14 Chapter 14: Do it For Mei

"Thank god we're home, I've been dying to go for a warm shower." Mei sighed as she shoved their dirty clothes into the washing machine.

"Then go for one, I'll put all this away then make us something to eat." Yuzu looked up from her bag that she was unpacking to give Mei a small smile. Mei didn't have to be told twice, she already had the washing machine on and was briskly walking to the bathroom.

Yuzu smiled as she shook her head at the desperate girl practically running down the hall. Within the first 10 minutes, she had already unpacked her bag and was moving onto Mei's, which was proving to be a much harder task than her own.

Mei had packed enough to stay the week, Yuzu found dozens of miscellaneous items in the bag. Why would she need a pack of shoelaces?

After Mei's bag was unpacked, Yuzu had the difficult task of putting the tent away. She knew where it was going just that spot was the top shelf of the closet, at least two feet above Yuzu's head. She could barely lift it onto her back nevermind over her.

Several failed attempts later Yuzu left the bag on the bedroom floor to wait for Mei and made her way to the kitchen to prepare something for the two. It had been long past 40 minutes when Yuzu was sitting patiently at the table for Mei, she was hungry and tired and Mei was taking a little too long.

Slowly making her way down the hall she knocked lightly on the door,

"Mei are you finished yet? Lunch is ready and I'm hungry so can you hurry up?" Yuzu said as she mentally rolled her eyes at how long Mei was taking. However, she got no reply from the younger girl, the only sound she could hear was the shower.

"Mei?... I'm coming in okay?" Opening the door Yuzu walked into a room full of steam that burned against her face pushing her back into the hall, the cloud shuffled out of the hot room. Yuzu was now slightly worried, Mei never let the bathroom stream up this bad.

Yuzu quickly opened the shower door to find it empty, turning the water off Yuzu gave the shower room one last look over before she stepped back into the main bathroom. Where she was met with the sight of Mei sleeping in slightly overflowing bathtub.

Her cheeks were pink and Yuzu could see trails of sweat on her forehead. Pulling the plug on the bath Yuzu tried to sit a floppy Mei upright. The bath was quite literally boiling, it was no wonder Mei had passed out after being in it for so long.

"Mei wake up, C'mon you can't stay in here," with the bath more than half drained and Mei showing no signs of waking up, Yuzu layed a towel out on the floor and using all her strength, poorly lifted Mei from the tub onto the towel.

Drying her as best she could, Yuzu slipped one arm around Mei's back the other hooked under her knees. Taking in a deep breath Yuzu stood up and quickly made her way to their bedroom, plopping Mei's still limp body onto the bed. Drawing the bedsheet over her exposed body Yuzu placed the back of her hand on Mei's cheek; she was roasting.

She checked her pulse; it was slightly elevated but nothing too concerning, Yuzu guessed she had only fallen unconscious a minutes or so ago. Lying her on her side, Yuzu flicked the air conditioning on and went to the kitchen to get a cold glass of water. Mei should be fine, as long as she hydrated her and she woke up soon everything should be fine.

When Yuzu walked back into the bedroom Mei was sitting up in bed, wearily looking around. Yuzu rushed over to Mei, placing one hand on her back she handed the water to Mei.

"Here Mei drink this," Mei, as instructed by the worried blonde drank the water. After drowning the entire glass Mei looked back to Yuzu who had shuffled onto the bed beside her.

"I thought I was in the bath... and why do I have no clothes on?" Mei handed the glass back to Yuzu, clearly confused.

Yuzu smiled and gave her a kiss before she signalled for Mei to lean against her.

"You were in the bath but you where taking an awfully long time. When I went to check on you the shower was on and the room was full of steam. Then I found you unconscious in the bath. So I brought you to bed to get you out of the hot water, and you have no clothes on because I literally just got you onto the bed and I didn't think you would want me to change you while you weren't ya know... awake." Yuzu gave Mei a shy grin as she wiped her forehead.

"You are right about that but you carried me through the house... naked?" Mei's cheeks were pink, Yuzu didn't know whether it was because she was so hot or too embarrassed but assumed it was probably a mixture of both.

"I didn't have much of a choice, I had to get you out of the bath and the bathroom was full of steam. Anyways why didn't you get out of the bath if you felt like you were going to pass out?" Yuzu's tone had changed from a light light-hearted to a very serious one.

"Oh... I eh didn't think I was too hot I thought I was just tired, which I am. I didn't think I would actually pass out. And sorry for leaving the shower on, I was just about to jump into it after I got out the bath." Mei gave Yuzu an apologetic smile as she leaned her fatigued body against the warm blonde. Yuzu, however, was having none of it.

"That's not an excuse Mei, if you were tired you should have gotten out of the bath. What if your head had slipped below the water, or if I hadn't walked in and found you? Have some common sense, if u feel like you're gonna pass out while in the bath you get out, you don't just sit there and wait for it to happen," Yuzu lectured as she continued to wipe Mei's sweating face.

Mei seemed to shrink a little at the blonde words, it was very rare that Yuzu lectured her and when she did Mei always felt so small.

"Sorry Yuzu, it won't happen again," Mei spoke in almost a whisper as the blonde eyed her.

"Good, I have made us some lunch do you want any or not?" Yuzu was clearly slightly annoyed at Mei's stupidity but was trying to hide it.

"No thank you, I'm not that hungry but thanks for making it." Mei sunk under the covers like a scolded child, Yuzu got up and grabbed the empty glass from the bedside table. Her concern had passed, now she was just mad at Mei for not getting out of the bath when she felt sleepy.

