Chapter Text
Mona dances a little as she walks back to her dorm, the music in her headphones phasing out any anxiety she has about being seen jigging about. It’s pitch black outside due to the Starlight Conservation act, which many astronomers –including Mona– are very thankful for.
Her astrophotography classes have been held at night this semester. Which much welcomed change from last semester, where they had done time-lapses of the sky from morning ‘till night, causing her to wake up as early as 4am. She had always been a night owl due to her all-consuming interest in space though; spending every waking moment dedicated to learning as much as she could about it.
The song she was dancing to looped for the seventh time.
“Oh Patricia, you've always been my North Star
And I have to tell you something
I'm still afraid of the dark
But you take my hand in your hand
From you the flowers grow
And do you understand with every seed you sow
You make this cold world beautiful?”
She became hyper-aware of her backpack after she swayed too hard– Causing her to stumble for a second.
I should stop before I break my lenses.. She thinks to herself. Mona treats her camera and telescope lenses like they’re worth more than her life.
The cool fall air makes her shiver as she walks up a set of concrete stairs that lead to a side entrance. She could just barely see her breath before she closed the door, embracing the heating inside.
“She told me all doors are open to the believer
I believe her, I believe her, I believe her
Do you feel loved? Do you feel loved?
She told me all doors are open to the believer
I believe her, I believe her, I believe her
Do you feel loved?”
To be honest, Mona was surprised she had even been accepted into The University of Sumeru City– Or referred to as ‘The Akademiya’ in a past tense. It was pretty prestigious– Almost having as much reputation as The University of Fontaine: Faculty of Law for its selectivity and expensive scholarships. Of course, UoSC had a wide assortment of courses and departments, whereas Fontaine’s leading Uni did not.
She lets out a subconscious sigh at the sight of the familiar dorm hallways. It wasn’t that the decorations were boring, because that wasn’t the case whatsoever. She just finds that seeing the same thing over and over can get repetitive or mundane.
Then again, she was a raging hypocrite for thinking this. She could look at the same star everyday and be enthralled by it every single time.
The dorm halls were tastefully painted, using complimentary colours and interesting transitions between them. She knew every excruciating detail about the process, because Kaveh himself had organized the dorm glow-up, and the two of them considered the other a best friend. It was admittedly harder to appreciate after hearing every complaint Kaveh had about the matter.
He started the public petition to change the look of it in the first place, so she doesn’t get what he was expecting. Luckily, he’d been working with Albedo, who was Kaveh’s friend first, and Fine Arts professor second. He also had an infinite amount of patience in regards to the other blond’s whining; a soft smile for every gripe he released into the world.
Mona had found herself in an enigmatic and tight-knit circle of friends upon her arrival at UoSC; Al-Haitham, the ‘mysterious’ scribe and translator, who was seeking a bachelor in Linguistics; Kaveh, the promising and annoying architect, whose desired bachelor can be easily assumed; Tighnari, who’s known for his calm nature, green thumb, and degree in Plant Biology as well as his pursuit of a degree in medicine; Cyno, the intimidating and buff student in pursuit of a degree in Personal Training and Fitness; and finally, Layla, Mona’s roommate. The somehow-sleep-deprived-yet-always-half-asleep beauty, who also had a deep affection for outer-space.
They both were seeking the same degree, yet had different goals; degrees in Astrophysics, Astronomy, and Atmospheric Chemistry. Layla was more of a research paper type, whereas Mona wanted to be out there, using the new tech and equipment to observe celestial objects.
To be honest, Mona felt utterly confused at her feelings towards Layla, which was alarming, since she could comprehend and complete complex formulas in physics with little issue.
She was defeated trying to comprehend her gorgeous roommate. She couldn’t help but wish that she could be even closer to her– Even though the two were already teetering on the line between platonic and romantic.
Mona decides to turn her music off as the last lyrics hit, ending the song properly.
“I drink too much coffee and think of you often
In a city where reality has long been forgotten
And are you afraid? 'Cause I'm terrified
But you remind me that it's such a wonderful thing to love
It's such a wonderful thing to love”
She turns a corner to the right, and bumps into Al-Haitham.
“Mmph– Oh- Hi.” She grunts out.
“Goodn– I guess it's morning, actually.” The silver haired man greets as he crosses his arms.
Mona rolls her eyes, but without any actual irritation. “Why are you up now? You usually wake up a bit later.” She pops her headphones off, letting them lay around her neck like a weird necklace, padded by her comfortable sweater.
Al-Haitham rubs his nose. “Kaveh forgot to bring back my pens from the workshop.” His state of sleep-deprivation and dark circles were pretty concerning, but Mona knew she had a brilliant set herself, so she didn’t comment.
She smirks slightly. “That’s what you get for trusting him.” He raises his eyebrows comically and looks away. “Why aren’t you making him get them then?”
He leans more on one leg, which Mona faintly remembers from her short Body Language class that it means the subject is comfortable in their environment, causing them to show a more vulnerable position.
