Work Text:
The pelting of rain easily drowned the noises of the classroom. It was nearing the end of the day and the students were getting restless. Akiyama stared listlessly at the window whilst the teacher droned on about their history test about the Shinsengumi, or something. He doesn’t care. He just wants the day to end.
When the bell finally rang, him and the other students hastily packed their bags. He noticed some took out an umbrella and swore at himself, maybe Mine brought one. Akiyama jumped out of his chair and ran down the hallway and stood next to the door outside Mine’s classroom. He leaned against the wall with a leg on it, he put on the smuggest smile he’s physically able to make and turned his head towards the door as soon as he heard it open. Mine saw his god awful face, shook his head and carried on walking.
“Hey! Wait up!” Akiyama yelled, scrambling for footing to catch up to Mine.
“No, I don’t know you,” Mine just continued walking towards the main entrance to change his shoes. He opened the shoe locker door to take out his outdoor shoes. There was an umbrella at the back. He changed his shoes with grace, and returned the indoor pair neatly whilst pushing the umbrella further in.
“Did you bring an umbrella?” Akiyama asked, scratching the back of his neck with a worried smile. He knows Mine would lecture him about being unprepared and how he won’t survive the future. Mine’s cat-like eyes studied his face. He carefully closed his shoe locker door and replied.
“I didn’t. I was hoping you brought one.” Mine looked outside, raining still, and turned back to Akiyama. “We’ll just have to run.”
Akiyama breathed heavily through his nose. He dreaded running but thank god he had naturally high stamina. He hastily changed his shoes and grabbed Mine by the arm and started running. Mine nearly lost his footing from the sudden movement but he held tightly onto Akiyama’s arm. Mine switched their grip so they were holding hands throughout the run. He smiled to himself at this sight, it’s just like a typical romance movie.
With no umbrella, they resorted to using their bags and prayed to god that the books wouldn’t get wet. As the downpour got heavier and heavier, their clothes got wetter and wetter - sticking tightly to their bodies.
Following their usual route, they went past the children’s park. Almost everyday after school, those two would sit together on the swing, chatting till dawn. Occasionally, Daigo and Kiryu would join them and go to a nearby forest clearing and chat the night away. By the end of the night, Akiyama would walk Mine home, sometimes in silence but they enjoyed each other’s presence. When they reach Mine’s doorstep their eyes and touch would linger for a little too long and they’d awkwardly shift away before anything happens. Just in case someone walked by.
Finally, they reached Akiyama’s house. It wasn’t anything too exuberant, just your average Japanese house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a study, living room and kitchen. Akiyama fumbled for his house keys but accidentally dropped them. Bending over, Mine couldn’t help but look at the rim of his boxers peeping out; he tugged the elastic backwards, letting it snap back and hit Akiyama’s lower back. He squeaked and lightly kicked the back of Mine’s calves in retaliation.
Akiyama finally opened the door and dragged Mine in.
Mine took a deep breath. The musky scent of Akiyama mixed with petrichor made him feel at ease. It was homely despite the emptiness.
The rain was relentless and soaked them both to the bone. The puddle on the floor pooled bigger and bigger the longer they stood there.
Akiyama took initiative and pulled them both upstairs into his room. As expected, it was exactly like a stereotypical teenage boy’s room; clothes littered on the floor, plates piled up on his desk and a suspicious bottle on the bedside table. Knowing Akiyama, he probably has some shrink-wrapped mags under his bed.
“Stay here,” Akiyama told Mine. He nodded and continued studying his room. It was just him and the pitter patter of rain.
Mine started picking up the dirty clothes and piled it outside the door. He gathered the plates and placed those outside the door too and moved onto rearranging his desk. His desk was insane, incoherent scribbles on paper and scratches on the desk. Although he acts laidback and sleazy, Mine knew deep down he was a hard worker and his facade hid so much of his potential.
Stumbling, he knocked a workbook off the desk. He noticed there was an umbrella drawn. Beneath the canopy ‘Aki’ and ‘Mine’ was written. Mine couldn’t help but smile to himself and covered it back up again.
Akiyama bursted back in, kicking open the door. “Hey! I found some towels, but they’re a bit sma-“ He was quickly interrupted by the sight of Mine. During the haste of running home and trying to find towels he finally got a good look at him. Despite the state Mine was in, he still looked picturesque. Hair still swept back, albeit a little flat, with rain drops gathering at the ends. His cheekbones are nice and high but still have a little bit of a baby face.Though, he did notice the tip of his nose and ears are redder than usual and his breathing was heavier than usual. As Mine reached for the towels, he fell forwards and collapsed.
