#lee!an

An tossed and turned in bed, her girlfriend long-since asleep next to her in preparation for their performance the next day. Try as she might, An couldn’t force herself to join Kohane in her peaceful slumber. Her mind had been alight all night at the thought of their show. Despite the fact that the two of them had been practicing constantly for weeks and had their moves and vocals down to a tee, An couldn’t help but mentally rerun everything over and over and over to  make absolutely certain she would be perfect. She had to be perfect, she couldn’t let Kohane down. 

You realize that an exhaustion can cause a performance to suffer too, right? Came the cruel, unyielding voice in her head. Ironically, it was the same one keeping her awake in the first place. Objectively, she understood that that way of thinking was getting her nowhere, especially right now. She had to sleep but she couldn’t and that only made the voice louder and then the voice got louder and made it harder to sleep, restarting the cycle all over again. 

She tried to focus on other things, like the warmth of the covers or her girlfriend’s gentle, steady breathing, but to no avail. She was stuck like this for however long it took for the voice to quiet down. Unfortunately, An was no stranger to those thoughts. She had struggled with this sort of late night perfectionism for about as long as she had been performing and had yet to find an effective solution other than waiting until she was tired enough for sleep to take her on its own.

Tonight, however, was especially bad. An couldn’t recall when it had ever taken her this long to fall asleep and was beginning to feel frustrated and helpless. For what had to have been about the two-hundredth time that night, An flopped onto her other side and adjusted the blankets with a particularly loud sigh. But for the first time that night, her movements were met in response with the faint rustle of sheets next to her. 

An froze in place. She couldn’t do anything but be still and hope her girlfriend was still  unaware and tired enough to go back to sleep. She didn’t want to disturb her over something so childish.

Her hopes were quickly destroyed. 

“An? Are you still awake?” Came a soft, sleepy whisper from the darkness beside her.

“Yeah. I couldn't sleep,” An turned towards her and sheepishly whispered in response, “Sorry for waking you up, I know you're a light sleeper.” 

“Hey, it's okay, I'm not upset. Do you maybe want a hug?” Kohane offered hesitantly, not entirely sure what was wrong or what her girlfriend needed from her. 

One beat passed. Then another. Kohane was just beginning to worry she said something wrong when she suddenly had a very sleepy An in her arms, burying her face into her shoulder and squeezing her tight. 

“Oh, hehe. You wanted this, huh?” Kohane let out surprised giggles, still slightly nervous. She slowly wrapped her arms around her partner and gently held her to her body. A muffled hum, which Konhane assumed was meant to be affirmative, was all she got in reply. “Why are you still up? Is something wrong?” 

“It’s nothing big, love. You can go back to sleep if you want.” An’s voice was exhausted and quiet, something Kohane rarely saw from her. It worried her.

“You can talk to me about anything, big or small you know? I want to help.” Even though the lights were off, there was an audible frown in the blonde’s tone. 

She always had a harder time keeping it together at night. And maybe she did want the comfort, okay? It might upset Kohane more if she refused. An sighed in resignation “If you’re sure,” She felt her girlfriend give a slight nod before she began solemnly, “I guess I’m just a little anxious about tomorrow… well I guess today depending on what time it is. She added with a breathy, humorless laugh. “What if I mess something up?”

An felt herself being pulled tighter to her girlfriend. She adored how secure Kohane made her feel.

“Hey, honey,'' came the especially sweet voice Kohane reserved for quiet, vulnerable moments like this. “I promise you have nothing to worry about. We’ve worked so hard on this, you of all people should have no problems. You’re amazing and I can’t wait to see you shining as bright as always on that stage. I’m so lucky to be able to call you my partner. You’re going to be alright. Everything is going to be alright. I’m here.” She punctuated her sentence with a kiss to An’s forehead. 

“I.. thank you… I love you.” An faintly mumbled. 

“Hehe, I love you too. Are you feeling any better?” 

“Yeah, I am..” An sounded sincere but it was obvious to her partner that she was leaving something out. 

“Is there anything else I can do for you right now?” Kohane offered, a subtle attempt to get An to reveal what was still bothering her. 