“He hasn’t slept in a full week, and he finally passed out. I can’t bring myself to wake him up for this.”
She sympathizes; she has the same concerns regarding Layla and her strange bouts of sleep-deprived delirium.
Maybe that’s why he was such an asshole about the project…
“Let me know if I can help.” Is what she figures is the best thing to say.
Al-Haitham nods in return, gives her a friendly pat on the shoulder, and walks past her.
I hope Kaveh’s okay. She worries. Al-Haitham cares a lot about his partner, even though from an outside perspective it seems like the only thing they do is argue.
Mona takes a look out the window. The dark sky was showing signs of the coming sunrise. She smiles softly to herself– She always liked to watch the figurative light switch of the world turn off and on.
At the very end of the hallway to the right was her and Layla’s dorm, which sat opposite Al-Haitham and Kaveh’s dorm. She greatly enjoyed having the window right outside.
Layla had explained to her once how entertaining the beginning of her relationship with the two men was. They had been bickering so loudly in the middle of the night to the extent that Layla had to knock on their door to politely request they calm down. The next day, they had invited her to coffee as an apology. Since then, the three had become quite intertwined in each-other’s lives.
When Mona had transferred over to UoSC at the behest of her Mentor, the shenanigans of the group doubled. Al-Haitham and Mona were equal in terms of confidence– Or as some would describe, ego. She and Kaveh consistently had debates that lasted several hours, sometimes even days; they almost never reached a conclusion.
She talked very little with Cyno, mostly due to the fact he didn’t talk very much at all. Cyno was a comforting presence to have around, however. Mona had explained to Layla that he’s like an owl– A constant observer, though he rarely added to the conversation.
Tighnari, even though he was the same age as the rest of them, almost acted like a father figure. He often invited the group to his apartment for homemade snacks and tea. The fox-eared man had landed a highly sought-after position as the personal assistant to Nahida, the leader of Sumeru. Tighnari was quite the busybody though; still attending University, and somehow managing having two jobs on top of that.
Mona hadn’t gotten the chance to meet Nahida like the rest of them, but she almost didn’t want to. The idea of talking to such a prominent figure scared the ever-loving shit out of her.
She and Layla had an interesting dynamic.. In comparison to the rest of her friends. But Mona tries not to think about it as she takes out her keycard from her jean pocket.
It’s like a hotel key. She snorts to herself. She taps the key on the receiver, and the lock pops away with a beep as she opens the door.
The campus was notorious for its ‘luxury’ services and fancy adornments. Calling some of these things ‘luxury’ was funny to Mona– They had a bookstore, separate from the library.
Nahida, before opening the school years ago, had said that she wanted the best services and educational opportunities for the pupils of Sumeru. Which was received very well. Mona wanted nothing different than what was currently available.
She steps into her dorm, and the familiar sight of the room comforts her.
There was no divider between the two beds on opposite sides of the room. Which was to be expected– But caused Mona to face the wall when she slept to avoid looking at Layla too closely.
The two had an unspoken agreement that the room was metaphorically divided in the middle. They had no disputes over cleanliness– as they left the other’s side of the room untouched. Mona had everything in its designated place, not a speck of dirt or dust on the ground. Layla, on the other hand, was a complete mess.
Her books were usually splayed out on the ground, along with crumpled up drafts of research papers and reports. Somehow, it was organized in her own way, as she never forgot where something was. The only orderly thing Layla committed to was making her bed, and keeping her desk clean when not using it.
The back wall included a circular window with a squishy couch underneath it. That spot was Mona’s favourite for reading. They had a mini-fridge, and a poor excuse for an oven (A microwave, that sat on the ground).
She sighs as she hangs her backpack on the hook attached to the back of the door. Layla was at her desk, snoring a bit while she wrote furiously, the scratching noises of pen on paper alerted her. The dim lightning hurt Mona’s eyes a bit, but she knew it was the only light-level that Layla could properly function in while writing.
“Hey.” She calls gently, not wanting to surprise her.
Layla turns to her, blinking rapidly. “Oh.. Hi.. How was class?”
Mona lays on her bed, and checks her phone. “Pretty good– I’m tired though. What are you working on?”
“An essay on the contributions of female astronomers throughout the 1800s and 1900s.” She yawns the sentence out.
Mona tilts her head, processing. “What professor again?”
“Madame Yae Miko.”
She turns over, facing Layla from across the room with a squint. “English class?”
Layla nods. “I couldn’t decide anything else to write about.” Mona hums in acknowledgement.
“Did you eat anything today?” She asks Mona.
She breathes out heavily at her query. “Didn’t get the chance to. Spent all day running across campus for stuff.”
Layla frowns, and gets up from her chair; it swivels a bit.
“You don’t have to–” Mona doesn’t finish her sentence when Layla puts a finger to her lips, shushing her, before fiddling with something in the mini-fridge.
Her face heats up a little bit.
