When you were dating a mage(ician), surprises weren't that uncommon. Not the jump out and scare you kind, but the kind where Himiko would pull stuff out of nowhere or make things disappear and leave Mahiru's mind boggling. Sometimes it was great fun, watching in awe as doves materialized in thin air. Sometimes it wasn't, like the time Himiko thought it was a good idea to make her camera vanish and Mahiru fumed until she restored it.

And sometimes… it was very touching.

They hadn't been dating very long when the two of them were walking back to the dorms together after a night out. Mahiru was happy to finally have an excuse to try on the soothing green sundress she'd never really had a reason to wear, and Himiko… it turned out she could dress up if she wanted to. Her gown glimmered around her knees, rising up into a purple that matched her hairband.

It'd been a great evening, but a fancy Himiko was still Himiko. Her energy had been improving since they got together, but she was still worn out before the night dragged on. Mahiru wouldn't say no to an excuse for the mage to lean on her, but she hoped they could stay out longer next time.

Next time… Mahiru was looking forward to every time they met up. The thought brought a smile to her face as she guided Himiko up to her dorm's floor. "Here we are."

"Mmm…?" Himiko almost sounded like she'd managed to doze off while they walked, but after a moment's hesitation she finally peeled herself off Mahiru's side with a yawn. "Do I have to go already?"

"Well… no…" Mahiru admitted. "But it sounds like you're going to sleep no matter where you end up. You'll probably be comfier in your bed instead of on my couch." She wasn't quite ready for any sleepovers yet.

"I guess…" Himiko murmured, sounding a bit disappointed. But after a moment, her eyes lit up with remembrance. "Oh!" she snapped, sounding much more awake. "I almost forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"I got you a little something." The woman hummed and stretched, not too much taller than her girlfriend even with her arms entwined overhead. She held it a moment longer than necessary, leaving Mahiru to raise a brow… only for her to unfurl with something now held between her fingers. "Ta-daaaaaa. Magic!"

Magic indeed. Himiko's sleeves didn't go past her shoulders, so where the heck did she pull something from? Trade secret. Mahiru knew she'd never get an answer, so she just looked down at what she was being offered.

It was a flower. Not the usual cutesy romantic ones you may expect, but something opening its slim red petals wide. They curled back, its stamens jutting out as Mahiru reached down to take its stem in her hands. "It's a tiger lily," Himiko explained, moving her magic hands behind her back.

A tiger lily… it sounded mystical. "Oh, wow, it's beautiful! Thank you so much." And yet, it left her wondering why she'd opted for it. "Don't people usually give roses, though…?" she mused a bit jokingly.

"Nyeh… look closer."

"Hmm?" Mahiru did as requested. She held the flower up to her face… and then it clicked.

Small black dots spattered the petals all over, giving the flower its name. It was like a bunch of floral freckles looking up at her. Instinctively, her fingers reached up to brush the faint marks over her own nose.

"I saw it and thought of you," Himiko explained, cheeks starting to match her hair as she looked away sheepishly. "My lovely Tiger Lily."

Mahiru was left speechless. Her hand still rested on the bridge of her nose. Then, finally, she giggled, opening her arms. She pulled her girlfriend in, hugging her gratefully. "You're so sweet…"

Himiko grinned, returning it as she nuzzled into her shoulder. "That was smooth, right?"

"…Not anymore." Mahiru pulled back and laughed, tapping the mage's nose with her gift. "But I think I like the little nickname."

"Nyeheheheh~… I'm glad." For a moment, the two just looked into each other's eyes, Mahiru holding the flower between them. Himiko finally broke the staring contest first, shyly scratching her cheek. "But I guess it's time to say good night. I'll make sure to get you more sometime, Tiger Lily."

She could get used to the sound of that. But after that gesture, she didn't really want the night to end quite yet. Mahiru bit down gently on her lower lip, mulling it over. Finally, she reached up to rest the flower on her ear, before reaching down to take Himiko's hands in hers.

"Actually… would you like to stay over after all?"

The two shared the couch at Mahiru's place, Himiko getting to choose what they'd watch… some melodrama she was invested in.

The mage rambled a bit on about the current arc – evil twins ancient curses, and someone's assassin falling for them. It was overly complex and hard to follow, especially when Himiko started to slur sleepily near the end. Mahiru hoped she wouldn't be quizzed on this.

Even if she was lost, though, it was hard to mind much when they were sharing a blanket, nice and cozy cuddled up to one another. If this happened every time they watched something together, Mahiru would gladly become a soap opera fan alongside her.

Still, it was already late to begin with, and eventually even Mahiru was feeling her lids start to droop. "Bedtime," she decided aloud. "You can have the couch while I head to bed. Fair?"

But when she tried to stand… she was stuck. A soft snore and a tug indicated Himiko had already been asleep for a bit, and didn't want to let her go. After a moment's thought, Mahiru rolled her eyes and adjusted the blanket over them. Guess she was taking the couch tonight, too.

It was hard to mind, trapped being snugly with your girlfriend. Once she'd settled in, she glanced over towards Himiko, realizing how differently she viewed her now.

At first, I thought that you were a deadbeat like my dad, she thought to herself. That maybe, unlike him, I could fix you. Only now do I see there was never anything wrong with you. You just needed someone to help you decide to change yourself.

Content, she shut her eyes and rested her head against Himiko's, red hair mingling with red.

In her sleep, Himiko smiled.