"Do you want tea or coffee or just some more water?" Yuzu stood at the door and waited for Mei to reply. "Water please, " Mei answered avoiding eye contact with the blonde.

"Sit with your knees bent and your head between them, it will help with the dizziness," and without another word, Yuzu left the room and went back to the dining table to eat her lunch. Wapping Mei's in cling film Yuzu placed it in the fridge before filling Mei's glass up with water and going back through to meet the younger girl.

Mei was already dressed and was now sitting at her desk. Yuzu placed the glass down on the hardwood before she placed her hand back over Mei's head. Frowning Yuzu pulled the paper from Mei's hand and let it fall back onto the desk.

"Mei you are still roasting, you need to hydrate yourself and sleep. You said yourself that you are tired and doing school work won't help that. Now please just get back in bed, " Yuzu let out a sigh as she pulled the chair away from the desk.

Mei knew there was no arguing with Yuzu, she was mad. Not in a way in which she would shout or argue with Mei, she was annoyed at Mei's carelessness and had little patience for her at the moment.

Without any come back Mei made her way over to the bed and crawled under the covers.

"Can you drink this please?" Yuzu said as she handed her the freshly made glass of water. Taking a gulp from the glass Mei look up to meet Yuzu's eye, and when she glanced down as she had suspected, the blonde's fingers where tapping rapidly on her thigh.

Reaching out, Mei took the trembling hand in her own and gave the fingers a long kiss.

"Yuzu, calm down, " Mei's voice was soft and kind as she looked up into Yuzu's eyes.

Over the four years Mei had known Yuzu, there where several traits that she had picked up on to diagnose the blonde's mood. One of which was the tapping of her fingers. There were two types and were very easily distinguishable, the first was relaxed and usually played in some sort of pattern, indicating that she was in a good mood or was extremely relaxed.

The second was when she was mad, annoyed, scared, nervous or upset, it generally wasn't hard to figure out which of the above it was as her tone would fill in the gaps. Her fingers wound drum rapidly off whatever surface was available, usually in no particular order. Mei thought it was an unconscious act and never thought to point it out, it was a good way for her to find out what the elder girl was feeling.

Right now it was strikingly obvious to Mei that Yuzu was both scared and annoyed. Scared that she could have lost Mei, upset that she would be so careless to let something like that happen.

"Yuzu, I'm right here... I only fell asleep because of how tired I was, the past couple of days have been really busy, I nodded off before I even had time to notice. I'm sorry okay? It won't happen again, I promise." Mei had looked up into the blondes sparkling eyes the entire time, but not once did she see Yuzu look straight into hers.

Yuzu didn't reply, her fingers let up slightly but they still danced a little too fast for Mei's liking.

"Yuzu? Please stop worrying, you know that I would never normally do something like that. I know something could have happened but it didn't, so you don't have to be scared. I'm sorry for being so careless, next time I'm tired I'll make sure to get out as soon as I feel the slightest bit dizzy. Does that make you feel any better?"

"I just worry, anything could have happened. I was scared... don't go back on your promise... okay?" With her fingers now stilled and her caring eyes looking straight into Mei's, she cupped the red face in the palm of her hand.

"I know and I promise, " Mei said with a weak smile before Yuzu learned and gave her a lingering kiss on the lips. When she finally pulled away Yuzu brushed Mei's cheek again.

"I'm going for a shower now, stay in bed and drink the rest of that water. No arguments." Yuzu was stern as she walked over to get fresh clothes, Mei gave her an agreeing nod before Yuzu left the room.

Mei lay in bed debating whether or not she should talk to Yuzu about why she had actually passed out in the bath. It had been over a week since Mei had taken Yuzu dancing, and Yuzu had said she would like to do more stuff like that in the future.

When Mei was deciding what class to take her girlfriend to, she had found several music classes. Mei although had no clue how to play an instrument wanted to learn, over the past week since she had found the ads she had been googling none stop. The idea of being able to play a melody intrigued her, yet when she had mentioned it to Yuzu at dinner she didn't quite get the reaction she was hoping for.

Mei wasn't even sure it was the lessons that had made Yuzu break down, after all, she had acted fine about it a split second later. The topic had been dropped after the argument and Mei never actually found out what had made Yuzu upset.

They only had four or so more weeks until they had to go back to school, and Mei had thought she would need as much time and practice as possible. She wanted to attend two lessons a week until she went back to school, then cut down to one. Mei wanted Yuzu to come with her to these but, she didn't know if bringing it up would start yet another argument.

While in the bath Mei had been debating with herself whether to tell Yuzu or not and when she next opened her eyes she was lying in bed.

Yuzu was still in a slightly sour mood and Mei thought it would be best to bring it up when she was relaxed. Mei could make her relax.

As instructed Mei stayed in bed and wanted for Yuzu to come back, twenty minutes later Yuzu came into the room to check on Mei.

"How are you feeling now?" Yuzu asked as she once again placed her hand on Mei's forehead. It was much cooler than before and her cheeks only had a slight tinge to them now.

Mei, ignoring the question, pulled her girlfriend down on top of her and brought their lips together. Mei slowly sat up and pushed Yuzu back into the mattress, her fingers finding their familiar place in the blonde locks. Mei brushed her tongue over Yuzu's lips asking for entry, however, she didn't get any. Instead, Yuzu lightly pushed Mei off her and gave Mei a confident grin.

