Quitting smoking
The sun has barely set on the horizon when a timid but icy breeze sneaks into the bedroom hitting Riko's back, a shiver running down her spine as a grumble escapes her lips.
In a futile attempt to stay warm, Riko moves closer to the warm body of her girlfriend, only to find the spot next to her in bed empty yet slightly lukewarm.
Another grumble escapes her lips as the teacher's brown eyes flutter open lazily, getting adjusted to the dim sunrays casting their bedroom of golden hues, before searching for her beloved girlfriend.
A sigh quickly replaces it as she observes the door of their bedroom slightly open, probably being the responsible of the icy breeze hitting her frame, and she can't help but think how no matter how much she loves her girlfriend, Riko will always loathe Miyako's internal clock waking her up at very early hours even in her days off like the present one.
Finding pointless to stay in their empty bed alone and with the slight icy breeze sneaking in and hitting her frame, Riko gets out of their bed and slips her feet into her slippers before taking a light blanket with her, putting it over her shivering frame to then venture through their small apartment to see the responsible of her rude and cold awaking: the open door of the balcony.
Another heavy sigh escapes her lips as she walks in its direction slowly, watching the auburn haired woman outside resting against its railing with a cigarette in her hand and an absent-mindedly look in her greenish eyes as she gazes into the horizon, exhaling a big puff of smoke that quickly gets lost in the blowing breeze.
Riko can't help but stop to watch the sun casting its rays onto her girlfriend's tired features, accentuating her greenish eyes and the look of worry clouding them.
Ever since the moment they started dating, Miyako has been nothing but respectful to her aversion towards tobacco, smoking just when she isn't around or just getting out to the balcony to not bother her with the smoke. But Riko knows this has nothing to do with that or with her breaking her promise to try to quit it.
With quiet steps, Riko resumes her walk and gets out to the balcony with her beloved, wrapping Miyako in her arms and in the warmth of the grey blanket, feeling her jumping slightly startled, before Miyako relaxes against her.
- Sorry. Did I bother you?
Miyako apologizes first, exhaling another puff of smoke, before she puts out the cigarette in the small ashtray in her hand.
- Don't worry about it. Now want to tell me why are you here so early and with this cold, instead of in bed keeping me warm?
Riko asks her instead as she rests her chin on her girlfriend's shoulder, leaving a light kiss on Miyako's cheek seeing her smiling softly.
- I was just… thinking.
Miyako trails off as she lets her girlfriend hold her tightly, and Riko knows full well how even if she doesn't voice it out, Miyako is worried about the café and the lack of clients lately.
She has been witness of the countless and long hours awake at night of the auburn haired woman trying to come up with an idea to balance the bills and make the café more appealing if not for everybody, at least for students.
She knows how even though her girlfriend has been trying really hard to gradually quit smoking, the bills of the café has been stressing her up and pushing her to abandon her intent of quitting smoking, but instead smoking more while still being respectful to her.
A soft sigh escapes her lips as she tightens her embrace around the hard-working owner.
- Don't worry, it'll go well. The girls love the café, and more and more students, teachers and other people are slowly coming lately so…
Riko tries to fill her girlfriend with some hope and reassurance, giving Miyako a reason to relax and stop thinking on it for a moment as a slow smile draws on the auburn haired woman's lips.
- You're right – Miyako whispers, closing her eyes for a moment to enjoy the cold breeze hitting their frames, burying herself in her girlfriend's warm embrace, before she reopens her eyes and turns to look at the supportive brunette – I'm sorry for breaking my promise to quit smoking. I just-
She starts to say apologetically, and Riko can only snort and roll her eyes, placing a finger on her lips to silence her, before brushing them.
- It's okay. I know how stressing this is for you and how worried are you about the café and our economy – Riko says understandingly, brushing Miyako's lips once more as a mischievous smile appears on her own lips – Besides… I've thought about a method to help you to quit smoking.
- Oh~ and what method is that?
Miyako asks slyly and Riko can only smirk in return, not telling her anything but showing it to her girlfriend instead, cupping her cheeks to pull her into a deep kiss.
- Oh~ I think I like this method way better.
Miyako admits slyly against her girlfriend's lips, and Riko can only laugh knowing her girlfriend would prefer this method to quit smoking too, kissing her more to also stop her from worrying further about the café's economy until the following morning when she has to open it and before a constant arrival of clients, and especially of students from her high school, going in through its door.