Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If over half a year ago anyone told Utsugi Uyu he’d be dating a red-headed, loud, over-energetic mangaka who also was supposedly handling an underground business…

Honestly, he would laugh in their face.

Now? He’d probably still laugh in their face. Not due to how impossible it sounded in his mind, but due to how it fully was the reality he was living in. And Uyu? He wasn’t complaining, surprisingly.

Gamma was a great partner. Uyu never doubted that he’d be a good one, even before they had developed some attraction towards each other. Despite all the teasing and bullying they’d do towards the mangaka, Gamma was an incredibly charming and kind-hearted man. There was a reason so many of the man’s assistants stared at him with hearts in their eyes, reasons Uyu was inclined to agree upon.

Though you’d have to pay him millions before he’d ever be as reactive.

Never had he imagined ever being more than friends with the other. But then, Uyu’s entire life has been filled with the unexpected. Having gotten as close with the other before the rollercoaster ride of developing feelings was in of itself, unexpected. Internally, Uyu wonders if he should be thanking Fuma for having them break the wall between customer and server. They wouldn’t have gotten this far if it weren’t for the yokai’s help, after all.

Ah, but that would require Fuma knowing about his and Gamma’s status.

That wouldn’t be fun, would it?

Especially considering how they’ve managed to keep both Fuma and Rio out of the woods for over six months now.

“How long are they going to keep on following us?”

But in typical Fuma and Rio fashion, they’ve made many attempts to step in.

“They’ll get cold eventually.”

Through the partially fogged up glass windows, just visible enough through reflections of warm cafe lights and people walking behind their own silhouettes, were streets covered in gentle whites and cold blues. Snow falls gently from the gray-blue sky, ever so often dancing with the cold breeze that passes.

Outside, Uyu spots the soft light of a blue flame not so well hidden behind a wall connected to a building. He snorts as a gloved hand swats above the flame, the body attached to it inching back to further hide the ball of fire behind the cement wall. From beside him, Gamma chuckles. Uyu was familiar with this one, turning back to face the other and seeing a toothy grin, the laughter hidden behind pearly white teeth.

“They’re putting too much effort into this.” The mangaka comments, “It’s like they have zero intention of giving up, whatsoever. Both of them! Willingly!”

“Willingly.” Uyu mutters out with a laugh, “Imagine, willingly. Without an annoying loud hypeman tirelessly trying to convince you to deal with his plans.”

“What can I say? I’m not a quitter.”

Rolling his eyes, he takes one more peek at the glowing blue light hidden outside. The thief concludes that they’ll leave when they leave, stabbing his fork into the slice of cheesecake sitting in front of him. Bringing it to his lips to chew, he turns his attention away from the hidden duo and at the red-head sitting next to him.

Gamma’s attention is on his phone, blue eyes lit with amusement as he looks to be watching a video of G-penguin. For a minute, he gets lost in the bright smile on the other’s face, eyes panning up, then down, to take in the other. In front of Gamma sat a slice of red velvet, catching the thief’s attention.

Uyu glances up at Gamma’s face again, seeing the red-head still oh so entertained by his pet penguin. Slowly, he sneaks his fork over to the other’s plate. It’s not like Gamma would notice, right? The tip of his fork presses right at the side of the sl-

“Hey!”

Before it gets slapped away by Gamma’s fork, a loud clink! audible upon impact. 

“Damn it.” Uyu squints, pulling back to cross his arms. “Used to be so easy.”

“That’s what you get!” 

The mangaka yells, flinching as he realises his own volume. Nervously looking around to see eyes pointed at him from around the cafe. Gamma bows his head, mouthing tiny apologies that seemed to suffice, the strangers slowly turning away. Uyu laughs, leaning back into the sofa chair behind them.

“You may be able to catch me better now.” Uyu remarks, “But that volume of yours never changes, does it?”

“It’s a part of my charm, hey!” Gamma chuckles, digging his fork through his cake. “Here, let’s give those two something to gossip about.”

“We’re enabling them?” The thief watches as the other’s fork floats an inch away from his lips, red velvet cake sitting atop its tips. “I mean, I’m not gonna reject free cake.”

The second he bit down on the fork, he had to hold back from choking on it. From the window he can barely make out what looks like a blue phone case, and the flash of a camera coming from it. Pulling back to chew on the cake, Gamma turns to follow Uyu’s line of sight, seeing two pairs of hands scrambling to pull the phone back.

“Dumbasses!” Gamma chuckles, “Look at the two of them, can’t even stalk properly.”

From outside, the scrambling hands turn into arms. Before Fuma falls forwards and into the snow, causing Uyu to bend forwards in laughter, his mouth hidden behind his hand. From behind the yokai, Rio runs forward to help the shorter up, revealing a white-faced tanuki. Gamma slaps his knee as he laughs, his body bumping into Uyu’s as he cackles.

“Ga-Gamma don’t be so loud” Uyu chuckles, leaning his head against the redhead’s, “You’ll get us in trouble-!”

“Fuma fell again-”

The yokai slips on the snow, holding onto Rio’s arm for dear life. Every step the yokai takes has him slipping and sliding, and they can see Rio get visibly more impatient. Eventually, the ghost lets out a big exhale, and hooks his arms under Fuma’s. The pair watch as Rio floats into the air, carrying a snow-covered exhausted Fuma with him. 

Uyu wonders if the two of them even realised they witnessed the entire thing, as Rio floats away from sight with a slumped Fuma in his arms. Gamma turns to him, eyes bright like an amused puppy as he gives him the brightest grin he can muster.

“They’re gone~”

Uyu returns the smile with a soft one.

“They sure are.”

Gamma leans closer.

“I can do this now.”

Soft lips press against his cheek in a quick peck, making Uyu scrunch his face up with a faux-disgusted expression. Gamma pulls back with a chuckle, amused by the thief’s reaction.

“Eww, gross.” He pretends to wipe the kiss away, pressing his fingers against the warmth the other’s lips left on his face. “I’ve got your germs on me. I’m going to have to ask Fuma for a full disinfection process”

“Rude!”

Gamma’s smile only grows brighter, and Uyu would never admit how warm his chest felt. He rolls his eyes at the other, reaching to take a bite out of his own cake. Gamma makes a noise from beside him, akin to the thumping of a dog’s paw on the ground…which was really just the other stomping on the carpeted floor. Turning back to the mangaka, the pale-eyed thief raises a brow at the other.

“What is it?”

Gamma pouts.

“No kiss back?”

Uyu sticks his tongue out at the other.

“Disgusting.”

Before leaning forwards to press a kiss against the mangaka’s cheek. Similarly, when he pulls back he’s met with a scrunched up expression paired with a mischievous smile. Uyu gawks at him, gasping in mock offence before turning away to focus on his cake again. The other’s laughter fills his ears as he munches down on another bite.

“Come on, it’s fair.”

Uyu smiles with a fork between his lips.

“See there you go again!” Gamma throws his hands up, slumping against where he sat. Uyu’s eyes flutter closed, mischief sitting on his tongue as he hears the mangaka whine next to him. “Six months later and you’re still as prickly as those roses I got you. Fuma and Rio make this whole cutesy-couple stuff look easy.”

“Easy?” Uyu says, almost laughing the word out as he frees the fork from his mouth, “You thought that, that…”

Using the utensil, he gestures to the window. Drawing circles in the air over where he had seen the shorter couple hiding prior. Gamma raises a brow, smile growing in amusement as he stared at Uyu.

“...was easy?” The thief shakes his head, stabbing his fork into his cake again. Looking away from the mangaka and the window, a small fond smile forms on his face as the conversation brings up memories from a time not too long ago. Some late night or early morning, depending on how one would view it, sat on the counter of his cafe. “You have no idea, Gamma.”

“Are you implying…did I miss something?”

Turning back to the mangaka, Uyu chokes on the cake as he’s faced with what looks like an expression akin to a lost puppy; Big blue eyes wide and curious, sparkling with interest with furrowed brows and a tiny pout. Pressing a hand to his chest as he struggles to swallow the piece, encouraged by the red-head rubbing up and down his back. The pale-eyed thief shakes his head, his coughing with pink cheeks and the tiniest smile on his face.

“Are you okay-”

“You’re so-!” Uyu, straightens himself. Clearing his throat, “Uh, almost died there.”

“Hey don’t die, I want us to be together for at least a year.”

Uyu makes a face at the mangaka, unamused with his lips drawn into a thin line. Gamma’s bright expression drops, mirroring the same face. The two of them stare at each other for a few minutes, quietly.

Before…

“Disgusting.”

Gamma grins.

“Gross.”

Uyu smiles.

“Don’t try and flirt, Gamma. I’m immune to your so-called ‘charms’” The thief playfully shoves the other’s shoulder, and the mangaka dramatically flops further down his seat. Uyu laughs gently at this, the mangaka’s ridiculously fake crying causing him to fight the urge to increase his volume, “We’re only dating because you’re funny and I like funny.”

“You only love me for my humor!” 

“Okay, we aren’t just there yet.”

“You only like me for my humor!”

The mangaka crosses his arms, slumped against the seat like a child after throwing a tantrum. The sight makes the thief roll his eyes, imitating the other with an exaggerated expression on his face. Gamma scowls, bumping into the other with his shoulder before sitting up properly.

“Stop teasing me!” Uyu sticks his tongue out in response, and Gamma pokes him in the side. “What did I miss! Tell me! Tell me!!”

“You’re so loud!”

Uyu shoves his palm against Gamma’s mouth, effectively shutting the other up. The thief looks around, noticing eyes pointed in their direction slowly moving away, though not missing some of the glares they had gotten from annoyed customers. Gamma’s eyes stared back at him apologetically, and slowly Uyu freed the other’s mouth.

“Well, what was it?”

The thief sighs deeply, knowing very well that the mangaka won’t give in until Uyu spills. He hangs his head, pinching the bridge of his nose at the realisation he’s going to half to replay the events prior to Fuma and Rio’s relationship…which meant going through a series of several headaches again. Uyu contemplates lying about it, making it something much more simple and easier to comprehend than what it actually was. Sparing both him and the other the stress.

Though, above all the stress that the situation had granted Uyu, the hilarity that came with it was what made the entire thing so memorable in the first place. Truly, Utsugi Uyu has found friendship in a band of idiots. Idiots in every way, from the simple things to the more complicated ones.

