“Naru-chan?” came the timid murmur after a soft knock on their bedroom door. Arashi peeked an eye open to watch as a sliver of light came into the room, shrouded by the silhouette of her boyfriend. “Are ya awake, darlin’?” She felt a little flutter at the soft way he said it. As he opened the door a little wider and came into the room, she closed her eyes again.

“Nn… Yer still restin’, aren’t ya?” she could hear him smiling. “Ya deserve ta relax ‘n feel better, so that’s good… I got ya some choccies for yer tummy, but only if ya have some soup first… It’ll still be warm for a few more hours, so I’ll leave it here for ya, lovey.” There was the sound of a thermos being set down on her bedside. 

“Mm…” Arashi felt him move, and then the lightest of touches brushed her hair and then the side of her face. He fumbled a little, and then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Sleep well, darlin’…” She felt her heart melt a little, and raised her arm to grip his wrist. 

“NGAH!” He cried out. She tugged him closer and nuzzled into his neck, wrapping her arms around him. “Naru-chan!”

“Hi,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his skin. She could feel his pulse racing beneath her lips. Mika grumbled but hugged her back. 

“Yer teasin’ me again,” he mumbled softly. “Were ya awake th’ whole time?”

“Mmhmm~.”

“Yer cruel… What if I’d had a full-on heart attack, Naru-chan? ‘n keeled over ‘n you’d have to cry over my corpse?”

“Mmm, I’d try mouth to mouth first~,” she hummed. Mika grunted, but still relented when she kissed him. 

“Nn… I don’t think that’s how ya do it,” he mumbled, kissing her a few times before sighing and resting his head on hers. He gazed into her eyes. “How are ya feelin’, lovey?”

“Lots better now I have my Mika-chan,” she replied smoothly, relishing in the little giggle it produced. 

“Well, ya heard what I got for ya,” he pulled back a little to look at the goodies on her bedside. 

“Such a wonderful, caring boyfriend~,” she hummed, pressing kisses to his cheek even as he tried to gently thwack her to stop. 

“Yer always soo… Nnngh…”

“Nngh?” she said against his skin. 

“‘slike ya get mega clingy ‘n affectionate when yer hurtin’,” Mika sighed and nuzzled her. 

“Oh, you don’t like it?” she asked, already fake sniffling. 

“Shush yer pretty mouth,” Mika huffed in response, kissing her a bit more before pulling himself up despite her protests. “‘m gonna get ready fer bed, so eat your soup, ‘kay~?”

“Mika-chaan… I can’t eat so close to sleeping! Digesting disrupts your sleep and can lead to acid reflux!” Arashi moped, pouting up at him. 

“Mmn… Then after I’m ready, we can jus’ cuddle until yer done digestin’?”

“Mmmm…” She put a finger to her cheek thoughtfully, then looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Only if you stay with me~.” He grumbled a little. 

“Damn yer cute puppy eyes…” he mumbled, clambering into their bed and making her grin in triumph. 

Mika propped up her pillow for her so she could eat, which made Arashi flush and insist she could do it herself. He knew that, of course, but he loved how flustered she got when he did little things like that for her. He pressed himself to her side like a barnacle and watched her eat from his low angle. She noticed after a while and put her hand over his eyes, leading to a little tussle that almost spilt soup everywhere. 

“I still need ta get ready,” Mika murmured into her neck. She hummed and stroked his hair with gentle fingers. 

“How could I eat my soup without you here?” she pouted. Mika huffed again, poking her side and making her squeak. 

“Ya know damn well yer jus’ bein’ dramatic,” he grumbled. He stayed snuggled up to her, though. “How’s yer pain?”

“Better,” she replied after a mouthful. “It seems that my sweet Mika-chan can fix all my ailments~.” 

“‘s more likely the ibuprofen ‘n soup, silly.”

“Nooo, it’s absolutely my wonderful boyfriend’s presence and warmth. My body can sense your love, so it’s healing.” Arashi twirled her fingers through his hair. 

“‘Kaayyy, I’ll trust yer fake-ass science, then,” Mika kissed her neck softly. “Only ‘cuz I love ya.”

“I love you too!” Arashi smiled down at him, then narrowed her eyes. “But it’s not fake science. It’s a very well tested hypothesis, actually.”

