Chapter Text
With a satisfying click, Luka's heels hit the tile of the fancy department store. Light so bright it hurt shone as she paused to view the makeup, her blue eyes scanning every product in the lip gloss section. For a party, she would have to look her best. Not only that, but Luka was responsible for Haku's appearance as well.
To be frank, the girl didn't know how to take care of herself. Anymore it seemed as though Haku was constantly drunk, high, or both. Alternatively, she is often seen sleeping. Restlessly, one can only assume, due to the dark circles under her eyes that Luka would need to work to hide.
After looking at herself in the mirror for a while, she reached down and retrieved a pink, faintly glittery lip gloss. Purple matching lip gloss was chosen for Haku to match. Tossing the two sticks of lip gloss into her basket, she gazed at the mirror once more.
Pink hair fell neatly down her face, it was well groomed and straight. Her appearance was overall very neat and tidy. It was something that she had taken for granted, how naturally self-care came to her. She sighed, her eyes falling to a lavender eye shadow before reaching out and holding it up.
"I think this would look nice..." Luka spoke aloud in thought, "Compliments her well..." She mused, before setting it aside in her basket.
Surely a party would be all the drunkard needed to get out of her shell and get some self improvement going on, yeah? Perhaps not a party specifically, but some levity would surely help. Luka only hoped that she felt included, when she chose to stick her hand out and invite her. Haku had certainly looked lonely, that much was obvious.
Next, Luka picked out a pale foundation, checking it's shade to ensure it matched Haku's complexion, or at least was close enough, before putting it in her basket.
"She would absolutely never have the patience to do this for herself everyday, I'm afraid." Luka sighed, before moving on. "...And I certainly don't intend on dolling her up every single day of my life..." She huffed, coming to a halt at the self-checkout.
As she scanned each product, Luka's mind wandered, daydreaming about how the other girl would react. Would she be excited? Would she be nervous, or anxious? The anticipation of her reaction had her stomach swirling; She felt light on her feet as she filled the bag with her spoils.
Perhaps she was just interested to see how she'd look dressed up. It would be quite a lovely transformation after all, to see such an ordinarily dreary and sad girl all confident and happy. Her mind flashed images of a brighter, happier Haku, who was confident, presentable... Hopefully even sober.
Luka's heart fluttered as she thought about it more.
With some luck this may be a fun night.
Luka's free hand came to knock on the front door, her other tightly gripping a canvas tote full of makeover supplies, including what she had previously purchased from the sore. She stood waiting as the sun neared the horizon. Then, the door opened.
"Hello Haku, you didn't forget I was coming right?" Asked Luka with a smile on her eager lips. Haku stood there in the doorway, staring at her blankly, unresponsive to her. She stared for a few uninterrupted seconds.
"What are you talking about?" She finally responded.
"The party? The one I invited you out to?" Luka tilted her head, her smile wavering a little bit. "The one that I told you I'd help you get ready for...?" She added on, nudging the canvas tote's handle with her shoulder. She watched as a flash of recognition ghosted over the pale face of her friend. "You still want to go, don't you?"
Haku hesitated, and then sighed, her head hanging. "...Sure." She muttered under her breath, before stepping aside and letting Luka into her apartment. All things considered it was actually cleaner than Luka expected, but the empty alcohol bottles and the thick scent of weed betrayed the at least 20 percent presentable atmosphere of the home.
"Would you like some help cleaning up as well? I'm good at it if I do say so myself." Luka said with a smile as she sat the canvas bag down on Haku's small, cheap looking couch. There was a TV tray off to the side that had a large purple bong sitting on top of it. How classy.
"I don't know where to begin, honestly. And I don't want to make you do that." Haku said, rubbing her arm.
"Well, if you bring home a cute guy then you're going to have to clean before he comes over, aren't you?" Luka insisted, grinning playfully as she nudged Haku's side. Though the girl blushed a bit she didn't seem all that responsive to the teasing. "...Then again, perhaps they would enjoy the... Ambiance. Some people prefer the 'I don't care about my own hygiene' aesthetic. And this glasswork? Very beautiful."
"...T-That's a-" Haku started as she pointed at the hefty device Luka motioned to.
"I know what a bong is Haku, it was a joke." Luka waved her hand in dismissal. "And you needn't worry, I won't judge. I've been to a few raves here and there." She added on, giving Haku a wink.
"W-What? You have? You really don't seem like the raving type." Haku added on with an awkward chuckle, happy at the girl's attempts to ease her anxieties.
"Oh I've been to few, nothing crazy. And, I've had a little bit of everything. I think you'll look wonderful in red."
Haku laughed a little. "No way. So what, you're telling me you've had LSD?" She asked.
"Just look at this pretty red and purple dress I found, I think it fits you just perfectly, don't you?" Luka retrieved the garment from her bag and unfolded it out for display, holding outward to Haku. It was black, with a deep purple and red trim that lined and framed the outfit. There was a chest window as well, which Haku immediately bristled at the notice of. It was not particularly revealing, but compared to the plain and comfortable hoodie she wore most of the time, it was certainly a step up. "I think you'll look stunning in it, even if it's a tad different from your ordinary wardrobe."
