Work Text:
Kanade’s bare feet met the kitchen tiles with an immediate chill. The rest of the house wasn’t particularly cold, not like her bedroom anyway, but stepping away from the cocoon of warmth she’d been buried in made the difference feel all the more unforgiving than it actually was. Two blankets had been wrapped around her. Well, one blanket and one breathing, living one. Her girlfriend, no less.
Leaving that warmth, especially the living heat pressed against her back, sent a faint jolt through her system, enough to tug her fully out of sleep.
Now she stood around in her own kitchen, tired, cold and hungry. She wasn’t unfamiliar with late midnight snacks as she’d never had a consistent meal plan to begin with, let alone a healthy one. But she made it work, somehow.
She sat staring in her kitchen, eyes drifting between the cupboards and the fridge, weighing her options since it required more strength than it should. Did she have enough energy to make something that resembled an actual meal... or should she surrender to the usual cup noodles?
Surprisingly, she hadn’t been eating them nearly as often lately. Not with a certain purple-haired, soon-to-be nurse quietly keeping track of her meals like clockwork. If someone had told her a year ago that her eating habits would be monitored with that much consistency, let alone care, she would’ve laughed at their face.
Well, Mafuyu was deep in sleep, and Kanade, on the other hand, was tired and hungry in equal measure—too drained to assemble anything that required actual effort, yet hungry enough that ignoring it wasn’t an option. The easiest solution felt almost inevitable. Surely Mafuyu wouldn’t find out about one harmless rebellion against the carefully balanced meals she had been so diligent about. Noodles are nice to have from time to time, and everyone eats them almost periodically.
So she moved quietly, letting muscle memory guide her through the dark kitchen. Mafuyu was sleeping just a room away, and Kanade knew better than anyone how fragile that sleep could be.
Even getting out of bed had been a small battle. Mafuyu’s arm had been draped over her like a second blanket. It had taken a surprising amount of effort to slip out of her hold without disturbing her, inch by inch, breath held the entire time.
And she had almost ruined it anyway. Her foot caught on a stray composition notebook left on the floor and her body lurched forward with a clumsy jolt. For a split second, she thought she was going down. But somehow, she managed to catch herself at the last second by the wall for balance.
Kanade moved to the cupboard where she usually kept her cup noodles. It looked different now, definitely no longer overflowing like it used to be. She picked one up, the packaging crinkling loudly in her hands. She froze mid-motion, listening carefully to see if Mafuyu had heard. The other room stayed silent. Relaxing just a little, Kanade tried again, this time opening it as quietly as she could. Once she managed it, she plugged in the new kettle and filled it with water.
It had been a gift from Mizuki and Ena. Mizuki had insisted it was cuter than the old one, while Ena supported her with a more practical argument, saying it was quieter and more efficient. At the time, Kanade hadn’t paid much attention. She lived alone, after all. There was no one to disturb or any reason to worry about noise. Now, though, she found herself quietly grateful for it.
The water boiled at an almost ungodly speed. She blinked at the kettle when it was unexpectedly ready, briefly wondering how she’d gone so long without using it. She poured the hot water over the noodles and sealed the lid, then set the cup aside to wait, letting them soften and absorb the heat.
She sat down at the table, resting her head on her folded arms, her gaze unfocused as it drifted across the room. She was exhausted, so much so that she just wanted to eat quickly and return to Mafuyu’s side in bed. The thought of that warmth sent a faint shiver down her spine.
She was so grateful for Mafuyu. Grateful for the way she made her feel. Grateful for the way she held her hand, or brushed her hair back whenever Kanade got lost in her thoughts. Grateful for how Mafuyu took care of her, as if Kanade had never been a burden, even when her songs couldn’t quite reach her. She was grateful for the way Mafuyu held her close with each passing day, for the way she kissed her like she was everything she had ever wanted, something she had never had before, and something she didn’t want to lose now.
Because Kanade didn’t want to lose her either.
“Kanade?”
Mafuyu’s voice suddenly pulled her awake from where she had been resting at the table. Had she really dozed off just now?
“Why are you sleeping here?” Mafuyu asked, her voice still thick with sleep as she stepped closer.
“Oh—sorry, did I wake you?” Kanade murmured, rubbing her eyes.
“I felt you leave the bed. I thought you were just going to the bathroom, but when you didn’t come back for a while, I got worried.”
Ah… Kanade was grateful the kitchen was dimly lit. The blush rising to her face at the thought of Mafuyu worrying about her, even while half-asleep, would have been far too obvious otherwise.
“I’m sorry. I felt a little hungry, so I came to make something. You can go back to bed, I’ll come back too once I’m done eating.” Kanade reassured her.
But Mafuyu pulled out a chair and sat beside her. “It’s okay. I can wait until you’re done.” She leaned forward, resting her head on her arms in the same position Kanade had nearly fallen asleep in moments ago.
“Are you sure?” Kanade asked.
