Archive of Our Own

“Tamaki? Would you like to introduce yourself to the class?” 

“ Ew ! What even is that!” 

“He’s so gross!” 

“Can he even talk?” 

“He looks so dumb.” 

“Why is he in our class!” 

To say middle school was the worst was definitely an understatement. Tamaki Amajiki had just moved from his small country town to the suburbs of the city. It had definitely not been by choice. He would have been content to stay in his familiar community for the rest of his life, never branching out and trying new things. Thanks to his father's new job, that wasn’t exactly an option. 

Being a young teenager was struggle enough but add being bug fae to the mix and it made meeting new people that much worse. He wasn’t completely ugly per say , but Tamaki knew what he looked like. His antennae were fuzzy and his skin wasn’t soft or rosy. He didn’t look like most fae did, especially not fae this close to the city. In his new classmates' eyes, he was weird and strange and at the ripe age of eleven, Tamaki already knew what it meant to not want to be perceived. 

It had been hard for him. He didn’t make friends, he didn’t necessarily excel in school, and with his parents working so often to afford their expensive house, Tamaki didn’t get to spend the same amount of time with them like he did back home. He missed back home. The commune had been so loving and welcoming. All of the bug fae knew him and accepted him. He didn’t have to fight for a place at the table because they always made him one. 

His grandparents were back at the commune and he missed them every day. He missed his grandfather's lavender-smelling pipe and the rows and rows of his grandmother's books. Tamaki could go and visit them for hours. He hoped they were doing okay.

Tamaki was quiet. He usually didn’t speak unless he was spoken to and never volunteered for anything. He sat at the back of the class and took notes with his head low to the table. He never wanted to attract attention. This reflected in the way he dressed, the way he spoke when he did, and even the way he held himself. Tamaki figured if he made himself small and unnoticeable, then everyone would leave him alone, he could escape from existence. 

At home, his mother would always tell him how one day, he would be a show stopper. She would sit with him on his too-big bed in his too-big room and tell him in earnest how her son would be the most stunning being to grace her eyes. 

Of course, he never believed her. 

How could he? The kids at school every day would walk right over him like he was no more than a blade of grass. And he would let them. 

One day after school, Tamaki needed to getaway. The day had been terrible, too loud, too seen, too anxious. He wanted to forget all of it and hideaway for a while so he went for a walk in the woods. Usually, he was too nervous to go anywhere new alone but this was different. He needed to disappear and the only way to do that would be to go by himself. 

Moving branches away from his face, finding a small path not too far from his house, Tamaki followed the sound of rushing water until he came across a large lake with three waterfalls tumbling into it. He was amazed by the serenity he had found. This was by far the most at peace he had felt since he had moved and that was two years ago now. 

Sitting at the bank, careful of the rocks beneath his bare feet, Tamaki pulled his knees to his chest, resting them gently so that his head could lay. He breathed in the fresh scent of the water and looked out to see if he could spot any fish. The sun was warm on his skin here but it would be worth the burn he would have when he woke up the next morning. 

The water circled happily at his feet, bubbles popping from the movement making him laugh. It really was that simple for Tamaki to find joy, especially in the midst of such bleakness. For just a moment, he wasn’t thinking about anything. Not the terrible day he had had, not the dull pain in his body that accompanied his day-to-day, not even how upset his parents would be with him for staying out after school. His head was as clear as the water below him.

Eventually, he drifted off to sleep, waking only when the sky was orange and pink. The last fading moments of sun brought forth a glint in the corner of his eye, bringing his attention to the still gurgling water. Not too far from him, bumping softly against the rocks, was a golden oil lamp. It boasted intricate gold leafing and gorgeous spiraling but Tamaki was only concerned with the fact that it was shiny and he very much wanted the shiny thing. 

Rolling up his pants legs and jumping into the water, he fished it out quickly, not wanting the lamp, or himself for that matter, to be washed away with the current. 

He felt his eyes grow wide as the lamp sparkled even more out of the water. The object felt warm and heavy in his hands and he couldn’t wait to bring it home to show his parents. If they were even home, that is. 

Shoulders dropping, he started the long trek home, sticking the lamp in his book bag. 

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To be honest, he forgot about the thing until he was getting ready to do homework a few days later. 

It was after school and Tamaki had decided to come back to the lake, bringing a change of pants this time in case he decided to go for a splash. Perhaps he could wish the fish hello! 

Sitting at the banks, his antenna rubbing together happily as he basked in the sun, he caught the bright glint of the lamp from his backpack. 

Pulling it out quickly, he turned it over and over in the light, catching every glowing angle hungrily as he took in how pretty the object was. He wanted to keep it as close to him as possible! 