“Well ther-” An cut herself off, her face turning slightly pink at the idea of her first thought. If even the idea of asking to be turned into a giggly mess made her blush that bad, she couldn’t imagine how bad it would be to actually say the words out loud. “Well.. maybe… Nope, nevermind. You’ve done more than enough” She kissed the particular part of Kohane’s shoulder she currently rested on. 

“Hey, no. What’s on your mind?” It was unlike An to be so secretive. When it came to Kohane, she was usually an open book. “I want to make you comfortable right now.”

“It’s just a little embarrassing is all. You don’t have to if you don’t want to and it’s totally fine if you don’t want to. The cuddling is nice and the words are nice and you’re being nice and it’s rea-” 

“Sweetheart, you’re rambling a little. It’s okay to ask. The worst that I’ll do is say no and then we can keep cuddling. You don’t have to be so embarrassed.” Kohane murmured into An’s ear. 

“Okay then. I, um, could you please, uh maybe ticklemeplease?” An barely managed to stammer into Kohane’s ear. “I know it’s usually the other way around but I’m just... in a mood, I think.”

Kohane all but squealed at the sweet request. “Awwww! Is that all it was? Of course I will! I’m not exactly sure how to do this, though. Is there anything specific you want?.” 

An’s face was more red than it had ever been in her life. So red, in fact, that when she tried to hide it in Kohane’s shoulder, her partner could feel its warmth. “Uh- um- co- could you- gentle on my back please?” 

“Tell me if it’s too much, okay?” Kohane asked, giving her girlfriend’s hair another quick peck. The moment she got a flushed nod of agreement, Kohane gently slipped her fingers under An’s shirt to reach her warm back, taking a moment to appreciate the soft gasp and slight giggles already spilling from her partner. 

She delicately traced her nails up and down An’s spine, trying hard not to overwhelm the tired girl. 

“Ehehehe, you don’t have to behe that gentle, I can take it.” An said, digging her head further into Kohane’s shoulder. 

Grateful for the guidance, Kohane sped up a little and turned her tracing into light scribbling. She was delighted to hear higher pitched and slightly more frantic giggles in response. “Awww, listen to that. You really like this don’t you?” She cooed.

An knew she wasn’t trying to tease and that made the comment a million times more flustering to her. She was immensely glad that her partner couldn’t see her bright red face. “Ahehe, nohoho,” She whined as Kohane moved her still scribbling hand to circle around all over her back

“No? I thought you wanted this? After all, you were the one to ask for it.” Okay. Maybe that one was purposely teasing. 

“Ahehe, KohaNEHE,” An squealed and gave a sudden jerk as Kohane stumbled across a particularly sensitive part of her upper back, close to her ribs. Both girls were frozen in place, each waiting on the other’s reaction. 

Kohane was the first to break. “That’s a pretty bad spot, isn’t it?” She asked with a smile. 

That was the worst part of Kohane’s tickling. She was always so kind and genuine in everything she did, and when it came to teasing, An constantly found herself wondering if her words were legitimate questions and observations or if they were actually meant to make her stomach squirm and her face red. Either way, both scenarios had the same result: A blushy, giggly girlfriend. 

An wasn’t in the best state for a clever quip back or really any other response than the one she gave. “Mhmhehe mahybehe,” 

“Maybe? What do you mean maybe? It’s a yes or no question, sweetheart.” Kohane teased, zeroing in on the ticklish spot, all ten fingers scribbling away, rewarded handsomely with the precious laughter of her beloved. Despite the purpose being to make An feel better, Kohane found that she was having a lot of fun too. 

She suddenly stopped her hands, and dropped the teasy voice to softly ask the girl in her arms “Is this alright? Are you still having fun?” 

Pure and absolute love for her girlfriend bubbled in An’s heart. 

“Ihihit’s perfehct.” An burrowed further into Kohane, not to hide, but simply to feel even closer to her.

Kohane resumed as she was, continuing to target the spots that made her squeak and giggle. 

They stayed like that for what felt like eternity, before the soft tickling slowly started to dwindle. She slowed gradually, the scribbling becoming soft pokes and the pokes turning into firm rubs on her back until the residual giggles died down. Maybe An could stand to get some rest now.