"If we're gonna do this right now, I'm calling dibs on top, " Yuzu grinned as she forcefully shoved Mei back so that she bounced off the mattress. Seductively crawling over Mei, Yuzu dragged her fingers up the exposed stomach. Rising the hem of her shirt as she went.

"Are you okay with that?" Yuzu whispered into Mei's ear, her lips and hot breath barely brushing the sensitive skin. Yuzu was playing dirty, it was a rule (that was frequently broken) between the two that Yuzu stayed clear of Mei's ears when deciding who was being topped. It automatically gave Yuzu the upper hand and most of the time depending on how much attention Yuzu showed them, Mei was left helpless.

Mei hated it, it meant that the blonde didn't have to work to gain the leading position, if Yuzu really wanted to be on top she could with ease.

While Mei tried to get a hold of herself Yuzu ran the tip of her tongue over the edge of the pink ear.

"Sorry I didn't catch that... Is this... Okay?" Between her words, Yuzu first gave the ear a soft kiss, then sucked on the hot lobe. Mei's reluctance to be the submissive one shattered as she felt the wet mouth gliding along her ear.

"Y-yes, " Mei let out her held breath as she bit down onto her bottom lip.

Yuzu's hand had already found its way to Mei's breast and was gently massaging the soft skin, being careful not to touch the hardening nipple. Her mouth continued to suck and bite on Mei's ear, Yuzu could feel Mei squirm under her as she teased her.

More than a minute later, Yuzu ever so slowly moved her kissing down to Mei's neck. Tenderly kissing the slightly salty skin Yuzu felt Mei's hands running over her back, ruffling up her shirt.

Yuzu, however, did not stop to help Mei remove her clothing instead she worked her way back up the pale skin, laying featherlike kisses along Mei's flawless jaw. Meeting the pink plump lips, Yuzu caught Mei in a passionate kiss. Easily dominating Mei as her tongue explored the hot mouth, occasionally giving Mei's tongue a teasing suck.

"Let's call this payback for you making me wait so long to get back at you for the woods. It's been days since you gave me anything, now I'm really worked up." Mei's eyes widened a little at the blonde's words, she had completely forgotten she had promised Yuzu the top. She was diffidently in for a long afternoon.

Without any hesitation, Yuzu brought her lips back to Mei's, who fought a little bit more this time making the kiss rougher. Yuzu had strategically placed her knee between the younger's legs and was constantly pushing against her, letting Yuzu hear the moans she had waited ever so long for.

"I hope you aren't planning on leaving the house for the next couple days, it's going to be rather hard to cover this up," Yuzu breath was heavy but her voice was commanding, there was no way Mei could get out of this one.

Mei was unable to reply, the teasing hand cupping her breast and the constant pressure on her sex was making it a little difficult to focus on Yuzu's words. Just as the sentence fell into place in Mei's mind she felt Yuzu's teeth sink into the middle of her neck.

Her entire body clenched at the pain that was masked in pleasure.

"Ah...Yuzu that h-hurts," Mei's voice was weak in comparison to her words, but they reached Yuzu. She removed her teeth form the neck so she could suck on the harsh mark. After nursing the wound with her tongue for several more seconds, Yuzu moved only centimetres down before she was sucking hard on Mei's lower neck.

Yuzu could feel herself getting too hot, she needed out of her clothes and she wanted Mei out of hers. Sitting up Yuzu pried her shirt off over her head, her chest rising and falling quickly as she regained her breath. Mei was lifted slightly off the bed as Yuzu worked her shirt over her head.

Once the unnecessary material was out of the way, Yuzu let Mei fall onto her back. Yuzu followed her and as soon as Mei had made contact with the sheets Yuzu had her teeth on Mei's collarbone working on another hickey.

"Y-Yuzu! Don't leave so m-many, I won't be able to hide all of these," Mei's voice was raspy and although she pleaded for Yuzu to stop marking her where others would see, she tilted her head back letting out a low moan and giving the blonde better access.

Yuzu had completely ignored Mei and was now working on her sixth or seventh hickey to the younger girls neck. Yuzu wasn't even paying attention anymore, she had lost count of how many times she had repositioned her teeth on Mei's bruised neck, she was lost in the sea of moans that came from her girlfriend's mouth.

Now finished with her neck Yuzu moved on to the perky breasts that she had been mildly fondling till now. Finally clasping the solid nipple in her fingers, Yuzu sat up on Mei's stomach as she pleasured both of the pink buds. Mei had her eyes squeezed tightly shut, beads of sweat ran down her neck and her hair was plastered to her forehead. Her teeth were sunk into her bottom lip in attempts to muffle her groans, and her cheeks had regained their earlier pinkness.

Looking down at her neck and shoulders Yuzu counted a total of eleven bruises, some much toothier than others. A swarm of guilt washed over her, how long have I been teasing Mei for? Shit that one looks like it would have hurt...

Reaching her hand to cress Mei's cheek, Yuzu stilled her other while giving Mei a light peck on the cheek. The pause in activity caused Mei to open her eyes in confusion, for the first time in over twenty minutes she wasn't holding back a moan. She was met with bright emerald eyes mere inches from hers.

"Sorry Mei, I kind of lost myself there...Are you okay? Not feeling light-headed or anything?" Yuzu had stopped all her advances as she waited for Mei to reply. Mei, although had found the continuous teasing exhausting and at times painful the pleasure that she was feeling outweighed it all. The abrupt stop to Yuzu's advances although sweet, disappointed Mei.

