Work Text:
Zoe has trouble receiving affection from Mio. She thinks. She’s lying in bed where Mio types away at her-their desk at the foot of the bed. The window was slightly ajar, letting the autumn breeze through. She stares at the back of Mio’s head as she types away another chapter of their story. Mumbling to herself about something about placement and then writing something into the journal besides her.
It wasn’t that she disliked it in any way. But receiving and giving are completely different. It’s been nearly a full year since they met. They shared a studio with two bedrooms. Zoe’s room became more of an office for the two of them, with a mattress shoved in the corner. Floral patterns worn from where her body slept. The quilt, folded in half, lay on the side behind Zoe.
Over the time spent with each other, especially being in each other’s head, it would be odd to be alone without the other being close by. Hell, lately, neither of them could just sit alone anymore. Not without their minds running wild to various scenarios that could’ve ended horribly for them.
There was a time when Mio would ask to work in her room to keep each other company. It would also serve better for both of them to help talk about their experience and put it into words on the page. However, over the months, Zoe noticed that Mio would always be around her. Writing her portion of the book, and she’s right beside her. Cooking a meal for the two of them, Mio is setting up the table and waiting. Always notices Zoe’s unease and helps her settle no matter how long it takes. Watching television, she’s right beside her, not questioning the fantasy adventure going across the screen. As if she appreciates her presence.
She remembers that she had a high fever last winter, causing her to, in Mio’s words, hibernate. Bedridden, she felt lonely and craved to see someone. Her body felt frail, and she couldn’t think correctly.
Like an angel, Mio, answering her prayer, walked through the door holding a tray containing food and drinks. Placing it on the nightstand, she shifts Zoe into a sitting position. Checking her temperature with her hand, which made Zoe’s face warm up more. She was saying something, but she was too out of it. Her vision blurs for a moment as warmth covers her legs and lower torso. There’s more mumbling about something. Her eyes couldn’t focus on anything but Mio’s eyes stood out. Something pressed against her lips-
Snapping out of her daze, a hand covered her lips. Mio was feeding her at that time. Nothing else. Her body was too weak to do it herself or anything else. She looks up to Mio from her position on the bed, Mio typing away beside her. When did you move…
“Feeling alright, Zoe?” Feeling her stare, Mio turns her head down to look at her. The evening light hit Mio. Her skin radiated a golden hue as her eyes turned honey-like. All Zoe could do was stare as Mio sat in a halo. “Did you bite yourself?” Teasingly, Zoe tried to defend herself by sitting up.
“No, I-“ she bites her tongue. Embarrassed, she buries her face back into her pillow as Mio laughs at her misfortune. There was shuffling before she felt a hand brush through her hair.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” Giggling at her own remark. Zoe, still pouting, peeks from her pillow to see Mio smiling at her, but her gaze is somewhere else. Distracted by something. Mio continues to play with Zoe’s hair. Slow movements from her roots to the ends.
“You do it so easily.” She starts, “I crave it, but I don’t know how to ask. Or more like how willing to be the receiving end.” She plays with the loose threads of her pillow.
Mio stops for a moment, confused, resting her hand on top of hers. “Do what?” Zoe had to look away into the duvet; her face flushed.
“This,” gesturing to Mio, “I can’t. I don’t understand why I can’t. I always pushed it away. Yet you do it so easily.”
Mio stares at her in... awe? Before smiling, she opens her hand a bit to let Zoe’s fingers slip in between hers. “You do it easily as well. You know that.” She pushes herself closer, their faces inches away from each other. “You care for me. I know you; you have shown me several times. Even when we were strangers and I was stubborn towards you. You didn’t stop and wanted to understand me. Quite literally fought besides me. You helped me in so many ways.” Smiling at the past, they shared. Zoe chuckles at the thought of a younger Mio, months ago no less, who changed in her eyes so fast as if they knew each other from the beginning. “Do you want to know why I care so much?”
Nodding, Zoe waits as her breath catches in her throat and her hand tightens its grip.
“Because I never had someone to call a true friend and no less cared for me this much that wasn’t my dad.” Zoe meets her eyes, and they stare at each other again. She can feel her face flush as they lose themselves in each other's eyes. “You’re the best thing that happened to me. I don’t want to lose you.”
Zoe’s heart soared, and her eyes watered up, gagging on her breath. Rubbing her eyes from the tears that threaten to tumble out of her. She doesn’t know who pulls in who, but she’s buried into Mio’s torso. Her arms wrapped around Zoe like a protective seal. A hand plays with her hair as the other rubs soothing motions on her lower back. Zoe cries her heart out into Mio’s. Allowing time to pass as the emotions run through.
“You’re a wonderful person, Mio.” Through hiccups, she hugs her tighter. Tears stain her shirt as Mio hums to her. “You’re truly the most remarkable person I’ve ever met.” She’s smiling now. Chuckling as Mio wipes away her tears reassuringly. Zoe pulls her head back to see her teared up as well.
“You ain’t bad yourself.” Zoe breathes out a laugh and settles back into her space to hug her a bit tighter. Letting Mio’s warmth lull her to sleep.