Bamboozled

Days to Remember

For the first time in a very long time, Wraith awoke feeling refreshed and full of energy. The voices had remained silent throughout the night and she didn’t have nightmares or wake up in a panic.

As she rubbed her eyes, she took in her familiar surroundings: the couch she knew all too well, the soft blanket she often cuddled up in, the mellow coloration of the walls and ceiling. Wraith wondered what had led her to Mirage’s room this time. Did she get drunk again? Maybe have another bedtime panic attack? A light humming coming from the kitchen drew her thoughts away and she sat up, doffing the blanket and turning her head towards the sound. Mirage was in the kitchen, a spring in his step and a smile on his face as he flipped something in a hot pan. The smell of pancakes and bacon greeted her, and she smiled warmly as the events of the previous night came back to her.

Wraith stood up and walked quietly to the kitchen, stopping in the archway so she could watch Mirage do his, admittedly adorable, cooking dance. A minute passed before he turned around, slipping the pancake onto a plate as he noticed Wraith standing there, failing to hide a giggle behind her hand.

“And just what do you think you’re laughing at?” asked Mirage, a smile on his face.
“I didn’t realize you were such a good dancer is all,” she replied.
“Oh you haven’t seen anything yet, pumpkin.” Mirage gave her a wink as he began bobbing his hips side-to-side before transitioning into a moonwalk, beckoning her forward.

Wraith shook her head playfully, causing Mirage to step forward and grab ahold of her hand, taking her by surprise. He put a hand on her hip and led her side-to-side before spinning her around and ending by bringing her into a tight hug. She offered one of her signature micro-smiles and looked up into Mirage’s eyes, noticing how they glistened with delight at holding her close. The two remained silent for a more than a moment before Mirage broke the silence:

“I made breakfast. You hungry?”
“I can see that, and yes, I am.”
“Well then,” Mirage said as he broke away from their embrace, leading her over to the table and pulling her chair out, “why don't you have a seat, little lady.”
Wraith shot him a playful glare before taking her seat, allowing Mirage to push her in before he grabbed their plates and sat down himself.

The two ate the pancakes and bacon while making light conversation. Wraith always loved when Mirage cooked her breakfast. Not only was it delicious, but he also loved telling her about the times his mom cooked a given meal for him, and the slight ways he experimented with the recipes, only to discover they were never as good as the original. She enjoyed listening to him gush on and on about his mother.

As the duo finished their plates and Mirage finished telling his stories, he went quiet and gave Wraith a look of sincerity.

“Renee, last night…”
Wraith stared back at him as he faltered, patiently waiting for him to continue as her stomach began to flutter nervously.
Mirage took a deep breath to steady himself before continuing. “Last night, when you said you…loved me…did- do you mean it?”
The corners of her lips rose into a small smile. “Yes.” She watched as his shoulders relaxed and he let out a deep breath he'd been unconsciously holding.
“Do you?” she asked, looking expectantly back at him.
“Do I- of course! “Do I love you?” Psh, what kinda’ question is that? I…”
Wraith had her head cocked to the side as she gave him a look.
Mirage paused. “I- Oh- I just meant- you know, I was just nervous you may have, I don’t know, not meant it?...Not that I doubt you or anything, it’s just-”
Wraith took hold of Mirage's hand and gave it a tight squeeze. “Elliot. I know.”
He gave her a small smile in return before squeezing her hand back.

“So,” Mirage started after a few minutes of silence, “you said the games were taking a bit of a toll on you, and I gotta admit, it’s been having a smilir- simril- the same effect on me.” Mirage frowned as he stumbled over his words, but quickly picked back up. “So, I was thinking, maybe instead of worrying about a game every month, let’s take one off for ourselves.”
Wraith furrowed her brow, thinking about the proposition as Mirage continued.
“I mean, we’ve been doing this for a long time without any real breaks, so taking, I dunno, a month off, to relax, get out and do stuff, enjoy ourselves? Might be just what we need.”