There was something special about waking up on a day where you had no plans. Thanks to my rash decisions yesterday, my ankle was not really in the best condition to be walking on. Instead, we had decided to just hang around today. Maybe go out eventually, but for now there wasn't anything pulling us to move from our warm bed. Yuu was still against me, but now I was on my back with her snuggled up against my side and under my arm. I could feel her body heat seeping through our clothes, despite how cool she normally was. Looking over at her I couldn't help but smile. Her short hair was a mess over my shoulder and every now and then her fingers would twitch as if she were doing something in her dream. It was absolutely adorable, and I really wish I could take a picture of it.

Pretend for Me V

By: Satashi

Yuu stirred as she started to come back from the land of dreams. Golden eyes lazily opened and after a small moment of realization, she smiled softly. "Hey there..."

"Good morning," Sayaka whispered down to her, leaning so their noses touched in a little kiss. "I'm really going to miss waking up to you every morning... Want to move in with me?"

Yuu giggles softly, trying to imagine it. "My mom would have an absolute fit. But hey, now that I think about it, your parents are really lax when it comes to this kind of thing aren't they? I mean, it wasn't even a question that we would share a room together or a bed for that matter."

"Well, you won't exactly get me pregnant," Sayaka teased her smoothly. "But aside from that, I think my parents trust my judgment. They know I won't let anyone do anything to me I don't want."

"What about me?" Yuu playfully glared at her. "You came onto me full force... more than once."

Looking away with a small blush, Sayaka tried to hide the pride in her voice. "I did no such thing."

"Yeah right." Yuu shifted so she could sit up and stretch out. "What are we doing today?"

Sayaka put her arms around the girl's waist and pulled her back down. "Staying in bed and snuggling." She got the expected groan of half annoyance. "Just for a little bit? Please? I was good all day yesterday."

"Well... I mean you were." A blush started to creep up her body as Sayaka rolled over on top of her. "You're going to hurt your ankle..."

"I'll live..." Her lips moved to kiss Yuu's, finding them to be reluctant but accepting. After parting, their eyes opened and the two smiled at each other fondly. "You're pretty."

"Flattery won't work," Yuu cooed back at her. "I need to brush me teeth still, and-" Again she was cut off by a kiss, feeling the smile on her girlfriend's face. "You're so needy."

"Yes," Sayaka agreed easily, pecking the lips again and again. "We only have one more day together alone. Tomorrow we're going to be flying back and then saying goodbye..."

Yuu tilted her head when Sayaka started to leave a small trail of kisses along it. "That doesn't mean we have to..."

With great effort, Sayaka stopped her trail to talk against Yuu's shoulder. "It doesn't, I just want to...But you're not really in the mood are you?"

"...Sorry." Yuu still wrapped her arms around the girl on her. "I just need the feelings to be right... Last time I was swept up in a whirlwind of emotions and everything felt amazing... Sorry, I think I'll be a little annoying in that regard..."

"So just when it's right?" Sayaka whispered the rest softly, moving to look down at her. "Okay, I understand. Just wait, I'm going to make you melt today." Her hands slowly moved up Yuu's shirt, palming the girl's sides until looping under her to hold her close. Their noses touched, deep green eyes gazing down into shaking gold ones. "And then..." Sayaka whispered out before gently licking Yuu's lips. "You'll be the one begging." With that, Sayaka shifted, their bodies sliding over each others. Her warmth left Yuu as she moved to the edge of the bed and got her crutch ready. "I'll shower first since it'll take me a while. See you soon."

Yuu laid on the bed, wide eyed, looking up at the ceiling. As the water turned on, she finally managed to start catching her breath and calm her heart beat. Then, slowly, she covered her face with both hands to hide the blazing blush on her cheeks. '...I don't think I'll be able to make it until nightfall... oh my god she's so cool.'

Sitting up on the bed, the girl reached to the nightstand to grab her Switch and turn it on. Three taps later and she was back into her game. A small Eevee appeared by her avatar and she smiled at it. "Whelp, Eevee, looks like it's just you and me for a bit." Her eyes scanned the menus before going wide. "Wait a second... There's a trainer nearby!" Her map was brought up and she zoomed in on it. Sure enough on the display of the world, there was a small blip on her screen. "They're... close."

