A Blooming Crush

Cathy's humming the song that she'll be performing under her breath as she waits for the makeup artist she hired to arrive. She's heard only good things from her friends about this beautician, so her expectations are rather high. Her manager has been informed to lead the other straight to her when she arrives. So, when the sound of the door opening to her dressing room is heard, she's quick to lift her head and stare into the mirror (which does reflect the door) to check on who it is and, oh— She has quite the presence. All it takes is one look and Cathy could tell that she’s an alpha. A really good looking one, at that. 

"Hi there. Kaiya, right?" Cathy chirps, one of her hands gently holding onto her rat tail as she brushes it with a comb on another hand before setting it down. "Nice to meet you. I'm Catherine, but you can call me Cathy." 

She pushes her feet against the floor, spinning herself around on her chair with a faint giggle so she's now facing Kaiya. "I look forward to working with you."

As Kaiya enters the dressing room, her eyes widen with excitement at the sight of Cathy. Her tail swishes back and forth eagerly. With a big, toothy grin that never seems to fade, she holds out her hand to shake the omega’s. 

"Hi, Cathy! Yep, that's me, Kaiya! Nice to meet you too!" Kaiya's voice is cheerful and bright, her words tumbling out in a rush of excitement. She bounces on her feet a little, unable to contain her energy. "Oh, wow, you look amazing! I can't wait to get started on your makeup. It's gonna be so much fun!"

Kaiya's eyes sparkle with anticipation as she moves closer, her movements a mix of grace and eagerness. She can't help but admire Cathy's outfit and the way she carries herself, the other nimera was really cute— wait her mind is staring to wander. 

"I'm so ready to make you shine like the star you are, Cathy! Let's make some magic together!" Kaiya exclaims, her enthusiasm infectious as she prepares her tools and makeup supplies. With a playful wink and ties up her hair in a bun, she's bring out her inner radiance for the performance ahead.

"Oh, I love your energy!" She laughs, clapping her hands together before she reaches out to shake her hand.

Kaiya's energy is contagious, and it's in a good way. To say that Cathy's amazed by her enthusiasm would be an understatement. She's had beauticians who get nervous about working with her before and there's nothing wrong with that! But their nerves do carry into the air and in turn, the vibe too — so this is good. 

The omega beams at her confidence, allowing the other to do what she needs so they can get started right away. She straightens up and keeps her face facing forward, staring at Kaiya expectantly. "If you need a chair, there should be another in the room somewhere."

"Oh, no worries! I like being on my feet." Kaiya chuckles and starts getting to work on the makeup. The two are quiet for a while as Kaiya gets lost in the rhythm of applying makeup. Swiping gently the shimmer across the shorter woman’s eyes. Her eyes dart around Cathy's face, examining every angle and every curve as she focuses on each part of the process. Her hand moves with the ease of a well practiced master.

"Hmm..." The taller woman hums quietly, her brows furrow as her attention is focused on the task at hand. The concentration in her face is evident as she carefully adds the final touches.

The colors can’t over shine her clothes but still stand out well, it's the perfect balance between soft and bold. There is a light dusting of gold across her cheeks, and a subtle hint of pink across her lips.

Kaiya takes a step back, admiring her work, and grins. She tucks the makeup brush behind her ear, satisfied with her work. “ Well do you love it or love it!”

Kaiya works fast. It's a speed that Cathy can tell only someone that's been doing this for a while would be able to have, but speed isn't the only thing she cares for. The most important part is the result —  and she has a high expectation. 

As soon as the other declares herself done, Cathy blinks and turns in her chair to stare right back into the mirror, pulling herself closer to examine the other's work for a good, long while. She's quiet as she does this, turning her head here and there in different angles to see how it'd look.

"I... loooove it!" Cathy gasps in a sing-song voice as she leaps onto her feet excitedly, twirling around and reaching out to grab Kaiya's hands into her own, swaying it side to side. Her eyes are sparkling and she's positively beaming. She lifts one of Kaiya's hand up over her head, making the other hold it there as she twirls herself with a laugh. "Thank you! They weren't wrong about you— you're amazing!"

Cathy's fingers intertwined with hers after, the omega grinning as she tugs at her hand —taking a step closer and standing on her tiptoes to give Kaiya a kiss on the cheek. "I'll definitely be calling you for more!"

Kaiya’s brain most definitely short-circuited, when Cathy grabs her hand and gives her a kiss on the cheek— it takes everything within her not to melt. Cathy is so sweet, so soft, so perfect, and so beautiful. 

The warmth radiating from her is enough to make Kaiya's heart leap from her chest.

She feels heat rush to her cheeks, and she tries to hide her embarrassment. She shakes it off to take pride of the praise and her work, but the lingering feeling of the kiss on her cheek will not leave her mind.

"I'm so glad you love it, I'll do my best to impress you every time~! " Kaiya wink playfully with a chuckle or two.

Catherine has already made a mental note of Kaiya's number in the back of her head for a fast-dial. Thanks to Kaiya's work, she's able to head on stage feeling more confident than ever — and she has plans to invite Kaiya for a drink to thank her for her amazing work next time, and the next too! 

True to her words, she'd call upon the beautician again and again. Each time, Cathy would give her a kiss on the cheek as a thank-you, then invite her out for a drink if she has the time to hang around. Though... If Kaiya would notice, Cathy has gotten bolder in her actions ; the kiss drawing closer and closer to the corner of Kaiya's lips but never exactly there. If someone else sees her do this, they'd stop and ponder — does Cathy do this to everyone?

