Work Text:
—
“I think... I think I have a crush on you.”
Hachiman’s called Totsuka out to a bench outside during their lunch period, a place he usually finds himself seeking for solitude to spare himself and his peers from his nasty social attitude. Which is really the opposite of today he realizes, but it’s spring, and spring is supposed to be for new beginnings.
The call was answered almost immediately and the invitation accepted even quicker, and it didn’t take long for Hachiman to see the silver haired boy rushing out of the school building, lunch in one hand and waving to him with the other. The sun is warm on his face and it gives him the courage he needs to do this. He always knows what he wants and how to ask for it, but Saika just does something to Hachiman’s heart that shuts his brain down.
Saika’s cheeks are stained a pretty pink, his head tilted sweetly to the side and Hachiman can feel his whole face go up in flames. He’s so screwed.
“What do you mean, ‘you think so?’” Saika asks, quizzically and innocently and looking positively angelic.
“I’ve, uh, never liked a guy before, so I don’t really know if this is right, but, um, it feels like it, I think,” Hachiman supplies awkwardly. Any poise he had going for him is absolutely out the window at this point and it’s all he can do to form complete sentences while his heart is beating at a rate that can’t be good for his health.
“Ah! I was worried that you might just see me as a girl like most people do. That’s a relief!”
“I mean, I do sometimes. Or I did. I don’t know. Sometimes when I’m fantasizing about you I have to remind myself that you’re a dude but I’m finding that it doesn’t put me off like it should. You’re cuter than a girl, but you’re still a guy, but I don’t really mind,” he stumbles through, finger tapping gently at his bottom lip.
“If you were a girl I would’ve confessed and been shot down the moment you first talked to me.”
God, he needs to stop talking.
“You fantasize about me? So lewd, Hachiman!” Saika gasps with a hand clinging to the taller boy’s blazer sleeve, flushed from ear to ear.
“It’s not like that! Actually, it’s totally like that. I’m sorry Saika, you’re so cute that I can’t help it,” Hachiman chokes out sheepishly. Saika tugs at his arm and grabs his other hand, finally forcing the usually composed idiot to meet his eyes, and he’s positively glowing. A sweet close-mouthed grin sits upon his face and for the hundredth time Hachiman thinks there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to protect that smile, before it opens in surprise.
“Oh! I forgot to say it! I like you too, Hachiman! I like you a lot.”
It’s the first time in Hikigaya Hachiman’s life that confessing his feelings has actually worked out for him, to a guy no less, and he finally remembers to breathe. He says nothing for a while, eyes trained on the young spring grass just starting to show on the ground as he catches his breath.
“I’m not asking you to go out with me or anything, I’m not the most popular person around here for a reason; many reasons, actually, and my personality has been described as a nightmare by more than one individual. But, I needed to get that off my chest even if it’s something selfish.”
“Dummy Hachiman! I like you, too, so t...take some responsibility! I like you just the way you are even if others don’t and that’s good enough for me, so it should be for you too,” Saika lectures with what’s probably too much vigor which makes it all the more adorable.
“I’m sorry, I’m just having a hard time believing this is real.”
“You’re cool and smart, and you aren’t afraid to say what you really think. You care about your friends a lot and you always have time for me! You’re also really handsome-“
“Stop. Oh my god, I think my heart is actually gonna explode,” Hachiman groans. Saika giggles and once again prods at his friend’s arm with a finger.
“What about you?”
“What about- oh. Um, everything, I guess. I don’t think I could ever deny you anything.”
“Go out with me then.”
“I really just walked right into that one.”
A grin.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. When your reputation goes down the drain I won’t able to keep myself from saying ‘I told you so,’ Saika.”
“Geez, it’s not good to set yourself up for failure like that, Hachiman!”
“Good things aren’t supposed to happen to me, but I’m here with you, so maybe I will have to start looking at life less cynically.”
Saika flicks him on the temple and Hachiman can’t help grinning.