All My Stars

7

This was the part I was most nervous about. We had finished eating and it was pretty late at night.

"I'm going to bed, you coming?"

I haven't moved an inch since Natsumi got up to do the dishes. 

She looks at me, eyebrows raised as if to say 'well?'

"Yeah" I silently panic as I follow her lead to the bedroom. She looks completely at ease as she sits on the right side of the bed- her side.

"Umm, where's the bathroom again?"

" On your left,  toiletries and towels are in the cabinet under the sink"

"Okay"

The thought of bringing clothes with me only occurs once I've been under the steady stream of water for about 5 minutes and I curse quietly. I stayed longer than I needed to, hoping Natsumi would be asleep so I could rifle through my luggage for clothes in peace but no such luck. So there I stood, slightly dripping and unsure of what to do.

" Listen, I'm going to be honest with you. I really don't care how you fix it, get it done and quickly" Natsumi gets up, still on the phone, and goes into the closet. A moment later she returns with a sweatshirt and shorts, pushing them gently to my chest where my hand holds my towel up.

I head back into the bathroom to change quickly and when I'm done she's already lying down, eyes closed. I'm stiff as a board when I lay next to Natsumi, trying not to disturb her too much.

"Relax, I'm not gonna bite you. Well only if you ask me nicely" She whispers the last part, turning to me with a deviant smile. I'm sure my blush is noticeable even with how little light there is. Natsumi turns off the lamp on her side engulfing the room in complete darkness and if possible I stiffen even more, subtly scooting closer to her.

My slightly panicked breaths were loud even to my own ears, Natsumi shifts.

"Are you okay?" It's comforting hearing her voice even when I can't see her.

" I'm maybe a little afraid of the dark" I admit.

" I can turn the light back on if you want" She offers softly.

" No, it's okay, if you're used to sleeping in the dark it'll be hard for you to fall asleep with the light on" She huffs amusedly.

"Wouldn't it be the same for you?"

"Huh, I didn't think of that" Natsumi stifles her laughter.

"Here" Before I know it I'm pulled closer to her, fitting snugly in her arms.

Her arm falls around my waist and drags me back until I'm flush against her and if I wasn't red before, I certainly am now.

"Does this work for you?"

"Mhm," I squeak out. 

She chuckles softly in the stillness of the room, Natsumi smooths my hair back and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Goodnight Navi"

"Goodnight"

****

The sunlight streaming in from the open balcony door wakes me with its comforting warmth. I catch glimpses of Natsumi when the curtain shifts from the gentle breeze.

"Morning" She greets me quietly, turning to stub out her cigarette before continuing to type away on her computer.

"Good morning"

"Did you sleep well?" Her hand reaches out to caress my arm as if to have physical confirmation that I had survived the night wrapped in her embrace.

"Yes, thank you"

"You don't have to be so formal, we're gonna be married soon"

"Right, sorry"

"Don't apologize, it's fine"

Another apology is heavy on my tongue before I hesitate, closing my mouth and sitting in the chair beside her.

It's quiet out here and the air is crisp as it blows across my bare legs. I draw them up, rubbing my arms against them to stay warm as I listen to Natsumi's furious typing.

"Do you have class today?" She asks casually, taking the blanket that was previously resting on the back of her chair and spreading it out over my legs.

I can't process her words for a minute before she turns to me curiously, waiting for a reply.

"Um, no. I'm always free on Tuesdays"

She nods.

"What about you, do you have work today?"

"I have work every day" She laughs "But I'm not going in today, I'll stay and keep you company"

"You don't have to, I don't wanna keep you from-" 

"Navi, I want to" That's all it takes to have me sitting back dumbly in my chair.

"Besides, we do have the official agreement to go over, if you're up for it of course"

"Yeah, sure" 

"C'mon, let's go have breakfast" She shuts her laptop, dropping it on the bed as we walk past. I feel like a puppy as I follow hopelessly behind her.

How can anyone be this put together after just waking up?

Natsumi knows her way around a kitchen, it's evident from how easily she goes about preparing the ingredients for our breakfast.

"Do you have any dietary requirements or are you good with anything"

I shake my head "I'm cool with whatever"

It doesn't take her long to have everything prepared,  she had the bacon and eggs going at the same time while simultaneously loading the toaster oven.

"Coffee, tea, or juice?"

" Whichever you're having is fine"

She fills two glasses with orange juice before bringing everything over to the bar and sitting on the stool across from me.

"This looks really good, thank you"

"You're welcome" Her eyes crinkle at the corners when she smiles before turning to her own breakfast.

It all just feels very domestic, as if I'm meant to be doing this with her every day and I'm not opposed to it like I thought maybe I would be.

Her phone buzzed drawing her attention briefly before she was placing it back down.

"Amelia said to remind you that you're supposed to be dress shopping today and that she'll be here in an hour and a half with your mother"

"Shit" I cursed heatedly.

The last thing I wanted to do was spend the entire day with my insufferable mother while she shares her unwanted opinion on the dresses I might like and my weight.

A groan leaves my lips and I bury my face in my arms in misery.

"You'll be fine" Natsumi consoled me, rubbing her hand along my back softly.

" I'm sorry, I completely forgot that was today"

" It's fine" She waved off.

" Just try not to stress too much, yeah? Call me after and I'll come get you"