Work Text:
Mitsuri looked at the clock in Shinobu’s bedroom. It was past midnight, and Shinobu was still up working. Mitsuri sighed.
She had been staying at the Butterfly Estate a lot recently because Shinobu had been too busy to go visit her at the Love Estate, and Mitsuri couldn’t bear to go without seeing her for too long. Unfortunately, in her time at the Butterfly Estate she had realized just how much of a workaholic Shinobu could be. Shinobu was always doing something—training, treating patients, working on poisons, running errands—and although she and Mitsuri managed to spend some time together Mitsuri found herself yearning for more.
Mitsuri glanced at the clock again. Shinobu had been staying up particularly late the past few nights, and not only was Mitsuri missing her presence, she was genuinely worried about Shinobu’s wellbeing. Working herself to the bone like this couldn’t be good for her.
Mitsuri shot up from her seat. She was not having any more of this. Shinobu was going to bed, whether she liked it or not!
Mitsuri stomped over to Shinobu’s office and rapped on the door.
“Shinobu-chan? May I come in?” Mitsuri asked.
A muffled voice drifted through the door after a moment. “Yes, come in.”
Mitsuri opened the door. The room looked like a warzone. Shinobu was hunched over her desk, which was buried in papers and peppered with vials filled with colorful liquids. Just looking at everything made Mitsuri’s head hurt.
“Shinobu-chan, it’s late. Shouldn’t you go to bed soon?”
Shinobu didn’t look up from her work. “I’m sorry, love, but I have to finish this. You can go ahead and go to bed without me.”
Mitsuri huffed. “You’ve been going to bed late every day the past few nights! You have to get more sleep or you’ll wear yourself out. Please, go to bed with me.”
Shinobu finally looked up at Mitsuri. Her normally impeccably neat hair was frazzled and falling out of her pin. She had dark bags under her eyes, which looked foggy and distant like a faraway figure shrouded in mist.
“I appreciate your concern, but I have to get this done. I’ll go to bed as soon as I’m finished, I promise.”
Mitsuri’s heart clenched. Shinobu looked like a shadow of her usual self. She really was running herself ragged.
“Shinobu-chan, do you see yourself right now? You look so tired. I don’t want you pushing yourself like this. You’re going to bed with me.”
Shinobu scoffed. “I’m an adult and an independent person, Mitsuri, you can’t make me—”
Shinobu yelped as Mitsuri lifted her off her chair and carried her bridal style. She flailed her arms and legs, but Mitsuri was undeterred.
Shinobu shot Mitsuri a tight-lipped smile. Mitsuri could feel the irritation starting to emanate from her. “Mitsuri, let me down.”
Mitsuri turned around and began walking out of the room.
“Nope! You’re going to bed whether you like it or not.”
“Mitsuri. Mitsuri!”
Mitsuri ignored Shinobu and continued walking towards the bedroom. Shinobu eventually gave up and settled into Mitsuri’s arms like a stubborn cat that had surrendered to its owner.
Once they reached the bedroom, Mitsuri gently placed Shinobu down on the bed. Shinobu pouted like a petulant child. Mitsuri had to stop herself from squealing at how adorable she looked; she almost never saw Shinobu be this free with her emotions, and she tried to absorb every detail.
“Shinobu-chan,” Mitsuri said, “I know you’re angry, but I’m worried about you. You’re pushing yourself too hard, and… I miss you. I’m here more than ever and yet I almost never see you. Please, at least for tonight, sleep with me.”
Shinobu’s eyes softened. The fog that filled them cleared, revealing the warm light of love and affection.
“Okay. I’ll do it for you, Mitsuri.”
Mitsuri smiled brightly, her happiness radiating like sunlight on a clear summer’s day. Shinobu couldn’t hold back a smile.
The two changed out of their uniforms and put on soft, silky pajamas. They let down their hair and got themselves washed up before collapsing on the bed together.
Shinobu and Mitsuri faced each other, their faces mere inches apart. Mitsuri clasped Shinobu’s small hands in hers and held them to her chest. Mitsuri was silent, simply staring at Shinobu. Shinobu blushed under the attention.
“What’s wrong? Why are you staring?” Shinobu asked.
Mitsuri’s intense gaze stayed trained on Shinobu’s face.
“I feel like I haven’t really seen you in a while. I just wanted to take in as much of you as I could.”
A pang of guilt shot through Shinobu like a bullet.
“I’m sorry, Mitsuri. I didn’t realize just how lonely you were. I’ve had a lot of things on my plate recently, and it’s been taking up all my attention. I promise I’ll spend more time with you and not push myself as hard. Okay?”
Mitsuri smiled. “Okay.” She squeezed Shinobu’s hands and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
“I love you.” Mitsuri said.
Shinobu rested her forehead on Mitsuri’s.
“I love you too.”
The words rolled softly off their tongues and enveloped them in a warmth more comforting than any blanket. The two quickly fell asleep and stayed like that until morning.