Work Text:
The rain was quiet. The soft pattern of a storm was always comforting, or at least to Mafuyu Asahina. He was drenched, standing there in the rain, debating on whether or not to knock on his partner, Kanade Yoisaki's, door. Mafuyu was uncertain. He didn't want to be a bother to Kanade. After a few minutes of waiting, Mafuyu finally gained enough courage to ring the doorbell. There wasn't an immediate response, but the door opened soon enough. And there she was, Kanade, standing in the doorway.
"Mafuyu..? What are you doing out here in the rain..! You'll catch a cold, come in, please."
Mafuyu nodded and stepped in. He could tell that Kanade was wondering why he was here, but wouldn't question it. She instead went to get a towel for Mafuyu.
-
Kanade returned with a towel and clean clothes, Sweatpants and a hoodie that she had taken from Mafuyu a while ago. Mafuyu went to get changed and dried, since the clothes she wore whilst going to Kanade's house, got drenched.
"Make yourself at home. Also, it's almost 25:00. Shall we go join the other two?"
Kanade was fidgeting with her hands. That was not a good sign. Mafuyu took Kanade's hands. He stared into Kanade's eyes. Kanade had a surprised look on her face. It wasn't normal for Mafuyu to engage in physical contact, even with Kanade.
"I didn't want to stay at home anymore. I wanted to be with you. I'm sorry if I'm being a bother. I could go back home right now."
Kanade frowned. Mafuyu got a bit nervous, preparing herself mentally for the response.
"You would never be a bother to me. Not now, not ever. Please don't forget that, Mafuyu. Please, stay."
Mafuyu was relieved, although she didn't show it. He instead thanked Kanade and kissed her on the forehead. Kanade'a cheeks turned red. Mafuyu gave a small smile.
-
"Ah.. The nightcord meeting.."
They had completely forgotten about it. It was now about 25:06. Kanade rushed to join the call. On the way to her room, she hit her shoulder on the doorframe, making her wince. Mafiyu made a mental note to make sure that Kanade wasn't seriously hurt.
"You're late."
A bland voice from the monitor was to be heard. Ena Shinonome. A hint of irritation was detected.
"Is Mafuyu with you, Kanade?"
A second voice. Mizuki Akiyama.
"Yes, He is."
Nobody questioned it. They all knew that most days, when things got bad for Mafuyu, He would stay at Kanade's house.
They did some talking about how the new song was coming along. Mafuyu would occasionally contribute to the conversation, although he was sitting on Kanade's bed.
They decided to wrap it up at around 25:38. Earlier than usual. Mafuyu observed that they must have been tired from how often they were working. Although the call ended, Kanade was still working. She had been working more than ever lately. Mafuyu decided that he should tell her to take a break.
"Kanade."
Kanade turned around to face Mafuyu, She looked almost half-dead from overworking herself.
"Yes, Mafuyu?"
"You should take a break. Please." She patted a spot on Kanade's bed, next to where Mafuyu was sitting.
"I need to finish this, Mafuyu. I'll take a break in a few min-"
"No. Take a break, now, please."
His girlfriend had looked a bit shocked at the sudden interruption. It wasn't like Mafuyu to suddenly jump into a sentence midway. Kanade hesitated but eventually saved the project, closed the monitor and got up to sit down beside Mafuyu.
"Thank you. I'm sorry for interrupting you."
"No.. Thank you Mafuyu. I think that I'd overwork myself so much that I would faint if you didn't stop me."
Kanade laughed softly, but Mafuyu remained quiet. Listening to the soft melody of his girlfriend's laugh.
-
"Are you ok, Mafuyu? You don't need to tell me what's bothering you, but.."
"My grades dropped. Just a bit. I couldn't keep up with expectations anymore. And she.."
Kanade had a sympathetic look on her face. Mafuyu bit back the urge to apologize, even though he knew that it wasn't his fault. Even Kanade asked him to stop apologizing for things out of his control. Nightcord also knew how awful his mother was. She was the reason for Mafuyu's emotionless or empty mood.
"I'm sorry."
His partner's parents weren't around. Her mother had died when she was younger and her dad was being hospitalized.
"It's not your fault, you don't need to apologize."
"I just wish that I could save you."
"You're trying. You're helping."
"But it's not enough."
"But you're still helping by being here for me."
-
Mafuyu felt a bit selfish, Only wanting Kanade for himself.
Kanade went silent. She sighed.
"I still haven't saved you completely, though."
"That's ok."
They were staring into each other's eyes. Their hands entwined into one. Mafuyu squeezed to let her know that he was being genuine.
"Ok."
"Ok."
Mafuyu took in Kanade's image, her long hair was a dashing whitish-gray. Her eyes were blue, like the ocean's water. She was always pale and weak to sunlight. She had severe bags under her eyes, but that only made Mafuyu love her even more.
-
Mafuyu had soon convinced her girlfriend to sleep. Mafuyu had offered to sleep on the floor but Kanade had obviously declined and instead told him that they could share the same bed. He hesitantly accepted, not wanting to make Kanade uncomfortable, although she kept insisting that it was fine. And so Mafuyu found herself resting against Kanade'a's frail body, listening to her breathing. Mafuyu had unconsciously wrapped her arms around his partner but Kanade didn't seem to mind though, she didn't object or deny it. Mafuyu remembered when Kanade had hurt her shoulder. He moved his hand to where she was hurt and started to massage the area. Although Kanade was already asleep, Mafuyu felt her stiffly inhale, but her breathing evened out eventually. After a few minutes, Mafuyu had also fallen asleep.
As their breathing matched one another, the rain slowly stopped.