Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tick Tock 

      Tick Tock…

Ellen was bored.

She sat slumped at her desk, eyes locked on the clock mounted above her professor’s head. Every second dragged by like molasses as he droned on—not about the course material, but about his own life story. Today’s anecdote? How his “life officially started” after his divorce and the unfortunate onset of his balding. Honestly, Ellen thought, it could be worse. Listening to his midlife crisis monologue was still better than solving math problems for the next twenty minutes. Priorities were priorities.

The professor’s voice eventually faded into a hum of white noise, blending with the murmured conversations of classmates who were just as checked out. Finally, at exactly 5:30 PM, the classroom bell rang. Chaos erupted almost immediately—students packed their bags with the frantic energy comparable to escapees bolting from a prison.

“Don’t forget, your finals start next week! Submit your work before exams. Enjoy your weekend!” the professor called cheerfully over the commotion.

The few students who were still inside gave a lackluster chorus of “Goodbye” in response.

Finals. Then Christmas break. Ellen sighed inwardly. So far, she’d managed to stay on top of things—assignments, projects, everything. Lycaon, of course ever reliable, had helped her with most of it, and she was really grateful for that. She grabbed her bag in one lazy motion, slinging it over her shoulder as she stood and shuffled toward the door.

Technically, the weekend was hers to waste. Studying could wait—cramming on exam day was a strategy that had always worked so far. Lycaon had even insisted she take the week off from commissions to focus on school. And yet, with no assignments or projects to worry about, the sudden emptiness in her schedule felt... odd.

Restless, Ellen mulled over her options as she wandered out into the hallway. She could hibernate all weekend, sure, but even that thought made her feel sluggish. What she really needed was something to snap her out of the boredom. Something fun.

Then it hit her like a lightbulb flicking to life: karaoke. Singing her lungs out for a night sounded like the perfect way to end the week.

Excited, she pulled out her phone and fired off a text to her friends.

Ellen: You know what would be fun right now?

She typed, thumbs gliding over the keyboard while she dodged a crowd of students in the packed hallway. Her other hand clutched the strap of her swinging messenger bag. It didn’t take long for the replies to roll in.

Monna: Boba?

Lynn: Rest.

Ruby: Gossip?!

Ellen: Damn lol. I was thinking about karaoke.

Ellen chuckled at their responses, momentarily slowing her pace as she glanced between her phone and the path ahead. A group of students barreled past, and she instinctively stepped closer to the wall to avoid getting bumped.

Ruby: Aww, I’m sure that would be sooo fun! But I can’t hang out for too long… My boyfriend’s helping me study for finals :(

Lynn: I don’t have a boyfriend, but I’m really tired. Too many projects and homework to do right now! Sorry, Ellen 🙁…

Monna: I have a sore throat! But I’m okay with boba if you still want to hang out! 😁

Disappointment crept up on her as she read their messages, her steps faltering. She missed them. Even though they all attended the same campus, their schedules never seemed to line up anymore. Sighing softly, she adjusted her bag and typed back while navigating the hallway toward the exit.

Ellen: It’s ok, don’t get boba, Monna. You already have a sore throat. Do you want it to get worse?

Monna: That’s ok! My boyfriend’s cu* will cure my sore throat~

Ellen stopped dead in her tracks, face contorting into an involuntary grimace.

Lynn: EW TMI!!! 🤢🤮 

Ruby: ALRIGHT, WE GET IT! Miss-sexually-active-Monna! 🙄

Ellen: I wish I could bleach my eyes.

Monna: What?! I meant cuddles! Y’all nasty 🙄…🤪

Ellen: We should get you sedated.

Despite the absurdity of Monna’s reply, it still managed to coax a laugh out of Ellen. Her feet moved on autopilot, carrying her toward the university gates and the descending metro stairs. By the time she reached the bottom step, her phone buzzed again.

Monna: Oh Ellen~! When you find your lover, you’ll understand 😉

Lover? Ellen blinked, the word lingering in her mind longer than she liked. Relationships weren’t something she thought about much. Crushes, maybe, but nothing serious. Love felt... distant. Trivial, even.

She boarded the train, settling into a corner seat by the window. As the train rumbled to life, her thoughts began to wander again.

Sure, she’d had suitors. Probably more than she realized. If anything, Monna was the one who had to spell it out for her when people showed interest. Like that time a guy handed her a letter and a rose. She’d thought it was the drama club trying to recruit her again. Monna had nearly screamed when Ellen admitted she almost threw the letter away.

The guy was cute, sure, but Ellen hadn’t felt anything.

Then there was that kickboxer girl from the fight club. Monna swore up and down the girl had “the hots” for Ellen, whatever that meant. But her brazen personality had been... off-putting.

Did she even have a type? Someone bold, maybe. Funny. Reliable. Maybe someone... like Belle?

Ellen’s heart skipped a beat, and she blinked hard, staring out the window as the train rolled by.

Belle? No way. Belle probably had someone already—some hacker boyfriend, or girlfriend, or partner. She led a double life, after all. It wouldn’t be surprising.

Still, Ellen couldn’t help but admire her. Belle was cool. They’d hung out plenty of times before. Sometimes she would even invite her over, but that had stopped recently. Belle and her brother must've been busy running their store and doing commissions.

A yawn escapes the shark thiren's lips, effectively breaking her line of thought. Then she shook her head and muttered, “Don’t fall asleep, Ellen. You don’t want to end up on 9th Street... again.”

...

Zzzzz...

The sudden lurch of the train jolted her awake. Heart racing, she grabbed her bag and stumbled toward the door with a groggy head. The cold air outside snapped her fully awake as she looked around.

This wasn’t her street. Yet something about it felt familiar.

Just outside the metro stood 404 Live House, its neon sign flickering faintly. Across the street, the glowing storefront of Box Galaxy was unmistakable.

“Sixth Street,” Ellen groaned, running a hand down her face. So much for being careful.

Since she was already here, she figured she might as well make the most of it. She wandered toward the wall of posters, slowing as her eyes scanned the pubmats lining the side of the entrance. A fresh one caught her attention.

Tonight’s debut band: KLYMENE.

Her gaze drifted to the band members on the poster who all looked effortlessly cool, but her eyes locked onto one person in particular.

A girl with short, styled blue hair.

Ellen blinked, leaning closer.

No way... Belle?

Curiosity sparked in her as she doted onto the poster. Could it really be her? There was only one way to find out. Their set started in thirty minutes. Plenty of time , she thought. And even if it wasn’t Belle, at least she’d get to hear some live music.

Ellen hurriedly scanned the QR code at the bottom of the poster to secure a ticket, excitement thrumming in her chest as she descended the narrow stairs into the dimly lit venue. The place buzzed with a low hum of chatter and quiet anticipation. It wasn’t packed yet, but the growing crowd lent the room a vibrant, electric feel.

Her gaze immediately shifted toward the stage. Staff members moved about, making last-minute adjustments—tuning guitars, fiddling with cables, and testing the stage lights. At the center sat a drum kit, the name KLYMENE emblazoned boldly across its bass drum.

But Ellen’s attention didn’t linger there. Her eyes locked onto the red guitar propped carefully off to the side, and her stomach flipped.

I’ve seen that guitar before, she realized. It had been sitting in Belle’s room the last time they hung out when they watched some random movie together.

So it is her.

Ellen bit her lip, suppressing the grin that was about to spread through her face. Her heart raced, though she couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. Maybe it was just the thrill of recognizing someone she knew, but even then how could she be so sure? Maybe as ridiculous as it sounded, it was Belle’s long-lost twin all along.

Yeah, sure. That’s a stretch.

Still, the emotions swirling in her chest refused to be ignored. Her excitement was obvious, but there was something else too, something that refused to be unacknowledged every time Belle crossed her mind. She didn’t know why this whole ordeal had her so flustered. 

Maybe I do have curious feelings after all?

Before Ellen could dissect that thought further, the room began to fill. Students and strangers alike filed in, the crowd growing thicker by the second. The venue’s lights dimmed, leaving the stage aglow with soft hues of purple and blue. A hush fell over the audience, only broken by quiet murmurs and the occasional excited squeals.

And just as Ellen felt like she was standing on her toes, it finally started.

“6th Street! How are you all doing tonight?!”

The familiar voice boomed through the speakers. Ellen froze, her eyes snapping to the stage as the crowd erupted in cheers.

The band members started to file out one by one. First, a tall guy appeared radiating confidence off him as he slung a bass guitar across his shoulder. The crowd greeted him with whistles and applause. Next came a woman, seemingly shy as she shuffled toward the black guitar—the one positioned beside Belle’s. After her, the drummer who was a broad-shouldered bear thiren sauntered to the drum kit, playfully tapping a roll across the cymbals.

And then, finally, she appeared. Time seemed to slow as Belle stepped into the spotlight. Her aquamarine eyes sparkled under the stage lights, her short blue hair—parted differently than usual—bouncing with each confident step. She wore a leather jacket layered over a white polo, paired effortlessly with a mini skirt, uneven leg warmers over knee high socks, and chunky platform boots.

