Chapter Text
🖤
The gentle chimes of the café door alert Hokuto to Juri’s arrival. He looks up from his coffee, his stomach doing an odd little flip at seeing Juri again after so long.
“Hey,” Juri greets him simply as he sheds his jacket and takes a seat across from Hokuto.
“Hello,” Hokuto returns calmly. Inside, his nerves are buzzing, but he maintains his usual composure.
Juri orders an espresso from the server before glancing back at Hokuto. “Thanks for agreeing to meet,” he says somewhat awkwardly.
Hokuto nods.
An uncomfortable silence falls as they wait for Juri’s drink to arrive. Hokuto’s eyes scan the cozy interior, taking in the charming woods and brass accents. Anything to avoid meeting Juri’s gaze and exposing the tremors in his composure.
Juri clears his throat as his espresso arrives. “So … you’ve been quiet on social media since the wedding. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, just keeping busy with work.” Hokuto gazes down at his coffee. “And … Taiga overheard our conversation at the wedding. We, uh, haven’t spoken since.”
Juri winces. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean for things to get awkward between you two.”
Hokuto sighs softly. “It’s not your fault. I dated Taiga hoping to stir your jealousy, if I’m being honest. But along the way …”
He trails off, remembering hazy moments dancing under golden lights, the way Taiga’s shy smile made his heart feel too big for his chest. Things he’s only just begun to acknowledge himself.
Juri is watching him quietly, the set of his mouth grim yet understanding. “You developed genuine feelings for him.”
Hokuto nods once. “I did. I realize now I should have been upfront about that from the start, with both of you.”
“I appreciate you being honest now,” Juri murmurs. He toys with his coffee cup, averting his gaze. “I know I hurt you when we broke up, and I’ll regret that forever. All I wanted was to fix things between us.”
“I know.” Hokuto exhales softly. “And part of me still cares for you deeply. But I can’t deny my heart anymore. It wants Taiga.”
Juri nods, sadness etched into his features. Yet beneath it lies a glimmer of acceptance. “I understand. For what it’s worth, I hope you two work things out.”
Hokuto smiles faintly. “Thank you.”
Their conversation lapses into a comfortable silence as Juri finishes his coffee. The easy truce between them feels bittersweet yet relieving.
Hokuto is grateful for the closure.
After finishing their drinks and paying the bill, they step out of the cozy café. From his peripheral vision, Hokuto notices Taiga movement behind the menu board outside the establishment.
However, Juri clears his throat, and Hokuto turns his attention back to him.
“I hope we can continue rebuilding our friendship,” Juri says. “There’s still a bond between us worth preserving.” When Hokuto doesn't respond right away, processing the bittersweet emotions, Juri tilts Hokuto’s chin up gently with his fingers. “Thank you for hearing me out.”
Before Hokuto can reply, a loud clattering sounds from outside.
Hokuto jumps and looks over, his wide eyes locking with Taiga’s equally wide ones. He can see the emotions in Taiga’s eyes — humiliation from being found eavesdropping, the hurt.
Then, Taiga is already turning away, fleeing down the street at a near run.
“Taiga, wait!” Hokuto calls out instinctively, forcing the door of the café open, taking off after him without a second thought. He needs to explain, to make Taiga understand it isn’t what it seems.
But Taiga moves swiftly, rounding the corner and disappearing into the crowds before Hokuto can catch up. He curses under his breath, frantically pulling out his phone to message Taiga. Only then does he realize Taiga has left his phone behind in his distress.
Dejected, Hokuto sighs and turns back to pick up the abandoned phone. Stuffing it in his bag, he turns and begins jogging in the direction Taiga had fled.
Finally, he arrives at the apartment building. Hokuto’s nerves alight with equal parts anxiety and determination as he strides to Taiga’s front door. He rings the doorbell, and while he doesn’t get a response, he hears sobbing from inside.
“Taiga, please let me explain,” Hokuto calls gently.
No response.
“I have your phone. Can I at least give it back to you? But I would really appreciate it if you can hear me out.”
Silence. Then, with a quiet snick, the lock turns and the door opens a crack. Taiga peeks out, his expression guarded yet exhausted.
Hokuto holds up the phone in offering. “I thought you might need this.” As Taiga takes it without meeting his eyes, Hokuto continues. “Please, five minutes of your time. If you still want me to leave after, I’ll go.”
