Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Uyu never really claimed himself as the perceptive type. But looking back and towards the many years that’s followed behind him, there’s a part of him that believes he is so. Or at least, good at trying to be.

Maybe, in a way, it’s a thing he had developed as the list of heists got longer, and the scope of the people he’d have to wear his mask when facing grew. He’s understood just how the people surrounding him now see the confidence he has in his heists, and that they don’t know beneath all the charm of the elusive phantom thief is years of failures and close calls.

The sprain that shot pain up his leg was nothing compared to years of injuries that grew less common yet more severe with his progress.

Knowing that, there’s something comforting knowing that he didn’t have to stay in his room in pain like he used to, or sat in a hospital bed staring out the window as his mind wandered. Maybe it’s the fact the pain is gone, maybe it’s being able to walk, run and dance again.

Maybe it’s the fact that he didn’t have to spend that day alone like he thought he would.

Uyu likes to think he’s good at being perceptive.

Uyu likes to think he’s still good at it, even now. The lists of heists have grown shorter, now replaced with days spent in his cafe, or at their base, oftentimes with the presence of three certain faces. From behind his counter, he’d hear Fuma talking to himself as he went through his phone, or spot Rio floating over Gamma’s shoulder. A bright-eyed stare as the mangaka works away on his new series.

Once upon a time, the faces of those who came in and out of his cafe were just that. Faces.

Things are different now.

There’s an excitable yokai at his side, staring up at him with a cheeky smile and observant eyes. A ghost hangs on his shoulders, peeking at whatever he’s doing with his hands and speaking softly in his ear. From across the room, the mangaka would speak out and draw closer to join the conversation.

Uyu sometimes thinks about the tells .

There are days when Uyu has things planned. He’d casually announce it during conversation, as if it was an everyday thing which for him it was…and yet…

Fuma’s smile would fall a little, an underlying tone of worry and almost sadness beneath the mischief in his voice. Rio would cling on a little harder, the hands on his shoulders squeezing the flesh gently. And Gamma would…stare.

In Uyu’s opinion, Gamma’s stares were always something else. The other had such striking blue eyes that contrasted a lot of his reds and blacks. You can’t help but meet the mangaka’s eyes when talking to him, the bright colors animated with a spark of energy that was just so… Gamma.

He’s gotten good at reading those stares, he likes to think.

But just because Uyu thinks he’s perceptive doesn’t mean his perceptions are always right. No, not at all. There have been many times where he couldn’t exactly read the others, which hurt his pride as a phantom thief in the beginning, but now is something he’s come to accept as completely okay. He will never be able to fully understand the sadness in Rio’s eyes as he wears a sad smile while staring out at a sea of people, nor the blank look Fuma would have on his face that Uyu manages to catch on his unexpected visits.

The flicker of blue flames on Rio’s head as he stared out at people just going on with their days, such as the blue light that floated about Fuma’s pavilion. It makes Uyu laugh a little, thinking maybe they really were destined to cross paths.

The look in their eyes…seems like something only the two of them would understand.

Perhaps that’s a story for another time, one that Uyu won’t be able to tell.

All Uyu knows is that he has his own story going on right now, a chapter that has left him more confused than anything. Hizaki Gamma had always been a menace, suprisingly a bit more rational thinking than the shorter half of them, but a menace nonetheless. One that Uyu could at least understand.

Uyu thought, he thought, that he had gotten good at reading Hizaki Gamma’s goddamn stares.

!-<>-<>-<>-<>-!

But now? 

Now he’s just confused.

Oga had to leave him bedridden for just a few more days, a sudden intervention involving a certain mafia boss forcing the demon to disappear for a while. Seeming to have gone radio silent, as if he had to travel to somewhere completely new. It didn’t seem too much like a problem when Oga had returned, looking just as happy and soft-spoken as usual.

His gen-mate was another story, but not one that Uyu had much detail on.

Gamma had kept showing up to keep him company for that time. And if Uyu was being honest, it felt nice to be pampered a little, be so well taken care of and watched over. Gamma was also a sunshine incarnate…willing to lower the speakers in his throat, a low gentle tone slipping through his lips instead as they spent time alone.

The night before Uyu was finally able to walk again, Gamma had visited him late at night. At that point, Uyu was quite better at walking on one leg, and had entertained the other’s idea of coming in through the window just for that one instance. The two of them had each taken a side on Uyu’s bed, staring at the ceiling and talking mindlessly.

All Uyu remember’s talking about was how he was tired of staying in bed all day, and that he missed being out and about. He missed running across buildings and chasing after his friends and dancing alone in his room. With how frequently the other man visited throughout that time, the mangaka had seen more of Uyu barefaced with messy hair than anyone at that point.

That very night, the same man he had threatened to beat into a pulp with a pillow not too long ago stood up without a word, and offered to brush his hair. Even when the weird feeling that’s been haunting Uyu since the day he broke into Gamma’s mess of a room is sitting on his shoulders, all he could focus on was the fact that the other was doing all of this with a smile.

“See! There’s the prickly Uyu we know and love”

So much kindness from the other poured over him within those past few days. When Uyu could finally stand, all he felt was optimism at the fact he’ll be able to see Gamma again. Frankly, no matter how tired he was of and what his opinion was about the whole stalking thing? Uyu stopped thinking about that.

It shocked him! Staring at himself in the mirror as he got ready with two perfectly good legs.

And a weird feeling sitting in his chest.

He didn’t care, he just wanted to spend time with the other again.

So that’s why he doesn’t understand why on earth the other would react to his return like this.

When he had strutted his way to the doors of their base, Gamma was already there. Back facing him and hand on the open door. Uyu had felt a smile grow on his own face seeing the other, actually optimistic towards the idea of spending time with the red-head. He raised an arm up to wave at the other, tone light and friendly as he uttered greetings.

And Gamma?

He took one look at Uyu, and slammed the door in his face.

“What the hell.”

From the other side of the door he hears footsteps hitting the floor of their base, the oh so familiar sound of someone trying to run. Uyu stares at the door, absolutely dumbfounded by what he’s experiencing at that very moment. His blood begins to boil after everything has processed properly in his mind. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he grits his teeth and audibly exhales through his nose. Brushing away his hair only for it to fall back on his face, he presses his palm against the door and pushes onwards. The door swings back harshly, slamming against the wall as the thief struts inside.

There’s no sign of anyone else in the base, other than a black jacket laying over the backrest of the couch, the lower half of it decorated with paint splatters. That was a sign enough that; No, he wasn’t losing his mind, he hadn’t gone mad. Hizaki Gamma did in fact have the nerve, the audacity to slam a door in his face.

“Gamma…” He practically growls, eyes squinting as he drags his focus throughout the room, trying to find any sight of the artist. “I’m gonna kill him.”

His eyes had picked apart every detail of the large space, not finding a single sign of life in the room. It makes him groan, throwing his head back and plopping himself down on the couch. Pale eyes glare at the ceiling above him, burning holes onto the surface as if it could help tear down the building irritation.

Time ticks on, and Gamma still doesn’t reveal himself. Uyu doesn’t know how long his patience could last, and honestly wonders if Gamma’s will either. He knows the other knows he’s there…what’s the point in hiding?

And why slam the door in his face in the first place? Recalling their last interaction, there was not a single thing that could warrant such a rude greeting from the other. It was a lovely night! Uyu never felt closer to Gamma than he did right then! The other had walked away, all grins and smiles so bright that the thief had expected to be greeted with the same.

Sighing long and loud, he pans his vision towards the large glass windows that helped illuminate the space. The sky was bright and blue, soft clouds decorating it like visions of snowy mountains hidden beneath a fog coloured with that shade. The weather wasn’t anything special, a cloudy day with only the slightest chance at rainfall. The vivid colour of the sky was enough to convince him that he could go throughout the day without worrying about a single drop.

