(Leo)
***
Pittering, pattering down the tiled hallways, my small boots imitated the noise of the thumping, beating heart inside me.
I was… so nervous, so scared. And this was despite Ophelia's constant reassurance before school.
I wanted a miracle; I wanted magic to be real.
Why, Sinclair and I hardly knew each other. They were just my senior, really, and to them, I was merely a junior. This stunt I was pulling hinged on a hunch and superstition that maybe—just maybe—Sinclair enjoyed the short, fleeting moments we spent together as much as I had.
After all, the only time we ever saw each other was during baking club, but that organization only met every two weeks or so, which meant I couldn't have some kind of extravagant baking showcase today, but it still provided me with the background knowledge I needed. That was how I was aware of their fondness for macarons, so last night, I had made sure to prepare them in a variety of flavors to suit Sinclair's taste.
Matcha. I was pretty sure that was their favorite flavor based on how much they nibbled on the light green puffs. Yet still, it was hard to find out anything about the mysterious, timid person, but that made me want to pry my way into their world even more.
Sure, I also had the chocolates and card to fall back on if I couldn't live up to Sinclair's standards, but truly, I hoped that they would notice the love and care I put into creating those colorful treats for them. I didn't have the chance to be some impressive knight who could make sweets on the spot, yet I still could make the best of the opportunity I had been afforded.
All these feelings that I had stored in me for so long, getting to know Sinclair slowly and letting my love simmer over a fire before it charred… I hoped I had imbued my gift with enough emotions that they could see I was genuine, that I wanted to keep them close to me as an important person.
For a student, I knew I sounded ridiculous and like a hopeless romantic. (Who was I kidding? I was the epitome of one.) However, I was as dedicated to this task as any adult, and I likely would do a better job than Mr. Inei had done earlier when he was ceremoniously dragged out of the classroom by his husband.
Just because I was young didn't mean this flurry of feelings, these electrifying emotions, were to be taken for granted.
It was like my heart stopped when I passed by room 3804. The beating went away as the sounds of my thoughts and breaths seemed to disappear alongside it. One of my hands clenched my skirt as the other tightened its grip on the decorated goodie bag.
I had never visited this class, and while I had no reason to until now, it suddenly became the center of my plans when Ophelia told me that this was the location of the science club, which often met on Fridays.
Banking on that ounce of a chance, the next few moments were all-or-nothing because if Sinclair wasn't here, then they must have already gone home. In that event, my sleepless, blanket-kicking nights and hours preparing would have all been for naught.
At least, I was calmed for a second by the fact that trails of yellowish lights painted the floor beside the classroom's door, but my heart rate sped up exponentially with the implication that I might actually get to see my crush and confess to them.
*Dear Sini, I hope you're here and that you'll spare me the time of day…*
I inhaled deeply and pushed the door open, closing my eyes and tensing my face. I probably looked like an idiot, but I was too terrified to tackle reality. I took a few steps into the labyrinth, pausing beside the chain of lab tables, particularly by a few that were empty.
When I looked around, however, I found that the room was mostly vacant…
Except for the short figure of Sinclair.
Behind a test tube stand, they held a pair of tongs, mixing the substances and producing miniature reactions. It was as if they were a puppeteer controlling their own world and mastering the laws of science before bending them to their own desires. Their long lab coat swayed with the gust of a carefully positioned fan, and their curly, chestnut locks mimicked that same motion. Glancing at them more, a pair of goggles encased their glasses, their gentle profile curving into view like the slope of a hill. Their features were focused like they were about to make some kind of amazing discovery, and I almost felt bad about interrupting their intellectual excursion…
Ah, I was being a little overdramatic again… I guessed that was my trademark, but it was hard not to act like that when I looked up to Sinclair so much!
At that point, I considered turning back, but it was already too late.
Sinclair's focus had been broken, likely by the sound of the door finally closing behind me, so they glanced in my direction, smiling gently as they saw me.
"Ah, Lele." They peeled their goggles off and placed them aside while I stood like a statue. "Did you need anything? Were you trying to join the club? The teacher is at a faculty meeting for the next hour, so you might be waiting here for a while."
I was a little shocked when the introvert approached me first, but I stared at them a bit dumbly, mustering the courage to say, "N-No, Sini. I… Well, it's something else. You know that I wouldn't touch chemistry with, uh, fifty-foot tongs. Is that even scientifically correct?" I shook my head around.
