A/N: Second version of this fic; first version I just wasn't too happy with so this took a little longer than expected.

Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy~

Our Eden

It got dark fast in Trinity, at this time of year.

A fact Azusa idly noted as she wandered down the long halls of the dormitory wing, backpack over one shoulder and her eyes aimlessly scanning the windows. With only a row of low-light bulbs on the walls to guide her way there was little to see but the moonlight spilling in through the tall paned windows, curtains left ajar and letting her sample the distant sights of the academy.

However her focus wasn't on the distant sights, but on the worries plaguing her heart. Hifumi had invited her to a sleepover. Just her. Not her and Hanako, not her and Koharu, only her and her alone. The thought was enough to warm her cheeks and leave her throat feel full of cotton – though they'd spent time in each other's company before, that was usually during the day or at study sessions.

This was different. Or maybe it wasn't and she was just overthinking things. Or maybe Hifumi was trying to hint something to her? The prospects, the possibilities, left Azusa's cheeks hot and her heart uncertain – she didn't want to be too bold and ruin their treasured friendship, but if this was an opportunity then she wanted to take it.

Oh she wanted to take it so very much... but, fear of rejection was a good way at keeping her at bay.

''Haah...'' Azusa sighed softly, coming to a stop in front of Hifumi's dorm.

Rolling her shoulder a bit Azusa raised her hand and knocked, the dull trio of thumps echoing out in the otherwise still corridor. Moments later she heard muffled movement from the other side of the door, rapidly approaching – before with a click of the lock the door practically swung open inwards, revealing the beaming face of Hifumi...

...in a onesie.

A very, very cute onesie. It was a white Peroro-themed one with a hood bearing the mascot's face, the pale interior framing Hifumi's beaming visage and the baggy nature of the onesie leaving it looking so spacious and cosy some inappropriate part of her brain wondered if they could both fit in there together, body-to-body...

''Hm? Azusa-chan, you there?''

''A-Ah?'' Azusa flinched out of her thoughts. ''Y-Yes, sorry, I just... found your onesie cute...''

The confession came out shyly but Hifumi just beamed an even brighter smile right back. ''You do?! Thanks! I found this one at an auction last week, turns out it was a limited-edition onesie from a decade ago when they first got into clothing and-''

Hifumi rambled on, overjoyed to chat about her favourite mascot, and Azusa was happy to listen. Partially because she liked Peroro too and found the onesie cute, yes... but more importantly because she loved the sight of Hifumi being happy. It was part of the blonde's charm, in Azusa's opinion; her boundless enthusiasm, her sense of justice, her honest and unabashed passion. She was the light of Trinity, not that she'd say it aloud.

Only if because it'd draw questions as to why she called her such. Questions, Azusa was too embarrassed to answer.

Dispelling the thought Azusa unslung her bag just as Hifumi finished rambling; pulling out a couple bags of sweets and stuff she'd brought along. Hifumi accepted them gladly and carried them over to her comfy bed; the quilt pushed back and several bowls already laid out, the TV across from the bed turned on and ready to play the movie within.

As Hifumi did that Azusa slipped into the bathroom, putting her back to the door and drawing a breath. The simple act helped cool her mind and steady her heartbeat, and without a word she stripped out of her uniform, slipping into a more comfortable pink buttoned top and some white shorts. Not the most conservative clothing she could've worn, but she got hot easily and didn't want to share a bed and get uncomfortably hot. She hoped Hifumi would be okay with it.

'Hifumi...' Azusa cupped her cheeks, realising how warm they felt. 'Hifumi... Hifumi Hifumi Hifumi...!'

Just saying her name made her heart beat like crazy, it wasn't even funny. She wasn't oblivious to the fact she liked her friend, it'd been obvious to her for weeks, but that didn't make it any easier to deal with. Quite the contrary; she had to watch her actions, make sure she didn't let anything slip, prevent herself from going too far when they play-wrestled on the grass... more than once she nearly recoiled as she leaned in for a rather inappropriately-tight hug, hiding the reaction from Hifumi only barely. She knew without a doubt if Hifumi noticed, then she'd get upset, thinking something was wrong.

However she could do this, she told herself. She just needed to act normal and enjoy this.

'Easier said than done...' A small part of her mind lamented.

However Azusa quelled such doubts, nodded to herself, and with a small smile returned to Hifumi's side.

