Work Text:
Natsuki was in the kitchen, focused on making dessert.
She whisked the cream with all her strength, as if putting her whole heart into it.
"Today, I'll make her impressed..." she muttered under her breath.
She was wearing a cute pink apron with little cat patterns on it—a gift Yuri had carefully picked out for her last time.
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At that moment, Yuri suddenly woke up from a nightmare, her body covered in cold sweat.
She reached out, wanting to hold Natsuki, only to find the space beside her empty.
"Natsuki... don't leave me..." she whispered softly.
This wasn't the first time.
Ever since they got together, Yuri had been having nightmares like this more and more often.
⸻
Yuri slowly walked to the kitchen door.
When she saw Natsuki busy inside, she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She stayed there, silently watching, hesitating whether she should call out to her.
⸻
Natsuki suddenly felt a strong gaze on her.
She turned her head—
"Ah!"
Startled, she almost dropped the cream.
"YURI! You scared me! I almost ruined it!"
"S-Sorry... I just..." Yuri nervously twisted a strand of her hair.
Natsuki sighed, placing her hands on her hips.
"You had another nightmare, didn't you?"
"I'm sorry..." Yuri's voice grew smaller.
Natsuki paused.
"...You really..."
But she didn't finish her sentence.
Silence filled the air.
Yuri tightly held onto the corner of her clothes.
Neither of them knew what to say.
"I... I'm going to the bathroom first."
"Yuri, wait—!"
Before Natsuki could finish, Yuri had already rushed off, almost like she was running away.
"Tch... honestly..." Natsuki muttered, shaking her head.
She went back to what she was doing, but her mind wasn't on the cake anymore.
"Is she okay...?" she thought.
Meanwhile, Yuri leaned against the wall, her chest tightening.
"It's all my fault..." she told herself.
After a while, Natsuki placed the cake into the oven.
"Last step... almost done!" she said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Then her eyes fell on a small knife nearby.
She froze for a second.
"...She wouldn't do anything stupid, right...?"
"No... I need to find her!"
Natsuki immediately rushed out.
"Yuri! Yuri!"
Her mind was filled with terrible thoughts.
"Stop thinking like that...!" she muttered, her eyes already starting to turn red.
Yuri paused.
"Is that... Natsuki calling me?"
"Natsuki—! Yuri!"
"I'm here!"
Natsuki hurried to the room and stopped at the door.
Thankfully—
She was fine.
Yuri was just sitting there quietly, reading the manga they had picked out together before.
A warm cup of tea rested beside her.
"Yuri..."
Natsuki stepped closer.
"W-What's wrong, Natsuki...?" Yuri looked at her, confused when she noticed the redness in her eyes.
Before she could react—
Natsuki suddenly hugged her tightly.
Yuri froze for a moment.
Then slowly, she wrapped her arms around Natsuki as well.
"Sorry... did I make you worry?" Yuri asked softly, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
She didn't often see this side of Natsuki.
"You idiot..." Natsuki muttered.
She quickly turned her face away, wiping her eyes.
But the tears wouldn't stop.
"Don't look at me."
Yuri stood up and gently hugged her from behind.
Natsuki flinched slightly, but soon relaxed into the warmth.
"You make me feel safe, Natsuki," Yuri whispered, holding her a little tighter.
Natsuki's face instantly turned red.
"...Me too," she said quietly.
"Hm? I didn't hear you," Yuri tilted her head.
"N-Nothing!" Natsuki replied quickly, her face even redder now.
Yuri couldn't help but laugh softly.
Then suddenly—
"Wait—!"
Natsuki's eyes widened.
"Oh no—!"
"Wait, Natsuki—"
She grabbed Yuri's hand and pulled her along as they ran to the kitchen.
Natsuki quickly put on oven mitts and took the cake out.
Warm, sweet aroma filled the air.
The cake wasn't burnt at all.
On top of it were two small cat designs—one purple, one pink.
"Is that... us?" Yuri asked.
"...Maybe," Natsuki looked away, clearly embarrassed.
Yuri smiled.
"Thank you, Natsuki."
"T-Thank me for what?!" Natsuki scratched the back of her neck, trying to hide how happy she was.
Bonus Scene
"Natsuki... you've got some cream on your face," Yuri pointed at her cheek.
"Where?" Natsuki tried to wipe it off with the back of her hand, but nothing came off.
"You didn't get it."
"Ugh... seriously..." Natsuki tried again, still missing it.
Yuri finally couldn't help herself.
She gently reached out and wiped the bit of cream from the corner of Natsuki's mouth with her thumb—
then absentmindedly licked it off.
"...It's sweet."
Natsuki's face instantly turned as red as an apple.
"You...!"
Only then did Yuri realize what she had just done. A soft blush slowly spread across her face as well.
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Natsuki suddenly stood up.
"I—I'll go clean up the kitchen."
Yuri nervously fidgeted with her fingers.
"Th-Then I'll come with you."
⸻
— end —