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Illyana was alone, taking space on a lonely bench. She allowed the crisp air to splash against her face before warming herself with a sip of charring hot coffee.
“Mmmm.” She let her stress loosen, evaporating into the air. This was her weekly ritual, a calm morning to destress and forget about her troubles. To have some time alone, with herself, working through her thoughts.
“Hey Illyana!”
At least it was supposed to be.
She didn't bother opening her eyes, recognizing the pitch and tone of Roberto’s voice. Another set of footsteps were close behind him.
“Hello Roberto. Hi Dani.”
“What? How did you-”
“Maybe she's discovered a secondary mutation for telepathy?” Roberto snarked.
“Nope, I guessed.” She opened her eyes to find the pair standing in front of her.
“Mind if we stop by, hang around a bit?” Dani politely asked.
She did mind actually. This was her alone time, a necessity. Even Kitty, who usually found it impossible to stay away from her, understood this. Hell, her friend was the one who made her the coffee she had with her now.
Made just how she likes it.
“I'd prefer to be alone right now. Undisturbed." She tacked on, a playful yet threatening smile on her lips.
“Sure, sure, we were just wondering if you heard about Gambit and Rogue?” Roberto continued pestering.
“What about them?”
“Apparently, Rogue got them tickets for a nice cruise off the Louisiana coast,” Roberto informed her. “Theyre already on their way over, just left this morning.”
“I hear it's both really easy to budget but also still really romantic,” Dani added on. Illyana rolled her eyes.
“I would've heard about this eventually. Why did you need to interrupt my scheduled alone time to tell me this now?”
“We were just curious. After hearing about Rogue's big Valentine's Day gift-”
Valentine's Day? Illyana forgot that was today, too caught up in her work these past few days. It's not like she had any reason to celebrate the holi-
“We were wondering what you had in store for Kitty?”
Illyana's attention snapped back to her friends. Dani's excited face was disorienting, Roberto's expectant smile haunting. What did he just say?
“I'm sorry? What?”
“For Valentine's Day. It's your first one being with Kitty, right?” Roberto's clarification didn't help her at all. It made matters much worse actually.
“You got to have something special planned right?” Dani chimed in. “It's your first one.”
Where did these two get such a massive misunderstanding about her and Kitty from? They must be under some kind of mind spell.
“I'm sorry, I need to set this straight. You think me and Katya are… together?”
Illayana's question flipped her friends' smiles upside down. Their brows furrowed in confusion, sharing concerned glances between themselves.
“Uhm, yeah, haven't you guys been together since last semester?”
“No, not at all,” Illyana responded coolly.
“Ha ha, very funny, Magik.” Roberto tried laughing her off before being met with a deadpan stare straight from the depths of Limbo. “Holy shit, you're not joking. You really don't think you're dating her.”
“Yes. Because I'm not dating her. We're just friends.” She was about to stand up and leave, tired of whatever game these two were trying to play when Dani mumbled something to Roberto.
“Care to share, Dani?” Illyana crossed her arms, the same stern stare she gave to students talking out of turn in class now aimed right at Dani. Dani winced, like she had taken physical damage.
“Does Kitty know you're not dating?”
“Why wouldn't she?”
“Well, based on the handmade card she was making this morning between classes, I'd say she’s planning on getting you something today. I took a peek at it and it's addressed to you.”
“Just because she is giving me something today doesn't mean she thinks we're together,” Illyana deflected.
“It's Valentine’s, Illyana.”
“Coincidence, Roberto.”
“Yeah, not with the kind of card she was making,” Dani continued. “Full of heart stamps, she addressed you as babe. She even kissed under her signature to leave a lipstick stain.”
“She calls me babe all the time. It's just a term of endearment for her friends.” Illyana didn't bother addressing the hearts, Kitty loved to decorate. The lipstick signature, however…
“Yeah, I've been friends with her for years and she has never once called me ‘babe’,” Dani scoffed, finger quotes heavy.
“Yeah, me neither,” Roberto jested.
Illyana could feel a warmth creeping up her neck, melting away the chill blanket of air she was oh so enjoying a moment before.
“Well, you know, she's a lot closer to me than either of you.”
“Oh come on, Illyana! This is insane,” Roberto broke out. “She moved back in with you, she made such a big deal about it.”
“There was a room shortage, it just made sense for us to room again,” Illyana snapped before leaning back, trying to keep her cool. She knew what her relationship was to Kitty. Kitty was her best friend and she was Kitty's. Simple as that.
Kitty knew that too. Right?
“You two walk through the halls glued to each other,” Dani added. “You look like you're in a romcom, fingers all intertwined. She's always leaning into you, head on your shoulder as you're walking.”
