#i get really picturesque sunsets where i live and it’s tempting to take them for granted but i don’t want to

[just-a-lonelypenguin]

a tiny little zine inspired by @koddlet’s how-to! (i love your zines, they’re so fun and inspiring!) i first just folded it out of a sticky note for fun and put it in my pocket thinking “i’ll fill this in later when i have an idea” and then i looked outside and it was so. fucken dark. and here we are :) i really loved treating it as an exercise in “draw whatever comes to mind, let it be as shitty as possible, just try something” — drawing isn’t something i think of as my strong suit but little doodles sure are fun!

#looking at this again as i add the IDs i think i made the darkness angled the wrong way lol #whatever #this was so fun and freeing!!! #if it was larger i probably would have added another scene and some more commentary to explain the sunset scene— #i get really picturesque sunsets where i live and it’s tempting to take them for granted but i don’t want to #so whenever someone comments on it i make a point of fully getting up and looking and just Appreciating it for a minute #every time #even when i’m kind of annoyed that it’s already getting dark when i need the daylight to motivate me to Do Stuff lmao #(how to make this story more stressful: imagine the book on page 3 is a required reading book and i have to read 8 chapters by the next day #but overall it’s just a snippet of my winter nighttime mood :) #penguin’s ponderings #i hope that’s my tag for og posts. i forget tbh

[secret-vore-lair]

Fear and Wisdom

Ara and Fervent, both mostly-corporeal metaphysical entities, are a picturesque couple most days. But sometimes only one of them can have what they want. Contains lots of romantic teasing, the melancholy of ages past, and safe cuddly vore.

***********************************************

Ara stood still as a statue, watching the sunset from atop a dais in the ruin where she and her partner lived. The roof of this place had long ago crumbled, leaving the sprawling, colorful mosaics within exposed to the elements. Ara looked out on the world from its center looking like the only piece of history in the whole place that time couldn’t touch. A great lioness with fur of gold, feathered wings of purest white folded motionless along her back. Not even breath broke her stillness and silence, as she drew no air into her lungs, made no rhythm with her heart.

There was a family of waterbirds that she was watching, their nest on a worn stone that rose up from the bay below the ruin. That stone had been much taller, long ago. The tallest of many, and there had been more nests as well. She overlayed the old memory over reality with the slightest thought, watching it play out in perfect clarity and fidelity.

The sphinx could hear the cacophony of the swarming birds calling out to each other, squawking in indignation as they swooped down on the baskets of fish the villagers carried only to be batted away. She could see the small ships drifting languidly through the clear, lively waters of the bay. She could feel the shade from the roof over her head, and observe as the priests, her priests, meted out blessings from the steps of her temple.

She sighed and let the vision slip away. The village was gone now, and the priests. All lost to time. Even the stones had been worn down. It was the way of things. Now she watched two birds land at the edge of the single nest. The parents, returning to roost with a freshly caught fish for their chicks. That nest had been passed down, destroyed and rebuilt many times over countless generations. No, not countless. She knew the number. She knew the exact number of bird generations between the fall of her civilization and now. She knew the precise number of sunsets, and what the weather was like each day. Her memory spanned eons, and it was flawless. And she needed a distraction.

Lucky for her, night was falling.

A black-feathered wing draped over her shoulder, and an ivory claw caressed her cheek. “I’m awake, my love.” Ara turned to face the source of the deep, velvety voice that seemed as one with the chill, misty air rolling in from the calm waters of the bay. Fervent looked refreshed and composed now, his inky down fading into and deepening the sunset shadows, obscuring his outline and adding to his imposing stature. Far from the messy, exhausted pile of feathers he presented during the day. Unlike Ara, he actually needed to sleep. He blinked his luminous green owl eyes at her as she nuzzled into his chest. “You seem somber, dear.”

“I feel better now that you’re here. I think I just need something to occupy my mind. How was your rest? I heard you moving around and muttering to yourself earlier. Bad dreams again?” She curled up on the stone platform, and he joined her atop it.

