A few days passed after their countdown to midnight, a whole week to be exact. The 7th of January, 980; and every calendar would make people smile as they realized it was the final year of the decade. So to would the redhead, as she waltzed down the hall.
However, her reason for smiling at the calendar was for an entirely different reason; she reached her room door and raised her hand-
The door opened with a blonde stepping out, "Oh, hey." The hallway hosted a few Royal Guard on patrol and the sunlight glistened across the floor.
Hotaru hugged her clipboard in one arm, "I was just about to knock. It’s past ten, you really should eat so breakfast."
"I’m going, I’m going," Jotou rolled her eyes with a smile. "Wait, what’re you doing back here so fast?"
The wolf-girl’s tail relaxed, "It’s been a crazy few days, but my schedule’s finally much freer. I haven’t even had the ti to kiss my girlfriend," her fangs glistened.
Jotou’s eyes darted to the floor as her complexion turned pinkish-red, "I understand you’ve got stuff to do," she pushed a few locks of hair behind her ear.
"You say that know," Hotaru shook her head. She reached a hand for the blonde’s face and drew herself closer, "C’re~"
"Wait, wait, wait! Wait..." Jotou put both arms out.
"Hm?" Hotaru waited with furrowed her brows. "Is there sothing on my lips?" she grazed a finger over them.
"No, there’s just an odd sparkle on the floor," Jotou’s eyes were glued onto it. In between the two’s feet was an odd outline of sparkles indeed; the sunlight made no shadow of it, almost like... "Move back a bit."
Hotaru heeded the order before Jotou raised her left leg to the side and—"Clack!"—kicked whatever it was to the right, along the hallway.
"POOF!" Just as it ca to a halt sowhere, white powder exploded into the air. Hotaru’s hands glowed blue and Jotou had a left arm in front of her as they both gawked to the cloud of, flour?
The blonde narrowed her eyes. "Ting, ping, ping..." So tal piece fell from it, while thin wooden pieces were no longer invisible as they reappeared shattered into chunks over the floor.
So of the Royal Guard turned- "It’s alright, false alarm," Jotou shouted out.
Hotaru squinted, "What was that!?" she peered to the broken, whatever it was. Jotou walked over to inspect it further and crouched down as the flour drifted to the ground like snow.
Jotou dragged her finger across the flour. She examined the bit of tal, realizing there were other tal bits, as well as a spring.
"Daiyu, Asobi and Fuko’ve been trying to prank ever since we got back from the last stand... This, looks like so sort of mouse trap.
When the trigger snaps, it breaks the thingy and bursts; I assu I would’ve stepped on it and got floured," Jotou stood up and glared to the hallways around her, "Not impossible to make with access to an engineer like hrab!
You haven’t gotten yet and that won’t change! I’m not scared of you, you hear!?" she shouted into the corridors.
Hotaru raised a brow, "I don’t think they can hear you-"
"Keep overthinking paranoiac! You’re gonna slip up one of these days!" a disembodied nasally voice scread down from the ceiling.
"If you’re gonna talk, why don’t you co down here and show yourself then detective!?"
No response ca back.
"Chicken."
"Glad you’ve all kept yourselves occupied," Hotaru placed a palm to her hip.
Jotou threw the tal bit aside, "It’s not like I asked for this."
"But if I know my girlfriend, you’re still having fun with it," Hotaru smirked.
The blonde blushed again, "Stop saying that, I know you’re doing it on purpose," she wriggled her toes, cringing a smidgen.
"But it’s adorable when you get flustered~"
"Hmph. Guess you’ve got a girlfriend and technically a boyfriend too~" Jotou retorted.
Hotaru tilted her head, "Well, I like both, so lucky ~" Her tone went serious for a mont, "It’s a bit inconsiderate of I guess, but would you prefer calling you my boyfriend or the forr?"
Jotou’s fluster disappeared, "I don’t really mind; whatever’s comfortable to you," she shrugged.
"Okay then," Hotaru gave a soft smile. "I’ve just known you for a while now and I know about you being a man in another world, but I’ve never really asked. Daiyu always says he or him when referring to you, so it got thinking."
Jotou chuckled, "Daiyu rembers as the smart-assed, stubborn boy she first t. You rember as the blonde woman who woke up from a coffin. It doesn’t really matter because both of them are , Jotou Howllett."