Ellen swore she forgot how to breathe.

She’s… gorgeous.

Sure, Belle had always been beautiful. But this? Seeing her under the glow of the stage lights, exuding so much confidence—it was magnetic. She looked like she belonged there, a natural in her element. Her fingers curled delicately around the microphone as she bobbed her head to an imaginary beat with a wide grin. She strode to the mic stand, slid the mic in effortlessly, and swung the red guitar over her shoulder in one graceful motion. The crowd cheered excitedly.

Belle leaned forward, her lips brushing close to the microphone. “Presenting the members of KLYMENE! We have Groovy Gray on drums!”

The bear thiren launched into a quick, playful rhythm, striking the snares and floor drums before rolling on the cymbals in a way that left the crowd roaring in response.

“Next, we have our guest instrumentalist and fan-favorite, Tarshi, on bass!”

Tarshi, the tall bassist, grinned as he slid his palm down the neck of his instrument, teasing out a funky, energetic riff that earned another round of wild cheers.

“And for our lead guitarist, we have the lovely Sansa!”

Sansa stepped up and played a perfect harmony over Tarshi’s riff, her fingers nimble and precise as she played through the notes. The crowd swayed to the rhythm as the energy in the room increased in anticipation.

Belle’s grin widened as she took her place center stage. She strummed a series of crisp chords, her slender fingers gliding effortlessly across the fretboard. The room erupted again, the cheers almost deafening.

“And of course,” Belle announced with a laugh, her voice playful, “yours truly, Belle, as your main vocalist!”

Ellen’s heart slammed against her ribs. She couldn’t even tell if the pounding was from the reverberating drums or her own erratic heartbeat. And before she knew it, the band had launched into their first song. Belle’s voice filled the venue, cold yet powerful, it blended perfectly into the instrumental. She swayed with the music, her body moving instinctively to the rhythm.

Ellen couldn’t look away. She was utterly mesmerized by Belle’s voice, her graceful movements—everything about her held Ellen captivated beyond reason. She watched intensely, her eyes following every single detail that was making this whole experience even better than the second before.

Did she just give me a wink?

Ellen’s heart refused to calm down as she savored the moment. She kept her eyes wide, cheering, and occasionally taking photos and short videos. Excitedly hanging onto every moment until the band finished their very last set. 

Eventually the final note lingered in the air, and as KLYMENE gave their gracious goodbyes, the room erupted in deafening cheers. Only then did Ellen realize she’d been holding her breath as air rushed back into her lungs as though she’d forgotten how to breathe entirely. Her gaze never left the stage, or rather, never left Belle as she disappeared onto the side.

“I can’t believe I caught that on video! That cutie vocalist really winked at me!” Exclaimed the highschool student beside Ellen. The shark thiren couldn’t help but grimaced involuntarily at this, as she was sure the wink was directed at her . 

Soon enough the crowd began to stir, voices rising as people cheered and shuffled toward the exits. Ellen, however, stayed rooted to her spot, her gaze locked on the stage even as the rest of the staff took over to check on the equipment. Her body felt strangely restless, as if the energy of the performance still crackled in her veins. What are you even doing? she thought.

But she didn’t move.

The staff were already beginning to pack up—wrapping cables, carrying amps—and the stage slowly fell quiet. The rush of excitement in the room was now replaced by murmurs of lingering conversations, but Ellen stayed, scanning for a glimpse of Belle as if she’d reappear any second. It felt irrational, this pull to stay and wait, but she couldn’t shake it.

Maybe I’ll just catch her leaving… The thought slid through her mind before she could stop it. She quickly shoved her hand to her pocket and tightened her grip on her phone, then glanced over the velvet ropes set up near the exits, trying to convince herself she wasn’t being ridiculous. People were already being herded in waves out of the small livehouse, the crowd shuffling slowly but steadily forward. Ellen lingered awkwardly, letting people pass her, glancing over her shoulder one last time.

Should I wait? She bit her lip, her feet refusing to budge. What am I seriously even thinking?

A resigned sigh slipped out as she reluctantly let the flow of the crowd sweep her along, trudging toward the exits. The velvet ropes forced the line into a single path, leaving little room for hesitation. She glanced back toward the emptying stage one last time, half-expecting Belle to come strolling out, only to be met with nothing.

As soon as stepped out of the venue, a wave of cold air hit along with reality—KLYMENE had probably already left through a side exit before anyone else could flood the space. Ellen cursed under her breath.

I literally have direct messages with her. I could just text her, she reminded herself, rolling her eyes at her own dramatic inner monologue.

Her phone buzzed just then, as if it had been listening. Ellen fumbled to unlock it, her heart skipping a beat.

Ellen: Yo Proxy, are you actually in a band?

A half-laugh escaped her lips at her own message—sent in a moment of flustered impulse—and before she could think too hard, another notification popped up.

Belle: Hi Ellen!! I knew it was you in the crowd! Did ya like our performance? 😀

Ellen stopped dead in her tracks and leaned onto the wall, letting other people pass her by. Her thumb shakily hovered over the screen, clearly still in a dazed excitement from all of the emotions she had experienced just by simply watching Belle perform. She couldn’t hide the growing smile and harsh blush that was flooding her face.

She saw me? Somehow, the thought made her chest flutter in a way she wasn’t prepared for. Quickly, she typed a response, her thumbs dancing over the keyboard as she tried to sound calm.

Ellen: It was amazing. I enjoyed it.

Satisfied, she tucked her phone away, carefully navigating through the thinning crowd. Her feet carried her up the stairs, the noise of the venue fading behind her. She emerged at the top flight, pausing for a second to pull herself together—until a familiar flash of blue stopped her mid-step.

Belle.

Ellen froze. The Proxy stood just a few feet away, her back turned toward her, that signature blue hair unmistakable under the soft street lights. But it wasn’t just Belle that caught Ellen’s attention—it was who she was with.

Leaning close to her was Sansa, the lead guitarist. The two of them were huddled together, whispering and giggling softly. Sansa’s arm was linked with Belle’s, their bodies so close it was as if they were joined at the hip.

Ellen’s chest tightened, a strange pang cutting through her ribs. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look away even as her thoughts tumbled over one another.

So she’s taken?

Just then, another notification buzzed through.

Belle: I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for supporting us :)

Her mind scrambled to rationalize the scene, her fingers curling tightly around her phone. She turned away, trying to convince herself that it didn’t matter. Well… that’s fine. It’s not a big deal. I’m just infatuated. That’s all.

The words repeated in her head, as if saying them enough would make them true.

I’m just infatuated, Right?

Riiiight?

Chapter Text

Inside Ellen’s dimly lit room, the only light source aside from the sun rays going through her curtains were coming from her phone which buzzed occasionally with notifications. It was the morning after she’d spent the evening fangirling over Belle, and instead of feeling refreshed, she was greeted by an annoying pang of disappointment.

Why do I feel like this? She thought. Why, after brushing the tiny thought of finding a lover, did she suddenly feel like she wanted Belle? Like, really wanted her. It was as if she was going through puberty all over again and it sucked.

Her eyes fluttered open as her brain decided to throw these thoughts at her all at once. Lying on her stomach, tail bent toward the curtain, she groaned dramatically. “Ugh, why am I thinking about her so early in the morning?!” She shoved her face into her pillow, hoping to smother both her voice and her embarrassment.

If she had anything to do—commissions, schoolwork, literally anything—she’d have gladly taken it just to give her brain a break. But no, instead, she was stuck thinking about a certain blue-haired guitarist and her stupidly charming everything.

Her mind wandered anyway, ignoring her protests. Belle’s soft, bouncy hair. Her perfect lips curving into a smile. The way her body swayed as she played the guitar, completely lost in the music. That amazing, sonically pleasing voice...

And then, like an intrusive ad that no one asked for: I wonder how she sounds like when she moans.

Ellen’s mind short-circuited. Her face turned deep red as she bolted upright, clutching her pillow like it might protect her from her own thoughts. “ What the hell was that?! ” she whisper-yelled to herself, tail whipping against the bed in panic.

She buried her face in her hands, heat rushing to her cheeks. What is wrong with me? She groaned internally for the nth time. But the more she tried to shove the thought away, the more it lingered, making her feel an awkward mix of embarrassment and... something else that was stirring from her chest and stomach, or was it lower?

“Nope. No, no. I need to do something.” She shook her head.

She grabbed her phone to check the time, 8:49 am. Her thumb scrolled down to have a quick preview of her notifications, the majority were just texts from her friends about requirements and course reminders. There was nothing of importance to have her mind occupied with anything else. 

The thiren then places her phone down with a surrendering sigh, plopping down the bed to lay on her side. Her ruby red eyes lazily drifted at the ray of sunlight slipping through the inbetween of her curtains. Her line of sight followed the light, landing by the edge of her bed.

There sat Ellen’s bass guitar, neatly kept inside a hard case covered in various stickers of sharks and sweets. The morning light sneaking through the curtains illuminated it like some divine sign.

