Private Color Me Surprised

[Mahsa]

The Dormitories

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Tonight had been so much fun.

Despite their best—and quite poorly—attempts at being quiet their bubbly giggles livened their path as the girls made their way back to their dorm. "Yeah, and th—hic—then…!" Pastel hues of yellows, pinks, and lavender framed her features as Mahsa recounted a funny moment witnessed, their colors brightened further by the bioluminescent shades that rippled through Zaiya’s skin.

The night had been quite the joyous one, filled with plenty of new experiences and wonderful moments. Tasty food, pretty dresses, and delightful music—it had certainly been a night that the Kazelrrian would fondly remember for years to come.

A few fumbles with the lock later had the girls stumbling into the common living space of their shared dorm, their barely contained giggles finally exploding into a symphony of laughter accompanied by the sound of bumped furniture. The gift bags had miraculously found their way home too, destined to be the problem of someone’s future self as they were forgotten somewhere close to the entrance.

She hadn’t noticed him at first, her attention fully focused on Zaiya Ceti who—in her attempts to remove her footwear—ended up plopped on the floor. It had caused a new wave of laughter to escape Mahsa as she reached out, hoping to steady her own wobbly steps against the kitchen island, before she collided with what had felt like a brick wall.

"Who-oops…" Her hands found purchase in a pair of arms tightly crossed against his chest. The familiar scent of the Firronthix earned a happy purr as she flashed Ayhan a loopsy grin, completely oblivious to the glowering scowl as she announced their triumphant return. "We’re b-baaack~!"

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Ayhan​

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[Ayhan]

Ayhan could hear the giggles and laughter long before the girls had even made it to the dorm's door. He was already standing in the common area, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed with a severe scowl on his face by the time that Aris had come out of room, apparently also drawn out by the noise the girls made as they came home from their night. One might've thought that the two tall boys were the girls' brothers, and not just dormmates and friends with the way they both looked disapprovingly at the mess of beings that came through their door.

Mahsa and Zaiya couldn't help but laugh as Zaiya tried to take off her shoes and fell over onto the ground, right on her face. Truly wonderful, how amusing it was to them. Ayhan just looked at Aris, sharing a silent word with the other boy. They'd make someone bleed tonight if Ayhan had his way. Aris usually was the cooler tempered one, but this time, Aris shared that murderous glint in his eye.

Aris and Zaiya made their way to her room. Ayhan could only imagine the conversation they'd be having. It would probably be much worse that anything Ayhan could dole out. It was always more devastating from someone who rarely had anything bad to say about anyone.

But Aris and Zaiya weren't Ayhan's concern right now. His eyes were fixed on Mahsa as she stumbled forward, and caught her self by grabbing Ayhan's arms. "We're b-baaack~!" she purred at him. Nothing could've kept Ayhan from letting out the faint snarl that rumbled through the air. "You reek," he said. Someone was definitely going to die tonight.

"Had a nice night?" Ayhan said flatly, the accusatory tone unmistakable.

Mahsa

 

[Mahsa]

The Dormitories

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Mister dark and broody wasn’t the only one present once the girls made their arrival known, the snow white hair atop the ever growing skyscraper that Aris Noble was impossible to miss as he joined them in the common room. A grin and a wave were given in his direction, watching as the Epicanthix helped Zaiya Ceti back onto her feet, before the corridor leading to their rooms lit up in a rainbow of colors when the pair eventually disappeared.

"Nini Zaiya—" A low rumble cut her words short, her head tilted confusion about its source, until it dawned on Mahsa that it had come from the Firronthix she was still using for support. "Ooh…? You can purr too, Ayhan!"

Her awe and wonder was broadcasted without restraint, the bubbling happiness she felt leaking in waves as the Kazelrrian forgot to put her filters into place. Bright citrine highlights appeared when he spoke, nose scrunched up as she took a few sniffs of her own.

"Eeeh? No I d-don’t…!" The offense she felt was palpable on her voice, visually displaced in the puffed up cheeks and pouted expression she shot up at the boy. "I smell of fruits and r—hic—roses!"

Whatever additional complaints she might’ve had were quickly forgotten as Ayhan asked about her night, all smiles once more as she nodded. "Mhmm! There were so many flowers and lots of yummy food…!" The pastel of rainbows on her hair brightened with each spoken word, her delight evident as she thought back to the event.

"And we got to dance sooo much!" It had truly been a wonderful time. "I wish you could’ve been there too~"

---

Ayhan​

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[Ayhan]

"Ooh…? You can purr too, Ayhan!" There was no mistaking the heady stench of alcohol that rolled off of Mahsa's breath as she drunkenly asked a very stupid question. Ayhan lips curled into a snarl again. "I smell of fruits and r—hic—roses!" she said, rejecting Ayhan's assertions.

