Chapter Text
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Nefer leaned against her desk, watching as Jahoda tossed things in her bag, “Work only ended like ten seconds ago…”
“Nowhere!” Jahoda laughed suspiciously, “Just eager to go home, boss!”
Nefer rolled her eyes, “Let me guess, you’re going to hang out with Ineffa again. Doing whatever it is you do with an automaton.”
Jahoda hid her blush behind her hands, “Maybe so.”
“Hey, you don’t have to be embarrassed,” Nefer commented, “The stories I can tell about when I first started dating Lauma-”
“Okay, I’m leaving!” Jahoda said hurriedly. Nefer could overshare when it came to her love for the moonchanter.
“Don’t stay up too late, I need you here early tomorrow!” Nefer called after Jahoda, although the door was already slamming shut.
Jahoda slung her bag over her back, the sun already beginning to set as she skipped her way to her home. To Jahoda’s surprise, Ineffa was already standing outside, staring off into the distance.
Jahoda walked up beside her, raising an eyebrow when Ineffa did not respond to her presence, “Uhhh…Ineffa?”
Ineffa shook her head, turning to look at Jahoda, "Apologies, Jahoda…I was lost in thought.”
“Oh? New modification?” asked Jahoda, busying herself with unlocking the front door.
“Correct. I added daydreaming upon Aino’s mention of it,” Ineffa replied, following Jahoda inside the house.
“Mmm,” Jahoda acknowledged, “Well I’m excited for our sleepover!”
“Me as well,” Ineffa smiled, surprising Jahoda with a hug from behind.
“H-Hey, what are you doing?!” Jahoda exclaimed in surprise, although she melted against Ineffa’s body.
“I am showing my affection for you,” Ineffa said,
“I was under the impression this sleepover was a step forward in our romance.”
Jahoda blushed at the mention of their relationship, “Y-Yeah! I was just surprised is all!”
“Noted,” Ineffa said, watching as Jahoda dropped her bags and headed for the kitchen, “Are you hungry, Jahoda?”
“A bit…” Jahoda opened the fridge, pondering over the options.
“What would you like to eat?” asked Ineffa, peering over Jahoda’s shoulder.
“I would kill for some matsutake meat rolls right now,” Jahoda sighed.
“It would be irresponsible to kill someone for the sake of food,” Ineffa replied, “I will make it for you instead.”
Ineffa wasted no time pushing a surprised Jahoda to the side and pulling an assortment of ingredients from the fridge.
“Wait, really?” asked Jahoda.
“Really,” Ineffa said, shooing Jahoda out of her way,
“If you do not wish to be shown physical affection just yet I will cook for you instead. Plus, I cook for Aino all the time.”
Jahoda chuckled under her breath, admiring how determined Ineffa looked to please her. Jahoda made sure to step out of the way, watching as Ineffa speedily prepared the ingredients. At first she hadn’t really liked this so-called ‘clanker,’ but she was certainly growing on her. At this point even an act like cooking for her made Jahoda’s heart beat faster.
A little while later Ineffa laid the matsutake meat rolls in front of Jahoda at the kitchen table, sitting down across from her. Ineffa practically stared Jahoda down as she picked up the fork to dig in.
“Please tell me if you like it,” Ineffa said, looking almost nervous as she waited for Jahoda’s verdict.
“Mmm,” Jahoda hummed as she swallowed, immediately going in for another bite, “This is amazing, Ineffa!!!”
Ineffa straightened up, smiling as she watched Jahoda continue eating, “I am glad!”
“Maybe I should have you over more often if you’ll cook for me like this!” Jahoda laughed.
“Is this a genuine invitation?” asked Ineffa, resting her hands on the table.
Jahoda nodded her head, “I think so.”
After eating the two tentative lovebirds headed into Jahoda’s bedroom. Jahoda immediately flopped herself down onto the bed, claiming that it had been “a long day.” Ineffa on the other hand, sat carefully on the
edge of the bed, careful not to invade Jahoda’s personal space.
“It’s cold in here today,” Jahoda commented.
Ineffa tilted her head, “You are correct.”
“Ineffa?”
“Yes?”
“Come here.”
Ineffa looked at Jahoda deeply, before getting on her hands and knees and crawling towards the smaller girl, “What would you like me to do now?”
Jahoda blushed, opening her arms, “Warm me up.”
If Ineffa could blush she certainly would’ve been. That might need to be the next modification she made. Ineffa gently laid back, slotting herself beside Jahoda, and gently wrapping her arms around her.
“I will initiate my warmth function,” Ineffa said, her mixture of parts becoming slightly warmer as she held Jahoda, “Do you enjoy this, Jahoda?”
Jahoda nodded, burying her face in Ineffa’s warm chest,
“Mmm, Ineffa.”
“Yes?”
“About your lips…”
“What about them?”
Jahoda stuttered slightly, “C-Can…I mean…are you able to kiss…?”
“I am,” Ineffa said, feeling an unexplainable fluttering in her chest as Jahoda looked up at her.
“Then can I…” Jahoda trailed off. Nefer would be so shocked to see her at a loss for words!
Ineffa brought her face closer to Jahoda’s, gently pressing on her lips with two of her metallic fingers. Jahoda’s lips parted slightly, her eyes on Ineffa’s.
“Forgive me if I’m not very skilled at-” Ineffa was cut off by Jahoda pushing forward, dragging her into a deep kiss.
Ineffa’s lips were surprisingly soft, melding perfectly with Jahoda’s. Jahoda was kicking herself for forgetting to put on lipbalm before this date…
Ineffa’s eyes were wide open for a moment before she finally managed to close them, her hands coming to Jahoda’s cold cheeks. Ineffabliked this new sensation. She liked it a lot…
“Mmmph,” Jahoda mumbled, pushing Ineffa back slightly.
“I’m sorry, was that not enjoyable?” asked Ineffa, looking slightly disappointed.
“No! I loved it!” Jahoda exclaimed, not liking the look on Ineffa’s face, “I just needed to breathe…”
“I see,” Ineffa nodded, “I will note the limit on kiss duration.”
Jahoda giggled, squeezing Ineffa against her body, “I think I love you.”
“You think?” asked Ineffa, tilting her head.
“Might have to kiss me a few more times just to be sure,” Jahoda blushed.
“Noted,” Ineffa replied, “I think I love you as well, Jahoda. Now I will continue kissing you so we can both be sure.”