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Haurchefant was doing a poor job of ignoring the letter on the counter.
It wasn’t a surprise – he knew it was coming. He was there when Artoirel had proposed, for Halone’s sake, and had helped him set up and prepare for the event. He’d even helped soothe his half-brother’s anxieties leading up to the question, as if Stephanivien would have said anything but yes.
He was not ashamed to say he and Emmanellain had both cried as the scene unfolded, though his younger brother would disagree.
But now…the innocent-looking letter on his kitchen counter was like a snake poised to strike. It'd arrived addressed to him two days before, but he’d allowed it to sit there ever since...
If Mirko were here to witness this, she’d be laughing her arse off.
A loud ringing interrupted the image of his best friend cackling at his expense, and he dug into his pockets to find a dreaded sight: his stepmother.
“Hello?” He answered, attempting to keep the bite of annoyance from his tone.
“Good evening, Haurchefant,” she said, her tone even. Angry, he thought, usually Father is the one to call me.
“Good evening, Mother. How are you?”
“Well. I expect you’ve received an invitation to my dear Artoirel’s wedding, correct?”
“Indeed, I have,” he said, rubbing his forehead tiredly. “I just got back from work, so I haven’t opene–”
“I expect you to not embarrass our family, Haurchefant,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “Emmanellain is starting to settle down too and will have a plus one – you are several years their senior, and yet here you are without a woman on your arm.”
Halone help me, he groaned to himself. “I hardly think my arriving alone to celebrate my dear brother’s wedding will embarrass you, Mother.”
“Haurchefant.” It was impressive just how much disdain his stepmother could imbue in the syllables of his name. “I am perfectly happy to set you up with one of the Dzemaels–,”
“Oh, there’s no need for that,” he interrupted her quickly, wincing at the thought. The daughters of House Dzemael were sweet but oh so vapid. “I already have someone in mind.”
What made him say that?!
“Oh?”
“Er–,” he coughed, trying to abate the panic that now swelled in his chest at his hasty words. “Well, things are still new, so I hadn’t told anyone yet–,” he rubbed his hand over his face as the lie deepened.
“I see.” Now, he could hear the disbelief in her tone. “Then I expect to meet this woman before the wedding, Haurchefant.”
“Of course,” he said tightly. “I’d love nothing more, Mother. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I desperately need a shower and dinner.”
“Good night,” she said, hanging up the call before he could even respond.
He groaned, staring at his tomestone blindly as the screen faded to black. He looked…tired. And not a little anxious.
“Shite,” he groaned again, looking out the window. “Now what do I do?”
He nearly jumped as his tomestone rang again and he answered without looking, growling out a “What?”
“Well shite, Haurche, I’ll call back later,” a completely different and much more welcome voice replied, and his eyes popped open.
“Mirko!” He gasped. “Sorry, I, uh, just got off the phone with my stepmother.”
Mirko hummed in understanding and he sighed, plopping down onto his couch. “I suppose I’ll forgive you then. What is it now?”
“Artoirel and Steph have sent out their wedding invitations and she demanded I start to settle down and bring a plus one – a woman.”
“How cheerfully biphobic,” Mirko said dryly, and he snorted a laugh. His dear stepmother had long mastered the art of pretending he’d never come out and expressed interest in genders other than women.
To be fair, his father wasn’t much better, but he did try.
“Apparently she’ll be the laughingstock of the entire nation if Emmanellain arrives with a date, and I don’t.”
“Em’s got that surprisingly sweet side, after all.”
“What?!” Haurchefant squawked, feeling inexplicably affronted at the notion. “He absolutely does not.”
“Not to you ,” Mirko laughed. Haurchefant ignored the weird feeling in his chest, pushing away the follow-up question on his tongue.
“Well anyway, I…I might have said that Iwasalreadyseeingsomeone,” he said in a rush.
“What?!”
“What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t stand to listen to her anymore, Mirko.”
“Don’t lie about something so easily disproven?” He winced – obviously, she was right. “What are you going to do now, the wedding is hardly three months away and - wait, isn't it also on Starlight?”
“Yes. And I know that…,” he trailed off.
“You’ll probably have to get someone off of OKKupo or something, act like a fake date,” Mirko said, chuckling. “Or beg Hilda or G’raha to agree to pretend for old time’s sake.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that Mirko,” he said. “You know very well that Raha is quite taken with your dear friend Dagasi.”
“Sure, but it’s not like your family knows that.”
Haurchefant shook his head, already picturing how his ex-boyfriend would kindly but firmly reject the idea entirely. “I think OKKupo would net me better odds.”
It…wasn’t the worst idea, but to bring a stranger into his family like that…
“Perfect story to tell the grand-kids.”
“You’ve watched too many romcoms,” Haurchefant groaned, tossing his head back against the couch.
“No, sorry, that’s you. And what else are you going to do? Unless you’re planning on falling in love with someone already in your life.”
“…Maybe not a stranger off of a dating app…,” he had a sudden thought. “Wait! Mirko – what about you?”
“…What about me?”
“You! You’re perfect – you’ve already met some of my family, you’re on good terms with them. We can pretend to date for the wedding and then break up spectacularly afterwards.”
There was silence on the other line, long enough that Haurchefant was concerned about his connection.
“I– and what about our friendship?” Mirko said, though her voice sounded odd now.
“Oh, maybe we don’t break up spectacularly afterwards – perhaps we just say we’re not compatible as lovers and just stay friends.”
“Hm,” she said nothing else and Haurchefant felt some concern.
“Of course, it’s just an idea – a silly one at that. I can just tell my stepmother that I no longer have a date and–,”
“And what, subject yourself to several dates with the noble ladies of Ishgard?”
“They’re– well, they’re not that bad.”
“Haurchefant,” Mirko said, and he marveled at how much exasperation his best friend could fit into the syllables of his name. “I’m not going to sentence you to that and your stepmother’s scolding. Fine, I’ll do it. But you owe me.”
“I will meal prep for you for a month,” he cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
“Three at least,” she emphasized, and he laughed.
“Of course, of course. Gladly. Anything, darling,” he chuckled, the endearment feeling natural on his tongue. “We should come up with our backstory and everything.”
“Don’t over complicate it,” Mirko said. “We’ve been good friends for years, we can keep it as simple as a random evening together turned into something more.”
He could feel his ears grow hot at the sudden mental image. “Sure,” he coughed. “Well, we have some time before the pre-wedding events occur anyway. My stepmother did say she wanted to meet her – you – but maybe we can push it out as much as possible.”
“Fine with me,” Mirko said, and he could almost picture the roll of her eyes.
.
.
It was anything but fine.
Mirko thanked every god that this conversation was happening over a tomestone.
She wouldn’t have been able to explain the way her ears sank to her shoulders when the man she’d been in love with for five years asked her to be his fake date. His fake girlfriend.
In several ways, it made sense. Of course it did – she hadn’t lied, they had been best friends for years and she got along with most of his family.
After some quick goodbyes, her tomestone sat quietly in the palm of her hand as she thumped her head against the wall of her bathroom.
“I am in so much trouble,” she murmured, staring down at the reflection of her in the dark screen. “How am I supposed to get through this?”
Maybe it won’t be so bad, she thought helplessly. Maybe it’ll feel like nothing has changed.
That might be what she was most afraid of.
With a loud sigh, she glanced at the clock – it wasn’t too late yet, and she needed some immediate reassurance.
...
“You what?” Dagasi shrieked, her voice rising several octaves.
Mirko winced. “Keep it down, by the gods. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Mirko,” Fran said. “This is quite the scheme, even for you.”
“This isn’t a scheme,” she groaned, sipping at her drink morosely. After hanging up the call with Haurchefant, they’d been the first she’d texted. “I’m genuinely trying to help my best friend out of a tight spot. It just so happens–,”
“That you’re in love with him, have been for almost as long as I’ve known you, and you’re going to have to sell that love to his family?” Dagasi said, her eyebrows so high they hid behind her bangs.
“...Well, when you put it like that...”
