Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The latest of my mental checklists was in full-swing as I paced around my room, preparing for the evening ahead. I guess I missed the stress of responsibility more than I realized, since I hadn't needed any lists since our last performance, and yet here I was making up new ones. I'd made reluctant peace with that being it for competing on this trip, though. It seemed making it to the finals just wasn't meant to be.

Returning to the task at hand, I pranced over to the mirror. I felt presentable—which was impressive, considering dating was the last thing on my mind while packing—but I still questioned if I was prepared for an actual, full-on date. Would she be impressed? Was I supposed to impress her?

My thoughts scattered in every direction when three clear knocks pierced in from the hall. It filled me with the best and the worst kind of nerves—but it was hard to worry about my own appearance once I found her waiting just outside my door.

Akali was standing up tall—instead of leaning casually against a wall somewhere, as she usually would—with a bright smile and a vibrant bouquet tucked at one arm. Once I got past the flowers, I eyed her outfit, which was a mostly-mesh top under her leather jacket, cargo pants with no shortage of pockets, and the most decked-out pair of high-tops I'd seen yet. Her marbled hair was down today, laying across her shoulders with gently-styled waves—but most striking of all was the mask missing from her face. The unfiltered view allowed me to see her makeup—which I could tell she did herself, because it was much subtler and nowhere near as sharp as what Sera had done yesterday—and the thought of her making it a point to get herself ready for our date warmed my heart.

It was chaos—and so perfectly her.

I remembered I couldn't just stare all day, so I said the first thing on my mind: "Looking good, Hot-Shot."

"Yeah? Whew—I was worried you'd be thrown off by the mix-and-match. I was gonna try to find a pair of heels or something, but if I can't walk in those, then I definitely can't ride my bike in them," she laughed, then glanced down at the bouquet like she just remembered it was there. "Oh! Here's these. I hope it's not too cheesy—but I couldn't let my beautiful date go without a gift to match."

I smirked at the shamelessly unsubtle compliment. "Kali— Thank you, but you didn't have to get me anything. This is just a date, so no need to show off," I teased.

"So what?" she asked, shrugging with that devilish grin of hers. "I told you I was gonna to spoil you."

I returned from putting away the flowers to find Akali waiting patiently with a warm smile, and I wondered if she'd been watching me like that the whole time. We just took each other in for a moment, soaking in the buzz of excitement and possibility—at least, until she tipped forward to throw her arms around me.

"You really do look amazing, y'know," she mumbled over my shoulder.

"You do too," I hummed, breathing in the lovely scent around her. "Oh, what do you have on?"

She didn't try to hide the awkwardness in her answer. "I have no idea, actually—Eve spritzed me without warning as I left, and I didn't think to ask what it was. She must have known what she was doing, though."

I offered a curious look at the idea of a celebrity being so unfamiliar with something like the industry of high-end body sprays, but I was starting to catch my expectations quicker. She was no ordinary celebrity, after all.

"Surprised?" she joked. "I mean, you saw how much help I needed getting ready for the livestream yesterday—so imagine me with that level of panic today, except times a hundred."

My giggles filling the hall seemed to delight her. "No way you were that nervous for a date you asked me out on," I teased.

"You're right, you're right—that may have been inaccurate," she grinned. "It was more like a thousand times that."

She pretended to wince when I swatted her arm on the way out—and before we knew it, we had arrived at our first mystery-destination of the evening.

We pulled into a sizable parking lot, which was dedicated to the even more intimidating mall up ahead. The modern architecture was mesmerizing—especially a big section in the center, with huge windows looking into the lobby and a big sign reading RIOT THEATERS—but my attention was pulled away when the Ducati stopped purring beneath us.

"Ta-da! I hope you like movies, 'cause we're spending the next couple of hours watching one," Akali jested.

I nodded and followed her off. "I've been known to splurge on the occasional trip to our local theater back home, but this has to be the biggest one I've ever seen. Which movie did you pick?"