Quickly hopping off the bed, Yuu rooted through her suitcase to grab what little clean clothes she had left. Then, jogging out the door and down the stairs, she looked at her screen again. Most people were already gone by now, leaving only the preteens too young to ski safely and a few of the older generation who preferred to catch up with their families and talk. As she walked, she glanced up and down to hone in on the radar. The back balcony door was opened and she stepped out, suddenly glad she decided on her thicker socks.

"There!" A voice came up. Yuu turned to see one of Sayaka's cousins. The young boy was almost to his teenage years, wearing a messed up baseball cap, a sweater, and shorts despite the cold. "I knew I saw a trainer! Prepare for battle!" He even had a few of his brothers with him, who cheered along.

Yuu grinned at the boy. "Heh. I hope you're prepared. I'll beat those shorts right off you!"

The boy narrowed his eyes. "I like shorts... They're comfy and easy to wear!"

Sayaka left the bedroom to the sounds of cheering and laughter. The railing upstairs looked over the living room and she leaned on it curiously, a smile coming to her face as she watched Yuu play with her nieces and nephews. They were piling on her, tickling her and saying something about Yuu being some kind of really awesome master of something. It wasn't until Yuu was finally pinned and admitted defeat did she call down to the group. "Hey, don't play too rough with Yuu, okay? She's tiny!"

"I am not!" Yuu protested, shooting a pouting glare up at Sayaka. "You're just...Really... well proportioned and..." Cheeks coloring, she looked away in embarrassment. "That didn't go the way I planned..." At once the kids began to tease her for her cheeks darkening, and before long she had to break herself free of their laughing so she could meet up with her girlfriend. "Hey, sorry, I didn't think I'd be gone so long." She accepted the quick smooch, much to the dismay of grossed out kids behind her.

"No worries, did you have fun?" Sayaka hopped along with her to the living room area so they could sit on the couch together

"Yeah. We traded a bit and I added them to my friends list so we could play later. Also got to talk with Gran-gran and recommend some books to everyone. Though to be honest, I feel more like I was being interviewed by them."

"They ask a lot?" Sayaka let Yuu help her sit and promptly put her arm around her. Her crutch was sat next to them and she leaned back contently.

"Standard marriage questions," Yuu revealed with a laugh. "But that aside, what are we going to do today? On our last day here?"

Sayaka sighed and let her head lean over onto Yuu's for comfort. "I was going to take you ice skating, originally." Looking down at her foot, she mentally cursed her bad luck. "I suppose I can just watch you fall of your butt."

"I'll pass," Yuu waved the idea off. "It wouldn't be near as fun without you there to pull down with me." A small, comfortable silence came over them. The television was on, playing an old Christmas movie that took just enough of their attention to make it seem like they weren't just enjoying each other's company.

"I'm really going to miss this..." Sayaka whispered softly as the credits began to roll.

"Which part?"

"Touching someone." Her words were soft so no one else could hear them. "Being alone for a while, being rejected, and then suddenly spending five days with someone I never expected to fall in love with... It's going to really hurt to sleep alone again."

"I kind of feel the same way." Yuu replied easily, leaning into the girl more. "I didn't even really know what love was until we came here and went through this... It was supposed to be just helping out a friend, you know? Now I get to go home and tell my sister I'm dating a girl."

"How will your family take it?" Sayaka asked curiously. "Mine wasn't that great, but they came around. I hope you don't have to go through that."

"Hmmm..." Yuu thought about it while half heartedly watching the screen as a new movie began to play. "Rei-chan, my sister, will be excited for me. Dad is kind of laid back, so I think it'll be fine... My mother though... I think that'll be an issue. Hey... would you mind if I don't tell them we're dating?"

"Oh? I mean, it's okay-"

"Not like that," Yuu shook her head. "I mean... if they know we're dating they might not let me have sleep overs and stuff with you. But if you're just a friend, then she won't think twice when I tell her you're coming over..."

"...Naughty girl."

Yuu looked away, face red. "Fine then, I'll just tell her so she won't let you get close to me."

"No, no, I'm sorry!" Sayaka quickly countered the idea. "Let's keep it to ourselves for the moment." She got a giggle. "Geeze... I just said this is going to be really hard on me." The two shared a small giggle together.

