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Five minutes. Shit! I'm going to be late.
Mel frantically pinned the last few roses to her smooth brown hair and readjusted her bangs in the mirror. She knew Idia didn't care what she looked like but it was important to her, and she wanted to dress up for him.
“You're gonna be late over a few stupid roses and colored lips aren't ya?” A nagging voice from a familiar cat-like creature with flames in his ears inquired.
“You've known me for how long? And you think that's actually a question? The answer is yes.”
“Even though you know he doesn't care? And he's repeatedly told ya so? In fact, didn't he also tell you he prefers when you're ‘real’?” The beast challenged.
Mel quickly turned to glare at him face to face instead of just through the mirror. “Okay, first off who made you the relationship police? And second off, just because he likes me when I'm ‘real’ doesn't mean I can't get dressed up if I want to. And you aren't even going so be quiet Grim.” She punctuated that last bit by pointedly glaring as she walked towards the door.
“Fine, but you'll bring me back some cake won't ya?” Grim asked as he scampered after her.
“Maybe, maybe not, cake is for good little Grims and you're nitpicking right now.” She made an exaggerated pouting face as she bent down to boop his nose and walked off leaving him blinking after her.
“Buh-bye now! I'll be back at some point and if I'm not you can call Ace and Deuce, kay?” She didn't wait for a reply before going at the front door and walking down the steps.
Mel instantly regretted her choice in wardrobe; she knew she didn't do well with cold and yet she still chose a dress that would show off her legs, it's just all the other features were too perfect to pass up. The long sleeves covered in roses leading up to the collar lined with black lace and the break showing just the right amount of cleavage. Before flowing down to a gorgeous blood red bodice and black lined corset. The dress itself had a short skirt stopping at about thigh length in elegant drapes across Mel’s legs, the skirt then bled into a long black train that reminded Mel of a veil that flowed behind her as she walked. And of course the outfit wouldn't be complete without a pair of knee high black boots. Despite the weather being nothing like what she's used to Mel pressed on she'd be inside soon and maybe her and Idia could weasel out of this dumb collaboration.
Upon entering Ignihyde dorm Mel found herself stopping to admire the architecture even though she's been here many times the Greco-Roman influence always catches her eye and makes her stop. One would think the architecture would be at odds with the rest of the dorm considering it was all very advanced technology but it flowed seamlessly as if weaved by Athena herself.
Mel heard a soft squeak of surprise and turned toward a familiar glow of flaming blue hair.
Idia. She caught herself smiling at just the sight of him.
“Y-you look really pretty?” Idia squeaked out. Although it was more of a question than a statement which caused Mel to raise her eyebrow.
“Well of course, it's your birthday I had to dress up and technically so do you.”
“You're really going to make me do that?” Idia groaned.
“Unfortunately yes, it's part of my unpaid job. So let's go.” Mel grabbed Idia’s hand and started to drag him along behind her.
“We have to go to pick up your suit, then record the video and then get the cake. After that we can do whatever you want.”
“Can we just do nothing and head back to Ignihyde?” Idia hesitantly asked.
“It's your birthday so we can do whatever you want.” Mel replied as she continued to drag him along.
Once they got to the sewing room across the school Idia was given a bunch of options to choose from for his birthday suit. He was told to pick clothes he liked which proved difficult.
“Clothes are all the same, it doesn't matter.” Idia said.
“Did you really just say that?” Mel asked boring into his soul as she stared at him. He flinched when she got closer so maybe he regretted his choice in words but it was too late now.
“You pick! You're the fashionista, anyway this is your skill, I don't have any levels in fashion.” Idia muttered that last half but Mel still caught it. He assumed he avoided a disaster because she was smiling as she held up different ties and suits to see which one suited Idia the best.
Once she picked one out she let him change and she asked what they were going to do about his hair. Idia told her nothing and her stare in reply said ‘Absolutely not’. So Idia found himself sitting down while she grabbed chunks of his hair to pin in various directions.
“I still don't understand how your hair doesn't burn.” Mel said as she held a chunk of what appeared to be blue fire except not once has it ever burned or felt warm, it was hard to describe the way it felt but not like hair and not like fire.
“I told you it's just the curse, it's not actually fire unless I get mad.” Idia replied almost automatically. Mel had pestered him about this enough she's surprised he even answered.
As she messed with his bangs the last bit she found herself both jealous and proud; jealous because his hair was longer and prettier than hers, proud because she did that.
“Hold on, it's missing one thing…” Mel said as she took one of the flowers from her hair and pinned it to Idia’s, right where his hair met his neck she thought the red made the yellow in his eyes and the blues of his hair and lips pop.
Idia moved over to look in the mirror and admire the brown pinstriped suit and matching pants. His hair was pinned to the side and tucked up in a way reminiscent of Mel's own hair and the rose really made it seem that way. Idia thought it was cute she made them match and caught her sky blue eyes in the reflection watching him.
“I like the roses” Idia softly told Mel's reflection. He watched it break into a delicate smile before she grabbed his hand once more.
“Good, because we have to go film a tourist spot now.”
“We don't get enough EXP from a low level quest like this for it to even be worth it."
“True, but neither of us have any choice, let's just get it over with so Crowley will be satiated and then we can go get cake.”
Idia decided to go to a spot that would give him points in a game if he took a photo and posted it with a certain tag. Mel didn't particularly care where they went just so long as they finished this.
“We're here, Crane Port. Winter ports are quiet and peaceful.” Idia announced quietly.
“They're also fucking cold, it's the middle of winter so let's wrap this up because I'm not built for these temperatures.” Mel grumbled as she rubbed her arms.