“Nnaa, I doubt thaaat~,” Mika rubbed his hand over her stomach. “Silly girl.” Arashi hummed and closed her eyes. 

“You’re soothing it right now, though…”

“Ngah, what happened to just my presence healin’ ya?”

“Sometimes I need extra attention, duh~,” Arashi put the empty thermos aside and burrowed into Mika’s arms, pressing her face to his collarbone and sighing. “You’re so warm…”

“Yer such a warmth leech,” Mika mumbled. He rubbed her back slowly, focusing on her lower back. “Is it more yer tummy or back today?”

“Back,” she whispered, smiling when Mika pressed his fingers in a little. “You’re so good to me, Mika-chan~.”

“Well, I know how bad it can feel, lovey,” Mika murmured and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I used to puke ‘n stuff.”

“My poor darling,” Arashi pouted and squeezed him closer. “It’s been okay lately, right?”

“Mhm~, ‘m lucky that it’s alright today…” she hummed, then blinked. 

“Wait, today?”

“Huah?! Y-yea?” She pulled back and thwacked his shoulder lightly. 

“You— Mika-chan!”

“Wauh, what’d I do?!”

“You’re here pampering me and being all sweet when you’re on your period too?”

“Well, ‘m used to it—”

“That’s not an excuse!” Arashi pouted at him. She cupped his face and pressed their foreheads together with narrow eyes. “Evil boyfriend…”

“‘m not evil… Jus’ ‘cuz I wanted ta support my girlfriend on her period?”

“You’re dealing with more than me!” She squished his cheeks. “Do you want soup? A heat pack?”

“‘m all good, Naru-chan, really…” Mika nudged their noses. “Big pad is in n’ I’ve got my warm girl and her cuddles, I’ll be fine~.” Arashi huffed. She kissed him then turned to reach for the box on her bedside. She turned back with a piece of chocolate in her fingers. 

“Open up~,” she hummed. Mika did so, blushing a little as she fed him. “There we go. Now at least I’ve done something.”

“Mmhm, thank ya,” Mika mumbled, then swallowed. “Even if that was meant for ya.” Arashi shrugged. 

“I’ll always share with you, love,” she popped a piece in her mouth and pulled him into her arms. “Naughty.”

“‘m nooot,” Mika whined, but nuzzled into her chest anyway.

“I didn’t know we were synced,” she murmured. “I am with Hiyori-chan, but you’re always irregular.”

“Mmhm, ‘t’s always fluctuatin’. Prob’bly won’t be synced by next month,” Mika hummed when Arashi started rubbing his back the same way he did for her. 

“And here I was being all mopey and exhausted when my precious boyfriend was dealing with way more,” Arashi huffed again. Mika grumbled. 

“Yer goin’ through it for th’ first time, yer allowed ta be a bit down.”

“Hardly the first, it’s been… Two years now, I think,” she smiled, and Mika did too. 

“Grown up girl now, yer gettin’ so experienced.” The words made Arashi laugh. Mika’s arm left her back and reached out before flopping pathetically to the bed. 

“What? You want more chocolate?” Arashi pulled back to reach for it. She broke off a piece and held it up. “Ask nicely.”

“Can I have some of yer choccy please, my darlin’ Naru-chan?” Mika added a pleading look to the mix to really strike the arrow through her heart. Arashi laughed softly and popped it in his mouth. 

Mika gnawed on his lip, his eyes scanning the countless bags as they trundled across the conveyor. He fiddled with his cross-body bag, stepping to and fro. It was hard enough to find a spot to see through the throng of people bustling beside him, let alone one that gave him quick access. He wanted to hang back and avoid the crowds and anxiety they brought, but he didn’t have the patience he usually did. He had someone waiting for him, after all. Someone that he had missed more than anything over the seventeen days he’d been gone. 

His fingers slid across the smooth metal of his keychain, his lips quirking up a little. It was a small metal heart engraved with an A and M. He ran his thumb across the grooves, taking a deep breath and turning his attention back to the bags. 

There were too many, really. And none with the purple and yellow ribbon tied on by a certain someone (who had protested that even if the fancy bow she did came undone, it would still be worth it to be pretty for a while). 

Someone bumped into him, making him jolt and stutter out apologies. He had barely slept on the plane, so it was probably his fault for being quite unaware of his surroundings. He was lucky that his wonderful girlfriend had agreed to wake up and pick him up at such an early time. 

