A/N: My depiction of Adrian Gardner.

***

Sunday.

If there was one song that could summarize Abel's current mood down to a T, then it would be that Bruno guy's Lazy Song.

After a marathon of a series he had discovered until the witching hour, his body revolted against the idea of climbing out of his lovely bed. With his face buried in the confines of his cool pillow and his limbs sprawled out on his mattress, no way he would want to withdraw from his sanctuary.

On top of everything, the cosplay con yesterday had sucked the hell out of his remaining stamina. Posing and flaunting for numerous pictures might be within his department, but at the cost of his numbing muscles. That didn't even include his crusade against the great and glorious Princess Charming, all resulting in a complete dud.

Confrontations against her were crystal clear like his future, but that particular farewell on the train... continued to live rent-free in his mind. Ugh, this isn't the time to deal with her. He shook his head. Evict that shit, Abel.

Welp, Sundays had always been those days where he would lock himself in his room, catching up with his entertainment. While Charlotte would normally attend her piano lessons, Adrian would be in some undisclosed location with his friends. Also, Mom and Dad never bothered barging in and yanking his ass out, so there was really nothing to miss.

Was there a need to discuss those two? If there was ever a grading scheme for convenient disappearances, they would have achieved the highest score to date. Jethro would usually follow in their journey, but the constant stomps that rocked the entire house accompanied by a singing equivalent to a dying walrus... begged to differ.

Fortunately, Abel had invited Rocky to his safe space, preventing its innocent eardrums from getting pummeled by his brother's demon-summoning rituals. Despite the protection, the poor baby was still flinching at all of the banging noises. I don't even think demons want to possess him.

Abel's series of unfortunate events didn't end there. This bastard had the audacity to fucking bust the door open, wearing the most deformed grin as he shattered the peace apart.

"Well, well... if this ain't the pro cosplayer everyone knows of." Even before Jethro opened his loud mouth to declare his statement like some god, Abel was already battling the urge to smack the life out of him. His gruff snickers were like metal scraping against each other. "Did your blue hair manage to get you some chicks?"

"Get the hell out, Jethro," Abel scowled, wondering why he couldn't just have the ability to smoulder him with simply his dirty look. "Surely you're coming here just to insult me? What a pathetic move."

"God, aren't you one prickly fella. I'm not even insulting you." Jethro shrugged as he leaned against the door frame. "It's just that our father has been making a lot of fuss about your beautiful hair." He folded his arms, gesturing at Abel's bright locks.

"I don't care what that old geezer wants. It's my hair, not his. I can do whatever I want." He growled and brushed his bangs. "I'm keeping this regardless of what he says."

Heh, so my hair can be something I can use to rebel against Dad. He smirked at the impulsive plan he had constructed. I had fucking enough of being controlled by him.

"Yeah, I know you're gonna say something like that. Don't expect much from you." Jethro sneered, before he cackled like that old hag from the Snow White movie Charlotte had forced him to watch. "Y'know, I'm actually quite concerned about what you're gonna be in the future. No one wants to hire some grown ass man who hung out with weeb freaks and watched weird cartoons."

Did he just... insult Lotte and Adrian?

That was the last straw. 

Pretty sure the boiling point of blood was high, but Abel could feel it bubbling in his veins. Surprisingly, he didn't find himself exploding from all the scorching flames. Gnashing his teeth, he snatched whatever item was nearby and sent it flying towards his brother.

"And no one wants to hear your constant bitching!!" he roared.

"Holy shit!" Jethro cried and ducked, narrowly avoiding the object - one of Abel's precious manga collections - from smashing his nose. He clasped his chest and profoundly sighed, but before he could recover, another book was chucked right at him. Alas for Jethro, his younger brother's aim was a bullseye.

"Yo, what the fuck?!" That high-pitched yelp was real music to Abel's ears.

"Get the fuck out before I break your nose!" The cosplayer bellowed, grabbing on yet another manga to hurl. Holding his reddened nose as he groaned in pain, that idiot finally scrambled for the handle and slammed the door. Heh, serves him right.

