#0912

”Hey, Mii-kun, wait up!” Arata would run after him, panting heavily as the painter didn’t go outside much and was carrying bags of freshly bought paint.

“Oh! Ara-kun, hey! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Mikoto smiled, turning around to face Arata and waving to him.

Arata would smile back, rushing towards Mikoto’s side, panting slightly. Arata was never the sporty type like Mikoto. He didn’t go on runs or work out on a daily basis since he was busy painting more of the time.

“Although,” Arata thought to himself, “I don’t mind spending more time with Mikoto is never a bad thing to me.”

”Ah, did you just come back from shopping? Is it more art supplies? What are you painting?” Mikoto would tilt his head like a dog looking for a treat.

“Heh, yeah. It’s fresh watercolor paints since I’m trying a new technique. Maybe…” He’d look at Mikoto with his blue eyes, “Maybe I’ll paint something cute. Like you.”

"Ehh? Like me?" Mikoto would blush slightly, scratching his cheek slightly with his free hand. "You think I'm cute?"

Arata would stare at Mikoto for a moment. He didn't mean to say that allowed. It was a simple slip, that's all. Yeah, he can just say it was a slip. Just a thing he thought sub-consciously. That Arata thought Mikoto was cute. No, not just cute. Handsome. Enthralling, even. But he could never say that to him. Not now. Not ever.

"..Yeah, but you know... I-It's nothing. I just think you're cute, that's all." Arata would chuckle awkwardly, fumbling with his hands.

"Oh! Well... It's just, you've said that to me before." Mikoto would make eye contact with Arata. "That it's nothing."

"...I- I do?" Arata would shiver slightly, nervously smiling. Mikoto can't find out. Not now. Not here.

Before Arata could answer, a droplet of rain hit the top of his head. The two men looked up at the sky, the grey clouds joining together and beginning to soak the two. Mikoto would quickly pull out a umbrella, grabbing Arata's hand and pulling him close. Very close.

"Ah, sorry about this, Ara-kun. I just didn't want you to get soaked." Mikoto would chuckle, noticing Arata's grip getting tighter.

"...It's okay. Just... don't let my hand go, okay, Mikoto?" Arata would look up at Mikoto with pleading eyes.

Mikoto would look surprised for a moment, before nodding silently. The two would walk for a couple of blocks, conversations ending as quickly as they started. Their hands were still clasped together tightly, as per Arata’s request. Soon enough, they got to the entrance of Mikoto’s apartment complex.

“Ah… This is my apartment.” Mikoto would look over at Arata with the same smile plastered on his face. “Do you want to come inside?”

“…Mikoto, can I tell you something?” Arata would ask in a shaky voice.

“Oh, of course! I’m here for you, Ara-kun.” Mikoto would turn to face Arata, “Whatever you need.”

Arata would take a deep breath, shaking slightly as he began to speak.

“Mikoto, we’ve known each other for a while… I know can trust you. I know a lot about you, actually.” Arata would look away for a brief moment.

“What I’m trying to say is that… I really like you, Mikoto. I want to be with you… but, not as just friends. I want… more. I love you.” Arata would squeeze Mikoto’s hand tightly.

“…Arata.” Makoto would say softly, a light blush dusting his face and his mouth agape.

Arata could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, preparing to drip down like a pouring rain. There was no chance they could ever go back to normal after this. What would even be the possibility of Mikoto liking him? He doesn’t even like guys. He may not even like Arata anymore. He might just be a freak to Mikoto now.

“Arata! Hey, what’s wrong?” Mikoto would speak in a soft voice. He’d put his hand on the painter’s tear-stained cheek and rubbed it softly.

“I u-understand… if you d-don’t want to be f-friends anymore. If you want.. To get away f-from me.. And if I’m gross to you.” Arata attempted to speak through his tears, his words coming in between gasps and sobs.

“Ara-kun, I love you too.”

“…What?” Arata would stare into Mikoto’s greyish blue eyes.

"Can I show you what I mean?” Mikoto would say, blushing slightly and tearing up.

“…Yes, yes, please. Please, Mii-kun, I’m begging you-“

Arata’s words would get cut off as the ombré-haired man pressed his lips onto the brunette’s. Arata would drop the bags of paint as he wrapped his arms around Mikoto. Mikoto would the same, dropping his umbrella, allowing the two to get soaked by the rain. For a moment, it was if the two were in their own world where it was just the two of them. They didn’t have to worry about the rain or work, they just had each other. Only each other.

Eventually, the two would pull away for air.

"...Thank you, Mikoto. Thank you so much." Arata would smile at Mikoto.

Mikoto would smile back at Arata. "You're welcome, Ara-kun..."

"Should we head inside before we get more soaked?" Arata would chuckle slightly, picking up the bags of paint.

"Yeah, we should." Mikoto would put up the umbrella, holding out his free hand for Arata to hold.

Arata would grab Mikoto's hand tightly, intertwining their fingers as they entered the building together.