Chapter Text
The sterile scent of the medical bay is what hits Yuuta first as he slowly comes to consciousness and begins to process his surroundings.
The crisp white sheets under him crinkled as he tried to adjust himself to a sitting position, taking a moment to get his bearings.
Yuuta's fingers brushed over the bandage on his side, the sensation of smooth gauze replacing what was once raw pain. No matter how used to this he should be, it still felt strange, almost unreal. He flexed his shoulder, testing for any remnants of discomfort, but found none. Shoko's healing was impeccable as always.
A wave of relief washed over Yuuta, replacing the initial confusion. However, one thought persisted above all others: Toge. Where was he? Was he alright? Yuuta’s heart raced at the idea of Toge being in any sort of danger or distress.
Just as the anxious thoughts began to cloud his mind, the curtain around his bed rustled, and the familiar mischievous grin of Yuuji greeted him. Yuuta blinked in surprise, taken aback momentarily by the exuberance radiating from the boy.
"Yuuji?" Yuuta croaked; his voice hoarse from the hours? of unconsciousness.
Yuuji plopped into the chair beside Yuuta's bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Man, you gave everyone quite the scare," he chuckled. "But hey, look at you now! All healed up and looking... mostly, okay?"
Yuuta rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth tugged upward, betraying a smile. "Trust you to make light of the situation."
Yuuji's grin widened, "Well, someone has to, right?"
Then, Yuuji's expression grew slightly more serious, though the playful glint in his eyes never fully disappeared. "Shoko was pretty angry, y'know? Said something about you being the last person she'd expect to find nearly dead on a stretcher. With your healing abilities and all."
Yuuta let out a sheepish chuckle, "I guess I overdid it a bit."
Yuuji leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "A bit? That's an understatement. But seriously, it's good to see you're okay."
Just then, Yuuta's gaze landed on a glass of water sitting on the table beside his bed. Without thinking, he reached out and took the glass, bringing it to his lips. The cool water soothed his parched throat, and he took a moment to collect himself.
A hint of a smile played on Yuuta's lips as he shared a quiet moment with Yuuji. Their peaceful interlude was short-lived, however, as the curtain rustled and Megumi's disapproving face appeared. "Yuuji," he hissed, his sharp eyes darting between the two. "Why are you sitting? We didn't come here to have fun."
Yuuji's bright eyes twinkled with mischief, and he leaned back casually in his chair, grinning. "Aww, 'Gumi, I was just making sure Yuuta wasn't lonely."
Megumi's gaze was unwavering. "He's not lonely; he's resting. Besides, Inumaki is here too. Okkotsu will be fine."
Yuuji pouted, casting a glance at the far curtain as if he could see through to the other side. "Yeah, but Toge's asleep. It's not the same!" Yuuta’s gaze followed his, Was Toge still hurt? Why was he here?
Without warning, Megumi stepped further into the room, delivering a swift thwap to Yuuji's head. "He won't be for much longer if you don't keep it down!"
Yuuta, watching the exchange with a hint of amusement, shifted slightly in the bed. The sight of Megumi and Yuuji's friendly bickering never failed to amuse him. Despite the stern facade Megumi usually put on, Yuuta knew he cared deeply about his friends, Yuuji especially.
Yuuji rubbed his head where Megumi had hit him, feigning injury with an exaggerated pout. "That hurt, 'Gumi!"
Megumi's eyes darted to Yuuta, narrowing slightly as if to gauge his reaction. When he saw that Yuuta was smiling, he relaxed just a tad, though he still looked exasperated.
Before he could utter a word, another rustle from the curtain announced a new entrant. Toge. Unlike what Yuuta would have expected, Toge wasn't dressed in typical hospital attire. Instead, he wore a soft sweater and comfortable pants. Realization dawned on Yuuta: Toge's presence in the adjacent bed wasn't due to any injury or need for healing, but simply because he was waiting... waiting for Yuuta.
A warm fluttering sensation, distinct from any physical ailment, bubbled up inside Yuuta. It was a feeling that had grown familiar recently, always tied to thoughts of Toge.
But before Yuuta could dwell on the events preceding his blackout, Toge was in motion. He maneuvered past an observing Megumi and an ever-grinning Yuuji, making his way decisively towards Yuuta's bedside.
