The Start of Something (PART 2)

“We love the night and its quiet; and there is no night that we love so well as that on which the moon is coffined in clouds.”

— Fitz-James O’Brien

. . .

To his relief, she didn't instinctively punch or push him right off of her away... even though he feels like she's itching to do just that at first.

Please, no.

Mentally, he prayed that she holds on just a bit, please, please don't punch me, Lunamor. That would be just seriously plain counterproductive for his plan.

Not to mention, really embarrassing on his part.

Fortunately, her being averse to his sudden closeness was more or less the reaction Hiro was expecting from her… although the defensive posture was kind of rattling–because on the night of their so-called date, Hiro had faint, fuzzy memories of her letting him lean against her in the helicopter on the way back before he completely fell asleep despite the noise (and woke up on a couch in his sister’s hospital room), so he assumed she was completely okay with letting him be just as close against her, even if he was wide awake now.

And while Hiro knows he's most likely making a scene with what he's doing right now, he couldn't find it in him to care. They can deal with the consequences later.

Because hey, they wanted a show, right? Well, fine.

He'll give them one.

This was more for Lunamor's sake this time around, anyway. At least creeps would think twice before coming anywhere near her. And to be honest, Hiro was a bit tired, as well as hungry... and also a teeny tiny bit annoyed that there was an actual jerk who just couldn't take a hint, openly hovering around someone who was supposedly in a relationship.

Really. Kids these days.

Hiro rested his head comfortably against Lunamor's, eyes never leaving the gob-smacked student's eyes even as he addressed his faux girlfriend in a stage-whisper, “Whatever happened to my 'me' time? We're both busy enough to see each other these days as it is...”

Lunamor twitched.

“Don't pin this on me, I already told him to get lost.”

The other student looked like he's going to throw a fit any second now, his face turning red, “Don't talk about me as if I'm not here!”

“...See?” she hissed.

Hiro can practically feel the eye-roll in that one.

He tried so hard not to smile at that.

For all of Lunamor's general lack of regard for social cues, she catch on quick to his idea without much further prompting. And Hiro was also secretly kind of pleased that she was even going along with his plan.

But to be fair, Hiro was sure that Lunamor wouldn't try to ruin his plan to get rid of the other student considering just how annoyed she is, but he didn't really expect her to actually help him out with this one. Huh, this guy must have really been bugging her...

Hiro kept his gaze deliberately pointed across the table at the other student. He was scowling now and obviously offended with Lunamor's attitude but still firmly seated.

Wow.

Talk about stubborn.

Kudos for the tenacity.

“Hey, was there something important you need to talk about with Lunamor right now?” Hiro finally asked, trying to keep his tone placid.

“Yeah. And to be frank, it doesn't really have to involve you,” the kid even has the audacity to actually sneer at Hiro's face, “...prof.”

Gloves off the table then.

Making a very audible clicking noise with his tongue, Hiro immediately placed a hand on Lunamor's cheek and gently guided her face to angle it towards him so that the other student wouldn't be able to see her steadily darkening expression at the blatant disrespect.

...It was actually kind of scary seeing that glare up close even if the anger wasn’t really directed to him. And it was also kind of ironic since Lunamor seriously has no qualms being disrespectful to anyone in the academy, Hiro included.

“Maybe he'll leave you alone if we actually start being so lovey-dovey with each other, what do you think?” Hiro teased, even wagging his eyebrows up and down at her in an attempt to lighten the mood.

She deadpanned, “Never repeat those words again.”

He grinned, leaning in even closer to her, pointedly aware of their unwanted audience's disgusted stare, “What, honey? Lovey-dovey?”

Lunamor didn't even blinked, she just bumped their foreheads gently together, almost affectionately to anyone who was watching. In reality, it was a warning not to push it, though… albeit a very weak one.

That was when the other student apparently reached his limit as he pushed himself off of the table with a very loud screech of his chair. “Alright, that’s it! You're both disgusting! And if you don't want a partner for the research project so badly, then be that way!” he yelled, “SEE IF I CARE!”

Wait.

...What?

Now, it was Hiro's turn to blink.

Pulling away from Lunamor's face, they both watched the other student stomp off for a moment before he turned to glare at her, roughly pushing himself off of her as well, “What the hell?! I thought he was hitting on you!” Hiro grumbled under his breath.

Lunamor only looked at him. And it was one of those looks that says she thinks he was being very dumb right now–which was very rude by the way, “I never said he was.”

Without thinking, Hiro ruffled her hair before standing up to move to the now unoccupied seat. At least his plan worked, “Well, whatever... just don't come crying to me if you happen to flunk your project.”

“...As if.”

Hiro raised an eyebrow at the obviously delayed response. He turned to look just in time to see Lunamor silently raising a gloved hand to touch the top of her head, a strange look flitting across her face...

And Hiro couldn't help but smile.

She looked so confused.

Considering her ridiculously tall height, Lunamor wasn't probably used to head pats. Hiro wouldn't be surprised if she didn't like having her hair messed up too. And he silently vowed to ruffle that silky-soft hair whenever he got the chance.