The Right Balance
Summary: He was a shining beacon in their lives. Why would they want to ruin something so beautiful by fighting over him? The girls of the Literature Club realize just how awesome their mutual love interest is at balancing their needs and desires.
Me: This is a very 'feel good' fic. After playing the game and falling in love with the characters, I wanted to try my hand at giving the girls a happy ending.
This fic does not take place in a game. The characters are in the real world, hence no meddling by Monika's control of the game or such. There will be no glitches or deletes; only the story of a young man helping four young women with their troubles, with plenty of romance and fluff. It will be told primarily from the girls' point of view.
I plan on five chapters for this fic. One chapter dedicated to each girl and one centering around all of them coping with their shared relationship with the aptly named male character 'Anon.' Just like in the game, Anon is Sayori's childhood friend. By the start of this fic, he has been in the Literature Club for quite some time, having established himself firmly in the lives of all its members.
Warnings: Honestly, considering what I normally write, this is pretty tame. Rated T for kissing and descriptions, some language, and perhaps some dark subject matter (i.e. depression, past abuse, thoughts of self-harm, but only to show how far the girls have come due to Anon's presence in their lives). This will not be a dark story. Romance and humor, with a touch of hurt/comfort. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Doki Doki Literature Club or its characters.
Chapter 1: Sayori
Blushing intensely, Sayori closed her eyes and relished the feeling of his wonderful fingers working out the tangled locks of her coral pink hair. "Y-you don't have to...Anon…" She whispered shyly.
"Shush, you," he responded teasingly, treating her to a mirthful grin which made her heartbeat quicken. "I don't mind, Sayori."
"It's...It's embarrassing…"
"We do this every morning, Sayori," he pointed out, further inflaming her blush. She didn't need to be reminded how disorganized her morning routine was. She always got up late, struggled to check her appearance and enjoy a brief breakfast before heading outside to meet her childhood friend and crush for their morning walk to school. "Don't you use the alarm clock I bought you?"
"I...um...It broke. Ehehe~" She grinned sheepishly.
Anon sighed.
"Honestly, Sayori," he breathed out, but there was no annoyance to his tone. There never was, Sayori noticed. He never once complained of her neediness or disorganized manner.
"Tehe...Sorry, Anon." Perhaps, if she were inclined to be more honest, Sayori would have told him how she 'accidently' damaged the alarm clock beyond repair. If she got up early enough, that meant no special time with Anon. Despite her genuine embarrassment and blushing from having him pamper her, straightening out her uniform and fixing her hair, Sayori loved their moments together. Before the craziness and crowdedness of the school, before their lovely walk, they could be together in her room in peace. His touch, so gentle and loving, grazing over her scalp and sending shivers up her spine. His concern for her, gently prodding her for information of her current mood, going beyond normal lengths to ensure she was truly happy and comfortable. Her depression, which had plagued her since early childhood, seemingly disappeared whenever he was around. His smile, his presence, his touch...It could dispel the most depressing of thoughts. He was her shining light. Her beacon in this cruel world. Was it any wonder why she wanted to spend a little more time with him?
"All done," Anon announced proudly. Sayori glanced at herself in the mirror. Her hair was perfectly set, with delicate bangs framing her face, and her red bow was placed center instead of its normal off-kelter. "See? You look beautiful, Sayori."
She blushed deeply.
"I'm...I'm not…"
"Yes, you are," he asserted, kneeling beside her to look into her blue eyes. "You may not always see it, Sayori, but you are a very beautiful and sweet young woman."
"..." A pretty smile tugged on her lips. Oh, her Anon always knew what to say…
"There's that pretty smile," he encouraged, giving her one of his own. Her knees quivered with weakness. He was so handsome, with his dark hair and piercing light brown eyes, showering her with so much affection in a simple glance. He pecked her on the cheek. Her eyes widened and she blushed. Her skin tingled from where his lips made contact, spreading warmth throughout her soul and riding her of any lingering doubts or darkness. "You're so cute when you blush, Sayori," he teased.
Sayori pouted cutely.
"A-Anon!" She whined. "Don't tease me!"
"Sorry, Sayori." Standing up, he offered her his hand. She took it without hesitation, interlocking their fingers as she stood up from her seat. "Ready to head to school?"
Smiling widely, she nodded.
