#tw hugging

excitement bundled under yun jin's skin as she waited in the crowd. last month, you had invited her to one of your performances, and of course she couldn't say no! she quickly agreed and throughout that entire month she waited for the performance date to watch you. yun jin was used to many people watching her perform in her operas, but it wasn't often she had the time to see performances of others. other than xinyan's rock n' roll concerts of course.

the sound of the instruments strung into the air as the performance had started. the sounds of the singer and their companions combined together in a beautiful noise that entranced yun jin as she listened. she watched as the hula dancers entered the stage, you were included. in the front row, you looked on ahead with a smile on your face. and soon, you had started dancing with the music as well.

every part of the performance had the opera singer stuck on it. from the music, the costumes, the dance, everything. a smile grew on yun jin's face as she watched you spin with your arms outstretched, just like a birds. she tapped her foot to the beat of the song as you lifted your arms into the air and spun around again. yun jin watched as you and the other members moved across the stage with excitement in each one of your steps.

far too soon, she watched as you exited off stage to change costumes for the next mele to play. the crowd cheered as everyone else exited off the stage as well, yet yun jin found herself cheering the loudest in the crowd.

the rest of the performance flew by as the dances started and ended, keeping the dancer's attention latched onto it through the entire thing. she couldn't help but watch you throughout the entire performance. even if you were the entire reason she had come to the performance. as the dancers left in their more casual outfits, yun jin waited for you to exit out of the changing room and greet her.

"yun jin!" there you were!

the mentioned girl stood from her seat and walked to you, smiling and waving at her with your costumes in your arms. yun jin brought you into a hug which you happily reciprocated. she pulled away to give a peck to your forehead before speaking-

"that was an amazing performance. i'm glad i was able to see it again, and i'd love to see all of your other performances too."

"i'd love for you to come to them! seeing you in the crowd made me less anxious to perform, so you being there did help."

yun jin giggled, "and of course i'll always come to them."

the dancer took some of the costumes out of your arms and walked with you back to your home, asking about the practice and the dances. she was happy to see you talk about all of the dances and all of their meanings, the smile on your face not seeming to leave.

you stopped at the door of your home, taking all of your costumes from yun jin's arms. "oh! and yun jin, one last thing."

"yes?"

"i'd love to come to your performances soon as well."

for the first time in a great while, durandal felt nervous. she never got nervous anymore. even on the most dangerous of missions she was calm with her allies. but this time, her inner anxieties was sensed by all the other valkyries that day.

rita had offered to brew the s-rank valkyrie some chamomile tea to soothe her worries that morning. yet, to her disappointment, it was turned down by durandal as she said that it was fine. even when the two were dispatched to the meeting area, rita felt durandal's nervousness seem to heighten the further they went. it worried her to a great amount at the thought of it.

durandal's thoughts were going a mile a minute as she continued to walk to the meeting area. it was just a bit away by now, soon she'd be able to see you again. after such a long time since you were dispatched to the far east branch would she able to visit you once again.

seldom contact was kept between the both of you as durandal had gotten busy she wasn't able to reply. in fact, the last time durandal remembers contacting on you on her own was most likely months ago. time flew by for her but she wasn't exactly happy that it kept her from talking to you.

"master durandal" rita spoke up, "it seems we have arrived at the meeting area. the far east valkyries and workers are waiting for us ahead."

durandal nodded and unknowingly sped up her pace as she walked ahead of rita.

the s-rank valkyrie's movements suddenly stopped as you came into view along with everyone else.

once she saw you, a wave of pure relief hit durandal. it had been so long since she last saw you since you left to the far east. but now you were right in front of her. alive.

"bia- durandal!" you smiled.

you ran to durandal and hugged her tightly. your smile was bright as she returned your hug with as much enthusiasm as you had. it had been so long since she felt your sweet embrace and now that she could feel it, it felt like time had caught up to her.

much to her disappointment, you let go of durandal as rita approached and bowed to you and the rest of your comrades. "it has been quite some time since we have met, master y/n. i am glad you and the rest of your squad has been doing well in the far east branch."

