Chapter Text
It was late in the evening when Fuyuhiko and Peko had decided to take a walk on the beach. The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, painting the horizon a beautiful orange.
This was their new favorite thing to do together, ever since she woke up. Fuyuhiko was more than prepared to give her space after everything that had happened, but unsurprisingly, she wanted to be around him. It had only been a week since she had woke up and they had already started to form a routine. They spent most of their time together. They talked about things that happened, both in the simulation and during their time spent as remnants of despair. Or, they just did things in silence, Fuyuhiko more than happy just to do that. To see her alive... that was enough for him.
And yet, he hadn't touched her once since she’d been awake.
It’s not like he didn’t want to touch Peko. On the contrary, all he wanted to do was take her hand in his and confess everything to her. It took everything in him not to tell her how much her death in the simulation had affected him. Or how much he missed her while he waited for her to wake up. Or how much he loved her...
But he didn’t want to overwhelm her.
He that noticed the others on the island were reserved when they talked to her. They approached Peko slowly, talked calmly, and never got too close. It wasn’t as if they were treating Peko any different than the others, they were like this to each of their classmates when they woke up. It was an unspoken agreement to give those waking up space to recover.
But, it seemed Peko didn’t need space. Not from him, at least. They spent a majority of their time near eachother. And whenever Peko needed a break from their classmates, the two would do things alone together. Most often, it was going on walks like the one they were currently on.
Fuyuhiko and Peko strolled the beach in comfortable silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the gentle lapping of the waves and the soft crunch of sand beneath their feet. It was nice. But the soft sound of her voice when she spoke up was not unwelcome.
“I am... so happy that I get to do this.” She said simply, looking over at him with a small, contented, smile.
“Do what?” Fuyuhiko asked curiously.
“Just be around you...” Peko answered sincerely, the warm smile never leaving her face, “It feels as if I have been given a second chance. After everything that we have been through, it is nice to just be around you, Fuyuhiko.”
Fuyuhiko felt his heart leap in his chest at her use of his name. “Y-you called me by my name?” he asked, somewhat shocked. He realized she had yet to call him by his name since she’d woke up... but she hadn’t used “young master” either.
Peko looked immediately guilty at his response, slowing her walking pace and looking away from him. “Forgive me, I thought that was what you wanted... But I suppose it was inappropriate of me. Would you like me to address you as young master again?” She paused, looking down at her feet in shame. “I am terribly sorry...”
“N-no!” Fuyuhiko blurted out, slightly panicked. “No, Peko... I’m glad you did that... I want you to call me by my name. So no more ‘young master’ okay?”
“Oh. I understand, Fuyuhiko.” Upon saying his name, the faintest of smiles reappeared on her face. And just that small smile was enough to cause Fuyuhiko to grin too. As she turned her head back to admire the ocean, he noticed the soft, relaxed expression that she wore. He was absolutely mesmerized, unable avert his gaze away from her despite being aware that he was staring.
Her head suddenly turned to look at him once again, and he looked the other direction quickly. An embarrassed blush rose to his cheeks, certain that she had caught him staring...
“Fuyuhiko,” Peko’s soft voice broke him away from his thoughts, “Would you allow me to make a selfish request?”
“Shit, Peko, we’re equals now, remember?” He reminded gently, looking back over at her, “Asking me to do something isn’t a selfish request... I’d do anything for you.”
“Oh.” She said simply. Fuyuhiko noticed her looked briefly surprised at his words. But she quickly looked away, a light blush appearing on her cheeks before she spoke up again.
“Then... would you hug me?” She paused, looking rather uncomfortable asking. “I know it is a strange thing to ask of you... But it’s... been so long since I have been hugged...”
Fuyuhiko immediately blushed bright red, stopping dead in his tracks. The question caught him off guard, and he found himself stammering to find an answer. It was unlike Peko to even voice what she wanted, let alone to request affection. But, the change was not unwelcome, and as quickly as possible he muttered out a reply.
“Y-yeah.” He was aware of how shakey and unsure he must’ve sounded, and when he saw the unease in her gaze grow, he felt immediately guilty. “Shit, I- I just didn’t expect you to request that. Of course you can hug me, you don’t even have to ask.” he answered again, this time with a steadier voice.
Barely a moment after he finished his sentence, Fuyuhiko found himself pressed up against Peko, her strong arms wrapped around his back tightly. His face instantly flushed, his heartbeat erratic. It was almost as if the sudden action had left him winded, as it took him more than a few seconds to come back down to earth and finally do something in response. Tentatively, he wrapped one arm around her back, his second arm following shortly after. He heard her let out a soft, contented sigh, and her tensed muscles slowly relax. Fuyuhiko closed his eyes and released a breath he didn’t know he was holding in, a warm wave of happiness flooding through him. Had he ever hugged Peko like this? He couldn’t remember, but if he had, they had never done it for this long. Or been this close... He was sure his cheeks were bright red from the realization of how close they were. She was flush against him...
But after a few more moments, Peko broke away. Her cheeks were just as red as his, but on her lips was a shy smile.
“T-Thank you, Fuyuhiko...” She said simply. She paused for a moment, before letting out a small chuckle, “... I suppose it’s strange to thank someone after you hug them, isn’t it?”
“I-it’s fine.” Fuyuhiko breathed out. Even if they were standing a few feet apart, he was sure she could hear how loudly his heart was beating in his chest.
“This may be bold to ask... but may I... hug you more from now on?” She asked shyly.
He blinked in surprise, but answered immediately. “Of course Peko, you don’t even have to ask! You can hug me anytime you damn well please.”
“Oh,” She smiled even brighter. “That is wonderful.”
Fuyuhiko grinned too. “And... ya know, lots of the others like to give hugs too... I mean I’d never hug any of those fuckers but... if I’m not around, you can always ask one of them.”
Peko looked thoughtful for a second. “That is true... but I think I’ll like your hugs best...”
With her last comment, Peko turned to look away and continued her walk along the beach, leaving Fuyuhiko trailing behind. Dumbfounded and blushing, he reflected on her last comment, his smile only growing bigger.
Yeah... He definitely needed to tell her how he felt soon.