What a beautiful shade of blue.

“Uyu?”

Uyu’s attention whizzes to the voice, a calm expression shifting to irritation as the blue of the sky is replaced with the blue of guilty eyes. Switching between staring at him properly and staring at anything but him, Gamma puts on the cheekiest smile he can manage.

“Hey!”

“ Hi.”

Gamma winces.

“Care to explain what that was, Hizaki-san?” Uyu crosses his legs, and then his arms. “Quite rude of you-”

“I am sorry!” Uyu’s confident demeanour almost falls completely apart as the artist launches himself forwards, falling to his knees and sliding across the floor with his head down. It makes the thief’s jaw fall open, “Please don’t beat me up with a pillow again! I swear I didn’t mean that I am so sorry!”

“G-Gamma!?”

“ I just needed to use the bathroom!”

Everything falls into silence right then and there.

Uyu stares blankly at Gamma, absolutely dumbfounded by the past few minutes. Gamma still was kneeling on the floor, begging for mercy, but for a quick second he looks up at Uyu with pleading blue eyes. The thief gawks at him, brows furrowed as he tries to comprehend how exactly to respond to that.

“You…”

Gamma flinches his head back down the minute Uyu speaks up, ready to get hit on the head. And for a second Uyu does consider it, fingers already digging into the couch pillow with the intent to get it as red as Gamma’s hair.

“You’re so…”

And maybe he does want to do it. Raising the pillow up and above the other’s head and he can see how the other shakes visibly at the thief looming above him. Uyu glares, sharp and straight at the mangaka, his face shaded by the shadow of his fringe as he raises his hand up with the intent to strike and-

“...are an idiot.”

Gamma flinches when the pillow hits his head, but instead of the painful swing he expects from the other, in place was a soft tap against his head. The pillow slides off his hair and bounces on to the floor.

He coughs out a short ‘ha’, which manages to get the other to whip his head up at him. The mangaka, still kneeling on the floor, staring up at Uyu with large puppy-like eyes. Blues once shaking with fear now staring up at Uyu like he was a saint. This is all it took for Uyu to burst out laughing, leaning forwards and grabbing onto his stomach as he vomited out laughter.

Gamma sits up, and it’s his turn to be dumbfounded.

“Oh- Oh Gamma.” Uyu leans back onto the couch, covering his mouth as he tries to calm his laughter, not really paying attention to the mangaka staring at Uyu like a deer in headlights. “You’re so- You- I can’t believe you sometimes…”

He gently rubs at his eyes as his laughter slows, being careful not to wipe off any makeup he had decided to wear that day. Through squinted vision he sees the blurry image of Gamma’s face, no longer looking like a lost dog but instead an enthusiastic puppy.

“Alright, alright!” Gamma gets off his knees and stands, throwing his hands in the air as he continues talking, “You got me! Geez, I almost felt my heart explode right then. I was ready to get beaten to a pulp. It would’ve been all over the news! local mangaka dies through a pillow!”

“Well!” 

Uyu clears his throat, laughter finally gone. What remains is the burn of a wide smile on his face, shrunken to a small sweet one. Gamma’s staring at him with a small grin, and the imagery makes the thief imagine a pair of pointed ears atop the other’s head and a wagging tail between his legs.

“You sure have a natural talent for…entertaining people.”

“What can I say? I’m a funny guy!”

“Funny!” Uyu says it, voice dripping with sarcasm as he raises a brow at the other. “Is that what they call it nowadays?”

“Now what is that supposed to mean?”

Gamma crosses his arms, tapping his feet on the floor. Uyu looks up at him, seeing a fight in the other’s eyes. Every sense in him is just begging to start a back and forth with the red-head, knowing that it’ll be hilarious for either of them and especially for the two others who were…supposed to be here with them.

“It means what it means~!” He says instead, a sing-song tone that evokes a playful message warning the other that it isn’t over yet. But before Gamma could make a remark, Uyu continues to divert the conversation, “Speaking of ‘funny guys’...Where’s the lovebirds? Fuma said he doesn’t have any jobs for the next few days so I thought they’d be here.”

“Just cause Fuma said he wouldn’t be here?” Gamma grins.

“Let’s be real.”

The mangaka barks out a laugh, taking the empty space next to Uyu on the couch. Gamma reaches behind him, taking the jacket. Just as Uyu suspected, it belonged to the other…not like he’d imagine it on anyone else. Though one curious thing was how the other was still wearing his usual outfit, coat and everything; Why the jacket?

“Is it winter already?” Uyu asks in amusement, leaning his head against his hand. “You’ve got three layers here.”

“Oh, this?” Gamma stares down at the jacket in his lap, eyes looking at it up and down. “It’s…ah…It said on the news that it might rain today.

“An umbrella would have been better.”

“Yeah but…” Gamma shrugs, playing with the zipper of the jacket. Uyu tilts his head, seeing a foreign look on Gamma’s face. That same one. He curses inside at the fact he can’t seem to pick it apart. “I saw it in my closet and decided I wanted to wear it.”

“I…see” 

It’s odd how Uyu seems to have noticed this change in attitude from Gamma, cause it feels like he’s the only one who’s noticed it. He completely trusts Rio and Fuma’s judgement, and as much as they try to be frank with each other when they notice something is off, they usually at least pass vague questions about it. Uyu and Gamma both do the exact same…it's always been a precursor to the eventual conversation.

Is Uyu really the only one noticing it? It’s not even about Gamma being quiet, it's about that damn stare. There’s something and Uyu can’t seem to point it out. 

“What do you think about it?”

“I think the umbrella would still be a better option.”

The foreign gaze breaks, turning back into the usual playful glint that Uyu sees in the other on a daily.

“Not the rain thing! I meant the jacket!”

Taking the jacket with one hand, he hands it to Uyu. Hesitantly, the thief takes the jacket and holds it out with both his hands, taking in the details of it. Now that his mind isn’t burning in irritation, he takes a proper look at it and is…frankly, impressed. The quality of it seemed nice! Pulling on the fabric and running his fingers against seams and the teeth of the zipper, it honestly seemed like it must’ve cost a lot.

“It’s…expensive?” Gamma gives him a nod. “I can tell, yeah. But the paint splatters came as part of the jacket or?”

“I uhh…I did that.”

Uyu makes a face.

“Look! I just wanted to add my little personal touch okay? I like my paint splatters!” The mangaka aggressively points at his tie, “You can’t act like it doesn’t fit me!”

“It does. It sure does!” Uyu smiles as he stares at the entire jacket again and again. His imagination walks on its own, and a vision of the other wearing the article appears in his mind. “If you’re trying to go for a more casual look then…I’d say go for it- Just…lose the coat.”

“Knew I could count on you!” Gamma snatches the jacket back, hugging it to his chest. “Now that’s settled, it’s time for the actual reason why…I thought about why I had to bring a jacket!”

Uyu furrows his brows, squinting his eyes as he stares at the other’s amused expression. Gamma has stars in his eyes, an energy of excitement radiating from the other. The thief goes through the past few minutes of their conversation, leaning further into the couch and crossing his arms.

“...cause you said it’s going to rain-”

Gamma laughs, shaking his head and standing up. The mangaka balls his hands into fists, sitting them on his hips as the jacket slots itself between his arms. Uyu snorts, amused at how the other looked like a little kid trying to play superhero.

“Did you already forget, Utsugi Uyu!?”

Forget wha- Oh.

Oh no.

“Not this again…”

Uyu groans, throwing his head back onto the couch.

“Our mission continues!”

Maybe he should have waited one more day before asking Oga to help him.

!-<>-<>-<>-<>-!

