Chapter Text
"UKI~!" Alban whined as the purple-haired man stepped into his Atelier for the day. "Get your fucking pets under control!"
Uki looked up to see his secretary being swamped by a group of floating purple jellyfish. The brunette had most likely done something to annoy Uki's "pets" as he often called them. Really, the little Jellyfish were Uki's little helpers- he had raised them after they floated by him one day- They loved him and often would chirp at him with calls of "Mama".
"Okay everyone, Leave Albie alone, I'm here now." The man sighed, the Jellyfish floating over as his call and making themselves comfortable on his person, tucking into his hair, shirt, and bag. "Say sorry to Albie, I tell you not to annoy him too much. He won't wanna play if you guys are mean!" They reprimands the group, who quietly chorus an apology to the other man.
"Ahhhh! I can't stay mad at you. Just next time, tell me the milk is out of date before I pour it in my coffee!" Green and grey heterochromatic eyes sharpened as Alban spoke.
Uki moved into his office, knowing their usual morning routine- A stargazer puffs themself up and becomes a comforting weight in his lap as Alban begins the run-down of which clients will be meeting with Uki today, urgent phone calls and emails Uki needs to prioritise, a reminder to follow up with their new supplier and discussions of lunch plans. When the brunette took his leave- "I'm going to get milk. I need new coffee, you'll want a coffee eventually- so I'll pick us up some on my way back." - Uki set about looking at his emails.
His inbox was lit up with client requests, Fashion shows offering to host the Violet Atelier and other business enquiries, but one email stood out among the rest.
The subject line read; The Guy from the train last week. Uki had never been so fast to click an email and he was almost sure the Stargazer in his lap could feel the way his heart sped up.
From: [email protected]| CC: [email protected]
The Guy from the train last week.
Dear Mr.Violeta,
I don't know if you remember me- I don't think I had a chance to introduce myself when we met on the train last week. My name is Fulgur Ovid, and It was lovely to meet you.
If there is a chance that you remember me- Long silver hair, red prosthetic arms (they tend to be unmissable)- please feel free to contact me via this email address. I know you left your number, and I'd love to get to know you more; I simply have a much higher sense of privacy than most as I'm sure you understand.
Regardless, If we have the chance to meet again, I'd quite like to have a conversation with you.
Sincerely,
Fulgur Ovid.
He/Him.
Author and Chief Archivist at Nijisanji Central University.
Uki- with very little thought, hit reply and began typing, leaning forward and applying more pressure on the stargazer on his lap.
From:[email protected]| CC: [email protected]
Dear Mr Ovid,
I do indeed remember you- I rarely forget a face that I enjoy.
I understand and respect your desire for privacy- If you'd truly like to get to know me, we can continue emailing until you feel comfortable sharing personal contact details with me. Though, I'd suggest directly emailing me at the address you CC'd. My Assistant does, on occasion, check this email address for new clients.
I will admit, I had missed that you had prosthetics. I was much more caught by how good you looked and thinking about how much I'd love for you to model for me one day.
Feel free to reach out whenever you feel comfortable.
Kind Regards,
Uki Violeta.
He/They
Owner and Head Designer for The Violet Atelier.
After pressing send, Uki buried their face into the smooth body of the Stargazer- narrowly missing the soft fabric egg he made for them to wear. He shook his body with the muffled scream he let out as the realisation of what he had done set in.
"I hope I didn't come off too strong! You saw my email, right? What did you think?" He frantically spoke. The Jellyfish in his lap chirped in a way that sounded like they approved of the email, which eased Uki's grip on them.
"He... He just... He was so handsome! You remember the three-piece suit I designed a couple months back that no one but you guys and Albie liked?" The stargazer in his lap nodded as a reply, "I could just see him in it! Like, a red dress shirt, slightly opened, some sliver jewellery and the way the waistcoat would just..." Uki made an hourglass shape with his hands to signal his thoughts. "I'd love to speak to him more... but I guess we have to wait for his reply."
Uki continued with the rest of his emails, greeting Alban as he returned with Coffees, and set about with his day. Client meetings were back to back today- Alban's doing at Uki's request so they'd get more time on the floor of their workshop, where he brought his designs to life, the stargazers giving him a hand (tentacle?) where they could or where asked to. It wouldn't be until 6 pm that Uki would return to his office and make a final check on sales and finances, and check his emails so that they were empty before he went home for the night.
Uki started on their business emails- making the day's final contact, confirming logistics, and accepting an invitation to showcase a new line at THE Elira Pendora's Arthouse- Lazulight. Elira Pendora and her co-owner/Art manager Finana Ryugu, were both long-term returning customers of the Violet Atelier- having multiple custom designs for Public events and sponsoring the creation of some of Uki's most popular lines. If you wanted to get your name known to the masses, you made sure Elira and Finana were at least invited to events you held.
With thoughts of Fulgur in a number of outfits - Uki was spoilt for choice with his newest designs. They had ideas of Techwear, Formal wear, street wear; of specific themes like high fantasy or Storybook designs; or maybe he'd step out of his comfort zone and produce something more... risque.
The thought of Fulgur stuck around and Uki double-checked his business email- He hadn't had a reply from Fulgur. The man sank in his chair, defeated, before moving onto his other email address- This one handled personal emails and bookings for Uki's fortune telling. Almost as if they'd been shocked from within, Uki shot forward, startling their Stargazer who scurried away, as they saw the Email.
From: [email protected]
The Guy from the train; Continued
Dear Uki (I hope you don't mind the use of your first name),
You certainly know how to flatter a man. Though coming from someone as stunning as you, I admit it makes me flustered.
I certainly am not model material- but you, however, are. I feel rather shy admitting this so early into our conversations but you deserve to know that I was inspired by how ethereal you looked on the train the day we met that I may have written a rather sappy short story about you. It will likely never see the light of day, but keep working your magic and I might be tempted to send you the transcript.
I'm sure you have much work to do, but feel free to contact me whenever. I've told my own assistant that any emails from you are to be considered urgent.
I'm needed for student inductions- so this may be my last responses until this evening. I take the train at 6 pm regularly, incase you'd like to travel together again sometime.
Deepest regards,
Fulgur Ovid.
He/Him.
Author and Chief Archivist at Nijisanji Central University.
The Stargazer who had scurried off watched from their spot, high up on a bookshelf, as Uki spun on his desk chair in glee- almost falling out of it as he remembered he ought to respond. They watched their Mama's hands flitter across their keyboard, typing a response equally as flirty but still as sweet. The stargazer rejoined Uki at their desk after the email had been sent, and continued to be cuddled by the purple-haired designer. When he finished for the night, Uki patted the stargazers on their heads, blew them a kiss and locked up- "Don't get too rowdy without Mama around. Behave, okay?" They had warned as usual. The Jellyfish watched from the window as Uki walked away from the Atelier with lighter steps than usual.