Work Text:
They meet in a lecture. Natsuo is late, ducking under the professor's frown and hurrying to the nearest free seat. He rummages for a pen, sweaty from the rush and panicking a little, until a hand gently touches his arm.
His seat neighbour smiles at him, friendly despite the way her mouse ears quiver, and offers him a pink pencil. Her eyes shine in the dim theatre.
Natsuo doesn't even know her name, but he's already writing it on his heart.
"Thanks," he whispers.
He spends the lecture gathering courage to ask her for coffee, and blushes when she agrees.
~
Being with her is easy. She's kind in an unassuming way, with laughter like spring rain, soft and frequent. They watch movies and go for ice cream, and at night she lets him stroke her velvety-soft ears as they talk.
They move in together, and every morning he smiles at the curled up shape of her in their bed, breathing quietly. He wants to cup her sweetness in his palms.
She gentles him—no, he gentles himself for her. Softens his own edges so she won't have to, and is rewarded with the way she touches his cheek.
He loves her.