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It's early March, he's staying in North Africa right now, Morocco, if he has to specify, spring has only begun, but it's already so warm out there.
He just woke up, finally able to catch some welcomed hours of sleep, after tough mission, he just returned from. He's sprawled on his bed, not ready to get up yet.
It's March 7th, his birthday actually, and he almost forgot about that, in the first place; he has never celebrate it enough, maybe with Rika still around, when they were both just childhood friends, alive and well.
Now, there is a soft ping of message coming across, so he rummages through his pajamas bottoms pockets, checks his phone out.
from: Inumaki, 7:04 am.
happy birthday ヽ(^o^)ノ
He smiles genuinely, soft blush to his cheeks; his light-haired friend being the first one to text him today, reminding him of what day it is, in the process. He snorts quitely under his breath, yeah, I'm seventeen today.
to: Inumaki, 7:07 am.
Thank you, Inumaki, you're so kind.
He furrows his brow a little, as other texts comes in quick succession.
from: Inumaki, 7:09 am.
there is something else i wished to tell you today, on your birthday
from: Inumaki, 7:09 am.
but i wanted to do it in person
from: Inumaki, 7:10 am.
so i guess i do it next year ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ when you're back?
His fingers itching to ask what is it all about, but he settles on playful reply instead.
to: Inumaki, 7:11 am.
I will make sure to come back in time, then.
It's late afternoon and he got a few more birthday wishes throught the day, short and curt from Maki, full of "happy birthday" gifs, because Panda is like obssesed with them, almost a shy one, Megumi's contact name displayed on his phone screen, the younger boy he met just before his departure, even a quick and cheerful call he recived, Gojo-sensei's voice on the other side.
Still Inumaki's words are nagging at him, doesn't appear to leave him alone, even after few hours. He sighs, he's not patient at all, but what can he do, other than wait? He knows Inumaki and how stubborn he can be, if he's set on something. It always must go the boy's way, no matter what. He's going to wait, then.
(In fact, he appreciate Inumaki for it. A lot.)
(Younger boy never the one to go back on his word, confident, almost bold, about what he really wants from life.)
(He wish to become someone like that, one day.)
It's early March, one year has passed already, and he's back to Japan. He came back few days ago, actually, reunion between him and his friends sweet, full of tight hugs, comforting really, unshed tears of joy and too much longing, brimming at their eyes though.
The texts or calls they were sharing not making up for the distance and time lost, apparently. All of them changing in some ways, both physically and mentaly. His own shoulders getting broader, him gaining few extra inches in height, in general. He's going to learn about them, what is new, what stayed the same, get to know them again. Because he's here right now and he's going to make the most of it. He's not going anywhere.
New faces popping out; pink-haired boy smiling wide, his laugh booming, presence bright like sun itself and orange-haired girl, who in fact, he blinks owlishly, is sending him death glares, from behind Maki's shoulder? Soon he learns it's about something, regarding last year's Goodwill Event, so he just smiles sheepishly, scratches at the back of his neck.
It's his birthday again and he's only aware of that, due to Toge texting him, first thing in the morning. Just like year ago.
from: Toge, 7:32 am.
you awake?
He pushes the covers away, standing up, then smiles gently to himself. Him and the other boy became good friends real quick, his heart fluttering now in his chest, while remembering the hours of late-night conversations, via text or videocalls sometimes, him understanding Toge better, each passing day, making good on his promise to learn sign language, so the other boy could talk with him comfortably, one of them dead to the world next day, but feeling like it was worth it.
Swapping pictures and memes, making each other laugh to the verge of tears, sharing missions experiances, Toge taking care of him by remading him of sleeping or his need to eat, when he's to much caught up with what's going on around him, to remember about trivial things like that. Letting him talk about his fears and insecurities, just listening, offering the comfort he needs. Telling him how proud he is of him, of his accomplishments, and power gained.
(It all makes him wonder, sudden sense of clarity, if maybe Toge and him could-)
There's a loud knock on his door. He shakes his head, pushing previous thoughts aside, openes them quickly. Toge is standing right in front of him, in plain T-shirt and black pants, his face free of any high-collar, no mask either, snake and fangs seal on full display.