Without uttering a word, Toge gently placed a knee on the edge of the bed, hoisting himself up. Then, he gently lifted Yuuta's arm and nestled close, letting Yuuta's arm drape around him.
Heat crept up Yuuta's face, and, as if on cue, the machine monitoring him began beeping at an accelerated pace – a clear giveaway of his heightened nerves and flustered state.
"Well, that's our cue to leave!" Yuuji declared, springing from his chair and casually making his way toward the exit, grabbing Megumi's arm as he went. "Let's go, Megumi. We've overstayed. Why are you dawdling?"
A flustered Megumi spluttered in disbelief. "I-You... Seriously, Yuuji?!"
The sound of Yuuji's infectious laughter trailed off as the two departed.
Now in the quiet room, Yuuta looked down to see vibrant lilac eyes looking back at him.
"I... I'm truly relieved you're okay," Yuuta confessed, He swallowed, the weight of the emotion catching in his throat. "I think that was the most terrified I've felt in... well, a very long time."
Toge's gaze softened in response. But then, with a surge of emotion, he pushed himself up and swiftly raised his hands, articulating fervently in sign language. ‘You thought you were scared? I was convinced you were on the brink of death! It looked like you had foolishly used all your strength healing me and then... were just going to leave me behind. The blood, Yuuta... even for someone like me, it was too much.” Toge jabbed a finger sharply into Yuuta's chest, his eyes filling with unshed tears. “You can't ever do that again. Don't you dare abandon me that way!’
Yuuta reached up, capturing Toge's hand, and guided it gently to rest his palm against his cheek, feeling the warmth emanate between them.
"I'm so sorry, Toge," Yuuta murmured, his voice on the edge of breaking. Through the hand cradling his face, he could feel the rhythmic beat of Toge's heart, the very essence of the life he had fought so hard to protect. It pained him that Toge couldn’t fathom the depths of his devotion. "But what was I supposed to do? Let you die?" His eyes, filled with raw sincerity, met Toge's unwavering gaze. “You can’t ask me to stand by and do nothing. I won’t... I can't do that.”
Toge's eyes darkened. He tugged his hand free, fingers moving swiftly to communicate the storm of frustration and fear swirling within. "You can't just make those decisions for both of us," he signed, every motion punctuated with deep-rooted concern. His intense gaze bore into Yuuta's, challenging and pleading in equal measure. "Your life is just as precious. We're supposed to have each other's backs, not sacrifice ourselves blindly. We are a unit, a team. We face things together."
"My life is not just as precious." Yuuta countered, adjusting his posture to sit up straighter. "You don’t understand, Toge. My strength is what defines me. It’s all I have. If it doesn't protect the ones I care about, what's the point of it all?"
“Living in the past, drowning in guilt, won't change what happened. You've grown, you've changed. The Yuuta sitting in front of me is not the same person who made those mistakes.”
Toge's eyes shimmered, a turbulent mix of emotions that Yuuta couldn't decipher. Taking a bold step, Toge straddled Yuuta, bringing them eye to eye, his determined gaze never wavering Toge's fingers trembled as he signed, "Yuuta, it's not just about your power, or the curse. It's your kindness, your loyalty, your determination. That's what makes you special to us. To me."
Yuuta frowned, his eyes clouded with pain and self-reproach. "How else am I supposed to make up for the damage I've caused? Every time I close my eyes, I'm haunted by their faces—the ones I couldn't save or the ones I hurt without meaning to. It feels like a never-ending reminder of every mistake I've ever made."
As the heated exchange intensified, a thought flashed through Yuuta's mind. He could bring up the confrontation with Kamo. The thought of explaining to Toge that the reason for his severe injuries was a result of a clash over him might sway the argument in his favor. He could see it – the shock on Toge's face, the weight of guilt sinking in.
But as soon as the thought occurred, Yuuta dismissed it. The look in Toge's eyes, the guilt he already felt, it would only deepen if he knew the full extent of the situation. Yuuta didn't want to add to the weight Toge already bore, knowing how much he'd blame himself for Yuuta's near-death state.
Yuuta swallowed the words, choosing instead to keep them locked inside, knowing that sometimes, the truths left unsaid were the kindest.
