Work Text:
Spring break, 2011
Akarsha sat on the couch her younger sister, a bag of popcorn by her side, and the movie, A Monster in Paris, playing on the TV. Thankfully, none of her teachers had decided to make Akarsha suffer with homework, so she was free to spend her "vacation" filled with anime and playing Overwatch with Min, however, her young sister had asked if she could sit with her to watch a movie together, which leads to where she is currently. Akarsha can't complain though, the movie was pretty good so far. By now, they had just arrived at the part where Francoeur and Lucille were on stage. If Akarsha said she wasn't excited to see this part, she would be lying to herself.
Snuggling closer with her sister, she watched the scene unfold. When the music first started playing, Akarsha was memorized. The way the guitar was strung into a tune that allowed the watchers (her especially) to be captivated before introducing the singer. As the scene continued, Akarsha squealed when Francoeur jumped off the balcony section, landing on the stage and singing with Lucille. Without realizing, her mind went to Noelle. She stood up from the couch, earning a confused glance from her sister.
"Where are you going?" She asked, "The movie's not over yet."
Akarsha returned her glance apologetically, "I'm sorry, I have to go do something real quick." Afterwards, she bolted from the room and ran into her bedroom. She opened up her laptop and went straight to Noelle's messages.
YAOI SENSEI
frenchman
r u awake
frenchmannnn
Noelle
What is it, Akarsha? I'm studying.
YAOI SENSEI
i was just wondering if u can come to my house real quick :))
Noelle
What? Why?? Is there something wrong?
YAOI SENSEI
no nothings wrong
but i am glad thats the first thing you ask about me though frenchman ;))
Noelle
I'm about to say no out of spite.
YAOI SENSEI
nono pls im sorry
just
come to my house rlly quick plss ok frenchman
There was a momentarily pause before Noelle responded to Akarsha.
Noelle
Fine. I'll meet you at about 9.
If it's something stupid, I'm leaving.
YAOI SENSEI
no trust me you wont regret it
Noelle
I hope.
Noelle has left the chatroom.
Just as Noelle had promised, the doorbell rang at about 6 PM. Instantaneously, Akarsha's dad stood up to open the door, however, Akarsha sprinted past him and opened it instead. There, standing in the doorway, was Noelle. Her hair was braided neatly as usual, yet this time, she was wearing the flannel that was usually seen tied around her waist instead. For a moment, Akarsha nearly got distracted thinking how pretty the dark blue matched Noelle's white buttoned shirt.
"Ahem?" Noelle faked a cough. "Are you going to let me in?"
"Right! Right, sorry, was thinking about some stuff." Akarsha excused herself, letting out a smile as she stepped to the side, holding the door out for Noelle. Akarsha turned to look at her dad, "Is it okay if we use the basement for a second?"
Akarsha's dad smiled, "Not if you tell me what you're going to do."
Akarsha rolled her eyes, smiling. They usually always do this whenever the day was particularly going good for him. "Nope, not telling you." She stuck out her tongue and grabbed Noelle by the wrist, practically dragging her down to the basement, where all of her things had already been prepared. The speaker, loud enough for only her and Noelle to hear, yet quiet enough so her family doesn't hear; her phone, to play the music, and a couple of shoes that Akarsha can wear.
"So, why did you take me down here?" Noelle asked, half-focused on trying to get her wrist free from Akarsha's grip. "You're not going to be throwing anything at me, are you?"
Akarsha turned around and released her grip, allowing Noelle to rub at it. "Nope, nothing like that."
"Then what is it?"
"I want you to dance with me!"
Noelle stared at Akarsha. "...?!!!?!" Her expression immediately shifted to bewilderment upon registering what Akarsha had just said.
"Excuse me?!"
Akarsha immediately placed a finger to her lips, "Shh! You're going to let my family hear!"
Noelle narrowed her eyes, "Where the hell did you even get the idea of dancing from??" She hissed.
"A Monster in Paris."
"What even is that??"
"It's a movie, duh!" Akarsha responded smugly, her tone purposely made to show 'annoyance' as if it was an obvious thing.
"I can't believe you made me come here at 6 just to play around with you and your silly ideology of having fun." Noelle sighed, frustrated. She turned her head towards the basement stairs, "I'm heading back upstairs and leaving. This was a waste of my time."
"Wait no—" Akarsha began as she immediately reached to grab Noelle's wrist. Noelle flinched and pulled her hand away, startled at the sudden movement. Akarsha glanced down at her hand and pulled it back to her, "Sorry—sorry, but I'm really serious here, frenchman. I just wanna test it out once, and we don't have to talk about it ever again."
