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It's as if the whole world came shattering down on Mitsuba all at once.
The moment that Kou closed the door on him his last words echoing in his head, ‘ Sorry Mitsuba ’.
Kou hasn’t called Sousuke by his last name since their second year of high school, now it was the last thing he had said to him. Finally making it down the stairs from Kous’ apartment Mitsuba crumbles, as if every bone had shattered just like everything else around him had.
Once he settles on the ground that's when his tears started.
Mitsuba didn’t know how long it has been since he started crying but he knows it has been awhile from the pain eating away at him. It started from the pain in his back from leaning against the wall, all the way to his head where he had a pounding headache.
Digging for his phone out of his pocket he sees a ton of unread messages, scrolling past them to find a familiar contact and one he was used a lot the past few days.
Placing the phone to his ear, Mitsuba waits for the other line to pick up, not giving him a moment to talk. Mitsuba just asked for a ride. He knew his tone of voice was worrisome but Mitsuba was hoping that would stop him from arguing.
After about fifteen minutes a head of black hair appears with an additional person in tow, familiar dark blonde braided hair bobs next to him, Tsukasa and Mei.
Slight relief buds in Mitsubas chest at seeing the two of them, but the moment they get closer and he reads their expressions, it vanishes just as quickly. Once the two reach Mitsuba, Mei is the first to crouch down at his level, whereas Tsukasa continues to stand, glaring up in the direction of Kou’s apartment.
It was slightly funny to Mitsuba that Tsukasa cares so much about it all, when the boy normally doesn’t seem to care about anyone else’s lives.
Given a week ago Mitsuba still only believed that, now he knows that not only does Tsukasa care but in his own way he was trying to get Mitsuba and Kou together. Mitsuba flinches slightly at the thought of Kou, remembering the cold and hollow look he had, wondering where all of this went wrong.
Jumping when he feels a hand gently ruffle his hair, to notice that it was Tsukasa trying to comfort him.
Mitsuba then feels a warmth press into his side, it was Mei leaning next to him offering her shoulder for him to lean on if he needed it. Taking up Mei’s silent offer, Mitsuba rests his aching head on her warm shoulder, trying to gather the strength to stand to finally leave Kou’s apartment building.
Almost twenty minutes later Mitsuba has enough strength to stand, letting Mei and Tsukasa carry some of his weight in fear he was going to fall.
He was just beyond grateful to have both of them there to help.
Once finally settled in Mitsubas’ apartment, Mei and Tsukasa both wait for him to explain what all had happened. Taking a deep breath to stop himself from getting too emotional, Mitsuba tells them what had happened.
Mei and Tsukasa were the only ones that Mitsuba had told he had feelings for Kou, they were both also trying to help Mitsuba to gather the courage to tell Kou. It was going really well, MItsuba was finally able to say it without it being passive aggressive.
Just as Tsukasa stands to leave, he was planning on going to Kou’s to knock some sense into him, Mei was the one to stop Tsukasa. She stated that to Kou it would probably prove Tsukasa and Mitsuba were in fact dating, thus making the situation worse.
Hearing Mei say that did force Tsukasa to sit back down, but it caused a sharp pain to Mitsubas’ chest.
MItsuba, glancing over toward his bag long forgotten, remembered the project that he had just finished. He was taking it over to Kous’ to show him, and in hopes to tell Kou about how he feels, but now Mitsuba fears Kou won’t even give him a chance.
In the back of Mitsubas’ mind he could understand why Kou was so upset, Mitsuba did hide all of his relationships from Kou. Mitsuba hid them from Kou because he didn’t want to brag or rub it in his face, Kou had only dated a few people in high school and no one in college.
Mitsuba can understand why Kou would be mad, every time Mitsuba had a new boyfriend he was a dick to Kou, canceling and bailing at the last minute and never giving a valid reason why.
Voicing these thoughts to Tsukasa and Mei, his two friends try to comfort him, telling Mitsuba it isn’t his fault and that Kou still shouldn’t have treated him that way.
It took Tsukasa flicking his forehead and stating, “Even if you were secretly dating someone that doesn’t give him the right to be an ass.”
Mitsuba knew that Tsukasa was right but it still hurt.
It’s been two weeks since Mitsuba and Kou’s fallout, Mitsuba has been trying everyday to talk with Kou by either; calling, messaging, or trying to run into him at the cafe or at his school.
Every time Kou saw a glimpse of pink hair he would run the other way, or if he saw Mitsuba's name pop up on his phone he what decline it. Kou was still upset, and he knows that if he were to speak with Mitsuba right now his anger would take over and he would say something that he knew he would regret.