And then she went on about the food and flowers and dancing, "I wish you could've been there too~"
"What, the other boys weren't good enough for you?" Ayhan scoffed, bristling at the thought of another male touching her.

There was a bit of ridiculousness in the whole situation though. Not even Ayhan could deny that. Mahsa, apparently having high standards, even when inebriated, had decided these other whelps couldn't keep up with her. Not only that, but she imagined that Ayhan had any chance of being a better dancer. Something, something, fighter not a lover. That's how the phrase went, no?

Hold on, when had she even learned how to dance?

Mahsa

 

[Mahsa]

The Dormitories

His words momentarily dulled the bubbliness coursing through her, brows furrowed in confusion as she tried to make sense of them. "Other boys…?" What did they have to do with the fun night Zaiya and her just had? Besides, it’s not like there was any present to begin with—

"Oh right, Braze Kai'el was there…" An out loud thought that escaped her lips as she remembered seeing the half Echani in the crowd, surrounded by people she assumed to be his friends—including the girl that had given Mahsa her contact information. "... and Makko too!"

How could she have almost forgotten, especially after the embarrassing moment her poor wording had put them all in? "Oh oh… guess what, though?!" The streaks of coral didn’t last long however, shifting into bright citrines as she raised herself onto her tippy toes, trying to reach for the Firronthix’s ear to deliver the galaxy’s most poorly guarded secret.

"We think Makko Vyres and Corazona von Ascania are mated…!" A handful of giggles slipped into her voice at the end, her hair aglow once more with pastel yellows, bright citrines, and the lingering streaks of baby pink that framed her face.

Throughout it she never attempted to pull away from Ayhan, her hands still holding onto his arm for support, and without her usual barriers he would’ve felt the ripple of emotions that accompanied the colorful changes in her hair.

The initial confusion that had dawned into realization. A flush of embarrassment that had quickly twirled around into a burst of excited curiosity through her poor attempts of whispering, and the bubbling joy that continued to wrap around them both… almost drowning out a quiet yearning that lingered in the background.

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Ayhan ​

 

[Ayhan]

Ayhan wasn't entirely sure if Mahsa was genuinely confused, or just feigning innocence. Her confusion certainly seemed genuine at least. And Ayhan had never known Mahsa to be a good liar. His hard gaze softened, just a little, before she suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh right, Braze was there..." Ayhan's scowl returned in full force. "...and Makko too!"

Ayhan was just about to call for Aris to grab his swords when Mahsa suddenly rose on her tippy toes and grasped his arm, her small hands barely making their way halfway around his forearm. Ayhan froze.

When was the last time Mahsa had touched him? Or even been this close? Ayhan couldn't remember. It felt like a lifetime ago. And in many ways, it was. The Cage, it was a whole other world than what the rest of the galaxy knew. It'd been harsh, brutal, unforgiving in the most vile ways. They'd relied on each other then. Now, everything was different. Completely, totally-

Or was it?

The hand Mahsa had touched him with allowed her emotions to flow freely. Momentary confusion, embarrassment, and then bright excitement and curiosity. It was overwhelming. So much so that Ayhan tensed, his fists clenching, his arms, corded with muscle, tightening and flexing beneath her hand. He hardly registered the 'secret' that Mahsa imparted to him. "I don't know who the feth those people are," he growled through grit teeth, an effort to not let the emotions that Mahsa shoved into his body drown him.

Mahsa

 

[Mahsa]

The Dormitories

"Whaaa—Ayhan, you’re lyiiing...!" Okay sure, maaaybe the Temple was big enough that the Firronthix never crossing paths or a class with Makko Vyres was understandable… but she knew for a fact that excuse didn’t hold for the blonde Knight. "You’ve met Cora before! Back at Ty—hic!—the place with the z-zombies and stuff…"

Her brows furrowed again, the girl trying to make sense of her muddled thoughts, as confusion reigned supreme once again over the rest of her feelings. Corazona von Ascania wasn’t just a kind Knight but she was also very beautiful too! Surely there was no way Ayhan could’ve forgotten about her so easily, unless…

"N-No…!" She was oblivious to his discomfort or the way the muscles underneath his skin tensed from her touch, fingers grasping his forearm tighter than before as her bottom lip jutted forwards in an adorable little pout.

"She’s Makko’s mate," He would’ve felt the fiery determination that bloomed from her petite form even if Mahsa hadn’t been holding onto his arm as if life itself depended on it, flecks of vibrant seafoam and jade greens rippling through her hair. "So you can’t l-like her, Ayhan!"

Somewhere in the gardens a blonde Knight sneezed…

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Ayhan ​