“You’re going to have to take down those walls you’ve kept around your heart, Mirko, and sell it. You’ll have to kiss him, hold his hand, share a bed with him–,”
“Okay, well, I don’t know about that last one. This isn’t a romcom, we can easily book a hotel with two beds.”
Dagasi and Fran exchanged glances and Mirko did not appreciate their disbelieving expressions.
“Mirko, I don’t know about this...we just don’t want you to get hurt,” Fran said, placing a hand over Mirko’s.
“Who’s going to get hurt?” she asked rhetorically, though she didn’t meet the other woman’s gaze. “I’ve long known my, um, crush on him is unrequited. Maybe...maybe this will even get him out of my system.”
She ignored her friends’ pitying looks as she finished her drink and rolled some ice across her tongue.
“Only if you’re sure – I know Haurchefant, he’ll let you get out of it if you don’t feel like doing this, love.”
“I know,” Mirko said, sighing. “But...at the same time, I almost think that this will be my last chance, you know? I said before this would get him out of my system but...,”
“You said his stepmother threatened to set him up with another family, right?” Fran said.
“Exactly. And it’s not like those Ishgardian nobles are going to overlook what a catch he is, even if some of them might still get hung up on the so-called ‘bastard’ thing.” Mirko frowned. “I mean, he’s a fire chief for gods’ sake. He and his crew take part in a holiday calendar every year.” Mirko happened to own every single copy since he’d joined. “He knows how to cook, clean, and he dresses smartly – what's not to love?”
“Careful, love,” Dagasi murmured, and Mirko felt her heart sink. She dropped her head in her hands.
“I know . Honestly...there won’t be much pretending on my part. Like you said, all I’ll have to do is just remove my filter and it’ll be real.”
“What happens after?” Fran asked. “You’ll just go back to normal, after all of that?”
Mirko sighed. “That’s the plan. I can’t stand to lose him, even if it means just staying his best friend forever.”
“This won’t work forever, you know. Like you said, he’s a catch–,”
“Honestly, Mirko, you should just buck up and tell him.”
She knew the wisdom in their words, had even said the same to herself on more than one occasion – but the thought of those sapphire eyes looking down at her in disgust or annoyance at her confession was just too much to bear.
Or worse, having him pity her – no, the idea alone was enough to keep her feelings to herself.
Realistically, she didn’t think he’d react that way. But things would be awkward, and she couldn’t stand that thought either. He was her best friend; he’d been there for her since the beginning of her career and had been her loudest supporter. There was no way she was going to jeopardize that.
Mirko just chuckled. “Yeah, that’d be smart of me, wouldn’t it? But I’m just not brave enough to. And that’s okay! Really, I swear. It’ll be fine. Just...prepare for any emergency phone calls or text messages.”
Dagasi rolled her eyes. “Of course, it’s what we’re here for.”
“We’ll do whatever you need, love.” Fran agreed, squeezing Mirko’s hand before letting go. “Now, another round? How about some food?”
Mirko smiled gratefully and nodded. If she had a mental breakdown as a result of this whole ruse, at least she’d have her friends to help her through it.
.
.
“I heard your brother is getting married, chief. Congrats,” Haurchefant grinned at Granson’s words.
“Thanks, brother. I’m very excited for them. It was a ton of fun planning the proposal too. You should have seen how much of a wreck my brother was.”
“You would say that,” Sidurgu snorted, rolling his eyes.
Haurchefant shoved his shoulder playfully. “I’m a sucker for romance, Sid, what can I say?”
“Do you have a date to the wedding, Haurche?” Francel asked, plopping down on the bench to unlace his shoes.
“I do, actually, much to my stepmother’s disbelief.”
“Who are you seeing?” Francel said. “I’m in almost as much disbelief.”
“Rude,” Haurchefant sniffed. “And, well – Mirko. But it’s–”
“Oh, thank gods, it’s about bloody time,” Granson said, knocking Sid’s shoulder. “You owe me a couple thousand gil, brother.”
Haurchefant froze, staring at them with wide eyes. “What the hells are you talking about?”
“We’d a wager going on,” Granson said, ignoring or oblivious to the annoyance stoking in Haurchefant’s chest. “On when the two of you would finally get your heads out of your arses.”
“Our heads– what are you talking about?”
“Come now, Haurche,” Francel said calmly, ignoring the other two men who’d begun bickering about timing and gil wagers. “You can’t be that oblivious, right? You’ve been in love with her damn near since you first met her and it’s very obvious that she feels the same.”
Haurchefant’s mouth dropped open and the room quieted.
“Why do you look so shocked?” Sid asked, leaning forward. “Did you not just say–,”
“You didn’t let me finish. I’m taking Mirko,” Haurchefant said dazedly. “As a fake date. A fake girlfriend. As in, not real.”
Because I don’t– I’m not in love with her, he thought, baffled by their reactions.
Right?
“YES!” Sid cheered, startling them all from Haurchefant's words, mock punching Granson in the stomach. “Still on then, brother.”
“Haurche...,” Francel said, trailing off. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Haurchefant sputtered. “W-well, she agreed to it. And I gave her a potential out, but she said she wouldn’t leave me to fend for myself against my stepmother, so...,” he trailed off.
“You seriously don’t see it?”
“See what ? That we’ve been close friends for years?” Haurchefant said, now feeling frustrated and like the room had shrunk in size. “There’s nothing between us, we are just friends. This is just to get my stepmother off my back for the wedding, and then–,”
“And then, what?” Granson said, crossing his arms. “You go back to pretending nothing happened? Like you’re not both absolutely head over tit for each other?”
“Easy, brother. This one’s oblivious, somehow,” Sid said.
“You just want to win the wager! New Year’s my arse–”
Francel stood and placed a hand on Haurchefant’s shoulder, and for all that the other man had been a close friend for many years, he suddenly hated the look in his eyes. “We just don’t want you getting hurt, Haurche. We know how much she means to you, how much your friendship means to you.”
“And I won’t,” Haurchefant said, shaking his head with an unsteady laugh. “Everything will be fine. Sure, it might be awkward for a while, but– well, it’s Mirko. I can’t imagine my life without her in it.”
“I cannot believe I’m hearing this–,”
“Shh, they’ll figure it out on their own. Or they won’t, it’s not up to us,” Francel said to the bickering fools behind him. Turning back to Haurchefant, “When will you be introducing her to the family as your girlfriend?”
Haurchefant couldn’t explain why his heart leapt at the idea. “Well, there’s a family dinner in a few weeks that I thought would work, so long as nothing unexpected comes up here.”
“Don’t worry, chief, we’ll manage without you,” Granson said, stepping forward to clap him on the back. “And if you’re thinking about dating her for real, then–,”
“Oiy!” Sid yelled, and Haurchefant couldn’t help but chuckle at how affronted he looked. Granson backed away, hands up with a wide grin on his face.
What an absolutely ludicrous notion. He, in love with Mirko?
.
.
“So, are you ready for the dinner coming up?” Haurchefant asked, balancing his tomestone between his cheek and shoulder as he prepared dinner.
“Sure,” Mirko said. “Should be easy enough, considering I’ve met them all already. I just have a shoot during the day, but I should finish up with plenty of time to make myself presentable.”
“Perfect. What’s the shoot for?”
“Bit of a last-minute shoot for the holidays, actually. Starlight trees, twinkling lights, the whole thing.”
“Are you going to be coming with antlers again?” Haurchefant chuckled, remembering the last holiday shoot Mirko had done and how hard he’d laughed when she turned up to drinks still wearing the same outfit.
She laughed. “Hopefully not, I don’t know how much your stepmother will like that. Though her expectations are probably on the floor anyway.”
“Hey,” Haurchefant whined, pouring his cooked pasta into the strainer resting in the sink.
“It’s all right, I’m not offended. I know how she is,” she said, and Haurchefant could hear the smile in her voice.
“I’m extraordinarily lucky that you do, Mirko,” he said, pouring the drained pasta back into the pot and picking up the pot of sauce. “I’m surprised my family hasn’t reached out yet, my stepmother must not have spilled the beans yet.”
