occasions and it being cancelled once. For them, it was tradition to go, so he shouldn't have been so surprised at her excitement. "I guess we should probably start moving then."
"Right." Ayame agreed and moved back to slide out the window, not noticing her partner's hesitance to move back as well. "I can't wait to see what new vendors are here this year!" she chirped, rushing out of his room. Zeke ran his fingers groggily threw his hair and squeezed his eyes shut.
"What's wrong with me?" he bemoaned and opened his eyes slowly, finding himself sitting in his soul across from Aku. The oni looked up at him from the large seat he had been lounging in and smirked.
"And to what do I owe this pleasant visit?" The imp asked with a sleazy grin. Zeke scowled but pushed himself from the ground.
"You need to stay out of my thoughts and actions." He answered only to receive a calculating look and raised brow in return.
"What're you going on about now, brat? I thought our agreement was I take control when you lose it?" Aku hummed lazily, examining his razor like nails with a bored expression that only annoyed the teenager in front of him further.
"That was it… But you making me respond in weird ways to my partner- HEY!" Zeke yelled as the oni began to cackle with entertainment.
"What's this you're blaming me for now, brat?" He scoffed. "That's not me, kid. That's hormones. Took you long enough though." The white haired teen's face began to redden as a teasing smirk began to cross the oni's face. "Though, if you really have no idea how to handle that either…"
"Shut up." Zeke growled and turned away. "Just leave me alone and know your place." He grunted with a huff before coming back to consciousness in his bedroom. He allowed his shoulders to slump as reality took over.
"Hey," Lifting his eyes, he noticed Ayame poking her head into the doorway of his room. "I'm inviting the others, so hurry up and get ready!" she informed. Zeke nodded mutely as he stretched his arms over his head and tried to shake off any awkward thoughts that lingered.
"Yeah, I'm movin'."
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There were vendors in every which direction as well as music and chatter that filled the air. Rion was never a fan of crowds, but this was something new for him and he couldn't help but to be excited with Ava by his side. He could easily say that his partner had helped him get over many of his anxieties and was glad to attend this festival with her tugging him happily along. The fall in Nevada was different than other places that the young weapon had lived in. He had been in places where it would sometimes snow versus other places where you'd be in shorts and a tank top. This year, Death City had a nice cool breeze where one could wear long sleeves and be comfortable. Ava was wearing a light sweater and leggings, accompanied with sneakers while Rion wore cargos, a long sleeved shirt and sneakers himself.
"Look, they have rides here this year!" Ava practically squealed, her grip on her partner's hand tightening slightly as she pointed through the crowd. Rion hummed in acknowledgment, eyeing some of the food vendors.
"Look, they've got 100 different types of pie." He responded, pointing at a booth with his free hand. "Wanna try some?" He watched as his partner considered the option before her bright smile returned again and she nodded. There were pies of different varieties that a stout older woman was talking about as she passed out small samples to those interested. Ava was in a far friendlier mood that Rion was used to, but he paid it no mind as they swapped samples with one another, commenting on the flavors and such.
"Aren't you too looking especially cozy today!" Glancing back, their eyes fell on Gabe and their classmate Becca. Both were just casually enough for the occasion, but that didn't stop the question that poured from Ava's mouth.
"What're you two doing here together? You on a date?" she asked, causing the pair to simultaneously redden. Gabe let out a scoff, shoving his hands roughly into his pockets, however, jerking his head in the direction of the displeased blonde beside him.
"Both of our partners had other plans and since we ran into each other we decided to keep each other company is all." He defended. Becca nodded.
"Exactly. I'd like to think I could do better if I was going to go on a date with anyone from our class." She informed. The pair watched as Gabe looked at his companion of the day with annoyance.
"I'd like to say the same." He muttered. "I should have come alone! How the hell am I supposed to get Ayame to be my girlfriend with people thinking I'm dating you." At this, Becca scoffed.
"Aren't you persistent?" She teased, hands on her hips now as she looked at the annoyed teen pointedly. "Ayame isn't interested in you! Why can't you just move on already?"
