Work Text:
Futurum's winters are harsh. Maybe it's because the seasons didn't exist in Nozomi's past, but even so, she thinks it's beautiful. Frozen rain falling from the sky, tinting the world in spotless white. All the things she only ever read about in books, imagining how living under a real sky must feel like.
Despite that, she's glad it's getting warmer these days. The snow has melted and hesitant flowers start to grow.
It's a new chapter in Nozomi's life. Work at the school goes smoother now that they're not constantly freezing their fingers off.
"Kirifuji-san!"
Nozomi turns. She'd been wondering if the children would like a garden in the middle of the school yard when Tsubasa calls for her, bringing her back to the present.
"Good morning, Kawana-san. You're up early, did anything happen?"
The war is still at large. With Nozomi staying in the school she's always worried about receiving word that one of her friends had fallen. It keeps her up at night some days, even though she never says a word. She doesn't feel like it's her place, being in the safest spot.
"The scouting group returned with nothing to report", Tsubasa states and waves her hand, "Nevermind that, I have something to show you!"
Nozomi gets no chance to ask questions. She's so excited this early in the day, so Nozomi can't help but be curious.
Tsubasa eagerly pulls her over to her workshop, where Nozomi is presented with a motorbike. It's in desperate need of a new paint job, but the parts sprawled across the ground state that Tsubasa has been hard at work with it. It's just like Tsubasa to hop out of bed at the dawn of day to tinker with machinery.
"It's almost done!" Tsubasa pats the seat. "Yakushiji brought it back from a scouting mission the other day. I've been working on fixing it for the past couple days and I think it's almost ready!"
Nozomi smiles, tracing a finger over the handlebar. "You haven't said anything. I would've supported you!"
Tsubasa averts her eyes. Nozomi looks up and she's standing there, chewing on her lower lip, hands crossed behind her back and the tip of her shoe playing around with a spare part.
"I wanted it to be a surprise, because... You've been working so hard the past months, and I... I wanted to get your mind off things, so..." She clutches a hand to her chest. "I'd like the first tour to be with you. I-I'll get you a helmet and I'll drive carefully! I've been practicing! Yakushiji wouldn't just let anyone touch his class weapon, you know!"
Tsubasa is blushing furiously and looks anywhere but at Nozomi.
"Of course, if you're busy, we can do it whenever! O-Or not at all, if that's not quite your thing, I mean I know, me and my stupid machines—"
"Kawana-san."
Tsubasa perks up and hiccups.
"Yes?"
"I'd love to drive with you." Nozomi rests a hand against her shoulder. "I think it's a lovely idea."
"R-Really? I mean cool! Cool. I'm... I'm excited!"
She smiles, but Nozomi can tell she's a bundle of nerves.
"I was thinking of painting it silver and I don't know... Maybe decorate it with wisteria? Since you know it's the flower known for beauty, resilience, and a long lifespan and that's just like you— I mean! That's just what I see in the bike! The bike, yeah. Yeah." Tsubasa screws her eyes shut and pinches her own cheeks with a groan. "I'm messing everything up, aren't I?"
"I think you're doing just fine." Nozomi steps over to her, leans her head against her shoulder and hums in content. "I think you're doing exactly what I need. Maybe you're just what I need."
It's true that the past months haven't been easy, despite what Nozomi would like to pretend. The dark months have been heavy on her mind. It doesn't seem like the war will be over anytime soon. Before they could settle for a peaceful life they'd have to cling to every small moment they could afford.
"Imagine us driving to the coast... Just you and me", Nozomi mumbles.
Tsubasa hums and the imagery becomes so vivid behind Nozomi's eyelids that she can almost taste the ocean in the wind.
"No Maruko to spy on us", Tsubasa adds.
"No boys", Nozomi giggles, "Just you and me."
She wraps an arm around Tsubasa and she makes a cute little noise. It makes Nozomi feel warm all over. Just for five minutes she could pretend this is all that matters.
"I could teach you how to drive too", Tsubasa offers, "I mean... If you ever need time away, she's basically yours. The bike, I mean."
"But where would I go without you?"
Tsubasa goes entirely still. Nozomi feels like a teenage girl again, the life she never had. Awkward crushes behind the school building, getting first experiences with love. She didn't imagine it quite like this, but it's so much more beautiful than she could have ever dreamed up.
Maybe she's been looking at it the wrong way. Maybe Tsubasa has been waiting for her so patiently to realize this, in her own time.
She's way too good for her.
Nozomi snakes her hand into Tsubasa's, squeezes and straightens back up, her eyes shut with a bright smile.
"It's a date!"
"What?!" Tsubasa squeaks.
Nozomi opens her eyes, finding her bright red. "Huh? Did I read this wrong?"
"No! It's just... embarrassing. I've never done this before."
"Neither have I", Nozomi returns warmly, "So don't worry. You're doing great."
Letting her heart guide her, Nozomi leans in and presses a kiss against Tsubasa's lips. It's short, just the tiniest brush of skin, pulling away to look at her.
The anxiety vanishes from Tsubasa's face and gets replaced with determination. A hand comes up around the back of Nozomi's neck, pulling her in, kissing her. Sparks between them, warm in her embrace, Nozomi feels like the world fades away around her. Her heart flutters like a trapped bird and she feels all flustered.
It's perfect.
She can't wait to work on the bike together with her to make this dream reality.