Chapter Text
The main service ended, the afterparty beginning shortly afterwards. Rice was talking with Ana about the vows, enthusiastically talking about how beautiful they were. She was holding the bouquet that Bourbon had caught. She was very happy when Bourbon let her hold it. Bourbon was having a much different experience. Her brain was completely unsure of what to do next due to her sudden revelation. She did know who she was looking for though. “Hey Bourbon! There you are!” they had found her first. “Hey Teio, hey McQueen. Congratulations again. I’m happy for you both.” She said with a smile warmer than she typically showed. “Thank you so much for coming.” McQueen said. “By the way, I wanted to ask about something.” Bourbon said before the two could continue their celebrations. “Hmm? What about?” McQueen asked, arm joined with Teio’s. “Do you remember the question you asked me the last time we spoke? You asked me if I love Rice Shower.” Teio had an inquisitive look on her face. “Do you have an answer for us then?” she said, staring at Bourbon. “I- I do.” Teio smiled slightly. “And what might that be?” she said almost teasingly. Bourbon took a deep breath. “I love her! I’ve loved her for so long and I didn’t even realize!” it was an unexpected outburst, her voice was loud enough to turn a few heads, and there was pain layered in her tone. “I don’t understand how I could be so stupid.” She said, voice now a whisper.
“Oh Bourbon…” McQueen said sympathetically. She understood Bourbon’s frustration because she had gone through nearly the same thing. “You didn’t do anything wrong, you shouldn't beat yourself up over something out of your control.” She rested a hand on Bourbon’s shoulder. “It’s my own heart! Of course I had control over it!” Bourbon exclaimed again. “Can you honestly say that you control your heart? That would make you the first in history.” Bourbon knew that McQueen was right. She knew it wasn't something she could have done anything about but it still hurt. “I just recommend you think everything over. Your next steps and such.” Bourbon nodded, slowly regaining her composure. “Thank you for your help.” she said, smiling again before she faded back into the crowd, finding her way back to Rice. ‘Rice…’ Could she face her yet? Could she tell her yet? No, not at another's wedding. That was her excuse for the time. “Hey Bourbon, how has Rice been?” The voice came from Symboli Rudolf.
“Hi Rudolf. She’s getting better, slowly but surely.” Bourbon glanced over at the small girl in the blue dress, her heart warming when she saw her wide smile. Apparently the warmth was visible to Rudolf. “You two have grown close, haven't you?” she said. Bourbon’s face reddened a little. “I- I suppose so” Rudolf chuckled a little. “Oh my! The ever robotic Bourbon flustered?” She had a rare mischievous look on her face, prompting Bourbon to respond in kind. “Mischief in the eyes of the student council president?” Rudolf’s expression softened to a warmer smile. “It seems she really has helped you.” Bourbon glanced again to where rice was sitting. “Yes, I guess she has.” Deciding to change the subject, she asked a question of her own “How are you enjoying the wedding?” The student council president’s face grew a nostalgic smile. “I can’t believe how far Teio’s come. I’ve known her ever since she was a young girl. I’m so happy for her and McQueen.” Bourbon nodded. “I can only imagine what that must be like. I’ve only known Rice for two and a half years and she’s already flipped my world upside down.” They looked out across the courtyard together, taking in the event. “With you catching the bouquet and all, I could easily see you and Rice having a day just like this in not too long. The academy would certainly be willing to host such an event.” Rudolf said teasingly. “Oh shut up.” Bourbon said. ‘It’s not the least appealing idea, though’ she admitted to herself. “What about you and Air Groove?” Rudolf laughed heartily. “Oh we could never do an event like this, or more like she would only let me do something like this over her dead body.” Air Groove was wrangling some of the younger students as this was being said, driving home her point. “I know I was joking about it earlier but are you and Rice…” she trailed off sheepishly. Bourbon tensed up again, a bit of warmth on her face “I- I do love her, but I don’t know if she… reciprocates that.” The emperor sighed, though she was slightly amused by Bourbon’s word choice. “I never expected that I would be the one to say this, but open your eyes.” Bourbon was slightly taken aback by the president’s bluntness. “Anyone can tell that she adores you.” She couldn't quite process what Rudolf was telling her, and couldn’t help wondering if the president had something to drink, because the statement was so out of character. “Rudolf!” Air Groove called from across the courtyard, some new problem arising. “Well, it was nice to catch up with you Bourbon, but I’m afraid I’m needed elsewhere.” Rudolf began to walk to where Air Groove was calling her.
