Ibuki Mioda lay sprawled across the floor of her room, the heat so thick it felt like it pressed down on her. The window was cracked, but the small breeze that blew through only teased her with fleeting moments of relief. 

Completely nude, she stretched her legs out, lazily strumming her guitar with her fingers, each note soft and wandering, without purpose or drive. Sweat trickled down her bare skin, glistening under the afternoon sun, and she let out a long sigh.

"Man, it's way too hot to jam properly," she muttered, her voice a lazy drawl as she dragged her hand down the guitar strings, letting a languid chord hum through the room.

Ibuki closed her eyes, letting herself sink further into the warmth of the floor. The sweat slid down her neck, tracing lines along her chest and stomach, but she didn't care. All she could focus on was the quiet strumming and the sound of cicadas buzzing outside. It was the kind of day that made her feel like time had stopped, or like it didn't really matter.

"Maybe I'll write a new song," she mused aloud, a small grin forming on her lips, "A real lazy, sweaty kinda tune...something that feels like melting ice cream..."

A sudden knock at the door jolted Ibuki out of her lazy reverie. Her hand paused mid-strum, and she raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the entrance. 

"Ooooh...Who could that be?" she wondered aloud, not really caring enough to move. After a moment, she shrugged, set the guitar down, and ambled over, still completely nude.

Without a second thought, she swung the door open wide. Standing there was Mikan Tsumiki, her wife, looking as frazzled and flushed as ever after a long shift at work. Mikan's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as her wide eyes took in the sight before her.

"I-Ibuki! Y-You're...!" Mikan stammered, her hands clutching the straps of her bag nervously. She glanced everywhere but at Ibuki's bare body, her voice high and panicked, "Why are you n-naked!?"

Ibuki, completely unfazed, grinned and waved her hand dismissively. 

"Pfft, who cares? It's a million degrees in here! Clothes are just extra baggage when you're melting!" She reached out and grabbed Mikan's hand, pulling her into the room, "Come in, Mikan! You look like you need to cool off too!"

Mikan stumbled inside, clearly flustered, her gaze darting around as if trying to find somewhere to focus that wasn't her wife's bare skin. 

"O-Oh, I guess it is really hot today..." she mumbled, still blushing furiously.

Ibuki stretched her arms over her head and yawned, walking toward the small fridge in the corner of the room. 

"Let me get you something cold, babe! You've been working hard, and I wanna spoil you a bit!" she called over her shoulder.

As Mikan nervously perched on the edge of the bed, trying her best to calm her racing heart, Ibuki rummaged through the fridge, her carefree humming filling the room.

After a few moments of awkward fidgeting, Mikan glanced over at Ibuki, still rummaging through the fridge, utterly unconcerned with her own nudity. The heat was indeed stifling, and Mikan's nurse uniform felt like it was sticking to her skin. 

Biting her lip, she hesitated for a moment longer before making up her mind. Slowly, she began unbuttoning her uniform, her fingers trembling slightly as she peeled it off, piece by piece, until she was as bare as Ibuki.

Once free from her clothes, Mikan let out a quiet sigh of relief, her body instantly cooling as the sweat evaporated from her skin. She curled up next to Ibuki's guitar on the floor, lying on her side and letting the gentle warmth soak her

Ibuki glanced over with a grin, her eyes bright with approval. 

"Atta girl, Mikan! Feels way better, huh?" she said, handing Mikan a cold drink before plopping down beside her, guitar back in hand.

Mikan took the drink gratefully, pressing it to her cheek for a moment before taking a small sip.

"It does, actually..." she admitted softly, her blush still lingering but her body relaxing in the comfort of their shared space. She rested her head on her arm, watching Ibuki tweak the strings of her guitar, adjusting the tuning with a practiced ease.

"So, how was work, babe?" Ibuki asked, not looking up from the instrument, but her voice gentle and genuine as she strummed a few experimental chords.

Mikan closed her eyes and let out a small, tired sigh. 

"It was...busy," she murmured, her voice soft and delicate, "So many patients came in today with heat exhaustion...I had to run back and forth to make sure everyone was hydrated...Still, I guess that's better compared the critical injuries and death reports I had to handle after the factory."

Ibuki glanced over, her strumming slowing down. 

"Good job, Mikan! You've been getting way more confident!" she praised, beaming.

Mikan smiled shyly, the warmth in Ibuki's voice calming her even further. 

"It's all because of you...you always make me feel brave," she admitted quietly, her fingers idly tracing the cool condensation on her drink as she spoke.

 "You're already brave, Mikan," Ibuki chuckled and leaned back, her guitar resting across her lap, "you're like, the bravest person in our group. You just need a little reminder sometimes!" 

