Isa grinned a bit, feeling a little calm. Moss is good at hiding, maybe he should-
“Yea, I’m ready! Are you?” He asked, standing up from the chair, and looked over to the bathroom. His wearing the same old black turtleneck and pants, but he did comb his hair back and parted on a side. Looking neat and suave for once.
Isa caught that look and smiled bashfully. Opening the door and closing it behind them before they made their way to the square. The pair can see a slight difference the deeper they go into the village. More cobbler stones are part of the road, the buildings were a little bigger with stalls pop out at the front. Vines crawling up the walls with it’s leafy greens reaching up for the sleeping sun’s light. Isa would lightly bump his shoulders with Moss’, bashfully smiling as he looked away; seeing the lanterns and lamps turning on. Children pulling their parents with excitement as the parents pretended to be yanked, chuckling as they went to the square.
With a violin‘s strings singing it’s notes, welcoming the listeners, Moss and Isa found themselves in the square. The area is open, circular with hanging lights and streamers on each street lamp. People are sitting on metal benches, leaning on something, or dancing around to the violin. Children playing and laughing, following the fireflies that are hovering lazily. Smack dab in the middle of the playful crowd is the violinist, Serena, dancing and jamming with her strings, popping her leg straight up as she stood on the thick stone rim of the flower bed; ending with a long sharp end.
”Alright! One, two, three!” She immediately went to another song, one that caused most of the adults come into the middle. Skirts flowed and billowed, men’s boots stomp on the ground. Isa spotted Renee, Seifer, Chenglei, and Kenren dancing too, having fun to the folk-like song. More instruments started playing with Serena, who whooped.
The redhead chuckled, clapping his hands with the beat, then he followed a pink firefly. Getting curious as he poked it. With a loud pop of confetti, he jumped and lightly bumped into Moss, laughing. “No wonder the kids keep chasing ’em.” He looked at the merman, smiling joyfully.
Moss bumped back, happy his affections are returned. And he realized something, isn't this like a date? He smiled as they crossed a cobblestone bridge. What does he dooooooooo???? He was getting all wiggly and bubbly inside.
"Wowwwww." gaped Moss looking at all the festi ivities.
There were magical sweets for sale courtesy of Johnny who was so distracted by Echo singing he wasn't noticing his chocolate frogs were hopping out of their glass box; long lasting bubblegum balloons floated in the air, kids were daring each other to eat odd looking jelly beans from a bag of Every Flavor Beans, the young at heart were playing with walking and crawling gummy bears and worms, there were chocolate eggs the size of ostritch eggs, and there were big sticks of crispy potato fries dipped in cheese, sour cream. There were also hot drinks, ale, and firewhisky going around as the villagers made merry; Sen was delighting kids by firing off extravagant fireworks like spinning pinwheels flying in the air, crackling sparking long dragons, and fizzing pink flying pigs; James was next to a large enchanted stack of hay that was very bouncy, and kids and adults alike were jumping up and down. He was guarding them casting featherfall on those who bounced too far so that they fell safely.
"That's amazing magic! How does it turn into confetti?" said Moss, running after another firefly and popping it too. He popped all fireflies that came near them and said, "Another!" and went after more.
"Isa, let's go to the bouncy hay and then try all the games and eat everything!" Moss pointed everywhere. He was so amazed at the enchanted food, wanting to learn how it was made.
It came from Serena who heard ‘Another’ and she played her violin, watching it glow purple as more fireflies appeared. “Illusions.” Isa told Moss, popping a few that was near. Echo singing was actually causing the tree roots to grow and form into a playground treehouse that could let children and adults climb all over. With the slide and swing landings covered in soft clovers.
Isa excitedly nod, grabbed Moss‘ hand, and ran over to the bouncing hay. “Hiya, James!” He greeted and after the book keeper enchanted them, the redhead jumped in. Feeling the hay give in his step before pushing back, jumping a little higher than before. He couldn’t hold back his joyous yell, holding onto Moss’ hand tight as if he never done this.
When it came to the food, the redhead wouldn’t stop sharing his food with Moss as they tried different things. There were candied apples with bits that popped and crackled in his mouth like mini explosives. The fries tasted so good too, as he dipped one into the sour cream cheese. Not realizing he had a chocolate frog land on his head and shoulders. He was getting hyper from all the sugar, sipping a slushee flavored in cherry and blueberry jam. Bouncing in Place. He has yet let go of the merman’s hand.
Moss pretended he didn't notice Isa holding his hand too long, and squeezed it back when they bounced together, shared crispy sour cream cheese dipped fries, and brushed off the chocolate frog from Isa's shoulder, which ended up jumping on to his horn and dangling there, smearing his forehead with little chocolate froggy footprints.
He tapped his feet to the beat of the music, and when Serena created more fireflies he cheered popping them one-handed. When the musical duo started another lively song, Moss grinned at Isa shyly. "Do you want to dance?"
Isa chuckled when he saw the frog land on Moss’ horn and leaving chocolate footprint smears all over. “Hold still, Moss.” He reached up with a sleeve pulled by his other hand and gently wiped the smears away. Cheeks tinted pink but he didn’t stop until Moss’ horn and forehead is clean. “There. All clean.”