"I'm fine, the only thing hurting me right now is that you are using your mouth for talking," Mei's voice was almost impossible to her as she tried to speak through her heavy breathing. She pulled Yuzu down to meet her lips in a hurried attempt to keep the pleasure she was feeling, Mei's hands never left the blonde's hair as she pulled Yuzu deeper into her.

"Oh really? Guess I'll just continue then," Yuzu gave Mei a sly grin before she disappeared from Mei's view. Milliseconds later Mei's back arched off the bed at the feeling of Yuzu sucking on her nipple. Her knee had once again started pressing between Mei's thighs.

"Mhmn...Yes, Yuzu... god please don't stop," Mei panted as she now gripped tightly onto the blonde locks. Yuzu took the pulling without a hitch as she rolled the nipple between her teeth pulling when Mei gripped a little too hard.

Yet Mei's heightened pleasure soon dissipated slightly as the blonde released the swollen nub to bite into pale skin, using her tongue to lick it as she did.

Despite having been together for long over twenty-five minutes, Yuzu had still failed to have any proper contact with Mei's aching lower lips. And that twenty-five minutes was starting to feel like an eternity to Mei.

"Yuzu can you go a LI-ttle faster please?" Mei's voice rose and broke a little as Yuzu took a particularly rough bite to her breast.

Yuzu didn't reply till she had finished sucking the bite mark. She jumped off Mei to the floor where she hooked a hand under each knee and dragged Mei to the edge of the bed. Effortlessly tugging the short cotton shorts off along with the soaked underwear. Yuzu gave Mei a cocky grin as she stood between Mei's legs, her eyebrow raised slightly as her hands ran up and down the smooth long legs.

"Fast enough for you?" Mei saw an evil glint cross the blondes eye as she spoke, Mei knew she far from finished her sucking and biting.

What felt like hours, to Mei, later her entire body ached as Yuzu had effectively covered Mei's entire body with hickeys. Though the whole time Yuzu had not once touched Mei's dripping entrance, she would go close; lick Mei's innermost thigh before moving away again to bite a different part of her body.

Yuzu could see how wet Mei was, how desperate she was and Yuzu was now giving in to her pleas. Not because she was bored of kissing Mei's body, but her jaw was starting to hurt after working it so hard for so long. She wasn't quite sure she would be able to pleasure Mei the way she deserved after waiting so long with her tongue, after all, the last few bites she had given were bearly even visible she was so tired.

"Sorry for the wait my love," Yuzu spoke in a sultry tone as she moved Mei up the bed slightly so she could sit comfortably over her.

Yuzu now sitting over one of Mei's tighs slowly started grinding into Mei, who moved to give Yuzu better access.

"Fuck Mei you're so wet... It feels so good," Yuzu moaned as she started to move her hips faster.

Countless deep moans ripped from Mei's throat, she hadn't even realised Yuzu had gotten out off her pants until she felt the wet slits touch her. Managing to get herself to her elbows, Mei reached up to grasp Yuzu in an uncoordinated kiss.

"H-harder Yuzu!... Uuh, go faster!" Mei was on the verge quickly; she had been waiting for this for too long. Moving back Mei grasped one of Yuzu's bouncing mounds. Yuzu, although had the smaller chest out of the pair, never failed to impress Mei.

"Urgg Mei, I think...I'm going to..." Yuzu didn't even have time to finish her sentence, she just thrust harder against Mei.

With their joint orgasm taking over them, Yuzu soon collapsed down onto Mei, whose chest was heaving. Mei could feel Yuzu's sweaty skin sticking to her, while her harsh breath ran over her neck. Once she had regained herself, Yuzu rolled off Mei, their shoulders still touching.

"I think that's in my top ten," After several minutes Yuzu said through a light laugh. Yuzu was too tired to move to face Mei and so just intertwined their fingers between them. Her fingers tapping lightly on the back of Mei's hand as she spoke.

"Really? Why? I'm pretty sure we've had better sex before," Mei questioned as she stroked Yuzu's thumb with her own. Genuinely curious, given the foreplay lasted longer than usual but the actual having sex part was over rather quickly. Mei couldn't see how that would fall into Yuzu's top ten.

"Yeah, but today I got to cover you in hickeys, you were so submissive. It's not often you would let me do something like that. So, therefore, today is one for the books." Yuzu smiled triumphantly as she managed to trace her free hand over Mei's arm, gliding over a couple bruises.

"Actually I believe I asked you to stop leaving them where people could see, you just chose to ignore me," Mei pouted at the thought of having to try and find something that would hide all of her body.

"Sorry," Yuzu, although apologised didn't sound apologetic at all. Turning on her side, Yuzu wrapped her arms around Mei after pulling the covers over them both.

Laying a gentle kiss on Mei's cheek Yuzu nuzzled into her girlfriend's shoulder.

"C'mon, let's take a quick power nap. I think you need one." Giving a quiet chuckle Yuzu nestled in closer to Mei ready to fall asleep at any second.

Crap, I didn't get to ask her. "Yeah, when we get up later...I have something I want to talk to you about okay?" Mei was soft with her words not wanting to alarm Yuzu in any way. Yet it seemed she was already somewhat asleep as the only response Mei got was a somewhat muffled 'sure'.

Mei pulled Yuzu closer, giving her a peck on the forehead Mei closed her eyes. I hope that this goes well...