As his brother's retreating footsteps echoed in the hallway, Abel burst into pants and slumped against his bed frame. That outburst used up his conserved energy, but on the bright side, that jackass earned a well-deserved contusion. He's probably gonna cry to his big ol' daddy, but I don't fucking care at this point.

"I'll show you what a weeb freak can do..." the cosplayer muttered in ragged breaths. "And then you'll regret your words...."

Despite Rocky's barks and howls filling up the tense silence, Abel groaned and rammed his fists against his mattress, clamping his flaring eyes. Why the fuck can't I live my life without being constantly jeered by my family? Why can't I be a cosplayer for fuck's sake?! Just let me decide what I wanna be!

Right before he covered himself within his blanket, his phone suddenly buzzed on the nightstand, cutting off Rocky's barks. With another grunt, he peeked, noticing Adrian's name flashing on the screen. After a couple of struggles while reaching for his phone, he gradually punched the answer button.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Hello Sir Grumpy," drawled his friend, "Jethro messing around again?"

"You don't even know." Immediately Abel spouted without a second thought. "That asshole keeps babbling shit because he's getting all these jobs and my parents are legit worshiping him. What a fucking nutcase."

"He's trying to make you jealous, Abs. You should really just ignore him."

"Jealous my ass." Abel laughed derisively. Why the hell should I be jealous of him?

"Well, wanna grab some lunch at Lougheed? Lotte's not having her piano lessons, so she's coming," Adrian suggested. "We gonna have some dumplings today!"

"Fuck yeah, I'm in." Abel instantly rested his pumped up legs on the floor, not forgetting to give Rocky brief pats on its fuzzy head.

Seriously, refusing dumplings, or even Chinese food in general, was an unforgivable sin — no excuses. After all of that interaction with Jethro, an explosion of spices would be the best medicine for his soul.

"Aight, catch with ya later."

Hanging up, Abel trailed towards the mirror, where his ocean eyes glittered with magnificence. Now that his tousled hair was just as distinctly blue, it would definitely make him stand out from the crowd. Securing his short bangs in its places, he threw a simper.

Looking good right there, Abel.

***

Straightening his button up shirt and fixing his watch for the last time, Abel rummaged through his pocket, pulling his phone for any new texts. Apparently, Adrian and Charlotte were still on the train, so they planned to meet up in front of the station.

Am I in a furnace of something? The heat's killing me. He inwardly moaned as he leaned against the wall, wiping a lone sweat. The sun rays weren't only deep-frying the city, but also his damp skin. Now his cushy bed and air conditioning back home haunted him. This is much worse than yesterday. Lotte and Adrian better be fast...

Abel watched as people rushed in and out of the fare gates, but there was one individual who seemed... a little too familiar for his taste. And that was when he realized he couldn't take his stare off this woman.

With that unmistakable inexpressive look, she sported the same exact hairstyle as yesterday. However, those purple eyes... they were her most recognizable trait compared to the rest, casting out the stupid spell Abel was never immune to. When her gaze veered towards him, his ribs clutched and his feet were glued to the ground.

And the next thing he knew, both him and the one and only Princess Charming hosted a staring contest. She was dressed in a simple T-shirt, a pair of beige shorts, and a black backwards cap — a fashion taste nearly similar to Adrian's. So that's how she looks without her cosplay, huh?

"Ah, what a coincidence," Mairi broke the scrutiny competition as she showed up right in front of him. "We meet again, Abel."

Not the time to get flustered. Just act normal.

"Truly it is. What an honor, eh?" He smiled contemptuously. "What are you doing here?"

"Running errands. There aren't many stores in Braid, so I went here pretty often." She adjusted her shoulder backpack. "How about you? You live around this area?"

"Just a few bus stops away." Abel pointed with his thumb. "Been here pretty much my whole life, so I know a lot of hidden gems. You can ask me, but that comes with a certain condition of course," he chortled and held his head up.

Well, no such information should be free. That would mean his hard work over the years would be in vain.

"Hmm... Well then, do recommend those spots," she commented, placing her arms behind her. "And in return, we'll go hang out together."

"Yeah, something like th-wait what?!"