“Indeed. Giving me indigestion as usual. Conscious fear always sits a little better. It’s a little more . . . straightforward. The stuff the subconscious conjures up tends to unsettle my stomach with its surreality.” He nestled himself closer to her, relishing her warmth. She shone so brightly. She was his guiding star. “But sometimes someone falls asleep inside me and dreams frightful visions. What am I to do but accept the free meal? Besides. . .” His jagged beak split into a sly grin, and his forked tongue slithered around its edges. “I know I have you to soothe my insides, don’t I?” His form blurred, and he was on top of her, beak wide open and dripping with jet black saliva. Little silver stars spun and twinkled in the fluid, winking in and out. Ara smirked and reached up with a paw, closing his beak.

“Tempting. And an excellent opening move, darling. You know I find that view hard to resist. But have you considered . . . this?” With a wry smirk of her own, Ara wrapped her wings around her partner’s neck and dragged his head down, planting an extremely sensitive ear right on her gut. “Check. . .” Ara took in a breath of the cool evening air and let her body come alive. Her lungs expanded, her heart took up a steady tempo, and best of all—

grroooaargle. . . gruuurrr. . .

“. . . aaaaand mate,” she purred, feeling rather pleased with herself as her lover’s entire body shivered, his form distorting and glitching out for a moment as the full might of her internal soundscape left him stunned. Ara laughed and used the opportunity to roll him off the dais and onto the temple floor, pinning him down as he let out a very undignified yelp. She lowered her head beside his and licked her chops in his peripheral vision. She whispered, “Imagine being in the middle of all that, Fervent. And I’m just winding up, too. You know from experience that it’s only going to get much, much louder once you’re inside. Why don’t you claim your rightful place?”

“But. . . You ate me last night, too,” Fervent protested halfheartedly.

“Really? I don’t remember,” Ara replied with a chuckle, dragging her tongue up the side of his face.

“I just mean, when do I get another turn?” He asked, a bright purple blush staining his cheeks.

She raised up, perched on his chest, eyes glowing in the dark, watching him with the certainty of a victor. “When you can tell me, with absolute and unshakeable assurance, that the thing you want most in this moment is not the pressure of my body reshaping you, taking that ethereal fear fluff you’re made of and compressing it into a perfect fit for the innermost chamber of my body, my being, a stomach shaped by the gods themselves. Is this the night when you can convincingly tell me that you desire to eat me more than you desire the musical bliss of belly gurgles tuned against the instruments of the divine to perfectly convey the absolute satiation your presence within me provides? Can you look me in the eye, nay, look me in the maw and say with conviction that the idea of your feathers dropping from my lips as I surround your body and seal it away for the evening doesn’t fill you with a sense of purpose?” She spread her wings wide, angelic and silhouetted against the final, red light of the day. She brought her muzzle down to his beak and opened wide, ruffling his feathers as she breathed out a sweltering, glowing mist. A breath of holy light. “You, my love, are my chosen one. Rise into me. Let my light deepen your shadow.”

Fervent hummed, staring up into her wide, welcoming jaws. He knew when he had been beaten. “You make a compelling argument, as always,” he said with undisguised awe. Sure, she was getting her way, but she always made him feel like he was the lucky one, even so. Arguing over which of them was hungriest for the other was hardly the worst disagreement a couple could have, he knew. So with a mix of resignation and excitement, he raised up his head, his shape becoming more fluid, and she took him in her jaws, and he was pulled into her softness and her inner glow.

Ara worked quickly, her beloved disappearing into her jaws with only a few swallows. He was as big as she was, but easily compressible, and eating someone alive was much easier when things like breathing were elective. The sphinx felt her belly round out with her meal, the glowing walls stretching and flexing to accommodate him with relative ease. “Ahhh, ambrosial as ever, my dearest.” She cleaned a feather from the roof of her mouth with a flick of her tongue and sent it flowing down her gullet on a river of saliva to join the rest of Fervent’s mass. She flared her wings and looked out over the water. “And far lighter than you look.”

“If you’re going to be the lover of a sphinx, the one thing you shouldn’t be is dense,” Fervent replied, shifting around to get comfortable.