She pulled herself lazily, pushing her legs to swing down to the edge of her soft mattress. Admittedly, aside from being lovestruck by Belle, it ignited her passion to play the bass again.

Once standing up, she stretched herself to grab the hard case. Just behind it was the dusty, tiny amplifier with the cord coiled up by the handle on top. She hasn’t opened that case nor even touched her instrument ever since graduating junior highschool. With a sigh, she lifts the case towards her bed and lays it down. Her fingers trace against the curves before swiftly clicking on the buckles as she lifts the lid. 

To say the least, her instrument wasn’t in terrible shape. Its black coat gleamed dull against the soft morning light. 

Ellen instinctively clenches her left hand before rubbing her thumb by the point of her fingers, realising that her calluses may have already softened over time. Regardless, she loomed over to the tiny amplifier, uncoiling the cord and plugged the power in. Then she lifts her bass, the white strap slightly greyed from the dust. 

After a few readjustments, her bass fit snugly around her body. She placed her palm by the close neck of her instrument, gently gliding down to the first fret. Then she plugs her cord onto the bass and switches the amp on by her toe.

Here came the moment of truth, her finger pressed by the third string as she plucks. But instead of hearing a resonant note of C…

TWANG!

Was the sound that broke the silence in her room. 

“Ah.” was all Ellen said, staring blankly at the broken string.

She inspected the bass with a sigh. Rusted strings, crusty pegs and knobs—it definitely needed some TLC. But instead of being discouraged, she actually felt relieved and excited.

I need to get this maintained , she thought, setting the bass back into its case.

Her tail flicked with a hint of excitement as she stood up. At least now she had something to do—and maybe getting to fix her bass would help untangle the mess of feelings that bombarded her the moment she woke.

Off to Lumina Square she goes!

After tidying up her bass and letting her thoughts wander to Belle far too much during her shower, Ellen dressed quickly. She picked out a black mini skirt and a matching turtleneck, layering it with a bomber jacket for the chilly weather. To complete the look, she grabbed her white zip-up platform boots, their chunky soles perfect for stomping around the city. Finally slinging her bass case over her shoulders, she headed for the metro.

On the train, Ellen hugged the case to her chest, letting the rhythm of the ride lull her into a light doze. Thankfully, she managed to stay alert enough to avoid missing her stop this time. By the time she climbed the last flight of stairs from the Lumina Square station, she stretched her shoulders, feeling the familiar weight of the instrument on her back. It was comforting in its own way, like carrying a piece of herself.

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she searched for directions to Strings & Ballad, the music store that offered instrument maintenance. Just a short three-minute walk , she noted, conveniently close to the teamilk shop she frequented.

The sun peeked through scattered clouds, its warmth mingling pleasantly with the crisp breeze. Her tail swayed behind her, unknowingly admitting her good mood as she strolled down the street.

Ellen passed the teamilk shop, catching a whiff of sweet, sugary tea that made her stomach rumble. Still, she pressed on, thinking that she could get her boba later. Then eventually she passed beneath the foot bridge, took a sharp left and immediately spotted her destination—a quaint little music store with instruments displayed neatly behind the glass windows.

With no time to waste, she pushed in. As the door opens, she was greeted by the chime of bells and the warm familiar voice of an android stationed behind the counter.

“Welcome, Miss Ellen! It’s been a while since you last visited.” the android greeted, her voice as sunny as the day outside. Her dark umber skin seemed to glow in the light streaming through the windows, and her box braids swayed with her movements. She leaned casually against the counter, her graphic tee and cargo pants giving her a relaxed yet stylish vibe.

“Hey, Elodie.” Ellen replied, a small smile tugging at her lips as she stepped closer. The bells chimed softly behind her as the door closed. “How’ve you been?”

“Same as always,” Elodie replied with a grin. “I’m happy to meet new faces—and of course, familiar ones too. Now, what can I do for you?”

Ellen set the bass case on the counter, sliding it toward her silently. Elodie raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and understanding from the quiet interaction, before she flipped open the locks to reveal the instrument inside.

“It’s basically just unmaintained. I haven’t played in a while.” Ellen admitted with a sigh, watching as Elodie gently lifted the bass by the neck, inspecting the strings and the body.

Elodie nodded thoughtfully. “This should be easy to fix, but I might need some time to dig through my storage for the right pegs. This was custom-made, wasn’t it?”

Ellen hummed affirmingly. “Yeah. I really poured my soul into this instrument... which makes me feel worse about letting it get into this state. And now I’m dumping all the work on you.” Her tail drooped slightly, the feeling of guilt slightly weighing onto her.

Elodie waved her hand dismissively with the sweetest smile. “Oh, don’t worry about it. This is part of a luthier’s work, after all.” She carefully placed the bass back into its case, securing the locks before adding, “I’ll have it ready for you to pick up around 6 PM. I still have to look for the perfect replacements, otherwise It shouldn’t take any longer than that.”

Ellen checked her phone—12:34 PM. Plenty of time to kill. “Alright, I’ll come back around that time then. Thanks, Elodie.”

They exchanged goodbyes as Ellen stepped back outside, only to be greeted by a loud, impatient grumble from her stomach. “Hotpot.” she muttered to herself, almost drooling, already envisioning the warm, savory meal. With a bounce on her steps, she quickened her pace heading straight to the hotpot restaurant. And soon with almost no recollection, she was already seated, eagerly flipping through the menu.

She didn’t hold back, ordering seafood broth, fish fillets, squid, crab meat, bok choy, cabbage, mushrooms, and even a corn cob for good measure. As the steam curled up from the pot, Ellen savored each bite, the different rich flavors dancing on her taste buds as she chowed down til the very last droplet of broth.

After an hour passed and with her stomach full, Ellen decided to head to the mall. It had been a while since she’d indulged in some window shopping. She strolled past rows of brightly lit stores, her eyes drifting to mannequins wearing bright pink dresses. She smirked, imagining herself wearing them. It truly was something so out of character. Yet the thought was amusing, even if she’d never actually go through with it.

Eventually, she glanced at her phone again which showed the time had forwarded to 3 PM. Three more hours to kill. Ellen stepped out of the mall, standing idly by the entrance as she scanned her surroundings for inspiration on what to do next.

Karaoke? Nah, it’s no fun alone. She thought of asking her friends to join, but remembered they were all busy prepping for finals. Maybe boba? Her eyes glistened at the idea upon setting her sights at the boba shop just across the street, and so she decided to make her way there.

As she approached the crosswalk, the pedestrian light turned red. Ellen sighed, tapping her boot impatiently against the pavement. The shop was so close, yet she didn’t feel like taking the footbridge. Crossing her arms, she waited for the light to change, her mind drifting to the events of the day.

She’d had fun keeping herself busy, but a small part of her wished she’d spent the day with friends—or even Belle. She would’ve invited me to hang out…  

Her mind inadvertently reminded her of the woman that drove her crazy in admiration.

Ellen froze. Her cheeks warmed as she realized she’d fallen into the same trap. After all her efforts to keep busy, she was right back where she started. Seriously?

The light turned green, and Ellen shoved her hands into her jacket’s pockets, keeping her head low as she crossed the street.

But as she reached the other end of the street and neared the teamilk shop, a familiar laugh stopped her in her tracks. Her head shot up, her heart skipping a beat as her gaze locked onto Belle walking towards her general direction, her blue hair catching the sunlight like a beacon, illuminating her already glowing, gorgeous face.

And beside her was Sansa.

The sight hit Ellen like a punch to the chest. Her tail stilled, and for a moment she forgot how to breathe. Straightening herself, she shook her head slightly while panning to the side. Gotta play it cool.

LOOK UP, ELLEN. LOOK UP! She screamed at herself internally. And before she knew it, she was staring straight at the sky, cheeks burning as if someone had turned up the heat.

Her brain was racing with a hundred thoughts, most of them a jumbled mess of: Isn’t she cold?! Her stomach’s out! But that ribbon is adorable… she’s so adorable… The rest of her brain? It was doing everything in its power to keep her from losing control and pouncing at Belle to do God Knows What.

On the other hand, Belle was entirely oblivious of what’s causing Ellen’s malfunction, and swiftly spun around to Sansa and quietly asked if there was something on her face. 

The other guitarist’s eyes panned down and noticed the wardrobe malfunction, which she immediately lifted Belle’s pants to cover the peaking undergarment. “Unless you’re doing this on purpose for Ellen…” Sansa whispered, giggling at her.

Belle’s face went flushed. “I-I definitely wasn’t! If I was trying to impose on anyone I would’ve worn something lacy if that was the case..!” She felt the rush of embarrassment take over her cheeks. Perhaps there was some truth in liking Ellen that way but, she hasn't really thought of it that much. 

Just as Sansa finished fixing Belle’s pants, the embarrassed vocalist looked back just to notice Ellen still had her head tilted up high, completely beet red and sweating profusely.

Sansa gave Belle a slight push, as if this was her queue to break the sexual tension between the two.

