Work Text:
Iori Utahime is used to dancing under pressure. Life as a sorcerer requires near-perfection, and she’s always rose to the occasion. But somehow, the idea of dancing in front of Shoko has her nerves frayed and heart racing.
She discreetly flicks away some sweat droplets, trying to remind herself of the lack of stakes. There’s no audience looking up at her. Just one person. Just Shoko.
Which is why I have to get this right, she thinks.
For her closest companion. Her dearest friend. Her… she doesn’t dare to think “lover”.
A beam of moonlight washes over Utahime, coating her kosode in a faint glow. And with a deep breath, she begins to dance.
Utahime keeps her eyes on Shoko with every slide and step, feeling the tension in her body dissipate. As her movements grow more impassioned, she can feel herself starting to blush, almost like when she’s tipsy. It’s a freeing feeling. With slow twirls, she draws nearer to Shoko until they’re close to each other.
Too close.
Maybe not close enough.
Utahime blinks, and their hands are intertwined, bodies pressing against each other.
In an instant, everything fades away. All the long hours stretching into longer years, and all the pain that came with them, feel so far away in the moment. The pair sways to an imagined rhythm, twisting and turning and blushing and smiling, and Utahime finally knows the truth.
“I love you, Shoko,” she whispers.
Because it’s true. She’s loved Shoko for so long that it’s second nature. The only constant in this harsh world that takes and takes.
Shoko tries to say it back, but Utahime cuts her off with a kiss. Repressed fantasies of this moment come flooding back, and her heart sings knowing that they’ve finally come true.
Utahime loves Shoko, and Shoko loves her.