"I didn't," she shrugged with a half-smirk. "I don't know the first thing about what's out right now, or your taste in movies yet—so I'm leaving that up to you, Starlight."

My attention flicked up to the handful of interesting posters on either side of the entrance, each one I was just as clueless about as the next. "Are you sure? I don't want to make you sit through a movie you won't enjoy," I hovered.

"Hey, try not to overthink it," she assured me. "Look at it this way: you get to watch something you'll probably like, and I get to spend time with the prettiest girl I know. What's there for me to complain about?" she winked back at me.

Once we got inside, I realized the lobby was no less extravagant than it looked from out front. Promotional art of the latest films lined the walls, a pianist played a gentle tune from the shiny grand piano across from the concessions counter, and of course, the scent of warm, buttery popcorn beckoned us forward.

Akali loaded up on snacks, seemingly unbothered by their ungodly prices as I browsed through the theater schedule for a movie to pick. A trailer on one of the monitors overhead caught my eye: a rom-com about love, friendship and deceit. That certainly fits the themes of this trip.

In the spirit of not overthinking it, I joined Akali at the counter with my decision. I ordered the tickets, helped her carry the stash of goodies she'd grabbed for us—and then we were on our way.

Akali insisted I choose where to sit in the fairly empty theater, so I led us to the middle row near the center. Loud commercials and trivia breaks played as we settled in—which despite claiming not to know much about movies, she impressed me with her knowledge of—and soon the lights dimmed to welcome the start of the film.

The intro sequence was cute enough, with a song and a dance indicating that I had apparently chosen a musical. But I didn't mind. I tried to let myself get lost in the lyrics until something beside me drew my attention, and it seemed the only thing getting lost was Akali's focus.

"Don't tell me you're not a fan of musicals. Because if so, I'm afraid you're out of luck," I whispered.

"Hm? Oh—" she blurted, then shook her head. "No, no, musicals are fine! Just...having trouble concentrating. But I'll try."

I kept my pleased smile to myself. Yep. She's adorable. The movie continued ahead, but the way she kept eyeing me was giving me ideas I'd never thought of before. Things like that weren't called for back home, in our small theater usually packed with high schoolers and the overbearing couples who would sneak into the back just to make out the whole time. But this wasn't home—and we weren't here just for the movie.

The crunch of popcorn stopped the moment my hand brushed against the top of her warm thigh. My eyes were trained straight ahead as she stiffened beside me, and I could hear her unsuccessfully trying to hold her breath. Teasing in a place like this may have been a new experience for me—but it seemed the receiving end was just as new to her.

"Are you trying to fucking kill me?" she hissed. "If you wanted some popcorn that badly you could've just asked."

I stifled a laugh. "That's not what I was going for—but sure, I'll take some."

Akali rolled her eyes as seriously as she could. "Then what were you going for, huh?" she asked. "I thought you wanted me to focus on the movie, but I'm starting to think you just want my attention all to yourself."

My hand slipped away so Akali could adjust in her seat and compose herself. Maybe she was right, but we also had an agreement that I didn't want to push before we were ready.

"Hey, it's not my fault you kept staring," I teased. "You're right, though...I do want your attention. But that kind can wait."

I did my best to refocus on the movie and catch up with the plot I missed, but as soon as I felt an arm lay across my shoulders, I turned to investigate.

"Hey. I know we're in public, and we're supposed to be chill and stuff, but...it's not just you. I really wanna kiss you right now," she confessed. "Is that cool? And don't worry, I'm not trying to get revenge on you or anything. That kind can wait, too," she smirked.

I tried not to get swept up in the feeling her subtle threat left me with. Part of me was concerned that someone could be watching us again, but whoever was responsible for that picture at the club had already shown the world much more than a kiss—and I wasn't willing to lose another second of this.

