Work Text:
Junko made a quiet sound of distress as she checked her work in the mirror and found that once again, she hadn't managed to sufficiently hide the stitches running from her hairline to her jaw. It was her third try today alone, never mind all the practice she'd had before this, she was running out of time to get it right.
On the other end of the room, Ai put down the brush and peered at her own reflection in the mirror, pleased with the results. Her face looked no different from the times Kotaro did her makeup. She surveyed the rest of the room, noting how the others were making good time. There were Saki and Tae, of course, but they had help.
“Tae-chan! You can’t eat that!”
“Rraarggh!”
“Saki-chan, stop moving!”
“You’re taking so long my ass’s getting itchy!”
She sighed. Nope, she wasn’t going to get involved. Raising her blood pressure before a performance would be unwise—if it mattered to zombies anyway. Her gaze landed on an oddly quiet presence in the far corner and through the mirror’s reflection, she spotted a face that still bore patches of blue and gray.
“Junko, what are you doing?” She came to a stop behind the girl in question. “Kotaro will be here soon.”
Junko shrank in on herself. "I'm sorry, Ai-san. I'll try again."
Ai took one glance at the smudged foundation on the stitches across Junko’s face and figured out the problem. “It’s not going to work if your technique is wrong. How many times have you tried?”
Junko blushed even through the patchy makeup. "Um…three," she mumbled, barely audible.
"You know you can ask for help, right?"
"How can I, when I can't even do something so simple?" Junko said unhappily. "I'm supposed to be a veteran idol but I can't even do my own makeup. Even Lily could do better than this mess."
“Well, Lily’s Lily. She doesn’t have stitches running across her face. And what has being a veteran idol got to do with this? You aren’t good at makeup, that’s all. Nothing to be ashamed of.” Ai leaned over Junko, straining her fingers to reach the tub of greasepaint on the table. “Pass that over.”
Junko blushed at Ai's sudden proximity, handing over the makeup. "You're really good at this, though. I should be able to do at least this much."
“I didn’t become good overnight, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Ai dipped the pointy end of a sponge into the greasepaint and lifted Junko’s chin with her free hand. She studied the stitches, taking into account the different skin tones on each side. It wouldn’t be too different from concealing her own blotchy scars. “And if anyone’s to blame, it’s Kotaro. Did he really think that giving us a crash course on special effects makeup would make us experts?”
Junko's blush brightened at the gentle touch and intense scrutiny. "I have a job as an artist, you'd think I could do better. I just can't seem to hide the s-scars," she stumbled a little over the word.
Ai paused, her hand hovering over Junko’s forehead where the stitches began. They split her face into two distinct parts and formed a ghastly sight if she had to be objective, but objectivity had no part to play in how she viewed her. She pressed the sponge down and applied the makeup in a light dabbing motion. “You know, back when Iron Frill debuted, we had to do everything on our own, including makeup and promotional fliers.” She topped up the greasepaint and continued onto the gentle bump that was Junko’s nose bridge, trying not to be distracted by the light breaths on her face.
"Ah, I see. I was...well, I suppose I must say I was spoiled. My parents were wealthy and had a lot of influence in the entertainment industry, so everything was professionally done from the very beginning," Junko murmured, her smile rueful as she added, "Including makeup."
“That explains a lot,” Ai said, her eyes drifting over the deepening pink on Junko’s cheeks. “All the more reason you shouldn’t feel bad. Our circumstances were different. My teammates and I experimented on each other and there were times when we overdid our makeup. You know those red-faced snow monkeys? We looked like them at our very first performance.” She chuckled. “That must have been unacceptable in your time, right?”
Junko laughed softly. "I wouldn't have gotten very far looking like that, no. There was a lot more pressure to be perfect, then - but it was easier, too, to maintain that image."
“I’ll bet.” Ai laughed along. “We were so clueless, you have no idea how many embarrassing incidents we had to endure to get our name out there but it was all worth it. You know why?”
"Why is that, Ai-san?" Junko looked up at her, her wide eyes the soft blue of her contacts.
Ai faltered, forgetting what she’d wanted to say. Junko’s innocent, trusting gaze was nothing short of an arrow to her heart. She gulped, her voice no longer hers. The sponge slipped from her grip, disappearing somewhere under the table.
