DISCLAIMER: I do not own Strike Witches.

I decided to work on little drabbles for the Strike Witches universe, for two reasons. One is because I always wanted to write something for this section and two, it's good for training. Little one-shots are great when you just want to vent and such.

I hope you like it!

Title: "Worth It"

Pairing: Mio/Minna

Life had been unforgivable lately. Paperwork, meetings, reunions, orders that were almost unacceptable, grumpy superiors; it was a mess. Minna was already starting to question herself if it was worth all the trouble. She could very well just throw everything and give up. She was merely eighteen and had to take all the responsibilities of eleven Witches on her shoulders. Why had she accepted the promotion? Life was so much easier when she didn't have to give orders, only obey, obey, obey. Minna chuckled. It didn't even look like herself.

Sitting on her office chair, Minna let out a long sigh. Her shoulders were tensed up and hurting. She rolled them a bit, trying to relax, but it was impossible.

"Maybe a hot steamy bath will do the trick…" She whispered, closing her eyes. Minna cherished these precious moments on her own. They were becoming pretty rare lately, so whenever she had the chance to make an excuse to be alone, she didn't think twice.

Not right now, I have some paperwork to finish, I'm sorry.

Maybe another time, I need to check on some of the Strikers.

I'm going to take a bath right now, so…

It was becoming hard to think up of more plausible excuses. Also, she didn't want to keep lying to her subordinates like that. The credibility she had as a commander was precious, and she couldn't afford to lose it to some "Minna-Time for Minna".

A knock on the door snapped her away from her thoughts. She turned the chair to the door.

"Come in."

Mio Sakamoto walked in carefully, making sure Minna wasn't busy.

"Ah, Major." Minna smiled. A genuine smile.

Mio.

The only person Minna never had to invent an excuse to not talk to was Mio. She enjoyed when Mio was around. She enjoyed hanging out with Mio, even if for a brief moment. She made surprise visits once in a while to Mio's morning trainings only to feel the Major's presence.

"Hello, Minna. I hope I'm not disturbing you or anything." Said Mio, closing the door behind her. Minna shook her head.

"It's okay. I was just about to go take a bath, actually."

The Fuso witch approached her commander with a concerned look.

"You look tired. Did something happen?"

Minna smiled to herself. Mio was always so caring when it came to her tiredness. Sometimes, the Karlslander wished she could just tell Mio everything that was bothering her, but she knew that this was out of hand. The relationship between a Commander and her subordinate shouldn't be this informal. Minna already failed at following the basic step, like not getting emotionally attached with any of the Witches, so she should at least try not to throw her own problems at others.

"Nothing important, don't worry about it," Answered Minna. "The routine is a bit tiring as always, that's all."

But Mio didn't buy that.

"I see. You know you shouldn't push yourself too hard," Mio walked behind Minna and placed her hands on the red-head's shoulders. "If you fall asleep, who is going to command?"

"Is there any specific reason you came here, Major?" Minna teased, a smile never leaving her lips. It was Mio's turn to smile. She began moving her fingers and pressuring them gently on her commander's shoulders, massaging them with the utmost care.

"I just wanted to make sure you were fine." Answered Mio, simply. Minna chuckled, a warm and fuzzy feeling taking over her stomach. She leaned back accepting the Fuso witch's massage and closed her eyes. The conversation now was over, and both knew it, so for now, they would just appreciate each other's company.

Sometimes Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke questioned herself if fighting against paperwork, meetings, reunions, orders that were almost unacceptable and grumpy superiors was worth all the trouble. But when she remembered that, even after a full day like today, there was always that special person waiting for her to return and ask if she was okay, Minna knew that yes, it was worth it.

"Ah, I'm sorry. You said you were going to take a bath."

"Be quiet and keep massaging."

Mio laughed.

"Yes, ma'm."

First one. If you'd like to request something, feel free! I really need some ideas to practice. Reviews are welcomed!

- TSL