Like feelings.

But how harsh should he be on them? In the end, he chose to stick with them.

“Uyuuuuuuuuu….”

He’s even dating one of them.

“Well? Come on! Don’t leave me hanging here!”

Uyu sighs, sitting up straight and raising his head to face the other again. Gamma sits there, an excited puppy with an invisible wagging tail as the mangaka recognizes the expression on Uyu’s face; He’s given in, the familiar face of a man who was ready to embrace the chaos simply because he can’t escape it.

“Okay, okay…” And though he’ll never say it out loud, the blue eyes staring back at him…sparkling and bright. It made him smile, “Let me figure out where to start.”

“Yes!”

Leaning his head against the wall behind them, his shoulder pressed against the cushion of the seat. Uyu’s head ducks a little, watching as the excited mangaka, who was pumping his fist into the air just a few seconds ago, settles down to match Uyu’s energy. Gamma copies his stature, leaning on his side against the back of the sofa seat, and squeezing himself closer to the thief.

It’s funny, Uyu thinks. He never really understood why Fuma and Rio would sit often like this, tucked up together somewhere and talking in tones much softer than anyone in their group ever would.

Sitting here, he’s starting to understand.

Yeah, the two of them were already tucked in privacy in a booth…but the closeness and compact-ness of how they were positioned felt a lot more intimate. It’s like the rest of the world faded away into the background, only really able to focus on each other with how close they sat.

And Gamma? He was staring at him with those damn blue eyes. Sparkling bright, excited, curious. Uyu’s seen those eyes so many times since they first met, the red-head’s first time walking in his cafe. Both of them not yet knowing that they’d be seeing each other regularly as worker to customer for the weeks to come.

In between the enclosed space, Uyu feels Gamma’s hand reach out for his own. Still far from the progress needed to actually hold hands, instead they weakly link their fingers together. Filling the space between each finger with each other’s. Not intertwined just yet, no. But enough to see that there was something there.

And when the mangaka tucks a strand of his hair behind his ear, his face grows warm and the blood rushing to his cheeks leave them pink. In a rare instance, his confidence wavers.

Thank the stars he had a ton of it.

And thank the stars he wore make up today.

“So…” 

Uyu clears his throat, and Gamma who had seemed so happy to just stare at him begins to pay attention again.

Uyu, in his mind, pretends that he isn’t smiling.

“What happened was…”

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

FUTURE IDOLS??? (Uyu stop muting the chat please)

HG: [ Do you guys want to have dinner at mine? ]

UU: [ This is sudden? ]

YF: [ What’s up? ]

HG: [ I’ve got a lot more food than I thought I did ]

YF: [ Just eat it another time! ]

UU: [ Just like that? ]

HG: [ It’s about to go bad. ]

UU: [ There it is. ]

UU: [ I mean, I won’t reject free food. ]

[ Gamma just wants us to do free labor for him ] :MR

HG: [ HEY ]

HG: [ Cooking is a great bonding activity! ]

UU: [ Sure. ]

YF: [ A great way to bond with your friends is to eat food that’s about to expire together~ ]

UU: [ Gamma is such a good friend~ ]

[ The bestest friend, Hizaki Gamma~ ] :MR

HG: [ Do you guys want to have dinner or not!? ]

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

“Gamma, have you ever liked anyone?”

Rio spent a lot of nights trying to understand.

There was a heart beat in his chest that he knew wasn’t real. There’s no way it could be. He knew this, knew it well. Yet he’d sit on that pier, staring out into the night sky and feel the heavy weight in his chest that comes with a beating heart. He felt a warmth in his cold body that shouldn’t be there, and it would spread throughout him from his chest like poison. It wasn’t something that happened all the time, no. Rio doubts his heart is actively beating, or ever will again for that matter.

These days, he’s been thinking a lot about Fuma.

In truth, he’s probably been thinking about Fuma even before he had actively begun to. Every instance of the strange warmth in his chest had been while he was thinking of the yokai, and it’s only after having made that connection did he realize for just how long this had been going on.

It didn't particularly hit him why at first.

Fuma was important to him, yeah. But so was Uyu. So was Gamma. It had been them since it became them. But the warmth never came with Rio pondered about where Uyu had run off to, nor did it show up when Gamma’s message notification popped up on his phone. No, it was always Fuma and only Fuma.

At first he thought that maybe, just maybe, he had begun to see a potential best friend in Fuma. That he had begun to favor the other significantly more than the taller half of their group. So in his mind, he stapled that label onto the other’s image; He’s off to see his best friend today. His best friend was going to visit him today. His best friend was waiting for him at the station today.

And for a while, it was enough to keep his questions at bay.

Until it wasn’t.

Until he’d watch his best friend walk away after a long day, a weight sitting on his tongue but refusing to spill through. Words in his head, jumbled, but having no idea how to arrange them into a coherent sentence. There’s so much he wants to say but can’t seem to, and the further Fuma’s silhouette fades into the distance the heavier they become.

Come over. Stay. Come over. Stay.

Come over.

Stay.

Stay.

Stay?

For what?

And so Fuma walks, and Rio watches.

Hesitated, once more. But then what even is he hesitating for? Rio doesn’t know what these feelings are.

At least, he didn’t.

Time did its usual job, and the more he spent it with the yokai the more the words began to put themselves together. It came to him as he became more conscious of his own body, the way his hand would reach out for the other instinctively. Catching himself trying to move closer to Fuma, looking for him when they’d separate in a crowd. The heat, the heat he doesn’t understand how he has it in his body but it’s there , running to his face and burning themselves into his cheeks as reddish hues.

Around Fuma, only around Fuma.

He learns what he wants. He wants and wants. Rio wants and wants.

Moving closer to the other because he wants to be close to the other, looking for him in the crowd because he doesn’t want them to be too far apart. The hand he reaches out with the desire to pull the other back, and maybe their fingers would intertwine. Maybe the heat that buried itself in his chest would be hot enough that the other could feel it in his palms. What if it wasn’t to just hold his hand. What if he wanted to hold him. Hold him like Fuma had held him that night long ago, a warmth and care through gentle touch that he only got a fraction of. To return the same, tenfold and a thousand times over.

And it seemed so clear. So easy. That’s just how it was.

Rio thinks he understands now.

He thinks he understands now.

But.

“Liked anyone?”

Still, he hesitates.

“Yeah, liked anyone?”

Still he runs away, hiding behind a bright smile while the hurricane’s grip on his heart and mind continues roaring in the background. For only him to see, to hear, to feel.

While the person he desired would stand by his side.

He just wants to be sure.

“I mean…”

In times where his mind runs millions of miles a minute, he’d find solace in his pier. But his pier had long stopped being his own, now a shared place between him and the adorable yokai who’d sit by his side near the water. Going there right now, with how cluttered his mind was, would only make his train of thought go on endlessly. He’s thankful that he has friends now, unlike back then.

Rio’s habit of watching over Gamma’s shoulders never really went away. Even when he had earlier on developed embarrassment by how clearly he had been accustomed to the habit, having been caught by the red-head multiple times looming over his shoulder, he’d still find himself defaulting to it. Earlier on Gamma would tease him whenever he caught him, now the mangaka would take off anything sitting on his shoulders to make room for the ghost to cling on to.

Today, Rio has searched for Gamma in an attempt to get his mind off things.

For the past few hours he had been floating mindlessly in the air, arms lying lazily on Gamma’s shoulders, chin sat atop the red-head’s messy hair as he watched the mangaka work. Not once did the artist complain, having gotten used to the ghost’s presence over the time that had passed.

It seemed like they truly have become friends now, because Gamma seems to have noticed his mood seemed more somber in comparison to the usual.

Rio knows he’s been more quiet, less focused on the art. Unlike the usual. There were times Gamma would pause, asking how Rio’s feeling before continuing. It was strikingly obvious that Gamma knew Rio was in his head, but didn’t want to push for anything.

And Gamma was right, at that.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to! I know it’s a personal-”

“I like Uyu.”

Rio sputters, pushing himself away from Gamma in shock. Forgetting to a second about his physical body and stuttering out apologies as the artist gets shoved forwards and onto his desk. Narrowly taking his whole set up down if it wasn’t for the artist’s ready hands against the desk.

“Rio what the hell!?”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to push that hard it’s just-” The ghost pulls a hand close to his chest, confusion visible all over his face…and Gamma’s, “R-Really? Just like that? Not even hesitating I- I didn’t expect-”

“That I like Uyu?” 

Gamma almost sounded confused . 

“Yes!?”

The mangaka’s eyes pan to the side for a second, thinking.

“Well Uyu’s my friend.”

Rio feels his jaw drop to the floor.

“And so are you and Fuma?” The mangaka shrugs, turning himself and his chair towards the floating ghost in his room, “I mean, why else are we friends if I didn’t like you guys?”

Rio runs a hand down his face, sputtering out strange noises of frustration…before sighing, a palm pressed against his chest as he lets out a long exhausted breath. Gamma stares back up at him like a confused puppy, tilting his head to the side with a tiny confused smile.

“Is that not…”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Slowly, the ghost floats down and onto the mangaka’s bed. Pulling his feet on top of the mattress to sit cross legged atop the blankets. Gamma leans back into his seat, crossing his arms and raising a brow at the flustered ghost. 

“So what do you mean?”

“I mean’t like- like…!” Rio screams in a tiny voice, digging the soles of his hands into his eyes. He can feel Gamma’s stare burning holes into his cold body, and Rio feels the heat in his face, moving his hands to press against his blushing cheeks, “Like… like . Y’know?”

“...do you mean a crush?”

He stutters, tongue suddenly heavy. Gamma stares at him, wide-eyed and grinning. Rio’s hands scramble on the bed around him, pulling the nearest pillow to his chest to hide half his face. He can see the excitement vibrating off the other, already expecting a barrage of questions to come tumbling his way.

“No way… No way.”

“Answer the question!” Rio yells, though slightly muffled by the pillow.

“Oh Uyu is gonna love this-”

“Don’t te- Gamma answer the question already!”

The ghost throws the pillow at the mangaka, who catches it completely unimpressed. Rio can feel his face growing even warmer with the mischief shining in the other’s eyes, reaching for the other pillow to hide himself behind again. The tall red-head barks out in laughter, every fit of it making Rio want to return back to purgatory or wherever the hell his ghost self spawned from. Waiting until the laughter had calmed down into soft chuckles, Rio contemplates every life decision that his brought him to this very moment.