She plucked a gentle, soothing melody, the soft notes filling the air as the two lazed around in the heat, the world outside seeming to drift away. Mikan nestled closer, her body now fully relaxed. 

"Thank you, Ibuki..." she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut as she let herself sink into the music and the comfort of being with her wife, "How was your day? I can't make it all about me, after all..."

Ibuki, in the middle of adjusting her guitar strings, set it aside with a mischievous grin. 

"Oh, don't worry about that, babe! But if you wanna know, I'll tell ya!" she chirped before crawling over to Mikan's side. Without warning, she placed her hands on Mikan's shoulders, her fingers pressing gently into her wife's tense muscles.

Mikan flinched slightly but quickly relaxed under Ibuki's surprisingly skillful touch. 

"Y-You don't have to..."

"I wanna!" Ibuki insisted, working her hands down Mikan's back in smooth, circular motions. Her calloused fingers, rough from years of guitar playing, somehow felt gentle as they kneaded the knots out of Mikan's tired body, "You've had a tough day, and I've had, well, a super chill day...mostly because I've been lazing around in here like a slug."

Mikan let out a soft, contented sigh as Ibuki's hands worked magic on her shoulders. 

"A slug?" she repeated with a quiet giggle, feeling the tension leave her muscles with each press of Ibuki's fingers.

"Yup! I've just been lying around, messing with my guitar, letting the heat make me all slow and gooey," She leaned in, pressing her thumbs into a particularly tense spot on Mikan's upper back, "I wrote a few lazy tunes, though! Maybe they'll turn into something cool later. Who knows?"

Mikan smiled, her eyes half-closed as she melted into Ibuki's touch. 

"That sounds nice...you deserve to relax too..." Her voice was soft, her words coming out in a relaxed hum.

"Exactly! Gotta stay chill to keep the creativity flowing, y'know?" Ibuki leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on the back of Mikan's nape before moving her hands down to Mikan's lower back, "But seriously, I was thinking about you all day. Figured you'd come home all tired, so I wanted to be ready to pamper you!"

"You're so sweet..." Mikan's heart fluttered at Ibuki's words, her chest warming with affection.  Ibuki grinned wide, her hands moving down to Mikan's sides, massaging away the last bits of tension. 

"Anything for you, baby! You take care of so many people, so it's my job to take care of YOU!"

Mikan's breath hitched as Ibuki's fingers grazed her skin in soft, gentle strokes. 

"Thank you...this feels really nice..." she whispered, her body completely at ease now.

Ibuki chuckled softly, leaning down to rest her chin on Mikan's shoulder, her warm breath tickling her ear. "Good! 'Cause I plan to keep this up all night."

As Ibuki's hands continued their massage, her fingers suddenly danced over Mikan's sides in a playful, teasing motion. 

"You know what else helps with relaxation?" Ibuki said, her voice filled with mischief. 

Without waiting for an answer, she wiggled her fingers along Mikan's ribs, causing Mikan to jolt.

"A-Ah! Ibuki!" Mikan squealed, her body twitching as she tried to squirm away, but Ibuki had already committed to her attack.

"Tickle time!" Ibuki declared triumphantly, her hands darting all over Mikan's sensitive spots, poking and wiggling with merciless glee. Mikan dissolved into giggles, her face flushed as she rolled onto her back, trying in vain to block Ibuki's hands.

"N-No! S-Stop! Ahaha, I-I can't-!" Mikan's breathless laughter filled the room, but her hands reached out in a desperate attempt to retaliate, fingers finding Ibuki's sides and delivering a ticklish poke of her own. Ibuki gasped, pausing in surprise before breaking into her own fit of laughter. 

"Oh-ho, so you wanna fight back, huh?" she teased, trying to squirm out of Mikan's grip, but Mikan had found her ticklish spot. The two quickly devolved into a tangled mess of laughter and playful squeals, hands flying everywhere as they both fought to out-tickle the other.

They rolled across the floor, limbs tangled, their laughter echoing through the room. At some point, Ibuki caught Mikan's hands, pulling her close, and in one swift motion, they both tumbled together, panting from the tickle battle but grinning widely.

"Okay, okay, truce!" Ibuki finally called, but her smile didn't fade as she wrapped her arms around Mikan, pulling her into a warm hug, "You're too good at this!"

Mikan, still giggling, rested her head against Ibuki's chest, catching her breath.

"You started it," she protested, a subtle hint of seduction in her tone of voice, but there was no real accusation, just the soft warmth of affection.

"True, but you're too cute when you laugh like that! I couldn't help myself," Ibuki grinned, her eyes sparkling as she looked down at Mikan. Without waiting for a response, she leaned down and pressed a playful kiss to Mikan's lips.