The day slowly passed for the two, mainly talking to the random family members who were around. Despite not going out for the day, the girls found themselves entertained by just each other. Random questions about what the other liked, gentle prying into special moments, and random kisses when they thought no one was looking at them. Before long more and more of the extended family began to get back and after a very pleasing dinner, the two finally decided to go back upstairs.

Back in their room, the two looked at each other a little awkwardly. "Uhm, hey," Sayaka limped her way over to the balcony door and turned back with a gentle smile. "The sun is setting, want to watch it?"

"Yeah!" Yuu joined her shortly after and leaned on the railing. Warm soon enveloped her back as Sayaka hugged her from behind. Arms snaked around her waist and soon a cheek rubbed up against hers. "There's the clingy girl." Yuu teased her with a smile.

"I held myself back all day," She returned coyly. "I think that deserves some praise."

"Good girl." Yuu reached up and back to pat her girlfriend's head. "Even though we literally spent the entire day in each other's arms."

"Yeah, but who's keeping record?" Sayaka nosed against the girl. "You smell good."

"I smell like you do," Yuu mused while the wind blew around them. The sun was already casting a crimson hue across the cloudy sky and making the mountains look as if they were ablaze. "This is so pretty..."

Sayaka smiled gently at Yuu, watching her eyes sparkle with the light on them. "Really is..."

"Eh?" Golden eyes glanced to the side, quickly gathering what was said. "Sa-sayaka... Don't do that, it's embarrassing." Despite her words, her body still leaned a little closer.

"So I shouldn't kiss you either?" Her words turned to a crystal fog as they were spoken and danced over Yuu's cheek as they went. The two faced each other, heads tilting to bring their lips together in the dying sunlight. The sky was quickly turning from the mix of subtle hues to a more neutral blackish blue with dots of stars. Kiss after kiss came before a shiver finally made them part. Snow was starting to drift around them, picking up as the minutes passed. "Inside?"

Yuu nodded, helping Sayaka get her crutch so she could go back in. As they entered, Sayaka moved her hand to the light switch and slid across it, making all the lights dim to a dull yellow. The next pass across the room brought the fireplace to life and soon she sat on the thick rug before it with one hand extended to Yuu. "Join me." It was a statement and a question at the same time, spoken with a soft tone.

The younger girl slowly sank to her knees before Sayaka, watching her girlfriend reach to the coffee table by them to pick up a box. "What's that?"

"I asked Liam to bring it back for me and set it here. It's a box of chocolates." Sayaka opened the flip up lid to reveal a few pieces of candy in a velvet box. "These are specially made in this town, by amazing chefs. You can't buy much at a time because it takes so long to make them... They're also called Lover's chocolates."

"Sayaka..." Yuu instantly felt a little guilt in her stomach. "These probably cost more than a whole box by themselves... You didn't have to-"

"Angel." That special pet name reserved for when they were alone. It made Yuu stop her sentence and allowed Sayaka to smile at her lovingly. "I've always been scared of my friends finding out how much my family had. I went to a private school with other girls to avoid being excluded and called a snob...When I swapped to our school, I did everything I could to hide it in fear of false friends being around me... You're one of the first people I ever trusted to share something expensive with... So please let me do this."

Yuu only smiled, giving that look that both of her upperclassmen knew so very well. "Oh fine..." She allowed one of the chocolates to be unwrapped and watched it be placed on Sayaka's lips. As they leaned forward to kiss, she accepted half the treat. Her body twitched lightly when the candy broke, a sudden caramel flavor spreading into their mouths. Sayaka's hands went to her shoulders to keep Yuu from pulling back. Instead, she carefully guided the girl down onto the thick fluffy rug and moved to straddle her waist.

As they parted, Yuu looked up at her girlfriend above her. Green eyes were gazing into her golden ones, light brown hair cascading like water over her shoulders. Yuu could see the flames of the fireplace dancing light over them, shadows flickering on the walls. Snow was fluttering around their cabin and the sounds of wind blowing added an ambiance to the already amazing mood. "Sayaka... Sweetheart."

"My Angel..." The two slowly closed their eyes, lips pressing together. Hands sought out each other, bodies moving to push together. "I love you..."

