I'm doing something a little different 

I'm gonna abandon Shino and turn to Rikku and Shizu ✨

Cuz they need more love

So yeah, have some RikkuxShizu food (I'm getting flashbacks 😭😭😭 ship name?!?! )

Just cute fluffy things for now, but don't worry, I'll be shoving them into the fire of angst soon enough as well

Also POV writing is back, at least for this story.

(Quick note, If I switch between Shizu's pronouns a lot, not really mentioning it, just assume their eyes are changing as well because I'm too lazy to be like, "Shizu's eyes turn red" I was cleaning all day ok 😭)

—~Rikku POV~—

I sit on the edge of my bed, bouncing my knee on the floor rapidly. I use that as a distraction from the loud thunder clapping outside. Even in the downstairs area of the dorm, the thunder makes the loudest noises. I glance down at my bed, tracing the the wood from underneath my comforter. 

Artemis and Shino helped me build a bed after the other one got singed... All my friends helped me basically rebuild my room from decorations, furniture, homey things. Those are the times I'm the most grateful for my family. 

 A loud crash breaks though my thoughts, ringing in my ears. Thunderstorms scare me. I find the noise of thunder even worse that explosions which, ironically, I hate as well. 

I used to always ask Shino to borrow one of his muffling headphones, but the one I always used was in my room when I blew it up... He only had two, so if I were to ask he'd probably give me his, which I couldn't do. He hates thunderstorms just as much as me, just because they're so loud and inconsistent. I don't want him to have a panic attack or something... He's surprisingly sensitive...

Artemis probably has it worse because of the balcony, letting in even more noise. He always blasts music through his earbuds though, so I don't think he's too bothered. If he can't hear it or see it, which he got curtains for this sole purpose, he's fine. Although I think Artemis is more scared of lightning because it can actually hurt you...

All this is to say we are a dorm that hates a storm. (Rikku is now a poet, pure poetic genius)

Suddenly the doorbell rings, another noise breaking me out of my head. I sigh and rush upstairs, assuming the others wouldn't hear it. Those headphones Shino wears are great enough to muffle the world and Artemis listens to music so loud I'm sure he'll be deaf by the age of 24. 

I rush up to the door, not wanting to keep the person waiting, I mean it has to be important to come in the middle of a raging storm.

I open the door, instantly feeling the wind and droplets of rain hitting my skin. I see the vibrant red and blue hair of Shizu standing before me. They smile, the rain has them soaked completely. 

I jump slightly, pulling them into the dorm and shutting the door quickly.

"Baby! You're all soaked! Why'd you come all the way here in a freaking thunderstorm!? I mean I'm happy you're here but still..." I stutter, helping Shizu take off her coat, throwing it over a stool. 

"I was coming to check on you, babe! I know how much you hate thunder and stuff, so I figured I'd keep you company and distract you!" Shizu says, her eyes gleaming with red pluses. 

I can't help but smile at Shizu's attentiveness and will to make me comfortable. "Aww thank you Shizu!!! I've been missing you a lot." 

I reach out to hug them, retracting quickly when I remember that they're all wet. Shizu giggles and takes a scrunchie out their pocket, which they always seem to carry around, tugging their loose, wet hair into a messy bun. The two colors merging together all over the place. I pull a small strand from the right side, kissing Shizu's cheek before doing the same to the left side as well. 

I take her hand and practically drag her down the stairs, into my room. Shuffling through a bunch of my hoodies and bottoms until I find my favorite hoodie and some fluffy knee length shorts. I stretch my arm out, handing them to Shizu before leaving the room so they could get some privacy.

I go back in after a few minutes, Shizu clad in my clothes, the sight making me blush a bit. I also notice my brush in their hand. 

"Can I brush your hair Rikku!" Shizu says excitedly, sitting on the edge of my bed. 

I contemplate the offer, imagining Shizu's soft hands combing through my hair, their fingertips brushing against my hair, it all sounds so wonderful...

I nod, sitting the opposite direction and pulling the elastic band from my ponytail. My hat was already discarded, sitting on my dresser. 

I feel my long hair fall in my shoulders before Shizu pulls some back, dragging the brush through it gently. 

My hair is naturally kinda messy and tangled looking, but I surprise people when they find out it's actually quite smooth to comb. Shizu remains unfazed though, as they have combed their fingers through my hair countless times. 

I relax into the feeling of Shizu pulling the brush though my hair, listening to them speak. I occasionally give my responses, but other than that I'm just enjoying hearing the sound of their voice. Their voice.

Shizu's voice is hands down the most physically attractive thing about them. I could listen to it for ages. Once I even fell asleep to the sound of them reading me a story. There's a raspy undertone to the peppy tone that I find so endearing. 

I lay back against Shizu, whose brushing has stopped. Instead she plays with my hair, twirling it around her finger, threading through it, braiding then unbraiding strands. I enjoy the slit tug and the warmth of Shizu's touch. I find myself falling asleep there, completely forgetting about the thunderstorm outside. All that matters right now is being with my beloved.