Work Text:
It was a rainy afternoon as Roxanne walks back home from Riverview Peak, her classes ended late today, she'd have another vacant period next week. She was freezing and her jacket was not protecting her from the autumn breeze. "Ugh..." She grits her teeth, one arm rubbing the other that's holding the umbrella. What's worse is that Qiu is nowhere to be found, they probably had to walk home alone.
"I should visit them." But her eyes widen at the sight of the exact person she was thinking of in the distance, why haven't they gone home? Carefully, Roxy approaches them and removes the hoodie from their head, shielding them with her umbrella instead. "Why are you still here, Autumn?" She raises an eyebrow, but is surprised when Qiu turns around to face her.
"Hey." They reply weakly and notice their voice quivering, taking a deep breath, Qiu tries to steady their feelings of anxiousness. "I was waiting."
"For what?" She raises her eyebrow, before joining her friend on the bench. They move closer to Roxanne, as she covers both of them with her umbrella, it was kind of cramped. An awkward silence washed over them, nothing but the sound of raindrops hitting the ground filling the air. Nervously, she glances at Qiu, wondering if she said something wrong. However, when Qiu rests their head against her shoulder, she is pleasantly surprised.
"I was waiting for you."
Huh? was all Roxy could think of, did she even hear that right?
"Are you sure? Do you need me to do something for you?" She asks, feeling her heartbeat rise slowly. That was not expected at all, Qiu wasn't this straightforward, they'd usually act cool or like nothing's happening internally.
"I need to lean on you right now, and I also need you to stay still. That's all I ask for." Autumn squeezes their mouth into a line, before reaching out to hold her arm with both of their hands, gripping it tightly. They close their eyes blissfully as Roxy freezes, but she doesn't protest and continues covering them with her umbrella.
Roxy chuckles, feeling her cheeks heat up at the sudden closeness. She hopes Qiu wouldn't notice the blush creeping up on her cheeks right now, because as much as she can handle their teasing, right now was an exception. "Fine, whatever you say." She retorts playfully, wanting to reach out but both her arms were occupied because of them. She was melting inside right now.
"You're an idiot, Roxanne." Qiu scoffs, but they can't help but beam at her agreement. They already expected it, but it was so fulfilling to see the idea of them leaning against Roxy coming to fruition. It was quite sweet. "And so are you." She shoots back, refusing to meet their gaze, but she can't help the giggles that escape her lips at the silliness.
"No, you left me all alone here. It was payback for last time, huh?" They smirk, still keeping their eyes closed. "Sorry, but I can't help it. My schedule is fucked up, I'll make it up to you some other time." Roxy turns to look at them fully now, she angles the umbrella so that it could protect them both from the rain, sandwiching the handle in between their shoulders. Without hesitation, she reaches out to brush their bangs away from their face, tucking their hair behind their ear. Initially, Qiu tilts their head up in shock, their smile disappearing and their eyes opening.
"You may continue." Qiu proudly beams and closes their eyes again, nuzzling into her touch as their cheeks redden slightly. Roxy scoffs, but lets it be. There must be something on their mind.
"But really, Qiu. Are you alright?" She feels concerned for them, even after all the snuggling they are currently doing. "There's something on my mind, actually." Qiu shrugs, but squeezes her arm reassuringly.
"Let's talk about that some other time, I'm enjoying this right now." They reply smugly, relishing in the feeling of clinging onto the person they truly cared about the most. "Fine by me, Qiu." She replies breezily, before continuing her words.
"I'll be here if you need somebody to lean on."