In his many years of being a mangaka, Gamma had learned that inspiration can come from anywhere. There’s always a constant battle for people like him to try and find that piece of inspiration, in the face of an empty canvas and an itching hand.

Finding inspiration for one image is one thing, turning it into a story is another. When Gamma had walked in on Fuma and Rio that night, the inspiration that stored itself in his heart wasn’t the image of the couple, but the feelings conveyed by that sight. A story told with no words, no sound, nothing but two people and a room where they can be themselves.

Gamma did not at all imagine Fuma or Rio in the images in his head, no. The love that those two had was theirs. There’s no way he’ll ever be able to understand it the way they do. Maybe that’s why when faced with the actual process of showing instead of telling, the road ended with a brick wall in the shape of a blank canvas.

What he had felt from looking at them was just a single speck of something so much greater. 

And though he still doesn’t want to let up yet, he thinks he’s beginning to understand the real purpose of why he’s still doing this. Gamma isn’t stupid. He knows that simply following Rio and Fuma around wouldn’t be enough to give him actual inspiration to further his story, though it has helped for it plot-wise and visually-wise.

Yeah. Gamma isn’t stupid, but damn does he know he’s being stupid.

The night, when everything had fallen together, did he realise that he’s been doing this entire thing wrong and yet right. If it weren’t for this he wouldn’t have put things together, probably would have still been stuck in that slump.

Would he?

“Keep tugging at your hair and eventually you’ll have none left”

Maybe he wouldn’t…

In the time Gamma spent since he had realised what exactly was going on in his head, he had managed to storyboard several more pages. With the rate he was going at he’d have ten or more soon. An impressive feat, he thinks, he’s been drawing a lot since then. It’s only been a few days and he managed to squeeze in Uyu visits in between.

Uyu.

He sighs, rubbing his face with the palm of his free hand. The other is holding onto a pencil, twirling it in his fingers as he sits there, feeling like his brain was malfunctioning. Through the glass window he was sitting in front of, he could hear the excitement of a fair just a block or two away. Most of the chaos muted by the walls of the cafe he had situated himself in, and the classy music playing from the speakers.

“Uyu should be here anytime so- no wait- stop…” He mutters to himself, “Oh boy, oh wow. This is…a predicament!”

He sighs, propping his arm on the table and leaning against it. Staring down at the sketchbook laying on the table. Seeing the drawing almost made Gamma sputter and hide his face in embarrassment, already feeling the red flush growing on his face.

Created in pencil lead was a recreation of what Gamma saw a night ago, from the reflection in the vanity mirror that stood in front of him. The moment when his heart moved too fast for his mind’s own sake, leaving him trying his hardest to feign calm. He tried not to meet the other’s eyes in the reflection, but the minute he had looked up and away from the hair he was running the brush through-

Uyu, staring at him through the mirror, a soft expression on his face. The thief looked like he was thinking, his expression seemingly lost in whatever could be going on in that mind of his. But those pale eyes were glinting gently, something…endearment? Affection?

Gamma will never admit that his heart skipped a beat when he saw it the first time.

The recreation isn’t a hundred percent accurate of course, Gamma had sketched in little stars in the other’s eyes that he swore he saw. Though it was probably a result of his overactive imagination.

“Okay.”

He flips a page back, only to find another unfinished sketch of the thief. It was from another night he had visited; The other wanted to sit outside the cafe for a bit to watch the sunset, so he had helped the other over there. Seeing the other, not prim-proper-clean and just smiling freely at the sunset, orange light highlighting his featu-

“Okay! I am in trouble!”

He flips another page back and once more it’s Uyu.

“You know what-” He slams the sketchbook closed. “That’s enough art for today!”

Gamma hides his face in his hands again. Any composure he had left since realising just exactly what he had been feeling this entire time was crumbling apart. All this time he had been acting on his heart’s desires, just because he wanted to. Now he’s finally realised just why, and it’s driving him mad.

“Okay…wow. Okay.” He tells himself, the subtle reflection of himself in the glass showing a panicked smile. “Okay. I like- I like Uyu. Wow! I like Uyu- That sure is a thing now isn’t it! Right Gamma? Yeah, Gamma!”

“So how long have you liked Uyu?”

Gamma practically falls off his stool when he hears the voice from behind him. Gripping onto the wooden table with his life as the waitress and few customers give him looks from across the room. Whipping to turn towards the speaker, he’s greeted by a grinning ghost and a smug-faced tanuki yokai.

Those little shit-

“I knew it~” Fuma chuckles, and pupils shrinking as he grins menacingly, “What was it you said that night? Just act like me and Uyu aren’t there? I had my suspicions, Gamma~”

“Is that why you didn’t come up after us?” Rio asks, tilting his head with a mischievous smile. “Gamma, if you wanted alone time with Uyu you could have just asked! All we did up there was talk anyway.”

“That’s why you came with us to the rose garden too, huh?” Fuma points a finger at Gamma’s chest, poking him. “And why you asked when we were going to the fair? Gamma you’re a grown man! You can ask him out on your own!”

“Oh boo-hoo! As If me and Uyu didn’t have to deal with the two of you staring deep in each other’s eyes from across the room for months.” Gamma crosses his arms, glaring at both of the shorter men with judgement. “And for your information! I haven’t been using you guys to try anything, okay I was just…”

Thinking of the next few words he’s about to say, he honestly felt like hitting his head against the wall. Maybe through the glass even.

“...looking for inspiration.”

“Oh I think you’ve found plenty~” The ghost teases, hiding a cheeky smile on his face with his hands. “Inspiration for you is really tall and pretty! With white hair~”

“Likes to wear heels and make-up~” Fuma adds. 

“Okay.” Gamma gets off his stool, towering over the other two. Fuma and Rio actually back up a little at this, raising their hands defensively. “You two little shits are gonna get it from me-”

“Gamma don’t-”

“Gamma?”

The three of them freeze on the spot.

Slowly, all three of them turn to the direction of the voice. Standing not too far away, originally hidden behind a half wall that seemed to be used as a divider to separate customer tables. Uyu had peaked out from the end of it, sitting on a chair. It seemed like the pale-eyed thief had conveniently seated himself in a position that completely hid him, all three of them noticing the potted plant sitting atop the divider.

Right next to where Uyu’s head would be if he was really sitting there the entire time-

Gamma’s heartbeat skyrocketed, realising that the likeliness of Uyu hearing the entire exchange was likely…there were barely any other customers and even if there were, not a lot of them were sitting close to where they stood. He quickly glances at Rio and Fuma, who seem to be able to read Gamma’s expression. The couple passes looks of dread to each other, and maybe even guilt from what the mangaka is seeing on their faces.

“Uyu! Hey!” He tries, clearing his throat to play it cool. “How long have you be- I mean. When did you get here?”

The phantom thief’s eyes pan away, as if thinking. Then, Uyu’s attention turns to the phone in his hands. As Gamma follows the other’s gaze, he notices headphones sitting around the thief’s neck.

“A little bit ago I think. I did say I was gonna go home and change but all I really did was change into a different shirt and switched out my heels” Uyu gestures at himself, and Gamma nods along. From the corner of his eye he can see the shorter half of their group radiating with fear. “You changed too?”

“Y-Yeah!” Gamma coughs, “Took your advice! Swapped out the coat and dress shirt for a regular old shirt and the jacket.”

“You look good.” If Gamma’s heart wasn’t racing faster than a horse, it would have skipped a beat from the smile the phantom thief gave him. Uyu’s eyes pan to the duo standing silently, giving them a soft smile. “Ah I had a feeling you two would be here too. I guess we’re all going casual today?”

“Yup!” Fuma laughs awkwardly, scrambling to grab Rio’s hand. “That- That being said! Me and Rio are really super duper excited! S-So we’re going to go now! Bye! See you two around!”