Catching a new angle, Tamaki held the lamp still, trying to read some writing he had yet to see before. There was a smudge on it and the writing was already much too small to see, so he rubbed it with the cloth of his shirt, trying to wipe away the fingerprints. 

The lamp grew warmer in his hands when he did. The object shaking until he was all but forced to let it go as it flew out, dropping to the ground with a thud. 

Scrambling back, he watched in confused and awed fright as a bright red mist started pouring out. He wished he had something to hide behind but it didn’t matter, one second later and Tamaki was convinced those blue eyes would find him anywhere. 

“Hi! I’m here to gra- wow ,” the figure spoke as Tamaki stumbled away, arms thrown up in front of his face like he was going to be attacked. It was a natural response at this point. 

The blue eyes seemed to be displeased by this, frowning and making himself smaller to be at Tamaki’s level, gently pulling at his arm so that he could look the fae in the eye. 

“Sorry if I startled you, I just got a little excited,” the blue eyes said, rubbing sheepishly at his neck. “It’s not every day you get to meet someone as beautiful as you!” he laughed, looking at Tamaki. 

What? 

This guy must not be able to see or need glasses or something because Tamaki was not beautiful. 

“I-I should-” He stuttered, face turning red as blue eyes bore into his soul. They felt so kind and warm but Tamaki couldn’t trust it. Kindness and warmth had hurt him before. 

“No! Please!” Blue eyes watched the way the other flinched and lowered his voice. “My name is Mirio and, well, I’m your genie. You kinda can’t leave me.” Mirio’s laugh was loud but not intimidating. 

“A...a what?” 

“A genie! Ya know like, ‘I’ll grant your three wishes for finding me’ type of thing! You’re my new master!” 

Tamaki frowned at that. He didn’t want to be anyone’s master. 

“Or,” Mirio smiled down at him. “Friend.” 

The look of surprise that crossed the fae’s face must have been impressed with the way Mirio was smiling so brightly back at him. Tamaki would compare it to the sun except, the blue-eyed boy's smile seemed to rival even that. 

“I don’t-” 

“Come on!” Mirio was beside him then, wispy tail turning into two legs as a chubby hand came out to take Tamaki’s, helping him to stand. “Show me your home ah...sorry! What was your name?” 

“T-Tamaki.” 

“I love it! It’s almost as pretty as you! Show me your home, Tamaki! And we can get all this wish stuff sorted!” 

Just like that, Tamaki found himself with not only a new friend but also a new shiny thing. 

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It was a shock to his Freshman class when he brought Mirio into school with him. Tamaki hadn’t used not one of his wishes since he had found the genie and Mirio seemed to be okay with that. 

He moved into their guestroom not long ago and his parents decided if the blond was going to be staying then he might as well enroll in school. 

Everyone loved Mirio. Students, teachers, even parents. He was the nicest guy. A total gentleman and so respectful all of the time. Tamaki strived to be like him, so energetic and passionate. 

With the genie around, the bullying got better, kind of. He was still subject to all of the nasty looks and people picking on him when Mirio wasn’t looking but at least no one left marks where the other would see them.

Or so he thought. 

They had just gotten out of school one day, late in their Sophomore year and it was Mirio’s idea to go to the lake. They’d usually end up going every other day and stay until it was dark out so this was nothing new. What was new was the bright red and pink bruise on Tamaki’s arm that he didn’t want his friend to see. His only friend. 

He was so afraid Mirio would look at him differently if he knew Tamaki was getting bullied. What would the blond think? He was so strong and knew how to stand up for himself. He’d probably see Tamaki as weak and wouldn’t want to be friends with him anymore. Mirio would move away from him and they’d never speak again and Tamaki would be heartbroken. 

“Ki? You in there?” Mirio asked, breaking him out of his thoughts. Indigo hair ruffled for a moment as Tamaki nodded, forcing a smile to the other. 

“Well don’t do that,” the blond laughed, poking his cheeks. “Come on, jump in! It’ll make you feel better!” 

Tamaki couldn’t, he wouldn’t. Jumping in meant taking off his sweater and taking off his sweater meant exposing his bruise. He couldn’t let Mirio see it. 

“No no, that’s okay, I’m okay. Y-you go ahead and have fun,” he tried again to smile. 

Mirio frowned. 

“What’s wrong?” 

Tamaki faltered. Was he really that easy to read? “N-nothing is w-wrong. Why?” 

Mirio reached over to touch his arm, a move he always did when the genie thought Tamaki would want comfort over something. His frown deepened when Tamaki flinched away. 

