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“You’ll be late.” Contrary to your words, your tone didn’t carry any of the conviction you tried to convey.

Still he didn’t move. For Oikawa, every time it became harder to part. Last time his manager had to drag him off you and haul him onto the plane.

“Tooru,” you gently poked at his puffed cheeks, knowing his coach would be yelling down the phone at him if he arrived late. “I’ll call you every day,” you tried to appease him.

Finally, knowing he could no longer prolong the inevitable, his arms relaxed. “It’s not the same,” he said, the corner of his mouth pulled downwards, “I wouldn’t be able to touch you.” As if to prove his point, he pulled you closer again, his lips pressed against your temples.

“I’m sorry,” he said when he pulled back. He was frowning.

“For what?” You asked him in confusion.

“This.” The sunlight danced off his brown eyes as he gazed at you. He reached out and tucked a lock of your hair behind your ears. His fingertips lingered by your cheek. “You know, the face you make every time we have to part, I’m sorry that I’m always making you feel this way.” His gaze fell, and his face twisted into a slight grimace.

“Tooru.” He looked up when you called his name. The sight of the smile you gave him made his breath hitch. “Please don’t ever apologise for chasing after your dream. After all the hard work you put in, you finally got the recognition you deserve. And I couldn't be happier for you. I will always be here waiting for you to come back.”

Oikawa felt his lips tremble. “You… really are too good for me,” he smiled wryly, and leaned his forehead against yours. Neither of you said anything, but your gazes conveyed a thousand thoughts. He really did feel like he used up an entire life’s worth of luck just to meet you. And for you to love him back was a miracle that he sometimes still found hard to believe was true.

The announcement sounded again, as if knowing Oikawa was still sitting here. “I’ll get the first flight home the moment I’m done,” he promised as he stood up and grabbed his bag. Then he suddenly seemed to remember something, and dug around in his pockets. He pulled his hand out. Dangling between his fingers was a bundle of yarn attached below a keychain.

“It’s uh,” he cleared his throat as he handed it to you. “For you.”

You looked at the soft bundle sitting on your palms. From the looks of it, it seemed to be a crochet of something you couldn’t quite identify because of how misshapen it was.

“You made it?” You asked in surprise.

“Yeah,” he turned away to fiddle with the bag strap so you couldn’t see the hint of pink gracing his cheeks. “It’s supposed to be a fluffy milk bread. I know you like crocheting so I tried to make something for you to keep you company while I’m away.”

Seeing the delighted expression on your face, all the effort, the struggle, and the last few all nighters he pulled to finish it off was worth it. “How about I teach you when you come home?”

Oikawa’s smile lit up on his face. “Then it’s a promise.” A promise of being able to spend more time together, doing what you love. He leaned down and lightly pressed his lips on yours. When he pulled back, he was smiling tenderly at you. “Put my whole heart in there, look after it for me.”

@hanayanetwork @planetonet

“Come on, let’s go,” you muttered to your dog, but what it did next almost made you dislocate your jaw from shock. Instead of being happy to see your arrival and following you obediently, it let out a small whimper, then trudged to the young man, and sat down by his side.

Your dog, whom you had been searching frantically for the past few hours, was now cuddling up to his kidnapper? What was this? Stockholm syndrome? You called its name again, but to no avail. It only lowered its head and licked the man’s cheeks, before peering up at you dolefully, almost as if asking why you had attacked him.

Slowly, a sinking feeling formed at the pit of your stomach. Maybe you were too rash in your assumptions. You were pretty sure that if the man had tried to take your dog by force, it wouldn’t be acting so affectionately towards him.

For the past week, irritation from the horrendous weather to the new tenant above you who had spent the whole day crashing around in his room with his friends, had been brewing inside you like a storm. And when you saw a stranger walking to who-knows-where with your dog…

You had sprinted up towards them. And perhaps all that running made your brain deficient in oxygen, for the bag had flown out of your hand before you could realise what you were doing.

“He… did try to take you right?” You turned to your dog and asked desperately. The only reply you received was a mournful look.

Hesitantly, you walked up, and gingerly tilted the man’s face to the side. Through the locks of his dark hair, his long black eyelashes casted shadows on his cheekbones. There were rhythmic gusts of air coming from his nose. Relief washed through you. At least he was still alive.

“Hello?” You called out.

You might as well have been talking to yourself, for it was still lights out for Mr sleeping beauty.

Seeing your dog won’t leave until the man wakes up, you heaved a resigned sigh, and waited.

It wasn’t long before the man regained consciousness. His eyelids gave the first indication that he was waking up. They twitched, before blinking open. You shifted backwards slightly, hoping to appear as an innocent Samaritan who had come to help him.

The first few seconds he seemed dazed, and you almost thought that you had wiped clean his memories, which wouldn't be a bad thing for you. He rose unsteadily to his feet. His features scrunched up as his hand flew to the back of his head.

“What the fu-”

But before he could finish, your puppy was bounding up on him with joyous barks. The kind of barks that were normally reserved for you when you arrived home after a long day. The young man’s expression instantly softened, and he bent down and ruffled its head.

“Good boy,” he murmured. Then he turned towards you with a scowl. The bronze eyes that met yours were almost electrifying.

“Were you the one who hit me from behind?”

There goes the amnesia theory. “Ye-no?” But the admission was written all over your face, and you could see that he didn’t believe you. “Look, I saw you with my dog, so I thought that you were kidnapping him!”

Insulted, his brows drew tighter together as he hissed angrily, “Do I look like a dognapper to you?”

“…”

You were unsure of how to answer. Now that you've gotten a good look at his face, he had fine features, but there was something about him that screamed of a delinquent. But from the way he had treated your dog, you knew he couldn’t be a completely bad person.

He seemed to have taken your silence as a yes. Displeasure was written plainly all over his face as he said, “I would never stoop so low as to steal someone’s dog.”

“Well dognappers don’t exactly have that word tattooed on their face, do they? So how was I supposed to know that you weren’t one?” You crossed your arms and glowered back at him.

Both of you stayed that way, neither wanted to be the first to look away from the staring contest that had spontaneously occurred.

Surprisingly, he looked away first. “I found him wandering alone on the road.”

Alone on the road?! The very thought of your little dog wandering by itself on the road brought a shiver up your spine. “That’s impossible! I had him tied up at the entrance of the grocery store!”

A look of annoyance passed his face. “Must be those little fuckers going around untiying those leashes,” he muttered. “Look,” his eyes snapped back to yours, “I didn’t try to kidnap this little guy, okay? I thought someone had abandoned him, and was going to take him in.”

Almost as if understanding his words, your little dog wagged his tail, and rubbed its head against the man’s leg.

Seeing the sincerity, and detecting not a single sliver of lie in his words and eyes, all your initial hostility towards him turned to awkwardness.

“Oh, I um… I apologise.” It sounded lame even to you.

He nodded curtly. However, the movement made him grit his teeth at the pain radiating from the back of his head. He drew in a sharp breath. “Ah shit, what the hell did you hit me with?” He saw the way you shifted your bag behind your back. “What do you have in there?”

“My uh… phone?” You replied awkwardly, hoping he wouldn’t pry further, but...

“Your phone’s not gonna be that heavy,” he said pointedly.

“…And maybe my laptop. And my charger. And my books. And a water bottle.” Your voice gradually trailed off in volume with each additional item you listed.

He swore. “Do you carry your whole house with you everytime you go out?”

“No, I forgot the dining table and chairs,” you replied sarcastically. Then, seeing that you were in the wrong here, you tried to make your tone amiable, and said, “Look, as an apology, can I get you anything? How about boba?”

He regarded you with a stare that seemed to see through everything. “Are you sure that’s not what you want?” The corner of his lips pull up slightly, making him seem softer. You swallowed, wanting to thump your chest at your malfunctioning heart.

“Hey! Of course not! I mean, well, maybe yes. I’m sorry, this week has been kinda stressful to me, someone moved above me and been creating a ruckus, and I haven’t been getting enough rest.”

He let out a huff of laughter. “That makes two of us. One of my neighbours has been sending me passive aggressive notes saying I was too loud.”

You inwardly winced slightly. Because you did the same to your noisy neighbour. You cleared your throat, “Look, like I said, I really am sorry for mistaking you-”

He waved off the rest of your words. “It doesn’t matter, just keep an eye on the little guy.” He knelt down, and ruffled the dog’s head. “Make sure your owner doesn’t go around hitting random passersby again, yeah?” The dog whined, almost as if pleading him to stay.

But with nothing more to talk about, nor anything else that could make him stay, he nodded farewell, and with that both of you started to walk to your respective homes, and neither of you saw each other ever again.

“…”

“…”

Or so you thought.

“…say, are you a stalker instead of a dognapper?” Throwing a side-eyed glance, the man was walking next to you until you had reached your building complex.

“Who the fuck is a stalker now?! You are the one who’s following me!”

You almost rolled your eyes. Because you had enough time in your hands to follow a random dude home.

You pointed at the building. “I live here.”

He levelled his gaze at you, as if to see if you were joking. “…So do I.”

A slow sense of dread crept upon you. If you had never seen him around, and the only apartment that had a new tenant recently was the one above you…

“…You don’t have to answer, but which floor do you live on?”

“The very left apartment on the 5th floor.”

Seeing the blank horror on your face, no more clarification was needed.

“So you were the one who sent me that note,” he smirked, and you almost wanted to swing your bag at his head again. He held out his hand, and you took it automatically. His large hands were warm, and slotted perfectly against yours. “Baji Keisuke. Guess we’ll be seeing each other more often then. If you ever need any help with looking after this little guy, I’ll always be available.”

Your little dog started barking with joy once more, and circled around Baji excitedly. You were still frozen to the spot.

“Well, I’ll be heading up now.” With that, he spun around and headed towards the staircase. But before he reached the first step, he turned around, a smile playing on the edge of his lips.

“And on second thoughts I’ll be taking you up on your offer for bubble tea.”

Part of: @hanayanetwork @planetonet

“Owww!”

Echoing your cry of pain, Shinichiro winced too. He could already feel the start of a bump swelling up.

Then, both of you spoke at the same time.

“W-where did this question come from?!”

“Are you alright?” he asked. He tilted his head to the side at your flustered expression. “It’s what Mikey asked. Is something wrong?”

When you didn’t answer straight away, he became alarmed and said, “You haven’t caught a cold from sitting here, have you?”

You stared at him for a full minute in pure disbelief, trying to gauge whether he was being serious or not. Unfortunately, he was. You let out an exasperated huff, before turning your back to him. “Don’t just drop that then say someone else said it,” you muttered under your breath.

Shinichiro was bewildered at the sudden change of your attitude. A few seconds ago, you were humming happily, and now you had puffed up your cheeks into a pout while staring straight ahead.

“No, I mean, that’s what Mikey asked me this morning when I was heading out…” he trailed off, letting it dissolve into the murmuring of the clear water.

With the meaning finally dawning upon him, it was his turn to be flustered. “Wait wait, I didn’t mean it like that! Well, I mean, yes, I would like to have children with you, I was just thinking about how cute they would be if they took after you last night-“ He snapped his mouth shut, but it was already too late. In his attempt to explain himself, his voice had almost risen into a shout. His words glided down the river, and Shinichiro was sure it had already reached the town into the gleeful ears of the gossipy housewives.  

The very thought elicited a mortified groan from him. Dropping his head into his palms, he pleaded, “Can you please pretend I said nothing?”

He heard a light laughter above him. Lifting his head, he saw a small teasing smile adorning your face.

A sweetness infused into the air surrounding him. Whether it was the fragrance from the plum blossom, or from your smile, he couldn’t tell.

“You really are a dork.” You couldn’t help but laugh again. And to Shinichiro, there was nothing more beautiful than the sound of your laughter.

“I should have tried to be smooth,” he muttered with a sigh.

“The only thing smooth about you is that smooth peanut butter you have stored under your desk. And speaking of that, I’m pretty sure it has expired,” you wrinkled your nose as you recalled the age-old jar that has nearly fossilised.

“It’s still edible…”

You pointed at your red forehead, the edge of your mouth tugging upwards. “Was this you being smooth too?

“Do you want me to kiss it better?”

If some people lived by the ‘think before you speak’  rule, Shinichiro did the opposite.

For the second time within that short time span, your eyes widened in surprise.

“I mean-!” Regrettably, life did not come with an undo button, and it was impossible to take back what one had said. Even if one could, Shinichiro would have long exhausted and broken the rewind button.

Whenever Mikey and Emma came back with scrapes or hurt themselves while preparing dinner, he would say it to them, and this time the phrase had came out without any second thought.  

With the clogs in his brain spinning furiously, Shinichiro casted a helpless look around. A dragonfly flew past, sparing no backwards glance at him.

“It’s just something I’m used to saying to Emma and-“ he started to explain in a hurry, before you interjected softly.

“Well, aren’t you going to kiss it better?”

Shinichiro felt his breath stop at the sight of you. A hint of embarrassment coloured your eyes, but you had turned to face him. Soft shafts of golden sunlight poured through the clouds, and shone upon your delicate face like a divine blessing. A blessing to him.

Shinichiro swallowed. His heart took flight, quivering like the dragonfly’s wings. It was times like these, when he felt like he used up his entire life’s worth of luck just to meet you.

It was only when you raised your eyebrows in amusement, did he break out of his reverie.

He softly placed his hands on your cheeks. Your skin felt so soft, so warm under his palms. You closed your eyes. He slowly leaned down, and placed a light kiss on your forehead. Yet one touch of your skin only ignited his hunger for you. He leaned down again, this time pressing his lips against yours.  

A gentle breeze stirred through your hair, forming a veil between you and the outside world.

For a moment everything was still. The taste of your lips on his tongue, the feeling of your fingers intertwined in his dark hair, and your hearts beating in unison.

