Chapter Text
Yuri was leaning against the stonewall of the C-building, waiting. The sun was high in the sky, still warming the students milling around the campus even though they were approaching October. The other students were probably leaving lectures just like Yuri just had, heading home or to lunch. The atmosphere was light, and not at all as hectic as it has been around initiation week, when it had been a giant party wherever you looked. Yuri was glad for the less chaotic environment. It was really too fucking much after a while. He had participated in some of the events and made some friends in his new program. Still, he had someone he’d rather spend time with than to get hammered and humiliated at some initiation game. Someone he had been waiting his entire life to spend physical time with. Initiation really meant nothing, when you could be kissing your soulmate instead.
Yuri’s gaze shifted from the crowds to the entrance of the house opposite to where he was standing, and then pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the time. It was fifteen minutes after he and Kenjirou had decided to meet, and now Yuri was growing worried. Kenjirou was not one to be late. Since they had started physically seeing each other he had not been late once. Even before then, Yuri couldn’t even remember Kenjirou mentioning being late to class or anything really.
Something was up.
Yuri let out a sigh, wondering if he should step over the small distance between the buildings and go into the L-house, only to see if he could find him. That might be a bit excessive however, so instead Yuri used their primary communication method when being apart.
Kenji , Yuri called through the soulmate bond, biting into his cheek as he waited for a reply. He started tapping his foot restlessly when none came. Kenji, where are you?
Yuri was growing really worried now. This was really odd. They had been talking earlier, when Kenjirou had a leg stretcher during his lecture and Yuri wasn’t paying attention in his. They had confirmed lunch plans, and since then it had been quiet.
Fuck this, Yuri thought - not to Kenjirou - and pushed off the wall and walked with sure steps towards the building. He had never been inside there before, his own lectures mainly held on the other side of campus in the F-building, but that didn’t matter. Yuri needed to know what was going on. If anyone was being even slightly rude to Kenjirou, he would headbutt them.
Yuri made it about halfway to the building, when the door was pushed open in a rush by a familiar face, hurrying down the stairs. Yuri paused, his frown deepening as he saw Kenjirou’s face turned towards the ground.
Fuck.
Not good.
“Hey!” he called, a little too sharply. Kenjirou flinched, and Yuri let out an internal groan. Why was he such a mess? He clearly saw Kenjirou was upset, couldn’t he at least try to not be an ass? Sorry, he thought instead, walking slowly forward towards Kenjirou to meet him. I got worried .
Kenjirou didn’t answer, only steered himself directly towards Yuri. There he stopped, his face still downcast. Yuri shuffled in place, his hands tingling. He wanted to reach out and pull him close, but he wasn’t sure he should. He had comforted Kenjirou countless times, but then they hadn’t been standing like this. Did he even want hugs when he was sad?
“You okay?” he asked, and Kenjirou sighed and nodded, looking up to meet Yuri’s gaze. His eyes were filled with tears that had yet to spil, and Yuri’s eyes went wide at the sight. “Kenji, what the fuck happened?” he asked, too sharp again. Kenjirou didn’t flinch this time however, only shook his head while still keeping Yuri’s gaze.
Can we just leave?
He asked, and Yuri nodded, tentatively reaching his hand out. Kenjirou took it instantly to lace their fingers together and Yuri felt relieved by it. It felt good to touch him, to know he was here now at least.
Where do you want to go?
Yuri asked, starting to walk them towards where the motorcycle was parked. He was glad he had brought an extra helmet when driving down. He and Kenjirou hadn’t made plans beyond meeting for lunch, but Yuri had secretly hoped to hang out more. He was really enjoying them spending time together like this. He just didn’t want to scare Kejirou away by being fucking ovebearing. Now the foresight with the helmet was good though, because regardless where Kenjirou wanted to go, Yuri could have them there quicker.
Your place? Kenjirou asked, sounding almost tentative. Yuri hummed and nodded. He glanced over, seeing Kenjirou’s gaze still glued to the ground. Fuck this. He dropped Kenjirou’s hand to wrap his arm around his shoulders instead, tucking him to his side. Kenjirou melted against him, and Yuri felt some of the tension in his own body release. They were still sort of learning this, how to be around each other in a way that wasn’t just in their minds or on screens.
Of course , Yuri agreed, and Kenjirou leaned a little heavier on him as they continued to walk towards the parking lot. They found the motorcycle, and Yuri handed over the extra helmet to Kenjirou who pulled it on, before pulling on his own. He sat up on the bike, and Kenjirou followed, instantly pressing closer by wrapping his arms around Yuri’s waist. Yuri almost lost his balance, but managed by some fucking miracle. He hurried to start the bike so he wouldn’t accidentally fall over. He assumed that wouldn’t put Kenjirou in a better mood, and then pushed forward.
