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Alia couldn’t believe herself. Of course she oversleeps on the one day Fuji finally planned on using those hot spring coupons. She can still clearly see Fuji’s hesitant expression when she asked if Alia wanted to go. To be fair Alia had promised to go when they won the tickets and she’s not one to back down on her word. However, she still thinks it was sweet of Fuji to take into consideration her usual unease around hot springs.
After Alia had agreed to go, Fuji had lit up immediately. “I promise it’ll be a vacation unlike any you’ve ever had!” She had said it with a huge grin on her face, and honestly, how was Alia ever gonna say no to that?
And now, here Alia was, rushing to the school gates where they had agreed to meet a full half hour late. She’s already messaged Fuji about sleeping in and of course Fuji was fine with it. Alia could probably kill a man and Fuji would be fine with it somehow. Still, it was absolutely not a great start to the day. Alia may be a trainer herself and somewhat in shape because of it, but god does she hate running.
When she reaches the meeting spot Fuji is standing there already. Alia’s steps falter and she almost trips and falls flat on her face when she sees Fuji. She’s wearing a different style than her normal on the town outfits. A white long sleeved shirt with a white squared off tie around her neck, high waisted black pants with gold buttons, and finished off with a very nice pair of small black heels. It’s simple, but she manages to look like she’s about to start spouting soliloquies at any moment, get down on one knee and ask Alia to be her Juliet. It makes Alia feel extremely dressed down suddenly with her ratty tennis shoes, jeans, and old sweater.
I knew I should’ve wore my usual suit for this.
Before Alia could slip back around the corner to sprint back home and change, Fuji’s ears flicker and she turns toward Alia, smiling brilliantly when she catches her eye.
“Oh! Good morning, Alia. Did you have a nice rest?” Her eyes are twinkling with a tease.
Alia groans in defeat, putting a hand on her face. “I guess I needed it. I’m sorry again for being late. I turned off my alarm instead of pressing snooze.”
Fuji laughs brightly, waving her hand in an easy dismissal. If she didn’t know better Alia would think that nothing can phase her. “You’re fine. I’ve already contacted the inn, so we can take it easy.”
Alia slumps over with her hands on her knees, catching her breath. She sees Fuji’s shoes enter her vision and feels a hand on her back, rubbing soothing circles between her shoulders. She tenses up for a second, her knee jerk reaction to pull away. She fights it, she finds she would much rather enjoy this. So instead she relaxes under Fuji’s touch. When she finally manages to catch her breath and stand up straight again, Fuji’s hand stays on her and Alia is hyper aware of the heat spreading through her.
“I think I was right to assume you haven’t eaten breakfast yet.” Fuji says. “Here, I ordered some takeout just in case.” Alia looks down at Fuji’s free hand and sees a familiar branded plastic bag from one of her favorite restaurants, full of takeout containers. She was going to protest that Fuji didn’t need to do this when her stomach decides to speak up for her instead. A loud growl that can’t be mistaken for anything else. Alia thinks that if the earth opened up and swallowed her right now then that would be perfectly fine, actually.
Fuji bites her lip, trying to hold back a laugh and spare Alia’s feelings. “We can eat it on the train together, if you’d like?”
Fuji holds up the bag and Alia takes it, smelling the food and feeling her mouth start to water. She opens one of the containers and Fuji somehow knew not only her favorite restaurant, but also her favorite food from said restaurant.
“Oh my god” she breathes, “Fuji, I could kiss you right now.”
She realizes what she said as she says it.
Alia is almost afraid to see Fuji’s face after she just dropped that bombshell. She does her best to act like what she said didn’t just make her heart stop, and instead looks up at Fuji.
At first glance Fuji looks none the wiser, just pleased that Alia was happy. But as they eat on the train and make their way to the inn, Alia is noticing Fuji acting a bit differently than usual. For one, she’s being ever so slightly more touchy. Almost unnoticeable unless you were looking for it. Grabbing Alia’s hands, guiding her with a soft touch to Alia’s back, even tucking her hair behind her ears if it happens to get in her face.
Every single touch feels electric on Alia’s skin.
For two, Fuji is far more extravagant than usual. Sure, she’s always extremely gentlemanly, for lack of a better word. Holding doors open and giving flowers and such. She’s cranked it up to an 11 for this. To the point where when leaving the train station, they were blocked by a huge puddle. Fuji clicks her tongue in disapproval, glancing at Alia and then back to the puddle. Before Alia could even navigate going around the puddle, she’s lifted into the air in a surprise bridal carry.
“Fuji!”Alia yelps.