“She probably thinks you were lying,” Mirko said.
“Hm, but would she pass up the opportunity to make me admit to that?” Haurchefant wondered.
Mirko chuckled. “Very true, but she’s probably playing the waiting game. Waiting until you show up to the next function and try to make you sweat a little. That’s what I’d do.”
“Fucks sake, you’re evil,” Haurchefant groaned, mixing his meal together as she cackled at him.
He didn’t remember when they’d begun this little ritual, but whenever they both had evenings free, they’d chat as they prepared dinner.
Well, he prepared dinner. Mirko was adept at many things, but cooking was not one of them. Which, reminded him–
“You’re going to have to provide some ideas or inspiration for me to meal prep for you, you know,” he said, grabbing a bowl from the cabinet to serve out his own portion.
Pasta was a meal he made often, swapping out the meats and vegetables to keep things fresh – plus, it made for an easy lunch to bring for his long shifts at the firehouse.
“Hmmm,” Mirko hummed, and he could hear the slam of what sounded like a microwave door on the other line. “You know I love anything you make, Haurche. Some things that are easy enough to eat on the go with my busy schedule.”
The compliment made his heart swoop unexpectedly and he cleared his throat. “I’m sure I can come up with something, then. My dinner’s all done–,”
“And so is mine. I’ll talk to you later, love you.”
Haurchefant bid her goodnight and hung up the call, turning his focus to the bowl of pasta steaming in front of him as he settled in his seat and turned the television on.
Wait – what did she say?
His tomestone buzzed and his heart nearly stopped beating when he saw it was a text from Mirko. Did he want to read it at all? He wondered inanely, before swiping the message open:
[18:24] Mirko: sorry, that was weird, wasn’t it?
[18:24] Mirko: it came out without my thinking, i think i was caught up in the thought of your cooking [laugh emoji]
[18:25] Mirko: thank you, bff [black heart emoji]
Haurchefant paused, chewing his food slowly as he processed the weird feeling of disappointment in his chest. He thumbed at the tomestone and put it face down, groaning.
He’d never have had such whirling thoughts if it weren’t for the three arseholes he worked with. Eventually, he picked it up again and typed a response, groaning as he locked his phone.
[18:28] Haurchefant: Understandable, darling. I’ll take the compliment that my cooking is worth such words from you! [grinning emoji]
There was nothing more than friendship between them – and it was perfectly normal to tell one’s friends that one loved them.
So why did he feel such insistent disappointment at the way she explained it away?
.
.
“Shite, shite, shite,” Mirko chanted as she burst into her flat, dropping her bags in the foyer and making a break for her bedroom.
Her photo shoot had started right on time this morning, just before she’d sent Haurchefant a cheery good morning text – but then, the technical difficulties started. Somehow, the lighting wasn’t “quite right”, or the angles weren’t “serving”, and Mirko found herself being barked at like it was her first time. One look from her assistant told her to grin and bear it, they couldn’t risk getting blacklisted by this one – but if looks could kill...
And after all of that, Haurchefant was less than five minutes away and she was still all done up for the shoot. She'd left her dress out the evening before to get rid of some lasting wrinkles so for that she was thankful, ripping her own clothes off impatiently and digging in her closet for the matching set of bra and panties that went with the gown.
For no reason, of course, other than to avoid any lines in the gown. Certainly not thinking about her major flub the other night when she’d told Haurchefant she loved him and had hurried to smooth the whole thing over. Thankfully, there was no lingering awkwardness, and they’d chatted like usual in the days since.
That was the last time she indulged in a glass of wine before eating a full meal.
She heard the buzz of her tomestone just as she zipped up her gown and she adjusted the straps and fabric while making a grab for it.
[16:46] Haurchefant: Almost ready to go? Just parked out front.
Mirko groaned as she turned to look at herself in the mirror – thankfully, her stylists had worked quickly to remove the cheesy Starlight ornaments from her hair before she’d rushed out. And, the makeup wasn’t too extravagant, considering they were meeting his family at quite an upscale restaurant.
She admired the midnight blue gown she wore, twirling in place and smoothing down any last lines. With its high neck cut and sheer sleeves, it hid away most of her tattoos and had just the right pop of personality for the crowd. The fabric shimmered with every move she made, and she smirked.
She looked damn good – she'd win his family’s approval easily.
Another buzz shook her from her self-admiring thoughts, and she quickly tapped out a response to the man waiting for her downstairs. Picking up her golden sandals and matching handbag, she made for the door, grabbing her keys, extra lipstick, and wallet from the bags she’d dropped earlier.
I’ll pick it up later, she thought, anxiety now swelling within her as she locked the door behind her. She swiped through her now-dying tomestone for a distraction and hoped that Haurche would lend her his charger on their drive over.
Mirko frowned as she stepped out and spotted the sleek-looking car, realizing that tonight was going to be for putting on a show. Perhaps she’d been silly to not expect it.
He didn’t enjoy driving this car, he had his own beat-up truck that he preferred, but to appease his stepmother he would always make himself uncomfortable.
It made her sad. She wished he wouldn’t compromise so much of himself just for the hope of her approval – but she knew it wasn’t a battle she could win.
“Hey, sorry I’m late – the shoot ran long,” she said as she tucked herself carefully into the passenger’s side, closing the door. “Can I charge my tomestone on our way there?”
Haurchefant didn’t answer right away, and she looked up at him in confusion. Once their gazes met, he appeared to shake himself, and smiled. “Of course, here,” he pulled the chord from his tomestone and passed it over. “You look lovely, Mirko.”
She blushed, forgetting the weird pause immediately in the face of the compliment. “Thank you, you look great too.”
As he handed her the charger, her eyes surreptitiously ran across his form – he was dressed in a light grey suit, a midnight blue tie around his neck that matched her gown nicely. She could see the floral pattern on his vest between the opening of the suit jacket and smiled, ignoring the desire to run her fingers across the stitching.
The car was silent as he pulled out of the parking lot except for the jazzy holiday music playing on the radio. Mirko ignored the teasing texts from her group-chat with Fran and Dagasi, though she sent hearts to their compliments on her gown.
.
.
Haurchefant had no explanation for the way his heart sped up upon seeing Mirko in that gown.
He ignored the tiny whisper in his brain that sounded like Francel. If his so-called friends were to be believed, perhaps he did have an explanation. He tightened his hold on the wheel of the car, shoving the thoughts away.
“We should probably set some ground rules,” he said, his eyes remaining on the road. “We don’t necessarily have to be on top of each other at all times, but we do have to sell it.”
“I think that should be easy enough,” Mirko said, reaching to grab onto his hand like it was nothing. “Like this?”
Haurchefant ignored the way his heart skipped. “Exactly. We have to act natural, but I also don’t want to make you uncomfortable at any point–,”
“Haurche, it’s fine. You don’t have to worry.”
“You’re doing me a huge favor, darling, it’s only right of me.”
She took a deep breath in what he could only imagine was annoyance, given that he couldn’t really look at her.
“Fine. If you make me uncomfortable at any point…I’ll call you bluebell.” His eyebrows rose at that, and he couldn’t contain the bark of laughter.
“Bluebell?” he asked.
“It doubles as an endearment that no one would blink twice at,” she said, smiling slightly. “How about you?”
“What about me?”
“What will your safe word be?”
“Er,” he paused. Frankly, he didn’t think Mirko could do or say anything about or to him that would make him uncomfortable, not with the way his heart seemed to behave in her presence now. Stupid Sid and Granson, putting ideas in my head . “Honey. If we want to go by endearments, I suppose.”
“At least mine makes some sense,” she laughed. “Do you have something against honey?”
“Ah, I’m allergic to it actually.” he noticed her gaping at him out of the corner of his eye and he shrugged. “What, you don’t know everything about me.”
She snorted. “Apparently, ástin,” and oh, how he shivered at hearing the Icelandic slide off of her tongue.
“I think little touches and a hug here and there will be enough,” he said, clearing his throat. “We won’t have to make out in front of my family.”