X-x-X

She was on a street.

Or was it a battlefield?

She couldn't remember. Her head hurt, her eyesight blurry, her hearing naught but a high-pitched whine that worsened her pounding headache. The road ahead was splintered up in chunks of concrete, street-lights sparked from their askew angles, the sky was darkened with impossibly-thick clouds.

'Where am I...?' Azusa wondered, moaning pitifully as she tried to crawl.

She found something to grip onto - the edge of some concrete? - and pulled herself up onto one hand, looking up-

-only to find Hifumi there.

Bloody.

Bruised.

Broken.

''H-Hifumi...'' The name stuttered from her lips limply – before panic took hold. ''Hifumi!''

Unheeding of the weighty nausea pulling her head down Azusa stumbled over to her friend, ice-cold panic gripping her heart as she raised her friend's, her love's head up – but her eyes were vacant and staring at the sky. She refused to believe it, pinching her cheek and shaking her harshly, but she didn't so much as stir. She was-

No, she wasn't. She was just wounded, that was all.

'Doctor... I need to get a Doc-'

Suddenly more bullets – had there been some previously? – rained down on her like a carpet bombing, hitting her back and sending spikes of pain through her, making Azusa cry out and fall onto her front. She shielded Hifumi though, covering her with her body. It just made her realise how cold Hifumi felt.

''Kill. Kill. Kill.'' A robotic voice called out from somewhere behind her.

Azusa tried to turn but her body wouldn't let her, the coldness of Hifumi's body pulling her in, the chill seeping into her bones and making her eyes burn-

-and then suddenly she was awake.

Azusa stared at the ceiling overhead, dimmed by the darkness as it was. Her breathing was hard, her skin felt hot, her mind in disarray. It wasn't the first time she'd been in such a state, she knew the signs of a nightmare, but just because she knew didn't mean she could banish its effects. All she could do was stare at the ceiling, envisioning the horrid scene of Hifumi's stone-cold body on the concrete full of bullet wounds and absent of all life.

''Azusa-chan?''

Azusa flinched, tilting her head to the right. There, just a few inches away, was Hifumi. The blonde was still wearing her onesie but looked wide-awake, the small digital clock on her bedside table reading two in the morning. Instantly guilt washed over Azusa and she looked aside, the emotion pooling in her gut uncomfortably.

That was until a hand, soft and slim, cupped her cheek. Despite her reluctance she leaned into it and turned to face Hifumi once more, their faces lit by the dim glow of their halos like their own personal nightlights. No words were said but the gentle concern in Hifumi's eyes was undeniable, and when Hifumi shifted closer Azusa could do nothing but open her arms, accepting the tight hug her crush gave.

''Are you okay?'' Hifumi whispered into her ear. ''Did you have a nightmare?''

''...mmhm...'' Azusa quietly agreed.

Hifumi held onto her tighter. ''What was it about?''

Azusa hesitated. At Hifumi's gentle squeeze however she spilled the beans, albeit reluctantly – telling of waking up in a destroyed street, of finding her laying dead mere feet away from her and full of bullet wounds, of being shot at but trying her best to protect her still... just recounting it brought fresh, pinprick tears to Azusa's eyes, her lilac eyes screwed shut as she spoke, as she confessed the contents of her horrid dream.

Until soon she ran out of things to say. Hifumi said nothing for a long minute, the silence seeming to stretch but giving Azusa the much-needed time to compose herself – the process of which was disrupted as Hifumi shifted, her softly-spoken words tickling her ear. ''Are you okay?''

Azusa opened her mouth, closed it, then tucked her face into Hifumi's neck. ''No.''

Hifumi made a gentle sound of understanding and petted her back, rubbing small circles on it in a way that just made Azusa feel so safe. How the blonde did it was beyond her, but just being held by her gave her a reassurance, a comfort that nobody else could. It didn't matter that, pragmatically speaking, Hifumi wasn't as good a fighter as 'those people' from her past. If there was anyone in the whole world she'd have at her back, it'd be Hifumi.

Her heart demanded so, damn the consequences.

''Hifumi...'' Azusa whispered, clutching onto her friend's onesie. ''C-Can I... tell you something?''

''Yeah, of course.'' Hifumi agreed with a small, tender smile, pulling back to look her in the eyes.

