There she was, my new best friend
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Noel had faced many things in her life—battle-hardened warriors, high-stakes missions, the expectations of an entire kingdom. But nothing had ever made her this nervous.
She tugged at the hem of her sweater, a human garment that still felt strange against her skin. Soft, warm, but too constricting compared to her usual dresses and skirts. Her fingers curled and uncurled as she glanced at the mirror. Ava had suggested this outfit, which meant it had to be acceptable… right?
A knock on the door startled her.
“Noel, you ready?” Ava’s voice was light, but there was a nervousness beneath it.
Noel took a deep breath and opened the door.
Ava stood there in a casual dress, a mix of comfortable and effortlessly pretty. She looked Noel up and down and grinned. “You clean up nice.”
Noel shifted. “I… do?”
Ava laughed, stepping closer and lightly grabbing her wrist. “Yeah. Now, c’mon. It’s just a date. No need to look like you’re walking into battle.”
But it felt like a battle—a different kind, one without swords and shields, one where she had no training at all.
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Their destination was a small café Ava had raved about, tucked between two bookshops downtown. The place was dimly lit with string lights wrapped around the ceiling beams, giving everything a soft glow. The scent of coffee and something sweet lingered in the air.
Ava led the way to a booth, sliding into the seat across from Noel. “Okay, so, first official date,” she announced. “What do people even do on these?”
Noel blinked. “You… don’t know?”
Ava chuckled. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I’ve never dated before. You’re my first.”
Noel’s heart did a strange little flip. “You’re… my first as well. I mean, on Daemos 'dates' were basically a formal event.”
That made Ava smile, and for a second, the nervous energy between them softened.
A waiter arrived, dropping off menus. Noel picked hers up, scanning the strange human words. “What… is a caramel macchiato?”
Ava leaned over, pointing at the menu. “It’s a type of coffee. Sweet, creamy, not too strong. You’d like it.”
Noel nodded, trusting her judgment. “Then I’ll have that.”
Ava smirked. “Copycat.”
Noel frowned slightly. “Am I not allowed?”
Ava laughed. “No, it’s cute.”
Noel blinked, her cheeks warming, but Ava had already turned her attention to the waiter.
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The conversation came easier after a while. Ava told stories about growing up on Earth, the weird things humans did, her childhood favorite TV shows. Noel, in turn, spoke about Daemos—its harsh landscapes, the rigid way of life, the strict warrior code she had always followed.
“It sounds exhausting,” Ava admitted, resting her chin on her hand.
“It was all I knew,” Noel said simply. “Until I came here.”
Ava’s expression softened. “And now?”
Noel hesitated. “Now… I am still learning.” She looked down at her drink, fingers tracing the rim of the cup. “This—this is all new. Being here, being with you.” Her golden eyes lifted to meet Ava’s. “But I think I like it.”
Ava’s breath hitched slightly, but she covered it with a small smile. “Yeah?”
Noel nodded. “Yes.”
Ava fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve. The moment felt too big all of a sudden, like she was teetering on the edge of something terrifyingly wonderful. She had planned to confess at the end of the night, but her nerves were getting the better of her.
Instead, she reached across the table, hesitating only for a second before taking Noel’s hand in hers.
Noel stiffened for a fraction of a second but didn’t pull away.
“You don’t have to figure it all out right now,” Ava murmured. “We have time.”
Noel tightened her grip slightly, grounding herself in Ava’s warmth. “I would like that.”
Ava squeezed her hand once, then let go before either of them could get too flustered.
“Well,” she said with a teasing grin, “you survived your first date. Not bad, huh?”
Noel tilted her head. “It was… nice.”
Ava laughed. “That’s all I get? ‘Nice’?”
Noel considered. “Very nice.”
Ava groaned, but her smile didn’t fade.
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The walk to the apartment was quiet, but a comfortable kind of quiet.
Ava slowed her steps as they neared her apartment, feeling the nervous energy creep back in. Now or never.
She stopped just outside the door, turning to face Noel. “Hey, so…”
Noel blinked. “Yes?”
Ava exhaled sharply. “I… I like you.” The words tumbled out in a rush, and she immediately wanted to shrink into herself. “Like, like-like you, LOVE you, I mean, obviously, because this is a date, and that’s what dating is, but I just wanted to say it, officially, before I chicken out and—”
Noel stepped closer.
Ava’s rambling cut off as warm hands cupped her face gently. She barely had time to react before Noel kissed her—soft and unsure but completely, entirely real.
Ava’s breath hitched, her hands gripping Noel’s sweater instinctively.
The kiss was brief, but it sent a rush of warmth all the way to Ava’s fingertips.
When Noel pulled back, her eyes were wide, searching Ava’s expression. “Was… that okay?”
Ava let out a slightly dazed laugh. “More than okay.”
Noel relaxed slightly. “Good.”
Ava grinned. “Gonna need another one just to be sure, though.”
Noel’s lips twitched in amusement before she obliged, leaning in once more.
And in that moment, under the soft glow of the streetlights, nothing else mattered.
˚₊‧꒰ა🍂🍁🧡 ໒꒱ ‧₊