perfectmatch | week two

[ first things first, fit, but instead of the black breaking up the white, it's a baby blue. luka is also accessorized up with a few rings on his fingers and a pair of expensive looking sunglasses on his head. he'll take maya's hand within his own as soon as the crew drops them off (no, he doesn't ask if he can because he's luka). ]

What do you think? [ while his expression is one of this typical neutral ones, if you listen closely... there might be a note of excitement? ]

[ Maya... is in pink! A softer, baby pink! An oversized sweater and leggings, no sweatpants, thank god.

But she brightens immediately once she realizes, squeezing his hand as she starts forward with no prompting. ]

It's been a long time since I've been to an aquarium!

[ good for them rocking the pastels.

luka squeezes her hand back and then let's himself get pulled along. as much as he usually leads, he seems a natural at following too. ]

So you like it?

Of course I do!

[ A pause. ]

Ah, but preemptively--I don't want to interview you on a date. Okay? I'll find some other time for it.

Okay, sure.

[ a beat. ]

I'm glad you like it because I requested it for you.

[ She blinks.

It wasn't selected by the staff? ]

Because of what I said about the ocean?

And the dolphins.

[ there better be dolphins here... ]

[ How funny would it be if there wasn't-- ]

... Luka, can you swim?

[ blink. ]

Yeah. Why?

I was just wondering. I read once that people who can't are a little more uncomfortable at aquariums, so I wanted to make sure you weren't pushing yourself.

[ instantaneously: ]

I'm not afraid of anything.

Did I save you a wrinkle again?

You sure did!

[ But wow. ]

I'm a little envious, though. Nothing scares you?

[ he'll have to take something for that he thinks, but priorities: ]

Nothing. You can test me. [ how might come to mind, but he leads her hand to where his heart is. i am going to say this is conveniently where one the cutouts are so she's not trying to feel through wool and failing.

his heart is a steady, calm rhythm. on the slower than you would expect from standing around and walking. ]

[ Oh.

... Wait. Her fingers flex lightly on his chest. ]

Do you have low blood pressure, or...?

It's not that.

[ well maybe it technically is, but that's not the point.

he threads their fingers together, even like this. ]

Part of being on stage requires composure, no matter the situation. Stage fright is a real thing. [ a light laugh, uncharacteristically with a sigh at the end. ]

My training also involved making sure I could keep my heartrate low.

Doing what, breathing exercises?

[ Can breathing exercises maintain that sort of thing constantly, though?

It's hard to imagine him with stage fright, but she's aware. She's done interviews with performers before; this wouldn't be the first time she's heard it mentioned from seasoned professionals.

And for an alien race that raises kids solely to be idols... that kind of pressure must be immense. ]

Hmm... that's a question better saved for my interview, I think.

[ he doesn't mind answering it! but- ]

I want you to have a good time, today. And I don't want to give you any wrinkles.

[ he'll move her hand again, this time to his lips so he can drop a quick kiss on her knuckles. ]

Appreciated on both counts!

[ And she has a moment where she thinks she should shrug it off, because Luka is just Like This, but.

Wei Wuxian's lightly admonishing words echo in her head and Maya pauses for a moment before tugging his hand a little closer to leave a kiss on his knuckles in return. ]

But this is for both of us, not just me.

[ luka is just like this—

luka is— frozen like a deer in headlights, honey colored eyes wide. she's seen this expression before when she made him laugh, but this time it isn't fleeting, and this time its paired with an unmistakable pink flush. ]

Really?

[ Oh.

Wait, what? Did she actually fluster him?? Was he just not expecting it?? He's been suave nearly this whole time????

????????? ]

Really.

[ It's a little belated. ]

That's what a date is, isn't it? For two people to enjoy their time together?

Yeah, but—

[ also belated, so it's fine.

( . . . ) ]

I actually like you. Like-like. [ a schoolboy confessing a crush, not an infamous idol who never feels anything. ]

Well, if you didn't like me, I'd--

[ Wait. ]

Like-like? Like?? Like-like-like??

[ Wow it's like it isn't even a word anymore. ]

You--you know I'm like, Yingying's exact opposite, right?! Like--completely?? Not all fluttery and--

[ Help. ]

Also this isn't me putting myself down or anything but what?!

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