#senomon

The first time he saw it, the day after she ended their relationship, six months ago, he scoffed. He laughed in disbelief and confidently told Ryo she’d return shortly. He took the short straw on that one. He turned his phone off, placing it face down on his nightstand and sat up, crossing his legs, and taking one of the photos between his fingers. He remembered vividly the moment it was taken. Last July, at the local festival. Her hair was down, and he’d spent hours the night before bleaching his roots. In the photo, she smiled from ear to ear, scrunching her nose at him and placing a kiss on her cheek. His thumb gently rubbed over the paper, a sombre smile seeping onto his lips at the memory of how many coins he'd spent that day on tokens for games and the sundae they shared by the duck pond. Such fond memories made with someone who yes, really deserved better.

Ryo Suzaki threw his head back over the back of the booth’s seats, waiting for Kohei to make his mind up on what he was going to order. A small part of him regretted letting his best friend invite him out for dinner, but at least it was at the comfort of a cheap restaurant instead of the overbearing fancy ones they used to go to. This one was smaller, cosy with dim lighting and a social buzz in the background. Wooden seating in the centre of the place with leather booths lining the walls, the ideal place to just hang out and forget the world. The waiter shortly arrived for the second time and took their order, Ryo was pleased Kohei was smiling this time and using his manners like a normal guy.

“Took you long enough.” He jested, leaning forward.

Kohei rolled his eyes playfully, “Okay, some of us are still getting used to all the options. Anyway, thanks for hanging out.”

“Anytime. Happy birthday.” They raised their beers and clinked them together, taking mouthfuls. Kohei abruptly stopped though, almost choking on his drink. Placing his glass on the table calmly, he tried to keep his eye contact, “Yo, you okay?”

“Uh, yeah!” Kohei nodded, “Just drank more liquid than I could swallow.” Ryo shrugged and began to tell a story about his family’s vacation from a few weeks ago. His voice fell upon deaf ears, Kohei’s vision blurring between his friend and the woman sitting giggling with her friends at the table diagonal to their booth. His chest tightened watching her smile glow, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen her smile like that, where her eyes crinkled in the corners. Perhaps she had never genuinely been happy at all with him, the smiles she gave him put on just to cope with his attitude. He wouldn’t know. She still dressed the same, always abiding by her sense of style. She wore her hair the same too. God, it struck him straight through the heart like lightning to a pole. She continued rightfully. He focused back on Ryo in front of him, dialling back into the part of the story where he ate soap thinking it was a sweet treat. Man did Kohei know that feeling well.

The second time Kohei faced his ghost was in the corner shop near his old high school, Senomon. LED ceiling lights had never stung his eyes more than they did in the dark, usually, the sky was still awake when he’d loiter around before, which was not regularly, Ryo used to do his bidding. Truth be told, he had no idea what he was really looking for, if he had scanned that snack shelf once, he’d scanned it a million times.

Lights whirring above his head, and the shallow chatter of other customers drowned out by his hyper-focused headspace. And there it lay, gummy snakes, her favourite. He bought so many of those a week in the past, small things bring the biggest satisfaction when it comes from someone you love. His head spun, lost in his maze of memories of what once was that he couldn’t hear the approaching footsteps and next to him, the owner’s presence going unnoticed however as Kohei stepped to the side, letting them have space. He watched the hand grab a bag of gummy snakes with vigour, no elegancy because who does that? If you’re hungry, you’re desperate to take what you love.

“I recommend gummy snakes. You’ve been staring them down like they’re gonna kill you.” The voice was a young woman’s, but it held no humour. He hummed, hoping she’d leave but he watched her feet remain stable on the linoleum.

“Feels like they are. They were an old friend’s favourite is all.” He murmured, taking a deep breath in.

“Must mean a lot if you’re locked in like that, huh?”

“Yeah, m’just wondering if they’re still her favourite.”

The silence between them lingered, Kohei grabbed himself a bag, turned on his heel and almost dropped that bag of gummies. His stomach dropped, heart thudding like a brick just struck him. He blinked, opening his mouth to speak but he lost his words.

“They are. And I’m surprised you still cared, honestly.” Y/n looked him up and down and found some sort of satisfaction in seeing that he hadn’t touched up his roots for a while and donned sweatpants. Kohei dropped his head, shaking it slightly before giving her a polite smile. Even under the store lights, her eyes still glistened to him.

“Yeah, I deserved that, but yeah I do.”

She paused, checking the time on her phone. “Are you free right now?"

He swirled his drink with his straw, avoiding her eyes and taking frantic glances at everything around him but her figure, although deemed difficult as they sat at a table for two in the corner of the packed bar, a slight social buzz filling the void between the two. He hadn’t thought the offer through, agreeing too desperately to consider what he would even say to her or if he really had anything to say at all. But the thought that circled his mind relentlessly sat in front of him. Why y/n, the girl he crushed to pieces, abandoned, and neglected months ago, wanted to talk to a shitbag like himself. He bit the inside of his cheek, staring into the rum and coke in front of him. When they stepped into the establishment, Kohei was more than happy to pull his card out and open a tab, not like he used to though. Not to show that he had money and could do whatever he wanted but to pay out of the kindest of his heart. However, he expected her to decline. When she paid instead it punched him in the gut that unlike him, y/n’s world wasn’t about wealth, buying drinks for others was a treat, or maybe she was trying to pull her own power move on him. He deserved that.

“Kohei?” she said softly, sipping her own drink. He sheepishly looked up, almost carefully. For a guy who used to ensure his presence was known, the way his shoulders hunched and did not let a peep out his mouth was like she was looking at a completely different person. Meeting her gaze, his lips pulled into a small smile, dropping the straw, and sitting straight. The butterflies in his stomach fluttered unbearably, he balled his fists slightly in the hope of saving himself the embarrassment of revealing his clammy hands. Even under the soft orange glow of the lap above them, his eyes softened at how her skin glowed, the light hitting all her features perfectly.

“Sorry,” he licked his lips, “how are you? How was graduation?”