''Promise me you won't laugh.''

''Pinkie promise.''

Azusa's lips twitched up into a tiny, shaky smile; the expression lasting for just a second but genuine nonetheless. ''I... I-I...''

Why was this so hard? She'd faced down roaming gangs of thugs, challenged mechanical monsters and won – and yet this was what made her stumble and trip? She almost wanted to laugh, but there was no humour to be found in her vocal paralysis.

So she gave up speaking and let her actions speak for her.

''Azu- mmph?!''

Azusa closed the distance in a heartbeat, connecting her lips with Hifumi's own. It was a rushed kiss, desperate; panicked, even. She counted to three in her mind and drew back as sharply as she'd arrived, her cheeks rapidly heating up and her eyes averting off to the side, refusing to look at Hifumi's face, to see her reaction. Startled silence answered her and when it began to drag on Azusa dared to look back, part of her dying inside when she saw the shocked look on her friend's face.

''H-Hifumi, I'm-''

''You... like me like that?''

Azusa felt many emotions then, so much it all jumbled into one big mess. ''Y-Yes...''

''For how long...?''

How long indeed? ''Weeks. Months, maybe...''

Another long pause, one that made Azusa want to crawl under the bed and die in a cold dark hole where nobody would see her cringe out of existence. However she was startled when she felt Hifumi's hand on her cheek, tilting her head up slightly... and allowing her to see Hifumi's startled, but surprisingly warm expression, her lips slowly curling up into a familiar sweet smile and her gold eyes gentle as ever.

''You should've told me sooner Azusa-chan.'' Hifumi said softly, leaning in. ''Because the truth is... I like you too.''

Then Hifumi was kissing her. It was gentler than Azusa's own kiss, more natural. Hesitation slowed her movements but there was an earnestness that made Hifumi mash her lips against her own, frying Azusa's mind as she had her real first kiss – and then her mind restarted itself and she kissed back, eagerly pouring her love into the act. Hifumi made an adorable grunting sound and tilted her head slightly, both of them drawing back momentarily only to mash their lips back together a split-second later, the kiss becoming a little more heated.

A heat that only built as they went at it a third time; lungs refilled with air and emboldening them to drag the kiss out. Beneath the thick quilt their legs shifted about and Azusa tensed as she felt Hifumi's leg go between her own, the innocuous motion made all the more embarrassing when Azusa pushed herself forwards a little, her crotch flush against Hifumi's covered thigh. Yet she didn't protest, didn't mention it, and just kissed Hifumi more.

Until Hifumi eventually pulled back for a breather, panting a little. ''Mm... y-you're a good kisser, eheh...''

''Thanks.'' Azusa whispered with rosy cheeks, throat threatening to close up with embarrassment but doing her best to vocalise the sheer love she felt for the blonde.

Hifumi tried to adjust her leg then and realised where it was; something that brought a rosy blush to her cheeks. ''Oh, um... sorry.''

''No it's fine.'' Azusa answered quickly, her face growing hotter. ''Really, I... I like it there.''

Her words only made Hifumi more flustered but with a shy sort of smile the blonde leaned in again, stealing a slow kiss. One that Azusa all too happily returned, her lips connecting with Hifumi in a low chain of smacking lips. Hifumi made the first move and gently rested her hand on Hifumi's side, stroking it through her clothes before daringly moving it lower, hesitation once more slowing her down – until Azusa grabbed her first and guided it up her top.

Hifumi made an embarrassed sound but didn't pull back from the kiss; eyes gently shut as she ran her hand up Azusa's bare side, tracing her slim waist all the way up to her chest – taking a handful of Azusa's left tit and kneading it, the smallness of it not deterring Hifumi in the slightest. Azusa whined into the kiss but didn't tell her to stop, instead opting to grab the front of Hifumi's zipper and pull her onesie open, keeping the kiss going until that zipper reached the crotch.

Only then did Azusa pull back from the kiss, panting but aroused. Her eyes quickly ran down Hifumi's front, soaking in the sight of her collarbone, the lack of any bra that left her small budding breasts on display, her flat stomach that led down to a smooth groin, her crotch covered only by a pair of white panties and nothing more. The sight made Azusa gulp but without a word she reached up and started groping Hifumi's left breast, savouring how soft it felt in her palm and how perky her nipple was; said nipple becoming hard the more that Azusa rubbed it.

