Nobara’s concentrated stare on the floor padding in front of her was broken by a hand cast down in her direction. Glancing up, her amber eyes met Maki’s golden ones. Her heart thrummed in her throat.

Don’t get distracted. Just breathe. Nobara thought to herself as she tried to slow her pulse.

“Let’s do this, then,” Maki said as she helped hoist her to her feet. The feeling of her battle-warn palm on hers made Nobara swallow so hard she worried Maki could hear it. The two bowed in acknowledgment and then took their respective fighting stances.

Faster than she could even think, Maki made the first move. With a quick swipe of a leg to her shins, Nobara was flat on her back looking up at the ceiling of the gym.

“Too easy! Gojo should have given me Todo,” Maki laughed. Nobara couldn’t tell if she was pissed off or turned on by the arrogant comment.

“I wasn’t even ready yet, Maki! Shit!” Nobara huffed getting back on her feet. She knew Maki was stronger than her in just about every way (with the exception of her lack of cursed energy, of course), but this didn’t make her want to impress her any less.

“That’s what they all say,” Maki barked as her fist flew toward her. Nobara countered with a block and then threw a punch of her own that Maki swiftly dodged. Spinning behind her, Maki threw an elbow to her back. Before Nobara could hit the ground with a thud, Maki quickly grabbed her by the hips and pulled her flush against her. Nobara’s stomach somersaulted at having her in such close proximity.

“Didn’t want your pretty face to meet the floor,” Maki muttered.

“Uh…th-thanks, I think?” Nobara said as Maki pulled her hands away and put them behind her back.

“No need to thank me,” Maki dismissed. What am I doing? I’m supposed to be fighting, not flirting! Maki thought to herself as she got back into position.

Taking a deep breath, Nobara attempted to throw a roundhouse kick to her ribs. Maki immediately took out the leg she was balancing on but also lost her footing on the return. Nobara’s back slammed into the mat once again, but this time Maki landed right on top of her.

Her body weight pinned Nobara’s arms to the ground while her knee rested between her thighs. Time seemed to freeze for a moment as Maki became hyper-aware of the woman now underneath her. She could feel her heaving breasts against her own and knew the heat was immediately rising to her cheeks. Looking at Nobara’s slightly parted lips, she felt the urge to fall further forward and meet them with her own. She shook her head and rushed back to her feet.

Was I imagining that or did she…want to kiss me? Nobara thought as she rose. When she found solid footing, Nobara pulled her arm back and plunged her fist forward into Maki’s toned stomach. Maki barely moved. Nobara unclenched her hand and let the pads of her well-manicured fingers slide down each muscle of her abs. Maki gasped - and it wasn’t because she was hurt.

Realizing what she was doing, Nobara blinked herself back to the present moment. “I…uh…s-sorry,” Nobara began to apologize, but before she could finish, Maki grabbed Nobara’s arm and pulled her knee right into her stomach. Nobara struggled to fill her lungs with air as she collapsed forward, falling into Maki’s arms.

Maki stood stock-still for a moment before helping her stand upright. She absolutely could not look her in the eyes right now or it would be the end. “Uh, yeah you took that last hit pretty hard and Gojo said no serious injuries so we better call it a day, ok? I’ll catch you later,” Maki mumbled as she grabbed a towel, threw it over her shoulder, and rushed out of the gym.

Nobara watched in disbelief as the older girl swiftly exited the dojo.

What the actual hell was that all about?

—————

Maki stood under the freezing water of the shower in her dorm room attempting to rid herself of the extremely vivid images now streaming through her mind.

No. No. Absolutely not. You barely have friends as it is. You can’t fuck this up, Maki.

The innocent way Nobara had looked up at her during their sparring match was now permanently embedded in her brain. The feel of her soft skin underneath her, the faint smell of her rose-scented body spray, the sound of her panting from the exhaustion of trying to keep up with her…

Nope. A cold shower wasn’t gonna cut it. She turned the faucet off and shivered as the cool air assaulted her bare skin. Nabbing a towel off the rack, she wiped herself off and left her hair down to air dry. Throwing on a pair of threadbare but comfortable sweats and an old oversized t-shirt, she flopped down on her bed.

Jesus. It’s like I’m a teenager back in high school. Don’t you grow out of hormones or some shit? There was only one way she was going to get any sleep tonight. A part of her felt guilty for thinking about Nobara this way, but another knew this was the closest she’d ever get to acting on her fantasies. Her hand wandered under faded elastic and met with clear evidence she didn’t just see her as a friend.

Her fingers, coated with slick, slid with zero resistance. The whimper that escaped her lips made her feel pathetic. She was used to being the strong one. The one who always kept a cool head in battle no matter how impossible the situation seemed. But when it came to matters of the heart, she was an amateur.

She could feel the muscles in her abdomen tightening as she teetered dangerously close to the edge. Her fingers moved with increased speed as she remembered the feeling of Nobara’s hand sliding across her stomach and…

“Nobara,” she whispered (or so she thought). “So, so, so close…”

BANG! BANG! BANG!

