Work Text:
*Tick Tock*
"Mm....Ugh I can't think of anything!"
Ena had been staring at yet another blank canvas for over an hour now. Her project was due tomorrow. She asked her art teacher, Yukihira, to take it home to work on it since he criticized her, hard. Her concept was "Love". This was difficult. Her trashcan was overfilled with crumpled papers of ideas at this point.
"If I were Futaba....I'd be done by now. Why does Yukihira have to give us such horrible concepts!"
The more time passed, the more Ena got frustrated. The time was already 8pm. She was supposed to be finished at 7pm. She was stuck. Suddenly, a noise came from the other side of her door.
*Ding dong*
"Who in the world is ringing at this hour? Ugh, Akito! Can you answer the door?"
"What? No way!"
"Come on, I answered it last time!"
Ena heard an annoyed sigh and then loud steps. Then at the speed of light, her door swung open and in came Mizuki, instantly hugging Ena. Which spilled some paint on the canvas.
"Mizuki? What the heck!"
"Oh you're painting? Well you should've told me! Besides you're the one who called me here..."
"Huh?"
Ena was confused at Mizuki's remark. She didn't remember telling Mizuki anything.
"You don't remember? Gosh, look."
Mizuki pulled out her phone and showed Ena a message she apparently sent 3 hours ago. It finally clicks in Ena's mind. She was dealing with something at that time. Something...not so good. She sent it without thinking.
"Why'd you send me this in the first place? Aww did you want some sweet Amia looovveee~"
"Ugh, as if."
Mizuki always made sly and flirty comments at Ena. As far as Ena knew, they didn't like her, as for Ena...that was the complete opposite. For about a couple months now, she's had a crush on them. She didn't know why, but now every time they make those little comments, her face turns bright red and she starts to get a bit embarrassed.
"Aw Ena why are you hiding~"
*Muffled*
"No reason."
Ena dug her face into one of her pillows. She could not show Mizuki her face at this moment. They were friends. That's all. Nothing more. It hurt, but Ena had to realize that. If Mizuki found out, it'd change everything. Nightcord would change. Her life. Their life. Probably not in a good way either. Ena was dealing with a lot this week. Probably the worst week ever so far, but she just couldn't show Mizuki that.
"Ena get your face out of that pillow! I wanna hang out."
Ena could feel her hot face cooling down, and so, she removed her face from the pillow that was partially suffocating her. She then sat up on her bed and took off her painting apron then threw it on the ground, with a bit of an attitude.
"Woah, what's with the attitude?"
Mizuki came near Ena and sat next to her on the bed. Mizuki was wearing short laced jean shorts with a pastel pink knitted sweater. Ena was wearing a simple black laced nightgown, followed along with a cream colored cardigan she put on after Mizuki sat next to her. There was a big difference between them.
"Sorry."
"Hey, we've been through this before. What's wrong? You seem really upset."
Mizuki was very considerate. They took situations like this very seriously despite their personality.
"Well, what I'm working on now is a piece that should already be finished, but my teacher hated it so I took it home to work on it, but nothing. Everyone thinks it's so easy for me because I'm the daughter of a famous painter. But it's not! I wish it wasn't either! Why can't I just be like the others. I fall behind too much. Especially now. I hate how I'm this stupid person's daughter! We're just related by blood, what difference does it make if we're not!"
Ena was starting to feel as if it was hard to breathe. She felt tears swell up in her eyes. She didn't cry, not yet at least.
"I-I just want to be known as me! Not my "dad" that barely appreciates what I do! He acts as if he doesn't know what he did. He ruined me...I can't live one day without him torturing me. It's like he follows me around at all times. Ugh!"
Ena couldn't cry in front of Mizuki. Mizuki never saw her cry. Ena didn't like crying in front of anyone anyways. Ena was scratching her nails into her right arm, they were practically bleeding at this point. She couldn't deal with all this. Suddenly, she felt a soft grip covering the scratches on her right arm. It was Mizuki. This snapped Ena out of her trance.
"It's okay Ena, let it all out."
Ena heard these words, and followed them as if they were a law. She dug her face into Mizuki's chest and sobbed. Her hands were wrapped around Mizuki tight and she gripped them hard. She cried and cried and cried. Her breath was short and she was gasping for air at most times. Still, her face was in their chest. During this, Mizuki was running their fingers in Ena's hair while using their other hand to hold Ena close while drawing circles on her back. This was the moment Ena dreamed for. No one else did this for her.
"Don't worry Ena, I've always known you as you. And I'm sure other people out there do too. Sure, your dad is a big part of your existence, but I don't think that way. The Ena Shinonome I know can be sassy and hot-blooded, but also sweet and considerate. I want that Ena to stick with me. Okay?"