''Ah, Azusa...'' Hifumi moaned cutely. ''Your hand is cold...''

''Sorry...''

''Hehe... it's fine. I don't mind it, really...''

Another kiss quietened their conversation, a mutual moan shared between their lips as they kissed once another and felt each other up. They'd seen each other naked plenty of times in the communal baths. They'd seen each other in underwear at sleepovers. But there was something entirely unique about actually being able to touch one another without restraint, without regret – slow, curious touches only turning each other on more and more, their pure love giving way to budding lust.

Until Azusa dared to go a little further, releasing Hifumi's kneaded breast and down to her stomach, tracing a line along the waistband of her panties. Hifumi pulled back from the kiss with a gentle moan and look Azusa in the eyes, a silent conversation seeming to pass between the two of them – before Hifumi gave her a gentle nod, and then leaned back in for another kiss. A kiss that Azusa gave gladly, smacking lips with her best friend and newfound lover as she slipped her left hand down into Hifumi's panties, her fingers tracing Hifumi's nether lips. They were smooth and slightly puffy, enticing Azusa's fingers further down, probing at her entrance and surprised to find her already a little wet. Was a little groping all that it took to make her aroused?

Then again, Azusa had to muse, she was feeling a little hot and bothered too.

Swallowing back an embarrassed moan Azusa reached down with her right hand, hooking a thumb into her shorts and pushing them out and down to her thighs, showing her own pussy. Hifumi didn't ask questions and gently cupped it, her palm so warm it made Azusa's spine tickle – a low moan tumbling out of her throat as Hifumi rubbed her slit slowly, fingers delicately rubbing at her slit and getting her wet fast, her folds becoming slick and sticky with her want.

Then almost as one they slid a finger into each other. The gentle penetration made them pull back from the kiss with a mutual gasp, faces alight yet eyes darkened by lust – before with a softer mutual moan their lips reconnected in another kiss, mashing lips with moans abound and soon adding a second finger each, pumping them into each other.

Azusa broke off the kiss first, breathing heavily. ''H-Have you ever done this before?''

In the dim glow of their halos Hifumi's face was gently lit, her blush easily seen. ''N-No. You?''

Azusa's throat closed up but she pushed the words out regardless. ''Y-Yes.''

''Like... once, or-?''

''A lot.'' Azusa felt dizzy but she kept talking, kept confessing. ''At least once a week. Maybe twice or more.''

Hifumi looked equal parts surprised and embarrassed by the information but there was no judgement in her eyes, no scandalised condemnation... if anything, she almost seemed turned on by the idea. ''I-I see... then, can you show me how to do it.''

Azusa gulped and nodded, shuffling in until her forehead was resting against Hifumi's. ''Just keep moving your fingers like tha- mn... that's it, that part feels good for me.''

''What if I rub here-?''

''Mn~!'' Azusa had to bite her lip as her clit was stroked. ''Y-Yes, there. Please.''

Flustered but earnest as ever Hifumi whispered an agreement, stimulating her clit with a slew of gentle rubs and tender flicks, her thumb moving slowly and cautiously – but Azusa was honestly so turned on just a little rubbing felt heavenly. She returned the favour as best she could, fingering Hifumi hurriedly and soon stroking at her clit too, coaxing it out of its hood and rubbing the little bundle of nerves until Hifumi moaned openly, the sweet sound ringing in her ears.

Up until she kissed her newfound lover, devouring her adorable voice and fingering her faster. She felt like she was getting close, her body starting to tense and her mind whitening, but she couldn't stop herself – didn't want to. So instead she focused on making Hifumi feel as good as possible, pumping her digits into Hifumi's slick pussy and feeling her tighten around her intruding digits, the slimness of her fingers doing little to displease her partner.

''A-Ah, ah, Azusa, s-something...!''

''Let it happen.'' Azusa managed to puff out, her toes curling. ''Just don't stop, please...!''

Hifumi didn't bother to nod and just moaned, her lips sealing against Azusa's own a split-second later. As one they moaned and as one they worked their wrists; fingering each other endlessly and working themselves up, their loins afire and their muscles taut as they got each other off. Azusa clung onto her restraint as best she could, wanting this moment to last forever – but having Hifumi finger her felt too good. Way, way too good.

