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It was clear that Shiho hadn’t been getting much sleep these past few weeks. Honami was glad on their behalf that it was summer break, or they’d probably have a hard time keeping up in class.
Honami had entered the SEKAI just seconds prior, and usually, whoever’s in the room at least says hi, but not this time. Instead, the drummer was greeted with the sight of a half-asleep Hinomori Shiho, their head resting in their hand.
That can't be comfortable .
Honami worried, taking in every part of her partner’s pose. They were slumped over the desk, and their head was tilted to a surely uncomfortable angle. Their glasses where hanging off of the front of their shirt, and Honami smiled, relieved they weren't wearing them. Sleeping in glasses is never good. Their hair, usually a presentable mess, now resembled Ichika’s morning hair - flung up all over the place and probably horribly tangled. Also, was that a little bit of drool?
With a quiet chuckle, Honami grabbed a chair and sat at an angle next to Shiho - positioned so that she could reach out a hand and brush a strand of hair out from their eyelashes. Which she did. Their hair was getting long, Honami noticed, making a mental reminder to offer them a haircut.
“You poor thing.” She whispered, ever-so-gently running the tips of her fingers against Shiho’s cheek.
To both their dismay, at the feeling of their girlfriend’s fingers on their skin, Shiho’s eyes fluttered open.
“Hona?” The bassist muttered, barely conscious yet.
“Eep-!” Honami squealed quietly, not entirely expecting her lover’s voice to be so raspy, “Good morning, love. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“Shit, I fell asleep?” Shiho groaned, rubbing at their eyes with a sour expression on their face.
“Apparently.” Honami hummed, tilting her head to the side slightly in worry. Shiho’s face grew a bit pinker at the sight.
“Where’s, um- where’s everyone else?” Shiho asked, placing their hands on the desk to stretch their arms. Honami took this chance to rest her hand on top of one, and curled her fingers around it.
“They’re both a bit busy. I thought we could have a practice session together, but…” Honami paused for a second, looking into Shiho’s eyes, “seeing how tired you must be, we shouldn’t.”
“But… I don’t want to skip any practices.” Shiho frowned, curling their fingers around Honami’s. It made the drummer smile slightly, warmth spreading throughout her chest. She leaned forward, effectively getting closer to Shiho, before using her best Saki-style puppy eyes. The bassist’s eyes went wide, blush quickly spreading across their face. Cute . Honami fought the urge to smile.
“Urgh…” Shiho stared at their girlfriend for a few seconds, “Fine. Just know we’re practicing extra hard next time.” Shiho was also fighting a smile, which only made Honami’s heart flutter even more.
“Let’s go to your place, then.” Honami said, raising their joint hands to her lips. After planting a few kisses on the pads of Shiho’s calloused fingers, she waited for Shiho to press pause on NeedLe , with a soft smile on her face.
~
Once she was settled in Shiho’s bed, together, Honami felt the residual stress from her daily life melt away. She scooted closer to her partner, and smiled wider when they didn’t resist.
They had changed into something less fit for band practice - a baggy t-shirt and soft pants. Shiho didn’t usually wear t-shirts, opting to drown their torso and arms in sweaters. However, despite their dislike for showing their arms, likely because of the scars painted on their skin, they always wore shorter sleeves in bed. It was a comfort thing, Honami supposed. The reason why the scars were even there in the first place had never been talked about, despite it being an experience the two shared.
“Thank you, Honami.” Shiho suddenly whispered, the right side of their face blocked by their fluffy pillow. Honami leaned her head onto said pillow, getting a clearer view of her lover’s face.
There we go.
She thought to herself proudly, relishing in the warmth the closeness provided.
“Of course, my star.” Honami whispered back, the nickname slipping out on instinct. However, neither party seemed to mind.
Honami had also changed into a light tank top and shorts, thankful for the supply of spare clothes Shiho kept for her when they had these impromptu sleepovers. Shiho ran their hand up her arm, the gentle touch sending shivers up the drummer’s spine and making her blush. When their hand stopped in her hair, now unfurling down her back instead of in a side ponytail, curling the strands around the bassist’s calloused fingers, Honami smiled even wider, even warmer. Shiho couldn’t help but smile back. They must be really tired, because they felt so warm and soft inside. They almost felt like exploding.
“ Je t’aime, mon cœur. ” They whispered, tilting their head forward so that their forehead was resting on Honami’s. Honami’s heart warmed, knowing that Shiho only spoke their second language around people close to them. That list included Leo/Need, Shizuku (she remembered being very confused when the two siblings had an entire conversation in French), Minori and Kohane. She felt special in this moment - no, every second spent with the grey haired bassist. Every moment spent together stood out from the others, in Honami’s life. In place of an answer, partly because the drummer had no idea what they just said, she placed a gentle kiss on Shiho's lips.
“Go to sleep, my star.” She whispers, pulling the blankets closer to her chin. Shiho does the same, and closes their eyes with a content sigh. The hand in her hair stills, and Honami wraps her arms around Shiho’s torso, pulling them closer to her. Oh, the things she would do to be in this moment forever, to feel the warmth of their bodies pressed together for the rest of her life. Suddenly, Honami remembers a certain plushie she spotted resting between the two pillows on Shiho’s bed, and reaches an arm up to grab it. She places the Phenny plushie between her and Shiho, who opens their eyes and looks at it, and then her, fondly.
“Save room for Phenny.” Honami jokes, and Shiho deliriously chuckles, throwing their leg overtop Honami’s.
“Goodnight.” They whisper.
“Goodnight, Shiho. Rest well.” She responds, and shortly after the last word leaves her mouth, she hums a familiar tune softly. Tale of the Deep Sea Lily, Honami notices. The lyrics weren’t particularly fitting for this moment, but the melody had stuck with her ever since Leo/need covered it.
Shiho fell asleep to Honami’s voice, and dreamt of memories they’d always cherished.
Honami fell asleep to Shiho’s steady breathing and heartbeat against her body, and dreamt of them, together, in every universe.