Work Text:
Clear skies and a scorching sun heating up the day followed by a soothing breeze. Water endlessly flowing down the valley between dusty rocks. The atmosphere rested in silence with the exception of rippling water. It was often clear of animals besides the wandering rabbits and occasional deer. The exact herbivorous mammal that would unknowingly be aimed at from a distance.
A wooden handcrafted bow handled by a young fit brunette huntress: Maki Harukawa. Her eyes were crimson, hair hung high in a ponytail, wearing black baggy trousers, and a tank-top color-matching with the bottom-wear while a quiver strapped around her body. Each visit to the valley— for hunting reasons— she wore the same outfit, since she knew the valley barely even had any bushes to hide in. Daily visits were made, but hunting was weekly. The scenery was peaceful and dear to her, and the meat of its deer was delicious.
There were different locations she would go to for a good hunt. The valley didn’t obtain a good variety of large animals, and there were much better places to go for small game. But today was the day for deer. Each shot she fired carried strength and precision.
That same sighted deers head dipped down to the flowing current, licking up water into its mouth. The huntress was on the same side of the current with her prey, but her distance was far enough to not cause alertness if stealthy enough. Deciding to play nice, she let it drink up before death was upon such a soft appearing animal.
Perked up head, signaling alertness and detection now visible on the brown-furred mammal. The suddenness of the deer was unknown, but Maki readjusted instantaneously, ready to take a shot on it as she pulled back the bowstring and-
“HEYYY!”
Shit
She jolted up and let go of the bowstring as the arrow flew between antlers instead of in it's target— the head— making the mammal flee to safety. Her fist tightened with gritted teeth, side-eyeing towards wherever the voice yelled out from. Behind her, there was a woman dressed in a maid outfit with long blonde hair, jogging towards the fierce huntress with a relieved expression plastered across her face.
“Oh sweet, ah, finally I found someone. Thank God, I- ah- feel much safer now.” She panted, bent down with hands on her knees to support her exhausted body. The woman was around 6ft behind the brunette. “Um heh hello-” “Who the hell are you and why are you here? You just messed up my shot.” Maki snapped, turning her body to face an exhausted maiden. An unanticipated wave of warmth washed over her once she fully faced the woman. Natural blonde hair that looked as if it were soft with an addictive fragrance (and perfect for nestling your face into), beautifully paired with lilac eyes, cute small nose, and smooth looking lips. Despite the need for oxygen— she was gorgeous.
Maki smothered the thought, tensing up, and sent the blonde a piercing glare. The maid was too occupied with catching her breath to notice, presumably from spending so much time searching for anyone while running. They were 30 minutes away from the village after all. The maiden wiped her forehead with an arm and regained an upright posture, shoulders slightly slouched and her mouth gaped, small pants continuously breathed out while her eyebrows knitted slightly.
The huntress scoffed. “Tch, have you ever ran a day in your life?” Her arms crossed with pursed lips, red irises observing the woman trying to regain her full composure. “Physical health should be a priority to you around here.”
The maidens' lips seemed to downturn. “But I barely have time for that-” “You seem like a maid, who do you work for?” Maki questioned fiercely, curious on why she is in the middle of a valley. “Oh I work for the Tanaka family.” Discomfort displayed in her face as the maid grabbed ahold of her upper arm, gaze landing on the ground.
“I did enjoy providing for others, but now it's just not what I wanna do for the rest of my life. Agh, I was dragged into it, and they made me do so much… It's exhausting. I had to get out of there!” Her tone drenched with sorrow, escalating to sternness at the last statement. Red eyes blinked, expression blanked. “Tanaka family, yes?” “Yes!” “Good let me bring back their maid-” “Huh? No you can’t do that!” She cried out in disbelief as Maki's eyes rolled, putting her bow over her body. “Watch me.” She bit back, moving forward past the woman, grabbing her wrist with care along the way. The huntress was practically dragging her.
