november yumary otp prompt challenge!

unexpected guest

Mary was finishing a late dinner consisting of instant noodles and pineapple soda to the calming sounds of the rain when the doorbell rang. At first, she was curious as to who would be at her doorstep so late. The next 10 seconds were a blur.

Yumeko was shaking, head-to-toe drenched as the drops fell in a puddle around her. Her makeup was running down her cheeks and her red bodycon dress glued to her skin from the water.

As absolutely disheartening as the image was, the thing that tore Mary apart was the look on her face. Yumeko looked broken. Her eyes were downcast, looking to the concrete floor of the apartment hall for an ounce of hope. The pouring rain echoed through the hallway and looked like a green screen over the balcony.

Mary pulled her in before they spoke a word to each other.

===

The door opened and all of the steam from the shower rose out of the room. Yumeko stumbled through the door in Mary's large t-shirt and basketball shorts.

In any other situation, Mary would've been a blushing and mushy mess at her clothes looking so perfect on her long-term crush, but she's too confused and concerned about the well-being of her best friend.

And she'd agreed to herself that Yumeko is a friend before anything else.

Yumeko plopped on the bed, slouched as she took a deep breath into her hands. Mary hesitated before getting up and walking to the other side. The former was unmoving as the latter sat beside her, close enough that she can entertain the idea of grabbing Yumeko's hand.

"We can... We can talk-"

"I lost the ring," Yumeko spoke as if a spirit had sucked her soul out of her body. Mary felt the bed shift underneath her. "I ran out of chips, and I was so out of it that I put-" she shuddered. Her eyes were glued to her naked thumb. "I lost it."

Mary knew why this was akin to the end of the world for Yumeko. Her sister's ring is now on around the finger of a stranger. She was at a loss for how to handle this.

"You don't have to say anything," Yumeko blurted. "Honestly, I'm as disgusted with myself as you are."

"I'm not disgusted with you," Mary softened her tone.

"You should be," Yumeko's eyes locked with Mary's. They were unrecognizable, almost empty.

Mary took Yumeko's hand, "No, listen to me. You are not disgusting, or a bad person, or any of the lies in your head.

"If you want honesty, I'll tell you this. You love your sister, and you love the ring she gave you, and you are devastated over losing it and how you're going to tell her. None of that makes you a bad person."

Yumeko looked at their connected hands, hurt still dulling the usual vibrant red.

Mary contemplated whether she should say anything more. Would it only hurt her more if she said what Yumeko needed to hear? Does she need to realize?

"Yumeko," Mary took a breath. "You're sick."

And she nodded, closing her eyes in acceptance. "Yeah, I know."

"No, you need to listen to me," Mary added emphasis to her words, making Yumeko look at her again. "You're ill, and you need help."

Mary didn't find any sign of denial or anger in Yumeko's eyes. She didn't find anything, but she had to make her understand.

"Your... addiction to gambling has gotten out of hand."

Yumeko recoiled for a split second, then she calmed, then she broke. Her head fell into Mary's shoulder, and she sobbed. It could've been hours before Yumeko gasped and pulled away, her hands wiping away the tears as they fell: "I'm so sorry." She let out a pained laugh as she tried to put herself back together again, "That wasn't right of me."

Mary wrapped her in a hug. She gave Yumeko to warmest, strongest, and most caring hug she's ever given, because it's what she deserved.

"Feel whatever you need to feel," Mary whispered. "Cry for as long as you want to, and I will stay right here. I promise I won't tease or say anything unless you want me to."

Yumeko fell back apart. "Thank you," the air of her voice was the only part that she heard, the rest caught in her throat through her cries.

Yeah, the tears didn't stop falling for a while. Mary didn't mind being the shoulder to cry on, except for hearing her so excruciatingly hurt. She would do anything for Yumeko if it meant seeing her be herself again.

===

"Thank you," Yumeko played with their hands against the sheets. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

They'd made a plan and talked a lot. The black blanketing the window was starting to fade into purple, and the patters of rain ceased. Neither of them could stop talking despite the everpresent peace.

"Anytime," Mary hadn't stopped looking at her either. "Just for you, I guess."

"Just for me?" and Yumeko truly smiled for the first time that night.

"Always for you," Mary didn't want to believe she'd turn this sappy but here she was. 

Yumeko looked at her, longing and care behind her gaze. Mary found herself chanting her mantra. Friends before anything else.

Then Yumeko kissed the corner of her mouth. "For being such a caring person," she said against her cheek before pulling away.

Mary was beet red as she wracked her mind for a response.

"You're the best," Yumeko brought both of their intertwined hands under her chin.

Mary forgot about her mantra as soon as her forehead was gently resting against Yumeko's. "No, I just care about you more than you'll ever know."