Junko's brows drew together in worry. "Ai-san? Is something wrong?"
“Yes—no, I mean, everything’s fine!” Ai’s mouth twitched. She grabbed another sponge and swiped some greasepaint a tad too aggressively, trying—and failing—to ignore the slamming of her heart against her chest. “I’m gonna do your cheek next, ’kay?”
"Oh. Okay," Junko said, confused. She turned her face obligingly, glancing at Ai sidelong beneath her lashes.
Ai willed her hand to move, dabbing cautiously on Junko’s cheek, filling in the tiny creases. No thinking about how criminally soft she felt or how mesmerizing her long lashes were. “As I was saying,” Ai sucked in a breath, “we, I mean, Iron Frill, fumbled a lot in the beginning. I'd lost count of the number of times we’d cried and yelled at each other but it was all part of growing as a group. We weren’t perfect, not like you—the idols of your time, but we learned and bonded over our mistakes. It was crazy, but a good kind of crazy.” Her hand slowed down as a wistful smile took over her expression.
"It sounds lovely," Junko smiled softly. "I'm glad you had such good friends that you could grow as idols together. I never thought a group could be like that, back when I was alive."
Ai cleared her throat, not trusting herself to stare at Junko’s lips for longer than a second—or two or three. “Yeah, those were some great times. I wouldn’t have traded them for the world,” she blurted.
Junko's smile faded away, her eyes becoming distant. "I imagine so."
The butterflies in Ai’s gut froze over. “Junko?”
"We had best hurry, Tatsumi-san will be here soon. I can finish up if you need to keep getting ready," Junko smiled, but it didn't touch her eyes.
“No.” Ai moved the sponge out of Junko’s reach. “I’m here to help so I’m not going anywhere till I’m done with you. It won’t take long, trust me.”
For a moment it looked like Junko might protest, but then she settled back down without saying anything.
Ai watched her for a while before resuming the makeup application. Covering up the last stitch on Junko’s jaw, she swapped the sponge for a powder puff. “Close your eyes. I’m going to set the greasepaint.”
Junko nodded and did as Ai asked. Quietly, she asked, "When we are not in a hurry, could you teach me?"
“Of course.” Ai smiled even though Junko couldn’t see her.
Junko seemed to relax a little at that, as if an olive branch had been extended and accepted.
Ai finished up the rest of the makeup process in silence and just in time too, because Kotaro had busted in with his usual pompous and grating energy, riling up Saki who sounded all too ready to whoop his ass. She wished she had a bit more time with Junko though; there was a gnawing feeling in her stomach that she couldn’t ignore.
Junko watched Saki yell at Kotarou, looking amused. "Well," she told Ai, "let's go be idols."
“Yeah, let’s.”
What a night. The performance at Geils had been an absolute blast. The group had truly stepped up their game and even more so after their revenge concert at EFS. Ai couldn’t be any prouder of the girls. Granted, they’d probably never stop being prone to major bad luck and close calls but as Yugiri had rightly put it, it was very Franchouchou-like. Ai sighed as she leaned against the wooden railing, taking comfort in the cool night breeze, unable to shake off the feelings of nostalgia.
And the pinch in her heart from her conversation with Junko.
Behind her, the door creaked open and there, peeking hesitantly around the edge of it, was the object of her thoughts. "Ai-san? Would it be okay if I joined you? That is, unless you want to be alone," Junko mumbled.
“Oh h-hey, Junko. Yeah, sure.” Ai scooted a little to the left, making space for her.
Junko joined her at the railing, looking up at the night sky for a long moment before speaking. "I owe you an apology."
Ai raised a brow. “Apology? What for?”
"It's a good thing that you had friends, that you were happy. I can't even imagine how special it was to you, being a part of Iron Frill. I know you must miss it, we all miss the lives we had, the loved ones we left behind. I should be happy for you that you had it, and sad along with you that you lost it, like a good friend. Instead I let my feelings get the better of me and made them your problem, when I should have dealt with them on my own. So, I'm sorry, Ai-san. I'll do better next time."