Ena's sobbing had died down. She lifted her face from Mizuki's chest and let her hands fall down to her side. Her face was numb from all the crying, but she was blushing a bit at this comfortable gesture from Mizuki. Yet, Mizuki's face was soft, beaming, and oh so cute in Ena thoughts. That's how Mizuki always looked in Ena's mind, especially during this short moment. Meanwhile, Ena's mascara was all over the bottom of her eyes, smudged lipstick, and her cardigan off both her shoulders, but still attached by her elbows.
"Hehe, you look like a mess. Here, let's get you cleaned up."
Mizuki got up from their side of the bed. As soon as they did, they held out their hand to Ena. Ena flinched at this small move. She was on her knees on her side of the bed. She stretched her hand onto Mizuki's and got up. When she left the bed, she was a bit wobbly. Mizuki, thankfully, wrapped her left arm around Ena's waist and threw Ena's right arm over her shoulder.
"Mizuki, I can walk fine.."
"No you can't, you can barely stand. This is more helpful, trust me."
They then walked her to the bathroom. Ena was taken by surprise. Her blush grew but still soft. Once they reached the bathroom, Mizuki let down the toilet lid and told Ena to sit down. Ena did as they said. Mizuki opened a drawer and pulled out some bandage wrap and kneeled down in front of Ena. Ena held her arm out and Mizuki started wrapping.
"Thank you...Mizuki."
"You don't have to thank me, this is the least I could do. Besides I'm not done yet!"
Mizuki showed their cheeky little smile and Ena laughed a bit under her breath. She loved moments like this. There weren't many of them, but Ena treasured them dearly.
"Alright I'm done with your arm, can you try to break that habit, for me?"
"...I-I'll try."
"Thank you."
Mizuki got up from in front of Ena and put away the bandage wrap, they then got some makeup remover and a small package of cotton rounds. They then got into the same position as last time splashed some makeup remover into 3 layered cotton rounds and first removed the smudged lipstick.
"Bleh! Why'd you get it in my mouth?"
"Well I'm sorry I'm not a makeup remover professional!"
They both laughed and Mizuki continued to remove Ena's makeup. After removing the lipstick, they moved onto the mascara which was a bit harder to take off. She got more cotton rounds and splashed some more makeup remover on them. Mizuki rubbed the cotton rounds on Ena's face a bit tougher than usual, but still made sure not to irritate Ena's face.
"Are you almost done Mizuki?"
"Yup, almost."
After Mizuki finished removing Ena's makeup, they got up one more and put away everything they borrowed, along with throwing away the used cotton rounds.
"Come on Ena, you're probably exhausted, let's get you to bed."
"Wait..."
"Hm?"
"Can you...stay over?"
"Oh? What's with you tonight? You're being pretty clingy~"
Again, Ena felt her face getting hot. She regretted saying that, well....almost.
"I-I'm just saying...you've done a lot for me and I want to repay you with the hang out you missed because of me. Besides I...need you for something."
The "thing" Ena was talking about was her art piece. While Mizuki was wrapping Ena's arm, she felt a rush. An idea. It was perfect for her art piece. Mizuki, was perfect for this art piece.
"I'm just teasing! Yeah, I'll stay. Also what is this "thing" you need me for?"
"You'll see, come on let's go to my room."
Ena got up from the toilet lid, still a bit wobbly and led Mizuki back to her room this time. Ena opened the door. As soon as Ena walked in, she looked at the time. 11pm, wasn't as late as she thought it was. Mizuki on the other hand, threw herself on Ena's bed.
"Ahh!!! Your bed feels really nice y'know!"
"Get comfortable you're going to sit for a while."
"What, I have to stay still? Aw man!"
"Well, you don't really have to. Just don't move so much, okay?"
"Oh yay!"
Ena took off her cardigan and put on her painting apron once more. Ena started to paint. She splotched, stroked, dabbed, and mixed many different colors and shapes. So far, her painting was going well. Almost as if she took it right from her mind. Only an hour has passed and she was almost done. Though, Ena was so focused on her painting that she hadn't looked over to Mizuki. Ena looked to her left and saw Mizuki kicking their feet, on their stomach, hugging a plushie. The plushie Mizuki gifted Ena. Of course, Mizuki had soft eyes and a big smile.
"You're really passionate about drawing huh?"
"Y-Yeah of course."
"That's what I like about you Ena. Whenever you find something you're passionate about, you spend lots of time on it and carry it along with you."
Ena blushed. This time, she didn't have anything to cover her face with, so to avoid some contact, Ena just faced back at her almost finished painting.
"Ena~ why are you blushing?" You should be used to my compliments by now!"
"...."
"Ena...?"