“Mhm. I don’t think I can go back to sleep without you anyway.”
Kanade’s heart fluttered. Something about Mafuyu saying that so plainly with a voice still heavy with sleep sent a quiet jolt through her. She quickly reached for the cup noodles, now warm and ready, and sat back down with a pair of chopsticks.
Mafuyu glanced at the late-night meal, then back at her. “Cup noodles.”
“Ahaha… I thought I could hide it from you.” Kanade admitted, looking a little apologetic.
Kanade blew on the noodles before taking her first bite. There was nothing quite like a warm, comforting meal this late at night, especially with the person she loved most beside her.
“Oh, do you want some?” she asked, still chewing.
Mafuyu leaned in, gently brushing a strand of Kanade’s hair behind her ear so it wouldn’t fall in the way. “No, it’s okay.”
Kanade stilled for a moment at the touch, a faint warmth rising to her cheeks. “…Okay.” she murmured before forcing herself to keep eating.
“I’m glad to see you’re eating regularly, Kanade.” Mafuyu pointed out quietly. “Even if it’s just cup noodles at this hour.”
Kanade felt something warm settle in her chest at that. Even half-asleep, Mafuyu was still looking out for her.
“…I have you to thank for that, Mafuyu.” she said softly.
Mafuyu didn’t say anything more. She simply stayed there, resting beside her with her eyes closed with slow breathing like she had drifted somewhere just between sleep and wakefulness.
Kanade found her gaze lingering. The soft light from the window slipped into the kitchen, brushing softly against Mafuyu’s face. It caught in the loose strands of her hair, no longer neatly tied, now falling messily around her cheeks. There was something different about her like this. She seemed unguarded and at ease in a way Kanade rarely got to see.
She looked… peaceful. Beautiful. Gentle.
Kanade lowered her gaze for a second, suddenly aware of how long she had been staring. But it didn’t last, her eyes drifted back again, drawn in without effort.
She finished her meal quickly, not wanting to keep Mafuyu waiting any longer at the table. Once she was done, she quietly threw away the empty container and set her chopsticks in the sink, careful not to make too much noise.
When she turned back, Mafuyu was still there, head resting on her arms, completely asleep now. She looked comfortable.
Kanade hesitated. She didn’t want to wake her. Not when she looked like this. So relaxed, like she had finally let go of everything, even if only for a moment. But at the same time… sleeping like that couldn’t be good for her. Not her posture, nor her rest.
Slowly, Kanade stepped closer. She reached out and gently tapped Mafuyu’s shoulder twice.
“…Mafuyu.”
There was no response at first. Kanade swallowed, then before the boldness could leave her chest, leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Mafuyu’s forehead.
Mafuyu finally stirred. Her brows knit faintly as she shifted, blinking her eyes open, still heavy with sleep. “Kanade…?”
“I’m done.” Kanade said softly. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to make you wait so long.”
Mafuyu lifted her head slowly, clearly still half-asleep. “Did you finish eating?”
“Mhm.”
That seemed to be enough. Mafuyu pushed herself up with a quiet exhale, and for a second she swayed slightly, probably still caught between sleep and wakefulness. Kanade instinctively reached out, steadying her.
“Let’s go back.” Mafuyu murmured.
Kanade nodded, and together they made their way out of the kitchen. They had barely taken a few steps down the hallway when Mafuyu’s voice came again.
“Kanade.”
“Yeah?”
“…Hold my hand?”
Kanade blinked, surprised. “Eh—?”
Mafuyu avoided her gaze slightly, her expression still drowsy. “You almost slipped on your notebook earlier.”
Kanade let out a small and embarrassed laugh. “Ah… you noticed that?”
Mafuyu didn’t answer. She just extended her hand slightly, waiting. Kanade hesitated only for a moment before placing her hand in Mafuyu’s.
“…Just in case.” Mafuyu added quietly.
Kanade smiled unseemly in the dim hallway and tightened her grip just a little as they walked the rest of the way back to her room.
Their hands stayed linked as they stepped back into the room, the quiet settling around them again. The bed was still warm, the blankets slightly rumpled from where they had left.
Mafuyu lingered close, closer than necessary. Bur she didn’t seem so interested in going back to bed. Kanade had noticed that.
“You’re not sleepy anymore?” she asked softly.
Mafuyu tilted her head a little, studying her instead of answering right away. “…I am.”
“Then we should—”
Her words cut off as Mafuyu stepped in, their chests brushing lightly. Neither of them moved at the contact.
Kanade’s breath caught. “…Mafuyu?”
Mafuyu lifted a hand, gently resting it against Kanade’s cheek. Her touch was careful like she was grounding herself. “You look different like this.” Mafuyu murmured.
Kanade blinked. “Like what?”
“Soft.”
Kanade laughed quietly, flustered. “That’s not— I always look like this…”
Mafuyu leaned in before she could keep arguing, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. It was brief for Kanade and slightly off, but so very warm. Kanade stilled, then leaned forward instinctively, catching the next kiss more properly this time.
