I wrote a brief vignette because HARUKA IS A SAPPY NERD WHO LOVES AND ADORES MICHIRU, END OF STORY.

—

Sometimes, the wind blew just right to steal the air from
Haruka’s lungs, a hard gust from her own element left her heart racing and the
rest of her body frozen in the several seconds she could not draw a breath.

And sometimes, the sight of Michiru left her feeling the
same way.

It wasn’t always, thank god—Haruka would have suffocated
years ago if it was.  But this morning,
the light was just right. It cast the side of Michiru’s face and neck in gold
as she read with her coffee. She curled against the couch arm, legs folded up and
bare toes twitching like a cat’s tail. Her hair, still wild from sleep, had
begun to escape from its ponytail strand by strand. One curled perfectly along
her ear. Haruka could not resist tucking it back and kissing her on the forehead
the moment she regained the ability to move. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Morning, love.” Michiru looked up for a quick kiss on the
lips. Haruka held on a few extra seconds. “Someone’s affectionate today.”

“Mmm.” Haruka sat next to her and rubbed her shoulders. “Sometimes
I’m just struck by how lucky I am.”

“Oh?” Michiru marked her place and set down her book. “How
lucky are you?”

“Well.” Haruka nuzzled her face into her neck. “I’m somehow
married to the most beautiful woman in the world, who I love deeply and who
apparently loves me back.”

Michiru laughed. “You are very lucky indeed. But not nearly
so lucky as me.”

“Michi. Don’t tease.”

“I’m serious, love.” She kissed the top of Haruka’s head. “You
have a beautiful wife who loves you, I concede. But my wife is handsome, and
loyal, and kind. I do believe that there is no one in the world who could top
my luck.”

Haruka smiled and kissed her. “You’re very cute when you get
competitive.”

“Competitive? No, that would imply there’s competition.”

“Don’t worry, no one could ever compare to you.” Haruka
stroked her hair. “Except in luck. I definitely win there.”