“Tama-”

“It’s nothing, seriously. Forget it,” Tamaki deflected quickly, pulling his knees closer to his chest. Why did this have to be happening now? Couldn’t Mirio just stop looking at him with that worried expression for one moment? Was Tamaki no more than that? Cause for someone’s worry? 

Mirio dropped the subject, letting a silence fester between them that left Tamaki on edge. Was the blond going to snap? Would he start to hit him and call him mean names too? 

Tamaki should have known he wouldn’t. He should have expected the way Mirio cuddled up next to him, pushing his hands and knees out of the way so that the blond could lay his head in his lap. Those bright blue eyes looked up at him, searching Tamaki’s face for a moment before he sighed. 

“Please, will you tell me?” His voice was soft without the usual bravado. He spoke gently as he laid a hand softly on Tamaki’s arm. The fae didn’t pull away this time, instead allowing the other to caress over the unseen bruise, hissing slightly when his touch became too heavy. 

Mirio’s face twisted at Tamaki’s outburst, fingers trailing down his arm to wrap lightly around the other's thin wrist instead. “Tamaki.” 

It wasn’t an ask as much as it was a pleading command. He knew Mirio was curious but Tamaki couldn’t take his mind off of the fact that he would learn the truth and use it against him. 

Anxious tears found their way down his face as he used his free hand to push the sleeve of the sweater down. The bruise had sat for a while, the fresh pink beginning to purple around the edges. It was extremely sore and warm to the touch as Mirio traced over it. It took up most of his upper arm, trailing down from his shoulder and stopping just above his elbow. 

“What happened?” 

Tamaki couldn’t stand to look at what must be the disappointment on Mirio’s face to answer the others' questions. “I-I ran into a door at school earlier I-” 

“What. Happened.” 

The force of the question surprised him, shocking Tamaki enough that he made eye contact. The ferocity in the blue would have startled him except, Tamaki knew it wasn’t directed towards him. Somewhere deep down, through all of the uncertainty, he could just feel that Mirio wasn’t upset with him, but with the people who did this to him. 

His tears fell faster, welling up in his eyes like dewdrops on the grass in the morning. He couldn’t keep himself together as he registered for once in his miserable life, he was being seen in a way he hadn’t been before. Everyone always pitied him, his parents were constantly worried for him but Mirio...Mirio was angry for him. Tamaki didn’t know what he could begin to do to express his gratitude for the emotion. 

Mirio held tightly to his wrist, fingers tracing softly over the skin of his forearm to help keep him present and to hopefully calm him down. 

He blurted into an explanation. He told Mirio bluntly how all of the kids in class hated him. How they had picked on him since the morning he moved to that goddamn town and how it had only seemed to get worse as time went on. He had always thought if he did what they wanted, if he made himself as small as possible, the others would leave him alone and he could just disappear. 

He never understood why they wanted to hurt him so bad. What had he done to them other than be different? Was being different such a crime? 

“I want you to make me likable. I wish for you to make me beautiful o-or handsome or something . Please, just make them stop, make it stop.” He hurt. Tamaki could admit with a sound conscience that he was hurting. The pain was chronic and it rarely ever let up. The words and actions of his peers had cut him so deeply, that even with what he was asking for, he knew the wound would take forever to heal. For a moment, he forgot just what he was directing his wish to. The physical pain? Or the emotional?

“I can’t do that, I’m sorry.” 

Mirio’s words stung him like a knife. Even with the other holding him close, rocking him gently to alleviate his worry, Mirio wouldn’t help him. 

“I deserve it then. I deserve it anyway.”

“What? No-” 

“I do. I deserve to be hated and called ugly and looked down at because I even have a genie and not even you can help me! What’s the point then! Huh!” He was standing now, feet planted firm on the hard ground, fists balled up at his sides. “I will be an outcast forever because I deserve to be . I will be alone for the rest of my life because no one will ever like me. ” 

“I like you, Tamaki.” 

Mirio’s words stole the air from his lungs. 

He staggered a step back, feet stumbling over one another as he tried to find his footing again. His eyes were wide and unbelieving as he blinked back at the blond. 

“What?” 

“I like you, Tamaki,” Mirio repeated, a soft smile falling onto his face. “I can’t make you beautiful, because you already are. I can’t make people like you because they already do, I, already do.” 

“But why?” He couldn’t help but doubt. How did he know Mirio wasn’t just saying these things to get him to shut up? How could he possibly know the blond wasn’t lying?

“Because you’re you. You’re kind, and gentle. You have the biggest heart out of anyone I have ever met and you’re so entirely yourself. Even if you hate it.” 

Tamaki heard what he said, but such generous words were at a loss to his ears. He was flawed. To everyone else in this town, besides his parents, Tamaki was flawed. He didn’t have a purpose and was less than. 

