Chapter Text
"Hey! Is this thing on?... wait..."
The camera fumbled a bit until suddenly showing the face of a young boy with raven hair and bright green eyes.
He smiled a contagious smile.
"Aha! Hey there~" he made a finger gun hand gesture.
I’m
"My name's Yuichiro Hyakuya!!! I'm 8 years old and I.... just got adopted~" he winked.
"You hear that ladies?! Adopted!! I'm gonna have my own last name and my own parents an-"
The sound of a door thrusting open and feet shuffling on the floor sounded off, startling the raven haired boy.
"Yu!!!!" A small blonde boy threw himself onto the other, pushing them to the floor below.
"Don't leave Yu!!!!"
Laughter emitted from the other as shuffling sounds came from below.
"Mika!! It'll be okay!!"
"Yu....."
A small hand thrusted into the air, grabbing the camera and slapping it off it's ledge and onto the floor.
"Dammit!" Yu cursed and the blonde gasped.
Suddenly, the camera powered off.
Yuichiro smiled at the short recording, remembering that day like it was yesterday.
“Too bad the lady you tried to attract turned out to be a guy.” A voice sounded out from behind the raven as he glanced back.
Looking up from his spot on the floor, he smiled at the blonde man he knew as his best friend.
Mikaela leaned against the door frame to their new apartment, Yu was starting college this year and so Mikaela moved in as recommended by Yu himself.
Their apartment was a short walk away from both schools, Seraph Law School as well as Seraph High.
Yu glanced back at the recording once again, “Well, I didn’t exactly sign up for a guy but you are one persistent motherfucker.”
Mikaela scoffed, shuffling his way towards the raven and stopping once next to him, he gently jabbed Yu in the thigh with his foot.
“Ow! What?”
“Come on, Yu! We have to finish unpacking. No thanks to you, I carried all of our stupid boxes into our room.”
The raven rolled his eyes, shutting his laptop off and pushing himself to his feet. “Nag nag nag, I thought dating a guy would keep me away from the nagging...”
“Shut up.” Mikaela shoved him in the arm, sending laughter out of Yu.
The raven quickly turned and wrapped his arms around the blonde’s waist, pulling Mika against him. Their lips only centimeters away from one another.
“I love you.” Yu’s voice came out like a grumble as Mika cooed, landing a kiss against the other’s nose.
“Yeah yeah, you too. Now come on! Stop distracting me.” Mikaela wiggled out of his grasp, heading towards to the bedroom just off of the kitchen and living area.
Yu rolled his eyes, groaning in response. Finally dragging his feet around and into the bedroom after Mikaela.
Over the summer, Mikaela had gone through massive withdrawal. Whenever he was stressed he’d shake and ravage around the house in search of something to numb himself with.
Eventually, they decided to hide any alcohol from the shelves just in case. They also feared self-harm so they hid any weapon like items from his reach during these outbursts.
The past few weeks though have gone rather smoothly, Yu had learned how to comfort his new found lover as well as Mika learning that he was free of any sexual diseases from his previous job.
The doctor told him he was lucky, and ever since then Mika had a bounce to his step.
Yu had a reoccurring thought of Mika having a possible relapse, he feared this but he knew it would most likely happen someday. In any case, he wouldn’t abandon Mikaela. He would help him just like he did before, at least to the best of his abilities.
What concerned Yu the most though were the nightmares that came during the night suddenly. Mikaela would wake up in a cold sweat, thinking his parents were after him. Yu wasn’t sure which set of parents Mika would mention but he was sure it could be either.
Yuichiro would hold him until he’d fall back to sleep but this drove Yuichiro mad. All he could do was sit there and watch.
They had spoken about going to therapy before but Mikaela was far too afraid. So Yu gave up on forcing him and became his rock until things sorted themselves out.
Yuichiro hoped the new apartment would be good for Mika. Holding only good memories to come.
.
“Shinoa said she wants to stop over.” Yu spat through a mouth full of ramen. The raven sat at their small foldable kotatsu table, his rear currently on the bare tatami floor.
Mika shuffled from the counter towards the table, his own bowl of ramen in his hands.
Slowly, he plopped down onto his knees- shifting onto his rear as well. His joints popping from the movements.
Yu glanced up from his phone at the blonde, observing the boy.
He was glowing, although Mikaela was still thin, he had gained most of his weight back. His cheeks no longer gaunt and his hair as alive as he looked. When Yu held him he no longer felt ribs and bones poking at him but smooth flesh and plush sides.
Yu smiled at Mikaela.
“Well, she can come over if she wants. I mean- there isn’t much to see here.” Mikaela shrugged, using his chopsticks to stab at his cheap noodles and slurp them into his mouth.
The raven frowned, the idea of having Shinoa over annoyed him. He had just seen her yesterday before they moved and hoped Mika would have declined her self invitation.
Mika caught glance of this, swallowing his noodles, “or not. I don’t really care.”
Yu nodded, turning his phone off and slipping it onto the floor next to him. “Sounds good to me.” He sang as he stabbed his noodles as well, shoving a wrapped ball of noodles into his mouth.
Mikaela hadn’t finished his bowl but had left very little, his attention trained on the small window above the sink in the kitchen.
Yu watched Mikaela as he zoned out, amazed at how easy he could drift off.
“You okay?” He finally said, pushing himself to his feet as he picked his bowl up and reached for Mikaela’s.
Mikaela glanced up at the other, looking a bit startled at the sudden voice. “Yeah, sorry. Zoned out again.”
Yu smiled down at the blonde, “Jeeze, what goes on in your head sometimes?” Yu laughed quietly as he lifted Mika’s bowl and frowned at the sight of there being left over noodles in it. “You didn’t finish.”
