The Magpie Emporium, Monday [30/12]

[giveittoyoursister]

It was quiet enough that Vi probably didn't really need to be in the store today, especially when they'd just gotten back from Haven Springs, which had been all kinds of nice, even if Vi continued to be slightly dubious about just how how much Ryan enjoyed nature, and maybe a little disconcerted by the fact Steph's friends were kind of becoming her friends too.

But by the same token, it was quiet enough that Vi was having a pretty chill day with the most demand on her time coming from Saffron, who had been cruelly abandoned once again.

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[drumsticksandd20s]

Steph had woken up with the faint beginnings of a headache and decided to try and sleep it off, which probably delighted Saffron. Unfortunately for Saffron, though, she was awake and feeling better by mid-morning, which was why Vi's phone buzzed with a text message:

How do some of the massive batch of empanadas that Charlotte sent back with is sound for lunch?

Accompanied by a selfie of Steph with severe bedhead and half her face still hidden in the pillow, but smiling sleepily at the camera.

[giveittoyoursister]

The picture had Vi debating whether she should head home for lunch.

Sounds great. We've both missed you. The photo she sent back showed a Saffron, who if anything, looked smug that Steph wasn't there to steal Vi's attention.

[drumsticksandd20s]

The question was, would she come back after lunch?

That look was pretty much exactly what Steph had expected out of Saffron. My favorite girls. I just need a quick shower to feel human again. Will head over with food after that. Just wanted to let you know I'm feeling better.

Admittedly the picture she sent of herself in the process of getting out of bed, with her shirt half hiked up over her stomach, didn't do much to argue against Vi coming home for lunch, but then Vi had started this whole selfie thing. Oh no, consequences.

[giveittoyoursister]

The narrative said that like Vi had a habit of getting distracted or something.

Are you sure? I can swing by if you're not fully better. Vi could definitely live with consequences like that.

[drumsticksandd20s]

The narrative was taking its cue from Saffron, who probably had a list.

Slept it off before it could really kick in. I'm fine, babe. Promise.

Was Vi still fine living with the consequences of Steph sending another selfie as proof that she was about to get into the shower, like, right now?

[giveittoyoursister]

Saffron had multiple lists, but the one attributing blame to Food Human was the longest.

That's great.

Vi was wondering if she could lock up and make it across the island before Steph could finish her shower. They did tend to be considerably shorter solo.

[drumsticksandd20s]

That list took up so much room in her secret lair.

It couldn't have been more than five minutes later that Steph's next text came through, not accompanied by a picture this time.

Getting dressed now. Hope you're not on your way here.

One would think Steph had guessed exactly what Vi would be considering. Or maybe she'd been trying to get this exact reaction out of her.

[giveittoyoursister]

Just another way Food Human inconvenienced Saffron.

Vi flipped the sign back to 'open' again. No. Of course not.

'Maybe', right.

[drumsticksandd20s]

Never mind that Food Human had just saved her from being cruelly abandoned once again. She didn't even realize she'd done it, so it didn't count.

Grabbed a rickshaw, be there soon accompanied a motion-blurry shot of the school walls. Just charging in gallantly to save you from starvation.

Okay, fine. She'd known exactly what she was doing, and no, she wasn't sorry in the slightest.

[giveittoyoursister]

Plus Snuggle Human was paying more attention to her phone than to Saffron, which was clearly also Food Human's fault.

I could have eaten at home.

[drumsticksandd20s]

The roller derby videos were also Food Human's fault, of course.

Don't worry, promise we'll have a nice luxurious dinner in tonight.

[giveittoyoursister]

There was no end to Food Human's treachery!

I'm holding you to that. And probably a few other things.

[drumsticksandd20s]

Food Human found new ways to betray Saffron daily without even realizing she was doing it.

I do owe you for not being up for anything this morning, after all.

Oh look, and she hadn't even been looking for excuses to add to their makeout debt tally that time.

[giveittoyoursister]

But Saffron realised. Saffron knew.

You don't owe me anything when you're not feeling well, was Vi's immediate response.

[drumsticksandd20s]

Saffron was keeping a running tally, and it was very long indeed.

I know. Steph sent a selfie this time, in which she was smiling like a dope at the camera from inside the rickshaw.Doesn't mean I didn't miss our morning... ritual, though.

[giveittoyoursister]

And one day Saffron would collect in full.

It was a pity Steph couldn't see just how ridiculous Vi's answering grin was. I always miss when I don't wake up with you.

Which was less and less often these days.

[drumsticksandd20s]

Food Human had better be ready.

"I hate those mornings," Steph announced, coming through the door with a large cooler bag of food slung over one shoulder and her phone in her hand. "Let's banish them from existence."

Which they were kind of most of the way to doing already.

[giveittoyoursister]

Not that anyone could really be ready for Saffon's glorious vengeance.

"I like the sound of that," Vi said, all but pouncing on her.

But they still weren't moving in together. Somehow.

[drumsticksandd20s]

The glorious vengeance that she was retreating to her lair to refine right now.

"So it has been declared, so it shall be." Steph wrapped an arm around her. "Hi, babe."

Look, even if it had just sort of happened, it didn't count if they didn't say it had.

[giveittoyoursister]

After all, she'd just make herself sick if she had to watch any more of this disgraceful behaviour.

Vi leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Hey."

There were any number of ways of making it count and they were ignoring them all.

[drumsticksandd20s]

Every last item Vi owned could end up in the house and she could never set foot back in the dorms again, and they'd still swear it didn't count because they'd never said they were moving in together.

"So I hear you missed me?" Steph asked, tucking a still-damp lock of hair behind her ear. "I mean, it's entirely mutual if that's true."

[giveittoyoursister]

Moving in happened with intent. They just happened to be near exclusively co-existing in the same space. Totally different.

"Yeah, I did," Vi said, cupping her face. "I always do."

[drumsticksandd20s]

"Thanks for letting me sleep in, though," Steph replied, tucking her phone back into her pocket so she could hook her fingers into Vi's waistband and tug her closer. "Possible headache crisis averted. My hero."

It was not the same thing at all if it had all been an odd coincidence.

[giveittoyoursister]

Vi cheerfully let herself be tugged, fingertips tracing over her temples. "Nothing's more important than you feeling okay."

Vi's stuff just accidentally ended up at Steph's and never made it back to her dorm.

[drumsticksandd20s]

"You take the best care of me." Steph sighed happily, leaning into her touch. "But I get to return the favor by feeding you now."

It was weird how they never noticed the way that kept happening. And the way it seemed like Steph had to keep setting aside more storage space for her use. That was weird too.