Work Text:
Coco was mesmerized by the effortlessness with which the room’s inhabitants moved. Witches all in various shades of silk, velvet, and other fine fabrics danced to a lively melody.
Her back rested on the stone wall, the rock’s chilly temperature prevalent even through the silk of her gown.
She found her eyes drifting to the atelier’s designated table yet again. Coco had hoped that standing alone against the wall would draw her roommate out of the book she had brought along, but it had done no such thing.
Agott sat hunched over the tome, her dark hair falling around her face to partially conceal it.
Coco felt her heart skip a beat. She had been staring at Agott for most of the evening, but how could she not? The girl just looked so dashing in her dark purple slacks and off-white collared top. She even wore the small ribbon Coco had suggested would pair well with the color of her pants.
This was getting out of hand; Coco could feel herself getting more jittery by the second.
She was not going to freak out, she wasn’t! Coco had held intense adoration towards her roommate for what felt like forever now; it was basically normal at this point!
All the times she longed for Agott’s hands to linger on hers while assisting with drawing casting seals. The handful of nights they traveled by carriage and Coco relished in getting to rest her head against the girl’s shoulder. Even simply sitting next to her at dinner time seemed to make Coco’s whole day here as of late.
But these were all very normal things! It wasn’t like she had a crush on Agott or anything. Nope, that would be absurd!
Coco suddenly registered a pair of purple eyes staring back at her. Sugar biscuits! Agott had totally caught her staring!
She quickly averted her gaze to the other side of the table.
Master Qifrey was a few feet away attempting to pull his dark-haired watchful eye from his seat. He had been at this for nearly half a clock tick now, and Coco was convinced it wasn’t going to work. She knew from years spent with the two that once Master Olruggio had a glass of wine in his hand, he wasn’t focusing on anything else.
Suddenly, Coco heard an older witch yelp in pain. Turning, she saw Jujy apologizing for stepping on their foot.
“Coco! I was looking everywhere for you! Tetia and Richeh said you were somewhere over here,” Jujy exclaimed, running up to her.
Coco beamed at the girl’s excitement and complimented her formal attire. The frilly dress in various shades of orange and off-white suited Jujy.
“It seems like everyone’s having so much fun,” Coco observed.
She scooted over slightly, giving Jujy room to lean against the wall with her.
“I’m so happy they decided to bring these summer soirées back! Master Hieheart says they used to throw them all the time when he was an apprentice!” Jujy informed her cheerily.
“Wow! That’s so amazing!” Coco exclaimed. “It’s all amazing! Witch parties are the coolest!”
Jujy laughed at Coco’s pure adoration for the tradition. Even after a few years spent within the world of witches, Coco still found amazement in everything they did.
“I’m surprised you aren’t out on the dance floor,” Jujy commented, bumping Coco’s shoulder playfully.
Coco sighed, looking down at her shoes. The green flats that paired with the embroidery on her dress offered her no better ideas for a response.
“I think I’d make a fool of myself if I got out there,” Coco admitted shyly.
“Tetia and Richeh didn’t show you the ropes? Seriously?” Jujy questioned.
“They tried, but I’m kind of a terrible dancer….” Coco sheepishly replied.
Jujy’s pointer finger tapped against her chin, dawning her signature thinking expression.
Tetia and Richeh had tried to teach Coco how to waltz in preparation for this event. They had both been excited about the occasion themselves, Tetia more than anyone.
She had been so enthusiastic showing Coco the steps of the dance. Each move she made carrying a cheerful pep that was uniquely hers. Yet Coco, no matter how hard she tried, just couldn’t get it.
Richeh attempted to demonstrate for Coco at a slower pace, talking her thoroughly through things. For a while, it felt like it was working, but every time Coco felt like she had the hang of it, she promptly realized—she did not.
It didn’t matter how many times she messed up; she kept practicing and practicing. Because somewhere in the back of her mind, the possibility of Agott asking her to dance felt like a very real thing that could happen.
It was unrealistic, Coco knew that. She wasn’t even sure Agott knew how to waltz—honestly—why would she? Dancing wasn’t exactly a skill that would help her pass any of her tests, so there seemed to be no reason for her to learn it.
A few young witches ran past Jujy and Coco, all of them holding hands and giggling. It reminded Coco of how she had been with her fellow apprentices when they were a little younger.
“Jujy! You have to get out here! They’re going to play your favorite song soon!” Tetia cheered, emerging from the crowd. Richeh followed closely behind her, breathing heavily from keeping up with the high-spirited girl.
Jujy pushed herself off of the wall, waving at the two witches.
“I was just trying to get Coco over here out on the dance floor,” Jujy explained.
“Oh my stars, you’re right! Coco, what have you been doing playing wallflower?” Tetia interrogated, stepping closer to Coco.
“She’s waiting, obviously,” Richeh answered, her words almost swallowed by the lively cheers and chatter of the room.
