Chapter Text
“What… am I even doing…?”
Ena stared at the canvas in front of her. It was expensive to use as bit of personal therapy, but painting like this always did help her work through things. At least, it usually did…
Pinks, pastels, reds, of varying shades slashed across the painting. She had something in mind when starting, the strokes were purposeful. Though plainly not concise, or really even clear.
“Uhg…”
Degradation had taken a firm hold as she’d continued. Lost to her thoughts, lost to her feelings, as they had all spilled across the damn canvas.
Well, at least she was feeling somewhat better now. Combined with the talk with Mafuyu earlier, Ena now had a firm idea of what to do. Though…the storm still swirled around her. Was it the constant thoughts of how things had ended with Mizuki that had tainted this painting? She felt their weight so firmly. All of them under her skin, clinging to her bones. Ena quickly swiped at an itch on her cheek.
Ah, her hand still had paint on it…
Just another concern for later. It wasn’t much, and she was looking forward to her bath before bed either way.
Slowly she stepped back. Better to take in the entirety of the painting.
It was pink. Very pink. Ribbons, of varying width and shape drooped lazily across the painting, suspending in the tangled web lay a dress from. Clad in fabric both makeshift but exquisite. Though she hadn’t gotten the texture right there… and the ribbons were near overwhelming the piece. The red tinging the pinks that covered the piece almost looked splashed across the damn thing
Shoddy, obvious, rushed. She could think of more words to describe it as she stared at the mess on the canvas. Maybe rushing from concept, to sketch, right into painting had been a poor decision.
It still expressed something. It was supposed to just be something personal, but… she couldn’t deny that she had really been painting for them.
Maybe it could be a gift. A peace offering to quell whatever harm her stupid little outburst had caused.
As if.
Ena managed to resist the urge to slam her head into her hands. She already had enough to deal without getting more paint on her face. She still hadn’t message Mizuki though. They had mentioned they were scheduled today earlier this week… had they gone in today? The way they had been working lately they would have gone to their shift no matter how they felt.
They had been keeping themselves almost as busy as Ena had been since getting into college. When would they both even be able to speak next? Next week? Her lungs seized at the thought. She’d make it sooner. She’d make time.
Picking up her brush Ena found a new vigor pushing her as she started blending the reds lightly. The red had been the right choice. It was needed there, blending with the pinks, contrasting the pastels of the mannequins clothes. It made the centerpiece so much more vibrant. More and more the pastels stood out against the ribbons and their growing stains. The dress form stood center of it all—a tiny bit of pastel peace in the maelstrom of colorful ribbons.
Her hand fell to her side. Was it done? It was closer to some in-between state, but Ena had put everything she had left onto the canvas. The clock on her nightstand read 19:50 as she dropped the brush into the well-stained cup; the water a dingy maroon now that all her effort had been spilled into it, and onto the canvas.
“That’s enough for now…”
She wrapped her arms around herself. The material of her smock did little against the cold of the chill permeating her little studio. Dancing her way over to it, she flicked on the space heater in the corner. Luckily the apartment wasn’t large enough for the relatively small thing to be overworked by it, but it still would take some time to fight back the cold. It was raining—if what she could hear through the heaters buzz was any indication.
It was cold, a bit drafty, and cheap. It was also only a short train ride from campus; a place she could live alone, and it was hers. Flourishing was a strong word, but Ena felt it. It described the shape of the growth as she had spread through the single room like a those tangled ribbons. Now she just needed to clean it a bit. At least to make the idea of inviting someone over less embarrassing.
Either way it would have to wait. Right now she needed food, or at least something to eat.
Yet there was nothing to fill her gaze, or her stomach. The fridge was empty. Today had been the day she would have normally gone shopping too…
She jumped, fridge door slamming shut as her phone buzzed loudly on her desk.
Who would be calling this late? On a Sunday, no less? Ena couldn’t help a small hope flaming up in her chest as she saw the Nightcord notification, their name emblazoned across the top their phone. A couple fumbled swipes and…
Amia 19:57
Hey…
Are you home Enanan?
“Huh...?” Ena stared for a second, long enough for ‘Amia is typing’ to appear before quickly responding.