The memory of your first kiss flitted across his mind. Amidst the downpour, it wasn’t the most romantic, not when he was all bruised up after a fight, but it only took one kiss, to know that he could never let you go.

“I love you so much,” he whispered, his eyes softened as he gazed into your eyes. His thumbs gently caressed your cheeks. It was a love that left a physical ache in his heart. He never knew he could love someone this much. And every day, it only grew.

“It would be fun to bring our kids here,” you murmured shyly. Shinichiro inhaled sharply. You burst out laughing at his expression.

“Why are you acting so surprised? Or were your earlier words a lie?” You grinned at him.

A thousand scenes for the days to come fleeted through his mind. He could almost hear the joyful laughter of your children rising up through the clouds into the heavens. All together with you.

“Of course I do.” Because there would be no greater happiness for him.

While he was lost in his daydreams, you had nimbly stepped onto the railings.

The bridge was a famous spot for the younger kids. With its height not that far above the river, it proved a popular place for them to dare each other to jump off. And during the summer, older kids would dive down themselves and go swimming in the cool water.

“Are you going to swim now?!” Coming back to his senses, Shinichiro watched as you spread your arms wide open, almost as if you were about to take flight.

A sudden gust of wind kicked up a blizzard of flower petals, obscuring your face. It tinkled the bell hanging on your bracelet. It was the first gift you ever received from him. Even though it wasn't worth much, you never let a day pass without wearing it.

You turned slightly, showing a glimpse of your dauntless smile, yet there was a beauty in it that reminded Shinichiro of the plum blossoms in full bloom.

Beautiful, yet ephemeral.

“Race you to the oak tree, and if you win, I’ll say yes to your proposal.”

With those words, you lifted your feet.

For a moment the hands of dread suddenly twisted around his throat. He wanted to reach out, to stop you, even though the rational part of him knew the river posed no danger.

Don’t go.

Don’t leave me.

But it was too late. His fingers only ended up brushing the edges of your clothes.

You stepped into the air.

A loud noise shattered the scenery. Shinichiro slowly rose from his murky unconsciousness.

BAM BAM.

With every noise the throb in his temple drummed along, becoming more forceful with every beat. He wanted to move his limbs, but it was as if invisible chains had wrapped around him, telling him not to go, that it was better down here.

Somewhere above him, a loud crash could be heard, followed by agitated voices. But the sounds were all strangely muffled, as if he was hearing it underwater.

“You really broke the door?”

“He’s not opening.”

He could tell the noises were getting closer, but the meanings eluded him.

He wanted to tell them to go away, that he needed to go back to you. Trying to block out the voices, he let himself sink deeper underwater.

“Shit,” someone swore amid the sound of glass clattering. “How much did he-”

“Hold on, I’ll get him some water.”

Someone was shaking him, preventing him from falling back to sleep.

“Shin?” The worried voice called out.

He could feel his body being shifted around roughly.

A cold liquid was poured down his throat. His dulled nerves seemed to react to the sensation, and it brought him back to consciousness.

Slowly, exerting all his effort, he opened his heavy eyelids. All that greeted him was blurriness.

“It stinks of alcohol,” someone said.

“I’ll open the window,” the deeper voice answered. A cold wind blew over him, summoning goosebumps and waking him even more.

Shinichiro blinked. Something wet rolled down his face, and his vision cleared.

The world was devoid of colour.

A face swarmed into view. A face he was familiar with, but couldn't quite put a name to. But there was one thing he knew for certain. It wasn’t the person he was looking for.

By now, a blinding headache had slammed into his temples. He opened his mouth to speak. However, all he managed was a dry croak.

“Here.” A glass was lifted to his lips. He swallowed. The throbbing in his temples receded slightly, allowing his mind to start up again.

Wakasa was staring at him. Concern from his features bled into his eyes.

“Shinichiro.” A low voice rumbled. Shinichiro turned towards the voice, then winced. Every movement felt like needles prickling into his mind. Benkei seemed to notice, and he knelt down in front of him.

Then, Shinichiro spoke again.

Your name left his lips. Both of their eyes instantly tightened.

“Yeah, it’s today. We came here to get you because you weren’t responding to our calls.” Benkei spoke, his voice gruff with sorrow. At his side, Wakasa had pressed his lips into a thin line.

“Today?” Shinichiro could only repeat. What day was it? Why wasn’t he answering his calls? Most importantly, where were you?

Then, Wakasa said something that stunned him so much that at first all he could do was gaze blankly back at him.

“The funeral.”

“What funeral?” It would be comical, the way he could only simply repeat back the words uttered at him, yet the atmosphere was anything but convivial.

“Where is she?” Shinichiro croaked again. Now that his blurry mind slowly swam into focus, he noticed you weren’t by his side. His room suddenly felt too big, too empty. His headache came roaring back to life, but at that moment he couldn’t care less. His gaze swept across his bedroom. Upturned, destroyed furniture, smashed bowls, clothes lay scattered around. With every item he saw his heart started to slam against his ribs, harder and harder.

It was only when he saw the picture frames of you sitting safely on the drawer, did a small relief settle in his heart. You existed. You weren’t just a figment of his imagination. So where were you?

Perhaps you were in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He tried desperately to reason with himself, suppressing the terror that rose up like a tide. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. He couldn’t care less, he only wanted to see you.

Shinichiro stood up. Tried. His legs won’t obey. He stumbled, collapsing onto his hand. A small tinkle came from within his palms. When he opened them, his heart slammed into his stomach so hard that he couldn’t breathe. There laid your bracelet, just like in his memories. Except the bell’s once shiny silver surface was marred with scratches and dents. Seeing it resurrected a memory, a memory of the first time he held the broken chain in his hands. Almost instinctively, he blindly reached for the bottle next to him to drown out the memory. But Benkei gently yet firmly unclasped it from his grasp.

“Shinichiro, you shouldn’t drink anymore.”

As if proving his point, Shinichiro stumbled, his heels knocking the empty bottles piled nearby over.

Then, his back suddenly slammed into the wall. It was only then, when all the air had been knocked out of his lungs, did he realise he had been yelling out your name.

Wakasa had him pinned against the wall while holding his collar.

“Wakasa…” Benkei placed a cautious hand on the shorter man’s shoulders, but Wakasa shook it off angrily.

“Do you really want her to see you like this?!” Perhaps it was the shock of being slammed against the wall, or perhaps it was the shock of hearing Wakasa raising his voice like this, but Shinichiro froze, unable to do anything as Wakasa’s incessant gauntlet of words came hurling at him.

“How long are you going to shut yourself in?! And pretend that it didn’t happen?! It’s the goddamn funeral today and you aren’t even going to show your face?!” Wakasa roared.

“What…do you mean?” Shinichiro couldn’t make sense, no, he was refusing to make sense of it. Because if he did...

“She’s dead!” Wakasa’s voice cracked in the end, his grip on him trembled.

The ground beneath Shinichiro crumbled.

The crushing reality broke through the alcohol barrier that had been keeping it at bay, like ice water breaking through the cracks of a frozen river.

He fell into the starless black void, while all around him the fragments of memories pieced themselves back together.  

He couldn’t breathe. Every breath he took knifed through his lungs.

He couldn’t think. Every memory ripped through his heart.

The sadness and grief were so powerful that it was tangible, their weight became too heavy to bear, and he dropped onto his knees.

“No, no, no!” The last word rose into an agonized scream, enough to make anyone hearing it feel his pain.

But most of all, it was the crushing guilt that destroyed him.

It was his fault.

Because he wasn’t strong enough

Because he wasn’t strong enough to protect you.

Was he too naive in thinking he could have a normal life after he dissolved the gang? That the other gangs won’t seek retaliation simply because he retired from gang life?

A scorching rage consumed him, burning relentlessly inside him. Anger at the people who took you away from him. Anger at himself.

He slammed his head on the wall. Wakasa quickly restrained him. A trickle of blood oozed down. But it was nothing compared to yours. How much pain did you have to suffer because of him?! It was all his fault. You died because of him.

The suffocating flame raged incessantly. He screamed. He cried. Until it burned down everything inside him, and all that was left in the ashes were regret and hopelessness, and the knowledge that he had to live in a world without you. He collapsed, his forehead pressing against the ground, the unceasing sobs cascaded through his body as he clutched your bracelet, never letting go.

How...was he going to go through the rest of his life without you by his side?

Outside, the sun rose without feeling his suffering, but for Shinichiro, his sun had been extinguished.  

Tagging: @hanayanetwork @planetonet @justanawolf (plss I actually tagged you shdjhd (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀))

The very thought summoned an army of needles that prickled the back of your eyes and nose.

Beneath you, the floor turned into water, making you stumble a step back.

“Fine.”

Even though you wanted to keep your voice even, you couldn't stop the sob that was already bubbling up in your chest.

A wave of nausea suddenly surged up from the bottom of your stomach. You sprinted into the bathroom, locked the door shut, and leaned over the toilet just in time.

Every churn of your stomach had you sick into the toilet, and it felt as though your insides were being emptied along with your dinner.

Maybe it would be easier if all your abilities to feel emotions came out too.

After what felt like an eternity, when all that came up was simply dry heaves, you wilted on the ground, shivering, waiting for your stomach —which felt like a vicious rolling tide incited by a raging tempest— to calm. You closed your eyes, trying to distract yourself, but your thoughts circled like a toy train track, always back to what had transpired.

Stifling another sob, you pulled yourself up, flushed the toilet, then lurched towards the sink where you roughly cleaned your mouth. The bitter taste reflected the feeling inside your heart. When you lifted your head, your tear stricken face looked back at you from the mirror.

You gripped the basin tightly. The coldness from marbled stone seemed to seep the strength out through your fingers.

It was only then did you consider the fact that maybe it would have been better if you kept it a secret.

Of course, it was too late now.

You collapsed, weeping, your arms wrapped tightly around yourself as if not to let your shattered self scatter across the tiles.  

The shock morphed into the feeling that you had made a fool of yourself, then finally into anger. It wasn’t completely your fault.

Yet it was sadness that hit you the hardest.

A knock resonated throughout the spacious bathroom. Someone called your name hesitantly. You squeezed your eyes shut.

The door handle rattled. The knocking became more urgent.

“Go away!” You pulled your arms even tighter around you as another sob raked through you.

His panicked voice could be heard through the doors.

You let out a small moan, then covered your ears with your palms. Good thing the sink was furthest from the door. Focusing your concentration on the muffled sound of the running faucet, you held your breath, waiting for Ran to leave, so then you could…

…

Could what?

You didn’t know. But right now, with your mind a chaotic mess, you had no idea how to, or if you even wanted to face him again. You curled inwards, wanting to fold in on yourself.

The knocking stopped. Was it relief or disappointment that washed over you? But before you could unravel the ambiguous tangled strings of emotions, the popping sound of a gunshot muffled with a silencer ran out.

You jumped, your head instinctively snapped towards the source of the noise. Ran came in through the door, a thin wisp of white smoke drifted from the tip of his gun.  

When he saw your red swollen eyes, the gun instantly slipped from his hands. He was already kneeling in front of you, cradling your face in between his palms, before the gun hit the ground with a loud clatter.

“Go away.” You tried to turn away from him so he couldn’t see the deluge of tears that flowed uncontrollably, but he wouldn’t let you. Concern rippled across his beautiful lilac eyes. Your name came out of his lips in a breathless whisper, laced with worry.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered over and over again. Leaning in, his warm lips brushed your tears away. You pushed against his chest with all your might. You didn’t want to feel his warmth right now. But Ran simply held your shaking form, and waited as you cried, until all the fight left you and you slumped against him, your shoulders still trembling.

Slowly, he lifted you up, and carried you to the bedroom, and gently laid you down on the bed. He pulled you into his arms, his large hands running rhythmically though your hair as your face stayed buried in his chest.

You weren’t sure how long you laid there, but the warmth from his hands gradually melted the tension in your body.

“If you are gonna do a runner just do it now,” you said. Your voice cracked from all your crying.

Ran pulled back, his eyes blown open in surprise.

“You know I won’t ever leave you.” It was almost an admonish tone, as if he was perturbed by your thought of him ever doing so.

“Even if I say that the kid is not yours?” You sniffed, although both of you knew that wasn’t true.

“As long as it’s not Sanzu’s, I don’t care. They’re yours so I’ll keep them.”

You tilted your chin up defiantly. “And what if they are?”

Ran ruffled your hair, almost as though he was appeasing a child throwing a tantrum. “Then I’ll ask them to call me dad in front of his face.” He grinned at you mischievously.

Your lips twitched at the thought, before you gazed up at him seriously. His unwavering purple eyes met yours.

“I thought… you didn’t want it.” You mumbled, then burrowed your face back into his chest.

“Never,” he breathed. His arm encircling your waist tightened, as if if he didn't you would leave him. He brushed your hair back, then placed a small kiss on your forehead. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have just froze like that.” He sighed.

“I-” He ran a hand through his neatly combed back hair. Purple strands fell into his eyes, and he closed them for a brief second to collect his thoughts. Then, he cupped your cheeks, his expression full of sincerity. “It’s not like I didn’t want to have children with you. I do. I really do. But with my line of work, I worry if I can keep you safe, you know? But I swear I am happy. Truly.”

You've been with Ran long enough to tell that his words were genuine. And he wasn’t the type to lie just to make someone feel better.

“Well, thank you for making me seem like a crazy person earlier,” you grumbled. Now that the misunderstanding had cleared, it left you immersed in embarrassment, but also relief.

Ran chuckled. “Don’t I need to get used to it? Unpredictable mood swings and cravings.” He reached out to your bedside and handed you some tissues. You took it gratefully, and blew your nose.

“Don’t look at me, I know I look like a mess.”

