#i will return to u bobs my beloved....... i swear it.............

[candysharkart]

hiii long time no asks ab luis!!! i would love to hear any fave/new hcs ab luis belcher!!! <3

hi :)!! im unfortunately a lil stumped on new ones but heres some doodles of him doing some activities bc i miss drawing him tbh

[tteokdoroki]

oblivious | k.takami

♡ pairing: keigo takami x gn!reader.

♡ word count: 1.8K

♡ rating: everyone.

♡ genre: pro hero!au, assistant!au, fluff.

♡ summary: usually, when it comes down to smooth talking and flirting, pro hero hawks has all the boxes checked right off. except for when it comes to his assistant, who doesn’t quite seem to get it. or the one in which miruko meddles with hawks’ love life on valentines day.

♡ warning(s): please read ! tooth-rotting fluff, cheesy pick-up lines, just keigo being a dorky boi! :D

♡ author’s note(s): goood evening my loves! here’s a little fluff fic for you on valentines ! it was requested a while ago by @mocha-focha​ but i figured today would be the perfect day!  i hope youu enjoy, sorry this is so last min! happy valentines day <3

♡ masterlist | requests

keigo couldn’t tell if he found it more adorable or more annoying.

your obliviousness that is.

on one had, your cluelessness to the number two’s attraction towards you was most certainly adorable. the way you grew flustered when he walked by or leaned down to your height to tease and compliment you. the way your gaze dropped shyly to your desk when he’d ask something minuscule of you. keigo knew he intimidated you; after all, who wouldn’t be in the shoes of japan’s second most beloved hero.

the winged hero had wanted you ever since he first laid his avian eyes on you, after he’d stumbled back into his agency to complete paper work for that day’s patrol. you had been unpacking boxes at the desk outside of keigo’s office, hired to be a temporary assistant while the last had quit due to said blonde ‘being too much to handle.’

keigo still remembers the way your eyes had flittered to the floor as soon as he came into view and the timid way your name had slipped from between your pretty lips when he’d asked for your name.

the blonde swears he could never get tired of the sweet taste of ‘yn’ on his tongue.

you were nice company and worked well with keigo, since you were resilient unlike his last assistant. he couldn’t fault you anywhere, not in your kind smile and precious gestures ( you always brought him a chicken sandwich when you came back from your lunch break ). you were a gem. the only ‘annoying’ thing was that you never quite understood his flirting.

sure; some of keigo’s methods like bringing you little gifts of shiny things and rocks were a little unconventional... but he couldn’t help it! he was a goddamned bird after all and it wasn’t his fault you mistook the dead rabbit on your desk as a cruel practical joke instead of a proclamation of love. and okay, maybe keigo giving you extra work so you could spend more time with him after office hours was a little over the top; but at least his pickup lines got through to you.

they were cringeworthy of course but at the very least; they made you grin even if you were a bit confused. one time you thought he had been practicing on you to test on endeavour on their patrol later that day. another story for another time.

so maybe the most annoying thing wasn’t your obliviousness to keigo’s advances but instead the reactions and teasing from his friends. just like now.

“so what’s it gonna be today keigo?” rumi asks from the winged hero’s left, her rabbit ears twitch and pick up on his light scoff— while he mentally prepares for the incoming barrage of teasing. “’are you the alphabet because i can c u and i together?’”

“no rumi, i’ve got better than that.” keigo barks out with a shift of his crimson wings, the number five smirks from beside him and keigo rolls his eyes with defeat, hating the way his wings often conveyed his underlying emotions.  the elevator they both travel in comes to a slow stop on the thirteenth floor of the hawks agency where the man himself hosts meetings in his office. the whole reason rumi was even here was to attend some dumb mission briefing the commission wanted to set them on but more than likely the bunny like hero would be here to tease keigo about his failed attempts at flirting with you. “just you wait!”

she enjoyed making his life a living hell. “i don’t know, nothing can quite beat that ‘i’m not a photographer but i can picture you and i together’ line you used last week!” rumi winks, swiftly exciting the elevator as the doors chime and open up, just narrowly avoiding the flurry of cursing and chirps from the bird-like hero.

said  blonde follows with a huff,  making a b-line for his sacred office as he sets his mind on getting the meeting done. the sooner it ends, the sooner rumi can get the hell out of his hair and stop bullying him for having a crush on his personal assistant. only, keigo is stopped in his tracks when he notices you innocently perched at your desk, tapping away at some document on your computer—  one that he probably could’ve and should’ve done himself. hawks almost hates how he catches himself blushing over how you complete such a mundane task,  the squint to your  eyes and the slight pinch to your brows in concentration ( which is adorable to him quite frankly ) make his heart flutter.

he finds himself coming to a stop just in front of your desk, causing rumi to slow up ahead and turn around to watch the chaos unfold.

your typing ceases quickly when you notice the shadow on your boss looming over you— his gold and piercing avian eyes staring right back down at you as soon as you look up. “oh! mr hawks, you’re back—!”