Enanan 19:59
Yea Im home
u okay?
Amia 19:59
I’m
Yeah,
Could we talk?
About yesterday
Oh. She had barely prepared at all. Maybe the assumption that Mizuki would ghost them for a bit wasn’t a great one to make, but still… it would have been in character for the sporadic extrovert she knew.
A chance was a chance though, and if they wanted to talk now Ena wasn’t going to take that gift for granted. And just maybe she could get them to meet up for food.
Enanan 20:00
I can, do u wanna meet up?
Amia 20:00
I could, but you could also just let me in!
Which apartment is yours again?
You told me a while ago, but…
They were here. Ena felt her eyes widen as they whipped across the words again. She then stared at her mess of an apartment. Sketches and paint stained newspaper littering the floor, a pile of laundry on the bed, and dishes in the sink.
“Fuck.”
Enanan 20:01
ur here
like
now
Amia 20:01
Enanan pls its freezing!
Have you eaten yet?
I brought you an offering~
Enanan 20:02
Fine!
Its room 205
but like gimme 1 sec
She scrambled, grabbing a bag and shoving sketch after sketch into it before tying it off chucking it into the corner. Clothes gathered off the bed, tossed into her hamper. In a flurry she threw it into a somewhat presentable state. Though it was more of a dent than any real progress.
Knock, knock!
They had given her about two minutes. It would have to do, and luckily, the space heater had been doing its work, too. The path to her door was a bit of a mess still, but at least she had dealt with most of that earlier. Even still, she found herself carefully measuring her steps. Ena watched the door. Were they huddled up out there? How long had she made them wait?
The handle was freezing. Just how quick could that difference in temperature cut into her hand? She opened the door, letting the outside air barrel into the relative warmth of her studio.
“Enanan… Hi.”
Mizuki stood right outside the door. Their arms wrapped firmly about their chest as the rain fell just beyond the covered balcony. They were dressed in darker colors today. It fit the weather and her mood. Ena couldn’t even tell what color the long sleeved turtle-neck was in the dim light.
“What are you, a vampire? You don’t need to wait, just come in.”
“I’m just being polite! But thank you for the invitation, madame. Besides, I brought food… though it’s just some convenience store stuff.” They proffered the plastic bag across the threshold.
Ena gently reached out—her hand brushing theirs as she took the bag.
“Come on, before you let all the warm air out.”
“Of course, Enanan!” They pranced into the entry free from their plastic burden.
Ah… she really had missed that playful tone, but it was plain they were nervous. As boisterous as the animator was capable of being, Ena could see the hidden shackles placed firmly on them. Arms never moving too far. Their eyes, searching for places to look other than her face. Though by the relatively reserved clothing Mizuki wore, they must have come right from work.
Voice suddenly laced with all that she had thought hidden they spoke. “Sorry to surprise you like this—“
“No, no, don’t apologize Mizuki.” Ena quickly shushed them, as she placed the bag on the counter. “You just came from work, right? Lets eat first.”
They responded with a simple hum gently moving next to her in the kitchenette. It was such a casual thing, simply standing next to them. She pointed to the cupboard where she kept the electric kettle. Their elbow bumped into hers as they filled it from the sink. It wasn’t quick working in the tight space, but Mizuki filled the two bowls of instant ramen. While Ena peeled open the soft boiled eggs, one for each of them.
All that was left was to let it sit.
Ena looked around her little space, quickly grabbing the low folding table and some cushions. It was only a moment before a small dinner arrangement was set in the center of the room.
“Maybe I should have given you a bit more warning.” Mizuki swept aside a stray paper as they sat and languidly stretched—their back against Ena’s mostly made bed.
“I mean I can’t say I wouldn’t have appreciated it, but… you’re here now.”
“And it’s my first time in Enanan’s apartment!”
“Sorry I couldn’t give you a grander welcome.” She scoffed.
“Enanan…” Mizuki laughed as Ena plopped down on a cushion opposite them. “I’m just happy you let me in… It’s cold out there after all!”
“I wasn’t just gonna—” she sighed. “So… did you want to eat first… then talk?”
