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

Chapter 38

The gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and the soft glow of the city lights danced on the water's surface. Niko stayed nestled against Tokoyami's shoulder, their hands still intertwined. His feathers ruffled slightly in the breeze, a calming rhythm that matched his steady breathing.

"Do you ever miss your old life?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tokoyami tilted his head, his red eyes thoughtful. "Not really. I was always... different. Dark Shadow made sure of that."

Dark Shadow, hearing his name, peeked out, his usually boisterous demeanor softened by the quiet of the evening. "I was not that bad."

Niko chuckled, her laughter a soft melody in the night. "I think Dark Shadow is adorable."

The shadowy figure puffed up, preening under the praise. Tokoyami smirked, a rare expression that made Niko's heart flutter. "Careful, or he'll get an ego."

Dark Shadow grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I already have one."

Niko leaned closer, her shoulder pressing against Tokoyami's. "I mean it. You two are a perfect team."

A comfortable silence settled over them, the kind that only came with true understanding. Niko found herself tracing small patterns on the back of his hand with her thumb. "Thank you for today. I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Tokoyami's grip tightened slightly, an unspoken promise. "You don't have to face things alone, Niko. Not when I'm here."

She looked up, her gaze meeting his. His usually stoic expression softened, the cool red of his eyes warm under the lantern light. It was a quiet vulnerability that he rarely showed, and it made her chest ache with a tenderness she wasn't sure how to express.

Without thinking, she leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, the touch as light as a feather. Tokoyami's feathers fluffed up in response, a faint blush blooming beneath his dark feathers.

"Oh," he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically shy. "That was... nice."

Niko bit her lip, fighting a smile. "Yeah?"

He nodded, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Yeah."

They spent the rest of the evening exploring the quiet streets, stopping by small shops and sharing soft laughter over silly trinkets. At a bookstore, Tokoyami picked up a novel on ancient hero lore, his eyes lighting up as he explained the legends to Niko. She hung on to every word, the passion in his voice more captivating than any story.

When they finally made their way back to the agency, the sky was a blanket of stars. They stood outside the entrance, neither wanting the night to end.

"Do you want to come up?" she asked hesitantly. "Just for a bit?"

Tokoyami hesitated, then nodded. "I'd like that."

They ended up in the common room, wrapped in blankets on the couch. A movie played softly in the background, but neither paid much attention. Instead, they talked—about dreams, about fears, about everything and nothing at all.

At some point, Niko's head found its way to his shoulder, and Tokoyami's arm draped around her, his fingers drawing gentle circles on her arm. Dark Shadow had settled on the armrest, his usually energetic form reduced to a sleepy silhouette.

As the night wore on, their voices grew softer, words replaced by the steady rhythm of their breathing. When Niko's eyes finally drifted shut, Tokoyami stayed awake a little longer, his gaze fixed on her peaceful expression.

"Goodnight, Niko," he whispered, his voice a soft caress in the quiet room.

And in the soft glow of the screen, with the world outside fading away, they found solace in each other—a quiet, unspoken promise that whatever came next, they would face it together.