Work Text:
A calm morning. Without an alarm Futaba wakes up, she opens her eyes and stares at the ceiling, the room is a bit dark except for one ray of sunshine coming from the small opening left in the curtains on her right. With one hand she fixes the bangs covering a part of her eyes and she sits up. Now the light from the sun touching her cheek, she yawns and stretches her arms and back. She turns to her side to get up and her feet feel the floor. Before she stands, her gaze follows the path formed by the sun as she hears a sound coming from the woman behind her.
"Hnngh… close the curtain" an irritated voice whining like a child who doesn’t want to wake up makes a small grin pop on Futaba's face.
She lets a small chuckle out and her expression turns soft. It doesn't matter how often this scenario has played out before, she always finds it cute when Kaoruko acts like this. After all, she's the only one who can see her acting this way. She would make fun of her but knows that Kaoruko would definitely tease her back all morning about her messy hair and sleeping face.
The girl who had previously complained about the light disturbing her sleep turns her back to Futaba to continue sleeping uninterrupted. Futaba looks at the sheets and her comforter moving, when the noise stops she turns her head back to stare in front of her, and with a stretch, she gets up from the bed. As she goes to the bathroom, she tries to fix her bed hair a little, just using her hands. She notices her bangs have grown and probably will get them trimmed in the following days.
Futaba starts washing her face. Just soap and water. After turning the water off, she checks herself in the mirror. Grabs a towel and dries her face with it. A soft chuckle escapes her mouth when she sees all of Kaoruko’s face care stuff. It could be a ridiculous amount for her, but for some reason, she feels warm when the thought of the two being together again. She’s used to sharing a bed, bathroom, and dining table with Kaoruko. Except this time is different. It’s just the two of them. This apartment is for the two of them only. Kaoruko will return to Kyoto in a few days, but for now, the two of them can be together, nobody else with them. Futaba and Kaoruko, like it, used to be.
Now going to the kitchen, maybe they could have some coffee and pastries from the shop near the building. She pours some berries and yogurt into a bowl and takes it to the living room with a spoon. For now, she’ll have that until Kaoruko decides to wake up. Sitting on the sofa, with one hand eating and the other scrolling through her phone. Checking emails, updates of some apps, and social media. After she finishes her bowl she plays on her phone a little.
In the main bedroom, Kaoruko keeps sleeping soundly, she doesn’t have anything important so she can just rest all day if she wanted. But for now, she feels rested and wants to have something to eat, maybe that shop she saw the day before near the building. The pastries and coffee sound good. Kaoruko still in bed stretches and yawns, looking like a cat behind the sheets. She opens her well-rested eyes and sees Futaba at the door of the room, she’s gonna get changed.
“Good morning,” the pink haired with a soft smile says as she opens the wardrobe and drawers looking for what to wear today.
“Morning Futaba” answers Kaoruko still in bed while watching her girlfriend change. Her stare followed her.
Right, this is Futaba’s room. Futaba’s bed, Futaba’s apartment, she chose to pursue a life on the stage at the New National Troupe, now living alone after years of that argument the two of them had. As much as Kaoruko would love to have her Futaba all for herself, she’s aware of Futaba’s dreams. She’s proud of her, for choosing a path for herself, something she’s good at and will shine. Futaba is such an amazing actress, she might be one of the shortest in the troupe but confident movements and a powerful voice are what captivate the audience. What captivates Kaoruko every time she sees Futaba. Gorgeous, thin but with toned arms, beautiful violet eyes always open alongside her mouth showing a happy child-like smile, and pink hair styled in two parted bangs. “Gorgeous, brave, and strong” and other words come to Kaoruko’s mind when she stares at her… at Futaba.
“I can feel you staring, is there something wrong with my outfit?” Futaba says with a chuckle as she raises her right brow and turns around to see Kaoruko in bed. “No. nothing,” answers Kaoruko in a small voice.