But here was Mirio. 

Painting him in the most beautiful light. Saying the nicest words and reaching out to hold his thin hand. Tamaki couldn’t process the idea of being wanted. Especially not by someone other than his own family. 

It was crazy to him how someone as confident and as charming as Mirio would choose him to befriend. How he was the one standing with Mirio right now, receiving the blond's affections as he pulled Tamaki close. It made him nervous and itchy but it also made his heart sing. 

Mirio brought him home that night, sneezing and shivering from having cried so much. Tamaki slept the whole night through no problem, having dreams of red clouds of smoke and bright blue skies. 

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School got better after that. Tamaki wasn’t sure why but the bullies knew never to cross him again. Unless they wanted to deal with Mirio which, smartly, they did not. 

Things were relatively normal until the fae had his first brush with jealousy his Senior year of school. 

It was spring in the human world which meant it was festival season. Every year, his school held a large dance for the graduating class. It was always a huge celebration, even before graduation. Tamaki wasn’t necessarily fond of parties but he always assumed he’d find a date and attend like everyone else. 

He was expecting no one to ask him, that much was a given. He wasn’t expecting the myriad of people who were asking Mirio. Tamaki knew his best friend was attractive. Mirio had always been charming and witty, all fae alike had taken interest in him. It was just a surprise to suddenly see everyone crowding around the blond like some sort of celebrity. In some ways, Tamaki assumed he was. 

The week leading up to the dance was agonizing. His mother had made him an outfit to wear and his father had gone with Mirio to pick something out. He was sure the blond would look phenomenal and he’d look at best mediocre standing beside him. Mirio hadn’t accepted a date yet and after months of trying, no one had agreed to go with Tamaki. 

Rejection stung. It always had. It hurt even worse this time knowing that he tried. Tamaki stepped outside of his comfort zone in asking people to the dance. If this was him four years ago, he would never have had the courage to do something like that. The wound cut deeper when he recognized how even at his best, people would still never see him as anything more than a wallflower. 

“Uh, Tamaki, this is Rose. She’ll be my date to the dance.” 

Oof. All the air was knocked out of him as he shook hands with the flower fairy. She was pretty, sure, with her long black hair and dainty smile. She looked like the kind of girl who’d be good with Mirio, it’s no surprise he picked her. 

Yet still, looking at them together made something sharp twist up in Tamaki’s chest. He didn’t like the sight of them. He wanted to be there, standing with Mirio, laughing at seemingly nothing. That’s what he’d been doing the last six years. Why change it now? 

It was completely dumb of him but he couldn’t help the hopelessness he was feeling. It was quickly consuming him like how dry soil took up water. Tamaki felt like he could drink and drink and never feel satisfied. 

He spent every night that week leading up to the dance, staring at his ceiling and crying silent tears for how ridiculous he felt. If only he’d realized sooner. If only he had made some sort of move while Mirio was still his. Regret burned in his chest so badly, he thought it might leave a hole where his heart should be. It would be easier that way, right? 

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“Knock knock?” It was the night before the dance and Tamaki was drowning. He could barely keep his head above water to answer the door. 

Mirio’s large frame shadowed over him before the light in the hallway vanished and the click of the door closing echoed around them. Tamaki forced himself to suck it up, to dry the tears before the blond could see him. To keep pretending that everything was okay. 

“I wa- what’s wrong?” 

Tamaki had learned that no, he wasn’t easy to read. Mirio was just good at reading him. 

The fae shook his head, turning away from Mirio to gather himself before he could speak. “I just hurt a little, that’s all.” 

To make matters worse, the pain he had felt his whole life was getting worse. It had settled over the past months in his knees and his head. It wasn’t always severe but there were days Tamaki didn’t even want to move. One more notch to add to the weird, dislikeable box. 

“Do you want me to get some mint?” 

That was Mirio. Always so helpful, so kind. 

“N-no, I can tough it out, promise,” he gave a weak thumbs up. With his head turned, Tamaki missed the way Mirio frowned at him. 

The quiet that fell was anything but absolute. Tamaki knew in just a moment, Mirio would be reaching out for him and asking in that soft tone he took with him what was wrong. Tamaki wasn’t sure he could take it. He wasn’t certain he could handle the gentle caresses and the silent concern right now. 

“I’m okay Mirio, really. My head just hurts.” He turned to face him now, a small hopefully convincing smile on his face as he looked at the other. 

Mirio’s frown only deepened, taking a seat at the edge of Tamaki’s still too big bed. “Is this about the dance? Because if you’d rather not go, I can tell Nejire and Rose we’re going to have a night in.” 