“yn, i seem to have lost my number, can i borrow yours?” hawks blurts out the cheesy line, almost instantly regretting it right after.

there’s a beat of silence between you both while your face morphs into one of confusion. why would he need to borrow your number when you could just locate it in the personal records you had access to? in the meantime, miruko has taken it upon herself to fill the awkward air with pockets of wheezy laughter. you blink up at your boss, once, twice, three times before reaching for your notebook with all of his important details written inside. “mr hawks, if you wanted me to read your number out loud for you again , you could have asked! i'm more than happy to!” you say your words slowly, just to make sure he understands— your boss can be a bit of an air head sometimes and it is your job to help him out.

“no—yn, no i—” keigo instantly shakes his head, the red tint of shame blaring across his cheeks in a shade that almost rivals the red of his wings. said appendages puff up and flutter with embarrassment and it doesn’t help that his fellow hero is laughing at him so hard that she’s bent over and struggling to breathe. “baby—i meant i was asking for your numb—“

you smile up at him with sweet innocent eyes that have his words dying in his throat. “i didn’t know you had a baby! congratulations mr hawks!” and then you return to typing.

keigo wants to die, physically deflating right in front of your desk where he stands.

rumi, who now seems to have recovered from her laughing fit passes by keigo with a pat to his back, he only pouts while she wipes the remainders of amused tears from her eyes before perching herself on your desk, practically leaning over you. you look up once again, feeling shy under the gaze of yet another esteemed pro hero but greet her politely with a bob of your head.

“yn, hun, can i ask you a question?” the number five asks you, warm grin helping you relax just a little.

“yes miss miruko?”

you find the woman shaking with laughter above you before she pets your hair endearingly, the gesture almost makes you pout and you have to remind yourself of where you are and who you work for. “firstly, love, you can call me rumi, i know you’re shy but i don’t bite…” you paw gently at your cheeks in oder to fight the growing heat that burns brightly under your skin, growing ever so flustered under miruko’s silky voice and knowing gaze. “secondly, hawks isn’t a father nor does he have a baby— he was addressing you, sweetheart. and finally,” rumi pauses, patting your head again as her bunny ears twitch with amusement and mischief. “how do you feel about the bird brains over there, do you like him?”

takami jolts up in his place, impossibly redder than he was before while he makes an attempt to shut rumi up with his ruffled feathers. the bunny simply catches the red feather between her hands, giving them a little tickle to distract her fellow hero , tilting her head down at you as if to ask ‘well?’ you gulp, feeling yourself become nervous as the two wait for your answer expectantly. of course you had nothing but positive feelings towards your boss; he was kind and made the time out of his busy day to talk to you— but why did they care so much as to ask you for your opinion? you were only his assistant and saying anything bad about the number two hero would surely get you fired.

hesitantly, your gaze flickers between the clearly entertained miruko and the highly embarrassed hawks— forcing you to take a deep breath before delivering your anticipated answer. “well—! he’s a great boss, i— i couldn’t ask for better, why wouldn’t i like a boss who gives me an hour and a half’s lunch break?” you sigh in relief at your answer, assuring yourself that it won’t have offended anyone but your heart rate is quick to spike when miruko squishes your cheeks and tilts your head to face your flustered boss.

“no sweetheart,” she corrects herself, pointing over at keigo who cowers into his wings. “i mean, do you like him as in... would you date him?”

you swear on all might’s life that you almost pass out from her words, mind swirling with a thousand thoughts. why would she ask that of you? sparing a glance at your boss once move, you realise what all of this is about. his hot blush, the way he avoids your stare, his flustered state to match your own. he likes you, just as you like him. rumi was only being a good wing woman, one that you were grateful for— as you’d never make a move on hawks on your own, no matter how many feelings you’d harboured for him in the time that you’d worked for him. You had been oblivious to his romantic gestures this whole time and now; the situation for you to confess had presented itself to you.

to hell with it.