"it's nice to see you too, rita!" you bowed back to your fellow valkyrie, "we've been doing well on our missions at the far east branch. but leaving back to hq in a few days is a little different for all of us. it has been a few years since we've been there after all."

your squad leader approached the group, initiating a friendly conversation with rita that durandal wasn't paying attention to.

"it has also been a while since i've seen you, durandal," you spoke quietly to durandal.

to respect your lover's own feelings, you never used her real name around other squadmates, instead just using durandal. though she had said that it was fine to use it private areas. even now durandal had realized she missed you saying her real name while laying with her late at night. hopefully now you would catch up on cuddling with durandal.

"that is true, but now we can spend more time together while getting back to the hq again," durandal nodded to you.

"we better! it's been so long since we've spoken and even longer since we've seen each other face to face. can't we spend the next few days together?"

"of course we can."

durandal smiled as you hugged her once again, just as your squad leader went to speak to her. even as you all departed from the meeting area you walked beside durandal. the comfortable silence that wrapped around both of you was something durandal realized she missed as well.

to make things easier for myself, lets just say say this is a modern au without honkai so i don't have to factor them into this. einstein works as a scientist for anti-entropy still but it's a company thats goal is to improve the overall world (like climate change) along with tesla and welt!

you got married to einstein a while after she started working at anti-entropy, as you also work there and also knew each other a bit prior. einstein didn't know you that well but she knew you also frequented the coffee shop she went to before heading off to work. after a few coffee dates, a few years of dating, you two ended up marrying each other and sharing the same place.

it was a tad strange for the both of you beginning. not immediately going to sharing the same bed, but it was still different to wake up to someone with you every single day. but overtime you two were able to make it work out and now do indeed share a bed with each other.

einstein doesn't do a lot of hugging or cuddling but in the morning or when she's asleep, she can and will cuddle you. it's a moment of weakness for her to not be the smart scientist she is in front of everyone, so you get see the more cuddle-y side of her. it's really nice and you can't help but to cherish every moment she cuddles against you in the morning.

if you happen to wake up before einstein, she'll make some special coffee for you if you drink it. it's something she developed in the first few months of working at anti-entropy and is pretty strong. it doesn't really taste like anything and has a weird texture and look to it but it at least keeps you awake throughout the day. you can try to ask einstein what she puts in it, but she doesn't have much of an answer. all she remembers is throwing in some random things into her coffee and boom! she stayed awake for 2 whole nights.

with the sun beaming down, you stood on the sandy beach with himeko in front of you. on of your hands clutched onto your arm as you took a breath in.

"can i tell you something, himeko?"

"of course. we're friends so you can tell me anything!" himeko smiled.

her smile was so bright to you. the red haired girl always seemed to make you happy somehow, no matter what she did. her smile was contagious and it seemed to easily spread to you whenever her lips turned up into a delightful smile. you could feel yourself falling in love with her for the nth time once again.

you took a deep breath in.

"i love you, himeko. a lot really."

the silence that followed felt deafening. only the ocean waves being able to keep the awkwardness down just a tad, little bit.

"well… i like you too, y/n. just as much as you do," himeko said.

did she really -

"you do?" you asked. it came out more pathetic than you wanted, sounding like a child's voice.

"of course i do! you're my greatest friend, but i guess now we can be something more."

your eyes brightened like stars in the night sky, a smile plastering itself on your face as you ran up to himeko and jumped into her arms. with the strength she had, of course she was able to catch you. your red haired lover spun you around for a few turns, putting you back onto the sandy beach again.

himeko still had that smile on her face as she gave you a kiss on the forehead, giggling right after.

"i love you!" you smiled.

despite it being early, your school had already put holiday decorations up for it. even sakura had helped you decorate your dorm room for the holidays as well, and you helped decorate hers in return. your pink haired friend never really celebrated christmas, but with kallen's request, you guys decorated your rooms anyways.

sakura seemed especially happy today, which you had noticed a bit ago. your pink haired friend was known for being more calm, even now she couldn't conceal the smile on her face. the three of you had dorms nearby each other, which helped since you were all friends with each other. it was easier to be by your friends in unknown schools after all. which was definitely important at the beginning of the years you first enrolled at the school.

