𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ⟢ 𝘁. 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗶/𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶

𝟐𝟗: 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧'𝐬 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭

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𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐢
i wake up to the smell of something cooking, the kind of scent that makes you feel like you're home even when you don't know what that feels like anymore. y/n's not in bed; i hear her humming in the kitchen, soft and almost like a memory. she used to do that when we were kids, back when life was simpler and our biggest problem was sneaking sweets behind her mom's back.

i lie there for a moment longer, staring at the ceiling, trying to decide if i should get up or disappear before she notices i'm awake. there's a part of me that still thinks i shouldn't be here, shouldn't let myself get comfortable. but then there's her—this stupid, stubborn girl who makes me feel like whole again, even if i don't deserve it.

when i finally drag myself out of bed, i lean against the doorframe and watch her move around the kitchen, flipping eggs and stirring miso soup like it's just another day. she catches me staring and gives me that smile, the one that always makes my chest feel tight.

"morning, sleepyhead," she teases. "breakfast is almost ready."

"smells good," i mumble, walking over to steal a piece of tamagoyaki from the plate she's setting. "i don't remember you being this good at cooking."

"i've had practice with fuyumi. i usually cook with her for your family," she says, swatting my hand away playfully. "besides, you don't get to complain when you just show up and eat."

she cooks for them?

"fair enough," i chuckle, leaning on the counter. it's easy to pretend like this is normal, like i could stay here and just be with her. as if we were married a long time ago and nothing had happened to me. but the thought lingers in the back of my mind—i can't keep pretending forever.

knock knock!

"shit, it's fuyusis." y/n whispered loudly, surprised. i quickly stand up, my instincts telling me to disappear. "you need to hide."

i immediately hide in her studio, but once again there were another set of knocks. it's a couple of quick taps, y/n doesn't hesitate to open it now. i stiffen when i hear natsuo's voice, and then fuyumi's laughter follows. shit. she was right, they were here.

"we were in the neighborhood," fuyumi explains as she walks in, carrying a small bouquet of flowers. "figured we'd stop by and see how you're doing."

"yeah, and we brought food too," natsuo adds, holding up a bag of groceries like it's a peace offering. "looks like we caught you in the middle of your breakfast."

y/n's smile is genuine, like she's actually happy to see them, but there's a flicker of panic in her eyes as she glances back at me. i slip deeper into the studio, barely closing the door in time before they walk into the kitchen. i can hear them talking, laughing, filling the apartment with a warmth i haven't felt in years.