“It’s getting late, how about we try to sleep n-“ Kohane cut herself off, noticing the visible half of An’s peaceful, still smiling face, at long last asleep on her chest, breathing steadily. 

“Goodnight,” Kohane said with a kiss to An’s forehead. “I love you so much.” And even though she didn’t say it back, Kohane knew from An’s form nestled into her body, her girlfriend felt the exact same about her. 

The rising sun streaked through the curtains, providing slight warmth and gently illuminating the two girls cuddled together, fast asleep under the fluffy covers. The sounds of the birds chirping outside combined with the low whir of the fan coming from the ceiling created a calming aura that hung in the air. The scene was delicate and serene and that is exactly what Haruka felt as she stirred awake at the same time she always did.

She sat up a little in bed and took in the view. The sunrise, the light breeze making the trees outside sway, and most importantly, the sleepy An curled into her side. She looked so pretty with her eyes closed, a lazy expression, and a faint smile over her face. She looked so at peace in her arms, Haruka almost felt guilty disturbing her. As much as she wanted to stay here in this moment, one that made sleep look underwhelming as the quiet early mornings next to her lover beat any dream she could ever have, it was time for the day to begin. 

Haruka smiled fondly and planted a kiss on her girlfriend’s forehead. Usually, she would have to meticulously worm her way out of An’s (surprisingly firm for someone sleeping) grasp in order to start her morning routine. Today, however, An had a particularly early morning practice with Vivid Bad Squad, reluctantly scheduled in order to accommodate everyone else’s plans for the rest of the day. The previous night, she had specifically requested for Haruka to wake her up when she got up for her morning workout, forgoing an alarm in exchange for the idol’s flawless circadian rhythm.

The blue haired girl allowed herself one more minute to admire An’s relaxed and softly snoring form before finally beginning to shake her shoulder. 

“An? Darling, it’s time to wake up.” She held her close and kissed her temple, trying to wake her gradually. 

“Mmmmm, noooo-” An groaned sleepily and rolled over in her hold. “Sleep.”

Haruka giggled at the reaction and ran a hand through her long, ombre hair. Her heart gave a pleasant squeeze at the scene. She regretted having to be the one to bring about its end. “No more sleep. It’s time to wake up.”

An groaned again, but didn’t give any verbal response, clearly already falling back into her slumber. 

“You have to wake up, now, love.” Haruka kissed her cheek. “You have practice, remember?” If she was being honest with herself, this didn’t come as much of a surprise. An was notorious for both not being a morning person and for being incredibly stubborn. A frustrating combination when you were the one expected to get her out of bed at the crack of dawn.

“Nooo I don’t. You do.” An rolled back over and clung to Haruka, making it abundantly clear with her grip alone that she had no intention of letting go anytime soon. 

“We both have things to do this morning.” Haruka wrapped an arm around her body, giving a quick, affectionate squeeze. “And you asked me to get you up, remember?’

An, again, said nothing. Though Haruka suspected this time was more of a matter of ignoring her rather than her not being fully conscious yet. 

She wasn’t going to be convinced by words alone, that much was not only obvious, but also expected from anyone who knew An in any capacity. Haruka knew she had to take a different approach. Luckily, she had just the one in mind. “If you’re going to act like that, An, I’ll have to use another way to wake you up, okay? Just remember that you wanted this.” The smirk in Haruka’s voice was audible, even from An’s position, who was turned towards Haruka and using the entirety of her upper body as a makeshift pillow. 

“Mmmm, not awheheke!” Uncontrolled, loopy giggles burst from An as she felt gentle fingers tapping on her back.

“Well, we can do something about that, right?” Haruka knew full well how ticklish An’s back could be. If even tapping got her this bad, she was eager to see just how far she could take it in her uncooperative, silly state. “Is this waking you up?” Her fingers tapped rapidly up and down all over An’s back as she giggled herself silly, completely unable to hold back. 

“Nohoho! Hehe!” An wiggled back and forth and weakly kicked her legs out. 

“I don't know, you're looking pretty lively you know. But if you need even more waking up-” Haruka took a single nail and dragged it over An’s spine. 

“EEEE! Nahahat that!” An squealed in delight as her squirming grew. 

