Work Text:
As empty space dissipates around them, the gang find themselves back in the library just as the school bell rings.
“Dude, being popular is way more important than looks”, Aira taps her foot impatiently as Jiji hops around her. “You only feel that way because I’m the hottest guy in the room,” Jiji replied, sticking his tongue out with a pout and waving his arms. It appeared as if he was using his erratic movements as a form of stimming.
The noise of the two pink-haired doofuses faded into the background as Momo, cradled in Okarun’s palm, was once again caught up by how gentle his gaze was on her. Even with their eyes locked, it did not escape notice of how they share the same dusting of blush across their cheeks.
The pair are briefly startled as Vamola approaches, looking concerned, "Momo, I am heading back to Granny Seiko's, do you wish for me to take you home as well?"
"Actually," Momo's quick response caught Ken by surprise, "Okarun is gonna help me catch up on what I missed in class today. I'm sure he wouldn't mind taking me home later- after all, it's not like I can work the cafe like this," She gestures to her current stature of 3.5 inches.
Ken was taken aback, it wasn't strange for Miss Ayase to come up with white lies on the spot- she was really good at it. There was no such study to catch up on, but she was right about her job.
Ken straightened himself up, squaring his shoulders as he resolved. If Ayase needed a bit of extra hang out time with him, who was he to protest?
"Uh, y-yeah. It's not good if we let her grades slip when she's in this condition", Ken conceded before Momo's voice raised to cut him off," Hey! What is that supposed to mean?! Grrr..."
Momo was punching Ken’s thumb as Vamola turned to the others."Alright then! See ya later," Vamola replied earnestly before joining Jiji and Aira leaving the school grounds.
"Hey, Miss Ayase...," Ken murmured softly, his gentle voice making her feel butterflies rising in her chest. "What is it?" she grumbles, her back turned to him and bluffing annoyance. "Um well.. Would it be okay if we make a stop by my flat before I take you home? If there's something we need to discuss away from the others.. it's the most secure place we can put ourselves. My parents are never home and without Turbo-Granny's powers I cannot protect you in the way I have been.”
Silence follows his words, he takes a breath before continuing, “I don't want to take any chances for the paranormal to reach us until you are back to normal," his voice was still gentle but solemn. He was right. "Okay, Okarun.. I trust you," Momo agreed, she had dropped her tough-guy facade and leaned into his palm.
Okarun admired her. The trust she holds in him was enough to steel him for the next awkward situation to come.
_____
The small apartment was still with deafening silence when they arrived. Ken slipped off his shoes at the door and slumped his bag against the wall next to his bedroom before pausing in the doorway. "Is this okay, Miss Ayase?" Ken breathed, hesitating to walk in.
"Idiot. We have slept in the same house multiple times," she huffed. He took that as a yes and continued into his room and carefully sitting on the bed. "Would you like to get down, Miss Ayase?"
"Sure," she said, cautiously climbing out of his shirt pocket. Her ankle got caught right as she was about to climb over the seam, her heart dropped and she yelped as she fell forwards, only to quickly land in Ken's cupped hands. She looked down at her hands and noticed how calloused his palms had gotten. "M-miss Ayase?" Ken stared down at her as she caressed his hand, "are you alright?"
"You’re always here to save me, Ken," she says, vulnerability showing in her quivering voice.
He felt his cheeks heat up with the use of his actual name, however, the butterflies were silenced quickly when he felt his palms wet under Ayase. His eyes widened with realization, "Miss Ayase, please… don't cry. I would do anything for you." "Idiot," she sniffles and wipes her face, "I need to know.. Back at the bunker.. you read my note?" Ken nods. "And your confession in the cursed trunk?" "I meant every word. I am in love with you Miss Ayase."
Silence hung between them, air crackling with tension.
“I know I told you to save your confession until I returned to normal but…” Momo raises her eyes to meet his steady brown gaze. “Momo,” Ken said, his voice deepening into a more confident sound. Momo felt a prickling up her spine at the mention of her informal name. Ken smiled, bravery rising in him at the sight of her beat-red face. She looks like a deer in headlights.. “Don’t worry about any of that right now. Let me know what you need from me.”
“Can you lift me up to your face?” she breathes, just barely audible to him. He obliges and raises his cupped hands to his face. “Like this?” he barely gets the words out before she shoves forwards and plants a kiss on the tip of his nose. He breathes in her scent and responds to her with a gentle kiss on her torso, focusing on the feeling of her beneath his lips.
Ken gently moves them so he is laying on his side across his bed. Momo placed gingerly on the pillow next to his head, “is this okay?” “It’s perfect,” she murmurs. She scoots closer, curling herself into his cheek, “Let's try and relax for a little while.. I’d like to share more time with you before I’m taken home…”