“Indeed not. And it’s certainly convenient that devouring you doesn’t keep me earthbound. Why don’t we take a quick flight over the bay?”

“Whatever you wish, my star. I would follow you anywhere.”

Ara purred and ran a paw along the curve of her stomach, summoning up a few lengthy gurgles for Fervent to bask in as he sloshed around. “Thank you for this. Truly, it was just what I needed. And tomorrow night, if you’re still in the mood, I’ll be yours. Sound good?”

Fervent hummed in the affirmative, cozying up to the walls as they moved around him, focusing on the sounds of her body as she held him in the fullest, greatest sense. Her concession was appreciated but unnecessary. He could play this game and lose to her every night and still be satisfied with the outcome. He adored her. It was as simple as that.

#vore stories #soft vore #safe vore #oc: Ara #oc: Fervent #willing vore

[ryqoshay]

How to Handle a Nico: Nico in Paradise

Primary Pairing: NicoMaki Words: ~3.6k Rating: T Time Frame: Maki may still be working through her residency, elsewise is a doctor. Nico is working as an idol producer. They are living together as a happily married couple. Story Arc: Stand Alone

Author’s Note: My apologies to Nico for being almost a week late. Happy Birthday, belated.

Maki was excited.

She stared out the window at the endless expanse of blue; water below and sky above with the occasional wisp of white cloud for contrast. It was quite picturesque, to say the least.

Picture… Maki was suddenly tempted to retrieve her camera from her bag. The urge was quickly quashed, however, as she realized getting up would disturb the sleeping woman leaning against her.

Phone… there was a camera on her phone. Not as good has her dedicated device, but good enough for a casual shot through the double panes. Where did she leave her phone? She couldn’t trace the cord of her Bluetooth earbuds, which she was using because she wasn’t currently sharing with a certain someone.

Ah, there it is… Of course, it was just out of reach.

Oh well. Maki gave up. There would be plenty of picturesque scenes at their destination. And one picture wasn’t worth waking Nico. Well, a picture of Nico sleeping, just before waking might be worth it… Maybe…

Nico-chan…

Maki smiled and turned her head just enough to catch ebony tresses at the edge of her vision. Nico was sleeping soundly after a busy few weeks at work. Maki had been busy as well, but it had been surprisingly calm at the hospital recently, at least as far as dealing with patients was concerned. This left her with some much needed time to catch up on administrative duties. And as such, she was nowhere near as tired as Nico. Still, both were overdue for a change in latitude and some time away from the chaos of running a hospital and a production company.

But instead of joining her wife in slumber, Maki calmed her anxious energies with music, a lovely view and Nico’s comforting warmth. She also continued to run through the plans she had laid out for the next few days. She couldn’t wait to see Nico’s reaction to the surprise awaiting her at the end of her special day.

“It’s so beautiful!” Nico exclaimed, holding her arms out wide as she took in the scenery before her.

She stepped off the veranda on the seaside of the bungalow. She had barely dropped her bags in the bedroom before changing course and heading outside.

“Mmm…” Maki replied, following a few steps behind and idly considering how much said beauty was currently being enhanced by the presence of a certain someone within her view.

“Let’s go for a swim!”

“N-now? But we just got…”

Maki’s protest was abruptly halted when Nico began peeling off her shirt to reveal a floral-patterned bikini top underneath. As the skirt was shimmied down and tossed haphazardly across the back of a nearby lounge chair, Maki found herself remembering an article Nico had shown her way back when. The general premise was that certain outfits were not always appealing due to what was revealed, but what was covered and how.

The swimwear in question was fairly simple when compared to others of its kind. No frills or ruffles that so often adorned those worn by Nico in her younger years. But there was pink. Of course there was pink. Maki wasn’t quite sure, but she believed the scattered flowers to be hibiscus, though they could easily be some other tropical flower. Either way the petals seemed to dance along with…

“Entranced by Nico’s beauty?”

Maki blinked back to reality to meet her wife’s teasing gaze. “… Yeah…” She admitted somewhat sheepishly.