“No, no this isn’t about the dance,” Tamaki lied. “You’re going to go tomorrow and have a great time.” 

“...What about you?” 

“Me?”

Mirio nods, expectant. 

“I...well. I-I mean I’ll go with Nejire. Before you asked Rose that was the plan right? For the three of us to go as a group? I won’t let her down.” He tried to offer a thumbs up. To be excited about the arrangement he had stumbled into. Nejire was a good friend, it’d be fun to go to the dance with her, no sweat. Right? 

No, not right. Tamaki didn’t want to go at all but he had made a commitment. He had promised his friends that he would be there so he would show up, with a smile on his face. Even if on the inside he wasn’t smiling at all. 

Like right now. 

“Tamak-”

“Stop, Mirio. Please.” He held a hand up, inching away from the blond’s hands as they were stretched out to hold him. He didn’t want to be held. He didn’t want to be pitied. 

Tears streamed down his face openly as he pushed himself to stand, holding on tightly to the poster of the bed frame as his knees threatened to give out. His legs were weak from the pains but his cane was on the other side of the room. 

He’d force his way to the door anyway. 

“Tamaki, liste-” 

“No! I don’t want to listen!” The indigo-haired man swatted the genie’s hand away from him, leaning his other arm up against the wall to steady himself. “I don’t want your help.” 

“Don’t be stubborn.” 

“Don’t tell me what to do!” The outburst startled his own ears as he yelled, the tips turning red in embarrassment. Wow, even he hated the sound of his own voice. 

“You’re going to hurt yourself,” Mirio whispered, keeping his distance. 

“Fine then.” 

“And what then? When you fall? What then?”

Tamaki wanted to scream. He wanted to scream so loud because he knew the answer. Shit. Of course, he knew the answer. 

“I will always be here to catch you.”

“Please leave me alone.” His ankle gave out as he spoke, his body weight collapsing to lean heavily against the wall. Mirio took a step towards him, to brace his fall. “Please! ...please.” He crumpled in on himself, the pain and the tears becoming too much to continue forward. 

He tried to push away as big arms scooped him up, carrying him back over to the bed. He hated this. Hated every single last thing about this. Tamaki hated how weak he was. He hated how no matter how hard he tried, he would always end up back in Mirio’s arms. He hated how gorgeous the blond was. 

Tamaki hated how much he loved him. 

It wasn’t fair. 

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“Now will you please tell me what is wrong?” 

It had taken Tamaki what felt like forever to calm down. His muscles ached and his mouth was dry when he tried to speak. His face was buried in Mirio’s chest, hidden away so the other couldn’t see just how broken he was. 

“I wish-” his voice sounded fragile and hoarse. “I wish for you to make someone love me.” 

He was desperate. Anything to get his mind, his heart off of what was occupying it. Tamaki figured, if someone else loved him, like really, truly loved him, then all his problems would disappear. He would no longer have to worry about being lonely and he wouldn’t show up without any date prospects to the dance. Or graduation for that matter. Or life. 

It was like he could feel Mirio shaking his head before the blond even made the move to do so. 

“Oh, Tamak-”

“Don’t.” 

The pity in Mirio’s voice was patronizing. 

“I can’t do that.” 

Tamaki was ready to give up. 

“And why?” His voice sounded defeated now. “This is the second wish I’ve asked you to grant and yet again, you can’t do it.” 

He heard Mirio breathe in to answer and a scowl landed on his face. “And don’t tell me that same stuff about someone already loving me. I’d hope I’d know by now. If someone loved me, they’d say it.” 

Mirio ran a hand through his hair, smoothing out the messy bits and slightly massaging at the top of his head where a lot of pressure built up. The blond was careful of his antennae, knowing they were always so much more sensitive at night. 

“Love is...tricky.” 

That wasn’t the answer he’d been expecting. 

“For a genie, it’s hard to influence people’s emotions in one way or another for long periods of time, so, no. I can’t make anyone fall in love or like anybody else. What I can do is start a connection. I can introduce two people who, without magic, would have never met otherwise and hope for the best. But that’s about it.” 

“...That’s lame.” 

Mirio’s laughter tickled his ear, making Tamaki smile a bit. 

“I don’t think so. Love has a lot of layers. It’s about trust and respect and a little bit of sacrifice. Love also hurts. It’s much more powerful than a lot of magic, at least, that’s what storybooks say.” 

“What about you? What do you say?” 

Tamaki waited for a moment, feeling Mirio’s fingers tap against his back as he thought. The fae had curled himself as small as possible into the others side. It made the pain easier to manage the smaller he was. 