Taiga’s lips press into a thin line, but he steps aside wordlessly. Hokuto enters, noting the worn appearance of Taiga’s living room. Clearly, the past two weeks have been hard on him, too.
They sit on opposite sides of the couch, waiting for the other to speak first. Hokuto decides to break the tense silence. “What you saw at the café earlier … it wasn’t real. Juri and I were just chatting, and we sought closure. We’ll just be friends.”
Taiga’s eyes widen. “I thought … you wanted him back,” he says quietly, his thumb rubbing idle circles on his phone case. Surprise crosses his features. “I thought that’s what you wanted this whole time with our fake relationship.”
Hokuto nods, keeping his movements gentle and unthreatening. “At first, yes. But along the way … spending time with you opened my eyes. I realized the one I cared for most was you.”
Taiga swallows, avoiding Hokuto’s earnest gaze. “So you just used me.”
“No.” Hokuto shakes his head firmly. “What started as acting became so much more to me. These past five months, I fell for you, Taiga.”
Taiga gives a watery laugh. “Funny way of showing it after the wedding, not even stopping me when I said we should end things.”
Hokuto frowns pensively. “You’re right, I made mistakes. I should have been upfront from the start that my feelings changed. But I’m trying to make it right now—if you’ll let me.” He reaches tentatively for Taiga’s hand.
Taiga pulls away at first but then relents, sighing as their fingers interlock. His eyes shine with unshed tears. “It hurt so much thinking you didn’t care beyond our fake dating contract.”
Hokuto’s heart clenches remorsefully. “I never meant to hurt you. If there’s any way I can make it up to you …”
A beat passes where they simply sit absorbing each other’s warmth. Hokuto notes the flush bloom across Taiga’s cheeks and knows his face wears a matching blush.
Taiga’s lips curve upwards shyly. “Kiss me,” he whispers, so softly Hokuto wonders if he imagined it. But the hopeful fragility in Taiga’s eyes confirms his request.
Hokuto cups Taiga’s cheek, leaning in close enough to feel Taiga’s quickening breath. “Are you sure?” he murmurs.
At Taiga’s eager nod, Hokuto closes the final distance between them.
When their lips meet, the whole world seems to exhale in relief. Kissing Taiga — their first real kiss — feels like coming home — like surfacing after being submerged in darkness. Their mouths glide together naturally, full of promise untainted by pretense.
Hokuto pours every ounce of remorse, devotion, and affection into the kiss, showing Taiga without words how profoundly he’s come to care. Taiga’s arms circle his neck, holding Hokuto close as if to undo the two weeks they’ve lost.
Reluctantly, they part, panting lightly. Taiga’s eyes remain shut as Hokuto rests their foreheads together. “I never want to lose you again,” Hokuto whispers fiercely.
“You won’t,” Taiga vows. His glistening lashes flutter open, a shy smile tugging at his blush-stained lips. He reaches to tug his tear-stained glasses off. “You really meant what you said?”
“I really do,” Hokuto promises lowly, his returning grin feeling watery as he holds Taiga’s shining gaze.
A watery smile breaks across Taiga’s features. “Then all I’ve wanted is for you to be mine, too,” he confesses in a rush, launching himself into Hokuto’s waiting embrace.
Hokuto holds Taiga close, his racing heart feeling fit to burst. Lacing his fingers gingerly through Taiga’s soft hair, he tilts Taiga’s chin up, meeting their lips once more in a delicate kiss.
Through the open window, birdsong drifts on the breeze and sunlight washes over them in a golden glow. A sense of calm and rightness settles in Hokuto’s soul, with Taiga safe and willing in his arms at last.
🩷
Taiga wakes to the feeling of strong arms wrapped securely around him, breath tickling the back of his neck. For a blissful moment between sleep and full wakefulness, he allows himself to melt into the embrace.
Then yesterday comes crashing back.
Seeing Hokuto with Juri outside the café. The pain, the humiliating phone drop, fleeing the scene in tears.
How is Hokuto here with him now?
Taiga inhales sharply and tries to shift, to look behind him and confirm this is somehow real and not just wishful dreaming.
The arms tighten in response, a muffled groan of protest escaping the man curled around him. Hokuto. Taiga feels dizzy at the confirmation, each breath coming fast and shallow. Carefully, he manages to turn himself around to face Hokuto without waking him.
