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It was the Friday morning before her concert on Monday.
Fire Spirit found herself bored out of her mind, taking her reeds out of her case and soaking them in the cup beside her, a process she grew very used to over the years. It had become instinct to take her Oboe out of the case, lining up the parts and sliding the instrument together, mind empty. It was the Friday before Halloween, making it so every time the door to the band room was to be opened a cold gust of air would blow over the hot woman’s face. She already accepted her fate of likely being horrendously sharp, something that would soon hopefully be cancelled out as her warm air would expand the instrument.
She turned around, taking her reed and plopping it in her mouth as she sucked out the excess water. Some other band members began to enter the room, taking their positions in the sea of chairs. The blur of faces grew constant, she was too tired to focus too much and nonetheless take note of every bandmate that entered the room. This steady boring flow was quickly interrupted as she saw what she could only describe as the embodiment of beauty cross the threshold that was the band room door. The woman was adorned in all shades of green, her hair in a neat braid with small clips decorating the weaving of hair. She wore a pair of old jorts, patches of all shapes and sizes covered the many holes that had come with time. Her shirt was a simple tank top which was half covered with a cardigan.
It would be no understatement to say the room started to brighten with her presence, one that dare she say was like the sun blessing the stagnant, grey air with its divine beams of light on a cloudy day. Or maybe, that was just the effect of having English class first period. Fire Spirit watched as she made her way to the locker rooms, becoming awfully disappointed when the woman of her dreams was covered by those boring, white pieces of drywall. Her shoulders slumped, looking down at the ground with disappointment before noticing an awfully familiar pair of shoes right before her face, one tapping on the ground as if displaying disappointment. A slow glance up revealed her closest friend Storm bringer looking at her, the woman’s eyebrows furrowed as she tutted in disappointment dramatically.
“And I thought I was the yearner” she huffed, shaking her head. She brushed a hand through her bangs, dramatizing her dissatisfaction.
“Bro…” muttered Fire Spirit, furrowing her eyebrows before groaning. “You’re such a bully bro” she rubbed her hands over her eyes, groaning.
Stormbringer sighed, tilting her head “Bro, bro, bro, bro, that’s all you say. Illiterate much?” She grinned, casually sitting down in the chair beside Fire Spirit.
“Further proving my point you bully” she huffed dramatically, placing her reed into the oboe and placing it inside of her mouth.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night-” she was promptly cut off by a loud squeak that came from Fire Spirit’s instrument, jumping up like a frightened cat “YOU IDIOT!” she yelled, grabbing at her ears.
“Sweet revenge” the other grinned like a little kid, giggling. “Now return to your seat trumpet player, class will start soon” she huffed, sticking out her tongue dramatically. The yellow woman huffed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
“Okay simp, I’ll have upmost glee watching you simp for someone who’s like, way out of your league.” she shrugged, walking away without another word. The earlier act of confidence quickly dropped at her words, shoulders hunching down. She knew the other’s words held truth, Wind Archer was in fact leagues above her. The woman was smart, beautiful, talented, gifted, everything, the embodiment of mortal perfection. And here sat Fire Spirit, the kid with slightly above average grades, maybe some smarts to her name, and a bunch of random things she wasn’t even that good at. She was a nobody. A nobody who had fallen for a somebody.
She watched as the woman of her dreams sat down beside her, reed in mouth as she took out her music and set it on the stand. Her long, gorgeous fingers grazed the binder before opening it, revealing the music. That simple action very quickly reminded Fire Spirit she herself needed to get her music, pausing before quickly digging in her backpack and pulling out a battered binder. Turns out, stuffing all your things in one backpack carelessly leads to destruction, given the current state of the music. She sighed, smoothing out the printed paper against the stand and lifting her Oboe, playing some random notes to check her tone. As expected, she was horrendously sharp, sneering as she quickly dug in her backpack to pull out her tuner.