She cleared her throat, shrugged off the awkwardness, and brought back the bounce on her steps. She quickly needed to think of something to take their minds off of what just happened… 

Go default, compliment her fit! Were her thoughts before her lips parted. “Your outfit looks so cute!” Belle blurted, her smile so radiant it practically sparkled.

The flustered shark thiren’s heart thudded wildly in her chest. She coughed awkwardly, forcing a shy smile as her head tilted back down. “T-thanks,” she muttered, glancing away to hide her face. She needed to chill, like, now . She risked a glance back at Belle and her companion, the warmth in Sansa’s friendly smile helping her focus.

Belle then looped her arm around Sansa, pulling her forward with a light tug. “Ellen, this is Sansa, our lead guitarist. Though you’ve most likely seen her on stage already.” Belle’s chuckle was soft, but Ellen caught the proud undertone.

Sansa sighed quietly, bowing. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said gently, her voice as shy as her demeanor.

For Ellen, the moment felt heavy, like the air had thickened around them, but she held her ground. Crossing her arms, she shifted her weight to one side, giving Sansa a lopsided grin. “Nice to meet you. You guys were cool yesterday.”

Sansa’s lips curved up faintly, and Belle giggled. She let her arm fall back to her side, and Ellen’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the subtle space that opened between the two.

“Yaaay! Thank you!” Belle said, her voice hearty with excitement. “We were so hyped to perform! We just finished practice, actually. What brings you to Lumina Square?”

Ellen hesitated, trying to shove the awkward tension in her chest aside. She adjusted her stance. “Oh, you know, I just wanted to grab boba.” she said, nodding toward Richard’s Teamilk. Then she sighs, “Anyway, I don’t wanna keep you two from hanging out or whatever.” Her words came out blunt, almost defensive, but the honesty felt good. She didn’t want to be in this weird cycle of liking Belle so much and then feeling crushed seeing her with someone else.

Belle waved it off like it was nothing. “Oh, don’t worry about us. I was planning to grab boba too. Sansa’s heading to the metro anyway—she’s meeting her boyfriend.”

… Boyfriend?  

Ellen blinked, the word hitting her like a surprise tidal wave. She stared at the still beaming vocalist, trying to process what she just heard.

Sansa gave a small wave and bowed again before heading off. “I’ll be going now. It was nice to meet you, Ellen.”

Ellen stood there, frozen in place as she somehow gave a quick nod. Sansa walked away, leaving the two alone in front of the boba place. And the thiren’s brain was still processing the fact that she just heard.

Belle reached out and grabbed Ellen’s wrist, her touch soft but firm. “C’mon, let’s get boba!” she chirped, dragging Ellen along. Ellen stumbled slightly, her thoughts still as messy as Belle led her toward the counter of the shop.

“What do you wanna get? It’s on me!”

“W-wait, Belle.” Ellen stuttered, still stuck on what she’d heard. “Sansa has a boyfriend?”

Belle tilted her head, her brows scrunching slightly. “Yeah, she does… why?”

A wave of relief washed over Ellen, easing the weird tension that had been plaguing her. She didn’t even realize she’d started holding Belle’s hand, her fingers lacing with Belle’s like it was second nature. They’d held hands plenty of times before, but this felt… different now.

“No reason.” Ellen mumbled, her voice soft. “I’m just… glad.”

Belle gave her a puzzled look, clearly trying to make sense of her words. “You’re… glad that Sansa has a boyfriend?”

Before Ellen could respond, the cashier interrupted. “Hi! Welcome to Richard’s Tea Milk! What can I get for you?”

Belle snapped out of her confusion, glancing at the menu. She already knew what the two of them liked without Ellen having to tell her. “Mint teamilk and boba teamilk, please!”

Coco manning the counter quickly nodded and hurriedly went to work. As the drinks were being made, Belle turned back to Ellen, her curiosity still burning. “Okay, so why are you glad Sansa has a boyfriend?”

Ellen tightened her grip on Belle’s hand, finding some comfort in the touch as she hesitated. She stayed quiet for a bit, trying to find the right words. Her analytical eyes watching Coco prepare the drinks swiftly as her lips part to say her thoughts. “I thought you two were… you know… a thing.” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She kept her eyes on the counter, pretending to focus on the drinks that were finally being sealed.

Belle only gazed at Ellen curiously, her head tilting a little as if she couldn’t understand the emotional weight of this on Ellen. She could clearly see that the shark thiren was trying to be so nonchalant about it, but of course the proxy could see through it.

“Mint teamilk and boba teamilk for Belle!”

They both reached out at the same time, letting go of each other’s hands briefly to grab their drinks. Ellen looked at Belle, raising a brow. “I’m surprised Coco remembers your name without you having to tell her.”

Belle shrugged, smiling playfully. “I’m just iconic that way I guess. Anyway, don’t change the subject! Why’d you think I was dating Sansa?” She jabbed her straw into her drink and took a sip, her pout turning into a smirk.

Ellen fiddled with her straw. “You two just seemed close.” she said finally. “Like, really close. The Invading-personal-space kind of close.”

The charming vocalist spun her heels to turn and head towards the footbridge which Ellen idly followed. After a moment of assessing her thoughts, she finally spoke. “But don’t we do the same thing? We hold hands, hug, and I’m all over your personal space too. You even let me touch your tail!”

Ellen froze mid-step, her mind blanking out as Belle’s words sank in. Belle wasn’t wrong. They really do the same things. So, what was it that made Ellen so heavy hearted over the idea that Belle was hanging out with someone else?

Eventually, Belle carried forward with a spring on her steps and the thiren paced slowly with a million thoughts racing through her head. Halfway up the bridge, Belle stopped and turned, her grin turning mischievous. “Wait a second. Could it be… you’re jealous, Ellen?” she teased, covering her mouth dramatically as if she’d just uncovered a big secret.

She was not expecting that comment at all, Ellen’s face went beet red. “Hah?! That’s—That’s crazy, I don’t…” She trailed off, her words catching in her throat. Deep down, she knew Belle had nailed it, but there was no way she could admit it. At least not now.

Belle leaned in closer, her playful grin softening into something a little more thoughtful. “Let me guess,” she said gently. “You only want me to be close with you, don’t you?”

 “Hand holding, hugging, personal-space-invasions, only with you?” 

Ellen couldn't deny, her heart was racing at a million beats per hour. The sudden teasing and charm Belle held was almost too suffocating, yet she weirdly liked it.

“B-Belle–”

The blue-haired girl laughs heartily. “I’m just messing with you.” 

Oh. Was Ellen’s singular thought, as she hesitantly sipped onto her boba after a long pause. A sprinkle of disappointment surely was present on her otherwise sweet drink.

“Anyway, do you have any plans for the evening? Maybe we can finally catch up, if you’re up for it.” Belle continues, now reaching the last set of stairs.

Ellen whips out her phone to check the time, it was only nearing 4 pm. “I can hang around for a few more hours.” she replies, also finally reaching Belle’s side at the bridge. “Cool! You up to doing anything specific?” Belle smiles widely with a bounce on her steps.

Ellen grips on her boba, slightly trying not to stare too much at the charming vocalist, her eyes looking back and forth. “Um, we could just take a stroll while chatting.” She clears her throat.

Belle once again leads the way, holding onto Ellen’s hand gently as they walk. “Okay! Let’s head to the playground. Kids with their parents have usually gone home by this hour so we should have the spot to ourselves.” 

The shark thiren couldn’t seem to pry her gaze away from staring at their linked hands. She thought of how soft Belle’s palms were, yet she could feel the rough contrast of calluses on her fingertips as her grip tightened a bit when they started making their way down to the other flight of stairs. 

Even though she didn't want to admit it, she enjoyed every second of it. Just feeling Belle’s hand against hers was already the highlight of her day. And it clearly doesn’t help that she found out Sansa was just a close friend , this meant she actually had a chance of getting Belle to herself.

But wasn’t that a little absurd? Ellen just saw Belle in different lighting and then suddenly she’s a flustered mess. Wanting to get closer to her, hold her, date her.

Well, I’ve always adored Proxy, it’s just now that I’m so crazy about her. But was it really more than just infatuation or was it the cold weather that got her craving for Belle’s warmth and attention?

Eventually, they made their way to the playground, and just as Belle said, it was completely empty, waiting just for the two of them. When Belle’s fingers slipped away from Ellen’s, the warmth that had been there moments ago was immediately replaced by the chill of the evening air. The shark thiren’s heart sank a little, but she followed Belle to the bench near the sandbox. Belle plopped down happily, sipping on her drink with a carefree hum.

Ellen, not wanting to seem too obvious, settled beside her. She tried to act natural, but her heart wasn’t making it easy. The fuzzy feeling of being alone with the incredibly intoxicating vocalist was driving her to the edge. She wanted to be closer, to hold her hand again— but she forced herself to sit still and breathe. Except… she didn’t resist for long. She shifted just a tiny bit closer, the space between their hips shrinking to an inch. Her tail swayed behind Belle’s as if somewhat cupping her body closer to hers but she held back, only letting it lay behind her.