Mei awoke several hours later, the smell of Yuzu's cooking filling her nose. That smell made her smile, Yuzu, her Yuzu, was cooking for her. Just the thought filled Mei with happiness, but that feeling was soon replaced with nervousness. The conversation she had to have with Yuzu dawned on her, what if she reacted the same way as before? What if she got angry, or even straight up told Mei 'no'. Of course, if Yuzu was dead set on Mei not attending lessons she wouldn't, but Mei for reasons she didn't herself know wanted to do this.

The thought of just not telling Yuzu wasn't high on Mei's list. They had been together for over four years, it wasn't right for Mei to be sneaking around doing things without the blonde knowing. That would have been fine in the first year or so, but Yuzu had earned the right to know where and what her girlfriend was doing.

Climbing out of bed, Mei slowly stood up. Looking down, every limb had at least two hickeys, her chest had clearly been given special attention as Mei was counting over a dozen on her torso. She guessed her neck must have been just as bad, if not worse. Her body was sore, every time she moved she could feel a slight twang somewhere. Yuzu had really outdone herself this time.

Smirking, Mei made her way down the hall to the kitchen where she found Yuzu dancing as she plated up the food she had just cooked.

"What are we dancing to?" Mei asked cheerfully as she walked up to Yuzu, placing a quick kiss on her cheek. Yuzu smirked, "Who said I was listening to anything?" Mei smiled as she inspected the blonde; she had no earphones in and the speakers were off.

"I'm just in a good mood, I don't need music to dance. Anyways... I ehh made your favourite to make up for... ya know," Yuzu gave a shy smile as she gestured to Mei's neck.

Yuzu moved around Mei and placed both their plates on the table, pulling out Mei's seat as she gestured for Mei to sit down.

"Wine or water?" Yuzu asked as she already had one wine glass down from the cabinet, Mei thought for a moment. Yuzu could handle her alcohol pretty well and she was usually nicer (agreed with Mei on next to everything) when she was intoxicated. Mei, however, was not so good with it, she didn't want anything that could put her off her game tonight.

"Do you mind if we both just have water? I have something I need to talk to you about and I don't want you to say it's okay because you're drunk." Mei said somewhat casually as she waited for Yuzu to put the glass away.

"One glass of wine won't even make me tipsy Mei, but whatever you want," Yuzu gave a light chuckle at Mei's words but as she asked Yuzu put the wine glass back in the cabinet replacing it for two water glasses, which she filled and brought to the table.

"Okay, so what so important you are grudging me a glass?" Yuzu asked as she sat down at the table, looking at Mei expectantly.

omething that would hide all of her body.

"Sorry," Yuzu, although apologised didn't sound apologetic at all. Turning on her side, Yuzu wrapped her arms around Mei after pulling the covers over them both.

Laying a gentle kiss on Mei's cheek Yuzu nuzzled into her girlfriend's shoulder.

"C'mon, let's take a quick power nap. I think you need one." Giving a quiet chuckle Yuzu nestled in closer to Mei ready to fall asleep at any second.

Crap, I didn't get to ask her. "Yeah, when we get up later...I have something I want to talk to you about okay?" Mei was soft with her words not wanting to alarm Yuzu in any way. Yet it seemed she was already somewhat asleep as the only response Mei got was a somewhat muffled 'sure'.

Mei pulled Yuzu closer, giving her a peck on the forehead Mei closed her eyes. I hope that this goes well...

Mei awoke several hours later, the smell of Yuzu's cooking filling her nose. That smell made her smile, Yuzu, her Yuzu, was cooking for her. Just the thought filled Mei with happiness, but that feeling was soon replaced with nervousness. The conversation she had to have with Yuzu dawned on her, what if she reacted the same way as before? What if she got angry, or even straight up told Mei 'no'. Of course, if Yuzu was dead set on Mei not attending lessons she wouldn't, but Mei for reasons she didn't herself know wanted to do this.

The thought of just not telling Yuzu wasn't high on Mei's list. They had been together for over four years, it wasn't right for Mei to be sneaking around doing things without the blonde knowing. That would have been fine in the first year or so, but Yuzu had earned the right to know where and what her girlfriend was doing.

Climbing out of bed, Mei slowly stood up. Looking down, every limb had at least two hickeys, her chest had clearly been given special attention as Mei was counting over a dozen on her torso. She guessed her neck must have been just as bad, if not worse. Her body was sore, every time she moved she could feel a slight twang somewhere. Yuzu had really outdone herself this time.

Smirking, Mei made her way down the hall to the kitchen where she found Yuzu dancing as she plated up the food she had just cooked.

"What are we dancing to?" Mei asked cheerfully as she walked up to Yuzu, placing a quick kiss on her cheek. Yuzu smirked, "Who said I was listening to anything?" Mei smiled as she inspected the blonde; she had no earphones in and the speakers were off.

"I'm just in a good mood, I don't need music to dance. Anyways... I ehh made your favourite to make up for... ya know," Yuzu gave a shy smile as she gestured to Mei's neck.

Yuzu moved around Mei and placed both their plates on the table, pulling out Mei's seat as she gestured for Mei to sit down.

"Wine or water?" Yuzu asked as she already had one wine glass down from the cabinet, Mei thought for a moment. Yuzu could handle her alcohol pretty well and she was usually nicer (agreed with Mei on next to everything) when she was intoxicated. Mei, however, was not so good with it, she didn't want anything that could put her off her game tonight.

"Do you mind if we both just have water? I have something I need to talk to you about and I don't want you to say it's okay because you're drunk." Mei said somewhat casually as she waited for Yuzu to put the glass away.

