"Hey, Gun-chan…"
Chikage looked up from her game and glanced over to where Yuuna was sitting next to her. Or, at least, where she had been. The spot was empty now. From her seat on the floor, she turned her head around, the fact finally sinking in that Yuuna's voice had come from behind. When had Yuuna moved? Was she really so engrossed in the game that she didn't even notice?
Yuuna stood on the other side of the room, leaned up against the side of the couch, leaving Chikage with only a view of her side and back. She turned her head to meet Chikage's confused gaze after a moment, but the way she did so – with her head tilted back just a little – gave Chikage the illusion of Yuuna looking up at her, despite their positions.
"Can you come help me?" The smile that accompanied her words beckoned Chikage with its warmth.
"Ah, Takashima-san… sorry." Something in Yuuna's expression wavered for just a moment. A pang of guilt rushed through Chikage. The apology tumbled out before she even thought to say it. "W-what do you need help with?" she asked while getting to her feet.
Silence. Yuuna lifted one of her legs up, showing bare skin in place of the usual thigh-high stockings she normally wore, and pulled it in close to her body, wrapping her arms around it. She laid her head against her knee, all the while never breaking eye contact.
Chikage felt her heart skip a beat, and her legs began moving.
It only took a couple moments, but closing the distance between them felt agonizingly long. Yuuna didn't usually interrupt her gaming sessions – if they weren't playing together, she was happy to simply watch. Between that and having her gaze focused solely on her, a nervous desire to just be next to Yuuna settled into Chikage's chest. To apologize for the lack of attention she was paying to her? Chikage wasn't sure. Maybe it was less that she wanted to apologize and more that she couldn't stand having Yuuna look at her so completely and not be by her side.
Chikage rounded the end of the couch. The thought had crossed her mind to stay behind Yuuna, where she could easily sit down next to her if that's what she wanted. She still didn't know what Yuuna wanted her to do. But being out of her sight just felt wrong. And the way she followed every movement with her eyes, it was like Yuuna was saying she wouldn't let her.
Barely an arm's length away, now Yuuna really was looking up at her from her spot on the couch arm. A smile on her lips, and upturned eyes grabbing her heart and not letting her look away.
She stepped in closer.
A small flicker of movement on Yuuna's lips. Chikage almost didn't catch it. By the time she had the will to break eye contact, it was gone. Her eyes lingered on Yuuna's glistening lips. Were her lips that moist just a moment ago? Her gaze flicked back up to Yuuna's. Still watching.
Her pulse quickened. A wave of self-consciousness rushed over her as a warmth settled into her cheeks. Chikage didn't feel like Yuuna was seeing right through her, like she often did. Not this time. It felt different. Somehow. Like Yuuna was seeing only her. Taking her in.
Yuuna let go of her leg and leaned in closer. Her gentle expression filled Chikage's vision. Red eyes locked with hers. Chikage saw it: a slight hitch in her smile, the nervous energy finally apparent.
"Takashima-san…" A flicker of something in Yuuna's eyes. Not displeased, but… not satisfied? And a renewed—
A light touch grabbed Chikage's attention. Over her arms and around her shoulders, Yuuna sent shivers of an unexpected anticipation through Chikage as her hands slid their way up. The light touch became a loose embrace as Yuuna slipped her arms around Chikage's shoulders, sending a rush of pink across her face. Yuuna tugged her closer still with her arms locked around her neck, close enough for Chikage to feel Yuuna's breath against her increasingly warm cheeks.
Chikage drew in a sharp breath. The thin fabric of her tights did little to mask the sensation of Yuuna's legs rubbing against one of hers. The warmth seeped through as if there was nothing between them at all. She felt Yuuna slowly wrapping her legs around her thigh. A tension gripped her uncertain heart, and her hands found the curves of Yuuna's waist.
The moment lasted for an eternity.
Yuuna slowly leaned back. She didn't get any further away. Chikage felt herself start to tip forward. Their eyes remained locked. The distance between them only seemed to get shorter. Her legs pressed up against the arm of the couch Yuuna was sitting on. Further, further, Yuuna pulled Chikage along. Her feet left the ground. Her body pressed against Yuuna. The seat cushions came into view behind Yuuna and Chikage had the distinct sensation of falling.