“What- no! Where are you taking me?” Let me go mysterious hunter lady!” She huffed, attempting to tug her hand back, failing as rough fingers tightened around her wrist. “Harukawa Maki.” “Akamatsu Kaede wants Harukawa-san to let her goooo. This totally isn't fair!” Kaede whined, being responsible for Maki’s light chuckle. “Where are you taking me anyway? The village is like- the opposite way.” “My horse.” “Ooh, you have a horse?” Kaede lit up despite being dragged against her own will. She couldn’t help her fascination with adorable animals, it wasn’t her fault they were so huggable.
Maki stayed silent for a moment, gravel crunching under their feet as they traveled aside of the serene water. Sounds of water were always therapeutic to the huntress… Just something about it felt so different and soothing. A warm smile crept upon her lips. “Yeah, you like horses or something?” Maki loosened her firm grip on Kaede’s wrist. “Of course, I’ve always wanted one myself.” She huffed out a dramatic sigh, continuously being dragged along. “Aah, what I’d do for a cute horse and piano to play for people…”
They began to approach the pine tree, where the horse had been hitched, moving off their path. Purple irises sparkled from the beauty of Maki’s horse. White soft mane flowed gently from the soft breeze, fur white as if it were snow and blackish-gray hooves. She felt herself become shrouded with excitement at being able to come in contact with such irresistible fur. “Don’t forget where it’s taking you.”
Kaede seemingly snapped back to reality, walking slower than before. The dark reality of her being a maid whose only purpose was to serve, not ride on majestic animals and create soothing melodies for others to tune in on. Serving others wasn’t what she was looking forward to anymore, there were other things that caught her interest much more than being a tired maid who was pressured into working as one. So why couldn’t she just chase what she wanted? Kaede’s eyebrows knitted, head shaking disapprovingly with a frown as Maki let go of her grasp. “I…I don't wanna- I can’t! Harukawa-san please understand!”
Kaede anticipated that jubilant feeling whenever they approached the horse, but instead was greeted with drainage from unease about what was awaiting her soon at the village. Maki’s lips pursed, untying the horse from dark wood as Kaede stood aside her. Bringing Kaede to her agonizing job as a maid wasn’t something she needed to carry on with, but perhaps it was out of spite for interrupting her hunt— even though it was unintentional. She could just leave the woman here alone, however, something in her steered her away from that decision. A breathy sigh left Maki’s mouth, setting a foot on the stirrup, skillfully lifting herself and mounting onto her horse with ease.
“Where do you even plan on going? The village is small, they’ll find you in no time.” Maki reached out her hand for the maid to hold onto, but Kaede only glanced at it. Her lips were fearfully downturned, teeth anxiously biting into them as purple eyes fogged clouds of anxiety. Arms hugged at her sides, as if she was trying to hold onto all sanity left in her own body. “No I… take me somewhere safe, please…” Kaede’s eyes gazed up at the mounted huntress, pleading eyes reaching enigmatic ones. Hair vaguely blew onto the maid’s face from the breeze. Maki frowned, reciprocating the gaze, but remained unspoken, giving her hand a shake to inaudibly say ‘just get on.’ Because in all honesty, Maki didn’t know what to say or feel.
Feelings weren’t something the huntress seemed to really understand too much of. Isolation from everyone else was a way of life for her, no distractions get in the way of hunting, and nobody drags her to depths of complex emotions. Maki has been running solo for most of her life, so there wasn’t much idea on what to say or which reaction would be appropriate. Undoubtedly, the way Kaede’s mood plummets an instant from reminding her where she belongs showcases a lot on how crucial running away was to her.
Maki didn't realize how lost in thought she was while staring at Kaede before the maid let out a sorrow coated sigh, grasping the huntress's arm, the other arm sitting on the horse's spine. An invasive rosey blush crawled its way to Maki’s face as she assisted Kaede on mounting the snowy-furred mammal. Kaede grunted as Maki used all her hard worked strength to pull up Kaede's abdomen onto the horse's spine swiftly. Their hold on each other detached.
“Gh- jeez.” Her left leg was thrown to the left side, hand gripping onto Maki’s thigh to help adjust comfortably. Maki’s face started to burn up from the gesture, teeth sunk into her lip while looking down at the porcelain silky glove that hid away smooth pale skin. There was a temptation to overlap the hand with her own in order to make sure the woman ‘could get up and adjust into a comfortable posture.’
