#aramiko

”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.

Dear Mikoto Kayano,

I don't know if you'll get this. I don't know if you'll answer. I know you've been gone for some time. I've tried talking to your coworkers, but they said they haven’t seen you in a few days. I know that’s not like you. You’re always working despite how much it stresses you out. You try not to let other people see it, but I do. Even if we don’t spend that much time together, I knew.

The reason I’m writing you this letter is because I have feelings for Mikoto. Romantic feelings is what I mean. I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to tell you this in person. I’m too much of a coward to say how I really feel. I know the way I feel isn’t normal and that I should be finding a girlfriend instead of trying to chase after you. The truth is this. I can’t stop wanting you.

You’re captivating to me. Every day I spent with you made me fall in love with you more and more. I haven’t been able to focus on anything else except you. Ever since you’ve been gone, you’re all I’ve painted. I don’t want to forget you. I’m afraid of that the most.

Even if you don’t respond to me, I’ll still be waiting. If you don’t reciprocate my feelings, I will leave you be. But I need you to know that you are loved, Mikoto Kayano. Not just by me, but others love you too. I hope that some day someone can love you just as much as I can. And I hope you’ll be able to cherish that love in time.

Your Friend,

Arata’s personally requested item this week was a lighter. He didn’t smoke. In fact, he never smoked a day in his life. Smoking affects your lungs, which makes you cough. The more time he spends coughing, the less can be spent on painting. That was the reason Arata stayed “straight-edged.” No drinking, no smoking, nothing that could affect his painting progress.

However, he knew that other men in the prison did prefer to smoke. They wouldn’t have a smoke room for nothing. Shidou, Kazui, and Mikoto seemed to hang out together in that room. Arata wondered if they talked about anything or if they sat in silence, taking in each others’ presence. Sometimes, Arata would peek into the room once in a while, pulling back because of the smell of smoke filling his lungs.

“Hah… I guess it’s just not for me.” Arata would raise the lighter to scrap piece of paper. He flicked the lighter a few times, setting the paper alight with a small amount. Arata figured that since he was going to be trapped in the prison for an unforeseen amount of time, his creativity wouldn't stagnate. He figured sketching on a burnt piece of paper would have to do for now.

Knock, Knock, Knock!

Arata quickly turned around, staring at the door. Was it late? Is it late? How long had he'd been working? Oh well... He figured having company could be nice. Arata got up from his seat, letting out a sigh as he approached the door.

"Hello..?" Arata peeked outside of the door, facing a smiling ombre-haired man.

"Ah, hey, Ara-kun! You finally came out! I was wondering what you looked like." Mikoto grinned, waving towards Arata.

"...You wanted to know what I looked like? Oh, jeez, Mikoto-kun. I don't know about that. Why did you want to meet me so badly?" Arata would tilt his head, squinting slightly at Mikoto. Of course, Arata didn't mind that Mikoto was visiting him, he was just... more reclusive than most people.

"Yeah, I mean, you don't really talk, so I had to catch you alone, I guess!" Mikoto would chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck and placing a hand on his hip.

"...I don't have much to say. Even if I did, it wouldn't be that interesting." Arata mumbled, absent-mindedly fumbling with the now extinguished lighter in his hand.

"Oh?" Mikoto looked down at the lighter in Arata's hand, "Well... You know, Kazu-san, Shidou-san, and me... We usually smoke together. If you want to join, I'm sure they wouldn't mind!"

"...I guess, if you say so, Mikoto. I'll think about it. It wouldn't hurt to talk to you.. Or the others more." Arata would look up at Mikoto, a slight smirk on his face.

"Heh, okay, Ara-kun! I'm always here for you!" Mikoto would wave goodbye as he left Arata to his own devices.

Arata closed the door, leaning against it as he looked at the lighter in his hand.

It was nearing midnight. They should've been asleep by now, but what is the weekend without liberties from daily life?

Mikoto and Arata decided at least once in a while, the two would pick out a movie, get some popcorn, laid on the couch, and relax together alone.

"Hah… Slow-burn romances are so tedious.” Arata would complain, flipping himself on his back and laying his head on Mikoto’s thigh.

“Aw, come on, Ara-kun! We’re not even halfway through the movie! You’re so impatient.” Mikoto would laugh slightly, reaching for the bucket of popcorn.

“I know… I can’t help it, can I?" Arata would grin at Mikoto. "I guess it's in an artist's nature to criticize."

Mikoto would grin back, his face stuffed with buttered popcorn as they both kept watching the movie. Arata always loved these quieter moments that he got to have with Mikoto. Since the two both had jobs and Mikoto always seemed to have overtime, any moment with Mikoto seemed like a blesssing to Arata. Whether it was them getting a late night dinner, talking to each other about art, or movie night.

It was during these rare moments that Arata’s hands would wander closer to Mikoto. Nothing much, nothing noticiable except the brushing of Arata’s fingers against Mikoto's hand. Even if the grayish blue eyed man did notice, Arata could simply brush it off as him being oblivious. That way nothing would have to change between them. Nothing would have to be said and they could go on with their lives like nothing happened.

“…Hey, Ara-kun?” Mikoto would whisper, wearing a constant smile on his face.

“Ah, he must have noticed by now…” Arata would think to himself, sighing softly before looking up at Mikoto. “Yeah, Mii-kun?”

“When were you going to tell me about these feelings you had?”

Arata would stare up at Mikoto, dumbfounded. He was sure Mikoto couldn’t have known… Arata made sure he could never known. He didn’t know if Mikoto liked guys, let alone if he even liked Arata that way. Arata could never take that chance…

”W-Wait— How did-?”

“It wasn’t that hard. I mean, do you really think I’m that clueless?” Mikoto would let out a small laugh, intertwining his fingers with Arata’s.

A faint blush spread across Arata’s face. “I… I n-never thought… You’re into guys?”

“You didn’t know? I thought it was pretty obvious I liked you too..”

“You… You what?” Arata would stare up at Mikoto, “You mean it…?”

”Of course I do.” Mikoto would move his hand to Arata’s face, caressing his cheek gently. “Can I, umm… kiss you?”

Arata would let out a quiet gasp, slowly raising his hand so he could place it over Mikoto's. "Please... Please do."

Mikoto smiled and god, did Arata love it when he smiled. Arata's free hand moved towards Mikoto's shoulder, while Mikoto's free hand moved up the small of Arata's back. Their chests pressed together as the two leaned towards each other. Minutes away from kissing, they looked into each others' eyes, a quick glance.

"Arata... Arata..."

"Oi, Arata! Wake up!" Mikoto's voice rang out in the living room, sounding rough and harsh.

Arata shot up from his place of rest, his eyes darting all over the room. "Huh? What?"

"Ahh... Jeez, you're finally awake. You missed the entire movie... It's really late now." Mikoto would mumble, placing the now empty popcorn bowl on the table.

"Oh... So it was just a dream. Of course it was." Arata thought to himself, sighing before responding to Mikoto. "Ah.. I'm sorry, Mikoto... I guess I didn't sleep well last night. I promise I'll stay awake the next time we do this."

"..Hah, you know I can't be mad at you, Ara-kun! Don't worry about it! I should probably head back to my apartment anyways.." Mikoto would rub his neck.

"Ah.. Of course, Mii-kun. I'll see you... next time." Arata would give a strained smile.

That's right. Nothing would have to change between them. Nothing was done...