Work Text:
It's around 8 in the night when Mafuyu arrives on Mizuki's doorstep.
Her first surprise of the night.
Mafuyu is holding a bag — presumably an overnight bag — and his phone. His hair is cut in a pretty bad way. It's choppy, uneven and cut to his shoulder blades.
"I'm sorry I came so late but... I tried cutting my hair at Kanade's house and apparently it isn't as simple as it looks..." He mumbles out and Mizuki catches herself before they start wheezing. They do giggle a bit though and Mafuyu looks at her with those dull eyes.
"Sorry, sorry! Come on in~!" They chime and usher Mafuyu in her house. "Mom, I have a friend over, we'll be in my room!" She says particularly loudly so their mom can hear. She gets a hum in response and the two walk upstairs. Mizuki leads Mafuyu into their room and they sit on her bed. "So... what were you attempting to do?" They gestured to the mess of hair Mafuyu had created and grimace.
"I was going for a shorter haircut. At first I didn't really mind my hair being long. But now I think I... don't like it? It doesn't feel the same anymore." Mafuyu says in his normal quiet voice while Mizuki grabs her brush and starts to comb Mafuyu's hair. They nod while Mafuyu continues to talk about his hair. "I don't mean to impose, I know I came late but Kanade slept early for the first time and I didn't want to wake her." The pink haired girl smiles hearing Mafuyu talk about Kanade in such a light. He's come so far and Mizuki can't help but be so proud. Sure, he still doesn't properly understand his likes and dislikes but he's come far enough to know about himself. To discover himself. Thinking back on it, Mizuki was the first person he told.
"Mizuki, how did you figure out you were transgender?"
That sure woke them up. Mizuki looks up from where she was lying in the SEKAI and sees Mafuyu. They wholeheartedly laugh and Mafuyu looks at them with a face of small confusion. "Oh, God, I'm sorry I didn't mean to laugh it's just. So out of the blue!" She says between wheezing fits and pats the ground next to them, indicating Mafuyu to sit down with her. "Well, there aren't any right words to explain it but, I've just known. I've known for the longest time that I was different from the other kids and that I loved girly things. In middle school I was bullied for the way I dressed so I suppressed it. Obviously guys can like girly things and all but I just, I just knew it wasn't that way ya know?"
Mafuyu doesn't know. Mafuyu is starting to understand though. So Mizuki continues. "During a call with my sister I started figuring stuff out, she helped me through it all and supported me every step of the way. God, I love her. That's it! There isn't much I can say, and of course every experience is different for every person."
Mafuyu nods and sits there with Mizuki for a while. Silence, but it's a comfortable one. Mizuki doesn't feel like cracking any jokes. It's just soft, unspoken harmony.
Mizuki gets up from their spot and grabs her scissors. She brushes Mafuyu's hair one last time before wetting it and cutting it. The dark purple hair falls softly onto the ground with the sound of each cut. Mafuyu closes her eyes and lets Mizuki fix up his hair. The choppy hair is now slowly becoming even and Mizuki hums a sweet song. Kanade's song. Mafuyu can recognize her melody and composing style, it's one of the few things he truly knows how to feel about. Her songs make him feel warm. That feeling, Mafuyu's starting to realize he feels that with all of them. It's safe with them. Ena's drawings, filled with emotions Mafuyu doesn't know how to express. Kanade's songs, overflowing with that warmth, that feeling... and right here. Right here with Mizuki, in the warmth of their room, with her hands in his hair, humming that lovely song.
"Sorry if my humming is bothering you, I can stop." She mutters quietly, it's uncharacteristic of them...
"No." He replies far too quickly and Mizuki chuckles. "I think I like it..."
"Hmm~" Is the only reply he gets before she continues. The soft bristles of the brush smooth out his hair while the scissors cut cleanly. "All done!" They chime and nudge Mafuyu slightly to wake him up. He groans groggily before taking the mirror handed to him and looking at his new hair. It's... pretty.
"Do I look... handsome?" He asks softly, he keeps feeling his hair and puts his hand through it.
"The most handsome boy ever." Mizuki goes and hugs him. Words don't describe his feelings. "You know, I did all this work, I think I deserve a reward or some payment~"
"Oh, of course. I only have twenty yen right now but I'll get you more-"
"I'm kidding!" She deflates and sighs. "I really can't tease you..."
"Sorry." He replies, Mizuki nods their head and nuzzles into his neck.
"Don't say sorry." Mafuyu stays quiet at that and Mizuki yawns. She lets go of Mafuyu and gets up. "Woo! I'm sleepy, let's go to bed? I'll get a futon, you can sleep on the bed." He nods and lets Mizuki go to do their things. By the time Mizuki gets back Mafuyu is changed into his night clothes. She smiles at him and then brings out the futon. She fluffs up the pillows and then lies down on the futon. "Goodnight, Mafu." They yawn before falling asleep and leave Mafuyu with his thoughts. He might as well sleep since Mizuki is already long gone. Her snores fill the room and are the last thing Mafuyu hears before dozing off too. He feels strange, everything feels so warm...