“yes,” you breathe as best you can through squished cheeks, staring at keigo with eyes dreamy enough to make his heart soar. “why wouldn’t anyone? i-i mean, mr hawks is so sweet and kind to everyone he meets, fans or not! and…and he’s really pretty— i mean handsome… and his eyes—“ you cut yourself off upon realising the tangent you’ve gone on just to prove your attraction to your boss, looking away shyly and rumi let’s you go with a sweet chuckle.

but just as quickly as you look away, the softness of a little red feather tilts your focus back to him. “glad to know you think so yn,” he winks, making you giggle shyly. “i’ll pick you up tonight at seven for valentines, then.”

and who were you to say no to him.

[beatdisc]

RSD 2019 LIST

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This year we have 192 TITLES! A few things to note for the morning rush. If you're here first thing please join the line and we'll serve everyone in order. One copy per RSD title per person & no holds. AUS LIST TITLES Bob Evans - Suburban Songbook [LP] Broderick Smith – Suitcase [LP] Jebediah - Of Someday Shambles [2LP] Johnny Diesel & The Injectors - Johnny Diesel & The Injectors [2LP] The Amity Affliction – Youngbloods [LP] The Birthday Party - Mutiny/Bad Seed [2LP] The Hard Ons - Harder & Harder [7”] The Loved Ones - Magic Box [LP] The Mint Chicks - Screens [LP] The Reels - The Reels [LP] US LIST TITLES Ace Frehley - Spaceman [LP] Adrenalin O.D. - Let's BBQ [LP] Alien Weaponry - Tu [LP+7''] Anderson .Paak - Bubblin' [7''] Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch - Twin Peaks: Season Two Music And More [2LP] Aretha Franklin - The Atlantic Singles 1967 [5x7'' Boxset] AxCx (Anal C**t) - Picnic Of Love [LP] B-52's, The - Mesopotamia [LP] Bad Religion - My Sanity [7''] Basement - Be Here Now [7''] Benjamin Gibbard - Me And Magdalena / The Concept [7''] Bill Hicks - Revelations: Variations [2LP] Billy Joel - Live At Carnegie Hall 1977 [2LP] Bingo Hand Job (R.E.M. w/ Bragg, Hitchcock & Holsapple) - Live At The Borderline 1991 [2LP] Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - E. 1999 Eternal [2LP] Broken Social Scene - Let's Try The After Vol. 1 & 2 [LP] Buari - Buari [LP] Buffalo Tom - Buffalo Tom (30th Anniversary) [LP] Canned Heat - Remember Woodstock [LP] Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica [2LP] Charlatans, The - Us And Us Only [LP] Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Dice Game And Let It Fall [10'' Chuck Mosley - Joe Haze Session #2 [7''] Courtney Barnett - Everybody Here Hates You [12''] Craig Mack & The Notorious B.I.G. - B.I.G. Mack (Original Sampler) [LP+Cassette] Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 4 Way Street (Expanded Edition) [3LP] Culture - The Nighthawk Recordings [LP] Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist - Fetti [LP] Czarface - Double Dose Of Danger [LP] David Bowie - Pin Ups (2015 Remastered Version) [LP] David Bowie - The World Of David Bowie (Compilation) [LP] David Bowie / Marlene Dietrich - Revolutionary Song / Just A Gigolo [7''] Death Grips - Steroids (Crouching Tiger Hidden Gabber Megamix) [LP] Def Leppard - The Story So Far, Vol. 2 / B Sides [2LP] Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Pretty Africa [LP] Devo - This Is The DEVO Box [6LP] Doors, The - London Fog [10''] Dr. Dog - Live 2 [LP] Dr. Dre - Nuthin' But A ''G'' Thang [12''] Duran Duran - As The Lights Go Down (Live) [2LP] Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs - Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto [LP] Elton John - Live From Moscow [2LP] Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Purse EP [LP] Elvis Presley - Live At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV August 23, 1969 [2LP] Eric Clapton - One More Car One More Rider [3LP] Fatlip - The Loneliest Punk [LP] Flaming Lips, The - King's Mouth: Music And Songs [LP] Fleetwood Mac - The Alternate Fleetwood Mac [LP] Frank Black - Frank Black [LP] Frank Black - Teenager Of The Year [2LP] Frank Zappa - The Guitar World According To Frank Zappa [LP] Golden Earring - Moontan [LP] Gorillaz - The Fall [LP] Grateful Dead - The Warfield, San Francisco, CA 10/9/80 [2LP] Green Day - Woodstock 1994 Live [LP] Green Jelly - Cereal Killer Soundtrack [LP] Green River - Live At The Tropicana 1984 [LP] Greta Van Fleet - From The Fires [LP] Hawkwind - The 1999 Party: Live At The Chicago Auditorium 21st March, 1974 [2LP] High On Fire - Bat Salad [LP] Hockey Dad - Dreamin' [LP] Idles - Meat / Meta [EP] Iggy Pop - Hippodrome - Paris 77 [2LP] Iggy Pop - The Villagers b/w Pain & Suffering [7''] Insurgence DC - Broken In The Theater Of The Absurd [LP] James Brown - Sho Is Funky Down Here [LP] Janis Joplin - Woodstock Sunday August 17, 1969 [2LP] Jeff Buckley - In Transition [LP] Jeff Tweedy - WARMER [LP] Jethro Tull - North Sea Oil [10''] Joe Strummer - The Rockfield Studio Tracks [12''] John Cage Meets Sun Ra - John Cage Meets Sun Ra: The Complete Film [7''+DVD] John Lennon - Imagine: The Raw Studio Mixes [2LP] Julien Baker - Red Door / Conversation Piece [7''] Justin Courtney Pierre (frontman of Motion City Soundtrack) - Open Mic At The Lo-Fi Vol. 1 [LP] Kooks, The - Live At The Moth Club [LP] Kool Keith - Complicated Trip [12''] Kristin Hersh - Crooked [LP] L7 - Burn Baby [7''] Lemonheads, The - Can't Forget / Wild Child [7''] Lou Reed - Ecstasy [2LP] Louis Armstrong - Disney Songs The Satchmo Way [LP] Madonna - La Isla Bonita: Super Mix [LP] Madonna - True Blue (Super Club Mix) [LP] Mark Lanegan Band - Stitch It Up [7''] Mark Ronson - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart [12''] Mastodon - Stairway To Nick John [10''] Matthew Sweet - Pleasure Island, Live [LP] Menzingers, The - No Penance b/w Cemetery's Garden [7''] Midnight Oil - Breathe Tour '97, Live [LP] Mission Of Burma - Peking Spring [LP] Mo-dettes, The The Story So Far [LP] Monty Python - Monty Python's Life Of Brian [LP] Morrissey - Lover-To-Be [7''] Moses Sumney - Black In Deep Red, 2014 [12''] Motorhead - Overkill / Bomber [2x7''] Motorhead - Rockaway Beach [7''] Mumford & Sons - Delta Acoustic Sessions | Live From Electric Lady [10''] My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade Is Dead! [2LP] Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Wait & Return [LP] Ol' Dirty Bastard - Intoxicated [LP] Olafur Arnalds - Re:member + String Quartets [LP+7''] Otis Redding w/Booker T. & The M.G.'s + The Mar-Keys - Just Do It One More Time! Live At The Monterey Pop Festival [LP] Parliaments, The - Baby I Owe You Something Good [LP] Pearl Jam - Live At Easy Street [LP] Pelican - Midnight & Mesaline [7''] Peter Howell & John Ferdinando - Ithaca, Agincourt And Other Psych-Folk Fairy Tales [2LP+CD] Pink Floyd - A Saucerful Of Secrets (Mono) [LP] Police, The - Message In A Bottle [2x7''] Prince - His Majesty's Pop Life / The Purple Mix Club [2LP] Procol Harum - Procol Harum (50th Anniversary USA Edition) [2LP] Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (Soundtrack) [2LP] Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody / I'm In Love With My Car [7''] Ramones, The - Live At The Palladium, New