A Morning Distraction

Yukari's soul left her body.

She was doomed. Completely and utterly doomed.

How had this happened? She had simply wanted to escape the relentless teasing by taking a solo mission, and now somehow she was going on a date. A mission. A date disguised as a mission. With Mirajane.

And worst of all? She couldn't even argue against it.

Not when Mirajane had looked so pleased. Not when the entire guild had been watching with their smug grins and knowing stares. If she had refused, they would have never let her hear the end of it.

So now, here she was. Walking down the streets of Magnolia with Mirajane, heading toward her home so she could grab her things.

It wasn't the first time Yukari had been to Mirajane's place. Far from it. She had come here plenty of times before, usually for casual visits or when they were assigned to the same job. But now, after everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, it felt… different.

Like she was stepping into dangerous territory.

Mirajane hummed beside her, hands folded neatly behind her back, her long silver hair catching the morning light.

"You're awfully quiet, Yukari~"

Yukari scowled. "I am processing."

Mirajane giggled. "Processing what?"

"The fact that my life has spiraled completely out of my control."

"Spiraled in a good way, I'd say," Mirajane teased.

Yukari groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "You might think so."

Mirajane only smiled. "You know… if you really didn't want me to come, you could've just said so."

Yukari froze mid-step.

Her gut reaction was to say, Of course I didn't want you to come!but the words refused to leave her mouth. Because that would have been a lie.

She didn't mind Mirajane coming. She just… hadn't been prepared for it.

"I didn't say that," she muttered instead.

Mirajane tilted her head. "Oh?"

Yukari crossed her arms, avoiding her gaze. "It's fine. I'm just… not used to this stuff."

Mirajane's smile softened. "I know."

They continued walking in silence after that, but it was a comfortable one.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Mirajane's home, a cozy little house not too far from the center of town. Yukari had been here countless times before, so she didn't hesitate to step inside when Mirajane unlocked the door.

The familiar scent of vanilla and something floral filled the air Mirajane's scent. Yukari tried not to focus on it too much as she followed her inside.

"Make yourself comfortable," Mirajane said as she headed toward her bedroom.

Yukari plopped down onto the couch, stretching her arms over the back.

She should have been thinking about the mission. Should have been focusing on battle strategies, the terrain, the possible number of enemies but instead, she found her gaze wandering.

Her eyes landed on little details she had never really paid attention to before. The soft cushions, the little flowers in a vase on the table.

Everything about this place felt like Mirajane. Warm. Inviting.

Dangerous.

She could hear Mirajane moving around in her bedroom, likely packing a few essentials for the trip.

"Yukari?"

Yukari turned her head just in time for Mirajane to step out of the doorway, a small bag slung over her shoulder.

And for a moment, Yukari's brain shut down.

Mirajane had changed into something slightly more practical for the mission—a fitted black top, her usual long skirt replaced by something shorter for better movement. But it wasn't the outfit itself that got Yukari.

It was her.

The way she stood there, her silver hair cascading over her shoulder, a small knowing smile on her lips as if she knew exactly what Yukari was thinking.

Yukari's mouth went dry.

"Uh."

Mirajane's smile widened. "Something wrong?"

Yukari forced herself to function. "Nope. Absolutely not. Nothing at all."

Mirajane took a slow step forward, placing her bag down on the table. "You sure? You look a little dazed."

"Just thinking."

"Thinking about…?"

A trap. This was a trap.

Yukari clenched her jaw, willing herself to remain calm.

Unfortunately, Mirajane did not seem interested in letting her escape.

Instead, she closed the distance, tilting her head as she looked up at her. "You know, I've been thinking too," she mused.

Yukari swallowed. "Yeah?"

Mirajane nodded. "I never properly thanked you for being so sweet yesterday."

"Sweet?" Yukari repeated, voice slightly strangled.

Mirajane hummed. "Oh, don't act so shy now~"

"I am not—"

But before she could finish, Mirajane leaned up and—without hesitation—pressed a kiss to Yukari's cheek.

Yukari stopped existing.

Her entire brain short-circuited.

Mirajane pulled back just enough to study her reaction, a clear glimmer of amusement in her blue eyes.

Yukari, meanwhile, was trying desperately not to combust.

"…You did that on purpose," she muttered.

Mirajane giggled. "Maybe~"

Yukari's hands clenched. Not out of anger, but out of the overwhelming urge to return the favor.

Which was insanely dangerous.

But.

She did it anyway.

Moving before she could talk herself out of it, she reached up and gently cupped Mirajane's face, tilting her head slightly before pressing their lips together.

Mirajane's breath hitched in surprise but she didn't pull away.

Instead, she leaned into it, her hands resting lightly against Yukari's arms as she kissed her back, soft and slow.

Yukari felt her heartbeat slam against her ribs.

This was… new.

Not the first time, not exactly, but this was different. There was no teasing, no interruptions, no stolen moments hidden behind laughter.

Just them.

The world outside didn't exist.

It was just her, Mirajane, and the warmth that spread through her like wildfire.

When they finally pulled apart, Yukari let out a slow breath, eyes flickering open to meet Mirajane's.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Yukari's fingers still rested against Mirajane's jaw, her thumb absently tracing the smooth curve of her cheek. Mirajane didn't move away, didn't tease she only watched her, an unreadable emotion flickering in those bright blue eyes.

Yukari licked her lips, voice quieter than usual. "You know…" She tilted her head slightly, her fingers trailing lower to brush against Mirajane's collarbone. "If you wanted another kiss, all you had to do was ask."

Mirajane's smile twitched wider, the corner of her lips curving with amusement. "Oh? And here I thought you were the one who couldn't resist me~"

Yukari smirked. "Maybe I can't."

The shift in the air was subtle, but undeniable. The teasing lilt in Mirajane's voice softened, her gaze lowering ever so slightly to Yukari's lips.

Yukari took that as an invitation.

Leaning in, she let her nose brush lightly against Mirajane's, a slow, deliberate movement that sent a shiver down her own spine. She could feel Mirajane's breath against her skin warm, expectant.

Yukari's voice dropped to a murmur. "Tell me to stop."

Mirajane's fingers curled slightly against her arms. "I won't."

That was all she needed.

This time, Yukari kissed her properly slow, deep, with no hesitation.

Mirajane responded instantly, her hands sliding up Yukari's arms before tangling into the loose strands of her dark hair, pulling her closer. The sensation sent a thrill through Yukari, making her press forward, angling her head to deepen the kiss.

Mirajane sighed softly against her lips, parting them just enough to let Yukari deepen it further. Their movements were slow, unhurried, like they had all the time in the world.

Yukari let one hand drift lower, resting against Mirajane's waist. She felt the gentle rise and fall of her breath, the warmth radiating between them, the way Mirajane's fingers flexed ever so slightly against the nape of her neck.

She hadn't realized how much she wanted this really wanted this until now.

When they finally broke apart for air, Mirajane let out a breathless laugh, forehead resting against Yukari's.

Yukari grinned. "Told you. All you had to do was ask."

Mirajane chuckled, voice slightly dazed. "Shut up and kiss me again."

Yukari did.