Ai took a breath and looked up at the same starless sky, letting the words sink in. “You’re right, I miss them, I really do. I often wonder how they are, what they are doing, and if we’d still be together if I hadn’t… died. Had I ruined their careers, their lives?” She gripped the railing a little harder. “They’re somewhere out there and I can only hope they’re doing alright. They should be, they have to be. We weren’t called Iron Frill for nothing, right?”
Junko put an arm around Ai's shoulders. "You didn't ruin anything, I'm sure they healed and found good lives. If you're worried, could we look for them on the computer? Does the internet have things like that?"
It was hard not to smile at Junko's attempt to cheer her up. "That might work, to just see how they are, though there's nothing else I can do. Not like I can tell them I'm back," Ai said with a light laugh.
"I know," Junko said gently. "I can't change that, but I can listen, if you want to talk about them."
"Maybe when we crash Kotaro's study. You'll go with me, right?"
"Of course," Junko nodded. "Whenever you like."
"Thanks." Ai smiled, relaxing her hold on the railing, then squeezing it again. "I could also help you look up your loved ones, if you want, that is."
Junko's smile was soft and sad. "Thank you, but I don't think I'd like what I'd find. I appreciate the offer though."
Ai blinked. "But your friends should be still around, no? Probably grannies but—you aren't that old!"
"Thanks, I think," Junko said dryly. "I never had a lot of friends my own age, though. All of my time went into becoming an idol - I was even home-schooled. I had no siblings, no classmates, no neighborhood playmates. I met other idols my age, but they weren't interested in being friends, they considered themselves my rivals. The people I spent most of my time with were colleagues. My producer, my makeup and wardrobe artists, my voice and instrument coaches. People my parents' age. I suppose it's not impossible that someone might be alive today, but I know what I'd find if I started looking, and like you say, it's not like it would matter anyway." She shook her head. "There's no one left. Better to simply accept it and put it out of my mind, right?"
Ai's throat made a strangled noise. Of all the insensitive, brainless things she could have said. The comforting arm around her shoulders was long gone, leaving a cold, lonely void in its wake. Junko looked small, too small.
"I..." Ai clenched her fist, the bandages straining against her knuckles. Then she lunged forward, pulling Junko into her arms.
"A-Ai-san?" Junko squeaked, startled. But when Ai didn't let go, Junko gave a soft sigh and rested her head against Ai's shoulder, relaxing.
"I'm sorry, I should've known." Ai drew Junko closer. "If I had used my brain a little more... I'm sorry I made you think of that. I didn't mean to."
"You couldn't have known," Junko protested, nestling into Ai's embrace. "Like you said, anyone my age would still be alive, and of course you would assume I had friends my own age. Anyone would."
Ai rested her cheek against Junko's soft hair, taking in the scent of the cheap, but not entirely awful, shampoo Kotaro provided them. "You've got us. We're your age, kinda, in the least logical way anyone can imagine, but we're here," she said.
"I'm so glad you are," Junko said softly. "At first I didn't know if I could be part of a group, but now I can't imagine being alone again. I couldn't have done this without you. Any of this."
"Have you forgotten that you were the one who backed me up at Saga Rock?" Ai chuckled.
Junko blushed, shrugging awkwardly. "It was the least I could do, especially after I caused you and everyone so much trouble. And you were so brave to get on stage and perform, given the circumstances. I wouldn't be able to so much as set foot in an airport, never mind board a plane."
"I'm just stubborn." Ai squeezed a fraction tighter, beginning to lose herself in the way Junko's body melted into hers. Soft. Delicate. Trusting. It was addictive. "We'll take the bullet train if we have to travel far. No planes. Saki and I will make sure of that," she added, her voice nothing more than a tender whisper.
Junko's arms wrapped around Ai and hugged fiercely. It took her a moment to speak, and when she did her voice was uneven and thick with emotion. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it. I love you."
…
Well, shit. That was not supposed to slip out. Blood pumped loudly in Ai's ears and her throat dried up like Saga's famous dried squid. She went deathly still, all the headiness from hugging Junko gone in an instant.
But Junko didn't pull away or tense up, still resting quietly in Ai's arms, giving rise to a wild, treacherous hope.
Then Junko smiled sweetly and kissed Ai's cheek. "I love you too, Ai-chan. You're the best friend I could ever hope to have."
