"Artificial Stars" Ejen Ali x Reader

"Fun Invitation."

This is a fluff request by shousukemarryme !

Setting: High school AU, I just like doing these.

Like the recent one-shots, this one is a standalone one-shot.

Key symbols:

... = Switching perspective.

~ = Time Skip.

(Ali x Gender Neutral! Reader)

[E/c] eyes were fixated on the wall as the teen's family glanced at them ever so worryingly. The plate of newly cooked [F/f] remains untouched, steam from the dish began to slowly fade, eventually losing its heat.

The teen's father sighed, as he placed his hand on his child's shoulder; it snapped them out from their tranced state.

"Is there something wrong [Name]?" The teen only stared as worried words spilled out of their father's mouth, hesitant to answer.

All eyes were turned to them, the light clanking of utensils was no longer present, only a silent group stare directed towards them.

'Oh no.'

[Name] lightly gulps, their nervous eyes not breaking contact with their family.

"... Well-" Curses and curses rang out in their mind as they shuffle and dig around for an excuse. "...I got a little carried away from my daydream." The teen's confession earned chuckles from the family table.

"What's the daydream about?" With a smug smile, the question came out from none other than their brother, [Br/n].

"It's about--" The [H/c] teen pauses, as they looked at a nearby wall, avoiding eye contact.

"Visiting the carnival."

[Br/n] clicks his tongue before one of his eyebrows raised in confusion, "Carnival? Aren't you like -- a teenager?" [Name] only looks at him with a straight face, "Well, you asked, I answered." They grin as they finally take a long-awaited bite of their [F/f], with [Br/n] leaning forward to object, yet ended up jerking himself back.

"That's fair." A tone of disappointment came from the older child, as the family continued with their breakfast.

After that small event, The [L/n] family ate in peace.

~

Ali could never be an as nervous wreck as he is right now. And in his defense, others would be nervous about inviting someone right? Patting Comot's head in an attempt to calm himself, he started to dial [Name]'s number.

'Ring. Ring. Ring.'

Taking a deep breath, caramel eyes fixated on the phone screen, his lips pursed worryingly. The phone continues to ring, each ring making him more and more uneasy, as Comot only stared in confusion.

Eventually, a final 'ding'! was heard.

"Ali?" [Name]'s voice rang from the other side, as the boy tried to get his words out, but only silence left his mouth. "Uhhh... Are you okay?" Worry was present beyond the screen, as the Ravenette took a breath,

"Are you... Free today?" Light shuffling from the other side was heard. "Mhm, I am." [Name]'s digitalized voice responds, getting straight to their point, "Now, Where'd you wanna go?"