“What a relief,” Mirko snorted. “At least I already know everyone’s names, you’re not the best at detailing out your family tree to others.”
Haurchefant rolled his eyes, once again ignoring the drumming of his heart. A perfect fit too, he could hear Francel’s teasing tone.
“Well, this is just the first of many events leading up to the wedding, even if tonight’s not officially about it,” frankly, he was feeling exhausted already. “My schedule isn’t allowing me to attend most of them, so we’ll really have to socialize where we can.”
“To really sell it, huh?”
He coughed. “Of course. Can’t have any doubts or my stepmother will sniff them out immediately.”
Why did the thought of spending that much more time with her make his heart feel like bursting out of his chest?
Halone’s sake, his friends had ruined him.
.
.
Mirko had only met Haurchefant’s family a handful of times before, and his stepmother only once in passing. With the way he described their relationship, she didn’t think very highly of either of his parents, considering the way his father meekly allowed his son’s mistreatment.
They were far too traditional – she would have divorced him immediately if it’d been her.
But any sympathy she felt for the woman often left when she heard the way she spoke to her best friend. The snide commentary, the quiet digs at his job and appearance – she'd never witnessed it before.
If it weren’t for his hand on hers, keeping her steady and patient, she might have paid her venom-dipped words in kind. Instead, she smiled wanly at each comment, focusing instead on the food and banter from his brothers.
She smiled genuinely as she recalled the look on Astrane’s face when Emmanellain brought his date, a man with a thick Limsan accent and a boisterous laugh that nearly shook the table.
Her own introduction to the Fortemp’s matriarch was much more subdued, however.
“So, you’re the one who’s finally making an honest man out of Haurchefant, hm?” she’d asked, shaking Mirko’s hand gently after giving her a once-over. Mirko had ignored the veiled insult, bowing her head with a smile.
“Yes, and I feel very lucky to do so,” she said, squeezing the other woman’s hand gently. “You’ve raised a remarkable man, truly.”
Her expression had been perfect .
Now, though, she sipped at her wine idly, sitting back in her seat as she let the chatter flow over her.
“Mirko,” Emmanellain said, leaning forward around his partner – Sicard, he’d introduced himself as – to pull her attention. “Haurche said you had a shoot today, will we be seeing your face in the magazines for the holidays again?”
Mirko laughed, placing down her goblet of wine. “Well, I can’t speak of the particulars quite yet, but perhaps.”
“Oh, are you a journalist?” Astrane asked, tone mild as she lifted her wine to her lips.
“No, I’m a model,” Mirko said with a smile. She’d expected the tightening around the other woman’s eyes. “Well, mostly. I’m also a photographer and blogger on the side, but modeling is my dream career.”
“I see. Do you find it fulfilling, then, being in front of all of those cameras?”
Haurchefant’s grip tightened on her hand, but she kept her pleasant smile in place. “Nearly as much as being behind them, yes. I grew up admiring the men and women I saw on the runway or on covers of magazines – the confidence and honesty they exude just from static images on a page absolutely enthralled me as a kid. I like being able to bring out emotions in other people too, whether it’s of me or the pictures I take myself.”
“What type of photography do you do?” Artoirel asked from her other side, and she gladly turned away from his mother.
“Anything that catches my eye, but definitely landscapes. Nature and her creatures too, if I can manage it.”
“You should see the photos she’s shared of the birds she encounters on her work travel,” Haurchefant piped in, gesturing excitedly. “The way she captures their flight is phenomenal–,”
“Thank you, love,” she said, smiling warmly at him before turning back to Artoirel. “I have a separate Instatome account if you’d like to follow it.” She added, taking out her tomestone when Stephanivien nodded excitedly in his fiance’s stead. She passed it across from her and he gasped.
“Mirko, you have over half a billion followers! What in the world!”
Mirko laughed at the looks of surprise around the table. “Much of that is because I link it to my professional account, but–,”
“Don’t sell yourself short, these are gorgeous. Have you thought about getting prints made? I’d love to hang some of these–,”
“Now, now, Steph, let’s not overwhelm her,” Artoirel said, taking the phone from his hand and handing it back to her with an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid you’ll be getting some excited texts later.”
“It’d be an honor,” she said honestly, tucking her phone back in her pocket.
“How very impressive,” Edmont added, smiling warmly. “Perhaps we may also take a look, Astrane?”
Astrane smiled, placing her hand over her husband’s. “Perhaps, dear.”
Mirko didn’t have to be a mind reader to know that that was unlikely.
“Nice job,” Haurchefant murmured into her ear and she nearly jumped at the tickle of his breath. “See, I knew they’d be impressed by you.”
Mirko hoped her smile didn't become too forced as she nodded, bumping her forehead to his affectionately to disguise her nerves.
Ultimately, she didn’t care to have any of their approval, even if this whole thing wasn’t a fantastic ruse. But it still felt nice to maybe have it.
.
.
It was halfway through the dessert course when Artoirel not-so-surreptitiously followed Haurchefant to the bathroom.
Not surprised, he thought as he washed his hands and peered at his brother in the mirror.
“You know, when I first heard about you two, I was very surprised,” Artoirel said, smiling faintly. “I mean, you’d only ever spoken about her as a good friend over the years. But when I thought about it, you’re good together. Nearly perfect, I’d say, though not as perfect as Steph and I.”
Haurchefant raised an eyebrow as Artoirel stepped forward to another sink. “O–oh, you think so?”
“I do, brother,” the other man nodded, squeezing Haurchefant’s shoulder. “She already has a place within our family, and I think even mother won’t have much to deride her for after the way we all gushed about her.”
“I–I suppose you’re right,” Haurchefant said, knowing that his ears were flushed pink at the thought. What was wrong with him?
This was not real. Mirko was his friend, one of his very best friends. He didn’t feel anything more than friendship for the woman.
Sure, she was beautiful – gorgeous, shining amethyst eyes and lips that could draw anyone in.
Artoirel’s approval meant nothing, he told himself, as he hoped his smile was genuine.
“I’m happy for you, truly. You deserve love and happiness, Haurche,” he continued. “I hope that things go well, and we’ll celebrate your wedding someday soon.”
Artoirel laughed at whatever he saw in Haurchefant’s expression, though he couldn’t explain the way his mind immediately latched onto the image.
Would Mirko wear white to such an auspicious event? Or would she wear something else just as striking, meant to utterly undo him and keep all eyes on her?
It was unnecessary to think about, because no matter how much they convinced his family, he needed to remain unconvinced. Because it wasn’t real.
It meant nothing. Everything would go back to normal soon, and the butterflies moving up into his throat would too.
.
.
Mirko sighed heavily as she sank into her couch, turning the tv on with a yawn.
As blessed as she felt to be able to have these near-constant, all-day shoots, by the gods was she tired. She was ready to settle into her couch for the next several hours and catch up with her silly reality shows while stuffing her face with snacks.
Haurche wouldn’t approve of her snack choices but he wasn’t here, so he didn’t get a say – though she wished he was. They hadn’t had a movie night in months and under normal circumstances, she might have texted him to see if he wanted to come over. But now with the game they were playing with his family...
It’s not that she regretted agreeing yet, but she definitely felt like she was eating the confident words she’d spoken to Dagasi and Fran.
Her tomestone buzzed and she picked it up from where it sat on her pajama-clad thigh, smiling as the group-chat between the three of them lit her screen.
[20:39] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: please look at this cat video regards
[20:39] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: what are you, my manager? “regards”
[20:40] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: OH MY GOD HOW CUUUUUUTE
[20:42] Mirko: omg gasi where do you find these
[20:44] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: lyna sends me most of them
[20:44] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: raha too
[20:45] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: ooo so you’re on texting basis with his niece?
[20:45] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: it was only a matter of time. I'm great with kids!