“Waiting?” Tetia repeated back, as if it was the most absurd thing.
“I’m not waiting! I’m just…sinking up the atmosphere! So I can remember it forever,” Coco quickly corrected, waving her hand as if swatting away any other interpretation.
“Sounds like you are waiting, and you just don’t want to tell us what for,” Jujy assessed, raising her brows.
“No! Not at all!” Coco stuttered out a little too loudly.
“She’s acting suspicious,” Richeh observed audibly.
“Come on, just tell us what’s going on, Coco!” Tetia begged.
“Nothing’s going on, I promise! I’m a-okay, more okay than a brushbuddy with a basket of berries!” Coco assured her friends, hoping the nerves she was feeling weren’t present in her voice.
Tetia let out an exasperated groan, and Richeh rolled her eyes. The music that filled the room seemed to lull for a moment before the song changed to a more melodious and fast-tempo tune.
“Tetia! It’s your song!” Jujy cheered, grabbing the girl’s wrist to pull her onto the dance floor.
“We will circle back for you, Coco!” Tetia stated firmly.
Her and Jujy moved into the sea of people dancing, Richeh still standing still near Coco.
“Richeh, I think I saw—” Coco started.
“Don’t try and distract me, I know what’s going on,” Richeh said in a matter-of-fact voice.
Coco’s eyes widened instinctively at Richeh’s words. Her heart began to significantly pick up its pace from fear that the girl had somehow figured out her secret.
Wait, what secret? Coco didn’t have a secret! Nope, no secrets here!
“There’s nothing going on!” Coco insisted, raising her hands in surrender.
“What’s going on?” Agott questioned, now standing next to Coco.
Just like that, Coco could no longer breathe. Her lungs had been filled by the butterflies that got tired of rapidly flying in her stomach and decided to take a vacation.
“Coco’s acting weird,” Richeh elaborated shortly.
“I’m not acting weird! I’m totally normal!” Coco interjected before Agott had a chance to reply.
“Considering your face looks to be the same shade as a diadem herb, I’d say there is something going on with you,” Agott observed aloud.
Oh no, oh no, no no. Was Agott going to figure out that Coco liked her? That couldn’t happen, considering Coco totally didn’t like—
“She’s been acting weird all night,” Richeh offered the information before crossing her arms.
She grumbled something else to herself before walking away from the two.
“Coco—”
“Agott!” Coco replied too quickly, accidentally cutting the girl off.
“Are you ill?” Agott questioned, her eyes narrowing. “You’re a lot more…jittery than usual.”
This was absolutely the last thing Coco needed right now. She could not handle being under the critical gaze of Agott Arklaum.
“I’m fine, really!” Coco assured her.
“Hm, whatever you say,” Agott spoke, leaning against the wall next to her.
The loud scrape of a chair echoed throughout the room, coupled with the boisterous laugh from a group of witches.
Coco could not do this. She could not stand next to Agott in her formal attire, looking like one of the princes from Tetia’s fantasy books. She couldn’t handle the feeling of their shoulders touching or how the smell of lavender seemed to permeate from Agott.
“I think I heard brushbuddy say it needs me! I’ve gotta go!” Coco word vomited, quickly moving off of the wall.
“What has gotten into you? Brushbuddy isn’t even here!” Agott questioned, annoyance prevalent in her voice.
Coco sighed; she was really in a pickle.
Why was Agott even away from their atelier’s table anyways? She had seemed so consumed in her book earlier.
“I just, don’t want to keep you. You seemed really into what you were reading,” Coco elaborated, fidgeting with her hands.
“Well, yes, I was,” Agott began, “but then I saw you staring at me.”
Coco’s face now officially felt like the oven Master Qifrey and Master Olruggio baked pies in.
“Which is rude, by the way,” Agott added.
“Haha, sorry about that…” Coco apologized sheepishly.
“Anyhow, I figured if you were staring, then it meant you needed something,” Agott finished her explanation.
Coco moved her gaze to look at Agott’s face. Biggest mistake ever; now her brain was going to be scrambled until the next clock tick.
“Me? Need something? From you? No!” Coco stuttered out.
“I never suggested you needed something from me specifically,” Agott commented suspiciously.
“I just meant, well…” Coco trailed off, all of this was making her head spin.
“Whatever is going on with you, I’d prefer you not spread it,” Agott grumbled.
Coco felt a laugh tumble out of her lips. One that was too loud and emphatic for Agott’s simple complaints.
She let herself lean against the wall again, this time intentionally a few inches away from Agott. The melody that resonated throughout the space changed. Now it was more emotionally charged, and the rhythm was clear.
Coco’s stomach twisted; it was a song meant for the waltz.
She looked up at the couples of people that had positioned themselves for the dance. They began to glide effortlessly across the ornately tiled floor, looking like grace personified.
“It’s quite the overly adored dance,” Agott commented, leaning in so Coco could hear her over the room’s many noises.