Yuu awoke first on the last morning, immediately snuggling back deeper into the covers and against the body holding her. The two were pressed close, legs intertwined. Her shorter body made her nose rest against Sayaka's collarbone and she felt the girl's chin on her head. An arm moved over her hips, palm moving to gently caress her back. "I wanted to watch you sleep," Yuu whispered softly, disappointed that her movement made her lover wake up.

"You'll have many opportunities in the future, Angel." Sayaka smiled contently, hand moving up more to caress the silky hair of Yuu. A moment went between them before she heard a soft half giggle under her.

"We really..." Yuu was smiling, face looking like she had just been given the world. "Oh wow... Hehehe!"

Not being able to help herself, Sayaka laughed as well. "Uhm, you're welcome?" The girls looked at each other, cheeks a soft pink and silly grins on their faces. "Now I'm really not going to want to let you go"

"We have hours," Yuu reminded her, rolling over so she was on top of the girl. Her hand moved to trace the many hickies along Sayaka's body. She had discovered last night that she thoroughly enjoyed biting, and it showed. "Did I hurt you any?"

"Plenty," Sayaka teased. "I do recall asking for more, though." Her flirt worked and Yuu lost the confidence she had managed to get. However, after a small stumble, Yuu slid down under the covers.

"You still have chocolate on you." Yuu's voice floated up as her tongue started to trace down the girl's stomach.

"Y-yuu!" To her dismay, her girlfriend stopped way to soon. Her head titled to look under the covers to see a grinning girl, clearly caught in the middle of teasing. "When my ankle is better, I'm going to get you good," she promised.

"Oooh, please." Yuu countered with a bright smile. "Lots of hugging involved?"

"Lots," Sayaka accepted the sudden snuggle and held Yuu tightly. "I hate to say this, but we need to get clean and start getting ready to head out... I won't be much help with my ankle, sorry."

Yuu shook her head. "No, it's okay... Say, if we hurry, do you think we'll have time to use that jet tub?"

"Of course," Sayaka replied sweetly. "Come on, let's wash each other and get in before others start getting up and about."

"So... This is it." Sayaka stated simply when Yuu's train was about to get to the station. "Thank you again for this. I don't really know how to repay you for it."

"You're doing a great job being my girlfriend," Yuu answered simply. "Let's keep figuring this out together..."

"Yeah."

"Uhm," Yuu chuckled nervously. "Is it acceptable to kiss in a train station?"

"Absolutely not," Sayaka replied at once. Stepping forward, she used a finger to lift Yuu's chin and claimed her lips for herself. The sounds of a train coming to a stop made them slowly part and smile at each other. "See you, my Angel."

"Till then, Honey." Yuu took a step back, shouldered her bag, and trotted off to the train. Once safely aboard, she turned and waved. "I love you!"

Sayaka blushed hard, the doors closing on the train and the noise picking up again. Yuu vanished quickly as the train moved and she gave a hard sigh. 'Well... Time to go home.' Sayaka turned and lifted her suitcase, smiling as she walked from the train tracks with her head held high.

~*Epilogue*~

Yuu rolled over in her bed, frustration clear on her face. Her eyes were heavy, mind fogged. No matter what she tried, she couldn't seem to find comfort in the night. The sky was cloudy, making it extra dark for her, the small space heater in her room was keeping her warm despite her bed being by the window, and she was finally at home in her own bed again. Despite this, it just didn't feel right. Something was off. That something came in the form of her phone buzzing at her and lighting her bedroom with a dim light from her screen. Sayaka's name appeared next to the message icon and Yuu smiled softly at it. Are you awake?

Yeah, I can't sleep. Yuu types back and instantly saw the read icon.

Me either. I think I need something for it.

What's that?

Yuu watched her phone for a moment more before a new message came up. It had a small speaker icon on it with a few second duration. Curiously, she tapped the message and heard Sayaka's voice float through her phone from the recording. "Sweet dreams, Angel. I love you too."

Yuu's heart skipped, a gentle feeling following it. Her body sank into the mattress, eyes suddenly feeling even heavier than before as sleep crept up onto her. Before it overtook her, she touched the recording button and spoke softly into the night. "Sweet dreams, Darling. I miss you." The read message appeared and they both sent a simple sleeping emoji. Yuu turned off her phone and shifted one of her pillows to be against the wall. Pressing her back up against it, she felt a comforting feeling of weight and warmth behind her. Only a few moments later and her breathing evened out, sleep overcoming her tired body.