“Maki! I know you’re in there!” Nobara’s distinctive yet muffled voice announced her arrival. Maki yanked her hand out of her pants and launched herself out of bed.

Fuck! Of course! Perfect fucking timing!

“Alright, alright, Nobara! Calm down, I’ll be right there!”

She quickly rinsed her hand off and wiped it on the bathroom towel before sprinting to the door.

“What do you want? I’m a little busy.”

For a second, Nobara lost whatever the hell she was planning to say. Maki with her hair down was a rare sight, let alone mussed up and apparently straight out of the shower. Even in loungewear she looked cool. Regaining her train of thought, Nobara peered suspiciously around Maki’s shoulder.

“Uh…busy doing what, exactly? Er, never mind. Look, I just want to talk about what happened today. You just ran out of the building…”

Maki brought her hand to her temple and sighed deeply. This wasn’t going to be something she could dodge forever. If she was going to ruin their friendship, tonight was as good a time as any.

“Yeah, okay, you’re right. Come on in.”

Nobara strode into the room and Maki shut the door behind her. She leaned back on it trying to project an air of nonchalance.

“So…what did you want to talk about?” Maki had no desire to bring up her own feelings. She’d decided to hold her cards close to her chest and let Nobara do most of the talking.

“Um…when we were sparring today…and…you know…you kinda…fell on top of me?”

“Yeah? It happens. No big deal.” Maki looked at her with concern. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Oh, no! No, I’ve taken some hard hits from the guys and curses. You were only slightly more powerful,” she taunted with a dazzling smile. “Look, I’m just gonna come out and say it,” she said as moved slowly toward where Maki stood against the door.

Whatever she says, just be honest. If you lie, it’s not going to make this any easier.

“Say what?”

Nobara was now right in front of her. “Were you…thinking about kissing me?”

Maki closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, she could swear Nobara had come even closer.

“What would you do if I said yes?” She whispered darkly.

Nobara was now looking up at her the exact same way she was on the gym floor.

“I don’t know,” she murmured in response as she leaned in close enough for Maki to feel her breath on her lips. “With you being so competitive, I wonder how you’d feel if I beat you to it?”

Before Maki could register the meaning behind Nobara’s words, she felt her mouth crash against her own. This was beyond comprehension. Any worry about what this would mean for the future flew out of her mind as she pulled her into her arms. Spinning around, Maki pinned Nobara against the door as she let out a squeak of surprise.

Not to be outdone, Nobara tangled her hands in her hair as her tongue slid between Maki’s lips. Maki let out a moan at the welcome intrusion. When they finally broke apart to catch a breath, Nobara groaned, “Bed. Now.” Maki nodded, pulled her up with her legs wrapped around her torso, and moved as fast as she could.

Depositing her on the mattress, Nobara took Maki by surprise as she rolled on top of her.

“Not as tough in bed as you are in a fight, hmm?” She taunted.

“Shut the fuck up and kiss me again,” Maki growled.

Nobara plunged forward and trapped her bottom lip between her teeth. With a bite rougher than it probably should have been, she felt like she could finally say she had bested Maki in something. Maki’s grip on her slender hips indicated she wasn’t hurting in the slightest. If anything, she wanted more intensity, which wasn’t a surprise considering the vigor she showed in all areas of life.

Her hands wandered to the hem of Maki’s nightshirt. “Off,” she mumbled between kisses. Partially sitting up, Maki pulled it over her head and threw it across the room. Her eyes burned as she looked at Nobara. “Only fair yours comes off, too.” She had on a tank top with straps so delicate Maki had to restrain herself from ripping it off her. Nobara tossed it to join Maki’s on the floor.

Nobara shoved her back against the bed and attacked her neck. Maki felt teeth gnash on skin and gripped her tightly. She always found Nobara’s special brand of intensity to be a bit humorous. In this situation, it was anything but.

“Ah! You don’t take anything easy, do you?” Maki teased.

“I can stop if you want,” she responded as her tongue licked down her chest.

“Fuck no-ohhhhh…” Maki’s retort was cut short as she felt her take her nipple into her mouth. She could feel Nobara crack a smile against her breast and it made her want to flip her back over. It would appear her aggressive streak wasn’t just for sparring matches.

Nobara hooked her thumbs in Maki’s waistband in a silent plea for her to help her get them off. Maki scrambled to assist and was able to get at least one leg out.

“Good enough,” Nobara huffed. Maki let out a gasp as she felt her hand trace the familiar path from their earlier fight. Her stomach trembled under the warmth of Nobara’s soft fingertips - a distinct contrast from her own battle-worn touch - as she anticipated what the inevitable next move would be. Against her better judgment, she grabbed Nobara’s wrist.

“Maki?” Nobara looked up at her in confusion.

“I…are you sure about this? Not that I’m complaining…it’s just…you want this, too?” Maki was never good with words, but she knew if they took this all the way, there would be no going back to what they once were. Her heart wouldn’t be able to take it.