Hotaru’s tail wagged as she bead from ear to ear, "I love you."
Jotou gave another chuckle, unknowing of what prompted such a reply. "Which one, the boy or the girl ?" she teased.
"Jotou Howllett~"
"Such a lawyer," Jotou shook her head.
"Says you?"
"I figured you were bi, now I’ve confird it."
"Bi?" Hotaru’s ears folded.
"Bisexual," Jotou knitted her brows, "ans you like both guys and girls."
"Oh... Daiyu did said sothing about your world having nas for these things," Hotaru replied.
"Huh." ’Guess that thought never occurred to .’
"Speaking of which, Daiyu said you were ’pan’?"
"Mhm. The way I put it, is that I don’t really care about anything else other than the person; if I like the person, I like the person. Nothing overly complicated about it. Though, I do lean more towards liking won."
"Well, lucky for you," Hotaru swayed forward and took Jotou by the face to steal a kiss. "This woman likes you~" her brilliant blue pools stared right after.
With the redhead’s hand holding Jotou’s head in place and so close... The blonde couldn’t help but blush, "...So, it’s like now instead of love? I see how it is Azure Firefly," she pouted.
Hotaru’s eyes rolled, "What am I gonna do with you, you spiteful little housecat?"
Jotou grinned and stuck her tongue out with a wink of her right eye.
"Alright, I’ll talk to you later. Go have breakfast. Any plans you had for today?"
Jotou pondered, "Actually, I was gonna explore the city more. Last ti, I could keep moving so nobody recognized ... This ti, might not be the sa.
I was planning to take Asobi with and disguise ourselves. Wanna co along? It’d be fun."
"That’s great, but you go ahead," Hotaru waved.
"Hm? You sure? I thought your schedule was free?"
"Right, it is, from work stuff. There’s so personal stuff I’ll be taking care of."
"Personal stuff?"
"Don’t worry about it," Hotaru smiled.
"You know I’m gonna worry about it..." Jotou sighed. "But okay, if you have stuff to do, go ahead," she turned and waved. "Love you."
"Love you too," as Hotaru bade the parting Jotou... She exhaled in relief. "Glad she didn’t investigate more... Alright, ti to find Daiyu," Hotaru went into her own room first.
_
"Daiyu?"
The princess watched out the balcony, taking a breather now that work had died down; till she heard the call, "Yeah?" she turned. "Tarts, what is it? Don’t tell there’s more work scheduled..." she groaned.
"It’s nothing to do with work, but it’s gonna take so work," Hotaru walked onto the balcony.
"You’ve already lost ."
"It’s about Jotou’s birthday."
Daiyu turned with bubbled eyes, "What? Don’t tell you did sothing, please don’t tell you did sothing!"
Hotaru halted, "Uhm... No, but I was planning to... What’s wrong?"
Daiyu sighed with a hand on her chest, "Thank hell. Jotou’s uh, where do I even start... I feel like Jotou should be saying this, but.
On Jotou’s 20th birthday, like right at midnight, his dad burst into his room drunk and basically like berated him, calling him a waste of space; then his mom blad Jotou, saying it was his fault that like, his dad did sothing like that.
In short, the ssage can be boiled down to, your birth was a mistake and your existence is a burden; at least that’s what Jotou felt that day."
"I..." Hotaru’s mouth was agape, her ears folded down. "I feel like I should’ve heard it from Jotou, but at the sa ti it might hurt her to say... I knew her parents were awful, but that’s just terrible..."
"Yeah... Jotou’s always had diocre birthdays, nothing too crazy. I an, you like know him; ’It’s just another day, who cares?’ He’d say sothing like that.
He’s just being Jotou though. Of course he wants gifts, wishes and to be like celebrated, but he’ll be damned if he asks for it.
But after that day, Jotou honestly got depressed for his 21st birthday. He wanted to forget it all together and I think that ti, he genuinely wanted nothing special. Like, the spirit was just sucked out of him."
Hotaru released her clipboard from her hug, "I understand, but it’s still her birthday. Do you really think we should do nothing? I don’t know if Jotou’s moved past it and I don’t want to bring it up."
"I dunno how to judge it, alright? Maybe Jotou does want sothing this year, maybe that day’s still affecting him, I honestly don’t know.