Nico giggled. “After all these years, Maki-chan is still embarrassed about staring at Nico.”

“I… but…”

“And can’t take her eyes of Nico despite all the rest of the gorgeous scenery.” She twirled on one foot for effect, obviously thrilled with the attention.

“I’ve seen the ocean and the beach and palm trees before…” Despite the heat in her cheeks, Maki found a foothold to use in her defense.

“You’ve also seen Nico in a swimsuit before.”

“But…” Apparently her reprieve was short lived.

“And many times in even less…” The raven-haired woman smirked seductively as she sauntered over to close the distance between them.

“…” The redhead felt heat gathering elsewhere as well.

“You know I’m just teasing you, right Maki-chan?” Nico’s smile returned to normal, happy joking. “Now come on,” she said, reaching up to the bow behind Maki’s neck that secured the strap of her dress, “if Maki-chan gets a nice view, then Nico deserves one too. You did wear your own swimsuit as well, right?”

“N-Nico-chan…” Maki breathed as fingertips brushed against the nape of her neck.

“What, does Maki-chan wants to do something other than swim?” And just like that, Nico was back to pushing Maki’s buttons for a specific reaction.

And it was working. Far too well. As the tie came undone, her fingers slid down toward Maki’s collarbone.

Maki couldn’t resist anymore. Giving in to her desires, she pulled her wife into a hug and leaned down. Nico flashed one last self-satisfied smirk before tilting her chin up to meet the incoming kiss.

“Ah, that was fun.” Nico said in a content tone as she made her way back indoors.

The couple had spent the last several hours out on the beach, playing in the water or just soaking up the sun on the sand. As well as a few other activities. Multiple times.

“Nico is thirsty now.” The raven-haired woman said, heading toward the kitchen.

“It’s important to stay hydrated in this heat.” The redhead stated.

“That much is obvious.” Nico replied with a shake of her head. “And we’ve been doing fine with that. I meant something different.”

“Mmm…” Maki hummed without commitment.

“Want anything?”

“I’ll just have whatever you have.” Maki replied, heading to the bedroom to change out of her swimsuit.

“Wow… they really stocked this place up.” Nico considered the options as she opened the cupboard to reveal a sizable selection of booze.

“Isn’t that normal?” Came the reply from the other room.

Nico wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. Under different circumstances, she would snark back to the still occasionally naïve rich girl. But since she had personally never been to a private resort like this before, she had nothing for comparison. So, it looked like teasing was the best response.

“Let’s see, we have Grey Goose, Aspen’s Peach, Chambord, plenty of fruit juices… I could make…”

“No, don’t say it.”

“What? Why?” Nico inquired. “Nobody else is here and it can commemorate what we just did.”

“Nico-chan…”

“And for that matter, we should probably have more than one.”

Maki groaned, earning laughter from her wife.

“Oh, here’s a blender. How about daiquiris? Those are classic tropical drinks, right?”

“I thought margaritas were the stereotypical tropical cocktail. How did that song go about Margaritaville or whatever?”

Nico scrunched her nose. “You know how I feel about tequila.”

“Yeah, you hate it almost as much as vodka.”

“Exactly.”

A thought occurred to Maki. “So why was your first suggestion s…” She cut herself off before saying the drink she had stopped Nico from naming.

“First suggesting… what was that?”

“Nevermind…”

“Anyway, daiquiris are pretty much the same as margaritas, right? Just with rum.”

“I guess.”

“Oh come on, I know even lightweight Maki-chan likes rum.”

“I like tequila too…”

“Well Nico is making daiquiris.”

“I suppose the rum is for all your good vices or something like that…” Maki mused as she returned to the living area.

“Got any vices in mind?” Nico smirked.

“Not really, no…”

“’Cause Nico’s vice would be Maki-chan.”

Maki’s blush was all the response Nico needed for a good laugh.

“Ne, Maki-chan?”

“Mmm…?”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“Eh?”