Silently, they nodded a little, their expression shifting to their usual, stoic one, though a semblance of amusement still decorated their soft features. While I didn't know which statement they were validating, I took that as a cue to keep talking or else I'd be left with regret.
"Do you know what today is?"
"Pi day?"
"What?" That surely wasn't the answer I was expecting, but ah, they were a little nerdy. "I mean, yes, but no, that's not what I meant. Wrong dessert."
"Am I forgetting something? A birthday? A test?"
Did they really not have a clue about romance? Did the angel or genius not contemplate such earthly things?
"No, Sini, it's—"
"White Day. I know."
"Eh?" I shouted, sweat now beading on my skin. "You actually pay attention to stuff like that? You once told me that you accidentally forgot it was Valentine's Day one year, and when a guy tried handing you chocolate, you said, 'No thanks. I'm full.'"
With a chuckle, they nodded again as a calm look came over them. "I don't usually, but I can see the bag in your hand. Did you need me to deliver that to someone for you in secret?"
How were they coming to every conclusion but the correct one? Somehow, though, I figured that perhaps they were just playing dumb like they always did.
I gulped. "Sini, that's still not it."
Gah, "Sini, this" and "Sini, that". I loved letting that nickname roll off my lips.
My palms were covered in a layer of liquid, and I feared that the bag would slip out of my hand and break open, ruining all my hard work. That was, of course, if my weak, trembling muscles didn't cause a calamity first.
Thump. Thump.
Timidly, I continued, "This bag…" I nudged the sack towards them, letting my bashfulness wash away as I lifted my head. "Actually, the recipient is right in front of me, but I don't know if they've noticed yet."
I hated the roundabout manner in which I confessed, but hey, didn't I still have plausible deniability? Yeah, it was so easy to deny my feelings and scramble out of here if things went south… certainly.
I was expecting a look of shock from them, but their expression was instead unreadable as they cornered me with their gaze and muttered, "Is that so?"
I hesitated a little. "Mhm."
They took a step towards me, and I backed away from them out of habit and nervousness.
What the hell were they doing? Weren't they supposed to be all surprised and weirded out and acting as if I were a three-headed monster? The chance of a happy ending was slim in my mind, so it conjured up all these horrific scenarios in which Sinclair would leave me and only give me the satisfaction of having professed my feelings.
"It really is so?"
While they were continually approaching me, I wasn't sure whether to be overjoyed or terrified by their actions, especially when their previous words had this lilt that was both threatening and attractive.
*If you get any closer, you might not be able to realize what you're doing to my heart…*
I stopped moving backwards as I hummed once more in affirmation, our torsos pressing together as we stood a couple of feet away from the ledge of the table.
There was a tense, empty moment before suddenly, Sinclair reached up and seized my tie. They tugged on it hard, making me bend over to compensate for our height difference, and contrasting with their sudden display of assertiveness, they planted a gentle peck on my forehead.
Hell, that was the moment in which my brain melted into a pile of mush.
A tingle shocked my skin before leaving the slightly wet patch—and in turn, me—with an elated feeling. The warmth of their breath on the spot thereafter was yet another sensation for which I was not prepared, and I was about to malfunction when their lips curved into a smile against my skin.
This was all so cute and romantic right then. Why was Sini so teasing like this? It was adorable and made my knees weak all the same!
At last, they backed away but only with a single step. Shutting their eyes and then giggling a little, they said, "I already knew you liked me, Lele."
The almost forgotten bag then plunged from my hands.
Frankly, I didn't know how I managed to hold onto it for so long, but something told me it didn't matter much anymore; my emotions had been communicated, and the physical form by which I intended to express them paled in comparison.
Wide-eyed, I asked, "You did?"
"Of course." Back to a rather blank but contented expression, they said, "You're like a puppy that keeps following me around whenever we're together. It was obvious."
I cursed myself for being so blatant yet oblivious, but again, that wasn't important.
"So…" I collected myself and stated, "Sorry about the bag. I'm sure everything still tastes good, though it might look like a cyclone swept through." A goofy smile painted my face as I avoided the true questions.
*What are we after this? And do you like me, too?*
It seemed as if Sinclair had other intentions, however.