“Okay…okay I’m done!”

Rio peeks his head above the pillow, watching as the mangaka wipes at his eyes.

“Answer.”

Gamma manages to spit out a few more bits of laughter before fully calming, leaning back comfortably against his seat.

“Once, yeah.” The mangaka shrugs, “I think we’ve all had a crush at some point in our lives.”

Rio nods, slowly lowering the pillow horizontally across his lap. His face was still hot, but it had slowly begun to fade as the laughter did, leaving a still silence between them. The ghost taps his fingers against the soft surface, kneading the pillow with his palms.

“How did…”

He feels dread, knowing the other would tease him soon after.

“How’d you know?”

Instead of a tease or poke, Gamma doesn’t laugh whatsoever. He simply hums, as if thinking. The red-head’s eyes pan to his windows, looking out towards the sky. Rio follows his gaze, not finding much in the sky except well…the sky. His vision pans between the open blue and to Gamma’s own, back and forth. Expectantly waiting for something, anything from the other.

Gamma seems lost in thought, yet the smile on his face never shrunk or faltered. The red-head taps a finger against the arms of his chair, and the foot hanging in the air from how his legs were crossed shakes in a tapping motion.

The taller one opens his mouth to speak, but doesn’t for a minute. Until he does.

“I kinda just did, y’know?” The mangaka says, nonchalantly. “Everything fits together, I guess. I got the butterflies in the tummy…I wanted to impress them, wanted them to look at me. Everything just sort of fell into place eventually?”

“Oh.”

Gamma’s eyes pan back at him, expectantly. Rio hasn’t even said much, but it’s as if the other could read his mind.

“Did…”

Nervously, he picks through the words running through his head. Trying his darn hardest to form a coherent sentence in his mind before saying anything else. Gamma stares at him, joyful exterior never falling, and always patiently waiting for the other to speak.

“Did you ever…confess?”

“Yup!”

Again, nonchalant.

“I got rejected- Well…” The mangaka shrugs, “Depends on which crush, but for the most part I’ve had my fair shares of rejections.”

Rio nods quietly, curling up to make himself look smaller. Still feeling the aftermath of embarrassment. 

“That’s…unfortunate? I think.”

Looking away from Gamma, the room falls into a still silence. Rio continued kneading the pillow like its dough, trying to push away any remaining bits of embarrassment before he asked anything further. But then again, what more would he ask that won’t make this entire thing even more embarrassing for him? He considers committing to kneading the pillow until Gamma eventually announces that he’ll be going back to his art work.

Rio wouldn’t mind that, willing to take the burn from the other’s stare if it meant this wouldn’t go on any longer.

“So, you think you like someone?”

But unfortunately that’s not the case, isn’t it.

“...Maybe.” Rio sighs, deeply. Pulling the pillow against his chest and hugging it tightly, “I…I think so anyway.”

“I mean if you say so! You’re the only one who really knows, after all.”

When he looks back at the other again, Gamma’s back is facing him. The mangaka is back to work at his station, all his attention on the drawing tablet and computer screen. Rio watches him, brows furrowed, conflict in his mind as the other continues on as if they hadn’t just had that conversation. He expected teasing, jokes, anything really.

But Gamma’s just…

“How do I confess?”

He doesn’t even realise he says it until the other’s chair whips around, the red-head facing him with the most shit-eating grin he’s ever seen. Rio’s face burns, realising what he’s gotten into as Gamma kicks himself closer to the bed. The wheels of the taller’s desk chair rolling across the room until Rio’s face to face with the mangaka.

“Say what’s in your heart!”

The mangaka sounded too enthusiastic for Rio’s own good. Eyes lit up like an excited puppy, leaving the vision of a red wagging tail sewn into the ghost’s mind. The ghost’s shoulders jump up to his ears, nervously wiggling on the bed as he tries to think of a response.

“I-in my heart? It’s all messy right now. My feelings are all over the place and I don’t- I don’t even know if this is real.”

“Well that’s what we’ll figure out!”

Gamma kicks against the bed frame, prompting Rio to drop the pillow and hold on to the mattress as it shakes a little. The ghost watches as the other rolls back towards the desk, the heels of his feet dragging against the floor and effectively stopping the back of his chair from colliding with his gear. Crossing his legs, the red-head leans back, stretching a hand out.

“Go on, pretend I’m your lil crush~”

Rio frowns at the teasing tone.

“I’m trying to help, okay! Listen,” Rio sighs as the other speaks, “If you let out all the stuff in your heart now, no matter how jumbled and stupid it’ll sound…then you can get ready for when you actually have to confess. Plus you’ll figure out your feelings. Win-win, eh?”

“I…guess.”

Still keeping quiet, Rio continues to stare at Gamma. It seems like whatever doubt or genuine nervousness he felt must have shown in his features, as the other’s excited expression softens a little. Sympathy shining in those bright blue eyes, as Gamma calms his own visible excitement to make way for him.

“I’m not gonna judge you, okay? You don’t even have to tell me who it is.” The other speaks in a kinder tone, the energy in his voice lowered to something softer and gentler. Like an encouraging parent or older brother would to a little child, “I can see you’re a little bothered, okay? I was able to tell since you got here. But if you don’t want to do this then that’s alright.”

He had a point.

“No, Gamma I-”

Would it really hurt?

“It’s just a suggestion! We don’t have to if you don’t want to and I’m sorry if-”

Maybe it would take off some of the weight in his chest.

“No.”

At least for a little while.

“No, yeah.” Rio nods to himself, trying to put on a determined face for the other, “I’ll do it, sure. Yeah.”

“Okay!” There’s that excited tone again, “Well! Pour your heart out, Mr. Minase!”

Pour your heart out.

“I…uh.”

Where does he even begin?

Looking down at his own hands, staring at his pale lifeless skin. His mind was a pile of words upon words, and as he digs through them to find the right sentence to begin with, there’s only more. It’s like it never ends. Ever since he had met the yokai back then, what few words of thankfulness he had for the yokai only multiplied and grew, a thousand more followed by a thousand more with every day he had spent with the other. Every moment that had drawn them closer to each other…so much to say yet so hard to.

How does he start?

“...Hey.”

When the other had seen him, seen him. The very first time back in Uyu’s cafe, standing there listening simply. Gamma and Uyu had become a scene in his everyday life, a piece of the world he couldn’t be part of but could be close enough to, to feel like he was. He had stood there listening as that piece would change, fade away from him at the promise to stand on stage. The same promise he had longed for.

That it would all be over.

And then their eyes met.

“...You…are one of the most important people in my life, right now.”

And he smiled at him, and spoke to him.

“And you’ve done a lot more for me than you realise. You- You came into my life just like that, and suddenly I’m…happier than I’ve ever been.”

Fuma had always brushed off what he had done for Rio. It was always just a thing that Fuma had done. Rio firmly believes it, and will continue to believe that the other will never truly understand how much he has done for him. No one could blame Fuma, or anyone else, for not truly getting it. Only Rio would know, and only he would understand.

“Because of you…I can smile again. I can sing, and dance! You- You’re the light that came into my dark and lonely life. I just didn’t- I didn’t think you’d give me more than just the light. I didn’t think we’d have more than just you being my light.”

What does Rio want? Fuma had already given him so much. Was he asking for too much? Was he asking more from someone who had already given him everyth- No. No he wasn’t. Rio knows he wasn’t.

“You’ve given me so much and I…I want to give you…everything? Maybe I can’t do all of that but! But, I want to give you something. Something because I want to thank you. A-and because I want to! I want to give you something!”

Thankful, yes. Rio was thankful. And there’s a million things Rio would want to do to give back to the other. But being grateful was only a portion to why Rio feels the way he did. There’s a thousand more things he could name about the other; Bright yellow eyes, a sweet gentle smile, the way the other’s laugh would linger in his ears for more than it probably should. Rio wanted to give and give to Fuma.

“I want to…hold your hand? I think. I think I want to hold your hand and- and hug you? I mean, I already hug you a lot but! But in a different way!”

Not only because Fuma had given him so much, but also because it’s him.

“I want to…be that person , for you. The one you can trust with your entire life, even if you know so much more than I do I want to- I want to help you. I want to be with you and I want to grow with you and experience with you…and all of this sounds so ideal! I know that reality is much more different b-but…”

When he looks up, he’s back on the pier. The sky above them a warm orange colour, and the sunlight reflecting on the waves as it dives into the ocean in the distance. Bidding it's goodbye through sparkles of orange light against dancing water. Stood at the edge of the pier, from the spot where he’d usually find him. Fuma stares back at him, a gentle smile on his face.

He nods slowly, gently.

Go on, say it.

“I- I…”

Rio swallows hard, frozen. Stunned by the other, warm orange light reflecting on his face. Those yellow eyes glowing ever so slightly, and the toothy smile that puffed up the other’s cheeks.

“I think- I think I like…you.”

“Oh damn.”

Rio whips his head towards the voice, the illusion his mind had constructed for him disappearing as he stares at the open bedroom door. There stood, hand wrapped around the door handle was one Utsugi Uyu. Wide-eyed, and mouth slightly agape. Rio’s jaw drops, his vision bouncing between the newly arrived visitor and the mangaka who arrived.

Gamma had a similar expression of shock on, pointing at the thief who was standing at the door. The artist stutters, looking back and forth between his two pale-coloured friends before getting up on his feet. Rio’s face burns red, already predicting what’s about to happen.

“Well, shit.” Uyu says, face in bewildered disbelief as he crosses his arms together and leans against the doorframe. “I didn’t- I mean. I- Congrats, I guess…? I mean I would’ve never guessed but-”

“It’s not what it looks like!” Both he and Gamma yell at the same time.

“I’m not sure what else this is supposed to look like.” Uyu stretches a hand out, still clearly in disbelief over what had just occurred, “You’re telling me I didn’t just hear a confession coming out of Minase Rio’s mouth? What else could ‘ I think I like you’ possibly mean!? How else was I supposed to interpret this?”

“The confession was real!”

Gamma yells at his own words after realising what he’d said, and Uyu’s face only grows more confused with them. At this point, the ghost was practically eating the pillow from how buried his face was in it.

