when they held each other for the first time, it seemed like forever. M. picked Saka up from the train and after a short and shy "Hi" they almost automatically slipped their arms around each other. And this way they stood their for what seemed like hours. Other people hurried passed them to the train or out of the station, but they didn't move at all. Eventually, Saka pulled up their head from M.'s chest and asked "Shall we?" and M. just nodded.

Silently they walked to the bus stop, both of them processing that this was real, looking towards each other every now and then to make sure, breaking into sudden smiles behind their respirators.

In the bus they catched two seats next to each other and after a few moments, Saka asked "Can I lay in your lap?" and M. nodded again. Almost absent mindedly they caressed each other lightly until M. said: "Next stop is ours"

It was only a short way to M.'s place. Saka hesitantly stood by the door, looking around as if they were to consume every detail.

M. with a smile said: "You must be exhausted. Come on, take a seat" and they gestured towards the couch and the bed, suggesting that Saka had free choice.

They climbed on the couch, but couldn't really relax.

M., who had started making tea, registered Saka's tension and asked softly "What's the matter, everything too much?"

Saka just nodded.

"Can I do something? You need a moment alone?"

Saka looked undecided.

"You know what? I'm going on the balcony for a few minutes and then you'll see if it helps, ok?"

M. stood outside, repeating in their head over and over again the words "They're here they're really here!" and smiled lightly, when they heard the door.

Before they could turn around, Saka hugged them from behind, whispering "Thank you"

M. softly stroked their hand.

"You're welcome. Shall we go back inside? I'm starting to get cold"

M. continued to make tea - the water had been boiling by now, while Saka sat on the couch again, now much more calm. M. put the kettle and two cups on the coffee table and sat across Saka on the floor.

For a while they remained silent, then Saka jumped up saying "Oh, I totally forgot, I got you something!" and they started to rummage in their backpack.

M. watched interested and took a first sip from the tea.

"Close your eyes!" Saka said as they found what they were looking for.

M. grinned and closed their eyes.

"Open them!"

A few centimeters from M.'s eyes was a piece of fabric with something printed on. They needed a moment to recognize that it was a shirt of their favorite band Gendermoth.

They took it from Saka's hands and yelled "Wow, thank you!" M. took a closer look.

"That is not one of their usual designs"

Saka smiled wide and said "No, it's a special edition they only sell offline and in F. is one of the stores that has them"

M. hugged Saka's leg and said "Thank you so much!"

M. stood up, took the shirt to the bathroom and came a few moments later back with the shirt on.

"Fits perfectly!"

Then they became quiet.

"Now I feel bad because I didn't thought of getting you anything"

"No need to, I'm happy just being here"

M. smiled again and they hugged for a while again. M. whispered "I'm also very happy that you're here"

Saka looked up and said "Do you want to kiss me?"

"Yes"

They pulled M. onto the couch so that they hadn't to stand for so long. Then they slowly neared their lips until they touched. And they wouldn't part for a long time.