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It was quiet.
The others had fallen well into sleep by now, makeup products and hair care carefully tucked away by the ever neat Alora, laid to rest on the other side of the room. Shinku shuffled slightly, unable to fall asleep as he stared off into the ceiling.
His hair still felt a little stiff— Whatever hairspray Lyra had caked onto smelled like literal cement, honestly— and the smell of makeup was still prevalent under his nose. He wondered for a moment, about childhood sleepovers and ‘girl talk’—
“Pssstt.”
Shinku jumped slightly, turning his head to his right to match the whisper to the person. He blinked slightly at the sight of Molly, one eye open and a small smile on her lips, lopsided and hinted with nervousness.
“What are you still doing up…?” Shinku murmured, turning on his side with a slightly startling speed. She was laying closest to him, with Lyra halfway off the bed and Ismene carefully curled up on his left. Alora had taken to sleeping elsewhere, with Asuga and Takiko cuddled up on the other side of the room.
“I just couldn’t sleep. Too excited, the sleepover was such a good idea, everyone had soooo much fun!” She giggled, bright eyes closing as she shuffled closer, her hair loose from its bun and curling around her pillow. Shinku moved some from her face with mindless care, soft under his fingers.
“I’m glad. I told you it would be fine, didn’t I? Aside from… that.” He grimaced slightly at the thought of his slip up, his stupid rush to defend her. He didn’t regret it that much. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t regret it atleast a little. He snapped out of it at the sound of her giggling, a soft snort or two escaping her as she covered her mouth.
Shinku smiled.
“I didn’t think you’d say all that, you know-? I mean, it was a little funny, kind of- But no judgment, obviously-! Not from me, never for you!” She patted his chest with semi frantic enthusiasm, watching as he chuckled slightly, holding her hand and gently laying it back on the bed. He didn’t move it, letting his fingers slowly curl around hers.
In the dark, he could just barely see her face erupt into a dark blush, eyes flickering back and forth from his hand to his eyes. Shinku inhaled, blinking a little nervously as he looked around, his smile awkward.
“Sorry. Do you, want me to-“
“No-!”
Shinku blinked owlishly as her grip on his hand tightened suddenly. Molly leaned forwards, her hair brushing against his arm, tanktop shifting as she did. He felt the air in his lungs slip away immediately, his own face blooming into a lava-hot blush.
“…No, p- please..?”
Shinku only nodded slowly.
Is she really close? Or, am.. I, really close?
Despite his slight worry, he didn’t bother to move away. He just watched as her eyes darted around them, biting the inside of her cheek. He laughed softly at the sight, watching her cheeks puff up. He raised his other hand in faux, playful surrender, watching as she sighed.
“….Thank you, for coming. I really, reaaallly mean it.” She whispered. He blinked, mouth opening to speak despite nothing quite coming out.
“….I wouldn’t have missed it. You.. were really excited. I like seeing you happy, with everything going on nowadays. So you don’t have to thank me.” He whispered back with unsaid hesitation, leaning over just enough to press his forehead to hers, feeling the heat on her skin. His eyes closed, mind drifting just for a moment.
Molly just sat there quietly, eyes searching his face with a strange feeling in her chest. What was he looking for? She didn’t want to think about that, really. She kinda already knew— and the idea made her stomach turn. She breathed in deep, frowning while he couldn’t see it- Before leaning in to peck his cheek.
Shinku startled slightly, eyes opening to a flash of soft purple, looking down at her with a slightly agape jaw, watching as she tucked her face away, eyes nervously glancing from him down to the pillow.
“Sorry, sorry— I just- wanted to say thank you, that’s all. G- Goodnight, Shinku.”
He laid there silently for a moment before his eyes fell to her lips, the same place they had stayed glued to for most of their sleepover. His own lips twitched slightly, breathing in deep.
He could do it. He could, it wouldn’t hurt, would it-? It wouldn’t… be bad… but it would be his first, she would be his first. Would she regret that? Being his first? She’s stressed enough. Right…?
His mind wandered too far and too long, time slipping away easily as he finally blinked his way back into the present, staring down at her. Her eyes were closed peacefully, asleep and soft, sweet, dark skin still warm to the touch.
Shinku only sighed. Didn’t even call me Shishi. Maybe she was upset..? It’s… probably better that I didn’t kiss her, then.
He wrapped his free arm around her, subconsciously. He didn’t want her to fall off the bed like Lyra already had. He didn’t want her going too far. He didn’t want her to go.
Shinku closed his eyes again, his loose shirt heavy on his shoulders as he finally slipped into his well missing sleep, the warmth of her next to him helping him slip into rem.
…
…
…
“Wwwwooooowwwwww.”
Ismene opened one of her eyes, a soft scowl on her face as she glanced over at Lyra. She was lying on her stomach, chin on her arms as she grinned, her fake sleep obviously over.
“Whatever you are thinking of saying, don’t bother.” Ismene chided quietly, lips pursing as Lyra snickered as quietly as she could. Ismene silently scolded her in her head for pretending to be asleep, despite the hypocrisy. It wasn’t her fault, she just.. couldn’t help but listen in.
“I’m just saying, if they wanted to kiss so badly they shouldn’t have invited allll of us. Cmon. We all know who Shinku really wanted to sleep with.” Lyra nudged her with her foot, wiggling her eyebrows with obvious intent. Ismene simply groaned, turning over, face burning despite her best efforts.
“You are obscene. Goodnight, Shatel.”
“Niiight~.”