"you two spending the night together?" kallen asked.

sakura had made plans with you to hang out together in her dorm room for the night. she didn't really have a reason she just said she wanted to hang out with you that night. you agreed of course, feeling your stomach erupt with butterflies with her wanted to spend time with you.

"only if y/n really wants to, i'd like them to stay for the night but i don't mind," sakura smiled.

kallen looked at you with a bright smile.

of course she knew you liked sakura, you did tell her once. maybe she even knew how sakura felt about you too.

"i'd be fine with it! my dorm can feel weird when i'm on my own sometimes anyways," you slid out an excuse to why you wanted to spend the night with kallen.

kallen's smile only seemed to grow. "well have fun then! we'll still be meeting up tomorrow then, right? for the study session?"

"we'll see you around then, kallen," sakura bid kallen a goodbye as the white haired student walked to her dorm.

"i'll go get some things out of my room, just need my blanket and pillow," you said.

before you could take a step in the direction towards your dorm room, sakura said something else.

"it's alright! there's some spare blankets and pillows in my room if you wouldn't mind sharing."

sakura's eyes widened, realizing what she had said. maybe she said it without thinking?

"o-of course!" you agreed. sakura let out a relieved sigh. did she think you'd refuse her offer?

together, you and sakura walked to her dorm room. though you two did make a quick stop of your room to get your chargers and computer.

upon entering sakura's room, you seemed to have forgotten how many decorations you had put up with her. on her desk, there was a little tree with miniature ornaments on it that hung onto the small branches of it. you also put the things you brought on her desk from sakura's request. hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room there was also… mistletoe? when did you hang that up? did sakura do it after you left?

wait did that mea -

"y/n, i have something to tell you," sakura said. she stood in the middle of the room, underneath the mistletoe. her hand held out as she waited for you to take it.

you walked to her, taking her hand in yours. sakura's hand was warm against yours.

"i don't know if you return my feeling but i…. i like you. like not in the friend way we've been in for years but in a more romantic way. i've thought about saying this to you but always hesitated because i didn't know if you had liked me back. but these feelings have been locked within for a long time and i felt it was time to let you know how i feel about you" sakura took a breath, "y/n, i'm in love with you.

it's fine if you don't return my feelings, but please tell me if you do. i promise i love you just as much back.."

did she actually- does she really return your feelings? you felt frozen in place, not able to move or even blink at the realization that sakura did like you back. well forget just having butterflies in your stomach, they were everywhere. it was great to know sakura liked you back but-

"do you not feel the same?" sakura asked.

in that moment, you had finally snapped back, "n-no i do! i love you lot actually sakura! i've liked you for a long time actually i just didn't expect you'd feel the same really."

"you love me too then?"

sakura's face looked a bit taken in shock, until her face shifted into a happy one. her eyes lit up as she squeezed the hand she was holding. sakura opened her arms for an offering of a hug for you to take. you took her offer, bringing yourself into sakura's hug. just like her hands, her entire body was warm. it was a comfortable warm that you'd want to stay in as long as you could. like the warmth you feel once you wake up from a pleasant nap.

"i'm surprised you liked me back. once i told kallen about it and she never said how you felt back, but of course she had a smile on her face once i said it," sakura admitted.

"wait kallen knew?" you asked.

"of course she did! she ended up saying she could tell before i even told her. she said it was almost obvious with how i acted around you compared to other people. to kallen, even i'm easy to read then."

you sighed, of course kallen knew. she said the same to you a while back too, saying it was obvious you liked sakura. you hoped sakura didn't know before today but the chance she might've now sat on your shoulders. at least if she did know, it wouldn't break your friendship now.

well technically it might've in the fact that you -

"y/n, you know what a mistletoe is for, right? kallen told me a while ago when she helped me hang it up once you left after decorating"

you looked up to indeed see both you and sakura were standing under the mistletoe she had put up in her room. so the purpose of it this whole time was just for this confession then…

"i do. do you want to uh… kiss…?"

sakura laughed instead of responding, leaning in and planting a kiss on your lips. you smiled, finally knowing that sakura did indeed like you back. you both pulled away, still holding onto each other in a comforting hug.