"You're one to talk!" Gabe all but yelled. They had clearly forgotten about Rion and Ava watching them… or the others around for that matter. "If I'm not mistaken, you've got quite the little crush on a certain white haired weapon who pays you no attention at all!"
"You shut up!" Becca yelled, cheeks reddening.
"You've got a crush on Zeke?" Ava asked, a tinge of excitement in her voice. Rion shoved another pie sample in his mouth. A lot of the girls, not only in their class, but in other classes, had a crush on Zeke. It shouldn't have been such a surprise. Gabe had a satisfied look on his face all the same, clearly pleased that the attention was off him as the blonde meister sputtered out incoherent excuses.
"You won't be the first to have a crush on him. Don't feel too bad." Rion decided to attempt soothing. "There's been plenty of girls that have put requests in his locker between classes." Ava was laughing now despite the very serious look on her partner's face. This didn't seem to help and Gabe was getting a good laugh along with her.
"Hey what're you guys over here laughing at?" The group turned from each other and watched as Ayame and Zeke came to a short stop, looking at their fellow Shibusen students curiously. They appeared to be matching, Zeke sporting burgundy jeans and a deep yellow shirt that said Music Man on it, while Ayame wore an oversized burgundy sweater with 'Live, Love, Music' in black print and a pair of black skinny jeans.
"Ayame!" Gabe practically gushed. "We were just talking about things around school is all!" he informed brightly. The girl cocked an eyebrow suspiciously, but shrugged all the same.
"Hey Becca." Zeke greeted politely. "You're here with Gabe today?" The girl flustered slightly but under the teasing smirk on the messy haired meister beside her, she gathered herself.
"We're not on a date if that's what you're asking." She informed with a huff. "We just happened to run into each other on the way over and since our partners both had prior engagements we decided to come together."
"Oh… ok." Zeke answered with a slightly confused look on his face. "Well maybe all of us could stick together. Aimee and Liam should be here soon too."
"We saw that they have rides this year. You guys wanna check 'em out?" Ayame added. Everyone agreed, adding a new air of chatter and positivity to the group. Rion smiled slightly, more so listening than contributing to the discussion. He always enjoyed how easily things seemed to fall in place with this group of people. He had truly found a home and family with them.
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Zeke stared wearily up at the ride they were standing in line for. By now, Aimee and Liam had joined their group and the excited chatter while the white haired teen stood back and waited. He didn't know how or why they had dragged him along for this… especially Ayame. He glared slightly at his chipper partner who was chatting it up with Gabe and Ava. "Why're you looking at Aya like that?" Blinking, Zeke looked to the side at Liam who smiled back at him in entertainment. "She knows you hate Ferris Wheels. You don't have to get on." The shinigami informed easily before taking a sip of his soda.
"I know that." Zeke grumbled. "I don't wanna be the odd man out is all. These stupid things take forever to come back around."
"So you plan to suffer through instead?" Liam asked and rolled his eyes when he didn't get a response. "Well I'll make sure to sit in a different car from you. I'm not getting puked on this time around." Zeke glared at him.
"Hey guys, look over there!" Aimee's voice called out, grabbing everyone's attention as she pointed through the crowd. "A performance! We should check it out before this!" she informed. Rion's shoulders fell while Zeke perked up significantly.
"But the riiiiiide." The shorter weapon had practically whined. Aimee pursed her lips.
"It's not going anywhere! Just look at those people!" Rion grimaced as all their gazed went towards were people had now gathered around and made sounds of awe mixed with claps and cheers here and there. "C'mon. We can come right back to the ride afterwards." There was no room for arguing and soon the group found themselves pushing through to see the show. There were people in the center, taking parts in flame juggling and blowing, acrobats, and magic.
"What's so impressive about this?" Zeke heard Rion grumble, arms crossed and frown in place. The taller weapon laughed.
"That's right. You grew up doing this kinda stuff. It's nothing new to you."
"Exactly… and they're not even genuine. They're using magic." The younger weapon grumbled, eyes narrowing. "I don't even know if I can say that much."
"You should show them how its done, Ri!" Ava chirped excitedly, hugging onto her partner from behind. The golden haired boy scoffed ever further.