“Bye guys-!”

A weight is lifted off his shoulders as the duo scrambles away from them. He isn’t sure how much more of them he can take. Especially now that he’s basically spilled the secret to them, with his own words. God, he’s never going to hear the end of it, he’s sure. The only good thing right now was Uyu standing in front of him.

The only good thing -

Gamma curses internally, not believing his own mind.

“So?” 

Uyu asks, tucking his phone into his pocket. Gamma looks him up and down, and though the thief without heels is a sight that isn’t something any of them expect to get used to, the nightly visits and having to help the others get around his own home was enough.

What’s striking to Gamma right then and there was Uyu’s expression. When this had begun, Uyu looked like he didn’t want anything to do with this, yet kept it up for Gamma’s sake. The time he’d spent bonding with the thief while he was injured had lowered the other’s walls, allowing Gamma to simply be with the other. 

But this was…something else. Uyu’s expression was soft, a gentle smile upon his face and a stare that held those stars Gamma swore he saw in the other that one night. It was like the roses all over again. The gentleness of the blossoms and the smooth silkiness of the well  kept petals.

Here was Utsugi Uyu, prickly thorned-rose and all. The Uyu that curses and snarls, throws sarcasm and sass together with the skills to really pack a punch. The Uyu that makes faces at all his antics but goes with them anyway. The Uyu who laid next to him on that bed, talking without rhyme or reason, just to simply be.

The one he just wanted to spend a day at the fair with.

“What do you have planned today, Gamma?”

Well loved flowers bloom the most beautiful.

!-<>-<>-<>-<>-!

Whatever discussion they had about stalking Fuma and Rio never comes to fruition.

After the events of the past few days, it probably never would have

Not for one second did any step they take while walking around that fair was with the intent to follow the other two, no. The minute their eyes landed on what seemed to be an endless walkway of stalls and shops, Gamma had grabbed Uyu by the wrist and had begun dragging him wherever, not even hearing a single complaint from the thief.

“I can get a huge prize if we do the cup game!” Gamma claimed, making the thief smile in amusement. “Gotta use those throwing skills somewhere!”

The two had found themselves everywhere, separating only for a moment because of their inability to agree on two game stalls that were open at the same time. 

“I’d rather do the ring toss, I think I’ll get a better prize than you~”

“Oh it’s so on!”

In the end, Uyu had won a cute little stuffed penguin from a ring toss game, while Gamma had returned to the other with a fluffy white bird plushie after throwing a few balls and hitting cup towers.

One look at the stuffed toy in each other’s arms was enough to prompt an exchange.

Gamma honestly expected to hear the other ask about the shorter pair, after all, that’s what he had used as a reason to get Uyu to come with him today. Yet the pale-eyed thief never asked, in fact, it looked like Uyu was having the time of his life; A bright smile on his face was present whenever he turned to the mangaka.

“Fuma and Rio really are good at setting up dates,” The thief snorts, squinting his eyes as he draws closer to the noticeboard. Gamma peeks from behind him, tipping his head over the thief’s shoulder. “Fireworks show huh? They’re gonna do that gross couple thing and kiss when the fireworks go off, like on new years.”

“Eww…” Gamma mumbles, Uyu turns to him with a similar look of disgust on his face. “...I kinda wanna scare them after.”

“Yeah? Do it and Rio’s scream will be louder than the fireworks.”

The eventual night comes after their afternoon has passed, surprisingly they hadn’t crossed paths with the other couple once. Though with how their earlier interaction went, Gamma would like to think that the two were actively avoiding them unless they wanted to taste a mangaka’s fist. With his good hand of course!

Dark night sky begins to fill with stars, the moon eventually making itself known. Stalls begin to switch on lights, warm orange and yellow lanterns as well as the occasional colourful LEDs. The cold of the night grows warm at the sight of it, the warm shades paired with a crowd full of mostly happy faces. Cheering children, lovers together, families following each other’s lead.

“This is nice.”

Night’s cold breeze passes by, blowing his hair in the wind and pushing the fringe over his face out the way for a split second, revealing the pair of pale eyes endlessly staring off into the night. A small smile stretches across the other’s face, expression soft. Blooming in the moonlight.

Gamma knows he’s seen this picture before.

“Yeah, it really is.”

A crowd slowly begins to form, seeming to all be going the same direction. Uyu had noticed it, and in a choice that managed to almost cause the artist a heart attack, took him by the wrist and dragged him to follow  the crowd. This eventually led them to a wide and open grass area, where groups and duos could be seen trying to find a spot to wait on.

“Where do we…” Uyu mutters, looking around. “I can’t see Fuma or Rio anywhere either…”

“There they are!"

In the distance, they see a soft blue glow and a figure that seemed to be rising and falling repeatedly. The area seemed less crowded, the next group of people or person next to them being a significant amount of feet away.

That was enough for them to tell that it was Rio and where Rio is, Fuma is. Gamma began jogging over, while Uyu took a steady walking pace behind him. As they drew closer to the couple, they could already see the two of them huddled together on the ground. Rio seemed to be just a few inches off the grass, with the yokai clinging onto the ghost’s arm to prevent him from floating too far away. 

When he’s just a few feet away, he stops.

There they are again.

The loving stares, the affectionate smiles, lost in a world of their own when the two of them are together. It brings him back to where this entire mess started; A poorly timed visit to their base, an unintentional peek into an image of love that rewired his brain in a way he still doesn’t understand. It was their love that started all this, and Gamma would leave all of this without being able to really understand it.

He knows.

Seeing it all once more, just a few feet away from him.

“Uyu.”

And slowly, he turns away from it. The white-haired man is standing in front of him, seeming to have stopped a few feet away after noticing that Gamma had. Humming in response, the thief encourages him to continue with a small smile and raised brows. His words tangle on his tongue, trying too badly to think of the right way to convey his thoughts to the other.

“I…uh…I- Uyu- I”

“What is it?”

He doesn’t even know where to start with it, really. Where should he? From the beginning? Well Uyu already knew the beginning, the start of this entire thing because none of this really would have happened had Uyu not showed up in his house one day and-

And.

“Gamma.”

The way his name his said is so gentle and encouraging.

“Hey, what is it?”

Enough for him to vomit his heart out.

“I- I haven’t been completely honest with you.” He swallows, throat dry as he continues, “The truth is this whole stalking thing? It kinda…stopped being stalking before it even started, I- After you left me to clean up that day I did some thinking."

Uyu’s expression doesn’t change whatsoever, and Gamma can’t help but feel like an idiot, looking away from the other to save himself any additional shame.

“I uh…told Fuma and Rio that you and I would be following them around. I didn’t tell them specifically why. Is it still stalking? I don’t know. All I knew was the intention was all the same. I did honestly go with the idea you blurted just cause I honestly did think it would help!"

Again not a single response. Mentally, he began praying for his life.

“But I…kept it up cause I liked hanging out with you?”

He winces after hearing himself saying it, realising how stupid of a reason it is once the big picture was put together. Regardless, it was his reason and while he’s not entirely proud of it, it’s too late for him to go back anyhow.

“And I was planning to keep going with it but then- I uh…learned something recently about myself! So now it’s hard to keep going at it because of it?”

Yikes.

Gamma wanted to hit himself. He was not helping his case at all

He hid his face in his hands, thankful that they were a good distance away from other people but still realising how ridiculous of an impulsive decision he made. This was gonna bite him in the ass so bad. He should have picked a different day or a different time. Especially since he had just discovered his own feelings for the other and Uyu was looking like he was having so much fun.

“Look, okay, what I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry for wasting your time-”

“What did you learn?”

