Laced Fingers - Nanase Haruka x Reader

You only wondered for a moment how you got here before throwing the thought away and focusing on what was in front of you:

Nanase Haruka- the boy who you’d worked so hard to win his affections for, the boy who had finally accepted you and acknowledged you as his significant other- lying in front of you on his bed with his eyes closed and breathing softly.

You hadn’t done anything intimate at all. It was the first time you had ever spent the night at Haru’s house, and when you timidly asked if you could share the bed with him, he didn't seem nervous about it at all and quietly slid over closer to the wall to make room for you. Normally you would have been so flustered you wouldn't be able to sleep, but after half an hour you heard the sound of his breathing and slowly turned around on your side to see his face. Now you felt more peaceful and calm than you ever would have expected.

Beams of moonlight seeped in from the open window, illuminating his face and handsome features perfectly. Just staring at him made your heartbeat quicken rapidly. Locks of smooth black hair were spread across his forehead and pillow like a tousled halo. His eyelashes looked incredibly long and mesmerizing when his eyes were closed. Lips parted just an inch, and yet you could nearly feel his steady breaths on your skin from how close you’d moved your head to stare at him. This close, you could smell a hint of chlorine, soap, and a little bit of mint. Just looking at him made you feel as though time had stopped, and your heart swelled with love.

He really was so beautiful.

Unable to halt the fluttering in your chest or fight the urge to touch him, you carefully shifted to take his hands in yours and gently press small kisses onto his face. From his cheek, to his nose, to his chin and forehead, and shyly on the lips once. Tiny little drops of affection were placed on wherever you could put them. You were so immersed in the gentle atmosphere that you nearly forgot to hope that he wouldn't wake up because of you.

When he stirred and let out a tiny yawn before returning to his slumber, you sighed a small sigh of relief and slowly ran your fingers through his silky hair.

“I love you, Haruka.”

*****

Even though you were incredibly reluctant to leave him, you got up about fifteen minutes later to use the washroom on the bottom floor. His house wasn't exactly scary at night since you’d been here many times before; but just never stayed this late. You stuck close to the side of the stairs, toes cautiously pressing against each step and trying not to make them creak too loudly.

When you finally reached the door to his room again, you opened it only to bump into a figure and stumble back before blinking in the darkness.

“H-Haru? What’re you doing?” A tweak of guilt pinched at your heart. Did you wake him up? He’d been sleeping so peacefully just minutes before…

He didn’t look mad, though, and just stood in his sleepshirt and shorts while staring at you with slightly confused eyes. “I was looking for you. You weren’t there anymore when I woke up.” Now he blinked, as if he got an idea. “Were you hungry? I can make mackerel.”

You waved your hands in front of you awkwardly. “Oh, no, no, I just had to use the bathroom. Sorry if I worried you! I didn’t mean to wake you up, I’m sorry.”

“Really?” At this, now he looked relieved, his shoulders relaxing a bit and his eyes falling back to their usual passive state. “That’s good.”

You laughed lightly and stepped back inside, towards the bed. “In any case, let’s try to get some sleep.” You clambered in between the sheets, immediately feeling safer knowing that behind you was the wall and Haru would be in front. You waited patiently for the black-haired teen to shuffle back over to the bed and slip in next to you smoothly, and you were surprised to see him turn over on his side to face you, so you did the same.

“Sorry.” He murmured, clear blue eyes looking calm, yet a bit more sympathetic than usual.

“What for?” You whispered back.

“I should have made sure you fell asleep before I did.”

In response you gave him a small smile and shake your head the best you can lying down. “That wouldn’t have changed the fact that I had to go to the bathroom, Haru.”

“Oh.” He blinked and looked down. Could he… have been feeling embarrassed? “Still-” Haru paused to close his eyes briefly and let out another quiet sigh. “I’m glad.”

“Why’s that?” You made sure to keep the gentle eye contact with him, even though he kept glancing away now and then.

He bit his lip, like he was wondering if he should actually say what he was thinking or not. When he parted his lips to speak, he frowned and lowered his gaze from meeting yours again.

“I thought you left. Like I was dreaming the whole time.”

Though he only spoke a few mumbled words, they hit you deep for some reason. Haru always meant more than he let on with what little he said, and there was a good chance that there was a second meaning behind what he’d just told you. For some reason, you felt glad, reassured, and even happy.

He was worried that you left him. He didn’t want you to go.

A warm smile crept to your lips, and you snuggled closer to his warmth, nuzzling your way into his arms and pressing your face to his shirt.

“Oh, what’re you saying…?” You breathed, closing your eyes. “I’d never leave you alone, Haru. I’m staying right here. Promise.”

There was a moment of silence in which it seemed like he was taking in the promise himself. “Really?”

You kept a hand holding onto the front of his shirt and pulled away slightly to smile up at him and nod. “Of course. I’m… your girlfriend, after all. I’m supposed to stay with you and be happy with you. I wouldn’t ever leave you. And you wouldn’t ever leave me either, right?”

Now it was his turn to shake his head firmly. “No. Of course not.”

You grinned happily at the words. “Exactly. What else is there to it? It’s so simple. I didn’t think you’d be worried about it.”

Now he frowned again, glancing away with a flat look in his eyes. “It’s only normal that I’d worry about it.”

You sighed, still smiling as you reached to take his hand in yours. “Well, the point is, I promise I won’t leave you alone. Okay?”

His eyes widened for a moment when he felt your hand in his, and he ducked his head down and nodded. “Yeah. I won’t either.” Your heart leaped when you felt him intertwine your fingers together.

In a state of pure euphoria, you moved on impulse to kiss his lips with a smile on your own before withdrawing and giggling happily.

“I love you, Haruka.”

You could’ve sworn his face reddened before he squeezed your hand and pulled your head closer to his chest so you couldn’t see him.

“…Me too. I… love you too.”