Kaede finally adjusted so that her spine was upright, sitting properly on the horse. A huff of relief slipped out her lips, as those soft gloved hands went to grab on Maki’s hips lightly. The huntress's breath hitched, feeling her heart pound out of her chest. A gulp went down her throat, head shaking and lifting it forward to conduct the horse backwards. “You should hold on tighter than that.” She murmured. “What was that?” “Grip tighter idiot.” Maki pulled the reins to the right momentarily, turning their direction towards the village, then squeezing her leg in order to cue the horse to trot. “Jeez okay okay…” Kaede huffed, getting a better grip on the huntress's sides.
They accelerated forward, only clicks of horse hooves kicking the dirt and whistling wind reached the ears of the pair. No voices, no birds, no crickets. Just silence. As it was ideal for Maki, it surely wasn’t for the extroverted blondie. “Harukawa-san your quiver is in the way, this is not fair.”
“...”
“Soooo, you do this hunting thing often?”
“Sure.”
“Wow, that’s pretty sexy. This the only spot you hunt?”
“No.”
“Figured, the valley is not as populated as other spots im sure.”
Kaede paused. “Hey yo-” “Shut it before I leave you on this path with no horse or water, got it?” Kaede’s eyes gawked at the unanticipated fierceness of the huntress, emitting a dissatisfied huff. She wondered if Maki had eyes on the back of her head, because she could’ve sworn she felt them glowering piercingly into her soul.
===
Their ride to the village was shorter than expected for Kaede, and she felt her mood start to roll down a hill all over again. Maki felt the maid press her forehead against her left shoulder, grip tightening on the brunette's waist as they entered a noisy village of working parents, food stands, and playful children wandering around small buildings. “Akamatsu-san, you can’t do that here, g-get off.” Maki muttered loud enough for Kaede to hear, shrugging her right arm back with a warmth that spread across her face. Kaede only groaned, denyingly shaking a head against the shoulder of the woman she was holding onto; thoughts of letting go were displeasing to the blonde maid, so her grip only increased as those eyelids fell shut.
An anxious huff of air escaped Maki’s lips as red eyes traveled right, catching glares thrown at the two who were rather “too close” for their comfort. Women here always were strict about their daughters marrying a hardworking strong man, so it was no surprise to receive scowling eyes. There were 2 men whispering to each other while pointing at the pair as if they didn’t give two shits if the huntress saw their judging chatter. Maki scoffed while her focus returned back on the lengthy path ahead, pressuring her squeezed leg, indicating the horse to pick up its pace. Kaede’s position remained, and the brunette could feel all those occasional deep inhales and exhales that helped calm her down.
===
The atmosphere laid in a familiar tranquility that was recognizable from earlier on their trip to the village, creating a puzzled Kaede, whose eyes shot open as she brought her head up to look around and realize they were no longer in the populated village. “Huh, weren’t we just in the village?” She rubbed the hind of her head, unsure of where on Earth they were being brought to. “We are headed to my cottage, we should be there soon so just hold on.” Kaede lips parted in astonishment, feeling her body freeze head to toe before joyously wrapping pale arms around the huntress’s stomach into an unanticipated embrace. Maki felt her body stiffen, and her breathing hitched while the heart pumping inside her chest felt as if it would burst out. The huntress silently thanked the quiver and bow that halted Kaede’s body from being pushed against her back. “Akamatsu-san-” “Thank you, thank you so much…”
The maid felt a familiar wetness climb down her cheek, pulling back and detaching from the huntress to wipe off the lone tear with a sniffle. A large victorious grin couldn’t help but to take over Kaede’s lips.
"W-whatever, you’re only staying for 3 days and then you're back in the village, understand?" Maki pulled back the reins once they approached the lonesome cottage. Kaede hummened a Mhm—too in the moment to care. She observed the dark cottage in awe which was surrounded by various plants growing around the exterior wall and a small garden flooded with common lilacs and shrubs dotted with healthy daisy’s. The front of the gorgeous home was undoubtedly symmetrical. The roofing was gray, and the rectangular windows were covered with a white diamond pattern. Kaede barely noticed her abandoned hands or the huntress who had her feet on the ground because she was so entranced by the sight of the lovely cottage. The quiver and bow was set onto the ground right beside Maki, surely to relieve the strain on her shoulders from carrying them for a while.