Futaba, they’ve been together literally since birth, always so close. There’s no one else that could understand Kaoruko more than her. There’s no one else she rather spend her whole life with. Kaoruko wonders if that would be too much to ask for Futaba. Whenever Futaba visits Kyoto and her parents she stays with them, even if Kaoruko can spend some time with her and is never alone like here. It’s not like Kaoruko couldn’t afford a hotel. But Futaba doesn’t have any problem with her staying at her place, so that’s how it always is. They reached a level where verbal communication is not even needed. Which sometimes can be helpful, in understanding each other’s body language. But sometimes, Kaoruko would like to know if she could. If it’s the right time for something she’s been waiting for a long time.
Sounds silly, for them, the duo that has been together since day 1 to think about marriage, something portrayed so romantically in dramas and novels but, “what if she also wanted to be a cliche?” thinks Futaba as she closes her socks drawer putting a small box behind so no one can see it. The truth is, Futaba has been hiding a box with a ring. A wedding ring, for some months now, she always has it with her but hasn’t pulled it out and proposed yet. It needs to be nice, maybe a walk by the lights of the night, a dinner. Just excuses to not think of the true reason why she hasn’t proposed yet. Would it be okay? Or would it be too much for them? Doubts coming again she just keeps the box where it’s been these months hidden and now fully dressed to go out, approaches Kaoruko who is still in bed.
Futaba gets closer to give her a small kiss on her forehead. Kaoruko pulls her closer trying not to wrinkle Futaba’s clothes and Futaba manages not to fall on her and they hug for a while. Kaoruko plays with futaba's hair a little and then combs it with her hand to not leave it that messy.
“Finally going to get up?” Kaoruko doesn’t answer, still playing with the soft pink hair as she smells and leaves small kisses.
“I’m hungry” she finally says.
“Of course, you are” smiling, Futaba fixes Kaoruko’s bangs a little, and with a kiss, she exits the room.
---
“Kuroko told me she’s coming to visit for a few days, she got an Airbnb place near my building, I hope she brings something from France to share… probably a nice wine, like the other time” Futaba casually comments happy with a coffee on her left hand and with the other hand, holding Kaoruko’s who is also drinking something. Both walk around the streets.
“You have lots of those.” points Kaoruko.
“Uh?.” confused Futaba looks at Kaoruko.
“You have lots of wines Kuro-han has gifted you. Do you really drink them?” Asks Kaoruko.
“Not really, Kuroko just gives me some because then when she comes to my apartment she ends up drinking from them. Still appreciate the gift tho. I guess it would be good if there’s a special occasion”
Kaoruko is now the one a bit confused, what special occasion, could it be that Futaba already has other plans for these days? She came by surprise this time, maybe she had some kind of meeting.
“Special occasion?” curious Kaoruko asks as she finishes her coffee and throws it in the trash bin near. Futaba feels her cheeks warm a little. Kaoruko keeps staring and her while holding her hand. Her mischievous smile appeared on her face.
“Oh, so you have been asking Kuro-han for advice for when I come to visit?” She says teasing a little.
“You’re like a little child, my Futaba-han” she laughs a little while Futaba tries to look for an answer that doesn’t expose how much she’s always looking forward to seeing her again.
“ I-IM. I’m craving some spaghetti for lunch, what do you think?” Futaba asks trying to hide the fact she got her feelings exposed a few seconds ago.
“Sounds delicious, I know a restaurant let me see if it’s open toda-.” But Futaba interrumps.
“I don’t think there’s ground beef at home, we should go to the supermarket before we return”.
“Sure!” says Kaoruko.
Spaghetti with tomato sauce, eggplants, and grounded beef does sound good for lunch. Home-made. Made by Futaba. And Kaoruko… “They’re not the kind of couple to cook together and bond, that’s more of a Banana-han thing right?” thinks Kaoruko when she sees futaba taking the pots and pasta to boiling. Kaoruko is cutting the onions, it’s not that difficult of a task but always gets her to drop some tears. Futaba gets closer to see Kaoruko’s face wrinkled, she must hold a laugh or Kaoruko would get mad. “I’m helping you so no complaints!.” says Kaoruko very focused on the onions and garlic.
“Haha, i wasn’t going to complain. Just…” and with one hand fixes Kaoruko’s bangs so she can see what she’s doing and also doesn’t get dirty.
As if that gentle act wasn’t already enough for her heart to start pumping, Futaba gently ties Kaoruko’s hair so it doesn’t get in the way.