Her shoulders relaxed tremendously. The Amagai brat, remembered her graduation date? But why? Once upon a time he didn’t give two shits about how her life was going, didn’t offer to take her to prom or anything. Now he sat across from her, hair messy and in his sleep clothes, asking about her, “I’m good. Graduation was amazing too, surreal though. All those years and I feel like I haven’t learnt anything important. I’m still waiting for my universities to get back to me. Feels so weird not being in school though, like, what am I supposed to do now? So far, I’ve done sleep and look for part-time jobs.”

Kohei smiled with his eyes. Her voice soothed his ears and blocked the whole world out like it was just the two of them again. He sipped his drink as she explained, having no intention of interrupting the moment that felt like a breeze of fresh air flowing through his hair. Oh, how she hadn’t changed. He loved that. Not because it reminded him of what once was, but because she didn’t feel the need to change for anyone despite it all. She wasn’t the problem, after all.

The moment fell quiet, her voice fading and attention diverting to the way his brown eyes had a refreshing shine to them.

“That’s amazing, I’m glad it went well,” his voice was quiet, but the twitch in her smile spoke too many words of discomfort at his change in demeanour. He had listened entirely. “I’m sure you’ll get into your universities, you’re pretty clever and passionate about what you enjoy. Also, that new café in town is hiring, if you’re interested.”

Y/n’s eyes widened, grip on her glass loosening and she blinked three times at him. He stared back, mimicking her almost with a thumping heart. They stared at each other like that for a few seconds before y/n opened her mouth to speak, but her words never made it out coherently, just ‘uh’, ‘i-‘, ‘huh’ tumbling out. Kohei cringed internally at the sweat trickling down his back.

“Uh- thanks,” she choked out at last, cheeks feeling flushed, “why do you remember these things? The gummy snakes, graduation? Kohei what happened?”

He let out a shaky breath, “Why would I forget? And if you really wanna know, I got my ass handed to me in a pretty big, and stupid, fight. You were very much right, I didn’t stand a chance at taking over SWORD, and after that, I took time to reflect, I guess. I’ve doing my best; Ryo’s been helping knock sense into me too.”

“How long will this last?” she mumbled, pursing her lips. She had every right to not believe him, he knew that. But hearing it for real tugged his heartstrings in a way he’d never felt before.

“Forever. I’m really trying. Who I was, he was insufferable, and I hate that it took me so long to realise it. I was awful to you, and I regret it so fucking much,” he looked her straight in the eyes, his voice breaking slightly, “Sorry isn’t enough, I know. But for what it’s worth, I’m sorry, y/n. I wanted to say that sooner, but I also knew you probably didn’t want me around anymore, at all and I wanted you to be happy. You deserve way more and I’m so confused on why you even wanted to talk to me again after how I treated you like shit.”  

Kohei’s eyes glossed over, his lip quivering and his hands gripped his glass until his knuckles turned white. He breathed deeply, trying to calm his heartbeat that pounded in his throat.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” he croaked.

“Like you’re in love with me.” she sighed, but Kohei just screwed his eyes shut and ran his hands over his face, elbows perched on the table and hiding in his palms, “No, God no Kohei. Don’t do this.” Y/n shook her head gently, her own eyes struggling to hold back tears as she watched the boy in front of her do his best to hide, but his trembling shoulders gave himself away. When he cried, he cried with his body. Taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes with a napkin, she gently pried his hands away from his face, holding them in her own. Of course, he let her, and his gaze sat on the table while his eyes burned sore.

“Kohei, just tell me one thing,” she ran a finger under his chin, titling his head to face her own. He was still a crier deep down. His adolescence was spent throwing temper tantrums when he didn’t get his way overrode the childhood of crying before puberty jumped him. “did I mean anything to you?”

Another channel of tears streamed from his eyes, but he didn’t blink. He watched her gaze soften but not with pity. With the hand that held hers, he held it tight and sniffed.

“You mean the world to me.”

“If I give you another chance, will you promise me you’ll make it worthwhile?”

He dropped his head, breathing shuddering once again, “Not if you’re doing it out of pity. I don’t want you to do that.”

“Ko, as much as I never admit it to anyone, I feel your absence everywhere. Fuck, I still have our photos.” She raised her voice, hand taking his cheek roughly and forcing him to look her straight in the eye, a kind of desperation in her tone. His tears dried, and he pursed his lips, nodding. “C’mon, let’s get outta here.”

By the time they had left the bar, the world had fallen into its slumber. The evening skies slipped into rest and the streetlamps illuminated the pavements in the dark, with no silence just the bugs singing their songs and the occasional distant car engine rumbling. The two of them, eyes dried and heartbeats calmed, slowly strolled through her neighbourhood in a much-needed session of reminiscing about the good times they had. Like the day they met outside her school. Both sixteen and stubborn, y/n rushed out her school gates with a face of thunder and Kohei waited for his driver to pick him up. What they weren’t expecting that day was y/n to grip his collar and yank him to her level, demanding him to follow her lead and act as her boyfriend. While Kohei almost scoffed and swatted her away, the desperation that flared in her eyes and the yelling of another guy chasing her – for some reason he never figured out – changed his arrogant mind. And that day changed the whole destiny of their relationship.

Walking down that street felt surreal. Past the house that once was going through renovations, past her flower-obsessed neighbour who had completely planted a whole new set of tulips, the battered bus stop had been refurbished but most of all the entire situation itself was familiar and quite frankly, pained him.

It may not have been much of a deal to her, but his eyes landed on the ‘for sale’ sign outside the elderly couple that lived close to y/n. That brought the reality of how long it had been came crashing on him. Like a breezeblock on his chest. Once upon a time, he spent afternoons helping Mr Osaki mow his lawn, while y/n aided Mrs Osaki with baking for her grandkids. He wondered when they had passed.

“I meant what I said earlier,” her voice woke him up from his trance, and his head snapped around to her, but she stared straight ahead, her home in sight, “I wanna give you another chance. But I want you to prove that you’ve changed. I know it’s stupid after what you did, but I’m not ready to give up on you.”

Dogs barked from the passing houses, the pavement becoming familiar, the same scuff on her neighbour’s wall where he dragged his key along it after they got into their first argument. He’d always remember that one, it was petty. Literally an argument over cleaning wounds, in which he was too proud to admit that he needed her help. He did, very much so that night.