[20:45] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: gods help us when you decide to have your own
[20:46] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: listen......let me just get the ring first
[20:46] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: though of course they will have the most wonderful aunts ever
[20:46] Mirko: naturally
[20:47] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: miss mirko!!!!! You haven’t given us any sort of update on your Situation
[20:48] Mirko: there hasn’t really been much to update on. The dinner the other week went well and I’ve been lowkey texting with some of his brothers/brothers’ partners
[20:48] Mirko: artoirel’s fiance wants to get some of my photography printed and hung up in their house and then it devolved from there
As Artoirel promised, Stephanivien had messaged her on Instatome almost immediately after Haurchefant had dropped her off back at home. They’d exchanged tomestone numbers and been texting nearly nonstop since, first discussing getting prints done of some of Mirko’s photography before the conversation melted away into more mundane, everyday things.
It felt nice. They bonded over their issues with Astrane and Edmont and Mirko felt validated in a way she hadn’t realized she needed.
She simply hadn’t realized just how much Haurchefant’s dynamic with his parents bothered her. And clearly, his brothers were more than a little fucked up by it too, though they’d left many of those issues in the past as they’d grown up.
It made her heart hurt all over again for Haurchefant, for what he likely dealt with as an innocent child. Even with all of that baggage, he’d done so well for himself.
[20:49] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: acclimating well to the family, I see [eyes emoji]
[20:50] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: that’s lovely mirko, your photography is gorgeous. I bet it’ll look great hung up
[20:51] Mirko: thank you!! It's a bit surreal, it’s somehow something i never thought of doing but now i might even get some done for myself
[20:51] Mirko: we’ll worry about logistics after the wedding though
[20:51] Mirko: it’s coming up fast...
[20:52] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: did something happen?
[20:53] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: are you okay?
Mirko blinked in surprise at the way they both responded and smiled weakly to herself.
[20:54] Mirko: everything’s fine right now, it’s just been a lot easier than i was expecting. And that makes it almost worse, you know?
[20:54] Mirko: i knew it’d be easy to act like his girlfriend but then i take a step back and remember none of it is real and it hurts
[20:55] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: oh mirko...
[20:55] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: we’re here for you, love. At least it’s almost over...?
[20:56] Mirko: yeah. Just some last wedding events next week and then the big day on christmas. I'm so excited for artoirel and steph but part of me is almost dragging my feet
[20:57] Bad [Bunny Emoji]: when this is over and you’ve “broken up”, we’re taking you out. You can’t keep holding onto this torch, mirko, it isn’t healthy
Tears welled up in Mirko’s eyes at the thought and she blinked them away. She'd been in love in him for so long, she wasn't sure what kind of person she was anymore when she wasn't.
[20:59] Prettiest [Lizard Emoji]: DAMN RIGHT!! Haurchefant WHO??????
[20:58] Mirko: [laugh emoji] hey, that’s still one of my best friends
[20:58] Mirko: but yes. Very much needed after all of this
Her heart felt lighter at the hearts they sent back, and she put her tomestone back down to refocus on her show.
Soon, everything would go back to normal and, if she survived, maybe she’d be able to get over him.
.
.
“You picked a real winner, Haurche,” Emmanellain grinned, clapping Haurchefant on the back and pulling his gaze away from the way Mirko laughed alongside Lucia. They’d only just been introduced, but Haurchefant had a feeling he’d be seeing more of them together after this event with the way they’d been talking for the past half bell.
“Thank you, Em,” Haurche said, bowing his head to hide the way his ears pinkened. “How many of those have you had?” He pointed at the drink in his younger brother’s hand, but the man only scoffed.
“Come on, Haurche, everything is fine! Our brother is getting married tomorrow, all our family is in to witness and celebrate, we’re allowed to let loose.”
Cousins and extended family he’d not seen in years, some he only recognized from portraits and paintings, were here – and he’d had to do the painful promenade to all of the heads of family to present Mirko and make infuriating small talk.
Mirko, of course, was a natural, and looked phenomenal in a dusty green gown. Certainly, she’d captured all of their hearts even more easily than he dared hope.
The worst of it all was that he enjoyed having her on his arm – she made the event more tolerable, whispering little jokes in his ear as they went along to keep him in high spirits. With her arm around his, he could ignore the thoughtless comments and pointless jabs some members served him.
With her in his corner, it all felt so inconsequential. And really, that should have been his first clue.
“You’re right, Em,” Haurchefant grinned, plucking the drink from his hand and drinking it down in one.
“Hey!” Emmanellain squawked and Haurchefant wrapped his arm around his neck and blew a raspberry into his hair. “Ugh, gods, Haurche, you’re embarrassing me!”
“Good,” he said, releasing him and dodging the half-hearted swipe Em returned him. He laughed as he scanned the room, but he froze as he noticed Mirko was no longer with Lucia, but with someone else.
Someone he hadn’t expected. He moved without meaning to, immediately noticing the discomfort radiating in her body language.
“Come now, Mirko, why are you wasting your time with someone like him?” His dear cousin Zephirin said, leaning closer to the woman as he spoke. “Trust me, love, you’d be much better off with someone like me, who can truly elevate your status.”
“Excuse me,” Haurchefant stepped in, curling an arm around her waist. “Everything okay here, darling?”
Mirko looked over at him in surprise. “Yes, Zephirin was just–,”
“Telling her how she likely picked the worst of the family and should remedy her decision at once,” Zephirin finished, smiling pleasantly at Haurchefant as if he knew how it made his blood boil.
After so many years, he probably did.
“You–,”
“And I was just about to say that of all the people here, I feel I’ve made the best choice. And that his flirtations, if you can call them that, are subpar at best and he should get back to the drawing board on those,” Mirko interrupted him, crossing her arms. “There’s nothing more embarrassing than throwing yourself at your cousin’s girlfriend for, what? To make him angry? What are you, 12?”
Haurchefant wished he had a camera for the way Zephirin’s face dropped from the smarmy confidence and he sputtered.
“What?” Mirko prompted. “Go on. Did you lose all your words, now? You don’t expect every woman you meet to meekly accept your disgusting advances, do you?”
After a moment of stuttering, Zephirin collected himself just enough to spit “You deserve each other!” at them before turning on his heel. Mirko snorted and turned into Haurchefant’s body, leaning her head against his shoulder.
Gods, he loved her. There was something so special about seeing Zephirin scurry away with his proverbial tail between his legs.
Oh, Halone’s sake, he really loved her–
“I appreciate the attempt to rescue me, bluebell, but I had it covered,” she murmured quietly, shifting away from him. The use of her safe word was like a bucket of ice water, and he looked down at her with concern as he stepped away to give her space. “It’s fine, don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry, darling. For what it’s worth, I’m glad I at least got a front row seat to his verbal lashing,” he said, attempting to lighten the mood. With the way she’d turned away from him, he doubted he was going to get any sort of explanation for the sudden distance between them. The frown on her lips quirked up and he counted it as a win.
“Nothing better than putting a man in his place,” she said with a shrug. “It’s something I have to do often, unfortunately.”
Haurchefant wasn’t sure how he’d never noticed that about her, but with her line of work, he believed her. “That you are. C’mon, I think they’re about to do some concluding speeches. Let me get you another drink.”
Mirko smiled and nodded, though the look in her eyes still worried him. “Thank you, Haurche.”
...
The rest of the evening went smoothly, and Haurchefant tearfully cheered and hugged his brother as he thanked them all for making the time for them. He accepted the jokes at his expense with grace, but he could see that Artoirel was touched.
He found Mirko’s gaze in the crowd and recalled his earlier revelation – that truly, he loved her, and he was beginning to fear that it was exactly as his friends had said.
Fear, because he was certain she didn’t feel the same.
“Come on, let’s get checked in,” Haurchefant said, smiling even with the tumult of emotions within him. They’d taken a brief detour to the car to pick up their bags, having arrived at the venue too early to check-in before the rehearsal dinner. “I’d have thought that you would have more stamina for such long days.”
She squinted at him in annoyance as they got in line, and he coughed to keep himself from laughing at her. Whatever awkwardness had slipped between them earlier disappeared now, to his endless relief. “Just you wait, Haurche. When you get to my age–,”
“Halone’s sake, you sound like my grandfather, Mirko. Please,” Haurchefant laughed as they stepped up to the counter. Mirko just rolled her eyes.
