Archive of Our Own ^beta

Mina is in shambles from the moment that they find out Aoyama is the traitor. 

Her hand grips at Kyoka’s shoulder, tears glistening in the inky black of her eyes. It takes everything in Kyoka to not turn around and tenderly cup her face; wipe away the tears with the pads of her thumb and wrap her arms around her in a tight hug. 

This isn't the time or the place, though. Not now, with all their teachers and classmates standing in front of Aoyama, who's chained up and despondent. 

It's not the time, and it's not the place, but Kyoka can't bring herself to not reach out in turn. She brings her hand across her chest, holding Mina at the crook of her elbow. 

Almost instantly, Kyoka can feel the way Mina’s hands tighten, her nails almost digging into the skin of Kyoka’s shoulder.

Kyoka doesn't mind, though. God, how could she, when she knows all too well just how much this touch means to Mina; how despite the sheen of tears in her eyes and the trembling of her lips, that the touch of skin on skin is the only thing keeping Mina from completely collapsing into heart-wrenching sobs.

Kyoka knows that once they retreat back to their dorms, that Mina still won't let go. She'll continue to cling on tightly to Kyoka, until she leads Mina to her bedroom. 

She won't let go then, either. She'll hold on even tighter, her other hand coming up to wrap around Kyoka as she presses her face into the crook of Kyoka's neck, quiet sobs rocking through her body.

Kyoka won't mind then, either. She'll wrap her arms around Mina in return, holding her tight as she cards her fingers through her hair. She'll press soft, quiet kisses to her head, humming a slow, soothing tune until Mina’s sobs die out.

Even then, Mina won't let go. She'll finally look up at Kyoka and press a chaste kiss to her lips before asking to stay the night.

Kyoka won't mind then, either. She'll bring out the pajamas that Mina left in her room for her to change, and change into her own pajamas herself. They'll curl up together in Kyoka's bed, under her fluffy comforter. 

Mina’s hands will reach out for Kyoka then, too—her arms, her neck, her face, her hair. She'll wrap her arms around Kyoka, burying her face into Kyoka's shirt before whispering out tear-stained “thank you”s and “I love you”s. 

Kyoka won't mind then, either. She'll wrap her arms back around Mina, pressing another kiss to her forehead before whispering love-dipped “of course”s and “I love you too”s.

As sleep takes its hold on Kyoka, she can't help but think of how she wouldn't mind having Mina’s nails dig into her skin and holding her back for the rest of her life.