York, NY (12/31/79) [2LP] Robert Johnson - Kind Hearted Woman Blues / Terraplane Blues [10''] Robyn - Body Talk [2LP] Rolling Stones, The - Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass) (UK) [LP] Rolling Stones, The - She’s A Rainbow / Live At U Arena, Paris / 25.10.17 [10''] Rolling Stones, The - Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) (UK) [LP] Roxy Music - Roxy Music - Remixed [2LP] RZA - Birth Of A Prince [2LP] Salvation Army, The - Live From Torrance And Beyond [LP] Santigold - I Don't Want: The Gold Fire Sessions [LP] Serj Tankian - Harakiri [LP] Sherman Brothers, The - Simply Sherman: Disney Hits From The Sherman Brothers [LP] Shocking Blue - Single Collection (A's & B's), Part 2 [2LP] Sly & The Family Stone - Woodstock Sunday August 17, 1969 [2LP] Soccer Mommy - For Young Hearts [LP] Sublime - Nugs: Best Of The Box [LP] SUNN O))) - Life Metal [2LP] Tangerine Dream - Le Parc [2LP] Tangerine Dream - Machu Picchu [LP] Ten In The Swear Jar (Xiu Xiu) - Fort Awesome: Complete Recordings [2LP] Teyana Taylor - Gonna Love Me / WTP (Remixes) [12''] Thrice - Deeper Wells [LP] Todd Rundgren - The Complete U.S. Bearsville & Warner Bros. Singles [4LP] Too $hort - The Pimp Tape [2LP] Townes Van Zandt - The Best Of Townes Van Zandt [2LP] U2 - The Europa [LP] Van Morrison - Astral Weeks Alternative [10''] Various Artists - Boy Meets Girl: Classic Stax Duets [2LP] Various Artists - Brazil Classics 30th Anniversary Box Set [3LP] Various Artists - Coneheads (Soundtrack) [LP] Various Artists - Folk And Pop Sounds Of Sumatra Vol. 2 [2LP] Various Artists - Ghost World (Soundtrack) [2LP] Various Artists - I Am Sam (Soundtrack) [LP Various Artists - Lost In Translation (Soundtrack) [LP] Various Artists - Malcom X (Soundtrack) [LP] Various Artists - Mickey Mouse Disco [LP] Various Artists - New Jack City (Soundtrack) [LP] Various Artists - Office Space (Soundtrack) [LP] Various Artists - Poppies: Assorted Finery From The First Psychedelic Age [LP] Various Artists - Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions Of Weezer [LP] Various Artists - South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (Soundtrack) [2LP] Various Artists - Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (Soundtrack) [LP] Various Artists - Stax Does The Beatles [2LP] Various Artists - Sugar Hill Records: The 12'' D.J. Boxset [6x12'' Boxset] Various Artists - The Crow (Soundtrack) [2LP] Various Artists - Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets Highlights [2LP] Various Artists - Woodstock 3 Days Of Peace Music (Mono PA Version) [3LP] Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground [LP] Vitamin String Quartet - VSQ Performs Bjork [2LP] Weezer - Dusty Gems: The B-Sides [LP] Weezer - Weezer (Teal Album) [LP] Wes Montgomery - Back On Indiana Avenue: The Carroll DeCamp Recordings [2LP] Wipers, The - Alien Boy [7'' EP] Wonder Years, The - The Wonder Years Live From Maida Vale [10''] Yes - Yes [LP] UK LIST TITLES Dexys Midnight Runners - At The BBC 1982 [2LP] Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message [2LP] Mighty Boosh - The Complete Radio Series [3LP] Ronnie Lane & The Band Slim Chance - At The BBC [2LP] Sigur Ros - Lunar Halo 22° [LP] Sigur Ros - Variations In Darkness [LP] Thin Lizzy - Black Rose [2LP] Various Artists - The Freakbeat Scene [2LP] Various Artists - The Mod Scene [2LP] Various Artists - The Northern Soul Scene [2LP] Various Artists - The Psychedelic Scene [2LP] Various Artists - The R&B Scene [2LP] Venom - Manitou [7" picture disc] Yazoo - Reconnected: Live [2LP]

