Chapter Text
Sakura had made her decision. She would tell her tonight. She refused to lose her resolve.
Aoi and Sakura sat on Sakura’s bed. Sharing each other’s dorms had become a regular occurrence. Sakura looked toward Aoi, who was lounging and enjoying a donut.
Sakura took a deep breath and her muscles tensed. Sitting on her knees, she turned toward Aoi.
“Hina…there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you. For a while now.”
“What is it Sakura-chan?” Aoi’s bright and curious blue eyes focused on her friend.
“Hina I…really like you.”
“Aw I really like you too Sakura-chan! You’re the closest friend I’ve ever had.”
Sakura bristled slightly, though it was a possible response that she had anticipated. She tried again.
“Not quite like that Hina,”
Sakura gingerly reached her hands out to cup Aoi’s cheeks. Moving slowly in fear of startling Aoi away like some skittish butterfly.
With that same gentleness, she moved her head toward Aoi’s, her lips gently settling on hers.
It was a very quick and soft kiss. Just enough Sakura hoped to get the message across.
Sakura’s body was shuddering. She had steeled herself for rejection, but it was still heard to keep herself steadfast.
Aoi gazed at Sakura with wide eyes glittering in wonder. She was so stunned that the normally talkative girl was left speechless for a rare moment.
“Sakura-chan…you…care about me that much?”
Sakura closed her eyes and nodded, her body still tense in preparation for the worst.
Her eyes shot open as she felt that same pair of lips return to her own, for a longer moment.
Aoi pulled back, blushing incredibly hard.
“I wasn’t even aware it was a possibility. I love you so much Sakura-chan but I didn’t know- I’ve never been like this with a girl before. I mean I guess I haven’t with a guy either but…”
Aoi’s rambling trailed off as she noticed tears pooling in Sakura’s eyes and starting to fall down her cheek.
“Sakura?? Sakura what’s wrong? Did I say something wrong or-“
“No not at all.” Sakura managed to breathe out. “I’m just…so relieved. I didn’t want to scare you or…disgust you.”
Aoi’s eyes began to grow watery while looking at her most cherished friend crying.
“Sakura…you were that scared of telling me this whole time?” Aoi brought her own hands to Sakura’s face, using her thumb to brush away a threatening tear.
“I didn’t want to chance losing our friendship.”
“Sakura, even if I didn’t feel the same, I would never like…abandon you. I’m sorry you felt you needed to hold that in all this time.”
Tears fell freely as Sakura’s gentle laughter echoed through the room.
“Sakura, you’re going to make me cry too!” Aoi’s eyes shined with a fresh flood of tears ready to fall.
Sakura opened her arms wide and engulfed Aoi in a strong and gentle embrace.
“I’m just so grateful Hina, for you.”
Aoi’s tears spilled forth at that, crying against Sakura’s chest. Her arms were wrapped around Sakura in return, hugging her as tight as she possibly could. Hoping to squeeze all that lingering anxiety from Sakura. Sakura’s shaking breath steadied, her body calmed down from shivering. All the time clinging to Aoi.
When they had both come down from their intense emotions, they both pulled back to look at the other.
“Sakura?”
“Yes?”
“Could we maybe…kiss…again?” Aoi’s face heated up at such an innocent request.
Sakura’s body rumbled with a soft chuckle, “Of course.”
They kissed for the third time that night, this time neither pulled away. The kiss deepened slightly as they gradually got used to the sensation.
Eventually they pulled back, but still stared into each other’s eyes, smiling in a way neither had before.
“It’s getting late, shall we hit the hay? I’m already exhausted from all that crying.”
“Of course Hina dear,”
Aoi happily blushed at that. They both got under the covers, laying together snugly. Sakura brought her arm over and around Aoi, enveloping her in a protective hug. Aoi skooched back so her back was huddled against Sakura’s core, fitting perfectly into her position as the little spoon.
“Sakura?”
“Yes?”
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too Hina darling.”