"Darling,

My beloved,

The steadfast heart that brings me home,

Every night before my transformation, I have written you, tears and ink etching fears and hopes into the page, and those letters sit, stacked, in front of me. Tonight, you return from your journey, but I fear in the morning, you will find this and discover I have not returned from mine.

This may be the last letter I write. I look up, stare into the mirror, and see the change has already begun, earlier and earlier every night, fear reaching down my throat and pulling out my true heart, the thoughts I keep hidden behind my walls, the desires I could never share with you. Your friendship is a gift and one I will protect with my dying breath, even when I am no longer aware of who I am. For no one, not even one as lost as I could dare steal you from a world that warms with your charms.

Once, once, I believed I might call you my betrothed, but no, no longer is that a title I seek. Should you accept this trembling hand, I would flee. You must flee.

I watch. The cold settles in. My face but a mask, a mask of razor edges, my eyes blue, but not a blue that brings any life, a blue that flows. I have frozen. I raise a hand, fingers curled. The pen in my other hand will drop soon, no more words, as the wants inside claim my thoughts, my voice.

Stay safe, my beloved. Seek me not out."

Kasumi shook her head, putting Shizuku's notebook down. No more cheese snacks after midnight for the author. What time had Shizuku come to bed. Kasumi had a blurry sense pulling Shizuku closer, of warmth, but no idea about the time.

"Make me some coffee, dear."

"With the holy water?"

Shizuku made a surprised noise and spun, seeing Kasumi standing in the center of their kitchen, Shizuku's writing notebook in hand.

"That's not finished."

"Kasumin is not leaving you alone to write 'til dawn anymore."

Kasumi's scowl was as cute as always, Shizuku realized.
"That face doesn't discourage me." Shizuku swirled closer, half of a waltz pair, pausing to kiss Kasumi on the cheek, "You're adorable when you're grumpy."

"Hmmmphhh." Kasumi crossed her arms, blushing.

"You know it's not about you."

"You write like you're some terrible monster." Kasumi pouted, "You're not a terrible monster."

"It's a mood. People love cryptids." Shizuku gleamed, "It's fun to pretend."

Kasumi threw up her hands, "Well, at least you're not writing Ayumu and Setsuna in anymore."

"No, They had their happy ending."

Kasumi punched the coffee machine's on button, "When does Kasumi get hers?"

Shizuku turned Kasumi around, arms resting lightly on Kasumi's shoulders, slip sliding in closer in a very silly fashion, nearly winning a giggle from her target, "Can we start with a kiss?"

Kasumi turned her face away, "You're coming to bed at a decent hour for the rest of the week."

"Okay." A kiss on the cheek.

"No more gloomy gothic horror."

"No promises." Shizuku shrugged, peppering Kasumi's face with dozens of quick, peppy kisses. "But you'll forgive me. I'm charming."

"Shi-zu-ko."

"Ka-su-mi."

And Kasumi gave in, but her kisses landed on Shizuku's lips. That was one way to keep Shizuku away from the pen, Kasumi's favorite way.

"Darling." Shizuku giggled.

"Don't." Kasumi growled.

"Dearling."

Kasumi took both Shizuku's hands and closed in chest to chest, "I'll keep you warm."

"Please."

A/N: Idol Fanfic Heaven is hosting a Promptober Event and I miss ShizuKasu.