“Hello, welcome in!” The chipper receptionist greeted them. “Are you checking in?”
“Yes, we’re a part of the Fortemps wedding this weekend. Name is Haurchefant Greystone.”
The receptionist tapped away at her keyboard and smiled thankfully as he handed her his identification. “Yes, perfect, we’ve got your room ready to go. Here are your two room key cards. We hope you have a pleasant stay and please do not hesitate to call down if you have any questions or issues.”
“Thank you very much,” Mirko said, and together they grabbed their bags and headed up to the elevator.
“I cannot wait for a hot shower and to sleep,” Mirko moaned, and Haurchefant snorted as the elevator doors closed.
“Soon, darling, don’t worry,” he said, reaching around to grab her bag too as the doors opened on their floor. She merely rolled her eyes and followed him, pulling the room key cards out of his jacket pocket and opening the door.
He pretended that her touch didn’t send shock waves throughout his entire body.
“Home sweet home – at least, for the next two days,” he said, dropping the bags in the foyer and locking the door behind him. He turned with a smile to his companion, but he found her frozen in the hallway. “Mirko?”
“There’s only one bed, Haurche,” she said, turning to him with an indecipherable expression on her face. “Didn’t you book us twins?”
He froze, his stomach dropping. “Wh–what?!” He walked to her side and saw that yes, indeed, they only had a queen bed in this room. “I definitely did book two beds, Mirko, but–,”
“I did see that there were a few other weddings happening this weekend,” she said, tapping her chin. “Maybe there was a mix-up?”
“I’ll call down to see if we can get another room,” he said, dialing the number on the desk phone nearby.
Mirko watched him as he spoke with the receptionist and explained the situation, ears perking up as she likely heard the myriad apologies.
“Thank you for your time,” he said weakly before hanging up the call.
“Fully booked, hm?” Mirko confirmed, and he nodded.
“You were right, there are a few other weddings in the area they’re booked for and our booking must have been swapped around. I’m not sure why since they never asked , but–,”
“It’s okay,” Mirko said, looking more like her old self as she smiled. “We’ll just have to share,” she shrugged, and Haurchefant found her cavalier attitude just a smidge frustrating.
Okay, very frustrating. Why was he the only one panicking here?
“I can take the couch, Mirko,” he said, scanning the room for the pull-out couch.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Haurche, your back will absolutely hate you if you do that,” he hated that she was right. “We’re adults, we can share.”
Haurchefant turned and held her gaze, searching for even a hint of hesitation. “If you’re sure.” Mirko nodded and he could only give in. “Fine, then. Thank you. Would you like to shower first?”
“I’d love to, if you don’t mind.” Mirko was quick to rummage in her bag for her toiletries before disappearing into the bathroom.
Haurchefant told himself that he was just absentmindedly watching her go.
It was a special kind of agony to watch her step out of the steamy bathroom, hair wrapped in a towel and a hotel bathrobe wrapped around her. He could see little droplets of water that she’d missed on her collarbones and wanted nothing more than to lick –
What was wrong with him? He needed to get a grip.
“All done?” he asked, hoping his voice sounded normal enough. Mirko smiled and nodded, and she looked so soft he was going to lose his mind.
He grinned and thanked her before grabbing his own toiletries and ducking into the bathroom behind her. He tried to erase the image of her long, perfect legs teasing him from under her robe as he undressed, tried to ignore the way his heart sped up as his thoughts focused again on the glimpse of cleavage through her robe.
“Fuck,” he murmured to himself, tempted to run the shower cold to rid himself of these thoughts. He was about to share a bed with the woman, for crying out loud!
As he stepped into the warm water and felt his cock twitch in interest, he bit back a groan. If he crossed this line, there was absolutely no way he’d be able to turn back. Maybe their friendship would survive this, but he wasn’t so sure if he would.
He thought again about how soft her skin felt under his fingers and reached down to grip the base of his hardening cock. “I’m so fucked,” he groaned, pumping slowly and leaning back against the wet tile of the shower. He closed his eyes as he thought of her, as he remembered how absolutely divine she looked in that damned dress tonight. How for so long he hadn’t understood the feelings he had, but now – now he thought he knew.
A quiet whimper slipped past his lips as he moved his hand faster, imagining how he might have shifted the fabric of her dress up and over to expose her plump arse. How he’d have pressed kisses to her shoulders as he pressed himself against her, so she could feel exactly how insane she made him feel.
His hips jerked as he came, and he bit down on his fist harshly to keep his moans from echoing too loudly. He rested back against the wall for a few breaths as his heart rate slowed back down and the rush of water washed away the evidence of his lustful thoughts.
.
.
Mirko couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
She hadn’t been sure, initially, what the noises were – her senses were quite strong, so for a moment she thought maybe it was from a room next door. But, as she neared the door of the hotel room and passed by the bathroom door, she realized the source of the moans.
It felt like her entire body was set on fire.
It was bad enough how much his possessiveness during the rehearsal dinner had turned her on, and she’d had to pretend that she was uncomfortable instead just to get him to stop touching her. Otherwise, she’d have been liable to yank him to a secluded corner and have her way with him. Now, she was actually hearing him–
She stood there, frozen entirely, for a long moment, deciding what to do. She should just pretend she couldn’t hear it, right? She could run downstairs to get a snack or a drink or–
Or.
She could enjoy herself too. She always packed a quiet little pocket vibrator within her toiletries when traveling, just for when the mood struck–
And given the way she could feel that telltale heat run through her belly, the mood was striking.
Mirko was already ruined for this man after this ruse was up, there was no point in pretending otherwise now. The wedding was tomorrow, after all, and she was wound up so tight she was sure it’d be over quickly.
“Fuck it,” she murmured to herself, reaching into a carefully zipped pocket of her toiletries bag and pulling out her trusty toy. She settled on the couch, not willing to do this on the bed where they’d be sleeping in just a little while.
Mirko had to bite back the gasp as she pressed the tip of the vibrator to her clit. She laid her head back against the wall and spread her legs further, dragging the tip of the vibrator up and down her folds as she turned it on. She moaned quietly and imagined it was him, his tongue hot and wet against her leaking cunt.
She pictured how she’d pull him in by his hair, how she’d grind against his face – how he’d like that, would look up at her with half-lidded eyes filled with pleasure.
“Gods,” she moaned quietly, biting on her bottom lip harshly as her orgasm burst through her. The aftershocks left her legs twitching as she shifted back into a typical sitting position, bleary eyes looking out the window as the buzz in her eyes dissipated.
Just in time, too, as she gave a start when the bathroom door opened.
She quickly tucked away the vibrator into the pocket of her robe, feeling the flush move up the back of her neck even though she didn’t look at him.
“Good shower?” she asked, turning towards him and noting how flushed pink his skin was from the heat of the water.
That thought was secondary to the main one, that he was only in a towel – was he trying to kill her? This whole thing was already a scene out of a cheesy romcom, if she told Dagasi and Fran about this they would never let her hear the end of it.
“Mmm, yes. A good stress relief after the past few days.” Her eyes traced over his form as he dug around in his bag for a change of clothes, almost sighing mournfully when he covered up his muscled torso with a simple white t-shirt.
Mirko ignored the swoop in her stomach at that, biting back the teasing response that was ready on her tongue. He can’t know you heard, you idiot!
“Good!” she said, forcing herself to sound cheerful. “I’m definitely ready for bed after all of that activity – erm, from the past few days.” She stopped watching him as he grabbed his sweatpants, standing to close the curtains.
Mirko didn’t know what she’d do if he accidentally flashed her. Arsehole, she grumbled to herself. Why hadn’t he changed in the bathroom? Was he doing this on purpose?
“Feel free to hit me if I snore,” Haurchefant chuckled, and Mirko smiled, finally feeling steady enough to stand and doing her very best to ignore the reality of the situation that was upon them. She’d acted so casual before, she couldn’t let the mask slip now – especially not after she’d just come to the thought of him and the sounds of his moans through the walls.
