~𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ℌ𝔞𝔰 𝔑𝔬 𝔅𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰~ (Tokoyami Fumikage X Reader)

Chapter 20

After a grueling day of intense training, Class 1-A gathered around the campfire, exhausted but determined to keep pushing their limits. Niko could still feel the strain in her muscles from earlier, but her thoughts were somewhere else.

Her gaze occasionally drifted toward Tokoyami, who was sitting a little away from the fire, his usual composed demeanor intact. There was something about him-his quiet strength, his presence-that made her heart race every time their eyes met.

The sun had long set, leaving the camp shrouded in a blanket of stars. The air was cool, a refreshing contrast to the heat of the day, and the campfire crackled softly in the background as most of their classmates settled in to relax.

Niko, however, found herself restless. Her emotions were bubbling under the surface, and the thought of being alone with Tokoyami was tempting. Without a second thought, she quietly slipped away from the camp, hoping to clear her head under the night sky.

To her surprise, Tokoyami had followed her.

He emerged from the shadows, his deep crimson eyes reflecting the starlight. "You left the group," he observed in his usual calm tone, but there was a subtle hint of concern in his voice.

Niko's breath caught in her throat. "Yeah, I just needed some air," she admitted, her voice quiet. "I guess... I wanted some time to think."

Tokoyami stepped closer, his presence grounding her in a way that no one else's could. "It's been a long day," he said, his voice low. "But I've noticed something weighing on your mind, Niko."

His use of her name made her heart skip a beat. She glanced up at him, her nerves suddenly alight with the words she had been holding back for so long.

"I've been meaning to tell you something," Niko began, her hands fidgeting. "But it's hard... because I don't know how you'll react."

Tokoyami tilted his head slightly, waiting patiently for her to continue. "You can speak freely with me, Niko," he reassured her, his tone gentle.

Niko took a deep breath, summoning all the courage she had left. "I... I like you, Fumikage," she finally said, the confession tumbling out of her before she could stop herself. "I've liked you for a while now."

For a moment, Tokoyami was silent, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Niko's heart pounded in her chest, the anxiety building as she awaited his response.

But then, without a word, Tokoyami took a step closer. His hand gently cupped her cheek, his touch careful yet firm. Niko's breath hitched as their eyes locked, the intensity of his gaze making her feel as though the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

"You're not the only one," Tokoyami said softly, his voice steady despite the emotion behind it. "I've felt the same."

Before Niko could respond, Tokoyami leaned in, his lips pressing softly against her forehead. The gesture was tender, almost protective, but it wasn't enough to hide the emotions swirling between them.

Then, in one fluid motion, he leaned in further, tilting his head slightly as he gently pressed his beak to her lips.

Niko's eyes widened in surprise, her heart soaring as she melted into the kiss. It was a strange yet beautiful sensation-his kiss was soft, careful, as though he was afraid to overstep, but there was no mistaking the affection behind it.

Tokoyami pulled back, just enough to look into her eyes, his hand still resting on her cheek. "You mean more to me than I've ever allowed myself to admit," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Niko felt warmth bloom in her chest, her emotions overwhelming her as she smiled up at him. "I feel the same way, Fumikage."

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's presence as the stars glittered above. In that quiet clearing, away from the rest of the world, it was just the two of them, and for the first time, they both let their walls down.