Chapter Text
You were sent out on a mission with Hotarubi and after several tedious days of investigating, you longed for another day off. Your return to DarkWick was uneventful as you came back with the case solved and the standard paperwork to follow. The galaxy express arrived on campus in the evening and after going to the rainy gardens with the Hotarubi trio to finish the report, you wanted nothing more than to sleep in your own bed.
Finally arriving to your dorm, you were surprised to see a bouquet of flowers on the steps of the cathedral. Baby’s breath and white jasmine surrounded perfect baby blue morning glories and forget-me-nots. Your face burned hot and you curiously picked the bouquet up. The flowers were fresh, the smell of jasmine flooding your senses. You inspected the arrangement for any kind of note and found a small envelope tucked into the silver ribbon that wrapped the bouquet, sealed with blue wax and a familiar insignia. Carefully opening it with shaking hands, you unfold the note inside.
‘My dearest and favorite honor student,
Welcome back from your mission. I hope these flowers find you well and that they remain as pristine as when I selected them. I would like to speak with you as soon as you receive these. Meet me on the scenic route.
Yours Truly,
Tohma Ishibashi’
Your head felt light as your heart thrummed through your chest. You must be dreaming or else this was some kind of prank right? It was a very elaborate one if they were able to copy Tohmas writing exactly and somehow have the same wax seal as he did. This couldn’t possibly be happening. You take no time to stop and think or even go inside to set your things down, cradling the bouquet under your arm and hurrying to the hidden trail you had walked with Tohma now several nights ago. You turn the corner hoping you remembered the route and as you did, you saw Tohma standing there with his back to you. You approached him and he turned as he heard your footsteps.
“I’m glad you got the flowers. How was the mission?”
You stare at him confused.
“Um, it was good we solved the issue but what did you want to talk about and why the flowers?”
He stepped closer and reaches out to grab your hand, you gave it willingly. You were trembling a bit and he gave your hand that same reassuring squeeze.
“You’re shaking. Everything’s okay I promise there’s no need to worry,” you nod, unable to speak honestly unsure if you were dreaming or awake, “I’ve been thinking about things. The rumors about us. I never really stopped to think about the significance of our connection, especially not in that way, but when you told me what people were saying it gave me something to think about.”
“I realized that the reason I work so much was because I was running,” he continued, “running from how I truly felt and in turn, myself. Your friendship means so much to me, more than I could ever express. Regardless of any hesitation I had about letting someone close to me, I know and have known for a while now that I want this to be more than a friendship. I want to be yours.”
You squeezed tightly on Tohmas hand to steady yourself as you stood at a loss for words. His eyes searched your face for any hesitation or rejection only to be met with a softness he had grown familiar to. He smiles fondly. You stare at him in shock which melted to relief. Finally, you nodded enthusiastically and your smile beamed at him, as radiant as the sun.
“I wanna be with you too,” you pull him in for a hug, careful to not crush the bouquet, “I went through the same process with all my realizations but I never thought you’d feel the same” you laugh into his shoulder.
He holds you tightly, finally feeling the last wall crumble. His heart was wholly in your hands and for once he didn’t feel fear, just relief.
“I don’t think it’d possible for me not to” he says smiling into your hair, his hand coming to rest at the back of your head.
“Jin’s gonna hate me” you laugh.
“Tsk no he won’t. I know you two get into it often but he’s more forgiving and reasonable than you know. Besides, it wouldn’t stop me anyway and he knows it.”
Pulling slightly away from the hug you look at Tohma again, the twilight sky casting shadows from the greenery surrounding you across his face, his eyes glittering softly as the last golden bits of sunlight seemed to highlight them. His hand cups your face as he traces his thumb across your cheek. You lean into his touch as he pulls you close. Closing your eyes, his lips meet yours and you let out a small surprised noise. The kiss was soft and sweet, lasting only a moment before Tohma pulled away shyly.
“Too soon?”
You shake your head no.
“Honestly, not soon enough.”
You kiss him again, a bit more intensely unable to contain your excitement. Tohma laughs into the kiss which seemed to reverberate through you like a breath of fresh air and you pulled away with a dramatic loud smack.
“Let’s get you home, I’m sure you’re tired”
“Not after this are you kidding?! I’m gonna be up all night from the adrenaline now!”
He chuckles softly, taking your hand once more, interlacing your fingers this time.
“Well I suppose we could have one of our nighttime walks then. Shall we?”
Smiling at Tohma you nod and the two of you walk deeper into the trail. Even if you were on campus, and even if there were hurdles ahead of you to navigate, none of it mattered. It felt as if you were the only two people in the world and reveled in the refuge you took in one another.