His voice shook, almost cracking under the weight of his emotions. "The guilt is just... it's crushing. All I want is to protect, to do some good. If putting my strength on the line is the way to do that, why shouldn't I?"
Toge's grip on Yuuta’s shoulders tightened, his eyes blazing with a mix of desperation and anger. In a sudden move, he pushed Yuuta back, emphasizing his point. "Because you can't keep giving parts of yourself away until there's nothing left. We need you, whole and alive. I need you. Sacrificing yourself won't make the pain go away; it'll only pass it onto others."
With Toge's gestures growing more heated and Yuuta's voice intensifying, the curtain suddenly whipped back. Shoko stood there, her arms crossed and her gaze so piercing that it immediately silenced the room.
Yuuta's mouth snapped shut, his reply left hanging in the air, as Shoko stepped forward. With an air of authority, she grabbed the back of Toge's sweater, yanking him away from Yuuta's bed.
"Enough," she ordered, her voice brooking no argument. "Out, Inumaki. Both of you can save your soap opera antics for later. This is a medical bay, not a drama theater." Her tone was stern, her patience clearly worn thin.
“I don’t want to see you anywhere near him until he’s clear to leave.”
Toge, though clearly flustered and still fuming, didn't challenge Shoko. He shot Yuuta a lingering, conflicted glance and then reluctantly left, the curtain billowing slightly in his wake.
Two days had passed since the intense argument in the medical bay. Yuuta had tried to keep himself preoccupied, wanting to avoid confronting the swirl of emotions he felt. But when he spotted Toge engrossed in a conversation with Kamo in the doorway to the school's courtyard, the surge of irritation from that day came rushing back.
He felt his jaw clench, his steps faltering as he debated whether to approach or walk away. The last thing he wanted was to cause another scene. But before he could decide, Maki, who had been observing from afar, made the decision for him.
With the same agility she displayed in battle, Maki was beside Toge in an instant. She snatched his arm, pulling him away from Kamo. Toge's eyes went wide in surprise, clearly not having noticed her approach.
Kamo, equally taken aback, raised an eyebrow and called out, "Hey! What the—"
Maki wasn’t having any of it. With a final tug, she brought Toge right in front of Yuuta and released him as if she were presenting a solution to a problem. "Enough of this!" she declared, pointing between the two of them. "You and you," she directed, glaring at each in turn, "need to talk. Enough with the childish avoidance and drama. Act your age."
Yuuta blinked, momentarily speechless, while Toge looked equally flustered. Maki, her point made, gave them one last exasperated look before walking away. The two of them were left in the hallway, the tension between them almost tangible. It was clear neither could walk away without addressing the elephant in the room.
Amidst the thick silence, Yuuta and Toge found themselves locked in an intense stare. The initial heat of their gaze was reminiscent of their earlier confrontations; however, as the moments dragged on, the intensity waned, replaced by a shared vulnerability.
Yuuta began to fidget, his fingers anxiously intertwining, while Toge took a deep, steadying breath. The ambient sounds of the courtyard seemed to grow louder in the hallway, filling the void between them.
Toge's gaze momentarily dropped to the ground. He shifted, scuffing his shoe against the pavement, before he dared to close the small gap between them. Looking up, his eyes met Yuuta's once again, this time with a softness and a hint of a pout.
Yuuta was acutely aware of Kamo's presence, but finally, for the first time, he made the conscious choice to focus solely on Toge. Pushing aside distractions and frustrations, he needed to mend what had been fractured.
Swallowing the knot in his throat, Yuuta hesitantly extended a hand toward Toge, hoping it would be met with acceptance. "Toge," he began, voice quivering with earnestness, "I'm so sorry, I-, look. You were right, and, it wasn't my intention to hurt you. Can we sit down? Talk this out? I want to explain, apologize properly. I… I miss you."
As Yuuta confessed his feelings, a warmth spread across his face, the rosy hue of his blush evident even in the dim lighting of the hallway. Admitting his feelings out in the open was both terrifying and liberating, but admitting them to Toge somehow made the sensation all the more cathartic.
Toge gently reached out, letting his fingers intertwine with Yuuta's. The reassuring squeeze that followed, coupled with Toge's heartfelt smile, had an immediate calming effect. It was a smile that held so much warmth and fondness; it felt like a balm over Yuuta's anxieties.
