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The sun has finally emerged over McKinley, meaning the field outside is flooded with students. Towards the edge of the field under a willow tree, Corvus sits against the trunk reviewing his schedule for the next few weeks. Intermittently tuning in to a large group gossiping nearby, in case of any lingering shock he can snag off the edges of their conversation.
“Hey Corvus.” Dreamer flops on the grass next to him, instinctively settling close to him. He focuses for a moment on the sensation. Touch is still so new to him, even after all this time he's had on Elegy, but he's very grateful to have it. He likes knowing they're near.
“Hello.” He smiles softly, “it's very nice to see you.”
“Good to see you too.” They look up at him fondly, tapping their fingers along his leg.
Nervous. Happy, a bit tired, but nervous.
“You have not been nervous around me for a long time now.” Corvus frowns, putting down his schedule as he looks at Dreamer. “But it is particularly bad today.”
“No it’s not.” They respond reflexively, sitting up and sticking out their tongue. He tries not to pout too much when they break contact with him, they always stare at him a lot when he pouts.
“Yes it is.” He tilts his head, amusement emerging even amidst the concern.
They rebuff, looking away from him at seemingly anywhere else. “Nope. I'm not nervous.”
“You are, I can always tell-”
“I'm not~” they cut him off in a sing-song voice.
He lets out a laboured sigh. “How many times must we cover this subject? Professor Antlia explained Demon anatomy to you and you passed her pop quiz. You know I can sense your emotions, therefore you know that I am correct when I say you are nervous.”
“And you should know from hanging out with me so much that I'm ignoring the truth in favour of deliberate and fantastical denial. Let me live in delusion for once.”
“But it's illogical,” he protests.
“Corvus.”
“...Fine.” He huffs.
“Thank you.” Dreamer flops back down, this time resting on Corvus’ lap, whose whole being focuses in on the contact as they do.
The background noise takes centre stage as the two lapse into comfortable silence. The babbling of various students mixes together with the gentle breeze brushing against the willow branches.
Corvus had noticed for a while some new emotions emanating from his friend. The usual lighthearted irritation, joy, and curiosity had receded in the face of the rise in affection. Romantic affection specifically… and a few others that made him blush. Normally he’d point it out, dig out the cause of such new feelings - but for once, he held back. He’s not entirely sure why, but he doesn't really want to hear about some new person they've grown fond of enough to cause this. He decides it's because he's grown stronger with human etiquette. No other reason.
“I see why weather is a particularly popular choice for small talk amongst humans now.” He notes, watching the sun dodging through the willow’s branches to dance across his Dreamer’s face. “I do enjoy sunlight.”
‘ On you ,’ he adds silently.
They snort lightly. “That's funny considering your name.”
“I don't see how my name is relevant to my enjoyment of the nearest star.”
“Oh because of the uh Greek myth? Corvus and Apollo?”
He looks down at them curiously, “I'm unaware of any mythology connected to my name.”
“You share a name with a constellation. Most have some kind of myth associated with them all over the world, my sister loves telling me about them.”
“Would you tell me about Corvus and Apollo?” He asks, absentmindedly plucking a leaf out of their hair that has gotten tangled earlier.
A swell of emotion suddenly fills the air around them. Embarrassed, flustered, happy, nervous .
“You-”
“I know.” They whisper, fingers drumming anxiously on the grass next to them. “...Can I tell you later?”
He nods, tucking his hand quickly back into his lap, ignoring the disappointment coming from them. “Oh, the breeze stopped.” He notes as the branches of the willow tree quiet for the first time since he arrived that afternoon.
“Ah here.” They focus their magic, summoning a light wind to wrap around them both.
He giggles a little, petting their head again. “I don't need thermoregulation, remember? Let me instead.” With an exhale his body temperature cools, glittering with magic under the sun. “I should radiate a mildly cooler atmosphere now.”
Dreamer quips, “you were already cool in my books.”
“...I cannot tell if that is a pun or sincerity disguised as a joke for your own comfort.”
“How's a little of both?” They answer and then bashfully lean in closer to him. Dreamer pauses before looking away and muttering, “You can… nevermind.”
Corvus immediately perks up, latching on to the missing point. “I can what?”
“It's not important and it's silly so-”
“I don't think it is.”
They blink a couple of times, finally meeting his gaze again. “You don't even know what it is.”
“Do I need to know, to care about things you say? I'm not enjoy listening to you; but if that's wrong or something I've missed, then I can stop.”
“You haven't missed anything I just… you can keep your hand in my hair. If you'd like.” Dreamer scoops up the leaf he dropped and begins picking at it.
Corvus softens immediately, tail wagging excitedly behind him at their offer. “Really?” He asks hopefully.
“Yes really, I wouldn't ask if I didn't mean it.” They playfully grumble; catching sight of his waving tail, the corner of their mouth twitches up. “You seem very happy about that.”
“No I'm not.” He flushes, lightning fast grabbing his tail and pinning it to the ground behind him.
A glint enters Dreamer’s eye at this, “oho yes you are - I totally saw that! You cannot get on me for hiding my obvious emotions when you're just as bad.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“I am not.” He turns his head away from them, fighting the pout with everything he has.
“You so are.” They move closer to him, straddling his lap now and poking his cheek. “Don't try and hide it from me now, not when I finally have the upper hand.”
He turns back to argue again but finds himself inches away from their face and the playful bickering dies in his throat. Their eyes meet and the air around them stills.
Nervous, hopeful, doubtful .
The swirl of feelings peak but this time he's close enough to really feel the effect it has on them. Hands clutching his shoulders for support shaking slightly, breath fast and lips slightly open. And their heart is pounding a mile a minute.
The electricity between them sizzles as they stare at each other, for just a moment, star struck.
Dreamer swallows.
Resolution .
“Hey c-can I-”
He doesn't think, he reacts on pure instinct leaning forwards and capturing their lips in a kiss. It's sweet and far too short for his liking, he pauses for a second as they breath, feeling their heart race beneath his touch. Just a second. Then they both immediately dive forwards again, pressing more fervently into the kiss. They gasp for air but don't stop, hands gripping his shirt. The soft “ oh ” they let out between kisses melting on his tongue was the sweetest thing they've ever made him taste on Elegy.
Suddenly realising what he's done he pulls back, half stammered apologies caught in his mouth. But before he can drag any of them out, they cut him off.
“Why did you stop?” They ask, eyes not leaving his, searching for something .
“I didn't ask, I wanted to but I just acted and-” he panics a little but their hand on his stops him.
They carefully raise his hand to their chest to rest over their heart. “I was about to ask myself, and if I wanted you to stop I would have. I promise.”
“Okay.” He whispers before almost disbelievingly adding. “You like me .”
Dreamer bites back the urge to argue just for the sake of it. “That's not normally how confessions go, Corvus.” They chuckle, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
The lines between his brow furrow immediately, “I can do it differently if you'd like.”
“I wouldn't have it any other way.” They squeeze the hand they're still holding. “Just to check you, uh you do like me too right? In the romantic sense?”
He nods emphatically. “Very much so.”
“Good.” They fidget with his fingers, keeping their gaze on his hand as they fight off the goofy smile spreading over their cheeks.
He watches them, perfectly content to have them with him like this. Magic lighting up at their presence and touch.
“Can I kiss you again?”
“ Please .” And he pulls them in to meet his lips once again.