She watched them respond, their shoulders bunching as Mizuki pressed back into her bed. A hand quickly rose to cover the lower half of their face.
“Yeah, lets eat first. I’m pretty hungry.”
The meal was brief, and somehow nerve-wracking. It was different. Cafes were public, but just sitting here in a space that was… so separate from anyone else. Something about it felt like just a little bit of magic. Yet Mizuki couldn’t ignore the ax hanging over their neck.
That looming truth.
Saying it to someone else had been so easy, but to her face? Could they actually just spill everything in front of her? They had already made a mess of it, so what worse could happen? Well, there were many things they could think of, but that spiral was best avoided!
Ena sat across the table from them. She was still wearing some paint-stained overalls and a loose button-up. Even without that the small streak of red on her cheek, her outfit was a certain tell of what she had been doing. Now that Mizuki had gotten a chance to be in Ena’s studio, it was clear just how much she had been painting. Their eyes were drawn to the covered easel in the corner, resting atop spread newspaper.
But Ena was looking at them. Her eyes didn’t waver even as she picked at some paint on her sleeve. “I can go first, if you want.”
“I’m the one who asked, so…” Just breath, in and out. “You remember the roof? I mean… of course we both remember the roof.”
She nodded silently. Her nails dug at the embedded paint. Mizuki found their own hands reaching for something to grasp, landing on their knees, gently rubbing the material of their tights.
“I did promise I’d tell you.”
Her hand stilled. Fingers still clutched the stained cloth, but they didn’t move. Mizuki watched, eyes trailing from hand, to arm, to her. Ena’s hair was pulled back into a little ponytail leaving her face fully revealed, though she had kept the familiar bangs and braid all this time. She wasn’t wearing makeup today, either—only the mark on her face. That light, vibrant red streak across her cheek.
“Is… that what you wanted to talk about?” Her eyes hadn’t left their face.
“No, but—I mean, it is… it’s related… in a way.”
“It is…? Okay.” Ena sat up, tucking her legs underneath her. “Well…”
She cleared her throat. A curled fist covering her mouth.
“Well…” Mizuki giggled, a frayed sound. “I assume you’ve figured a bit of it out already.”
Ena nodded, but it was a slight thing. “I can make assumptions all you want me to Mizuki, but… I don’t want to.”
“I sure made that difficult, didn’t I?” They couldn’t help the wry grin, even pained as it was. Legs shifted, pulled together as they felt their chin rest upon their knees. Ena nodded again. She even returned their little masked look with a warm smile. They had wanted to tell her for so long. Ena was safe. Ena was trustworthy. Ena was…
Either way it was time. There wasn’t any avoiding this, particularly with what was supposed to come next. If this was what broke everything… no. No, they knew her. It wouldn’t be.
“So, I’m trans.” They paused. They breathed. “That’s the thing.”
“I’m glad you told me.”
Mizuki couldn’t help but notice how stably she had delivered that, rehearsed, practiced.
“You guessed already, right?”
“I mean, I guess, but…” Ena leaned onto the table, fiddling with her braid. “What I really wanted was for you to feel safe enough to tell me… that I wouldn’t disappear because of something like that.”
Mizuki felt their legs slacken. They hadn’t been holding that tight, right? “I guess I’m not really surprised—though I am surprised you aren’t asking more.”
“Did… you want me to? If you want to say more that’s up to you—I just didn’t want to, like, grill you about your gender or anything.”
“Then… I—What did you hear? You had to have heard something, right? We went to the same school for two years after all… even if you were taking night classes.”
“Of course I heard things, but none of it was from you!” The hand at her braid curled into a fist. “What does anything they say matter? I couldn’t have given less of a shit about whatever dribbled out of their mouths!”
They nearly jumped as her fist shook the flimsy table, but couldn’t help as the giggle burst from them as Ena stammered out an apology.
“You’re all so protective of me.” They stared at their hand, moving it from from their legs to the table, fingers drumming on the table
“Of course we are! You deserve it.” Ena paused, and Mizuki watched her eyes dart from their hand to their face. “Though… I have to say, I’m wondering just how this relates. You know… to, well… what you wanted to talk about.”
