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The Courting of Flames

Summary:

Recommend reading part 2 before this part.

Reborn gets some answers without even asking for them.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:



 

Reborn made his way to the kitchen, hoping for a nice espresso to help him settle down. Although he wouldn’t admit it to anyone (especially his fellow ex-Arcobaleno), the incident with the Vegas still unsettled him. As he drew close to the doorway, he started to overhear a conversation between several of the others.

“Hey Skull, I’ve been wondering, why did you turn your face away when Reborn tried to kiss you?” Lal’s voice echoed slightly in Reborn’s mind, a question he’d been wondering as well.

“What do you mean?” Skull replied, and although he wasn’t actually in the kitchen and could not physically see Skull, he could picture the way Skull’s head would be slightly tilted to one side and a slightly puzzled look would grace her features.

“Oh come off it, Reborn’s been trying to court you for ages and it’s like you’re playing hot and cold with him. I can’t tell if you’re interested in him, or just like the attention.” Lal huffed.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Skull replied flatly, and a scoff from someone sounded.

“Come on, it’s classic! Reborn’s been challenging you to fights since we first met, practically! He also brings you gifts sometimes these days, and prefers your cooking and drinks to anyone elses!” Colonello’s voice pointed out. Reborn nodded solemnly at each point. There was a silence Reborn couldn’t interpret for a moment.

“I’m not sure which part of what you said worries me more. No, wait that’s a lie. Picking fights with a lady to get her attention is very Primary school, and not a good courting method. If that’s his idea of courting, then it’s no wonder I didn’t realize. Who wants a prospective significant other to try beating them up all the time? I just though he found me irritating or was taking out his frustration on me.” Skull replied, still in a flat tone of voice.

“But it’s classic Cloud courting!” Colonello protested. “To show they’re strong and would be a good partner, and to give the Cloud in question the opportunity to both chase and be chased!”

“Colonello… what about me, exactly, makes you think I’m a normal or ‘classical’ anything? If someone was going to court me, they should do it based on me and not on what they think I should be.” Skull pointed out dryly.

“That’s all well and good, but you still haven’t answered my question.” Mirch interrupted.

“I don’t know why you need to ask it. Reborn was drugged to the gills, feral, and had exactly no choice in anything. I’m not into taking advantage of people like that. Consent is important. Plus Reborn thinks of himself as a Gentleman. We may not be especially close, but even I know he’d be disgusted with himself for making out with someone while ‘under the influence’. Also – again - wasn’t aware he was supposedly ‘trying to court me’, so it would have been weird to randomly make out with one of my colleagues while they were drugged. That answer enough for you Mirch?” Skull retorted, and Reborn allowed himself to walk around the corner, just in time to see Skull throw her arms up in the air in frustration.

“That’s….actually really sweet.” Mirch admitted grudgingly.

“Thanks, but I wasn’t doing it to be sweet. It’s just part of being a semi-decent person.” Skull huffed. Then her eyes caught on Reborn’s form as he made his way to the espresso machine in on the counter. Mirch looked a little victorious when her eyes met Reborn’s, apparently having setup the conversation so Reborn would overhear it. Typical. Not that he didn’t appreciate it, mind.

“Well, at least now I know where I’m going wrong with my courting.” Reborn sighed, a bit of a glint in his eye as he met Skull’s eyes. Skull blushed the slightest bit, but didn’t seem too embarrassed overall.

“Next time you want to spar, try asking for it instead of randomly attacking me.” Skull retorted. “And on that subject, I prefer daisies and compliments to being attacked and called rude names.” She added a little impishly before jumping down from the counter she’d been sitting on and leaving the room.

“She has a point.” Mirch informed Reborn with a grin. “For all she says she isn’t typical or normal, most girls prefer compliments and flowers to insults and violence.” The woman further rubbed it in. Reborn sighed but gave in to the inevitable teasing.

While Reborn was being teased my Lal and Colonello, Skull paused on her way to the living room.

Wait,” she thought suddenly “Colonello’s always treating me just like Reborn does….does that mean Colonello’s been trying to court me as well?!”

 



 

Notes:

Parts 2 & 3 of this series were my motivation for writing this one, but Verde & Viper/Mammon are fussing in the background because they don't know what Skull used to help Reborn, or where it came from.

Might be another part, if they sulk loud enough. Is Colonello trying to court Skull? Maybe.

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