I just..." Her slumped shoulders she couldn’t lift, her tender gaze fixed upon the other, "I wanna keep him safe, ya know? Better safe than sorry.
As much as I do wanna do sothing for Jotou, I still think a birthday wish and like so nice dinner’d be enough. Have you realized, he hasn’t even ntioned his birthday despite the date closing in?"
"The only ti she ntioned her birthday, was when we she realized her birthday was close to the birthday of the body she’s in now. Other than that, it’s on all her identifications since I handle them all."
"I don’t know... Maybe we should plan sothing?" Daiyu considered. "It’s not like his parents are here."
"We can put a hold on any party planning for now till you decide. Regardless, I thought of maybe at least getting her a personal gift. Any recomndations?"
Daiyu glanced down, "If you can manage to outdo the gift he got you, I’d be shocked," she muttered.
"What? What gift did she give ?" Hotaru furrowed her brows. "My birthday isn’t till May."
Daiyu glanced up... and looked to the wolf-woman’s bright crimson ears that probably picked up her mutter... "Shit..."
"Daiyu?" Hotaru glared.
"Oh please, don’t even try the intimidation Tarts."
Her ears spiked and tail bristled.
"You’re not gonna win a fight against ."
Hotaru frowned and she stopped. "Fine, if you’re not gonna tell , I have no use asking. I just hoped to repay the favour to the one I loved... But since you wanna guard this secret, so be it," her brilliant blue eyes darted away and her ears fell.
Daiyu glared, crossing her arms... "Anyway, for suggestions..." she had to endure watching the wilted redhead...
"Keep going, I’m listening," Hotaru’s voice went much softer, like it was about to break into tears.
"Oh for fuck’s sake, you know that bet and Jotou took?" Daiyu huffed.
Hotaru faced her, "The one you made when you two fought?"
"What else? Look, if I’d won, Jotou would’ve had to wear lingerie of my choosing and skip around the entire palace shouting, ’I’m a pretty princess!’ with a bright smile.
If Jotou won, I as princess, would publicly announce anything of Jotou’s choosing, no limits. Then on the double or nothing, whatever I announced would instead be an enactnt of Jotou’s choosing.
I thought it was gonna be like, sothing horrendous on . Instead, it was to make you the Azure Firefly. I said I wouldn’t tell you, but there. I don’t see any reasoning other than Jotou wanted not to be embarrassed."
Hotaru’s fangs glistened as her eyes flickered a sprinkling of blue rainwater, "So, you broke your promise to her?"
"It wasn’t anything serious and I didn’t even properly promise him. He thought you deserved it, I didn’t disagree. If you weren’t healing us, there was actually no chance we would’ve won the last stand."
"Well... thanks," pinks across her complexion, "I sort of could guess it was Jotou, only she calls firefly... Now I feel bad for making you say it~"
"Don’t worry, you can make it up to by giving all the deets about what’s been happening with you and Jotou," Daiyu grinned... "Having fun? You two going at it like rabbits?"
Hotaru’s ears stood up and she pinched her lips, "Co on, t-that’s a tad more personal."
Daiyu walked closer, tapping her feet, "You think you’re slick with your psychological manipulation? Don’t you want my advice? His longest, his best friend’s helpful advice? I could help you narrow it down so much, for so little crumbs of your love life~"
Hotaru gulped, recoiling her head back as Daiyu got up in her face. "Uhm, well, there might be sothing else... But, you can’t tell anyone and I an anyone. I want a verbal contract," she defended.
Daiyu bobbed her head, "Hmmmm... Fine, I give you my word; it better be juicy," Daiyu pulled back.
Hotaru wiped the nervous sweat down her brow, "The thing is, I’m confused about it. Fuko’s always had her eyes on Jotou, you know that, right?"
The princess half-closed an eye, "I can see it, yeah."
"Well, Jotou chose and she’s been of course, jealous. Though, I guess her and I’ve had this silent battle for a while now? Anyhow, I didn’t expect it, but one day we talked about it...
And, she confessed that she had a crush on too. It was just that Jotou was the one she chose. I, still don’t know what to make of it..." Hotaru stared to her clipboard.
"Huh, this is juicy," Daiyu replied. "So, do you like her too or sothing?"