The golden glow of the setting sun bathed everything in warmth as the cool breeze danced across their faces. Ellen snuck a glance at Belle. Her blue hair shimmered under the light, and her soft hums mixed with the gentle sound of the wind. Belle was bopping slightly as she sipped her drink, her lips pouted around the straw. Ellen was mesmerized, her chest tightening in a way that felt like both heaven and agony.

Then finally, Belle set her drink down, and thiren couldn't help but notice the faint string of saliva that stretched from her straw to her lower lip. Her cheeks went warm.

“Hey, Ellen. I’ve been meaning to ask…” Belle’s voice broke the silence, sending Ellen’s nerves into overdrive.

Ask about what? Ellen panicked internally. If I have a crush on her? If I think about her nake—

“Didn’t you used to play the bass before?”

Ellen nearly choked on her drink, coughing awkwardly. She quickly composed herself. “Um, yeah. Why’d you ask?”

Belle’s grin lit up her entire face as she leaned closer. Ellen froze. The proximity was almost too much, and she could feel her cheeks heating up.

“Do you wanna join our band?” Belle’s eyes sparkled with hope, like she wasn’t expecting—or even accepting—any answer but yes.

In response, Ellen’s tail drooped slightly, feeling the sweat form by her brow. “But don’t you already have a bassist?”

“Oh, Tarshi?” Belle leaned back, giving the flustered shark a chance to breathe again. Ellen exhaled softly, only realizing then how tense she’d gotten.

“He’s actually another guitarist,” Belle explained, her voice a mix of pride and shyness. “We just needed someone to fill in for our live debut. Honestly, I worked out the grooves with a MIDI, and he just played it on the spot.”

Ellen let out a low whistle, impressed. “Really? That’s honestly pretty amazing. Good job.”

Belle’s face lit up at the compliment, coming from an actual bassist she felt relieved it was good enough. “Hehe, thanks! So, what do you think?”

Although the opportunity was really exciting, Ellen was quickly reminded of her finals that were due in 2 days. Yet her mind let her weigh in the possibilities, the opportunities to be closer to Belle. 

Was she really ready to commit to that? Aside from being a student, she also still works for Victoria Housekeeping. Although it’s not like she has commissions all the time, she could definitely squeeze in something that was flexible in a way. But her being able to rest and deflate between those two exhausting activities was really important as well. Adding another activity to her schedule meant that she would have to give up some— if not most— of her nap times.  

Ellen took a deep sigh before looking up at Belle, it was really something that she had to think through. “I’ll have to think about it.” Ellen finally said, her tone reluctant. “I’ve got finals and a part-time, so it’s a lot to juggle.”

Belle’s face fell, and the sight of her dejected expression made Ellen’s heart ache. She couldn’t bear to see Belle upset. “W-well,” she blurted out, “maybe I can play for your next gig, and then I’ll decide if I’ll stick around.”

And almost immediately, the blue-haired girl’s expression immediately brightened, her smile returning full force. “Really? But you must be so busy—sorry for putting you on the spot!”

Before Belle could ramble further, Ellen placed her hand gently over Belle’s. Their eyes met, and the world seemed to pause. “Belle, it’s okay. If it’s you, I don’t mind.”

Ellen’s own words hit her like a bolt of lightning. Look who’s the smooth talker. She thought. But before she could dwell on it, Belle’s arms wrapped around her in a warm, sudden hug, melting away all her doubts.

When Belle pulled back, she held Ellen’s hand in hers, her fingers lacing through like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re the best! But still, I’m sorry for forcing you into this situation, I just got really excited to be with—” Belle initially beamed, but then, as if catching herself, her cheeks flushed slightly. “...E-excited to have you in our band. But of course, no pressure.”

Belle’s voice wavered slightly, like she wasn’t telling the whole truth. She exhaled softly, her eyes darting to the side, trying to keep her composure. She definitely wasn’t about to say that she just wanted to be close to Ellen, of course not. Gosh, am I even Ellen’s type? she wondered nervously.

Ellen broke the silence, her voice gentle. “Thanks for the opportunity, Belle.”

They lingered there, hands still entwined, neither of them wanting to let go. But the moment was cut short when Belle’s phone rang, startling them both. She gave Ellen an apologetic look before answering the call and stepping away.

While the other girl was occupied, Ellen felt a vibration coming from her pocket and checked her own phone. A text from Elodie popped up: her bass was ready for pickup, thirty minutes earlier than expected.

Belle returned with an sad smile tugging at her lips. “Looks like I’m needed at our video store. I'm really sorry we have to cut this short.”

The shark thiren shook her head, flashing a reassuring smile. “No worries, I need to head home soon too.”

Without missing a beat, the blue-haired girl skipped closer, leaning in to press a quick peck on Ellen’s cheek. “I’ll text you later about the next gig. See you!”

And just like that, Belle jogged off, glancing back one last time with a playful wave that left Ellen frozen in place. Her mind was spiraling into an overheating mess, her heart practically thundering out of her chest.

This is it—this is the best day of my life. Ellen felt like she was about to explode from excitement.

Clearing up a misunderstanding? Check. Holding hands? Double check. A hug, and let alone a kiss on the cheek?! If sharks could fly, Ellen would be soaring high on the clouds right now.

She let out a dreamy sigh, a goofy grin plastered across her face as her tail swayed ecstatic behind her.

With light flutters on her chest keeping her afloat, she skipped to her next destination. Admittedly excited for the text that she will receive tonight. And although it was just about details for the gig she still had unsure feelings about, just simply having something to look forward to that came from Belle surely was enough to keep her wheels running. 

It felt like a newfound energy to go through her upcoming challenging days because of her impending finals.

It felt like she could do anything .

“It’s so nice to have a crush~” She hummed to herself cheerily before opening the door to Strings & Ballad, then claiming the bass she left to get maintained hours ago.

Chapter Text

7:00 AM

Pitter   Patter

      Pitter   Patter

Sunday morning crept in colder than expected.

No familiar warmth slipping through the windows, no golden rays warming the shark onesie wrapped around Ellen. Just a soft light accompanied with consistent taps against glass. Out of habit, she stretched, spreading her limbs and tail as wide as her body allows to shake the sleepiness. Then lazily shifted and rolled to her side to peek through the slit in her curtains.

Right on cue, the rhythm of the world returned to her. The hush of rain and the hum of her apartment’s air conditioning. As she takes in the comfort of the grey sky, a thought passes by. She liked the sun more than she could admit, but the rain had its own kind of comfort that was equally welcomed. 

“Good morning Ellen~” a voice rings through her sleepy head, quite familiar to a certain blue haired girl’s. Her body retreats back to lay on her stomach, a warm fuzzy feeling spreading through. She must've been delusional enough to somehow imagine Belle saying Good Morning to her, but she damn likes it. Her lips curled into a small smile at the thought of the charming vocalist saying those words to her.

Her eyes drifted shut again for a second. “Good morning to you too, Belle” she murmured into her pillow, letting herself grin like a fool. If there was ever a safe place to be dumb and mushy, it was here alone in her apartment, thinking about her crush and not caring one bit how ridiculous she sounded. 

But before she let her giddy consume her, she immediately caught herself and cleared her throat. No way, she needed to be cool and non-chalant. And to take her mind off of things, she rolled over to watch the droplets race down her window. But a soft smirk stayed present at the corner of her lips. Ellen sighs dreamily before  trying to remind herself of the agendas for today. There was not much to do… Although, she has been waiting for a text from a specific someone.

And of course, coincidentally, her phone chimes a ringtone that she had only set for her crush— Belle. And our beloved shark girl’s smirk turned the biggest smile she could’ve ever mustered as she excitedly read the text.

Belle: Good morning Ellen!

'Holy shit she actually said good morning to me.'  

Belle: Sorry I only got to message you now! I was hands on with work yesterday.

'I wish you could have your hands all over me— I mean what?'

Another message pops after.

Belle: We have a street gig later, 5:30 pm at Reverb Arena. We’re bringing our own setup. Do you have your own amp? Let us know if you need anything so we can carry a spare!

Ellen’s face broke into a quiet smile. 'Belle is so thoughtful~' She thought to herself as she read the message again, tailfin twitching with an involuntary giddy. And also obviously trying her best not to entertain such lewd thoughts so early in the morning.

Her own amp? Yeah, no shot. The one she had was only small enough, perfect for her bedroom. But in a venue like Reverb Arena, her tone will immediately get buried. 

She quickly typed back,

Ellen: Good morning Belle 🌞. I might have to take your offer for a spare, my amplifier isn't big enough for a street gig.

A few seconds later, another reply slides through.

Belle: Gotcha! Also, we need a closing song for our lineup. Got any suggestions? We’re thinking of something for couples, something groovy yet mellow. PS suggest something you would want to play ok? ❤️

The shark girl’s eyes blink innocently at the red heart by the end of the sentence, and her tail involuntarily wags a little harder, making a soft tapping sound on the bed. She then sighs dreamily before turning back to lie on her stomach, her eyes scanned the sentence again. 