[carriedvoice]

🎵

♫  five times my muse swears it’s not a date, and the one time it maybe is.

@steelstriings u better fuckin give me something good for this lmao

I - Barely a week after meeting, he asks her to come to a concert with him. Just her. No one else. Her friends tease her about this outing being a poorly-disguised date. She doesn’t see it as such. There had been no prior indication of a date. Two music lovers watching a band they both like doesn’t sound like a date. Does it really have to be a date ?  Why do people automatically assume such things when it comes to a guy and a chick going somewhere together ?  Platonic seems to be a word with which no one is familiar. That’s all this is between her and Andrei. Totally platonic.

     The night is more fun than she expects. The band is a group she’s never heard of but it doesn’t matter since the sound is exciting and fun. Way better than the Kuhlau and Spindler she’s been listening to all week. A piano recital is coming up quick and she’s devoted nearly all her free time to diligent practice. Nearly two hours a day. Close to three on weekends. She has to be good. Better than good, actually. It’s something close to a miracle that Andrei has convinced her to go out tonight. Bianca isn’t the type to skip out on any chance to perfect her craft. Something about that boy has brought her out of her shell. Even just a little bit. He’s awfully special to have pulled Bianca away from her beloved ivory keys.

      Throughout the entire gig, she finds no indication that Andrei had intended for a date. Just two kids having fun while the new wave music fills the small venue. They stick close together, laughing and dancing without a care. Other teenagers approach them but they hardly stray from each other. The limited conversations with the other kids make it clear that both of them aren’t interested in making friends. It’s the music that captures their attentions. This band is unlike anything she’s accustomed to hearing. Bianca’s parents have limited her to church hymns and classical pieces. The rare instances she hears the current hits are when she spends the weekend with friends. Radio and records are absolutely nothing compared to seeing musicians in the flesh. Live music is much more different. She’s certain she can actually feel the music course through her, causing a sensation so indescribable yet so euphoric. Or maybe that’s just because she’s never stood so close to a boy before. Throughout the entire set, he’s barely left her side except for the one time he ran off to buy them both drinks.

     Somewhere between songs Andrei’s arm drapes over her shoulders without warning, keeping her small frame close to him. She can smell the leather of his jacket and the strong cologne he wears. For a few fleeting moments, she’s convinced that this truly is a date. By the time the guitar’s echo has segued into the next song, the notion leaves her thoughts and his arm slides away from her. 

     Not a date.

II - She hates scary movies with a passion and he knows that. At least, he should. It isn’t some heavily guarded secret. He drags her to see the third installment of Friday the 13th anyways. The assurance that it’s not as hyped up as people make it out to be does nothing to calm her upset nerves. He claims it’s better than staying at home like a bump on a log. Even with his insistence, she finds herself frightened and hiding her face into his arm for a majority of the film. Horror is her least favorite genre, regardless of whether the movie features vengeful ghosts or machete-wielding murderers. It brings up unnecessary paranoia for her. They stay through the entire thing with Bianca clinging to Andrei for dear life. Her only other solace throughout the film is the bucket of overpriced popcorn. Cheesy as the movie is, it still spooks her. 

     As they walk out of the theater, he drapes his jacket over her shoulders. It has gotten chillier since they’ve been in the theater. Winter is upon them. She finds it odd because he’s never done that before. The arm around her shoulders has been the norm lately but he’s never given her something of his to wear. She says nothing of it as they make their way to the bus stop a block away. Silence between them is nothing new and remains that way for quite some time. It’s not awkward when they don’t fill the space between them with talk. Without conversation, she’s left to her own thoughts. Hands reach up to pull the jacket tighter around her skinny frame. The unexpected gesture makes her wonder if this outing is more than just friends going out to see one of the most poorly-made movies in box office history. Can Andrei letting her wear his jacket still considered as friendly ?  Many movies and television shows have established some sort of amorous gesture behind the man’s jacket being put on the woman.

     She doesn’t ask. It may not be the right thing to question so she keeps her mouth shut on the matter. He may get offended if he does think it is a date and she’s had doubts. These uncertainties are kept to herself. 

     They glance over at each other at the same exact time. Smiles appear on both their faces upon realizing the coincidence before turning into amused laughter. Funny how synchronized they’ve become. A sign of a real connection between them.

     ❛  Are you warm ?  ❜

     ❛  Yeah. The jacket does help.  ❜

     Another smile plays at his lips at her answer and he nods.  ❛  Good, good. Can’t have my bandmate freezing to death.  ❜  Beneath the joking tone, there’s genuine concern.

     The word bandmate sticks in her mind. Any possibilities that could indicate that this had been a date is thrown out the window. And all because of one word ?  Well, yeah. It’s more than enough evidence for her. He’s merely concerned with her well-being. Nothing romantic about that.

     Still not a date.

III - Celebrating their successes is just as fun as the milestone itself. The pair of them always find ways to rejoice in the good things that occur in their lives. This time, though, she’s not quite sure what the happy occasion is. They’re at the park, sitting on a blanket with a bottle of wine between them, hidden beneath his jacket so they don’t get in trouble. A while back they discovered a small hill that has a scenic view. The little hill has been their designated spot ever since. The spring sun shines down on them but it’s not too hot nor is it too cold. The weather is just perfect. A rarity.

     The duo pass the time with conversation though it’s mostly bickering over whose turn it is to get a sip of wine. Bianca knows it’s her turn but she allows him the satisfaction of winning the argument and the next swig of wine. 

     ❛  So, why are we out here ?  ❜  she asks once the smug smirk has disappeared from his lips. 