It had been gifted to her long ago by her mother, the thing now worn with time but it had a small chain of charms at its side for easy carrying, that had been something given to her by her younger sister Snapdragon who had a nick for making random accessories, even if they didn’t look… up to standard. She played her tuning note softly, the device right against her instrument’s bell. Shockingly, she wasn’t that sharp, only a few quick adjustments of her embouchure had her playing in tune.
Wind Archer turned towards Fire Spirit, having already set up her instrument and also horrendously out of tune. “May I use your tuner?” The words sounded like they had been spoken by an angel, the voice so gorgeously soft and perfect, yet it held this deepness Ember couldn’t explain yet loved.
She stilled for a moment, head turning to the other before frantically nodding “yes!” She grinned “at your service oh-great-first-Clarinet-Wind-Archer” she teased, watching the other exhale.
“...You never change, do you, Fire Spirit?” She stated, glancing at the other. Good gods above, Fire Spirit doesn’t believe her name has ever sounded any better than when it came from the mouth of the angel before her. She kept up her act, chuckling and waving her hand aimlessly at the other.
“Whatever you say, you know you love it Wind Archer.” She chuckled, returning to her music. The conversation soon ended as the band director took position on the stage, raising his baton and symbolling the start of the class.
Less start for Fire Spirit, better word for continuing her prolonged admiration of the woman beside her, just this time with the excuse of making sure she was playing right.
-
Stormbringer rubbed her chin as she looked at the prolonged list of notes for her Physics class, groaning drastically as she fell against the chair dramatically. Her teacher had given them a whole class period to study for Monday's test, having had nothing else to teach her torture victims. She glanced around the room, bored out of her mind. Right before her though sat the perfect victim, a clueless Moonlight who was simply slaving away at the notes, sighing dramatically at the overly complicated formulas.
“Pssssttttt, Moonlight” she whispered, gently jabbing at her shoulder. She received a quick jump from the other followed by a pair of surprised blue eyes locked on her.
“You know you don’t have to whisper Stormbringer, others are talking.” She huffed, shaking her head.
“Okay yeah yeah, bro have you seen how fucking pathetic Fire Spirit is for Wind Archer?” She snorted, chuckling quietly. Moonlight sighed, looking at her pencil.
“Well, yes, it’s awfully obvious. But I don’t intrigue myself in this silly stuff, the two will probably get together later anyways” she shrugged, looking at Stormbringer.
“Fair, I swear Wind Archer is also head over heels for her, the amount of times I’ve seen her like… staring absentmindedly at her.” She grinned, chuckling “lovebirds am I right?”
“You act the same way with Frost Queen Stormbringer, I don’t want to hear anything from you.” She shook her head “well, Sea fairy and I were like, yearning for each other way before we got together, you know?” She murmured.
“You’re suggesting those two will get together?” She asked, smirking.
Moonlight took a moment, rubbing her chin before slowly looking at Stormbringer “our concert is Tuesday, right?” She asked.
“Mhm” the other replied, slowly grinning. “Oh? What are you cooking up?”
“The first Oboe and Clarinet have a few solos together, right?” A nod came from the other woman “I could get Sea Fairy to suggest Wind Archer to ask Fire Spirit if she can come over to her house so they may practice together, you see what I’m doing?” She asked, her grin spreading.
Ecstatic nods came from the other, chuckling with a kind malice. “You evil genius Moonlight! And even better, Fire Spirit and Wind Archer both go to that art club after school on Fridays, right?” s
She asked, receiving a nod.
“I could get Sea Fairy to suggest it while she’s in the lunch line!” Moonlight exclaimed, nodding frantically.
“Yes! Operation Oborinet!” Stormbringer chuckled.
“Is that our new unofficial title for this?” the other asked, shaking her head.
“Why not?” the Trumpet player asked, tilting her head.
“Why not.” The other replied, high fiving the other woman.
-
As soon as Moonlight left Physics she quickly located her girlfriend, running over to the blue woman and kissing her cheek. She received some chuckling in response, Sea fairy gently brushing the other’s face away so she could walk.