Maki’s back arched, stretching presumably from sitting too long, and her hands pushed down around 4 inches above her round derriere to keep balance. Maki’s rear faced Kaede, so she got a good chance to admire how Maki was so perfectly built. Those toned arms that began to cross in order to give them a nice relief, and she had legs that were lean as if they were built for running. Then that soft dark-brown hair pulled up by a hair tie that shuffled softly with today’s breeze, and Kaede could just picture those stunning crimson dark eyes.
Ah stop it, Kaede. Kaede gave herself a harsh mental slap for being so mesmerized, and refocused on getting off the lithe horse.
===
Maki had given Kaede a tour around the inside of the cottage, but it didn’t take up much time with the place being comfortably small. Inside had white plastered walls paired with light hardwood flooring, and the air carried along a light floral fragrance. There was a spacious living room which obtained various houseplants, two gray pillow back sofas that were arranged at the width of a glass coffee table, along with a lengthy bathroom with an elegant bathtub and pearly white floor tiles. The second floor of the cottage was a dim-lighted bedroom, which was where Maki spent hours sleeping and reading. The bedroom consisted of only one window, and a full sized bed located in a corner that strictly contained bland gray sheets, pillows, and a puffy comforter. Additionally there was a wooden drawer with a rectangular bookshelf at its side, and the wardrobe was set near the end of the bed, semi-aligned with the window, so everything was pretty cramped up together. The room wasn’t the biggest, so it worked out fine.
Currently, Maki was browsing through her wardrobe for pajamas that would possibly suit Kaede’s bright self. Kaede herself was zoning out with eyes dead-set on the window connected to the room. Her expression grown soft, lost in a lovely fantasy. Her imagination brought her to a pleasant place of waking up everyday at this comforting cottage with no dirt to paint her hands, ready to relax and maybe go for a walk. Possibly indulge herself in the aroma of a cup of warm coffee which she would drink out of most mornings. Spending hours of gliding experienced fingers across the keys, emitting rich harmonic melodies was a big dream too. Have a beautiful woman who is willing to listen and embrace her closely whenever it feels right. She had already pictured soft brown hair.
Maki’s eyes caught a gorgeous pastel pink long-sleeved Victorian nightgown that frilled at the bottom of it. The pajamas in her closet mainly consisted of soft-fabric nightwear colored white, and fluffy robes of colors that differentiate. The nightgown looked as if it were designed entirely for Kaede, so Maki discarded it from the hanger, folded it neatly, and then bent her knee to place it on in order to scoop it up with the palm of her hands as if she were a proper maid. She turned around to face the stilled blonde absorbed in reverie, dreamingly staring out the window. The huntress herself stiffened, briefly chewing on the bottom of her lip and sauntering forward, going to Kaede’s side in silence. Only the light footsteps were to be heard. “I found you a nightgown. When you go to bathe, the towels will be in the bottom cabinet.” Maki’s body faced slightly towards both Kaede and the window, and she held out the elegant nightgown for the daydreaming woman, taking a look out the same window Kaede had been thoughtfully staring off at. Kaede gently turned her head towards red eyes and brunette hair, glancing at those lips that never really seemed to curve; primarily lined with 0 emotion whenever she looked at the woman.
Who knows what could really keep her smiling.
The blonde pursed her lips with a nod, grabbing the nightgown that settled on Maki’s palms. Maki shifted her gaze to Kaede, crimson eyes meeting lilac ones. The maid sent a warm smile, bowing down to express her gratitude. “Heh, Harukawa-san, who knew you could be so kind. I really appreciate it.”
“J-just go take a bath okay? I need to bathe too.”
“Why don’t we bathe together?”
“A-Akamatsu-san!! Do you want to die?”
“Heh, jeez Harukawa-san, i’m just playing around.”
===
They were on the sofa together, Kaede playing with the hem of her comfy nightgown, Maki fiddling with her damp brown hair. The sun had said its goodbyes for the day, so now was the appropriate time to discuss where Kaede will sleep.
