Chapter Text
When Eclipse got home, he was immediately engrossed in a double sided hug by his brothers. Tea expressed his worry through rambled words that blurred into one; Brew scolded the younger in a hushed tone. "I'm fine guys, I promise." He yelped when they squeezed tighter, ignoring his growing protests. "Say that to your bruised hands! What were you even thinking, you could've ended up worse for wear, oh no no nooo!"
"If you were gonna get in a fight, you could've at least called me. It was during lunch, right?" Brew huffed, worry hidden beneath his scowl. "Y-Yeah, but really I'm fine!"
Neither twin looked convinced but let the boy be, watching him run up the stairs. He locked himself in his room before either of his brothers try following him in. He did't want to think about it, he didn't want to talk about it. Despite the cream, his knuckles still stung, whether it be from the injuries or the memory of his cheek beneath his fist. "Fuck.."
He threw himself onto his bed, sitting in the corner.
At least he was seeing Saturn tomorrow.
...oh shit, Saturn!
He scrambled out of bed, tripping over his school bag left at the side of his bed and hitting his knees against the carpeted floors of his room. A weak hiss left his mouth before he hurried to his desk, shifting through papers. For what, you ask? Well, he needed to make an itinerary of course! He needs this to go perfectly, and Tea taught him that the best way to make sure things run smoothly is to plan in advance. Finding some scrap paper and a pen, he got to work on a few draft plans.
What would she like? Oo, there was a nice pottery place a small bus ride away, he could book a slot and they could make mugs or something! Fingers flew across the keyboard to look up times for the pottery place, the bus times, and dining locations in the area. Ok, option one. But what if she didn't wanna do pottery, or didn't like pottery? Well, they could go to the arcade in the area, they have some news games (or so Chica texted him).
Another sheet of paper was dragged over and scribbled on as Eclipse googled further times and prices. Damn, a lot of this cost a handful of money...how much did he even have? He checked his wallet — £15 in cash and some pound coins. Saturn would also need to bring her own..or would he be paying?
Ugh, why was date planning so hard?
Why doesn't he just call her and ask what she'd like to do? But he was meant to plan it, right?
Whatever, what's the worst that could happen?
Rescuing his phone from the prison of his blankets, he opened up his messaging app and sent Saturn a message.
Pretty Girl <3
Today
Since our date is tomorrow, did you have anything
you wanted to do in mind? I'm not fussed :)
He set the phone down as soon as he typed that, sitting in wait as he stared at the wall. It's fine. He's fine. It'll be fine!
A ping startled him into looking over, nearly dropping his phone as he opened his texts.
we can go to the library, it's near for both of us.
...short and sweet, he likes it!
Perfect! When did you wanna meet up, we
could do the morning or around lunch?
9 works.
Okay, so she's a bit of a dry text-er, he can work with that! He giggled to himself as he noted the few details given on his calendar and on a sheet of additional scrap paper. Library...and 9am. They could get coffee before they go in; he knows that there's a really good local one next to it that has the best hot cocoa he's ever had. She'd be sure to like it. He got started on prepping for the morning— money was counted and settled into his wallet, placed on his bedside; clothes where picked out and folded neatly by the end of his bed; alarm was set for three different times, in case he missed the first and second.
With giddiness in his veins, he closed his eyes and let sleep take him.
Saturn woke up around 5 in the morning. She'd barely gotten any sleep the night prior, having drifted around 11pm and waking up every hour or so. Why was she so stressed? Unable to fall back asleep, she left the bed and changed into her date outfit. She'd planned this thing for an hour the night before, clothes had been all over her floor and still were (she'd nearly tripped over them when huffing out of bed), but even now she didn't like the outfit.
What else was she gonna wear?!
Throwing the t-shirt over her head, she sat on the floor in annoyance. Maybe a cami? She had a few from some friends that she'd never really worn before, now could be the time...but what if she looks horrible in them and embarrass herself? Her hands dragged over her face in annoyance— fuck it, she'll just put something on. Knowing Eclipse, he'd find anything she wore nice. A navy cami with star detailing done in gems along the sides and some black flared jeans. She adorned the belt loops with some chains and a celestial pocket watch she had from her mother..
