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The cozy apartment glowed under the warm yellow lighting, the floor to ceiling windows reflecting the soft luminescence of the room and of the city lights outside. Hotori was bundled up under the covers on the couch, dressed comfily in her off crop top and shorts, as she sighed dramatically, bored out of her mind after having finished another episode of a show that was being awfully dull according to her
She set the remote down after pressing the next episode button and groaned to herself, she had begun to almost regret promising her appraiser that she wouldn’t drink while staying at her place but all that regret vanished the moment she heard the door lock click, the sharp click clack of heels echoing in the kitchen near the entrance as her precious walked in. Zero let out a sigh as she set down her newly found items, a bunch of anomalies contained safely, a few hundred fons and a bouquet for Hotori.
Hotori climbed out of the blanket pile, a feat most impressive given how comfy she was and she walked to the kitchen slowly, trying not to let her excitement show. The moment Zero laid eyes on the older woman, she rushed over and held her arms out, practically collapsing into Hotori, who let out a tired laugh and held on tightly, no longer caring about hiding her emotions, the thought simply not crossing her mind anymore.
Hotori let out a laugh as she looked at the smaller woman, their height difference increasing as Zero kicked off her heels. Hotori’s gaze fell upon the bouquet resting on the kitchen counter and she tightened her hold on Zero, leaning down to press her lips against Zero’s white hair. “Oh precious you must be tired. You know you don’t have to work so many odd jobs around the city..”
“That’s shocking coming from you Hotori. You love fons more than anyone.” Zero let out a laugh, her gentle teasing having no real bite behind it, but it still stung Hotori in a place she mostly tried to be too hungover to think about.
“I know I care for fons a lot, but there are things that matter to me more than that..” the vulnerability in the older woman’s voice made Zero glance up at her and she knew Hotori was being far more genuine than usual and it shattered Zero’s heart seeing her usually composed friend look so unguarded. “Hotori..what’s wrong?”
The older woman let out a small laugh, her voice a little coarse from staying silent all day, “nothing serious precious. It feels a bit strange being with myself, without a bottle to keep me company. It’s a bit harder than you’d think to be with all those thoughts swirling around in your head.” Hotori traced her fingertips along the girl’s cheek to softly caress it as Zero looked up at her with glassy eyes.
It had been a few days only since Hotori had moved in with Zero to stay at her apartment, since both of them could no longer sleep without cuddling each other and Zero recalled the conversation between her and Hotori, how Zero mentally cursed at herself for an hour before telling Hotori how she felt uncomfortable around alcohol and asking her to drink less. Hotori had been as accommodating as anyone could and even kissed her simply to show she appreciated being told, but now Zero stood there in the kitchen with her arms around her friend and thoughts of regrets in her mind.
“I-I’m sorry I made you quit drinking..” Zero’s voice cracked as she spoke, guilt bubbling in within her, only for her to be immediately hushed by Hotori. “Oh precious, you didn’t make me do anything. You simply told me what you felt uncomfortable with and I swore to never make you feel so. I told you already, you did good by telling me how you felt..” she pulled Zero gently along by her waist, towards the living room where the blanket pile still nestled on the couch and they both sat down.
Zero spoke with a scared voice, feeling afraid simply to speak up, “But, you shouldn’t have to worry about my comfort at the cost of your own self..if quitting drinking for me means you suffer all day then..” Hotori placed a finger on the younger girls lips, giving a sigh, “then it means I’ll quit anyway. You know what my thoughts made me realise? There’s too many people in my life who perceive me in the image I’ve shown them.” Hotori’s voice dropped a bit as her fingers caressed Zero’s hair.
“The woman who cares more for a drink and fons than her friends, it’s easier that way too, people have less to hurt you with. But..being with you, seeing how much you care? You deserve truth too. The me without any bottle to hide behind. It’s unfair of me to get so much love from you and not give you the effort and patience you deserve for your comfort.”
Hotori wrapped her arms around the smaller girl and laid down on the couch with her on top of her body, Zero’s face tucked into her chest. “If my drinking makes you uncomfortable, then there’s no reason in the world that will keep me from stopping for you. You’re my precious after all..” she pressed her lips on the girls hair, pulling her tightly into a hug and laughing at the muffled whine that escaped from Zero as she muttered a near silent “mommy..”
Hotori smiled to herself as she slid her hand gently up Zero’s shirt and rubbed her back “yes, precious?” The smaller girl curled up against her, murmuring “mommy..” as Hotori pressed her lips against her hair and sighed, “mommy’s here, precious..”