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Motomura is gorgeous.
Waves of midnight encompass his face, the face of gentle slopes and benign pebble grey eyes. There is a tenderness in his presence, in his existence. The aura he radiates, with the clemency of a warm spring day, is infectious and and somehow lulls Ryohei's unreserved personality to a point of serenity whilst simultaneously embracing him for who he is. He's like a visit home - long awaited but so worth it.
Now, this isn't an epiphany similar to that of a fairytale, nor is it a fleeting thought that comes along with the numerous child-like schemes and absurd theories that Motomura (bless his heart) has no choice but to listen to; eyes bowed in moon crescents as he gives a smile that's laced with merry and maybe a bit of apprehension. No, this is fact. Ryohei isn't exactly sure how this may be, but over the course of their two year romantic lap around the sun, he's gotten to know Motomura. And, is more than convinced that in the library they currently occupy, the existence of a book with said fact isn't far-fetched, and in fact, true.
True in the sense that Motomura is beautiful beyond measure and Ryohei should be thanking his lucky stars hourly for the mere reality of Motomura's residence in his life, let alone his companionship (which is a whole blessing in itself.)
Then again, Motomura was the one to choose Ryohei. All Ryohei did was confess.
Ok, perhaps that shouldn't be taken lightly, as Ryohei spent many twenty-four hours making sense of these newly developed feelings, in addition to mustering the courage to express them from a point of vulnerability. Yet, Ryohei didn't plan for it to be much of a big deal. An easy utterance of words, an understanding smile in the face of unrequited love and the wave of a hand as he bids his first love goodbye, both literally and figuratively. A simple three step procedure that, when carried out in reality, wasn't as absolute.
"I like you, Motomura-san," Ryohei says, and is alarmed by how hard his heart is beating in his bruised chest. "The same way I love archery, and in the same way a tsurune makes my heart feel weightless."
It's short and sweet. Soft and unexpectedly careful, crafted with a caution foreign to Ryohei, whose known far and wide for his frivolous traits and animated expressions.
It's the kind of caution that even under the circumstances of a foreseen confession, Motomura finds himself drawing in a shaky breath as a coldness invades his body with the end result of a stiffened posture. Caught off-guard he is, and Ryohei underestimates how much of a toll this takes on Motomura, who for what seems like dreadful hour long silence, takes the time to digest the new information. Ryohei starts to feel himself becoming antsy, the minor bouncing of his legs making that apparent as he struggles to keep his fingers intertwined. The sudden seriousness of their conversation and its current pace has him experiencing a nervousness close to that of when he attended his first archery match three years ago, except this is kind of restlessness makes him want to disappear, and maybe erase the prospect of this happening ever again in any of his life times.
"Yamanouchi-kun," Motomura starts. Ryohei winces. "Ryohei-kun,"
He freezes, body movements grinding to a swift halt as shock washes over him like an unforeseen high tide. Did Motomura just call him by his name? Further implicating that the two share a closer relationship that Ryohei has no knowledge of whatsoever? He must be dreaming.
This is not apart of the three-step procedure he had in mind.
"The courage you have to tackle your day-to-day obstacles has always been admirable, particularly in my eyes," expresses Motomura, gaze directed towards the open field of lime green grass and charcoal black targets Ryohei volunteered to pack away after practice finished. His side profile, elegant and alluring, has Ryohei's lungs contracting more from a lack of air.
"It's the kind of courage I admittedly envied," he gives a soft chuckle, the kind that Ryohei thinks angels dance to and flowers bloom to. "However, things are different now. No longer am I jealous, and no longer is friendship enough to suffice the sentiment you have. My feelings have changed, and so have yours,"
Ryohei gulps, unsure where this is going but fearing the worst.
Motomura finally turns his head, eyes twinkling with all the stars above as he flashes Ryohei a knowing smile that's so full with beauty and charm that his heart - punctured by his lowly expectations of their interaction - flutters and goes into an overdrive that only Motomura is capable of doing.
"But, they've changed for the better," Motomura's hand, smooth like a rose leaf, goes to tentatively hold Ryohei's, the gesture thoughtful and succeeding in the overflow of emotions rushing through Ryohei's being, if that were a goal. Mission accomplished. "Because, I, too, like you and wish to see where that takes us."
Ryohei swears that day is his happiest, but any day as Motomura's is just as happy and as he looks over to his boyfriend, hair kept and always endearing so, eyebrows knitted in concentration as he immerses himself in the pursuit of further knowledge-
"I thought you were studying, Ryohei-kun." Motomura muses without meeting Ryohei's gaze, voice sugary like running honey.
Ryohei's fingers busy themselves with the controlled twirls of his pencil, his chin resting against his palm. "Can't," he simply answers. "You're too pretty — it's distracting."
Considering the handful of times throughout a day Ryohei makes his attraction towards the beauty of Motomura's features well known, you'd think Motomura would scoff with a brief laugh, amused by the silliness of his boyfriend but no, Motomura is not scoffing and is not laughing. Instead, he is more bashful than entertained, pale cheeks starting to crimison as his eyes look elsewhere and his pen stops moving.
"Your honesty—"
"Is the best?" Ryohei suggests, grinning eagerly.
Motomura looks back at him, and with the effortless grace of his smile, Ryohei knows that there's not one hint of apprehension cowering behind his lips, but only the warmth of being loved and being in love. "The best."