A light laugh left his lips. “Would you hit me if I say that you still look perfect in my eyes?”

You heaved an exasperated sigh. “Let’s see if you’ll still say that when I start to ask to eat some crazy food combos.”

“Like what?” He sounded amused.

“I dunno, udon with natto and durian?”

Ran pretended to shudder at the thought. “Whatever makes my girl happy.”

“Maybe I’ll request it at three in the morning.”

“And I’ll get up and make it for you,” he hummed, his breath tickling your ear. He placed a light kiss on your lips. “We should move to a bigger house.”

You looked at him in confusion. “Why? Aren’t there two spare bedrooms in the house?”

“But it’s not going to be big enough for their siblings right?” His lips curled up into a grin.

“S-siblings?” You gawked at him.

He propped his head up with a hand and smirked at your shocked face.

“Well, you weren’t planning on stopping after only giving me one, right?”

“Can you feel how hard I am for you, hm, pretty girl?” His teeth grazed your earlobe, sending a shiver that cascaded straight into your core. “Sitting next to me all dolled up and expecting me not to fuck you?” His husky voice reverberated inside your ear. He pulled your nipples through the fabric, making you inhale sharply.

“Ran,” you hissed, trying to pull away, but his grip on you didn’t loosen. Instead, his hand left your breast, and dipped down in between your legs. Your eyes widened at the feeling of his long fingers running deliciously along your clothed cunt. The friction sent a heat pooling at the bottom of your stomach.

“Wait-!”

In a flash, his fingers pushed your thin panties aside, and sank inside you. The feeling of him stretching you open made your breath stutter, and your eyes fluttered shut. You gripped his shoulders tightly as he started to slowly pump his fingers in and out. Ran leaned back in his chair. The feeling of your tight walls sucking his fingers in, the way you threw back your head with a hitched gasp when his thumb rubbed your clit, and the anticipation of him sinking his cock inside your tight hole made him groan.

“You really want me to wait?” His smirk widened when he heard the small whine coming out of your lips as he pulled his digits out of you. A glistening liquid coated his fingers as he held it up for you to see. Then, holding your gaze, his tongue swirled around his fingers.

“So sweet,” he murmured, and your blushing cheeks did nothing but fan his desires. He pulled you down, his tongue swept across your bottom lip, then twisted around yours.

“My eyesss,” Rindou covered his eyes with a pained groan. He rocked back and forth in his seat, as if whatever he saw burned his retina.

Takeomi blew out a gust of air in exasperation. “Ran, in case you forgot, we are at a meeting.”

Sanzu only sniggered at the side. “Free show, I ain’t complaining.”

“Can’t you keep your pants on for an hour?” You could hear Rindou’s patience thinning through his voice.

“I can fuck her in my office or here right now. Your choice.” Ran grinned, completely unbothered by the fact that the rest of Bonten and another organisation was currently holding a meeting in the room.

Mikey made a shooing motion with his hands, much to the relief of the rest.

In a flash, Ran stood up with you in his arms, and carried you out of the room.

“You sure you haven’t been giving him any pills, Sanzu?” You heard Kakucho ask.

“She wouldn’t be able to sit down if I did.” Sanzu cackled.

Your clothes lay scattered in a trail from the elevator to the door. Ran kicked the door to the office open, before dropping you roughly on the desk. You’ve never heard any sound as glorious as the clinking of his belt unbuckling at that moment.

“So wet and ready for me,” his eyes glittered as he hovered above you, your legs on either side of him. You could feel the tip of his cock running along your folds, teasing your entrance, dipping in slightly, then pulling out, as if taking his time tasting something exquisite.

Then, he pushed in slowly, sinking his entire length inside you.

You couldn’t breathe. It was as if he had knocked everything out, and all you could feel was him. He was too big, too deep. His fingers earlier no way prepared you enough for the burning stretch that you were feeling now. You arched your back, trying to pull away to give yourself a brief respite, but Ran spread your thighs open, and anchored you in place.

“Fuccckkkk,” he drawled out the word, watching the way you swallowed him so perfectly, then closed his eyes in bliss at the feeling of you twitching and trembling beneath him. He slowly rolled his hips, shallow strokes that at first made you get used to him stretching you to the brim, his fingers danced across your skin to help alleviate the discomfort.

“S-so good,” you whimpered once you finally got accustomed to him splitting you open. But he made no movement to speed up his thrusts, instead opting to continue his languid pace.

“Ran.” His name came out as a whine.

“Patience,” he smirked, knowing what you wanted from your tone. Your brows furrowed. Then, you clenched around him, feeling every vein running down his throbbing length. His hips stuttered and he let out a hiss. His eyes snapped to yours, pure lust draped over his orbs, and for a brief moment you wondered if you pushed him too far.

“You asked for it.” In one smooth motion, he threw one of your legs on his shoulder, then slammed his hips into yours. The new change in position made him reach even deeper, the tip of his cock bruising your cervix with every thrust.

“Is this what you wanted?” His breaths came out in ragged gasps. He knew how to angle his hips and aimed for your sweet spot every time. You could only claw tighter on his back in response, too immersed in the pleasure to form any words coherently.

His name tumbled out of your lips in an almost revered chant as he slammed into you repeatedly. That’s how he liked it, that he was the only one occupying your mind.

He swore under his breath. “So fucking tight. You don’t know how good you feel around me.” Your walls twitched at his words, sucking him in all the more eagerly.

A small sob escaped your chest. It was too much. The pace he set was brutal, and the pleasure set your every nerve ablaze. You didn't even have room to breathe, let alone realise that his grip on your waist would probably leave bruises afterwards. Your hands twisted in his perfectly styled hair, which now tumbled down and framed his face.

“Gonna fill you up nice and full, isn’t that right, pretty girl?” He panted, his pace increased even more as he realized you were near.

“Y-yes, Ran, inside.” You managed to string those words together. The coil inside the bottom of your stomach was tightening, your toes curled.

“Good girl.” His lips briefly brushed across your sweaty forehead, before he jerked your hips to meet his thrust.

“Ran!” You screamed out his name as you came, squeezing Ran tightly, and sending him over his edge too. You could feel a warm liquid coating your inside, filling you to the brim as he buried himself tightly inside you, so not a single drop would spill out. He leaned down with a groan, laying his forehead against yours, as he slowly rode out his high.

“Took me so well,” he murmured, planting small kisses, before holding your face and his lips descended on yours.

“You said you would fuck her in your office, not mine!” Rindou screeched from the hallway.

Part of: @hanayanetwork @tokyoredlightdistrict @planetonet

“Is something the matter?” You asked. You’ve never seen Bokuto this deep in thought before, not even when you ask him which meat he wants to eat for Yakiniku.

“It’s noth-'' he started, but when he lifted his gaze and met yours, he stopped, then swallowed the words back down.

His shoulders slumped dramatically, and he gave a deflated sigh.

“How can you always read me so easily?”

“It’s written all over your face,” you giggled, and poked his cheeks.

“Then can you tell that I love you with all my heart?” The corner of his mouth lifted. He drew you closer into his arms, and rested his cheeks against the top of your head. His hugs were always so warm, much like himself.

“I can,” you replied quietly, “And I do too, so if you want to talk I’m always here.” You rubbed his broad back soothingly.

Bokuto tensed. Then, he pulled himself away and held your shoulders. His golden eyes were looking at you seriously.

“You won’t be tired of me?”

Your eyebrows shot up in bewilderment, confused by this sudden question. “Of course not.”

“I-”

“Bokuto!” A loud voice interjected at that moment. You recognised the MSBY setter’s voice immediately. Instead of his usual carefree tone, this time he sounded alarmed. Hot on Atsumu’s heels was Hinata, who both wore mirrored expressions of nervousness when they saw you standing next to Bokuto.

You’ve never seen Atsumu this panicked before.

“I didn’t! I swear I didn’t say anything!” Bokuto took a step back with his hands raised in the air when he saw his two teammates running towards him.

Seeing your confused expression, Atsumu and Hinata breathed an obvious sigh of relief.

“Is something wrong?” You started to ask, but Atsumu either didn’t hear you, or he decided to dodge the question by throwing you a one armed hug.

“Hey! How are you? Looking beautiful as always!” He grinned charmingly at you.

A tired sigh came from behind him. “Stop flirting with someone’s else’s girl, especially when her boyfriend is right there.” Sakusa came trudging along from the corner. Unwillingness was written all over his features.

“I’m not!” Atsumu replied indignantly. “And you didn’t have to come along.”

“Meian told me to.” Sakusa huffed as he came closer.

“It’s okay, I know I’m the one she loves,” Bokuto said brightly, without a hint of malice in his words or intention, but it brought a scowl upon Atsumu’s face.

“Arghh!! Just rub it into our faces that the rest of us are single, why don't you!” Atsumu ran a hand through his bleached hair in frustration.

“Atsumu, weren’t you going out with someone?” Hinata asked.

“She ditched his ass because he wasn’t spending enough time with her,” Sakusa muttered.

“Kiyoomi!” Atsumu lunged towards Sakusa, but the latter whipped out a can and aimed the nozzle at him. ‘Cockroach repellent’ was written in bold letters across the can.

“Come near me and I’ll spray you.” His black eyebrows were drawn down, and you knew he would.

“Who are you calling a cockroach?!”

You laughed at their exchange, and when you looked up at Bokuto, his face was finally clear too. A sun in a cloudless midsummer day.

“Were you going to say something?” You asked Bokuto. Your words weren’t loud, but the four volleyball players instantly froze.

“AHHHH waitwaitwaitwaitwait what’s that?!” Atsumu dramatically pointed at something shiny sticking up from the bench.

“...”

“...”

“Atsumu,” you paused, then said slowly, “I think that’s just a food wrapper someone left behind.”

Atsumu stayed frozen while you picked it up and threw it into the bin. Sakusa slapped his palm against his forehead, as if he couldn’t bear the sight of his dumbass of a teammate.

You looked at them quizzically, wondering what was wrong. First Bokuto was acting off, now so was the rest of the team.

“I-I mean, yes, I knew it was a wrapper, of course I did.” Atsumu laughed awkwardly.

Hinata looked at you apologetically, “I’m sorry, but we came here to get Bokuto as he- uhh, needs to get ready for the game.” Yet his eyes wouldn’t quite meet yours.

“Yup! Exactly why!” Shooting Hinata a grateful look, Atsumu started to drag Bokuto away. “Sakusa! Why don’t you make yourself useful and escort the lady back to her seat?”

“I want to stay with her,” Bokuto pouted, still trying to stay latched onto your arms.

“You can stay with her all you want after this game,” Atsumu hissed.

You laughed and blew Bokuto a kiss. “Good luck!”

You were concerned that maybe Bokuto’s distraction was going to divert his attention during the game, but you didn't need to. On the court, the only thing that occupied his mind was the ball.

Bokuto always shone when he played. There was something about his energy, his ability to push himself which encouraged and propelled his teammates to reach even higher with every jump.

A thunderous roar of yells and applause broke out in the arena when the last point sealed the victory for MSBY. Amidst the tens of thousands of spectators that had come to attend this match, Bokuto’s gaze swept across them all, and found you immediately.

However, before you could wave back in acknowledgement, Atsumu dragged Bokuto off the court to the benches, where the rest of the team stood in a tight circle, blocking off your view from whatever they were doing.

Then all of a sudden, all the lights went off.

A few screams punctuated the darkness, followed by a wave of confused whispers, which spread, swelled, until it became a noisy babble filling the court.

Two spotlights flickered back on. Illuminated in the middle in one of them was Bokuto, who was standing beneath the stand where you were sitting. The other one was on you. You could feel your face burning up from all the attention directed at you. You looked down at Bokuto in panic, wondering what he was planning. He was gazing up at you sincerely, his golden eyes shimmering with emotions.

The noise died.

It was so quiet that you could almost hear Bokuto swallow, then his steady voice rang out across the court.

“First of all, I would like to apologise for taking up all of your time, but it would be an honour to share this moment with all of you.

There’s this person I’m in love with and have been for a long time. From the first moment I saw her beautiful smile from the balcony in high school, she became my sun. She blinded me with her light. It was impossible to keep my eyes off her.  

Yet it wasn’t just her gorgeous smile that caught my heart. After getting to know her, I found out that she is the sweetest and kindest person I know. No matter what I went through, the ups and downs, she was always there by my side, supporting me unconditionally. She’s more than anything I could ask for, my best friend, and the love of my life.”

Several more lights came back on, shining behind Bokuto. Meian, Hinata, Sakusa and Atsumu stood there.

Bokuto started straight at you as he began to speak again.

“There aren't enough words to express the depth of my love I hold for you. Every second I spend with you is a moment I will treasure and hold forever in my heart. I know there is no one else I can spend the rest of my life with, so I would like to ask you.”

Following his words, Meian took off his MSBY jersey. In bold letters, the word ‘WILL’ was printed across his abs. The arena was instantly filled with ear piercing screams of the fangirls. Camera light from phones flashed across the stand as everyone realised what was happening. Hinata followed suit, revealing the word ‘YOU’ written across his stomach. You could see the reluctance in Sakusa’s movement as he moved to pull his over his head. Atsumu reached out and jerked it off him. ‘MA’ was written on him. And ‘RRY’ was written on Atsumu when he took off his jersey.

At this point your heart was threatening to explode in your chest. You could hear your heart thumping in your ears. Bokuto took off his shirt. The word ‘ME’ was written on him. Slowly. he knelt down in front of you.

He opened up a small box. A ring sat in the red velvet box. The diamond sitting atop of the silver band reflected the thousands of flashing lights.

“Will you marry me?”

A sea of emotion welled up inside you. Surprise, happiness, joy, emotions that you couldn’t pin a name on swelled, and when they finally receded, you were left with the knowledge that there was only him you wanted to stay forever.

