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“Oh, Darling! Here you are!” Cheesecake exclaimed as she entered the dimly lit room Butter Pretzel was hiding from the party. “I found you!”
“So it seems.” sighed Butter Pretzel, fixing her relaxed posture and sitting upright, as she knew Cheesecake was about to nag her about the attractiveness of a woman who carries herself elegantly.
Even though Cheesecake looked a little bit too drunk to carry herself elegantly now. With a champagne flute on one hand and her expensive high-heels on the other, she stumbled her way towards the white couch and dropped herself by Butter Pretzel’s side, almost spilling the champagne all over her clothes.
“I was looking everywhere for you! My guests are so eager to meet the brilliant mind who painted all those gorgeous portraits I’ve been talking about for months , you know? It’s very… very embarrassing to keep coming up with excuses about why you can’t meet and when you finally agree to attend one of my parties, you just run away and hide! Do you care about my reputation?”
As Cheesecake placed a tiny hand over her own chest and pouted, the alcohol undoubtedly making Butter Pretzel’s lack of social flair more insulting than it would normally be, the painter looked away. She only agreed to show up at this party under much nagging from Cheesecake, but she never agreed to be introduced around like some funny, expensive pet.
Of course, having a network of rich people who are willing to place some money on Butter Pretzel’s artistic endeavors is nice. Very nice, actually. But wasn’t her art enough? Why must the woman behind it be put on display as well?
Butter Pretzel would rather her paintings be famous, not her.
“Partying is just…” she vaguely gesticulated at herself. “not my type.”
“Oh, you’re just so…!” Cheesecake nudged Butter Pretzel’s leg with her bare feet.
“Boring?”
“No! You’re just so grumpy! How is partying not your type?”
Butter Pretzel shrugged, moving his leg closer to the couch so Cheesecake would move her feet away. “I guess I don’t have the party looks. Neither the personality.”
It didn’t bother Butter Pretzel slightly. She knew how smart and talented she was, so it was fine if being the heart of a party wasn’t one of her gifts. But Cheesecake seemed offended if her loud gasp and sad eyes meant something.
“No! Don’t say that! You’re so beautiful…”
“I didn’t say I’m not beau-”
With her free hand, the one she wasn’t holding the champagne glass, Cheesecake ran her fingers through Butter Pretzel’s hair. “Your hair is so long. So sleek and elegant.”
“I don’t have the time to style it any other way.”
“And, oh! Your clothes…you look so well-dressed tonight. Very good taste!”
Butter Pretzel looked down at herself. She was wearing everything she wasn’t used to wearing. An elegant vest, a tie, and well-fitted and high-waisted trousers that, unlike her working pants, clung at her legs and gave her body a nice shape.
She felt really stupid dressed like this.
“You picked those clothes for me.” Butter Pretzel pointed out.
Cheesecake didn’t seem to listen to her.
“There is no person out there, at the party, that wouldn’t look at you. Darling, I mean when I say you could step out there and be swept off your feet by some dashing gentleman.”
The mention of a dashing gentleman stirred something on Butter Pretzel, as she flushed slightly and turned away from Cheesecake, resting her face in a hand with the intent to hide her embarrassment. “I’m not interested in any dashing gentleman.”
Cheesecake blinked, stunned. Even in her inebriated state, she noticed this was no normal Butter Pretzel reaction. Normally, she would brood or scoff loudly, even mock Cheesecake. Not get all red-faced like some schoolgirl with a crush!
“Wait!” Cheesecake leaned into Butter Pretzel’s personal space, investigating her face more closely. “Don’t you tell me -”
“Stop.” Butter Pretzel mumbled against her palm, eyeing Cheesecake.
“Oh my! There IS already a dashing gentleman taking that little grumpy heart of yours by storm!”
The other woman groaned. “There’s no such a person.”
Only that there was someone, a very dashing person indeed. Maybe not taking her heart by storm, but bothering her endlessly for sure.
You see, Roguefort has made her head spin ever since they met. In deep annoyance, in embarrassment, in some weird feeling, she couldn’t quite place a finger in. How could a person be so shameless? And now they kept visiting Butter Pretzel’s atelier, in the middle of the night, just to bother her.
Just to lean over her as she painted and whisper something utterly ridiculous in her ear. Just to remark gleefully that Butter Pretzel still doesn't close her window even though she keeps repeating how much their visits are irritating. Just to sit there, with a soft smile on their beautiful face, and stare at Butter Pretzel as she worked, with a look she didn’t quite understand.
Butter Pretzel wanted them to leave her alone already. Butter Pretzel wanted to spend more time with them. But Butter Pretzel wanted many things from Roguefort.
But they were dashing nonetheless.