“Me? Well, I think love comes to us when the time is right. That can be whenever we most need it or, whenever it’s ready. We have to be patient. I also think that a part of being ready to receive love is loving ourselves.” 

Tamaki almost laughed before realizing how serious Mirio sounded. Pulling his head back to look at him, he had to blink away quickly from the blond's gaze. Blue eyes had pierced into him, bringing a blush to his cheeks as Mirio held him just a bit tighter. 

“You have to be nicer to yourself, Tamaki.” 

“I a-”

Mirio tapped his shoulder, indigo eyes meeting azure ones. 

“I’m trying. It’s just...it’s hard. Everything is really hard and I don’t even know what to do to make it easier. I mean, when I’m with you and Nejire, it’s easier to escape from my head but sometimes it just...it takes over.” 

“You’re so brave for that.” 

No. No way. Tamaki couldn’t do this with him right now. He was still feeling worked up from earlier. He didn’t know if he had the energy to cry again. 

“I’m serious. You’re the only one who gets to be inside your mind. No one really knows what you go through. And you have so much on your plate Tamaki, so much. But every day, you wake up and you fight your battles. You put one foot in front of the other and each time it amazes me because I know it takes four times the effort of anyone else. I really love that about you Tamaki, you’re so resilient.” 

Mirio thumbed away the tears that slid down the fae’s cheeks, the grin on his face only getting bigger as Tamaki put his hands over his eyes to hide the smile from view. 

How was he so perfect? How was Mirio always able to make him feel like this? Most days, Tamaki wasn’t able to think of a single nice thing to say about himself but here he was, listing them off without a hitch. 

They laid like that for the rest of the night, Tamaki humming himself to sleep as the sun rose in the sky.

*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ**✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ**✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ

The dance had gone fine. Tamaki spent most of it trying to ignore the weird looks he was getting from other students as he leaned heavily on his cane to walk. As much as it tore him apart to see Mirio and Rose together, they made a cute couple and she was a really sweet girl. 

The very next day, Tamaki made himself a promise. He stood in front of the mirror, picking at all the tiny imperfections, comparing himself to all of the handsome people he had seen at the party, when he started to think about Mirio. 

The genie deserved someone who was just as amazing as he was, inside and out. 

Tamaki wanted to be that. He wanted to be Mirio’s someone and if he was going to be worthy of him, he had to work on himself first. 

It was little changes at first like, trying to speak more in class and not hiding himself away as much. By the time they were getting ready to graduate, Tamaki had transformed into a new version of himself. Kinda. He still was incredibly anxious and he’d hideaway when he had the chance but he’d built up a confidence and willingness to be perceived where he had never wanted that before. 

He smiled at people in the hallways and he only waited a few moments before answering a call but most importantly, he had accepted himself. He had taken the time every night to journal and talk to himself. To nitpick at every single ‘flaw’ and ‘imperfection’ and embrace them. Because they made him who he was. Just like how Mirio wasn’t perfect all the time, Tamaki couldn’t expect himself to be either. He could simply do the best he could with what he was given and there was nothing wrong with that. 

It was extremely emotional when Mirio pushed his wheelchair across the stage. For a lot of reasons, really. His parents hadn’t expected his condition to be that bad and Mirio was crying because they had finally graduated. 

Tamaki was happy because all of the watchful eyes had made him nervous but the pictures he had taken with his friends after the ceremony would stay with him forever. 

During the summer, no one really had plans. Mirio started to work at a bookshop which Tamaki visited often but besides that, they spent a lot of time at the lake. Nejire had left the circle with her parents, looking forward to her next adventure but telling the boys, ‘if you need me, you’ll find me’, in her usual flighty way. Air spirits. Always floating. 

Tamaki was grateful though. No one could judge him for how touchy he was being. They spent every day together and yet Tamaki couldn’t get enough of Mirio. He wanted him near constantly and in moments when he wasn’t, the fae was asleep or too tired to move. Mirio played along thankfully, never really asking questions when Tamaki would curl up next to him and take a nap. 

He remembers one night in particular when he had fallen asleep and his parents had come into the room, talking in whispers with Mirio about something. He had only caught a few words like, ‘normal behavior’ and ‘transformation soon’, but he had been too out of it to confront them for answers. 

Today, the weather was warm and humid with a slight breeze as they sat at the lake. Tamaki had his knees pulled into his chest, back pressed against Mirio’s as they overlooked the water, watching the falls tumble into the flow. It really was breathtaking. 

Mirio hummed lowly, the vibration rocking up his spine. It always made him happy to feel something there as most of the body below his waist was numb to the touch. His legs worked but barely. He used a wheelchair or crutches to get places now. Not that he minded, he would make do with what he had. 