***
When Mine woke up, he felt something cold on his forehead. He was wrapped up warmly in dry clothes; he pulled the t-shirt to his nose and inhaled deeply, Akiyama’s scent filled his lungs and relaxed him as though it was drugs. He groggily looked down and saw an Akiyama sleeping by the edge of the bed, holding onto his hand. ‘ He’s a blessing,’ Mine thought. With his free hand, he reached over and ran his hand through Akiyama’s hair, tucking a piece behind his ear.
Akiyama yawned loudly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Ah, you’re finally awake.” He turned his head towards the clock and noted the time. He looked at Mine and frowned. “You should take better care of yourself, those sleepless nights aren’t doing you any favours.”
“Mmm,” Mine hummed a dismissive response and continued petting Akiyama.
Akiyama pulled the towel aside and pressed his forehead against Mine’s - checking his temperature. The thought of Akiyama tenderly taking care of him elicited a warm fuzzy feeling in his soul, he wishes this lasts forever.
“The fever’s going, that’s good,” he said as he stroked Mine’s face. Mine leans into his hand and smiles. “What would you like to eat?”
“I’ll eat anything you cook.”
Akiyama scratched the back of his neck and breathed out heavily.
“I’ll see what’s downstairs.”
In the end, Akiyama cooked him congee, but somehow he managed to burn a good portion of it. He carefully carried it up to his room and placed it on the bedside table whilst swiping all objects off it.
“Bone apple teeth,” Akiyama proudly said as he placed an open napkin on Mine’s lap. Mine begrudgingly sat up and laid against the headboard. The moment he sat up, the headache washed over him like a sea of knives, fortunately, Akiyama’s presence made it that more bearable.
This was his first time in years since he had a home cooked meal. Although it was just plain congee, the sheer sentiment that went into it filled him with warmth.
“Here.” Akiyama carefully blew on the spoonful of congee to cool it down and held it near Mine’s mouth. Whilst Mine appreciated him cooking, he still had his doubts about his culinary skills. He reluctantly opened his mouth and tasted it. To Mine’s surprise, it was delicious; the congee felt like clouds on his tongue, melting upon contact, it was the perfect consistency too.
“This…” Mine began. “Is delicious…”
Akiyama beamed at Mine.
“I’m glad you think so, I can learn more recipes for you in the future.” He ruffled Mine’s hair.
“Thank you,” Mine shyly whispered.
“Sorry, I couldn’t hear that.” Akiyama leaned in closer.
Mine pulled him close by the neck, their mouths hovering each other’s. Akiyama pecked him on the lips but quickly sat upright again, slightly blushing.
“Is the fever making you delirious?” He chuckled. “C’mon, let’s finish this food.”
“Fine,” Mine mumbled, puffing his cheeks slightly.
***
After Mine finished his food, he laid back down then shuffled aside on the bed, patting the space next to him. “Join me.”
“But I need to-” Mine interrupted him by pulling him into the bed and covered them both in the duvet.
They laid face to face, deeply looking into each others’ eyes. Parted lips. Soft pants. Glittering eyes.
Akiyama leaned in. Mine closed the gap.
At first, they exchanged a tender kiss which slowly devolved into a tangle of tongues. Both of them fumbling for something to hold onto. As they pulled away, it left a glistening trail of saliva that connected their mouths.
Their hands roamed each other’s bodies, exploring under the clothes. Akiyama lovingly traced Mine’s developing back muscles; he always admired how dedicated he was in his physique- training at least five days a week.
“You’re a beautiful person, Yoshitaka.” He tucked some of the stray hairs that obstructed Mine’s face then stroked his cheek with his thumb.
Mine placed his hand on top of Akiyama’s and made a noise reminiscent of a purr.
“As are you, Shun.” He puts his forehead against Akiyama’s, but with a little too much force. Akiyama winced but then erupted in laughter, pulling Mine in for another kiss.
Akiyama noticed Mine’s breathing got more laboured and cut it off before Mine passed out. Mine whined about it but Akiyama kept telling him he needs more rest.
After some fussing, he eventually complied and snuggled up close to Akiyama - resting his head on his chest, drifting asleep to the lullaby of his heartbeat.