''A-Ah, yes-!''

''Azu-!''

Sharp inhales, strangled cries – and then a hurried, rushed kiss; muffling their strangled voices as they came in unison. Their bodies thrashed beneath the covers and they humped each other's hands desperately, pushing themselves against one another as they derived as much pleasure as physically possible, their orgasms leaving them nigh-convulsing in their moment of bliss.

Then at some point coherency returned and their orgasms jerked to a stop; leaving Azusa gasping into Hifumi's neck, spasming and shuddering against her lover. Hifumi held onto the back of her shirt, holding her close, as if to reaffirm that she was really there. Azusa didn't brush her hand off and just stayed where she was, mind still fried and spots in her vision from when she'd screwed her eyes shut too tight, the thought bringing a breathless half-smile to her lips.

''That was...'' Azusa breathed out.

''Y-Yeah.'' Hifumi said, before giggling. ''That felt amazing.''

Azusa murmured an agreement, just laying there with the blonde for what felt like minutes on end – idly pulling her fingers out of Hifumi as her lover did the same. The absence of fingers in her loins, however, reignited her lust. One that also tempted her to shift, a new want in her heart.

''Hey... can I try something?''

Hifumi blinked but nodded, curious... and her face went scarlet when Azusa slid under the covers. Seconds later Hifumi was rolled onto her back as Azusa got between her legs, pulling the zipper down as far as it could and exposing Hifumi's panty-clad pussy, the front of her underwear damp with her juices. It remained there though only until Azusa pulled it aside, exposing Hifumi's puffy nether lips that glistened with her arousal, encouraging Azusa to lean in – and take a lick.

''Ah-!'' Hifumi clasped a hand over her mouth, red-faced. ''A-Azusa-chan?''

''Does it feel good?'' Azusa murmured back, licking her pussy again,.

The cute, strangled moan she got out of her lover told her well enough of that, bringing a small smile to Azusa's lips. Without another word said she closed her eyes and worked her tongue more, licking her folds or going between them, just tasting her. She'd never performed oral on another person but she'd watched explicit videos containing it; her subpar knowledge based solely on that.

However lust was a powerful motivator and Azusa did her best to provide her lover with all the pleasure she could have; licking her pussy a lot before going up to her clit, teasing the little bundle of nerves. Hifumi let out the most adorable whine yet, both hands reaching down and clutching onto Azusa's head, pulling her into her crotch and encouraging the pale-haired girl to keep eating her out, tongue working constantly.

''A-Ah, Azusa-chan t-that... ahn...!'' Hifumi whimpered out, legs trying to shut only for Azusa to push them open once more.

It was a little tricky to keep eating her out with the onesie in the way, the crotch part exposed only just, but Azusa kept eating her out nonetheless – one hand keeping the onesie pulled down so she could drag her tongue over Hifumi's clit. Incidentally her cheeks rubbed against Hifumi's thighs more than once, allowing her to feel how soft and warm they were, the gentle glow of her halo illuminating her lover's thighs perfectly.

Azusa savoured the sight; eyes soaking in every little detail as she worked, her tongue in constant motion. From the way Hifumi's thighs tensed to how her stomach grew taut to even how she subtly writhed against the sheets from the slightest lick, all of it was laid bare to Azusa; encouraging her. Hifumi did that well enough with her voice too – an endless stream of soft whimpers and gasping moans tickling her ears, shuddering and laboured as they were.

Until faster than she expected Hifumi climaxed. The blonde cried out into her shoulder and pulled Azusa down with both hands, holding her into her crotch as she orgasmed – thrusting her hips up and writhing in utter bliss, the sight only encouraging Azusa to keep tonguing her clit, keeping her orgasm rolling for as long as physically possible, to make her feel like she on cloud nine.

Then all at once Hifumi went slack, moaning pitiably as she flopped limply against the sheets, panting heavily.

Azusa demurely pulled her face away from her lover's crotch, idly wiping her chin dry and just savouring the sight of her in such a state – by her own hand no less. Or tongue, in this case.

After a long moment Hifumi stirred from her orgasmic daze and sat up on her elbows, staring down at her with a budding smile, a word on her lips-

-when they heard people moving about in the hallway.