Whipping his head back up at the other, Uyu’s expression remains blank. Arms crossed and staring straight into Gamma’s eyes, the mangaka can feel a tension that sends a shiver down his spine. Great! Any chances he may have with his not-really-new-but-newly-discovered crush was…well, crushed.

“I…uh”

“Well, if you’re going to ‘be honest’ with me now” Uyu throws a hand out, eyes panning away from Gamma and shrugging. “You might as well exhaust everything out.”

“That…That is true but-!”

“Rio look! Fireworks!”

Whipping back around, he sees a spark launch into the sky before exploding into a burst of color and light. From where he stood he can see the ghost and yokai huddled together closely, weight leaning on each other as they stare at the exploding patterns. The gentle quiet of the empty field now filled with the sound of fireworks crackling in the air and amazement of those who witness it.

And looking back, Uyu is still waiting for him.

“I…”

He can’t even hear his own voice.

“Uyu”

He might as well take his chances while they’re here.

“I think I like you.”

Uyu stares.

Face contorted in confusion, eyes squinted and body leaning forward as if trying to tell the other that he can’t hear a single thing. Of all the things he uttered that managed to drive him mad, he could at least have the relief of knowing that Uyu wouldn’t have to hear that part of his mess of a confession. 

Uyu opens his mouth, uttering something that Gamma couldn’t pick up even if he tried. Instead, he focuses on the warm light reflecting on the other’s face. The thief was still staring at him, face scrunched up and gaze sharp. Gamma’s seen this a few times, even more so the past few days, Uyu was trying to read him.

Maybe before all of this Gamma would’ve believed he was completely an open book.

A silence fills the emptiness of the field around them, the light of the fireworks having faded into nothing but mere sparks that’ll disappear into the air. From around them, in a distance, they hear the strangers speak up again. Over Uyu’s shoulder he sees people standing up, some alone and some huddled close, walking away from the field. He’s sure the people he can’t see are following the same.

Uyu himself was still standing there, the two of them separated by distance and silence.

“What did you…” The thief starts, hesitating for a second. Pale eyes panning away from the man he was facing, pointed at the grown below him with a wandering stare. “...say?”

“I…”

Maybe he can save himself some grace.

“I said I was sorry.”

Uyu gives him a look, almost disbelieving. Gamma doesn’t say anything else, simply shrugging and pointing a hand out, as if to let the other know that it’s what it  is. Somehow that manages to get the thief to cool down, expression relaxing.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

The pale-eyed thief shrugs, arms crossed over each other.

“Yeah, okay.”

“So you aren’t mad at me?”

A small smile grows on the other’s face.

“Furious, actually.” Gamma winces hearing that, but Uyu’s expression morphs into a softness that seemed to have spawned out of nowhere. From how the mangaka knows Uyu he honestly expected the other to have whacked him a couple of times by now, “I climbed on a side of a building for you! Which I still think Is a stupid idea even if your reasons were actually real.”

“Okay, fair. Not one of my brightest moments!”

“You have bright moments?”

Gamma stomps on the ground, making a noise of offence. Through a toothy smile, Uyu laughs softly.

“I’m kidding.” Uyu teases, “But no, I’m not mad. A little annoyed maybe, but not mad.”

“Really?”

“Really.” The other walks closer, head swaying from side to side gently. The aura of the thief is calm, bordering on something a little playful. It leaves Gamma shocked, but calms the beating of his heart in his ears. “I’m glad you told me before I’d have to deal with anymore of your insane plans. I think I’d be more mad if this kept on for weeks than just a week and a few days at most.”

The mangaka looks down at his feet. He reaches behind the back of his neck, rubbing at it as he gives the other a nervous grin. He managed to feel bad after just a few days of the plan, and sure, maybe realising his own feelings for the other was one of the main factors to why he felt so bad but he’s sure he’d start feeling guilty eventually.

“And I've been having fun.”

“You have!?”

Even he was surprised at the volume of his own voice, mirroring the wide-eyed expression on the other’s face.

“Yeah. Yeah, I have.”

“That’s- that’s good! Great actually!”

“It is…” Uyu replies, laughing the words out. “You’re good at that, making things fun.”

“Thank you! I try my very best!”

In that moment, Gamma felt like things had gone back to the usual between them. For a second he forgot about the recently discovered feelings, and all the chaos he had caused from not discovering them sooner. Even though they were right there! In front of him! In his sketchbook!

Gamma isn’t stupid, but wow did he feel that way now that he’s looking at it all again.

“There you two are~”

Whipping around, Gamma almost flinches back when he comes face to face with that of a giant cat face, drawn in an almost cartoony style. He backs up into Uyu, who presses a hand against his back to steady him. A giant cat plushie stood in front of him, and tracing his vision downwards, he sees where the body of the plushie ends and a pair of legs begin.

“...Rio?”

The plushie tips over to the side, revealing the ghost’s face popping out from behind it. The biggest grin they’ve ever seen on Rio stretching his face.

“Look what me and Fuma won~”

How neither of them saw that earlier when they were jogging up to them was ridiculous, the two of the taller half passing confused looks to each other before staring back at their ghost. From behind Rio, who was behind the plushie, Fuma makes an appearance; All cheeky grins and sharp fangs.

“Hi~”

“Are you sure you didn’t accidentally win a tiger?” Uyu snorts.

“Hey! This is our new child!” Fuma reaches over Rio’s shoulder to gently pat at the soft material. “Don’t make fun of the baby, he’s just a little one!”

“ How could what I have said possibly been making fun of your…kid?”

“And how did you two win that anyway?” Gamma asks, getting both of their attention. “No offence, but the two of you aren’t exactly that good at…”

The mangaka expected the two of them to throw some bizarre clearly untrue story at him and Uyu, instead they see an exchange of cheeky smiles between the duo. The usual spark of mischief they’d all see in each other ever so present, prominent as those sparks connect between them. The flame floating above Rio’s head flickers, and Gamma can only assume that some sort of yokai-related magic is keeping it from setting the toy on fire.

“Really abusing the whole not-human thing aren’t you two?” He laughs out the end of the question. “That’s not fair, y’know”

“Life isn’t fair” Uyu comments from behind him, “I fully support both of your crimes, shared or individually.”

“See! Uyu gets it~”

“Of course Uyu of all people would say that.”

By the time the four of them finished throwing teases at each other, it was only them left standing there in the dark field. The moon watching them from where it hovers above, seeing four fools fill the silence of the empty space with their chatter and laughter. Gamma looks up at the night sky, seeing all the stars twinkling from above and not a single cloud in the sky.

His eyes pan to Uyu, throwing teases in between the yokai and the ghost. The other had insisted that not a single drop of rain would pay them a visit, and he was right. Not even bringing an umbrella or a jacket in the case it would, like Gamma thought.

Fiddling with the zipper of his jacket, he smiles in a happy defeat.

Maybe next time.

The blue fire that floated above Rio’s head left flickers of fading flames, disappearing behind him as he takes the lead. Fuma follows behind him, still clinging onto his arm. In Rio’s arms was the giant stuffed cat, bouncing along to the ghost’s steps. As usual, Gamma and Uyu follow from behind, except the thief opted to keep a distance.

“So.”

Gamma turns to him, giving the other as much as his attention while still watching on the two walking ahead of them. The exit of the fair was only a few minutes away, and the energy had died down as people had begun to take the walk home. It was quite late, later than they all thought they would leave at.

“Are you going to bring me home this time too or…?”

A burning sensation makes its way to his face, and Gamma has to turn away for a second to keep his composure in check. He snaps his fingers in his own face, shaking his head as he tries to calm himself. Uyu doesn’t make a sound or react at all, seemingly waiting for an actual response.

“You getting used to it?” Gamma turns back, trying to feign confidence. “I mean~ If you want me to, I can! I’m a gentleman, as you know, so-”

“Alright then.”