“Don’t worry, I’m the one here in heels. The water won’t get into my shoes.” Fuji explains casually, beginning to make her way through the puddle.
“That wasn’t my current concern.” Alia hisses out, embarrassment creeping up her neck. Nevertheless, she still wraps her arms around Fuji’s shoulders.
The few other people on the train disembarking at the station look over at the ruckus. Alia sees an old woman giggling and going “ooooooh” and feels her face erupt.
Fuji looks down at her, eyebrows raised in an open sort of way. “I’m sorry. Is this making you uncomfortable?”
Alia stares at her. She is so unfair.
“…..I didn’t say that.” Alia mutters shyly.
Alia ignores Fuji’s smug grin as they continue their journey.
Once they arrive at the inn, Fuji turns toward Alia. “As far as I’m aware, this inn is one of the more hidden ones in this area. I don’t believe many other people are staying here, if any.”
Alia blinks. What is she insinuating?
Noticing her confusion Fuji chuckles. “I believe now would be a good time for a soak in the waters, is all.”
And Alia gets it suddenly. She’s always been anxious around hot springs, never going in at the same time as others. She didn’t want to be perceived or, god forbid, have to talk to others while bathing. She blames the fact she’s American and this just doesn’t happen at home, but also she thinks she’s just horrifically shy.
So Fuji planned all of this around the inns busy season and chose the least busy time?
Alia really could kiss her.
Fuji must have spent so much time trying to make this vacation as comfortable as possible for her. It makes that warm feeling in her chest come back and Alia is finding that she quite likes it.
Before she can talk herself out of it, Alia puts one hand on Fuji’s shoulder and leans up to give Fuji a quick kiss on the cheek. She steps back to see the damage done. Fuji’s mouth was open in a surprised ‘o’ and the longer Alia looks, the pinker Fuji’s cheeks are getting.
She’s cute when she’s blushing, Alia smiles to herself. No wonder Fuji does everything in her power to make her blush.
She holds back a laugh and lets her hand slide teasingly from Fuji’s left shoulder to her right, fingers tracing over her collar bones, before stepping by Fuji and heading for the baths.
“I’ll meet you after the baths, Fuji.” She calls behind her, looking over her shoulder to see if Fuji is even on the same planet currently.
Hearing her name Fuji jumps and swivels to look at Alia. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, trying to get back into the groove of the suave guide she’s had all day. Alia can pinpoint when exactly Fuji decides to give up. Her posture relaxes, tail flicking languidly and instead she just smiles shyly at her, giving a small wave of farewell.
Later, sitting in the baths by herself Alia holds her own red face in her hands. Replaying the scene in her mind over and over. She doesn’t know where that confidence came from or how she decided to basically caress Fuji, but she’s a ticking time bomb at this point. She doesn’t know if she can make it to the end of this trip. All that big talk of not being the one to cross the line first but…seeing Fuji looking at her like that, plus with how she was in Alia’s office when they cuddled, plus her complete and utter consideration of Alia’s own feelings with hot springs…
Plus the recent bridal carry…
Alia is God’s strongest soldier to not have completely folded already.
After her bath, she feels completely refreshed. The aches in her shoulders from late nights sitting in an office chair are all but gone and Alia feels as if she could fall asleep at any moment. Maybe she should do this more often. She makes her way to the front of the inn, where she had left a slightly dumbfounded Fuji Kiseki earlier, just to see the same girl standing there staring into the distance with an uncharacteristically serious look on her face. If Alia didn’t see the slightly damp tips of her hair she would’ve assumed Fuji hadn’t moved in the whole time she was in the bath.
Alia is about to ask if Fuji is okay when Fuji notices her approaching. The serious look she had just a moment before totally vanishes and Fuji lights up looking at Alia. Her breath hitches at the sparkle in Fuji’s eyes.
“Hey!” She calls out, waving Alia over, “How was your bath? Nice and relaxing I hope, considering you definitely needed it.”
Alia rolls her shoulders back and twists her neck a bit. “It was lovely. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this relaxed.” Alia studies Fuji’s own slightly damp hair. “How was yours?”
Fuji looks her up and down, searching for something. Seemingly finding it, she comes back and meets Alia’s eyes with a smile. “You do seem far more at ease than before.” Fuji stretches her arms up towards the ceiling, a pleased look on her face. “My own was fantastic. The water warmed me right to my core.”
Fuji reaches behind her and summons a bottle of water out of nowhere. It’s one of her oldest tricks and Alia has long since given up trying to figure out where she hides these things.
“While we’re at it, here!” She hands Alia the water she just summoned from the ether. “Have some delicious spring water.” She finishes the sentence with a pleased hum.