For a brief moment, the world around them blurred, and Yuuta felt as though they were the only two people in existence. The intensity of his emotions threatened to overwhelm him, making him wonder if it was possible for one's heart to overflow right there in a mundane hallway.
The soft, but firm hold Toge had on Yuuta's hand spoke volumes as he navigated them through the corridor. As they neared the dorms, Toge's confident steps were a clear sign that he was carving a space for a long overdue conversation.
Toge, with a soft motion, indicated for Yuuta to take a seat at his desk chair. The intimate nature of being in Toge's personal space made Yuuta's heart rate pick up. Toge settled on his bed, his posture reflecting a mix of vulnerability and anticipation. The distance between them felt both minimal and vast simultaneously, a testament to the emotional rift that needed mending.
He paused, gathering his thoughts, "I should have communicated better, trusted you more. My intentions might have been good, but I now see how my actions affected you. And for that, I'm genuinely sorry."
"Toge, I...," Clearing his throat, Yuuta paused, searching for the right words. He knew this wasn't just about the recent argument or the events that had transpired in the medical bay. This was about acknowledging deeper issues, recognizing the shortcomings in his reasoning, and the inherent value of mutual trust.
Yuuta began again, his voice unsteady but sincere. "I thought that by always being there for everyone, by shielding them from harm, I was doing what was right. But that day, when I heard you, when I knew you were hurting, something just... snapped inside me. All I could think of was getting to you, making sure you were okay, even if it meant ignoring my own wounds."
Toge's fingers twitched, a sign of his own anxiety and anticipation, but he remained silent, letting Yuuta continue.
"In my desperation to shield you, I never realized I was inflicting a different kind of pain," Yuuta admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "By not taking care of myself, I put you in a situation where you had to worry about me, to see me in that state... I can't even begin to imagine the fear and guilt you must've felt. And I'm so, so sorry for that."
Yuuta took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words heavy in his throat. Toge had likely placed them apart on purpose, so that words could be shared appropriately.
Yet, with Toge so near, the pull was undeniable. Pushing himself off the chair, Yuuta sank to his knees before him, hands outstretched to cradle Toge's
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words and the gravity of the situation. "I need to learn that my life has value, not just for me, but for the people who care about me, especially you. I promise I'll try to be more careful, to consider the consequences of my actions, not just for your sake, but for mine too."
Hearing a soft, uneven breath, Yuuta's gaze lifted to meet Toge's.
It’s no secret. Yuuta was undeniably the most sentimental student. Emotions enveloped him with an intensity that sometimes felt all-consuming. His peers often chirped him, whether it was during a tear-jerking film scene or even the slightest jump scare in a thriller.
Yet now, it was Toge on the verge of crumbling. Toge, who often remained a steadfast rock amidst Yuuta’s emotional turmoil, appeared on the verge of breaking down. His eyes glistened, shimmering with unshed tears. He squeezed his eyes shut, and freed one hand from Yuuta's grasp, quickly scrubbing away at his face with the fabric of his sleeve.
"Yuuta," the name barely more than a whisper, echoed in the silent room.
"Yuuu-ta," he voiced again, the elongation of the syllables carrying a plaintive, almost pleading undertone.
‘You’re so-’ Starting to form words with nimble fingers, Toge's trembling shoulders briefly hindered his communication.
Yuuta repositioned himself, sitting up taller as he continued to bridge the distance between them. He took one of Toge's hands, pressing it against his chest, wondering if he could feel the pounding of his own heart beneath. Simultaneously, his other hand came up, gently resting on Toge's neck, his thumb stroking softly where he still remembers deep gashes and blood flowing freely only a few nights prior.
His grip on Toge's hand tightened subtly, seeking reassurance. "There's more, Toge," he began hesitantly, "Before you forgive me, before we can truly move past this, you need to know everything."
Yuuta took a deep, shaky breath, steeling himself for the next part. The truth, in all its rawness and vulnerability, was a heavy burden, and it needed to be shared. Toge deserved to hear everything. Yuuta couldn't let Toge forgive him without knowing it all.
The intensity of the moment bore down on him, a mixture of fear, guilt, and the weight of unspoken feelings. But Yuuta was determined to lay everything bare, to make sure there were no more shadows between them. Only by being completely transparent could they truly find a way forward together.