She slipped the towel from her head and shook her hair out, humming to herself as she wondered how to style it for tomorrow. It was easy enough to style with the glamour prisms that Jandelaine had so generously given her after their last photo shoot – perhaps a sleek ‘do would suit the occasion.
Her curls were still soaking wet though, so she needed to at least attend to that before going to sleep.
.
.
Haurchefant felt absolutely despicable as soon as he stepped out of the bathroom and saw Mirko’s usual, cheerful smile. He rummaged in his bags for the change of clothes he’d forgotten to grab, but all he could think about was all the ways he imagined her in his arms, panting his name.
Halone’s sake, he thought to himself, watching out of the corner of his eye as she went back into the bathroom to finish up her nightly routine. You’re not some teen dealing with his first crush, Haurchefant. Get a hold of yourself.
Well, he’d already done that – and it hadn’t helped.
He groaned as he flopped down onto the bed, feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion come over him. He rolled over to plug his tomestone in and laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling with unseeing eyes.
“...Haurche? Are you okay?” Mirko’s voice startled him – he hadn’t realized he’d been staring off blankly for long enough for her to finish up.
“Yeah,” he coughed. “Sorry – just got lost in my thoughts.”
“Sounds dangerous,” Mirko said, turning off the overhead lights. “You good to turn in?”
“Yes, please. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
Mirko giggled and he was glad that the lighting in the room didn’t give away his blush. “For you, maybe, as a groomsman. I’ll be glad to sleep in a little.”
“True. I hope you’ll be all right on your own,” Haurchefant said worriedly. He watched as she shrugged off the robe and hung it on the bathroom door. He shouldn’t be so enthralled by her simple pajamas, but to his desperate thoughts, the short-sleeved shirt and sweatpants she wore might as well have been lacy lingerie. At least it’s a queen bed..., he thought as she tucked herself under the covers, though he had the harebrained desire now for it to be smaller at least to get her closer.
“Don’t worry about me, love,” Mirko said, unlocking her tomestone and resting back against the pillows. “Support your brother – that's what this is all about, anyway, right? I’ll be fine.”
He squinted at her for a moment but couldn’t detect any sort of lie in her expression or tone.
“Well...goodnight, Mirko,” he murmured, suddenly feeling a lot more vulnerable than before as he turned to turn off his bedside lamp. He tucked himself under the covers and turned on his side to face away from her, hoping that he wouldn’t cross the imaginary line in the middle of the night.
“Goodnight, Haurche,” Mirko whispered back, and oh, what he’d give to hear those words from her every night.
Oh.
Oh.
He was absolutely, ludicrously in love with her.
He forced himself to remain still, taking purposefully slow breaths to calm the sudden panic that threatened to overtake him.
They’d all been right. Of course, they’d been right, he was absolutely stupid for this woman. The emotions he’d pushed down earlier came roaring back, the swell of affection and desire almost too much to bear.
This woman who was sharing a bed with him, who’d agreed to this ridiculous scheme for him, who at every turn defended him and cheered for him in ways not many in his life had.
Halone’s sake, he was so stupid. This scheme would be his downfall.
...
The only thing he was aware of was that he was very warm.
He held the body curled around him tighter, whimpering slightly as a muscled thigh rubbed against his stiffening cock. His arm tightened around the body’s waist and a familiar voice whispered to him, but he couldn’t tell what the words were.
He shifted forward, burying his face into Mirko’s neck, pressing soft little kisses along the lines of her muscles. He thrust his hips forward as she whimpered against him, her scent completely enveloping him as the last dregs of sleep left him.
He tilted her face up to press his lips to hers, reveling in her. He bit her plush bottom lip and groaned as she moaned into his mouth, her arms moving up to wrap around his neck.
Wait.
“Oh fuck,” he gasped, breaking the kiss and scooting back away from her. Wide, amethyst eyes met his as they both realized what had just happened and Haurchefant flushed bright pink. “I’m so sorry, Mirko, I–,”
Mirko raised a hand and he stopped talking. He watched, panicked, as she shook her head and turned over onto her back. She was quiet for several seconds and he tried not to get distracted by the rise and fall of her chest as she caught her breath. “It’s okay, this is...normal. We were bound to wake up a little tangled up.”
My ravaging your neck is a bit more than just a ‘little tangled up’, he thought despairingly, but nodded jerkily. He was too panicked to do much else. “Er, right. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, darling. I’ll, um, just get up – my alarm is about to go off anyway. Feel free to get some more sleep, Mirko.”
She didn’t look at him as he scurried away and by the Fury , he needed a cold shower.
.
.
The ceremony was beautiful.
Lavish and overstated, certainly, and Mirko had a feeling that Astrane had had a hand in the decor. But Artoirel and Stephanivien looked so blissfully happy up at the altar that it brought many tears to her eyes.
If she avoided a certain sapphire gaze, that was between her and the gods they stood before.
She sat with Lucia and her partner, thankful to have made a friend the night before that she could relax with. She knew the seating arrangements for dinner would have her with Haurchefant again, but she hoped that between the conversations and dancing she could avoid getting too close.
After the way he’d woken her up, she wasn’t sure what she’d do if he drew her in again.
She hadn’t texted Dagasi and Fran about it, only thanking them for their compliments when she sent them pictures of her mauve gown and cry-reacting to their teasing messages about today being the last day. She'd catch them up after it was all said and done, when she was settled back home and needed to begin putting this all behind her.
Mirko didn’t need any additional dread in her stomach, and she didn’t feel ready to talk about how much she loved being wrapped in his arms without crying.
The cocktail hour passed her by in a daze of drinks and good food, and she was relieved to see her new friends were sitting at the dinner table with her too. Her heart jumped just as she knew it would when she saw Haurchefant wave to her happily, but at least the alcohol dulled her senses.
“Hello, darling,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning to her companions. “Have you all been looking after my Mirko?”
Lucia laughed, but Mirko didn’t hear her answer for the way the blood rushed into her ears at his closeness, at how he called her his.
“Right then, shall we?” Haurchefant nudged her and she gave a start, smiling weakly.
“Yes, I’m starving,” she said, only mostly talking about the food.
“Same – by the Fury, we had to take so many photos. I feel like I’m going to pass out,” Haurchefant chuckled as he let go of her to pull out a seat at the table for her.
She smiled and sat down. “Well, hopefully the food will be quick. You might catch some leftover appetizers too.”
“Ah, you’re brilliant. I’ll be right back,” Haurchefant said, moving so quickly to the hall next door that Mirko couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re really good for him, you know,” Lucia said. “Between you and me, I never thought Haurche would settle down. But seeing you two together...I’m glad.”
“Lucia, you’re being sappy,” her partner Ophione teased at her other side and Lucia stuck her tongue out.
“Thank you for saying so,” Mirko said, smiling down at the empty plate. “It’s...it’s been a joy being in his life. I’m very lucky.”
None of it was a lie, of course. But the words tasted like ash.
...
The world spun just a little as they got into the elevator, giggling like schoolchildren. Whatever had been keeping her from touching him earlier was long gone now with all the dancing, drinking, and laughter from the reception. There was just something about the infectious energy that permeated a wedding celebration, the feeling winding its way around all its guests.
Sure, none of this was real, but it was for the night. And that was enough for her wailing heart.
“Darling, I need you to get off of me for just a second so I can open the door,” Haurchefant laughed, and Mirko groaned, nuzzling further into his side. She reached into his back pocket to grab his wallet and pulled out the card with surprising ease, dragging him through the door as she swung it open.
She kicked off her shoes and took off her earrings as she heard the door slam shut behind them, placing them on her nightstand for safekeeping – she'd put them away properly in the morning.
“With the way you keep groping me, darling, a man might get the wrong message,” Haurchefant said, suddenly closer to her than she expected. She turned quickly and was caged in as he leaned forward, placing his hands on the nightstand behind her.
“Y-you were moving too slowly. I was helping,” she said, faltering just slightly at how dizzying his gaze was this close. Gods, they were both flushed from drinking, but she still wanted so terribly.
