Work Text:
"That's right... I'm afraid I have important matters to attend to; it was an emergency." She knew that driving and talking on a cell phone could get her a fine if she was unlucky, but she had rushed out of her job, chalking it up to an emergency.
"I understand it was urgent. It must have been something really important for it to come up like that," the director agreed, not asking too many questions. However, curiosity lingered in the air. "I hope everything's in order," he finished, waiting for Mafuyu to provide more information.
As the car stopped, she felt her headache growing. She knew what awaited her.
"Everything will be fine... I promise to make up for lost hours," she tried to evade with a simple response. Apparently, that didn't get her off the hook.
"What happened?" Mafuyu repressed a sigh, not wanting to raise suspicion. She opened her car door and stepped out smoothly.
"A call. I was told I was needed urgently..." An uncommon emotion washed over her: impatience to finish the conversation and an urgent desire to rush inside the building before her.
Then she simply hung up.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the glass doors with some hesitation. The place was noisy, with the sound of speakers of dubious quality on either side of the room and even on the ceiling, making her eardrums quiver with the raucous volume. The flashing-colored lights were a nuisance, and she was sure prolonged exposure would bring on an intense headache—unless, of course, the individual was drunk.
Her eyes ignored the other curious gazes that were drawn to her formal appearance, focusing instead on searching for a single person in the crowd.
Ena.
It didn't take long to find her; just a little effort was needed to spot the girl in question, thanks to her voice singing "One Last Time," with a can of what appeared to be alcohol in her hand. As she drew closer, she noticed that Mizuki was with her. Making eye contact with her other companion, she felt a wave of relief at her familiar presence.
"Thank you for coming! Ena is terribly stubborn when she's drunk!" teased Mizuki, jumping up to hug Mafuyu briefly. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude.
"You let her drink?" was Mafuyu's only question, her gaze was inquisitive and a bit serious.
"Don't look at me like that! She insisted she deserved it... and I didn’t think she'd burst into a loud chant or get so stubborn," Mizuki replied, shaking her head and pointing an accusatory finger at Ena, who was engrossed in her surroundings, yawning and laying her head on the white table.
Well, at least she wasn't singing now...
"I'm taking her home," Mafuyu said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Mizuki smiled and nodded a couple of times.
"Thank you, Mafu! Sorry for calling you to pick her up, but she didn’t want to leave with me in my car." Mizuki looked slightly embarrassed, scratching her head nervously. "I thought she would listen to you, you know?"
Mafuyu offered a small smile. "Thank you for taking care of her. I'll handle it from here." Mizuki's smile grew calmer as she gathered her things quickly.
"Best of luck! Bye, Ena!" she called, disappearing into the crowd of people and blinding lights.
Mafuyu wondered if either of them had paid the bill... perhaps she would find out from the charges that would appear on her card. But that was a worry for later.
For now, she moved around the table and sat in the seat where Mizuki had been, across from Ena, who was still comfortably resting her head on the table.
"Ena..." she called softly, just loud enough to catch the girl's attention.
Ena's eyes barely met hers, looking like she was about to drift off to sleep.
"...Who?" The girl's voice was sleepily thick, and it was somewhat amusing that Mafuyu couldn't recognize her at first glance.
"Let's go home, okay?" Mafuyu said gently, noticing Ena's arms sprawled on the table. She reached out her right hand to meet Ena's and gently took it.
Ena lifted her face, revealing a pronounced blush that covered her entire cheeks. "Home? But wasn't I having fun with Mizuki?"
Mafuyu couldn't suppress a soft smile. "Mizuki already left, and it's late. Let’s go home." She felt Ena tighten her grip on her hand, then loosen it as if she were playing with her fingers. It was quite tender, in Mafuyu's opinion.
"Can't I stay a while longer?" Ena asked, reaching for another can of alcohol with her free hand. Just as she tried to bring it to her lips, Mafuyu intervened.
"Don't you want to take a long, hot bath before you go to sleep?" Mafuyu suggested. Ena's angry glare at having her drink taken away turned abruptly into a smile of happiness.
Mafuyu knew Ena was very emotional, but these sudden shifts were puzzling.
"Come on!" Ena shot up, far too energetic for someone so inebriated, only to lose her balance and stumble forward. Fortunately, Mafuyu moved quickly to catch her.
"Careful," she said, wrapping her arms around Ena to stabilize her. However, she noticed the curious way Ena was looking at her.
"...You're cute." Mafuyu blushed slightly at the cheeky compliment, especially with the sincere smile that followed.
I need to get her out of here, she thought, feeling flustered. I don’t want anyone else to see how adorable Ena is.
"I'll help you out." Mafuyu positioned herself so Ena could lean against her as they walked, her right arm around Ena's waist and her other hand guiding Ena’s arm around her neck. "I’ll need you to hold on to me... can you do that?" she whispered softly.