“We still have the leftover salad that Tighnari made us.” She picks out a fork from the pathetic ‘cutlery bowl’ they own, which consists of two forks, two knives, and two spoons.
Layla hands her the container of Tighnari’s salad. Mona is very hungry; she can hear her stomach growl. She doesn’t refuse the gift of much needed sustenance.
Her hand grazes over Layla’s before she lets go of the container. Mona’s breath hitches at the touch.
She finds it embarrassing that Layla just being in her vicinity sets her nerves aflame. Every touch feels like an electrical current flowing through her veins.
She doesn’t ever seem to notice though– Mona’s thankful for it.
The container opens with little resistance, and the delicious flavours of the salad greets her tongue. She lets out a little noise at how nice Tighnari’s light dressing is. The croutons were browned beautifully.
Layla had returned to her desk so quickly it almost seemed like she teleported. The familiar sound of scribbling continues on, making Mona’s ears ring.
She ignores how her ears start itching from the noise. The sound of her own chewing distracts her anyway.
Mona consumed the salad like a starved crow. She snaps the lids of the container closed, and leaves it on her nightstand so she remembers to wash it later.
“Thanks for that.” Mona walks over, and peers over Layla’s shoulder at her writing. She doesn’t respond.
Ah. She realizes.
She’s in one of them again.
Layla’s eyes were laser-focused on the task at hand; skittering back and forth as she writes and rereads her own sentences simultaneously. She doesn’t notice Mona behind her, who is currently making an amused face at the state of her roommate.
She knows that Layla is ambidextrous from watching her write many times, but she must have been writing all day because her left hand was red and irritated; her skin cracking from dryness, and pen ink all over it.
Her right hand is quickly approaching the same state, although she seems to be ignoring it. Her brows are furrowed, and lips pursed as she dedicated herself to her paper.
“Layla.” Mona whispers.
She continues.
“Layla..” She says in a regular speaking voice.
Nothing.
“Layla.” She calls firmly, placing a hand over her shoulder.
She jumps up in surprise, coming back to earth. “M-Mona!” Her pen clatters to the floor.
The chair hit her in the shin really hard, making her wince in pain.
It’s like stubbing your toe, but worse.
Layla’s making a worried expression as Mona rubs the tender skin. “Are you okay?” She leans down to look at the red mark blossoming on her skin.
“Uh- Yeah. I’m fine.”
Layla’s practically pouting at her. “I’m so sorry.”
Not-fine-any-fucking-more!
She steps backwards, and chuckles nervously. “It’s okay, it just bumped me.”
“No-no.. Sit on the couch or something..” Her lip quivers.
To get her to stop looking at her like that, Mona listens.
She sinks into the couch like it was made of clouds.
God-bless second hand couches.
Now it’s Mona’s turn to ask a question, since Layla has regained full consciousness.
“Have you even taken a single break lately?” She hangs her legs over the armrest, laying flat on her back.
Layla crosses her arms and looks away for a moment. “No. Why?”
“Your hands.” She says pointedly.
She receives a deep sigh in response.
“I don’t have anything else to do. Plus, I work when I’m relaxing.”
Mona’s face tenses. It’s true, she has only ever seen Layla do one thing: Write– Write till she passes out. She only goes to events if Mona invites her, and goes with her. Layla is the definition of a hermit, whereas she’s quite a bit more sociable in comparison.
She moves so she’s sitting normally on the couch, and pats the cushion next to her. “Have you ever thought about trying a new hobby?” Layla shakes her head ‘no’ as she joins her.
Layla swings her legs over Mona’s lap, her face is so close to hers. Her head is leaning against the couch, and she stares into her eyes.
“I don’t think I could be good at anything else.” She whispers, and blinks slowly. Like a cat, she thinks.
“You could be good at anything you wanted to be good at.” Mona tucks a piece of her blue-hair behind her ear. It was blocking the view of her eyes.
She smiles, and takes Mona’s stray hand in her own, intertwining their fingers.
Mona can hear her own heartbeat like it’s a drum solo.
“Thank you. That’s nice of you to say..”
“I’m not just saying it. I mean it.” She reiterates.
Layla’s eyes slowly flicker closed. “You’re a sweet girl.. Mona.”
She doesn’t have time to process, as she catches Layla as she falls backwards, asleep.
Her right arm is wrapped around her waist. She feels like she’s holding a baby. Layla’s hand that’s holding hers goes limp, but Mona keeps holding on for some reason. Her breathing is loud in the otherwise deafening silence of the room.
I should bring her to her bed..
Just as she’s about to get up and do just that, she hears Layla mutter something.
“I love you.”
She freezes in place, not moving an inch.
What did she just say?
No.. I can’t read into it. She’s just talking in her sleep.
This excuse is shattered when she mutters another word in the depths of her slumber.
“Mona..”
She shivers. Oh. I’m going to read into it now.
Instead of getting up, Mona removes her hand from Layla’s, and sets an alarm for her class later.
I’ll.. Just sleep here too.