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Rapi had to admit she wasn't happy with her own passivity. No, she hadn't been failing in her duties as a Nikke, a girlfriend, or an executive officer. Honestly, she felt she was a failure because she hadn't shared his bed since the first time! Not like that, you perverts!
Ever since she had used her Darling For a Day pass, she hadn't spent the entire night with him. Whether that was the chaotic nature of everyone else keeping him away all night, her own busy schedule and collapsing for rest in her room instead of making it to his, or the simple fact that they were out on the surface for missions and dispatches made it near impossible for them to just have a chance to rest together.
So, she resolved herself to solve that. Tonight, after their meeting at the Central Government headquarters, she would do it! She would spend the night; no special coupons, strange favors, or excessive exhaustion needed! Rapi pulled out the special set of pajamas she had bought last week in preparation. Rupee's fashion advice, Dolla's strict customization, and Yan's business sense combined into the perfect clothing for her quest! She just needed to make sure it wouldn't be too embarrassing after the bikini incident earlier this year.
She tried them on, the light fabric of the teddy-like top and incredibly soft linen-cotton blend shorts feeling great on her skin. Honestly, she could see why people put so much effort into some of their wardrobes if it meant wearing things like this. The pink jacket was loose and warm enough to make up for its thinness. Plus it matched the pink of her shorts well.
She started to unwrap the “special gift” the shop clerk had given her with the clothes. It was a shrink-wrapped package, its innards hidden by a black outer layer. It wasn't hard to open, if anything it wanted to explode open once she pierced the wrapper.
She wasn't quite sure what to make of it once the item unshrunk itself. It was a pillow, colored a pale off-white (maybe eggshell?) and it looked soft. She picked up and gave it a squeeze, letting her light jacket slip off a bit as she did. It was quite soft to the touch, and she couldn't help but pause to enjoy the feel of it easily bringing thoughts of rest and relaxation to her mind. She could feel something embroidered on the other side, but she didn't bother to look at the moment.
“Hey Rapi, what's taking you so lo-” Anis's voice started and then stopped, making Rapi aware of how much time she had just been standing there in her new pajamas. Her cheeks warmed and flushed, an uncharacteristic amount of embarrassment being caught doing something so girlish and vulnerable filling her. Of all people, Anis had seen her doing something like this!
“Hey Anis! Where did-” Neon's voice, normally bombastic enough to warn of her approach. Instead, she somehow managed to only be heard when she appeared next to Anis, both of them looking at Rapi with what she could only describe as concerned confusion.
“Well?” Rapi decided to push herself and be bold, asking for feedback. She watched as Anis and Neon became serious and analytical, probably running through a whole simulation in their minds.
Anis spoke first. “It's very cute. The colors are nice with your new look. But how's the actual fabric feel? Not too flimsy?” A friendly smile graced the former idols face.
“I think you would catch Master's attention in anything you wear.” Neon chimed in. “So, what's the occasion?”
“I… I just wanted to feel a bit more confident here at the Outpost. I don't want to lose track of what we have because of all the missions and…” Rapi let herself go quiet. She rarely expressed her fears, much less spoke about them plainly.
Anis looked concerned and put her hand on Rapi's shoulder. “Don't. If anything, I think he's throwing himself so heavily into stuff because he wants to give us the chance to not be fighting every day of our lives. Heck, once we are packed up and moved to the Rec site, I imagine he's going to…” Anis wiggled her eyebrows, drawing a short burst of laughter from the redhead.
Neon brought a finger to her chin in thought. “Now that you mention it, isn't Master supposed to be picking you up for a meeting down in the Ark soon?”
The panic was immediate. Rapi checked the time, 12 past 10 and the meeting was at 1. Which meant, he should be…
“Good morning everyone!” His voice made them all jump and turn.
The Commander of the Counters Squad, the apple of the Ark's eye, and Rapi's boyfriend. He walked up, uniform neat and proper. She needed to change, quick! He couldn't see her like this!
It took less than a second to push Anis and Neon out of her doorway, slam the door shut and race to her closet.
She barely had a sleeve off her arm before a gentle knock on her door froze her motion. She took a second to steady her voice replying.
“Yes, Commander? I'm still getting ready.” She hoped it sounded as neutral as she believed it did. Why did having feelings for him complicate her ability to think?
“The meeting was cancelled.” His voice cut through her confused thoughts. “We have the rest of today and the weekend to ourselves.”
She stopped and considered her next choice. This was her moment. A chance that she couldn’t have foreseen!
She pulled the pillow close to her chest, not fully realizing she hadn’t dropped it in her panicked state.
“Rapi?” He called out, and she opened the door.
His facial expression made all her fears melt away.
She couldn’t help but smile to herself, confidence filling her chest with bravado.
“Like what you see?”
“Yes.” Blunt, honest, and she could tell he was barely containing himself.
“How about we spend the long weekend in your room?” She gave him a quick wink and side-smile. “Pajamas only.”
She didn’t have time to react as he swooped in, grabbing her in a princess carry, and half-sprinting to the Commander’s Quarters.
She was set on his bed with grace, only for them to lose composure as he kissed her.
Senses beyond lips were erased, time meant nothing.
************************************
The next morning….
Rapi rubbed the sleep from her eyes, sensing the warm form of her boyfriend pressed into the mattress next to her. He was awake, and starting with that adoring, love-filled look she enjoyed seeing.
“Good morning.” She said with a sleepy smile. They had the day off, and she didn’t want to leave anyways.
He smiled, a soft expression filled with tenderness. “Good morning. And happy Valentine’s Day.”