Illyana was about to speak up again when Roberto made a preemptive, devastating strike.
“Girl, we've seen her kiss you.”
“On the cheek! It's her way of showing affection to-” Illyana decided not to add on ‘her friends’ upon seeing the disappointed frown on Dani's face. She knew saying that would only lead to Dani confirming that Kitty had, in fact, never kissed her in such fashion.
“And that time at the faculty baseball game where she leaped at you after finishing the lap that won the game and kissed you. On the lips.” Roberto made sure to draw out those last three words.
“...she's a really passionate sports player…”
Illyana knew it would be the fatal blow if she mentioned all the other times they kissed in more private settings. Illyana just sat there. Her mind cracked open as she felt the embarrassment that came with realizing those kisses weren't just Kitty's way of being nice to her friend.
“Oh my, she's a lost cause.” Dani slapped a palm to her temple, walking off a few steps while Roberto pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Illyana, I don't know how you've done this but you've been dating Kitty Pryde for almost seven months without knowing you were dating her,” Roberto informed her with tired disbelief.
“Seven Months!” Dani echoed behind him.
“And now, it's Valentine's Day and she's about to give you a nice, hand-crafted card along with a thoughtful and considerate gift. Based on the fact that you didn't even know you were dating her, I'm guessing you don't have anything planned to give her today, do you?”
Illyana stiffened.
Oh no.
Oh no oh no oh no.
She had nothing, obviously.
She bolted out of the bench, her coffee nearly flying out of her grasp. She dunked the drinks, the burn in her throat invigorating her senses. She was about to open a stepping disc when she awkwardly turned back to her friends.
“Roberto. Dani. I, uh-”
“Worry about thanking us later,” Dani cut her off. “After you've fixed this monumental screw-up.”
Ilyyana nodded and stepped out, just catching Roberto yell out behind her.
“You owe us!”
She only had a few hours before Kitty's few classes for the day ended. She teleported off to a nearby bakery, one of Kitty's favorites.
By some miracle, she caught them during a rare slow hour. She was able to get some fresh cupcakes, the kosher ones that Kitty would buy dozens at a time and often eat in one sitting, and got them signed with little hearts and Kitty's name in ocean blue frosting. A few were written with her nickname for the girl too, another personal touch to try and make up for the last-minute nature of her gift. She even bought a little plastic ring with a cartoon dragon adorned on it that reminded her of Lockheed. If Lockheed was green with red polkadot scales and had horns like a Triceratops.
She'd teleport right back to her place with thirty minutes to spare before Kitty would return. Lockheed, who had been resting in a little cloud-shaped pet bed, perked up at her sudden arrival. He eyed the large white box, definitely already sniffing out the sugary contents.
“No, not for you,” Illyana chastised upon seeing the dragon lick its lips. Lockheed pouted, big eyes staring up at her.
“Okay, fine, but only if your momma approves after she's had hers.”
As if summoned by dark magic, the door opened and Kitty was now there. Early.
Illyana, unprepared, caught off guard, nearly yelped. Embarrassing.
“Katya, what are you doing back so early?” She did her best to recover. Kitty just tilted her head and smiled.
“I'm not that early, silly!” Illyana eyed the small stack of folders she was carrying. She could see the tip of an envelope hidden amongst them. “Last class got done with a quiz faster than I expected so I let them go early.”
“That's… nice,” Illyana shifted, trying not to make the big white box sitting on her desk anymore obvious. It took only a second for Kitty to notice it.
“What's this?” Kitty was quick, already at her desk. Illyana stood next to her, letting Kitty's excited curiosity ease her stress.
“I got you a little something,” Illyana answered. “For Valentine's.” It felt wrong to include that last part.
Kitty opened the box, her face lighting up seeing the array of cupcakes.
‘Awww, babe, are these-”
“From Scarlet Sugar's? Yep.” Illyana allowed herself a smidgen of pride as Kitty picked up the cupcake adorned with the dragon ring.
“Oh, look at this, Lockheed! He looks just like you!” Illyana couldn't tell if she was purposefully teasing her dragon or just too caught up in the excitement to notice it did not look like the little guy whatsoever. Lockheed just gave an unamused look before curling back up in his bed.
Kitty took the ring off, gobbling down the cupcake with alarming speed. Then, she handed the ring to Illyana.
“Clean it off for me?”
Illyana chuckled, taking the ring to her mouth and sucking the frosting off. She tried to ignore the way Kitty was staring at her lips. She took one of the accompanying napkins provided by the bakery and wiped the ring dry. She was about to simply hand it back when Kitty held her hand out, palm down.
