Work Text:
Swish!
The little ice fairy tumbled through the sky as she flew. She could hardly contain her excitement!
She felt awfully brave that day, having visited the human village for a very special gift. She had her fair share of weird looks and disapproving glares. She paid no mind to it though, as she thought of who she was doing all of this for.
Today is the day. The day I finally confess to Dai-chan. The day where we can finally make it official!
Ever since they met, Cirno knew there was something special about Daiyousei. Scarcely must one be reminded of the uncountable amount of times the residents of Gensokyo brushed Cirno off as nothing but a pest. Something to squash if they met face to face, like a bug. Of course, Cirno's careless and "tough girl" exterior was her own worst enemy. She couldn't help but flout their nasty words and play petty pranks to get back at them.
But a simple truth is, no matter how buried the feeling might be, all she wanted was love. Acceptance. A friend. Daiyousei gave her all of that when they first met all those years ago.
These feelings had permeated in Cirno for a long, long time. The fairies were already inseparable, and yet Cirno desired more. She wasn't satisfied with just playing tag or chasing each other in the forest all day. At some point, she couldn't take it anymore. She wanted hugs, kisses, and promises of unending loyalty to one another, come hell or high water. And the way she was going to achieve this was with this "Valentine" thing she heard about by chance.
Valentine's Day...an alien concept to Cirno until just a few days prior, having instinctually avoided strange human traditions. Reimu had to explain it to her after bumping into each other in the forest. Of course, a danmaku brawl ensued that quickly culminated in Cirno being shot down. The sardonic shrine maiden confessed that she was looking for berries to bake into a brownie mix to give to Marisa on Valentine's Day. Furthermore, she explained how valentines should only be given to who one loves and cherishes.
Yeah, that irritable shrine maiden might just be right. This valentine thing will make Dai-chan so happy, she'll freakin' marry me!
Cirno struggled to carry the heart-shaped box under her arm. She had already dropped it twice, but was nimble enough to quickly catch it before it splattered onto the forest below. It was a box of chocolates with smooth salted caramel inside. Cirno knew Daiyousei would love it. The little ice fairy just couldn't get her sweetheart out of her mind as her heart fluttered, when suddenly something else grabbed her attention. Empty hands. She had dropped the box a third time...
Cirno snapped back to reality. She had been staring into space in a trance, picturing Daiyousei and her adorable face as she nommed on the sweet treats she was about to give her. Cirno groaned and divebombed back towards the ground and quickly retrieved the falling box. Cirno didn't mind it much; sometimes basking in the possible future that she and her dearest friend could be lovers is something that helped her sleep at night.
All in one piece. Good, I can't risk disappointing her!
The morning weather didn't do much to help the little ice fairy. Though brisk, it was quite windy; the trees swayed and obscured her view of the bottom. Steadfast, she continued on. She knew where she was heading: a forest clearing near the Misty Lake, Daiyousei's home. After some minutes and a few close encounters with wildlife, she arrived at her destination and touched down with a loud thud. She looked around in circles, but Daiyousei was nowhere to be seen.
She isn't sleeping in again, is she? I've gotta look around more...
Cirno studied the area and approached the Misty Lake. She eventually found Daiyousei on the shore of the lake and leaning against one of the towering trees. She was curled up in a ball and sleeping like a baby. She had an adorable smile on her face and gently jittered a bit in her sleep.
Aaaaah she's looks so adorable! What do I do?! She must be having a great dream!
Cirno put the box of chocolate down and approached Daiyousei. She sat next to the dormant fairy and leaned in close, but was sure to keep enough distance as to not disturb her. She brought her head to Daiyousei's level and stared at her face.
Dai-chan looks so cute when she's sleeping...and she smells like roses. I could stay like this forever!
A poor choice of words as Daiyousei stretched and began to wake up. She could sense the presence of someone else, and Cirno quickly scrambled to her feet and hid the box of chocolates behind her back. Daiyousei yawned, rubbed her eyes and looked up at Cirno.
"Ah, good morning, Cirno!" she said with a grin. "Wh-what are you doing her so early?"
The ice fairy blushed like mad and replied "Ah, I was just, uhm...swinging by to say hello."
"Your face is as red as a tomato! Do you have a fever?"