They stopped in front of her front door, the porchlight providing a dim glow. Y/n turned to face him, standing face to face he watched her chew her bottom lip, not really looking at his eyes but jumping around and avoiding his. He stuck his hands into his sweatpants pockets, rolling on his heels as they stood in a silence that dragged, mouths faltering to speak but biting back words.

“Thanks for uh…walking me home.” She sheepishly smiled, gesturing her front door awkwardly. He chuckled.

“Y-yeah, no problem,” his legs stiffened, feet concrete to the ground and swallowing hard. Her eyes, doe-like peering up at him and glimmering under the lamp above. His ears went warm, his mind plummeting into forbidden thoughts at how soft her lips appeared when stood as close as they were. If he leaned down ever so slightly, he was sure their lips would meet. His eyes flickered to hers, then down to her lips as he licked his, “It was nice to see you again.”

She nodded, the way their eyes locked sent shivers down her spine, and the butterflies caged in Kohei’s stomach had finally been released and fluttered violently. An awful rendition of Romeo and Juliet on a Wednesday night, he hadn’t considered her parents. Or her sibling. If his feet didn’t budge like his mind was screaming for them to, his actions could just be the end of him for good. End of their communication, never to see each other even in the streets again. But she was no better for she found the remorse in his face, and how it seemed to soften when he looked at her now, not like he had before they parted, but the same look he gave when they first met. Like she was the most beautiful and fascinating person he’d ever seen. Like seeing a rainbow for the first time, rare and you’re not really sure if you’ll see one again so you cherish the divine for as long as possible before it fades.

Leaning down closer, he parted his lips slightly, watching y/n stand on her toes, her fingers taking the fabric at the bottom of his t-shirt between them to pull him down as she closed in. If they had known their hearts pulsed heavily in a synchronised rhythm, maybe they would’ve met with rightful desperation. Their breaths hot against cool skin, lips ghosting and burnt-out fires inside them sparking for reignition. They were almost there again, almost burning as one and for once in a long time, agreeing on something intimate.

But the cost. The cost of it. The aftermath. If he kissed her now, what would be of them next? He couldn’t do that to her, be utterly smitten over a girl whose judgement wasn’t clear. Like coercing her back to him because for one night he showed a new, better side to him. Kohei’s breathing rattled when y/n’s lip ever so slightly touched his. His fists clenched, clammy from being shoved in his pockets, the magnetic pull between the opposite sides overbearing, exciting, their foreheads pressed together. Y/n’s limbs tingled, becoming lighter the closer she got to him, the final stretch. So close, noses brushing, lips parting, tensions finally dissolving.

Until he pulled away with a shaking breath, his eyebrows knitted and forehead dropping into her shoulder. His arms instead found solace around her, holding her close to his chest, his thundering heart suddenly becoming present. Y/n’s eyes widened, fingers gripping his t-shirt. She was almost there, almost able to fulfil the heat flushing her body and satisfy the voice in her head that told her to shoot her shot again. Why pull back when he was so close? Didn’t he like winning? Wasn’t that his whole thing, having everything to himself?

“No, we can’t- we can’t do this.” He mumbled into her neck, hand finding the small of her back and resting like it belonged there, his other hand on the back of her head. He couldn’t look at her, not while his stomach tumbled, and heart jumped between emotions. “I can’t kiss you to make things better. I was so shit to you and telling you that I’m still in love with you is so fucking selfish and I’m so sorry. You deserve someone worth your time, but not me. Don’t do anything because you feel bad, please, I’m not gonna be angry, y/n.”

Her face dulled when the grip around her fell weak, his voice raspy and muffled but she heard him loud and clear. Wiggling his draped body off hers, hands firmly on his chest but letting his arms stay where they were, she took his face between her palms.

“Would you shut up and kiss me?” She sighed, pulling their lips together. The kiss was rough, desperate but saccharine and needed. Kohei’s thumbs rubbed small circles on her hips, a small, unexpected groan slipping from his throat with the way they devoured each other.

One dangerous kiss had them tumbling backwards through her door, through her hallway and eventually into her bedroom, standing in the middle of it as if nothing mattered. Hands grabbed at his t-shirt, tugging it, and disconnecting the kiss for him to throw it over his head, just to dive immediately back to taste her again. He licked her bottom lip, giving her ass a squeezing and the gasp she released allowed his tongue to dart into her mouth, tongues lapping and relishing in the heat flushing through their bodies and to their cores. His sweatpants grew tight, her pelvis grinding against his, setting off a predatory instinct inside him. He pulled away quickly, showering her neck with wet kisses while they clumsily tore the rest of their clothes off, scattering them around the room until his mind zoned back into the moment where y/n’s hands were tugging his hair and pulling him towards her bed.

Her back hit the mattress, Kohei’s body hovering over her as they crawled to the other end, y/n’s head lay comfortably on her pillows as his lips traced down her column and sternum, one knee bumping her cunt. Her fingers carded through his hair, chest heavy and panting as little mewls slipped off her tongue when he groped and toyed with her tits, laying sweet kisses over the flesh.

“Ko.” She whined, throwing her head back instinctively at the way his fingers dragged down to her clit, sliding through her sopping folds, and rubbing firm circles just like she’d taught him.

He placed a kiss on her jawline, “Use your words, dollface. Gotta tell me what you want.” His voice was low and raspy, lips leaving fleeting pecks along her jaw until their foreheads met, hot and heavy breaths huffing and intertwining.

“I want you-“ she moaned, Kohei’s finger slipping into her pussy, slowing pumping in languid motions, “-inside.” A second finger entered, her eyes screwing shut as the expansion of her brim, clit throbbing and crying for electrifying stimulation. He curled them, y/n bucking her hips in a rhythm that matched his, throaty whimpers leaving her lips as her stomach coiled. She dug her nails into his shoulders, feeling his muscles flex when he repositioned his other arm to rest beside her head.