Alia takes the water a bit surprised, but thankful nonetheless. The spring water was hot after all and the cool feeling of the water in her hand feels heavenly. She mumbles out a grateful ‘thank you’ as she drinks. Fuji waits for her to finish before taking her hand and leading her through the inn.
Alia doesn’t even question it. She just intertwines her fingers with Fuji’s and lets herself be guided. She doesn’t miss how the smile on Fuji’s face gets bigger, her talking a bit more animated. Fuji points out all the inns amenities, where the dining hall is, where the rooms are located, where the door to the outdoor gardens are, being a perfect guide the entire time.
They head outside and Fuji leads Alia towards the garden she had pointed out earlier. “There’s a beautiful field of flowers over there and still time before dinner, so why don’t we go take a look?” She squeezes Alia’s hand and Alia just smiles and bumps Fuji with her shoulder.
“Lead the way, oh great guide.” She teases.
Fuji laughs and pulls her along, Alia feeling lighter than ever.
During dinner, the food is absolutely divine. It’s probably also because Alia exists solely on frozen dinners and fast food, so a home cooked meal was reviving her.
Fuji chuckles. She’s been talking and staring at Alia with her head propped on one hand, “You look like you really like the food.” She slides her plate over to Alia, “you can have my share too.”
Alia gapes at the extra food, debating on accepting or not. “Fuji, I’m not an Umamusume, I can’t eat all this.” Her hubris would be her undoing if she tried, stuck with an upset stomach all night.
Fuji looks disappointed. “Are you sure?”
Alia hesitates. The food is good… “Maybe a bit can’t hurt at least….” Alia looks back at Fuji, pointing at her, “but only if you eat what I don’t.”
Fuji laughs and nods, holding her hands up in surrender, “Alright, it’s a deal then.”
After dinner, Fuji’s mood changes slightly. Not in a bad way, Alia thinks at least, but she just seems more nervous than she was before. It’s subtle things, like how she will get lost in thought when Alia is talking to her or her tail will be twitching far more than usual. Alia doesn’t say anything about it, not yet at least. Fuji seems to be thinking about something and Alia has faith that she’ll tell her whatever it is….whenever Fuji figures out what exactly she’s worried about, at least.
For now though, they’re walking hand in hand down a rural path past the inn towards some rice fields. Alia stumbles in the dark and would’ve fallen in a catastrophic tumble had Fuji not had a hold of her.
“Careful!” Fuji warns “it’s getting dark, so watch your step.”
Alia decides to be a bit cheeky, as one of her fellow trainers and friend would say. “If I hurt myself, would you just carry me back to the inn?”
“I’d carry you to the ends of the earth.” Fuji replies easily. No hesitation, completely seriously. Alia may have started this battle but she definitely lost it in the end. As Fuji guides them through the path in the fields, slowly helping Alia over the more treacherous parts Alia has a thought.
Has Fuji even relaxed at all? This whole time she’s been prepared to make Alia comfortable. Even planning around the inns busy season for her. Guilt starts gnawing at her. Sure, this was a great way for Alia to relax, but this was a vacation for the both of them and Alia had not been pulling her own weight. She slows down her pace and Fuji notices, flashing a concerned look behind her.
“What’s wrong?” She asks, “are you tired?” Fuji gets a look on her face not unlike a kicked puppy, as if she’s regretting something. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have dragged you out here without warning. We should head back.”
Fuji drops Alia’s hand and makes to turn back to the inn. Alia sputters and grabs Fuji’s hand again, stopping her in her tracks. Fuji usually isn’t one to jump to conclusions so fast, something is definitely up with her.
“No no! I’m not tired at all, I’m fine really!” Alia gives a small squeeze to Fuji’s hand to hopefully convince her.
Fuji frowns, her ears perked fully forward as if she could try and discern Alia’s thoughts with hearing alone, “Then what’s wrong? You looked as though you had something on your mind.”
Alia has to stop herself from pointing out Fuji also has something on her mind. Instead she just decides to speak her mind about her own worries.
“I’m just worried you’re not relaxing on this vacation, is all.” Alia explains. She starts to fidget with the hem of her sweater a bit, fighting to maintain eye contact. “This is supposed to be a break for the both of us, you know.”
Fuji’s concern turns into immediate relief. “Oh? Is that all?” Alia sees Fuji’s ears relax again, “Thank goodness.”