“Couch.” “Huh?” “You’re sleeping on the couch.” Maki deadpanned. Kaede knitted her eyebrows, puffing her cheeks with pouty lips. “Hmm, but I wanna sleep with you.” She grumpily crossed her arms like a pouting child. Maki eyes gawked as the fiddling fingers paused— completely taken off guard. “W-what?” “Not in a weird way heh, I just don’t wanna be alone… that’s all.” The blonde shrugged.
The idea didn’t take Maki much convincing since deep down inside it sounded quite pleasant. She briefly shut her eyes with a convinced sigh. “Fine, but just this once.” Kaede could feel her stomach jump in excitement, clasping pale hands happily as Maki wanted to drown in the couch.
===
But that wasn’t the only time the maid and huntress would take rest together— it happened the next day as well. That night, Maki placed a pillow between them since Kaede kept trying to hold onto her meanwhile Maki would push her off until the huntress gave up. The pillow was no match for Kaede, as she grabbed it and threw it to the ground, hugging onto Maki as if she was a life-sized teddy bear. Maki thanked the room for being dark with the way her face probably matched the color of her eyes. This type of determined affectionate behavior wasn’t something that she needed to get used to since Kaede was leaving tomorrow, but it felt like a priority.
“Do you want to die?” Maki growled in stiffened disbelief, yet extremely flustered as she felt the warmth of the other woman. Kaede only giggled, bringing Maki close enough to sniff in her aroma. “Harukawa-san, I’m sure you would only hesitate to kill someone instead of going through with it.” Kaede whispered softly into Maki’s ear as she laid comfortably with the huntress she had met 2 days prior.
Maki felt her body’s tension relax from the words of the maid. If she held a knife up to her neck, she could never really go through with actually slicing it. And the huntress wasn’t able to say that about most people she met. Kaede was too delicate and precious to harm. There isn’t a world where Maki would inflict pain onto Kaede-- not purposefully at least.
“I…guess you’re right.”
“Oh, huh?”
“I don’t think I could ever hurt you at least, Akamatsu-san…” Maki grabbed softly onto Kaede’s arm that was wrapped around her. Kaede laid in silence, listening to the sound of their breaths. “You’re so cheerful and determined all the time, I admire you. You talk a lot, and you’re a bit of an idiot, but it's nice having you around…It’s weird, but you make things a bit less stressful…” The maids' heart raced from hearing those confessing words. It felt out of character for Maki to be confessing like this, they’ve only known each for 2 days, yet it feels like there has always been some sort of connection forever now. They’re complete opposites, but they felt strangely magnetized to each other in an instant.
“Harukawa-san… you provide a lot for me, even if it is for 3 days, you don’t understand how much I appreciate it. But I’ve noticed things about you, how you try to cover up what you're really feeling, but you probably don’t even know what you’re feeling, huh?”
“...”
“Whatever it is, you can’t always hide from your true feelings. Be true to yourself, feel what you want without putting a barrier on it. Please, Harukawa-san, I want you to be able to express what you’re feeling… not turn your back on it.”
“...”
She was right. Maki knew that she was right. She always hid away from what she was truly feeling and was always dishonest to herself. There were reasons for that, but were those reasons truly worth the suppression of her emotions? Ah.
“…”
“…”
“Goodnight, Akamatsu-san.”
“Goodnight, sleep well.”
===
“Are you ready to go back?” Maki neatly folded the nightgown as a small gift, placing it in a gray tote bag. “No but— I guess I don’t have a choice… do I?” Kaede emitted a breathy awkward laugh. Maki’s head shot up at the maid. They were in the living room, getting ready for Kaede to leave to continue her dreadful job— if the Tanaka’s accept the woman's return, that is. Maki was sitting on the wooden floor while Kaede stood in front of her, watching with anxiousness and hope. Maki felt the ends of her lips drag down. Contemplating Kaede’s departure shouldn’t be this difficult for her, so why is it?
The room fell quiet, Maki’s stare fell to the ground, hugging onto the tote-bag. “Akamatsu-san…” “Harukawa-san…” Their voices were so caring and gentle, the words spoken could be soft fluffy clouds. The huntress gazed up at the maid who was staring down at her with confused yet hopeful eyes.