"i have one more thing to ask as well," sakura muttered.

"yeah?"

"would you mind sharing a bed? of course i do have spare blankets and pillows if you don't want to, i was just wondering if you'd like to."

"of course, i wouldn't mind sharing a bed with you either."

sakura smiled, "could you take my hair out of its bun as well?"

isn't it easy for sakura to take her hair out of a bun though? she does it all the time.

of course, you nodded and agreed to help. sakura separated from the hug and turned to show the bun in hair, leaning down so it's easier for you to take it out. taking her hair, you carefully tried to take sakura's hair out of its bun. you had no idea how she could make it this complicated and even had to ask how to take it out all of the way.

with some help, you were able to take sakura's hair out of its bun. watching as her long, pink hair flowed down. you really did like sakura's hair, well, you liked all of her really.

sakura thanked you, taking your hand and laying onto her bed, which you followed her onto. she smiled once again, kissing your forehead.

"i love you, y/n."

i'm gonna say you're still dating himeko right now and she decides to take you out on a date to spend some time together. himeko likes spending time with you! and with time off now for the both of you, you can both spend time together! you're excited for it to so it's a win-win.

himeko's first choice was a fancy dinner date at a restaurant. after all, there'd be good food and it'd be a wonderful place to spend time together. she could even buy some drinks for the both of you to have together.

however, if you don't like going to fancy places, she's fine with any choices you have. want to just eat a normal restaurant with outside seating instead? of course! whatever place you want to go with himeko will agree to with you. besides, fancy places are super expensive anyways.

"ah! this place has really good food, thank you for picking it out darling," himeko smiles at you as she takes a sip of her drink.

"i was hoping you'd like it, love. the view here is nice and i've been here a few times before with other friends as well. they have really good food and nice dessert too if you'd like any as well," you smile back to himeko.

"dessert you say?"

after the main course, you both decide to order some dessert to share with each other. from himeko's expression as she took the first bite before you, you could tell she liked the dessert even more than the dinner she had ordered.

the dessert didn't last long after you both started eating. calling over your waitress, you thanked her for the food and said you'd like to pay for the food. though, himeko intercepted and said she would pay for the meal and dessert as you had showed her the place. paying was her way of thanking you for the nth time that night.

you two had decided to go on a short walk around the city as well. seeing all the lights turned on for the night was a nice sight to see together. with himeko's hand holding yours, you two took a walk down a few streets before returning to the car together.

"that was wonderful, darling. lets make sure to do this again soon," himeko thanked you once again.

"you don't have to thank me so much, you know? i knew you'd like the place and picked it out just for you."

despite it being early, your school had already put holiday decorations up for it. even kallen had helped you decorate your dorm room for the holidays as well, and you helped decorate hers in return.

kallen seemed especially happy today, which you had noticed a bit ago. there was a light tone if her voice as she walked with you and sakura back to your dorms together. the three of you had dorms nearby each other, which helped since the three of you were all friends with each other. it was easier to be by your friends in unknown schools after all. which was definitely important at the beginning of the years you first enrolled at the school.

"are you two spending the night together, then?" sakura asked.

kallen had made plans with you to hang out together in her dorm room for the night. she didn't really have a reason she just said she wanted to hang out with you that night. you agreed of course, feeling your stomach erupt with butterflies with her wanted to spend time with you.

"only is y/n wants to! but i'm fine either way really," kallen smiled.

sakura looked at you with a knowing smile.

of course she knew you liked kallen. she probably knew how kallen felt about you too.

"i'd be fine with it! my dorm can feel weird when i'm on my own sometimes anyways," you slid out an excuse to why you wanted to spend the night with kallen.

sakura's knowing look only seemed to grow. "alright, hope you too have fun. i'll see you tomorrow then? for the study session?"