“What’s with the rush?” She asked, tilting her head curiously.
“Stormbringer and I made this very, very intriguing plan that we want to know if you will be in on?” Asked Moonlight, grinning evilly.
“Hm, I’m not against it, what is the end goal?” She asked, putting her phone in her cardigan sleeve, tilting her head.
Moonlight smiled as she spoke “getting Wind Archer and Fire Spirit together.” Her girlfriend paused, looking at the other before raising an eyebrow, seemingly a bit shocked.
“Those two are like polar opposites my dear, are you sure this is a good idea?” She asked quietly.
“Have you seen how either yearns for the other? I don’t think I’ve lived to see a day of my life without seeing either one staring at the other with pure adoration.” Moonlight suggested, tilting her head. She was met with slow nods followed by a huff.
“I see what you mean, well, I'm not against it, really as long as I don’t have to outright tell either party to just straight up confess.” She shrugged, looking at her girlfriend who nodded.
“Yeah definitely not, we’re leaving that up to them, your only job is to initiate their… interaction.” Sea Fairy raised an eyebrow.
“And how such?” she asked. With that, Moonlight went on a deep explanation of the whole plan, even as they entered their history class together, continuing to ramble on and on and on. The whole time Sea Fairy seemed awfully intrigued, nodding along. “So I simply suggest they practice together?”
“Together, alone, at Fire Spirit’s home. Wind Archer’s father works night shifts on Friday, then she can't drive back, hence, she must stay over, Fire Spirit only has one bed.” She made small finger guns, watching the other absorb the information.
“Sure, Operation Oborinet is in action.” Sea Fairy replied. Soon enough the history teacher got the class’s attention again, starting her lesson on the Protestant Reformation. Not like moonlight was listening, not when she was about to watch the true definition of a love drama play out before her very own eyes.
Fire Spirit owes her for this one.
-
Sea Fairy caught up with Wind Archer in the lunch line, breathing heavily after having just sprinted from history class. The other woman looked at her with concern, tilting her head.
“Sea fairy? You alright?” She asked, helping the other woman via snaking her arm under her shoulder. She nodded, shaking her hair before straightening herself.
“Moonlight and I were talking, we both agreed that like…” She took a moment, forming her words “you know how we have a band concert on Tuesday?” A nod “you and Fire spirit should really practice your solo together. I don’t mean to be rude but I think both of you may be… miscounting some rests.” She suggested, tilting her head.
“I see what you mean, I’ve noticed such myself, what do you say we should do then?” She asked.
“We thought you should go over to Fire Spirit’s house so you can both practice and stuff” shrugged Sea Fairy.
“My dad works night shifts on Fridays Sea Fairy…” She murmured, rubbing the back of her head.
“I’m sure Fire Spirit will be more than glad to drive you home!” Sea Fairy suggested, smiling innocently.
“...Drive me home illegally? She doesn’t have a drivers license and can’t use her permit without an adult Sea Fairy…” The other paused for a moment, blinking.
“Oh…” She shook her head “maybe you could stay over at her house? I know she isn't super against that stuff?” She suggested.
“Sea fairy, you do know I like her, right? It doesn't get more awkward than asking to stay over at your crushes house…” Wind Archer murmured, her cheeks turning a soft pink.
The flute player grabbed her, pulling down the taller woman so her ear was against Sea fairy’s mouth “she likes you too” she whispered, watching as Wind Archer’s eyes widened.
“Me? Really???” She asked, face becoming just as red as her crush’s by the second.
“Yes you idiot! Gosh, I’m done watching the most painful slow burn of all time! Listen to me, you go to her house, kiss her, and you both get together, got it???” She whisper-yelled, jabbing a finger against Wind Archer’s chest gently.
“Okay okay! Understood yes mam..” She murmured, face still red.
Part one of Operation Oborinet: success.