Cheesecake hummed, a humorous smile slipping on her delicate features. “I see, I see. Then I mustn't play matchmaker, but I still insist you come to the party and allow me to introduce you to some of my friends.”
She sighed, defeated. “Later?”
“Well…that’s something. Later, then.” Cheesecake started to leave, not before passing her champagne flute to Butter Pretzel. “For you. It will ease that frown of yours a little.”
Then, she left. And Butter Pretzel was alone in this dark room again, finally.
Again, she sighed loudly and relaxed on the couch, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of the cold flute on her hand. She vaguely wished to be in her atelier, painting something novel, something to help her be at ease.
Maybe they would visit her?
Butter Pretzel grimaced at the thought. Couldn’t she take her head off them?
She took a sip from the champagne, enjoying the deep citrus flavor. Just when she was ready to leave and find Cheesecake and endure the difficult task of being shown around, the click-clack of heels hitting the floor approached her.
“You didn’t need to come to fetch me again, Cheesecake.” Butter Pretzel sighed, rubbing her eyes before opening them. “I’m coming.”
Huh. Wasn’t Cheesecake barefoot though?
“Oh, you were expecting Cheesecake?” Asked a voice that made Butter Pretzel’s face grow warm immediately. “I saw her running towards the champagne fountain just now. I don’t think she’s coming, sorry.”
The woman immediately snapped her head towards the voice. Standing just by her side, Roguefort gave her a pleasant smile before sitting just where Cheesecake was sitting, pressing their thigh against Butter Pretzel’s thigh.
Getting very close to her face, they whispered in her ear. “But I can keep you company from now on if you don’t mind~”
Butter Pretzel was frozen in place. Was that champagne spiked and now she’s hallucinating whatever her wandering mind wants to see? Not possible. Then, that meant this bothersome, tall and handsome, rascal just chose the worst of the worst time to show up.
She didn’t waste any more time before pushing them away, her face burning red. “What are you doing here?”
"What? Me?” Roguefort didn’t seem shaken at all, still smiling shamelessly. “Why! Can’t I come to a party I was invited to?”
Butter Pretzel gave them a doubtful look. “You were invited?”
“No.” Their smile grew sharper. “But I’m here nonetheless.”
Typical. She felt her patience slipping.
“Aren’t you afraid to be caught again?” She asked.
Roguefort placed a hand on their chest, touched. “My, are you worried about me?”
Butter Pretzel rolled her eyes and sipped the champagne, not even giving them the pleasure of an answer.
“No, not really.” Roguefort sound really relaxed, leaning towards her as telling a secret. “I’m wearing a disguise, see?”
Eyeing them, she wasn't sure they were really wearing a disguise. Their pretty face was adorned by frameless, round glasses instead of their usual monocles, and their suit was a tasteful three-piece one. She wondered if this would fool anyone, but they sure looked very handsome. Butter Pretzel looked away, that weird feeling bothering her again.
“Right,” she muttered, against the brim of the champagne flute, feeling embarrassed.
“But I do wonder…” Roguefort started, picking her curiosity. “What are you doing here?”
She furrowed her brow, confused. “Well, I was actually invited.”
“Yes, I know such. What I meant is what are you doing here, alone? As far as I know, this party is being thrown for you . Your paintings are everywhere. Cheesecake wants to show you off, of course. I was hoping to meet you out there.”
Was that her heart swelling at the realization Roguefort was here to see her? Butter Pretzel hoped not. She sighed. “That wasn't what I had in mind when I agreed to come.”
Roguefort hummed. “I see why the sour mood. Sourer than the usual, at least.”
The commentary bothered her, but she remained silent. If someone knew her sour moods, Roguefort was that person, so she couldn’t even complain. They smiled, as they knew just what she was thinking about and tentatively approached Butter Pretzel again, placing a long hand on her thigh.
Butter Pretzel raised an eyebrow and Roguefort slipped her a charming smirk.
“Ah, it’s rather pitiful you don’t wish to show off because you look stunning tonight.” Before Butter Pretzel could protest, Roguefort hushed her, placing a finger on her lips. “Say, why don’t we take a stroll by the garden? It’s as beautiful as you under the moonlight, and in my humble opinion, you will enjoy it quite a bit.”
That was quite the suggestion, and Butter Pretzel couldn’t say it wasn’t attractive but she really despised the idea of walking into the party. She pushed Roguefort’s hand away, shaking her head.
“No. If I step one foot at the party, Cheesecake will take me.”
“Nonsense. What type of thief would I be if I allowed someone to steal my jewel from me? We will sneak around, she will not even notice you and no one is in the garden right now.”
Butter Pretzel hardly doubts her ability at being furtive. She gave Roguefort a suspicious look.
Apparently, that was funny for them, as they smiled and got so close to her face she could feel their warm breath. She also could feel her cheeks getting warmer. “Trust me.”