The answer? No, not really. It just so happens that she finds Kaiya to be... attractive. Not to mention, she's got an amazing personality and an energy that's just so contagious, one that makes her tentacles wiggle excitedly every time she's around. Her being an alpha is simply a bonus. 

The idol bounces excitedly after she stares at herself in the mirror, spinning around with a toothy grin, her hands clasping together behind her as she hums. "Will you be staying for drinks today?" She asks, her eyes staring at Kaiya pleadingly, hoping for her to say yes.

Kaiya swears the idol just wants her mind to turn into pure mush after each session. She never stops thinking about the chaste cheek kisses and the way her tentacles wiggle. Her brain just keeps screaming Cathy is so cute! every time.

She shakes off the thoughts to stay professional though — it's hard but she tries.

"You know I can never pass up a drink or two." Kaiya chuckles softly, giving her a small wink. It’s just a few drinks, nothing to worry about, right?

Cathy's smile lights up her fact the moment Kaiya agrees to a drink. She can't help but grab her hands in excitement, her eyes sparkling in joy. "Great! Then it's a date!" She'd lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek after. 

Whether or not she realizes what she just said will remain unanswered, if Kaiya does try to ask about it - because she's very quickly gone out of the door in the next second to head towards the backstage and prepare for her appearance on stage. 

The next time Kaiya would see her would be after her stage performance ; the omega returning to the room breathless but also radiating with so much energy sapped straight from the crowd. She wonders if Kaiya's still waiting for her in her waiting room, happily skipping her way over and sliding the door open with a chirp. "Kaiya! The crowd went wild! Let me just get changed real quick and we can go grab a drink~"

There goes Kaiya, her brain completely white screen again from both kiss and mentioning that it was a date now. It's hard to focus on anything when Cathy is just too cute. She needs a break.

A break would not be given for her however, not even a few minutes later the door slides open and Cathy bounces in. Her voice is sweet and the light reflecting off her skin and outfit. The other woman is like an angel.

"Wow, I'm so happy for you! The crowd must have loved your performance. You were fantastic!" Kaiya says, giving her a big smile. “ Take your time, I have to do a few calls anyway. "

“A few calls?” Cathy tilts her head curiously, staring at her. She hums, assuming it’s just a couple of work calls. “Alright, I’ll be right back then!”

She skips her way into the changing room to dig for her clothes — but not before she wipes herself down and gets freshened up as best as she can. She wouldn’t want to be all sweaty during their time out, after all. 

Cathy slips into her casual wear afterwards — a navy blue chiffon dress with a deep v line and a slit on the side. She makes sure her hair is looking fine too before she heads back to Kaiya, a bouncy ball of energy. 

“Kaaaaaiya~” Cathy calls out in a sing-song voice, latching herself to the other Nimare’s arm as soon as she finds her with a grin on her face. “I didn’t take too long, did I?”

Cathy's dress is stunning, her curves accentuated in a way that makes Kaiya's mind blank and her cheeks flush. The shorter woman is truly the most gorgeous woman in the world. She wants nothing more than to shower her with affection and spoil her.

"No, you're fine! Just a couple of work calls is all," Kaiya says. She wraps her arm around the smaller woman's waist.

Kaiya chuckles softly as the shorter omega latchs onto her arm. Her ears wiggled excitedly, her tail swishing around in excitement.

"Of course not! Now let's get going, nothing makes a day better after a few drinks~!"

She definitely doesn't miss the red that colors the other's cheeks whenever it happens. Whether or not Cathy knows what that means, though? Well... Of course, she does. Because she's cute. ✨ 

Although, she does wonder if the other likes her the way she's starting to like Kaiya.

Cathy can't confirm if what she's feeling is anything serious, though. Not right now. It's far too early to tell - but she wants to get to know the other Nimare better. That's why she's asked her out for drinks every so often. 

You get to know someone better when they're a little buzzed, right?

There is one thing Cathy does know, and it's the fact that Kaiya's little quirks when she's excited are cute. She can't help but giggle at the ears wiggle and tail wag, the omega having to fight back the urge to coo at that. 

"Y'know, I never asked. I hope I'm not too much time off your schedule, asking you to stay for a drink." She peers up at the other with a tilt of her head, her tentacles wiggling behind her as she holds her arm a little closer. "I bet you're quite busy, since you're such an amazing makeup artist."

"Nah, no worries! I always have time for drinks with you."

Kaiya smiles down at the smaller omega, her arm tightening its hold on her. The two women walked towards the exit of the building. The taller of the two was happy to guide her along.

"Oh, and please, no need for flattery! I'm glad you're enjoying my services."

Kaiya's heart thumped heavily against her chest. Her tail unconsciously wagging again at the praise. She could feel her face heating up once more. She's not used to this kind of praise.

"It's not flattery if it's the truth," Cathy would argue with a little huff, her own heart fluttering at the thought that Kaiya would make time just for drinks with her. 

Focus, Catherine. She could have not meant much by that.

Yet, even so, she can't stop her heart from leaping in joy nor could she hide the little skip in her steps.

Oh, Cathy definitely finds herself crushing on Kaiya for quite a bit.