Stories and Oneshots with OCs

Right Time

(A short thing from the past 😋 nothing sad I promise 🌞🙏)

"Hello?" I called out, locking the door behind me. Arlo handed me a spare key for whenever I needed it for whatever purpose.

The apartment was pretty silent. After hearing some shuffling coming from the kitchen I made my way through the hall, poking my head into the doorframe. Hira was making something on the counter, his back turned to me. I came over and gave him a light tap on the shoulder.

He jumped and whipped around to look me at me. He still looked startled but his face had just barely relaxed after seeing my face. "You nearly gave me a heart attack," he pulled off his headphones and draped them around his neck. "At least announce your presence or something."

"I did." I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter, taking a glance at whatever he was making. "Where's Arlo?"

"Bathroom." Hira resumed what he was doing, pulling up his headphones and leaving an ear open to listen to me.

"Ah," I nodded, looking down at my feet. "Figures." After all this time my little brother still took a millennial to get ready. "Did he tell you where we're going?" I toyed with a random spoon sitting in front of me.

Hira nodded, but said nothing else. He continued to chop away at the vegetables on his cutting board.

It was quiet for a moment, but not exactly an uncomfortable silence. I cleared my throat before saying, a little softer, "Did you do the thing?" I tried to hide the smile creeping on my face.

He stopped, looking up from his cutting board. A surprised look flashed across his face, before he went back to his normal composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Lie.

I raised my eyebrows and leaned in, the corners of my mouth tugging up. I couldn't hold back my grin now. "You didn't? It's been months."

"And?"

"What is stopping you?" I asked, and Hira let out a huff.

"It's not that easy, Gia." He sighed, setting the knife down. "I just don't know if it's the right time."

"But you love him," I said, frowning. "Don't you?"

"Of course," he responded almost instantly. His eyes were trained on me, and I couldn't help but stare at him.

"Then what's the issue?" I tilted my head, trying to make sense of it. The decision was so easy for me and Veska, I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to wait.

Hira picked up his knife and went back to chopping, but his movements were much more frantic. "I don't know. He has way more important things to worry about, what if he doesn't want to?"

I hid my chuckle behind my hand, earning a glare from him. "I've never seen him so obsessed with someone. You should ask before he does it himself."

"It's just," Hira's voice was much quieter. He seemed to be talking more to himself than me. "I don't know how to bring it up."

I furrowed my brows, confused. "You just bring it up. It's not hard at all."

"I can't," he said, looking at me. "You've done this before. What did you say?"

"I said yes," I shrugged. "Nothing special."

"That's what I'm talking about. It has to be special." Hira put down the knife and pushed the chopped vegetables aside. "What if it's not good enough?" He bit the inside of his cheek, a worried look in his eye.

I shook my head, putting a reassuring hand on his arm. "He'll love whatever you do. Loving each other is all that matters."

Despite my words, he still looked conflicted. He opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off.

"Hi, Gia!"

I turn to see Arlo walking into the kitchen, giving a small wave. He went around the counter to give me a hug. I couldn't help the small smile that crept up my face. "Hi, Lo."

Arlo smiled, then looked between me and Hira, a confused look on his face. "What are we talking about?"

"Oh, just," I started, but was quickly cut off when Hira slammed a hand down on the counter.

"Aren't you guys gonna be late?" He blurted out, his voice loud and irritated. He was glaring at me, and Arlo stared at him, a mixture of shock and confusion.

"I guess..." he looked up at the time, his eyes widening. "Oh shoot, yeah."

"You guys should get going." Hira shooed the both of us away and out the kitchen. Arlo only let out a small laugh, and leaned over to plant a kiss on his lips. "I'll see you later," he ran a hand down his arm, a small smile still playing on his lips.

"I love you," Hira mumbled. Arlo smiled wider, his nose scrunching.

"I love you."

They both stayed there for a few seconds, smiling at each other like idiots. I cleared my throat, trying to get them back to the present.

Arlo turned to look at me. "Right," he grabbed his wallet and shoved it in his bag, then we both made our way to the front door. I gave Hira a knowing look and waved goodbye one last time, smiling.

He grumbled and waved, a blush tinting his cheeks.

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