“Doin’ s’well, that’s it.” His fingers pumped faster, y/n’s eyes fluttering open as the coil in her stomach became loose, spilling on his fingers and down her thighs and a moan drew from her chest. Pulling his hand away, Kohei took his fingers between his lips, licking her cum clean with a sultry gaze and groan, eyes basking in the way the panting in her chest slowed as she caught her breath again.

“Ko,” she huffed, “lemme ride you. Wanna ride your cock.”

“Anything you want, baby, c’mere.” He smirked, mouth reconnecting with hers for a heavy kiss, one that almost ached but the way their tongues tried to dominate each other was too addicting to pull back. Kohei took her by the hips and rolled them over, his back meeting the warmth her body generated and y/n’s legs now straddling him. When they did pull back to breathe again, she sat up, eyes peering down as if she were the most powerful being to exist in his universe. A goddess. Looking down on him like that uncloaked a new type of confidence in her like she was finally able to overpower him in an area he lacked.

“Don’t go quiet on me, I know how loud you can be.” Honey lacing her voice, dripping down his senses and almost making him choke on his spit. Grinding her hips along his crotch, she let the concoction of her arousal and cum slide along his dick, spitting in her palm before taking his cock in her hand and giving it a couple of strokes. With a feathery touch, she swirled her thumb over his tip, listening to the quivering of his breath and grunting strain. With a half-lidded look, she lined her cunt up with his cock, breath hitching when the tip kissed her entrance and slowly sinking down, her walls happily embracing him like a long-lost lover.

Kohei’s hands caressed her thighs, drawing little patterns on her soft skin, and fanning out to grab them, kneading when he bottomed out. He bit his lip, exhaling deeply and groaning out.

“You’re so pretty from this angle, so fuckin’ tight f’me too.” He meant every bit of the sentence, like watching his guardian angel descend to save him, suck him dry of his sins. Eyelashes batting down at him, tits perfect in his eye line and pussy on display for him to watch ride him dry. His chest warmed when her hands lay flat on it, hips rolling while he lazily guided her, the little hums of satisfaction rumbling from her, knowing her clit was hitting the right spot while his cock delved into her further, hunting the sweet spot. “Lovin’ how you still fit me, baby.”

The tension in the room deemed thick, almost stuffy but dissolved when she pushed up, placing her hands on his stomach and bouncing on his cock with a hasty rhythm at first, until she found her momentum and switched onto an auto-pilot-like zone.

“Oh shit! Feels so good.” She grinned, nirvana washing over her. He just seemed to always fit her perfectly.

Kohei groaned at her pussy squeezing around him, a pleasant euphoria in his veins watching her jaw slack and attempt to stay composed around his thickness.

“Taking my cock so well, baby.” He chuckled, his lips twitching into a smirk while her thighs worked. Y/n’s head felt muzzy, pleasure shooting through her and sending her dumbstruck and the way his cock hit her cervix. Kohei rutted his hips to match her pace, devouring the view of her body and watching the way it moved so gracefully despite becoming drenched in sweat the more they slammed into each other. It was when she started clenching, did he groan aloud, throaty, and whiny, dropping his façade.

“Jesus fuck-,” he panted, the pit of his stomach tightening, “Need you, y/n. God let me cum.”

His hands bruised her hips, barely letting her do the work herself but she pushed the burning feeling aside and moved his hands to her waist. He needed her. Just her in that moment. Just her to let him cum.

“Fuck me,” demanding, in control, he was wrapped around her finger, “Say that again.”

His core pulled tight, excruciating that he had to wait to release, “Let me cum, y/n! Please, baby.” He bucked faster, desperation fuelling his muscles and feeling them flex and tighten seeing her smaller frame on top of him, jolt and wail out every time his cock kissed her cervix. Up until now, y/n hadn’t realised how close she was, completely too cock drunk to notice how hot her lower stomach felt and how badly she wanted to be stuffed full. She glanced down at Kohei. Such a strong, bratty character withering underneath her while nestled in her pussy, such a slut for her walls of all things. Hair stuck to his forehead, eyebrows knitted, chest vibrating from the little grunts every time he fucked her to get her to finish.

“Cumming, Ko-“ she moaned out, throwing her head back and letting herself loose. Fully sated, he relaxed, practically dropping his body back into the mattress, thick ropes of cum spilling into and out her cunt. Her body draped onto his, burying her face into his shoulder and matching his panting. Kohei placed a chaste kiss to her temple, giving her back gentle rubs.

“You did s’well, baby, so fucking well. So fucking sexy.”

“You were a good boy too, felt s’good.” She mumbled into his skin, barely audible but the sweet kiss she left reassured him enough. They lay there for what felt like hours, but was only ten minutes, just enjoying each other’s company and listening to their heartbeats fall into a synchronised lullaby.

“C’mon, pretty. Let’s clean up.” He mumbled softly, giving her back two taps and sitting them both up. He pulled out of her, the view of their messes glistening somehow feeling romantic in a way. Y/n rolled onto her back, limbs going limp as she lay facing the ceiling, her sheets becoming more inviting than ever, possibly due to the aching in her legs. Meanwhile, Kohei located his boxers, scooped them up and headed into her en-suite, cleaned himself and slid his underwear back on. He returned with a damp cloth and handled her like she was glass, ensuring his touch was tender before leaving to wash it.

Closing the bathroom door quietly and switching its light off, he turned to find y/n cosied under her sheets wearing his t-shirt and her panties. He wished he’d see the sight every night, as part of a routine in his life. But how life could be unfair. He slipped in next to her, surprised when she tucked her head on his chest and wrapped her arm around his torso. Either way, his arms found serenity around her torso, a smile gracing his lips when she hoisted her leg over his hips. The comfiest position in the world, he had to agree.

“I can leave if you don’t want your family catching us.” The words weren’t supposed to come out as gloomy as they did, he just didn’t want to mess things up again.

“I never told them what you did. It’s okay. Besides, if they were home, I wouldn’t have hauled you inside.” She giggled, like a refreshing song in the summer. He blinked three times, opening his mouth but closing it again. “For all they know, we just took a break for studies. It’s not their business, Kohei. As shit as you were, I can handle myself.”

“So, hypothetically, if they did see me again, they wouldn’t jump me?”

