Tap. Tap. Taptaptap.

Beautifully styled heels clacked noisily on the concrete in a nervous rhythm, perfectly mirroring their owner's feelings, eyes of luminous pink shining with anxious worry as they turned to face the looming building next to them for what had to be the hundredth time. Grasping the strap of her designer bag tight, the creamy pink leather groaning softly under her fretful grip, Mizuki anxiously bit her lip as she continued her nervous pacing.

"I hope everything works out."

Quietly whispering to herself, both in silent prayer and to help calm her nerves, Mizuki begins to bounce slightly in place, her skirt swishing and billowing almost playfully with her anxious movements. Screwing her eyes closed as worst-case scenarios began racing in her head, Mizuki softly patted her cheeks to try and rid herself of such negative thoughts, the pink-haired fashionista reminded herself of why she was here, why she had to be strong and put on a brave face.

In that looming building behind her, with its stylish glass exterior and ornate furnishings, Ena was probably taking the most important exam of her life. This building, so grande and impressive, was one of Japan's many prestigious art schools, one Ena had been dreaming of attending one day for a while.

Lowering her head, idly tracing the lines in the sidewalk with the tip of her shoe, Mizuki thought about how much this school meant to Ena, that it was one she chose of her own free will. It was the school she had chosen all by herself, that she believed was best for her and her ambitions, free from the oppressive shadow of her father that she had carried with her for so long. His cruel putdowns, her need to follow in his footsteps, the man being her biggest inspiration and her worst enemy, Ena finally found the courage, the strength within herself to see what was best for herself, for what she wanted in her life.

She wanted to pursue art in her own way. Not for her father, but for herself.

Looking back at the school's front doors, silently hoping that they would burst open and Ena would come rushing out with good news, arms wide with a bright smile on her face as she leaps toward her for a loving, joyous embrace. Swallowing a rising fear in her throat, Mizuki's thoughts inevitably wandered to what if she didn't make it, what if she got rejected or failed her exam, her heart aching painfully as she imagined the sorrow on her beloved artist's face.

Dabbing at the corner of her eyes with the edge of her sleeve, quickly removing the offending tear that had threatened to fall, Mizuki took a deep breath to help calm herself down, telling herself that being a nervous wreck doesn't help Ena in any way. Placing her hand gently upon her chest, taking in a couple of deep, calming breaths, Mizuki let her eyes slowly slide shut, images and memories swirling like colorful streaks of light in her head, each one tinged with a feeling of comfort, joy, and love.

Cute clothes, ones that make you feel happy just by wearing them, adorned with laces and frills glowing in warm pastels and striking shades. A fresh plate of fries, gently cooling in the brisk air-conditioned family restaurant, her friend's voices surrounding her as she eagerly waits for them to reach the perfect temperature. The slight wrinkle of Ena's brows as she huffs in anger, her voice laden with annoyance as her warm, chocolate gaze fixes her with a pointed stare, Niigo's fair artist perturbed by her all-to-familiar teasing.

Giggling softly to herself, practically able to hear Ena's exasperated 'Haaaaa?!' in her head as she leans against the side of the building, the vision of her gorgeous girlfriend shimmering brightly in her mind's eye. Wrapping her arms subconsciously around herself, a soft, content smile curling on her lips as she imagined her lover's arms in place of her own, Mizuki thinks about how amazing Ena's hugs are. Within her loving arms, be it a gentle hug from behind as she kissed the nape of her neck or a crushing embrace that left her gasping desperately for air, Ena's hugs never failed to make her feel safe, that familiar warm and fuzzy feeling guaranteed to bubble up every time.

Tilting her head slightly to the side, wisps of pink hair gently tickling the bare skin of her neck, arms tightening slightly around her midsection as memories came flooding back like a gentle stream, Mizuki's smile grew bigger as she remembered their first hug. Funnily enough, despite how she may act outwardly, Mizuki always wanting to be close to her friends and have fun, it was actually Ena who initiated their first hug.

When their relationship was still young, clear lines of separation still draw between them, despite their shared wish to draw closer, to come together, to share each other's love and pain, Mizuki was hesitant, the pink-haired fashionista afraid to initiate such intimate physical contact. While everything inside her yearned to get closer to her, to give herself wholly to the passionate artist, to live openly and fully as herself with the one she loved, Mizuki couldn't take that first step.

She was afraid.