"Yep!" She glanced at him hopefully. "Can we...Can we hold hands the whole way?"
"Of course."
"Yay!" Excited, she quickly kissed him, planting her lips firmly on the corner of his mouth. She gasped when she fully processed her actions, pulling away with an embarrassed blush and a dreamy look on her face. 'I...I kissed Anon! Our lips nearly touched!' Quickly, however, anxiety filled her. What if he was upset with her daring action? Oh, no! She should've asked for permission. "I'm...Anon, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have-" Her stammerings were only decisively silenced by his lips. Anon's lips. Anon's lips touching her own. Her eyes widened. Anon was kissing her!
Was this a dream? If so, she never wanted to wake up! His lips felt so soft and comforting. Intoxicated by the kiss, the young woman was barely aware of his strong arms wrapping themselves around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. Without thought, she looped her arms around his neck, pulling her face flush against his and deepening the kiss. Their eyes were locked, honey brown meeting ocean blue, blushed present on their faces and a very deep affection conveyed by actions alone.
She could have easily stayed there forever. How long had they been kissing? She had lost track of reality the moment his warm tongue gently caressed her close lips, silently begging her for entrance. Of course, she obliged his request, parting her lips and gasping cutely when their tongues met. Electricity shot through her body. Her legs nearly gave out. If it wasn't for his hold on her waist, she would have collapsed to the floor in a puddle of emotional overload.
When her beloved finally pulled away when their lungs screamed for oxygen, she became a panting and blushing mess. She clutched at his shirt, leaning heavily against his chest, glancing up at his handsome visage with wide and sparkling blue orbs. "Anon?"
"Yes, Sayori?" He asked.
She sighed happily, snuggling against his body. The tips of his fingers were dancing up her spine, sending pleasant tingles to her core.
"Can we kiss like that every day?" Her eyes shined with so much emotion. In that moment, she wore her entire soul and heart on her sleeve. She was vulnerable. Only he would ever see this side of her. Not her frequently missing parents. Not even their cherished friends in the Literature Club. "Please?"
Chuckling, the young man hugged her tightly. She moaned when he buried his face in the crook of her neck. She could feel his warm breath tickle her skin. "Of course, Sayori. Anything you want."
"One more thing…"
"Yes, Sayori?"
As if on cue, her stomach growled. Loudly. Giggling self-consciously, she gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. "Can you please make me some waffles before we leave? Pretty please?" She was starving, and he always knew just how to make them right. Not too soggy or crispy. Just perfect...like her Anon.
Anon sighed playfully.
"You know I can't say no to you, Sayori…"
"You're the best, Anon!"
Besides, it would give her a chance to spend more time with him alone, with all the delicious waffles and toe-curling kisses that entailed.
Classes were boring. Sayori wondered if she would have even attended school if not for Anon and the Literature Club. Math was especially a dread. She wasn't good with numbers. All the equations on the chalkboard gave her such a headache, making her pout and whine as her brain struggled to comprehend the slew of formulas. Homework wasn't so bad. Anon or Yuri usually set aside the time to help her, even painstakingly explaining the nature of the equations to her as literal steam escaped her ears from the process overload. Sayori tried her best, but math was soooooooo boring…
Still, it could be worse. Math class meant she could sit with Anon for forty-five minutes. Sure, the teacher lectured throughout the alloted time, droning on about irritating numbers, but her Anon sat right beside her. She paid far more attention to her beloved than the actual class, shooting him longing and dreamy glances, teasingly brushing her foot against his leg. She enjoyed distracting him. During class, he got this adorable, concentrated look on his face as he wrote down notes and listened to the lectures. It was fun to see if she could break his concentration, more so after their breathtaking makeout session earlier in the morning. She was riding the Anon high. She wanted more.
While her other classmates were busy writing notes and the teacher continued to lecture with his back turned, Sayori decided to act. Grinning, she stretched her leg across the small gap between their desks, grazing his pant leg with her foot and causing a noticeable stiffening in his posture. She fought hard to stifle her giggles as he shot her an incredulous look. She offered a sheepish grin. It was his fault for being so damn cute. It was just asking to be teased.
