Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Spring was Mio’s favourite season, the nice soft breeze mixed with the goldilocks leveled temperature her body preferred gave great comfort. The sky itself near clear with scattered puffs of white, creating the perfect weather for her to get lost in her own head.

“See anything interesting up there,” a voice lured her head from the clouds.

“N-no, sorry. Was just thinking about something!” Her voice picked up in pace to respond, her typical smile flashing up instantly.

“Oh really? Bet I can tell what you’re thinking of,” The ponytailed girl crept her head closer, bringing her tone to a whisper, “you’re thinking about him aren’t you?”
Mio’s face swelled with heat, swaying her hair to cover the side of her face. Hiding the fluster from the rest before any other eyes could spot the colour imbalance creeping up.“Oh you so totally were sis! I bet you were looking at the sky thinking how the colour reminded you of his pretty eyes.”

Mio’s mouth curled to a pout, eyes furrowed, “S-shut up Glimmer.”
Oh how she hoped no one could see or hear what was going on, this was not what she needed yet again. Though her sister wasn’t wrong, this boy did occupy her every thought contained inside her. Even now, as her mind desperately scrambled to distract itself from this situation, it only wanted to return to him. Projecting his image for her eyes to faintly see where no other eyes could pry.

Glimmer could see her sister once more drifting away, “jeez, you really need to tell him already. The fact I can't talk to you without you close to drooling is insane.”

“I haven’t drooled since I was a kid!” her voice elevated, garnering the attention of the rest sat around the table. The raised stares and eyebrows at the comment caught her face beginning to melt at the unwanted attention. The stifed up eyebrow and half droopy eye with that grin infuriated her.

“Well, the evidence says otherwise.”

“I get enough of this off of Millie. I swear, why do you both have to act like this?”

“You are our slightly older sister, comes with the territory… all though,” the curve of her lips arched upwards as her eyes caught a glimpse of the fuel she needed to keep the assault on her sister going. “I spy with my little eye, something that will take your mind off of this whole conversation.”

Her face began to raise at the comment, turning her head in anticipation as her eyes glued now to what Glimmer sighted. The boy in question, walking ever closer to them all alongside three others. Only one she could recognise with him was the last, missing member of the group, the two blondes however were a slight mystery.

And yet her sister was right as always, she didn’t care about guessing who the other two could be. That didn’t matter, for her heart and soul cast one emotion aside to make way for the intensity of another, pushing ever onward with ferocity. Thankfully, she couldn’t see the annoying and punchable grin that peaked onto Glimmer’s face at the sight as her hands clasped at seeing the lovestrucken sister. 

“Hey Lanz,” Glimmer spoke up, “who’s that with Noah and Eunie?”

Lanz had confusion in his eyes, his own attention too focused on planning his and Sena’s next workout routine. Turning to see where the girl was now pointing, “huh, oh, that’s Noah’s mum Fiora and his younger brother Nikol.”
His attention moved away after handing Glimmer her answer.

“Huh, he looks so out of place with his hair. I never woulda’ve guessed.”

More ether in her tank for teasing Glimmer pondered, and she knew the perfect way to fluster her with great passion, “well Mio, looks like you’ll get to meet your future mother in law huh. Four mums look at you go. Let’s not forget another sister with Eunie too.” Her voice returned to a gentle whisper, easily picked up by Mio’s ears.

A groan rumbled throughout her, how could this girl be thinking of such a thing when the two girls were 17 and Noah 16. The frown on her face shifted instantly however, as the four new arrivals were within speaking range. 

Eunie may have been the one to fully announce themselves, but her gaze never left his figure. Noticing that his own eyes would continuously wander in her direction as well, her breathing would slow in those moments as peace swirled where blood flowed. 

Though once she noticed the glint in Eunie’s eyes looking directly at the girl and how her lips raised up, to her it was almost as if the high Enita girl had some scheme up her wings.

“And this is Mio and Glimmer, they’re actually sisters too.” Noah’s soft tones lulled her back as the raven haired boy and the smaller of the two blondes grew closer to them. “This is my younger brother Nikol.”

The blonde was half hidden behind Noah’s leg, a gentle expression laid on him yet one of a hidden uncertainty.
“It’s lovely to meet you Nikol!” Mio cheerfully spoke, hoping to create a warmer experience for the boy. Glimmer all but sat back, letting the moment happen as she knew how this would play out.

