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The sounds of metal scraping against ceramic shot through the quiet of the morning. Groans escaped Mizi as she pulled the blanket over herself, trying to block out any disruptions to her sleep. An aroma of sugar and fruits infused the air, but Mizi yearned for the scent of something– someone else.
“So early…” Mizi groggily reached her hand out, seeking a familiar warmth that was supposed to be cuddled up to her. She flopped back onto the bed in defeat, pouting as she only felt a cold imprint remain.
Another clang sounded out, and the tendrils of rest holding onto her slowly faded away. Mizi sat up, massaging her temples as she trudged towards the source of the noise, hoping to pull her girlfriend back to bed. All she wanted was to have Sua in her arms on her special day.
“Suaaa what are you doing so early…come back and cuddle. It's my birthday anyways, we have to do what I want” she softly whined, her eyes still half closed. The sight before Mizi was enough to rouse her.
Sua scrambled around the kitchen, icing forming adorable pink droplets on her face, flour splayed over her cheeks while she clutched a bowl to her chest. Pure affection crashed in waves as it dawned upon Mizi that Sua was baking a cake just for her.
A comforting fondness enveloped Mizi, seeing Sua’s usual quirks when she focused– the way her brows furrowed, her tongue slightly stuck out of tense lips, and how everything else seemed to dematerialise in favour of her task. How did Mizi get so lucky?
Sua winced as she tasted the batter, brows furrowing as she tried to pinpoint what exactly it was missing… but the answer never came. Frustrated, she lowered her head in defeat.
Today was the first birthday they were celebrating while living together. Sua didn't want to start their life together on a bad note– she just couldn't. Just today, everything had to be perfect.
Suddenly, hurried shuffles emitted behind Sua “I have the best girlfriend ever!” Mizi bounced up to wrap her arms around Sua’s waist.
Any remaining fatigue Mizi had slipped away, replaced by her adoration seeping within. Planting her nose on Sua’s neck, Mizi inhaled her scent and closed her eyes.
“Mizi?! Why are you awake?” Sua jolted as she placed the bowl on the counter, having almost dropped it. “Why aren't you sleeping?” She froze, eyes swimming in defeat as she realised her birthday surprise had gone to waste.
“What're you doing~” Mizi cheerfully probed, purposefully dragging out the last syllable in an attempt to make Sua laugh.
However, it rendered useless as she huffed out, pushing Mizi out of the kitchen. She couldn't fail even more at this. Frowns moulded onto Sua's face, as her lower lip jutted out. “Stop it! It's a surprise, you weren’t supposed to see it yet!”
An endeared giggle escaped Mizi and she playfully fought back, clinging onto Sua whilst pecking her neck repeatedly, the sugar spilled there lingering a saccharine taste in her mouth.
“But I just need you for my birthday…I don’t want anything else” Mizi whined, as her hand found its place on Sua’s midsection, lightly caressing it.
The self doubts blurred into a haze. Perfection… couldn't be achieved, but Sua felt it whenever she was in Mizi's arms. Finally leaning to relax in her hold, Sua exhaled in comfort, feeling tender warmth trickling through their bodies.
Gently angling Sua to face her, Mizi cooed softly as she brushed away the frosting and flour dotting her face. A blissful smile emerged on Sua’s face, allowing herself to melt into her girlfriend. The annoyance of her ruined surprise for Mizi, the exhaustion of baking in the early hours, every worry ebbed away.
Within the tranquility, an idea lit up Mizi’s head, and she bit her lips to stifle a laugh. One hand travelled down to Sua’s ticklish spot on her stomach, and the other reached to anchor her in place. “Huh?-”
Suddenly, fingers curled up and scrambled all over her belly. Finally, gleeful laughs emerged from Sua, carrying melodies that resonated within Mizi’s ears. She beamed, using her other hand to hold Sua closer, letting their body heat diffuse into each other.
“Enough! I need to get back to your cake!” Sua breathlessly exclaimed between giggles, crimson red painting her cheeks. Her pout slowly ceased, replaced by a gleaming smile that burst rays of joy throughout Mizi. “See, you’re happy now” an elbow playfully nudged Sua, and she responded with a joking groan, teasing Mizi with faux annoyance.
“Okay, okay, I’ll come back to bed, just let me finish this first! Half an hour, I promise!” Sua negotiated, her glistening eyes pleading with Mizi. “But why can’t I just watch you…”
With a sigh, Sua decisively took Mizi’s hand, towing her back to their room. She gripped Mizi’s shirt to pull her back into bed, chuckling as she unceremoniously fell back onto their mattress.
“Be quick… I wanna eat and cuddle” Mizi looked up at Sua, her eyes brimming with nothing but awe and veneration, as if Sua alone held everything Mizi ever wished for.
“I promise I will. Now, go back to sleep,” Sua paused for a moment, eyes darting as she gulped nervously, “M-my dearest.” she faintly murmured, the pet name feeling heavily foreign on her tongue.
The air stilled between them. Sua bowed her head down, her mind whirling with doubts. At that moment, a hand reached out to tug an unsuspecting Sua onto the bed, making her land right into Mizi’s arms. She tried to resist and get back up, but Mizi’s arms enclosed around her waist. “Say that again, I didn’t hear it properly” she implored.
Words seem to congest inside her throat, blocking her voice from escaping. Despite Mizi’s frequent use of them, Sua was never one for pet names, not understanding their appeal.
To her, expressing love through heartfelt words, actions, touches, were more than enough. But… as long as it made Mizi happy, she would try.
“My dearest” she hesitantly breathed out. A pure, unfettered giggle reverberated throughout their room, its soothing vibrations panning out on Sua’s cheeks.
Mizi’s face brightened up, and fondness settled within Sua. She burrowed further into their solace, nuzzling her forehead against the side of Mizi’s face, which protruded, still stuck in her smile.
Contentment blanketed over them, as they exchanged languid touches. Each one engraved itself onto their hearts. They could only laugh, feeling so light.
Sua slowly extracted herself from Mizi’s hold. It took everything in her power to tear herself away from their embrace, her heart constricting at the sound of Mizi's protests.
Kneeling down next to their bed, close enough to allow her fingers to skim across pink hair, Sua whispered “Sleep now, I know you're tired. I'll be back soon.” Tucking Mizi into the blanket, she pressed one last kiss onto her temple.
_______________
An orange coloured flame cut through the darkness. The honeyed scent of strawberries and chocolate wafted through. Heavy eyelids forced themselves open.
Gentle tingles rippled on Mizi’s face. Euphoria oozed through the atmosphere as she was immediately met with the sight of Sua, her lips leaving lazy kisses on her cheeks, an arm slung across her blanketed body.
Sua's eyes widened once she realised Mizi had stirred. An excited smile broke through her face, hands clenching in anticipation. She moved aside, clearing Mizi's view. Proud eyes nudged her in the direction of her cake, which Sua had evidently poured her heart into.
Even in the haze of her partial slumber, gratitude, reverence, love, all burst through, unable to be contained any longer. Tears carried them out, dripping onto the pillowcase.
“Happy birthday, my dearest. Make your wish now.” A gentle voice flowed into Mizi's ears, a hand reaching out to entangle with hers.
Smiling up at her girlfriend, Mizi closed her eyes, wracking her brain. Just one special wish, one thing she really wanted. Until it dawned upon her.
Being with Sua, laughing with her, kissing her, hugging her, every second spent together was more than Mizi could ever dream of. What else could she possibly want?
“Have you made a wish yet?”
Eyes opened, her heartbeat slowed, pooling with love as Sua came into view.
“I don't need to.”