One bounce. The firm embrace around her neck and thigh disappeared, and in its place a soft sensation against her body. The past few seconds finally registered in her consciousness. Yuuna. She landed on top of Yuuna. Was she all right? Chikage scrambled to her hands and knees, barely able to keep herself steady on top of the generous give of the cushions. Why did she let herself fall? What was—
Chikage's mind, moments ago jolted into action, ground to a halt.
Yuuna lay directly beneath her. Chikage's knees straddled her hips. Her hands pressed down into the cushions beside her head. Black hair hung loosely in the air, bridging the gap between them, the strands brushing against Yuuna's cheeks. Tousled red hair splayed out across the cushion she rested on.
And gazing up at her, a nervous smile and eyes filled with longing.
Chikage's heart threatened to stop right then and there.
Yuuna giggled softly. With one hand, she reached up toward Chikage's reddened expression, the other finding Chikage's hand. Her fingertips stroked Chikage's cheeks and traced the edges of her lips as she guided Chikage's hand and laid it over her heart.
Her voice shuddered slightly. "Will you…?"
Chikage felt the blouse's fabric against her fingers, the thin barrier between her and the promise of warmth beneath. Yuuna's chest rose and fell beneath her palm. Her heart pulsed with the same anticipation shining in her eyes.
Entranced by those red eyes gazing up at her, Chikage lowered herself down. She gently touched her forehead to Yuuna's. She felt the wave of uncertainty in Yuuna ripple through that connection, watched it in her eyes.
That wouldn't do.
Chikage closed the last of the distance.
"Takashima-san."
A tiny peck at first, barely touching.
A light brush of their lips against each other, their warm breaths teasing each spot and left craving more.
"Takashima-san…"
Bit by bit, their lips joined together. A jolt of tender, blissful warmth spurred Chikage on. She pressed deeper, more greedily. Yuuna returned the feeling in kind, lifting her head up, pushing in, holding Chikage's head in her hand and not letting this moment escape them.
Their lips parted for a brief moment. Gasps for air echoed in the room. Their flushed cheeks burned with the lingering passion from moments before.
"Takashima…san…"
Yuuna's grip on her hand tightened.
"Gun-chan, I—" She paused, still catching her breath. "I want you to… call my name…"
Chikage's eyes widened with gradual realization.
Her name.
It was such a simple desire. Yet to fulfill it was a wide chasm she had not dared to leap across on her own. She called out to Yuuna so many times, but only as she always had, from the time they met until now, from one side of the chasm across to her. To finally be on the other side…
She desperately wanted that, too.
"Y—" Her voice caught. Wishful eyes watched Chikage's mouth soundlessly form the single word over and over, the yearning contained within their depths encouraging Chikage on.
"… Yuuna."
Beneath Chikage's hand, Yuuna's heart jumped. She felt Yuuna's fingertips brush the edges of her mouth, as if hearing it wasn't enough, as if she needed to feel the words form on her lips. A rush of emotion swept through Chikage.
"Yuuna."
The eyes Chikage still held in her own lit up. Yuuna's lips quivered. A smile of unbridled joy and contentment spread across her blushing cheeks.
Chikage wanted more. She leaned down and rubbed her cheek against Yuuna's. She wanted there to be nothing between them so Yuuna's feelings could be conveyed directly into herself. Her lips brushed against Yuuna's hair and pushed the strands aside, her breath tickling at Yuuna's ear.
"Yuuna…"
Yuuna's heart pounded in her chest as if trying to leap into Chikage's hand. Her arm slid down Chikage's back and pulled her in tight. She drew in a long, slow breath and sighed, emotions overflowing as she nuzzled against Chikage's cheek.
"Gun-chan…"
Hearing the breathy voice of her love call out to her, Chikage drew back just enough to gaze into Yuuna's eyes once again. Eyes that softly called out to her. Desiring her. She need only answer.
Chikage sought out Yuuna's lips once more and, fumbling only a little bit, undid the button between her hand and Yuuna's heart.
Author's Notes:
I've been sitting on this one for a while. For too long, honestly. I was – and still am – worried about whether I could convey their feelings in this circumstance properly in such a short length, and whether I should change or expand upon anything in this piece. But it held me back for so long that I lost sight of myself and my writing. So it's about time I release it while I'm writing my next work.
I hope this piece can stand on its own and that you enjoyed reading it. I want to write more and more scenarios where these two explore what it means to be in a relationship with each other and how they find ways to connect and deepen their feelings, regardless of what those ways may be!