"I don’t know? I just, never saw her in that way. She can be really immature and annoying at tis, but she’s also, very sincere and hopeful when the ti calls for it. I’ve seen her in her darkest tis and I always want to protect her.
It’s not like her liking Jotou is a bad thing, even if it seems a bit obsessive. Even after Jotou politely rejected her, she still goes after Jotou and Jotou isn’t really harsh with pushing ko’s feelings aside, it sotis feels like Jotou accepts them instead; it gets , well..."
"Jealous?"
Hotaru faced away, "Confused maybe. Why would Fuko just say she likes ? Did she just decide there was nothing to lose?"
"If you’re this unsure, then it’s probs not a no from you," Daiyu tilted her head.
Hotaru laughed it off, "I’m with Jotou, I’d never do sothing like that."
"While that’s good to hear," Daiyu bead, "I’ve been teasing Jotou for having a harem all this ti; but it’s really more of a poly romance, aww~ It’d could be a little light novel."
Hotaru’s eyes jolted open, "Polyamory? No, no!" She scoffed, "I could never. That’s a bit too much for to handle," she flashed both her palms and waved.
"Whatever you say," Daiyu pestered. "Then why don’t you just tell her a straight up no?"
"I said I don’t know!" Hotaru winced her eyes. "Besides, she knows I’m with Jotou anyway, the answer should be obvious to her, no matter what I feel."
"You got any feelings for Asobi I should know about too?"
Hotaru stared and took a deep breath, "...I’m not interested in a romantic relationship with anyone other than Jotou at this ti. My romantic emotions for anyone else are in a confused state of being.
I have full intention of being in a relationship with Jotou and making sure everything works. That includes, making sure she feels happy, safe and appreciated on her birthday.
So if you do not mind—Princess Xia Lan Daiyu—I’d like to inquire so assistance on info regarding Jotou’s preferences on a gift for her birthday," Hotaru stood with her shoulders wide and head high.
"Oh fine, fine, not like I can’t ss with you about this later," Daiyu waved her hand. "Didn’t have to go lawyer on Tarts. What d’you have in mind, I’ll give ya my opinion."
"Hmm, I know Jotou loves the stars. I was thinking she’d like to know more about them in this world, so maybe a book about it? There’s not too many publications about astronomy, so it’s a niche topic, I’d probably have to buy sothing imported from Luxinor."
"If it’s pricy just ask the palace, I’m sure we can cover it."
"No, this’ll co out of my own pockets. Does Jotou prefer fiction or non?"
"Hmm... Jotou used to read a lot of fiction as a kid. But Jotou also likes non-fiction; chemistry, physics, biology—just nothing math related.
Like, natural phenona, chemical bonds, evolution, yada-yada. The thing is, Jotou barely reads anymore. I an, how many tis has he like gone to the library?"
"How about a telescope?"
"Bit much, no?"
"Jotou’s already ordered a bunch of painting supplies, so that’s a no go too..."
"Unless you can get a drawing tablet; technology’s a century behind here, but if you sohow get it," Daiyu shrugged.
"Not helping."
"Ani figure."
"A what figure...?"
"Body pillow- Oh wait, he has you."
"Why did I ever co to you for advice...?"
"Dog plushie."
"She already has one."
"Cat plushie."
"That’s just redundant."
"Socks?"
Hotaru barely batted an eye.
"Okay, okay, how about a photo album?"
"We don’t have that many photographs together."
"Yeah, you give it to him with a note saying you want to fill it with mories of each other, duh. Jotou’ll eat that cheesy stuff up."
"...I guess it could work, but I feel like that’s more ’romantic’ than ’birthday’," Hotaru pondered longer.
Daiyu sighed, "Look, if I’m being honest, Jotou would think wishing him a happy birthday would be enough. Any gift you get him, he’ll probs like it; make sure it’s nothing too extravagant or overwhelming, just in case."
"Fair enough, then maybe I’ll look in the city. With Asobi and Jotou out, I’ll have to disguise myself manually and sneak out to make sure people don’t mob the Azure Firefly. What gift were you planning?"
"I was gonna wish him a happy birthday, give him a hug and ask if he wanted anything."
"...Simple as that huh?"
"Now though, I might plan a little party. I’ll go talk to Feyan," Daiyu strode out the balcony, "See ya later Tarts."
"See you. I’ll be off to the city then."
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