“I-it’s nice to meet you too,” his reserved demeanor showed evermore with his voice.

Noah took his eyes off Mio, kneeling a bit closer to Nikol’s level, “sorry, he’s not the best around new people, are you buddy?”
The comfort of his older brother's hand on his head helped ease the nerves, his own eyes transfixed on the half gormotti, wondering where he had seen or heard of her before. A light flickered, but to embarrass his brother through such a revelation wasn’t in him.
Mio herself adored how sweet and mindful Noah acted towards his brother, butterflies fluttering in her stomach at how cute the sight was.

“Her there,” a faint voice flowed in the wind, too quiet for anyone to hear but not enough for Mio to warrant any attention to it.
“Silver hair and gormotti ears.”
Now her interest spiked, whoever it was that was being smoke and mirrors was clearly talking about her.

“Oh yes, she’s even prettier in person.”
Her eyes darted at the group, eventually identifying the source as Eunie and Fiora were clearly eyeing up her direction. The signature Eunie grin grew once more, though Mio moved her wandering eyes away to not draw suspicion on her eavesdropping. All the while feeling the warmth of the compliment from Noah’s own mother. 

“Yeah that’s her, she’s the one I was telling you about. She’s super into Noah.” 

Even Eunie knows? Mio shouted internally, oh how she wanted to sink into the void further and further today.

“Noah is so into her too, but I swear they both need a kick up the bottom to get things moving.”

Her head jolted upright at the rest of Eunie’s comment, the rush of glee and excitment filled her up. He liked her too, confirmation enough to signal that she needed to actually do something. What, with how easy it was going to be to tell him when the answer was now the most obvious thing to expect on the planet. 

“Oh he really is from everything he says about her.”
Mio’s mind screamed even more at another revelation, knowing she had to keep her face from bursting into joy for now.
“Well, I’m sure your plan will work out huh Eunie?”

“Oh it will, oh queen's wings it will indeed.”

Euphoria was through the roof, too much to even properly register that last comment.
“Nikol, shall we head off then?” Shouted Fiora.
Those words were joy for the boy, the prospect of going home to somewhere more familiar. His excitement rushed, giving his brother a quick hug before skipping back to his mothers side.
“Oh Noah, it’ll just be us three for dinner later. Crys is busy with his degree and your dads working late.”

The teen looked back to his mother, “Alright, need me back to help with dinner later then?”

“No it’s fine, you just enjoy yourself okay?”

The answer baffled Noah, usually she would always be okay with him helping out. It was one of their favourite activities they would do together. To get what was the first rejection for that quality family time stunned him.

Eunie used the moment to absorb herself into her ether communicator;

Having the echo of seven vibrating ether communicators tore Noah away from waving his kin off, Mio too looked confused.

“Sena, Miyabi, Glimmer and I are off to go see that new clothing place. Totally forgot we made plans to go there. Apologies!” Eunie rushed through her words, the three other girls all chiming in about their plans.

“I was going to take Taion to my dads bookstore as well, there’s some new additions in you wanted, didn't you Taion?” Joren was next in line to speak. Taion too announced his apologies.
The two smaller groups began their departure, leaving them and Lanz behind.

“Think I’ll go work out or something… not that I think you two are boring or anything.” Lanz’s demeanor too was also off putting for Noah.

The two looked even more bewildered at each other as Lanz strode off as the rest had. “Well, that was-”

“Odd?” the two finished in sync, laughing at the mirrored statement. The silence after was aired in heart pounding suspense, being alone made them fiddle in anticipation. Mio knew she needed to push forward, use that confidence her da or mam would use.

“So uhh, there’s a new cafe around the corner… if you wanna try that out with me?” Her voice pushed through the nerves, the weight of the overheard conversation forcing itself back to the forefrontand giving that boost she needed to ask such a basic question.

“I’d love to!” Noah was quick on the trigger, his eagerness overtaking him. That smile given in response always made his heart melt, feeling himself swoon especially when the mouth left a small gap to reveal her adorable little fangs.

Their short walk would last long enough to bring realisation that they were actually alone, together, not surrounded by their friend group as per usual. Yet neither could feel the prying eyes of one lone member stalking them. Eunie squinted at the sight of them walking extremely close together, a giddy feeling blaring up inside her as she continued to follow them. Just where was her plan going to go?