“Not like that!” Gamma screams, causing Uyu to flinch back with a palm pressed against his chest, “It’s real- real feelings it’s just! Just- Rio has a crush on someone!”

“Gamma!” Rio whips his head up to scream at the mangaka.

“I am so sorry I meant- Rio does…not! He doesn’t- I- I’m the one who has a-”

“Nothing you're doing is saving either of you.” Uyu says frankly, an unamused expression on his face; Eyes lidded and mouth drawn into a thin line. “I’m not an idiot, I can piece things together. Sit down.”

With that, Gamma promptly sits back on his chair. Legs pressed together and hands atop his thighs, his head lowered in shame and embarrassment. The ghost sighs deeply, flopping onto the bed below him as he dreads his entire future.

“So.”

Rio closes his eyes.

“You have a crush on someone?”

And groans into the mattress, hands flying over to cover the cherry red colour on his face.

“That’s fine!” He hears heels click against the floor, and then a dip next to him on the mattress. “It’s okay to have crushes.”

Gently, a hand presses against his head, petting him gently as if to calm him down. Rio sighs, curling up into a little ball as his eyes flutter open again. Gamma is still sitting, like a little boy who was in trouble by his parents, nervously kicking his feet against the ground. From the corner of his eye, he can see Uyu looking down at him softly.

“So why were you confessing to Gamma? Is it him?”

“It’s not-”

“Gamma, I’m not asking you.”

The red-head’s mouth snaps shut, looking away embarrassed again.

“Rio?”

The ghost sighs, shaking his head slowly. His cheek rubbing against the mattress covers.

“It’s not Gamma.” He says, scratching at the bed. “I just…I wanted to let my feelings out and Gamma suggested a way to help. That’s all.”

There’s a minute of quiet, Rio looking up to see Uyu nodding slowly. The white-haired man makes eye contact with Gamma, and in response the mangaka shrugs. Rio squints at this, already knowing that those two were going to have a discussion about this once the ghost is out of sight and earshot. Still, Uyu continues to brush through his hair with his fingers, and he can’t pretend he doesn’t find it relaxing.

“That’s nice, I suppose.” There’s a hint of laughter in the thief’s tone, “Nice to know you trust us with this. Well, Gamma, at least. I just walked in on it.”

“Honestly, I feel like I should have gone to you instead.”

“I know! I’d do a much better job than Gamma would.”

The thief and the ghost share a smile as they hear a dramatically offended gasp from the mangaka sitting parallel to them.

“I’m right here!?”

Laughter fills the room, taking away the earlier embarrassment and tension as an angry mangaka goes on a long and tiresome rant. When Uyu and Rio’s laughter manage to outmatch Gamma’s tangent, the mangaka picks up the pillow Rio had tossed at him earlier and begins striking both of them with it.

A few minutes, arguably loud ones, pass. The three of them are laid on the mangaka’s bed, all panting and heaving in between small fits of laughter. The pillow cases are wrinkled and messy, the comforter having rolled up and over, revealing a corner of the mattress underneath, and Rio can see one of the pillows having made it atop the artist’s cabinet. Gamma makes a comment about his messy bed, and Rio thinks he hears Uyu mention they’ll clean it up later.

“...so what’s for dinner?”

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

There’s an aroma in the kitchen, and every second Gamma spends in the space has him swallowing saliva. 

Peeking over his shoulder, his mouth waters at whatever Uyu had going on in the pot. On the other side of the kitchen, Rio was helping set the table. However, whenever the mangaka’s vision fell on the other, the ghost was running off to check at the front door for a minute or two. Sometimes it was the ghost coming back from it.

He stared, curious to why the other was acting that way. Smile falling bit by bit as he noticed that with every time the ghost did this, he’d return with a smile duller than the last.

Not trying to overthink it, he finishes up whatever veggies he had been chopping. Slowly bringing them over on the cutting board to the boiling pot Uyu stood in front of. The thief smiles at him as he approaches, opening the lid and allowing the other to throw them in.

“That’s a lot,” Uyu comments, squinting from the steam hitting his face. “Are we really gonna finish all that?”

“Coming from you?”

Uyu shuts the lid, and elbows Gamma on the side. Prompting the mangaka to almost drop the cutting board as he bends forward, groaning in pain.

“...hh! ‘M sorry I’ll never comment on your eating habits again!”

“Get up, you weakling.”

Looking over his shoulder again, he sighs as Rio runs off once more. Placing the cutting board on the counter. Uyu stares at him from the corner of his eye, before turning over to follow his gaze. The ghost returns, smiling stiff as he tries to find something to preoccupy himself with.

“Huh.” Gamma says, lowering the volume in his voice. He steps a little closer to Uyu, who was staring at him with a curious stare. Both of them turn towards the pot, their backs facing where Rio could see them. “He’s really concerned about Fuma, I guess.”

“It seems so,” Uyu replies, though there’s an undertone in his voice that Gamma can’t quite dissect, “Did he say how long he’s going to be out for?”

“He was supposed to arrive hours ago, like he said in the chat.”

“I know that!” Uyu nudges him softer this time, “I mean, when is he coming back?”

Gamma’s brows furrow and the thief’s face contorts from the prickly-teasing expression he usually wore when he was playing around…to something more akin to genuine confusion.

“Coming back?”

“ Supposed to?”

Uyu grabs Gamma’s arm, which startles him. He looks down at the hand wrapped around his arm before back at Uyu, who speaks to him pointedly.

“You mean to tell me Fuma hasn’t showed up yet?”

“No?” Gamma jerks back, surprised at the tone the other was using at him. “Was he supposed to be here already?”

“We were walking here together, Gamma. I told him to go ahead cause I had to stop somewhere. By the time I was making my way back here he texted me saying you asked him to buy ice cream.”

The mangaka sputters, pulling his arm away and raising his hands up defensively.

“Hold on, I didn’t even know he was near the building. I-”

“Fuma’s here!”

Both of them whip around, watching the yokai enter the kitchen with a plastic bag in hand. The minute the shorter’s eyes meet theirs, he raises the bag up with a small smile. Rio smiles brightly from beside him, following him as he places the bag on the counter to dig through it, the ghost comments on some dorayaki he found stuffed in there. To which the yokai only shyly laughs while scratching the back of his neck.

“Well,” Gamma smiles bright at the sight of the two, “Guess that explains it! He just wanted to sneak out for some dorayaki without us knowing, heh.”

It should be as simple as that, and really, that’s what Gamma sees.

So why does Uyu look so… confused.

“...Right.”

The response is hesitant, and Gamma doesn’t miss the brief moment of eye contact shared between the yokai and the thief. Fuma mouths something, too low for Gamma to read, but seemingly enough for Uyu. Who shakes his head slowly, before turning back to the pot.

“Uyu?”

There’s a look in the thief’s eyes, it’s distant and sombre. Yet frustrated.

“Everything alright?”

The thief sighs, picking up a wooden spoon and lifting the pot lid. Steam blocks both of their views, but Gamma can see the weak, small smile the thief tries to wear on his face. Not really thinking about it, Gamma runs a hand up the thief’s back. Giving it a small pat.

“It’s…a…”

The small smile grows a little more genuine.

“Yeah…Yeah. Alright.”

Behind them, Rio laughs his loud and boisterous laugh.

Behind them, Fuma’s laugh is a little less loud than how it usually was.

○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

Maybe he was a bit of a fool.

UU : [ Fuma. ]

UU : [ That confession wasn’t real. ]

UU : [ It wasn’t for Gamma. ]

Maybe Fuma was a bit of a fool.

YF : [ I know. I believe you. ] 

YF : [ I believed you the first time. ]

YF : [ I know you wouldn’t lie about that. ]

He needed to slow down.

UU : [ Then why are you acting this way? ]

He needed to think.

But he hasn’t returned to the pier since that night at Gamma’s. Instead he’s been letting his thoughts leak out his brain from his bedroom window. Staring out into the sky, his leg bouncing against the bed as his thoughts strung themselves endlessly.

YF : [ What way? ]

He knows exactly what way.

UU : [ Don’t start. ]

Sighing long and heavy, he lays back against the bed. Turning on his sides and curling up into a ball, the phone discarded to the empty space next to him. The screen is bright, notification after notification coming from a certain phantom thief. Fuma isn’t stupid, and he’s not an asshole either, he’s aware he’s been acting differently.

He’s aware it's noticeable.

He’s aware they can see it.

Fuma can see it.

In the way Gamma and Uyu share looks, where the mangaka had thousands of questions and yet unsure when and what was appropriate. The artist was completely out of the water, as far as Fuma knows. And Fuma feels bad that this was affecting someone completely unrelated, simply because Gamma was a good friend. Gamma was just concerned, but without any context he’s just a clueless witness.

Uyu looks like he wants to let Gamma know what’s going on. Probably frustrated cause he’s the only person who knows how Fuma is feeling…and yet here Fuma was putting up a wall to the only person who could really hand him some sympathy right now. The yokai knows that behind that strong, quick-witted and confident face was Uyu, kind and sympathetic. It’s one of the reasons why he went to Uyu with his feelings in the first place.

Now, too in his head to open up to the thief. All he can do is stare as his phone explodes with notification after notification. All while a clueless Gamma tries to lighten up their groupchat, feeling the strange air that he had caused.

And then there’s Rio.

“Damn it.”

Honestly? He feels the worst about Rio.

Because despite how noticeable he was acting, how everyone including Rio could tell he was acting differently…the ghost was still waiting for him. On that pier, everyday, holding his phone and staring down at it with hesitance in his eyes. Doubt on his features. Sometimes he’d pace back and forth, and other times he sighs defeatedly.

While Fuma watched from afar, never approaching.

Damn it.

He reaches for his phone.

UU : [ I’m just trying to understand what’s going on with you, Fuma ]

UU : [ You’ve been distant. ]

UU : [ You’re an airhead sometimes but you aren’t distant. ]

UU : [ It’s like you’re stuck in your own head ]

UU : [ Sometimes we’d call for you several times. Right next to you! ]

It makes him frown, a ball stuck in his throat. He’s not sure what it is. He just knows it makes him feel bad.

UU : [ Rio’s so worried about you, Fuma. ]

And it feels bad.

