Summary: Everyone wants to know what Maki's going to do, even Maki.
"Do you think Maki'll be okay?" Rin asked, pausing as she chopped onions.
"Is she worried about something?" Hanayo checked on the rice cooker.
Rin nodded.
"Did she ask you for advice?"
"Yeah. I told her it'd be okay. But she's so nervous. And I don't want to lie." Rin glared at her phone. Had Maki told Nico the truth? Or even decided to meet for a talk. RIn wanted to know. Maki needed to text an update. Then Rin could enjoy her evening with Kayo-chin.
Hanayo chirped cheerily, their domestic bustle a comfort.
"I'm sure it will be okay, just like you said."
Rin frowned. Hanayo couldn't resist a hug. It was so cute when Rin was worried about their friends.
"Rin just wants Maki to have someone like I have you, Kayo-chin."
"Me too, Rin-chan. Me too."
Chicago was in a Christmas mood and so was Nico. Bustling about, buying presents, finding the perfect gift for the Diamond Princess. Nico was in a good mood. Maybe she'd stop by and visit her mom and the kids tonight. Should she start the let's meet and exchange presents pitch with Diamond Princess now? Can Nico be not your Secret Santa but your Sexy Santa? Then Nico smiled, thinking about Maki Nishikino and how shocked the shut in heiress would probably be at the thought of a Sexy Santa. Maybe Nico could send a friendly text that way too. Christmas was a friendly season. Peace and goodwill on earth. Right now though, Nico needed a quick energy boost, then home to get ready for whatever she decided to do with her rare free evening.
"Nico-chi?"
So much for plans. Nico recognized the familiar drawl, bit back a curse, and spun, "Are you stalking me now?"
Nozomi shook her head, "It's my favorite coffee shop too."
"Nico knows."
Nozomi stared at the door, then met Nico's angry glare.
"Want something sweet? On me?" Nozomi batted her eyelashes, gloved hand reaching for the door.
Nico fake growled, "Save that for your date."
"Oh, that won't be sweet."
"Nico doesn't want to know."
"Coffee?" Hopeful. Nozomi opened the door.
Nico shoved her inside.
"Coffee."
Nozomi sipped a peppermint mocha, "I'm glad you found a Christmas present you like for the mystery hottie."
"Nico has the best taste. It'll look so good on her wrist. She won't be able to not think about Nico."
"So what do you do next? To get her thinking about Nico."
"She is." Nico's tone held the precise dose of smug confidence that would let anyone listening know Nico gets what Nico wants.
"You don't know that. How I know Eli is thinking about me because she sends these cute selfies" Nozomi slid her phone to Nico. The smiling blonde, wrapped in a powder blue scarf and bobble hat, stood next to a scowling redhead in a dad cap, both leaning over a four foot tall Nutcracker.."She and the heiress are seeing The Nutcracker. One of her former students is the Mouse King. Even in law school, Eli still stays connected to the arts."
"Artists need lawyers too. Some people can't take the grind."
"But that sounds so…boring."
Nico finished her caramel latte. "You've turned from music video director to producer/manager. Are you bored?"
Nozomi thought back to her first conversation with Eli. Touring was fun, meeting new people and having adventures all over the world had been a great way to spend her late teens through mid twenties. But now, now packing was becoming a chore, there were fewer new venues, crowd size made it harder to find kindred spirits willing to party all night and keep it casual. And everyone she met was there for Nico first. Nozomi hadn't been feeling special for longer than she realized. And Eli hadn't been someone she met at a concert or during rehearsal, prepping for tour. It had been as random as anything could be and still be connected to Nico's career. That night with Eli had been a new kind of experience, as much deep conversation as sexy fun. Nozomi had realized that there was a world outside the Nico Ni life.
"Nozomi?"
Nozomi giggled, hands to her temples, "Nico Nico Ni. You are at the same time the least boring and most practical person I know. And always the center of attention."
Nico brightened. Compliments from Nozomi were a break from their usual abrasive banter. "Because Nico is the most talented person you know."
Nozomi shrugged.
Nico smirked.
"You'll never meet anyone like Nico."
"I already know Nico. I want to meet other people."
Nico sat, nodding, just letting the silence happen for a moment.
"It's been crazy, hasn't it."
Nozomi grinned, "The best crazy."
"So what should we do about these hotties?"
"Well, you could show me a picture of yours."
Nico shook her head, "Not happening."
"Cause you don't have one?"
Nico slid Nozomi's phone back, "Let's just send you to your blonde on a truce, Nozomi."
"And where will you go?"
Nico's whole demeanor changed, relaxed and happy punching through performing. "I got some gifts for the kids, some really cool electronic decorations. They'll love them. The house isn't finished yet."
"Oh, I haven't seen them in over a year. Did Cotarou get taller?"
"Not by much. But Cocoa shot up to bigger than Mama. Nico's still in shock."
"Now that you must have a picture of."
The piano kept tempting her fingers, teasing her. Memories and hopes of Nico were not as compelling as her fingers pressing familiar keys to fill the air with a sonic blanket of need, frustrating, prickly need. Maki pushed back from the piano. That wasn't the relief she was hoping for. Neither was the gorgeous view of night time Chicago sparkling against Lake Michigan's open horizon. What she wanted was a zoomed in view, macro, nose to nose, seeing how Nico's eyes glowed in candlelight, feeling desperate, urgent breath on her lips as Nico claimed another feral kiss.
What was Nico doing now? Would Nico actually drop everything if Diamond Princess texted her this address? Maki had left her phone on the couch. Turning her back on the piano, she wondered if she ordered a stuffed pizza and Nico at the same time, which would arrive first. Giggling, Maki opened Nico's contact information. Maybe a small head start for Nico would be cheating. Or just the right thing to do? But her fingers stopped, the melody that had driven them from the piano stuttering. Curiosity, Maki wanting to see Nico's expression when she realized, demanded desire wait its turn.
A/N:
Spring is doing the sinus thing. But the blooms are pretty. Take care.