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Violet throws the shopping bags onto her bed, the muscle under her skin buzzing with the feeling of sun and long periods of walking that is a summer shopping spree. When she steps back into the hallway — Or rather, slides on her new, fuzzy socks — she nearly crashes into Krejjh as they carry Brian bridal style back to their room. He isn’t hurt this time, they just like it. As Violet comes in hot, Krejjh lifts Brian above their head, and he yells in surprise. Violet chuckles as she slips her way towards Arkady’s room, listening to the sound of Brian and Krejjh’s laughter, and behind them, the chatter of Park, McCabe, and Sana as she glides to her destination, as light as a cloud.
Arkady's door slides open for her on the first knock, and Violet steps in. Arkady’s also thrown her shopping bags onto the bed and now stands in front of the mirror holding clothes against her front—Stood, actually. Now she tucks the hangers behind her back with an expression like she was caught in the cookie jar.
Violet raises an eyebrow.
Arkady matches the expression.
But Violet just laughs and approaches her girlfriend and raises her arms above her head. Arkady dutifully bends down at the waist and Violet claps both hands over her cheeks, planting a long kiss onto Akardays's mouth with a mmmmmmwah!
Arkady's eyes go big, and a second later a grin splits her face. When she stops looking distant and comes back to earth, Arkady asks, "What was that about?"
Violet smiles, squishing Arkady’s cheeks and not letting go when Arkady makes a playful attempt to shake her off. “Is it a crime to be in a good mood?”
“If it’s a crime I hope you keep committing it,” Arkady says. Then, “Can I get my face back now?”
“Trade offer, You get your face, I get to know what you’re hiding behind you back.”
Arkady’s face screws up in thought.
“The only way you can hide it from me is if I leave, anyway. I could leave it you wanted— “
But Arkady shakes her head, “Yeah, well. Deal.” She says.
Violet lets her go, stepping back and watching as Arkady pulls a pink and blue bundle of glitter from behind her back. The glitter cascades down to reveal two dresses, both rather formal.
Violet raises her eyebrows. “These are…”
“I didn’t ask for commentary, Liu.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it,” She says, fondling the fabric. The blue one is velvet, and soft to the touch. Mermaid cut. It’s nice. “Why did you buy them?” Violet asks.
Arkady shrugs defensively, “It’s not like it matters.”
“Maybe it doesn’t.”
A pause. A sigh. “Cause I like them. I tried them on when Sana and I went off and—Sana talked me into it.”
“I think they’re beautiful,” Violet says, softly.
“Me too,” Arkady admits. She holds the pink one up to her chest now, that’s the one that glitters. The fabric is on the thin side, shifting as she breathes. “I don’t even know where I’d wear these— “
“Wear them here.”
“What?”
Violet steps back, holding both pointer fingers up in front of her as the idea hits. “I’ll be back.” She says, “You get dressed.”
“Vi?”
“I got new suspenders!” Violet calls in lieu of explanation. She over shoots her exit, and finds herself crashing into the wall opposite Arkady’s door. Startled nearly to dropping the three steaming mugs in their hands, McCabe yells, “ Hello! ”
Violet gives them a grin and scrambles back to her bedroom, pulling her shirt over her head as soon as the door is closed behind her, and reaching for the crisp new button up, the one with thin, vertical gray stripes that she fell in love with as soon as she saw it. She sighs as she fixes her collar and ties an eldredge knot on her neck. It’s always been her favorite way to tie a tie, and the ritual of fixing her outfit feels like putting on armor. Then she reaches for the gray pair of pants, suspenders, simple black from a distance but with floral detailing if you look close, and her suit jacket. The burst of energy she gets at seeing herself put together in the mirror makes her smile impossibly larger. Violet decides against shoes.
She knocks on Arkady’s door and, locked this time, it doesn’t open. Violet rocks on the balls of her feet and tries not to look too eager. Park passes in the hall holding one of McCabe mugs. “Looking sharp, Liu,” He says, genuinely.
“Why thank you,” Violet says, tipping an invisible hat.
After another moment. Arkady’s eyes appear between a crack in the door. She eyes Violet, and though little of her face is revealed, Violet can tell she likes what she sees.
“You look like you’re about to ask someone’s daughter to prom,” Arkady jokes.
“You like it.”