Ena slammed her paintings down and took off her apron again. During this, Mizuki sat up and laid on the right side of En's bed, facing the window covered with bluish, greyish curtains. As soon as Mizuki finished getting comfortable, Ena got up and turned off her lights. Mizuki and Ena's only source of light was the dim lights in the cracks of the curtains from the moonlight.
"Hm? You going to sleep Ena? I was just getting comfortable. You need to finish your painting don't you?"
"I do, but there's more important stuff I need to do."
"With the lights off..?"
Suddenly, Mizuki felt something grab her from behind. They turned their head a bit back to see Ena, burying her face into their back with their arms around their waist. This caught Mizuki off guard. Ena on the other hand, was burning like the sun.
"E-Ena...?"
"Sorry, I had to. You can slap me afterwards."
"I won't do that! It's fine anyways."
"Really?"
"....Yeah, it feels nice."
Little did Ena know, Mizuki was blushing a whole lot as well. Mizuki held their hand up to their mouth so as not to make much noise. After a few minutes of them being in this position, Mizuki turned to face Ena which Ena was a bit flustered by. Mizuki put their left hand on Ena's waist and their right on Ena's head.
"Can we stay like this instead?"
"U-Uhm, yeah..."
"Ena you're stuttering~!"
"Well...yeah, we're friends after all. And cuddling..."
"Who said we were friends?"
Ena jolted up to see Mizuki's face. And what she saw was a goddess. The dim light behind them was illuminating them. Their cheeky smile and down turned eyes. But the first thing Ena noticed, was their blush.
"Sorry Ena, this probably isn't how you imagined confessing to me, well...I'm the one who confessed after all."
"M-Mizuki...."
"....Yeah?"
Ena held her breath for a bit. Not for too long though. After a little bit, she held her hand out and cupped the right side of Mizuki's face. Mizuki's eyes widened. Mizuki held their right hand up and covered Ena's hand, also while pushing Ena a little closer to her. Ena felt this and immediately flushed up. She couldn't do much though. Suddenly. Ena got closer and closer....and closer.
"Y'know Ena, were right up into our faces."
"I know...is this okay for me to do?"
"Yeah, of course. We're more than friends now anyway. Aren't we?"
They both let out a small giggle. Mizuki rested her eyes while Ena kept hers open. A few minutes of this passed. Ena tried to look at her bandaged arm, basically failing. Still, she smiled. After all Ena put Mizuki through tonight, they were still there for her. They were the best. Then Ena realized. This was her chance.
"Hey Mizuki?"
"Hm?"
"Mind if I do something real quick."
"Yeah sure, I'm going to sleep soon though, do it quick."
Ena bit her lip. She gripped Mizuki's face a bit harder. Her face was red. Very red. She stopped for a moment. Then leaned into Mizuki's face, pressing her lips against theirs. Ena felt Mizuki jump a bit, actually no, jump a lot. Accepting this move from Ena, Mizuki held her even closer with their bodies touching at this point. Ena broke away from the kiss and looked at Mizuki with small tears filling her eyes.
"E-Ena...why are you crying?"
"I-I'm just happy. Happy that you're here with me, Happy that you love me!"
"Hehe, oh Ena what am I going to do with you?"
Mizuki took her hand off Ena's hand and wiped Ena's tears with that same hand. While smiling of course. It's their natural expression. It's like their resting face.
"W-Wait what about Nightcord Mizuki?"
"Don't worry, I already talked to Mafuyu and Kanade. They said we could have a break."
"Wow, you're quick."
"Anything for you, come on let's get to bed."
"What time is it anyway..?"
"That's not important, let's just sleep our way through it, together."
Ena's tears had dried. She dug her face into Mizuki's chest again, this time, with a feeling of passion. Last time, it was depression and anxiety. Now, she felt calm. She always felt calm with Mizuki. She let her eyes flutter shut, and so did Mizuki.
*Early morning*
"Mm...? Ugh, what time is it?"
"Oh Ena, awake at this time, is the world about to explode~?"
"Mizuki it's too early for your crap. Let me sleep."
"Wow, you change so much in one night."
"Yeah yeah, now it's bedtime for me. Besides, we have exams today don't we? Why aren't you at school."
"...I don't feel like going today. You'd get lonely anyway wouldn't you?"
"Shut up..."
Mizuki laughed as Ena went back to sleep. Before this, Mizuki planted a kiss on Ena's forehead. Ena was half awake at this point, but could still feel Mizuki's warmth. It felt nice. Very nice. Being in a warm environment made Ena even more sleepy, so as quickly as she closed her eyes, Ena fell back asleep. She didn't know whether or not Mizuki was asleep. That didn't matter too much in Ena's mind. As long as Mizuki didn't leave, she'd be okay.