Noah held the door to their destination open, letting the older of the two enter first. Eventually gaining a small table fit for two by the window, both gaining a cutesy smile from the barista whilst they ordered from the menu beforehand.

“You know,” Noah was the first to gain the voice to speak, “if the others saw this they’d consider this a date.”

Mio felt flushed with heat at the statement, steathily biting her lip at how much she loved the idea passing through his head. “Almost makes you think they were setting us up or something huh?”

Her small laugh helped him release the built up tension in his body, “maybe, but I’m sure they actually had other things to do. Besides…” Her voice stuttered, yet her heart mustered onward. This was the moment, now armed with guaranteed success in her backpocket, “would it be so bad if it was?”

The boy gasped slightly, his face falling straight into glee once it hit him, “o-of course not.”

Their eyes flickered away in embarrassment, casually paying attention to how their hands swirled the straw around in their respective cups. “Bit of an spontanious first date though huh.”
Noah’s face zoomed back to hers, eyes brimming with curiosity in anticipation of her next words whilst one of his hands laid planted on the table steadying himself.
“Maybe next time, we can actually organise a proper one.”

Her hand crept to lay on top of his whilst the words bounced and occupied the boy's brain. Their cheeks rosey from the connection, Noah’s flaring wildly compared to hers as his eyes froze on golden eyes. Mio’s lips curved slightly, an accomplished look that could be mistaken for her mothers signature smug grin.

“H-how about next weekend?” Noah gulped at the mere moments he had to pre plan what to say next. Yet his mind scrolled onwards, rushing to the end of the unfinished script. Luckily now able to relax, his part was over for now witnessing her smile grow wider at his suggestion. That fever he caught months ago for her growing fiercer, as did hers, becoming ever uncontainable.

Eunie had witnessed the entire ordeal of events just outside of their view, hidden in near plain sight amongst the crowd on the plaza. The moment she saw them inch closer, seeing their hands touch in a way she knew meant that of those romantically entangled made her jump for joy, “awwww yes, Eunie is da boss!”
Her voice a little louder upon projection, garnering awkward and unpleasant stares from passerbys. How thankful she was that a plane of glass separated them, fear of getting caught out by Mio and her ridiculous hearing rose enough to warrant a quick escape.

Chapter Text

“Ughh,” the soft toned groan rang in the empty silence amongst the group.

“Jeez sis, it’s only some family time. You can sulk back home afterwards,” Eunie’s voice responded with slight irritation at her younger kins annoyance. The two alongside their mother moved in sync, the family all en route for their weekend get together as they strood under the ever growning greenery brought on by the season.

“Mum, do I really have to come? I get wanting to spend time together but you know I hate picnics.”

Melia sighed, “You dont have to stay long, but at least spend some time with us and the family, yes?” that regal voice of hers moved to the youngest of the three.

Talia stumbled for a second, then leapt into accepting the bypass offered for what she considered a droning experience. “Thanks mum!”

Eunie rolled her eyes at the response, always worming her way out of things she thought, first time mum had time to herself in a long while. 

Their walk was nearing its end as four blondes could be seen dotting the hill that they were fast approaching, the entourage catching the attention of those ahead as they got closer.
“Hey! Good to see you all!” Fiora was the first to openly greet the newcomers.

Eunie noticed something peculiar with the setup in front of them, her eyes squinting, turning away from whatever conversation was occurring between the rest.
“No Noah with us then?” her voice rang, not knowing that she had nearly cut off someone from speaking.

“No, he said he had plans,” Crys, the eldest of the three children under the mostly blonde family umbrella replied. “Suprising to be honest, since he knew we had this planned for a while.”

Eunie knew only one thing could have caused him to skip out on plans with the family, that look Fiora gave her all but confirmed it.
“Yeah, wonder what that could be,” a smirk formed on her lips. Could what she had seen nearly a week ago have led to what she was thinking as her mind raced full of scenarios she could envision.

The sun barely was at its highest peak, and yet Mio’s day was still on the rise to meet the same point . She was mere moments away from meeting up for her first officially planned date with the person she cherished most. Ensuring to wear one of her favourite outfits for such an occasion, though she would do so on days that were expected to have a frequent encounter and length encounter with Noah. 