“Nah, they’d probably assume we just found each other again and figured it out.” She didn’t lie, he knew her family didn’t really care about what she did. She was the child they didn’t have to worry about. The eldest who could survive the wild.

They fell back into a comfortable silence, listening to the cars outside and skin tingling at fingertips tracing along bodies. He exhaled, his hold around her tightening and snuggling into her, closing his eyes, and relishing in the moment he did have his everything back in his world.

After working up his courage, he spoke out with confidence, “I swear I’ll do things differently this time.”

She froze and stared blankly at the ceiling, processing his confession of lingering feelings that made her heart swell and skip. Slipping from his arms slightly, she propped herself up onto her arm and met his puppy eyes, lips begging to kiss him all over again. With their noses almost touching, she pursed her lips.

“Start over,” her voice just above a whisper, “Let’s start over. We’ll go on dates, and you can show me that you’ve changed and that you love me. If we can do that, then you can call me your girlfriend all over again, all the time.”

His gaze softened, eyes glossy and he nodded. His hand met the nape of her neck, pulling their lips together into a loving kiss, warm and sweet. Just two flames re-lighting and burning together once again, in the dark of night calling the past the past and heading onto a new future.

H&L harem (if you wanna be tagged/removed in future H&L content, comment or lemme know via ‘chat to me bbygorl’ :D);

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Sweat drips down your forehead as you reshelve the food you’d been asked to. Taking a deep breath, you peek at the clock — only three more hours until closing. You closed early today, of course. 

When the clock struck seven today, the world would no longer be safe.

The door opens with a ding, causing you to stop what you were doing and welcome the customer in. It was a group, all casually chatting while looking for snacks. You stand straight and prepare to greet them — your voice catches in your throat. Something about the last person seems so familiar ; so welcoming to you.

A girl with orange hair spots you and turns your way. “You work here, right?” You nod, peeling your eyes away from the red coat and shoulder length hair. She grins, “great! Can you guide me to the chocolate aisle?”

At her words, the rest of the group turns to face you. You lead the way, showing her your preferred sweets and answering questions with a practiced smile. The group disperses, leaving to do their own thing. That comforting, familiar face is standing in front of you now, waiting for your attention to be solely on him.

“Suzaki,” you say. “Suzaki Ryo. You’re back.”

His dull, unchanging face contorts into a soft smile at your words. Eyes travel down your tired, overworked form — you adjust and clear your throat in embarrassment. His smile falls, “are you alright, [name]?”

Words leave your mind at the sound of his voice. It’d been so long — so many years had passed since you last heard his voice. He calls your name once more, eyes drooping into a worried gaze. You shift on your feet, “um, I’m okay. Everyone’s preparing for tonight, you know?”

“Tonight?” Ryo tilts his head before nodding slowly. “The Purge they call it, right?” You nod, fingers intertwining and locking your mind onto something else. He smiles at your habit, remembering the times before when you’d act that way, too. “You’ll be safe tonight, won’t you?”

“I’ll be with Peach,” you admit. Your nose crinkles in distaste before you smooth your face out, plastering on your customer service smile instead. “I think we’re staying with Amagi this year. You still talk, right? You’ll be there?”

Ryo’s eyes narrow at the names. Peach — your old friend who would always take advantage of you. Amagi — his old friend who used him tirelessly. They were quite the match ; Suzaki’s beyond surprised it took them this long to get together. “Sure,” he hides his thoughts with a smile, “I’ll be there.”

Your conversation is interrupted by his group as they push their way between you. One guy with blue highlights shoves you to the side thoughtlessly — you don’t see the glare Ryo sends his way. Clearing your throat again, you lead them to the register to check them out. 

Ryo lingers outside as his friends leave, his eyes watching as you get back to work quickly. Calloused, blistered hands scrub at the counter endlessly before you’re quickly sweeping the floor. You go to clean the window when you meet his gaze — Ryo only waves before turning to leave.

Poor thing, he thinks to himself. You’re working yourself to the bone just to survive. Not anymore, he reassures himself. You won’t have to tire yourself out anymore. I’ll take care of you.

——♥︎——

Shoveling pieces of clothing into your overnight bag, you think back to earlier, when Ryo walked into the convenience store. Seeing him again was strange ; exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Last you heard, Ryo and his dad moved overseas for better opportunities. 

That wasn’t true. His father worked himself to death, so Ryo ran. It was no coincidence he popped back up on Purge day. 

You knew Amagi and Peach would have all anyone would need in their mansion. However, the thought of using their things and therefore owing them— it made you nauseous. 

Taking a deep breath, you mentally prepare yourself. You’d be surrounded by rich, entitled assholes for twelve ongoing hours while trusting their security system would keep you safe. At one point, they would irritate you so bad that you’d want to take your chance with the streets. 

Suzaki will be there, you remind yourself. If Suzaki is there, I won’t be alone.

——♥︎——

The Amagi mansion greets you, hiding in the woods just out of reach of the street. Cars are empty from the road, hidden in garages and who knows where else for the upcoming night. It’s almost seven, so you need to rush ; need to hurry inside before the door is locked for good. Peach’s laughter echoes onto the street — you grimace and force yourself to step inside. 

“COMMENCING THE SIREN, ANY AND ALL CRIME, INCLUDING MURDER, WILL BE LEGAL FOR TWELVE CONTINUOUS HOURS.”

Sirens hit the empty street, the world pausing as people prepare for the worst. You swallow, ignoring the champagne that was offered to you. Even with laws intact, you’d refuse any drink coming from this group. 

“How dull,” a voice interrupts the silence. Amagi leans forward on his lavish sofa, watching the wall of monitors he had installed. “No one’s screaming yet. Did they not hear the announcement?”

Another reason you didn’t want to stay here — the Purge was used for their own amusement. While the group you were in would never dare to participate — they wouldn’t survive — watching others slaughter each other was their monthly entertainment. 

Peach sighs, “the hour just started, honey. It might take a while.” She rubs his shoulder, leaning her lips close to her ear to whisper to him. You can see her tongue peak out and lap against his ear — you hold back the urge to gag and look away in disgust.