He took a deep breath, the weight of his confession making his voice tremble. "I was jealous of Kamo," he began, the admission painful yet necessary. "He embodies everything I sometimes wish I was, everything I could've become if circumstances were different. Kamo has always been so smart, so in control, except when it comes to you. And it burns me inside to see how freely he touches you, to hear him make you laugh. Every time he manages to draw that sound from you, it's like a dagger to my heart."
With a tenderness that could melt even the most frozen of hearts, Yuuta lifted his hands, cradling Toge's face gently.
"Toge," he began, his voice earnest, "You're like the sun to me. There's a beauty and warmth to you that I've never found in anyone else. Just having your gaze on me, feeling your eyes on mine... It feels like a burst of light that chases away the darkest clouds."
His gaze dropped to Toge's cursed marks, those distinct patterns that graced his cheeks. "These marks," Yuuta whispered, tracing them lightly, "They're beautiful, Toge. Because they're a part of you. And every part of you is perfect to me."
Yuuta's eyes drifted over Toge's features, taking in every detail. Every tiny reaction on Toge's face was magnified by the closeness between them, and Yuuta reveled in it. The way Toge's eyes slightly widened, the subtle quiver of his lips, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.
Toge, for his part, felt every bit of that gaze. It was piercing but gentle, curious but familiar. The weight of it was both unnerving and comforting. It made him feel seen, not as a tool or a fighter, but as a person with desires, vulnerabilities, and emotions. The realization that he was the sole focus of Yuuta's attention was powerful, making his heart race and his breath catch.
Toge's natural response was to hide, to shield himself from such intensity. But with Yuuta, he didn't want to. The rawness of the moment, the authenticity of their connection, urged him to remain open, to let Yuuta see him — truly see him — without any of the barriers that he used to protect himself.
Yuuta noticed that subtle action and the deepening blush, and a tender smile graced his lips. He was fully aware of the power of his gaze and the impact it had on Toge, but there was no malice in it, no desire to dominate. Instead, it was filled with pure admiration.
"And it's not just your outer beauty that captivates me. It's the strength you have, both inside and out. Whenever I see you in your element, whether you're battling or simply expressing yourself, it takes my breath away."
Yuuta swallowed hard, the weight of his confession pressing down on him. "While I was away in Africa, I would scroll through our old texts. I'd spend hours reminiscing, imagining how much better life would be if I could be by your side again. But now that I'm here, with you... I constantly fear that I'm not enough. I want to be the best version of myself for you."
Yuuta's voice wavered, caught between a choked-out laugh and a sob, as emotions threatened to overcome him. It was the cathartic release of years of suppressed feelings, of silent yearnings and secret desires. "I saw everything I wanted to be in Kamo. When I realized that maybe I could never be that person, I tried so hard to suppress my feelings for you, to push them into a box of friendship. But they wouldn't fit, Toge. They spilled out, no matter how hard I tried."
He locked eyes with Toge, his voice firm with conviction. " I want you, Toge. I want to love you, to cherish every moment with you. to spend the rest of my life ensuring that you always have a reason to smile. I don't just want a piece of you; I want all of you, with all my heart and soul."
He took a shuddering breath, his heart laid bare, "Toge, I love you. I always have. And I'm so, so sorry for taking this long to say it."
Tears welled up in Toge's eyes, overflowing and tracing wet paths down his cheeks. He bit his lower lip, attempting to suppress the rising sob that threatened to escape.
In a surge of emotion, Toge lunged forward, propelling both himself and Yuuta to the floor with the sheer force of his embrace. Nestled into the curve of Yuuta's neck, Toge's tear-streaked face pressed close. The sensation of his damp cheeks and the warm, ragged breaths that fanned across Yuuta's skin sent a shiver down Yuuta's spine.
While Toge's arm held Yuuta tightly, his free hand gently pounding a sign against Yuuta's chest, over and over - 'stupid'. A word that conveyed so many sentiments:
'Stupid for being jealous'
'Stupid for holding back'
'Stupid for letting yourself get hurt'
'Stupid for not letting me love you sooner'
Yuuta chuckled softly, feeling the vibrations of Toge's sign against his chest. "I know," he murmured, squeezing Toge even tighter, "I'm stupid." The weight of their shared pain, misunderstandings, and pent-up emotions pressed heavily upon them, but now there was also an overwhelming sense of relief.