Hokuto looks beautifully peaceful in sleep, lashes dark against his cheeks, lips parted just so. Taiga aches to touch him, to trace the elegant features he has memorized like a favorite work of art. But he doesn’t dare move, terrified to shatter this fragile moment.
So Taiga lies still and watches Hokuto sleep, senses flooded with his presence. The minty scent of Hokuto’s body wash, the warmth of his skin beneath the sheets, the steady rhythm of his breathing. Overwhelming evidence that somehow, impossibly, Hokuto is here with him.
Eventually Hokuto stirs, eyes blinking open slowly. They widen when they meet Taiga’s stunned gaze in return.
“Hey,” Hokuto rasps, voice still slurred with sleep. He smiles, soft and private.
“Hey,” Taiga whispers back, uncomprehending.
Hokuto props himself up on one elbow. Taiga expects that Hokuto would get up, realize this is a mistake, then leave. But instead, Hokuto simply leans in and kisses him sweetly.
“Good morning.”
The press of Hokuto’s lips is tender and unhurried. Taiga makes a small sound, still not fully processing this surreal turn of events. But he kisses back instinctively, the slide of Hokuto’s mouth against his own chasing away all questions for now.
When they gently break apart, Taiga stares up at Hokuto hovering above him. “So … not a dream then?” he asks weakly.
Hokuto huffs a laugh, rolling them until Taiga is settled atop his chest. “No, not a dream.” His thumb brushes Taiga’s cheek gingerly and smiles up at him, nothing but open adoration in his gaze. “You, Kyomoto Taiga. I’m in love with you.”
Taiga’s breath leaves him in a rush. The words he has longed to hear but never imagined possible. Overcome, he has to blink back tears.
Taiga clings to him just as tightly, face buried in Hokuto’s shoulder. “I believe you,” he whispers. “And I’m in love with you too. So much it terrifies me.”
A relieved sound escapes Hokuto, and he tilts Taiga’s face up to meet his lips again. The kiss starts soft but soon ignites, all their shared longing and passion blazing freely now that the misunderstandings have lifted.
When Taiga’s stomach rumbles audibly, effectively ruining the mood, they collapse into breathless giggles.
“Guess I’d better feed you,” Hokuto teases. He presses a smacking kiss to Taiga’s cheek before gracefully rising from the bed.
Taiga watches him head toward the bedroom door, heart so full it feels fit to burst. Hokuto pauses in the doorway, looking back with a soft smile that steals Taiga’s breath all over again.
“Come on. I’m making omurice.”
Taiga floats through freshening up and dressing for the day, unable to stop smiling. The cozy domesticity feels natural as they work side by side prepping ingredients in the kitchen — Hokuto whisking eggs as Taiga chops green onions, lips meeting periodically in sweet, unhurried kisses.
Once the omurice is assembled, they settle across from each other at the small dining table. Hokuto insists on taking some pictures first to commemorate their first official breakfast together. Taiga just laughs and happily complies.
Despite the romantic start to the day, their conversation over the meal remains easy and familiar. Hokuto recounts a bridal makeover gone wrong, while Taiga laments about a celebrity divorce case keeping him late at the office. Through it all, their ankles stay linked together beneath the table.
After eating, Taiga washes up the dishes as Hokuto presses up behind him, arms circling his waist. Soft lips find the sensitive spot beneath Taiga’s ear. He shivers, nearly dropping the soapy plate in his hands.
“What do you think about a proper first date today?” Hokuto murmurs against his skin. “I believe we have a lot to celebrate.”
Taiga’s pulse leaps at the thought of stepping out into the world together, hand in hand, with no need for pretenses between them. “I’d love that. Anywhere you want to take me.”
“Mm, anywhere you want,” Hokuto counters, nuzzling into his hair.
Taiga pretends to consider, tapping the dish towel to his chin in exaggerated thought. “Well, there’s a new art exhibit at the museum I’ve been wanting to see …”
“Your wish is my command.” Hokuto nips his ear playfully. “But first, since we have nowhere to be quite yet … how about I finally get to appreciate having you all to myself now?”
His arms tighten possessively around Taiga, tone dropping an octave. The combination goes straight to Taiga’s core, and he lets Hokuto maneuver them to the living room couch without resistance.
They tumble onto the cushions, mouths meeting again heatedly. Hokuto blankets Taiga’s body with his own, hands roaming.
Taiga sighs into Hokuto’s mouth, the rest of the world fading away. He could spend forever here, trading languid kisses and whispered affections.
