Work Text:
‘Stupid Cupid you're a real mean guy!
I’d like to clip your wings so you can’t fly!’
Magnolia falls backwards dramatically onto her bed, disrupting the blanket covered with the planet Flaqueron and the two Moons, and looks up at the ceiling covered with band posters (Mitski, Dazey and the Scouts, TV Girl, Jack Stauber), canopies made of green, light blue, orange, and purple see-through fabrics, star-shaped fairy lights, and hanging moons, and those glow-in-the-dark stars that were placed a LONG time ago.
It was VALENTINE’S WEEK.
The one week filled with DOOM and DESPAIR for all single aromantic individuals in the world. Now, Magnolia isn’t someone who rains on other’s parades, but it gets to a point where all the hearts and glitter and ‘I love you’s make him want to SCREAM and rip her skin off. A bit dramatic, yes, but he’s always felt an intense hatred for this week.
Her problem wasn’t people, his problem was romance itself! It had taken Magnolia years to accept that she was Genderfluid, and just when he figured Pansexual fit the bill, she turned around the corner and —boom!— he ends up being smacked with Cupioromantic. Now, anytime she sees that cursed Cupid or thinks about romance, the feeling of dread, hatred, and helplessness washes over him like an unwanted wave.
Anytime she saw lovers enjoying their time, he felt like something was…missing. Or maybe, something was wrong with her! That must be it!
Typically, whenever he fell into this depressive mood, she’d force herself to get up, go to the balcony, let the sun hit his face, and try to think positively. Today, however, Magnolia found himself unable to do that. It definitely had something to do with the loud music being played outside, and the TV showing some crappy rom-com. Things would be better if she just…didn’t torture himself. But there was something…good, about forcing herself to deal with the fact he was Cupioromantic. It allowed herself to feel like crap and be justified in it.
Magnolia knew if she asked her close family to hangout they’d be willing to, but staying inside all week is a bummer, and if he steps outside? She feared he'd throw up and run away, a total embarrassment for those hanging out with her!
Magnolia resigns himself to her room, occasionally going out via the vents (in fear of anyone saying ‘Happy Valentine’s!’ to him), and trying to desperately ignore the urge to play a shitty rom-com or love music. She could already tell this week was going to be long!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘Guess I like him, but it’s funny
‘Cause I’m not big on relationships
I’m more down for the flirt’
Rai sighed, as the 100th person made her aware of their feelings. It wasn’t that she didn’t like them…she enjoyed their company and found them tolerable. It was just, she felt no link. All of those butterflies that existed before this moment…disappeared!
‘You’re leading them on-‘ No, no, no, no, no, no! Rai didn’t know she liked them at all! Up until they started hanging out more, and those butterflies killed themselves without remorse. This was also why, on the day of Valentine’s, Rai did her best to not show up or to accidentally give any ‘friends’ of hers a ‘sign’ or ‘hint’ that she herself was ready for their declaration of love. It usually felt like walking on eggshells when she did this, and Rai felt like seconds away from running out of the establishment.
Today, she had hoped to spend time with her littluns, but alas, that’s not how the world wants her to deal with life. No sooner had she stepped into work (which was usually a relief, since many co-workers were out busy celebrating, leaving the place to her and a few others), did she get assaulted by her mailbox. Not the work one, the personal, one. Okay, fine! Rai wasn’t gonna freak out and blow things out of proportion! It could be like, harmless, simple, stuff!
‘Hey Rai, it’s me, [‘friend’s name’]! I was wondering if you’d like to hangout? I’ve been meaning to..talk to you. About something. Meet me at-‘
Nononononono. Hang up, NOW.
Rai’s hands quickly shut down the message, and she sighed. Okay, just simple hanging out! Valentine’s Day wasn’t all about romance! You can hangout with friends and it will all be okay! Ignore the fact this has happened plenty of times before. Ignore the fact it always ends up with rejection. Ignore it. Ignore it. She could also NOT go, but wouldn’t that be rejection in itself? Also, it would be so awkward if she doesn’t get over it now. So, on the way to the location she goes!
Rai could do this, just keep the chat friendly and don’t step into risky territory!
——————————————————————
‘Two lovers entwined pass me by
And Heaven knows I’m miserable now’
Orson rarely felt much, which was because his face ripped off and being born from a leg came with its…side effects. Physical ones such as: face skin burn off, eyes hanging out (hence the use of mask), rotted legs, and some more she didn’t try to dwell on. There were other non-physical effects too, such as: lack of reaction, speech, and general resentment for feelings and concepts, such as romance, hearing, etc.
To Orson, Valentine’s week reminded them how nasty and disgusting the act of people bonding over words and actions was. For some reason, it set whatever was left of her skin on fire. Which was so…odd? Considering there never was a day that something romantically tragic or devastating occurred to them of all people! He didn’t interact with strangers, had cut ties with Xilóvien (and his…’kids’…), and kept herself perfectly occupied with their children, Aurora and Kepí.
So, where did this disgust and repulse at romance spring from? Hell if she knew! It had sprung suddenly, when one during Valentine’s week all those days ago, he’d step outside and found the hearts, glitter, banners, everything decorative an eyesore and repulsive. Seeing people…hold hands and say ‘I love you’ and be all lovey-dovey had set off an ick they didn’t know he had! It was extremely disturbing to her, but luckily they had mastered the art of not caring! Everything is well.