Despite everything, all the moments they shared, how much she tried to push her away only for her to just latch onto her stronger, even after her secret was finally told and Ena accepted her truly for who she was, Mizuki still couldn't free herself from her fears. She was afraid that Ena would be disgusted by her, by her body, by what she was. It terrified her, her whole body freezing up anytime the brunette lightly brushed up against her, her heart growing cold in her chest whenever her chocolate gaze lingered on her for too long, her legs trembling when Ena would draw closer, a look of anticipation beset upon her gorgeous features.

And she yearend to reciprocate it. Despite her fears, the ones making sure to keep Ena at arm's length, Mizuki still wanted to be held by her, to feel close to the girl she loved. She wanted to feel her arms wrap around her and hold her tight, to just let herself go and relax fully into her embrace, to feel her loving warmth envelop her.

Smiling softly, slender fingers idly playing with a fold on her blouse, Mizuki remembered how patient Ena was with her, the brown-haired artist seeming to read her mind as she gave the fashion-loving girl as much time as she needed. It was slow at first, a gentle brush of her arm, a loving smile, or a comforting whisper, Ena making sure to show her that it was ok, that she wasn't going anywhere.

Escorting her home one day, quietly guiding the pink-haired girl to her room, a place where she felt safe and comfortable, Ena initiated their first hug. Pulling the pink-haired girl slowly, gently toward her, arms wrapping carefully around her back, giving Mizuki a chance to pull away should she want to, before resting them gently on her hips, Ena holding her tightly and securely. They remained in that position for only a brief moment, but what felt like hours to the pink-haired girl, the smallest of spaces separating them, before Mizuki lurched forward, her arms wrapping themselves tightly around the shorter girl's shoulders as she buried her face into the crook of her neck.

Being held by Ena, feeling her warmth, that radiating love she held within her own chest, how she held her so reverently, like she was the most precious thing in the world, Mizuki's walls crumbled, giving herself openly and fully to the gorgeous artist. Holding her tight, a small grunt of discomfort passing between Ena's lips as the pinkette desperately clung to her, the brown-haired artist simply pulling her closer in response, her fingers lightly running through her hair as she whispered soft, gentle words of comfort into her ear. Pushing her face into Ena's shoulder, Mizuki felt tears gently fall from her eyes as she silently cried, overwhelmed by the storm of emotions washing over her.

Comfort, love, and an overwhelming sense of relief.

Ever since then, with the barrier between them finally shattered, Mizuki practically craves Ena's hugs now. Mizuki will find any reason to pull her girlfriend close or to be as close as possible to her, be it a random bout of snuggles or an excited embrace after a brief separation, Ena somehow able to always able to tell when she needed one, the pink-haired fashionista practically bursting with love and adoration for her beloved girlfriend whenever she was wrapped tightly in her arms.

A sudden sharp creak of a door opening pulled Mizuki out of her impromptu daydream, the pink-haired girl's eyes flying open as she pushed herself off the wall, her head snapping toward the school's entrance as Ena came bounding out of the building. Practically leaping down the stairs, high heels clacking noisily against the steps, Ena's head swiveled back and forth before meeting Mizuki's, her brown eyes opened wide as the brunette radiated with buzzing energy.

Staring into each other's eyes, Ena's short-cut hair slightly disheveled, her stark white blouse ruffled and messy, clear signs that she had rushed out of the building at great speed, a brief silence fell between them before the artist's face broke out into a beaming smile as she launched herself into Mizuki's waiting arms.

"I did it!" Ena cheered as she wrapped her arms firmly around the taller girl's waist, her cheek smushed tightly against her own as she nuzzled her affectionately, the brown-haired artist jumping excitedly in place. "I passed!"

Mouth hanging open in surprise, both from Ena's sudden hug attack as well as her amazing news, Mizuki's lips curled into a bright, joyous smile as she giggled merrily, pulling Ena in tighter as she congratulated her over and over, punctuating each one with a kiss upon her girlfriend's cheek.

Overwhelmed with joy, Mizuki absolutely ecstatic for her girlfriend's success, the pink-haired girl felt elation overtake her as she lifted Ena up off her feet as she began twirling her around, enormous smiles beaming on their faces as they both laughed joyfully, their arms holding each other tight.

A/N: A distance severed in each others arms.

Woof, that was a bit of a break wasn't it? Well, the new chapter is here and I hope you all enjoy its fluffy nonsense!