“You're right, you don't have the proper gear or levels for cold weather.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Mel replied flatly.
After a minute of staring at the ocean Idia said he was cold now too and Mel laughed.
“I only chose the port because it's good for raising water-type characters… I didn't expect it to get so cold so fast.” Idia lamented.
“Sounds like Pokemon Go.” Mel noted but Idia wasn't paying attention, he was frantically taking pictures from every angle and the sight made Mel laugh again, he shot her a glare but it didn't do anything to dissuade her laughter.
“HEY YOU TWO! What are you doing here!?”
Mel and Idia both jumped back in surprise as a tall freshman with green hair approached them.
“Sebek, you don't have to scare the shit out of us!” Mel screamed back leaving Sebek completely unfazed.
“W-what're you even doing here?” Idia questioned.
“I was on patrol and saw two suspicious individuals… Turns out it's just you two.” Sebek stated.
“Suspicious individuals!? Are you serious?” Mel heaved.
“Two dressed up people on the pier are very suspicious so, yes suspicious individuals.” Sebek concluded.
“Sebek's not wrong, two randos on the pier is kind of weird.” Idia pointed out.
“Who's side are you on?” Mel demanded. Idia put his hands up in defeat as he explained to Sebek that him and Mel were doing a photo shoot. Sebek said in that case he'd tag along with them. Idia said he didn't agree to that and Mel told him no. When he asked why she said if he was coming he had to be quiet because if he started yelling she was drowning both of them in the freezing ocean.
Eventually they both relented and Sebek stayed.
Once Idia was ready to record Mel told him to start talking whenever.
“...Today, we're at Crane Port. It's less crowded than the main streets. That makes it easier to go out.” Idia said barely above a whisper.
“So, uh, you look and sound constipated. Don't do that.” Mel told him.
“Constipated!?” Idia yelled and Mel nodded solemnly.
“Wait, that's it!? You didn't explain anything. If you're going to introduce the place you have to say something about it!” Sebek chastised.
“I don't have any special feelings about the place I just came here by chance.” Idia muttered.
“You should list easy to see features like the cranes and breakwater. Then explain what people might find interesting and what matches the goal of the project.” Sebek declared.
“Oh… I didn't expect actual advice.” Idia remarked. “Mel can just shoot the whole port and we can call it a day.”
“Why did you even come if you weren't going to be on camera?!” Sebek shouted.
“We can just reshoot, no need to get so worked up.” Mel offered.
They did a reshoot and Idia took some of Sebek’s advice. The final product wasn't great but Mel wasn't getting paid to care so she was calling it quits.
“Mel, are you really okay with that weak infomercial?” Sebek asked.
“Yes, in fact I am. I'm not getting paid for this and I'm cold.” Mel informed him.
Mel then moved to grab Idia’s hand but he moved before she could, completely captivated by a ship in the harbor.
“What is it?” Mel asked Idia.
“It's that ship. It's full of the latest collection of tech developed by magic engineers.” Idia replied excitement bubbling through his voice.
“Okay so let's go see.” Mel decided.
“Your extrovert energy is showing.” Idia remarked.
“Probably because I am an extrovert, but fine if you don't want to go we can go get the cake.”
“Right, I forgot about that. Is it really necessary?”
“Yes! What kind of a question is that?” Mel exclaimed.
When they got to the bakery Sebek was still following them. Upon noticing the decorations and signs he asked Idia if it was his birthday.
“Yes…"
“…Happy birthday?”
"Thanks."
“Wait right here I have something I need to take care of real quick.” Mel called to Idia as she walked into the back of the shop.
“Is she even allowed back there?” Sebek asked.
“Are you going to stop her?” Idia inquired.
Idia and Sebek sat down at a table for three across from each other leaving the set diagonal from them open for Mel.
“What're you even still doing here?” Idia asked Sebek.
“Listening to your long talk made me cold, so I'm warming up here.” He countered.
A couple minutes later Mel came back out with a chocolate cake covered in red icing that spelled out ‘Happy Birthday Idia’ with little hearts all around it. Idia' realized that's what Mel was doing and blushed a bit as she showed him.
“Happy birthday Idia-Darling” Mel beamed.
“How did you…?” Idia started to ask a question then trailed off so Mel picked it up for him saying “I know the staff.”
She set the cake down and then took the seat they'd left her.
Idia asked if she was cold because she kept rubbing her legs, she said a little bit.
“Y-you can drape your legs over my lap like you usually do. I-if you want of course you don't have to if you don't—” Idia was cut short by her putting her legs in his lap while making direct eye contact.
Idia's never offered to let me do that, much less in front of someone. The realization had heat rushing to her cheeks not as much as Idia though, even his hair was starting to turn pink.
Mel cut the cake for her, Sebek, and Idia. They all talked a bit before they went their separate ways; Sebek went back to Diasomnia while Mel and Idia went back to Ignihyde together.
Once they got back to Idia’s room he immediately laid down on his bed and Mel followed him with soft giggles.
“Did you enjoy your outing?” Mel asked.
“Not really, I had to go outside and be in the sun. I lost so much HP.”
“Oh, really? I don't have health potions but your birthday gift might help.” Mel chimed.
Idia sat up immediately and Mel followed him.
“What is it?” Idia asked excitedly.
“I can't afford to buy you anything so I figured I'd just give you kisses for each year you've been alive, like a reward for leveling up.” Mel offered hesitantly.
“I think I should level up more often.” Idia replied as he watched her close the distance between them and press her lips to his.
Ortho found them hours later wrapped in each other's arms fast asleep.