-
Wind Archer couldn’t get rid of her red cheeks, even as she made her way to the art club. The woman of her dreams liked her back, now that is something not every mortal gets blessed with. Fire Spirit, the most passionate, beautiful, and just perfect woman ever, loved her. Her heart felt so warm it may overheat, it felt just as hot as Fire Spirit’s hands did that one day in January back in 7th grade. When snow covered the ground and Wind Archer only had a cardigan. Fire Spirit had given her a big, fluffy jacket, yet the other’s skin still somehow remained warm. It truly fit with her nickname Ember, somehow always hot. The way her curly hair had bounced as she walked, the warm smile, the perfect everything. To think that may be hers, all if she didn’t mess this up.
She pushed open the door to the building, walking down the barren hallways that once felt empty. Now, she felt full, full of warmth, full of love, full of hope. It was the first day in god knows how long in which she managed to smile absentmindedly, walking down the hallway with a grin that mirrored that of a five-year-old’s after receiving a lollipop. She made her way to the room in which the club was held, opening the door and setting her things aside in a far corner of the room. Her eyes quickly scouted out the red head, busy instructing a freshman how to properly draw anatomy. She tapped her thigh, taking out her own computer and pulling up the drawing she had made for that month. It was one that was indirectly about Ember, depicting a spirit wrapped in flames with a white heart in the middle. She had titled it Ember, knowing the other had no idea she knew of this nickname.
Soon enough, Fire Spirit finished talking, waving goodbye to the kid and walking back over to her things, sitting down in her chair and humming a tune while taking out her own drawing equipment. Wind Archer seized the chance, gently tapping on Fire Spirit’s shoulder to get her attention.
“Hm?” She turned around, tilting her head at the green one.
“Fire Spirit, I have a question” she began, watching the other tilt her head in curiosity. “May I come over to your house today? We haven’t exactly perfected that duet together, the concert is Tuesday and I believe we need to work on it.” She stated, face expressionless.
“Perfectionist as ever, are you Windy? It’s alright, I’m not against it” she shrugged. “Should I take you there?”
“Preferably” she nodded. She noticed the glint of excitement in the other woman’s eyes, fighting a smile that practically begged to make its way up on her face.
“Alrighty, after the club is over meet me at the Shell lot” she shrugged, turning back around.
“Shell lot, got it” she nodded.
Part two of Operation Oboerinet: success.
-
Wind Archer stood at the edge of the street, watching as Fire Spirit went to go get the car. The woman had insisted on giving Wind Archer quote “princess treatment” and not allowing for her to step on the sand which with how Fire Spirit spoke would make her practically disintegrate into nothingness. She decided not to question the woman’s logic, simply nodding and following along with what she did. Soon enough an old, red BMW made its way before her. Fire Spirit quickly ran out, opening the door for her.
Wind Archer entered, profoundly amused by the treatment the other was giving her. Still, she acted careless and simply made herself comfortable. The car ride was mostly silent, Fire Spirit turned on some quiet band music, something Wind Archer would’ve never imagined someone like her liked. Not that she minded, she enjoyed the peace.
Soon enough they made their way to Fire Spirit’s home. It was shockingly small, a duplex as well. Fire Spirit guided Wind Archer to her door, opening it with a key attached to her oboe case. “My room is on the second floor” she murmured, walking into the home and taking off her shoes. Wind Archer nodded, following after the other. The home was a bit messy, things here and there but overall quite clean. A small baby chair proved that Fire Spirit may have a younger sibling, something that intrigued Wind Archer.
Fire Spirit’s room caught Wind Archer breathless. She never thought she could be breathless by the mere sight of someone’s room yet here she was, shocked at how someone had managed to create such beauty out of such a small place. Some tapestries were up on the walls which were then decorated by fairy lights. The floor was covered by an old Persian red rug, one that she would personally say matched Fire Spirit. The light was covered with some red cloth, giving the room a more relaxed feel rather than the blaring lights that created her own room. Other small details lay hidden, such as the collection of figures that lined the top shelf of her desk. It all just screamed Fire Spirit in such a way that had her mesmerized.