The red might come from her ears but also her entire face starts heating up.
“Here” she hands the cutting board to Futaba, who with oil stir fries it, the grounder meat and adds some salt and pepper.
With just the sounds of the frying pan and cutting board. The two of them standing beside each other, chatting about themselves, might be good from time to time. It’s just lunch but the air feels different this time. So calm, like they could do that everyday. Could this be what home feels like?
Both plates ready on the table alongside some forks and a bowl of salad on the side. Both having a glass of water. Sitting in front of each other. They thank for the food and start eating. Quick and simple meals like this. At their apartment, no worries. If they could freeze time. Silly conversations about new shops that they should go together, smiles, laughters, blushing from time to time.
It doesn’t matter how many years have passed, they could fall in love with each other over and over again. Just a relaxed afternoon, everything feels so real. Could be like this forever, if one of them said those words. But not yet, it’s not the right time. Is it?
“uh, actually. This could be a good time to taste one of Kuroko’s gifts, don’t you think?” The pink haired finishes her plate and gets up, exits the room and comes back with two wine glasses and the bottle. She opens it and before she can pour it into the glasses Kaorukos gets up too. A bit quicker than expected so Futaba’s gaze is focused on her. Both standing in front of each other.
“Futaba” a soft voice calls her name.
Futaba can already feel her hands sweating a little, she’s wonders if Kaoruko knows. If Kaoruko knows what she wishes she could say right now, if Kaoruko knows the reason why she keeps her socks drawer a secret and doesn’t let Kaoruko take anything from there. If she knows, how much she wants to say it. Just between the two of them. How much she wishes Kaoruko would want to spend their lives together. Futaba sometimes gets embarrassed at the thought that they’ve been so close and still acts like she was her first love. Well, she was. And her last. Because Kaoruko is truly the one.
Kaoruko’s mind is not as calm as her body. She knows she hid the ring for Futaba somewhere in her handbag and could take it right now. Wonders if Futaba knows, she doesn’t only want her to take care of her, cook for her and massage her after a stressful day. She wants to be the one when Futaba gets into the main cast of a new play when she tries hard in the auditions but doesn’t get in. She wants to be there, be the first one to share her happiness, anger, and sadness.
“Kaoruko?” they could have been eating some minutes earlier but the mood has completely shifted. Can’t smell the tomato sauce or onions. Just a sweet smell, probably from their shampoos.
“special occasion…?” Kaoruko goes to hold both of Futaba’s hands with hers.
Looking like when they first realized their feelings back in middle school. Hands cupping each other. Except for this time, they can’t take their eyes off each other.
“...” Futaba thinks a little before opening her mouth again. This could sound like a question out of nowhere but the way, but the moment Kaoruko decided to ask it. They both are on the same page. They have been for a while now. “It’s not like you come here every day” wrong, that’s what you’d say to a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. Kaoruko. She could see Kaoruko every day if she wanted, but she’s smart enough to know neither of them would do that for now. But she wishes she could.
“you,” says Futaba, as she gets closer to Kaoruko. While pouring some wine into their glasses.
Kaoruko’s eyes get wide open when she hears those words, she wants to hear more. She sees their distance as close and intimate.
“It’s you the one special to me.” Futaba continues. Once she starts she feels like she could never end her rambles about her dearest person.
“Today…” Futaba takes a sip from her wine. It’s good. And hands one glass to Kaoruko.
“Was like a dream” Kaoruko continues, also takes a sip, and leaves the glass on the table.
“Have.- Have you ever thought that… this dream could end?” Futaba continues.
“And become real?” Kaoruko asks.
“Multiple times,” Kaoruko answers not leaving Futaba answer.
“you are the dearest to me Futaba,” Kaoruko confesses, wrapping her arms around Futaba’s waist.
At that moment, hearts pressed against each other. A warm tight embrace, an embrace between two lovers. They might still need to figure other things out but for now. They just want to be with each other.
Few drops of tears falling from their cheeks and small laughs.
“It’s because it’s you Kaoruko…” Futaba hugs Kaoruko.
“It’s because it’s us…” they both think as they submerge more into the warm embrace.