Mikaela shrugged, “Lost my appetite.”
“That sucks.” Yu put his bowl in the sink then scraped out Mikaela’s into the trash.
“Yeah, must be a long-term side effect.” Mika smiled a bit, watching as Yu cleaned up.
“Well, how about you head to bed. I’ll put the rest of the ramen away and meet you in there in a few.”
Mikaela nodded, pushing himself from the floor, his joints popping once again.
He made his way behind Yu, wrapping his arms around the shorter boy and kissing into the crook of his neck.
This sent chills up Yu’s spine, sending a giggle out from his mouth. “Auh! Stop it!” He laughed.
Mika snickered as he breathed on the other's neck, watching the goosebumps rise.
“NooOOO! STOP!” Yu almost dropped the bowl.
Mikaela let go of the raven and head towards the bedroom, “See you in a few~” he cooed as he exited the kitchen.
Yu smiled at the back of Mikaela, turning to his emptied bowl with a smirk.
He could get used to this, living alone with his best friend... his lover...
Maybe one day, if they stay together, they could adopt some kids and raise a family.
Yu paused once he saw his reflection in the bowl, staring at himself. He frowned a bit, anxiety beginning to gnaw at his ribs.
He remembered his classes started tomorrow, it had nearly slipped his mind.
Setting his alarm for the morning, he lifted the blanket and scooted under it. Finally lying down, he turned to face Mikaela who’d already fallen asleep.
He looked at Mikaela’s face, so at peace. Memories flashed before him of Mikaela’s gaunt face. The eye bags that had rest under his eyes were horrific, as was the entire image and health of his body.
Shutting his eyes tightly then peeking through his lids, he was greeted with Mikaela’s healthy, beautiful face once again.
Yu let himself relax, calming down and shutting his eyes gently. Allowing sleep to sweep him off his feet.
.
“You two haven’t gone on a date yet, have you.” Shinoa sat across from Yu at a small cafe that sat near the College’s Campus.
Many of the students worked there because of the short distance from their dorms and the building.
Yu glanced down at his disgusting mocha coffee. He wasn’t sure why he ordered it, he hates coffee. Usually he just orders a tea or something.
He assumed he’s just sleep deprived, the first week of University and Physical Training had been exhausting. His studies were occupying his time and he hated not being able to spend time with Mikaela as much as he'd like to.
Yuichiro blinked as Shinoa waved her hand in front of his face, “Hello?! Earth to Yuichiro?!”
“Sorry, zoned out for a sec.”
She huffed, leaning back in her booth, “You’re becoming more and more like Mika everyday.” A smile grew on her lips, “but seriously, take him on a date.”
“Why?”
“Uh, you asked what you should do to make it up to Mika... sooo.... take him on a date, dumbfuck.”
Yu frowned, leaning back as well. “I don’t even know where I’d take him.”
“What does he like to do?” Shinoa took a bite from her red bean filled dumpling.
Yuichiro thought, what did Mika like?... Reading?... He likes books and stories.... uhmm...
Shinoa raised a brow, “Don’t tell me you’ve been dating him for like four months already and you have no idea what he likes...”
“Eheh...” Yu scratched the back of his head, “Well... it’s not exactly like that... I just...”
Yu sighed, “what if he doesn’t have fun?”
Shinoa shook her head, “Stupid, if he loves you then he won’t care about the date itself. He’ll just enjoy the fact that he’s by your side.” She wiped her mouth off with her hand.
Yu smiled a bit, “Okay.” He thought for a moment, then glanced at the time. “Thanks... um... but we gotta head back.”
“You do. I do not.” Shinoa smirked proudly, what a bitch.
“My classes have finished for today.”
Yu stood, grabbing his coffee and groaning at her. “Whatever. See ya.”
“Good luck on your date! I’m gonna apply for a job! Later!” Shinoa waved at him as he left, eventually he made it outside.
.
“After the two mile run, you will pick a partner and do forty grapevines from this end to that-“
Yu burst into the classroom, panting. He’d been ten minutes late, even though he just came from the cafe, he’d gotten lost.
Finally he had found his class once again, yet he froze at the glare from his Instructor.
“Nice of you to join us, Ichinose Yuichiro.”
Yu bowed deeply, apologizing and shuffled towards his seat.
Everyone watched him in confusion, then the Instructor began to continue once again.
“Anyways... before we were rudely interrupted...” the man continued pointing at some ugly scribbles on the bored.
After the mile run, Yuichiro was exhausted. His limits bursting at the seams.
“HURRY UP SNAIL-CRAWLING LITTLE SHITS, GET YOURSELF A DATE AND DO YOUR GOD DAMN GRAPEVINES.” The old man spat, a vein popping out from his forehead.
Yuichiro glanced around, watching as people chose their partners. Leaving him alone... of course.
No one wants a tardy officer on their tea-
“Partner?” Yu glanced down at a blonde haired girl, her eyes a bright violet. She stood a foot shorter than him, her hair up in matching pigtails- staring up at him. This girl was suddenly Yuichiro's hero.
“Uh, yeah.”
“Great!” She grabbed his arm and pulled on him, “Come on! Let’s move!!” She growled, getting in position, widening her gate and reaching out to grab his hands. He mimicked her and took a hold of her tiny hands, her grip death-like.
“GOGOGO!” She yelled as she quickly did grapevines, ripping him sideways and forcing him to stumble. Eventually he caught up, keeping to pace with her.
He noticed her smile, she nodded at him.
Yu forced out a smile in return.
Just 25 more to go.