Pulling her own ether communicator out, nervously double checking the location he said to be waiting for her. `Past the large saffronia tree near the lake`, read the message.
Here she was on one side of said landmark, “must be hiding on the other side,” her voice murmured. Once her figure approached past the other half, there she could finally eye him up, the picnic site already set up as he laid facing the clouds deep into whichever book he was on this time.

Even as she crept up towards him, his attention was too engrossed to garner awareness to the oncoming footsteps against the blades of grass. Mio’s lips curved higher, adoring how focused he would get when something grabs his attention. Standing just out of sight behind the obstruction shielding his eyes, she pulled the top of the book down startling him slightly before his lips reflected hers.

“Oh Mio, sorry, wasn’t paying attention as usual.”

“No need to fret about it,” her soft tone reassuring him as always as she moved to sit next to him. Though compared to how they were before this day, this time the space between them was close, if he were to sit up they would be practically bumping shoulders. “This park confuses me sometimes, so apologies for being a tad late,” she continued, removing her bag and placing it beside her.
“See you came prepared as well?” an eye catching the basket behind his head.

“Oh yeah, made some sandwiches that my Mum and I really like. My siblings and dad think they are okay, but they are kinda our thing so thought you’d like to try them. You’re the first person I've made these for that wasn’t my family!”

Her heart fluttered at the gesture, how sweet he was that he would ask her to try something so special and dear to him all just for her. He was always so considerate and sweet with people. “Well I know they’ll be amazing if you made them!” How her mind couldn’t decide on how to compliment him without sounding too cheesy. Yet the movement of him sitting up and  his hands fiddling with the braid holding his ponytail knocked her out of that sideshow.

His hair fell down showing its true length against his head as it flowed softly against his shoulders, “don’t think I’ve ever seen you with your hair down.”

“I try not to make a habit of it, unless it’s for bed or showering I just keep it up.”

“Any reason in particular, or do you just prefer it?”

“Mum would do it a lot with mine or Crys’ hair, so guess it stuck with me since I was young.”

His hands began to pull parts of his hair back, the red braid dangling from the slight grasp his lips now had on it.
“Here,” Mio spoke up, “want me to do it?”

Noah’s eyes widen slightly at the suggestion for help, a joyful smile propping up at the idea before dropping the hair in his hands. Now motioning one hand for the braid, yet was beaten to it as Mio had already moved to gently release it from his pursed lips and onto hers. His face turned to a flush at just how nonchalant she was being. The softness of her fingers as it ran across the black silky streaks of hair made his heart feel fuzzy, sinking his bottom lip into his teeth at how it made him fluster more.

Feeling his hair eventually fall free from her fingers deflated the tension grown within him, yet yearned for the return of the acquired feeling of her touch deeply. Turning his head back to be greeted by how close her face was to his, the drum of his heart banging on ever more. Her heart mirrored his, the slight clammouring feeling at the bottom of her throat intensified.

One thought led to another, then steeply climbing into heightened confidence, “oh for sparks sake” her voice rattled around her head. That push was to help close the gap, eyes closed as she finally did the one thing that had plagued her restless heart for months, kissing that damn boy and titans foot were his lips soft and dreamy like she expected. Every minute of tension carried around for the past few months over how she severely liked this boy now faded, as if it never existed.

How it felt as if an eternity had passed before slowly having to pull away, eyes stuttering to open back up until his deep blue eyes filled her soul with even more infatuation.
“Barely even started our date and you’re already skipping to the end huh?” Noah’s voice cut the silence in half with the joke filled tone, something that sounded more like his sister than himself.

All her body could do was have her golden eyes flickered vapidly at his own, “I… I’ve been wanting to do that for so long. Sorry.”

“Sorry?” Confusion washed over him, “I’ve wanted nothing but the same too.”

His heart surrendered to her fully now, lest hers truly was ready to burst. Sure she had known now for nearly a week that he also liked her the same way, but to hear he wanted to do the things she wanted sent her over the moon. That he too was continuously showing to be as infatuated with her as the reverse was constantly true. The current of emotion continued within her, did she want to cry tears of happiness? Faint? This wasn’t fully how her thoughts envisioned it going but one constant continued to grow louder and louder, the desire for round two.