You nodded.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea, and you stumbled down the stairs. Bokuto was still kneeling there, waiting for you. When you reached him, he gently took your hand, and slid the ring on your ring finger. It fitted perfectly, as if it was meant to be there all along.

You could never forget the look of pure happiness that broke out on his face. All the tensions dissolved from him, and he laughed joyfully. In one swoop, he lifted you off your feet, and pressed his lips against yours.

The crowd screamed in exhilaration, the flashing lights were enough to light up the whole place, but all of that dimmed in comparison when you saw the man you love smiling adoringly at you, the kind of smile that filled your whole soul with warmth and love.

“I love you.” He whispered sweetly into your ear.

“I love you too, Kotarō.”

And in your own world, you shared another kiss, sealing your promise to spend a lifetime together with each other.

From the side, you vaguely heard Atsumu’s voice.

“Bokuto, did you use permanent markers?!”

“Did you see McGonagall’s face?” Rindou was cackling uproariously as they descended down the stairs to who-knows-where.

At this point you had stopped struggling. It was futile anyway. Might as well conserve your energy for later.

“Sure did, never seen her so angry before.” Ran breezed through the stairs with you still on his shoulders.

You were pretty sure that Professor McGonagall’s wrinkles deepened every time she saw them.

Not that you could blame her.

Ran Haitani, the captain and beater of the Slytherin Quidditch team, and his younger brother by one year, Rindou Haitani, the other beater on the team.

There wasn’t a soul, nor ghost, who didn’t know that the Haitani brothers were trouble.

It was one of the school’s biggest mysteries as to why they were never expelled.

A lifetime subscription with no cancellation, Ran had replied when you had asked if you could excuse yourself from their ‘friendship’ after receiving a month of detention when Argus Filch found you, just you, in one of the forbidden areas. And they had the audacity to ask what was wrong the following day, as if they weren’t the ones that forced you to go along with them on their ‘explorations’ in the middle of the night, then abandoned you behind.

The only thing that stopped you from snipping off Ran’s braids that night was that you didn’t have access to the Slytherin Dungeons.

A wintry gale bit into your skin. Rindou had pushed a groaning door open. After taking a few more steps, Ran finally hauled you off his shoulders and placed you on the ground. The thick snow crunched underneath your boots.

You looked up at the grey sky. Snowflakes fluttered onto your face. You were internally counting backwards from ten to stop yourself from committing homicide, when Rindou cut in your thoughts just as you reached nine.

“Why do you look so miserable?” He sounded genuinely baffled.

You regarded him in disbelief, wondering who and how many times he was dropped on the head when he was a small. “Miserable? Miserable?! What should I look like then, after what you’ve just pulled?!”

You could almost hear the buzzing of the gossip circulating in the great hall right now, and you knew the news would disseminate even to those who were at home. Never underestimate the speed that gossip can travel.

Rindou held up both of his palms in an attempt to reflect your anger, and pointed at his brother. “It was his idea.”

You knew that already. You blew your messy hair away from your face in an angry gust of breath, but the wind rushing past whipped them back into your face.

So even dear mother nature was against you today.

A hand reached out and tucked a strand behind your ear, his warm fingertips brushing the shell of your ear.

“Who’s fault do you think my hair is like this?” The struggle had made your hair look like a bird's nest.

“And a merry Christmas to you,” Ran replied cheerfully.

You exhaled sharply through your nose, your energy had already started to deplete with the few words you’ve exchanged with them.

“I’m going back.” You spun on your heel, and started to stalk towards the entrance. A scarf lassoed around your neck and jerked you to a halt.

“Hey lemme go!” You struggled to try and pull free.

“If you don’t comply, I’ll carry you on my shoulders again.” The sing-song voice came closer to you.

Your eyes flickered to the entrance, wondering if you could sprint back-

A hand was placed on your shoulders, and a voice by your ear whispered threateningly, “You can’t outrun me.”

His face was so close to yours that you could see each individual eyelash framing his eyes. Your heart did a flip. “I wasn’t planning to.” You took a step away from him, and folded your arms defensively.

“Sure you weren’t,” Rindou snorted, to which you gave him a flat stare.

“And are you sure you want to go back right now?” Ran asked with a grin.

Hearing it brought forth the vivid image of your shocked classmates’ faces into your mind. You clutched your head in your hands and let out a groan of anguish. It was a scene that you would relive every time you closed your eyes.

“Fine then.” You stomped towards the forest.

“Where are you going?” Rindou asked sceptically. He kicked up a cloud of snow into the air. It foamed a white mist as it descended slowly back onto the ground.

“To a secluded forest so I can live the rest of my pitiful existence as a hermit.” You snapped.

“I’ll come with you.” Ran strolled up to you, almost as if he was doing you a favour, and not because he was the cause of your current headache.

You narrowed your eyes. “Last time I checked, hermits lived alone.”

“In what? The book of Rules Of Living As A Hermit? Rules are meant to be broken anyway.”

“I-“ you threw your hands up in the air in frustration. It was either that or around his neck. “Why are you so annoying?”

Ran cocked his head to the side. “No one has ever told me that.”

“No one has ever told you that in your face.” Because most students would rather dance on Professor Snape’s desk in a pink tutu than to cross either of the Haitani brothers.

That earned a snigger from Rindou.

At this point you were shivering. The sweater you had on offered not much of a protection against the coldness.

“Look, if you are planning to drag me somewhere, at least let me go back and get my jacket.” And I’ll hide in the Gryffindor common room for the rest of the day, as per your original plan.

However, Ran saw through you immediately. “We know the password to the Gryffindor Tower,” he said smugly.

You weren’t surprised. Your shoulders sagged.

“You cheated,” you said in a last effort to try and bail yourself out of this. But you knew you were fighting a losing battle.

It all started a few weeks ago, when you accidentally let it slip that you were going to be staying for the holidays. Ran had pestered you to agree to go on a date with him on Christmas if they won against Gryffindor in the Quidditch match. You had finally relented, half because you wanted him to shut up, and half because you thought you could be smug and rub it into his face when he loses, since the team you had this year was the best in decades.

Ran only blinked at you in confusion at your words.

“Don’t pull the selective amnesia card on me! How many players did you injure?!”

He shrugged nonchalantly, and brushed off a layer of snow that had accumulated on his braids. “It was an accident.”

“Accidentally on purpose.” Your lips were pressed in a grim line as you recalled the match. Or if you call it more appropriately: the slaughter.

It wasn’t simply because of how many chasers both of them had managed to injure with the bludger, Rindou had shielding him from the referee and teachers stand while Ran knocked the Gryffindor seeker off his broomstick with his bat.

Only the students saw, but no one was willing to risk being on either Ran or Rindou’s bad side. That was equivalent to boarding the express train to doom.

“A win is a win. Not our fault if your team members are as fragile as your emotions,” Rindou rubbed his hands together and blew on them. “Shit, it’s cold.”

“Well, thank you for noticing I’ve got fragile emotions,” your acerbic voice stabbed through the air. “Could have put that in consideration before what you did earlier, no?”

“Wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t try to hide from me, would it?” Ran grinned knowingly at you.

You scowled, but averted your gaze. It was true, your plan was to inhale your breakfast at light speed, then spend the rest of the day hiding in the Gryffindor Common room. But your plan had been foiled. Amidst the sea of students, Ran had spotted you instantly and carried you away.

“Anyway, I gotta go, it’s freezing and I want to go back to sleep.” Rindou yawned to prove his point.

“It's only nine o’clock,” you said incredulously.

Rindou threw a snowball at Ran. The latter caught it without even looking at him. “Yeah, but we were up all night.”

You turned towards Ran with a smile, a tiny flicker of hope was in sight. “So you must be tired too, why don’t you go back to sleep as well-”

A cloak wrapped around you and pulled you towards him. The distinct smell of the cologne Ran wore filled your nose. Rindou rolled his eyes at the sight, and then turned to leave with a wave.

“Have fun!” He called out. Mostly to his brother.

“Hey wait wait wait! We can’t walk around like this!” You spluttered.

Ran had covered you both with his cloak, which was surprisingly big enough for both of you.

“Who gives a shit what other people think?” He reached out and wrapped the scarf properly around your neck this time.

And before you could protest further, he had dragged you off towards Hogsmeade.

With no other choice, you walked alongside him. But because of the small proximity, you had to huddle against him. Your fingers brushed against his.

“Woah, your hands are freezing!” He exclaimed.

“And I wonder who dragged me out here in the first place.” You grumbled, ready to shove your hands in your pocket, but his long fingers reached out and laced with yours. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Taking responsibility until your hand warms up.” He threw you a wink. The heat from his hand travelled up to your cheeks, and you turned away in a huff so he couldn’t see your blushing face.

And it was afternoon when you finally sat down to have a break. Ran was humming under his breath, his grin never faded. You never thought shopping was going to be this tiring.

He had brought you to a boutique first, and had asked you to try on dresses and coats one after another. Then, finally, just when you thought he had settled on one, he purchased them all.

“You look pretty in all of them,” he had said when you tried to protest. Somehow, it equally flattered and vexed you whenever he called you ‘pretty’, because you had no idea if he was serious or not.  

So here you were, at The Three Broomsticks. It was packed to the brim, and the atmosphere was convivial. Ran had managed to grab a corner table. By ‘grabbed’ you meant he sauntered up to the table, and the occupiers had hurriedly scrambled up and left when they saw him.

He had wanted to take you to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, but you had pointed at your boots, and said, “Go there and I’ll throw these at your head, Ran Haitani.”

You knew that Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was filled with couples spending Christmas together today. No way were you going there with Ran.

Ran returned to the table, carrying your drinks. He placed a cherry syrup and soda with ice in front of you.

“Because a certain weirdo likes to drink cold drinks in the winter,” he said as he placed a cherry syrup and soda with ice in front of you.

“What’s wrong with drinking cold drinks in the winter?” You pulled your glass towards you as Ran sat down opposite you.

You regarded Ran over the rim of your glass. In the light, his lilac eyes twinkled, and his beauty was captivating. But you’ve been with him long enough that whenever he opened his mouth you were ready to sigh.

Ran caught you looking at him, and he smirked.

“Falling for me?” He teased.

“Falling in despair, yes,” you took a gulp of your drink. The cold liquid hit your throat, making you shiver.

“So what’s the reason you are staying behind this year?” Ran asked.

“Inheritance dispute. My grandfather just passed away, and all my aunts and uncles are fighting over it. I offered to stay here away from the bloodbath that’s gonna ensure, and mum agreed.”

“Wasn’t he super rich? Didn’t he leave a will or something?”

“Rich from all his hoarding, yes. He died suddenly, but knowing him, he probably didn’t leave a will on purpose.”

“Do you think he’ll turn into a ghost just to watch the drama?” His eyes twinkled with mirth.

“Knowing him, he might come back to life after they finally reached an agreement, going ‘haha, you thought’.”

Ran laughed, and you felt your mouth following the sound of his laughter and curved upwards too.

Time always seemed to wind faster whenever you were with him.

By the time you were trudging through the snow on your way back, all the lights had flickered on.

“Look,” you said. You were both still huddling underneath one cloak with your hands entwined. Ran had refused with that perfect smile of his when you asked if you could wear one of your new coats. You gestured towards all the bags he was holding for you. “You got me so many things, isn’t there something you want as a christmas present? Because I’m gonna feel bad if I just accept all of them.”

Ran came to a halt. Out here, there was no one in your vicinity. Only you and him. The snow fell quietly. He turned towards you. “What if I said I want a kiss as a present?”

Your breath halted. Because while he still had the same carefree look on his face, his purple eyes were gazing at you steadily. He stepped closer. You didn’t know what to do. You always liked Ran, but to you it was only a one-sided crush, and it wasn’t something you were willingly to risk your friendship for. Because as much as he annoyed you, somehow, he became a vital part of your life. Which was why you wanted to avoid the ‘date’ today, as you didn’t want your feelings to develop.

You dropped your gaze. “If this is a joke it’s not funny,” you huffed, turning away. But your foot hit a fallen branch hidden underneath the thick snow, and you tumbled onto the ground.

Luckily, the thick layers of snow cushioned your fall. However, when you opened your eyes, Ran was hovering above you. His arms caged your smaller frame.

“What if I’m not joking?” His voice lost its usual playfulness. One of his hands brushed against your cheeks softly, as if you were something fragile, something that he shouldn’t be touching. The white puffs of clouds from your breaths coalesced as he leaned closer. Your heart was thumping three thousand miles a second, so loud that you were sure he could hear it, yet you couldn’t look away from him. Not when the only one reflecting in his clear purple eyes was you, swimming in an emotion you didn’t dare to name.

He leaned even closer, his braids brushed against your temples. You closed your eyes. The world was silent.

Then-

“Cold!” You screamed.

Cold snow had been stuffed down your collar, and Ran was laughing so hard he almost couldn't hold himself up.

“You-” A storm of expletives exploded through your mind, but none of it came out of your mouth. What you did next surprised even yourself.

Perhaps fuelled by your annoyance, and at all the time Ran had teased you, you jerked him down by his braids, and slammed your lips together. It only lasted for a second, yet you knew you would never forget the soft feeling of his lips on yours. You pulled back, at first enjoying his shocked expression, then, as the reality of what you did sank in, your grin faltered. You could feel your cheeks burning up, and you hurrendly tried to push him off you and run away.

He didn’t give you a chance.

His mouth was instantly on yours again. He held the back of your head, so you couldn't pull away as he pushed you back into the snow.

“Mn-!”

You shoved against his chest, trying to push him away and stop yourself drowning in him before it’s too late, but his hand found their way to yours, fingers slipping in between yours and held it on the snow covered ground.