Carefully watching the others in the room, she continued to mess with him, dragging her foot up and down the side of his leg. She had slid off her shoe, leaving her foot clad in only a white sock, using her big toe to create what she hoped was a sensual and tingling gesture. 'Oh, he's blushing!' She swooned, noticing the slight reddening of his cheeks when her foot ascended a little too high. Satisfaction filled her. Normally, it was him making her blush. It was nice to see a change of pace.
Witnessing the teacher preparing to call on students to answer several questions on the board, Sayori struggled to contain a frustrated sigh as she was forced to abandon her teasing. She pouted. No fair! She wanted to tease her Anon a little more. He was so adorable with that blush on his face, so handsome and dignified in his school uniform while he took notes. How was she able to concentrate on boring math when he was right next to her? None of the other girls shared this class with them, so it was one of the few precious moments she had him to herself. She wanted to enjoy herself.
With the proverbial light bulb going off in her head, Sayori quickly tore a piece of paper from her notebook, utterly devoid of notes and filled only with absent minded doodles. Smiling excitedly, she scribbled a few words on the paper.
Hi, Anon! Isn't math so boring?
When the teacher's back was turned, she crumbled up the paper and tossed it to him. She inwardly cheered when it landed right in front of him, bringing his note taking to a halt as he furrowed his brow at the unexpected ball of paper. She watched him unwind the ball with baited breath. What would be his reply?
She was practically bouncing in her seat when her reply came in the form of a paper airplane. Gracefully, it landed on top of her notebook, bearing a message she couldn't wait to decipher.
Hi, Sayori. You should be taking notes. We have a test tomorrow.
Sayori pouted. That wasn't the response she wanted! Determined, she wrote him another note, this time changing the subject.
You're so cute when you blush, Anon!
She cheered upon seeing him blush from reading said statement. Yay! Score one for her! Math class could be so much fun when you took out...Well, the math.
Another paper airplane landed on her desk. Her fingers quickly enfolded its carefully bent edges.
You're going to beg me for math tutoring later tonight, aren't you?
Her reply came quick. It was an easily answered question.
Yep! Anon is the best tutor!
She paused. Blushing, another thought entered her head. Before he could reply to her last note, she made another one.
Can we kiss some more? Plz?
She watched him nervously as he unfolded her message. She hoped it wasn't asking too much.
Another paper airplane. This time she caught it!
Here? In the middle of class?
She blushed profusely. No! She meant...She meant when they were alone tonight, when he was tutoring her. To kiss in public...She didn't know if her poor heart could handle it!
Her shaking fingers quickly meant to write her reply, but she was too slow. Feeling a warm hand on her cheek, she turned just in time for Anon's lips to touch hers. Everyone was so focused on their notes and the teacher was writing new equations, but Sayori could scarcely fathom all of that. Her mind shut down the moment his wonderful and soft lips made contact. Her face resembled a tomato as her beloved crush ran his tongue over her bottom lip, teasing her with gentle licks and a little nibble which left her a quivering mess.
He pulled back several seconds later. Any longer would have risked them getting caught. Blinking dreamily and giving him a goofy grin, she only just discovered another paper airplane on her desk.
And you're very beautiful when you blush, Sayori. Like a perfect angel.
'A-Anon…' Tears in her eyes, she glanced at him. He smiled at her, giving her an affirmative nod and a wink. Overwhelmed with affection, she wrote a message with a shaky hand. Her body was a wreck with emotions. She was so giddy, she had to right the message again because her handwriting was too shaky. Tentatively, she passed the message to him. She pressed her fingers together shyly. What would he think?
I love you.
Her hopes rosed to new heights when a wide smile graced his perfect face. She awaited a reply. She watched out for another paper plane. She was pleasantly surprised when he leaned over the divide between them, pressing his lips to her cheek and whispering his reply.
"I love you, Sayori." His lips lingered for a brief moment. She could feel his smile against her skin. When he pulled away, she locked gazes with him. In that one single gaze, she tried to transmit every ounce of affection she held for him. She was blushing and smiling like an idiot, but she didn't care. All that mattered was that her crush returned her affections.
And there, lying innocently on her desk, was another paper plane.
Should I come over at seven tonight?
Sayori held the note to her chest lovingly.
Yes. Can you bring snacks?
His affirmative reply left her struggling to contain an exclamation of joy. Tonight would be perfect!