"One glass of wine won't even make me tipsy Mei, but whatever you want," Yuzu gave a light chuckle at Mei's words but as she asked Yuzu put the wine glass back in the cabinet replacing it for two water glasses, which she filled and brought to the table.

"Okay, so what so important you are grudging me a glass?" Yuzu asked as she sat down at the table, looking at Mei expectantly.

"First off, I'm not grudging you anything. You can have a glass when we're finished talking." Mei said in a scolding tone, which the blonde brushed off as she started to eat her dinner.

After several seconds of no continuation, Yuzu looked up to see Mei struggling with her words.

"Mei, c'mon it can't be that bad, just say it. I promise I won't get mad if that's why you are so nervous," Mei's eyes seemed to light up at the blonde's words, as she looked up from her plate to look at Yuzu.

"You promise?" Mei voice seemed unsure, Yuzu gave her a reassuring smile as she reached her hand out across the table to take hold of Mei's.

"Of course. Now, do you wanna let me know what I am promising to? I'm getting a little nervous over here." Yuzu said lightly as she tried to lighten the mood a little as she could see that Mei was still struggling somewhat.

After placing down her chopsticks, Mei focused solely on Yuzu, she tried to sound nonchalant but she could already tell that her voice was going to waver.

"Well... Last week you said that we could attend music lessons if I wanted to, and I've been thinking about it a lot and... I really want to learn an instrument. I have been researching it since I found the ad when I was booking our dance lesson. I know it was wrong... but I've been keeping it from you because I thought you would get mad... like you did the last time I mentioned it. A least that's why I think you got mad. But if it is the reason as to why you were so upset, you can just say and I won't do it, but I really want to learn an instrument and like you said I think it would be better to learn together." Mei said to Yuzu who was still smiling at her.

Yuzu just smiled at Mei, the words replaying again and again in her mind, this was not what she was expecting Mei to say. Yuzu realised that she had just been smiling at Mei without saying anything. Saying the first thing that came to mind, Yuzu tried to seem unfazed by what Mei had said.

"What instrument did you have in mind? Saxophone maybe the flute? I've always wanted to know how to play the trumpet?" Yuzu smiled to Mei, who seemed shocked that Yuzu was actually showing an interest in learning a new instrument.

Shit. Fuck fuck fuck! Please don't say what I think you are going to say. Shit, even if she does I have to say 'yes' or she will know what up and start waking on eggshells around me. Just smile and agree, please don't say what I think you are going to say.

"None of them actually, I wanted to learn the piano with you. -Fuck- I think it would be amazing to be able to play it, I've been listening to some music as well and it's so relaxing." Mei smiled brightly, finally being able to talk about her new found passion that she had kept bottled up for too long.

"Okay yeah, that does sound like fun, but what made you pick the piano? I thought you would be more into Jazz or something." Yuzu genuinely had no idea how her mind was functioning right now, her body had gone numb, she wasn't even sure she was taking in Mei's words accurately.

"When I was looking for somewhere to take you dancing the first ad I saw was actually for piano lessons, not just music lessons in general. After I got home that day and ever since then I have been googling and doing a lot of research on the piano, and how to read sheet music...So this isn't why you were upset last week, are you sure you're okay with this?" Mei asked cautiously as she wanted to be sure that Yuzu wasn't lying for her sake.

"Of course this wasn't the reason I was upset, you should have asked me sooner. When do you want to start learning? I'm assuming that you already have a tutor in mind?" Yuzu smiled again to a beaming Mei. This conversation was breaking her heart, but she had to keep smiling and put up a positive front.

"Well I wanted to start this week, when I spoke to the woman on the phone she said she had a free slot tomorrow afternoon, but if we wanted it I had to call before ten am tomorrow morning. And I was thinking of starting with two lessons a week then cut down to one. And yes I have already chosen the person I want to teach us, the reviews were all really good, plus I spoke to them on the phone about taking two people at a time, and she said it was fine. So all I was really waiting on was to see if you wanted to do it." Mei said excitedly. Yuzu was quite surprised she had managed to do so much research on it without her noticing. Using all her willpower Yuzu managed to speak again.

"You can definitely take a lesson for tomorrow, but I made plans with Tyler to go out for lunch. We planned it before we broke up for summer break so it would be rude to cancel so last minute...How about you can just go yourself tomorrow, see how you feel when you are actually playing the piano. If you want to continue the lessons I'll make sure to make the next one, and that way you'll be able to teach me," Yuzu tried to sound ecstatic about it, but she really was forcing the words.

"Really? Thank you Yuzu, I was really worried. Do you mind if I call in to book it? She is still open for another half hour, and I want to make sure I get the spot," Mei asked but she was already starting to push her chair back.

"Sure you can, can I have that glass of wine now seen everything is fine?" Giving her a shy grin Yuzu waited for Mei to nod before she got a kiss on the cheek and watched Mei skip down the hall to get her phone.

As soon as Mei was out of sight Yuzu pulled her phone from her pocket, flicking through her messages until she found Tyler's contact.

'Hey Tyler, I know this is sudden but if you get a call or message from Mei in the next 24 hours and she asked where I am, tell her we're having lunch tomorrow about 1 o'clock. Oh and that we planned it before summer break. Thanks a bunch, Yuzu x' Her fingers worked hard as she typed the message before she went straight to the fridge and pulled out a beer. Yuzu had chugged half the bottle before she felt her phone vibrate.