With my nod of approval, Akali followed with exactly what she offered: a soft, warm kiss. The kind that made me feel like everything we'd been through was still worth it—like everything would be okay.

Once our lips broke apart and we shared a close smile, Akali laid on my shoulder for the rest of the movie. And, although she denied it, I thought I caught her falling asleep on me a couple times. I was secretly hoping she would get to do that more often.

What was left of the movie breezed by, and the credits were barely rolling before Akali popped up from her seat to stretch and usher us along to the exit. I asked what the hurry was for, and she was halfway through explaining something about having a reservation when we heard the sound of a shrill, recognizable shout coming from the lobby—and after a quick search around, we realized where it was coming from.

A group of young girls were huddled around one of their phones, which was playing a video that must have come from one of True Damage's social media pages at full volume. They seemed unbothered by the looks it earned as it played out, but once I heard Qiyana arguing with her team over something, I grabbed my phone to check for myself.

Akali watched over my shoulder as I pulled it up. It wasn't very hard to find, considering it was trending and seemed to be getting a lot of attention. The short video was recorded in their practice space from someone's pocket with a low, shaky angle, showing Qiyana chewing out the guy with the blinged out dreads I recognized from their intros. He made some pretty strong accusations against her, which was quickly backed up by the rest of the team, and apparently it gave him enough courage to walk out and ask who was with him. It was a bit blurry and muffled at parts, but by the end, what went down was very clear: True Damage was falling apart.

"Well then," Akali announced with a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Can't say I'm surprised, but— Hey, you okay?"

I let go of a breath I didn't realize I was still holding. "I—I will be. It's just, what was the point of all this sabotage if they aren't even going to follow through with the competition? How blinded by revenge can someone be?" I huffed.

"I have no idea what goes through that girl's head...which is probably a good thing. But, what I do know is that we have a reservation waiting for us, and it's at a place I think you'll like. How does that sound?" she asked.

As much as this development felt like a slap in the face, just having Akali by my side made me feel better. "As long as we're together? I'm down for anything."

As soon as we pulled up, I could tell why Akali thought I would like this place. It was gorgeous, with ivy creeping up the crisp stonework, tall windows that glinted with the reflection of passing cars, and a set of curved wooden stairs that looked like they were leading into something out of a fantasy movie. The inside was just as magical as I imagined—but what I wasn't expecting was to be pulled through the main dining room and out onto the patio, where the most magical part yet awaited us.

A bed of flowering bushes was the only thing that separated us from the steep edge overlooking our temporary home city. The low sun painted the city with a palette of soft oranges and reds, and a soft breeze with the slightest chill swirled past—as if to remind us that our summer days, and our time here, was nearing its end. The wind danced around the lit candles adorning each crisp white tablecloth dotting the space, and the smooth jazz playing over the speaker system welcomed us in with the allure of an unforgettable evening. For a night dedicated to our future—it couldn't have been more perfect.

Akali pranced ahead to grab my chair for me, and she made a show of it that I couldn't help admiring. "Pretty snazzy, huh? I tried to pick something you'd like, and I figured I couldn't go wrong with a literal candle-lit dinner," she smirked proudly.

"I couldn't have picked better myself," I confessed as I took it all in, then finally landed back on her as she settled in across from me. "You must be catching on, Baddest."

After the set of soft drinks we'd ordered found their way to the table, Akali sat up and cleared her throat. "Eve usually does the toasts, so I dunno how qualified I am to give one, but... Here's to us. For getting where we are now, and for wherever life may take us."

I tapped our glasses together. "I can drink to that," I winked.

"That's very easy-going of you," Akali grinned. "Sounds like I'm not the only one catching on, Mythic."

Once our orders were given, the looming pressure of our date began to set in. As much as I wanted to sit back and enjoy the view, we weren't just here to live in the moment—we were here to determine what came next.

Right on cue, Akali reached for my hand across the table. "Hey, Gorgeous?" she asked.