The road from campus to his dorm was becoming known to him, but it was a bit of a drive. It was worth it though, to avoid living at the school's dorms. He was surprised Kenjirou put up with it… then again he didn’t have much choice. He was also much more resilient than Yuri, who would have goten into at least ten fights by now with the other dorm residents for being fucking idiots. Really he didn’t know how Kenjirou put up with it, the constant patrying, screaming, the kitchen looking like a health hazard. Yuri sort of wanted to ask him to move into his dorm, but that was against the rules he was pretty sure. It might be too early too. They had only been officially dating for like a month and a half. Yuri wasn’t sure how one was supposed to do this. He had only ever been with Kenjirou, really there had been no one else than him ever for Yuri.
My grandma passed away , Kenjirou voiced, only a whisper in Yuri’s mind. Yuri’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. Oh. Kenjirou had said she was sick, but Yuri hadn’t understood that it was that bad. Shit. Shit shit. What was Yuri supposed to say to that? Mom called after class and told me. I didn’t mean to be late meeting you, I just…
Fuck Kenji , Yuri thought, pressing back against him inthe absence of being able to hug him. He felt even more shitty now, having been so sharp earlier. He hadn’t even been angry with Kenjirou, he had just been worried. I’m so sorry .
Kenjirou had moved here to be with Yuri, to be closer to him. He had moved so far away for them to be able to have this, and now someone so close to him had passed away. If Yuri had moved instead, could Kenjirou have been able to be there with her? Yuri wasn’t sure what he would do if his grandfather had passed away. Yuri knew it wasn’t the same, because Kenjirou had parents and Yuri didn’t, but still. Yuri had no idea what to do to make him feel better.
He felt Kenjirou take a deep breath behind him, his rib cage expanding where it was pressed tightly against Yuri’s back. Yuri tried to focus on the road, wanting to get home as soon as possible. He felt restless suddenly, but he wasn’t fully sure why.
It’s okay , Kenjirou thought, and Yuri didn’t believe him. I told you she was sick right? So it was sort of expected. It was a bit sudden too… mom was there at least, they called her in the middle of the night.
That’s good, Yuri answered, because what else could he say? He felt like he was out on deep water, each word passing between them having the potential to damage. What can I do to help? You want us to stop for food or something? Yuri’s grandfather didn’t really know how to express himself in words, something Yuri had inherited. Whenever Yuri was sad he would just cook him a bunch of food. It sort of made Yuri feel like food was essential in comfortings someone. Maybe he could cook Kenjirou something… would pirozhki be too much? Did he have ingredients for that at the dorm?
Can we just lay down in your bed when we get there? Kenjirou asked. I just want to lay down and cry a bit.
Okay , Yuri agreed, steering them towards the dorm. You let me know if you need anything, okay? I’m not really good at comforting people.
Kenjirou let out a little laugh through the soulbond, and Yuri felt it warm his chest. He was so used to Kenjirou being the happy bubbly one. It was usually Yuri who was moody. Not that Kenjirou wasn’t allowed to be sad… it was just nice to hear his laugh now too. Maybe Yuri wasn’t failing completely then.
You’ve comfortend me countless times , Kenjirou thought, a slightly less sad tone of his voice. You’ve comforted me more than any other person on the planet. Yuri humped. It was probably true, but this was different.
You weren’t crying then, he argued. Or at least I didn’t see it.
You’re still very good at it, Kenjirou argued, and shit how did this become Kenjirou comforting Yuri, when it should be the other way around? Yuri was really such a shitty boyfriend.
At least I can hug you now, Yuri answered, and felt Kenjirou’s arms wrap tighter around his waist. Always so frustrating in the soulbond, that I couldn’t hold you.
Yes, that’s the best part, Kenjirou agreed, and Yuri hummed through the soulmate bond, steering them into the parking lot of the dorm building. It was an old stone building, four stories high. Yuri was pretty sure it had been built by someone rich who had a bunch of servants, but now it was remodeled into a dorm. It was really hard to find private dorms, so Yuri was fortunate to have found it. The other residents were pretty cool too, except Yuri’s closest neighbour, but he had time to extract revenge in the coming years.
He parked, and Kenjirou stepped off first, pulling his helmet off. Yuri followed, and was slightly revealed to see him looking a little more settled. For a moment they simply looked at each other, and then Yuri opened his arms tentatively. Kenjirou fell into them instantly, and Yuri let out a long breath as his soulmate buried himself into the embrace. Yuri held him close, trying not to knock him with the helmet he was still holding.
“Let’s go up, okay?” he asked, and Kenjirou nodded against his chest, pulling back slowly. Yuri looked down to meet his gaze, and then carefully leaned down. Kenjirou met him, and their lips met in a soft kiss. Yuri felt Kenjirou let out a soft sigh, and then he pressed his face into Yuri’s neck. Yuri wrapped his arm around his shoulders, and started walking them towards the entrance. He would do his best to comfort Kenjirou, even if he might make a mess of it.