Your heart fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird. You opened your mouth to gasp for breath. He took the chance and slipped his tongue inside you. The kiss was urgent, desperate, with none of the fineness that he usually showed, almost as if he was devouring you whole.

You weren’t sure how the snow around you wasn't melting, because you felt like you were burning up inside out. Your mind was white. Nothing mattered, except the sweet taste of him, and how right it felt. As if two stars finally aligned in the heavens.

When he finally let you up, your chest was heaving, and your panting could be heard in the small space between you.

He brushed his thumb over your lip, a smirk came back on his face, but his features were softer.

“Not a bad present at all.”

You grabbed a handful of snow and shoved it down his collar.

Side note: Okay when I tell you how devastated I was when I didn’t get a Hogwarts letter when I was a kid LMFAOOO😭😭 I was checking the mail ✨religiously✨but nope, no owl came to deliver it *sobs*

He was sitting on his chair in his office. Your knees were on either side of him, sinking into the plush seat every time you moved to take his thick cock inside you.

“‘M close,” you gasped. Everytime you sank down, his cock hit the deepest part of you, sending a shudder up your spine. You threw your head back and moaned. Mikey’s hands cupped your boobs, his mouth sucking your skin, marking you, before his hot tongue rolled over your sensitive nub. The sensation made you clench harder around him.

“Fuck,” he swore under his breath, and from the breathless way the word came out it you knew he was close too.

Your movements became more erratic. Your legs were losing their strength as you struggled to move on your own.

“Mikey, I’m gonna cum,” you panted. Your hands twisted in his black hair, trying to keep yourself anchored from the overwhelming pleasure that is threatening to consume you. His hands grabbed your ass, helping to lift you up then slam you down. A harsh gasp of air escaped his mouth at the feeling of your velvety walls clung so perfectly around his length.

Then all of a sudden, he snapped upright in his seat. His arms wrapped around your waist, stopping your movements.

“Mikey?” You called his name out in confusion.

“Get out.” His words were flat, cold. He was looking at someone behind you, someone who had the audacity to enter his room without asking for permission first. You heard the door hurriedly click shut.

“Mikey,” you whined, lifting your hips up. You were too far gone, just wanting to come. His pitch black eyes flickered to you. Your cunt was clenching around him, slick dripping down the length of his cock, and pooling onto the chair. He leaned back in his seat. He would allow you to come first, then, he would send the person who saw you to go swimming at the bottom of Tokyo Bay before sunset.

Ran

“Mmh, you feel so good, so fucking tight for me,” Ran groaned into your ear. He had you underneath him on his desk, all the documents Mikey had told him to look over were scattered on the floor.

He leaned down, pressing small kisses along your collarbones, then up your neck. His hot breath only fanning your desires.

“Ran,” you whined, wanting him to go faster now that the initial burning stretch of him entering you was gone. But for the past few minutes, all he had done was idly  rolling his hips.

“Hm? What do you want?” He was hovering above you, a lazy smirk on his face. You locked your ankles around his waist, trying to pull him towards you so he could fuck you properly.

“Fuck me, Ran,” you pleaded.

His smirk widened. “Who can make you a mess like this, hm?”

“You. Only you, Ran,” you begged, not caring about the fact that he will tease you mercilessly about it later. Right now all you wanted was for him to move.

“Good girl.” Following his words, he snapped his waist towards your hip, filling you up completely. Your toes curled, your mouth opened in a silent scream as all your nerves were set ablaze.

“Fuuuuck, look how well you are taking me.” Ran’s eyes fluttered shut as he basked in the feeling of your walls clinging to his cock so perfectly. “All of this tight pussy just for me, huh.” His fingers ran down the small bulge on your lower stomach.  

His thrusts were rough. With every move of his hips your back slid across the large oak table, but his firm grip on your hips prevented you from escaping.

You were moaning, babbling incoherent words, your finger running through his now dishevelled hair.

It was then the door opened.

“Haitani-san, I’ve got an urgent report- shit!”

Yet Ran showed no signs of stopping. He thrusted inside you harder, the loud wet noise of where you were connected echoed harshly throughout the room.

“I’m close, pretty girl, shit- don’t clench tighter around me- Just leave that report on the chair.”

“Y-yes sir!”

“Ran, I’m gonna come!” You moaned, your fingers digging into his biceps.

“Together,” he breathed, before crashing his lips down onto yours.

It was a good thing that all the documents were on the floor, because otherwise Koko would have screamed at Ran for wasting money as he needed to print another copy since Mikey would refuse to touch the ones with dried stains.

Rindou

What started as you bringing Rindou’s forgotten lunch to him ended up with you bent over his desk as he pounded mercilessly behind you. His grip on your waist was bruising, but you couldn’t care less at this point.

All you were aware of was the feeling of the tip of his cock hitting your cervix every time. Rindou’s harsh breathing came out in short gasps as he slammed against your ass. His teeth clenched, watching the way his cock disappear inside you, then reappearing with slick dripping down his length. You were both close, it would only take a few more thrusts before you-

The door slammed open.

“Rindou~”

You looked up in horror. Ran came into the room, completely unbothered at the scene of Rindou fucking you.

Rindou stiled his movement, yet he didn’t pull out. “What the fuck do you want?” He glared at his brother. You hide your face in your arms, completely mortified.

Ran only answered with a smile. He held up a photo. “We found him~”

Rindou sighed. “And you couldn’t have told me later?”

He started to resume his pace.

“R-rin?!” You squeaked. In your embarrassment, you clenched around Rindou, making him hiss.

“Shit, loosen up, I can’t move,” he groaned.

“Nothing I didn’t see before,” Ran laughed, his gaze landing on you.

Rindou swore. “Look, just leave okay? Let me finish this-“

“What should we eat afterwards? French? Italian?”

“I don’t give a fuck! Go and eat that dog shit you nearly stepped on this morning!” Rindou yelled, grabbing the paperweight on his desk and throwing it at his brother.

Ran dodged with a snigger. It crashed into the wall, leaving behind a giant dent. He winked at you. “You are welcome to find me if he doesn’t satisfy you.”

The stapler that flew at him next unfortunately hit the closed door.

“Fuck,” you could hear the annoyance in Rindou’s voice. He pulled out, then grabbed your legs and flipped you over so you were facing him. Then, he thrusted into you again.

“You are mine,” he hissed, his pace brutalising, as if marking your insides as his.

And who were to say you weren’t?

Sanzu

You were lying across one of the shipment containers with your skirt bunched up on your waist. Your ankles were crossed behind Sanzu’s neck, and your fingers were entangled in his pink hair. A small packet of white powder laid open by his side.

His tongue ran up your slit, gathering up the liquid that was so addictive, so sweet to him, not letting a single drop go to waste. With every drag of his tongue it elicited a moan from you. You grinded on his tongue.

His tongue flickered over your sensitive bud. Then suddenly, he sucked harshly on your clit, making you scream and arch your back. Sparks flew between your nerves.

“S-slow down, Sanzu!”

You tugged his hair, but whatever he took from the packet seemed to have inhibited his listening ability. His tongue prodded your entrance, before slipping inside.

“Sanzu! Did you check the shipment?” A voice called out.

You instinctively tried to close your legs, but Sanzu held your thighs open. He was too high to notice them.

“Seems like all’s fine with the shipment,” Takeomi muttered when he heard you scream out Sanzu’s name. Ran laughed in response.

Koko

Koko’s pupil dilated. You looked so perfect, spreading out beneath him on the bed covered with ten-thousand yen bills.

He lifted your leg onto the crook of his elbow, hitting deeper inside you. Your moans, along with the crinkling sound of the notes, were music to his ears.

He angled his thrust to hit your sweet spot, and you were clawing down his back, chanting his name like a prayer.

“Did all this cash make you this wet?” He groaned in your ear. He closed his eyes, relishing in the feeling of your cunt greedily sucking him back in, and the feeling of the thick wads of cash underneath his palms. The only two things that mattered to him in this life.

“Kokonoi-san, the protection fees-” a man stood at the doorway, his mouth agape.

Koko quickly grabbed a handful of notes and slapped it on you to try and cover your body.

“Get the fuck out!” He yelled.

The man stumbled, tripping over his feet, and beat a hurried retreat.

“He saw,” you panicked. Because technically the money Koko was currently fucking you on were the ‘protection fee’ that he collected for Bonten.

“Maybe I should invest in some lasers for intruders,” Koko muttered. Then, his fingers reached down at your clit, circling it, making you arch your back and temporality blanking your mind.

Your thighs trembled, and Koko resumed his thrusts. It was now more sloppy as he was nearing his own high. The coil at the pit of your stomach tightened.

The distraction was forgotten.

Later you saw him corner the man, asking him for payment after seeing you.

“It’s that or I’ll gouge your eyeballs out for looking at my girl.” Koko had spat.

That night he took you out to eat at a three star Michelin restaurant.

Perhaps the anxiety you were feeling inside reflected on your expression, because a worried look came over her features. She flashed you a thumbs up, and you responded with a quick bow of gratitude.

Since it was early in the morning, there weren't any customers at the flower shop yet. Still, private phone calls during work hours were forbidden. However Ran, who met her once when he came to pick you up after work, had her twisted around his little finger, and you knew she would allow him to set the store on fire if he so wished.

You crossed the store to the backroom where the cooler and workroom was. Through the glass doors, you could see more Longiflorum lilies. White. Cold. An inexplicable shiver ran up your spine, as if someone walked over your grave. You shuddered, and tore your eyes away from the flowers to your phone. You pressed the green button.

“Hey pretty girl.”

All the tension left your body when you heard his voice. Your shoulders sagged, and you clung to the edge of the counter for support.

“Ran.” His name came out as a sigh of relief. It was only then did you realise you had been holding your breath. Still, Ran almost never called you while you were at work. A tiny gnawing anxiety settled at the pit of your stomach. “Is everything okay?”

As okay as one can be as a Bonten executive, an inner part of you thought.

Ran’s laughter came floating from the other end of the line. You could almost see him, tilting his head back slightly as the chuckle escaped his throat, his lilac eyes sparkling with mirth. Sure, he smirked or grinned a lot, but hearing him laugh was something only you were privileged to hear this often, and it always managed to make your lips curve upwards too.

Then he coughed. Instantly, your smile was replaced by a frown.  

“Ran?” This time, there was a hint of alarm in your voice. Your eyes, as if being forced, strayed back to the white lilies. They stood in their buckets silently.

“Sorry,” he said after the coughing subsided.

“Are you alright?” You leaned forward. A stray lily laid on the counter. You picked it up by its stem. It was cold to the touch. Goosebump broke out on your skin. You quickly dropped it back on the counter.

“Mmh, just a bit tired.” He did sound lethargic. You gnawed at your lips.

“Did you just wake up? You should go back to sleep, it’s still early.” Ran and the rest of Bonten functioned mostly at night, so it was normal for them to catch a few hours of sleep during the day.

“I will, in a bit. I just want to hear your voice before I do. Maybe I’ll have a good dream.” You could hear the smile in his voice. “How’s work today?”

“The day has just started, so we haven’t had any customers yet. But we’ve got quite a few deliveries to make today.” You hoped the lilies were going to be part of the deliveries too. They brought an unsettling feeling inside you.

“Say hi to your manager for me.”

You giggled. Your manager would be over the moon when she hears that Ran still remembers her. So easy on the eyes, how I wish my son looked like that, she had lamented when you came into work the day after she saw him. “She’s been asking me when she could see you again.”

“I really should have picked you up from work more often.”

You frowned at his words. “You are busy.” Sometimes, on a good week, you could see him a few times. And then there would be times where he would be off on a business trip that would span from a couple of days to a few weeks.

“Fuck those boring meetings with those old geezers,” he drawled. “Gives me nothing but a headache. Should have spent it with you instead.”

You smiled. “Then how about making it up for me on the weekend then?”

“The weekend, huh…”

His words trailed off, and you hurriedly said, “If you are busy, we can always go out some other time!” You never wanted to make him choose between Bonten or you.

Surprisingly, he said, “I won’t be doing anything on the weekend.”

“Really?”

Ran chuckled at the excitement in your voice. “Then in exchange, will you do something for me?”

“Sure!”

“Do you still have the ring?”

Your hand went to your chest, where you could feel it under your clothes.

“Of course I do.” You carried it everywhere with you. You pulled out a necklace from underneath your uniform. A diamond ring dangled on the end. The characters of your names were carved on the inside, side by side.

It was a promise ring. The price had made your eyes water when you finally nagged Koko into telling you. Ran had only grinned when you confronted him, saying that this was nothing, and had winked and said if this made you flabbergasted then he couldn’t wait to see your expression for what’s to come.

Maybe…

You briefly entertained a vision of your future together in your head. A fantasy you tried to squash down, trying not to get your hopes up, but a part of you wondered if it will be soon before he proposed-

“Wondering when we are getting engagement rings?” Ran teased, as if he was reading your mind.

You inhaled sharply before you could stop yourself. “How-?! I mean, wait!! That wasn't what I was thinking about at all!” But your denials were of no use. Your gasp of surprise was good enough of a confirmation for him.

And it was a good five minutes before you stopped pouting, and Ran finally ceased his laughter at the other end.

“Will you put it on?” He asked.

“Now?” You never wore your ring at work. Partly because you often handled water, and mostly because you didn’t want to flaunt a ring that costs as much as a Bugatti.

“On your ring finger, then close your eyes afterwards.”

The request made your mouth hang open. On your ring finger? Even when Ran normally took you out, you both wore your promise rings on your middle fingers.

“Ran,” you began hesitantly. “Are you drunk?”

You knew Ran loved you, but his way of expressing affection was more of the teasing type, not this kind of outright affection.