UU : [ You’ve been distant with him in particular. ]

UU : [ Everytime he tries to approach you, you seem like you’re out of it? You don’t even pay attention to some of the things he says to you. ]

UU : [ Fuma you adore Rio. ]

The messages make him want to throw his phone against the wall, scream into his pillow and hide away in his room for the next three weeks. But it’s the truth, it’s been the truth for a while already. Even before it evolved from adoration to attraction, that simple fondness over the ghost’s cuteness turned into something else entirely. He’s always looked at Rio, gently watching him as he shines more and more everyday.

Damn it Uyu knew him too well. And Fuma knows that if Gamma knew. If Gamma knew.

They’d both tell him the same thing.

UU : [ Fuma this isn’t just about the confession thing is it? ]

UU : [ You know you were never promised anything, but that doesn’t mean you have no chances! ]

UU : [ But this can’t be it, right? Fuma, we know you. ]

UU : [ Talk to us. ]

His fingers hover over his keypad, watching as Uyu continues on with his messages. There are jumbled sentences in his head, things he wants to say but can’t seem to manage to. They’ve been piling up, filling every corner of his brain for the past few days. Everyday he’d keep his lips zipped tight has just made the space more compact, not enough room for everything that’s following through.

And Uyu is reading him like a children’s book. Through text, of all things.

It’s only when the barrage of messages stops that Fuma finds any courage to type.

YF : [ Honestly. ]

YF : [ I’m a little scared. ] 

YF : [ It’s been so long since I’ve had feelings of any sort…for anyone. ]

YF : [ Feelings have been something I’ve had to set aside for some time. ]

YF : [ And I won’t pretend like I wasn’t lonely. ]

YF : [ Maybe I am jealous. ]

YF : [ Because if that confession wasn’t for Gamma, then it was for someone. ]

YF : [ Someone could not be me. ]

YF : [ And maybe the thought of that makes me jealous, makes me upset. ]

YF : [ Here is someone who I’ve finally opened my heart up to again ]

YF : [ Someone who maybe. Just maybe. Could stay a little longer than anyone else could. ]

YF : [ If he wanted to, of course. But at least it was an option and I ]

YF : [ Was I too hopeful? ]

YF : [ These thoughts make me question things, Uyu. ]

YF : [ These sound so selfish and they are. ]

YF : [ But it isn’t about my feelings right? That confession was Rio’s. His feelings. ]

YF : [ So what the hell am I doing, thinking about those things? He can stay with me longer than anyone else would. Fill the loneliness. ]

YF : [ And what do I do in return? I didn’t even think that. ]

YF : [ I don’t know what I can do, Uyu. ]

YF : [ I just want to hold his hand. I just want to have him. ]

YF : [ But those are selfish thoughts, because there’s a chance that’s not me and I ] 

YF : [ I don’t want my feelings to ruin things. ]

YF : [ I need to clear my head. ]

YF : [ Because I don’t want to hurt anyo. ]

YF : [ I think I lo ]

The sky glares at him through his window.

He’s been laying there, sorting through thoughts and getting too deep into his head. The phone he had been typing into earlier now sitting on his night stand, muted.

Ever since he had walked in, stood in front of Gamma’s bedroom door, and heard Rio relay his confession. All he had felt was the floor beneath him disappear, like he was falling into a void. Except he was completely still, where the world around him hadn’t changed for a second. That the few minutes he spent listening felt like the eternity it wasn’t. Because in that key moment Fuma had forgotten.

He’d forgotten.

What right do I have?

It took a while for Fuma to understand why he had become so drawn for Rio, and even after the discovery of the romantic feelings he held for the ghost…there was still so much about himself that Fuma had to comprehend before even thinking of confessing. That maybe the loneliness Rio would express, sitting on that pier as the day turned into night, was oh so familiar to the yokai beside him. Watching the world go by, as you go on and on.

Seemed all too familiar.

And sure, Fuma wasn’t cursed to be hidden away from the eyes of the world. He could make friends if he wanted to.

He just had to watch them go.

Again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And…

Gamma, Uyu and Rio were different. 

Fuma hadn’t realized that until weeks later since forming their little group, when the four of them had laid together under the stars. In some park, at a horrible hour in the morning after not having seen each other when the sun was still in the sky. The four of them were mutually exhausted; Fuma had ran several jobs that day, Gamma was chasing after deadlines, Rio was generally overwhelmed with the world before him, and Uyu seemed to have had a horrible day in the cafe.

At that point, they weren’t very close. Not as much as they were now.

Still, when Fuma had sent them a picture of the park, at two in the morning. A picture of the night sky that he looked up at with tired, soulless eyes. In less than an hour the four of them were complete, laying there, not really talking for the first thirty minutes. They weren’t close yet, so what was there to say? To joke about?

There was so little they knew about each other. What could they have done?

And then Gamma makes a stupid comment about the stars, and Uyu makes a sarcastic comment back. It makes Rio, who was still shy and hesitant back then, laugh properly for the very first time since meeting him. And Fuma? He finally smiled, properly, genuinely. Not the customer service smile he’d been giving to the people he was working for that day.

They filled the silence of that park, tired-eyed and exhausted bodies. Laughing like idiots under the stars.

And when he woke up, he was in Uyu’s room for the very first time. Rio is sleeping with him horizontally on the bed. Gamma could be heard conversing with the thief outside the half-opened door, the smell of freshly brewed coffee seeping through.

They’d never truly understand how much it meant to him, at that moment. To wake up, not alone in some random place he had fallen asleep in. Not with Kotatsu desperately looking around and making sure he hasn’t fallen asleep in a bush.

For the first time in a long time, someone else makes him coffee.

For the first time in a long time, he wakes up to early morning conversation.

For the first time in a long time, he sees another face laying beside him in bed.

They were different, temporary, but different.

And the pier.

The place where he and Rio had gotten closer, where the ghost had opened his heart up and let all the lonesome yearning and longing fall into the ocean with his tears. Where Fuma had listened and listened, seeing empty periwinkle eyes and remembering his own yellow ones, years ago. Rio had endlessly thanked him, endlessly let him know how grateful he was.

Rio had asked once, if there was anything he could do to repay him.

Stay.

He wanted to say.

Stay with me, for as long as you can.

But it was too soon for that, too soon. 

He wasn’t sure. Hesitance is forever his greatest obstacle. But the reassurance was always there, because Rio would wait for him at the pier. The ghost’s hair blowing in the wind, glowing under the moonlight. He’d turn to see Fuma, and he’s smiling that loving smile of his. Fuma remembers how little and bashful his smiles used to be, how hesitant they used to be. Now they were bright, like the moon that watched over them both.

Maybe he had deluded himself a little into thinking that Rio really would stay.

I’ve given him freedom, and yet I’m asking him to stay.

Fuck.

It seemed to good to be true.

Imagining the life that would follow. That the days that have accumulated, spent together on that pier would double. Triple. That it would continue to be their pier even when the world around them continues to shift and change. That they’d share piece of Gamma and Uyu with them, when the time comes that-

Too far. Too far. There’s nothing between you yet.

There’s nothing between you. That future isn’t secure.

Don’t get in your head.

Fuma is scared he’s gotten too in his head, too soon.

So he pulled himself away, needing to bring himself back to reality before doing anything else. He’ll apologize, pour out his heart to his boys when his head is in the right place. But for now, he needs to close off a few walls. The door will remain unlocked for them, but they’ll have to knock a little bit more than they would do.

He thinks of Rio sitting on that pier, waiting for him again.

He thinks of running up to him, taking his hand and pulling him into an embrace.

He thinks he wants to.

UU : [ Alright. ]

But not right now.

UU : [ I guess I’ll trust your word then. ]

UU : [ Take care of yourself, Fuma. ]

So he lays in bed for a while, thinking about all the words he had typed out for Uyu to read. Only for him to have backed out last minute, too terrified and too unsure of what’s going on in his head to vomit it all out onto the thief. So he erased everything, slowly watching the letters disappear and the weight in his chest grow heavier once more.

YF : [ I just need some time to think ]

YF : [ Please. ]

And he says that in its place.

UU : [ Get some rest ]

Besides,

There’s someone else who needs to hear those words first.

But not right now.

Not right now.

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

MR: [ Can you come over? ]

MR: [ I have to tell you something. ]

MR: [ It’s about you. ]

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

It took everything in Rio to send that message.

For the past few days since Fuma had gone radio silent, the ghost had been standing on the pier for hours unend. Waiting silently in hopes that the other would arrive, just like he had done back then. When Rio was a quivering mess, tears dripped down his face and thumb hovering over the send button.

How many days have gone by with Rio’s thumb hovering over that send button again? How many times has Rio typed that message over and over knowing very well he wouldn’t send it? He’s been sitting there, waiting for the other.

And maybe he needed the time away from Fuma. Maybe he needed that so he can get his words in order, get the confession ready in his head.

Because holy shit. Gamma was right.

After he had spilled everything out to the mangaka, Rio’s chest felt lighter than he ever felt. When he had gone home after that night, he had stared deep into his own eyes in the mirror. Replaying the words he had said out loud just hours prior. Over and over, like a mantra or a broken record. Everything he had said was so jumbled, so messy and awkward. Rio’s honestly sorry the taller had to witness that, but…

But it was real. 

Every single word was real.

When Rio went to be that night he dreamt. Dreamt. The scene he had conjured up in his mind, in the middle of the confession. Over, and over. Where it had stopped, Fuma stood there under beautiful orange light, nodding at him with encouragement. He dreamed that he finished those words, that he had said everything he needed to say. Dreamt of Fuma’s bright smile paired with bright pink cheeks, of reaching out and taking the other’s hand and- and-

Waking up.

But it didn’t matter because it was real.

MR : [ If I confessed. Do you think I have a chance? ]

So he had decided, that he’d do it.

HG : [ Go for it! There’s always a chance! ]

He’d tell Fuma.

HG : [ I think your confession made it clear how much you like them! ]

He’d tell Fuma, he’d give it a chance just like Gamma had said.

And he’d tell him.

So he waited that day.

And the next day.

And the day after.

Rio had waited on that pier, waited for the very moment he’d know him and Fuma would be alone…Yet the yokai never showed up for the days that followed. No matter how many times they’d meet during the morning or afternoon, Fuma would always turn up at the pier at least a few times a week.

But Rio’s barely seen him.

Even during the times they’d meet other than on the pier, Fuma had seemed to have pulled away from him. It scared Rio. At first it was his insecurities coming forward, thinking he had done something that potentially ruined the friendship they had. But then it morphed into genuine concern, watching the yokai space out into the distance, eyes miles away from the body that held them.

