Synopsis: every time Shinobu looks at you, one of the workers at the Butterfly Estate, you get butterflies…but little do you know, she does as well!
a/n: just a little treat while I wait for the poll for Stressed Out to finish (update: comparatively it’s not so little when looking at other fics I’ve written; I think the beginning is almost as long as some of them lol)
Tagging: @kyojurismo, @ahashiraswife (figured you’d want to see this from your interest in what I shared)
she/her pronouns
1.2k words
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The insect Hashira had, though she tried to deny it to both herself and others, developed a crush on her fellow nurse. Shinobu would often catch herself staring at the woman, not realizing why. What about (name) was so distracting?
That’s what she keeps asking herself, hoping desperately that these foreign feelings would simply fade in time—which, of course, they didn’t.
(Name) had also found herself falling for the beautiful woman whom she had the good luck to work alongside…although, to her, it seemed rather unlucky, for Shinobu was so close to her, yet so out of reach.
Shinobu was also painfully unaware that her feelings were reciprocated within (Name); for someone so observant, she could be quite oblivious at times.
Ah, the challenges of love.
It had become quite apparent to anyone who had ever seen the two interact that they liked each other; in fact, they had each been asked on at least one occasion if they were together.
Both had vehemently denied such assumptions, Shinobu trying to mask her blush while (Name) fought down the growing heat in her face and butterflies in her stomach.
Later, upon reflection, (name) thought about how unwittingly cruel such accusations were, for instilling fantasies of a life together within her head. Shinobu simply kept her head up and went back to work with a smile, forcing down such thoughts in her typical fashion.
Fortunately, while fate hadn’t favored Shinobu, it finally decided to put the odds in her favor.
Lately, Shinobu had become more and more certain that she had a crush on (name). Or, rather, had fallen in love with her. She was eighteen; “crush” was far too young and shallow a word to describe such feelings of attraction.
Shinobu has often found herself unable to sleep, thoughts of her and (name) living happily ever after running rampant in her head; not that she would ever complain. Such thoughts were a much more pleasant alternative to the typical thoughts that plagued her many a sleepless night, or day, depending on when her work would allow time for rest.
What was it about her that attracted Shinobu so? Her looks? Certainly not lacking, but there was a certain…aura around (Name) that she couldn’t quite place. The closest Shinobu could ever come to describing it was warm, comforting, and accepting.
Such a contrast to Shinobu’s boiling rage, hidden neatly under a mask of calm happiness.
Shinobu was not fool enough to think her affections would be returned, so she just hid them, as she did with all feelings she wished to remain secret. Mask up, smile on, happy, happy, happy.
(Name) couldn’t stop thinking about Shinobu. She let out the sigh of someone so tired, yet not quite finished doing…what? Trying to win the affections of a woman who was probably attracted to someone else, not her? She should just move on, bury these feelings deep to sink and drown, but every time she tried, thoughts of the lovely woman kept fluttering back.
Shinobu didn’t just give (Name) butterflies; sometimes it felt as if Shinobu was the butterfly, flitting into her thoughts when she least suspected it. Small, yes, but undeniably gorgeous and graceful.
What was it about her that attracted (Name) so? Was it her calm, serene disposition? Her looks? Or was it simply….her? All these little melodies, coming together in glorious harmony, to be the woman (name) loved.
(Name) knew it: she was a coward, for not confessing her true feelings to Shinobu. What was he point in holding them in, hiding it, if she knew she’d get rejected no matter what?
The small, hopeful part of her pipes up, says that maybe Shinobu will, in time, like her in turn. Hope is far too powerful; it keeps holding (Name) down. Soon, she will have to confess or the misery of being turned away will be horrid. But still, she waits, and hopes.
After all, life can be surprising sometimes, and (Name) still has some semblance of a chance, right?
Late at night, doing paperwork in her office, Shinobu made up her mind. When the opportunity presented, she would process her love for (Name). No more procrastinating; no more excuses.
(Name) walked through the sprawling gardens of the Butterfly Mansion, inhaling the sweet aroma of the multicolored blooms. Butterflies flitted about, including her favorite, a purple and blue butterfly that reminded her of Shinobu.
She watched it as it dipped and glided, enraptured. The delicate beauty of butterflies never failed to entrance (Name); she had spent hours in these very gardens, fixated on the fascinating insects.
The soft crunch of gravel beneath light footsteps snapped her out of her reverie.
“Ah, hello there, (Name)!”
(Name) startled at the sudden noise. She turned to face Shinobu, a hint of pink dusting her face.
‘don’tblushdon’tblushdon’tblush!’ (Name) thought furiously, attempting to banish the growing flush in her cheeks. She quickly composed herself.
“Hello, Shinobu! Lovely….lovely day, is it not?”
Internally, (Name) cringed at the shallowness of her greeting. Outwardly, she kept her face the picture of calm and casual, smothering any thoughts with even a hint of her feelings towards Shinobu.
But…
In that moment, something changed. (Name) made up her mind; she would swallow her doubts and confess her true affections for Shinobu. If the Insect Hashira is brave enough to risk her life on every mission she went on, then (Name) is certainly brave enough to admit a crush.
“Good to see you here! I, um, actually have been wanting to talk to you about something, but if you’re busy, I can wait…” (Name) stuttered.
In her typical friendly manner, Shinobu said, “No, no, I’m free right now. What a coincidence; I wanted to talk to you as well! Do you want to speak first, or should I?”
“You can speak first, if you want, it doesn’t matter to me,” (Name) said hurriedly.
“No, no, I insist! You were the first to say that we needed to talk, so it’s only fair that—”
“I’minlovewithyou,” (Name) blurted out, the butterflies in her stomach multiplying as a bright blush rose to her cheeks.
Shinobu blinked at her, trying to squash down the goofy smile trying to make its way onto her face.
“Say that again….uh, slower this time?” Shinobu asked hopefully.
“I-I…I’m in love…with you…” (Name) said quietly, trying to force back the sting of tears in her eyes.
“I…” Shinobu smiled; a genuine, happy smile. She took a couple steps closer before wrapping her arms around (Name). She placed her lips next to (Name’s) ear and whispered, “I think I am too.”
Shinobu moved her face away from (Name’s) ear and leaned in. Her breath tickled (Name’s) face, and their noses brushed lightly against each other’s.
Shinobu leaned in and placed her lips softly on (Name’s). It was a gentle, sweet kiss, filled with love and affection. After a moment that felt both long and short, Shinobu pulled away, smiling at (Name), who also had a soft grin on her face.
“That was…late,” (Name) remarked quietly.
Shinobu let out a breathy laugh as the two woman stood within each other’s embrace, butterflies gracefully flying around them.
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