“You’re the one who looks different.” she whispered against her lips.
Mafuyu blinked slowly. “How?”
“…You look… relaxed.”
Mafuyu didn’t answer that. Instead, she kissed her again, but with a little more certainty now. Kanade’s fingers curled into the fabric near Mafuyu’s waist, hesitant at first like always, then holding on tighter.
Their rhythm wasn’t perfect. Their lips missed sometimes, brushing awkwardly before finding each other again. But neither of them pulled away at all. If anything, it made them both smile a little between kisses. More so Kanade.
“You’re smiling.” Mafuyu pointed out softly.
Kanade hadn’t realized, before her lips curved just a little more. “I’m happy.” she admitted.
“Hm… how so?”
Kanade looked at Mafuyu a little shy and a little too honest. “Because my girlfriend makes me happy.”
Mafuyu froze. A faint blush crept onto her face, subtle but still very visible in the night light. She looked away for what felt like eternity to Kanade, needing a second to process it, before glancing back at her girlfriend.
“That’s a very biased reason.” she said quietly.
Kanade let out a small laugh. “It’s true though, you’re being very unfair here.”
Mafuyu’s gaze softened. “Then your girlfriend must be doing something right.” she replied, just as softly.
If she could, Kanade would be even more flustered by now. “You’re the one who started it.” she mumbled, trying (and failing) to sound composed.
“Did I?”
“Mhm.”
Mafuyu tilted her head slightly and kissed her again, like she was proving a point. Kanade let out a small breath through her nose, half-laughing into it.
“You’re unfair.”
“You said that already.”
“I mean it again.”
Mafuyu’s hand shifted from her cheek to the side of her neck. Her thumb brushed lightly there before her lips followed, tracing the same path more slowly this time.
Kanade inhaled sharply.
“Mafuyu…”
“Mhm…”
Her voice was barely there, as she pressed another soft kiss just below her jaw, not rushed and undemanding. Kanade’s grip tightened slightly, her other hand coming up to rest against Mafuyu’s arm, needing something to steady herself.
“You’re really clingy tonight.” she whispered, though there was no complaint in it.
Mafuyu paused. “Do you not like it?”
Kanade shook her head quickly. “No—I do, I just…” She trailed off, embarrassed.
Mafuyu lifted her head just enough to look at her again, her expression seeming a little more awake. “Good.”
Then she leaned in again with another soft kiss, this one lasting longer than the rest. Kanade met it fully this time, no hesitation, her fingers curling more confidently into Mafuyu’s sleeve.
Kanade’s eyes lingered on Mafuyu’s face, on the way her lashes rested heavier than usual, on the faint flush still coloring her cheeks, on how close she was, so close it felt unreal. Everything else slipped away. The room, the night, the hum of everything outside of this moment.
None of it mattered. Not when Mafuyu was looking at her like that. When she could feel her breath so close, warm against her skin. Not when she was right here.
Kanade’s chest tightened. Nothing else matters like this. Mafuyu is here.
When they finally pulled apart, it wasn’t by much.
“We should sleep.” Kanade murmured, though she didn’t move either.
“…In a second.” Mafuyu replied quietly.
Kanade smiled faintly. “Okay.”
Another gentle kiss followed, maybe a little slower, like they were both starting to drift again.
They clearly didn’t rush into sleep.
Even after the kisses faded into softer touches, neither of them pulled away completely. Kanade was the first to guide them both toward the bed even as her fingers were still loosely hooked around Mafuyu’s sleeve. They slipped under the blankets together, the sheets still holding onto a trace of earlier warmth. They adjusted, getting comfortable in that shared space.
Kanade moved closer, as close as she could get. She rested her head against Mafuyu’s shoulder shyly, her cheek pressing lightly into the fabric of her shirt. Mafuyu relaxed even more at the contact. Her hand lifted without thinking, finding its place in Kanade’s hair. She began to brush through it slowly, moving through the soft strands, tucking them away from Kanade’s face, then tracing back again in a repetitive motion.
Kanade let out a content breath. Her hand, resting against Mafuyu’s back, shifted and began to move in absentminded circles.
The rhythm of it settled between them. Mafuyu’s fingers drifting through Kanade’s hair, Kanade’s hand tracing soft circles against her back. Back and forth. Again and again.
Kanade’s breathing gradually slowed, evening out as sleep began to pull at her.
“Kanade?” Mafuyu mumbled out her name.
“Hm?”
“…I’m also… really happy.”
It was obvious Mafuyu wouldn’t get a response, Kanade was already fast asleep by now. But she didn’t mind. Mafuyu stayed awake longer to make sure her girlfriend was comfortable. Her hand lingered in Kanade’s hair, smoothing it back one last time before settling there.
Only then did Mafuyu close her eyes, the quiet of the room wrapping around them both as sleep finally took her too.