--Chapter Twelve--
Some time later, Haruka escorted Michiru out onto a balcony. She had chosen the ballet for their first date. Michiru was enthralled with it, while Haruka was enthralled with her. It was intermission and, unlike everyone else, the two of them had braced the slight chill in the night air to go outside. Michiru's shawl was draped over her shoulders to keep her at least slightly warmer. The two stood over by the railing, looking out at Tokyo. Haruka looked over at Michiru and smiled. No matter how many times she had stolen looks at her during the ballet, Michiru still took Haruka's breath away. Michiru could feel Haruka's eyes upon her. She smiled softly and placed her hands upon the stone railing. Her head tilted skyward as she stared at the stars. It was a clear night, with many stars. Haruka averted her gaze to the stars, then back at Michiru in time to see the shorter woman shiver slightly. This did not surprise Haruka considering her shawl wasn't very heavy fabric. Without a word, Haruka unbuttoned her jacket, slipped it off and draped it around Michiru's shoulders. Michiru blinked at feeling the warm fabric around her. She took a deep breath in, pretending to breathe in the night air. Instead she was inhaling Haruka's scent, which radiated from her jacket. She looked over at Haruka and smiled softly, admiring the look the vest, that had been underneath the jacket, gave the blond.
"I guess you saw that small shiver I was trying to hide."
Haruka smirked and wrapped an arm around Michiru's waist. She pulled the shorter woman close and winked.
"You can't hide anything from me, Michiru."
Hearing her name from Haruka's lips caused Michiru's heartbeat to quicken. She smiled softly up at the taller blond. It was true. Well, it was half true. The situation was more along the lines that Michiru didn't want to hide anything from Haruka, nor did she feel she had to. She felt that Haruka was someone she could trust, wholeheartedly. Haruka had already captured the affections of Michiru's adopted daughter, which was harder to do than Haruka would ever realize. The truth of the matter was that Michiru felt safe with Haruka, and warm. When Haruka was around, Michiru always found herself smiling. She couldn't imagine life without Haruka, at this point, nor did she want to. Her laughter seemed to brighten the apartment Michiru shared with her daughter. Haruka's laughter also inevitably brought about the laughter of both mother and daughter. Haruka's soft yet lower voice broke Michiru from her reflective thoughts.
"Intermission is almost over. We should get back inside."
Michiru nodded and turned to let Haruka lead her back inside. Instead of being led back inside, Michiru found herself being turned a bit and pulled against Haruka. She looked up at the blond in surprise. Haruka smiled down at Michiru.
"Not quite yet. There is something I must do first."
Before Michiru could question what it was that Haruka had to do, she found Haruka's fingertips under her chin. She felt her chin being lifted and, in what seemed like eternal seconds, she felt Haruka's lips upon her own. Michiru's hands rested on Haruka's upper arms as her eyes closed. Haruka's own eyes were already closed by this point, hoping to feel Michiru return the kiss. Michiru delayed a split second before returning it. The sensation caused both hearts to race in unison. Haruka traced her fingertips from Michiru's chin, down her neck and part of her arm before wrapping that arm also around Michiru's waist. She held Michiru even closer, in a protective, loving, and gentle embrace. Unlike the seconds leading up to the kiss, the kiss itself seemed over too quickly. Haruka pulled her lips away slowly, causing Michiru to be left with the feeling of the taste lingering on her lips. Upon opening her oceanic eyes, Michiru found Haruka gazing at her lovingly. Four little words slipped from Haruka's lips, causing Michiru's heart to stop.
"Will you be mine?"
Michiru stood there speechless for a moment. It took her a moment before she found her voice again, something that seemed to becoming habit when around Haruka.
"I thought you would never ask."
Haruka smirked and gave Michiru a gentle squeeze, bringing that beautiful smile from the shorter woman. Haruka released her after another moment and offered Michiru her arm.
"Now I believe we can go back inside."
A soft laugh escaped Michiru's lips as she took Haruka's arm and was led back inside. The rest of the ballet seemed even more beautiful than ever before, to Michiru's eyes. This stemmed from the fact of Haruka being hers, hopefully forever, though Michiru did not know yet she wished this. Nor did Haruka know she herself wished the same thing.