Pairing: Nico X Kotori

Rating: T

Chapter: The metallic taste of...love?

In which Kotori and Nico make Muse's costumes together.

Humming to herself, Kotori continued her needlework, diligently embroidering a set of flower patterns on the costume she'd just finished making. She was now working on the fourth outfit that she'd designed for Muse's next live performance, and along with a certain raven haired senior, the duo were now in Kotori's room, trying to finish the outfits that they needed by the end of the week in lieu of their performance. Contrary to Kotori's calm and peaceful look, Nico was scowling as she started to make the next costume, using the taupe haired girl's sewing machine.

"Tch. While we're working really hard here, I bet the rest of them are going to goof off and play elsewhere." Nico muttered under her breath. It wasn't as if she hated sewing, in fact she liked to do it. She was also one of the few members in Muse who knew how to sew and make clothes since she'd often had to sew a tear or a button back onto her younger siblings' clothes. But what was making her feel so grumpy was the fact that no one came by to either check on them or to help them. How were they supposed to finish all the outfits by the end of the week? Even with her own experience and Kotori's expertise, there was no way they were going to finish on time.

Sighing to herself, the petite third year wondered what the rest of her idol mates were actually doing as she continued to move the clothing downward, letting the machine do its job of threading the cloth together.

"They're probably working on the choreography and making minor changes to the song." A familiar high pitched voice answered her unspoken question, surprising Nico. "And I'm sure that they are really thankful and grateful even though they didn't show it." Kotori continued with a slight smile as she continued to weave the thin thread with her needle effortlessly.

"Sheesh. I know that already," The twin tailed girl returned. Of course she did. She knew her friends well enough to know that deep down, they really do appreciate the effort that both Kotori and her had put in in the costumes.

"I have no doubt that you do, Nico-chan~" The second year said cheerfully.

"Well, we better put up a great show next week since we put lots of effort into this! Especially since the super idol Nico-chan is personally making these costumes!" Nico hmp-ed as she returned to her sewing machine.

"Yep, of course!" Kotori said as she held the finally done costume up for a quick glance over, checking if there were any loose threads, or if the pattern she had sewed on looked fine. Nodding herself in satisfaction, the seamstress continued to pick up fifth outfit that Nico had finished just minutes ago and started on embroidering a different set of flower pattern on the purple piece of costume.

The hour passed in complete silence, the only sound that could be heard was the constant and rhythmic noise from the sewing machine. Different coloured pieces of cloth and various finished and unfinished costumes were strewn all over the table, and even on Kotori's bed.

It wasn't an uncommon sight to the duo, and neither was the silence they were working in uncomfortable since the two occupants in the room were used to it. In the beginning when Muse just started, it was awkward since Kotori didn't know her senior well...and well, Nico was technically older than her, though she might not look like it. However, as time passed and after spending a considerable time with her petite senior, Kotori now knew Nico better, understood her better and the silences that often engulfed the room was much more comfortable and less tensed. It felt like a place where she could completely relax and do the things she liked most– designing and making clothes.

Unbeknownst to the taupe haired girl, Nico felt almost the same way as the younger girl. Nico had thought Kotori was a girl who's often in her own little world, dazed and...a little fluffy. Granted, the taupe haired second year was sweet– her personality and smile that was– and Nico hadn't known someone, except for Kotori, who could rival her in cuteness. The taupe haired girl seldom, or rather, rarely got angry, and on several occasions, when the taupe haired junior flashed the overly sweet and pure smile of hers, Nico had breathtakingly thought Kotori looked like an angel.

But as she spent more time with the second year, she realised that Kotori was someone who was perceptive and sensitive to other people's feelings. Although she might follow Honoka's and Umi's lead, the taupe haired girl was always the one who supported them all behind the scenes. She was a strong person, contrary to popular belief, although she tended to stick to Honoka a bit too much. And Nico also realised that when Kotori was emotionally invested in someone, it could either make her stronger, or it could potentially break her– just like the time when she'd almost left Japan to study overseas. That was what scared Nico the most– when Kotori had said that she was leaving, she didn't want to accept it, and didn't want the taupe haired girl to leave, though she'd never admit it to anyone else. She'd grown attached to the alpaca loving girl, much more so than she'd like to admit.

A sudden hiss interrupted her thoughts and Nico immediately snapped her head up, only to see a slightly pained look on Kotori's face. The taupe haired girl was cringing as she gritted her teeth, holding out a finger that seemed to be bleeding.

"You're bleeding...!" At once, the raven haired girl stood up, abandoning her work and rushed over to her junior's side, worry and concern filling her features.

"Ah...I accidentally pricked myself with a needle. It hurts a little but I'm fi–"

Before Kotori could finish her sentence, she could feel something soft and wet caressing her bleeding finger and her amber eyes widened in shock.