“You know how to make me stop.” Haruka grinned and repeated the action, eliciting a similar reaction. 

“Nohoho! Nohot gehehetting up! EEEHE!” An leaned forward, away from the hands on her back but closer to the idol in front of her, effectively keeping her trapped against her girlfriend. 

Haruka clicked her tongue, “So stubborn.” Her playful tone sent butterflies straight to An’s stomach. “I gave you a chance to listen on your own but now I have no choice but to make you. Get ready, love.” She pulled her hands away, no longer touching An, causing the latter to burst into more giggles. She knew where this was heading and despite her face going red and chest growing tight, she couldn't wait.  

The time Haruka wasn't doing anything felt like torture. An couldn't tell when she was going to make her move. Every breath she took held the wonderfully dizzying fear that it would be interrupted with laughter. She inhaled, trying to calm her nerves and let out a shaky sigh. She was in the middle of repeating the action when she felt the fabric of the back of her shirt being gently pulled upwards and the cool air against her bare skin. Light fingertips brushed her as they passed by, but made no movement to strike. The tension in the air grew thick.

The noises of nature waking up alongside them had strayed from the zone of comforting and relaxing to almost mocking. The birds outside remained singing their gentle song, completely oblivious to and in spite of An’s predicament. The moment was theirs and theirs alone to share, which on one hand was beautiful in that they got to share such an intimate and loving morning together, but on the other made An’s skin prickle. Yes they were alone together but that also meant she was the sole focus of all of her girlfriend’s teasing attention with no chance of a distraction. 

Haruka might call it poetic but An just saw it as yet another one of the many ways she was trapped. Not even the birds could save her now. She smiled softly thinking about how much she loved and trusted this woman. In nobody else’s arms could she ever feel so secure and happy to be trapped. 

And then all ten wiggling fingers descended onto her back at once. “ACKAHAHAHAHA HARU PLEAHEASE!” She arched herself away from the tickles, again curling forward to the very source of them. 

“Begging already, sweetie?” Haruka smirked, already love drunk on An’s sleepy laughter and wanting more than anything to hear more. “Does the morning really make you that weak? Or maybe just more ticklish? You really are a street singer then if you flourish at night.”

“SHUHUT UHUP!” An shrieked.

“I will…” Haruka let her hands drag towards An’s upper back. “As soon as you get up.” 

“NEHEVER!” An challenged confidently through her loud laughter.

Haruka smiled far too softly for what she was planning, she expected no less defiance from her competitive girlfriend. Lucky for the both of them though, Haruka could be just as competitive herself. 

“Never? That’s a pretty strong word for someone about to get her armpits tickled.” 

“WahaHAHAHAIT!-” The bright laughter filling the room increased in volume as An’s panicked voice processed the meaning of the threat. 

“Wait? What for? I thought you said you'd never get up. There's nothing to wait for if you plan on being here forever.” Haruka showed the slightest bit of what may be considered remorse in the form of a quick peck on An’s cheek.

The ‘apologetic’ gesture meant very little to its recipient though when just as she felt the fleeting sensation of gentle lips leaving her, she was overwhelmed with two hands each forcing their way under one of her arms.

“NAHAHAT THEHERE! ANHYWHERE BUHUT-” An gasped desperately before descending into booming cackles she couldn't even begin to try and form words through. 

Haruka was anything but cruel, meaning her attack was, while brutal, still short-lived. Once she had removed her hands from the death spots, she began to comfortingly rub the shoulders of An’s still hysterical form.

“Ahaha- Thaha- That’s cheheating. You're suhuch a cheater.” She had somehow managed to contort her face into an odd mix of the remnants of her giggles, a good natured smile, and a pout. 

Haruka playfully rolled her eyes and kissed the tips of her girlfriend’s bright red ears. “You started it. I wouldn't have had to tickle you if you had just gotten up, which by the way we still need to do.” 

“Mmm, five more minutes?” An snuggled close to Haruka’s chest before even receiving an answer. “I’ve earned it.” 

Haruka could only chuckle and scratch affectionately at An’s scalp. “Yes, I suppose you have. But if you try for any more than five…”

An shivered at the feeling of tapping on her back.

“I think we both know what will happen to you.”

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