"you've got an eyelash on your cheek."
the statement is delivered in a direct yet cheery tone as if you were expecting to hear it, even though the person saying it is a complete and utter stranger to you.
"you've got an eyelash on your cheek," the white-haired guy repeats with a beaming grin, tapping his finger against a spot on his own cheekbone that you figure mirrors the location of this alleged eyelash.
from the few but notable stories you've heard from the host of this party, your coworker-turned-nearly-friend shoko, you'd guess this is satoru gojo.
you brush your fingers against your cheek, hoping it won't smudge your carefully-applied Halloween makeup.
you were conflicted about attending this party in the first place, given that shoko has been working with you for all of three weeks. the bar you call a workplace is more of a 'we're all family' sort of establishment, so you felt your attendance was expected instead of anticipated.
you'd even been talked into putting on some pink and blue detailing on your face, tacking on a pair of dollar store wings over your black dress to go as a very low-effort butterfly.
still, as last-minute as your costume choice was, you hope you haven't destroyed the minimal makeup on your cheekbones.
"did i get it?" you ask, deciding to trust this assertive stranger's judgment.
you give him a once-over, still unsure how he even noticed an eyelash on your cheek from several feet away.
he's wearing all black -- dark jeans and a loose black button-up, sunglasses that he's wearing even though the only light sources in shoko's apartment are a few lamps and a disco ball in the corner. though, to be fair, he's mostly looking at you over them, his eyes almost fully visible over the rims.
"nope," he answers in a tone nothing short of perky.
a pause. you attempt again.
"nope," he repeats, grin reaching his icy blue eyes. "want me to get it?"
you open your mouth to object, but find no reason to. he's a stranger, a bit over-confident, sure, but no reason to distrust him.
"please don't smudge my makeup," you answer by way of confirmation.
somehow his smile grows, and he closes the distance between you, reaching up a hand to graze his thumb across your cheek.
he lingers, the pad of his thumb trailing soft enough to not disturb any of the blue-pink streaks but you can still feel it, a trail of soft heat following the movement of his hand.
goosebumps prickle on the back of your neck and you step back, surprised at how close he'd gotten --
-- or was it you who had bridged the gap?
"so who are you supposed to be?" you blurt to fill the silence, "your ... costume."
as soon as the words leave your mouth, you're not even sure it is a costume. there's nothing particularly distinctive about it, except for the parts that are entirely him -- the hair, the eyes.
he steps closer again, and you don't move back.
"not a costume, really," he grins. "last minute invite since i just got back into town."
"that's not very festive," you mumble, barely audible.
"you'll have to forgive me, 'because you still need to make a wish."
"eyelash, you gotta make a wish," he insists.
against your better judgment, you dip your head in and blow, soft gusts of breath blowing the invisible eyelash into the stuffy party air.
"excellent," he beams. "what did you wish for?"
and maybe it's because he's mere inches away, maybe it's you getting caught up in the festivities, but you feel very tempted to tell him.