Fuji lets go of Alia’s hand and steps closer into her space now, putting a hand on her cheek instead. Alia freezes as everything suddenly comes into laser sharp focus, not expecting the contact. Alia never knew what it meant when she would read a book and it would describe someone’s eyes as soft, but with the way Fuji is looking at her currently…Alia finally understands what everyone was talking about. It was enrapturing.
“Don’t worry.” Fuji reassures her, “I’m doing this because I love making you smile more than anything.”
Did she rehearse this? Alia thinks faintly.
Fuji continues, “Getting to see you smile all day long has been so nourishing for my heart and body.”
Part of Alia wants to retaliate, to say something sassy in response. Well actually I think that’s what the hot springs and the nice dinners are for, Fuji, but her brain is static. Fuji is extremely close and Alia’s willpower has been crumbling all day. All of her thoughts today have just been a constant stream of Fuji, Fuji, Fuji. Alia’s thread is about to snap. Her own gaze keeps flickering from Fuji’s blue eyes to her lips and she absolutely knows Fuji can see it.
Fuji is teasing her at this point, “But…well if you really want me to relax more, then…”
Fuji quickly takes a step back, making Alia jolt as she loudly snaps once. Alia sees it then before she hears it. A streak of light bolting through the sky behind Fuji’s head, the faint screaming trail following, before a magnificent firework bursts, illuminating everything around them.
“I’d like you to enjoy this trip with every fiber of your being.” She hears Fuji say beside her. Unthinkingly, Alia grabs Fuji’s arm as she watches the show unfold before her. The booms echoing across the sky and reverberating through Alia’s chest.
“Fuji, holy shit!” She swears. She can’t help herself, fireworks rock.
Fuji laughs, sounding both a little relieved and a little excited at the same time at Alia’s reaction. “Surprised?” She asks.
Alia is grinning like a child, not looking away from the show in front of her. “How could I not be?”she ‘oooohs’ at the next explosion, the colors changing from yellow to red as it falls. “Did you- oh my god the ones that droop down like that are my favorite, they remind me of weeping willows.” Alia rambles, her thoughts becoming jumbled as the fireworks continue.
“Did you plan this?” She finally manages to get out when there’s a slight lull.
Fuji’s voice is still beside her, Alia hasn’t turned to look at her just yet, trying to see every second of the fireworks she could. “To be honest, no. There just happened to be a show today.”
Alia hums. “And you just so happened to coincidentally pick a date to go to the hot springs the same day there’s a show?”
“Oh, absolute coincidence.” Fuji doesn’t sound sincere in the slightest. “Just like how it was a coincidence for the innkeeper to tell me that this spot happens to be a fantastic secret place to view them.”
The lull fades and the fireworks burst in rapid succession again, building up to the finale no doubt. Alia processes what Fuji had said. She even asked the innkeeper where she could view the fireworks from? Just how much planning did she do for today? They arrived just in time to watch the show, Fuji even had her snap down to the correct second when the show would start. Everything dawns on Alia all at once. Fuji said she was going to make this unlike any vacation she had ever had, and by god did she pull through.
Alia tears her eyes away from the fireworks finale, looking at Fuji instead. Fuji was staring at the sky herself, more calm and relaxed than she had seemed all day. There was a soft smile on her face and it steals Alia’s breath to see her illuminated every few seconds by the warm glow from the sky.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time,” Fuji speaks up and turns toward Alia, “if you’d like, we can sit on some benches over the-“
She freezes when she catches Alia already looking at her. Her ears go ramrod straight again and her eyes widen. Alia doesn’t know what expression was on her face currently, but it was enough to throw Fuji off her act for a split second.
“Is something wrong?” Fuji asks slowly, “You’re staring at me….so intensely.”
Absolutely nothing was wrong. Alia was 100% certain of this. Fuji has made sure that everything today would go perfectly and Alia has never felt so cared for in her life. Putting so much thought into everything, even the smallest details. Alia swallows thickly, trying to figure out just how to convey this to Fuji.
“I’ve never been so happy before in my life.” She settles with. “You’ve made this day amazing, Fuji.” She grabs both of Fuji’s hands in her own, “You’re amazing. You’ve worked so hard to make this so flawless…and I am so grateful for you.”
Fuji’s face is slowly turning pink.
“O-oh.” She stutters out.
Alia smiles and lets go of Fuji’s hands. She thinks she actually may have broken her entertainer. Fuji is constantly doing things for others, and while people are certainly grateful, Alia isn’t sure people actually ever tell her that they’re truly grateful. There’s a difference between being someone with chocolates lined up in a line on Valentine’s Day because you find Fuji kind and attractive, and being someone who sees all the hard work Fuji does behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Alia thinks only a handful of people actually acknowledge her behind the scenes. Fuji Kiseki deserves to be told how amazing she is as herself too, not just as the greatest entertainer.
