Pairing: Sōma/Erina

Rating: T+ (mentions of sex, language, but no graphic/mature content)

English is not my first language. For any grammar errors and typos I apologize in advance.

Disclaimer: I don't own Shokugeki no Sōma.

My take on A-Z challenge with Sorina. I got the idea from our fellow author IsshiNene on FF and their story "How Do You Spell Love?", thank you so much for this story!

In summary, it's a compilation of non-related one-shots with chapters assigned to alphabet's letters respectfully, from A to Z. Hope you enjoy!

A is for Aftermath

i love to hold you close, tonight and always

-0-

Rays of blue moonlight danced gracefully through the bedroom's large window, gleaming the white covers with a bright shine.

Sōma, with his head resting on the inside of his palm, looked down at the girl lying next to him – her body spent and naked. He took a good glimpse of her form, taking in every detail and little thing he could perceive.

Her chest slowly raised with light, now regular, breath. Her face was relaxed with cheeks still tinted in a pretty pink color. Blonde hair damp and messy.

It was truly a sight to behold.

Just not so long ago the room was filled with messy breaths, quiet moans and bed cracking. The contrasting silence that was accompanying them in this moment was almost comical.

Sōma chuckled quietly looking how peaceful the blonde was sleeping. Considering her screams and loud gasps from 6 minutes ago it was quite a big difference.

His small giggle didn't went unnoticed by Erina as she opened one eye, revealing glistening amethyst orb, "What's so funny?" she murmured looking behind her.

Oh, he forgot to mention she was the sweetest angel in these moments. She was like a little baby kitten after long play-time session – cuddly, tired and calm. As if he pounded out all the energy from her body – which was probably true.

And he would lie if he said he didn't enjoy this side of her. It definitely varied a lot from her usual strong demeanor but it also had its own charm. And he caught himself a lot just looking at the blonde princess – when she drifted off to sleep after him literally fucking the life out of her.

Resting his head on the pillow Yukihira replied to her earlier question, "Nothing." he moved himself closer, his chest touching her bare back, and embraced her waist, "You fall asleep so quick I don't even have time to cuddle with you after we fuck." he said and then placed a kiss on her neck and shoulder.

"So maybe stop going so hard on me. Every muscle in my body hurts." she complained but still moved her neck to allow him better access. His little kisses relaxed her.

"I'm sorry." he murmured and kept on gracing his lips over earlier made marks and red spots.

She turned around so she could face him and placed a chaste kiss on his chin – since it was the nearest spot her lips could reach. He smiled warmly and moved blonde strands of hair away from her eyes.

"I just missed you a lot, ya' know?" he murmured into the crown of her head.

"It's literally been only two weeks."

"That's long to me!" he moved away to look at her face and saw a little smile stretching her pinky lips. He grinned at her back and lied on his back, resting his head on the bed frame. Erina cuddled closer to him laying her head on his chest.

She enjoyed his warmth way too much, he was like a walking sun. She found in herself a need to always be close to him – to hug, cuddle, kiss, hold hands. Something she never expected she would be so keen on. Especially towards Yukihira. His body was so big and warm, she felt safe and loved in his arms. She guessed it was always his charm – of making people around him feel warm and safe, either with his words, actions or touch.

Soon she felt Sōma's hand playing with the blonde strands of her hair – something she caught him doing a lot.

"Your hair got so long." he eyed the healthy ends with amazement. Erina rolled her eyes, he's acting as if they haven't seen each other in two years instead of two weeks. And her hair always been long, what is he talking about!

"I'm thinking about cutting them." she mumbled sleepily.

"Don't. I like your long hair."

Nakiri princess unwillingly blushed at his comment, "You know I'm going to do whatever I want anyway?", she grimaced but mentally took a quick note to never cut it.

"Hm, so does your boyfriend's opinion means nothing to you?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. And stop calling yourself my boyfriend, we're not in high school anymore, it's embarrassing."

He chuckled and raised his brows, "Huh? So what am I to you then?"

"M-my… life partner."

"C'mon, that sounds lame."

"You're lame!"

He started laughing and she couldn't help but share a little giggle as well. She didn't notice the adoring and loving look on Yukihira's face when he saw her small lips forming a lovely smile. How cute.

"So when are you leaving again?" she asked after a while.

"Dunno. I'm not really that eager to go." he replied and then embraced her form with both of his arms and placed a kiss on the top of her head, "I'd rather spend this whooole time with you here~"

"Wouldn't happen. You know I have my restaurant so I won't have time for you." she grimaced but blushed at the sudden affection – it still had the same impact on her as if they were in high school.

"C'mon I'm just trying to spend some time with you."

Erina looked up to him and seeing his sad expression she kind of felt bad – she missed him as well. Always when he would come back for a few days and then leave again it felt as if it was the first time. She gets so used to living with him, seeing him every morning and night in bed next to her, cooking with him, always having him around, so that when he leaves for two weeks, sometimes month, she just feels weird. In just few days he manages to make his presence so important to her so that when he leaves again she can't get back on track.

And honestly Erina didn't like the idea of letting him go. Even if she acts like it's not a big deal, 'he goes, he comes back, whatever', the truth is she wishes she could always fall asleep and wake up to the sight of his annoyingly handsome face and clump of red hair.

But she won't make him stay either. It's his life and route he decided to follow. She has her own restaurant, he travels the world like his dad. In this mess and chaos their paths somehow met and created its own side-track – the one that lead to her now laying in the arms of the red-haired man in their shared bedroom.

The only way to always be together is going with him. But it wasn't so easy.

I wish you didn't go.

She wasn't aware she spoke her thoughts out loud until she heard Sōma's low chuckle.

"I think it's okay." he replied.

"Huh?" she looked up to him, her glistening amethyst eyes widening.

"I said it's okay. Because I'll always come back to you."

Erina's cheeks turned red all over again after he gave her that smile, the most charming and beautiful smile – the one that made her heart flutter and mind go dizzy.

She pressed her lips together restraining the corners of her mouth from going upwards and averted his eyes. He made her heart beat so unbelievably fast every time he flashed this stupid grin of his and she hated him for that. When did he turn so romantic all of the sudden?! She wasn't prepared.

"You're right." the blonde murmured quietly before closing her eyes.

Soon the sleep started slowly taking over her. The only thing she could hear was peaceful breath and soothing heartbeat of the man above her, which made her fall into the slumber even deeper.

His last words replaying in her mind repetitively.

...

You will always come back.

And I will always wait.

-0-

What do you guys think of this idea? Should I continue?