With that, her last strength to resist their charms withered away. In a single drink, she drained the champagne and placed the empty flute on the floor.
Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she nodded. “Fine.”
“That was extremely attractive, you know?”
She ignored. “But if I get caught and forced to party, I’m never talking to you again. I'll lock my window.”
Roguefort laughed, then looked at her with a glint in their eyes. “Then I shall make sure you’re escorted safely.”
“You better do it.”
Grabbing her hand, they pulled her from the couch and towards the door. Butter Pretzel tried not to react to the warmth of their hand, yet she hoped they couldn’t feel her trembling slightly.
As expected, Roguefort really was great at sneaking around, even guiding a clueless person like Butter Pretzel. They slid through the crowded rooms with ease and ran down empty hallways while laughing at the expense of some ugly painting on Cheesecake’s wall.
At some point, Roguefort held Butter Pretzel back and placed a hand over her mouth, muffling her questioning sound. They pointed down the dark hallway, where two figures seemed to be kissing under the shadows, undoubtedly thinking no other soul would be around to catch them.
Butter Pretzel blushed furiously at it, but Roguefort seemed to find it quite entertaining, smirking wildly as they sneaked by the couple, unnoticed. She couldn’t help but picture the two of them in a situation like this.
Wouldn’t it be nice? Roguefort gave her a knowing smile and she averted her gaze.
When they finally arrived at the garden, Butter Pretzel shyly let go of their hand and breathed the night’s chill air deeply. She needed to cool off as quickly as possible. But Roguefort wasn’t merciful enough to allow this, placing an arm around her lower back and resting their hand on her hip, guiding her into the garden.
Shameless!
That was so close and so intimate. It got Butter Pretzel wondering what type of game Roguefort was playing. But ah…maybe her mind was way too weak, as she didn’t even try to get away from their hold.
“So, what do you think?” they asked, voice low and charming.
“A-about the garden?” Butter Pretzel asked, surely sounding stupid. Truth be told, she wasn’t paying much attention to it. “It really is beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here.”
They pulled her close. “My pleasure.”
They walked together for a while, Roguefort naming a flower from time to time being the only talk they made. It was quite pleasant, different from sitting alone in a dark room, but something on the back of Butter Pretzel’s mind kept bothering her.
She had to ask again.
“You didn’t answer me earlier.” she began, a little bit sheepishly.
“Didn’t I? What exactly?”
Butter Pretzel cleared her throat. “What are you doing at Cheesecake’s party?”
“Oh!”
Roguefort stopped walking, and Butter Pretzel stopped as well, looking at him with expectation and confusion. They gave her a mysterious smile.
“See, this party has the most precious treasure a person like me could dream of having. More precious than any jewel.”
She furrowed her brow. “So you’re here to steal something?”
“Exactly.”
The woman tried to hide away her disappointment, as she really thought he was here to see her. “Are you using me as some sort of scapegoat? I promise you, I won’t forgive this. Do tell, what is so precious?”
Placing both hands on her hips, Roguefort pulled her against their body, tilting their head as a charming smile adorned their features. “A kiss from you, of course.”
“What?”
Before Butter Pretzel could protest any further, her lips were taken by Roguefort’s. She tried to mumble something, to push them away, but she couldn’t help melting against their touch and giving in to the kiss. They lazily ran a hand through her hair as she grabbed their tie, trying to pull their bodies even closer.
They kissed for what Butter Pretzel assumed was a good amount of time because when Roguefort let go of her lips, she felt rather dizzy and breathless.
After a moment to regain her composure, Butter Pretzel hid her face on their neck and mumbled. “You could’ve just asked.”
“Would you say yes?”
“No.”
“I see.”
They held Butter Pretzel a little longer, then let go of her. She gave a dissatisfied noise but didn’t fight to get back on their arms.
“I guess I must take my leave now. After a heist, it is no good sticking around.” they gave her a small smile.
Crossing her arms, she sighed. “I guess.”
“Don’t worry. You know I’ll be bothering you again soon.”
Butter Pretzel couldn’t help but smile.
“Can I do anything against it?”
“Of course not.”
◆
Butter Pretzel returned to the same room she was before and draped herself over the couch, feeling silly, and young, and maybe a little sweep off her feet. She closed her eyes and sighed, recalling the feeling of being kissed.
When she was about to drift into a sweet dream, Cheesecake’s loud voice broke her reverie.
“You said later, and I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. You’re coming with me now!”
Cheesecake sounded even drunker and a little bit unpleasant now, but Butter Pretzel gave her a smile and a nod.
“Right. I’m coming.”
The other woman seemed a bit stunned by Butter Pretzel’s good humor, but she was smart enough not to complain or ask, merely taking her friend by the arm.
“I knew that flute of champagne would do you good!”