Yuuta tilted his head, pressing a soft kiss to the crown of Toge's head. "Stupid for so many things," he agreed.
There they were, sprawled on the floor, cocooned in each other's arms, allowing the gravity of their heartfelt revelations to gradually fade, replaced by the comfort of their closeness.
Toge, his tears having subsided, propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze lingering on Yuuta beneath him. He brushed aside some stray locks of Yuuta's hair, letting his fingers tenderly map the contours of Yuuta's face. When he noticed the moisture on Yuuta's cheeks, he gently wiped away the tears with his thumb.
And of course, Yuuta had shed tears. Given the whirlwind of emotions they had just experienced, it was surprising he hadn't broken down sooner. The hint of red on Yuuta's cheeks signaled an impending apology. But before he could get a word out, Toge, reading him perfectly, pinched Yuuta's cheek playfully.
Yuuta let out a surprised yelp, met by Toge's gleaming smile and an affectionate murmur of “Ikura.” Stupid.
"Oh, come on!" Yuuta protested, lifting his head and trying to muster a stern expression. "Now look here, you—"
Yuuta's protest was cut short, his words lost as Toge's lips met his.
They were really kissing.
Toge was kissing him.
This wasn’t some product of RCT-induced haziness. It was real, happening in the present moment. Reality anchored itself in the subtle sensations: the faint brush of Toge's blonde hair brushing against Yuuta's face, the gentle press of lips against his, the rhythm of his heartbeat threatening to jump out of his chest.
Toge, who had patiently listened to all the haunting secrets he kept buried within. Toge, who knew of the depths of Yuuta's overwhelming love; a love so profound it had inadvertently cursed Rika after her passing.
Toge didn't offer to magically erase Yuuta's pain or promise to mend all that was fractured in his world. And truthfully, Yuuta didn't need him to. What truly mattered, what resonated most profoundly within Yuuta, was the simple fact that, against all odds, Toge chose to stay.
Yuuta felt a heady rush, intoxicated by the closeness and the heat between them. Every brush of Toge's lips against his sent shivers down his spine. The small gap that remained between them was charged with anticipation, a space filled with the heat of longing and unspoken desires.
Yuuta slipped his hands under the hem of Toge's sweater, his fingers tracing the curvature of Toge's hips. Yuuta tugged him closer, there was an urgency in the motion, a yearning that had been simmering beneath the surface for too long. The sensation of Toge's weight pressing down on him was intoxicating, grounding Yuuta even as his emotions threatened to spiral.
Toge’s breath hitched as their bodies connected, a mix of surprise and desire emanating from him. His fingers found their way to Yuuta's hair, tugging slightly. The kiss was deep, hungry, and filled with a passion that had been suppressed for far too long.
Yuuta adjusted, moving with deliberate care, ensuring that Toge remained nestled against him as he transitioned to sit upright, positioning Toge comfortably within his lap. His hands ventured further, sliding up Toge's back, tracing the curve of Toge's spine, feeling the ripple of muscles under his touch.
The sound of Toge’s moan vibrated through Yuuta, stirring something primal within him. Driven by this newfound desire, Yuuta's lips wandered from Toge's mouth, trailing down to the vulnerable expanse of his neck.
In response, Toge dropped his head back, gasping for breath and exposing more of his neck to Yuuta's eager lips. The room seemed to grow hotter with each passing second, their senses consumed by the electrifying dance of passion.
The sounds emanating from Toge were intoxicating to Yuuta. Every gasp and moan made him feel a powerful, enveloping warmth, a mixture of pride and affection. It amazed him that he could draw such reactions from the usually reserved Toge. He could do this for hours.
Discovering a particularly sensitive spot on Toge's neck, Yuuta delicately bit down, then sucked with increasing intensity. Toge's response was immediate—a sharp cry, fingers tangling tightly in Yuuta's hair, tugging with a mixture of pain and pleasure.
After leaving a series of affectionate marks on Toge's collarbone, Yuuta tenderly kissed and trailed his tongue over each one, making his way up to Toge's neck.
One hand wrapped securely around Toge's waist, drawing him closer. With his other hand, he tenderly cradled Toge's face, fingers lost in the soft strands of his hair, while his thumb grazed Toge's cheek.