The two women were sitting together near a fire built from wood brought by employees at the main lodge. They had watched the sunset over the ocean and were now counting stars.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound how it probably did. I know this vacation is for my birthday, I’m just curious about this particular location. Why not one of your family vacation homes or one of those you have access to or whatever?”

“I wanted to go somewhere we hadn’t been before.”

Nico wondered if she should point out that she hadn’t personally been to all of the vacation homes.

“I mean, Mama and Papa and I have gone to our places often as a sort of family tradition.” Maki continued. “And don’t get me wrong, I was happy to start including you in such traditions once we started dating.”

Nico sensed a “But…?”

“I wanted somewhere new. Somewhere that was just for the two us. Somewhere where we could start our own tradition.”

Nico felt warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the fire in front of her. Smiling, she pushed herself up and out of her chair.

“Nico-chan?” Maki questioned.

Without a verbal reply, Nico set her drink in the holder opposite Maki’s before pushing her wife’s knees apart. Next, she turned and sat in the spot she had opened for herself. Finally, she leaned against the younger woman and pulled one of her arms around herself.

“A new tradition, huh?” Nico finally said after a moment.

“Yeah…”

“So, does this mean Mak-chan is spoiling the surprise of Nico’s next birthday?”

“No, I… uhm… maybe?”

Nico giggled. “It’s fine. It’s fine.” She assured. “This place seems nice. And I’ll happily go wherever Maki-chan wants to take me.”

“Thank you.” Maki said, wrapping her other arm around the other woman to complete the hug.

This earned more laugher. “Nico should be thanking Maki-chan. So, thank you, Maki-chan.” She reached over to retrieve her drink. “We haven’t even been here a day and I’ve already had a ton of fun.”

“You’re welcome.” Maki tilted her head down so she could plant a kiss on top of Nico’s head. “Happy birthday, Nico-chan.”

Nico glanced over to see Maki’s phone displaying the time as midnight. “Thanks, Maki-chan.” She said, snuggling in more. “I love you.”

“I love you to, Nico-chan.”

Something smelled good. Really good.

Maki slowly opened her eyes to the disappointing, though all too familiar sight of empty sheets beside her. Frowning, she tried to recall if Nico had agreed to sleep in this morning due to it being her special day, but the lingering alcohol in her system hazed her memories. Sighing, she crawled out of bed and headed for the kitchen.

There she was. Standing at the stove, sleepshirt slipping off her shoulder and hair unkempt from the previous night’s activities, Nico hummed to herself while she cooked as part of her morning ritual. And like so many mornings before, Maki obeyed the magnetic pull that drew her toward the woman she loved.

“Morning, Maki-chan.” Nico chuckled as arms wrapped around her waist and a chin dropped down on her shoulder.

“I thought we were going to order out for breakfast.” Maki mumbled, mostly intelligibly.

“I did, sort of.”

“Mm?”

“I had them deliver the ingredients, since we didn’t have anything on hand.”

“But…”

“Shush.” Nico gently swatted her wife’s nose. “It’s Nico’s birthday today so Nico gets to do what she wants.”

Maki wasn’t quite awake enough to give voice to her thoughts about how Nico pretty much always did what she wanted anyway, even when it wasn’t her birthday.

“And Nico wants to make breakfast for her favoritest Maki-chan.”

“… Alright…” Maki agreed after a moment. Despite her initial protest, she couldn’t deny that she loved when Nico cooked for her.

“And this place really goes all out.” Nico commented as Maki shuffled over to the counter to sit on a stool so she could watch. “I don’t think these eggs even had a chance to hit the refrigerator. And Nico can’t remember the last time she cooked with goat cheese. And these herbs.” She held some up to her nose for effect. “They must get fresh local deliveries pretty much every day or something.”

“Probably.”

“And vine ripened tomatoes.” Nico motioned to what she had prepped.

“…”

With no verbal response given, Nico turned to see Maki’s face. “Hey, no drooling on the counter.” She pointed her spatula at her wife.

Maki pouted, earning a laugh from Nico.

“Anyway, I’m almost done, so just be patient a little while longer.”

“Alright.”