Everytime he tried to reach out, Fuma would give him a smile that never reached his eyes.

And Rio’s heart ached for the yokai.

Everyone could tell that something was off with Fuma. Rio wanted nothing more than to sit by the other on the pier, to let Fuma pour his heart out to the sea like they usually would. So that the fading weight would make it easier for him to pull the yokai back, close, glued to each other like they used to be.

But every time he’d reach out, Fuma would pull back.

Gamma had assured him multiple times that it wasn’t something against Rio. It was something else. Fuma was in his head.

That was arguably worse, in Rio’s opinion.

But there are some lines, even after all this, remain unsure to Rio if he’s allowed to cross. So he keeps the distance Fuma leaves for the two of them. Watching from afar as the yokai’s eyes spoke volumes that Rio couldn’t comprehend yet. The confession sitting on his tongue, swallowed and stuck in his throat as he waited patiently for Fuma.

And then came the radio silence.

It was Uyu who had reassured him this time, explaining to them that he’d been in contact with Fuma and that the yokai just needed some time. It stung, Rio will admit. Knowing that someone he thought he was so connected to wouldn’t even let him in. But he didn’t say a word about it. Uyu and Fuma had known each other longer, after all. Why should he complain?

He’s already lucky enough to even have Fuma as a friend.

Oh no.

The silence that spanned an entire week got to him. The confidence he had developed after the practice confession had wavered, brick walls slowly falling down and bringing the structure with it. He grew visibly more discouraged with each passing day, having gone from excitedly skipping about the wooden pier to sitting silently on its edge.

Not a single word from Fuma, still.

His mind talks too much at that time. The confession he had been so ready to do becomes a jumbled mess of words he can’t figure out. And in the silence, the lonesome silence on that pier…and all he can do is think.

What if I ruin this?

The longer he spent on that pier, the longer he thought about just how much time the two of them had spent together there. Looking at the ocean, all he saw was precious memories. One after the other. It seemed perfect, too perfect. Everything he had ever wanted in the past.

Fuma always smiled at him, bright and adoring.

What if things don’t go the way I planned?

Rio’s mind wanders, imagining a different scenario instead.

What if the things in his dreams play out differently? That the smiling, loving Fuma that stared back at him under the sunset would turn cold. That the yellow eyes, already distant from whatever the other had been going through…only growing more so. Too far for Rio to reach, to pull back, to keep.

The whole reason he had gained the confidence to confess was because what he and Fuma had was so good. The possibility of having more… it sounded amazing.

Yet Rio forgot that on the other side of the coin, he could potentially lose all of this.

And wow, that did not help the fact that he still has yet to hear from Fuma again.

Half the week with Fuma away had Rio’s nerves flying through the roof. So much so that he had begun to contemplate just giving up entirely. His feelings could always go away, right? If he doesn’t say anything, there’s nothing to lose! He can continue to stick by Fuma’s side, he can continue to have Gamma and Uyu. He’ll be fine!

After all, he needs them.

He doesn’t have anything else, really.

He doesn’t have anything else, really.

“Oh god.” He muttered to himself, just hours prior before sending the message. His thumb that was hovering over the send button, had then been pressed against his face. Head in his hands as he reorganizes sequences and possibilities in his mind. “Oh god.”

Most of the courage he had since that night at Gamma’s had died. All that’s left was his heart, his mind, and his nervous-wreck of a self. The pier was basically rocking back and forth from how aggressively he’d been swinging his legs off it. Luca, in the few times she’d accompany him, would stare up at him bewilderedly from where she sat on his lap. The cat crawled up to lick him in the cheek in concern.

Today Luca wasn’t there to comfort him, sleeping comfortably on top of his bed at home. Probably getting her hair all over his pillows. While he spent hours sitting there, waiting with bated breath.

At some point, he had heard footsteps. In his nervous excitement, he didn’t notice the sound of heels clicking on the ground and only recognized the footsteps. Perhaps his expression was clearly a mix of his nervous fear and genuine excitement, because when pale-eyes met his periwinkle…there was a sense of understanding in them.

Uyu had sighed, sympathy clear in his expression, when he watched Rio’s entire self slump in disappointment. The thief hadn’t said anything to him for the first half hour, sitting next to the ghost with his long legs hanging over the edge. Ever so often their eyes would meet, questions hanging at the tip of Rio’s tongue. His mouth had opened and closed like a fish, trying to say something.

Because with the way Uyu looked at him, there was clearly something he knew.

“Are you gonna send that?”

Was what the thief said when he finally spoke up. A small smile on his face, encouraging and endearing. The thief nudges his head towards the phone sitting in Rio’s hand, the unsent message clear as day for the other to notice. Heat boiled its way to his face, making the ghost pull the phone against his chest to hide the message.

“A bit too late for that, yeah?”

“Uyu…”

“You’re probably wondering why I’m here.” The thief looks out into the sky, laughing as he speaks, “And why I’m meddling in your business, right?”

“I…a little bit.”

“It’s for both of you.”

The thief placed a hand on his shoulder, gently squeezing it in a comforting manner.

“Gamma would do the same.” Uyu says promptly, tone light and playful, “Because if he knew how much shit I had to deal with when it comes to the two of you, then he’d step in. Just as tired as me!”

“...uh- what?”

“Tell him, go on.” Letting go of the ghost’s shoulder, Uyu nudged Rio’s arm. Directing the shorter person's attention to his phone again. “You know you want to.”

“You…know?”

The thief looked at him for a second, the smile on his face fell. Pale eyes traced him up and down, panning from the phone to his face. Rio curled in a little for how long the stare lingered, before the thief shrugged and spoke up again.

“No. I’m just assuming.” Uyu said, “But if it is who I’m thinking of. I don’t think you have anything to be worried about.”

Uyu looked away after saying that. Back to the open sky, and the endless ocean. Rio had stared at him, the earlier confusion in his features fading as he started to understand the other. Face burning bright red, realizing that maybe he wasn’t as subtle as he thought. Still, he thinks about Uyu’s words and stares down at his phone screen.

The message is read, over and over.

The send button looked so tempting.

“What if…”

But he was still so scared.

“What if he says no?” Rio mumbled, and from the corner of his eyes Uyu’s expression didn't change whatsoever, “I was so confident days ago. I was so ready. But the longer this stalls on, the more I realize how scary this all is. If he says- If he says no then what would happen to all of this?”

The ocean waves dance silently in front of them. Uyu’s expression didn't change, the thief still didn’t look his way. But there was a softness that only people who knew Uyu, a look that only they would recognize, was present in the thief's eyes. In his posture. In how he sat there, cross-legged and still.

“I don’t.”

He’s listening.

“I don’t want to lose this.”

“I’m not sure what to tell you, Rio.”

At that moment, he had feared the worst. Uyu was sympathetic, but he was also honest when he needed to be. Rio wouldn’t have blamed him, the situation had warranted honesty. Something he himself had been so terrified of for the past few days.

“But I think, if it’s who I think it is.”

When the thief looked at him again, Rio let out a soft gasp.

“I think that he’s thinking the exact same thing as you.”

Uyu had reached out, a palm digging through his purple hair. A laugh hidden behind a small grin, as Rio grabbed at the hand that was making a mess out of his hair. It was a brief moment of relief from the tense feelings bubbling in his chest, the thief handled him with great care. It got a laugh out of both of them, taking some weight off the ghost’s chest.

“Even if he said no, since you’re so worried about that. I think he’d take the rejection over losing what you guys have, any day.” The thief told him in between ruffling his hair, “And trust me, you won’t lose this. No matter what the outcome.”

And though it only took him a few minutes to ponder on Uyu’s words, it would be another hour or two before he manages to press the send button. Staring blankly at the screen as the messages are sent, delivered. He can’t go back now. If he deletes them then Fuma would know. It would be inevitable, so why go back?

Now all he can do is wait for Fuma.

…again.

There’s no expectation that he’d show up. Rio could tell that there was something holding the yokai back. And who was he to meddle? As much as he wishes to pour out his heart while he still had the courage, he couldn’t force the shorter out of the tower he had locked himself in. The only thing Rio had that he could cling on to is hope and trust.

Trust in Fuma.

Come over, he had told the other. Come over.

The early afternoon sky that had accompanied him and Uyu earlier, slowly began to wave goodbye. Again there Rio was, watching the bright blue fade into that warm orange. The sea sparkling, sun sprinkling what light it has left to offer onto the waves, sinking into the distance. In time stars would appear.

Rio has been there all day.

Rio knew he’d continue to be there until the orange sky turned dark.

At least he thought so.

But then he could hear it, the sound of footsteps running closer and closer. No they weren’t Uyu’s, there were no clicking heels against the wooden planks. These weren’t Gamma’s, who walks in long strides because of his height, a skip in his step. It was rushing, one after another. They grew louder with every second.

Rio quickly gets up, pushing his legs back onto the pier as fast as he can. Almost tripping on his own feet as he stands. The wind blows his hair into his face, forcing him to pull at the purple strands just so he can see and confirm it’s who he thinks it is.

“Rio!”

Through messy strands of hair, he sees the silhouette of one Yatogami Fuma. The yokai’s hands on his knees, bent forward and panting audibly.

And Rio’s face burns with the stretch of a smile.

“Fuma!”

His feet move on their own, bringing him closer to the panting yokai.

“Fuma I-”

“I like you!”

Huh?

“H-Huh?”

Well that wasn’t what he expected.

Rio backs up, holding his hands to his chest. He can feel the heat in his face, imagining the flush of pink spreading across his face. Fuma stands upright with a push to his knees, a determined look on his face yet…his skin is tinted in a soft red, and there’s sweat dripping down his face.

“Fu- Fuma wait-”

“I like you, Mi-Minase Rio!” The yokai’s voice cracks in the middle of it, and Rio backs up, eyes wide and jaw falling to the floor. “I like you and I should’ve communicated with you more! I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on you and Gamma! But I did and I got jealous!”

Rio doesn’t even know what Fuma was talking about. 

He was there? He was listening? When he was pouring his heart out to the mangaka. Pouring his heart out about Fuma, to the mangaka? The revelation makes his head spin. Because that means Fuma heard his word vomit of a confession, a complete and utter mess of awkwardness and-

Wait a minute.