And made her way downstairs.
She'd expected the kitchen to be empty, maybe Neptune if he was up, but seeing Pluto staring into the fridge with the dullest eyes she'd seen on him was certainly a surprise. "..Pluto?"
He wiped his eyes, head snapping over to her. "what?" He bit out, fangs peaking out. "Calm down, I just wanted something to drink. What are you doing here?.."
"I don't have to tell you shit." Turning his back, he grabbed some juice from the door before slamming it shut. The device rattled in its hinges, whatever was stored on the top of it nearly falling off. "Why are you here? And why are you dressed like that?" Saturn took a seat at the kitchen island, fidgeting. "I came for breakfast. A-And I'm going out with a friend."
Pluto did his best to hold back a laugh, chuckling into his hand instead. "You, having friends? That's certainly a mood raiser."
"Whatever." She scoffed weakly at him, eyes following his movements to the pantry. Seemed as if he was raided the whole house... "Could you do that any louder?" Her question was timed perfectly with a slam of a cracker container. "I can do what I want." He bit at her once more. It was most likely meant to be intimidating, but to his big sister it came off as more timid. Like he was hiding behind those teeth rather than confronting whatever upset him. If she squinted enough, his eyes looked glosser than usual. And his eyes puffed beneath the light of the moon.
"Watch your tone with me. I may no longer 'be' your sister but I'm still older." Her shoulders hunched back to sit straight. For a few seconds, the boy just stared at her before bitterly turning his back to her. He kept quiet until he huffed upstairs. He always confused her, Pluto. They rarely talked, even before her 'disownment', so she had to guess half the time what the lad would be into.
Toast in mouth, plate in hand, Saturn sat on the sofa. It was still too early to turn the TV on, so she watched her phone, resting on her knees, in the dark. You could imagine the scare that gave Neptune when he poked his head round the stairs. "Venus?"
Saturn nearly dropped the plate, coughing crumbs onto her chest. "N-Neptune, christ. Why's everyone awake all of a sudden?"
"Why are you up, moon fallen?" He breathed out, mask slid over his face. Great, that name again. "I'm going out. You?"
Silence.
Of course.
She ate her toast in silence too.
Time moves so slowly when you have places to be. For Saturn, it felt like a melting block of ice in the winter. Her eyes watched her phone, then the window, then the flow of people in and out the kitchen as dawn bled to day. Finally, 8 hit and she practically shot off the coach to pack. Pack what, you ask— just the essentials of course. Water, breathe mints, her phone..lipgloss, a pocket mirror— look, she wanted to look her best for this!
She was nervous beyond belief, but could you blame her? This was her first date ever, god forbid she over-prepares.
Eventually (after several deep breathes and self scolding), Saturn forced herself out the door and started walking slowly down the path of her house towards the main road. Gravel crunched under boot heels as she walked the familiar path out the front garden and down the road, turning towards town. The further she walked, the louder the passer-by grew, as did the traffic flow of the streets. Her headphones did their best to drown out car honks but she could still hear the murmurs of engines as she reached the centre.
The library was a large building just off to the side of the square; a rustic two story of dull concrete, with each brick bearing a sign of time. It was about 100 years old, or something like that— Saturn wasn't the most aware of the town's history off the top of her head. Today it seemed to be decorated with colourful bunting, triangles of red blue and yellow in a repeated pattern all along the outer walls. By the entrance was some form of balloon arch-way. What event was being hosted, Saturn didn't know nor care.
What she did care for was the boy stood beside the balloons, fidgeting with a necklace around his neck. "Eclipse!"
Heterochromic eyes looked up and met hers, softening with a smile as he waved. "Saturn, hey! You look..s-so pretty, wow!" He chuckled, face flushing, as she hurried over. "Thanks. You look..c-cute.." Was as much as she could stammer out before her face turned red. Eclipse chuckled before shyly lacing his hand with hers, both awkwardly resisting before relaxing. "Well, shall we?"
His smile was hopeful, and Saturn found herself staring at it as he dragged the two inside.