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Since beginning at Jujutsu Tech, Nobara had something of a tradition. After a long day of shopping, she’d make her way to Maki’s dorm room to give the older girl a little fashion show, trying on all the clothes she’d just bought. Nobara never would’ve pegged Maki as the type to be interested in something like that, but when Maki had first mentioned the idea, she was more than excited at the opportunity to spend more time with the upperclassman that she admired so much. It wouldn’t be until much later that Nobara would learn Maki had only suggested it herself as an excuse to get closer to Nobara, not that she was complaining. They both had a lot of fun together, Nobara loved to show off her new finds, and Maki really did like helping Nobara piece her outfits together.
Slowly, and almost wordlessly their friendship grew to be more. Suddenly, Nobara getting tired as the evening dragged into the night no longer meant heading back to her own dorm, rather crawling into Maki’s bed, usually waking up in her arms. Light, friendly eye-contact in conversation became something more, something filled with a certain unnamable passion, and the first kiss they shared was electric. It hadn’t taken much for Nobara to grow fond of Maki when they first met, and it took even less for her to really and truly fall in love.
Nearly losing her life took a lot out of Nobara. She was bedridden for weeks after the Shibuya incident, and although she knew she should be grateful to even have her life she still struggled to feel like herself. Fushiguro and Itadori visited her almost every day when they could, and though Nobara loved the boys, in moments like that she felt almost pitied when all she really wanted was to be out of her bed fighting alongside them again. Day in and day out she waited until she had the strength to get out of bed again, but even once she was mobile she wasn’t yet allowed back on missions, needing more time to get back in peak fighting form. At least if she could move about on her own, Nobara could do what she does best: shop.
Well, even that didn’t feel quite right after all she had been through. Visiting store after store was nothing but routine, trivial purchases that do nothing to change the fact she’s not the same person she once was. Still, she throws on a smile and heads to Maki’s dorm, just like always, hopeful that at least time with her girlfriend could make things even a little easier. Maki is all bright smiles, and gentle touches, and encouraging words, but Nobara still struggles. Maki’s in the middle of piecing together her favourites from the day into one outfit when Nobara finally finds herself able to speak her mind.
“I still can’t fight yet, and on top of that I’m not beautiful anymore, and I hate it.” Nobara huffs, “No amount of new clothes will change the fact that my face is ruined. I used to think I could always love myself when I’m all pretty and dressed up, and love myself when I’m kicking ass too, but if I can’t do either then what do I have going for me?”
Maki looks over to Nobara from where she sat on her bed, cocking her head to the side as though she’d never heard anything more confusing in her life.
“So, does that mean you don’t think I’m beautiful anymore either?” Maki asks, with an innocent tone.
“Huh?”
“My face,” Maki reiterates, “is covered in these scars too. I don’t look the same as I did before, does that mean I’m not beautiful to you anymore?”
The question is so preposterous to Nobara she could almost laugh. Maki? Anything less than perfect? She’s got to be kidding.
“No, of course not.” Nobara replies, “You’re the most gorgeous, amazing, beautiful person I’ve ever met, nothing could change that, Maki.”
“Then why don’t you treat yourself with that same leniency?”
And at that moment, everything she had been feeling in those last couple of weeks hits Nobara head-on. Since waking up from death’s doors Nobara had not once cried, but the way that Maki makes her feel so genuinely loved and cared for sends her over the edge, tears spilling down her cheeks. Itadori, Fushiguro, everyone at the school really, they all meant well, and she knows this, but they don’t understand. Not the way Maki does. Maybe that’s because no one has quite understood her the way Maki has. When she first met her upperclassman Nobara was immediately smitten, and Maki never pushed her back for that. Never made her feel like just a little kid with a crush. They simply fell in place together, and being with Maki became like being at home, so when she tells Nobara that she can still be beautiful, scarred face and all, she’s inclined to believe it.
The others mean well, but the others aren’t Maki.
“Come here,” Maki says gently, with her arm outstretched for Nobara to take. Maki’s hands are rough and weathered both from her consistent training and new injuries, but Nobara doesn’t mind, she just squeezes tight as Maki pulls her into her lap. In Maki’s arms, Nobara is safe to feel and lets herself cry truly and fully, shaking sobs soothed by Maki’s hands running up and down her back.
“You never fail to amaze me with just how strong you are, my girl.” Nobara lets out another choked-off sob in response, unable to compose herself enough to speak, “You don’t need to be beautiful to be strong, and somehow you are both, and you do both so well. Even at your worst, you will still be better than anyone else on earth.”
“Come on,” Nobara whispers, slightly nuzzling her face into Maki’s neck, “you know that’s not true”
“It is to me,” Maki responds, planting a kiss on the side of Nobara’s head, “I love you, and I’m not going to stop loving you any time soon.”
“Oh, so you mean you’re going to stop loving me at some point,” Nobara laughs, beginning to feel something like herself again, “just not quite yet.”
“Ha. Ha.” Maki deadpans, “Awful snarky coming from the girl in my arms right now. You know I hold the power here, right? I might just have to hold you tight and never let go.”
Nobara smiles, and unlike when she first walked in, she really means it. She raises her head to look into Maki’s eyes, and just like always the fire in her eyes sparks a flame of adoration in Nobara’s chest. She leans forward, lips just barely brushing against Maki’s.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Nobara says into Maki’s lips before finally closing the distance between the two. The kiss they share isn’t dramatic or sensual, it’s soft and gentle and says everything Nobara needed to hear. She gives love, and she feels love, and at that moment she could not ask for anything more.