Jealous?

“Fuma slow-”

Fuma was like a bomb waiting to explode, each word coming out faster than the last. Rio makes a face of discomfort, watching the other’s rapping tongue come through in his…confession? Was it a confession? Rio wasn’t sure what was even going on right now.

“And I know I shouldn’t have gotten jealous because I’m just your friend! You didn’t know anything about my feelings and instead of being happy for you, I got too in my head and started distancing myself from you!” 

The yokai spits out, every syllable dropping at a speed that was just slow enough for Rio to comprehend. But then Fuma takes a deep breath, and the ghost audibly yelps, knowing very well what’s gonna come.

“But Uyu told me it wasn’t really for Gamma and I was relieved for a second, but then I realized if it wasn’t for Gamma it was for someone else so I got jealous again! And then I went back to distancing myself from you because of my jealousy, but then I got guilty because what right do I have to act that way and started distancing myself from you more!”

Another deep breath. Rio sputters, reaching out for the yokai. Fuma had his eyes shut, tinted skin now as red as tomato, whether its from the lack of air or from the embarrassment of his confession Rio wouldn’t honestly know.

“Woah- Fuma I can’t understand-”

The yokai kicks up in speed.

“ I know it’s selfish but I really like you and I felt so bad, but I’m also scared to lose you because I haven’t felt this way for anyone in a very long time so I kind of chickened out and I had no idea what I was supposed to do, but Uyu told me how I was acting was affecting the group and I didn’t want that and I didn’t want you to be sad because I liked you and I didn’t want you hurt because of m-”

Okay, that’s enough.

“And I just-”

Reaching out, Rio grabs the yokai by his face. Dragging the shorter forward by his cheeks, forcing the yokai to cut his train of words off and stumble forwards. Fuma makes a noise of surprise, something almost akin to the beginning of a scream.

Cut-off.

By a pair of lips gently pressed against his forehead, right between his eyebrows.

“I…I…”

When Rio pulls away, the heat in his face now boiling hot, Fuma stares up at him. The yokai, tomato-faced and wide-eyed in shock, stares up at Rio with a dazed expression. He looked like he was hypnotized, yet confused. Fuma’s stunned into silence, mouth agape and sweat dripping down the sides of his face.

“Heh.” And Rio can’t help but laugh at how cute the other looked, “Hey, Fuma”

“H..Hi.”

The ghost feels a tickle in his stomach, amused by how the other was staring up at him. He laughs, not the same loud and boisterous one he usually had, but much more gentler and sweeter. Giddy. Fuma is staring at him, some nervousness having faded yet still there. Rio tilts his head to the side, staring straight into the other’s eyes while caressing the pale cheeks with his thumb.

Fuma, though embarrassed, seems to lean into the contact.

“Could you…” Rio says, chuckling in between, “Go a little slower? Maybe a little shorter too?”

“You- You’re an ass.” Fuma laughs nervously, some of the redness fading away. The yokai swallows, breathing in through his nose and speaks in a semi-confident tone, “I…like you, Rio.”

Rio smiles.

That felt…so good to hear.

“That’s…good.”

He doesn’t know where the flow of confidence came from, but somehow he manages to press another kiss on Fuma’s forehead. The nervous yokai stutters, making audible Fuma noises that kick at the giddiness Rio feels in his chest.

Staring at the yokai, nervously smiling at him, Rio whispers in a gentle tone.

“It was about you.”

Fuma’s face contorts to confusion, straightening his posture. Rio drops his hands, and doesn’t miss how the other chases after the contact before pulling back. Yellow eyes pan around the scene, confusion evident in his features.

“What…? What do you mean about that?”

The ghost laughs, raising a hand to cover the grin growing on his face.

“Fuma, that confession you heard me say to Gamma.” His smile softens as he reads Fuma’s face. The yokai slowly put two and two together. “It was about you.”

“A…All of that? Everything you said?” The yokai says in disbelief, voice growing softer as he presses a hand to his chest. Fuma doesn’t look at him, eyes going everywhere and wondering, processing what he had just heard. “That was about me...”

“You were jealous of yourself.” Rio chuckles, watching yellow eyes zoom back to focusing on him. “So jealous that you even beat me to the confession.”

“ Confession!? Is that what the message was about? You were going to confess to me!?”

And wow the laughter bubbling in his stomach was uncontrollable. Hiding his laughter behind his hands as Fuma stomps on the ground. Looking like a puppy that had been tricked into going to the vet at the promise of a park. The yokai was in disbelief, and Rio was amused.

“I thought you were going to confront me about- This!” Fuma gestures to his entire self, and then between him and Rio, “How I’ve been acting! Uyu already chewed me out for it, I was expecting a second part!”

“Honestly, it would have been brought up eventually.” Rio’s laughter softens, dying into low giggles. He reaches out for the bewildered yokai, wrapping his cold hand around Fuma’s gloved hand. The shorter man looks down at their interconnected hands, expression softening as he returns his attention to Rio, “I was worried about you, Fuma.”

“I…I’m sorry.”

“Hey, no, Fuma….” Fuma gulps at Rio’s words, “It’s okay to feel stuck when you don’t feel good. I just wished you talked to us…”

“Y-Yeah, okay. I know, I should have…And that’s what I’m sorry for.” The yokai ducks his head, “I just really got into my head.”

“That’s okay.”

Fuma twists his hand in Rio’s, and their hands properly slot together. The ghost looks down at it, watching as in an act of bravery, Fuma nervously rubs his gloved thumb over Rio’s knuckles. Looking back up, the orange sunlight decorates the other’s face, a small nervous smile highlighted by warm light. Yellow eyes staring down at the interconnected hands, hints of pink sitting on his round cheeks.

“This…” Fuma starts, still staring at their hands. “What does this…mean? Are we?”

“I don’t know.”

Just a few minutes ago, Rio nervously contemplated the same thing. It would have eaten at his mind, chewing questions in his brain to the point where it would consume him. Now? Now, Rio was smiling. His head as clear as the sky above them, and his still heart beating in his chest like rushing waves.

He’s nervous, nervous for something.

“I just know I like you too, Fuma.”

Something good.

“I…” The yokai manages to huff out a laugh, shaking his head slowly as he looks back up at Rio. Yellow meets periwinkle, stood under the warm light of the setting sun. “I guess…we should…go out together?”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“If I was, would you say yes?”

Fuma smiles bright enough to reach his eyes, little fangs bared for Rio to see.

“Yeah, I would.”

That’s when he knows it's a real smile.

“Okay, let’s go on a date.”

And somehow, the nervousness that had built over the past few days was thrown out the window. Rio’s happiness kicks him forward, moving his feet for him to wrap his arms around the yokai. He lifts the other up in the air, laughing at the panic in the other’s voice that turns into laughter as they collapse onto the pier four steps later. Laying on top of each other, wiping at their eyes.

He wonders if anyone was watching, wondering why these two idiots are laughing and lying against the pier while the sun sets.

Frankly?

Rio didn’t care.

Because when the sun finally sets into the ocean and the moon illuminates the night sky, two spirits lay side by side under the moonlight. Hands held tight, sitting between the two of them, knowing that their faces would ache from how much they’d smile that night.

It feels like his still heart was beating in his chest.

Rio knows why.

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

“Oh thank god.”

It was interesting…to say the least. Watching Uyu and Gamma’s reaction to the announcement of their new relationship.

They waited a few weeks before saying anything, having to test the waters by going on a few dates before slapping on a label. When the two of them were comfortable enough with being boyfriends, they walked into Uyu’s cafe, hand-in-hand with pink dusted all over their cheeks.

Uyu and Gamma had looked at them, confusion evident in their expressions…and then their eyes slowly traced to where their hands had been connected. Fuma won’t pretend he wasn’t terrified, especially since Uyu knew and had been practically dragged into their mess. He just didn’t think they were that obvious to warrant Gamma sharing a similar reaction.

The two had let out sighs of relief, Uyu almost slammed his head onto the counter as he flopped onto the floor. Gamma let out a long monotone cheer, slowly having sunk his face against the table he was sitting at. One thing was clear; They both expected this, they both waited for this.

And they both were sick of them.

“War is over!” Gamma yelled against the table. “Freedom!”

“I’m so sick of pretending like we can’t see anything that’s going- Okay.” Uyu sighed, popping up from behind the counter. The thief pulled himself up, putting on a smile for the new couple while leaning against the counter, “Congratulations you two! We saw this from miles away.”

“Yeah! You guys suck at hiding!”

Rio ducked his head, hiding his face against Fuma’s shoulder as the yokai stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to another as the taller half of their group chewed them up. In the end, the four of them were gathered together at the counter, laughing and joking as they usually would…with the occasional friendly jabs at the new couple.

Both spirits, still not used to all of this, ducked their heads and curl closer to each other. Bashful shades of pink on their faces with every tease, yet hands still intertwined where they were hidden under the counter.

The change in the dynamic falls into their routine as a group, and eventually it becomes so normal that the teasing stops. Though there were still a few instances where the taller half just couldn’t help but drop a snarky comment here and there.

For instance, when the four of them had gathered together at Fuma’s office. Uyu had walked out with the promise to buy them all coffee on his way back, and Gamma had seemed preoccupied by his sketchbook in the corner of the room. Rio and Fuma had immersed themselves in conversation, drawing closer to each other the longer they spoke. Fuma had complimented Rio, calling him beautiful while tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.

“Oh Rio you’re so pretty~! Mwah mwah mwah mwah-”

Fuma had practically chased the mangaka through the entire building, almost knocking over Uyu and the take-out coffees he had been carrying on his way inside.

Another time, it was Uyu.

Rio had asked him to come to the pier again. The two of them had stayed there for a few hours, talking nonsense until it had gotten dark. When fewer people seemed to be around, the ghost laid his back against one of the posts and sat on the pier, offering his hands out in a hug. Though embarrassed at first, Fuma had comfortably found himself in a warm Rio hug. Back pressing against the ghosts stomach.

And then they heard a series of clicks.

Some from a set of heels.

And the one from a camera.

“Uyu!?”

The thief booked it faster than either of them could get up.

“I wasn’t here! You didn’t see anything!”

“ Uyu !”

Some things never really change within their group.

Especially their habit of bullying each other.

Nevertheless, Fuma wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. Neither would Rio.

