Work Text:
You took a deep and calm breath, steeling your nerves as you raised your hand and knocked on Miyabi’s office door. The noise grated against your ears and your breathing faltered for a few, tense seconds as you held your breath. All the preparation that lead you to this very moment was suddenly null and void as your anxiety took root in the pit of your stomach. Your head suddenly felt dizzy and you reconsidered what you were about to do, contemplating on if you still had enough time to bolt. The dizzying swirl fogging up your mind was only dispelled when you heard Miyabi’s muffled voice call to you from beyond the door.
"Enter."
You sucked down a sharp breath as it whistled through your teeth, your hand shaking and palms sweaty when you grabbed the door knob to twist it. You let yourself into the room, a meek noise falling from your lips as you apologised for the interruption. That was what you were meant to say, but it sounded like garbled noise swimming in one ear and out the other as you stood in the centre of the room.
"Sorry for the interruption Miss Miyabi" you said with a timid expression.
Her fox ears flickered toward the direction of your voice as she lifted her head, gaze falling away from the paperwork laid out in front of her as her scarlet gaze fell upon you. The scratching of her pen faded away as she eagerly turned her attention towards you, happy for a distraction from her dull and boring, mundane paperwork. She tilted her head out of curiosity when she noted both your hands clasped behind your back and no matter how she twisted her head she couldn’t get a peek around your plump figure to guess what you were trying to conceal. Your nervous gaze only flitted back to her when she spoke, your heart pulsing so loud you were sure Miyabi would also be able to hear it with her keen ears pricked forward.
"There’s no need for formalities" Miyabi informed you, her desk chair creaking as she leaned forward. "Just call me Miyabi."
You nodded along to her words, heat creeping over your round cheeks and burning all the way to the tips of your ears.
"Yes, o-of course mi-Miyabi."
You swallowed thickly, throat feeling parched and lips dry as your hands trembled behind your back. You noticed the Chief’s not so conspicuous tilted head, her fox ears slightly drooping and following the movements of her head as she pursed her lips in thought. She was pulling such an adorable face you thought you may actually break down into a hysterical fit of affection for her. Your blood continued to pump in your ears like the loud beat of a drum as you awkwardly cleared your throat, almost choking on a dry rasp of air as you timidly licked your lips. You shyly peeked up at Miyabi from beneath the flutter of your heavy lashes. You scraped together what little remaining courage you could and decided to make the plunge before you chickened out and tucked your proverbial tail between your legs.
"I-I have a gift for you" you suddenly said, tone just a tad bit too exaggerated for your liking.
Miyabi immediately perked up. "Oh? What is it?"
You shuffled nervously from one foot to the other, grinding the heel of your shoe into the floor as you tried to keep yourself rooted. Taking the hint Miyabi stood from her chair, the long sleeves of her coat sweeping over her wooden desk and almost sending papers scattering from the swift movement as she approached you. You chewed on the flaking skin around the corners of your plump lips, the tips of your fingers itching with numbness as you tried to get the wild flutter of your heart to settle. You could smell the sweet floral scent of her perfume from where you were standing and you were so nervous you thought you were about to pass out. But you pushed through with a wavering voice, head bowed and hands suddenly shoved out in front of you as you offered your gift to Miyabi.
"Please please take these, I made them for you Miyabi" you rushed, tripping and stumbling over your words on the way.
Miyabi stared at your outstretched hands in stunned silence, owlishly blinking at the cute little box you held in your trembling hands. A red, silk ribbon wrapped in a neat bow around the small box, a little card tucked beneath it with Miyabi’s name printed on it in your familiar handwriting. Your heart was in your throat as you waited with baited breath, staring at the tips of Miyabi’s boots as you hid your burning cheeks from her scrutinizing gaze. Your heart stammered when she took a step forward and you almost dropped the little box you held in your hands. You had stayed up most of last night making the perfect chocolates for Miyabi, heavy bags still lingering under your tired eyes. But it had been worth it as you poured all your love and affection for her into your craft and wrapped it up this morning before work. She was worth it.
"Happy Valentine’s day" you added with a bashful stammer.
Miyabi took the small box from your hands, butterflies erupting in your stomach when you felt her fingertips graze against the sensitive pulse of your wrist. You raised your head when her touch lingered and a gentle smile touched her lips as she stared at you with soft eyes.
"Thank you. I will treasure this gift for the rest of my life."
You blinked at her with wide, doe eyes as the gears in your brain defrosted and started to work again. Your tongue briefly flickered over your lips again as you gave her a shy smile.
"Miyabi, these are chocolates…You’re supposed to eat them."
A look of realisation flashed across Miyabi’s face, lips parted slightly until you could see the small glimmer of her fangs peeking out from between the plush skin.
"Oh."
She paused for a brief moment, heat creeping over her cheeks as her ears flickered with bashfulness. She cleared her throat with a light cough, gaze finding yours once more and holding it steady.
"Then, would you like to share them with me, Valentine?"