Hug

  JapanxReader

  Warm, soft cotton against numb skin that rivalled that of solid ice caressed Kiku's sodden face, the enticing scent of jasmine, white orchid and... her... subjugated his nose as a contented hum escaped his lips. He attempted to dry his rat-tails with brisk and vigorous motions, yet his desire to forever hold her hand towel against his head and face forced him to slow, to savour the moment. With reluctance, he removed the cotton from his crown once his hair was dry, revealing the very women herself - startling him a little - who had not been there previously.

  Metal clinked against porcelain like a child's music box, [Name]'s face holding deep concentration as she patiently waited for the sugar to dissolve fully - many a time she complained of tea with grains at the bottom of her mug. Tasting the spoon to make sure it was presentable, [Name] brought over two wide mugs; perfect for wrapping frozen hands around.

  Kiku positioned [Name]'s towel round the back of his neck before accepting her beverage. She released a fascinated smile as she watched the deep cocoa colours in Kiku's eyes swirl majestically with the dancing steam. He gently blew into the mug, the liquid's surface rippling and splashing slightly with his icy breath, hair rising on his arms as he smelled the heat. His eyes closed as he brought the drink to his frozen lips and sighed with satisfaction.

  "Sank you, [Name]-chan. But I'm very sorry to intrude at such an untimery hour..." he stated hesitantly, unable to bare the weight of [Name]'s stunning [colour] eyes on his as he mumbled into the mug locked between his palms.

  "Don't be! That winter storm outside is just horrific. Plus your umbrella broke in the wind. It's only right that I let a friend of mine stay for a while. But if you don't mind me asking, why were you out in this weather?"

  Kiku almost felt his eyes widen at [Name]'s question and his breath nearly hitched. It was by no means plausible to tell her that the only reason he went for a brisk walk in such weather was simply to create an opportunity to visit [Name] and to possibly make his stay prolonged and last till evening, so he had to rapidly conjure an acceptable and believable fib - something he wasn't very fond of, or especially convincing at doing.

  "I... I wasc getting some mirk... from se konbini...?" he hesitantly responded, almost questioning his own statement.

  "Well I've got a few cartons I can give to you if you're short of some," she offered kindly, yet now her kindness was starting to chip away at his solid plan.

  "Iie, iie. It's fine. I'rr get some myserf when se snow stops..." he said, almost disappointed he'd given himself a time to leave, for he wanted to stay in [Name]'s company for as long as he could possibly manage - without intruding, of course.

  The hot tea ran down the inside of his throat, pleasantly burning his oesophagus and sloshing around inside his empty, frozen stomach, gradually heating him up as his taste buds screamed for more. Soon he realised how cold he truly was, for his craving for the warm liquid started to become overwhelming. Kiku let his head fall back as he poured the steaming tea into his mouth, his gulps audible and frequent, slightly concerning [Name].

  "Don't drink that too quickly! It's hot, so just be careful," she cautioned.

  Upon finishing his beverage in about six humungous glugs, he threw his head forward, smacked his lips together and released massive sigh, a small hiccup following afterwards. What turned his face an even darker shade of crimson was his stomach's gurgles as it adjusted to the sudden and large volume of liquid now inside, groaning and squeaking until satisfied.

  "Told you not to drink that too quickly!" [Name] remarked through a giggle, easing Kiku's embarrassment slightly and raising his spirits. He simply loved to hear [Name] laugh - especially when he made her do so.

  She joined him on the sofa, his left side practically on fire due to [Name]'s warmth and his nearly unhealthy coldness, sending little shivers up and down his arms.

  "You look cold, Kiku-kun. Would you like a blanket?"

  "Anou..." his mind went blank. Maybe this had gone too farc Kiku only wanted to spend some time with [Name], and now she was concerned for his wellbeing - how he hated to have [Name] worry, particularly about himself! His voice was about to let him speak again but he realised a soft wool hung over his shoulders.

  His eyes darted back and forth rapidly between the fabric and [Name]'s still concerned face, stunned at her kind gesture - how glad he was to have such a caring person in his life.

  "Hmm... You still look cold..." Kiku could sense something almost perturbed and distressed in her voice, her [colour] eyes lost in the carpet and her soft skin flushing wildly.

  "Iie, [Name]-chan, daijoubu kar--"

  Silence.

  Thick in the air, could be stirred like treacle.

  The gentle drumming in Kiku's chest ceased momentarily yet continued once more with incredible speed and strength till his ribs hurt. A thick substance locked his throat shut as he forgot how to breath and the hairs on his rigid arms stood proud and tall like soldiers. His muscles tensed till they ached and his spine began to quiver from being straight for so long. And his expressionc a most ridiculous shock, with eyes widened to the size of fists and his jaw slacked and open. An internal war was raging deep inside him, for it hurt it him to know that matters quickly escalated out of his hands, it disgraced him to have [Name] so close, yet it enthralled him to experience such a new and exciting sensation and it calmed him to feel their relationship grow with their proximity.

  [Name] had dug her face into Kiku's firm back, her lip trembling and her eyes about to spill tears as her mind raced in absurd directions, contemplating - noc fearing - the possibilities of Kiku's reaction to her tight embrace. Her arms wrapped themselves around his waist, yet her sudden closeness to the man she desired to have disgusted her and frankly ruined what would have otherwise been a magical moment. She knew very well she had done wrong by disobeying Kiku's wishes and requests of personal space, but her own wish to finally feel her body up against his became too powerful and overwhelming - how she regretted her whimsical mistake! The horrors that plagued her brain and played before her eyes terrified her upon feeling his heart palpitate and his body stiffen like ancient oak.

  But then something startled her.

  Something unexpected.

  Different.

  Rare.

  He hugged back...

  [Name] couldn't hold onto her tears anymore as they poured out and soaked Kiku's back, the salty water absorbed in his shirt fabric and felt cold against his already freezing skin. Yet these tears made Kiku relax and let a soft little smile shine through, for he knew [Name] well and knew these were tears of happiness she simply had to show. His arms tightened slightly around her waist, the thought of angels carving his front limbs to sit perfectly around her torso came to mind and fitted the moment marvellously. Kiku tilted his head a little, letting it rest atop [Name]'s as that enticing scent of jasmine, white orchid and... her... was more powerful and beautiful than he could ever have imagined. And now, (though not being able to smell it every time he wanted to) he had created hundreds, if not, thousands of new opportunities to be with [Name], to sit close together and take in each other's scent.

  [Name] nuzzled her sodden face into the crook of Kiku's neck, fascinated by its warmth despite his low body temperature and its softness. Her loud sobs began to slowly ease and quieten, her stuttering breath soon returning to normal until she fell asleep, locked in her dear man's arms, encouraging Kiku himself to close his eyes for just a moment...

  It was long after the snow stopped when Kiku did leave [Name]'s residence. Unknowingly, they spent the night on her sofa, still holding the other tightly and protectively. Although they found waking up next to each other quite startling and awkward, breakfasts and farewells were brief but intriguing and different all the same. And not a single word was spoken about where they stood or what position their relationship was in, for it was more than clear in their now big and excited eyes that future adventures together were soon to unfold, that their lives would be closer than they could've ever dreamed of, and that most of all...

  Things were good.

  Very good.

  For a simple hug can say it all.