Title: meaning
Rating: G
Fandom: Tokyo Xanadu
Relationship: Hiiragi Asuka/Hokuto Mitsuki
Wordcount: 300
Short summary: There’s one rule they must follow.
There's a rule that must be followed or things may fall apart. A rule that they both follow after having been spoken once, because once was enough.
The rule is simple. They never speak of work at home. Oh, they can imply it. Body language can be interpreted, inferences made by scheduling conflicts and changes to routine. But technically they are on different sides when it comes to work. Sometimes opposing, sometimes aligned.
If they do meet during work hours, they do so as representatives for their organizations, and only the friendliness and familiarity of working together in the past is allowed. Utmost professional distance is maintained.
Because, for both of them, their work is their life's meaning, their legacy. One night, cuddling on the couch of this very apartment, they shared their pasts with each other, the commonalities that shaped them, that brought them to these positions, these duties. One night, while embracing in bed, they shared nightmares of loss and frustration, desperation and despair. But daytime, off time, holidays… On those days, they are just two women who love each other and want a simple, comfortable, sweet and domestic life together.
"Shall I brew another pot of tea?"
"Yes, please. The cookies are almost ready to eat."
"Thank you, Asuka."
"No, thank you, Mitsuki. Your friend always sends over the best recipes."
"I'll let her know."
Moments like these might have occurred hundreds of times, but they don't know (they can't know) when the next moment may come, if that next moment will come. It's something they don't talk about either. A tacit understanding…
Some things are out of their control. Some things are always against them. But it doesn't mean they should give up. Oh, they'll keep fighting, keep resisting…
That's what it means to be alive.