CHAPTER 11: HEART TO HONK!

MAKI

Maki did not want to climb out of the oh-so-soft bed, to disrupt the synchronized breathing of her and Honoka that had so wonderfully joined together for the first time, to straighten her mussed hair that stood like a queen's crown upon her head. Would the magic end, if she stood up and put on a bar? No, the bruises on her thighs would still be there when she put on her jeans, her old workout shirt, the weather-friendly boots; she would still ache in that pleasant way between her thighs. Honoka would still sit next to her in biology class. She dressed quietly, least she not wake up her lover, and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Honoka's bathroom was exactly what Maki had expected: orange everywhere, citrus body wash in the shower (bright orange shower curtain) towels made from sunshine. The clothing from last night hung over the shower rod- where on earth did she get that ridiculous HONK shirt?- wrinkling as they dried. A bag, bright orange, of course, had been thrown in the corner. Maki tsked, before remembering the squalor she lived in on those days she could not get out of bed. Brushing away her success, she hummed a little melody to herself. It was going to be a good morning.

Maki almost missed it. She turned out the light, only to notice a reflection on the tile. A glow. Honoka's bag was alit from within. Did Honoka leave her phone in her purse? Since they were… whatever they were, would it be an invasion of privacy to fetch something out of her purse? She reached forward into the bag-

"I wish I could wake up to you every morning."

"H-Honoka…"

Maki jumped. It was as if the scene appeared in her head, as if she heard it, felt Honoka's fingers reassuring fingers running down her arm, the plushness of the bed. Was she going crazy? She shook her head. The upcoming finals must be getting to her. There were more than enough things to worry about already.

What Maki did miss, however, was a dampness to her hair that had not been there before.

Honoka's apartment was in a sleepy little neighborhood, even smaller than their college town. The wilderness grew even wilder, and Maki wondered if they would ever go on nature walks together, holding hands and picking flowers- she blushed at the thought, since when had she had such ridiculous fantasies? Flowers and shops made up the entirety of main street. Honoka had insisted on the Center Nova café for breakfast. It was a quiet place, with glass decorations that hung from the ceiling and watercolor paintings that seemed to be entire galaxies within themselves. Murmured singing played over the speakers that seemed to accompany the steady afternoon downpour.

The tea was served in china-gold teacups- gold poured between the cracked edges. Honoka admired her cup, tracing her bitten fingernails over the fine golden lines.

"Have you ever heard why these tea cups are like that?" Honoka asked her.

Maki held her own cup in her hands, letting the warmth rise into her body. She shook her head. "I don't. It's beautiful, though."

Honoka squeezed Maki's hand. "It's because when the cups break, they're repaired with gold specifically. The china is thought to be more beautiful for having been broken. It adds more to the cup than just simple perfection."

Maki blushed, enjoying the warmth of Honoka's hand. "You're so cultured, Honoka. Such... poetry for a cafe breakfast."

"I learned it back in New York, believe it or not."

"Really? Where?"

A darkness passed over Honoka's features, and Maki wondered for a second if she'd said something wrong. "Ah…" Honoka took a sip of tea. The moment seemed to pass, and she was smiling again. "I uh… I learned it from some cute class Kotori took us to! Umi already knew all that stuff, though." Honoka laughed, and Maki joined her.

The tea was an earthy jasmine blend. Did tea always taste this good? Honoka was smiling at her between bites of bread. Was that a glow? Were they…?

When the food came, Maki realized she was ravenous. She inhaled the sandwich and salad only to ask for some fruit afterwards. (Honoka offered her some of her bread)

"Were you hungry, Maki?"

"A little," It had been a long time since she'd been… physical. Her body was coming alive again, remembering how to open and flower in the presence of another. Flesh was no longer a nuisance, but rather a way of interacting with Honoka, the world- and really, what was the difference? "The morning was a workout."

Honoka reddened but grinned all the same. "Us college students have to stay in shape somehow."

Maki wondered if now was the time to talk about… whatever this was. Maki and Honoka. Doing this. Together. She remembered the awkward jousting with Yuri, a one-time hook-up senior year- don't make it weird, don't ask what they were, don't wave in the halls- but this was Honoka Kousaka, not a brusque pairing in the bookshelves of the library.

As weird as it might get, Maki needed to know where they stood.

"Honoka…" Maki looked down to her cleaned plate. "Can we talk?"

There were those wide blue eyes again, alarm in her eyebrows, her hand clenching her cup as if she might break it all over again; to be filled with molten lava rather than the metallic filling.

"O-of course."

"Where do you want this to go?" Maki took a deep breath. No use in trying to be coy about this. She felt too much to try to play this any other way. "I… I have feelings for you. I'm always thinking about you when you're not there. You're… amazing. You saved me, when I saw you up on that roof. Every time I see you my chest pounds. Every time you touch me it's like I'm waking up for the first time. I-if this is just a one-time thing I understand, but I want it to be something more."

Tension escaped from Honoka's shoulders and her worried expression lifted into a genuine smile. "I feel the same!" Honoka stood up, and more than one person turned to look at then, "You know… I've never really had a normal relationship. But I want to try. If…. If you'll be patient with me…."

"Of course," Maki stood up herself, taking Honoka's hands. "It would be my honor."