“That… yeah, um…”
As they trailed off the pause hung in the air. The electric hum of the space heater filled the emptiness between them. It was warm.
But, was that it? It couldn’t have… gone that well could it? They hadn’t even elaborated, just saying ‘I’m trans,’ really? What did that even mean? How could Ena not press for more? She had to be curious! Their hand began to slide off the table. That pale blue lacquer they loved was already chipping— they just needed to stop picking at it.
Even as it moved Ena was quicker. Her hand came to a rest atop theirs.
“Ena…?”
Her eyes were locked onto them. Her overwhelming intensity shoved itself into their chest. Every pulse of their heart felt as though that warm spike was being shoved deeper into them.
“You said you wanted to talk, and neither one of us is going to run away from it this time, Mizuki.”
A callused thumb rubbed a gentle circle into their hand as they felt her fingers squeeze into their palm. Was she trying to rub away all of the stains their cowardice had left?
“Mind if I go first, then?” Ena said. Her gaze shifted away, but her hand still wrapped around theirs.
“Wow, giving me the easy way out?”
“Oh, shut up!” The words were delivered with a quick squeeze, and then her hand was gone.
Even as Ena pulled her hand back, they found themselves watching her. The way her braid shifted as she ran her hand through her bangs. The vain attempt to tame the fly-away strands from her short ponytail left their heart pattering in their chest. The bags under her eyes, ever present since Mizuki had met the artist, were showing through, too. How had she been sleeping since moving out? Surely college and supporting herself weren’t helping with that ever present struggle.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry about yesterday.” Ena laid her head on the table as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
“We— we’re good?”
“Of course we are… I want us to be. I acted stupid yesterday, and I wanna ask if you’ll forgive me for… the whole running away thing.”
“I can’t let you take the blame for that. I mean, it’s not like I was clear about anything when you showed up… besides, I offered to pay for the cheesecake!”
She groaned, hands covering her face. “I completely forgot about the bill.”
Mizuki felt another little bubble rise from their chest as a laugh burst from them. It was so strange, feeling their nerves warn them about so much danger, all while they couldn’t help but feel a loose relaxation fill their heart. They knew that whatever Ena did, she always intended to stay near them. Though… how true was that? Would things shift when Mizuki said it? Of course they would, but how? They pulled their hand back, stopping it from reaching out to her.
But she saw.
“But you, Mizuki, are still holding something back.” Ena lifted herself from the table. Rising to her full height, she towered over them as they sat on the ground. “You’re always so quick to stop yourself… you don’t have to hold back around me.”
They pressed back into the bed behind them as Ena picked up the small table and set it to the side. Mizuki watched the remnants of their shared meal jostle as she placed it to the side, then stepped back. Her arms crossed she stared down at them.
“I told you I’m not letting you run from this. You asked me to talk after all.”
“Uhg! I…” Mizuki’s voice halted, and in their silence they stretched out a hand to her.
With a sigh, Ena reached out, grasping their hand. Pulling them up, she forced a smile as Mizuki stood in place, too close, Ena’s hand clasped at their chest. Before the full force of the contact could hit them, Mizuki stepped back. Ena’s brow rose as Mizuki released her hand.
“Mizuki?”
“Sorry, sorry, I just…” Just say it, right? It was supposed to be that easy right? Just breath. “We’ve been close for a while, right Ena?”
“Yeah…?” Her eyebrows fell as she stared, waiting.
“At this point, I’m honestly not sure what to do with myself.” Even without Ena’s hand in their grasp theirs stayed clutched at their chest. “I mean, I’ve always been scared of the distance between us, but I feel like I don’t even know what I look like without you.” Mizuki coughed lightly and tried to avoid thinking about just how red their face was. “Huh, that was embarrassing, but… I know what I want. It just, it’s taken me a while to say it.”
They didn’t want to try and parse the look on her face. They wanted to look away, but Mizuki forced their gaze forward. Borrowed courage was still something they could use, even if they were using it to cling to the precipice. They just had to ignore the dawning realization covering Ena’s face, and keep moving.