'Sure, but why? You know I don't like lying, is everything okay?'

Looking at the reply she sighed, she was trying her best to hold back her tears; Mei would be back any minute. She really didn't have the ability to explain the situation to anyone right now.

'Everything is fine, I'll explain later okay, I have to go. Thanks, x' Yuzu slipped her phone back into her pocket when Mei came through, wearing the biggest smile Yuzu had seen in a long time. How can something make Mei so happy yet me so sad? The question ran through her mind as Mei sat back down at the table.

"Did you need a drink that bad?" Mei laughed as she pointed to Yuzu's half-empty bottle, Yuzu gave her a big smile before turning her back to Mei. Lifting the bottle to her lips, Yuzu quickly drained the rest of the bottle before sliding it onto the countertop and grabbed a fresh one from the fridge.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I haven't even opened it yet," Yuzu grinned as she gestured to the unopened bottle in her hand while Mei rolled her eyes.

"Sure, let's eat before it goes stone cold. It smells delicious. Thank you Yuzu," Mei gave Yuzu a final smile before she started to eat her food. It was obvious Mei was thanking her for more than just making her dinner, but Yuzu overlooked it and opened her second beer. If she was going to get through the next five hours without having a breakdown she was going to need some liquid courage.

Once they were finished eating Mei had offered to wash up while Yuzu went through to the lounge to pick a movie. Yuzu was now sat on the couch, with the movie paused and was flicking through random things in her phone, finishing her third bottle.

"Mei when you're done, bring me through another beer please," Yuzu asked as she placed the glass bottle onto the floor.

Mei signed as she put the last of the plates away, "No Yuzu, I think you have had enough for tonight. How about some water?" Mei asked, she knew she would probably get told no but she had to try.

Yuzu got off the couch and picked the bottle from the floor. When she reached the kitchen she slid the empty bottle over the counter to sit with the rest of them. Opening the fridge, she grabbed herself her own beverage as Mei was proving to be no help.

Uncapping the chilled drink, Yuzu took a quick swig before turning to Mei, "No thanks."

Yuzu took several steps before she turned back to the kitchen. If Mei's not gonna get me my drinks I might as well just get them now, save me getting up later.

So reopening the fridge, Yuzu grabbed two more bottles between her fingers and started again for the lounge.

"Ehh I don't think so. One or two is fine but you aren't having six Yuzu", Mei said as she reached out to take the unopened bottles from her girlfriend. Who unexpectantly moved back to avoid her grasp, turning and trudging over to her spot on the couch.

"Are you gonna come and watch this movie with me or just stand there and count how many beers I have?" Mei was well and truly stunned, Yuzu had never so openly refused to stop drinking when she had asked her to. She hadn't even tried to negotiate, which if she really wanted to drink she would normally do, she had flat out ignored Mei.

"Yuzu, what's up? Why are you drinking so much? I thought you just wanted one glass of wine, now you are trying to drink the house out," Mei asked as she came to stand over Yuzu's cuddled up form on the couch. She watched as Yuzu eyed her for several seconds before she stood and wrapped her arms around Mei.

"I couldn't drink all the alcohol in this house if I tried Mei." Yuzu gave a light chuckle as she leaned in to give Mei a small kiss. After breaking away, Yuzu pulled Mei down onto the couch on top of her. Sitting upright on the couch with Mei sitting horizontally on her legs, Yuzu pulled Mei closer to her with her left hand while her right held her current best friend.

"Nothings 'up', I just feel like drinking tonight. Besides, it's not like we are going anywhere until tomorrow afternoon so it really doesn't matter how much I drink does it?"

Giving a quick peck to Mei's forehead before she brought the cold bottle to her lips and took a long gulp.

"I suppose not but I still think you should put at least one of them back, six bottles and you will definitely be more than tipsy. I don't really want to have to deal with you when you're drunk tonight or when you're grumpy tomorrow morning." Mei said and although her words were rather strict she snuggled into Yuzu's chest.

Yuzu didn't bother replying, just pressed play on the movie and held onto Mei as she made quick work of her drink. Yuzu who was normally quite chipper when they watched a movie, had stayed silent only drinking her beer unless Mei asked her something. Even then, she only gave half-assed responses. Yuzu wasn't acting like there was something bothering her, but Mei couldn't help but feel uneasy in the uncomfortable silence. She was used to Yuzu's constant chatter when they sat down at the end of the day to watch a movie and the lack of conversation was starting to make Mei feel as though something was up.

What have I done to upset her this time?

"Are you sure everything is okay, have I done something to annoy you?" Mei asked with her arms tucked tightly around Yuzu's torso, her head nuzzled against her chest. Yuzu although was doing well at hiding her emotions by solely focusing on the movie, wished Mei would stop talking. Over the past half hour, Mei had asked the same question half a dozen times and it was smacking Yuzu's feeling all over the place, making it rather difficult for her to play it down like nothing. The alcohol she was rapidly consuming wasn't doing much in helping her as she had hoped.

"Mei, as I said five minutes ago, I'm completely fine. Now, will you stop asking that before you start pissing me off? I just want to watch this movie, drink my beer and snuggle up. Nothing more nothing less, I'm not making a lot of conversation because I'm paying attention to the movie..." Yuzu could tell that the beer was having effects on her as she usually had much more patience with Mei and would reassure her rather than bite her head off.

