Akira has never been good at gift-giving. She's heard it's the thought that counts, that loved ones are just happy that the people they care about thought of them, but all of that never quite seemed right to her. To make matters harder, when acquaintances heard that she had nothing particularly special planned for Valentine's Day, they insisted that it was the doom of her relationship with her girlfriend. If they'd only been together for a few months, they argued, it was too soon to consider the holiday just some artificial, Hallmark Holiday, and just spending the evening together wasn't enough. Slowly she began to wonder if they were right. Miyuki hadn't said anything about the holiday, but was she expecting her to do something? She quickly made her way to the grocery store on the day of, feeling a knot forming in her stomach. It only got worse as she saw how picked-through the shelves were. A tension she hadn't felt growing in her chest lifted when she was able to get the last bouquet of roses, and picked through the boxes to find a set of candies she thought her lover would like. She...preferred dark chocolate, right? It was getting late, they'd have to do. She drove to Miyuki's apartment and rang her doorbell. She felt her anxiety mounting as she waited. What if Miyuki didn't like it? What if she thought it was just token and insulting? A wan smile graced her face as she paused, realizing how much this was working her up when her job in law enforcement hardly ever made her lose her cool. The door swung open and the red pandaren beamed at her.

"Happy Val-" Akira's words were cut off as Miyuki flung herself at her, wrapping her arms around her neck and pressing their lips together. The kiss broke, and both smiled giddily at each other. "Happy Valentine's Day," Akira said again, much quieter, voice purring in contentment. She held up her hands, presenting the gifts. "I got these for you!"

Miyuki's grin widened. "You didn't have to get these for me, you know," she said, taking them from Akira, "But I'm glad you did." She looked down. "Ooo...dark chocolate, thank you!" She took her love by the hand and pulled her inside, placing the gifts on the small table beside the door and locking up behind them. They drifted over to the couch and sat down, Miyuki pinning her against the armrest. She slid her arms around her and brought her mouth close to Akira's ear. "But you know," she whispered huskily, "All I really wanted was you." They kissed again, slowly, taking the time to savor each other, their scent, the soft warmth of their fur, downy and silky for Miyuki, dense and shaggy for Akira.

A sharp whistling began to call from the kitchen, a kettle boiling. Miyuki groaned as she reluctantly pulled herself away. "Well, I suppose we should settle in for the evening. Tea will be ready soon. Green and plain good for you?"
"Oh, that'd be great!"

Akira finally relaxed as Miyuki rounded the corner, intentionally giving a little shimmy of her hips with a smirk just before she went out of sight, a taste of what they no doubt would be sharing later that night. So it was true, she'd gotten worried over nothing. Still, a margin of her apprehension remained, a thought brewing in her head. Miyuki returned with a small tray, holding a steaming pot and two cups, and placed it on the adjacent table.

"Hey...Miyuki?"
"Hmm?" She had busied herself with the cups and saucers and didn't notice that Akira had chewed her lip nervously.
Akira reached out, taking one of Miyuki's hands and holding it in her own. "I...I just wanted to say that being with you has just been...just the greatest thing in my life, and–oh, I'm not good at this. Ah..." She looked at Miyuki, her shimmering verdant eyes curious and patient, silently urging Akira to continue. "I...I love you. I never thought I'd find someone that moved me this much." Miyuki placed her other hand on Akira's, and Akira's other joined the pile. She tried to smile, but it showed how tense she was.

Miyuki leaned in slowly and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Akira, you don't need to be so nervous. I love you, too." They both gripped each other's hands tighter. A tear fell from Miyuki's eye. "Like I said, I don't want flowers, just you." She slid up next to Akira. "Just you, my sweet little bear."

They rested their heads together for a moment, both processing the intense emotions they were feeling. Miyuki recovered first, looking down at Akira with glistening eyes. She put an arm around her, and she saw those deep, brown eyes, so easy to lose herself in, look back up at her. "Happy Valentine's Day, Akira."

Art by Pandsky
Akira and Miyuki (not pictured) © HelzimGiger