Cirno didn't reply. She shifted her feet on the grass for a moment before confidently puffing her chest up and tilting her chin to the air.
"Dai-chan, I have a confession to make...in the form of dessert!" Cirno said, before audaciously withdrawing the box of chocolates from her back. She courtly bowed, offering it to Daiyousei.
"Oh! Uh...what is it?" Daiyousei questioned.
Cirno froze. "What does it look like?"
"It's a cute little heart. Is it a box? What's inside?"
"It's uh...it's a box of chocolates!"
"...box of chocolates?"
"A box of chocolates!"
"...is it for me?" Daiyousei inquisitively cocked her head to the side.
"Just take it!" Cirno said, forcing the box into Daiyousei's hands. Daiyousei was startled and stumbled backwards. She looked confused, but she obliged Cirno and opened the box. Cirno sauntered over and sat closely by her side.
"Oooh, it really is chocolate! Thanks Cirno, you're the best!" Daiyousei wrapped her arm around Cirno's shoulder. "You're the bestest! Bestest than the restest!"
Cirno's face went beet red again.
"Th-thanks, Dai-chan. I bought it for Valentine's Day..."
"...vah-len-tines?"
Cripes. She doesn't know about valentines.
"Yeah, Valentine's Day. You know, when you buy treats for your sweetheart..."
"There's a day for that? I never knew..." Suddenly, Daiyousei gasped and enthusiastically asked "Do YOU have a sweetheart? Did you give them something?!"
Cirno blushed and narrowed her eyes. She gave a coy smile and said "Oh, I do. And I might've just given them something..."
Daiyousei squeled in delight. "Ohh, I didn't know you liked someone! That's really sweet! So, what did they say? Tell me all about it!" Daiyousei said, practically yelling. Cirno sighed.
Dai-chan, you're such a dimwit.
"Wh-why don't you try the chocolates, Dai-chan?" Cirno asked. Daiyousei nodded her head and popped a bite sized piece into her mouth.
"Mmm! Salted caramel!" Daiyousei said with a mouthful. "You really ARE the best, Cirno!" Her kind words were close to making Cirno go out of her mind. Her thankful eyes of genuine happiness and friendship were becoming too much to bear. When Cirno thought it couldn't get any worse, Daiyousei flicked a piece into her hand, crawled towards Cirno and offered it to her.
"Here you go, for being such an awesome girl." Daiyousei said. Cirno nodded and took the piece, trying her best to savor it. It was difficult to focus on the flavor though, as her mind was crowded by thoughts of telling Daiyousei the truth.
Just spit it out. Say it! Say you love her! SAY IT NOW!
Cirno began to fidget and jitter aggressively in her spot. Her face was so red that it was almost hot to the touch. Daiyousei was savoring another piece of chocolate when she gave Cirno a puzzled look.
"...Cirno? Whats wrong? Do you have chills?"
"Dai-chan, I'm in love with you."
...
...
...
Silence. And yet, adrenaline pulsated through the ice fairy and her heart slammed in her throat. With a quivering lip, she looked Daiyousei straight in her big blue eyes, eagerly awaiting a response. Daiyousei herself seemed to tense up, returning Cirno's gaze. All was still in the moment; nothing else existed except for these two fairies.
"...Cirno, I-"
Yes, Dai-chan!?
"...I love you too! You're a great friend!"
Cirno narrowed her eyes again. She was a still as a statue before starting to loudly guffaw and puff her chest up.
"Aha...ahahaha! Yes, a friendly gift from a friendly friend! That's what friends are for!"
Cirno turned and slumped against the tree, dejected. She picked up a rock and skipped it into the lake. Daiyousei snuggled up next to Cirno and said "Thanks again for the chocolate!" Cirno simply smiled and nodded.
Oh well. Her airheaded-ness is part of her cuteness. She'll learn some day.
The two fairies took in the briskness of the morning air and the pretty views of the Misty Lake and the Scarlet Devil Mansion. They had the whole forest to themselves, and Cirno wishes Daiyousei knew that. At the very least, there was something else Daiyousei learned that day. Something she hadn't realized until then, and the red tinge on her face grew brighter the more she thought about it.
She never noticed how pretty Cirno was until she was this close to her.