“Drunk in love with you,” he sighed. “Do it for me? And close your mouth, I know it’s hanging open.” He teased. You snapped your mouth shut. He knew you too well.

“Hold on, let me get it off,” you held your phone in between your ears and shoulder. Then with your hands, you unclasped the chain. You unthreaded the ring and slowly slipped it onto your ring finger. You held it up. It sat on your finger as if it always belonged there.

“Close your eyes.” Ran said. You spun around, half expecting him to be standing somewhere watching you. But the storeroom was empty.

“Is this some trick quiz?”

“Just humour me,” there was a tiny weariness in his voice which made you oblige.

“Fine,” you acquiesced, knowing you could never win against him anyway.

“What kind of wedding would you like to have?”

Your eyes nearly flew open.

“Don’t open your eyes.”

“I didn’t.” You squeezed your eyelids in response.

“You nearly did though, right?” You huffed; he laughed.

“So? What kind of wedding do you want to have?” With your eyes closed, his husky voice sounded closer to you.

“Hmmm,” you frowned, trying to recall anything from the wedding catalogues you’ve occasionally browsed.

“Maybe an outside one? It would be so pretty to be surrounded by flowers. But a traditional ceremony sounds so good too!” The image of Ran in a black kimono danced across your mind. He would look so good in a formal kimono.

“An uchikake or white shiromuku…” Ran mused. Uchikake is a colourful over-kimono, while the shiromuku is a pure white one. The bride wears one of these. “Since white represents purity, how about a uchikake for you?”

“Hey!” You protested. “It’s all your fault anyway!”

“Really? Who was it that always begged me for ‘more’ and ‘don’t stop’, hm? And what about-”

“Arghhh enough, enough please!!” You didn’t need to see a mirror to know that your face was burning red. “Then what about you?” You quickly threw the ball back at him. “What kind of wedding do you want?” You pressed, wanting to fluster him for once.

Yet his response nearly made you forget to breathe.

“One with you by my side.”

“That’s not fair,” you whispered when you finally found your voice. Something hot prickled at the back of your eyes.

“What’s not fair?”

“You. That’s what. You always go at your own pace, flustering me, then suddenly acting so sweet. You, you are what’s not fair, Haitani Ran.”

“Yeah, I guess I never was to you,” he chuckled. There was something regretful laced into his tone, however, before you could inquire, Ran coughed again.

“Ran?!”

Your eyes flew open in alarm, and you clutched the phone in both of your hands. Ran had never been ill in all the time you had known him.

There was a short silence, yet for you it seemed to drag on forever, each moment punctuated by an agonising thud of your heart.

You were about to call his name again when he mumbled, “It’s cold.”

“Cold?” You repeated in confusion. You glanced out at the window. The sun was gracing the city with its warmth. “Do you have the AC off? Turn it off, you’ll catch a cold if you sleep with it on.” Sometimes, you would come back to find the bedroom blasting cold air like the meat section in the grocery store, and Ran would be huddling underneath the blanket because he has no clue how to turn it off. A part of you tried to justify this as the reason why he was coughing. But another part was arguing that it was not the case.

“The control is on the wall. There’s a red button that shuts it off-”

“You,” Ran suddenly interjects. his words were getting fainter, probably because he was falling asleep. “You were always so warm.”

You could feel a faint heat underneath your cheeks. Whenever Ran slept with you, he always hugged you tight against him, even in the middle of summer. Even when he was fast asleep, if you rolled away, he would unconsciously seek you out and pull you back to him.

You were saved from a reply when a chime came from the entrance, signalling the arrival of a customer.

“I gotta go now, Ran. I’ll come and see you in the evening?”

There was no answer.

“Ran?” The Longiflorum lilies seemed to be beckoning for you to look at them. It took all your will not to turn around.

“Yes, doll?” He answered in a barely audible voice.

“I’ll make you dinner tonight before you leave for work, okay?”

“That would be nice,” his voice was so faint now.

Your manager stuck her head around the corner. She looked apologetically at you, and mouthed, Sorry, I need you now.

You nodded, and held up a finger to indicate to give you one more moment.

“Go to sleep, Ran, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Mmmh, I love you.” He whispered.

“I love you too, Ran.”

“My heart will always be yours.”

The phone beeped. Then, the line died.

You hurriedly placed your phone on the counter, and left. Your phone was still on, displaying the names of your call history. The tip of the white petal touched the name of the last caller.

At the same time, far away from you, a phone clattered onto the blood soaked concrete floor. The loud echo reverberated in the abandoned building. A blood slicked hand fell limply next to it, no longer having the strength to hold it. The silver band on the owner’s ring finger sparkled silently.

Afterwards, only the sound of a laboured breathing broke the deathly stillness that was left behind when souls of the hundred or so men lying scattered around the building left their bodies.

The phone screen automatically flickered to life. A picture of you smiling brightly amidst a sea of flowers showed up.

If only he could pick it up, and look at it again. But the last of his strength has long left his arms. It was a miracle he could hold it for as long as he did to talk to you.

Ran looked up. The derelict ceiling blurred, splitting into several, before weaving back to one, then the whole building seemed to be changing shape.

He closed his eyes. The sound of your voice, so sweet, still lingered in his mind. The wall behind him propped him up in a sitting position as he sagged against it.

Cold

He has never felt so cold in his life before. A shuddering breath left his mouth, before a hacking cough overtook it, making more blood spill from his lips. He didn’t know he still had more blood in him at this stage. He laughed. It sounded hollow, empty, like he was before he met you.

He could see you in his mind. So clearly, always smiling so brightly at him. You dazzled him, capturing his heart as much as his soul. Sometimes, he wondered if he had suffered so much just because he could meet you. If so, he would gladly go through it again a thousand times, just so he could stay by your side.

He couldn’t feel any pain now. In fact, he couldn’t feel anything. He wondered if you’ll cry at his funeral, but the idea of you crying made his heart ache. He never wanted to make you cry. Not you. You deserved to be happy.

If only he could wipe away your tears.

But he wouldn’t be able to. Even if you placed those white flowers in his casket, something like...

Ran’s conscience flickered. Blackened. Then he regained awareness. The world swam, but the words came to him.

Longiflorum lilies

His lips curved slightly. He could hear your voice, as if you were right next to him, pointing at the flowers and looking up at him with such pure eyes.

Ran never knew he could love someone this much. And to be able to talk to you one last time, to hear that you are alright, happy, it was more than he could ask for.

His world was shrinking, dimming.

He was just… so tired…

Maybe… This was all a dream, and when he wakes up, he’ll be in his bed, hearing your humming floating out from the kitchen along with the aroma of your cooking. He would pretend to be still asleep. Your footsteps would come closer. You would place a light kiss on his cheeks, before shaking him awake. Then he would suddenly pull you into bed with him, your surprised yell mingling with his laughter. And he would kiss you, your warm arms around him, and he would never let go...

Your name left his lips in a breathless prayer. A prayer towards the heavens, for his soul to find yours again.

And that was how Rindou, who was the first to arrive,  found Ran. His eyes were closed, as if in a deep sleep, and a serene smile on his face.

Tagging: @justanawolf (here’s the angst sis🥲🤲🏻)

“Whoops, he heard,” Osamu, who was sitting beside the twin beds in the room, grinned affectionately at the twins tucked inside.

“Yer whole life is an embarrassment, Tsumu,” he said to the man glaring at him.

“Shut yer trap!” Atsumu stalked into the room, ready to haul his brother out. “It’s way past their bedtime, let them sleep.”

“I was just telling ‘em a bedtime story like the good uncle I am.”

Two little voices chirped up from the beds.

“Daddy, were you a-” the twins’ eyes landed on Osamu.

“Jerk,” Osamu muttered under his breath.

“-a jerk to mommy?” Two pairs of brown eyes gazed innocently at their father. Atsumu’s eyebrows twitched, and Osamu struggled to hold in his laughter.

“Samu! Stop teaching them those words! What if they use them at the kindergarten?”

“I’m expanding their vocabulary.” Osamu stroked both of the twins' brown hair. “Now sleep tight, and don’t grow up to be an asshole like yer dad, alright?” He waved to them as Atsumu dragged him by his collar out of the room.

Just before Atsumu closed the door, two voices piped up simultaneously.

“Daddy, what’s an asshole?”

“SAMU!”

“I wonder,” Ran mused, his eyes glinting with amusement. You had a feeling it would be what hit your window next if you hadn’t responded.

“It’s three in the morning.” The first three buttons of Ran’s shirt were open, and you finally managed to rip your eyes from him and glared at Rindou. “Are you trying to wake up the entire neighbourhood?”

Rindou blinked at you in confusion. “Who goes to sleep at three?”

“Oh, I don’t know, normal people?” You could feel a small headache starting to form. Common sense never seemed to apply to the Haitani brothers.

“Weaklings,” Rindou sniggered, and Ran nodded in agreement. You weren’t sure how both of them still managed to look so perfect without any sleep, while you looked like you crawled out from the depth of hell every time you pulled an all-nighter. Genes, probably. And the Haitani brother sure seemed to have received the best.

Ran turned to his brother with that same easy grin. “It’s like the scene in Romeo and Juliet, isn’t it? Our princess is looking down at you from the balcony. What’s your next line, Romeo?”

Rindou’s eyebrows twitched. Before he could make a snarky comeback, you cut in. “You’ve actually read Shakespeare, Haitani Ran? I thought reading was a foreign concept to you.” You’ve never seen Ran with a book in all the years you’ve known him.

“The movie. Never have or will read that,” he replied without an ounce of shame.

“Wow, love how you can admit that with a straight face and look so proud. It makes me feel bad for having read it.” You were pretty sure the only thing Ran read was the menu in restaurants. Or maybe he just pointed at the pictures and ordered those.

“Are you coming down or are you gonna continue to stay up there and chat? My neck’s straining.” Rindou had dropped his rocks and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“No, I quite like this view of looking down on you.” You peered dramatically down at him. Ran burst out laughing, and Rindou only answered with a scowl. His mouth moved indecipherably. Probably cursing.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me where you are bringing me. Last time you took me to an abandoned house and scared the shit out of me.”

“Not this time, I promise.” Ran looked at you with much sincerity as he could muster, yet he couldn’t quite hide the glint of amusement in his purple eyes.

“That’s what you said last time as well.” You threw him an accusatory glare.

“If you don’t come down I’ll wake up the entire street.” Ran threatened.

“How?” You challenged back.

“I’ll…” Rindou trailed off.

“Break everyone’s windows?” Ran suggested unhelpfully.

“Yeah, if that is what it takes.” From the looks of their faces you knew they would stay true to their word. The Haitani brothers always got their way.

With a resigned shake of your head, you said, “Fine, but I need to get ready.”

“Just come down as you are, you always take hours to get ready,” Rindou groaned. You felt offended. You never took hours. Just… maybe yeah, an hour or so.

“As you can see, we didn’t bring a tent,” Ran gestured towards their motorcycles.

“I look like a mess,” you complained. You had slept in your work clothes and hadn’t even cleaned off your makeup. If you looked up in a dictionary for the word ‘mess’ you are pretty sure you would find your picture pasted in there.

“A hot mess,” Ran smirked up at you, his tone taking on a flirtatious tone. And your heart responded with a quick double flip. Nice betrayal, you thought.

Rindou shrugged, “We’ve seen worse, like that time when you were studying for finals and were fueled purely by coffee-”

You grabbed the shoe box laying at the corner. Taking out a high heel, you threw it down at him. Luckily, your aim was spot on. It went flying at light speed towards your target. Unluckily, Rindou was quick to react. He dodged it before it stabbed him.

“What the fuck you crazy-”

“You saying something?” You held up the other high heels high in your hands. Rindou instantly clamped his mouth shut.

“A smart choice,” Ran mused at the side.

“You aren’t off the hook either,” you rounded on him. Ran lifted both of his arms in mock surrender.

“Just come down peacefully, will you? We aren’t trying to kidnap you.” Rindou rubbed the back of neck with a pained expression.

“More like blackmail. Can’t this wait? My parents are asleep, if I go down I’ll wake them up.”

“Then jump down, I’ll catch you.” He took a step back and held his arms wide open.

“I don’t trust the person who secretly ate all the ice cream, then filled the tub back with ice.” You folded your arms.

“Busted,” Ran grinned at his brother. “You thought she would never notice.”

“You ate some too,” Rindou snapped back. He turned back towards you. “Hurry up, my arms hurt.”

Seeing you still debating, Ran tossed the brick higher in the air.

Finally, knowing you could never win against them, you clambered on the window sill. You looked down below.

It wasn’t too high. Worst comes to worse, you’ll break a few bones. At least you can get a cast and ask for sick leave from work. Or your boss might just decide to fire you. So you closed your eyes and jumped, with the future of your job also hanging on the line.

Half of you were expecting Rindou to tumble down with you when he caught you. Instead, after falling weightless for a brief moment, strong arms caught you easily. When you opened your eyes, Rindou’s face was right next to yours. His sharp lilac eyes were gazing at you intently. He was way more handsome up close, and it took everything you had not to run your hand down his face.

He frowned slightly. “Have you been losing weight?”

You raised your eyebrows. “What are you, my personal scales? You should have told me earlier, then I wouldn’t have splashed out on that weight scale. Comes with the BMI measuring function too, can you do that?”

“No, but I know when and how much snacks you eat at night sometimes.” Rindou sniggered. You stuck your tongue at him before hopping off his arms. It was true, recently work has been stressful and you haven't been eating properly.

“Shall we get dinner afterwards then?” Ran smiled. It wasn’t a question.

“I’ll get fat if I eat so late at night,” you protested, already knowing it was a lost cause.

Rindou shrugged. “You could afford to eat more. You are way too thin.”

“Hmm what should we have,” Ran tilted his head towards the side, thinking.

