Through the quiet
There's a spell to break
Yet a secret to keep.
- Avow -
Part I.
There hadn't been a time where Mitsuru could recall relying on another person.
Moments of help in the most dire of circumstances, but at a personal level, she could never bring herself to be open about something as secretive as her emotions. It was always something she guarded dearly; always waiting in a way for the day that she felt was the right time.
But then again, the right time never existed. Certainly not in their reality.
They only had a few months to go. The unveiling of the truth involving Nyx, and their unwavering determination to see it all through to the end. It was a momentary lapse of time, almost like a sequence to wrap up every last bit of unfinished business.
Whereas others in the group stuck to working harder than they ever had before to fulfill personal goals, or to see old and new friends to make as many memories as they could-she stuck with the inner debate with herself. She knew the days were looming in closer, knew that the inevitable battle was drawing closer with every increase of their skills.
They weren't going to climb to the top of Tartatrus unless everyone was completely prepared for the final battle.
The weight that had been on her heart had settled considerable since all of this started. She had been able to reveal the Kirijo group's past transgressions, and she had set herself to right the wrongs that her ancestor had placed upon their world. Yet, there had been a second amount of weight that had been lifted from her-slightly.
Yukari Takeba.
There had been very heavy sins that involved the young woman. Her father had been killed in the controversy involving the Kirijo group some years prior. There was that string that tied them together, and it kept tugging them closer without them even realizing it.
At first there was nothing but misunderstandings. The need to know why, the need to understand all that had happened. The uncomfortable atmosphere between them grew to a tension, and somehow, along the way, it all dissolved into two young women finally being able to come to terms with everything and form a friendship.
Mitsuru had never had something close to a true bond with anyone before. The one with SEES had been growing steadily, but she had never had something close to concrete with anyone-even more so with another woman. It hadn't been something she assumed would ever occur. She was far too busy being wrapped up in her academics, righting wrongs, and side business with her father. Well, when he was still alive.
The strum of thoughts broke in that instant, the shattered glass laid out on the floor as proof of her unconscious tug back into reality. The chill of the night air entered the room through the balcony door that was slightly ajar. Red liquid spread on the wooden flooring near the balcony's entrance as she knelt down to pick up a few larger pieces of glass. She felt a sting on her finger but paid it no mind at first.
As she turned where she stood, she heard a brief knock on the door before the obstacle was pushed open and a presence stood in the doorway looking worried.
"Mitsuru-senpai, did something happen-are you okay-you're bleeding!"
The rushed questions and concerned gaze of Yukari became more apparent as she moved further into the room. Careful not to tread on the glass on the floor nearby, she looked at the rather long cut on the woman's right left index finger.
"I'm fine I assure you. I just need to get a broom instead."
For some reason, Mitsuru felt that same irrational tug at her heart again in that moment.
The odd thing was, this wasn't just the first time such a thing had occurred.
Ever since the night they had reconciled at the hot springs, things had slowly began to waver from just becoming close friends with Yukari. It was difficult to pinpoint at first, seeing as, Mitsuru had only been accustomed to feeling the same set of emotions. She had been closed off and kept to herself for most of her life, so any new sensation or revelation was harder to decipher at a single glance.
There had been instances that she caught herself staring far too long at her. She had seen how the other woman's eyes there were a lighter shade of brown, even holding a hazel tint if seen in the right lighting. She had seen the smaller details of the young woman. How she would occasionally bite the tip of her pen if she was lost in thought. The way a single piece of her bang would occasionally fall out of place and bother her. She would always put healing the others ahead of herself in battle. Her compassion was beyond measure, especially in the way her eyes and voice would match that tone when she was truly concerned about something or someone. Like right now.
There was far too much that Mitsuru had come to see when she was really looking at her. So much that she needed a diary to keep track of it all. Keeping a secret hidden away in words made her feel like a poet laureate of ages past. The emotions and truth finding solace in the way she would press her pen onto paper late in the evening while sipping on a glass of wine. It was something she had just done mere moments before she had finished, tucking the book away in its proper spot, and becoming so lost in thought that she forgot she was even standing where she was, much less holding anything between her fingertips.
"Let me help you." Yukari sprinted off to the hallway closet to retrieve a broom and dustpan. Upon her return, the glass was at least swept up to prevent further issue.
Just as Mitsuru had knelt down to place an old towel on the floor in an effort to clean up the remaining wine, she noticed the presence nearby kneel down as well.
"We need to clean that it's bleeding more than.." Before she even finished her words, Yukari had grasped onto the fair-skin hand, taking the finger up to her lips and sealing it in the warmth of her mouth.
