Chapter Text
The sound of pages turning breaks the silence in the room as Akihiko and Harumi work on their homework together, but separate. They sit next to each other on the same side of the table, both seated on the floor of Harumi’s apartment.
Harumi completes his assignment and turns to look at Akihiko. He glances at his work and then at him, his eyes stopping for a minute on his rolled up sleeves and slightly unbuttoned shirt.
Akihiko bows his head in defeat before turning to Harumi for help. Harumi quickly faces Akihiko directly, avoiding getting caught by mere fractions of a second.
Akihiko groans and throws his head down into his textbook. “Please help, Harumi.” Akihiko is the smartest in his school, but he has a tendency to struggle in English. Harumi moves to sit closer, and their shoulders brush against each other’s.
Akihiko looks away before turning back. He looks toward the textbook and tries to focus on the words coming out of Harumi’s mouth, but he can't focus. He turns to Harumi, who uses the tips of his fingers to brush his hair out of his face and behind his ear. Akihiko can’t help but watch his hand make the gentle motion.
His eyes travel from Harumi’s hand to his uncovered face. As he talks, his eyes squint slightly as he reads the words written on the page. His lips move gently as each word leaves his mouth gracefully. Everything Harumi does is done with grace.
Harumi’s head turns and he looks to Akihiko, first to his eyes, then to his lips, then back to his eyes. Harumi goes to speak before Akihiko jumps up from his spot on the ground. “I’m hungry! I think it’s time you learn how to make another meal, huh?” Akihiko’s eyes squint shut, and his head tilts to the sides as he smiles.
Harumi says nothing, he only slowly goes to stand and flashes a small smile in Akihiko’s direction for reassurance.
As they’re in the kitchen, more moments of slight touches are shared. Every time Harumi tries to bring it up, Akihiko redirects the conversation or states the next step in making the meal. And when the food is finally done, the boys go back to the table to eat. They eat in silence, Harumi disappointed, and Akihiko too embarrassed to start a conversation.
When Akihiko finishes his bowl, Harumi stands up, taking his and his own with him to the sink. He sets both down and walks to his room to sit on his bed, his head resting in his hands. Akihiko—confused—wraps his hand around the door frame and peers inside.
He sees Harumi just sitting there and slowly walks inside the room, sitting down softly on the bed next to him. “Did I say something that upset you?”
Harumi gently lifts his head to look Akihiko in the eyes. His eyes are tearing up and his fists are clenched. “Aki…” Harumi lets out a sigh. “It’s not your fault, Aki.”
“So I did…” Akihiko states, and he turns his head away from Harumi.
Harumi reaches his hand out and places it on Akihiko’s knee. He looks back at Harumi, his eyes scanning his entire face as if it’s holding the answer somewhere of what to say. Harumi retracts his hand. “Look, Aki, I’m sorry. I-” He pauses. “Are you messing with me?”
Akihiko tilts his head, and his eyebrows furrow, but he doesn’t answer.
Harumi groans and stands up to walk away, but Akihiko grabs his hand. When Harumi turns around to face him, his eyes meet his chest. Akihiko stood up so they could talk face to face. Harumi lifts his head to meet Akihiko’s eyes.
Akihiko lets go of Harumi’s hand, and brings his own to the back of his head as he looks away. Harumi sighs at the dropping of his hand. “I should’ve known this was all some joke. Everyone knows I’m gay. I should’ve known the Bright Knight was straight, but just for a second, when you would blush and look away, I thought maybe you could like me back.” He turns again to walk away, Akihiko's silence only confirming that what he said was true.
“...I don’t like when people assume things about me.” Akihiko lifts his head, waiting for Harumi to turn around. Harumi stops walking. He lifts his head and turns around slowly, confusion lacing his face.
“I said I don’t like when people assume things about me. Everyone assumes I’m this perfect straight guy who doesn’t make mistakes. I’m not perfect.” He pauses as he crosses his arms and looks to the floor. “...And I’m not straight.”
Harumi takes cautious steps toward him and stands in front of him. He uncrosses his arms, and Harumi grabs his hands. Akihiko slowly lifts his head. They make eye contact, Harumi’s eyes glistening with hope. All Akihiko can do is drown in them. He looks deeply into his eyes and watches as a tear makes its way down his cheek and to his lips. His lips are slightly chapped, but his smile-
Harumi smiles as he notices Akihiko’s eyes stray from his own and to his lips. When Akihiko looks back up, Harumi closes his eyes and the distance between them, gently pressing his lips against Akihiko’s for a quick second before pulling away. Akihiko doesn’t move and Harumi waits for confirmation.
Akihiko looks back into his eyes and smiles before slamming his lips against Harumi’s. His hand creeps up the back of his neck, and he pulls Harumi closer as their lips move against one another’s.
Harumi brings his hands up from his side and slips the tips of his fingers underneath Akihiko’s shirt to wrap his cold hands around Akihiko’s bare waist. A gasp escapes his throat, his mouth opening slightly, and Harumi slides his tongue in. Their tongues dance around each other for a moment before they pull away to catch their breath. They step away from each other.
Harumi stalls for a moment. “Was that…alright?”
Akihiko steps forward, grabbing one of Harumi’s hands and using his other to tuck Harumi’s hair behind his ear. “It was perfect.” Akihiko reaches his hands to the sides of Harumi’s head and closes the distance between their faces once more, starting another fire with their lips. He pulls Harumi in, desperate to be closer than they already are, and stumbles backwards as he tries to take steps.
Harumi follows suit and walks with him, unbuttoning his cardigan as they go. He gets it off and he tosses it to the corner of the room.
Akihiko’s legs hit the bed and he falls backwards, landing on his back. Harumi stands over him, admiring the sight before him. Akihiko lies there, out of breath, but his eyes pleading for more. Harumi steps closer and Akihiko crawls back further on the bed. “Please…”
Harumi places his knee in the empty space between Akihiko’s legs and bends down, connecting their lips. Rough kisses continue and Akihiko runs his fingers up Harumi’s scalp, and he grabs handfuls of hair to bring him closer. Harumi takes his left hand and slides it under Akihiko’s shirt, running the tips of his fingers up from his waist to his shoulder and back down.
Akihiko tugs on Harumi’s hair, soliciting a groan from him. He moves forward, tilting Akihiko’s head up, and presses his thigh against Akihiko. Noises escape Akihiko’s mouth at the sudden friction, and his grip tightens on Harumi’s hair. His hips raise, but Harumi uses his leg to push them back down.
Harumi pulls his lips away from Akihiko’s. His eyes scan Akihiko’s entire body and land back on his flushed face and begging eyes. “You’re okay, Aki.” He raises his hand to run the back of it down Akihiko’s face, and he places a soft kiss on his forehead before standing up.
Akihiko lies there as Harumi grabs his cardigan and puts it back on. Harumi turns to look at him, smiles, and then walks up to him. He grabs Akihiko’s hands and pulls him up from the bed. “We gotta get you back home, Aki. Or your brother is going to think I'm keeping you forever. Of course, I wouldn't mind.”
Akihiko groans as he buttons up the top buttons on his shirt and adjusts his pants. Harumi laughs and Akihiko pouts. “Not funny.” Harumi adjusts his pants as well. “It’s a little funny.”