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Emu had always thought that happiness was something you could hold.
Not literally, of course!
Happiness wasn't a toy she could squeeze between her hands or a shiny little trinket she could carry around in her pocket.
But whenever she was happy, she wanted to reach for something. Someone. She wanted to wrap her arms around them, squeeze them close, bounce beside them, hold their hand, lean against their shoulder, or simply make sure they were close enough that she could feel their warmth.
And when that someone was Nene, the feeling became even stronger.
Emu had discovered very quickly that she liked touching Nene.
She liked holding Nene's hand while they walked. She liked linking their arms together when they sat beside each other.
She especially loved hugging Nene from behind whenever she spotted her unexpectedly, which had resulted in Nene nearly dropping her phone more than once.
Ah yes, most of all—Emu loved hugs.
There was something about hugging Nene that made her feel especially happy.
Nene was warm, and she fit comfortably against Emu's arms, and whenever Emu squeezed her close, Nene always seemed to relax after those first few startled seconds.
Today was no different.
Emu spotted Nene sitting on a bench out in the courtyard (yes, she broke into Kamiyama again), looking down at her phone. The moment Emu recognized her, her entire expression brightened.
"Nene-chaaaan!" Emu called happily as she hurried across the hallway, already stretching both arms toward her.
The greyish-green haired girl looked up at the familiar voice, and her face immediately softened into a smile.
She barely had time to put her phone away before Emu wrapped both arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Emu," Nene murmured as she laughed softly. "You always do that."
Emu squeezed her a little tighter before resting her cheek against Nene's hair. "Because I missed you, Nene-chan!"
"You saw me yesterday..." Nene reminded her as her hands awkwardly moved, trying to figure out where to put them.
"I still missed you," Emu insisted, rocking them both slightly from side to side.
Nene's cheeks warmed as she looked away, though the little smile on her face never disappeared. "I missed you too."
Emu's arms tightened immediately.
"You did?!"
"Mhm"
Emu practically melted.
She buried her face against Nene's shoulder with a delighted little noise, hugging her even more enthusiastically until Nene had to brace one foot against the floor to keep herself balanced.
"You're so sweet, Nene-chan☆!" Emu exclaimed as she squeezed her.
Nene's face turned an even brighter shade of pink. "You're making it hatd to breathe—"
Emu immediately loosened her arms, though she didn't let go entirely. "Sorry!"
"It's okay," Nene reassured her as she smiled and rested her chin lightly against Emu's head. "I actually kinda like your hugs."
Emu went completely still.
Then she slowly lifted her head.
"You like them?"
Nene nodded, visibly flustered by how seriously Emu was taking the confession. "Yes. I really do."
Emu's eyes sparkled.
"Then you can have as many as you want!"
Another thing Emu really loved—holding hands!
It didn't have to be anything dramatic. Sometimes, when they walked together, Emu would simply reach over and take Nene's hand.
Other times she'd gently hook their pinkies together first, waiting for Nene to notice before intertwining their fingers properly.
Nene always noticed. And she always held on.
On their walk home that afternoon, Emu swung their joined hands between them, humming happily as she walked. Nene glanced down at their fingers and smiled.
"You've been holding my hand this entire time," she observed as she squeezed Emu's fingers.
"Mhm!" Emu replied cheerfully as she swung their hands again. "I like it."
Nene's smile became softer. "Me too."
Emu looked at their hands. Then she looked at Nene. Then she squeezed again.
"Your hands are warm."
"So are yours," Nene replied as she gently rubbed her thumb across the back of Emu's hand.
Emu's smile grew.
She liked that, too.
She would inevitably migrate closer and closer until her shoulder was pressed against Nene's. If there was enough room, she'd eventually rest her head against Nene's shoulder altogether.
Nene liked her personal space. And Emu also liked Nene's personal space.
The taller girl had learned to expect it.
Nene carefully rested her cheek against the top of Emu's head, her fingers gently combing through the pink strands.
Emu's smile widened.
She loved that Nene touched her back.
She loved the way Nene would gently pat her shoulder when she was excited, smooth her hair when she was sleepy, squeeze her hand when they were walking, and rub slow circles against her back whenever Emu hugged her.
Nene's affection was softer than Emu's.
Emu was all sunshine and momentum and energy. Nene was a gentle hand reaching back. And Emu loved every bit of it.
She especially loved touching Nene's hair.
Nene's hair was soft.
Emu had discovered this almost immediately, and once she'd discovered it, there was absolutely no going back.
Emu carefully reached toward Nene's hair and began twirling a small strand around her finger.
Nene looked over with a curious smile. "What are you doing?"
"Your hair is pretty," Emu answered as she carefully smoothed the strand between her fingers.
Nene's expression softened. "You think so?"
"Mhm!" Emu nodded enthusiastically as she gathered another small section. "It's really pretty."
Nene's cheeks became pink.
Emu leaned closer, studying her face with open admiration. "You're pretty too, Nene-chan!"
Nene immediately looked down.
"Emu."
Emu giggled as she rested her head against Nene's shoulder again. "Hehe~☆"
"You know exactly what you're doing."
"I do!"
Nene couldn't even argue with that.
She simply wrapped an arm around Emu's waist and pulled her a little closer.
That was another thing she loved about physical affection.
It didn't always need words.
For Emu, that was what love felt like.
It was reaching for Nene's hand without thinking.
It was hugging her because she was happy to see her.
It was fixing Nene's hair, squeezing her fingers, resting her head on her shoulder, and finding little excuses to stay close for just a few more minutes.
And every time Nene reached back, every time she squeezed Emu's hand or pulled her closer or gently ran her fingers through her hair, Emu felt that warmth bloom all over again.
So Emu hugged her a little tighter.