Short stories

Permissive Persona || 872 words

The night was still young, to Penguin at least. Aaron had already dozed off hours ago and left her to her lonesome thoughts of the past that haunted her. Yet she could still smile, mischief written all over her facial features as she readies her paintbrush that she'd bought from the town before. She could hear his breathing clearly, tousled chestnut brown hair occasionally grazing his cheekbones which gradually lead him to itching with his free hand, the other supporting his head.

"Sleeping already~," Penguin cooed, another smile curling on her lips as she brushes a stand of her silver hair behind an ear, "not on my watch."

With the stroke of the brush over the squished blueberries she gathered earlier, Penguin was prepared to make Aaron her canvas of blue. The sudden energy that welled within resurfaced and she gleams, the tip of the brush pressed against his forehead.

"-What do you think you're doing?"

She could recall that flat voice anywhere and her head follows where's she'd heard him. Hiding in the shadows of the large tree above her and Aaron was the blunt yet alluring young man himself, Mink. His coal black locks blew restlessly and he relaxes against the tree trunk, occasionally glancing over to check on Penguin. She could no longer form a coherent sentence, great.

"Mink, what brings you here?" She asks, resuming her so called artwork and ignoring her overwhelming flustered feelings. "Aaron is a heavy sleeper, might as well take advantage of that!" She finishes, a small chortle to follow.

She couldn't help but look up every once in a while, trying not to make it noticeable. Yet, she could already sense his sharp gaze catching onto her until she caught a glimpse of the darkened brown eyes and as hesitant she was, her eyes looks away.

For a moment, she could make out a small smile form on his lips and she grins stupidly, eyes trailing back to the task at hand. The trees hid the beautiful starry sky above them and knowing her, Penguin had already given up the thought of witnessing something such as that. The silence calmed her riled nerves and she inhales, then exhales, repeating the process once more before setting down the paintbrush.

"Hey Mink?" She calls, searching up to see his slender physique and his head moving slightly, "can you help me?"

He pauses, as if lost in thought, "with?"

"I want to see the stars," she responds, excitedly, and he smirks. "So can you help me?"

He nods and doesn't move for a second, then without warning she could feel his brimming presence before her. He jumped, what a guy. Penguin suspended her feelings to run away for a brisk moment before she gives a slight nod as a reply that she was ready for whatever was to come. It wasn't as romantic as she pictured it would be, instead of the long jump to the tree that she had in mind, it was a leap and a push of his hands that helped her manage to reach halfway up the tree. Zooming by her was the familiar figure Mink already reaching the top, which slightly annoyed her.

"I can't climb trees well,  okay!" She yelps, reaching for the next branch to support her way up.

What happened next was definitely unexpected. His hand extends as she attempts the last three feet to get to the branch of choice and without any sort of hesitation, she grasp his into hers. His body was forced down which caused Mink to make an 'oof' noise, yet he still managed to stabilize himself and help her up.

"Heavy.."

"-Shut up!"

Her flustered response received a small chuckle from him. The silence was comforting, which wasn't unusual when the two were together. The view mesmerized Penguin, the oasis of stars made her feel so small.

"Cute,"

She lets the silence answer for her. "What's cute?" She asks, eyes trailing towards him.

He falls silent, "nothing."

That's how most of Penguin and Mink's conversations went. "Amina~," shoe cooed, seeing his dissatisfaction at the sound of his real name.

"Penguin, why do you always say my name?"

It was her turn to go silent, speechless at his question. She wasn't sure either.

"Mink Mink Mink~," she says, grinning, "oh, monk monk mo-,"

He pinches her cheek and she groans, a chuckle to accompany his accomplishment of hushing her.

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"So how was it last night~," Aaron teases, gaining his favourite reaction.

"Aaron?" She calls.

"Yes-?"

"-Shut up,"

That too was a reaction he liked because he knew all too well that Penguin wasn't trying to be harsh. Her flustered behaviour was both hysterical and cute and her admiration for Mink was like a drug, she'd get so lost in thought and wind up walking into something or tripping. Although, what could anyone do? Penguin was her own person and frankly did whatever the heck she wanted to do!

"Lyssa!" Aaron yells, waking up the sleepy man in the tree.

"Shush you." She whispers, touching her pointer finger to Aaron's lips.

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That extended ending though, am I right Katamix lololol. HAILS, I'M STILL HYPED ABOUT SHORT STORIES!!!! Next will be Aaron's time to shine~