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Cole let out a quiet groan of frustration as their fingers strummed the wrong chord of their guitar again. They took a long, steady deep breath and began playing the song from the top, their fingers dancing elegantly across the strings with practiced grace.
That's how Clémentine saw it anyway. Most would probably question how they could find literally everything about Cole admirable in some way, shape, and form. But it's actually quite easy! Cole's dimples whenever they smile, them being so patient and understanding, they're gentle hums when they're focused… Clémentine could go on. But unfortunately they are nowhere near as poetic as Cole is. None of the Lark are, actually. (There's a reason them, Kingsley, and Perrine are banned from helping with any songs)
Another grunt of frustration interrupted their thoughts, this time louder. So much louder that it caught the attention of Kingsley and Perrine.
They were currently hanging out in the cabin, Clémentine reading a book and Perrine and Kingsley playing some card game. Cole is strumming their guitar while lounging on the couch, sheet music lying against one of the pillows. Cole is currently bent down glaring at the sheet music, they've been in that uncomfortable looking angle for about a half an hour. Frankly, Clémentine is wondering how their back is still fine.
Cole's eyes landed on their guitar, they scowled at it as if the instrument had personally wronged them in some way. Clémentine's partner had grumbled something under their breath and started strumming again.
… Only to then hit a wrong note, resulting in a pillow being chucked across the room. Cole crossed their arms, still mumbling something incoherent, until their eyes landed on Clémentine's. Cole's face burned a dark red when he noticed Kingsley and Perrine also watching them.
"Sorry…" Cole mumbled, avoiding eye contact. Something they always do when embarrassed. "I keep missing all these stupid notes. It's my guitar; it's broken." They finished their sentence with an indignant look.
Perrine snorted. "Broken? Really?"
"Fine; cursed, my guitar is cursed." Clémentine noticed how Cole was trying to fight back a smile. Perrine's laugh has always been quite contagious.
"You know, you shouldn't take your anger out on the poor pillow," Kingsley started, retrieving the pillow and throwing it back on the couch. "I could be your punching bag!"
"No, Kingsley. I'm not beating you up." Cole deadpanned.
The youngest of the Lark shrugged. "The offer's always open."
Clémentine approached Cole, sitting next to them on the couch. "Are you feeling alright, love? You've been practicing all day, and…" they trailed off, keeping their voice gentle. The Lark all knew how sensitive Cole was about their performing abilities, and Clémentine didn't exactly know how to word what they wanted to say.
"And I've been failing?" Cole finished sharply, but Clémentine didn't take it personally. Chances are that if Cole is harsh with their tone, there's a ninety nine percent chance it's unintentional.
"Now you know I didn't mean it like that." Clémentine replied softly.
Cole sighed and pinched the bridge of their nose. "No, no I'm sorry, I just…" they took the previously abused pillow and buried their face in it, groaning for what felt like the hundredth time that day. They pulled their head back and rested their chin on the top of the pillow. "I'm just so frustrated! I had it yesterday! What changed? Now I just want to punch something- no, Kingsley." Cole held up a finger to stop Kingsley from speaking.
Without warning, Clémentine grabbed Cole's face, examining it. "I think I see the problem."
"Uh, what?" Cole asked, voice slightly muffled since Clémentine is currently grabbing their cheeks.
Clémentine replied with a cheerful tone, "Your hair is in your face silly! That's why you're making so many mistakes!" They gently brushed light brown locks of hair out of Cole's face, admiring how soft they were.
When Clémentine got all the hair out of Cole's face, they paused.
"Whoa…"
Clémentine found themself focused on their partner's eyes. They were so… pretty. So charming. Cole's eyes were grey but had a subtle glint in them that brightened their whole face. Their eyes are dark and rich, something that they could swim in. Yes, Clémentine knew it was cheesy and mostly said about blue eyes, but they didn't care. All they could focus on was their partner's beauty-
"Clémmie?" Perrine's voice interrupted their thoughts, snapping them out of their trance.
Their face flushed, realizing they were staring at Cole's face, still holding onto it, saying nothing, for twenty seconds. Cole was staring back at them, looking more confused than anything, but Clémentine noticed how the tips of their ears were turning a light shade of pink.
Cole quirked an eyebrow. "Is something on my face?" They asked meekly.
Clémentine sputtered for a couple seconds, then cleared their throat. "No. There's nothing on your face, love. It's just your eyes, they're pretty."
Now Cole looked twice as confused. "My… eyes?"
They smiled and nodded in confirmation.
Now it was Cole's turn to stumble over their words. "No they aren't!" They protested trying to pry Clémentine's hands off their face. "They're all grey and weird!"
"I'll be the judge of that!" Kingsley piped up, practically shoving Clémentine sideways. Kingsley took Cole by the chin and looked Cole in the eyes.
"Um… hi?" Cole stuttered nervously, as some sort of attempt to deter Kingsley. Which is basically impossible given how stubborn they are.
"Hi!" Kingsley replied cheerfully. They let go of Cole's face and crossed their arms with a victorious grin. "After some intense research, I can say with one hundred percent confidence that Cole has very pretty eyes!"
Cole blushed and replied, "Shut up!"
Perrine sighed and stood up. "Alright, I guess I'll take a look."
Unlike Kingsley and Clémentine, Perrine didn't grab Cole's face. Instead they just bent down to be at eye level, stared for a second and went, "Oh damn."
Perrine stood up straight, "Okay, yeah, they're right."
"See, love? You do have pretty-looking eyes! And I don't want to hear otherwise, okay?" Clémentine booped Cole's nose.
"Can we stop talking about my eyes, please?" Cole asked with a small pout.
Clémentine huffed out a small laugh. "Fine, fine…"
"Can you see now?" Kingsley asked.
Cole looked at the sheet music briefly and strummed their guitar. "Oh! Yes, actually! Or better at least."
Clémentine pulled Cole towards them before he could play their guitar anymore. "You can practice tomorrow, honey. You've been practicing all day, you deserve a break, don't you think?"
"Not really, no."
"Yes. You do." Clémentine affirmed, practically dragging Cole over to The table with abandoned cards.
"Yeah! You can play with us! Warning you though, I always win!" Kingsley stated, sitting down at the table with a smug grin.
"Because you always cheat." Perrine glared at Kingsley and grumbled.
They stuck their tongue out at the oldest Lark. "Sounds like a sore loser if you ask me!"
"Why you little-"