Those purple eyes that would light up when there was something she enjoyed, blonde soft hair that swirled up over those feminine shoulders, and then her cheeks that always looked slightly rosey, right next to that warm smile that could bloom a flower field.
Maki felt herself putting the tote bag aside, setting her hands on the ground to help boost herself up off the ground, as if she was magnetized to the woman in front of her. In a way though, Maki was really magnetized to Kaede. There was something that attracted her to the woman, something that reeled her in, near-impossible to wiggle out of.
Kaede’s bottom lip went between her teeth, moving forward to where their chest nearly touched, feeling the other’s breath. Maki’s breath hitched, studying Kaede’s expression that brimmed with desire as her breath feathered over Maki’s warm skin. The maid’s face began to lean in, but Maki gawked in, swaying her head side to side and gazing off to the side. A empty— yet sorrow— mien displayed on her face. “We can’t, especially with you from the village… you know how they are.” Maki scoffed as her knees began to bend in order to reach the gift planted aside from her. Kaede grasped onto Maki’s arm before she could take hold of the gift, face scrunched in intensity as the huntress’s head shot up, scrutinizing the woman’s face with disbelief.
“Akamatsu-san you-” “Jeez, stop making such stupid excuses. We are here, not that stupid village! Why are you so afraid? Stop turning back on what you truly want, please.” There was a pause before Maki frowned with knitted eyebrows, opening her mouth to speak, but Kaede beat her to it. “And do not even begin with ‘I can’t’ because we both know damn well you can. There is no one here besides us, so Harukawa-san, why can’t you just kiss me?”
Their eyes burn into each other. Kaede was such an enticing woman, the complete opposite of Maki, yet they felt so fit like a puzzle piece for each other. The huntress had brunette hair, dark eyes, and an introverted personality. The maid had blonde hair, light eyes, and an extroverted personality. Kaede would ramble, Maki listened. Kaede would tease, Maki would get overly flustered. Kaede had so much light in her that Maki adored but had trouble admitting. They were so fascinated with what the other had that they didn't.
Maki knees straightened, grabbing on the maid’s shoulder gently. Their faces began heating up as the tension in the room emerged. Maki leaned in slowly, inclined onto finally feeling the sweet taste of those smooth looking lips. Their lips parted slightly, but Kaede became impatient, grabbing onto Maki’s face carefully and smashing their lips together into an eager kiss. The huntress's eyes gawked, taking a second to kiss back and fall into the sweetness of it all as her eyes fell shut. The maid’s eyes were squeezed shut as a hand fell down the side of the woman's neck gently. Their stomachs pooled with warmth and their chest fluttered at the new feeling of another woman's lips. The heavenly touch of the contact felt as if it blossomed something into them. Originating a new beginning for the both of them. The depth of it was enough to make them believe time has come to a pause.
They eventually parted for air from what felt like heaven, still holding onto each other. Maki’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes continuously laid closed, inducing a giggle out of Kaede once her eyes fluttered open. She leaned her forehead onto the others, rubbing their noses together with a warm smile that could bloom a field of flowers. “You’re so red, Harukawa-san.” She whispered gently, tucking some of the woman’s brunette hair behind an ear. Maki’s eyes opened gently, feeling a wave of security and tranquility wash over her body at the warmth of the other. “You don’t have to say it out loud…” Her voice conveyed slight indignation, but her lips signified contentment.
Kaede’s head leaned back, throwing her arms over Maki’s shoulders. “But it is funner when I point things out, isn’t it?” A lighthearted grin slapped onto her face while teasing the softened Maki. The huntress scoffed, but couldn’t help but chuckle lightly from those truthful words that seemed so silly yet veridical. “M-maybe, just don’t leave my side, please?” Maki muttered, feeling her smile drop. Now that this happened, it seemed unreal for Kaede to leave. She didn’t want her to go, not yet at least.