“Dim sum,” Rindou instantly answered.

“I’m sure there are places that serve dim sum at three in the morning,” you said sarcastically.

Ran smiled lazily. “For us, yes.”

“So where are you kidnapping, you witches-”

Someone threw something over your head. “Hey!” You pulled it off. You were ready to throw it back when you saw it was Rindou’s jacket.

“Who in their right mind doesn’t bring a jacket when they come out at night?” Rindou spoke with his back to you. You didn’t miss the way the tips of his ears were slightly red.

“Well, who asks other people to go out with them at this hour?” You grumbled. You shoved your arms through his jacket. The smell of Rindou enveloped you completely, almost as if he was hugging you.

Ran had sauntered up. One of his gloved hands tilted your chin upwards and he gazed down at you with a smirk. “Hmm, maybe lovers?” He lowered his face down, and you could feel his breath against your lips.

You took a step back. “Is that why you and Rin were out so late? Whoops, my bad, didn’t mean to be a third wheel for you guys. Lemme go back-”

“Stop flirting,” Rindou shoved his way in between you. “Here, wear it.” He handed you a helmet.

“Someone’s jealous,” Ran sniggered.

Rindou ignored his brother. He sat on his motorcycle, then looked back at you expectantly. You sat behind him.

“She’s gonna sit behind me when we come back, won’t you, pretty girl?” Ran threw you a wink from his motorcycle. You rolled your eyes.

Rindou revved the engine and it came roaring to life. You wrapped your arms around Rindou’s waist. You could feel his firm muscles under his t-shirt.

“Rin?” You lifted your visor and called out to him, your chin rested on his shoulders.

“What?” He called back. He was gearing up the motor ready to drive.

“Did you work out more? Your abs are firmer.”

Rindou nearly crashed the motorcycle. Ran cackled so hard that he was nearly crying.

It took them a few minutes before they were able to drive.

Both motorcycles shot through the still night, sending howling winds screaming on either side of you. The headlights sliced through the darkness, lighting up the empty road in front of you. The scenery passed by in a blur, which spoke of the pace you were going at. You clutched Rindou harder.

Both of them never bothered to slow down, even at corners. In fact, they seemed to be speeding up. Gradually, more lights came twinkling into view, until they came to a stop at a place bustling with activity. Bright neon lights for all kinds of seemingly shady places hung off the buildings. It was a place that never slept.

The moment the people noticed the Haitani brother, they stopped and bowed. Some hurriedly scuttled away. However, Ran and Rindou didn’t seem to care. After they parked, Ran pulled loose his hair band. His long hair cascaded past his shoulders. He held his hair tie in between his teeth as he gathered his dark strands into a ponytail.

He smirked when he caught you looking at him.

“Trying to look perfect, Ran?”

“I always look perfect.” He pulled loose a few strands of hair. He really did. Not that you’ll ever admit it.

“Wow, someone’s ego sure is big. Don’t think the Earth is big enough for it.” You climbed off the motorcycle.

You walked in between them. Everyone gave them a wide berth. You always felt like a celebrity when you walked with them. Except people didn’t stare at celebrities with fear in their eyes.

“For the upteenth time, where are we heading-“

You tripped. How you trip over nothing is beyond you, but you do. You nearly gave Mother Earth a big kiss when a strong arm jerked you back.

“Owww,” you rubbed your shoulders that nearly got dislocated. “But thanks.”

“It’s amazing how you always manage to do that,” Rindou sighed. He grabbed your hands. “Shit why are your hands so cold?” He shoved your linked hands in his pocket.

Ran whistled at the side. “That was smooth, brother of mine.” He slipped one of his arms around your waist. “So you don’t trip,” he said with a smirk. Rindou snorted.

You came to a stop and a small door in an alleyway. You glanced around. There was no sign to indicate where you were. It could be a hideout for serial killers for all you know.

Rindou opened it without knocking. There was a staircase leading to the bottom. A terminally ill  lightbulb flickered overhead, providing almost no illumination.

“It looks like a staircase descending to hell,” you groaned.

“Exactly where we come from,” Ran answered cheerfully.

“The stairs are narrow, be careful.” Rindou went down first, but he didn’t let go of your hand.

You followed, groping your way down. One time you nearly missed your footing.

“I got you,” he muttered when you screamed. If he hadn’t been holding your hand tightly you were sure you would have tumbled down the stairs.

Once you reached the landing below, you were faced with a red curtain. Rindou pushed it apart. A bright light flooded into your eyes and you winced. Once your eyes adjusted, you recognised the furniture and equipment as a tattoo parlour.

A man with blonde and purple hair was in the centre of the room, preparing his equipment. He raised his head when you entered. He had droopy eyes, but there was a sharp glint in them. Your breath hitched. He was good looking. Wayyy too good looking.

“Heyyyyy Waka~” Ran threw open the curtains and came in behind you. “Here’s the little lady we told you about.”

The man called ‘Waka’ dropped his gaze to you and Rindou’s entwined hands. You quickly let go.

“You are late.” His voice was smooth. He spoke quietly, yet there was a steely undertone that spoke he wasn’t to be messed with.

“Sorry, sorry.” Ran laughed. You’ve never heard such an insincere apology in your life before. “It took a little convincing for her to come here.”

Ran placed a hand on your shoulders. He bent down until his face was next to yours. “This is Waka, Imaushi Wakasa. He’s the best tattooist here, no, in the whole of Tokyo. He’s pretty picky about his clients, and it took a good persuading for him to agree.”

“Sooooo why are we here? You want me to watch you and Rindou getting tattoos?”

“Getting matching tattoos, doll, all three of us.” Ran’s grin widened, his purple eyes glinting.

You stared at him open-mouthed.

Rindou laughed at your shell-shocked expression.

“Excuse me? You brought me out here for this? And you didn’t even ask me?”

“We’ll show you the design if you like,” Ran said.

“Afterwards,” Rindou finished with a snigger.

You groaned.

“Ladies first,” Ran gestured. You glanced at Wakasa who was lowering the tattoo chair until it was completely flat.

“Wait, hold on, where is this tattoo gonna be?”

Rindou tapped the base of your spine with a smirk.

“Are you kidding?!” A tattoo right on the spine is gonna hurt like hell.

Wakasa looked at you. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through you. “If she doesn’t want it then I won’t do it.”

“Do it for us, doll?” Ran peered into your face. He ran his thumb over the bottom of your lip. The corner of his mouth curved upwards. His smirk was irresistible, and he knew it. You could feel Rindou gazing at you too, and a third pair of eyes staring at your back.

“Fine,” you relented with a sigh. You’ve always wanted a tattoo anyway. Just maybe not so early in the morning. You untucked your blouse and gathered it at your waist. You heard Wakasa snap on his gloves. At least the tattoo artist was hot.

Ran and Rindou sat on either side of you as you laid face down. You clutched both of their hands.

“I think our hands are going to get mauled today, little brother.” Ran chuckled seeing how tightly you were squeezing them already.

“Take off your gloves,” you scowled at Ran. If you were going to be hurting then both of them can at least share your pain.

“Whatever you say, pretty girl.” He smiled. He held your gaze, then, he brought his gloved hand up to his mouth, before biting the middle finger of his glove, and pulled it off with his teeth. It dropped into his lap. His smirk deepened when he saw you swallow. You averted your gaze with a huff. Cold fingers weaved through yours. Ran’s hands were always colder than Rindou’s. You gripped both of them tightly.

“It’s gonna be worth it,” Rindou answered with a grin.

You sure hoped so.

You jerked backward, hating how your heart was tripling its speed when you realised his face was right next to yours, and how he always seemed so unruffled.

“You scared me!” One of your hands was clutching your chest as if trying to hold in your heart which was threatening to jump out.

“What did I do?” He tilted his head towards the side, his expression blank as if he didn’t know what you were talking about.

“Y-you know! You just-“ You scowled at him, though you couldn’t quite meet his eye. You could feel your ears burning where he blew on them, and the heat was spreading across to your cheeks.

“Hmm, I don't know what you are talking about, but,” he drew his face closer. The familiar scent of hinoki wafted around you as his white robes fluttered in the wind. The corner of his lips tugged upwards as he peered teasingly into your face.

“Are you feeling alright? Your face is awfully red.”

As if he doesn’t know why. You shot him a glare, which only earned a huff of laughter in return.

“And I told you before, keep your voice down. You were loud enough that even the dead could hear you.” He pulled away; you were both relieved and disappointed.

“You weren’t answering when I called you,” you muttered.

“I was sleeping.” With a yawn, he started heading towards the shrine.

“You’re always sleeping whenever I come here.” You hurried your footsteps to catch up to him.

“Not like I have much to do. I don’t have to tend to farmlands or livestock, do I?” He threw a grin back at you. A grin that made him look even more impossibly handsome. A grin that made your heart ache because of what the future held for you.

“Then what do you do? Laze around all day?” You smiled cheekily at him, trying to supress your inner turmoil.

One of his thin eyebrows arched. “Should I flood your rice fields with rain tomorrow?”

“Nope, nope, nope! Rintarou-sama is the greatest!” You threw up your hand in mock praise.

Suna only huffed in response as he continued forward. “If you are only coming here to bad-mouth me then the exit is that way.” He jerked a finger towards the seemingly never ending staircase which you arrived from.

“It was a genuine praise.” You opened your eyes wide in fake innocence. With a laugh, you quickly dodged the flick aimed at your forehand, something he would do every time you poked fun at him.

“Brat,” he muttered under his breath. However, there was the faintest trace of a smile on his face.

“Say Rin,” both of you have reached the shrine, and you walked up in front of him, “Won't you turn into your fluffy form?” You gazed up at him with upturned eyes, “Please?”

Suna’s eyes flickered towards yours, his narrow eyes gazed back at you impassively. “After you just said all I did was laze around?” But you knew he would oblige. Because Suna had never denied you anything.

He ruffled the back of his head with an exasperated sigh when he saw you wouldn’t relent. Then in an instant, a giant nine tailed fox stood before you.

It was something you did every time you were stressed. You would gaze at the sky while lying down surrounded by his soft tails. There was something about his warmth that was always able to soothe your anxiety and melt the stress inside you.

You stretched out your legs as you laid your head against him. His fur gleamed softly under the sinking sun. You absentmindedly ran your hand through it.

Suna’s eyes thinned when he felt your cold hands. There was a crispness in the air that signalled winter was one step closer. His tails wrapped around you tighter.

“Hey, remember that nightmare I told you about that I had a while ago? The one where I fell off the stairs? That was scary.”

Suna stilled. Then his muzzle bopped you slightly on your head.

“You always had the weirdest imagination.”

“Hey,” you protested in indignation. It always felt surreal talking to Suna in his fox form.

It was said a nine tailed fox god looked after all the villages in the mountains here. It resided in the shrine on the secluded mountain near your village. However, no one dared to enter the mountain where it inhabited, fearing the wrath of the deity if its lands were trodden upon without permission.

One time when you were small, you got lost in the forest. You stumbled across the stairways by accident. Having been intrigued by the torii gates, you embarked on a gruelling journey up the stairs. And that's how you met Suna.

“Speaking of the stairs, they are so tiring! Why are they so long?” Standing at the bottom, it was impossible to see the top even if you strained your neck. Just an endless cascade of red torii gates and the stone stairway flowing through them.

“No one said you had to come every day,” Suna grumbled. Yet he had never once told you to go away.

“So does that mean you don’t want these?” You took out a small packet and waved it in front of him with a grin. A sweet smell emanated from it.

Suna’s ears instantly perked up. You struggled to hide your giggles.

“Awww are you that excited?” You teased him.

He scowled at you. One of his tails whacked you on the head. “You are just seeing things.”

It only made you laugh. You knew him long enough to know that when his ears perked up, it meant that he was happy.

“Sure, sure,” you smiled, “Well, thank you for the good harvest this year.”

You sat up and opened the package. It was filled with inari sushi. You made sure to make plenty today.

“Here,” you held it out to him, but he only opened his mouth expectantly. You picked one up and was ready to drop it into his jaws when he instantly turned back into his human form. You felt his soft lips brush against your fingertips. You jerked your hand back like you’ve been scalded.

“Wha-?” You could swear you heard Suna sniggering at your expression.

“Another one?” He grinned at you. You could feel yourself flushing bright red, and you shove the rest of the inari sushi at him. “Eat them yourself!” You stormed off and sat on the steps of the shrine. Your fingers were still burning, and you clenched your hands tightly. It wasn’t fair how he was always teasing you like this. A few seconds later, Suna ambled up and sat by your side.

You sat with your arms wrapped around your knees while he ate in silence. Dusk had fallen, and the first star glimmered in the sky. You glanced at Suna. A sentimental feeling welled up. While you’ve known him all these years, Suna’s appearance has never changed. And will never change. How you wished that time would just stop, at this twilight, but in the end, the flow of time is merciless, bringing painful endings and new beginnings.

“Say, Rin,” you kicked the pebble at your feet. “You probably already know, but-” The remaining words became stuck in your throat as if it won’t become the truth if you didn’t say it out loud.

“That you got lost in town the other day?” Suna said as he ate the remaining inari sushi.

You whipped your head towards him. “How-?!” But Suna knew everything. He was a god. And you were a human. A difference that could never be overcome.

You gazed at the ground once more. “I’m getting married.” The words came out as a whisper. Suna didn’t react. He most likely already knew it.

“I don’t know who he is, but my parents said his family is rich, and that it was a miracle for their family to take me in as the wife of their son. I probably won’t have to work a day in my life.” You laughed awkwardly. The back of your eyes started to sting, and you hurriedly blinked. You didn’t want to cry in front of Suna.

You had always tried to delay your marriage, citing that you needed to look after your parents as you were an only child. But in your heart you knew it was only an excuse.