"This movie is really scary," Sayori whispered, clinging to his torso as she pulled the blanket fearfully over her eyes to shield her from the scary movie.
Anon laughed.
"Sayori...This is Finding Nemo. It's not scary."
"..." She pouted. "I don't like the sharks. Too many teeth."
"Fair enough."
After Anon arrived at her house, not much got done in the name of studying. Math hurt her head. Literally. Watching the equations fly across the sheet of paper as Anon wrote them gave her a headache. When it quickly became clear Sayori wasn't interested in practicing her formulas, Anon brought out the popcorn and chips, and they settled together on the couch in her living room for an impromptu movie night.
She wore an oversized, light yellow shirt with white dots covering the fabric and a pair of black shorts. It was very comfortable attire. She wore a similar combination every night when she went to bed. She had changed from her school clothes when she realized they would spend the majority of their evening watching movies and enjoying snacks instead of practicing stupid math. Anon, still clad in his school uniform when he bustled over to her house, removed his tie and white collar shirt, leaving him in a gray undershirt and black slacks. A blanket was draped over their bodies, a bowl of popcorn was snuggled between them, and Sayori was practically sitting in his lap...Her cheeks burned bright red just thinking about it.
"Anon…?"
"Yes?"
Shifting in his lap, she glanced up at him hopefully.
"Can we...You know?" She blushed, too embarrassed to ask directly. She eyed his soft lips. They looked very enticing, very tempting under the soft glow of the television screen washing over their bodies. She remembered vividly the feeling of them, the spine-tingling sensation of having them pressed against her own, sending warmth and butterflies throughout her core. And in class, when he had kissed her so suddenly and they were moments away from getting caught by their fellow classmates and teacher, she thought her heart would explode.
"Kiss?" He asked, a teasing grin tugging on his lips.
Blushing, she could only nod, hugging his torso tightly.
"Of course." He tipped her chin up. Looking into her blue eyes, he kissed her.
It was perfect. She shifted into his lap fully, parting her thighs to straddle his lower torso as she pressed her body against his chest. She opened her lips, silently begging him to deepen their tender kiss. He did not disappoint. His arms encircled her waist, holding her so gently and lovingly, and his tongue snaked between her lips, sending shivers up her spine. The instant their tongues touched, she melted in his lap, pressing her full weight against him to support her overwhelmed body. Her fingers tugged on his dark locks, displaying a desperate need for more of his touch as she poured her entire being into the kiss.
What had she done to deserve him? His kisses and touch pushed away all traces of the darkness that once clung to her psyche. Her abandonment by her parents, the utter loneliness which had threatened to overwhelm her from the years living by herself in this large house, and the depression she always struggled to contain...All of her problems vanished when in the company of him. She remembered, very briefly, worrying that his attention would lessen after he joined the Literature Club. Would he still be interested in her well-being and company when surrounded by other, attractive girls?
Sayori had never been so happy to be wrong in her whole life. What was she thinking? Her Anon was not like most men. He treated all of them fairly and gave them plenty of attention. She was not the only one with personal demons. Her friends shared their own burdens, were plagued by their own problems, yet this young man had the ability to seemingly rid them of their troubles. Sure, she experienced jealousy when she watched him fret about the other girls, but she knew he cared deeply for her. That was enough for her.
And if she could get kisses and lots of snuggle time with him? And snacks to boot? Ehehe~...Paradise!
"Anon?" She muttered against his lips.
"Hmmm?"
"Can you do something for me?" Her blue eyes shined wide with affection and hopefulness. Her bottom lip quivered. No man could resist such adorable pleading.
"Anything," he whispered, planting another peck on her very kissable lips.
Her stomach growled. Anon blinked. Sayori blushed embarrassingly.
"Can you please make me some more popcorn?" Letting go of his hair, she gestured to the now empty bowl resting next to them on the couch. "Pretty please?" Hearing him laugh, she pouted. "Hey! Don't make fun of me!" She exclaimed, lightly flicking his nose.
"Sayori?" He asked, wiping away a tear from his laughter.
"Y-yes?" She blushed when he cupped her face gently. Tenderly, he placed a loving kiss on her forehead. "A...Anon?"
He smiled.
"Do me a favor? Never change, Sayori. You're perfect the way you are."
Me: Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter will be about Natsuki! See you then!