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“You ready to go to bed?” Shiho asked, looking over at Saki who was already snuggled up under the covers. “Mhm…” Saki hummed in response, yawning loudly as she rested her head on the pillow. “Alright then,” Shiho said as she turned off the night light “Sweet dreams.” She pulled the covers up to her shoulder and relaxed into the mattress. Their breathing eventually slowing down into a steady rhythm as they drifted off.
Tho around a few hours later, Saki started stirring in her sleep. She clutched the blanket closer to her chest, heart pounding against her ribs as she let out a small whimper. The whimper caught Shiho’s attention, making her slowly blink her eyes open. She pushed herself up into a seating position and propped herself up on her elbows “Saki…?” She asked quietly, still feeling pretty sleepy. “Are you okay-“ Just as she asked that Saki woke up with a gasp.
Her hands were trembling as sweat rolled down her forehead. She was clutching the blanket so hard her knuckles were turning wide. Her eyes were wide and unfocused, as if she was still processing what she just dreamt of. “Saki? Are you alright…?” Shiho asked, keeping her voice quiet and calm so she wouldn’t startle Saki. Saki looked over at her, a tear rolling down her cheek. Shiho calmly moved closer, cupping Saki’s cheeks “Saki? Hey, you can tell me what’s bothering yo-“ Saki finally broke down sobbing.
She pulled Shiho into a bone crushing hug, leaning her whole weight on her as sobs wrecked her body. Shiho pulled Saki into a more comfortable position, holding her on her lap as Saki continued to sob. She gently rubbed Saki’s back in circles, the gentle motion soothing her. “It’s okay, just let it all out…” Shiho whispered into her ear, letting Saki know this was a safe space for her to let out her emotions. “Don’t worry, just cry as much as you need to…” She continued soothing her.
***
Saki eventually tired herself out from crying, now just hiccupping and sniffling as Shiho held her. “Do you feel better…?” Shiho asked quietly, running her hand’s through Saki’s hair as she laid in Shiho’s lap. “Do you want to talk about it, or do you need more time…?” Shiho asked, making sure Saki knew she wasn’t forcing her to talk if she isn’t ready yet. “A f-few more m-minutes…” Saki said through hiccups, wiping her eyes with her hand. Shiho reached down and cupped Saki’s face, wiping away her tears with her thumbs. “That’s okay, take all the time you need…”
Saki wrapped the blanket tighter around herself and pulled her knees up to her chest. She eventually fully calmed down, her breathing evening out into a steady rhythm and her heartrate slowing down. Shiho kept one hand on Saki’s arm, gently rubbing up and down as a way to calm Saki down. She eventually decided to switch their positions as a whole, gently nudging Saki off her lap. Saki seemed confused about why Shiho suddenly wanted her to move, but she obliged. Shiho curled up next to Saki, nuzzling into her arms and resting her head against her chest.
“Shiho, what are y-“ Shiho started rubbing her cheek against Saki’s chest like a cat, it caught Saki off guard but at the same time it made her laugh. A small, genuine giggle left Saki’s throat, immediately brightening her mood. “You’re so silly… Yet adorable at the same time.” Saki said, smiling as she looked down at Shiho who was currently acting like a cat rubbing against its owners leg. But instead she was rubbing against her girlfriends chest.
Shiho nuzzled her nose against Saki’s chest area, before she leaned in and pressed a kiss to her collarbone. Saki let out a soft sigh, relaxing as Shiho continued to nuzzle and kiss her. Shiho trailed the kisses all over Saki’s collarbones and neck area, making sure no spot was left untouched. Before finally, once again resting against Saki’s chest in her warm embrace. Saki wrapped her arms around Shiho, holding her closely and making sure there was nothing separating them.
They stayed like that for a while, the silence felt comforting as they gathered their thoughts. Before Shiho finally spoke up “Are you ready to talk about it…?” She whispered out, not wanting to sound forceful. Saki finally nodded, tho her eyes seemed to dim slightly. “I dreamt about them…” Shiho didn’t need to ask who ‘them’ was, she already knew who Saki was talking about. “I-I miss them… E-everyday, I miss them so m—much…” Saki admitted quietly, tears threatening to spill all over again. Shiho quickly hurried to pull Saki into a hug, shushing her and rocking her “Hey hey hey… Don’t cry, I’m here…” She said, scratching Saki’s scalp. “I know you miss them…” Shiho said quietly, pulling back enough to be able to see Saki’s face “I may not fully understand what you’re going through, but I’ll always be here incase you need to talk to someone, about anything.” She waited to hear Saki’s response “Okay…” Saki replied quietly.
“Now how about we go do something fun, hmm?” Shiho suggested “I’m sure after all that crying you’re probably hungry and tired, how about we go search the kitchen?” Shiho asked and gently took Saki’s hands into hers, rubbing her knuckles with her thumbs. “S-sure…” Saki said, a small yet genuine smile spreading across her face. And it was as if the universe heard their conversation, because just then at that moment.
Shizuku walked in with a tray of cookies.
“Hey guys!” Shizuku said, smiling innocently and completely unaware of what just happened. “I made cookies!” She said proudly, despite the fact they looked like ash. “T-that’s nice!” Shiho said, trying to hide her confusion at how Shizuku came in and made cookies at just the right moment. “Why were you even backing cookies in the middle of night?” Saki asked, also clearly baffled. “I got bored!” Shizuku said, as if that was the most normal thing ever. “Fair enough.” Said Shiho.
And as expected, the cookies were rock hard and… Salty. “Shizuku… These are completely burnt.” Shiho deadpanned, holding the tooth breaking cookie in her hand. “I had some trouble turning the oven off…” Shizuku admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. Shiho sighed “Of course you did…” Saki meanwhile was having fun with the cookies, throwing them at the wall like a ball, before she started throwing them out the window and trying to throw them through their neighbors window.
At least she wasn’t crying anymore…