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"Sonia, there's something I need to tell you, and I can only hope that the way you think of me won't change."
Peko's calm and stoic voice wavered a little, but that change was barely noticable. She was sitting on the bed inside Sonia's cottage, the two girls grew surprisingly close to each other the past few weeks they have spent on the island, collecting Hope Fragments and making small trinkets Usami asked them to do.
Pekoyama wasn't used to the kind of kindness Sonia offered her when they first met. Maybe it's because the blonde wasn't aware of the swordswoman's past, or maybe because she was also in need of a friend and to be fair, Peko looked incredibly alone. Intimidating, yes, but the princess managed to look past that and see the sad shell of a human the other girl was.
The silver haired girl spend most of her times around her young master, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, who also served the role of her best friend. Her only friend, too. It's not like she had much time for socializing while being trained to become a literal walking weapon.
People usually strayed away from her, immediately noticing her ruthless attitude, not wanting to get involved with her. Animals were like that, too, and it hurt way more than she'd like to admit.
Peko was supposed to be grateful for the life the Kuzuryu family gave her, the chance at survival and being useful. So why did she find herself sometimes at night, wishing for a normal childhood, one that wasn't filled with swords, bloodshed and almost constant stress? As if she was feeling some sort of... regret.
The Ultimate Swordswoman tried not to dwell on that too much, but the need for friendship was still present.
She had Fuyuhiko, yes, but could he really count as a real friend? Pekoyama was aware that he tried not to treat her as his weapon, but she still had the job of being his bodyguard.
So that alienation could have been one of the reasons why Peko felt so drawn to Sonia.
She has never met anyone like that before. Someone so carefree, so full of natural curiousity that it felt almost childlike. Someone who didn't seem bothered by the heartless expression in the swordswoman's eyes.
It was a... nice experience for Peko. Having an actual friend, instead of just someone she was born to serve. There wasn't anyone else in her life, really.
Peko looked down, as if ashamed of herself. The time spent on the island made her feel pathetic in a weird way, for being so new to this whole... friends thing. But she was soon pulled out of her thoughts by Sonia's sweet voice.
"What do you mean, Peko?" The princess asked, tilting her head slightly. She was currently standing in front of a mirror, brushing out the knots in her long, blonde hair. It got messy fast, especially since she couldn't reach some places easily. "I know we're not lifelong friends, but I hope you know me well enough to know no matter what happens, you'll still be quite dear to me."
Peko looked up, the corners of her lips twitching at the words, but they stayed still in a thin line. Her cheeks were lightly dusted with a red tint at the smile Sonia gave her from across the room.
"Um..." Pekoyama mumbled, that's a first time for her, not being completely calm and collected. "I'm not really like most people, Sonia, and I've never told anyone this, so I trust you'll keep my secret."
At first Peko wanted to admit to something... heavier. Even more vulnerable than what this already was. But she chikened out, like some coward, she's supposed to be a warrior, but can't even face her own fears, her own feelings.
Pathetic.
"You're worrying me, Peko" Sonia urged her to continue, she rarely was impatiened with things, but on the other hand, the gray haired girl never was beating around the bush for so long.
...
"I don't like guys, Sonia." Peko blurted out, her eyes darting down to the floor once again. "I like girls."
The princess still in her place, the hairbrush she was using so carefully froze in her hair, in the middle of the blonde strands. Pekoyama gripped the matress, that reaction alone was worrying her out of her mind.
"Oh sweetie..." Sonia sighed, putting the brush on a table, forgetting about it completely as she sat down next to the swordswoman, pulling her abruptly into her arms, into a tight hug. Peko had not a single clue how to react for the first few seconds. It was a forgein feeling, being wrapped in such a warm embrace, squeezed so tight she can barely breath.
After gathering herself from the initial shock, she awkwardly hugged the princess back, resting her cheek against Sonia's shoulder, although all her moves were all hesitant, like she wasn't sure if she's allowed to do that. Hell, a part of her felt guilty, like she's using the princess for her kindness. Peko closed her eyes, trying not to think about it too hard.
"Of course I don't think bad about you because of it" Sonia continued speaking, reaching out her hand to gently start caressing Peko's back, trying to reassure the girl after she noticed her stress about such a vulnerable topic. "I guess it's my place to tell you something about myself, too."
Peko perked up slightly, but tried not to show it too much. Her hold around Sonia's waist tightened slightly for just a moment, a silent way to tell her to go on, that she's listening.
"I'm... like you, you know? How could I judge you, Peko, if we're the same? Especially since... you're the one that made me realize I'm like this."
What?
Peko was her, what, realization? Was it bad that she kind of hoped that was the case? She slowly raised her head from Sonia's shoulder, looking into the girl's eyes. She could never realize what color they were - blue, maybe green? What a strange mix...
"What do you mean, Princess?" Peko asked slowly, making sure to pick out her words carefully.
"Oh, please, no need for such formalities, especially here" Sonia quickly corrected the swordswoman, disliking being adress with an official title from someone she considered a friend. "As for what I mean... I think I need to collect my thoughts first. I myself don't know how you explain it to you, Peko, and please excuse me for that."
Pekoyama nodded shortly, thinking that the apology at the end wasn't necessery, but she kept that to herself. The blonde slowly left the embrace, getting back to the brush. It was a vulnerable moment for both of them, but also a happy one.
"Want some help with that?" Peko offered, reaching out her hand for the brush.
"I'd appreciate that, yes" Sonia hummed, stepping back to the bed and handing her the hairbrush. She sat down on the soft matress in front of Peko, tilting her head slightly back.