“Congratulations.” You looked up. And what you saw broke your heart. He was smiling softly at you.

Puzzlement, confusion, and surprise coloured your initial response, but as this tangle of emotions receded, only sadness remained. It lingered in that crisp air in the light of his words. You felt a hole being ripped open in your heart. You slowly shook your head.

Of course he didn’t feel the same.

You were only a mere human whom he had met on a chance encounter all those years ago.

Suna stood up.

“It’s late, you should get home.” Then after a brief pause, he said quietly, “You shouldn’t come back here again.”

The words rang hollowly in your head. You could hear the words but your mind couldn’t process their meanings. Finally, you choked out, “Why?”

Suna didn’t answer. He stared blankly straight ahead.

“Is it because I’m getting married?” You whispered.

A flicker of emotion passed quickly through his face, and before you could name it, his face returned to their normal unreadable countenance.

“He’s a good person, I’m sure he’ll look after you.”

“But I’ll still see you again, right?” Your voice wobbled. It didn’t matter if Suna didn’t feel the same. As long as you could see him again, you were content.

“You weren’t supposed to see me in the first place.” His voice was almost cold. Pushing you away.

You swallowed hard, trying to moisten your nervous throat, but it still felt like sand. You knew now was your last chance to say it.

“Rin I-”

“Don’t!” His sharp voice sliced through the air. Your eyes widened. You’ve never heard him like this, as if he was choking back his emotions. He turned towards you, and for the first time you saw his face was twisted in anguish.

“Don’t say it,” he pleaded.

He knew how you felt.

“I’m sorry.” Tears were streaming down your face. Suna took a hesitant step towards you, his arms outstretched. You lifted your sleeves to wipe your tears. Then, strong arms embraced you.

You wanted to push him away. Because right now his warmth is the reason why you didn’t want to leave.

“I’m sorry,” the soft voice, laced with pain, whispered in your ear. The familiar scent of hinoki enveloped you. “It was my fault. I… I dragged it out for too long. I should have told you to stay away before it came to this.”  

“Please Rin, just let me stay with you.” Hearing your pleas, his arms tightened around you. You’ve always longed to feel Suna’s arms around you, but not like this. Not when it felt like he was hugging you for the first and last time. You clutched his sleeves.

Then gently, he pulled back. He rested his forehead against yours. One of his palms cupped your cheeks as he gazed into your eyes. He was so warm. His eyes were so gentle.

Slowly, a hazy white fog spread across your mind. You felt your senses waning, your consciousness blinking sporadically.

You wonder when you fell in love with him. You still remember the first time you saw him. It was-

Was?

You couldn’t remember. In place of the memory was a hazy white fog. Then, the memory within you crumbled to nothing.

A cold chill stabbed into your heart.

“Rin?! What are you-?! Rin please! What are you doing?” You sobbed, trying to pull away. But your limbs were heavy. You couldn’t do anything but watch all your memories of your precious person slowly crumble and fade away, like the leaves falling off a tree in autumn.

“Forget me, and be happy.” Pain rippled across his golden eyes.

There was nothing you could do, as the person in front of you slowly became more and more distant to you. The memories you shared together slowly vanished, leaving a stranger in front of you. But there was only a single word you kept repeating like a plea, the one word that you would never forget.

“R...in,”

His long fingers wiped away your tears. His mouth pressed tightly together.

“I’m sorry.”

Then, you fell unconscious.

It was then a bell tinkered. Suna didn’t even turn around as he held you.

“Rintarou.” The voice was low. Firm yet not unkind. A grey-haired man stood there. A slight sadness coloured his brown eyes.

“Is that the girl you are exchanging your life for?”

Suna didn’t reply.

Because on that day a few months ago, you had slipped down the staircase and died. Suna had saved your life. However, it was forbidden for gods to interfere with human lifespans. Suna had asked them to exchange his life for yours. And that he would be executed once he found someone suitable to look after you.

“Aren’t you lonely?” He remembered you asking him when he told you he lived here alone for hundreds of years.

He never noticed his loneliness. Until he met you.

He remembered taking you back the first time you wandered into his shrine, and warned you not to get lost in the forest. But then you were there, the next day, climbing up the stairs to see him. At first, he seemed exasperated by your repeated visits, but somewhere along, he turned to looking forward to your arrival.

He had asked you once why you kept on coming over.

“Because you looked lonely!” You had replied cheerfully. “And since no one visits you, I will!”

Suna placed you in Kita’s arms. His hand brushed gently across your tear-stained face.

“Look after her for me, please.”

“Why are you doing so much for a single human?” Kita looked sorrowfully at Suna. “You will never be able to meet with her again.”

Executed Gods won’t be reincarnated.

Suna was silent. He faced the army of Heavenly guards that had come to escort him, and walked forward. Then, just before he reached them, he turned back to Kita, a slight smile playing on his smile.

And the words that had been locked inside his heart finally broke free, surging forth from the depth of his heart.

A bitter winter gale whipped past, swallowing his whisper.

“I love her.”

Spring will come for you, but not with him by your side.

“Hey, that’s mine,” Shinichiro didn’t turn around from the motorcycle he was tinkering in front of him.

You threw the empty can at the back of his head. It hit dead centre.

“Ow!” Shinichiro turned around. Maybe he saw something in your expression, because a look of concern flitted across his features. He dropped his tools and shuffled to where you were sitting on top of the box.

“Are you alright?” He kneeled in front of you and peered up at you.

“I’m fine.” Your reply came out harsher than you anticipated. You bit your lips, knowing it was not Shinichiro’s fault. Come the end of August, you have an exchange trip abroad for two month, so you were hoping you could spend most of August with your boyfriend.

His oil stained hands gathered yours in between his, and lifted them to his lips. His mouth brushed across the back of your hand as he murmured softly. “I’m sorry, I know I didn’t spend any time with you these past few weeks.”

Most of the fight left you at once. You felt guilty. It wasn’t his fault. If you didn’t choose to go on this trip you would be able to see each other more often. But since summer break started, he had been obsessed with a certain bike, tinkering and making adjustments until late into night. You knew he was proud of it. The motorcycle was put on display in the middle of the store every day. But in exchange there had been no time for him to go anywhere with you.

“I’m nearly finished,” he said, following your line of sight to the bike he was working on.

“It’s beautiful,” you weren’t just saying it to please him, it truly was. All the care and work Shinichiro had put into it was showing. Even you, who didn’t understand motorcycles, could tell he breathed life into it.

“You think?” His eyes instantly lit up at your praise. Seeing the sparkle entering his eyes, you couldn’t stop the corner of your lips tugging upwards.

“Did I say something funny?” Shinichiro casted an inquiring look at you.

“Just remembering all the times you confessed to me.” When you finally agreed, the same sparkle had entered his eyes. “How many times did you confess to me? Fifty?” you mused, not really expecting an answer.

“Seventy-eight,” he answered instantly.

You blinked, then a giggle escaped from your mouth. “How do you remember the exact number?”

“Because I remember everything about you,” he gazed up at you with the same sincerity he had shown you since high school. He seemed relieved that you were finally smiling again. “Your favourite snack is the pumpkin korokke made by the granny three streets down, and you have absolutely no sense of direction-”

“Shinichiro!” You playfully swatted his shoulder. He laughed. “Not that you can say anything, you got us lost that one time too, remember?”

Shinichiro’s face softened at the memory. That time he had taken a wrong turn on the road, and driven both of you to the beach instead. That’s where you finally accepted his confession.

“What would you have done if I didn’t agree to go out with you that time?”

“Then we would have reached the seventy-ninth confession! I was hoping you were going to accept before we hit the grand one hundred, so I’m glad you did!” His teasing grin faded into a more sincere one. He reached out and gently cupped your cheeks. “I wasn’t going to give up, not you.”

It surprised you when one day the leader of the black dragon confessed to you. Yelled his confession, to be more precise, in front of the whole school. You didn’t know him that well, but you turned him down instantly mostly because of mortification as a few hundreds pairs of eyes were staring at you. But he never gave up.

He would show up whenever you needed a ride; or hand you an umbrella when it was raining; or he would always cheerfully ask which part of today was your favourite when he saw you. You slowly grew closer.

MYou grew to love his family too. His grandpa, who had a heart of gold, and his two younger siblings. The adorable Emma, and the cheeky Mikey, who had recently asked both of you with a smug grin if he was going to be an uncle soon. Poor Shinichiro had choked so badly on his ramen that you thought you had to call for the ambulance.

“In our next life, will you agree to go out with me sooner? Preferably before I reach confession number seventy-eight?”

“If you don’t yell out and embarrass me for the rest of my high school life,” you teased.

Unconsciously, you had both been leaning towards each other. “I will find you, I promise. The next life, and the one after that. And I’ll ask you as many times as it takes. Because I love you.” His words were barely above a whisper, but you felt each of them on your lips. Then his lips gently met yours, as if sealing a promise.

All too soon, you broke apart.

“It’s late,” you stood up. “I should head home now.”

Shinichiro quickly followed suit. “I’ll walk you home.”

You shook your head.

“You are nearly finished right? Might as well finish it today. Don’t leave it to tomorrow’s Shin.”

Shinichiro seemed hesitant. He always walked you home. You quickly leaned in a gave him a quick kiss on his cheeks.

“I’ll be alright, it’s still light outside,” You wanted to walk home alone tonight. You needed to cool off your head, and maybe a good night’s sleep will get rid of all your frustrations. You opened the door and let yourself out before he could say any more.

You were halfway down the road when you heard him calling your name. He was standing outside the shop.

“Tomorrow! Let’s go to the beach tomorrow!”

The sun was falling behind him.

A part of you suddenly wanted to run up to him, to hug him and never let go. To tell him that you loved him. But in the end you only lifted up a hand in acknowledgment, and turned away.

You could always say you loved him tomorrow. After all, Shinichiro was twenty-three.

He had a whole life ahead of him.

Underneath the table, his hand travelled up your too short skirt. Maybe he had this in mind when he insisted on you wearing it this morning. Not that you were ever going to complain.

His touches were feather light, ghosting upon the inside of your bare thighs. His unreadable expression never faltered. He stared straight ahead as the pads of his fingers rubbed small circles along your inner thighs, moving slowly but steadily upwards. Your breath quickened. The heat of his hand travelled straight into your lower stomach. Unconsciously, you shifted your leg towards his hand, wanting more contact.

You froze.

Then, a coy smile spread across your face.

Moving ever so slightly, you grinded against the bulge in Mikey’s trousers.

Mikey’s breath roughened ever so slightly. If you weren’t sitting so close to him you wouldn’t have heard. His dark eyes flickered imperceptibly at you for a brief second, and you saw his black orbs were tinted with lust.

His fingers brushed dangerously along the edges of your panties, making your breath stutter. But Mikey only strayed around the edges, never touching you directly. Your lips moved to form the shape of his name, your eyes gazing imploringly up at him. The edges of his mouth twitched.

Then, he slipped two fingers inside of you.

You were already wet enough for him to slide in without any resistance, but the thickness of his fingers entering you so suddenly made you gasp, and his name slipped out of your mouth involuntarily as a gasp.

“Mikey!”

The moment the words came out of your mouth, you snapped your mouth shut, but it was too late.

The room fell silent.

The clock ticked on happily regardlessly.

To be more precise, the meeting room fell deathly silent. You couldn’t even lift up your face. You were sure the rest of the Bonten executives were staring at you from the table. You buried your face into Mikey’s chest.

A chortle broke the silence, which quickly transformed into a fake cough.  

“Gross,” someone muttered under their breath.

“In capital letters,” someone else replied.

You heard a sigh, and from the sound of it it seemed to be Takeomi.

“Out,” he said, knowing what his boss had in mind.

The scraping of chairs answered one another as everyone got up to leave.

The room cleared out in less than five seconds. Some tripping over themselves to get out as fast as they can. Ran was the last one to leave. He threw a small tin foil packet near you.

“Be responsible,” he winked, his grin getting bigger by the second. You ducked your head, absolutely sure that your face was ablaze right now. Then the door clicked shut.

Mikey didn’t move straight away. He gazed at you with a grin. He brushed a loose strand from your face and cupped your cheeks.

“So how many times did you interrupt our meeting this month again?”

You couldn’t answer, because right after his question Mikey thrusted his fingers deeper inside you. Your back arched, and a low moan escaped from your throat.

“Look, it’s sucking me in so well,” he murmured in your ear. The tightness he felt around his fingers made his own bulge stiffen. He couldn’t wait to sink inside of you.  

Your hands were pulling frantically at his belt, wondering how the heck you were fumbling at a simple trousers button.

“Mikey,” you whimpered.

“Shh, be patient,” he smiled down at you. He curled his fingers, eliciting another gasp as you pushed yourself onto him.

“I want you,” you begged prettily, eyes tearing up, because his fingers weren't enough. You wanted him to fill you up.

Mikey swallowed. He could never resist you. The moment you lit up that cigarette between your mouth he knew he had to fuck you.

He lifted you up and pushed you down roughly onto the table. Your panties came off in pieces as Mikey ripped them off. He could buy you new ones, heck, he could buy you an entire lingerie shop if you wished for it, but all he cares now was to be inside of you.

And in one stroke, he buried himself into your tight cunt. A silent groan formed on his lips, accompanying your scream when he split you open. He was addicted to you more than nicotine. Your velvety walls wrapped around his cock so perfectly, squeezing him tightly, yet clung to him when he moved to pull out. He shuddered, a hazy white mist threatening to cloud his mind, but he would never let you come after him. His grip on your waist was bruising, but both of you were too lost to notice. He pulled out then thrusted back in, your slick folds swallowing him to the hilt.

He was right in bringing you along to the meeting after all.

Ran’s ‘gift’ laid on the table unused.