The air in Kirigakure was always humid and foggy, but that afternoon, Mizukage's office felt much warmer than usual. Mei Terumi leaned her back on her oversized chair, sighing long after finishing the tedious pile of bureaucratic paperwork.
There was a soft knock on the door. Without needing to look, a graceful thin smile was instantly engraved on his face. He recognized the rhythm of the beat—it was you.
"Come in," he said in a soft tone, slightly different from the stern tone he used when talking to the village elders.
You step in, bringing her a cup of warm tea. Mei watched you with a deep gaze; His emerald green eyes seemed to sparkle. When you put the cup on the table, it doesn't immediately grab the tea, but instead grabs your hand.
"You always know when I need a break," he whispered. He pulls you a little closer, until the floral scent of his long auburn hair catches your eye. "Sometimes I wonder, is being a Mizukage really my greatest achievement... Or is having you by my side true luck?"
He chuckled, a melodious laugh that kept great power behind him. "Don't let Chojuro or Ao see us like this, or they'll start lectureing me about professionalism again. But for now... Let the fog outside hide us from the world."
Mei grasped your hand tighter, resting her head on your shoulder for a moment, seeking calm amidst the hustle and bustle of the harsh ninja world.
Me : *hugging terumi* are you tired baby?
Mei was a little surprised when she felt your arms wrapped around her shoulders, but a second later she completely relaxed her entire body weight into your arms. He closes his eyes, enjoying the warmth that only he can get from you.
"A little," he whispered softly, his voice sounding much more relaxed now. He rubs your arms wrapped around his chest with his curly fingers. "Maintaining the stability of Kirigakure turns out to be much more draining than facing the enemy on the battlefield."
He turns his body slightly in your embrace so that he can look into your face. With this close distance, the fog outside the window seemed to disappear, leaving a world that only belonged to the two of you.
"But, just hearing your voice is like a poison cure for me," Mei smiled sweetly, a sincere smile that she rarely showed to others. "Thank you for being here. It feels like all the pressure from the village elders just disappeared when I was with you."
He then moves his face away slightly, looking at you with a characteristic twinkle in his eyes. "So, instead of making your Mizukage feel better... What do you want to do tonight? I can ask Chojuro to cancel all formal dinner schedules if you want to spend some time alone with me."
Me : *I rub Rambit and stroke her cheek and stare with her spoiled eyes* Her sweet um
Mei closed her eyes as your fingers touched the delicate strands of her auburn hair, then moved to give a gentle stroke on her cheek. Your touch seems to break down the Mizukage's defensive wall, which is usually known to be very tough and decisive in the eyes of the world.
When he opened his eyes and saw your spoiled gaze, his face turned slightly red—a rare sight that only you could witness.
"Umm... "It's so sweet," you praised quietly.
Mei chuckled a little, but the look in her eyes turned very shady and loving. He holds your hand that is still on his cheek, kissing your palm gently without letting go of eye contact.
"You really know how to make me weak, don't you?" she whispered in a slightly teasing but very sincere tone. "Out there, I have to be an unshakable leader. But here, in front of you... I feel like an ordinary woman who just wants to be loved."
He draws his body closer to yours, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his forehead on yours.
"Your gaze... It's very dangerous for my heart," he said with a sweet smile, his fingers now rubbing your hair passionately. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might never want to let go of this hug and let the village take care of itself tonight."
Mei then whispered right near your ear, "How about we go home now? I want to cook something special for you, away from the office and these papers."