Fuji is shyly scratching her cheek, her ears dropping slightly and avoiding eye contact with Alia, “I’m happy to hear that. The thing is…”
Her eyes flicker to Alia’s, “I really wanted to make today special.” she says softly, her eyes open and vulnerable. “I hope I didn’t overdo it.”
“I don’t think there would be anything you could do that would have overdone it, Fuji.” Alia reassures her, holding back from grabbing her hands again and letting Fuji breathe for a second.
Fuji sighs and relaxes. “Oh that’s a relief.” She pauses, hesitation crossing her features. It disappears a second later and Alia sees a determination behind her eyes. Fuji takes a step forward, closing some of the distance between them both.
Her hand slowly goes back to where it was before on Alia’s cheek, “I want to thank you too for gracing me with your wonderful smile.” Fuji murmurs, her thumb caressing Alia.
Alia’s heart is doing a fully choreographed dance in her chest. Fuji is staring at her more seriously than she ever has before. And she’s standing closer than she ever has before. Is this what Fuji felt like all those months ago when Alia did this to her?
My bad.
Fuji is staring into her eyes. But then, Alia catches Fuji’s eyes flicker down. Then back up to her eyes again. She had absolutely looked at Alia’s mouth. There was no mistaking that. And Fuji knows that Alia had been staring at hers just moments earlier. Fuji hasn’t moved still. Hasn’t said anything.
Alia deserves an award for self control for not closing the distance herself.
“Alia…” she whispers, and Alia has to strain to hear. “May I-“
“Yes.” Alia cuts her off, she’s never been more sure of anything in her life.
Fuji finally leans in. And Alia realizes something.
Fuji Kiseki is a terrible kisser.
It was a hilarious thought. The great flirt Fuji Kiseki, contrary to popular belief, was clearly inexperienced with kissing. It was awkward, clumsy, with maybe a bit too much pressure.
But it was everything Alia had ever wanted.
She can’t help it, she starts giggling and breaks off the kiss. Opening her eyes she sees Fuji in front of her, face red and bashful, looking at her. To be completely fair to Fuji, Alia has never kissed anyone either so she barely knows what she’s doing. She is just so completely overwhelmed with joy and excitement and so many other emotions she can’t name, she can’t hold it in anymore.
Her hands, which at some point moved to Fuji’s shoulders to card in her hair, go to cup her cheeks instead and she melts at the way Fuji closes her eyes and leans into her touch.
“Fuji, we are both terrible at this,” she whispers quietly, not wanting to break the calm.
Fuji gives a choked laugh. “I’m afraid you’re absolutely right.” She opens her eyes, and Alia shudders at the hooded expression on her face. “I suppose that just means we need to practice more, no?”
Alia feels her face growing redder and sputters. She quickly ducks her face into Fuji’s neck and hugs her so she doesn’t have to look at her stupid charming smile. Great flirt for real. Fuji laughs at her reaction and wraps her arms around Alia’s waist in turn, leaning her cheek against her head.
They stand like that for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of each others presence, leftover fireworks going off in the distance occasionally when Fuji speaks up again.
“I wanted to do this for a while, but I needed to set the stage perfectly,” she murmurs into Alia’s ear, “You deserve no less than perfect.”
Holy fucking shit, Alia thinks.
“Holy fucking shit.” She says.
Fuji laughs, surprised, “I take it that means it went well?”
Alia pulls away to be able to look Fuji in the eye.
“What was it someone said once….?” She closes her eyes and thinks for a moment. Opening them again, she smirks a bit, “Oh right, ‘I promise you I’ve never been more comfortable and happier than in this moment.’”
Fuji’s blush, which had begun to die down, started to creep back into her face in embarrassment. She leans a bit closer to Alia, lips almost brushing.
“Big talk.” She whispers and Alia feels a shiver run down her spine.
Alia laughs lowly, “Pretty sure I learned from the greatest entertainer, after all.”
Alia leans back slightly, hands once again going to Fuji’s shoulders and twirling the ends of her hair. “Everything tonight has been amazing.” She tells Fuji truthfully, before she gets a thought. “but…” she drawls out. “Something could use a bit more practice.”
Fuji’s eyes flash at the challenge and Alia can see her tail flick rapidly in the corner of her vision. “Practice does make perfect, after all,” she agrees with Alia.
Alia laughs brightly, before leaning back in and closing the distance once more.
She has the feeling that she and Fuji Kiseki have formed an irreplaceable bond together.