After weeks of pining, the bliss of having Hokuto in his arms like this leaves Taiga dizzy with euphoria. No more pretending or miscommunication. This connection between them now is real and tangible.
Later, Taiga will call the museum to verify hours and make dinner reservations somewhere fitting for a special celebration. For now, he loses himself blissfully in Hokuto’s passionate embrace, basking in the glow of a love story that is just beginning.
🖤
The glow of the laptop screen casts a soft light across Hokuto’s face as he finishes the Instagram live broadcast. Beside him, Alice shuts off the camera while Daigo lowers the teleprompter he was holding.
“Great job on the sponsorship announcement,” Alice says. “Very smooth delivery.”
Hokuto smiles, adrenaline still buzzing pleasantly from being “on” for his audience. “Thanks, I’m glad it went well.”
From where he’s seated on the sofa, Taiga looks up and gives Hokuto an approving nod, eyes warm behind his glasses. Hokuto’s chest fills with quiet contentment. Having Taiga here for support, even off-camera, means everything.
Things have changed so much since the early days of their pretend relationship contract. Back then, Hokuto insisted Taiga be prominently featured across his social media to sell their act. Now, with their connection being real, Hokuto doesn’t need the constant public displays. Taiga’s companionship is enough.
“Dinner, gentlemen?” Daigo calls from the kitchen area. He and Alice have laid out an assortment of Hokuto’s favorite foods in celebration.
The four of them gather around the small dining table, chatting casually as they eat. Naturally, the conversation loops back to Hokuto’s work.
“That athleisure campaign is going to take us to the next level,” Alice says enthusiastically between bites of salad.
Daigo nods. “Agreed. If we keep up this momentum, we’ll need to hire some junior consultants soon.”
Taiga smiles at Hokuto from across the table. “You’re going to need an in-house legal advisor pretty soon too.”
They all chuckle. Hokuto feels his chest swell with pride and gratitude. He’s worked hard over the years to build this business, but having his closest friends alongside him every step of the way makes success that much sweeter.
After dinner, Daigo and Alice tidy up while bantering back and forth good-naturedly. Their steadfast support means everything to Hokuto. Friends like them are invaluable treasures, he muses fondly.
Once they’ve left for the evening, Hokuto settles comfortably on the sofa beside Taiga. Having his boyfriend here so naturally already feels right, even after only six months of officially dating. Hokuto wants Taiga by his side like this always.
As if reading his mind, Taiga looks over. “Have you thought about getting a place together?”
Hokuto blinks in surprise, pulse quickening. “I have actually. But my apartment is basically my office too.” He rubs his neck sheepishly. “Probably not ideal for cohabitating.”
“We could get a two bedroom,” Taiga suggests. “One for work, one for us.”
Hokuto’s heart swells, touched and thrilled that Taiga is on the same page about progressing their relationship. “That sounds perfect. But fair warning, I can get distracted with work sometimes,” Hokuto says self-deprecatingly. “Thankfully I’m very tidy and a decent cook.”
Taiga smiles, squeezing Hokuto’s hand. “You know I don’t mind doing chores. My cooking skills are pretty basic though.”
“We’ll learn together then,” Hokuto says softly. Just picturing a life shared with Taiga leaves him dizzy with happiness.
Later, Hokuto settles into his nightly routine, savoring the domesticity of having Taiga here with him. They stand side-by-side at the bathroom sink, brushing their teeth and playfully bumping hips. Hokuto moves through his skincare regimen while Taiga curls up on the bed with a book, a comforting scene they’ve repeated many nights now. Hokuto doesn't think he’ll ever tire of it.
As he finishes journaling the day’s events, Hokuto can’t help but picture a future of nights like this together, in a place they share.
As they curl up in Hokuto's bed for the night, Taiga nuzzles against his shoulder. “We should do an official cohabitation contract,” he teases. “You know, for old time’s sake.”
Hokuto chuckles, pressing a kiss to Taiga’s hair. “Whatever my lawyer boyfriend wants. Though I’d sign anything just to wake up next to you each day.”
Taiga tilts his face up, meeting Hokuto in a sweet kiss. When they part, eyes shining with tenderness, Hokuto knows Taiga feels the same way.
As Hokuto switches off the light and pulls Taiga close, he sends up a silent prayer of gratitude. Through twists and turns, they found their way here together.
And Hokuto falls asleep dreaming of their future, always by each other’s side.