If there’s one moment Fuma is glad neither of the taller half would so rudely interrupt, it would be around after a month since their confession. Both Gamma and Uyu had promised to leave them be, wishing them well on their date as the two walked off to do their own things. Surprisingly, both of them kept their word.

Fuma and Rio spent a day together without a single interruption. Not even their groupchat made a single noise. It was truly just a day for both of them! There was a cute little cat cafe that both of them expressed interest in…Fuma for the dorayaki and Rio for the cats.

In the end they had both gotten what they wanted. 

And while Fuma’s cheeks were stuffed with the sweet treat, he almost choked a few times watching Rio be swarmed by the furry creatures. The cats jumped all over him and rubbed themselves onto him, a bright smile present on the ghost’s face. Fuma makes a comment about Luca’s jealousy, and the ghost files it as a problem for his future self. Happily sitting in the middle of an army of cats, not knowing a yokai’s eyes were focused only on him.

It ended with the pier. Of course it ended with the pier.

The two names they had carved into the wood now had a little heart in between them.

“I had fun today,” He says, tracing his gloved hands against the carvings in the wood, “I mean, I always have fun with you. Even when you’re covered in cat fur.”

“Me too!” Rio brushed his hair with his hands, staring at Fuma with bright eyes, “I’m used to the cat fur! I expect more when I get home and Luca smells other cats on me.”

“It must be tiring having to clean all that hair, ah…Kotatsu doesn’t shed that much, I think?”

“Kotatsu cleans up after you! If anything, you’re the one probably shedding.”

“Hey!”

This was how their dates usually went for the past weeks they spent together, and while Fuma was happy, really he was! There was something he’s been wanting to do. Something he just couldn’t get the courage to. It’s been on his mind for days now, the thought increasing in volume everytime his attention falls on the other, staring into Rio’s periwinkle eyes, down to the tip of his now and then furth-

“Ah! I forgot!” Rio suddenly stood up, “Luca! That’s right- I didn’t leave her enough food! I didn’t think we’d be out this long, I should-”

“Wait!”

The word slipped past his lips before he could even figure out what he wanted to do. All he knew was that he had reached out for the other, grabbing Rio by the wrist and preventing him from running off. The ghost looked down at him, surprise written in his face from the unexpected move. Truthfully, Fuma’s expression had probably matched the other’s.

“I…” He fumbled with his words, looking around in a panic as he tried to form a coherent sentence, “I want- I want to…I- uh!”

Slowly, the ghost sinks back down to where he was sitting. At the edge of the pier where they’d usually sit, in the same positions they’d usually sit in. Facing out towards where the sun would be setting in the sky.

“...Fuma?”

“I- Um- You.” He cannot stumble again in front of Rio. He’s suffered enough embarrassment from his initial confession, and biting the bullet is the only way he would be able to say what he wanted to. “Can- Can I…I really!”

With a deep breath, followed by a long sigh. Fuma sucked up the courage to look Rio in the eyes, speaking steadily and with as much confidence as he can muster despite the way his face burned.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Okay!”

Fuma swears he almost had a heart attack at how nonchalantly Rio replied to him. 

“Okay!?”

“I’ve been waiting for this, I won’t lie.”

The ghost rubs the back of his neck, laughing gently. The moonlight gave the ghost a soft glow, paired with the candlelight blue that highlighted his face and the sweet smile he wore…Fuma’s brain short circuited for a minute. Running a hand through his hair as he shakes off the nervousness.

“Okay- Okay yeah let’s uh-!”

Cold hands grab at his face, pulling him forwards. Their foreheads practically bump into each other as their noses touch, lips just a breath away from meeting. Fuma has alarms ringing in his brain, eyes closing shut and body growing tense. Rio’s gentle laugh sounded loud in his ears, and Fuma won’t pretend he doesn’t feel a bit of shame.

Gently, thumbs caress as the sides of his face. The other’s attempt to ease his nerves, guiding him to whisper out a breath slowly. He keeps his eyes shut, letting the tension fade. Rio has made it clear that he wanted to take the lead, and Fuma allows him this. Reaching to hook his hand on the ghost’s arm.

He couldn’t see it, but somehow he knew when the other moved to press their lips together.

It was…sweet.

And short.

“...dorayaki.” Rio comments after he pulls away, humor in his tone. Fuma’s eyes flutter open, meeting Rio’s bright smile and blushing face. “...so?”

Fuma sucks in a breath.

“That was…kinda lame.”

The ghost’s smile falls a lil, head tweaking to the side as he tries to understand the tone the yokai was using. Yet Fuma’s smile was wide and bright, trying to convey what his heart was telling him to. Shrugging, the yokai speaks softly.

“We should try that…again.”

Rio’s eyes lit up like the moon.

“You’re right, we should.”

The second one is less tense. Rio no longer needed to hold his face, instead leaving a hand pressed against Fuma’s cheek for the yokai to lean on. There’s no sighs, no seconds to prepare themselves for what’s about to happen. Instead, they stare into each other’s eyes, press their foreheads together before closing the gap once again.

It lasts longer than the first, eyes shut and free hands meeting to slot together. The entire world around them goes mute, even the subtle sounds of the ocean waves don’t make it to their ears. For the few seconds they sat there, connected, it was them and only them.

And when they pulled away, they laughed like giddy children. No words needed. Only yellow looking periwinkle.

“Good?”

Fuma leans into the hand pressed against his cheek.

“Yeah, good.”

Rio squeezes his hand.

“A third time would probably be better.”

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

Fuma’s going to continue to pretend that the bruise on his right arm wasn’t from pitifully falling down onto the pavement. That he didn’t eat cement several times because he kept slipping on ice and snow. That his boyfriend didn’t have to physically lift him in the air with his ghostly abilities, just to get him to stop slipping and sliding.

No, yeah. Never happened.

Fuma’s going to tell Kotatsu that he was doing a job.

He wasn’t stalking his friends, at all.

Nope.

“Ouch ouch ouch that hurts-” The yokai cries, leaning against the wall as Rio gently rubs an ointment into the bruise. The ghost frowns at the sight, gritting his teeth at the deep purple color. “Ah, help me, stars.”

“I’m almost done, I’m almost done.”

The two of them sat outside their group base, barely protected from the snow by what little roofing was provided against the entrance. After an unceremonious attempt at stalking Gamma and Uyu, Fuma was left bruised against the cold floor. What’s even worse was that upon arriving at their base, neither of them had remembered to bring their copies of the keys.

Hence the two of them having to make their way to the closest pharmacy, finding an ointment to help with the bruises before setting themselves in a cafe located right next to it. The yokai looked more fatigued than ever, as his ghost tried his best to put a smile on his face.

“There we go.”

Rio presses a gentle kiss against his cheek, enough to make his face heat up but not enough to take away the pained frown on his face. The ghost presses a palm against his face, which he leans into. Enjoying the comforting caress the other offered.

“Rio, I’m dying.”

“Poor thing…guess there’s nothing we can do!”

“Hey!”

Eventually he had to stop whining. A bunch of kisses to his face and gentle encouragement had him standing up. Their base was close by, and the two of them had decided on taking a break over there. In a place that was familiar and felt like home to both of them. Fuma had to cling onto Rio the entire time to prevent him from possibly slipping again…or more like, in fear of slipping again according to the ghost.

Unfortunately, when they had arrived at the entrance it seemed like neither of them brought their keys. Digging through their own pockets only to find their own house keys but not either of their copies for the base. Fuma had sighed dramatically, and Rio had offered to fly him home.

Fortunately, they’d soon discover that the door was already open.

Which didn’t ring any alarm bells. No, not at all.

Slowly, Fuma pressed a finger to his lips as he pushed the door open. Finding all the lights shut, the two had sighed in relief and believed they had simply forgotten to lock the door. His leader instincts coming forward and already replaying through his mind the last person who he remembers being in the building.

Only to recall it being himself.

But that's besides the point.

When the two of them stepped inside, Fuma had headed for the light switches. But was abruptly stopped by Rio the minute he had his finger hovering above one of them. The ghost shushes him, using the candle-like light of his flame to illuminate what little he can, slowly guiding the yokai to the couch.

Fuma wasn’t sure at first what he was meant to be looking at, but once he saw it, his hand flew over to cover his mouth to prevent himself from screaming. Rio scrambled through his pocket to pick out his phone.

What a perfect coincidence.

Laying on the couch was one Hizaki Gamma, fast asleep with his head resting on Rio’s half-and-half pillow. By itself, that shouldn’t really warrant any surprise would it? What Fuma didn’t expect, but was very elated by, was their resident thief squeezed in the little space next to him. Uyu’s feet hanging off the other end of the couch as he’s tucked under the mangaka’s chin.

It was a tight fit, he hears Rio whisper. How the two of them managed to fit together in there was something neither he or Rio could understand thanks to their own heights. Fuma’s sure the duo would wake up with pain in various parts of their upper bodies, but he doesn’t care at this point.

Because hilariously, they were right about their suspicions.

Rio shoves his phone into his face, showing the picture he had taken seconds ago. The two of them conceal laughter with each other, holding onto their stomachs and almost falling onto the floor. They continue on like that for minutes , laughing their ass off.

Until.

“Are you two done yet?”

The glare of Utsugi Uyu was enough to send both of them running off, wincing as they slammed the door behind them. Rio dragged him forward, their hands intertwined. When they were far enough, laughing like idiots to anyone who’d pass them by.

Another thing no one else would understand.

Except for them.

And Gamma and Uyu…he supposes.

• ○ ༻ ✦ ༺ ✧ ༺ ✦ ༻ ✧ ༻ ✦ ༺ ○ •

UPROAR!! (Uyu stop muting the chat please)

HG: [ So I heard we’re caught? ]

UU: [ Unfortunately. ]

[ I KNEW IT. ] :YF

MR: [ Congratulations to you two! ]

HG: [ Good job! You caught us! ]

[ We sure did! ] :YF

UU: [ Yeah, good job. ]

UU: [ It only took you six months. ]

[ Six!? ] :YF

MR: [ Six months!? ]

HG: [ Hehe ]

[ Explain!?!? ] :YF

Utsugi Uyu has left the groupchat.

[ HEY!? ] :YF

HG: [ Have fun you two! ]

MR: [ Gamma!! ]

Hizaki Gamma has left the groupchat.