“Yes, Maki. I’m sure. I’ve wanted this for a while now,” she admitted. A blush spread across her cheeks as her hand descended lower. Maki nodded in permission.

Her head slammed back into the pillow as Nobara’s fingers met her folds.

“Wow, clearly you’ve wanted this, too,” she whispered against her ear.

“Oh…shut…up,” Maki groaned in response.

“Is that any way to talk to someone who’s about to make you come?” Maki’s eyes rolled back in her head hearing her talk like that. Nobara took her time as she circled her clit painfully slowly.

“Stop…being…such a…tease…or you’ll…regret it,” Maki challenged.

Nobara clicked her tongue. “Geez, Maki-senpai! Not everything has to be a competition, you know. If this was, I’d say I’m winning,” she responded as she increased her pace and pressure.

Her use of the honorific from their school days almost sounded obscene. If “losing” felt this good, she would gladly admit defeat.

“Fuck…Nobara…so close,” Maki ground out.

Nobara captured her lips in a kiss, and Maki moaned into her mouth as she saw stars.

She brought her mouth close to Maki’s ear and taunted, “Oh, and by the way…I heard you say that through the door earlier. Thinking of me even when you’re alone? How naughty!”

Maki looked up at her wide-eyed. “Y-you heard that?”

“You weren’t as quiet as you thought you were,” Nobara smiled as she lightly kissed her neck before laying down next to her.

Maki rolled atop Nobara in a quick swoop, stripped her of her remaining clothes, and kicked herself out of her pants. She leaned forward to grab Nobara’s wrists with both hands and pinned her arms on opposite sides of her head.

“You know it’s rude to listen in on people,” Maki growled, flushed from their previous round and embarrassment from the knowledge of having been caught.

Nobara stuck her tongue out at her in response. Without hesitating, Maki brought her mouth to Nobara’s, tangling her tongue with hers.

Wedging one leg between Nobara’s, she gently spread them. Releasing one of her wrists, Maki’s hand made its way to her chest. As she kneaded her breast, her thumb glided across her nipple.

Nobara arched into her touch as her moans vibrated against Maki’s mouth. Unable to take things slow, Maki brought her hand down towards Nobara’s sex. After immediately feeling how wet she was, Maki pulled away. “Not so high-and-mighty now, are you, Ms. Eavesdropper? Apparently, I wasn’t the only one excited about today,” she said with a smirk.

A tinge of red bloomed on Nobara’s cheeks. Maki moved her hand back and forth, her palm sliding against her clit. Collecting her arousal, Maki slowly sunk her ring and pinky finger into her.

“Ahhhh Maki,” Nobara gasped.

Maki pumped in and out of her while using her thumb and index fingers to stimulate her sensitive bud. Latching onto Nobara’s breast, she alternated between licking and tugging on her erect nipple.

“M-maki…mmmmm,” Nobara moaned.

She couldn’t control herself hearing the way her name sounded on Nobara’s lips as she gasped for release. She increased the rhythm of her fingers and bit down on her breast. The hand that held her wrist shifted so she could interlock her fingers with Nobara’s.

Nobara squeezed her hand in reassurance, and Maki moved to meet her lips once more. She feared if she didn’t soak in every sensation, sound, and taste, she’d open her eyes to discover this all had been nothing but a dream.

She longed for every move she made to convey that Nobara wasn’t just the object of her fantasies, but someone she treasured and saw a future with. Maki knew that if given the chance, they’d approach love with the same intensity as they approached life.

“Nobara…” Maki whispered against her in a way that made Nobara want to draw her in even closer.

“Yes…Maki…please,” she breathed against her.

Maki felt Nobara clench around her fingers and the grip she had on her hand tighten as she chanted her name over and over. It felt like time was standing still. She couldn’t believe this was happening - she’d only ever imagined what this same scene would look like in her mind, but here Nobara was, in her bed, her skin against hers.

“Damn, Maki! That was incredible! I’m glad our dorm rooms are next to each other because I have a feeling I’m going to need to interrupt you a lot more often,” she chuckled suggestively. She opened her eyes to see Maki trying but not succeeding at blinking back tears.

“Wait…shit! What’s wrong? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?” Nobara sat up and caressed her cheek tenderly. Maki leaned into the warmth of her palm and shook her head.

“No. No! God, definitely not. It’s just…ugh this is so embarrassing. I just…I don’t want you to think this was just something I wanted to do to blow off steam. I want you, Nobara. I’ve wanted you for I don’t even know how long. And now that you’re here…I just don’t know how to properly convey how I feel. You know I suck with words.”

Nobara’s own eyes started to water. “Maki…if I would have known…I would have made a move so much sooner! I feel the same way. I don’t want this to be a fling. While I appreciate your fighting prowess, I see you as someone much stronger than myself. With your family and stuff…you’ve come so far and I admire your drive more than you know. I want to be a part of it all. The good and the bad.”