The Cloud's Anchor

The Date

A/N: *Dogeza* I am so sorry for not updating for so long. My sister was getting married, then I got sick and then I had my exams. Now that summer vacations have started I hope to update more often. I have pretty much decided the ending to this fic so just enjoy the ride. Also as you may have deducted from the title, this chapter contains the much-awaited date. It's a downpour of cliches but I am a dork like that so please bear with me ! :)

Disclaimer: The franchise Khr! does not belong to me nor do the art used. Credit goes to the original artist and my gratitude goes to Pintrest! 

Although Stella had tried to convince herself that it was not a date, the next day found her modelling outfits in front of Elena, Guilia and Lampo, the young noble was dragged by his brunette friend and was stuck between the three females. He was allowed to stay since they decided that they could use a male perspective. Now the green haired boy stifled a yawn as Stella modelled different outfits for them to judge.

The first she wore was a slate-grey ankle length dress which hung awkwardly around her frame. Guilia efficiently summed it up in a single word, "Dumpy, go change." Stella stuck her tongue out at her younger sister but went inside to change. The moment she stepped out Lampo held up his hands in an 'X'. The plunging neckline combined with the bright red colour and the short length would fail with the terse Cloud. "Alaude will not be impressed if you look like a literal scarlet woman." Stella shot him a dirty look. The young Lightning held up his hands. "You wanted my advice, take it or leave it." Guilia hit his shoulder and handed her Sorella another piece of clothing. When the curtain shut, the brunette crossed her fingers and mumbled, "La terza volta è il fascino."

It seemed that luck was on their side as the moment Stella stepped out she was met wide three wide-eyed stares and open mouths. She tugged on her off shoulder dress which came a little higher than her knee and was dual coloured- the bodice was light lavender while the skirt was pristine white. Elena nodded in approval, "We have found the dress and I have the perfect shoes for it. Come on Stella we need to do your hair." The light Flame user was ushered to the vanity table where her two sisters (because blood be damned, in her heart Elena was as much as her sister as was Guilia) fiddled with her hair for a few minutes before declaring her ready for her dat- outing with the Cloud Guardian. Stella managed to catch a glimpse of her hair set in waves with her bangs clipped by a pearl brooch. A swipe of mascara and lip gloss later Stella was handed a white purse and thrown out of the room. The occupants of the room looked varying degrees of smug and apprehensive. But the general consensus came that Alaude wouldn't know what hit him.

The skylark himself was waiting for the raven head just outside the gate of the mansion. At her breathless and panting entrance he looked up at her and lost his own breath for a moment. She had certainly dressed up and Alaude didn't know if it was a good thing or not. One hand he would get to admire her beauty but on the other hand, so would others. But as he let his gaze travel all over her the skylark admitted that yes, she looked delectable, especially with the healthy flush she had acquired from running.

The icy blond let his mask slip and smirked at the raven-haired girl as he held out his arm. She stared at it confusedly for a second but catching up looped her own arm through his. Her composure was back and she waited until they were out of the property to ask him, "Where are we going today, signor?" he glanced at her before returning his gaze towards the road, "Errands, you should know a few places if you wish to assist me in paperwork." She nodded and the rest of the journey was spent in comfortable silence.

He stopped as they reached a pleasant looking shop with a sign that read, 'Farmacia'. They were greeted by an elderly looking man who brightened up at the sight of the Vongola Guardian, "Signor Nuvola! Good to see you again!" he peered at his companion, "And who might this young lady be?" introductions were exchanged and the shopkeeper left them to gather their supplies. Alaude walked around for a bit then indicated for Stella to hand him one of the baskets which customers used to put their purchases in. She did and then mused that though people seemed to fear him, there were people who saw him as a respectable figure too. She watched as he put various medicinal herbs in the basket. She asked him about it and he replied, "Boxing-maniac asked me pick some stuff up for the infirmary." She cooed over the fact silently that he did care about his fellow Guardians. Then she saw him put some Poison Ivy and blanched, "Is that for medicinal purposes too, signor?"