     Brow raises at her question, as if it’s the stupidest thing she’s ever asked.  ❛  Why not ?  ❜

     ❛  I just thought there’s something worth celebrating if we come out here. That’s the usual, isn’t it ?  Get a gig then head out here to congratulate ourselves ?  ❜  Her hand absently reaches out for the bottle he offers as she continues to speak.  ❛  Is there something you’re not telling me ?  ❜

     ❛  Does it have to be every time we get something good ?  ❜

     He does have a point. A small nod exhibits her agreement with the rhetorical question but she continues to press her side. ❛  True, but I thought the whole point was to have some sort of reward to look forward to.  ❜

     A cheesy smile curls on his lips. She can already picture the jesting twinkle behind his heavily tinted sunglasses. He’s seconds away from making some sort of joke. She’s knows that smile from a mile away.  ❛  Bee,  ❜  he begins as he pulls himself up to sit properly on the blanket and meet her gaze,  ❛  your company is a good enough reward for me.  ❜  For more theatrics, he gives an overly sincere nod and rests his hand over his heart.

     ❛  That’s a lame reply,  ❜  she says with a roll of her eyes. 

     ❛  It’s true !  ❜  he whines.  ❛  Better than any other date I’ve had.  ❜

     Brief shock settles on her upon hearing the dreaded “D” word. She masks astonishment with a few more sips from the wine. Overthinking clouds her mind yet again. By now she should have learned how to tune out the silly assumptions that these outings were anything past friendly. They never have been so why would that change now ?  It’s fruitless to be thinking like this. One more sip and she’s blocked out the irritating thoughts. The bottle returns to him with Bianca pushing for him to have the remainder. There’s not much left.

     She finds some reassurance in remembering how previous instances were not at all dates. This one is no different from the concerts or dinners they go to together.

     No date here.

IV - Touring is much more grueling than she imagined. The performances are fun but the travelling is what gets to her. At least there’s a few days of rest before they finish off the tour and head back home. The two of them have been advised to stay in their hotel to get some well-deserved rest but pent-up energy refuses to be contained for a second longer. 

     Disneyland is only a twenty-minute taxi ride from their hotel. It’s not too far. Neither one of them could pass up the opportunity to cavort around the theme park for a few hours. Over-sized sunglasses and tacky baseball caps are deemed good enough as disguises before they sneak out of the hotel without alerting any crew member. It’s like they’re teenagers again, waiting for their parents to be fast asleep so they can creep through the backdoor and meet at the corner of the street. Currently, it’s the middle of the afternoon but the thrill is alive as ever. Neither one of them can hardly contain their giggles as they hail a cab and use fake names. 

     With his arm around her ( when is it not ? ), they roam the theme park like children, eyes wide with awe and smiles plastered on their faces. The two of them look like they’re having more fun than the children. Battered baseball caps are traded for the iconic mouse hats. Just for kicks they pay a little extra to get their bogus aliases embroidered on the front. Billly Bob and Sharon. The three Ls are not a mistake. Sounds idiotic but it’s all part of the humor.

     Hours pass until they find a vacant bench to sit upon. The hot sun is still beating down on them despite it being past noon. Southern states have a completely different climate than the rest of the US. Her head rests on his shoulder, tipping the mouse ears to the side and almost off her head. She lets it settle in its awkward position while she gets a few moments of sitting. Her eyes close and she blocks out as much of the surrounding noise. A minute passes before she feels something soft press against her lips. The unexpected sensation forces her eyes open only see that he’s offering a piece of his obnoxiously pink cotton candy to her. 

     Has their friendship dwindled down to literally hand-feeding each other ?  It appears so. There is hardly any limits between them at this point. The moment is brief but it must have looked so stupid to onlookers. Like they’re a couple. Thankfully, they aren’t a couple. This isn’t some cheesy date. Even if it does look like they are on a date, that’s definitely not the case. It never has been in all the years they’ve been friends. She doesn’t understand why she still gets those instances of doubt. A romantic connection between them is as unlikely as Kajagoogoo getting another Top Ten. It’s just not realistic. 

     Never will be a date. Ever.

V - It seems like they do everything together. Shopping, eating, cooking, even vacationing. They’re a level short of being a couple. Neither one of them have brought up that topic, though. There’s no need when they have something perfectly functional between them now. What’s the point in tainting it with a real relationship ?  No, they’re better off being friends. 