“Did I tell you how beautiful you looked today yet?” Mirio asked him for the seventh time since they had been sitting there. 

“Yes, and if you say it again I’ll really start to think you’re lying,” Tamaki laughed, reaching to grab Mirio’s hand. He tucked it against his chest, breathing out when their fingers intertwined. 

“It’s really nice,” Mirio stated, the smile on his face heard through his words. 

“What is?” Tamaki was oblivious of what was to come next. 

“To be loved by you.” 

What. 

“I-I” Tamaki pushed himself away to try and get a good look at Mirio, to see what was happening on the other's face. 

It was futile though, as Mirio held him back against his chest, pressing a kiss to his cheek. A kiss on his cheek! 

“Let me explain,” the blond laughed, breathing into his hair. His breath was much warmer than the wind, causing goosebumps to spread down his arms. “I’ve loved you since we were freshmen. I just never had the guts to tell you until now. Which is really bad timing if you ask me.” 

“I don’t-I don’t understand I- huh? ” Tamaki couldn’t believe his ears. Was his hearing starting to go too?

“I have, I’m telling you the truth Ki. It’s been so hard to keep it to myself but I just knew it would be so much better once you loved yourself too. There were so many moments, so many times when I wish I could have made you see what I saw and I tried, trust me, I did but you can be so goddamn stubborn when you wanna be,” Mirio laughed again. Wet droplets like rain fell into Tamaki’s hair before he realized the other was crying. 

He tried again with no luck to look back at him. “S-so when you wouldn’t grant my love wish, it was...you were…” 

The head above his nods and Tamaki can’t breathe. They had wasted all this time! They could hav- but they couldn’t, because Mirio was right. This revelation, this confession, wouldn’t have felt as good four months ago as it did now. 

“I love you, Tamaki,” Mirio whispered, pressing another kiss to his hair. 

“Why are you saying it like that?” The fae had picked up on a sort of finality in his voice and he did not like it at all. 

“It’s kind of silly but, I’m going to miss you.” 

“M-miss me? What? Mirio, I’m not going anywhere. Mirio?” 

The other didn’t answer him, instead holding him closer. 

That was when Tamaki realized he could no longer feel his arms or his fingers. His shoulders weren’t even responding when he tried to wiggle them. Fear struck his body as he was rendered motionless, not even able to feel the rising and falling of Mirio’s chest. 

“I-I’m scared,” he spoke. At least, he hoped he spoke. He couldn’t feel his mouth move. 

“Don’t worry. I’ll be here. Right here, I promise.” He wasn’t sure if Mirio was talking to him or just speaking out loud.

Tamaki didn’t understand, but something about the reassurance in Mirio’s words, the sorrowful promise coming from his love's mouth , made him believe him. It made him rest. 

“I love you,” he tried to whisper, before the world around him went dark. 

*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ**✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ*✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ**✭˚･ﾟ✧*･ﾟ

When Tamaki first woke, he was ultimately confused as to why he was in a tree. Then he wondered how he got there and then he wondered what kind of tree it was. The third question was not as important as the first two. 

The last thing he remembered was falling asleep after Mirio told him he loved him which, felt very wrong for how excited the thought made him. Speaking of the blond, where was he? 

Nimbly, Tamaki hopped from the tree, feet landing softly on the ground. The air was cool, much cooler than the warm summer breeze he remembered. Looking around, he saw the orange leaves of Autumn which made no sense. 

This was the lake though. The scenery of the three waterfalls at least hadn’t changed.

Continuing his search, he was surprised to see a small cabin had been built near his favorite section of rock. He hadn’t realized anyone beside himself, Mirio, and Nejire knew about the tri-falls. Whoever moved in must know something about what was going on. Perhaps Tamaki had hit his head while swimming and Mirio was off to get one of his parents. 

Without a second thought he walked-

He walked. 

Looking down, he stretched his legs out with wide eyes, almost crying in relief when they answered. He jumped around for a moment, rejoicing in the recovery of his mobility. He had to tell Mirio immediately ! The blond would be so happy for him! It wasn’t lost to him the return of feeling in any of his other limbs either. The constant thrum of his head had also disappeared, replaced instead with a dull hum. That was something he would gladly deal with if it meant he could walk again. 

If it meant he could run again. 

With a giddy step, he took off for the cabin, skidding to a halt at the door and knocking with a more-forceful-than-he-meant knock. 

“Coming!” 

Mirio? 

Since when had the blond known of a cabin by the lake? Since when had the blond lived in a cabin by the lake? 

“Hi! How can I-... wow .” 