After what felt like an eternity, Mika’s bag finally slid out of the belt, tumbling onto the conveyor. He brightened and squeezed his way to the front, picking up the bag and carrying it to a less crowded area to wheel it. He pouted a little when he saw the ribbons unfurled ends, walking towards the final check and pausing on the side of the walkway to try and fix it. He wasn’t exactly sure how she did such a large, beautiful bow, and he cursed quietly at how much his attempt paled in comparison. He didn’t want her to think that he hadn’t appreciated her work, even if she said she didn’t mind. 

He walked towards the last hurdle between him and the exit, luckily being allowed through a streamlined line for citizens. He felt a giddiness rise up in him with every step closer to the doors, biting back a grin and almost tripping over his feet in his eagerness. 

The second the doors opened, Mika was scanning the crowd with bated breath. He was towards the latter half of the group, not wanting to be overwhelmed but too excited to wait until the crowds had thinned completely. He walked out and across the roped off exit, glancing at countless expectant faces. 

The grin on Mika’s face hurt his cheeks the second he saw Arashi again. They rushed towards each other, Mika stumbling again and almost losing his suitcase as he barrelled into her arms. She let out a squeak, then laughed and held him just as tightly. Mika felt like he could cry at feeling the comfort of her arms again. He buried his face in her shoulder, the stress and exhaustion of the past few weeks soothed by just being with her. 

“Mika-chan,” Arashi breathed out, her hand sliding up to stroke his hair. Mika could hear her smile, he still had the same matching one. He tilted his head back, cupping her cheeks and just looking at her. After a few moments, her smile turned a little bashful, so she leaned forward and kissed him. 

It was just a peck, but Mika instantly felt as if they were the only people in the whole airport. Arashi’s attention, her affection, had a way of calming him that nothing else could. When he pressed their lips together again, the kiss got cut short by their smiles, which sent both of them giggling. 

“Naru-chan,” Mika murmured, pressing their foreheads together for a moment. He was aware that seventeen days was hardly long enough to be acting like this, but he didn’t care. Their lives had become so intertwined that not having Arashi to come home to every night had felt like he was missing a limb. 

Arashi pulled him out of his stupor by taking his suitcase, kissing his cheek and taking his hand. Mika was already cured of his airport stress, almost floating towards the exit. 

“How was your flight?” she asked, pulling her jacket a little tighter as the night chill of the air settled in. Mika hummed, moving closer to her. 

“‘s alright,” he said. “I had a middle seat, but th’ flight was a lil’ empty, so I jus’ swapped.”

“Ooh, so lucky~,” Arashi hummed, bumping their shoulders. “Did you get any photos for me?” Mika smiled and nodded as they crossed into the carpark. 

“Yea, I got plenty that I haven’t shown ya yet,” he giggled at her pout. “Nnh, ya can’t expect me to send ya everythin’ I took~.”

“Yes I can! I’m your girlfriend, so I should receive prompt updates on my love’s overseas trips. How mean…” She sighed out dramatically, something that Mika was sure would have been accompanied by a hand to her heart if her hands weren’t preoccupied. 

“Nyehe, Naru-chan,” Mika squeezed her hand as he spotted her car. “Ya still get priority, don’t worry yer pretty head.” Arashi smiled at him, unable to keep up her fake pout for long. 

“I better,” she said, opening the boot and putting Mika’s suitcase in. She paused, her fingers brushing Mika’s messy bow. “Did you redo it?”

“Sorry,” Mika deflated a little. “It came undone, so I tried ta make it as pretty as ya, but I’m no good.” Arashi just smiled, patting the bow and closing the boot. 

“I think it’s perfect,” she said, her flattery making him flush a little. Now that they were in a much more private area with their hands free, she softened and wrapped her arms around him. “I missed you so much, Mika-chan.” Her admission was quiet, and Mika hummed softly. He’d seen it in their texts, and even heard it over the phone, but hearing her say it right in front of him hit his heart in a different way. 

“I missed ya more,” he replied, smiling when she grumbled. Her face pressed into Mika’s neck, and he sighed. 

“Home is way too quiet without you.” Mika felt his chest clench at her words. He held her tighter. 

“I’m here now,” he said, kissing her hair. “I’ll annoy ya until ya want me to leave again.” She puffed out a laugh.