They took one, two steps forward like they were ready to pounce on me, but fate thwarted whatever Sinclair's plans were as they rather gracefully tripped and crashed right into me. Like dominoes, the lower part of my back landed against the lab table, and I soon found that my whole upper body rested flat against the hard surface. Despite the cold beneath me, Sinclair's warmth encompassed the front of my torso as they landed atop me, and as if I were hardwired to keep them safe, one of my arms was wrapped around their waist.
I wouldn't lie; although the dramas made this look like a pleasant experience, I was scared a few vertebrae and ribs cracked in the process, and it was safe to say that this fucking hurt. Only the mashing of teeth in an accidental kiss could have made this more painful.
A hint of scarlet painted Sinclair's face, and the same hues likely colored my darker skin as we were in this… rather interesting position. We were quite literally on top of each other, which made me want to lower their head to my chest so that we could snuggle together. Preferably, that wouldn't have happened on a lab table that was harder than a slab of diamond, but hey, beggars couldn't be choosers. Plus, I really wanted to know what it was like to cuddle with someone while doing… well, anything.
Despite their apparent shyness, Sinclair stood on the tips of their toes to hover over me. Although their hands had fallen beside my hips, Sinclair moved both their arms upwards. Their left hand reached for my right, and they intertwined our fingers in a rather intimate gesture, pinning my arm to the table and trapping me. They placed their right hand on my face, caressing my cheek. It was too sweet.
*And as long as you don't go any further than this at any point…*
I swore that I saw a predatory smile flick over their face before it settled into a more docile but still joyful expression. They lowered their head, the rim of their glasses pressing a little into the side of my face.
I had a gut feeling that they were much more sly than I could have ever predicted. My heart skipped a few beats.
"Do you want to help me with something?" they whispered in my ear, their breath brushing by the lobe.
"What is it?" I asked with a hushed, rushed voice. My brain instinctively told me to agree with anything they said, but I was having a few doubts.
Sinclair backed away from me and lowered their hand from my face, giving me a bit of a break in that regard. They laughed a little and said, "Chemistry."
An audible groan came from my lips. "I thought I hinted at this earlier, but I'd rather lick uranium than do more science."
"Don't worry," they replied in a soothing voice that made me melt like butter, though I was becoming wary of where they were moving their hand as it slid down the lab table. "It's just a survey for some anecdotal evidence. It's one question and maybe a follow-up if your answer is good."
"I…" I was conflicted. (And since when was chemistry not purely objective?) I could either do something stupid out of love or uphold my morals of not answering any scientific questions that were beyond the scope of a high school education. Of course, there was only one viable option as Sinclair kept shifting on top of me and boring into my soul with pinkish eyes. "On second thought, radiation kinda sucks. What's the question?"
More staring ensued before their plush lips parted.
"What makes you attracted to me?"
How… How was I supposed to put something so complex into words?
Were they like the spring and summer to a life of winter? Were they the speck of light in a cave? A droplet of water in a desert? An amusement park in the middle of a dystopia? There were so many possibilities—all more outlandish than the last!
Finally, I inhaled and settled on something. I dropped any hints of attitude and sass, replacing those with genuine, sheer emotion.
"You're the reason I can get myself to get through the tough times, Sini. You're the person who makes me smile like I've been on laughing gas every day." My mouth curved into a gentle, sweet smile. "You're… the one who I feel comfortable around when talking or doing anything, really. I mean it."
Sinclair's expression mirrored mine for a moment, taking the silence as the finale to my response. "Now, I think I'll give you the second question."
"I earned it…?" I joked.
They nodded, and I eagerly awaited their next statement despite not knowing where this conversation would go. I figured they'd continue with something about hormones or chemicals or some weird names that didn't make any sense, but instead, they declared…
"...Do you want to be my boyfriend, Lele?"
That sure as *hell* wasn't close to my predictions.
Ah, so Sinclair *was* thinking of such a thing; perhaps we thought more alike than precedented.
Although I was anxious and a little high off happiness, I didn't even have to think twice before telling them, "Obviously. Did you think the candy bag was a drop-and-go confession?" I cleared my throat before saying, "And you're my, my, uh—"
"Partner."
Right. I wasn't sure what term made them feel the most comfortable, so I was glad they verified my first thought.
I grinned. "Sini, you're my partner."
With a wide smile on their face, their spectacles bounced along as they nodded several times, and then, we bumped our foreheads together, the tension and treats long forgotten.
*Fifi, wait until you get a load of this!*
[A/N: Picture in comment.]
***
[SPECIAL AU : END]