Why did she sound just as charming as she looked? Even in her nonchalance, Agott seemed to make Coco’s heart skip every other beat.
“I actually think it’s quite a beautiful dance,” Coco countered, a small smile crossing her face.
“Predictable as always,” Agott sighed, rolling her eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Coco pouted, leaning closer to Agott’s face.
That was single-handedly the worst decision she had ever made. Whatever Coco was dealing with (because it certainly couldn’t be a crush) seemed to detonate this close to Agott.
“Just that your foolish fascination with all things magical extends to things that are commonly irrationally beloved,” Agott explained, crossing her arms.
“The waltz is wonderful! I don’t know how you could think that!” Coco insisted, her face still close to Agott’s.
“Said by someone who didn’t have to learn it when they were eight,” Agott mumbled with a frown.
Coco’s eyes lit up at this. So Agott did know how to waltz!
Of course, not that it mattered. It wasn’t like Coco wanted to dance with her, abso-toodily-oodily not.
“So you know how?” Coco asked, her voice filled with a lot more breathless wonder than she intended.
Agott snorted; this close, Coco could see her lips just slightly upturn before moving back to her usual stoic expression.
“I do, yes,” she replied.
Coco’s eyes peeled away from Agott and turned to the sound of laughter as Master Qifrey spun on the dance floor. It seemed he had finally gotten Master Olruggio to join him.
“It’s just so amazing! I mean, doesn’t it look so fun?” Coco dreamily said.
“Have you not already danced tonight?” Agott questioned, her brow raising.
Coco moved over just slightly so she was no longer in Agott’s personal space.
“Ah, no…I’m not exactly the best dancer..,” Coco admitted, looking downward in embarrassment.
“Neither are most of the people out there,” Agott pointed out.
Coco looked up at the sea of witches moving along to the music. Only about half of them actually in rhythm with the beat.
“I guess you’re right,” Coco pondered aloud.
She continued to let herself stare at the crowd of people gliding across the dance floor. Her heart longed to join in, and she found herself imagining Agott at her side. The thought gave her goosebumps and she quickly tried to switch gears.
Imagining herself waltzing with Tetia or Richeh, as a way of showing herself that imagining waltzing with anyone would make her feel like that. This experiment failed to prove that hypothesis.
“You want to join in, do you not?” Agott queried.
Coco turned to face her, their eyes meeting.
“It just looks so fun!” Coco replied, “but I don’t exactly have a partner.”
She mumbled the last part under her breath. A small part of her hoping Agott would hear it.
“What was that last bit?” Agott questioned, cupping her hand around her ear.
“Will you be my partner?”
The question tumbled out of Coco’s mouth before she could stop it. Immediately causing her heart to jump into her throat. She needed to fix this immediately.
“For the waltz? I mean, of course you can say no. I’d understand why you would. In fact, you should say no. You don’t want to dance with me, I promise. I’m a terrible dancer, really. You should—”
“Coco,” Agott interrupted, placing a hand on her shoulder.
That was certainly the best way to get Coco to stop talking. The second the girl’s hand made contact with her shoulder, she couldn’t focus on anything else.
Coco opened her mouth to speak but unfortunately the only thing that escaped it were indistinguishable sounds that resembled a flustered brushbuddy.
“Are you going to let me answer your proposal?” Agott asked.
Coco simply nodded; it was all she could manage to do in her current state.
“Right, well, I suppose I could waltz with you,” Agott offered calmly, her hand still resting on Coco’s shoulder.
Coco herself could not manage to muster anything but a strangled sound that was supposed to indicate she would be thrilled to dance with Agott. In a totally normal friend and roommate way.
“Whatever you are saying, please state it in a language I can understand,” Agott demanded.
Coco took in a deep breath, forcing her brain into emergency ‘partially work even though Agott is close’ mode.
“I just…I thought you said you didn’t like the waltz,” Coco finally spoke.
“I don’t,” Agott stated.
“So, I guess I just don’t want to force you—”
“I offered, did I not?” Agott interrupted.
Coco paused, letting her mind catch up enough to form a coherent response.
“Yes, you did,” Coco responded.
“So you aren’t forcing me,” Agott stated evenly.
“But why did you offer? If you hate it?” Coco questioned, tilting her head.
There was a moment that neither of them spoke. The music playing and the sound of witches conversing accenting the background noise.
“It doesn’t…” Agott started, before cutting herself off with a sigh.
“Do you want to dance or not?” She inquired with a slightly impatient tone.
Coco felt her answer get stuck somewhere between her mind and her mouth. Agott was asking her to dance, right now, in real life. This wasn’t some hallucination or detailed daydream; this was real.
That made Coco’s heartbeat somehow quicken even more.
“I…” Coco began, “Yes.”
Agott held out her hand with a flourish befitting that of royalty.
“Then hurry, this song won’t last forever.”