"No point." He muttered and glanced back at her. "Let's go back to the rides." He requested. Ava nodded easily and the two parted with the rest of their friends. Ayame came into Rion's spot to get a better view, cocking her head to the side curiously as the man juggling flames carried his petite partner on his shoulders while she stood juggling knives.
"Why would he say there's magic involved?" she asked. Zeke shrugged, hands shoved in his pockets as he took in each move.
"Well I mean he did grow up around this sort of stuff. He knows the ins and outs. Guess he would know the difference between being genuine and when the wool is being put over someone's eyes." He explained only for his partner to hum back in acknowledgement.
"All the same… maybe it just brings back bad memories for him… real or not." She added. Zeke looked down at her, noticing an almost far off look in her eyes despite the show in front of them. They had all become very close and knew a lot about one another. Rion had taken a particular liking towards both Black Star and Sid so Ayame dealt with him a lot and knew just as much about his past as Ava did. Somehow, Zeke was certain her mind was drifting off to those stories that many of them cringed at hearing. Reaching out, he gave one of her pig tails a tug. "Hey!" she swatted him away and glared.
"Stop being so serious." Zeke responded in a low voice, causing her to blink up at him before her cheeks with a tinge of pink and she turned away with a stubborn pout. "Let's get outta here. Get some cotton candy maybe?"
"Yeah!" Ayame practically cheered and allowed Zeke to lead the way. Once they were out of the general crowd, she chattered excitedly about nothing in particular interest to her partner who was more so content with getting away than anything. He enjoyed the time with their friends, but he also liked to spend time with his partner one on one. "Hey look! It's Ares and Lyra."
"What?" Zeke looked around and followed where his partner was pointing. The duo were standing with each other at a jewelry vendor, Ares with a smile on his face and Lyra looking excited, which was strange for her since she was always so serious or sarcastic. A mischievous smile crossed Ayame's face.
"I bet you they're on a date." The dark haired meister giggled and Zeke wrinkled his nose.
"We're here together and we're not on a date." He defended only for his partner to roll her eyes in response.
"Yeah, but we're not holding hands!" she informed, jabbing her finger at the older pair. They watched as Lyra pointed at something on the table, chattering excitedly up at her partner who returned the smile and slipped his hand into hers as the spoke. It wasn't long before he was purchasing whatever it was that the silver haired beauty was requesting. Ayame's eyes lit up and she was practically bouncing.
"No way…"
"I told you!"
"They're, like, together or something."
"How cool is that!" Ayame giggled and beamed up at her shocked partner. "They're like one of the strongest teams on Shibusen and they're dating!" she informed. Zeke grimaced.
"That must be troublesome… Lyra-senpai is such a pain sometimes."
"Well yeah, but their bond as weapon and meister must be incredible." Ayame answered with a sigh. "They know each other on a deeper level and all…" She watched as the older pair vanished into the crowd, unaware of their audience. Zeke cocked a brow.
"Is that what you want, Aya?" '
"What?" she had whipped her head around and stared up at him in very obvious confusion. Zeke snorted and moved closer to her, leaning forward slightly, a teasing smile crossing his face.
"Ya want a bond like that one?" It took a moment for her to register the implications and she went a deep shade of red before giving him a violent shove, despite his laughter and growled in annoyance.
"Don't be a creep!" she yelled and he laughed as she stomped away from him. He ran after him and threw his arms around her shoulders from behind, hugging onto her loosely as he leaned his head next to her and beamed.
"Don't be a brat. Let loose a little." He laughed and she gave a bratty huff.
"You're such a weirdo." She grumbled and he continued to hold onto her and beam.
"It's from being around you all the time.' He informed and she scoffed in return, never bothering to shove him off as they walked. Zeke decided he'd enjoy it while he could. He was certain the same went for her.
Author's Note: Whoa guys its been a while! Sorry for such a long wait but work has taken a good chunk of my free time. All that aside, hope you enjoyed this chillaxed chappie. Things should be picking up once again fairly soon so stick around ;)
As usual, please read and review :D