The gentle smack resounded in Ai's head but it was nothing compared to the shattering of her heart. Her hands clamped down on Junko's shoulders, gripping them like her life depended on it. She stared into eyes as red as hers, but so much softer and brimming with pure, untainted innocence almost to the point of naivety.
"No... not like that."
Junko's expression shifted to uncertainty, shadowed faintly with hurt. "Oh. I see. I apologize if I assumed too much of our friendship."
Ai shook her head. “Junko... you idiot...”
Junko frowned at Ai, pouting like a sulky kitten. "That's not a nice thing to say."
It took all of Ai not to scream. “You just don’t get it, do you?”
Junko pulled away, folding her arms over her chest. "I know there are a lot of things I don't get. I'm old-fashioned, I'm out of touch, I don't understand the modern world - you think I don't know that? I'm reminded every day! You don't have to rub it in my face."
Ai refused to let go of Junko, hands firmly on her shoulders still. “Right. You don’t understand that. You’re old-fashioned. You’re out of touch. But you have to understand this!” Throwing all inhibitions to the wind, she slammed her lips against Junko’s.
Junko gave another startled little squeak, her eyes wide and her face going red. She didn't return the kiss, but neither did she pull away.
Ai was the one to pull back, albeit slightly. “This. I meant this.”
Junko stared at Ai, her hand going to her lips unconsciously. "M-my first kiss…" she stammered.
“First… kiss...?”
"You…that was…I mean…you kissed me! My first kiss!"
Ai gulped, inching back. “I... I had to! You weren’t getting it!”
"Is that how courting works these days?" Junko frowned skeptically. "Girls just go up to other girls and grab them for a kiss?"
“No! Of course not!” Ai all but threw up her hands. “You aren’t ‘other girls’. You... I like you, okay? A lot. And I… I want you to be my girlfriend.”
Junko blushed. "Is…is that…something people do, now? Openly? Tatsumi-san said that things that would have been the scandal of a lifetime in my day now happen every day and no one much cares." She pulled one of her hair tails over her shoulder, playing with it anxiously.
“Well, people still care if idols get into relationships but no one would know if we’re careful. And what could be a bigger secret than us being zombies?” Ai took Junko’s hands into hers, rubbing them gently and noting how each was a different color. “Look, we’ve already died once. I don’t want to miss out on the important things again. I don’t want to have any more regrets. I love you, Junko. I want to be with you as long as we’re still breathing. So,” she looked into Junko’s eyes, “will you be my girlfriend?”
Junko's blush deepened, but she squeezed Ai's hands. "I've never been anyone's girlfriend," she admitted softly. "I feel like I might not be very good at it, and I'm not sure why you would want a girlfriend like me. I've never even thought about being with another woman." She bowed her head, looking up at Ai through her long pale lashes. "But being your girlfriend…I don't hate the idea."
Ai could hardly contain her smile. "Because I feel things that I’ve never felt before whenever I’m with you. I’m happy when you’re happy. And when you’re sad, I don’t know why but it hurts—a lot. I just… don’t like seeing you sad. Of course, you’re really cute too, and yes, old-fashioned, but that’s part of your charm and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She raised Junko's hands and placed them over her chest, taking in a deep breath. "It's okay if you don't have experience, I don't either. But would you give us a chance, and give me the chance to stay by your side through the good and bad times, to take care of you and make you smile?"
Junko smiled, soft and shy and sweet, and to Ai it felt like seeing a sunrise. "I'd like that. I really would."
"R-really?"
Junko's smile turned playful. "Well, you did steal my first kiss. It's only right that you take responsibility."
"Ah, right... Of course." Ai scratched her cheek sheepishly. Her eyes darted around before focusing back on Junko. "Does that mean I can kiss you again?"
Junko nodded, turning a charming shade of pink. "Please be gentle with me."
"Y-yes," Ai very nearly choked. She rested her hands on Junko's arms, pulling herself in and hoping that Junko wouldn't notice her trembling. "Close your eyes."
Junko did as Ai asked, her long lashes brushing her cheeks. Her lips were just slightly parted, soft and waiting.