An arm hooks around his own. Gamma feels like jumping into the nearest lake.

Before he could even fully comprehend just what was happening, Uyu had rushed towards his side. The white-haired man squeezes his own arm through the space under Gamma’s, locking their arms together. Something tickles in his brain and Gamma begins to believe that he’s malfunctioning. Like he had just bluescreened without realising it.

“U-Uyu?”

“Well, Mr. Gentleman.” Uyu smiles with that soft expression he saw earlier, and now takes a closer look at the other. Hidden under the endearment in Uyu’s eyes, was a spark of something Gamma was all too familiar with…and he feels dread. “Take me home~”

Uyu really was trying to kill him.

!-<>-<>-<>-<>-!

When Fuma and Rio revealed their relationship to the two of them, needless to say, Uyu was relieved. He was happy for them, of course! But the two of them had this back-and-forth going on for a while and it was honestly driving him a little mad. Multiple times, Uyu had to snap his fingers in front of the yokai’s face just to get him to stop staring at the ghost. The same ghost that Uyu had to physically grab by the arm to keep him in place after he noticed that Rio was slowly getting farther and farther away. Floating towards that damn tanuki!

The onslaught of affection these two displayed when the four of them alone was so much better than the painful pining that both him and Gamma had to deal with. Plus it wasn’t like they were always gushing out love-vomit in front of them, Fuma and Rio were responsible with how they handled their displays of affection.

Hugs and contact were fine, cuddles were acceptable, but the kissing had to stay private.

Otherwise Uyu would have to pull out a spray bottle.

Really, the main thing Uyu had taken from watching the two’s relationship grow with time was a strange form of jealousy, a subtle one maybe. Not targeted towards either of the two in particular, but to the idea of a relationship.

Just…not the same one.

Uyu has come to understand that he couldn’t imagine being the same gushy, affectionate, lovey-dovey, glued-to-each-other kind of partner. And though the shorter half always did those things in mostly private, Uyu couldn’t imagine that much for him either.

And maybe that’s why Uyu couldn’t help but feel different about how Gamma had treated him.

“How long have you liked me?”

Uyu knows Gamma is charming. He hears how his mangaka assistants talk about him, and as much as he teases Gamma about it, he can’t help but be inclined to agree. Gamma rode his own wavelength, bright smile, loud voice and all. Within their circle he was incredibly kind, a hand out for any of them when they’d need it…all with that damned toothy grin.

The period the two of them had spent not as a group of four, but just the two of them alone…

The mangaka was so… sweet. 

“...what?”

But not the sugary-sweet that he sees in the other couple, no. It was a subtle sweetness, kind of like dark chocolate. And maybe Uyu was in over his head, taking two steps ahead of his mind instead of rationalising over his decisions like he usually would; He was a phantom thief, he’s spent his life doing heists, every step mattered.

“I said, how long have you liked me?”

But maybe he’d risk slipping just this once.

“You..heard me?”

The scene was all too familiar.

Standing outside his cafe, palm pressed against the door. Inside, the lights near the counter were illuminated, not enough to fill the entire space with light but enough to seep light through the windows. The rest of the city around them was dark, only street lights and what few open shops and stores remained illuminated the dark spots of the road.

He had quickly slid inside to drop the plushies on the table, having temporarily claimed ownership over the stuffed penguin after Gamma had shoved it to him, explaining how he had to clean his room again and there wasn’t any space. When he slid back out just in time to see the other leaving, his mouth moved before his mind could.

Face turned towards him, body turned with the intent to walk away. Hizaki Gamma stared straight at him, the night sky looking from above. In place of that blank, wandering yet observant stare that sat on the man’s face nights ago, was now wide-eyed surprise paired with rosy cheeks.

“...I heard you the first time.” The thief confesses, smiling softly. “In the cafe, with Fuma and Rio.”

“You said-”

“I didn’t say I didn't hear you. I never even mentioned anything about hearing you.” Gamma’s face falls, eyes growing nervous and face turning more red with every second. “I just said that I was there for a while. I was wearing headphones but then your voice got loud and…you can imagine what happened next.”

“How much did you hear!?”

Gamma jogs towards him, the clear panic in his face making Uyu chuckle.

“As much as I could since I heard you mention you liked me.”

“I’m…” Gamma is still wide-eyed, focus drifting off onto anything except Uyu. At this point the mangaka’s face was as red as his hair, maybe even redder. “So that means…When I told you earlier that-”

“I knew.” 

Gamma gawks at him.

“When I heard Fuma and Rio, I knew.” Uyu chuckles, “Also do you really think you’re in any way subtle? Some of the pictures you took of the two were a lot closer than you think- And just because your hair is red doesn’t mean you can’t be spotted in a rose garden.”

“This is a dream isn’t it? None of this is real.” The mangaka mutters to himself, panicking in his voice. Uyu softens a little at the sight, the artist scurrying in place like a confused puppy dog. “I can’t believe you knew, I can’t believe you knew and- You let me embarrass myself in front of you before that stupid firework show!”

“ Excuse me!?” Uyu presses a hand against his chest, reeling back in mock-offence. “You did that yourself, mister!”

“Couldn’t you have stopped me!?”

“Well.” 

The thief thinks back at it, recalling the image of a nervous Gamma standing a few feet away from him. The way the mangaka would dip his head down as he speaks, walking in place and hiding his face with his hair. A rise and fall of softness in his tone as he awkwardly tries to explain the words in his mind.

It was cute.

“It was funny.”

“Funny!? Uyu!”

Gamma throws a weak shove at Uyu’s shoulder, enough to have him take a step back and throw himself against the door in laughter. For once, Uyu doesn’t fight back and lets the mangaka try to rattle him in his hands. The embarrassment was written all over Gamma’s face, so obvious that you could see it like it was a tattoo.

“Sorry- Sorry!”

“You’re not sorry and I know you aren’t!”

“You’re right, I’m not~”

Gamma grows tired at the same time Uyu’s laughter dies, the mangaka’s hands on his shoulders and the thief’s posture lax, back against the door behind him. Sighing deeply, Gamma drops his arms to his sides, letting go of the other.

“Ah, how embarrassing…I can’t believe it.” 

“It’s perfectly okay to have a crush, Gamma.”

“You-!”

Despite the embarrassed blush on Gamma’s face, the mangaka manages to smile. Bright blues staring into pale eyes with an affection, finally surfacing itself for Uyu to see after having been kept hidden. Thinking back to all those stares back then, the strange ones that Uyu couldn’t seem to read…the sudden silence from the other, prompting the appearance of something that wasn’t ready to make itself seen, and instead kept itself hidden with blank wandering blues.

Was that it?

So much of that was pointed at him and he…

Uyu feels that weird feeling once more.

“Hey, Uyu.”

His chest is warm.

“It’s late, yeah?”

And in just those few seconds he spent staring at the other, their dynamic changed once more. Uyu finds himself nervous, piecing things together as the other straightens himself. Gamma stands with that air of confidence that he always wore those past few days they spent alone, and the thief is left to follow curiously.

Except he knows now, doesn’t he?

“I should leave you to go to sleep- I know you’re probably still sick of your bed but…” That manages to get Uyu to huff out a chuckle, “Rest would be pretty good, yeah?”

The mangaka cheekily tucks his hands into his pockets, flashing the other a bright smile before taking a few steps back. It really did all feel like that first night again, except Uyu can see Gamma now. Properly.

“Goodnight, Uyu!”

“Gamma, wait-”

No injured leg to stop him, no clueless watching in confusion as the other stares back at him. Not this time. Uyu reaches out for the other’s arm, grabbing Gamma by the wrist and stopping him from jogging off.

“Hey-!”

“Don’t you want a response?”

That manages to get Gamma to focus on him.