“And I wanted to be sure, since, well it’s not like I’m telepathic or something! I can’t just think it really hard, and have you understand how much you mean to me… I… have to say it, right?” They paused for a second as Ena nodded. “So, I like you. I have for a long time, even if I didn’t want to admit it. Even if I was scared of how much you meant to me. So, um, yeah.”
They winced as an amused look crossed Ena’s face. Mizuki somehow felt their face grow even hotter. “I know, it’s like a bad joke, I mean I finally came out to you, and then immediately confess! I mean, I know you’re a lesbian, and I don’t even know if you like me like—” They were cut off as quickly as Ena closed the distance.
Her arms were warm… wrapped so tightly around them. She was warm—and suddenly at arms length again. Ena backed away a single step, but still close. The difference in their heights wasn’t huge, it was just the proximity, right? The artist still had a smear of red on her cheek; it was vibrant against the blush on her face. Did it match the one on theirs?
“Ena…?” Even a mutter as fragile as that was audible at this distance.
She cleared her throat. “I do too. Uh, like you, that is.”
How… how could she mean it when she didn’t even know them? When it was the first day in their life they had been honest? It had taken this long for them to actually put the words out there, but she still… she still returned their feelings?
“But I’m—”
“But what? Am I not allowed to choose who I lo—” Her blush flamed again, as she took a step back. “Who I love? I mean sure I like girls. I also like cute things. I like people who are kind. People who are willing to take me at more than just… how mad I can get! Even if you tease me you still listen, you really listen! Besides, I know one thing—I know you’re not what they say you are. I’ve seen how much it hurts you! I understand that at least, maybe better than you think I do.”
“What if they are right, though? What if I can’t give you what you want?!” Their gut churned. “I put on this mask everyday, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been when I wear it with you! But I want you to be happy I don’t want you to just se—”
Mizuki felt their breath stop as her hand pressed into their chest, and shoved.
They tumbled backwards. Knees bending, as the bed’s waiting arms caught them. Pink hair splayed around them as, once again, the artist towered over them. One of her knees was on the bed, pinning their skirt in place. Her brow was knit together, and her jaw was clenched.
Oh. She was mad.
“ Mizuki ~”
“E-Ena?”
“Were you about to say settle ?”
They couldn’t roll away with their skirt caught like that. The trap cinched firmly around them.
“Mizuki.”
“Enanan, I just—I meant that—”
“Meant what Mizuki? That you’re lesser somehow? That you get to decide what I deserve for me?” She was suddenly closer, her hand pressing into the bed next to them. “Don’t even think about it.” A single finger hovered in front of their face. “You put so much effort into every little thing you do! Why would you even think that? I’ve been working with you for years, I’ve seen the clothes you alter, and how much time you spend on your hair!”
The anger seemed to slough off her as the accusing hand landed on the other side of their head. They were completely closed in— ensnared by everything about her. She dominated both Mizuki’s vision and every thought in their head. Even while disheveled from a long day of work, her passion was enchanting.
“Mizuki…”
“E-Ena…?”
“What do I have to do…? I just want to prove that I really think that you’re worth it.”
“Ah—uh…” Their mind swirled like a maelstrom. They had shared so much of their space with Ena before, but… this? If they looked to either side, they were stuck between her arms. Her face couldn’t be red as theirs, but it was hard to tell with her shadow completely covering them.
Her braid hung down, nearly brushing their cheek. She was so, so dangerously close!
Silence filled what little space was between them as words continued to die on their tongue. The weight of everything, all those little moments between the two of them, pressed down upon them. All while they couldn’t tear their eyes from her face.
“Mizuki?” Ena lifted herself a bit. With the sudden space they felt air enter their lungs. “Are you okay?”
They simply nodded, suddenly aware of how tight their hand gripped at their chest. They breathed, and the hand moved. It gently traced the inside of her bicep before it came to a rest upon her cheek. Their thumb, soft upon her, rubbed at the cracked red streak.
“You’ve got some paint there.”
“Ah.”
Ena flopped to the side, taking the hand with her. Mizuki certainly didn’t have the wherewithal to follow her. They were still to focused on keeping their breath even, and that wasn’t even mentioning their heart. The way Ena had so intently pinned their hand to her cheek didn’t help! A single calloused thumb gently running along their knuckles.
