Work Text:
Lisa's eyelids droop closed. She has to blink a few times to clear her blurry vision. It's late. She knows without even looking at the clock. If she can just finish this report, she'd be able to rest—though how could she really ever rest when they still haven't found the witch? She's out there somewhere. If they can find her, they can stop whatever evil plan she's trying to form.
"Lisa," a voice calls, snapping her back to the present. One of her colleagues at the university nods to the door. "Your boyfriend's here."
Lisa furrows her brow.
"She's in there," her colleague says before making himself scarce.
Kota steps into the room, and despite her exhaustion, Lisa's shoulders feel a little lighter at the sight of him. He crosses the room to set a lunchbox on her desk. "I thought you might be hungry."
As if on cue, her stomach growls. Lisa cracks a bashful smile. "I guess I could eat."
She can't see him smile behind his mask, but she sees his eyes squint a little in what she knows is a smile. Lisa shifts her papers and books over to the side. Kota opens up the lunchbox to reveal a still-steaming bowl of food. Before Lisa even has time to speak, he presents her with a thermos.
"Coffee."
Lisa reaches out and Kota puts his hands in hers. She pulls him close. It's not often she sees him from this vantage point. He's so short that she always ends up towering over him. Lisa leans her head onto his chest. Kota jolts a little but doesn't pull away. His sternum is hard against her forehead. She can feel his heart beating underneath. She's noticed it beats a little faster whenever she's close to him.
They're both too human. It's hard being on land. Walking is too slow. Driving is too complicated. She'd rather swim, if she could, but she can't hold her breath that long.
"Um… Lady Lisa…"
She breathes in deep. He smells like salt and sea water. Like the home she can never go back to. "You're too good to me."
"Boyfriend," her colleague called him. Their relationship isn't anything like that. Humans are so stupid. She's lucky to have him. She isn't sure she could do all this alone. But love? No, she doesn't love him.
Kota sets a hand on her head. He's always so gentle. All those sharp teeth of his and he wouldn't hurt a fly. A fish, maybe. Lisa smiles a little.
With one last deep breath in, she pulls back. "Thank you, Kota."
She eats quickly, only pausing to wash it down with coffee. Newly energized, Lisa returns to her work.
"Lady Lisa?" Kota says quietly.
Her hand pauses in the air, pen still at the ready.
"I—"
He furrows his brow slightly. With the mask covering most of his face, she can't really make out his expression. Frustration? No, something softer than that. Kota has so few hard emotions. It's so rare that she sees him angry or upset. As a matter of fact, even after all these years it's only been a handful of times.
Kota shakes his head. "Nevermind." His eyes crinkle in another smile. "Try not to stay too late this time?"
"You go on ahead. I'll head back home when I'm finished with this."
He sets the lunchbox aside and pulls up a chair. "I'll wait."
"It might be a while."
"I don't mind."
It's that last comment that fills her with so much warmth. Lisa swallows down her emotions with another gulp of hot coffee. Taking a deep breath, she turns back to her work. With Kota by her side, she finishes in record time.
He holds the door open for her as they leave. Outside, there's a chill in the air. Lisa suppresses a shiver, but of course Kota notices. He's so observant of her. Before she can tell him not to worry, he's shedding his coat to wrap it around her shoulders. It doesn't really fit her. Still, she gives him a smile.
"Thank you." Not just for this, but for every single thing he does for her. For keeping up with the housework while she's wrapped up in her work. For always looking after her. For being the light in her life.
Kota gives a little nod. Is that a blush on his cheeks? The color just barely peeks out past his mask. Lisa reaches for his hand. Despite the chill in the air, his skin is warm.
"Let's go back."
Even now, she won't call it home. Her home is the ocean kingdom she grew up in. But when she's with Kota…
Lisa spares him a glance. Her brave knight always there to light the way for her. The gentlest creature she's ever met. If they spent an eternity together, she finds she wouldn't mind it one bit.
It's unlikely she'll ever go back home, but perhaps being with Kota gets her a little closer to that feeling.