In that moment, everything else felt far away. Hair swaying in the breeze, eyes twinkling—it felt like my heart was going to pop. She made everything seem possible.

"Yeah?"

"I know this probably goes without saying, but I'm like, so ridiculously happy I met you. I don't know what I did to deserve this, and I'm gonna do whatever I can to make you happy—but even if that doesn't happen for some reason, I want you to know what a pleasure it's been just getting to know you. You're special, Starlight."

My eyes dared, but I willed myself not to cry. There would be plenty of tears on the plane ride home, and I did not intend to start early.

"You think you're the lucky one?" I teased. "This trip wouldn't have been even half as fun if I hadn't met you. Without you, I—"

Bzz-bzz.

A vibration from my bag alerted me, and Becca flashed to mind. I'd sent her a text earlier that I would be busy for the evening, and although she'd left it on read, it wasn't like her to reach out if she knew I was busy. I decided it was probably something else and shrugged it off—there was enough for me to think about right now.

"I could say the same, y'know," Akali continued for me.

I raised a brow at her. "I am many things, but I doubt many people would say 'fun' is at the top of the list. Especially compared to you, Miss Outgoing."

"And I think you should give yourself more credit," she countered. "Besides, seems like we bring out the best in each other."

Thinking back on our time together so far, I could agree with that. I mean, sure, she drove me crazy at first, but they say the people you care about most tend to do that. And I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Akali squeezed my hand, watching her thumb roll over mine. "And that's why, after thinking about this a lot, I'd like to—"

Another buzz. The second time annoyed me—if not for the distraction, then for the anxiety it was causing. But even if it was Becca finally reaching out, I told myself I would give this conversation my full attention, before it was too late. After, I promised myself.

"Everything okay?" Akali asked.

I nodded now that my phone was on silent and plopped back into my bag. "Whatever it is, it can wait. So, what were you saying?"

She cleared her throat and started again. "Well, as great as meeting each other was, I don't think either of us got what we entered the competition for. So, even though I know Eve's gonna kill me for this...I'm not ready to let go of competing yet. And I don't want to let go of you, either."

"Are you saying you're coming back next year to compete?" I asked. "I mean, I'm not complaining—but it sounds practically impossible to run rehearsals and work on music at the same time," I thought aloud.

Her smile was strained as she looked past me into the closing sunset. "You're right, and that's why I'm not getting back into music. Not until I figure out what this unfinished business with my mom and the stage is, at least."

There was a quiet bravery to each word. Maybe I shouldn't have been so surprised, not after the stand she made against Eve yesterday—but I still wasn't expecting her to decide so quickly. And that one decision would lead to a dozen more for both of us to make.

I was racking my brain for a response, potential questions, and potential answers all at once when the harsh blue light poking up from my bag finally won out. My eyes flicked down without thinking. Another notification—this time lighting up my screen instead of buzzing. The thoughts swirling in my head were competing with our conversation for attention. What if it was an emergency? What if—

Akali interrupted the silence that I should've filled with an answer by now. "You gonna check that?"

My chest dropped. Why did this have to happen right now, of all times? "I—yeah, I'm sorry. I just want to make sure there isn't an emergency, then I'll turn it off," I assured her.

Eager to get this over with, I gave in and slipped my hand from Akali's to scoop up my phone. I found three new messages from an unknown number, and I could tell at a glance who I was dealing with:

this is the leader of mythic, right? it’s qiyana

in case you’re wondering, I got your number from my agent. but I need to talk to you. I’m at crestview fountain park, it’s urgent

please.

My stomach twisted at the screen. Not only because she had the nerve to contact me without permission, but also from the unbearable combination of curiosity, confusion, and paranoia swallowing me whole.

"Starlight?"

My mouth felt dry as I started to explain. I imagine it must have sounded like a mumbled string of nonsense, but I guess she knew me well enough by now to put it together.