Mikan blushed, her heart fluttering, but she kissed back, her arms wrapping around Ibuki's waist. They stayed like that for a moment, sharing soft kisses as they lay tangled together on the floor, the heat of the day now a distant memory compared to the warmth between them.

"I love you, Mikan," Ibuki whispered between kisses, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.

"I love you too, Ibuki," Mikan whispered back, holding her wife close as they melted into each other's embrace, the tickle fight forgotten, replaced by the quiet intimacy of the moment.

As their kisses softened into a gentle rhythm, Mikan opened her eyes slightly, glancing at Ibuki's face. At first, she saw the usual playful sparkle in her wife's eyes, but as they kissed again, she noticed something different...a flicker of uncertainty, barely noticeable but enough to make her heart skip.

She pulled back slightly, her brow furrowing in concern. 

"Ibuki...is something wrong?" Mikan's voice was soft but direct, the worry clear in her tone.

Ibuki froze for a second, her usual carefree grin faltering. She let out a small, nervous chuckle, trying to brush it off, but Mikan's gaze was steady, refusing to let it go. Ibuki sighed and flopped onto her back, staring up at the ceiling.

"Aw, geez...you always see right through me, huh?" Ibuki said, her voice lacking its usual energy. Her fingers absentmindedly tapped her stomach as she lay there, quiet for a moment, "I wasn't gonna say anything, but I guess it's written all over my face..."

Mikan shifted closer, her hand resting gently on Ibuki's arm. 

"You can tell me, Ibuki. I want to help if something's bothering you..." Her voice trembled with care, but her touch was steady, trying to reassure her wife.

Ibuki glanced over at Mikan, her lips pressing together in a faint, sheepish smile. 

"I will, I promise...just, uh, let me grab us more drinks first, okay? I could really use a cold one before I get into this," She pushed herself up, her usual liveliness returning just for a second as she winked at Mikan. "Don't worry, babe! I'll be right back with the goods, and then we'll talk it out."

Without waiting for a reply, Ibuki hurried over to the fridge, her back to Mikan as she opened it and fumbled around inside. But Mikan couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in her chest. Whatever was weighing on Ibuki, it was more than just the heat of the day. Something deeper lingered behind that forced grin.

Ibuki returned with two cold drinks in hand, plopping down next to Mikan on the floor. She handed one to her wife with a small smile, though the air between them still carried the weight of unspoken thoughts.

They sat in silence for a moment, the cool condensation on the bottles a welcome relief against their warm skin. Mikan, always so gentle and patient, waited, sipping her drink and watching Ibuki closely. Finally, after a long gulp, Ibuki set her bottle down with a sigh, rubbing the back of her neck as she glanced over at Mikan.

"So...here's the deal," Ibuki started, her voice softer than usual, lacking its usual bombastic flair, "I found out the other day that my old high school band...you know, the one I had back before the Tragedy...they're, uh...they're active again." 

She let the words hang in the air for a moment, watching Mikan's reaction carefully. Mikan blinked, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"R-Really? That's...well, I-I guess it's a good thing they're still playing, right?" she asked cautiously, sensing that there was more to the story than just the band being back together.

"Yeah, it's pretty wild. I didn't expect them to get back into the scene after everything that happened... but they are," Ibuki nodded slowly, leaning back against the bed with her drink in hand, "I heard through the grapevine that they've been doing shows again, and I even saw a poster for one of their gigs the other day."

Mikan took a small sip of her drink, watching Ibuki carefully. 

"H-Have you reached out to them?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with concern. Ibuki hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly against the bottle. 

"I thought about it," she admitted, her voice quieter now, "But...I don't know, Mikan. I'm not sure I want to rejoin them. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved playing with those guys. We had so many awesome shows, and they're still some of the best musicians I've ever worked with...but it's been so long. I'm not the same person I was back then, and...I don't know if they'd even want me back. Our "creative differences" have probably changed even more now."

 "Why wouldn't they want you back?" Mikan tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with empathy, "You were such an important part of the group, Ibuki..."

"Maybe. But a lot's changed since then. I've changed. And I feel like... like I moved on, y'know?" Ibuki gave a half-hearted shrug, her gaze distant as she stared down at her drink, "I've got a whole different life now. I'm with you, doing my own thing, making music just for fun. Going back to that world feels weird. Like...I already know I won't fit in."

Mikan reached out, placing her hand gently on Ibuki's. 

"It sounds like you're not sure about it either way...but whatever you decide, I'll support you," she said softly, giving Ibuki's hand a reassuring squeeze.

Ibuki looked up at Mikan, her expression softening. 

"Thanks, Mikan. That means a lot," she said, squeezing her hand back, "I guess I just...needed to get that off my chest. It's been bugging me, y'know? But honestly, the idea of going back doesn't feel right. I love the memories, but I don't think I'm the same Ibuki I was back then."