Ryo is absent from the house — he’s not coming, you discover. He hadn’t shown up at all ; no one mentioned him coming by. It makes you uncomfortable ; makes your throat itch at the thought of them possibly leaving him on the streets to die.

You glance at Amagi’s sleazy grin as Peach rubs the inside of his thigh. “I saw Suzaki today. Did you know he was back?”

“That loser really came back?” Amagi all but shoves Peach away, murky eyes staring into yours. A snarl curls his lips as they tremble — with laughter or anger, you don’t know. “Pathetic. Thought he’d die off by now.”

You always wondered what happened between them. Up until high school, Ryo would follow Amagi endlessly. And then, one day, he was gone. Amagi would only spit out how much he hated the boy ; how he wished a miserable and lifeless future for his former friend. He never told Peach — even with the endless nights between them both.

Back then, Ryo came to say goodbye to you. He looked exhausted, bags puffed under his eyes and his nails chewed down to the cuticle. A gash was wrapped around his wrist — you cleaned it as his puppy eyes stared at you.

“You’re leaving.”

“I need to,” Ryo says. His voice is soft ; throaty as if he’d been screaming for hours. He closes his hand into a fist, flexing and moving his fingers to see how injured his wrist was. His gaze meets yours, “I’ll be back.”

One of Peach’s friends offers you a drink, bringing you back to reality again. You take it, just so they would stop shoving it your way. You wouldn’t take even a tiny sip, instead pouring small amounts into someone else’s glass.  

Amagi’s gaze is still on you — you can feel his eyes burning into your skin as Peach tries to distract him. You watch a monitor mindlessly, sweeping across the silent and desolate street. Sighing, you tuck your chin into the palm of your hand.

You’d love to do anything else ; to be anywhere else. 

“You look tense, [name].” Amagi speaks up. His tone is intense, cruel intentions crawling from darkened eyes. He grins, ignoring the kisses that Peach settles on his neck. “Want someone to help you relax? You can have more than one, if you want.”

At his words, his friends cheer joyfully. One starts thrusting into the air, hooting with laughter. Another winks your way as she lowers her shirt to further show her cleavage. Your arm is tugged harshly to the right, your back hitting the couch as the back of your shirt is grabbed. Peach watches on boredly — your friend wouldn’t dare speak up against her fiance.  

It wouldn’t matter if you said no. Especially not tonight, but not any other night, either. 

Movement on a top monitor catches your attention. A figure is stumbling, almost to a crawl as they enter the street. You squint, moving from the unwanted touches and closer to the screen. Your mouth falls into a gasp, “Ryo?”

The red jacket on his shoulders is bright in the streetlights, beckoning any attacker to come closer. He leaves a trail of darkened splotches behind on the concrete, a puddle forming where he collapses. Amagi sits up at the name, inching closer to the screen. Pressing a button or two, he maximizes the video Ryo stars in. A malicious, evil grin spreads onto his face.

“Finally,” Amagi laughs, “he’ll die like the dog he is. In the streets, covered in his own shit.”

You gulp at his words. Amagi wasn’t going to offer refuge ; he wasn’t going to allow Ryo into his home and keep him safe. Your gaze bounces to Peach — she’s dropped to her knees in front of him, begging for his attention. He just watches the screen giddily. 

The people around you wouldn’t help, either. They wouldn’t dare to go against Amagi’s orders — not for a flea like Suzaki Ryo. Not for his childhood friend that left. Someone is still vying for your affections, the type Amagi offered for you, as they rub themselves on you. 

You take in a deep breath, focusing on the screen where Ryo lays on the street. The room goes silent, your ears ringing as you watch him writhe in pain. Everything vanishes — you could do something. You could save him. He promised to come back, and he did. 

Sound comes back in a rush, laughter and moans heating up the room around you. 

Quickly, you stand and leave the couch — you leave the room and hear no complaints for your actions. Your shoes are taken off and placed to the side — your footsteps would be silent, and no one would be able to find you now. Hastened steps patter their way to the front door ; up from the safe room in the basement, past Amagi’s self portrait, to the right of the kitchen. Shaky hands unlock the front door as fast as they can.

Cold air whips into your face. You breathe in the freshness of it ; you bask in the sound of crickets and the absence of sound. You look around warily — there’s no one around except a whimpering, wounded Suzaki Ryo.  

“Come on,” you call to him quietly. You sling his arm around your shoulder and assist him to hobble into the house. Right on the threshold, you can see Amagi snarling as he rushes the door to close and lock. To no avail — you pull Ryo in with you just in time. You set him against a wall, right under the window. “Made it.”

“What the fuck,” Peach hisses. She stands in front of her friends — the richer ones, the ones she deemed valuable — shielding them from the man you brought in. “Do you realize what you just did? Why did you bring in a flea?”

“It’s Suzaki,” you breathe, “we know him.”

Amagi stands over his former friend, staring down at him emotionlessly. His face is devoid of anything — even the usual hatred he doesn’t hide. He tilts his head, “what a pity. Would’ve been nice to watch someone slit his throat.”

They all leave without another word, sending glares your way. The basement’s safe room is locked ; they make it known that you’ve been locked out and uninvited. 

Suzaki wheezes out from the floor, “sorry. Didn’t mean to mess things up for you.”

“Don’t even worry about it.” You crouch to help him stand, guiding to one of the bathrooms in the house. Settling him on the closed toilet lid carefully, you take in a breath. “Let’s get you cleaned up and brand new, hm?”

Delicately, you take Ryo’s shirt off ; pull his tanktop up and over his head, careful to not disturb the gash across his torso. He stares at you, eyes sparkling and wide as you grab peroxide and antibacterial gel.

“It’s not too deep,” you speak up. You can hear the group below, their insults and joy vibrating against the walls. “No stitches needed. Good thing — I can’t sew.”

A smile lifts up the right side of Ryo’s mouth. You clean his wound gently, a soaked cotton ball swiping any germ or blobs of blood away. As you apply the gel, your tongue pokes out slightly. Ryo watches you fondly, “this reminds me of when we were in school.”

You smirk, “what, when I’d save your ass a trip to the hospital?”