"mhm, we'll see you then sakura!" kallen bid sakura a goodbye as the pink haired student walked to her dorm.

"i'll go get some things out of my room, just need my blanket and pillow," you said.

before you could take a step in the direction towards your dorm room, kallen said something else.

"it's fine! there's some spare blankets and a pillow in my room if you want to share!"

she seemed to had blurt it out without thinking, covering her mouth with her hands. kallen's face glowed a bright red in embarrassment at how loud she was from that suggestion.

"o-of course!" you agreed. kallen let out a breath that not even she knew she was holding.

together, you and kallen walked to her dorm room together. though you two did make a quick stop of your room to get your electronics and computer.

upon entering kallen's room, you seemed to have forgotten how many decorations you had put up with her. on her desk, there was a little tree with miniature ornaments on it that hung onto the small branches of it. you also put the things you brought on her desk from kallen's request. hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room there was also… mistletoe? when did you hang that up? did kallen do it after you left?

wait did that mea -

"uh… y/n, i've had something to tell you," kallen said. she stood in the middle of the room, underneath the mistletoe.

"i don't know if you return my feeling but i- i really like you. like not in a friendship way but in a love way, you know? i have for a while but i've never said anything to you because i didn't know if you liked me back. but i've had these feeling for a while and i think it's finally time i let them go and present them to you" kallen took a breath, "y/n, i really really really like you. and it's fine if you don't return my feelings.

but if you do, please know that i love you just as much back."

did she actually- does she really return your feelings? you felt frozen in place, not able to move or even blink at the realization that kallen did like you back. well forget just having butterflies in your stomach, they were everywhere. it was great to know kallen liked you back but-

"d-do you not feel the same?" kallen asked.

in that moment, you had finally snapped back, "n-no i do! i love you lot actually kallen! i've liked you for a long time actually i just didn't expect you'd feel the same really."

"really? you like me back then?"

kallen had a face a shock, until it turned to a bright smile. her eyes lit up as she opened her arms for you to walk into. you took her offer, running into her arms and crashing yourself into kallen's embrace. she caught you, wrapping her arms around your body. she couldn't help herself from letting out a laugh.

"i can't believe you liked me back though… when i told sakura about my feelings for you she never said anything," kallen said.

"wait sakura knew?" you asked.

"well yeah! she even said she already knew about it a few days after i told her. apparently i was really giving it away with how i kept inviting you to my dorm. really hoped you didn't figure it out though. don't know how i'd feel having you know i loved you haha…"

you sighed, of course sakura knew. she said the same to you a while back too, saying it was obvious you liked kallen. you hoped kallen didn't know before today but the chance she might've now sat on your shoulders. at least if she did know, it wouldn't break your friendship now.

well technically it might've in the fact that you -

"oh! wait y/n- you know what mistletoe means, right?"

you looked up to indeed see both you and kallen were standing under the mistletoe she had put up in her room. so the purpose of it this whole time was just for this confession then…

"i do. do you want to uh… kiss…?"

kallen laughed instead of responding, leaning in and planting a kiss on your lips. you smiled, finally knowing that kallen did indeed like you back. you both pulled away, still holding onto each other in a comforting hug.

"i have one more thing to ask as well," kallen muttered.

"yeah?"

"you wouldn't mind sharing a bed right? i do have spare blankets and a pillow if you don't want to but just incase you did actually want to share my bed, i'd be fine with it."

"of course, i wouldn't mind sharing a bed with you either."

kallen smiled, "could you take my hair out of its braid as well? it's easier for someone else to do it, honestly."

of course, you nodded and agreed to help. kallen separated from the hug and turned to show her braid. taking her braid, you carefully took out the tie and undid the braid until kallen's snow white hair stood without it. her hair was surprisingly soft.

kallen thanked you, taking your hand and laying onto her bed, which you followed her onto. she smiled once again, kissing your forehead.

"i love you, y/n."