“Hm? But don’t I have to go soon?” Kaede detached from Maki, rubbing the rear of her neck with a frown creeping up on those pink lips. “I- mmh.” Maki’s cheeks puffed before gazing off to the side. “I don’t want you to go, Akamatsu-san. I don’t mind you staying any longer, I just don’t know why but it won’t feel the same with you gone.” Kaede’s lips parted, eyes gawking in astonishment while her face warmed up. “The way you held me at night felt so safe and warm, and when you talk about your passion for wanting to play piano, your stupid eyes always light up and you get lost into your own world that I want you to pull me in on as well.” Her rosy cheeks darkened, bringing her hands to smooth brown hair to fiddle around with it. “M-maybe we can even go to the village and purchase a piano there…”
Kaede’s heart was racing as if she had just ran a marathon. The maid’s face softened, smiling warmly, closing her eyes while she nodded. “I’d like that a lot, Harukawa-san.” Voice gentle and soothing. Maki’s gaze traveled back to Kaede’s lips, needing more of the sweet taste of paradise. Kaede took notice, gently grabbing onto Maki’s chin, bringing the woman’s face to her own so their lips could reconnect. And once they did, it felt just as majestic as the first one. The warm feelings in their chest bloomed again, and Maki adored how Kaede held onto her chin. Knowing who they’re kissing only enraptured them more. Their warmth rubbing off on one another, the gentleness of their locked lips. All they could think of was themselves, it's like this world only included them and no one else. No one else mattered in this world they were in, just each other.
But good things had to come to an end eventually, and they broke apart their kiss. Even once the kiss was broken, they felt a trace of each other still on their lips. Lilac eyes met crimson ones, a comfortable silence floating in the room. Kaede’s hand, that was on Maki’s chin, traveled up to cup the huntress’s cheek, rubbing it smoothly with a thumb. She tilted her head, admiring Maki as if she was a gift from God with warm upturned lips.
“I love you, Harukawa-san.” She whispered to the woman. Maki’s eyes widened, though it was obvious, she didn’t expect that to be confirmed out loud. A frown began to grow on her face, eyebrows lowering with worry. “I- I don’t know how I feel and in all honesty I barely know what love is, Akamatsu-san… I just know I need you with me.” Maki was worried on how Kaede would respond, she didn’t wanna see the maid’s comforting smile fade away all because of the words that were voiced.
But Kaede’s face remained, and she gave an understanding nod. “That’s okay, don’t worry about it. I’ll stay by your side no matter what.”
Maki felt her heart pound, hands at her sides tightened as she felt the stinging of tears behind those dark-red eyes. The sweet words caught the huntress off guard because first off-- there was never anyone around to say such reassuring words-- and second of all, it was unmistakingly pure genuineness. Why is she such a sweetheart? Maki felt a tear budge it's way out of her eye as her lips pursed, trying to remain calm. The maid immediately embraced the huntress, rubbing soothing circles on her back. Maki took time to react before hesitantly returning the hug. The sudden affectionate gesture had only induced several more tears, feeling sensitive to the love. Maki’s arms gripped tighter as she cried into Kaede’s shoulder with silent muffled sobs. It felt hard to breathe-- hard to understand where these overwhelming emotions are flooding from. Whatever it is, it felt good to just let it all out.
“It's okay, how about we go off to the valley and hangout there, yeah?” Kaede whispered softly into Maki’s ear, making her feel all the comfort she needed. It took a moment for the sobs to end, as the maids' circling hand continued to trace Maki’s back. “You’re okay, Harukawa-san.” The huntress’s breathing eased from Kaede’s angelic voice, leaning back to signal Kaede to unwrap her, which she did, parting from the tight embrace.
Maki wiped the fading tears with her forearm, releasing a sniffle as her eyes were still slightly glossy from the mini breakdown.
But I don’t wanna go anywhere.
Kaede fiddled with her thumbs, looking down at them from the somewhat awkward silence. Maki’s hand grabbed onto the back of the maids’ palms, causing her to gaze up with a raised eyebrow. They made eye contact, and Maki went for a hesitant peck on the woman’s cheek. Kaede’s eyes widened as her cheeks grew rosey at the sudden gesture. Maki took a deep breath, and exhaled before quietly speaking. “Can we just stay here for today? I don’t think I wanna go anywhere. M-maybe we can cook?”
Kaede’s eyes widened briefly before nodding with a contagious smile.
“Of course, Harukawa-san. Anything with you makes me feel at home.”