AN: This is actually the first part of a series, I guess, involving DCMK pairings and seasons + nap. Naturally I started off with my femslash of choice, Serasono. It's the good stuff. Anyways, please enjoy this cute fluffy oneshot.

Autumn Colors

Characters: Sera Masumi, Suzuki Sonoko

Summary: When Sera shows up at Sonoko's house well before the crack of dawn, telling her that she has a surprise to show her, she never could have imagined what it would be.

"Are you going to tell me what this is all about, Sera-chan?"

"I've told you already, Sonoko- it's a surprise!"

Sera's cheerful sounding voice was all that Sonoko could hear- other than the crunching sound of leaves beneath her feet. Not only had she woken her up before the crack of dawn, rousing complaints from both of her parents about the early morning visitor, but she had also dragged her all the way out to here- wherever here was she thought, considering she had no idea. On top of all of that, she had blindfolded her, the sly grin on her face being the last thing she saw before the white fabric was wrapped around her eyes.

"It had better be worth it, getting me up this early in the morning. The sun's not even up yet!" Sonoko couldn't help but huff, puffing out her cheeks. Nevertheless, she let Sera guide her along, the girl carefully having placed one hand around her shoulder, navigating her through what she was pretty certain was some kind of forest, given the sound of crunching leaves. Every so often she would tell her to softly watch her step, carefully guiding her over some unseen obstacle, making certain that she never lost her balance or tripped.

The brisk autumn air sent a slight shiver down her spine, and though she couldn't see it, she could feel hot air billowing out as she breathed. It was already starting to get a bit colder, especially before the sun came up to provide them with some much needed warmth. Sera had instructed her to dress warmly, and to wear sensible shoes- to which Sonoko had complied, for the most part.

Perhaps a miniskirt was not her best choice. She should have put on some stockings to go with it, but she'd still been half asleep when she got dressed as it was. She hadn't thought of it at the time.

"Trust me, it'll be worth it." Sera promised her. "Oh, be careful here." Carefully taking Sonoko's hand in with her free one, she helped her step over something- maybe a tree root, she thought to herself. "It's just a little bit further now, Sonoko."

"Yes, yes." Sonoko heaved a long sigh. Truth be told, she didn't mind being this close to Sera- having her arm wrapped around her shoulder was rather nice. And if it wasn't this early in the morning, she would probably enjoy it all the more. "But I don't see why you had to wake me up so early. I'm not really a morning person, you know."

"It has to be morning, or it's no good!" Sera insisted, and Sonoko could almost hear the bright smile on her face. "Ah, we're here!"

Finally, Sonoko thought to herself, as she was lead to a stop. When Sera pulled her hand away from her shoulder, she almost felt a bit lonely- until the girl reached up, removing the blindfold that she'd tied around her eyes what must have been at least two hours ago. Blinking her eyes a little, Sonoko took a moment to focus them- and felt her breath catching in her throat.

Illuminated by the rising sun, what must have been hundreds of trees spread out before them- red, yellow, orange, all of the colors of fall dancing in the dawning sunlight. As Sonoko took a step closer towards the viewing platform that Sera had brought her too, she glanced down, catching the sight of the sun's rays hitting the flowing river below them, the water dancing in the light. As the sun slowly rose higher and higher in the sky, the colors of fall became more bright, more vivid, carpeting the mountains that stretched out just beyond them.

"It's beautiful!" Glancing back towards Sera, almost half hating to take her eyes off of the sight, Sonoko's eyes sparkled. "Is this what you wanted to show me, Sera-chan?"

"That's right." Sera told her, a wide grin on her face. "My brother showed me this place once when I was really little, so I wanted to pass it on to someone dear to me in turn. So? Wasn't it worth the trip?"

"Yes!" Nodding her head, Sonoko turned her gaze back towards the scene before her, watching as the color of the sky slowly changed. As the warmth of the sun's rays reached her, they seemed to dash away the slight chill that had seeped itself into her body, as if washing away any worries that she might ever possibly have. "It's a wonderful place, Sera-chan."

"That's great to hear!" Carefully taking Sonoko's hand, she guided her towards the single bench that had been placed on the viewing platform. She was glad to see that nobody else was there this morning, and for a moment, it was as if the world had shrunken down to just the two of them. "I brought some hot chocolate, if you want some."

She hadn't made it herself, mind you- her mother had given her a long, drawn out look when Sera had told her about her plan- before she ducked into the tiny kitchen of their hotel room, emerging not long after with a thermos of hot chocolate, insisting that she take it with her. Sera hadn't even been aware that they owned a thermos, nor the materials for making hot chocolate in the first place, but from the way that Sonoko's eyes lit up at the offer, it would appear that she had been right on the mark.

"I would love some!" Sonoko told her.

"Then, just give me one second." Sera said, carefully opening the lid of the thermos up, pouring some of the still piping hot beverage into it, and carefully handing it over towards Sonoko. She took it gratefully from her, taking a whiff of the chocolate aroma, before she took a sip. "Is it good?"

"Yes. It's delicious." Sonoko told her, a hint of a sly grin painting her own face now. "You try some too, Sera-chan."

"Going for an indirect kiss, are we?" Sera teased lightly, her own smile only growing at the faint red tint that lit Sonoko's cheeks up. "Well, I can't turn down an offer from a pretty girl, now can I?"

Carefully taking the lid from her, Sera quickly took a drink of the hot chocolate herself, feeling the hot beverage seep through her bones. Just as she opened her mouth, ready to pass it back towards Sonoko, she felt a light sense of pressure on her shoulder- and blinked, glancing down to notice that Sonoko had apparently dozed off, her head lightly resting on her shoulder.

Smiling to herself, Sera carefully rested the lid in her lap, watching the steady rise and fall of Sonoko's chest. Maybe early morning had been a little bit too much for her- but sunset wouldn't quite have the same effect.

For the moment, she would let her sleep, head lightly resting on her shoulder. It was a comfortable place to be.