“You said you liked me, I know you like me. Don’t you want to know what I think?”

“I- I mean-” The mangaka croaks out, nervousness in his voice. “I didn’t- I didn’t know if you had one for me. I kinda thought that this was just a…a thing for you so-”

“Gamma, you're one of my closest friends, one of three.”

“I know! It’s just, well-” Gamma shrugs, looking away from Uyu to stare down at where the thief has his hand wrapped around his arm. “I don’t know, I guess? It’s just a thing now. I like you, and well, I didn’t think we’d talk about it any further. I swear it won’t change a thing! You don’t have to feel pressure or anything just-”

“We don’t have to go through that part of the conversation. I know there’s no pressure for me to respond.” Uyu states firmly. This shuts Gamma up, making the mangaka dip his head and mouth fall into a thin line. “But I do have a response and I want to know if you want to hear it or not.”

“Hold on, wow-” Gamma sputters “That quickly? I mean”

“Gamma don’t try to avoid the question.”

“I’m not! It’s just- Look it’s only been a few hours have you really been thinking it through the entire time? I didn’t even know!” Uyu gives him a look, “Look, okay! I had just discovered that I may have feelings for you that even I didn’t realise could have existed for much longer than I knew! And then now- now? You give me the jumpscare of the century!”

“Gamma.”

“And I embarrassed myself twice! In front of Rio and Fuma, and in front of you! While the entire time you knew and just kept staring at me like I was making a fool of myself!” Uyu rolls his eyes as the mangaka keeps going, he tries tugging at the other’s arm to get him to stop but to no avail. “How am I supposed to comprehend everything? I’m gonna need at least a few business days to get over the overload of embarrassment I’m feeling right now!”

“ Gamma.”

“And another thing-”

“Oh for fucks sakes.”

With a harsh pull on the arm, Gamma’s mouth clicks shut as he trips forward, whining in pain but stopping just inches away from Uyu’s face. The mangaka sputters in embarrassment, cheeks growing red. Letting go of the arm, the thief raises his hands to cup the other’s face, keeping Gamma focused on him and shutting him up. Once again, Uyu visualises the image of a confused puppy as he stares into the other’s face.

“Can you shut up? ”

“Yes sir, absolutely shutting up right now.”

Uyu gives him an unamused stare.

“Ehe…sorry?”

“You are…insufferable.” 

With a long sigh, Uyu stares directly at Gamma. The red-head seemed to be just a few more minutes away from completely falling apart like a jenga tower, staring straight at Uyu with expectant yet terrified eyes. Honestly, it was a little amusing, the other had always been a little more jumpier and reactant, loud enough to have Uyu flinching back in surprise…but right now? Uyu can’t help but feel a fondness for the other, chuckling in an endeared tone.

“Gamma, I’ll be honest. I don’t know how I feel about you.”

The mangaka’s eyes pan away, a resigned acceptance. Maybe even an expected one, Uyu thinks.

“But.”

And those blues whip back to stare into his own eyes.

“If…let’s say, you were to ask me to go somewhere with you.” Uyu goes through his words, picking and choosing the message he wants to convict to the other carefully. A small smirk grows on his face as he speaks, “Somewhere alone, just the two of us…with no intention to sneak after anyone else. Then maybe…”

He loosens his hold on Gamma’s face, allowing the mangaka to back himself away from him. Uyu’s hands drop, the attentive look on the other’s face is enough of a sign for him to be reassured that the mangaka won’t suddenly try to escape out of fear. Gamma was listening closely, expression growing more surprised and almost in disbelief. But the glow in his eyes was happy.

“I wouldn’t be opposed.” He ends, “Maybe I’d even be very optimistic about it.”

“Really?” Gamma absolutely lights up, “Wait so- So that’s- You-”

“ I’m saying…” Uyu cuts in, giving the other a pointed look paired with an encouraging smile, “I’m not opposed to testing out the waters.”

Gamma’s gawking at him again, except his mouth is in the shape of a smile and any earlier nervousness or fear in the other’s eyes is replaced by excitement. The bright blue stares at him like electricity, a spark growing more uncontrollable as the words settle in Gamma’s head. There’s still that embarrassed flush on his pale face, yet it’s calmed into a soft pink hue sitting on his cheeks.

“...Okay?” Uyu snaps his fingers in front of Gamma, making the mangaka back up

“Okay! Yeah! Absolutely…wow- okay so- hmm!” 

His face burns with the stretch of a smile.

“Yes! Sure! We will- We will talk about that when I…When- When, yes- When I-”

“I’ll leave the details up to you.” Uyu slowly backs away from the other, who still seems to be processing everything. When Gamma sees this, he awkwardly waves goodbye at the thief, the imaginary tail between his legs wagging in excitement. “Goodnight? Yeah?”

“Goodnight! A really good night!”

Pushing the cafe doors open, he still keeps his attention on the other who in return can’t seem to break eye contact. Gamma falls silent, simply staring at Uyu with a big smile on his face. Reminding him of that night again, where he, nor Gamma as well it seems, truly understood what was going on behind those eyes.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay, Gamma?”

In Gamma’s bright blue eyes, affection surfaces. 

“Yes! Very okay!”

Uyu thinks he’s good at reading Hizaki Gamma.

When the door closes behind him, the first thing he hears is a yell from the other side of the door. One fueled by a mix of relief and happiness, Uyu hears a few people shout back around the street, and covers his hand to muffle his laughter. Left alone in the cafe, not even Jyako is found sitting on the counter waiting for him…Uyu’s walls completely go down as he processes what exactly had happened the entire day.

Hand still pressed over his mouth, he stares unfocused at the floor beneath him as he slowly sinks to the ground. Broken laughter, soft and full of amusement escaping his lips as his face grows warm.

“Ah…so that’s it.”

He feels weird.

So weird.

“Of all people…” He throws his head back, hitting it against the wood of the door. “I’m so fucked.”

On the counter, a few feet away from him. The white roses were sitting in a glass vase, still blooming beautifully despite how many days having passed. He looked up at the flowers, they were well cared for and watched over with love, even after their ownership had turned over to him. The sight of them settles the beating in his chest, leaving him a smiling mess against the door.

“...wow.” He shuts his eyes, and sighs. “I’m never gonna hear the end of it from Jyako.”

When he prepares for bed that night, he squeezes the penguin stuffie for just a few seconds longer than the white bird.

And when he was finally in bed, the two sat together on his vanity table.

!-<>-<>-<>-<>-!

MR: [ ‘Gammaaaaaaa! It’s so sweet I might start crying 😭’ ]

HG: [ ‘GOOD! It means I did it once again >:D!!!!!!!!!’ ]

MR: [ ‘I can’t wait for when it gets released officially! Fuma loved it too <3’ ]

MR: [ ‘He said he never imagined you making such a sweet story!’ ]

MR: [ ‘He honestly thought it was going to be more funny than romantic. Good job!’ ]

HG: [ ‘Am I supposed to feel complimented or insulted!?’ ]

He managed to roughly finish a draft version of an entire chapter.

Deciding on a slice-of-life, kind of an episodic type of story. Gamma was genuinely surprised how much he managed to get done, lying comfortably on his bed after sending the drafts over to some of his assistants and his friends so he could get input on it. So far all he’s gotten is praise and a few recommendations to further improve an already good story.

Even some of his seniors responded to it, getting various praise and comments from most of them. It burned his pride as a mangaka, leaving him satisfied after a job-well-done! Of course it was far from officially finished, there were still a lot of things to process before he made it into anything worth publishing but, he’s optimistic!

He’s managed to make so much progress and it’s only been a little over two months. Considering plot changes and rewriting and storyboarding…things have been going smoothly.

Career-wise and in his personal life, too.

Things have changed, a little bit.