*Art class*
"Okay Shinonome. Let's see your piece from yesterday."
"Okay, here."
"....."
"S-So?"
"The colors you used are very dull. And the angle is a bit wrong. Other than that, it's fine. I have one thing to ask though."
"....Yes?"
"What's the message in this?"
"Well...I don't have a message, it's actually from a personal experience of mine. A pretty recent one. I was in a horrible situation and someone was there for me. I...love them."
"...I see. Well you did okay. Keep this up and maybe you'll be as good as your father. Still, do what you want. Come on, class ends soon."
"Okay, thank you!"
That was probably the nicest compliment Ena was ever gotten from her years of being with this teacher. She satisfied him...partially. He mentioned her father, but she was so amazed with his compliment that she didn't even care. After the class bell rang, Ena grabbed her bag and was the first to leave. Surprisingly, Mizuki was outside waiting for her, in their school uniform.
"What's with you? You said you didn't feel like going to school today."
"Well I got called back for supplementary classes. Again..."
"Mizuki if you just went to school then you wouldn't have to take those classes."
"But when I get out of them you're busy and I wanna spend time with you!"
"Fine, let's go somewhere now then."
"Really? Yippie!"
Suddenly, Mizuki grabbed Ena's hand and walked by her side. They also gave her multiple kisses which Ena tried to brush off, but she loved them. After all those shenanigans, Ena led the way to a small desert shop. Which of course, sold pancakes and cheesecake.
"Ooh it's so cool here! Why didn't you tell me about this shop?"
"Because I just found out about it a few hours ago."
"Hm..oh yeah! How'd your art class go?"
"Fine, I didn't get criticized hard today."
"Really? That's great."
Mizuki and Ena were sitting down by now, Ena enjoying some cheesecake and Mizuki devouring a crepe. Since Mizuki was devouring this amazing crepe, they got messy pretty quickly.
"Mizuki you're making a mess! Hold still."
"Hm?"
Ena leaned over Mizuki's side of the table and proceeded to wipe Mizuki's face with a napkin. After Ena finished wiping her partner's face, she blushed a bit while kissing a clean side of the napkin then pressing that same side to Mizuki's lips."
"Mm? Aw, why an indirect one?"
"Because we both know I don't have the guts to actually kiss you, so this is all you get for now."
"Hmm...fine."
They finished up their desserts and started walking home together. It was almost nighttime now. Still, they were holding hands the whole way down this long street.
"Okay my house is this way, goodnight Mizuki. See you in Nightcord."
"Yup, see you there."
As they went their separate ways, they both clutched their school bags very tightly. Ena, up to her chest to avoid her beating heart jumping out of her body, and Mizuki to their hands to avoid covering their face. Ena and Mizuki had known each other for a while, but they never imagined being in a relationship before. It was like heaven being with one another.
*On Nightcord*
"Yahoo~!"
"Ah Amia, welcome."
"Hi."
"Hello K, hello Yuki! Hm? Enanan's not here?"
"Apparently not...Yuki and I tried to contact her but nothing."
"Hm...I see."
*Beep*
"Hello? Sorry I'm late."
"Well, speak of the devil! K, Yuki, Enanan is here now!"
"Speak of the...you were talking about me?"
"Don't worry it was nothing bad....so far~"
Mizuki let out a cheeky laugh and proceeded to make fun of Ena some more. Kanade didn't really seem to care since they were used to it at this point. Mafuyu on the other hand...
"Can you guys stop with your banter?"
"Aw Yuki! I'm just telling Enanan some words of advice, nothing more."
"Well if they were, tell me why she's about to punch her monitor."
"That's her fault for having anger issues."
"AMIA I SWEAR TO GOD. WE WERE FINE ALL DAY TODAY WHAT THE HELL?!"
"All...day today? Amia, what's Enanan talking about?"
Mizuki felt her heart beating faster with Kanade's questions so, they stayed quiet a bit.
"I-I....we just hung out."
"Oh that's nice."
While Mizuki and Kanade were having their conversation, Mafuyu and Ena started to fight.
"Yuki, you're not helping what so ever."
"Who said I wanted to help?"
"Can't you just cooperate for one minute?!"
"I don't know, can I?"
"...That's it."
*Beep*
"Yuki!!! You made her leave!!"
"I don't really care."
"Of course you don't..."
"Hey guys...can we get to work?"
"Hm? Yeah! Sorry K.."
And so that what the three of them did. Not too long after, Ena came back and also got to work. Mizuki was the first to notice. They wanted to say something, but it was better not to. Both Ena and Mizuki didn't know how to tell Nightcord about their status, heck, they both thought that Kanade and Mafuyu were dating. But for now, they'll just see how it sails.