Even with Kou being upset with Mitsuba he missed Mitsuba like crazy.
Almost everything was reminding Kou of Mitsuba, it was driving Kou crazy which isn’t helping him to get over Mitsuba. Kou has also been avoiding Tsukasa too, given the two boys were never very close to begin with, but Kou could feel Tsukasa glaring at him every chance he got.
Today was Kous’ day off, so it was going to be a catch-up day for housework and homework, this means his chances of running into someone were low.
With that thought in mind Kou had relaxed finishing up his last load of laundry.
Just as he is about to start lunch a knock comes from his door. A bit of dread stabbed him thinking about who it could be, Mitsuba hasn’t come back to his apartment since that day so that was comforting.
Finally heading toward his door to peek at who it was, he was relieved to see cream and teal tipped hair.
Slowly opening his door, giving Nene a timid smile, he notices the instant concern clear on his friends face. Nene had noticed that in the last two weeks Kou had been distancing himself from everyone, not wanting to hang out or talk really.
Knowing Kous’ schedule, Nene knew she would find him at home today, so she took the opportunity to check up on him one-on-one.
Kou didn’t utter a single word, just left the door open so Nene could follow him back inside, Kou standing in his kitchen getting to work on making lunch. Nene patiently waits for Kou to speak, hoping he will open up about what is bothering him.
Reaching across the counter to set a plate of food down for Nene, she stops him from retreating by gently grabbing his hand.
SIlently pleading for Kou to talk with her, he finally breaks and explains to Nene everything that happened two weeks ago.
Nene is quietly trying to process everything that Kou had told her, at first she was confused on why Kou thought Mitsuba and Tsukasa were dating but then she remembered the two had been spending a lot of time together.
Watching Kous’ expression drop from relief from talking to someone to sorrow at losing Mitsuba, Nene felt so torn on what to do whether to tell Kou what she and Tsukasa had been planning or not.
So she decides to just tell him.
Kou is her best friend and he deserved to know the truth about their setup plans and that she knows Tsukasa doesn’t see Mitsuba that way.
After Nene tells Kou everything about; the night at the karaoke bar, the Halloween carnival, and Tsukasa spending more time with Mitsuba to work on a new plan to get them together.
Kou felt horrible, he couldn’t believe that he had been so wrong about it all. Thinking back on how he treated Sousuke it made Kou feel sick to his stomach.
Running to grab his coat and keys he shouts over his shoulder to Nene that he had to make it right, stepping into his shoes he races out the door thinking about where Sousuke could be right now.
If Kou was right Sousuke would either be at his apartment or at the park taking photos to clear his head.
Since Sousukes’ apartment is closer Kou decides to start there, then move to the park hoping Sousuke will be at either one.
Kou knew Sousukes’ apartment was a ten minute walk from his own, but with the panic Kou was in it was only a five minute run. Pounding his fist against Sousukes’ door calling out for him, waiting to hear a noise from the other side of the door.
After ten minutes and no noise from inside Kou sprints off toward the park, which is going to be another five to six minute run, all in hopes Sousuke will be there.
Arriving at the park covered in sweat and hunched over panting from running so much in such a short amount of time, and probably from his panic and need to find Sousuke. Kou stands back up scanning over the park searching for the familiar figure with pink hair.
Scanning over the park three times Kous’ heart sinks when he doesn’t spot the familiar head of pink hair.
Patting his pockets down trying to locate his phone, Kou realizes that his phone was still in his apartment on the counter. Cursing himself for being so stupid to leave his phone at home, knowing if he run back to get it Kou would miss his chance to find Mitsuba.
Kou deciding to take the chance, spins around to head back to his apartment to grab his phone, just as he takes a step forward the very head of pink hair Kou was searching for appears around the corner.
Sousukes’ name slips out of Kous mouth, shocked to finally see him face to face after all this time being apart.
To Kou it looks like Sousuke hadn't slept well, from the dark purple bags under his eyes and messy hair, his clothes also seem looser on his frame.
At first Sousuke thinks he was imagining someone calling out to him when a shadow falls over him forcing Sousuke to glance up. Sousukes’ pink eyes widening in shock to see familiar blue eyes staring at him.
To say Sousuke was shocked would be an understatement when he realized it was truly Kou standing in front of him and not his imagination.
Kou looks the same as always, with his blonde hair messy and spiky with his normally bright blue eyes that are dark and stormy right now. Sousuke feels his heart constrict, remembering the last time the two were together.
Sousuke automatically goes to take a step back when Kou pleads, “Sousuke wait, please.”
Hearing Kou call his name causes a blush to dust his cheeks, and efficiently stops Sousuke from moving away instead he looks back up to Kou’s face trying to figure out what the blonde was planning to say.