Both froze for a solid second. Then in a blur of motion Hifumi pulled the bed covers back up over them and Azusa squirmed up next to Hifumi, head on the pillow with eyes gently shut on the off-chance one of the night wardens decided to poke their head in to make sure they were sleeping and not causing mischief. In the process however Hifumi ended up spooning her, half-naked body pressing up against her back and making Azusa acutely aware of how close they were.

Hifumi herself must've realised as she whispered something that might've been an apology, but was spoken far too softly. Azusa said nothing in reply, just keeping her breathing as soft as possible and focusing on the noise outside. Whoever was in the hallway mercifully passed, only a slight lag in their step as if contemplating checking on some students before going on. Seconds ticked by and only when their footsteps faded from her hearing did Azusa allow herself to breathe, relaxing.

''...that was close...'' She murmured.

''Y-Yeah.'' Hifumi uttered an agreement, breath warm on her nape. ''Um, Azusa-chan...''

''What is it?''

''...can we keep going?''

Azusa stiffened, not solely by the request, but at the feeling of something pressing against her crotch. For a moment she thought it was Hifumi's hand but when she peeked down she realised it wasn't; instead, it was one of Hifumi's stuffed Peroro cuddly toys, the body white and the beak yellow – the beak itself being the thing pushing into her crotch. The sensation made Azusa bite her bottom lip, a shudder travelling through her when Hifumi insistently pushed it into her crotch once more, the beak rubbing against just the right spot.

Hifumi took her shuddering breath as an answer in and of itself, smiling slightly as she started rubbing the stuffed toy into her crotch. Azusa just shut her eyes and enjoyed it, a weak moan passing her lips as she did so. Deftly she reached down and hooked her thumbs into her white shorts, peeling them down to her knees and tugging her soaked panties down with them once more, exposing her pussy to Hifumi better. A fact the blonde took advantage of gladly; earnest as she pushed Peroro's beak against her pussy.

Azusa couldn't stop the little gasp that escaped her, clasping a hand over her mouth to stifle it. Hifumi's breath felt warm on her nape and though she didn't do anything her breathing alone turned Azusa on, her loins aching as the soft, fabric-covered beak pushed and prodded at her pussy, sometimes rubbing her clit and other times just poking about with no real aim – but with Hifumi behind her it was easy to succumb to the pleasure bubbling up within her.

''Nn... ahh... Hifumi... Hifumi...!''

Hifumi wrapped her other arm around her, sliding it up her top until she found her breast, small and demure as it was. Without hesitation Hifumi groped it, fingers sinking into her tit and gently fondling it, her dainty fingertips almost seeming to massage it when they weren't pinching and tweaking her nipple, said nipple rock-hard from the slight chill in the air. It felt too good. She wanted this to last for longer, to bask in Hifumi's comforting presence and cosy body heat – but this was too much.

''Ah, wait, I'm...'' Azusa tried to whimper out.

Hifumi however just shushed her, a smile felt as she kissed her nape, the single act setting Azusa's loins afire – her need climbing to an unstoppable peak. The beak pushed between her folds once, twice, thrice, then slid up over her clit, then back between her lips, then a little too low and a little too high – and then back on her clit again, the fabric a tad rough as it stimulated the little bundle of her nerves. Her stomach tensed and her shoulders curled in, her muscles all locking up as the fiery need in her loins rushed through her-

''M-Mn~!''

And then she came. Moaning stiffly into her clasped palm and hunched forwards Azusa came from the feeling of a stuffed toy rubbing on her pussy, her juices no doubt soaking the doll as she humped it for dear life, climaxing just as hard if not harder than when Hifumi used her fingers. Her mind was white, her breathing was non-existent, her eyes open but unseeing.

How long it lasted, she wasn't sure. Only that at some point the overwhelming rush petered out and her muscles relaxed, a staggered moan fleeing Azusa's lips as she relaxing against the pillow, panting. Behind her she heard Hifumi giggle, her nose brushing against the back of her head and tempting Azusa to roll over to face her; their noses nearly touching.

''...Hifumi...''

Then distance became null, and her lips met Hifumi's own in a deep, sealing kiss.

Though they'd wake up in the morning dehydrated and sweaty, they'd never been happier to wake up together.

Finding out that Hanako and Koharu suspected them of doing the deed based on their innate lewd intuition, though, was certainly an embarrassing moment in their newfound relationship.

[END]