Noelle crossed her arms and frowned. "I refuse to participate in this tomfoolery. It sounds stupid."
"But, it'll serve as a good break, right?" Akarsha suggested. "I mean—you've been studying this whole time, why not pause and focus on something else instead?"
Noelle glanced away for a moment before she sighed, turning her head back towards Akarsha. "Fine. But, if you ever dare mention this to anyone, I'm never going to be your partner for projects."
Akarsha snorted, "No, you won't. You love me too much."
"Akarsha."
That was enough to shut her up.
The first attempt was a mess. Noelle clearly had no idea what she was doing. When the song played, the first thing Noelle did was immediately try and do a spin... which resulted in her nearly crashing into a table. Of course, Akarsha had to shove her loud cackling down her throat and instead focus on making sure Noelle was okay. After a couple more tries, Akarsha was finally able to get Noelle to let her take the lead instead.
"This was not how I expected it to go," Noelle frowned as Akarsha gently placed both of her hands on Noelle's waist, while Noelle's were on Akarsha's shoulders. "This doesn't feel right with the song choice."
"Aww, come on, frenchman," Akarsha teased. "You love it when I put my hands on your waist."
For some reason, Noelle immediately glanced away from Akarsha, her frown deepening even more. Akarsha immediately followed it with a joke, "Just kidding! It's probably really uncomfortable for you right now, so I'm sorry for that."
Another moment of silence followed afterwards. By now, Akarsha was starting to feel a bit awkward. "...well, we don't have to do it, if you're not feeling up to it—"
"I'm fine." Noelle responded. "Let's just get this over with."
Akarsha's eyes widened for a moment before relaxing, "Alright."
She reached over and pressed play. The familiar guitar tune began to play from the speakers as Akarsha felt her body beginning to move on its own. They walked around the basement, making sure to avoid anything that was in the way. When the woman began to sing, Akarsha felt her body moving away from Noelle, yet her hand held on to Noelle's. They spun around, continuing to follow the music and focus on each other. However, when they tried to return to each other, where Akarsha had planned on intertwining hands, Noelle immediately stopped abruptly.
"I can't."
Akarsha stared at Noelle, whose head was lowered towards the ground, as if she was refusing to look at Akarsha in the eyes. She stammered out another word, "I..."
Noelle's hand shot up to rub her arm, an usual sign from her when she was feeling uneasy about something. Akarsha stepped forward. "Frenchman, are—"
"I just can't do this, Akarsha!" Noelle immediately yelled. Akarsha froze, startled at the sudden confession. It wasn't usual of her to suddenly yell. Yet, even after Akarsha stopped, Noelle kept going. "It's... it's not right for a woman to do this with another woman...! I know Diya and Min are both... girls, and they're dating each other, but..! It's different! They're different."
By now, Noelle's voice trembled, as if she was on the verge of crying. Before Noelle could say anymore, Akarsha walked forward and cupped Noelle's hand, diverting her attention from what she was about to say. Noelle looked up at Akarsha, her eyes glistening with fresh tears. "Noelle... it's okay if you were uncomfortable. I would have been totally fine and understanding."
That was all Noelle had to hear before the tears fell. Akarsha sat by her side, which was the most refreshing thing anybody could have asked for. They stayed like this for a couple more minutes until Noelle got her composure. She sniffled and wiped any remaining tears from her eye.
"...thanks." She muttered.
If it wasn't for the situation, Akarsha would've pointed it out with glee. Instead, she simply smiled and leaned her head on Noelle's shoulder, feeling Noelle tense for a second and relaxing immediately after. "No problem."
It was already too late for Noelle to stay any longer, so she had to go. As Akarsha waved goodbye, her chest felt tight, as if she didn't want Noelle to leave. But, she simply ignored the feeling. When she returned upstairs, preparing to go to bed, she noticed that Noelle had sent another text. Immediately, she went to check it.
Noelle
Thanks again.
YAOI SENSEI
its no problem frenchman
Before Akarsha was about to log off, Noelle sent another text.
Noelle
I... wouldn't be opposed to doing something like that again.
Don't think of this as I'm warming up to you though. You're still annoying.
Akarsha simply smiled to herself.
YAOI SENSEI
whatever u say frenchman
goodnight :))
Noelle
Goodnight.
YAOI SEME has left the chatroom.