“Ooo, a food truck! Nico is hungry! Let’s get lunch there.” Nico grabbed her wife’s hand and pulled her toward her target destination.

The couple had taken the shuttle into town and spent the morning exploring several touristy shops and local points of interest. As they had slept in and had a late breakfast, as well as snacked on treats from the shops, they had put off lunch until well past noon. However, once Maki’s stomach started grumbling, conversation had turned to food.

“Burgers?” Maki inquired, glancing at the menu. “You don’t want to explore more and try to find something more… exotic or tropical? Something you haven’t had before?”

“I’ve always wanted to try a <Cheeseburger in paradise.>” Nico sang the last part in English.

Maki raised an eyebrow while the young man in the truck grinned.

“<Medium rare with Muenster’d be nice.>” He sang back.

“<Heaven on earth with an onion slice.>”

“Nico-chan…” Maki couldn’t help feeling that people were staring.

“<I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise!>” Both Nico and the cook finished in unison before laughing.

“Two cheeseburgers then?” The young man inquired, indicating the two women before him.

“You want one, Maki-chan?” Nico asked.

“… Sure…”

“<I like mine with lettuce and tomato.>” Nico chanted.

“<Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes.> The young man continued.

Maki’s blush bloomed even more.

“<Big kosher pickle and cold draft beer.>” The two sang together again. “<Well, good god almighty which way do I steer?>”

Nico turned to her wife to observe her reaction. “<I dunno where Nico gonna go when Nishikino blows!>”

“Ughn…” Maki groaned, shoulders slumping.

“Nico is just fulfilling her role as an idol and making people smile.” The producer motioned to the cook as well as several people who had paused to watch the little show.

“I know but…” Despite her own years as a school idol, as well as recent piano concerts in the local mall, the doctor still had some issues with public attention.

“Let’s get you something to drink to take your mind off of it.”

“I’m sorry,” The young man in the truck apologized “I don’t have a tap, but I have bottles. Ice cold.”

“That’s fine.” Nico stood up on tip toes to check the selection. “Two of those.” She pointed.

The couple continued to chat with the truck attendee while he prepared their meal, though more Nico than Maki. The latter contented herself in her beverage and watching her wife do one of the things she did best; turn on the charm and schmooze with anyone. Eventually, it was time to move on and continue their tour of the town.

“You know, I didn’t know you knew of Jimmy Buffett.” Maki commented as she stood from the dinner table.

The couple had decided to eat at the restaurant in the main lodge before heading back to their bungalow.

“Mmm? You mean that thing at lunch?”

Maki nodded.

“That’s because Maki-chan mentioned Margaritaville and the rum thing last night and we’re on a tropical holiday and such.”

“I guess I just didn’t think that would be the type of music you would listen to.”

“Not everything Nico listens to is idol music. Maki-chan should know that by now.”

“I suppose.”

“And besides, I could just as easily turn that around to you.”

“Mmm…”

“Anyway, the only thing missing from our Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads collection now is the boat.”

“We can take a tour boat tomorrow if you want.”

“No romantic boat ride by moonlight tonight?” Nico drawled into teasing mode.

“I, uhm… actually had something else in mind…”

“Oh?”

“Yeah… So, if you’ll come with me.” Maki took the other woman’s hand and lead her down the hall away from the lodge exit.

“Maki-chan?”

Even after all these years, it was still uncommon for Maki to take the lead like this. As such, Maki couldn’t help but revel in the switch and for what she knew awaited just behind the door. She also wondered how quickly Nico would realize the situation.

Coming out from backstage, the couple were greeted by applause from a modestly sized but enthusiastic audience. Without hesitation, Nico stepped past the speakers and grabbed the mic.

“Nico Nico Ni~!” And just like that, her idol persona switched on.

Of course it would be instantaneous. Maki knew she shouldn’t be surprised. Nico was an entertainer through and through. And Maki doubted she would ever cease to be impressed by, and even a bit envious of Nico’s skill.

“Nico Nico Ni~!” The audience cheered in response.

Nico turned her beaming smile toward her wife. “What’s my first song, Maki-chan?”

