Mei stretched her arms over her head, hearing several satisfying pops from her spine as she arced her back against the chair. The pile of papers on her desk refused to get smaller even as she leveled a glare at them. She really hoped to be finished by tonight.

Her thoughts were interrupted when gentle arms encircled her shoulders and she was hugged from behind. "Yo," Yuzu greeted softly, resting her chin on Mei's shoulder. "Working hard?"

Mei sighed and leaned back into Yuzu's comforting warmth. "Hardly," she reassured. "I'll be finished soon."

"Right," Yuzu eyed the large pile of work dubiously. "Anything I can do to help?"

Mei felt the corner of her lips quirk up. "Have I ever taken you up on that?"

"Wellllll," Yuzu's voice became playful. "I believe I have rescued you from work before."

"Not the same thing."

Yuzu giggled and nuzzled Mei's neck. "You look sexy with glasses," she murmured out of nowhere. Mei felt something fluttering in her chest at the words, effectively distracted from her work.

"Did you only come over here to distract me?" Granted, Yuzu could make one hell of a distraction if she actually tried.

Yuzu pouted, hands moving to lightly massage Mei's shoulders. "Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee? A sword sharpener?"

Mei sighed softly in relief as Yuzu's hands worked feeling back into her shoulders. "Some water would be appreciated."

"Okay. Water it is!" Yuzu smiled, happy to be helpful. She kissed the side of Mei's head and left her side. The younger girl felt cold immediately after she left, and she resolved to work harder to finish faster.

Sometime later that night Mei wandered out of study, removing her reading glasses from her tired eyes. She didn't finish her work nearly as early as she had hoped and it was very late now. She didn't expect Yuzu to have waited up for her.

However, there was the blonde, lounging on the couch, illuminated by the television. Mei could see that the other girl was half asleep, practically dangling off the sofa as one of Mei's favorite movies played on the tv screen. Mei couldn't help gazing fondly at the sight.

Yuzu seemed to rouse, sensing her sister. She smiled crookedly when she saw Mei and spoke with a cute sleepy drawl. "Hey. Finished already?"

"Yes," Mei answered with a low voice. "I'm sorry it took so long."

Yuzu shook her head. "I hardly noticed!" She lied, stifling a yawn to the best of her ability. She held out her arms in invitation. "Come 'ere. I know you're probably more tired than I am."

Mei obligingly crawled into her arms. Yuzu pulled the other girl on top of her frame comfortably. Mei melted into her embrace, practically purring with pleasure. Her mind and body relaxed in a way she'd only recently experienced. The feeling was still a little strange, but it was a welcome sensation. It was like her soul had never felt at ease before she met Yuzu. Mei wondered how she had lasted so long without Yuzu's comforting embrace.

Yuzu's hands caressed her back lovingly as she also planted kisses to the top of Mei's head. "I love you," Yuzu whispered, and Mei could hear the other girl's smile in her voice. She'd started saying that recently, growing more in confidence when Mei didn't outright shoot her down. It seemed she said it every chance she got and would probably scream it to the world if Mei let her.

As for Mei, she'd… never said those words before. There was no doubt in her mind that she reciprocated those feelings, but for some reason it was hard to say? Every time Yuzu effortlessly said those three heartfelt words, Mei's chest constricted and effectively prevented her from responding.

But now, resting her head against Yuzu's chest and listening to her heartbeat, tired from paperwork but at ease because of her present company, the words no longer felt foreign in her mind.

"I love you too."

"Hm?" Yuzu hummed. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

Mei raised her head so that she could speak into Yuzu's ear. "I love you too."

"Oh," Yuzu said blankly. Her green eyes slowly widened. "Oh…"

Mei pulled her head back to catch Yuzu's face, finding the blonde's eyes shining in disbelief. "Yuzu?" Mei said in concern. Yuzu shook her head slightly, a smile growing on her lips.

"I didn't… I almost didn't think…" the other girl could barely speak through the rapidly gathering tears and her stupid grin.

Mei's eyes softened. "Idiot." She started wiping away those foolish tears with her thumb, before leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I love you."

"Yeah?" Yuzu was grinning like a mad woman now.

"Yes. You complete me." Mei sounded like she had been saying these kinds of cheesy things her whole life. "I love you. So much." The more she said it, the easier it felt.

"More than work?"

Mei paused as if thinking about it. "Hm… I suppose."

Yuzu narrowed her glistening eyes at her, prompting Mei to smile. Why had it taken her so long to say those words? Her hesitation seemed a mystery now in the face of Yuzu's overwhelmingly happy expression.

Yuzu pulled her down to kiss her mouth, albeit clumsily, considering it was now impossible to wipe the smile from her lips.