“You’re beet red, Mizuki.”
The trapped hand quickly whipped back to cover their face, as they whined. “And whose fault is that!”
“What? Did you think I was just going to let you bad mouth yourself like that?”
“I didn’t! I also didn’t expect you to… pounce on me.”
“Maybe I was trying to prove a point…”
Mizuki whined again, hands still firmly covering their beet red face.
“Did I prove it then?” Ena gently pushed against their side.
They lowered their hands, revealing their face and shifting to face her. The hand that still felt her cheek landed between them; a space somehow even smaller than the minuscule one that had existed between them before. Nothing stopped them this time—Mizuki simply reached out. The longing hand cupped her cheek.
“Really focused on that paint, huh?” Even as she said it her own hand returned grasping it. “Uh, sorry… about that, I hope it wasn’t too much.”
Mizuki couldn’t help but giggle, their other hand pressed to their lip. “I mean I can’t say it wasn’t, but… it’s okay if it’s you Ena.”
The hum of Ena’s little heater filled the space as they laid on her bed. Still facing each other they idled—simply taking in others presence. Ena still clutched Mizuki’s hand as they both sunk into the small beds duvet.
The chilly little studio seemed so much warmer.
It was real. Ena was laying next to them, even after everything had been said. It had been enough words to fill the air between them. Enough to, brick by brick, though by thought, to build a full wall between them—at least, that’s what Mizuki’s nerves had felt would happen. Yet, here they were. Somehow with even less space between them than before. They giggled into their unclasped hand as Ena played with the chipped polish on their nails.
With a light yawn she stretched, and sat up. That soft grin on her face slowly morphed into a more serious look.
“So, what are we now?” Ena asked. “Are we… together?”
“Yeah?” Mizuki watch Ena’s hand, her digits brushing against their knee as she shifted. “I think I said what I wanted pretty clearly.”
“You didn’t! You just said you liked me, not what you plan to do about it.”
They giggled and squirmed a bit closer to Ena. “Aw, does Enanan want me to court her?”
“Well, I want a re-do of that date, at least.”
“Promise not to run this time?”
“I said I was sorry!” It was Ena’s turn to whine, as Mizuki felt another giggle spring from their chest at her tone. They couldn’t help it when she reacted like this!
Ena twisted again. She sat up, knees tucked under her. Mizuki scooted back, an attempt to make enough space on the bed for her. As small as it was, just sharing the space felt comfortable. Was it something about sharing it with someone? Trying to pinpoint anything specific felt useless, so much so when the source of all that warmth was crouched right there.
“You still didn’t answer the question, Mizuki!”
“Wh-what? Sorry?”
“What do I call you?”
“Uh… Mizuki, Babe, Princess? Wah—!”
They squealed as Ena lightly slapped whatever was closest to her, their thigh.
“Enanan, so mean!”
“That’s not what I meant, Mizuki!” Ena glared before pausing. “Wait—do you actually want me to call you princess?”
“No, no! I was just joking! Kind of…” Mizuki waved their hands defensively.
“Kind of? Huh…” Ena shook her head. “Anyways, I mean like… should I call you my partner? Or—I don’t want to call you my girlfriend if that’s going to make you uncomfortable.”
“I mean people have called me a lot of things, so… I think girlfriend would be nice!” Mizuki tapped their chin. “I’m girl enough.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t worry about it.” What did it mean?
Ena calling them their girlfriend… Mizuki felt a small blooming warmth at the thought. Flopping on to their back, they spread out on the tiny bed. Their presentation had always leaned in a very specific direction, and it was a direction that they loved! Denying that would be absurd at best, but was it really good to define themselves by what they aren’t? Were they really an ‘opposite’ of something, rather than something onto their own? No matter what, Mizuki knew what it was that they held to their chest. The feelings in their heart were clear! Though… certainly not something they felt could be so concisely stated with just a single sentence.
“Yeah, girlfriend sounds cuter.” Mizuki tapped their chin.
A gentle pressure on their arm gripped their attention back to Ena herself as she leaned closer.
“Well, either way, I’m glad to call you my girlfriend.” Her hand moved, and squeezed theirs. “I really am, Mizuki.”