An arm wrapped around his neck, pulling him back in for a repeat before either could say anything else further. Their lips pushed firm against each other, easing into it with every quickening heartbeat. Slowly being pulled away moments later as the requirment for air arose, lips trembling as their drifting eyes opened to view the others colourful iris’. Noah’s hand caressed and cupped her cheek, the muscles in her head relaxing to rest into it. 

“You know, I went over everything that might have happened today.” Noah’s tone was hushed, his heart felt as if it was choking him through every word. “I don’t think any of them can compare to this.”

“Oh yeah?” Mio’s voice vibrated against his hand, “on the same page as usual then.”

Mio moved to seat herself side by side to him, dropping the hand latched to her face and wrapping the other around her, following her movement as her body leant into his side nuzzling against him.
A small hum brewed from his throat, garnering her attention, “what’s up?”

“Oh, just thinking what the others would say when they find out.” Noah smiled back, “I know I’m not ready for whatever Eunie says.”

A small giggle left her at the thought, “I don’t think either of us are ready for the fabled Eunie reaction. Though, I’m certain she’s expecting it.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I overheard her talking to your mum last week. I think Eunie did it on purpose if I’m honest, since she made it super obvious to her about who I was and being the girl you liked.”

His eyes widened, sighing at the nature of the topic, “Well, they were the only ones to know about that. So is that what helped make your move then huh?”
Mio’s lips curled in response, the smug look on her face he found all too adorable.
“Well, if that’s what it took then I can’t say I’m mad at her.”

“Don’t say that just yet, I’m now half expecting her to be hiding with the others somewhere about to jump out and surprise us.”

Noah chortled at the idea, “well luckily she’s busy with family today, so we should be safe… I hope.”

Melia smiled at the ongoing conversations intermingling with her family, turning her head face forward overlooking the lake slightly below them at the serene nature of the day. Yet something caught her eye, not far from the only saffronia tree this side of the park. Her smile grew ever more, “I see,” her thought echoed, “the joys of young love blooming.” The answer to the question of her missing nephew now answered upon the beholden sight.

“Oi, mum, did you hear us?'' The tone belonged to the one daughter she knew could carry in a befitting manner. “Bionis to mum… Sparking hell, what are you staring at anywa- oh, oh no snuffin way!”
The way Eunie fixated at the sight now caused her to block out whatever someone tried to say to her. Immediately yanking her ether communicator from her pocket to snap a picture.

Now everyone else was privy to the commotion, now they all knew why their missing kin had skipped out on the family day. Fiora’s little fist bump went unnoticed by the rest, having such an opposite reaction to most of the others.

“Eunie, really?” Talia finally got through the excitement ringing through the girl

“You don’t know how long we’ve waited for this moment. Ya really think imma pass this up? Nope!”

Yet again the tones being motioned to her fell on deaf ears, their secret group chat needed to see the evidence.

Operation Love Birds - Group Chat

Eunie 12:43PM
“Oi you lot”
“You won’t guess what I’ve seen”

Lanz 12:43PM
“"This better be worth it Eunie.”

Eunie 12:44PM
Shut it you spanner.
“This is urgent. Like REAL urgent.”

Lanz 12:44PM
“Spanner? Says you bird brains. You’re the one with screws loose.”

Sena 12:44PM
“C’mon you two. What is it then Eunie? Are we finally getting closer? :D”

Eunie 12:44PM
“Oh believe me, you are all gonna thank me and my plan.”
“So, at the park right with the fam.”
“And by fam im talking not just us but Noah’s fam etc.”
“Noah ain’t here, apparently busy with ‘other plans’”

Miyabi 12:45PM
“Oh, Mio also said she had plans when we spoke to her too.”

Taion 12:45PM
“So, you figured out their plans I assume?”

Eunie 12:45PM
“Jeez, can a girl finish her story or what??”
“But yes, I DID find out their plans.”
“And lets just say it involves Noah and Mio sitting under a tree.
“K.I.S.S.I.N.G”

Sena 12:46PM
“WHAT???”

Glimmer 12:46PM
“Ain’t no way. Pics or didn’t happen.”

Eunie 12:46PM

Miyabi 12:47PM
“Oh my…”

Sena 12:47PM
“Yippieeeeeeeee!”
“FINALLY!”