“A fan favorite.” Maki replied, moving to the karaoke machine off to the side.

Her finger hovered over Play as she gave a countdown to begin the concert. She then settled down to watch Nico immerse herself fully in her element. Wearing street clothes with her hair down and minimal makeup didn’t stop the No. 1 Idol in the Universe from shining brightly on stage. No lack of preparation or rehearsal would prevent Nico from giving everything she had to an impromptu live. And it was all Maki could do to keep herself from being completely starstruck so she could queue up songs to keep things moving along.

“And now we have a special surprise for you all tonight!” Nico suddenly announced as a song concluded.

“Eh?” Maki blinked as her wife motioned to her and all eyes followed.

Movement at the edge of her gaze drew Maki’s attention to a resort employee setting up keyboard and stand.

“Don’t be shy, Maki-chan.” Nico beckoned. “Come on over here and play with Nico.”

“Wh… wh… What was that?” She fell back on her habitual phrase.

“You don’t get it?” Nico reworded the second half with a smirk. “What’s not to get?”

“You… knew?”

“Maki-chan is horrible at keeping secrets.” Nico laughed lightly. “Nico found a flier under your desk. Maybe if Maki-chan was better at cleaning, she’d’ve found it herself.”

Maki pouted, earning more laugher. This time the audience joined in as well.

“I will give Hanayo credit though.” Nico continued. “She did her best to avoid answering my questions until I showed her the flier I found. Then I had her help me set up this. So stop stalling already and get over here.” She made exaggerated beckoning motions using both arms. “It’s not all that different than your birthday a few months ago.”

Finally working her way past her initial shock and embarrassment, Maki slowly moved toward the keyboard. As she ran her fingers gently across the keys, she allowed her desire to play take over. Audience or not, Maki’s love of music seldom failed to triumph.

For her part, Nico obviously recognized the change in demeanor. “Ready?”

Maki nodded. And without further hesitation, began to play. Then, flashing one more smile at her wife, Nico turned back to the audience to sing.

A second night and second fire. The sunset was missed due to the concert and following impromptu meet and greet session. Nico was still buzzing from the show and was grateful to have Maki around to help her come down. As such, she had dropped all pretense and immediately reclaimed her place on Maki’s chair, comfortably nestling into her wife’s warm embrace. It was so better than an empty hotel room or mere skype session.

“I could really get used to this, you know.” Nico broke the silence after a while.

“Mmm…”

“I wanted to stay awake until the date change last night, but tonight I could honestly just fall asleep like this.”

“Mmm…”

“Is Maki-chan still pouting about the live?”

“No…”

Nico giggled. “It was still a surprise, I assure you. Just a bit earlier than you intended.”

“…”

“And Hanayo was sure to point out how little you actually let her do. You wanted to do as much as possible on your own, and I love that you did. That concert was your doing, Maki-chan. You made it happen. And in doing so, you made a lot of people happy; Nico included, obviously.”

“… Yeah…”

Nico pulled Maki’s arms tighter around herself. “You know how important being an idol is to me, and that means a lot to me. And I know how important music is to you, which is why I wanted you to join me.”

“I know.”

“So stop being upset about the details and just enjoy this paradise with me.”

“… Alright.”

“Of course, as amazing as this place is, it’s only really paradise because Maki-chan is with me.”

A nose nuzzled into her hair and lips pressed lightly against her head before a voice said softly, “It’s paradise for me as well because Nico-chan is with me.”

Nico smiled as she pulled Maki’s hand to her lips to place a kiss of her own on the back of it.

“Oh, a shooting star!” She suddenly pointed out, returning her wife’s arm around her waist. “Make a wish, Maki-chan!”

“Alright…”

Nico wasn’t sure what her wife wished for and wasn’t about to ask. However, she hoped it was somewhat similar to her own; that she and Maki could continue to celebrate together for many birthdays to come.

Author’s Note Continued in Followup Post.

#NicoMaki #Nishikino Maki #Yazawa Nico #How to Handle a Nico #Love Live #fanfic #Happy Birthday Nico #belated...