Kou, happy that Sousuke stopped before leaving but not trying to organize his thoughts ever to say what he needs to say.
Taking a deep breath Kou utters, “I am sorry Sousuke. I am so terribly sorry for the way I reacted and how I treated you, I never should have acted that way. Nene told me that you and Tsukasa aren’t together but still, I never should have responded that way to you dating someone. If you are dating someone I should be happy for you and support you, because all I have ever wanted was for you to be happy.’
Kou nearly out of breath trying to voice everything he felt.
Sousuke still is frozen in place out of shock but also he can tell Kou has more he wants to say, so he remains silent.
Finally getting his breathing and thoughts in order Kou continues, “Yes I want you to be happy but thinking about you dating someone just, it just hurts. I hate thinking about you being with someone else, I hate thinking about someone else getting to see your smile, or how messy you are when you eat. Hell, even thinking about you jumping into someone else's arms out of terror in a mirror maze hurts, or singing songs together at a karaoke bar.”
Kou ran his fingers through his hair in frustration trying to get the words out that are on the tip of his tongue.
Closing his eyes and taking another deep breath Kou steels himself for whatever Sousukes’ response is to his not outburst.
With his eyes still closed Kou confesses, “I can’t be fully happy with you being with someone else because I am in love with you, Mitsuba Sousuke. I think I have been for a long time now, but I was just too much of a coward to tell you. All because I was afraid it would ruin our friendship if you didn’t feel the same.”
“I am still terrified that you don’t feel the same, especially after the way I treated you, but I can’t keep lying to myself about my feelings anymore.” Kou gasped for breath from stating all of this at once and because his heart was pumping a mile a minute.
After a few silent and tense moments Kou finally opens his eyes to make sure that Sousuke was in fact still there, and he didn’t just pour his feelings out to a stranger, or worse, no one.
Sousuke; his rose pink eyes wide with a million different emotions flashing through them, mouth agape so far open Kou was surprised it wasn’t touching the ground, and his cheeks dusted with a faint rosy hue.
Even now Kou can’t help but think Sousuke was adorable, standing there looking like a fish out of water, but his silence was beginning to worry Kou.
Just as Kou is about to reach forward to make sure Sousuke is alright the pink haired boy shouts, “Stupid Kou!”
Sousukes’ shout causes Kou to jump back slightly in fear, Kou now waiting for Sousuke to elaborate on which part made Kou stupid.
“Kou you are a stupid traffic-safety earring wearing moron!” Sousuke shouts again, calling Kou the same thing he used to call him in middle and high school.
Sousuke drops his head causing his hair to fall forward, in turn hiding his face from Kou and drowning out his voice slightly.
Kou is slightly thrown back by the nickname, reminding him of the first time he and Sousuke met and how different he is now.
Before Kou could reminisce for too long Sousukes’ voice grabs his attention as he whimpers, “Stupid, stupid Kou.”
All Kou could think was, ‘Shit he isn’t going to forgive him, I just messed up.’
Then Kou hears Sousuke sniffle, which worries Kou more.
Sousuke begins to wipe his eyes and nose on his long sleeves, standing back up straight with puffy eyes and a red nose from crying.
With tears still brimming his eyes Sousuke shouts, “Why did I have to fall for a stupid guy like you?”
Now it was Kou’s turn to be shocked speechless.
Kou couldn’t believe Sousuke just said what he did, no not said shouted in a public park in front of people.
Sousuke being slightly more composed then he was a moment clarifies, “I mean look at me, I am far too cute for someone as lame and dumb as you.”
Kou noticed the smile growing on Sousukes lips with each word, causing Kou’s heart to beat faster but this time not in fear but joy.
Feeling a smile overtake Kous’ own face he reaches forward grabbing the front of Sousuke's shirt, catching the shorter boy off guard, and crushes their lips together.
At first Sousuke was too shocked to move, then he wraps his arms around Kous’ neck raising up on his toes to close more distance between them. Kou snaking his arms around Sousuke's waist lifting him up more, practically crushing Sousuke against his body but only caring how perfectly their lips move against each other.
Finally parting the two are both flushed and breathless, only moving enough so they can catch their breaths.
Smiling Kou rests his foreheads on Sousuke, just drinking in the moment and the sensation of having Sousuke in his arms again.
Both boys chuckle at how stupid they both have been to not just be honest with each other soon, Kou muttering another apology and that he will make him dinner to make up for it.
Sousuke complains that dinner is fine but Kou owes him a date too, feeling his smile grow at the thought of their first date.
Kou agrees.