Glimmer 12:47
“OH HO, I ain’t ever gonna let sis live this down. Bless you Eunie”

Taion 12:47PM
“About time to be honest”
“Also, don’t you feel a bit weird taking a photo of them
without them knowing?”

Eunie 12:47PM
“No… but now that you say that.”
“Imma post it in the group chat :P”

The vibration emerging from Noah’s pocket caught the two off guard, lingering eyes on the other had helped obscure the world around them. Faint muffled echoes of a similar vibration also erupting from Mio’s bag in sync. Both knew it meant someone was buzzing their group chat, Noah took a quick glance upon pulling the communicator out of his pocket. The screen awash with colour displayed what they correctly assumed was a message… yet it was addressed to them both specifically. Mio lulled her head closer again to him as they begun to see the messages roll in.

Eunie 12:48PM
“Noah, Mio”
“Need your attention right now”

The young new found couple looked at each other in confusion. Why would the girl need to single them out?

Eunie 12:49PM
“No need to be shy. I know you’re both together :)”

Noah’s face scrunched up at the comment.

Noah 12:49PM
“Hey Eunie, what’s up?”

Eunie 12:49PM
“The sky”
“ANYWAY. Not gonna deny my allegation huh??”
“Doesn’t matter. I got something you both should see.”

Noah 12:50PM
“You could just send us this privately. No?”

Eunie 12:50PM
“No”
“Besides… you two are the last ones to know this lil secret :P”

Noah 12:50PM
“*Sigh* go on then. What is this `lil secret`”

“It’s going to be something very Eunie-like, isn’t it knowing my sister?” Noah’s voice chimed up, still looking dumbfound as Mio did.

“It is her after all. Besides, how bad could it be…”

How she regretted those words upon glancing at the photo sent into the group chat, Noah still unaware as his eyes took the second to move from her face to peer at the sight as well. Both felt colour drain from their bodies. Feeling their stomachs drop as they became entranced at the subject in hand. Their eyes rapidly blinked, eventually turning their sights onto each other mouths agap. 

Mio was the first to regain some composure, the warmth not leaving her face as eyes scanned the nearby environment for the perpetrator. Just off the side of their sight, there she could pick up the familiar hair and wings, waving cheerfully at the two on the nearby hill across the lake.

Noah picked up on where her eyes laid, noticing that it wasn’t just Eunie that caught wind of the act, but his entire family.
“Oh dear…” His voice began to lose energy.

“W-what?”

“It wasn’t just Eunie that saw it… tha-that’s my entire family up there with her.” His body collapsed backwards, laying back first onto the ground, his wrist resting on his forehead as a thud of the fallen contraption left his clutches.
“I’m not gonna hear the end of it tonight… or ever.”

Her face flushed red, having to look at the boy laid beside her as the revelation came to light. Oh how she wanted to comfort him and vice versa, just not with an audience that contained her now boyfriend's entire family. Rushing to her bag to grab her own communicator, fingers attacking the screen with such speed and frustration.

Mio 12:52PM
“EUNIE, WHAT THE SPARK??? 

DID YOU REALLY HAVE TO TAKE AND SEND THAT HERE??”
“NOT EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS”

Eunie 12:53PM
“Well tough”
“Besides, they already saw it before I sent it.”

Mio looked to see Noah reading along again as well, his face the same as hers, full of annoyance and confusion.

Sena 12:53PM
“Yeah sorry Mimi, we may have all known for a while before this photo.”

Miyabi 12:53PM
“You both did make it quite obvious ^_^ ”

Glimmer 12:54PM
“Oh I can’t wait to show our dear sister this.”
“Maybe should show the rest of the fam too”

Mio 12:54PM
“What do you mean you all knew?” Glim, you were the only one I told…”

“Glimmer I swear…

Lanz 12:54PM
“If even I could see all this, then you bet an armu’s backside the rest could too.”
“Plus we had a groupchat of us all too discussing this so yeah”

Mio 12:55PM
“You have a groupchat…”
“You all suck.”

Glimmer 12:55PM
“Love you too sis!”
“Congrats on finally getting together <3”
“Wait Eunie, will this make us sisters one day???”

The light thud as the device in her hands slipped up to cover her face caught Noah ‘s attention, beginning to instinctively raise one hand to her back as he too winced at how the day now turned out. Their heads twirled the same thought, at least the worst of the reactions to them getting together was now past… right?