Chapter Text
"Mercedes . . ."
"I'm almost done! Quit fussing, Ingrid."
There was a huff, followed by an almost silent "fine." She had been avoiding the horrors of makeup for the entire week, even going as far as asking Raphael to bring her food to avoid the risk. Unfortunately for her, completely dodging Mercedes wasn't an option, as the priestess had snatched her away the moment class was over. Ingrid had silently pleaded with Byleth, but the professor must've enjoyed watching his students get tortured.
In actuality, the experience wasn't terrible, just tedious. And oh so time consuming. She could be training, but instead, she was having powder foundation dabbed onto her face. She wasn't even sure how long it had been since they started, and she was growing impatient. Had it not been for her close friendship with Mercedes, she would've snapped and left. That's when she heard the gentle voice say "Done!" and she hopped from her chair, shaking the jitters away.
"What do you think?" Mercedes asked, presenting the bedroom mirror to Ingrid. Leaning in, she examined the work, noticing she barely looked any different. Truly a waste of time. Sighing, she looked at Mercedes, who was tapping her chin, as if she had forgotten something. "Can I go now?" Ingrid pleaded, ready to escape to the training grounds. Mercedes perked up, and Ingrid winced, knowing that there was no chance of getting out so easily.
"I forgot the lipstick!"
Oh no. Not lipstick. Closing her eyes and mentally preparing herself, the knight mumbled, "Just get it over with." She waited. And waited. And waited. What was Mercedes waiting for? That was when Ingrid felt something against her lips, but it definitely wasn't the cold sensation of lipstick. It was warm and soft, with the faint feeling of something slick. Taking a peek, Ingrid was met with Mercedes' face, and realised what was happening.
Instinct made her pull back, reaching up for her lips. She was still trying to get a grasp on the situation, fingertips grazing the glaze. Meanwhile, Mercedes had stepped back, still smiling. Although, there was something about her smile that Ingrid wasn't convinced by. "I'm sorry," she said, sounding rather sheepish. "You just looked so . . . well, I couldn't help myself."
"I-It's no problem!" Ingrid blurted out, the hand once on her lips now reaching out. Mercedes looked just as surprised as she felt, and she retracted her hand, looking away. "It was only a kiss . . ." Indeed, it was nothing more. A friendship kiss! Was that a thing? Ingrid wasn't sure.
It wasn't her first, surprisingly. Glenn had given her a few pecks on the kiss, just as Mercedes had. While he had romantic intent, Mercedes didn't. It didn't seem that way. Surely it wasn't. Looking up, Mercedes was still smiling. It was actually unnerving. "I see," Mercedes replied. Stepping past Ingrid, she reached for the door, stopping for a moment. "I'll see you at the ball, right?"
That's right. They were here in the first place because of the ball. Even though Mercedes couldn't see her, Ingrid nodded, following up with, "Yeah. I'll definitely be there. Save a dance for me?"
Mercedes laugh was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. "Of course I will." And then she was gone.