Mafuyu felt a shiver as Ena's breath brushed against her ear.
"...Hehe, isn’t that just an excuse for you to hug me?" Ena replied playfully, her expression shifting to one of pride. "Of course I can hold on, no problem!"
Getting Ena to the exit was a real headache, navigating through the sea of dancing people while managing her intoxicated state. Mafuyu couldn’t understand why Ena liked a place like this in the first place.
Ena wasn’t very cooperative, either; her clumsy feet tangled with Mafuyu’s, slowing their progress.
Fortunately, they made it to the car, and the cool night air was a welcome relief for Mafuyu, who was beginning to feel stifled inside.
Just as she opened the front passenger door for Ena, the next problem arose.
"I'm not getting in with a stranger... it would be irresponsible." Mafuyu blinked, hesitating for a moment.
"Don't you recognize me?" Ena frowned, leaning back against the hood of the car with her arms crossed.
Mafuyu felt a twinge of hurt but couldn't blame her; she looked pretty drunk.
"Mizuki called me to take you home. Remember that?" Mafuyu said, trying to keep her tone calm.
"I think I do..." Despite her wary expression, Ena started walking toward the car.
Contrary to what Mafuyu expected, Ena remained awake during the drive.
"You have all my favorite songs on your playlist! We have so much in common!" Ena exclaimed. The car had a small screen for GPS, internet, and, of course, music. However...
That’s because it’s your playlist.
Mafuyu nodded briefly and seized a moment at a red light to ask, "Why were you drinking, Ena?" Her voice was soft enough not to disturb the girl next to her, who was humming along to the song Mafuyu had just selected.
"Because it's Friday," Ena replied, swaying slightly from side to side.
That didn’t tell Mafuyu much. "Just for that?"
Mafuyu knew Ena didn’t usually get drunk unless there was a good reason.
"Look, I'm not going to share my problems with a stranger just because she's too beautiful!" Ena exclaimed, causing Mafuyu to raise an eyebrow. "It’s just—being alone on a Friday night makes me so sad..."
Mafuyu tightened her grip on the steering wheel at that statement. "What about being alone?"
"I don't have a problem with being alone... it's just that being alone in bed at night is annoying. Sometimes I wish I could have a Friday night with my partner, you know what I mean?" Mafuyu nodded, mentally noting this conversation for when Ena was sober. "I just want her to hold me, and we can watch silly movies while we forget all the damn stress of the week!"
Mafuyu noticed the brittle quality in Ena's voice as she spoke. "And I know she has to work... I really understand! I won't be selfish enough to ask her to make more time for me!"
"Do you want more time with her, though?" Mafuyu asked subtly.
"Yeah... but since I'm not going to tell her, I’m going out with Mizuki to karaoke to clear my head."
Clarifying wouldn’t be a term Mafuyu would use, but she understood the situation to some extent. She promised herself to change her schedule next week to spend a little more time with Ena at home. It would be good for her stress levels, too.
"I understand then... thanks for sharing that with me," she added, trying not to rush to fix the problem instantly. All in good time.
"I'm not complaining anyway—I have the best girlfriend in the world!" Ena said proudly, making Mafuyu smile again.
"Ena... you don't have a girlfriend."
Mafuyu could almost swear she saw a frown on Ena's face at that point.
"How can you say that after what I just told you? My girlfriend is very real!" Ena growled, squirming in her seat.
Mafuyu let out a short laugh. "You don't have a girlfriend, Ena." She slowed down and gently slid her right hand into Ena's.
It was curious how Ena accepted her touch so easily, without any resistance. Mafuyu raised her hand, holding it up in front of Ena's eyes. On one of her fingers was an engagement ring, just like the one on her own hand. Both had beautiful gemstones in the center—amber for Ena and amethyst for Mafuyu.
"You have a fiancée," she added, lowering her hand back to the car's gear shift.
"Oh," Ena exclaimed, followed by a cute little laugh. "I have a fiancée... Mafuyu..." She mumbled Mafuyu's name a couple more times, clearly amused.
Mafuyu noticed a couple of signs indicating they were nearing their apartment.
"She's at the hospital right now..." Ena said with a hint of boredom. "She arrives at 3 a.m."
Mafuyu smiled.
"How about you get some sleep? I promise your fiancée will be there when you wake up." Ena looked at her skeptically but nodded anyway.
"I'll listen to you... but only because I'm causing too much trouble for Mizuki," she grunted, settling in to catch some rest during the remaining seven minutes of the ride. "Besides, just to clarify... you're no more beautiful than my fiancée."
Mafuyu had to stifle a chuckle at that comment.
The next few minutes passed in complete silence.
"...M-Mafuyu?" Ena's sleepy but shocked voice made Mafuyu smile. "How?"
"Mizuki called and told me that someone was being stubborn enough to leave..." Ena nodded slowly, clearly still drunk.
