Chapter Text
Shidou looks up.
His expression changes immediately.
Sae.
Standing across the street.
Neither of them moves. For several seconds, they just stare at each other. Sae looks depressed. More depressing than Shidou remembers. His hair is messy. His face is pale. His eye bags are rough. Shidou stands.
“Why are you here?”
Sae doesn't answer immediately.
“I was looking for you.”
Shidou laughs.
“Why?”
Sae's eyes lower.
“Because I was worried..”
“Don't be.”
“I mean it.”
“Don't fucking do that.”
Sae looks at him.
“Do what?”
“Act like you care now.”
The words come out sharper than Shidou intended.
“I never stopped.”
Shidou goes quiet. Sae crosses the street.
He stops a few feet away.
“You were locked off?”
“Yeah.”
“You have somewhere to stay?”
Shidou looks away.
He really just might be the same.
“I'm fine.”
“That wasn't my question.”
Shidou says-
“No.”
Sae's expression changes.
“You don't have anywhere?”
“No.”
Then Sae says:
“Come home.”
Shidou's head snaps as he looks back a Sae.
“What did you say?”
“Come home.”
Shidou stares.
“You kicked me out.”
“I know.”
“You told me I was just a striker.”
“You said you regretted letting me get close...”
Sae's voice is quiet.
“I lied.”
Sae takes a breath.
“I lied about all of it.”
The street suddenly feels too quiet.
“Why?”
Sae's eyes meet his.
“Because I was scared.”
Shidou's expression breaks.
“Scared of what?”
“Losing you.”
“You did a great job of preventing that.”
“I know.”
Sae looks at the ground.
“I thought if I pushed you away first, it wouldn't hurt when you left me.”
“That doesn't even make sense.”
“I know.”
“You're a dumbass.”
“I know.”
“You're a fucking asshole.”
“I am.”
Tears run down Shidou's face, still nothing is stopping him.
“And I hated you.”
Sae doesn't look away.
“I know.”
“I hated you for making me think that I wasn't enough.”
Sae's expression tightens.
“You were more than enough.”
“Then why?”
“Because I didn't think I was.”
Shidou's throat constricts.
“I thought you deserved someone better than me.”
Shidou shakes his head.
“Don't decide that for me.”
“I know.”
“No. You don't.”
Shidou steps closer.
“You don't get to decide what I deserve.”
Sae looks at him.
“You don't get to decide whether I stay.”
His voice is breaking.
“And you don't get to tell me I don't love you just because you're scared of what happens if I do.”
Sae's eyes widen.
“I loved you. And I will continue to love you..”
Sae's breathing catches.
Shidou wipes his face quickly, annoyed at himself.
“So there.”
Sae doesn't speak.
Shidou looks back at him.
“Your turn.”
Sae's lips part.
Nothing comes out.
Then, quietly
“I love you.”
Shidou closes his eyes.
Sae continues.
“I love you more than I know what to do with.”
Shidou laughs through the tears.
“That's the worst confession I've ever heard Sae.”
“I know-”
“But…”
Shidou looks at him.
“It's the one I wanted.”
Neither of them moves. Then Shidou steps forward. Sae doesn't back away. They stand there for a moment, forehead against forehead, neither saying anything. They don't need to. Eventually Shidou pulls back.
“So…”
Sae looks at him.
“Where am I sleeping?”
Sae almost smiles.
“My apartment.”
Shidou raises an eyebrow.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“You're not gonna kick me out again?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
Sae looks directly at him.
“I promise.”
Shidou picks up his bag.
“Then let's go.”
They start walking. Together.
He drops his bag by the door. Sae watches him. Shidou looks around.
“Feels weird.”
“What does?”
“Being back.”
Sae doesn't answer. Shidou walks toward the couch. Then stops.
“Wait.”
He turns around.
“You actually want me here?”
Sae looks at him.
“Yes.”
“Not because you feel bad for me?”
“No.”
“Not because I don't have anywhere else to go?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Sae takes a step toward him.
“Because this is where you belong.”
Shidou stares at him with a surprised face.
“AWWWW THAT'S DISGUSTINGLY SWEET PRETTY BOY~”
“I regret saying it.”
“Too late.”
Shidou grabs Sae's hand. Sae looks down at their hands. Then back at him. Neither lets go.
For the first time in weeks, the apartment doesn't feel empty. It's fuller than ever