Chapter Text
Floating in cold water calmed Muichirou, for whatever reason, the stars and moon reflecting from the water, creating a whole new sky for him to adore.
Occasionally, he'd be joined by Genya, Sanemi’s younger brother. They hadn't spoke to each other, adoring the starry night instead, Muichirou didn't mind though.
One night Genya asked him why he spent so much time floating in a lake, he replied with
“It's peaceful… Almost like I'm floating on a cloud..” a pause “The sky is nice too, but what about yourself?”
Genya winced slightly, maybe he didn't know why, then
“The view is just beautiful.” He looked at the other boy, sounding unsure and uncomfortable.
Muichirou wasn't looking at him, he was looking up at the crescent moon, though he agreed.
Genya excused himself, tumbling out of the water and grabbing his shirt on the way, Muichirou watched him stumble away.
-
Muichirou was walking to the lake again, Genya wasn't there yet, he felt a little lost.
He was in the lake longer than usual, he was waiting for Genya to show up, did he do something wrong yesterday? Maybe he shouldn't of asked why he was with him, he should've just enjoyed the company.
An hour, or two, had passed. His body ached, but made no movement to leave the lake.
He doesn't recall seeing Genya throughout the day either, did something happen that he hadn't heard about yet? Or maybe he wasn't paying attention again.
He felt terrible.
Would he drown if he stayed in the lake? The cold water was starting to lull him away, it felt nice on his aching body.
Muichirou’s eyes started to close, he couldn't tell if he was still afloat or sinking, but he was sure either way he'd be fine in the end.
One ripple, two, three, four, too many to try and count.
Was it a fish? An amphibian?
More ripples.
There were too many, and they seemed to drag, for it to be a small creature.
“Muichirou?” He recognised the voice, ever so slightly.
“Oi, can you hear me?”
“Muichirou.”
He blinked, once, twice, it was Genya.
“Why are you here?”
“I should be asking you that.”
He couldn't muster the strength to reply and let himself be carried out the clouded water, Genya mumbled a few incomprehensible things to himself.
“Why were you out there? It's late.”
Muichirou said nothing, he felt like he was floating again, Genya must've noticed as he slowed his pace.
His eyes fluttered for a second or two, he felt so safe and secure in Genya’s arms, he leaned more into his side.
Genya seemed to freeze up, just a little, “Muichirou..?” No response, he figured he could talk freely.
“You know, you're pretty cute and all.” He paused, checking to make sure he definitely wasn't awake.
Muichirou shifted. He felt himself panic, then realised that people can move around in their sleep. Totally normal.
He wasn't sure what else to say, he was nervous to say too much with the boy sleeping, other than
“I.. Think I love you..”
He felt himself freeze yet again as Muchirou smiled up at him.
“Yeah… I love you too Genya….”
He stumbled, nearly dropping the boy, and spluttered out a string of nonsense.
He retreated to the Butterfly Estate, hugging Muichirou closer to himself, the ghost of a smile on his lips.