Her attention was drawn to Fire Spirit taking off her jacket, hanging it up in her closet. The jewelry followed and so after the makeup, a completely new version of her became revealed to Wind Archer, a more vulnerable and pure version. One that was not meant for the everyday eye but for her and hers only. She slipped off her own cardigan and took off her jewelry, leaving it in a small stack beside her backpack.
“Are we allowed to play right now?” Asked Wind Archer, looking at the woman before her who nodded with some confusion.
“Yes, why ask?”
“I saw a baby chair, I’m assuming you have a younger sibling?” She asked, tilting her head.
“Bullseye, yes, Snapdragon. She’s away with pitaya though, they’ll be back around 10” she shrugged, going over to grab her oboe case and began setting up her instrument again.
“Your parents don’t come back till 10?” She asked, a little confused.
“Mhm” she replied, taking out the music next. Wind Archer began to sense the awkwardness, nodding before sitting back down against the floor quietly. She began to set up her own Clarinet, finding some solace in the quiet room.
They practiced for quite a bit, taking small breaks to eat and drink every here and now but mostly just practicing. Soon enough the sun went down and Fire Spirit began to put the red piece of cloth over the light again. Wind Archer already put her Clarinet away, texting her dad on her phone while humming. She noticed Fire Spirit looking at her from across the room, seemingly quietly admiring her.
“My dad can’t pick me up” She stated, looking up at the other “he’s asking if you’re okay with me staying the night if possible.” She asked, tilting her head a little.
“More than fine, I have extra shirts if you need them.” She really tried to act calm but to be frank, she was internally screaming. The love of her life just asked her, her, Fire Spirit, if she can stay over at her house. She didn’t even have to ask, Fire Spirit would let her do such with absolute glee. Wind Archer nodded, setting down her things before stretching.
“Well, I tend to go to sleep early, is it possible if I change now?” She asked, yawning a little. Fire Spirit nodded again, quickly going to her closet and pulling out a spare shirt with pajama shorts, tossing it over to the other who simply nodded.
“Bathroom is down the stairs to the left” she stated, receiving a nod from Wind Archer.
-
Fire Spirit never thought her clothes could look that good. She never thought they could look as good as they did on Wind Archer. The woman before her was tying her hair in loose braids for the night, the loose clothing perfectly capturing every curve on the woman’s body. The Oboe player simply stared, shocked at her divine beauty. She made her way to the edge of the bed, making space for Wind Archer as she sat down beside her, humming as she continued to stretch.
Fire Spirit grabbed the water beside her bed, chugging the bottle down in one gulp as she swore she would overheat near the other woman. To make it worse, as they finally settled into the plush bed for the night Wind Archer’s thigh just so happened to graze Fire Spirit’ own, further throwing the woman into the throes of yearning. The green one stayed on her phone for a while after that, seemingly texting others quietly, Fire Spirit laid there motionless and frankly, in shock. She examined the woman before her, taking in every mole and zit that happened to decorate the perfect skin of her face.
Soon enough, Wind Archer turned her head, adjusting to the awkward angle of the bed. She paused when she noticed Fire Spirit staring at her wide eyed, blinking for a few moments. It wasn’t awkward which happened to be ironic, more it shifted into both admiring the other silently. Then it happened, Wind Archer ever so gently cupped the other’s cheek and pulled her closer, next thing she knew warm lips were pressed against her own. No hunger was poured into the kiss, just quiet years of yearning finally being fulfilled with the simple gesture. It lasted for hours, actually, god knows how long it lasted, both are instrument players anyways. All Wind Archer knew was the moment the hot lips broke off of hers she was flooded with disappointment. Like a greedy child she took the other woman’s lips and embraced them with her own again, holding her tightly by the waist. The other melted in turn, eyes lidded as she stared at what may be the prettiest and most stunning woman that ever blessed mankind. The slow embraces and kisses lasted for a whole hour, ending with the two intertwined tightly in the sheets, finally satisfied to have found their second half.
Operation Oboerinet: success.