He laughs — you try not to watch his chest as he does. Grabbing gauze, you wrap it around his torso a few times ; not too tight, but not too loose. Ryo’s eyes stay on you as you move. “You would always take care of me. Even when your friends were worse than mine.”

“We’d look out for each other.” You correct him. You shuffle his tank top back down his body, sitting in silence as you avoid his gaze. “That’s what people like us do.”

Ryo slumps in his seat, his voice growing quiet. “People like us?”

You smile, but it isn’t warm or happy. It’s accepting — sad and empty. “People who have to work to survive.”

A rattle shakes the house — you and Ryo simply stare at each other before you make a move. Peach is coming up the stairs as you exit the bathroom, your face mirroring the confusion on hers. Another rattle — the front door is shaking.

“Yoo-hoo!” A voice sings teasingly. Ryo makes his way to you, his jacket slung precariously over his shoulders as he holds his torso with his right arm. Amagi is spitting orders in the basement — he sounds terrified. “We know you’re in there. Come out and play.”

Silence. And then, a bang against the front door as a new voice calls out. “Come outside, rich bitch!”

Tensely, you reach behind you and grab Suzaki’s hand. Stomping is heard on the stairs as Amagi guides his friends to the front door. His eyes are on fire as you pass by him, red-tinted and furious. He glares at the man behind you, “this better not have anything to do with you.”

You let out a breath as you push Ryo to the safe room, eyes dancing from screen to screen. A face pops out of nowhere — one covered in a Ghostface mask. You jump, bumping into Ryo as you do. You look at him from over your shoulder, “they didn’t attack you, did they?”

“No,” he shakes his head. “I wasn’t attacked by anyone. I was… trying to get between an unfair fight.”

You smile despite the situation. “Playing the hero as always.”

“People need to be protected,” he replies simply. Ryo walks over to the wall of monitors, clicking and scrolling expertly. Though, growing up with Amagi probably taught him everything he needed to know. More people are found around the Amagi mansion, waiting for a door to unlock. Ryo’s voice carries into the air, “people like you.”

You blink, “like me?”

Ryo’s mouth tilts as he looks down at the monitors’ control center. He lets out a laugh through his nose before his eyes meet yours. “People who are soft ; kind.” Ryo looks down again, “you’re the one I want to protect the most. You were always my favorite, you know.”

A bang hits the house once more, Peach’s scream echoing with it. You can hear one of her friends insist they just go outside and start shooting — they should just get rid of the strangers while they can. A flurry of footsteps rebounds against the stairs, hurriedly burrowing your way. Ryo takes you into his arms quickly, moving you both out of the way.

“I’ll show them,” he mutters. It’s one of Amagi’s friends — one who tried to get you alone. His eyes are frantic, spit piling at the corner of his mouth as he speaks to himself. “I’ll go out there and tear them all down. Amagi will notice me, then.”

The house’s defenses are down before you can stop him.

Amagi flies down the stairs, trying frantically to get the security systems back up. He clicks every button he sees. The house goes silent as the walls whir, the defenses going back into place. It has to be enough, you bite your lip, hand intertwined with Ryo’s as you tighten your hold. Please, let us be safe. 

A window upstairs shatters, high-pitched screaming mirroring the sound. 

The sound of scraping is the first thing you pick up. The safe room’s door is closed and locked tight, ensuring your safety. You don’t feel safe, though. Everyone watches in silence as the door’s handle twists left then right. You gulp, hiding the shaking of your hand by holding tighter onto Suzaki’s. 

 A bang hits the door, causing everyone to jump in unison. A harrowing, mean cackle breaths against the door. “I know you’re in there,” they call, “let us in so we can play.”

“Fuck off!” Amagi’s friend calls out arrogantly. Amagi rushes to the man, holding his hand against his mouth tightly. There are tears in the bully’s eyes — he has no chance if the safe room is breached. His friend fights him until he’s free to speak, “we’ll kill you be—!”

A body falls to the floor. A girl with lilac hair trembles, champagne falling down her arm as the bottle she holds is in half. The man on the floor bleeds from his head — you don’t think he’ll make it. She drops the half-empty bottle, scurrying to wipe the alcohol off of her person. 

The masked person outside cackles again, “attacking each other now? Let us join in, won’t you?”

Ryo’s thumb rubs against your knuckles and it’s all you can think of. He does well ; distracting you from the dire danger in front of you. But, you can’t help but also think he’s so calm ; so collected and uncaring at the threats that surround you.

Scratching is heard, the door jolting from the impact. The person outside cackles, drops of sweat fall from Amagi’s forehead. A thump against the door again — you think it’s coming off its hinges. Ryo’s shoulder bumps into yours as you back up, the sound of the door breaking disturbing the silence around you. The splintered pieces hit the floor, collecting around two pairs of boots. 

A bloody, rabbit mask and orange hair greets you — another one a Jason-inspired mask doing little to hide blue hair. The rabbit giggles, swinging the axe in hand, “you’ll play with us now, right?”

Two more figures join them but your mind is so fogged from the panic. Ryo is speaking lowly in your ear, but you can’t make sense of anything he says. The girl from before is thrown to the floor, a doll-like mask hovering above her as she’s stabbed. The Jason mask creeps closer to you — he’s got you in his sights and he’s completely locked in.

A kick his sent to the masked man’s chest, sending him flying away as Ryo stands in front of you. He grabs a cheese knife from the center table, putting it in your hand. Your back is to the wall, allowing you to see every inch of the safe room.

Blood splatters as Ryo nails punch after punch onto the blue haired stranger. It’s a sickening, intense anger you’d never seen from him before. Your hands shake as you hold tightly onto the cheese knife, unable to look away from the violence in front of you. Ryo looks over his shoulder at you, blood on his forehead and nose as he stands.

The wound on his torso seems to no longer bother him.

Ryo is quick to pull you to a room, closing the door behind you both as you hold your breath. It’s a bathroom, you see, perfectly compact and hidden. Chaos reigns outside — you flinch as you identify Peach’s cries. A shaky hand cups your cheek, blood smearing as he rubs your skin soothingly. “Stay here,” Ryo pleads,”I’ll come get you when it’s safe.”