Drawn back to each other, Toge and Yuuta exchanged kisses — shorter, but still dripping with raw emotion and intensity.
"God, you’re so pretty," Yuuta murmured, his voice thick with emotion, lips grazing Toge's with each word. "Absolutely breathtaking, and you're all mine."
Toge's response was a soft, almost vulnerable whine. His cheeks flamed with a sudden shyness, prompting him to bury his face into the crook of Yuuta's shoulder, seeking refuge from the intensity of the moment.
Yuuta let out a soft chuckle, touched by the juxtaposition of Toge's earlier confidence with his current shyness. That vulnerability, a side not often shown to the world, was yet another endearing aspect of him. In a moment like this, Toge's shyness was a reminder of the profound trust they shared, and to Yuuta, it was nothing short of perfection.
As the intensity of their emotions began to subside, Yuuta tightened his hold on Toge, cradling him securely. With a quiet strength, he rose to his feet, still clutching Toge effortlessly against him. Yuuta carefully navigated to the bed, where he gently set Toge down, ensuring he was comfortably settled on the soft surface.
Toge's face was a picture of warmth, cheeks tinted with a rosy blush. While Yuuta could sense the stamina left in both of them, he didn't want to risk pushing the boundaries of their newfound intimacy. The evening had already been so perfectly vulnerable and real; he wanted to end it on a sweet note.
He tenderly cradled Toge's chin, leaning down to savor the softness of Toge’s lips in a series of fleeting, tender caresses. Each peck was a promise, an affirmation of all the feelings that had been laid bare between them.
Amidst the gentle intimacy enveloping them, the outside world seemed almost non-existent. But the reality of their surroundings became all too clear with the echo of voices from the hallway.
"Kamo, hurry up! We've got to leave now!" It was Aoi Todo's unmistakable, boisterous voice. "If you're not ready in the next five minutes, I swear I'll hit you with my taka-tan beam, and Utahime will head out without waiting!"
With Todo's words echoing in the hallway, Toge moved to sit up. Yuuta instinctively adjusted, giving him space yet ensuring he stayed close, his arm finding its way around Toge's waist. How did Kamo even know where Toge's room was? How was it even appropriate to attempt this sort of thing, after watching the two of them walk off in this direction together?
Surely, Kamo wouldn't intrude on such a private moment? He was known for his impeccable manners after all.
Yet, as if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. The latch, not having been secured properly, yielded under Kamo's touch, allowing the door to swing open. Surprise clearly registered on his face; his eyebrows raised in a way that might've been comical under different circumstances.
"I–" Kamo began, his usually composed demeanor slightly thrown off. "I apologize, I didn't mean to intrude. I just wanted to check on Toge, see if we could finish our conversation from earlier."
Yuuta tightened his hold on Toge ever so slightly, a protective gesture that didn't go unnoticed.
The rush of warmth to Toge's cheeks was an unmistakable indication of his mortification. The simple act of overlooking the door's lock had suddenly seemed like such a colossal oversight. There they were, in a tender moment, now suddenly on display for an uninvited audience.
His gaze darted between Yuuta and Kamo, the silence between them expanding. He could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on him. His hands, so often his voice, hovered in indecision. An apologetic gesture, a self-deprecating jest, a deflection – he sought something to say, anything.
This inner turmoil didn’t go unnoticed, and with a gentle gesture, Yuuta slid his fingers through the silky strands of Toge's hair, cradling the nape of his neck. With a soft pull, Toge yielded, allowing Yuuta to guide his face to nestle securely against his shoulder, shielding him from the world outside their embrace.
Kamo's face flushed a deeper shade of red, clearly flustered by the intimate scene he'd just walked into. But it gradually shifted, giving way to a discernible hint of irritation. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and Kamo, typically composed, seemed momentarily lost for words.
Shifting his gaze solely to Kamo, Yuuta's eyes gleamed with a protective pride. The sight of Toge, beautifully disheveled in his arms, was a moment he relished, especially with Kamo as their unintended audience. "Apologies for the oversight, Kamo," he said, his voice dripping with quiet confidence. "We weren't prepared for visitors. Next time I'll ensure the door's more secure."