Mikan smiled gently, leaning in closer to rest her head on Ibuki's shoulder. 

"That's okay. People grow and change...but you're still you. And I love you just as you are," she whispered, her warmth and understanding filling the room.

Ibuki let out a deep breath, leaning her head against Mikan's. 

"Thanks, babe. You always know what to say." They sat there together, sipping their drinks, the tension melting away in the quiet comfort of each other's presence. As the warmth of the room settled in deeper, Mikan absentmindedly fanned herself with one hand, her skin glistening with a faint sheen of sweat.

"It's so hot today..." she murmured, shifting uncomfortably, "it feels like it just got even warmer..."

Ibuki's eyes sparkled with playful mischief as she watched her wife. Without a word, she grabbed her half-empty cold drink, grinning slyly. 

"Oh, babe, I've got just the thing to cool you down!" she chirped before swiftly pressing the cold bottle to Mikan's flushed face.

"Eek!" Mikan squealed, flinching at the icy touch against her heated skin, "I-Ibuki!" 

She squirmed away, her face a mix of shock and laughter as she tried to push the bottle away. Ibuki burst into a fit of giggles, enjoying the reaction. 

"What? You said it's hot!" she teased, leaning in closer with a wink, "Just trying to help!"

Mikan's surprise quickly turned into playful determination. 

"Y-You're so mean sometimes!" she huffed, her cheeks still red as she lunged forward, hands darting toward Ibuki's sides, "Take this!"

Ibuki gasped, barely managing to dodge before Mikan's fingers found her sides, tickling her mercilessly. 

"N-No! Ahaha-! Mikan!" she cried, falling backward in a mess of giggles as Mikan's fingers danced across her exposed skin. The two quickly found themselves tangled up on the floor once more, both of them laughing breathlessly.

As Mikan's tickling intensified, Ibuki fought back, reaching out to blow a loud, exaggerated raspberry right on Mikan's exposed belly. The sudden sensation sent a shock through Mikan, and she dissolved into laughter, her body shaking as Ibuki's playful attack caught her off guard.

"I-Ibuki! Nooo!" Mikan giggled uncontrollably, her face flushed as she tried to wriggle away, but Ibuki wasn't letting up.

In retaliation, Mikan shifted tactics, her tickling hands slowing down as she leaned in, placing soft kisses over Ibuki's bare shoulders and collarbone. 

"I'll get you back this way!" she whispered, pressing her lips gently against Ibuki's skin, leaving a trail of kisses along her body. Ibuki's laughter softened, her breath hitching at Mikan's touch. 

"Oh, so that's how it's gonna be, huh?" she teased, though her voice now carried a softer, more affectionate tone. Mikan, blushing but determined, kissed her way down Ibuki's body, every touch light and loving. 

"You deserve it for startling me," she murmured between kisses, her heart fluttering with every tender moment. Ibuki let out a dramatic sigh of surrender, her arms wrapping around Mikan. 

"Fine, fine, you win this round," she whispered, her grin still wide and playful, even as her body relaxed under Mikan's tender affections.

As their playful tussle slowed, the room filled with a calm, comforting warmth that wasn't just from the heat. Ibuki rested her forehead against Mikan's, their breaths mingling as they both came down from their fit of laughter. Her hands gently found Mikan's, fingers intertwining, the familiar spark of affection flickering between them.

"You know...No matter what happens with the band or anything else...I don't really care. As long as I've got you," buki murmured softly, her voice now tender and sincere, her usual upbeat energy softened into something more intimate, "You're my real support, Mikan. Even if the world falls apart again, I know we'll have each other."

Mikan's eyes softened as she gazed into Ibuki's, her heart swelling at the words. She gently squeezed Ibuki's hands in response.

"I feel the same way, Ibuki. I-I'm not very strong on my own, but with you...I know I can handle anything. Even if no one else is there, I'll always be here for you. Always." 

Her voice was quiet but resolute, filled with a deep love that matched Ibuki's. Ibuki smiled, her eyes gleaming with affection as she leaned in closer, her voice barely a whisper. 

"You and me against the world, huh?"

Mikan nodded, her blush deepening as she moved even closer, their noses brushing. 

"Yeah...You and me."

Without another word, their lips met in a slow, tender kiss, the world around them fading into the background. The heat, the worries, and the noise of the day melted away as they lost themselves in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

Their kisses deepened, soft and slow, each one a quiet reminder of the love and support they found in each other. No matter what the future held, no matter what uncertainties lay ahead, they knew they could face it together.

Wrapped in each other's arms, they let the rest of the world slip away, content to simply be together, quietly making out as the day stretched on, with nothing but their love to keep them grounded.