His breath hitches a little, the other looks so adorable, strands of almost white, now much longer than before, hair falling on younger boy's forehead, into his eyes, hands wrapped protectivly around small, square-shaped box, red bow attached to it. He wonders, if the boy's hair is as soft to the touch as it look.
"Ah, yes", he says finally, out of his stupor, taking little package out of Toge's hands, "it's my birthday already, huh?"
The other boy's smile is genuine, albeit small, perfectly visble due to his bare cheeks, courtesy of them staying inside, away from prying eyes, most likely.
(This isn't often that he gets to see the other boy in that way.)
"Thank you", he says warmly. Hesitates for a moment, then blurts out, "what was that you wished to tell me?"
Toge appears taken aback, for a quick moment, his brows knitting together, then realization comes to his face, his features softening slightly.
"Tsuna?", you remembered?
He scoffs slighty, "how could I not? It was eating me alive for some time-", he pauses, as he sees Toge sign unhurriedly, light movements to boy's still outstrached hands, making it easier for him to understand.
He furrows his brow thoughtfuly, tries, "I, hm, like?"
Wide smile appearing on his face, when he gets it at last, a small victory.
He repeats, proud of himself, "'I like you', that's what you mean, yes-", stops himself, immediately. Heart slowing down a bit, face going red, blush spreading down to his neck.
He stutters gracelessly, "y-you l-like me?"
"Shake" is offered to him firmly, the glint in Toge's eyes is challenging, expectant. Few seconds passes, then-
He stumbles over his words, "well, I like you too, but do you- in that way? Because if it's the case, it's great, I also-"
His sentence get cut short, younger boy's climbing on his tiptoes, to leave small peck on his mouth. Other's skin so smooth, only chaste press of lips against lips, innocent and sweet, also short, because soon Toge is breaking apart from him, and he follows after instantly. No hesitation.
(His brain might just short-circuited.)
His eyelids flutter, he's lost for words, other's boy palm pressed decisively over his mouth, stopping him. He blushes harder.
"Shake?", the other asks, amethyst eyes not leaving him, boring into his teal ones. Do you feel the same?
He licks at offending hand, smirks maliciously, due to sound of disgust making its way out of light-haired boy mouth. "Of course I do, didn't I tell you, just before you-"
Toge rolls his eyes, then shrugs, playful smile playing on boy's lips. "Mentaiko", too much rambling for me to understand.
He tries to catch him, but boy's movements are quick, spasm of loud laugh settling around them, while Toge avoids his hands. "You little-"
This is probably the third time, he got interrupted, but it's okay. Because soft lips are back to his, and it's really perfect, the kiss more sure now, steady, smaller boy's arms wrapping around his torso, bringing them closer together.
He sighs into the other's mouth, the space between their lips growing slightly. Whispers against it, breath hot. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Toge glance at him, shrugs, taking small step back.
(He wishes so much to get close to the boy again. To touch him gently, bring him closely to his chest, arms caging the younger one in.)
He pouts, "I know you wanted to tell me in person, but I'm back for days now, and-"
"Okaka."
He blinks, "what?"
The other groans, write something on his phone, seconds later, there's buzzing coming out of his sweats pocket.
from: Toge, 8:02 am.
i wanted to do that on your birthday
His brows are knitting together, still not quite sure why the other was so fixated on it, another loud ping following closely behind.
from: Toge, 8:03 am.
also, serves you right, after taking so long to come back (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง
(Oh, he thinks, that makes perfect sense now.)
(same day)
from: baby <3, 9:03 pm
did you open your present already?
to: baby <3, 9:04 pm
No, not yet, I was occupied.
from: baby <3, 9:05 pm
with what?
(he can imagine his boyfriend's brows furrowing in confusion)
to: baby <3, 9:06 pm
Thinking about you <3
(he can play at this game too; Toge's not the only one, who can tease a bit, out of them)
from: baby <3, 9:08 pm
omg, yuuta's so hopeless, i can't (´∀｀)
(well, maybe he can't-)