She pauses for a bit to think, pursing her lips. Her music taste is more on the rock side so finding something that doesn’t compromise her interests and the band’s request was a little tricky. 

'Something for couples, and groovy yet mellow…'

First of all, Ellen wasn’t the type to listen to love songs but at this point she might as well for Belle. Nothing was popping up at the top of her head. But Belle had specifically asked for her suggestion, and she didn’t want to let her down. 

She then cycles through her songs, skimming through her on-repeat. The requirements of the song were burning at the back of her mind as she hits next on every song that was on her playlist until–

'Hold on. I think I found the perfect song.'

And just like a bulb lighting up, she immediately typed a reply.

 Ellen: Try this one, I think y’all will like it.

Then pasted the link to the song before hitting send.

She watched her reply get ticked “seen”. Was Ellen nervous about the suggestion? Was she overthinking about it as the minutes dragged longer and there was no reply from Belle? She definitely was, as she’s now sitting by the edge of her bed, constantly fidgeting at the corners of her phone. And the moment she was about to let go of her device and lie back down, a specific notification chime breaks the silence once again.

Belle: Why are you gatekeeping such a banger song?! Kidding! hehehe. This is exactly what we’re looking for, thank you!

Then a series of texts get sent one after another, causing Ellen’s phone to vibrate repeatedly.

Belle: Here’s the lineup so you can get a preview 😄

attached after was the link. It was only 3 songs including the song she suggested.

Belle: Meet us around 1:30 pm at the studio on Lumina Square. See you, Ellen~ 😉

She reread that last message once, twice, then a third time. That wink somehow struck deeper than the heart emoji earlier. Her face flushed hot, and before she could stop herself, she shoved herself into her pillow to muffle the small sound that slipped out between her lips, a mixture between a laugh and a squeak.

God, she was being ridiculous. And she knew it. Every single time Belle did something so casually kind and thoughtful, her body reacted like it was a confession of love. And yet even knowing how absurd it was all, she couldn’t stop.

Maybe because for once there was someone that made her feel this much.

Ellen froze, her smile faltering just slightly as the quiet of the morning crept back in. The sound of the rain, the hum of her apartment. Everything slowed again. Her heart beat a little harder in that stillness.

'I hope I don’t regret that sentiment later on.'

She picks up her phone to reply,

Ellen: See you, Belle. 🙂

Ellen stepped into the shower, the water warming her skin as the cold morning air melted off her shoulders. She closed her eyes, letting the stream hit her back while her thoughts began to swirl around the next thing she needed to worry about, which was her outfit.

'Should I try lowkey matching Belle’s look?'  She had thought. That signature dirt-black leather jacket, messily tucked white polo, and that burnt-orange skirt she always wore when gigging, unmistakably so Belle coded. But then there was Sansa, always matching the vibe with her own jacket, and even Gray was wearing one too. Maybe wearing a leather jacket was their band’s brand.

As she scrubbed her scalp, lather building in her hair, her mind drifted to other things…

What would it be like to have Belle here in the shower with her?

Not even in a raunchy way, just... close. Skin against skin, sharing space and steam. Maybe hearing her hum a melody over the rush of water, maybe brushing fingers as they reached for the same bottle of shampoo. 

Ridiculous. Delusional, even. And yet, Ellen didn’t stop the thoughts from unfolding.

'It's fun to think about something that'll never happen' , she reasoned to herself with a faint crooked smile. 'Just a little fantasy to get through the morning. Better than nothing. Better than killing the joy before it even bloomed.'

After the shower, she towel-dried her hair and stood in front of her full body mirror, running through options and throwing in her possible fit. Matching? Off-beat? Maybe even mismatched?

Then it hit her. Belle probably wouldn’t care what she wore. She would’ve just wanted her to be comfortable, just herself.

So she reached for her own worn black leather jacket, layered it over a cropped graphic tee, and pulled on the only silly black and gray mismatched pants in her closet. And for the final touch, her trusty black Solovair boots that gave her a 3 inch height boost. She’d be taller than Belle then.

Then she prepares her bass, doing a quick wipe on her instrument before dusting her leather hard case and bringing all the necessary cables and cleaning wipes.

And with that, she was ready. Or at least as ready as someone could be when their heart was already halfway out the door. 

1:11 PM

After what felt like an eternity of excited anticipation, Ellen finally stepped out of the Lumina Square metro station, emerging just beside the steamy stall of Waterfall Soup. The rain had picked up since earlier, no longer a soft sprinkle but a steady downpour. She reached into the inner pocket of her leather jacket and unfolded the small umbrella shoved in at the last minute.

With a flutter in her chest, she made her way toward Sān-Z Studio, the only one she knew in the area. The street glistened with reflections, the world muffled beneath the patter of the rain and yet her thoughts filled in the gaps, buzzing loud and clear. I can’t wait to see Belle.

Each step was quick, her boots tapping confidently against the wet pavement, though her tail flicked behind her with a rhythm that betrayed her nerves. She walked fast because of the rain, and also because she was excited.

When she finally reached the entrance, her momentum slowed. Through the glass, she saw rows of statues and trophies catching the dull light from inside, polished and pristine.

That… did not look like the music studio she was expecting.

She furrowed her brows and sidestepped toward the edge of the building, glancing around the corner to find another door tucked quietly on the other side. She walked forward as the corner entrance had a roofing so she could settle her equipment down. Her fingers fished for her phone to text Belle, worried that she had gone to the wrong studio.

Then, the door opened.

Out walked Gray, holding a tangerine in his massive paw, its bright orange skin looking absurdly small against his broad frame. His head was turned, still mid-conversation with someone inside.

“Yeah yeah, you guys go ahead and start tuning, I’ll just eat my fruit outside.”

Then his gaze snapped forward and locked with Ellen’s.

They both froze.

There was a notable silent exchange between the tall, warm-hearted bear thiren and the nervous shark girl who suddenly felt a lot smaller than she did five minutes ago.

Gray glanced at the instrument the shark thiren was holding before looking back at her to greet with a wide smile, “You must be Ellen! Welcome to the band!”

The words hit her like a splash of cold water and warmth at the same time. “Oh–uh–thank you, but I’m not sure if I’m joining—” she stammered, voice barely keeping up with the rush of her thoughts.

Gray didn’t flinch. “It’s alright, don’t be shy. You’re practically family now too.” Then, as casually as offering sunshine on a cloudy day, he plucked a segment of his tangerine and held it out to her. “Here, have one.”

Ellen took it without thinking. Her hand moved before her brain could catch up.

And then he said it.

“Belle kept talking about you and how amazing you are with the bass.”

The weather might’ve been cold, but her face felt warm in an instant. She talks about me? Let alone think about me? Ellen blinked, shoving the spiraling delusion back into its corner. Stop that, she scolded herself. Don't get ahead of yourself again.

Ellen held her breath, trying to find the right words to muster, “I… hope I live up to whatever standards the band needs.” she replied with a soft voice.

Gray smiles softly. “You’ll do great.” he said without hesitation. “I can already tell by the way you carry yourself, you look like you know your stuff and you get the job done.”

The shark girl looks at him with a curious glance, somewhat surprised to hear that impression from him.

He chuckled, then motioned toward the studio door. “Anyway, you should head in and start warming up. Everyone’s tuning their gear already.”

She nodded, returning his smile with one of her own. Ellen then thanked him and excused herself before she firmly gripped onto the handle of her bass’ hard case. But just before stepping in, she popped the slice of tangerine into her mouth. It was sweet, but had gotten warm from her hand holding it for too long, though somehow that warmth was comforting in its own way.

Ellen took a breath, steadying herself before she closed around the knob. One twist and push as the door opens.

The first things Ellen noticed weren’t even people. It was the hazy yellow glow spilling from the ceiling corners, the odd padded walls with their grooves and ridges, the wooden floor cluttered with tangled wires slinking from amps and interfaces like restless snakes. Then her gaze landed in the middle-right of the room.

Sansa was crouched down, setting up her guitar pedals. And beside her, perched on a blue stool was her . The one who had singlehandedly stopped the planet from spinning the moment Ellen’s eyes found her. Belle.

And oh, Belle spotted her right away. Her face brightened with that kind of smile that made Ellen’s ribs feel too tight, like her insides had to twist themselves just to contain it. That smile should be illegal as it outshone the nervous swarm in Ellen’s stomach.

“Hey, you made it right on time!”

Ellen’s response was embarrassingly quick, her head bobbing a little too fast. Her fingers dug into the handle of her bass case as though she’d float away if she let go. “Wouldn’t miss it.” she managed, before letting out a breath that felt like it had been waiting for hours.

The room, once her heart slowed enough to notice it again, felt weirdly cozy. Spare guitars and percussion leaned in neat racks in the corner. The stools and chairs didn’t match, but that only made the place feel worn and lived-in. And at the back was the full drum kit.

Belle straightened, waved her over with a casual flick of her hand, standing beside the big amp.