"Wait, so let me get this straight—Qiyana asked to meet you after dark at some random park without giving you an actual reason for it? Yeah, right. Like you're that gullible," Akali scoffed. "She has an impeccable talent for interrupting our time together, though—I'll give her that."

I went over the messages a few more times, as if that would somehow answer my endless questions. Akali was right that everything about it screamed suspicious, but there was something more to this. I just didn't know what yet.

Akali leaned forward, this time lowering her voice. "You're not actually considering it, are you? 'Cause to me, it seems like a perfect setup to ambush you and make you look bad. And I think we can agree she's done enough of that already," she said.

"I wish I could say I wasn't, but something feels different about this," I admitted. "I mean, why would she go to the trouble of getting my number just to ask me privately? And if she wanted to cause another scene, I don't think she'd ask to meet at an empty park during off hours like this. Not to mention she said please—that seems pretty big for her."

Akali sighed and asked to see the messages for herself. She gave them a skeptical read, and once she was finished, she rubbed her face like she couldn't believe what she was about to say. "Alright, yeah—I still don't trust her, but you make a good point. So, what are you gonna do?"

I was dreading that question. Qiyana was the last person I wanted to be around, especially when I had an important date right in front of me to see through—but responsibility weighed on me too heavily to ignore. What would Becca think if she knew I was given one more opportunity to make our dreams a reality, and I just didn't take it?

"Okay, maybe I skipped ahead with that one," Akali interrupted. "So I'll put it this way: will you regret it if you don't take a chance on this?"

After thinking it over—with my career, my team, and my own dreams in mind—I nodded. I never thought being a dance captain would be this hard. Part of me wondered if I was right all along, and maybe I shouldn't have let Akali into my personal life, not when I knew how many people were already counting on me.

I hesitated to look up, and I hated the disappointment on her face when I did. "I'm really sorry, Kali. I was looking forward to spending time with you, and even the tough conversations about our future—but I've come this far, and I have a team that's counting on me. We both do. And I hate that I have to choose between you sometimes, but as their leader, I owe this to them. I have to try. And—"

My words fell when Akali reached out and cupped my hand with both of hers. "Starlight, it's okay, really. I'd probably do the same thing if I were in your spot," she assured me. "Obviously, I'm not stoked that we're losing time together—but if I ever hope to be your official girlfriend, then I can't let you pass things up on my account that you'll end up regretting."

The threat of tears got the better of me this time, even if it was just slight. I shot up and threw my arms around her, smothering her in a way that the customers around us didn't expect any more than we did, but I wasn't concerned about them. My only concern was about the unbelievably supportive woman in front of me—and how the hell I was going to make this work.

"Thank you, Kali! I don't know how yet, but I'll try to make this up to you, okay?" I told her.

She smiled against me, or at least as much as she could while I was squeezing her. "You don't have to thank me, Gorgeous. That big heart is part of what I...like about you," she paused. "But we probably shouldn't keep her waiting for too long if you want to do this."

I wished I had more time to soak the moment in, but she was right. I let go to retrieve my phone and send a quick, plain message to Qiyana that I would be there within the hour—now that just left the issue of how I was going to get there.

After frantically looking through my phone for the Uber app I downloaded years ago, I grabbed my bag and began my search before I would have to leave, but I was distracted when I noticed Akali getting up from her seat.

"You're not trying to leave without your ride, are you?" she smirked.

I shook my head. "I can't ask you to come with me. This was my decision, so I'm not going to put you through whatever this ends up being on top of it," I said.

"Like hell. If you're gonna do this, you're not doing it alone," Akali insisted, promptly slapping more than enough cash to cover the services onto our table. "And besides—it won't hurt to show up in style."

What we were about to do didn't hit me until we left, and the fear of the unknown wasn't far behind to claw at my thoughts. Our dreams and their slim chances to come true were resting in my hands now—but with Akali at my side, I knew anything was possible.