All the poise he had been perfecting... evaporated in mere seconds, With eyes wide in circles, Abel's rupturing voice caused all heads to snap towards the two, but that wasn't so much of a big deal. The thing was... did Mairi even listen to what he said? This woman's intentionally ignoring me!

"You heard me," chimed Mairi in a whisper.

"Why would I be going out with you? Can't you just go by yourself?" He turned away, but kept his side glance. He was already turning into a puddle from the sweltering atmosphere, so there was no need for his body to produce more heat!

"Because we're friends, Abel," Mairi emphasized. "Guess your swollen ego must have affected your memory as well."

"I know about that, idiot! It's just that... I don't know you personally!" exclaimed Abel as he cast her the death glare.

Why the hell was she always playing around him? God, what did she really want to do with him? Questions flocked inside of his brain like frenzied birds, all demanding to be answered. Is she still bringing up the fact I lost yesterday? Ugh, now she's just gonna ridicule me to pieces...

"Isn't that the point of hanging out though? To get to know each other personally?" Mairi crept close, having the balls to lean much closer than before. Upon their proximity, yet another wave of blood surged into Abel's blazing ears. He could even sense his hot breaths pricking his cheeks.

This girl... she was extremely far from being a reserved person. Just more and more bombshells each time I'm with her.

"Yeah s-sure, but we're not that close yet," Abel grumbled.

"Yet." Mairi repeated his last word, jabbing her finger against his stiffening chest out of the blue. "There, you describe it yourself, Kaito boy. That's why we should hang out together. We both share the same interests and great cosplay skills, and you're a pretty cute guy too."

"You seemed to love calling me cute... but I won't fall for a cheap compliment so easily," he retorted. Now fully guarded for her incoming crafty tricks, truly he was not as agitated as yesterday, but then the train of thoughts came crashing in. But why does she keep on calling me cute? What in the world is she thinking? She's confusing me!

Mairi's eyes narrowed into slits as she stepped back. "That's because I mean it, Abel. I always say what I think, and I personally think you're cute."

There were absolutely no comebacks to fire back, so he zipped his lips, allowing his jumbled mind to welcome in her remark. What was worse, he couldn't even form a proper sentence to speak out, so he stood there like a dumbass.

Well, after all of that constant bickering, Mairi... did seem genuine to some extent. Not only did she never give in to his provocations, but she had won yesterday's showcase fair and square. She reaped the benefits because of her handmade cosplay, and that was all.

There was nothing he could refute.

"Whatever. Say what you like, but it's not gonna affect me in any way," he sputtered. She ain't like you... a miserable liar. You're clearly reacting to her flattery.

"Oh? Seems like we have something going on here."

Abel jolted at the third voice butting his conversation, but its familiarity triggered annoyance to shoot up his nerves. He whirled around, shifting his glare at his tardy, tittering friends.

"Nothing's going on, Jesus. We just happened to come across each other," he grumbled as he started walking off, but not before he thrusted his hands into his pockets. "Let's go, I'm fucking starving."

"Sorry Mairi." Adrian said between his giggles. "Dude's being a little grump today."

"You destroyed the hell out of his pride yesterday." Charlotte added. "He's been so full of himself since a long time ago."

Thanks guys. Abel rolled his eyes. Looking forward to your further endorsements.

Mairi, however, barely responded to their reassurances. Instead, she looked like she was staring intensely at Adrian and Charlotte, scanning them up and down. Hoisting one of her brows, she maintained her straight mouth and muttered no comment, before eventually...

"Who are you again?" she interrogated.

If this was in a cartoon, then a tumbleweed would have glided past the group as the wind laughed silently at them. However, reality would rather have awkwardness sit comfortably between them. The bonus part was Charlotte and Adrian's dumbfounded expressions, as the two simultaneously blinked like robots.

"WHAT?!" They shrieked in unison, luring the attention of the nearby onlookers once more.

So much for claiming my ego's messing up with my memory.

***

a/n: Thank you for reading this chapter! I would actually love to know what you think about Cosplay Shenanigans so far. Have a nice and safe week, everyone!