Nico's shoulders twitch at the rustle of fabric, the shifting weight on the mattress beside her -- oh god, she's moving closer, isn't she -- and her heart promptly lodges itself in her throat when she can feel Akiha's breath on her face, followed the next second by her lips on hers.

Oh god oh god oh god. This is really happening. The realization that it was almost definitely about to happen did next to nothing to prepare Nico for it actually happening. For a second she's frozen in place, only able to register how nice Akiha's lips feel, and how horrifically sweaty the inside of her own clenched hands is. Then Akiha's hand slides into her hair, and the gesture is so gentle, so soothing, that it thaws her back out into motion. She has no idea what she's doing, either, but as far as nuzzling your mouth to someone else's goes, she figures there's only so many ways you can screw up.

She lifts up a hand, too, before realizing she doesn't know where to put it. It ends up draped over Akiha's shoulder, a little useless, but a sincere attempt all the same. They keep up the kiss for a few good moments like that -- awkward and careful, breathy and tingling, and when they pull back at last, Nico's pink to the tips of her ears.

She sucks in a breath, tries to find the words.

"C... c... couldn't you at least confess properly first, idiot?!"