“Helping,” he snorted, looking away. Mirko frowned at his tone and picked his chin up with her hand, unprepared for just how vulnerable he looked in the palm of her hand. “Darling...?” he whispered as she just looked at him.
Fuck it, she thought, and she dragged him down to her lips for a kiss.
He responded immediately, with no hesitation, and wrapped his arms around her waist. She responded in kind, moaning into his mouth as she wound her arms around his neck.
After a few seconds or several bells, they pulled apart, gasping for breath. “What is this?” Haurchefant murmured, pressing his nose lightly against hers. “Mirko-,”
“I love you,” she whispered, finding the courage within all the angst and pining she’d endured the past few weeks. “I’ve been so in love with you for years now, so please let me down gently.”
Haurchefant froze, eyebrows raised high as he seemed to stop breathing. She felt the anxiety rush in, and she tried to pull away, gasping when his hold only tightened around her.
“Let you down?” he murmured, ghosting his lips over hers. “ Never.”
He claimed her lips again before she could respond and her mind blanked, moaning louder as she felt his tongue beg for entrance. She felt his hands creep between her shoulder blades as his tongue danced with hers, searching for the zipper for her gown – and she made a small noise of surprise when he found it, and her back was exposed to the air.
“Haurche,” she whimpered, her hands wound tight in his hair. “Please.”
“Yes,” he murmured, pulling the gown down her body with a surprising amount of gentleness. She stepped out of it, leaving it on the floor for the morning.
The look he gave her as he looked over her body made her flush hotter, made her shove him so that he fell back onto the bed. She climbed into his lap, kissing him harshly as her hands reached for the buttons of his vest. She kissed down his neck as she slid the fabric down and off, tonguing at the exposed skin of his neck and grinning as he groaned beneath her.
She nearly ripped the remaining button down to pieces in her hurry, shoving him flat onto the mattress to kiss and lick her way down his chest. The very same chest that had tortured her over the years.
Her hands kept moving down even as her mouth paid special attention elsewhere, undoing his belt and yanking both his pants and underwear down in one movement. She nearly laughed at the way he yelped in surprise at the way she slid back, allowing his stiff cock to brush against the underside of her breasts. She reached behind her to unclasp her bra, letting them fall freely and brush against his skin.
Mirko wasn’t expecting the way he looked at her, but she thought maybe it was how worshipers looked upon their gods in revelation.
She continued her descent, falling to her knees to properly admire his legs and cock. She licked her lips as she ran her hands up his calves and inner thighs, delighting in just how responsive he was.
“This okay?” she asked, mouth hovering over his thighs.
Haurchefant choked out a laugh. “Okay?! Gods, Mirko, yes, please – please keep going.”
She smiled and pressed a kiss to the tip of his cock, nearly laughing at how he groaned at the slightest touch. She reached a hand up to squeeze at the base of him as she enveloped the head of him in her mouth, sucking lightly. She let the spit pool for a moment before moving down, taking just a bit more of him with each bob of her head.
She hit her limit faster than she wanted, but if she had her way – she'd get a lot more practice to take him down to the root.
Mirko moaned as his hands wound into her hair and she looked up, finding him in a more upright position than she had left him in. Her eyelids fluttered as he pulled at her hair and she redoubled her efforts, hollowing out her cheeks as she sucked.
“Oh, fuck, Mirko – I'm–,” he barely managed, but she knew what was coming for the way he pulled on her hair with a different purpose now. She doubled down, taking him in as much as she could as he nearly shouted his release. She tried to breathe in through her nose, but it wasn’t enough, pulling off his cock with a gasp. She pumped his cock as he fell back against the mattress, smiling as the last spurts of seed coated her lips.
She wiped her lips on the comforter, sending a quiet apology to the room service who would be turning over their room, before crawling back up his body. She mewled in surprise as he tugged her down into a kiss.
“Hi,” he murmured against her lips. “Is this real?”
“I hope so,” she whispered back between kisses, pausing to swipe his bangs out of his face. “Do you want it to be?”
She didn’t even have time to feel anxious for his answer, for the way his entire body seemed to light up at the notion.
“I’ve realized that I’m quite, ah, head over tit for you,” he said, grinning widely.
Mirko laughed. “I’m the same.”
“Good,” he said, dragging her back down for another kiss. He rolled her onto her back and she moaned as he slotted between her thighs, shoving his own between them. She ground against the hard muscle, whimpering against his lips at the delicious friction.
“Gods, look at you,” he murmured against her lips, backing up to look down at her. She bit her lip as he stared, almost self-conscious at the way she was shamelessly rubbing herself against him. “All mine.”
“Yours,” she promised fervently as he leaned down to kiss her breasts. She clawed at his back as he sucked on her nipples, finding herself hoping that he’d leave his marks all over her skin to remind her of that promise.
“I could spend an eternity right here, darling,” he murmured against her skin. “Spend my days buried in you, pleasing and teasing you.”
That’s all I want, she thought, but couldn’t form the words as he shifted down her belly to the top of her panties. She yelped as he pressed his face against her cunt, flushing deeply as he breathed her in.
“Positively exquisite,” he said, reaching to pull the last barrier between them down and off. He dove in without a hint of hesitation, spreading her thighs apart to fit his broad shoulders between her legs. She moaned as he pressed his tongue against her clit and sucked, unable to keep from jerking her hips against his lips. He lifted another arm and held her down at the waist as he explored her folds, and it was all she could do to just keep still.
Keeping quiet was a lost cause, though, as she nearly sobbed when he eased a finger inside of her. Mirko could feel her orgasm rushing through her, twisting his hair between her fingers as she gasped and moaned.
She knew he’d be good at this.
She saw stars as she came on his tongue, as he held her fast and kept sucking on her clit until she nearly begged him to stop. Even still, he kept fingering her, leisurely adding a second and third finger as she came down from her release. She blinked blearily down at him as he grinned up at her, clearly very satisfied with himself.
“So perfect,” he murmured, leaning down to press kisses against her inner thighs. She suddenly needed to hear him breathless again and she reached down, tugging him back up her body for a needy kiss.
They both moaned as they connected again, Mirko for the way she could taste herself on his lips and how deliciously hard he was against her thigh. She shifted, catching the head of him between her soaking folds, and reached down to tease him against her.
He whimpered into her mouth and shuddered as she touched him. “Mirko,” he groaned. “Are you – should I get–,”
“I’m on a contraceptive,” she barely managed, sucking his bottom lip between hers. “Gods, if you want – fuck me , Haurche.”
He evidently didn’t need to be told twice as he pressed inside of her, the room filling with the sound of their moans. He fell forward as he bottomed out, kissing her sloppily as she adjusted to him. She wrapped her legs around his middle and pulled on his hair, “ Please, ástin.”
He groaned and set a steady rhythm, pressing her down into the mattress as he mouthed at her chin and neck. She wrapped an arm around his back to sink her nails into as the pleasure built up again, moaning as her cunt clenched and fluttered around him.
The way he felt inside of her, all around her, the way he utterly consumed her – it was somehow more than she could have ever imagined. Mirko tossed her head back as another orgasm threatened to push her over the edge, giving him the space to return to sucking at her breasts.
His pace was faster now, harsher, and her hand tightened in his hair to keep her grip as the pleasure reached a fever pitch. “Gods,” she gasped. “Haurche, fuck, I’m going to–,”
“Yes,” he near begged against her breast. “Yes, Mirko, come for me.”
How easily she gave in to his every command.
She screamed as she came, tightening her legs around his waist as he fucked her through it. It was only a handful of thrust more until he pressed in fully, groaning against her lips as he spilled deep inside of her. She ground against him, reveling in the way his hot seed filled her as he slowly pulled out.
She whimpered as he pulled away, but he returned shortly with a towel to clean them up. Mirko smiled and tugged him down for a kiss, nibbling at his bottom lip with a sigh.
“I love you,” Haurchefant said. “Sorry it took a few months of fake dating you for me to realize.”
Mirko giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “We made it there in the end, didn’t we?”
.
.
“Fucks sake, you guys couldn’t have waited another few days, huh?”
“C’mon, pay up brother.”