Night Changes (Macolet au)

By midday, the rain had finally eased, leaving behind a cool, crisp freshness in the air. Maloi opened the window to let the post-rain breeze into the apartment, stretching with a satisfied sigh after their cozy morning together.

Colet, now back in her own neatly pressed outfit, stood by the kitchen counter, looking composed as ever. "The rain's stopped," she said, glancing out the window. "If you're up for it, how about we go grocery shopping? Your fridge could use some restocking."

Maloi laughed, throwing a glance at the mostly empty fridge. "You're not wrong. But you really don't have to. You've already done so much."

Colet gave her a small smile, her eyes warm. "I don't mind. It'll be fun."

Fun wasn't exactly how Maloi would have described grocery shopping, but there was something about the way Colet said it—so calm, yet so sincere—that made her heart skip a beat.

As they strolled through the supermarket later, Maloi found herself oddly enjoying the mundane activity. She pushed the cart, occasionally tossing in snacks she absolutely didn't need, while Colet walked beside her, reading labels and suggesting practical staples.

"You're really serious about this, huh?" Maloi teased as Colet picked out fresh produce with a discerning eye.

"I like to be thorough," Colet replied, glancing at Maloi with an amused expression. "Besides, if I leave it to you, we'd probably leave here with nothing but chips and soda."

Maloi grinned, unapologetic. "Guilty as charged."

They made their way to the checkout, their cart filled with a mix of essentials and Maloi's questionable snack choices. As they waited in line, Maloi found herself stealing glances at Colet. She noticed how the light in the store caught the soft curve of Colet's cheeks, highlighting a faint blush that seemed ever-present.

Before she could think twice, Maloi reached out and gave Colet's cheek a gentle, playful squeeze. "You've got such cute cheeks, you know that?"

Colet froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. Maloi instantly regretted her impulsiveness, her own cheeks flushing. "Sorry! That was... weird. I don't know why I did that."

To her surprise, Colet didn't pull away or seem bothered. Instead, she blinked, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It's fine," Colet said softly, her voice calm as ever. "I don't usually let people invade my personal space, but... I guess I don't mind when it's you."

Maloi stared at her, momentarily speechless. "You... don't mind?"

Colet shook her head, her gaze steady. "No. It's... different with you."

The words hung in the air between them, their weight sinking into Maloi's chest. For someone as reserved and composed as Colet to admit that felt like a monumental thing, and Maloi wasn't sure how to respond.

So, she did what she did best—she laughed, light and carefree, trying to ease the tension. "Well, lucky me, huh?"

Colet's smile widened, just enough to soften her sharp features. "Lucky us."

As they carried the groceries back to Maloi's apartment, the earlier moment lingered in both their minds, unspoken but undeniable. For Maloi, the playful squeeze had been impulsive, but the way Colet reacted—open and unbothered—left her wondering just how much more there was to discover about this fascinating woman.

And for Colet, someone who had spent much of her life keeping people at arm's length, the simple act of letting Maloi in felt both unfamiliar and... right.

Back at Maloi's apartment, the two of them worked together to unload the groceries. Maloi handed items to Colet as she arranged them neatly in the pantry and fridge.

"You really are thorough," Maloi teased, watching as Colet adjusted a jar of peanut butter to align perfectly with the other condiments.

Colet glanced over her shoulder, smirking. "Organized pantry, organized mind."

"Sure, CEO logic," Maloi joked, leaning against the counter as Colet placed the last of the produce in the crisper drawer.

Once everything was in its place, Colet turned to Maloi. "How about I cook us dinner? It's the least I can do after commandeering your kitchen this morning."

Maloi raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Are you trying to show me up in my own home?"

Colet chuckled. "You already said you don't cook much. I'm just making sure you don't starve after I leave."

Maloi laughed, throwing her hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. You win. Let's see what you've got, Chef Vergara."

As Colet moved about the kitchen, Maloi perched on a stool by the counter, watching with growing admiration. There was something mesmerizing about the way Colet worked—efficient, confident, yet completely at ease.

"You really have a thing for cooking, huh?" Maloi asked, resting her chin on her palm.

"It's relaxing," Colet replied, chopping vegetables with precision. "It's one of the few things that doesn't come with deadlines or board meetings."

Maloi tilted her head, smiling softly. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"

Colet glanced at her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "So are you."

The meal Colet prepared was simple but delicious—pasta with a creamy garlic sauce, paired with a fresh salad and crusty bread. They ate at the small dining table, the easy rhythm of their conversation filling the space as the evening light faded into a soft, golden glow.

As they finished, Colet stood to gather the plates, but Maloi stopped her. "Nope, no way," she said, taking the plates from Colet's hands. "You cooked, I'll clean. House rules."

Colet raised her hands in surrender, stepping back. "Fair enough."

Once the dishes were done, Colet grabbed her coat from the back of a chair, signaling it was time for her to leave. Maloi followed her to the door, suddenly reluctant to see her go.

"Thanks for everything today," Maloi said, her voice warm. "I don't usually let people take over my kitchen, but... I didn't mind."

Colet smiled, her gaze softening. "I'm glad."

Before Maloi could say another word, Colet stepped closer and pressed a quick, light kiss to her cheek. "That's a thank you," Maloi said, her voice quiet but filled with sincerity.

Colet blinked, momentarily surprised, but the smile that followed was genuine and warm. "You're welcome," she said softly, her voice lower than usual.

Neither of them moved for a moment, the space between them charged with something unspoken. Finally, Colet opened the door, glancing back at Maloi one last time.

"Goodnight, Maloi."

"Goodnight, Colet."

As the door clicked shut behind her, Maloi leaned against it, her hand pressed to her own cheek where her skin still tingled from the moment.

And as Colet walked to her car, a faint smile lingered on her lips, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.