Mitsuru inhaled sharply. "You shouldn't be doing that Takeba." The words came out in her stern tone that she would use if she was to disapprove of something. But that still didn't seem to stop the brunette's actions. She could feel the slight tug at her skin as the girl sucked softly, the wetness from her tongue as she licked over the minor opening on her skin.
Finally she withdrew away, however Mitsuru's heartbeat was still off and her breath almost caught in her throat from the sensation she felt rushing through her body. Such a simple act of kindness was making her thoughts slide into a dangerous territory.
"There was too much blood. We don't need anything else staining the floor." She gave a reassuring smile before standing back up and holding a hand out to assist the 'injured' woman. "Let's bandage it properly now."
The action had left the auburn-eyed woman in a state of being caught off-guard. They headed into the vast bathroom that was entirely white. Such a reminder from a single color was a demeaning reminder of how her thoughts were anything but pure right now. "There should be a first aid kit in the cabinet." As she took a seat on the side of the tub, she let the woman begin fiddle in a nearby cabinet for the kit. She had to cough slightly in an effort to regain her normal tone properly.
"Found it!"
The proclamation came with a smile as Yukari opened the box to pull out a band aid that would fit on the cut along with some ointment. It took only a few minutes for her to tend to the small wound properly.
"Thank you." Mitsuru had become so focused on watching the girl's eyes as she was tending to her finger. She had seen that streak of hazel from the lightning overhead.
"You're welcome." She smiled again while putting the kit away where it belonged. Afterward, they headed back into the bedroom to pick up the towel and toss it in the trash.
"I believe everything is taken care of now. You can return to your room now, it's growing quite late."
"Yeah I guess I should." She gave a lingering look at Mitsuru, as if to make sure she was okay before turning to head towards the door.
As she watched her lithe figure turn and head back from where she had entered earlier, the sudden sensations began to torment her mind and body once again. There was a noticeable change in her from how the wine began to stir in her body. She was fairly certain that the alcohol had to have been on her breath, surely that was the reason for the look she had just received.
It was only a small amount of time that Yukari had turned away. That time was enough for Mitsuru to take in all the little details. The length of her hair which had gotten a little longer. Her hands were clasped behind her back in a usual mannerism of hers. As her eyes drifted lower, she noticed just how short her skirt actually was. Had it always been that short? She found herself taking a few steps closer, as if to follow after her.
The two ended up at the doorframe at the same time. Yukari was stuck with her hand moving for the doorknob just as she felt a hand grab onto her arm by means of stopping her.
"Mitsuru-senpai, did you need something else?"
"Takeba.."
If her actions had been premeditated, then the gods forgive her.
Under normal circumstances, her right mind would have never allowed such a thing to happen. The fair-skin hand with the bandaged finger pulled the young woman close, so close that the alcohol could be detected in her breathing. There was nothing but surprise and subtle shock instead of words.
The trace of auburn locks fell across Mitsuru's face as she leaned her head in far quicker than she thought capable given she was slightly inebriated. The coordination was flawless even then though which wasn't entirely unexpected of her. Her right hand worked its way to cup along the side of the delicately-framed face that was Yukari Takeba.
Their lips met one in secret want, the other in unsureity of what to even think in that moment. Yukari was stuck in the grasp, her eyes remaining open before sliding shut at how strangely wonderful it felt to have someone kiss her. She hadn't even had a proper first kiss. Mere pecks at best. To have a set of soft, yet demanding lips moving along her own made her feel a warmth that she didn't know existed.
The fragrance of her perfume and just the normal scent that comprised of Mitsuru seemed to calm the brunette even more. She was steadily being pulled in closer or perhaps she was moving in on her now. There was no telling. But as she felt the doorknob push against her lower back, the sudden pain made her break away. The sharpest shock back into reality hit her like whiplash as she stared at garnet eyes.
"I'm sorry Takeba I shouldn't have.."
"I-It's okay. Just the heat of the moment or something." She mumbled before feeling the sudden need to get away and be alone. "Have a good night, get some rest."
Mitsuru gave a curt nod as the young woman was already walking away in a hastened pace. Her hand reached for the doorknob and closed the door with a small click. Letting her hand rest on that doorknob, she could only stare at it and lay her forehead against the closed door.
If anything, she felt like she had just stepped far beyond the line that was laid between normal interactions. Such irony that she could feel hitting her even in the midst of her altered senses. The opened door to a building friendship with the woman had just been completely closed all because of her inability to keep ahold of herself.
The only solace she could find that night was to finish her bottle of wine and go to bed with a burning sensation from her hand, her lips, and her heart.