Chapter Text
You were sweaty, tired, and down a couple treats, but it was done. It had taken over an hour to usher all the critters into a heart pattern, and another to arrange all the rose petals correctly. It was totally worth the hard work though, since your grand stage was finished, complete with a circle of irresistibly cute catcakes!
You quickly get into position, shushing the critters that meowed and purred. Ruan Mei would be here any second now, and you wouldn’t let this moment be anything less than perfection! Picking up a rose from the bouquet, you place it between your lips and hold it with your teeth. Was it incredibly over-the-top and eye-roll-inducing? Absolutely, but Ruan Mei was a spectacular woman that deserved nothing short of a glamorous spectacle.
“She’s coming this way.” Herta’s voice crackles in your ear, sounding as if she was about to burst out laughing. “You look ridiculous.”
Ignoring the genius, you fall onto one knee, clasping your hands together in the best attempt of an earnest plea.
Beep. The door begins to open, and—there she was. Ruan Mei, in all her brilliance. Today seemed to be one of those rare days where she would wear her hair down, the gorgeous cyan strands cascading down her shoulders. Your mouth goes dry at the sight, leaving you stunned awkwardly in place.
“What are you doing?” Mei tilted her head in confusion, lips parted in surprise. She looks down at the ensemble of critters, then at the assortment of petals, and finally at the bouquet clutched in your arms.
“Vwill vou ve-” You quickly take the rose out of your mouth, sputtering. This was bad. Herta bursts out laughing through your earpiece, making you quickly snatch the damn off. Alarm bells were ringing in your head now, screaming at you to abort, abort now!
“Sorry? I didn’t quite catch that.” Mei coughs, bringing up her hand to cover her lips—although it was very clear she was trying to hide a smile.
Welp. There’s no turning back now.
“Ruan Mei, will you be my valentines?” You exclaim, offering the bouquet up towards her, hoping, begging that she just spares you the embarrassment and says yes.
“Of course. I was actually going to ask you the same thing.” Ruan Mei reaches into her pocket, bringing out a tiny box of gold-wrapped chocolates. “We’ve been together for a while, it’s only reasonable to make it official. Although, I appreciate the… less than demure show.”
On queue, the catcakes pounce onto you to assert their dominance. After all, you had lured them all here just to fumble everything. Ruan Mei can’t help but giggle at the sight, a rare twinkle of warmth blessing her turquoise eyes.
“Okay! It’s a date!” You grin, giving her a thumbs-up while wrestling with the sentient pastries. Well, at least you got what you set out to achieve, even if it meant giving Herta a bit of blackmail material.