The swordswoman got to work, trying to be as careful and gentle as possible, to not rip out even a single hair on accident. For a few minutes she slowly worked on unknotting it's parts, combing her hand throught it under the excuse to make sure the hair is smooth. Of course, there was no need to use it since Sonia actually seemed to enjoy the touch.
"Are you going to tell me now what you meant by your words, Princess?" Peko asked, still using the title despite Sonia's warning.
"I guess I should, right?" The princess chuckled, although it felt slightly awkward. "Well, Peko my dear, I have... some feelings that I wasn't sure I was allowed to inform you about, even if you're one of my closest friends on this island."
Sonia's explaining started out slowly, giving Peko just an inkling of hope, as if toying with her and her confusing emotions unintentionally. Her hands lightly shook, but she still was focused enough to continue brushing Sonia's hair, although it was done more mindlessly now, brushing multiple times throught already smooth strands.
"So I guess what I'm trying to say is... I really, really like you, Peko. You've always been dear to me and I hope it won't disrupt our friendship in any way." Sonia explained softly, her usually calm voice shook slightly at certain words.
"Sonia..." Peko whispered quietly, her monotone tone growing softer. She stopped brushing her hair, giving up on her jerky movement and just putting it back somewhere on the bed.
"I know, you don't have to say anything, I apologize for myself, but there are just some things I cannot control."
"Please, listen to me. I may not be worth much, but... It's something I can't control either, it is not right on my side, Princess, but I..." her voice faltered for a second as she looked for the right words in her mind. "I feel the same way, Sonia."
The blonde, now looking down, turned around and raised her eyes to meet Peko's. There was a new, twinkling hope in them instead of the nervous expression Peko saw a glimpse off earlier.
"Really? You're not pitying me, are you? Because I do not require such treatment, Peko!" Sonia exclaimed, too used to being treated like a child, always getting what she wants. It is the dream life for many, and she's grateful for it, but she needs real connection, the knowlage that the other person won't lie to her just because of her status. Despite the respect Peko had for her, way above the normal amount for just friends, Sonia knew she coukd rely on the swordswoman.
"Princess, I'd never do that. I'm.. I'm speaking from the heart, as many woukd describe this." Peko immediately protested, keeping a calm voice. She reached out, taking Sonia's hand in hers, interlocking their fingers togethers. She was still nervous about that, despite the fresh confession. "Belive me, please."
"Oh Peko..." the blonde sighed with a warm smile, which only brightened at the touch that the swordswoman gave her. She took it as a good sign, pulling Pekoyama into yet another hug, but there was something different about it this time. Sweeter maybe? Less for friendly reassurance and more for a celebration.
"You know you can trust me, Sonia." Peko hummed, still getting used to actually using the princess's real name instead. "I'm.. glad we had this conversation."
"I agree..." Sonia hummed quietly, this time being the one resting against the other girl. She stayed like this for a short while, simply enjoying each others company, enjoying the moment and the brand new realization of their feelings. After that moment, Sonia leaned away, not entirely, and looked into Peko's eyes with a certain hint of admiration in her own gaze.
In that second of eye contact, it was as if they communicated without words, making an agreement with just a quick, but loving enough gaze. They both leaned in, lightly tilting their heads to make space for a kiss. Soon enough Sonia pressed her lips against Peko's, feeling their chapped texture against her own smooth ones. She was aware that the swordswoman wasn't one to care about appearance, which was one of the things she actually loved about her.
Sonia shifted slightly, leaning into the kiss, wanting to be closer. Peko's hands moved on instinct, not like she had any exprerience, to stablize the blonde as she moved, resting her hands on Sonia's waist, wrapping them around it tightly.
The kiss was sweet, loving, but also clumsy, a clear sign about their lack of experience. Peko never had time for boys - or girls, for that matter. As for Sonia... it's not suited for a princess to go around making out with people, is it?
After a while they pulled away, their pale faces flushed with the color red. Peko leaned her forhead against Sonia, avoiding eye contact for a second or two before looking back at the girl. There was a hint of a small, shy smile on her lips.
Sonia sighed quietly, not letting Peko pull away for long. She liked this feeling, of being close to her, of just... kissing, pretending nothing else matters. She pressed their lips together again, reaching out her hand to cup Peko's warm from blushing cheek. The swordswoman gladly went along with it, loving any sort of touch she gets from the princess, especially the ones so soft and gentle.
Peko's hold on Sonia tightened once again, as if trying to pull her closer. She wanted to deepen the kiss, her tounge hesitantly pressing forward against Sonia's lips, waiting for her to match her intentions, to let them keep going forward. Despite wanting to make the kiss deeper, they were still new to this feeling. Their tounges pressed against each other, the pair getting lost in this feeling, forgetting the whole world.
Naturally, there always comes an end to the best things, but even after they pulled away, Sonia stole one last quick kiss, giggling about it to herself.
"Oh what would I do without you?" The princess asked with a sweet, pleased sigh. She closed her eyes, hidding in the crook of Peko's neck. The swordswoman didn't say anything, just rested her cheek against the top of Sonia's head, pressing a kiss to it before that.
They stayed like this for a little while, either in silence or having quick chats about the life on the island, about hope fragments or just random things.
"Would you like to stay over? Just a little... sleepover!" Sonia offered, her voice slightly muffled since she was still resting against Peko's shoulder. The swordswoman gladly agreeded to that, an unfamiliar warmth spreading in her chest.
The evening went by quickly and before they even knew it themselves they were getting ready to spend the night together, cuddling and talking and doing stupid stuff together that they've never got the chance to do before in their lives.