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Sakura has always been a steady sleeper. Between her academics and training, proper rest was one of her top priorities next to eating well and practicing proper hygiene. She knew her body enough to know when it was time for bed, how to arrange her sleeping quarters, and what to expect for the morning. To have exercised such a routine for as long as she had, it would take a lot for it to be thrown off its course.
Even when she and her girlfriend, Aoi, began sharing a bed, it didn't take too long for Sakura to adjust to her habits as well. She was quick to learn that Aoi was the more fidgety type, taking extra time to settle down as she often tossed and turned under the sheets. Other times she would stay up late to finish a leftover assignment, or simply getting distracted with the newest show she was into. Regardless, Aoi was always careful not to disturb Sakura's slumber... Aside from the occasional existential question that, admittedly, left her just as dumbfounded. When did people decide smacking their hands together meant applause? Does a bigger bed mean more or less bedroom? Neither of them would really ever know the answer, but if nothing else, these kinds of conversations were just the cherry that topped their routine. Their little time together before hitting the hay.
Aoi didn’t hold much of a discussion this time tonight, though. She brushed over something about how tiresome today’s swim session was and how much of a “hard egg head” her new coach was, but was quicker to settle into bed than usual. A point that stuck out to Sakura, but one she let slide as she suspected her dear was simply worn out. With their goodnights passed back and forth, the two ladies went to sleep, their backs gently pressed together as Sakura closed her eyes. She didn’t hear any further noise outside of the clock that ticked above her door and the faint hum from her diffuser, but judging by how Aoi would occasionally reposition herself, she must have been close to winding down as well.
… At least Sakura thought so, but by the one hour mark, she found herself snapped from her half-sleep state to an entirely new sound.
The sound of Aoi crying.
She didn’t think much of it at first, initially chalking up the first few sniffles as some residual allergies. As soon as she heard that hic, though, that rang out an alarm deep from within. Carefully, Sakura shifted her back away from Aoi and turned to face her. Even if Aoi wasn’t facing her, she still wanted to provide her undivided attention.
”Hina…?”
“Ah-“ She wheezed, quickly rubbing the tears from her face before she took a glance over. “Sakura! Didn’t think you’d be up this late…!”
”I suppose I could wonder the same about you.” Sakura replied, her voice still steady in contrast to the swimmer’s shakiness. “Is everything alright?”
”Oh, j-just peachy!”
”… Are you sure?”
Silence. Aoi was rarely someone who hesitated even if it meant to cover up how she truly felt. The fact that she wasn’t able to find the words right back showed Sakura enough. Nonetheless, she was careful on her next move as she reached over and gently clasped a hand over Aoi’s shoulder. Gradually, the other girl leaned back into her touch before she mostly turned on her other side, their gazes finally meeting. Despite the darkness that blanketed the room, the faint glow of the nearby night light illuminated Aoi’s face just enough for Sakura to see the gloom in her eyes.
“Hina…” She lamented at the sight, her hand turned to brush the other’s cheek. “Why are you weeping, my dear? What is troubling you?”
Aoi swallowed, her breath ever so slightly erratic as she tried to calm herself down. “I… I- don’t know… I thought I was doing fine, b-but then I started thinking about w-what coach said about how I-I wasn’t doing enough, and then Byakuya c-calling me stupid, a-and-“ She screwed her eyes shut, stiffening as Sakura shifted herself closer in holding her shoulder once more.
“I don’t… I don’t get it. P-people say I’m so sweet and talented, b-but I can’t believe it. How could anyone find someone w-who eats like a whale and can barely f-focus on the most basic coursework!?”
Sakura’s expression softened, freeing her other arm to loosely wrap around Aoi. With the other, she wiped her tears with the upmost care.
”Well, I’m not other people, but what I can say from my perspective is that you are more than that.” She explained. “Not managing A+s across the board does not mean you do not work hard, nor does it show a lack of intelligence.”
”Doesn’t feel like people’s get it…”
”… Byakuya rarely ever regards others in a light that isn’t negative in some way, but I can assure you that most of the others do not think that way.”
”Really?”
Sakura nodded. “Kiyotaka has expressed great faith in you, and even outside of academics, Chihiro has grown so much thanks to you teaching her confidence. Even Mukuro and Kyoko has learned to be less stiff when you’re around.”
Aoi blinked, slowly starting to feel her tears dry up as the martial artist continued.
”And I promise you, your eating habits are nothing out of the ordinary. I do not know who would ever make such a cruel comment about it… But as a young, athletic woman, a filling diet isn’t something to frown upon.”
”I guess… But you’re a whole lot more active than me and you don’t eat sweets a bunch.”
”Because I am simply not a huge snack person… Though I will say, you have gotten me to warm up to chocolate more.” Sakura smiled. “But regardless, that simply shows our differences. My fuel consists of a protein coffee, and yours is a donut instead. Both satisfy us after our hard work just like how they satisfy anyone else during their day-to-day.”
”… Yeah, that’s true.” Aoi nodded. “I just… W-worry you might not like me if my body looks different from it.”
”No matter if you gain or lose weight, as long as you are still healthy that is all that could ever matter to me.”
”You promise?”
”With all my heart…” Sakura leaned in to kiss the top of her head. “You are of course very beautiful, but it is your soul that I love more than anything. Not how you look, not what you do or don’t achieve… Just you.”
With the heaviness melted from her back, Aoi managed to crack a smile, leaning against Sakura’s chest as she embraced her warmth in full. “You… You always know just what to say, Sakura… Thank you.”
”If it is something that makes you feel better, then rest assured I will go the distance to attain that.”
”Even if it means losing sleep?” She chuckled.
”Even if it means losing hours… Rest can always be made up for. My time with you, however, is more precious than anything.”
”… Thank you, Sakura.” Aoi sighed. “I love you so much.”
”I love you as well, Hina, I do hope this has helped even a little… But if you find your mind is still clouded, then let me ride the storm with you.”
Aoi glanced up as her before she grinned, simply fluffing up the blanket over top of them before snuggling up closer to Sakura. With her eyes closed, her heart hung a little less low prior to this point, lulling her into her slumber.
“With you around… These storms aren’t so scary anymore…”