Tap tap tap.

A tapping noise echoes through his bedroom, making him sit up and turn to the window. From where he sat, he could see a head peeking in from the sides; White hair blowing in the breeze and in view of what he could see. He rolls off his bed, jogging to the window and sliding it open. A big grin plastered on his face as he saw who’s waiting for him on the other side.

“Welcome to my humble abode~” Taking the other’s hand, Gamma slowly backs away as he lets Uyu step inside. The window left open and a chill breeze blowing past them, it seemed like the colder season was fast approaching. “Hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Give me a minute.”

Without another word, Uyu flops himself down on Gamma’s bed, sighing into the mattress.

Gamma stares, wide-eyed.

“Are you good?”

“Could be better!” Uyu flips over, sitting up with an exasperated look. “Had to deal with a bunch of nagging customers all day, I feel like I’m bordering on a migraine.”

“Yeah those can really get on your nerves” Gamma comments, “You get a few of those in the underground scene, especially in the club. G-pen’s gone rabid at a few of them who couldn’t keep their drunkasses to themselves.”

“G-pen deserves to go rabid sometimes.” Uyu pinches the bridge of his nose, “Cheer me up will you? Give me some good news or something.”

“What perfect timing then!”

Taking an empty spot next to Uyu, Gamma wraps an arm around the other to draw him closer. It surprises the thief for a second, pale eyes growing wide as the other tries to fiddle him around. Pulling out his phone, he shows the array of messages he had gotten over the past few hours.

“Looks like the new series is good to go~”

From the corner of his eye, he sees a smile on the other’s face.

“Ah you shared it? I haven't read it yet.” Uyu mutters, “I was too busy with the cafe…”

“It’s fine! You can read it any time~ Plus you’ve seen most of it earlier than the others anyway. It’s the special privilege you get for choosing to afford the Hizaki Gamma package.”

“Mm aren’t the benefits supposed to outweigh the costs though?”

Playfully, Uyu bumps into him with his shoulder, their heads lightly hitting each other. Close contact was a weird one for the two of them at the start, having used to being near each other while keeping a distance. Gamma could never imagine having Uyu’s head literally pressed next to his a month ago.

“It looks good though” Uyu comments, fingers scrolling through the images as Gamma holds the phone. “Looks like all that inspiration hunting finally did work out.”

“Hey~” The thief chuckles, shying away after spitting out the tease. Gamma throws a look of mock-offence at him, that doesn’t last more than a few seconds before a wide smile appears in its place. “Attempt at stalking aside! I think I really did find my inspiration. You can tell its really good inspiration too, if all the good comments don’t tell you that itself.”

“Gee, I wonder what it could be.”

Gamma lets go of the other, but the two of them continue leaning on each other as Gamma rambles on about the new series. From the corner of his eyes he can see the fatigue in Uyu’s eyes fade away as he relaxes against the mangaka.

This was…the most progress they’ve made.

One thing that’s different now is that he and Uyu have a thing. It’s the only way Gamma could name it right now, nothing really official between them had been agreed upon. The first date was awkward as hell, and with the ones that followed, it became increasingly clear that neither of them knew how this was going to go.

Surprisingly they’re still going.

That was enough of a sign for Gamma that this would be their thing, for a while.

No kisses just yet, neither of them seeming ready at all for it. The first time either of them tried to even press their lips against the other cheek, both of them reeled back completely unsure of how to feel about it. They didn’t hate it, no, but it just wasn’t something they had expected from each other. For now, at least.

Though holding hands seemed to be a hit or miss too, they’ve managed to find a compromise in ever so often locking their pinky fingers together. Under a table or when the two of them happened to be standing side by side, their hands would brush together and before they knew it they’d fumble their pinkies together in a loose lock.

Funniest part is how neither Fuma or Rio have caught on yet.

And neither of them plan to let them know, because they can tell that the two were suspicious. Staring at them with a ‘will-they-won't-they’ thought process visible in their eyes. Both Gamma and Uyu had agreed that it’s a fair trade for all the pining they had to deal with from the shorter couple.

“You wanna eat out?”

Uyu nods against him, tapping on the other’s thighs. Gamma tucks the phone in his pocket, and the thief starts inching away. Stretching his arms and legs out, the mangaka lets out a long groan, curling his toes in and out to wake his lower half up. Uyu crawls over him, trying to get to the side closest to the door.

And Gamma? Acts completely on impulse.

“Uyupi~”

“What-”

Ah this one is familiar, alright.

Grabbing Uyu by the hips, Gamma smiles up at the other as an unamused phantom thief promptly sits on his lap. Staring down at him with the sharpest glare he’s ever seen, yet Gamma has long passed the stage of being in absolute terror of the other’s glare…just slight terror! A decent amount of terror!

The thief huffs, crossing his arms.

“Ah I see…You’re a pervert now.”

Gamma sticks out his tongue at him.

“You’re getting too brave, Hizaki.” He pokes Gamma’s nose, the cheerful expression on the other’s face all the same. “Keep it up and you might actually get me to kiss you.”

“Yeah, like that’s gonna happen-”

Gamma freezes up completely the minute he feels soft lips press against his forehead, his smiling face frozen with wide-eyed shock. Slowly, his smile falls and his brain lags behind, trying to process what was happening. Above him, Uyu stares down at him with a smug look on his face.

They stare at each other, completely silent for what felt like hours but was actually just seconds.

Before Uyu’s face scrunches in disgust.

“Why did I do that? Okay.” The thief pushes Gamma’s hands off and scrambles off the bed and the mangaka. “Okay, yeah, that is- Still not there yet.”

“Definitely not there yet.” The mangaka responds, expression still bewildered “If we ever get far enough for that I’d like to not feel like a blue screened computer every time.”

“Yeah, no. That surprised me too…I’m going to-” Uyu avoids any eye contact with Gamma, hiding his face in his hair as he awkwardly struts his way to the door. “I’m gonna use the bathroom-”

“Go ahead-”

On the other side of the door, a red penguin is revealed to be standing. Uyu and Gamma freeze at the sight of the bird. The penguin stands there, menacingly, eyes squinted as it glares sharply at both the people standing in the bedroom. Uyu tosses a look at Gamma, and the mangaka shrugs.

The penguin sighs, rolls its eyes, and waddles away.

Uyu stares at where it stood, eyes wide and brows raised, mouth drawn into an awkward thin line. Gamma blinks, once, twice, smacking his lips together to fill the silence. He opens his mouth to speak, uttering a word that times perfectly with Uyu’s

“What?”

When Gamma makes his way out the building, Uyu would be ahead of him. Looking up at the sky, the chill afternoon began to take off; A bright orange sky stood above them, the sun slowly bidding it's goodbye to them over the horizon, rays of sunset shining against their faces. The thief would be looking up at all of it, smiling a soft smile that Gamma could only notice the closer he got to the other, slowing his steps to properly take in Uyu.

He stops, just a foot or two away from the other, and smiles. Burning the image in his mind, saving it for a session alone with his sketchbook later.

“Gamma? Let’s go?”

“Yeah, I'm starving man.”

Speaking of the sketchbook, it sits neatly on his desk next to his drawing tablet. No longer used as his canvas to test out sketches for his new series for, no. It stayed in the vault where he’d scribble away all the inspired thoughts onto, opening it to go through the pages whenever the motivating flame dies a little. Hidden in the pages of that sketchbook was doodles of himself, his friends, and some characters he’d come up with. Progressing through the pages would result in less and less random sketches, unfinished sketches and more completed ones. 

As of a little over two months ago, a certain person has been recurring in many of these pages. 

Gamma’s been feeling very inspired lately, how could he not?

His inspiration was standing right there.

“That’s Rio’s flame over there, right?”

“Oh how the tables have turned.”