Beside You || Mifune x Reader

The long-anticipated night finally fell over the world. With Angela fast asleep and Mifune no longer on high alert for anything that might pass by, I can sneak away into the forest and chase after excitement and possibility. The exact time I leave has been pushed forward more and more every time I sneak away. If only to spend a few more minutes with Mike. I want to remember him, and to possibly leave a memory of me. He has his own life to get back to, and I have mine. But I want to see him again regardless. Maybe he could come visit me again, he did say he likes to travel.

Despite the cold weather, I want to wear something a little flashy. I want Mike to notice me. And maybe if I get cold he would pull me close to him or lend me his jacket. It may not be a clever trick, but it is worth a try. I have never done anything like this before. It is all so new and I have no idea what the best way is to make sure he is interested in me.

I could use my magic, but that would feel so wrong. Authenticity is important. If I put my best foot forward then something would have to come from that. Right? I need it to be real. No magic can interfere with this. Especially since he is a human. It would not be fair to either of us. Plus, it makes all this effort so much more rewarding.

I am pretty sure he is interested anyway. The way he nudges my shoulder when he cracks a joke and looks at me to make sure I am laughing. Or the way he always chimes in and find a way to relate to what I am saying. He has given me so many signs that he likes me. And tonight is the night that I might be able to finally get him to tell me that. Because I want him to know that I like him too.

Thoughts of Mike flood my brain. I can picture the two of us together around the fire. Ideally, everybody else would be asleep in their own tents while we stay up late. I would be looking up at the stars, but he distracts me by pulling me close to him and wrapping a blanket around the two of us. That would be the perfect time for us to reveal our feelings for each other.

I get so lost in my daydream I forget my surroundings. What pulls me back into reality is a hand on my shoulder. My jaw drops from a smile into a look of horror. Before I can even turn around I know who it is. A chill runs down my spine.

It was too risky. I should have waited an extra half hour before leaving. Now I am caught before I can have what could be either the last night I see Mike or the start of something new and wild with him.

"What are you doing?" He asks simply. I turn around and take a few steps back so that his hand falls from my shoulder. We stare at each other for a moment. His gaze is piercing, daring me to answer his question. I only hope I give a similar look back, that I will not back down from him.

"I was going to take a walk. Get some fresh air."

"Then you wouldn't mind me joining you." He takes a few steps forward. I have to crane my neck to look up at him. Smart man. But of course, I already knew that. His intuition is unlike anything I have seen before. And while normally I would not mind taking him up on the offer, this is the worst possible time he could ask.

"I was hoping to have a moment alone, actually. Besides, you should stay here in case Angela needs anything." I have been able to lie my way out of some conversations with Mifune before. Especially using Angela as an excuse. Albeit they were much smaller, insignificant conversations. Like trying to hide that I had a bad day. And in the end I always did end up talking to him about what had been bothering me. Even if it took a day or two. He has always been there for when I was ready to open up.

Mifune falls silent. Yet neither of us move. I get the sinking feeling that he knows I am lying. He always does. And he only confirms that with what he says next.

"You've been acting.. different, lately. And I assume that this has something to do with it." He sounds curious. And almost hurt by his conclusion. I brush away the idea of using my magic to find out and instead focus more on how I can frame this in a positive way. I am not sure how differently I have been acting and what he has noticed, so I need to play it safe.