The apartment always felt a little quieter before Apple got home.
Cherry tried to fill the silence by moving around, adjusting things that didn’t need adjusting. She smoothed the already flat throw blanket over the couch, shifted a candle an inch to the left, then back again. Her reflection in the darkened TV caught her eye and she stilled.
The outfit had taken an embarrassing amount of time to pick.
It was soft, fitted, just revealing enough, the hem of the top cut in a way that left the curve of her ribcage exposed. Exactly where the fresh ink sat, still slightly pink, still tender. The apple.
Cherry pressed her fingers lightly over it, biting back a grin that threatened to take over her entire face. She had been thinking about it for weeks. Planning it. Imagining this exact moment.
She bounced once on her heels, then immediately groaned at herself.
“Okay. Calm down,” she muttered, though the smile never left.
The sound of the front door unlocking snapped her upright.
Her heart jumped so hard it almost hurt.
The door opened, and Apple stepped in like she always did, composed, effortless, carrying that quiet gravity that seemed to settle the whole room the second she entered. She shut the door behind her, slipping her shoes off with practiced ease, eyes already scanning the apartment.
“Hey, babe,” she said, voice low, casual.
Then she looked at Cherry.
Cherry was practically vibrating.
Apple paused, one brow lifting slightly, the corner of her mouth twitching like she was trying not to smile too soon. She set her keys down slowly, gaze sharpening with curiosity.
“…What?” she asked, dragging the word out just enough to tease. “Why do you look like you’re about to explode?”
Cherry clasped her hands together, then immediately unclasped them, then laughed breathlessly because she couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Okay, okay, wait,” she said, already stepping closer. “I have to show you something.”
Apple exhaled through her nose, shaking her head once, but there was warmth there, unmistakable. Fond. Familiar. She crossed her arms loosely, settling into that half-amused, half-indulgent stance she always took with Cherry.
“Alright,” she said. “Show me.”
Cherry turned slightly, fingers hooking into the hem of her top, lifting it just enough.
The movement was careful, reverent almost.
A small, clean apple inked along her ribcage, delicate but unmistakable. Simple lines, intentional. Permanent.
For a second, Apple didn’t say anything.
Cherry’s stomach flipped.
Then Apple’s expression shifted.
It softened first, the sharpness melting into something quieter, something deeper. Her eyes lingered on the tattoo, taking it in, tracing it without touching. The corner of her mouth lifted despite herself.
“…You didn’t,” she murmured.
Cherry laughed, breathless, a little nervous now. “I did.”
Cherry held still, suddenly hyper-aware of everything, the way the air felt, the way her heart was pounding, the faint sting of the fresh ink under her skin.
Apple reached out, her fingers brushing just beside the tattoo, careful, testing. Not quite touching it fully, but close enough that Cherry felt it everywhere.
“It’s real?” Apple asked, quieter now.
“Mhm,” Cherry nodded quickly. “I’ve been planning it. I wanted it to be perfect.”
Apple let out a soft huff, something between a laugh and disbelief. She shook her head again, but this time it was gentler, affectionate.
“You’re ridiculous,” she said.
Cherry beamed. “You love it?” there was a hint of insecurity there.
Apple didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she finally let her fingers rest lightly against Cherry’s side, right beside the ink, warm and grounding. Her thumb brushed once, careful of the tenderness, and her gaze lifted to meet Cherry’s.
Soft, but controlled. Fond, but never overwhelming. Like she refused to give everything all at once, even when she felt it.
“…Yeah,” Apple said quietly. “I do.”
Cherry’s entire face lit up, relief and excitement crashing together all at once. “Really?”
Apple rolled her eyes slightly, but she was smiling now, unmistakably.
“Cherry,” she said, voice low, steady. “You got a tattoo of an apple.”
Cherry laughed, a little shy now under the weight of that gaze. “I know. I just… I wanted something that was yours. Always.”
Apple’s expression shifted again, something deeper slipping through the cracks. She stepped in closer, closing the small space between them, her hand sliding more securely along Cherry’s side, careful but firm.
“You’re unbelievable,” she murmured.
But her tone had changed. Softer. Warmer.
Cherry swallowed, suddenly a little breathless again, though for a completely different reason.
Apple leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss just above the tattoo, deliberate and slow, like she understood exactly what it meant.
When Apple pulled back, her lips brushed Cherry’s skin once more, almost absentminded, like she didn’t quite want to stop.
“…It’s cute,” she added, quieter now.
Cherry laughed, soft and giddy, her hands finding Apple’s shirt, holding onto her like she needed to anchor herself.
Apple smirked slightly, that familiar edge returning, though it was softened by everything underneath.
“Don’t push it,” she said.
But her hand stayed where it was, warm against Cherry’s ribs, thumb tracing slow, absent patterns near the ink.
“You know,” Cherry started, her voice almost sing-song-y, “You could get one too… of a cherry,” she bit her lip, hoping Apple would like that idea.
“I could, couldn’t I?” Apple ran her fingers through Cherry’s hair, loving the way she crumbled under that touch.
The blonde nodded enthusiastically, “Yeah! And then we would match, you know?”
“I’ll think about it,” Apple teased, pressing a kiss to the girl’s cheek.
Cherry smiled and accepted that gratefully with another enthusiastic nod, “Yeah, that works, just think about it!”
But Apple knew she’d do anything for Cherry, she was already thinking of the best date to get the tattoo.
first time ever writing fanfiction kinda nervous… idk if this is too short/too long, so let me know?? give me any tips you have because this is new to me! im also new to tumblr, so please be patient with me!! also let me know if there’s anything specific you guys would like to see in the future! thanks <3! hope you enjoyed!
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