The party went on for another few hours, before everyone began to dissipate while Teio and McQueen receded to their apartment for some alone time. “Ready to go Rice?” Bourbon asked as Rice shuffled over to the car Ana had pulled up. “Yeah. It was a really fun party.” Rice had been more social than usual throughout the night, seemingly too caught up in talking with her old friends to remember her social anxieties. Bourbon’s new truth weighed heavy on her still, but she couldn’t say anything about it yet. They arrived back at Bourbon’s house, where Ana said her goodbyes before driving off. They entered the house quietly, but before they could go upstairs Bourbon had an idea spark into her head. She looked around the empty bottom floor of her house, and suddenly knew exactly what she wanted it to be. “Hey Rice, I have- I have a proposition for you.” Rice, who was about to start up the stairs, turned around looking curious. “A proposition?” The room was illuminated by moonlight, bathing the walls in a pale and beautiful glow. “I think I’ve told you before how I want to do something with this space, right?” Rice nodded. “Yes, you said you didn’t know what you wanted yet though.”. The room was silent, as if it was waiting to hear what its future would be. Bourbon steadied herself, steeling her own nerves for what she was about to say. “I’ve really had a good time with you living here for rehab, and I kind of want it to stay like… this.” Rice’s mind was beginning to circle, her own feelings conflicting. ‘No, I don’t deserve something like that. It's not what she’s saying.’ she thought to herself while Bourbon continued. “Rice Shower, I want to open a book store with you, that is if you’ll… stay here.”
Rice stared wide eyed at Bourbon. A book store. Her and Bourbon, running a bookstore. “I know you love picture books, so maybe that could be a lot of our stock, and maybe-” Bourbon was cut off by a sudden interjection from Rice. “You want me to… help you run… a bookstore here, on the bottom floor of your house?” Bourbon was red in the face, though it was hard to see in the moonlight. She couldn’t tell if Rice thought the idea was dumb, if she loved it, if she hated it. Without the emotional incompetence Bourbon possessed, the answer was obviously spelled out, but to her it was spelt in Greek. “Y- Yes. I would… I would like you to stay here with me.” Rice stood perfectly still, her heart beating so loud she thought it would wake the entire street. “Are you saying…” Bourbon took a step towards Rice. She decided that she should just try and be straightforward about it. “I would like it if you could stay here with me even after rehab, and not leave to another house or apartment because I like having you around. We could run a bookstore, because I know you love picture books, and I-” Bourbon faltered in her speech. Rice’s heartbeat was only growing faster. “I don’t want you to go because… because I…” She was struggling to get the words out, the words that would save her. “Because I love you!” She shouted, forcing herself to say her truth. Bourbon opened her mouth to say more, but stopped when she felt Rice run into her, holding her in a tight embrace. The small, timid girl that Bourbon had known for so long looked up at her, eyes shining. “Do you mean it?” her voice was barely a whisper. Bourbon gazed down at her, eyes warm, heart overflowing with affection for the black haired angel hugging her. “Rice Shower, I love you.” Bourbon said. She leaned down slowly, brushing a tear from her cherished one’s eye. Rice tilted her head up, crutches clattering to the floor, forgotten in the moment. The pair kissed, short, warm, illuminated by moonlight. “Thank you Bourbon.”