“Come here! Let’s get you set up.”

Ellen’s feet obeyed, though the rest of her felt like it was lagging behind. The shark girl’s chest was tight, each step pulling her closer to Belle, who was watching her with eyes that made her feel like she was being studied and adored all at once.

When Ellen finally reached her, there was barely a ruler’s length between them. She froze. Belle wasn’t backing up. She just… looked at her, that soft, knowing smile curving her lips as Ellen places her bass down and fishes out the cable.

And then— traitor— Belle’s gaze dipped briefly down to Ellen’s lips.

Ellen’s breath hitched. 'Too close. Way too close. Or… not close enough..?'  She swore she could feel heat radiating between them, her head buzzing with delusional thoughts she could barely swat down. But Belle was magnetic, pulling her in without moving a single inch.

The charming vocalist leaned slightly, tilting her head toward the amp. Her voice dropped, lower, closer, like it was meant for our flustered shark girl’s ears alone.

“Plug in here… yeah, right there.” she murmured, brushing a hand over the cable input, her fingers barely grazing Ellen’s.

Ellen swallowed hard, fumbling with the cord. ‘God, was that suggestive, or am I just losing my mind?’

She glanced up, met Belle’s eyes again—and instantly regretted it. Belle’s cheeks were dusted pink, as if she wasn’t immune either. Like she knew what she was doing.

“Careful,” Belle whispered, her tone playful but a little breathless. “Wouldn’t want to blow the amp.”

Ellen nearly dropped the cable. Her pulse slammed against her ears. ‘Oh my god, she’s flirting— she has to be—’

Meanwhile, Belle bit her lip, gaze darting away for just a second too long, betraying a crack in her composure.

It was electric. One lean forward, one reckless slip of courage, and they’d be kissing, tangled up in cables, amps and all.

And then, right on cue, the door gave a damp little creak. Gray strolled in, dripping rain from his jacket, slipping behind the drum kit with zero clue that he’d just interrupted what could’ve been a full-blown meltdown. He scooped up the sticks by the snare, gave the hi-hats a crisp tap, then let the bass drum rumble, effectively snapping the tension like a rubber band.

Ellen jolted back into reality, her hands fumbling as she shoved the cable into her bass with way more force than necessary. Her chest was pounding so hard it was a miracle the amp wasn’t picking it up. ‘Keep it cool. You’re fine. Totally fine. Nothing happened. Nothing almost happened.’

Belle turned away a little too quickly, pretending to busy herself with Sansa who was already staring wide-eyed and a sharp grin. Sansa didn’t even bother hiding it as she mouthed, “IT LOOKED LIKE YOU GUYS WERE ABOUT TO KISS.”

Belle’s cheeks went hot. She cleared her throat, clutched at her guitar strap like it could anchor her and mouthed back, “I KNOW! NOT MY FAULT SHE LOOKS SO HOT RIGHT NOW!” She immediately dropped her pick while trying to sling her guitar over her shoulder and muttered something that sounded dangerously close to a curse.

Ellen missed that exchange (thankfully, or she’d have passed out on the spot), but her own brain was still fried. Everyone else moved on instinct, falling into the rhythm of setting up like it was second nature.

Ellen tried to match that ease, forcing her hands to stop trembling as she unpacked her gear. Pedalboard: simple, plugged in, and done. Heart rate? Still double-timing. She slung the bass over her shoulder, the weight grounding her if only slightly.

Sansa gave a low whistle, eyebrows up as her gaze swept over the instrument.

“Damn, that’s a sexy bass you’ve got there.”

Ellen’s lips curled into a shy smile, almost pushing aside the thought of Belle. She patted the body of her instrument with a soft and almost protective tap. “Thanks. She’s custom made. Tailored just for me.”

Across the room, Belle was tuning her guitar but stealing quick glances she thought no one would notice. Each time her eyes landed on Ellen, she fumbled—tightening the wrong peg, almost tripping over her own cable. She laughed it off, cheeks pink, but the truth was written all over her face.

And Ellen, who caught one of those stolen looks mid-sentence, felt her heart threaten to blow right out of her ribcage.

Sansa scrunches her face and puckered her lips, as if it was a universal sign of approval from another instrumentalist, trying to draw attention away from the almost explosive interaction between the two. “You got her tuned already? We’re using standard.”

The shark girl steps onto the tuner pedal and plucks her strings, all which return perfectly tuned, of course. She had prepared her instrument and everything she needed to bring before she left her apartment. Ellen then shoots her a look and a thumbs up, as Belle watches with an amused smile.

Then the vocalist clapped once to gather their attention, excitement present in her voice. “Alright, let’s feel each other out a little. Just vibe first and make sure we’re synced, then we’ll run through the set.”

Ellen and the rest of the band gave a short nod, but she could already feel her nerves prickling under her skin. This wasn’t like her solo practice sessions. This was an actual band practice. Please don’t mess this up.

It started with the roll of cymbals, then came Belle’s strum of a chord, Sansa followed after. As the others eased into warm-up mode, she hung back, watching the way they moved. Their fingers glided over strings and notes like it was second nature, casual and confident, riffing off one another with playful familiarity.

She listened closely, trying to identify the scale. Her eyes darted from fretboard to fretboard, observing what she could learn and when to jive in.

Belle noticed Ellen’s absence, she had internally face-palmed herself after realizing that she hadn't filled in Ellen with the band’s intro.

She stepped closer without saying a word and gently began plucking a bass line; inviting the lost shark girl to use her as a guide. Her fingers moved with practiced grace, and Ellen instinctively followed, mimicking the pattern. It was a simple beat, but there was room to breathe and respond. Ellen added her own flavor, layering in a touch of her tone.

Then Belle gave a slight nod to Gray and walked back to her mic stand. He raised his sticks and counted them in.

The rhythm kicked in, but nothing fancy yet, just the skeleton of the first track. Ellen focused on holding down the beat, matching Gray’s steady tempo. But her fingers felt stiff, and her pulse was too fast, threatening to throw off her timing. Sweat started to bead at her brow, and she could already feel glances from the others.

Shit– Slow down. Breathe, Ellen.

This wasn’t just nerves anymore. This was weighted pressure.

Ellen was starting to panic, she looked at Belle to somehow try and save herself but the vocalist was already midline and watching her. The blue haired girl’s expression was calm and reassuring. She gave a subtle tilt of her head toward Ellen’s fretboard, as if signaling a silent cue: Follow me.

So Ellen did. She redirected her focus, listening intently to Belle’s angelic voice, the melody, the tone of her bass, the way she kept time with her body. Ellen aligned with it, tuning out the panic and tuning into the groove.

And just like that, it helped her click. Her fingers loosened, her pulse settled into the beat. She still relied on the others to guide her here and there, but the hesitation melted away. The music pulled her in like a current, and she followed it, letting herself get carried by the rhythm and anchored by the band.

For a moment, she felt like she was up in the clouds, chasing the high of jamming. This was the reason why she wanted to play and why she had a custom bass, playing music was a self expression in its own that helped her become more open to who she was and how she felt. And to share that experience with such amazing people with immaculate vibes… to share the experience with Belle herself , it was a dream come true.

When they finally wrapped up the last song, the room fell into a gentle silence broken only by the faint hum of amps and the soft hiss of the rain outside. Ellen was still in a daze, her fingers tingling, her heart floating somewhere above her.

Belle walked over, breathless and eyes glistening. “You’re way too good at this.”

Ellen blinked back into reality, her body still catching up to the compliment. She shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the grin tugging at her lips. “Thanks. I’m a little rusty, but… I’m glad I wasn’t a total disaster.”

“You did amazing. You’ll definitely kill it in the performance later.” Belle bumped her shoulder gently, eyes sparkling. “You’re so cool, Ellen.”

Those words should’ve been illegal. Ellen’s brain practically short-circuited. But she managed to chuckle, brushing it off with forced nonchalance. “No way. You’re the cool one. But y’know… hearing that from you means a lot.”

“Oh Ellen,” Belle laughed. “You don’t have to be so humble.”

The others chuckled too, the atmosphere was starting to get comfortable. In that moment, all the second-guessing and panic from earlier dissolved into nothing. 

Belle clapped her hands together. “Alright! Let’s fine-tune a few spots with the timing and tighten the transitions. Then we’ll run the set again.”

Ellen took another deep breath, but this time, it wasn’t to calm herself down. It was because she couldn’t wait to play again.

4:44 pm

The band arrived at Reverb Arena feeling confident and comfortable after their rounds of practice. Ellen was able to fit in and jive pretty well with the rest of the band, or so at least Belle tells her. For Ellen, her own skills were mediocre at best, and she half believes the compliments her bandmates throw at her. 

Being a bassist doesn't seem like much in all honesty, but they’re the backbone of what makes live performances sound and feel good, or any music in general for that matter. And that enough makes Ellen still feel the nerves. But she practiced with the band, she knows the flow.

‘I can do this …’ she thinks.