"N-Nico-chan...!" Kotori stuttered as she felt the older girl licking and lapping the wound. "W-What are you– " The taupe haired girl was extremely flustered, her cheeks started to burn heatedly at the close proximity and at how Nico was sucking her finger.

"I'm stopping the bleeding." Nico answered as a matter of factly, "It's faster this way." She explained before returning to stop the red liquid that was oozing out slowly.

Kotori could only gaped at her senior, face still flushed. For some incomprehensible reason, her heart wouldn't stop thumping loudly against her chest. How could Nico do this as if it was the natural thing to do?! Kotori thought her heart was going to jump out and she swore that she could hear her own loud heartbeat.

She could feel a tingle at first which caused a shiver down her spine as a funny feeling started to grow inside her. She didn't want to admit it but Nico's actions actually felt good. That was what confused Kotori the most. And following that train of thought, Kotori wondered how it would feel like if Nico's lips were on hers instead. At that thought, the blush on her face brighter considerably. No. Stop thinking about that! Get a grip on yourself, Kotori!

Before the taupe haired girl could protest, Nico had removed her lips from the injured finger, ignoring the metallic taste of blood that remained in her taste buds. Wondering why her junior was so quiet all of the sudden, Nico looked up, only to see an extremely red faced Kotori who looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Cute. Nico thought unconsciously. As I thought, Kotori really is a cute girl.

"W-Why did you do that?" Kotori finally stammered. "I'd be fine if I just wash it off or use a handkerchief to stop the bleeding..."

"Are you angry...?" Nico said quietly before sounding a little uncertain, "It was instinctive...I mean I'm used to doing that back when I pricked my fingers while sewing and fixing my younger siblings' clothes...so I guess...I acted without thinking...?"

"I-I'm not...!" Kotori blurted out. She wasn't angry with Nico, not at all! She just felt embarrassed and extremely flustered by her own feelings.

"I-I..." Kotori groaned inwardly. She couldn't even put her feelings into words, no matter how much she tried. This was hopeless!

"Kotori..."

"N-Nothing!" Kotori squeaked out. "Absolutely nothing at all!"

"...Really...?" Nico didn't seemed convinced as she narrowed her ruby eyes, staring intently at the taupe haired girl who flinched involuntarily at the stare.

The taupe haired second year nodded vigorously. "Yes! Nothing at all!"

"..." Nico decided to let it slide, seeing that her junior was clearly uncomfortable. She then wondered why the taupe haired girl looked so flushed and red. Was she sick? Or did she have a slight fever?

"L-Let's get back to work, shall we, Nico-chan?" Kotori tried to say before gulping under the ruby-eyed girl's continued gaze.

"...Alright..." The twin tailed finally relented before heading back to her seat, opposite of the taupe haired girl, and returned back to her sewing machine, not before sparing one last glance at the younger girl.

Kotori forced a smile and sighed when Nico started to work the sewing machine again.

Her heart that was previously rapidly pounding had slowed, yet the slight blush still remained as she recalled the raven haired senior's lips on her finger.

Shaking her head internally, Kotori tried to banish such thoughts away, but the more she tried to forget about it, the more vivid the sensation of having Nico's lips on her finger lingered in her mind. The scene that had occurred just now kept replaying itself in her mind, like a broken recorder. At this rate, she wouldn't be able to concentrate on her sewing.

Groaning internally, Kotori wondered if she should prick her finger again.

A/N:

Review Replies:

S3C0NDG0D: Hi there! Thank you! And I'll take the review as a compliment ;)

Enya Talisman: Thank you~ and don't worry, Kotori's snow queen card is also the only UR card I have XD (it's quite depressing, really. Since I'm already over level 100) And yea, sure! You can book a NozoKoto! :) But it'll take a while for me to open the request thingy again. Sorry about that!

Jaez: Hehehe, thank you! Ahhhh it's a pity I don't understand japanese and the drama CDs aren't usually subbed D: And hopefully, this particular NicoKoto is up to your liking. This is one of the hardest ships to write, in my opinion, and I derived this particular chapter from an episode in season 2 when Kotori, Nico and Hanayo were sewing their costumes for the halloween live (Dancing star on me!).

Msmusicful: Yesh, and they should also add more Minami/Nishikino moments in the anime *_*

Major Mike Powell III: Thank you!~

Dash24zappshift: Thanks~! LOL please don't die of happiness! There are more chapters to come!

Kumiko-chii: Hi there~ Thank you for supporting this fic~ And I've actually read the doujin you mentioned XD At first I wanted to do something similar to it, but decided against it, since the artist/author has already done it there~

Nico-chan! You're so dense!

Note: Updates may not be as often as before since I'm starting my part-time job. Sorry! T_T

A shout out and a huge THANK YOU to those who have favourited, followed and/or reviewed this fic, especially those who reviewed frequently (more like every chapter :3) ! (Yes, I know who you are, don't worry.) And not to forget closet readers out there!

Next: KotoEli!