Illyana took the ring and slid it onto Kitty's ring finger. For it being a silly plastic ring, Illyana felt too much pressure in placing it on Kitty's hand.
Kitty smiled, looking at the ring like it was made of diamond.
“Thank you, babe.” Before Illyana could react, Kitty leaned forward and kissed her. Illyana wondered how she managed to toss all their past kisses as nothing more than a platonic gift. Cause now, knowing that Kitty was putting her heart into it, it was electrical. Legendary.
When they parted, Illyana barely noticed the small box that suddenly appeared in Kitty's hand. Her other found the pile of folders and pulled out the envelope, Illyana's name spelled in delicate cursive.
“I was gonna wait til after dinner, but I can't wait. Happy Valentine's Day, ‘Yana!”
Illyana took the envelope first. Opening it revealed the exact card Dani described. Hand made with cut out hearts. She read the message neatly written into the card:
Babe,
I remember you once told me you believed you were hard to love. I could never believe that.
Because it was so easy to fall in love with you. I fell in love with your strength, your kindness, the support and devotion you've given me even before we got together. Before you were my closest friend, now you're my amazing partner, and always my greatest love.
I give you all my love, as you've given me yours.
-Kitty
And below her name, the red outline of her lips. Her eyes began to water, Kitty's words striking her deep.
“Oh Babe, don't cry. You haven't even opened up your gift,” she offered the small box again, a teasing smile on her lips. Illyana carefully placed the card onto the desk before taking the box. She opened it slowly, both excited and scared.
The letter alone had ten times the thought and care than what Illyana had put into her gift. She couldn't imagine what Kitty's actual gift would be.
The lid was off, revealing a small, silver pendant, shaped like a heart. Illyana took it out, placing the box down as the chain attached to it unraveled in her fingers.
“It's beautiful,” Illyana gasped.
“Just wait til you open it,” Kitty pointed out. Illyana's thumb found the small switch on the side. Clicking it, the pendant opened up. Inside was a piece of yellow and black cloth folded under a glass cover.
“Is that-”
“It's a piece of my original costume. I remember how you used to get so worried whenever we got separated on a mission. Thought you'd feel better if you always had a piece of me with you.”
Illyana brushed a thumb over the glass.
“Thank you. This means a lot.” Illyana's arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a powerful hug. Kitty returned it, squeezing Illyana in her own arms.
“It's a little selfish though,” Kitty murmured into her ear. Illyana parted from the hug, confused.
“It's my way of joining you during your alone time.”
Illyana laughed. Kitty started making her way to the door.
“Come on, Jean helped me get dinner reservations at the nicest place along the river. You're gonna love it.”
Illyana was about to follow when she looked at the pendant again, the card resting on her table. That last line held onto her mind like an anchor.
I give you all my love, as you've given me yours.
Had she really though? Given Kitty all her love? She didn't even realize they were together for months. That can't possibly be giving her all of her love.
“‘Yana, you alright?” Kitty turned around with a worried look. Illyana staggered, unsure what to say. She could keep playing along, pretending that she wasn't the massive fool that she was.
But holding back, telling such a lie, wouldn't be fair to Kitty. And Kitty came first.
“Katya, I need to confess something.”
“Is something wrong, ‘Yana? Did you not like the card? Or the gift? It's alright. They're kinda cheesy, I know.”
“No, I love them,” Illyana cut off Kitty. She approached her, getting close. Part of her wanted to run away, but she forced herself forward step by step.
“It's just… I-” Illyana struggled. How does one explain such a monumental mistake as she had made. That was until Kitty's hands closed over hers.
“It's okay, Illyana. You can tell me anything.” Kitty's smile was reassuring. Comforting. Illyana hated to ruin it.
“Katya, I didn't know we were dating. Until today.”
It felt like her heart crashed in her chest as she saw Kitty's face scrunch in confusion.
“What? What do you mean?”
“I didn't realize we were together, that you have been treating me as your girlfriend and not your best friend, until Roberto and Dani told me about the card you were making. That you were planning something for me today.”
Kitty tilted her head, lips pursed, before she started giggling.
“Oh, Roberto and Dani, uh? Did they put you up to this? Is this some big set up for another surprise gift?”
Illyana sighed in frustration.
“No, Katya, it's not. I'm not joking.”
Kitty looked into her eyes. She knew she would see the truth in them. Kitty's face faltered, her smile crumpled.
“Wait, you're being serious? How?” Kitty backed away, releasing her hands from Illyana’s. “I mean I asked you out, right? I don't remember you saying no.”
Illyana shook her head.