A deep blush rose in their face as they took in the artists words. They returned the previously given squeeze, and found her hand still in their grip. It took all their effort to ignore the way their heart felt so near to bursting in their chest as their other hand drifted up to Ena’s arm, and pulled her in towards their prone form. She simply let Mizuki guide her forward, as she took her place next to them. A calf pressed against their side as the artist leaned down, following the grip of that chipped pastel manicure. Again Mizuki felt Ena’s braid tickle their cheek—her blush looked near as overwhelming as Mizuki’s felt. All the more now that she was so much closer, and they were both being so much more honest.
“Hey… earlier… did you want to kiss me?” Mizuki’s voice was barely above a whisper, not that it mattered with how close she was.
“Maybe.” Ena’s embarrassment shone, but she didn’t move. “I wanted to ask, but…”
“Do you still want to?”
Ena’s hand pressed against their cheek. Mizuki felt the flames in their face rise. Did they match that red streak across Ena’s face? How long would it be till they did?
The distance shrunk.
Eyes slid shut as the shadow passed closer, and closer. Anticipation formed a lump in their throat as they waited. She was so close! Every puff of her breath warmed their lips.
“Enanan—”
Their whine was quickly cut, as she finally closed the distance.
Her lips were warm, and just a bit chapped, as she pressed into them. The warmth of her breath tingled against Mizuki’s skin as they parted, but only briefly. They never could stay apart for long before they inevitably drifted together again. Mizuki found their hands moving, exploring, as Ena’s presence overwhelmed them. Arm, shoulder, waist, finally finding purchase in the paint stained overalls as their collective breaths mingled. They felt Ena’s hand shift, moving from their cheek, backwards. Her fingers tangled in their loose hair. Her nails were so gentle… ever so lightly pressing into them.
She tasted like sweat.
Her nails shifted slightly against them, and they couldn’t help the giggle that escaped. Ena groaned as her face pressed into Mizuki’s shoulder. They couldn’t help but giggle again as Ena’s hair pressed to her cheek
“What? Was it bad?”
“No! No, its just…” Mizuki wrapped their arms around the artist. “I dunno, I just never really thought about it being real…”
They felt her chuckle. A vibration pressed into their shoulder that passed from their collar bone, to their chest, and to their thudding heart. The tumultuous beat slowed in time with each puff of her breath. Her hand was still tangled in their hair, and pulled them closer as she laughed.
She breathed softly before pushing herself up. “You know, you only needed to ask.”
“Well, maybe I would have if I knew this would be the result…” they felt their hands settle on around her waist.
“So, it was good then?” Ena still hovered over them.
They resisted the urge to cover their furious blush. “Enanan…”
Her hand pressed into their shoulder before, she pushed up from the bed. It was a gentle reminder as Mizuki watched her stand. Hands curled onto their chest as they sat up— following her as she moved out of reach. They could feel just how smeared their lipstick was, but it certainly was a sight seeing it on Ena’s lips. They felt the smile creep upon their face, even if they couldn’t fight the blush still seared on it.
“Okay, I do have a lecture to go to tomorrow, Mizuki.” Ena lifted her arms above her head, stretching as she spoke.
“Aw… gotta kick me out then?”
Ena froze momentarily before slowly turning to them, an unreadable expression on her face. Mizuki tried to follow the way her eyes darted around the room, but they didn’t seem to land on any particular thing. They flopped over on her bed. Propped upon a single elbow, they posed themselves.
“Penny for your thoughts before I’m so viciously ejected into the cold?”
“I didn’t…” Ena sighed. “I need to take a bath… do you want to stick around?”
“Eh…?” Mizuki tapped their chin. “Do you want me to stay, Enanan?”
Ena scoffed as she shuffled through her dresser. “Maybe… but really, look at the time.”
“But… my phones over there…” They replied with a whine. Flopping on to their back, Mizuki stretched their arms toward the purse across the room.
“Get it yourself, you big baby!” Ena yelled before tossing a towel and wash-cloth at them.
“Wait, what’s this for—Ena?” They clutched the soft, fluffy towel to themselves as Ena slid the bathroom door shut behind her. “Ena…?”