The shorter of the two tall women slumped over and stuffed her hands in her pockets. "I don't know... It's really nice and all, it's just a bit... Well... Nice." Haku stammered, her thoughts and words swirling together and stumbling out as she stared at the dress. Red eyes flicked up to Luka's soft and gentle blue. "You don't think it's a bit... You know. Too much for me?"
Luka tilted her head curiously. "Why ever would you think that?"
"Well for starters, how much did this even cost you?" Haku questioned, almost unsure if she even wanted to know her guest's response.
"Enough about superficial things like prices and value, it doesn't matter what it cost, because I wanted to buy it for you." Luka's smile returned, her lips pink with the gloss she had treated herself with. "Just try it on for me, will you? I know you'll look wonderful, and then I can tell you that I told you so." She threw on with a wink.
Bangs fell over the white-haired girl's face as she looked down at the dress, taking it from Luka's hands. It felt heavier than fabric should in her hands, the immaculate texture and material causing her to tense up. "If you really say so." She finally choked out. "It can't hurt to give it a try. What's the worst that could happen?" Luka's smile only grew, which served to fuel the flames of her own uneasiness. "Right... I'll be right back, I guess."
Haku took one step backward before turning on her heel to retreat down the hallway. With a soft thud, she was gone from sight, leaving Luka alone with the overwhelming aroma of weed and alcohol.
Papers crumpled up in Luka's hand as she began to clean up trash around the space. Her gaze wandered around from time to time, taking in the sights of her apartment. What was hidden beneath the trash seemed to give a peak into her character. Hidden in the corner of the room looked to be a keyboard, a blanket draped over it with various other objects and trash resting on top. Broken closet doors revealed a bass guitar with broken strings. An amp was visible in the back.
A sigh of empathy left her lips as she moved on from that. Then, the sound of the door closing in the hallway swiftly stole her attention.
At the front of the hall, standing there in the dress, Haku waited.
"So... How do I look?" Haku asked with certainty of rejection. "I'm sure I look stupid."
"Oh no not at all! Haku, what in the world are you talking about? You look incredible!" Luka insisted as she processed her appearance. Her hair needed to be done sure, but... Never before had Haku looked so put together. She looked... Different. A very good kind of different, the kind that had Luka grinning like an idiot. "Incredible, magnificent! Other adjectives. It's just perfect for you!"
"It doesn't really suit me." Replied Haku with a defiant huff. Warmth erupted across her face, her nerves spiked but not in the same way as before. Now a completely unfamiliar fear crept into her mind. "You're lying."
"I am doing no such thing. Why wouldn't a nice dress like this suit you, Haku?" Asked the pink-haired woman kindly as she reached into the tote. Haku stood still in silence, unable to respond but trying to think of something to say. "Here, come on, sit down on the couch. I'm going to brush your hair. And then, we're going to do your make up."
The cushion sunk down as Haku joined Luka on the couch. "How long is this gonna take exactly?"
"Oh not too terribly long." Luka reassured her gently. The aroma of strawberry wafted into Haku's proximity, a faint blush dusting over her cheeks in response. "At most an hour!"
"An hour!?" Haku shrieked in alarm. "For a party!? Are we going to a party or a gala!?" She protested sitting up rigidly in her seat.
"I said at most. Now turn around, and if this hurts... Perhaps it will remind you to brush your pretty white hair every day." The comb in Luka's hand found a particularly tangled and unruly section of her locks, and promptly started working away at it.
"Ow ow! Oh my God! Ow! Fuck- Stop it you bitch!" Haku shouted in pained protest as Luka pulled and tugged, intently fighting her way through the knot. "My hair is sensitive! Be careful!"
In response however, Luka just giggled cutely. "Silly, your hair can't be sensitive... It doesn't have nerves."
"My head then, smartass! Ow!" She cried. Slowly but surely, her hair began to smooth itself out. Her cries and shouts gradually shifted to little squeaks and painful groans. Luka was relentless but effective, and though her scalp burned...
...Eventually the deed was done, and her hair was smooth.
"Now was that so terrible?" Teased the blue-eyed girl behind her, a smirk playing at her glossy pink lips.
Without hesitation Haku nodded. "Yes! It sucked, it hurt so bad and you did it that way on purpose you sociopath!" She whined. "I have a tender head and I'm delicate!" Luka's soft laughter was the last thing she wanted to hear right now. "You're enjoying this way too much!"
"Enjoying what? Seeing you look so presentable? Yes, I am. I'm very proud of you, Haku." The praise, sincere and heartfelt, caught the other off guard. "Alright! Now, it's time for make-up. Get up. Up we go, we need better lighting than your sad, dark living room." Without a chance for protest, Luka's fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist and hoisted her from her seat. Maybe the party would have alcohol and this would all be worth it.