The store's afternoon rush was slowing to a stop. Mei lazily gazed out the broad windows at the people walking by. Mei glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost closing time. Business never came at these hours, but Mei always stayed until the very last second because of her dutiful nature. The sun was setting, and the sky was painted with shades of pink and gold. She leaned forward on her elbows over the cool counter. Mei sighed as her eyelids began to grow heavy. She stubbornly bit back a yawn. Only thirty more minutes. Mei urged the clock's hands to move faster. Finally, she conceded to her exhaustion and closed her eyes for a nap.

It only seemed like a few seconds of peaceful darkness before Mei heard the small welcoming bells at the door. Light steps crept towards her.

"Mei?" asked an achingly familiar voice. Mei answered with silence. "Are you... sleeping? It's already past closing time." Mei groaned when Yuzu attempted to shake her into wakefulness. Her mind was becoming less aware of her surroundings. The last thing Mei remembered was drifting off into comfortable darkness with warmth enveloping her.

Mei's eyes slowly blinked open to the sound of softly chirping birds. As she began to fall back asleep, she suddenly realized that she'd never gone home. She rolled over, slightly alarmed, to find Yuzu peacefully curled into a ball a few feet away on the floor. Thoughts ran through Mei's head until she recalled the last evening. She'd fallen asleep at the counter. Then... Mei looked at Yuzu's sleeping face. Mei smiled at the thought that Yuzu had given Mei the right to the whole bed. Mei quietly slipped out from the blanket, lifting it. Mei instinctively reached to brush some hair away from Yuzu's face, but she held back. Mei noticed that she was still dressed in her work uniform after staring off into space for several seconds. She hopefully craned her neck to search the room for her bag, to no avail.

Yuzu groggily opened her eyes. When she looked up at the bed, Mei was gone. A quiet, disappointed sigh was escaping Yuzu's lips until she turned and found Mei sitting quite close to her.

"G'morning," Yuzu yawned. She sat up to stretch her back in a leisurely fashion, a blanket fell off of her.

"Good morning," Mei replied. Yuzu took a short second to look for animosity in Mei's face.

"I'm sorry for..." Yuzu grasped for the correct word in her hazy mind.

"Kidnapping me?" Mei finished with a small smile, lightly poking Yuzu's shoulder.

"Yes- that," Yuzu laughed sheepishly. "I figured you'd appreciate not being the morning display for your customers."

"I do."

Yuzu felt her heart quicken as Mei leaned closer. She didn't relax at all once Mei leaned her head on Yuzu's shoulder. "I've missed you," Mei murmured softly. Yuzu grasped Mei's hand, lightly stroking it with her thumb. "I've missed you too..." Yuzu chastely kissed Mei's forehead. Mei smiled sweetly then pulled Yuzu's face down to her lips. Yuzu toyed with Mei's hair with a relaxed look on her face.

"I didn't know you were coming back so soon," Mei fretted, "I would've made you something."

Yuzu shook her head, "You're plenty for a return-gift, Mei."

Yuzu rose. "I'll make something to eat."

"I can help with that," Mei said, groaning quietly as she straightened her back.

Yuzu's attempts to own the kitchen quickly failed. Mei had claimed breakfast as Yuzu's new gift. Yuzu paced around the table aimlessly, occasionally throwing glances at Mei. The blonde carefully crept toward Mei's back as she washed dishes. Mei suddenly felt arms around her waist then loudly yelped and placed a hard front kick into Yuzu's shin. After apologies from both parties involved, the pair ate.

"That hurt quite a bit," Yuzu said, rubbing her bruised leg.

"Don't sneak up on me then!" Mei huffed as she inhaled her eggs. A flash of sympathy crossed Mei's face. "Do you need anything for it?"

Yuzu paused in thought, then she smiled devilishly. "Kiss my shin please?"

Mei glared at Yuzu, who was batting her eyelashes. Mei shoveled more food into her mouth in silence.

"Is that a no?" Yuzu asked.

"Wait a moment," Mei said curtly. She walked to Yuzu and held her shoulders.

Yuzu nodded nervously.

Mei kneeled at Yuzu's feet and met eyes with the girl above her before kissing her leg softly.

"Well. Fuck," Yuzu thought.

Mei trailed kisses from the bruise to the edge of Yuzu's shorts. Then reached up to pull them down. Mei smiled.

It had been lonely without Yuzu around.