The redhead followed Moss as he popped the fireflies, just sucking on a lollipop that he couldn’t stop eating. Bobbing his head to the song ... until Moss asked him to dance. His breath hitched when he stared at Moss with wide eyes and smiled back, nodding. “Yea! Let’s dance!” Then he kind of skipped to the dance floor, squeezing Moss’ hand before letting go to copy what the others are doing.
He looks very silly and awkward. Limbs moving off beat and steps that are too all over the place, but Isa is having fun. Not really caring what he looked like.
Moss chuckled, of all the things. He didn't expect dancing to be Isa's Achilles heel, but he was having fun and that was all that mattered. Moss jived with Isa, exchanging partners, but always looking forward to his turn to dance with him. Many of the village ladies were charmed by how silly and cute Isa was, or how suave Moss danced, that a couple asked each of the two if they wanted to hang out, have drinks together, or just talk.
Whenever the ladies asked him to hang out, have drinks, or talk, Isa would smile and play up the cuteness as he gently told the ladies that he’s spoken for; but flattered. “But gurrrrl, you are brave! I cannot even bring up the courage most of the time.“ He encouraged each one, knowing it’s hard to ask a guy out like they did.
As Isa and Moss finally met up again on the last jovial note, chests barely touching as the song changed. A piano strummed it‘s keys, accompanied by Serena’s violin strings. Couples and a few crushing friends stayed on the floor, their bodies close and slow. The sun settling down as the moon brought it’s white face up in the darkened sky. The hovering fireflies changed color, to soft pinks and peaches.
The redhead stared at Moss with a shy smile, hope gleaming like a star in his indigo eyes as the lamp posts became brighter. Flushed cheeks turned red as he twiddled his thumbs together. “Do ya . . . Um. Want to?” He mumbled bashfully. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-! He said it! He said it! Sure, it was kind of quiet but he couldn’t— ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Isa’s bashful smile grew warm as he took Moss’ offered hand with his own; trembling. “M-me too.” Then he stepped closer to the merman, reaching up to hold onto his shoulder with his other shaking hand. He cleared his throat as he peered up. His heart’s racing-!
Moss' hand respectfully held Isa's waist, and then smiled down at him happily. Gently, he led them waltzing slowly on the firefly lit square, having a hard time keeping down his bubbly emotions, betrayed by the bright smile on his face.
"Isa, what are we?" he dared to ask, finally confronting his attraction for this man, all the flirting, the unspoken returned feelings, and the many kindnesses for the past two months.
When he saw Moss’ bright smile, Isa melted, unable to look away as he followed his steps. Somehow, it was easier and relaxing to dance with him. His breathe hitched at the question and it took a quiet moment for Isa to think.
“In love.” He daringly replied. “We’re in love, Moss.”
Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssss. Wait, oh dear he has to control himself. No, the temptation is too great. Moss dipped his head, stopping just a whisper away from Isa's lips, looking in his eyes for the permission to kiss.
Oh gosh- he’s so close. Isa willingly drowned in the ocean teals of Moss’ eyes. Leaning in and closing the tiny gap as they brushed and pressed their lips together. His stained red cheeks matched his hair as Isa timidly wrapped both of his arms around his shoulders loosely. Letting out a happily little hum as he fluttered his dazed eyes sleepily.
The music sounded muffled, far away as Isa continued to drown into the kiss. Feeling warm and safe as Moss wrapped his arms around him too. Not moving, just feeling. It wasn’t until his lungs were screaming for him to breath, did the redhead lean back. Only a hair’s breathe away from kissing him again, gasping heavily, and feeling drunk. He’s red from ears to his neck.
”I’ve wanted to give ya my first kiss.” Isa huffed, smiling sweet. “Wanna take my second one too?”
- Moss Adamaris - “Can’t help falling in love too~”
Moss laughed. "Yes!" He cupped his cheeks, and then kissed him again, savoring as much as he liked. He sighed. He was humbled and honored and happy that he received Isa's first kiss. He drew back to let Isa breathe. "Do you want to go somewhere more private?"
Leh red Isa could only nod yes, not realizing the girls in the village fanning themselves as they watched the two foreign guys kiss during a slow dance.
- Moss Adamaris - “Can’t help falling in love too~”
Moss grabbed Isa's hand and look for a nice quiet place in the village that they would like. A place where they could see the fireworks and have a nice view of the festivities. It ended up being the top of a grassy hill, where Moss laid down his wintercoat for them to sit on the ground.
The stars were very pretty. Moss was seeing the cozy village in rose tinted glasses. He had so many questions, and just wanted to kiss Isa, and hug him too, all at once, but ended up just beaming at him, holding his hand dreamily. "I'm so happy. To tell you the truth, Isa, I've been in love with you for such a long time."
It took a wobbly walk up to a grassy hill for Isa to gather his thoughts together and be less red. Just a subtle pink as they watched the festival together. The redhead sat next to Moss, holding hands, and touching shoulders. Smiling sweet and melted again at the sight of a happy Moss.
” I’ve been in love with ya too . . . Since the mountain.” Isa hummed, lightly rubbing his thumb on Moss‘s hand. His smile turned timid. “A-and because of that, I want to tell ya something, if you’re willing?”
- Moss Adamaris - “Can’t help falling in love too~”
"O!" Moss stared at him. "So, you were thinking about that too. I would love to date you! And also, maybe after I've gotten my friends home, we could go on more dates?" he smiled excitedly.