Ai swallowed. She had to make up for that god-awful attempt of a first kiss—if it could even be considered one. Her gaze roamed to the stitches to the side of Junko's lips, calling to mind how they had felt under her touch. A little bumpy, a little stiff, but they were all her. This was the girl she'd come to know and love, and she adored every part, down to the tiny creases where two pieces of mismatched skin met. When she was a breath away, Ai closed her eyes and pressed her lips upon Junko's, gently, tenderly, as though she were handling a precious newborn or the world's most delicate treasure.
Junko made a soft sound, a barely audible sigh as she let go of the breath she'd been holding. She reached up to cradle Ai's face in her hand.
Ai smiled into the kiss, leaning into Junko's palm. She moved her lips lightly, savoring every inch of softness and giving Junko time to ease into the moment. Junko was as sweet as she'd imagined.
Junko's other arm wrapped around Ai's waist as slowly, shyly, Junko began returning the kiss.
Ai matched Junko's rhythm, and slipped her hands to her waist. Through the thin fabric, she felt every curve of her slender body, from the sides to the back, yearning to conquer every reachable spot. Her head swam. She was drunk on her mellow sweetness, the little cute sounds she was making, and the way their bodies melded together.
Junko broke the kiss eventually, breathless. She rested her head on Ai's shoulder and hugged her close. "This kiss was much nicer," she admitted softly.
Ai nuzzled her hair. "I'm glad. Sorry, I got a bit carried away," she whispered, catching her own breath.
Junko giggled. "You're apologizing for this kiss but not the other one?"
Ai whimpered.
Junko laughed and kissed her cheek. "You're blushing. It's cute."
Ai buried her face in Junko's hair, mumbling, "I'm sorry..."
Junko blinked, her smile changing to a worried look, and she hugged Ai tightly. "Ai-chan, it's okay, I was just teasing, please don't be upset. I'm sorry to make fun."
"Can we forget that that happened? It's… embarrassing."
"It's already forgotten," Junko promised, kissing her cheek.
"Thanks." Ai flashed a grateful smile. "You've been kissing my cheek a lot. I think I could get used to this." She planted one on Junko to make her point.
"Isn't it proper for a girlfriend to be affectionate?" Junko asked uncertainly.
"I have no complaints." Ai pressed another kiss on Junko's forehead. "Say, do you want to sleep together tonight?"
Junko blushed. "Is that really all right?"
"Why not? Are you worried about the rest?"
"I don't think the others will be rude. But what if Tatsumi-san objects?"
"I'll kick his butt if he does," Ai assured. "It's not like we're dating someone outside the group."
"I'd almost like to see that," Junko chuckled.
"I'd love to do it." Ai grinned. She held Junko's hand. "Let's head back?"
Junko squeezed Ai's hand, then brought it to her lips and kissed it. "Yes, let's."
Ai blushed a little, and led Junko back to their sleeping area. All was dark and quiet except for Saki's loud snoring. She headed for her futon, taking care not to step on any stray limbs along the way, and crawled under the duvet. Holding it up for Junko, she patted the empty spot beside her and gave an inviting smile.
Junko smiled sweetly and slipped in beside Ai, wrapping her arms around her and resting her head on Ai's shoulder.
Ai draped an arm over her. "Don't worry about explaining to the rest tomorrow. I'll take care of it," she promised and kissed her hair. "Sleep tight. I love you."
"You're so good to me," Junko smiled sweetly. "Can I have a good night kiss?"
"Of course." Ai leaned down and captured Junko's lips in a soft, loving kiss, sighing when they parted. "I think I'm addicted to this."
"That doesn't sound like a bad thing to me," Junko murmured, stealing another kiss.
“That’s good to know.” Ai smiled, nuzzling Junko’s nose.
Junko wrinkled her nose cutely, giggling. "I think I'm really going to like being your girlfriend," she murmured, settling against Ai with a kittenish yawn.
“Me too, Junko, me too.” Ai rubbed small circles on Junko's back while stifling a yawn of her own. “Goodnight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
"Good night," Junko murmured, her expression soft and adoring.
Ai closed her eyes, snuggling closer, as she fell asleep to the soothing breaths on her neck.
Barely awake herself, Junko murmured contentedly, feeling safe and loved as she followed Ai into sleep.