The band set up their equipment with ease, a tiny crowd started to form too. Ellen has no regard for the crowd as she’s used to it whenever she travels back and forth with her maid outfit, she was more nervous about being so distracted by Belle’s beauty she might mess up.

But before she knew it, the band was already starting. Flowing as practiced, grooving as planned. She stopped worrying if she’s going to play bad, she just liked being there, being with a team or a group, but this time, she was with Belle. Ellen stares at their vocalist, who took a few steps in front, nearing the standing mic.

“Hello everyone, We’re Klymene! Thank you so much for being here to watch our street gig, it truly means a lot. We don’t wanna keep you guys waiting since we all know you’re here for the music.” Belle continues by stating the first song’s name as all of us simmer to our roles.

They played through the first two songs like a breeze with Belle of course charming the whole audience. And Ellen was there, beside her to witness it all. She watches Belle dazzle the entire arena with her groovy fluid moves accompanied by her angelic vocals, she truly was the most captivating.

Then came their last song for the set, the song that Ellen suggested.

“For our last song, this one goes out to the people who have a hard time expressing their admiration or affection toward someone.”

Ellen held her breath after hearing the sentence, as if she was caught in the crossfire too. But she pressed on, fiddling at the starting note of the song as Gray followed with a simple beat, allowing Belle to fit in the song whenever.

“It’s called ‘Come Inside Of My Heart’, and take this song as a sign to confess to your crush!” Belle jokes, was it a joke? And Ellen’s heart drops out of nervousness. The crowd took it lightly however as Belle earned a laugh from them. 

Then Belle looks over to Ellen with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling, her lips part gracefully as she sings

“I love you, but I don’t really show you.”

Before Ellen could even steady herself, the roar of the crowd crashed against her like a wave. Cheers, squeals, the thrum of excitement that should’ve lifted her but instead made her heart hammer harder. Her pulse was threatening to drown out the rhythm she was supposed to lock into. And then there was Belle. Of course, always Belle. That fleeting something Belle had just done, whether intentional or not, was still burning under Ellen’s skin. Ultimately making it nearly impossible to keep her head clear.

‘Focus,’ she begged herself. ‘ Just play.’

She clung to her bass like a lifeline, forcing her attention onto the fretboard. Her fingers danced across the strings with practiced grace, but every note she plucked was haunted by Belle’s voice lacing through the music. Each word Belle sang pressed into Ellen’s chest, unsettling and exhilarating all at once. Ellen just hoped she could make it through the song without combusting.

But of course, the universe had other plans.

As the song neared its guitar solo, Ellen caught a sharp twang of a string snapping. Her gaze flung towards the other opposite end from her position, stomach lurched. Sansa’s eyes darted to hers, wide with alarm. For a moment, everything threatened to crumble. Sansa’s string broke, but it looked like no one from the crowd noticed.

Ellen’s instincts kicked in before panic could. She tilted toward Gray, cueing him with a quick nod. He caught on instantly, sliding into a freestyle beat. Ellen matched it, her hands flying, slapping and sliding across her bass with everything she had, filling in the gaps.

Sansa’s panic melted into focus. She stomped her pedal, swapped her tone, and pivoted into rhythm guitar. The shift was seamless enough to keep the crowd locked in their energy.

Belle who’d clocked the break in an instant didn’t hesitate either. Without missing a beat, she stomped her own pedal and stepped back, sliding into position beside Ellen and Sansa. Her fingers soared higher up the fretboard, ripping into the solo as if she’s practiced it a million times.

The crowd erupted.

Ellen nearly forgot to breathe. Belle’s presence right there beside her, the way she played with such raw confidence, it was enough to make Ellen’s chest ache. But there was no time to get lost in it. She forced her focus into the groove, locking herself into the moment, because all that mattered was keeping the song alive until the very last note.

When they finally slammed into the ending, it was like the entire band exhaled in unison.

Belle leaned into the mic, hair sticking to her forehead, a little breathless as she thanked the audience. 

Ellen tried to smile and tried to soak in the victory, but her chest was still tight. She couldn’t shake the way Belle’s eyes had found her mid-lyrics. She couldn’t shake the unspoken you behind every word Belle had sung.

Her heartbeat was still beating too loud, too heavy, as though the song hadn’t ended at all.

After the gig, the adrenaline didn’t vanish but rather it shifted. The rehearsal room had been intimate, but out here in front of the waiting fans, the atmosphere felt bigger and buzzing. Everyone else in the band was packing up and chatting, but Belle? Belle was already at the center of it. As naturally as she always was with attracting attention.

The second she stepped away from the band’s space, the crowd surged toward her. Posters, photocards, scraps of paper, they all shoved forward with hopeful hands. Belle laughed that warm, easy laugh, and signed every single one like she had all the time in the world. She leaned in for selfies, cracked jokes, touched shoulders lightly, and every girl in the room looked at her like she was the only person alive.

Ellen couldn’t blame them. Belle had that kind of glow. But knowing it didn’t make it sting any less.

She busied herself with packing her bass, telling herself she was fine with it. She SHOULD be fine with it. It’s not like Belle and her were dating. Or at least not yet? She liked being in the background anyway. At least that’s what she tried to believe until a cluster of girls peeled away from Belle and rushed toward her.

“Please! Your autograph! Can we take a picture with you?”

Ellen froze, blinking at them like they’d spoken another language. She wasn’t expecting that kind of attention, not tonight. But she slipped on a practiced and polite smile. Just like how she’d been trained to handle clients back at Victoria’s Housekeeping. Smile when they want, stand still when they snap photos, nod when they gush about you.

She drew a small shark on sticky notes as her autograph, posed for their phone cameras. It was all mechanical. Still, a part of her chest warmed at the thought that maybe her playing had reached them too.

Then she heard it. Two girls lingering near Belle, whispering behind their hands while staring at her with shameless admiration.

“Do you think she has a partner?” one said.

“I wanna try shooting my shot,” the other giggled.

The words sliced through Ellen sharper than she expected. Her tail twitched once, hard. Of course they’d ask. Of course they’d want her. Belle was everything they saw—magnetic, charming, untouchable.

And Ellen was suddenly burning with emotions she couldn’t pin down. Pride that people loved Belle. Annoyance that they were talking like she wasn’t even there. Fear that maybe Belle really did have someone else.

But before she could spiral further—

“Ellen!~”

Her name rang out, sung like a chorus line.

Belle slipped past the fans with effortless grace and wrapped an arm around Ellen’s waist like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The move sent Ellen stumbling, her heart jumping to her throat. “Y-yes, Belle?”

Belle’s eyes sparkled with genuine delight. “I told you you’d kill it. You were so amazing!”

The girls who’d been whispering earlier froze at the sight, their jaws slackening before they slowly backed away, looking thoroughly defeated. Ellen didn’t even notice them anymore. Her attention was stolen by the warmth of Belle’s arm and the way her own tail fins wagged uncontrollably, betraying her giddy delight at Belle’s closeness. She couldn’t stop it even if she tried.

Belle noticed, of course. She always noticed. Her grin tilted just a little more mischievous, as if savoring the shark girl’s fluster. 

But Ellen finds a way to save herself and squeak, “You did incredibly well too…” she continued, her voice dipping softer. “You surprised me with the solo. I didn’t know you practiced it.” She finally managed to gather her words, though her head was a storm. On the outside, she was calm, collected. Inside, she was already spiraling, imagining things she shouldn’t.

And then there it was again, that lingering and burning thought of wanting to be dangerously intimate. Sharp and undeniable. Enough hiding. Enough swallowing it down. Say it before it slips away.

“Aw, thank you—” Belle began, but Ellen turned, her hand firm on Belle’s waist, pulling her closer.

“Belle, I have something to tell you.”

Belle froze. The flush in her cheeks betrayed her even as she tried to keep steady. “W-What.”

Ellen’s lips pursed, but the words were ready to spill. I like you. I want you.

And as she opens her mouth to say the first syllable, Belle’s hand rose first, fingers brushing against Ellen’s lips with a gentle hush. Her feather-light touch was enough to stop Ellen cold.

“Wait.” Belle whispered, her eyes darting away to look at the rest of the band for just a heartbeat too long. “Save it for later. Let’s celebrate with the band for the successful gig first.”

Before Ellen could protest, Belle slipped from her grasp, her warmth leaving Ellen’s arms.

The defeated shark girl only nodded, swallowing the storm of words clawing up her throat, watching the vocalist move toward their van with a smile that looked too casual as she helped the band with the rest of the items.

But Belle’s hands fumbled with the cases as she loaded them in. Her mind was a mirror of Ellen’s. Her heart is pounding and her cheeks still warm. She could still feel Ellen’s grip on her waist as the burning intent in her eyes replayed in her mind.

And Ellen, standing a few feet away, clenched her hard case tighter, her tail swishing with restless energy. She kept her mouth shut, but her thoughts screamed.

‘Later’, Belle had said.

Later meant a possibility that she could still express her feelings.

But for now, they loaded the van in silence. Both pretending nothing had happened, both unable to stop replaying it in their heads.