He strokes your cheek one last time before a glass is shoved in your hand. “Sip on this until I come back.” Ryo holds your hand, gaze fierce and promising, “I will come back, [name]. Stay in here.”

The door is shut and you’re left with the muffled sound of the people you were with being murdered. The handle of the knife you hold is embedded into your skin, the intricate design imprinted onto your palm. Heaving breaths escaped your chest and you know you need to calm down or you’ll pass out.

You eye the water you’re holding, champagne taste staining the flute you sip on. Panic has really set in now, the room around you blurring together into nothing but colors. Trembling legs settle onto the floor, your back to the bathtub as your eyes slide shut.

——♥︎——

“[Name],” is called lightly, a rustle on your shoulder shaking you. “C’mon, angel, it’s time to go.”

Your eyes blink open — they’re heavy, bleary as your eyesight still has to settle. You breathe deeply through your nose — it smells like iron and sweat. An alarm rings, commencing the Purge and thanking everyone for participating.

Your eyes snap back open at the words. You weren’t safe ; the security was fought through and intruders welcomed themselves in. Ryo — Ryo went out to fight. And then, nothing. You fell asleep?

The floor beneath you is wet, your fingers pruning up from the water. Another gentle jostle to your shoulder — someone was here with you. Widened, unseeing eyes blink up at him and he coos.

“[Name],” Ryo calls again. He rubs your cheek lovingly as your eyes flutter shut once more. He sighs — it was too much on your body, after all. Slowly, he wraps your legs around his waist, standing easily and taking you with him as he goes. “Keep your eyes closed, honey. You don’t need to see this.”

Suzaki speaks to someone else as your eyes flutter open and closed periodically. You can’t stay awake — what was in that water? Your mouth moves against his neck, incomprehensible mutters and noises leaving your lips. You hear him kick something on the way out and spit out something you don’t hear.

As you leave, you notice the bloody mess is wearing Amagi’s clothes.

“Welcome back.”

You feel better now ; awake and attentive as your eyes slide open. The sun is in the middle of the sky, warming up the room you’re in. Suzaki sits on the edge of the bed you’re in, clean and grinning as he rubs your legs soothingly. “About time you woke up, huh?”

The last few hours come back to you in a movie-like sequence. The screaming, the door shattering, the blood. You gulp, “what… happened? At Amagi’s?”

Ryo let’s out a sigh, shaking his head. He squeezes your knee lightly, sucking in a breath between his teeth. “It was ugly — an all out brawl. But, we survived and you came out unscathed. That’s all we need to worry about.”

But, your mind stills races. You remember seeing Amagi — seeing what should’ve been his fully intact corpse in pieces. “Peach? And Amagi? Did… anyone else live?”

“I don’t know,” he looks to the bedroom wall. His voice is uncaring ; unsympathetic as he speaks. “All I was worried about was protecting you.”

“You did.” You sit up straighter now, reaching out to hold Ryo’s hand. “You saved us — saved me.”

The room goes silent as you bask in the warmth of the sun. It’s disorienting — the world being so warm after the bloodbath of last night. Ryo speaks quietly, “I’d do it again if I needed to.”

The side of his mouth curves up as he continues, “maybe even after that.”

——♥︎——

happy halloween!! this feels a lil icky to post considering the state of the world rn, but id like to offer a distraction if i can while still using the platform i have <3 if youd like to b tagged / untagged in any HiGH&LOW content, let me know!

🍓FOREVER TAGS : @star2fishmeg ♥︎

🍓 H&L TAGLIST : @rouzuchan @yuken-gf @strxwberrychocolate @simpforchuchu @thatpoindexterpixy @cheshirecatuniverse

Fujio: Imprint

🌼Soulmate's touch will leave an imprint on each other skin🌼

You left your imprint on Fujio at a fair. There was a huge crowd at the stall and people were pushing each other to get a pendant that can let them meet their soulmate quickly.

You were about to grab a pendant but instead grab someone's hand. Your soulmate mark was a lily of purple colour and your touch left your mark on him.

He later finds out at home when Tsukasa pointed it out. He was so happy but he didn't know whose mark it was.

Sachio: Changed vision

🌼See colour for the first time when you meet, fades away when they die🌼

He first saw the colours at his friend's party. You were so beautiful that day with your hair let loose freely.

You were smiling with your friends and the moment your eyes met him, you started seeing the colours.

It seems like the time had stopped and it was only you two. You quickly fasten your pace towards him.

You smiled at him and he too smiled at you.

"found you"

Himuro Reiji: Abilities

🌼Being next to soulmate heals injury🌼

Reiji was on the bus on his way to his house when a girl sat beside him.

He was shocked cause every girl in the Oya district was scared to approach him all because they used weapons in fighting.

He thinks that's ridiculous cause every these days used it and it's not like he did a crime.

He looks at the girl beside him. She was pretty and what's more shocking is that

"I guess you are my mate"

Reiji eyes almost fall out of his shocket when he looked at his wounds that she pointed and it was healed.

She smiled and gave him a piece of paper that she wrote some words down before and get off the bus.

Everything happened so quickly that he didn't even get to ask her name.

He open the paper and there was her name and number written down with a lipstick stain.

He blushes and quickly placed the paper inside his bag.

Shoji Sameoka: Communicating

🌼Write something on your own skin, appears on other's skin🌼

Boy was pissed at his best friend who also happen to be his soulmate.

Cause whenever he is in middle of fight or some important shit, just to annoy him you would write annoying jokes on your hand.

"Can you stop doing that?" he asks as he grabbed your wrist from writing any more on yours.

"Untill you stop being so handsome everyday and attracting girls" you said and freed your hand from his grasps.

He rolled his eyes and just accepted his fate while you happily wrote stuffs all over your body.

Amagai: Sharing

🌼Get the same injury as your soulmate did🌼

Boy hardly joins any fight cause he has Suzaki to fight for him so you never get any injury from him.

But you were very clumsy so he often get injuries that too at worst places like your toe nails, or nose etc.

The first time you met him, he smacked your head "be careful duck. Look at all these marks on my body"