There he was, his knight in shining armor. Mirio was looking at him with wide eyes, the blue a welcome sight after the confusion of waking up in a tree. He had some flour on his shirt, a sure sign that he had been baking. The smell of pastry was filling his nose, distracting him momentarily. 

Mirio startled him out of it by dragging the indigo-haired man into a hug, squeezing him tightly. 

Tamaki let out a little squeak at the sudden interaction, smiling again when he saw the look of awe on the other's face. 

“Sorry if I startled you, I just got a little excited,” Mirio said, rubbing sheepishly at his neck. His words were slow as he drank the fae in, catching his every feature as if the blond hadn’t seen him a million times before “It’s not every day you get to meet someone as beautiful as you.” he whispered, looking at Tamaki. 

He had heard those words before. So many moons ago. Tamaki would be lying if he said he wasn’t a sucker for those types of romantic gestures. 

He couldn’t help himself, pulling Mirio in with a growing smile of his own and pressing their lips together in a much overdue kiss. Everything about it was exactly what Tamaki had imagined. It was soft and sweet, just like Mirio. 

“I love you too,” he pulled away, remembering then that he hadn’t had the chance to say it back. 

Mirio pulled him back to the ground, feet once again on soft gra- huh. 

The blond smiled at him knowingly, nudging him over towards the lake. Tamaki dragged him with him, nervous suddenly for whatever it was Mirio wanted him to see. 

There, on the surface, was the reflection of someone who truly lived up to the other's description. Long indigo hair and pointed alabaster ears. The reflection had a slender figure which was lovingly offset by the stocky figure of a blue-eyed genie behind him. The show stopper, just like his mother had said, were stunning purple and violet butterfly wings that spanned out from his back. 

They fluttered when Tamaki blinked and his feet lifted off the ground when they flapped. He had no choice to believe what he was seeing and know that that was him. He was beautiful. 

“I-I don’t understand,” he turned to Mirio. The blond was looking at him with so much admiration. His eyes hadn’t left Tamaki from the moment he appeared in the doorway. 

“Your parents didn’t want me to tell you, they thought you would worry. But about three months ago you went into your chrysalis. You had been preparing to cocoon since before we graduated.” 

“Chrysalis? Cocoo- So I’m…?”

His question was answered simply when Mirio nodded. 

All this time, Tamaki was Butterfly fae and his parents had opted not to tell him? 

“They didn’t know until our senior year, don’t be upset with them. Please?” Mirio read him like a book, taking both of his hands and squeezing. 

To be honest, he should have assumed. His grandmother had been Butterfly fae and Tamaki had always connected with her. 

“So...all of this. All of the pain and the paralysis...the bullying I went through when I was younger...was to prepare me for this? The three months I spent in a tree was the time it took for me to transform?” 

Mirio nodded again. “Yep. Almost everything was a completely normal part of the process. The chronic pain was new, I talked to some doctors. They think it may have a chance of returning but, you’ll be able to handle it much better now.” 

Tamaki was very okay with the sound of that. He could handle some aches if it meant he got to be his best self. It it meant he got to be with his best man. 

“I...wow. I-...and you...you waited? All that time?” His insecurity slipped in. Even as he glanced back at himself in the lake, he couldn’t help but think Mirio had given up on him. 

“Of course I did Tamaki, of course.” Mirio pulled him back towards the cabin, careful not to yank him too roughly. “I stayed as close as I could every day until I was too antsy not to move around. Your dad helped me build this place to stay in while I waited and I thought maybe it would be a nice place for us to live,” the blond smiled. “If you wanted!”

Tamaki laughed. A full-bellied, uninhibited laugh that brought tears to Mirio’s eyes. 

“It’s perfect, Mirio.” 

“Gods, I’ve missed you.” Without hesitation, Mirio picked him up, kissing him again, and stepped over the threshold of the cabin, setting Tamaki down only after getting another kiss. 

The day was spent catching Tamaki up, explaining all the bits and pieces of his transformation with his mom and dad, and deciding on what they wanted to have for dinner. They couldn’t very well have strawberry tart all day, even if Tamaki wouldn’t have minded. 

They were sat on the small loveseat, holding each other close as Mirio flipped through the pages of a book. 

“Genie? I have one last wish, if you’d be so kind,” Tamaki smiled. He had been watching the other thoughtfully, taking in the moment. The entire day had been a whirlwind, his whole life if he really wanted to think about it. 

Yet the one constant, for as long as he cared to remember, had been Mirio. 

“I’ll do my best.” 

That’s all I can ask. 

“I wish,” their noses bumped together as Tamaki leaned in, pressing a light kiss to Mirio’s lips. “I wish for you to stay with me forever.”

The blond smiled. 

“Your wish is my command.”