“I don't remember you ever asking me.”
Kitty’s form completely fell, her shoulders slumped.
“I never asked you,” She uttered, a hand to her temple as she began pacing around the room. “How did I forget to ask you?”
She spun towards her, staring her down with bewildered eyes.
“I may have forgotten to ask you, but why didn't you say anything before? When I moved back in, started calling you all these pet names. When I kissed you!”
Illyana shrunk back.
“Dear Lord, I kissed you. A lot, ‘Yana. In front of everyone. Did you just think that was all platonic?”
Illyana still couldn't find any words. Just timid nodding.
“Oh no.” Was all Kitty managed to say as tears started welling up. She turned away from her, arms crossed, head tilted down.
“This is… a lot to take in. I think I'm gonna need some time to myself.”
Wait. That's not what Illyana wanted.
“Why?”
“I know you've had plenty of time with us just being friends, but it's gonna take me a bit to get used to that again.”
Illyana surged forth and grabbed Kitty's shoulder. She pulled her so that she faced her. Kitty's face shot up, eyes wide, confused, and angry.
“Who said I just wanted to be friends?”
Cause truly, when Illyana first had the revelation that she had been dating Kitty without her knowledge, her reaction was not disgust or betrayal. She wasn't upset that she was with Kitty, she was upset that she didn't realize.
Because being with Kitty was a dream come true. One she had been living for months without a clue.
“But-I-you didn't even realize we were dating. I didn't even ask, I just threw myself at you. Why would you want me after this?”
“Because I love you, Katya!” She nearly screamed the words. “When I found out that you have been treating me as your girlfriend for months, that the kisses and the affection that I tried to dismiss as nothing were you giving me your heart, I felt ashamed. Not because I was with you, but because I was with you and wasn't giving you my full love.”
Kitty kept staring, dumbfounded but not angry anymore.
“In your card, you said it was easy loving me. For me, being with you, as your partner, is so easy I didn't even notice the change. Perhaps that's why you forgot to even ask, because being together is as natural to you as it is to me.”
Illyana was trying to fight through tears, watching Kitty do the same as she tried to speak without sobbing. Neither of them seemed to have any more words. So Illyana did the only natural course of action.
She kissed Kitty. Softly, tender, with all the care she should've been kissing her with for months.
When their lips departed, the tears were gone. All Kitty had was a small smile and a quiet laugh.
“God, what are we going to do for anniversaries?” She giggled.
“Today would make sense. First day we both are on the same page.”
“Babe, Valentine’s is so cliche!” Kitty's hands found her waist, keeping her close as she laughed into Illyana's chest.
“Perhaps, but I don't mind.” Illyana moved her hands to the side of Kitty's chest, smoothing over her ribs.
They held each other there, letting a loving silence wash over them.
“So I'm guessing the cupcakes were a last minute gift, hmm?” Kitty pointed to the box, which Lockheed was not so sneakingly trying to break into.
“Lockheed, down!” Illyana startled the dragon.
“Oh, it's fine, ‘Yana. Let him have one.”
Lockheed lit up at hearing permission given and immediately opened the box and snatched a cupcake, taking it back to his bed where he began dissecting the treat from its wrapper. Quite messily.
“I'm not cleaning that up,” Illyana grimaced. Kitty tried to stifle her laughter with her hand.
“We can worry about it after dinner.” She then paused, looking at Illyana with a cautious glance. “Would you like to go to dinner? Like, as a date?”
Ilyana smiled, leaning forward to plant a kiss on Kitty's temple.
“Thank you for asking, Katya. Of course, I would.”
Her partner, on everything magical it was great to call her that, gave a full smile in return.
“Awesome!” She leaped up and hugged Illyana, feet kicking back in the air.
The two left their room, hand in hand, on equal footing.
The dinner was phenomenal. But Illyana had trouble focusing on the nice scenery of the restaurant herself. She couldn't keep her attention off the girl she shared a table with.
Her smile, how the light of the restaurant bounced off her eyes, the way she nervously played with the little toy ring on her finger that made Illyana already start to dream of giving her something real.
Her first date with Kitty, at least the first one she was aware was a date, was perfect.
When they returned back to their room, they split the rest of the cupcakes, though Kitty ate most of them with her endless appetite. Full and content, they went to bed together.
Wrapped under the sheet, with Kitty in her arms, Illyana felt that pang of guilt beat in her heart. Her fingers found the pendant still around her neck. Kitty had been giving her so much love for months and Illyana never realized it.
Tomorrow though, she'd start making up for it. It wouldn't be hard to do.
Because being with Kitty was easy.
Just as she was so easy to love.