     The hiatus is meant to keep them away from the band, which means even each other. They obviously don’t care about such recommendations if they take the same flight out to Hawaii. Being apart is practically unheard of for those two. No matter what, Mascarade is a packaged deal. You get one, you get the other whether you like it or not. It’s like that Frank Sinatra song. Can’t have one without the other. Besides, vacationing with no one else tends to be lonely. There’s no fun in that at all. 

     Perhaps the tropical destination is not ideal for someone like Bianca. She doesn’t know how to swim very well. As long as she stays in shallow water she’ll be fine. At her insistence, they spend most of the time exploring the island itself. After dedicating an entire day to hiking, the pair of them spend the evening browsing shops and occasionally purchasing items. For family, for themselves, and, of course, for each other. From time to time a fan stops them for a picture or autograph. The cluster of three grows to almost ten. As much as she loves her fans, she wishes they harbored some respect for her boundaries. She’s supposed to be on a vacation, not signing ten different pictures of herself ripped from Tiger Beat. 

    One by one they eventually return to their own endeavors, visibly thrilled to have bumped into celebrities. As they both finish signing napkins, one fan can’t help but ask,  ❛  You guys on a date or something ?  ❜

     The question nearly causes Bianca to drop the pen mid-signature. Why do people always assume that ?  At this point, it’s close to infuriating. No matter how clear they make it, there’s always a person who can’t grasp the simple concept. Bianca and Andrei are not a couple nor will they ever be.

     ❛  No, we’re just out. As friends,  ❜  she tells the fan, handing back the pen and the napkin. Her name is a little sloppy near the end, surname almost illegible. The query momentarily derailed her train of thought. 

     There’s some doubt in the fan’s eyes as he gives them one last glance before rejoining his own group. The fact that he doesn’t believe the answer makes her feel a little sick to her stomach. People just don’t get it. These things wouldn’t happen if they’re the same sex. Hall & Oates don’t have to deal with their platonic relationship being questioned constantly. Mascarade certainly doesn’t deserve to deal with it either. If she has to hear another interviewer or fan ask about their relationship outside the band, she’s going to tear her hair out in clumps and scream.

     This isn’t a date. It’s not.

Final - They never went out for Valentine’s Day. Usually ( and unfortunately ) their dates would have dumped them by now. The could-be significant others find it difficult to compete with the best friend. There’s only so much of Andrei that her dates can handle. Perhaps it’s high time she learns how to stop talking so much about her band mate. Still, she can’t help it. Andrei is her best friend. Why wouldn’t she talk about him ? 

     With both of them alone for yet another year, he’s brought up the idea of going out to dinner. Together. The idea wouldn’t have struck her as odd but, considering their recent conversation about being a couple, she wonders if there’s a bigger reason to his proposition. The fact that he tells her to  “dress nice”  also brings up more curiosity. With some reluctance from her and unrelenting prodding from him, she finally agrees.  

     ❛  Where are we going ?  ❜  she asks once they’re ready to go.

     His attention pulls away from the mirror. One hand absently fixes the collar of his shirt.  ❛  Don’t you trust me to pick some place good ?  ❜

     Instead of an answer, he’s met with a pause. She’s learned through many trials and errors that she can’t give her full trust to Andrei in certain situations. Some of his choices can be questionable at best.  ❛  Kind of ?  ❜  is the answer she gives and he deems that as a good enough response.

     ❛  It’ll be great, I promise,  ❜  he tells her before they head out the door. He extends his hand out to her with a smile.  ❛  Shall we ?  ❜

     That smile becomes so contagious at times. Without much conscious thought, a grin appears on her face and her hand reaches out to take his. She’s done it many times before. It’s almost second nature to her by now.

     There’s hardly a hint given in regards to their destination. He doesn’t even allow her to hear the address he gives to the chauffeur. He claims it will be a surprise. With the way he’s talking about it, the restaurant better exceed all expectations. Throughout the entire ride, the question of whether it not this is considered a date hangs in the back of her mind. Every time she glances at him, the inquiry threatens to leap out of her mouth. During the instances he does meet her gaze, all she can do is smile and say nothing. What if this is the one time she’s convinced and it ends up being just two close friends having dinner ?

     She silently assures her overactive imagination that this is nothing more than just a way to celebrate a holiday without being completely alone. That’s all. The doubts come crawling back when she sees that they’ve arrived at one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. Uncertainties pile up as he takes her hand again and leads her inside to a private table for two. He even pulls out the chair for her.

     Perhaps, this time, it actually is a date.