“Oh, I’m hoping to be the daughter.” Arkady says, and opens the door, whisking Violet inside.
“Hey, Kady?” Violet asks.
“Yes?”
“Does it need to be pitch black in here?”
Arkady huffs, “I was nervous says,” and flips the switch.
Violet’s little gasp makes Arkady’s cheeks color. She puts her hands on Arkady’s waist, smoothing the velvet where it got ruffled in movement. “Wow.”
“It’s a look , right?” Arkady says, critically.
“Arkady Patel, do you like the dress or do you not like the dress?”
“Yes, I like it. But— ”
Violet turns them both to face the mirror. Arkady shrivels up at her own reflection. Violet frowns.
“I don’t get what’s wrong. We look awesome. You look beautiful .”
“I look like I should get robbed,” Arkady says. It was meant as a joke, Violet can tell, but the tone falls flat.
“You’re allowed to have nice things, you know.”
“I have a nice thing. It’s you.”
“Nice things plural, Arkady.”
“Well there’s Sana— “
“You’re doing this on purpose,” Violet says, and sighs at Arkady’s guilty expression. “Well, you look great. You don’t have to know you look great but we’re still going to prom.”
“Violet? “
“Computer, play mh show these songs to Arkady playlist. This room only, please.”
The notes of the first song fade in, and Arkady tilts her head curiously, before recognition flits across her expression and she makes a face. “This is so— “
“Cheezy?” Violet asks, and smiles when Arkady nods. “Well so is this. Arkady Patel, may I have this dance?”
Arkady makes a swooning motion, “You may.” She says, holding her hand out. Violet is quick to flip it over and press her lips to the palm earning a sound of slight surprise.
Arranging limbs is difficult with the height difference, but they find a comfortable spot with Violet’s hands on Arkady’s waist, and Arkady’s on her shoulders. They sway to outdated soft pop, crooning along to the annoyingly familiar sound of IGR approved love songs that play in the waiting room of every government building throughout the capital system and beyond. Arkady relaxes enough to try a dance move that doesn’t work in that dress at all, looking vague like she’s struggling against the binding of her skirt, but it makes Violet laugh. Violet returns the favor with a bad macarena, making a show out of confusing the steps. Arkady hollers and claps when she finally gets the move right. Then the music slows again, and they come back together to sway. Arkady leads Violet’s hand over her head and into a twirl. She attempts a dip, the music a crescendo of harmonizing violin, and drops Violet with a thud , her legs too restricted to properly support their weight.
“Oh my god,” Arkady fusses, “Are you okay?”
Violet just laughs, endorphins soothing the ache where her hip collided with the floor. She keeps laughing as Arkady kneels nervously beside her, and hugs her close in apology.
“Gosh, Violet, you okay?” She asks again, “That looked like it hurt. I’m so sorry, this damn dress, I can’t move in it.”
“I’m doing just fine,” Violet says, her tone as sickeningly sweet as she feels. “ Just fine, being held by a pretty lady.”
Arkady’s face goes soft. “You drew the short straw. I get to hold a handsome one.”
“This isn’t a competition.” Violet says.
“It can be.”
Instead of replying, Violet puts a hand on Arkady’s cheek. They’re silent for a moment, looking at each other.
“You’re Arkady the soldier so often,” Violet says. “Sometimes you can just be a beautiful thing.”
“Sometimes, maybe,” Arkady says.
“Sometimes, definitely. That’s enough. Moment’s like this.”
It’s not like a lightbulb turns on in Arkady’s head, but someone cranks up the dimmer. “If I knew all it took was a dress to get you to dance with me, Violet, I would’ve done it a lot sooner.”
“No you wouldn’t’ve,” Violet teases.
“No,” Arkady agrees, “But it sounded good.”
She stands and pulls Violet up with her, careful to stay balanced. Then she moves to the closet and pulls out a pair of pink pumps.
“What do you say we get really impractical?” Arkady says, excitedly this time. Violet just nods. Arkady throws them onto the bed and reaches for the other dress. She stands in front of the mirror, the same Arkady Violet knows and loves, several feet of practical muscle and tattooed arms bared, and looks over her shoulder at Violet. An image to behold.
“Zip me?” Arkady says.
“Oh,” Violet responds, “Oh, gladly.”