"I wanted to be with you..." That confession warmed Mafuyu's heart more than she would admit.
"That's good to know." Mafuyu leaned over and kissed the crown of Ena's head, making her smile brightly. "Do you want to go up to our home?" Ena nodded enthusiastically.
Mafuyu got out of the car, walked around it, and when she opened the door to make things easier for Ena...
"Uh... could you carry me?" Ena asked. Mafuyu arched an eyebrow but couldn't deny her that whim. Not when Ena looked at her like that.
Besides, it would be more effective than dragging her piggyback style, as she had done before.
"It's okay." Mafuyu took the opportunity to pat Ena's head and ruffle her hair lightly, appreciating the loving look Ena was giving her.
It didn't take much effort to carry Ena. Mafuyu was quite strong thanks to her good physical condition, and Ena wasn't really heavy, so carrying her to the elevator and to her floor was a matter of minutes.
However, she was careful not to bump into anything along the way. It became particularly challenging when Ena started hugging her tightly and kissing the line of her neck.
Mafuyu wouldn't have minded if they were inside the apartment, but in the hallway where anyone could see them...
Mafuyu had no problems herself, but she knew Ena would be embarrassed about this later. She just wanted to take care of her fiancée properly and avoid any further issues for either of them.
It was a headache to find the keys and get inside. After finally closing the door behind them, Mafuyu quickly walked around the living room and set Ena down on the couch. However, Ena was reluctant to let her go.
"Ena?" Mafuyu asked, noticing the surprised look on her fiancée's face. It was then that she felt one of Ena's arms reach up to caress her cheek.
"You're really here..." Mafuyu smiled at Ena’s awkwardness from being drunk and nodded. "You got off work for me?" Ena slurred, her tone making Mafuyu’s heart race.
"I'd do anything for you..." she whispered, taking Ena's hand and bringing it to her lips for a brief kiss.
"Even stay with me today and hug me?" Mafuyu nodded vigorously, feeling she could do anything for Ena in that moment.
"Go take a bath, then we can do that, okay?" Mafuyu suggested. Ena smiled, but with her hand still behind Mafuyu's neck, she pulled her in for a kiss. The taste of alcohol was the first thing Mafuyu noticed, but she sighed, melting into the warmth that only Ena could provide.
They both shared a smile as they parted. "Shall we go bathe?" Ena invited, and Mafuyu nodded in acceptance of her fate.
They changed into their respective sleepwear. It wasn’t too hot, so they could wear whatever they wanted without any problem. Plus, the water would help with Ena's inebriation, making her a little more rational.
That didn’t make things any less sticky. As soon as they got into bed, Ena wasted no time in clinging to Mafuyu, hiding her head against her collarbone.
Mafuyu thought she needed that closeness, too. She felt all the stress of the week draining away, grateful to Mizuki for calling her to get off work.
"Better?" Mafuyu murmured, and Ena responded by hugging her a little tighter. "You won't have to go out on a Friday anymore..." she said with conviction.
Ena muttered something unintelligible.
"I will change my work shift," Mafuyu replied, causing Ena’s silence to linger longer than expected.
Mafuyu felt Ena gripping her clothes tightly. Naturally, she tried to look into Ena's eyes, but their position made it difficult.
"Are you serious?" Ena's soft voice made Mafuyu smile as she ran her fingers slowly through her hair.
"I mean it... I want to spend more time with you." Her tone was serious, prompting Ena to shift so she was level with Mafuyu’s face, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Mafuyu noticed tears in the corners of Ena's eyes.
"You don’t know how glad I am to hear that... I’d better remember it when I’m completely sober." Mafuyu shook her head playfully and gently cleared the artist’s forehead before leaving a chaste kiss.
"Sometimes I get too absorbed in work... and I’m glad I have you to keep me from going back to the way I was before, when I was younger," Mafuyu admitted, captivated by the sparkle in her partner’s eyes. It was something that had drawn her in from the start.
Her eyes were so transparent...
"I would never let that happen. We made a promise, remember?" Ena seemed to tire of holding that position and settled back on top of Mafuyu, firmly intertwining their hands.
"How could I forget? You practically exposed us in front of my mother and made some very interesting statements in front of people passing by the mall." The memory brought a playful smile to Mafuyu’s face.
She regretted mentioning it when she felt a playful bite on her neck.
"Shut up! I should have!" After a few moments of holding in their laughter, they both burst into giggles.
Mafuyu knew she wouldn’t trade that moment for anything... not even for work.
"I know, and I stand by what we said that day. We are together in this chaos called life." Ena let out a sigh, now more relaxed and ready to sleep.
"I love you... whether drunk or sober. You know that, don’t you?" Mafuyu tightened her grip on her partner and sighed.
"It’s pretty clear to me after today."
"Mafuyu!"
"I love you too," she replied before they both drifted off to sleep in the warmth of each other’s arms.