Yuuta's protective gesture was evident. It was a silent declaration – he wouldn't let anyone, intrude on this newfound connection between him and Toge without asserting himself. His gaze remained steady, challenging Kamo to respond.
The sound of Todo's footsteps grew louder, echoing in the corridor. Toge's voice came out muffled from his position against Yuuta, uttering a frustrated "Ikura!" How was it that anyone knew which dorm room was his in the first place?
Yuuta quirked an eyebrow at Kamo, the silent gesture making it abundantly clear that it was time to close the door. And in this fleeting moment, Yuuta felt a rare surge of dominance over Kamo since they first met.
"Whose room is this?" Todo's voice rang out curiously, but without waiting for an answer, Kamo firmly held the doorknob and shut the door with a definitive click.
"Inumaki's, but he isn’t in." came Kamo's slightly muted response through the closed door.
“Yeah, you've been hanging around him a lot lately.” The sound of their footsteps began to fade, but not before Todo's voice, laced with teasing, reached them. "You know, Kamo, I always wondered about your taste in women. But maybe it's men I should have asked about?"
Toge remained still, waiting for the certainty that they were finally alone. When the coast was clear, he collapsed back onto the bed, releasing a sigh of both relief and exasperation.
The sanctity of his room, his refuge, was gradually being restored. He could feel each muscle in his body beginning to uncoil, the knots of tension that had formed during the unexpected interruption beginning to ease.
The bed beneath him felt softer, more welcoming, as he sank deeper into its embrace. Toge's limbs languidly stretched out, mirroring the grace and elegance of a feline. The movement was unhurried, deliberate. Every muscle, every joint was relished in the stretch, making the most of the newfound relaxation. The arc of his back, the elongation of his arms above his head, and the pointing of his toes created a picture of pure contentment.
Yuuta watched, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, as Toge fully indulged in the stretch. It was a beautiful sight—Toge, basking in the serenity of the moment, looking every bit the embodiment of ease. The young sorcerer had always had a feline-like grace about him, and in moments like this, the resemblance was uncanny.
The stretch ended with a satisfied sigh from Toge, his body curling back to its relaxed state. Those eyes, still holding a glimmer of playfulness, once again met Yuuta's.
Yuuta found himself utterly captivated. There, beneath him, Toge went through a metamorphosis that was both subtle and profound. From the fervor of passion to the tightness of surprise and discomfort, and then to the languid relaxation — each shift in Toge’s demeanor painted a vivid picture that spoke volumes.
It wasn't just the curve of his lips or the furrow of his brows that drew Yuuta in, but the delicate dance of his eyelashes, the subtle play of emotions in his eyes, the faintest twitch of his cheeks. All these nuances, most that were usually hidden away from the world behind Toge's mask, were now laid bare for Yuuta to see.
It made Yuuta wonder about all those fleeting moments that the rest of the world missed out on. The little smiles, the teasing glints in Toge's eyes, the myriad of emotions that played across his face in any given moment. How many have had the privilege to see this side of Toge? Probably very few.
And in that realization, Yuuta felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. To be granted access to this intimate side of Toge, to be a confidant, a partner, was truly special. It was an unspoken testament to their bond, a silent affirmation of the trust Toge placed in him.
A surge of protectiveness welled up within Yuuta, a promise to honour that trust and to always cherish the vulnerability and authenticity Toge showed him. He felt blessed, knowing that he was one of the chosen few who got to experience the full spectrum of Toge’s emotions, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The atmosphere in the room had gone through many shifts in mere minutes. The unexpected appearance of their friends, the embarrassing moment of being caught in such an intimate setting, and now they were back in their own world.
Yuuta winked at Toge, a playful smirk forming on his lips. "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"
He raised an eyebrow, a hint of challenge in his eyes, even as a soft smile teased at the corners of his lips. But just as Toge readied to communicate a reply Yuuta reached for Toge's hand, capturing it and weaving their fingers together. Lifting the intertwined hands, Yuuta delicately placed soft kisses on each of Toge's knuckles, savoring the intimacy of the gesture.
Yuuta broke the silence, his voice softer now, "Movie night?" The shift from playful to comforting suggested they both needed some normalcy to end the day, a way to relax and let the outside world fade away for just a little longer.
The past may have been marked by miscommunications and pain, but the future held promise, and they were ready to face it together.