Title: tea break
Rating: G
Fandom: Tokyo Xanadu
Relationship: Hiiragi Asuka/Hokuto Mitsuki
Wordcount: 891
Short summary: Asuka and Mitsuki have a tea break after Asuka returns from training in the Eclipse.
Asuka stretches before leaving the bathroom, feeling the rejuvenating effects of a shower after a strenuous training session in the Eclipse. Normally on Saturday she would have stopped by the café and helped Yamaoka-san with some organizing, but today unfortunately is not a rest day. While there isn’t anything major happening here in Morimiya, Shiori had messaged her last night with some concerning news out of Osaka. It’s not at an emergency level yet, but as an Enforcer she must be prepared to act.
“I made some tea.”
“Thanks, Mitsuki.”
The benefit of doing such training on a Saturday, though, is returning home to Mitsuki like this, relaxed and casual, ready to provide tea and snacks. Asuka sits down next to Mitsuki on the sofa and picks up a cup filled with lemon black tea.
“It’s been a bit since we had tea together instead of coffee.”
Mitsuki smiles. “I love the coffee you make.”
“Thanks to Yamaoka-san.”
Because oftentimes, especially when things get busy for Mitsuki, they only spend nighttime at home together. They might not even eat dinner together but only have time to exchange greetings before Asuka goes to sleep. Or maybe they just have a little bit of time together in the morning, which is when Asuka will brew coffee.
The nice thing about sipping tea in the afternoon, though, is the way it warms her body but slowly, gently. Points of stress seem to just melt away, and Asuka finds her back sinking into the sofa. It brings her hands farther away from the cookie tin, though, but right now…
“Asuka.”
Her name is murmured so softly and sweetly, as if she is beloved and treasured. Asuka turns her head left to face Mitsuki, who gazes at Asuka fondly, who has waited for Asuka to turn her gaze upon hers.
“May I lean on your shoulder?”
It’s such a simple request that Asuka can’t help but chuckle. “It’s funny that you still ask even after 10 years.”
“Well we weren’t dating yet 10 years ago,” Mitsuki replies as she shifts her position on the sofa.
“True. I suppose we have only been like this for 5.”
Asuka secures Mitsuki’s position by putting her left arm around Mitsuki’s shoulder. Once Mitsuki is properly snug against Asuka’s side, Asuka lets the tension go in that arm, letting it slide down so her hand rests on Mitsuki’s waist.
5 years… They waited 5 years before committing to a romantic relationship. Not because their feelings took so long to develop, but because so many parts of their lives were uncertain. They went to different universities, although their involvement with Nemesis and Zodiac brought them together regularly. Asuka hadn’t committed fully to staying in Japan. Mitsuki hadn’t committed to refusing all business marriages. They both needed to secure their places, their independent priorities as Nemesis Enforcer and Hokuto Corporation heir respectively, before they could say yes to a relationship. Because if Asuka were to trace the start of her affection for Mitsuki, it was probably sometime during that summer in 2015, when they started to cooperate and Asuka got to see that Mitsuki was really just… Another person ultimately driven by love. Love for family, friends, community…
“Asuka…”
“Hmm?”
“Do you need to wake up early tomorrow?”
Mitsuki shifts in Asuka’s loose embrace, sitting up and smoothing out her purple locks. Asuka pulls her arm back, allowing Mitsuki to shift herself away. It doesn’t feel like they had been sitting cuddled up for too long, but Asuka probably spent quite a while ruminating on their relationship.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Asuka sighs. “Shiori’s reports are concerning so I’ll be trying to catch one of morning trains to Osaka.”
“Keep me updated.” Mitsuki stands up and starts gathering their teacups.
“Of course. If I need to stay more than a day, I’ll let you know right away.”
“And I’ll come join you.”
“Yeah…” Asuka nods. It’s a promise, both professional and personal. If things ever get big, too big for Asuka to handle, for a Nemesis Enforcer to handle, then Mitsuki and Zodiac are to help. “Let’s just think about that later.” Before Mitsuki can put away the cookie tin, Asuka asks, “Are those cookies from Nodoka?”
“Yes. She delivered them yesterday.” Mitsuki chuckles and pushes the cookie tin towards Asuka instead. “She’s still annoyed that I currently have a male assistant, but Kyouka deserves to do what she wishes after all the work she has done for me.”
“Agreed.” Kyouka shifted to working her own independent team within the Hokuto corporation as of 6 months ago. Asuka doesn’t know all the details but can guess that it’s a move to give Mitsuki more allies among the leaders in the group, to balance against the old guard.
Not that any of that affects how Asuka supports Mitsuki. She reaches for a cookie. Time to stop any thoughts of work for the night. It’s a rule between them to refrain from working on Saturday or Sunday nights, to make sure they always rest. Of course when there is an emergency, things happen, but…
“Only eat a few, though. I’m making pork cutlet for dinner.”
“Got it.”
To have tea breaks, sofa cuddling, and simple dinners together. It might seem so ordinary, but for two people with rather unordinary lives, these moments are precious and treasured.