The alcohol was having the opposite effect she had hoped for. Instead of making it easier to forget about their previous conversation, it was making her antisocial and that caught Mei's attention, which therefore kept reminding Yuzu of why she was being so quiet.

"... Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I really am fine. I guess I'm just not in a chatty mood." Yuzu quickly recovered giving Mei a lingering kiss to the top of her head.

Mei sighed again, "Okay, sorry, I didn't mean to push it. " From then on Mei joined Yuzu in her vow of silence, not wanting to annoy her anymore.

Yuzu, however, was starting to feel like the night was dragging out, it wasn't even eight and she had already made Mei suspicious. She could go to bed at ten without Mei asking any questions, but what was she supposed to do till then? Yuzu felt she was already cracking, by some horrible twist of fate Mei had chosen of all instruments the one that made her cry. She sat under Mei, cursing herself for being mad at her for no reason, she couldn't show Mei how petty she was being. She couldn't cry. But she most definitely felt like she was about to.

"Hey Mei, can you do me a favour?" Yuzu pulled herself slightly away from Mei so she could look at her face.

"Sure, what do you need?" Mei had also moved ever so slightly away from Yuzu's warm body to look up at her girlfriend.

"I know it's late, and that you have already snuggled up but would you mind running to the shop for me? I'd go myself but I kinda don't want to leave the house and I'm a little drunk." Giving Mei a shy smile, Yuzu hoped that Mei would leave the house at least for twenty minutes, that's all she needed.

"What do you need this late at night? Can't you just get it tomorrow? Plus you kind of made it hard for me to leave the house." Mei pointed to her neck as she raised her eyebrow to Yuzu.

"Ehh well, I am just really craving strawberry cheesecake right now and we don't have any. As for your skin, it's getting dark outside and can't you just put a jacket on or something? Pretty please." Yuzu said and she gave Mei the best puppy dog eyes she could manage.

Mei sighed as she gave Yuzu one last look before detangled herself from Yuzu and got off the couch. "Is it just the cheesecake you want?" Mei asked. Yuzu nodded with a shy smile, Mei walked to the bedroom to get changed before saying a quick goodbye and leaving with the car keys.

Yuzu watched with a guilt-ridden face as Mei left the house, a tear already making its way down her cheek.

Making her way over to the kitchen, Yuzu pored herself a glass of something much stronger than the beer she was having now.

'How can I let someone teach me the piano? That's the same as disrespecting or replacing him, he would never forgive me! It's just not right. I have tried this before and for years it made me miserable... but Mei looked so happy, happier than I've seen her in a long time. Its good that she found something she is passionate about, she doesn't really have any hobbies but why do I have to do it with her?' Yuzu thought as the downed the contents of her glass. She only had one otherwise Mei would catch on easily, washing the glass she put it back in the cupboard as if she had never touched it.

'I have to go, it's not fair on Mei to hold her back on something like this. I guess I could go and just not really participate, let Mei do most of it. That way I'm not really taking lessons from anyone else and I won't be disrespecting him. For Mei, I have to do this for Mei.' Yuzu sighed as she wiped away the remaining tears on her cheek, Mei would only be gone five minutes, she took the car instead of waking as Yuzu had hoped, and she had to be presentable when she came back.

She also had to stop drinking, she knew it probably wasn't going to win her any favours in Mei's good books. She had to be of sound mind when Mei came back, Yuzu thought Mei deserved to be happy and if that meant she had to be sad for a couple hours a day it was worth it.

Making her way back to the couch Yuzu got a blanket and snuggled up waiting for her cheesecake to arrive, and like she had suspected Mei had been gone less than ten minutes when she came back in, leaving her keys and coat at the door.

"I hope you appreciate your cake, I swear about a dozen people saw the marks on my neck, the cashier even asked me about them!" Mei half-joked as she handed the box to Yuzu with a smile.

"Sorry Mei, thank you so much for getting it I know you didn't want to leave. Go get changed and I'll make up for it okay? I already put the alcohol away like you asked so I'm just on water now," Yuzu took the box from Mei with an honest smile, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before settling back down on the couch with her comfort food.

"Oh really, why the sudden change of heart? It doesn't really matter, thank you for putting it back, I'll be two minutes." Mei put both hands on Yuzu's face and gave her a mushy kiss, smiling she got up and left to get changed back into her pyjamas.

Yuzu although still upset, liked when things were smooth between the two, she didn't like the uncomfortable silence from before and was glad she had made things right again. Even if she wasn't telling Mei the entire truth, she wasn't about to make Mei feel bad about being excited.

"Come here, sit down, we are going to watch this movie and have a nice night. I don't know why I wanted to drink so badly but you are much more important to me than some alcohol, so come here and you will have my full attention." Yuzu gave Mei a big smile as she stretched her arms out, signalling for Mei to sit in her lap. When she did Yuzu wrapped the blanket around her and pulled Mei close giving her a long kiss to the top of her head.

"I love you, Mei, so much. I would do anything to make you happy, you know that?" Yuzu said more to herself than Mei, however, she still got a response that cleared any doubt she had about actually attended the music lessons.

"I know Yuzu, I love you too," Mei didn't say much but the three words made Yuzu's heart flutter, stopping away any sadness she had. Mei made everything better, she always had, always knew just what to say and do to wipe away her sorrow.

They sat together cuddling until the movie ended, both participating in their usual chatter before heading to bed.

Yuzu felt so much more confident in her choice to push her own feelings aside to please Mei, as long as she didn't think too hard about what she was doing and just focused on Mei she would be fine. Hopefully.

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