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Let’s be honest. You like Io, right?
Atsushi had thrown the words out there so nonchalantly, like it was common knowledge, some random fact just casually tossed into the open for people to discuss. No, maybe he and Ryuu didn’t do a very good job at being discreet despite their efforts, but Io also didn’t think they were so obvious.
After the last monster attack, he and Ryuu stayed up all night talking, coming to terms with their fight and their conversation that led up to starting a relationship of sorts. It was new territory for the both of them, neither one knowing what it meant or how they felt completely, but they both knew it was a step they wanted to take. They didn’t know what the rules were, and even normal conversations consisted of nervous laughs and shy smiles, but Io wasn’t about to take his commitment back. He just wasn’t fully sure how Ryuu felt.
Io rolled onto his side on his bed, propping his head up with his hand so he could take a better look over at Ryuu who was still asleep beside him. Io couldn’t help himself. He reached out with his free hand, the backs of his fingers caressing the soft skin of Ryuu’s cheek before brushing strands of pink hair away from his face. His skin is so smooth, he thought. He looked much more relaxed than he had in days and Io was grateful for that. It was clear that the events of the past few days had the wheels in Ryuu’s head running on overdrive, and it was stressing him out. It was nice to see him at ease.
Ryuu had been expressing his love of women for years, Io couldn’t remember exactly when it had all started. He believed him; Ryuu really did double-book himself often, and he really did casually flirt with girls he randomly sparked up a conversation with. Io never once saw him look at a guy, or comment about a guy, or anything to indicate that he might be gay or bisexual or anything else. If Io had to sit there and think about it, however, he wouldn’t label Ryuu at all; Ryuu just loved, that was it. He was so full of love that Io sometimes wondered if he could handle it all, but he seemed quite capable of doing so thus far. That is, until Wombat appeared and flipped their lives upside down.
There had never been a need to over-think their relationship until that second monster (made of chopsticks, was it?) threw Ryuu through a wall. Something had tugged so harshly at Io’s heart that he was in motion before his mind could catch up with his actions. Holding his friend against his body made Io’s heart hammer in a way that rising stocks just couldn’t, and it wasn’t the fighting that made him feel so breathless. Even later at the bathhouse, Io’s heart kept pounding at high speed as his eyes trailed over the black and blue bruises that were scattered across Ryuu’s back.
The other day, Io thought he was making the right decisions to appease his overworked heart. Aside from the obvious profit, Io truly thought that joining the student council might clear his head of his confusion. He wouldn’t be with Ryuu so often, wouldn’t have to see him in those shorts that accentuated his long legs and wouldn’t have to share baths with him so often which was an issue of its own. Just how exactly was Io supposed to figure himself out when the apparent object of his newfound affections was carelessly wet and naked beside him, damp loose hair framing his face? It was sinful temptation and not even thinking about his financial successes of the day was enough to change his mindset; it just made him more confused about himself. Io had never given dating the time of day, and now all his thoughts consisted of Ryuu and holding his hand, and touching his skin, and kissing his lips... Was he gay and never realized it until now? Did he like men? Did he like women? Or was it simply just Ryuu?
If all of that hadn’t confused Io enough, the screw monster threw him for an even more complicated loop. Io was furious that anyone (or anything?) even dared to touch Ryuu like that, in such an undignified and vulgar manner. What would’ve happened if he hadn’t given in to his desires? What would’ve happened if he truly had walked away and joined the student council? He and Ryuu would still not be speaking, and if that creepy monster was anything other than an annoyance, would it have killed him? Was it threatening at all?
Thankfully, those scenarios were only in his mind. Io and Ryuu made up, forced each other to talk, and hesitantly decided to start up a relationship. But was it the right thing to do? Neither of them knew what they wanted in the slightest; what if they only hurt each other at the end?
“Io, stop it. You’re thinking too loud. I can’t sleep.”
Io’s hand stilled in Ryuu’s hair and his eyes widened, not realizing that he was still touching him even as his mind raced with his pensive thoughts. Ryuu’s light brown eyes were half open and staring at him sleepily, and Io felt guilty for having bothered him.
“Sorry. Go back to sleep,” he replied softly as he ran his fingers through his friend’s hair again, his hand slipping to Ryuu’s nape to rub tiny circles against it with the hopes of soothing him back to sleep.
“Nice try,” Ryuu mumbled before scooting in closer so that there was barely any space between their bodies. It made Io’s hand still against him in surprise. “What’s bothering you? Is it still about your toothbrush?”
Io chuckled, shaking his head. “No, although I still would like to know who used it. But, no, that’s not it.”
“Talk to me?”
“It’s so late...”
“That was the weakest excuse ever, Io.” Ryuu let out a loud sigh before pushing himself up so he could sit, leaning back against the headboard of the bed. “Was it because Gero blushed at you? That got me, too. He needs to back off. I mean, what happened was pretty funny but, still, he can’t just look at you like -- ”
“What do you think about us, Ryuu?”
“Huh?” Ryuu reached a hand up to his ear out of nervous habit, but he paused when he remembered his earrings weren’t there to play around with. His hands flopped back into his lap and he shrugged, gaze lowering. “I’m going to need a little more to work with than that to be able to answer your question.”
“You like girls.”
“I do. I thought that was well established.” Ryuu paused, eyes widening before he raised his head to look at Io again. “Wait, is what Kinugawa-senpai said before bothering you? That I use them as camouflage or whatever?”
“Wait,” Io paused, quickly pushing himself up so he could sit as well. “No, it’s not -- ”
“Because I don’t! I really do like girls! I never lied about that!” Ryuu exclaimed, his hands gripping the blanket that had pooled in his lap. “I’m not trying to use them to look away from you or whatever... I just, I never looked at men before. I still haven’t. We’re at the bath with those guys all the time, and I’ve never once wanted to look at them or anything like that. Not once.”
“I know. I believe you.”
“Do you think that I don’t like you? That I’m just confused?” Ryuu’s voice had taken a bit of a sad, disappointed tone to it, and Io felt the guilt wash over him in heavy waves. “I would never do that to you, Io. I mean... Before the past few days, I saw you looking at me. I’m not completely oblivious, I caught you a lot. I wouldn’t... I wouldn’t just play with you like that.”
Io reached out to place his hands on top of Ryuu’s, not missing that his grip on the blanket had tightened significantly. He squeezed Ryuu’s hands, hoping to stop the slight trembling he could feel under his hold. “I know you wouldn’t. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything like that. I know this is confusing for you.”
“You’re damn right it’s confusing for me!” Ryuu exclaimed, eyes narrowing into a sharp glare. “I’ve never once looked at a guy before, but you... I don’t remember when I didn’t look at you. And I always just thought it was because we’re buddies, that’s why I told Kinugawa-senpai that, but us the way we are now... I’ve never been happier than I am now to finally have that. I just don’t know what that means for me. Am I gay? Am I bisexual? Am I something else?”
“Maybe you just have eyes for me,” Io teased with a tiny smile, trying to calm Ryuu down.
Ryuu chuckled, his glare lightening up a little. “Maybe I do. It’s just weird trying to put a name and label on how I’m feeling. I don’t know how to. The only thing I know for sure is that I like this, Io... I like you.”
“Then stop trying to name it,” Io replied softly, moving to shift his body over Ryuu’s to sit on his thighs, his hands moving to cup his friend’s cheeks, thumbs sliding back and forth against his skin in what Io hoped was a comforting manner. “Stop trying to label yourself and your emotions. Just go with what feels good to you and the rest will fall into place.”
“I take it back, you’re not so bad at love-talk,” Ryuu mumbled, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His hands finally moved from being frozen solid in his lap, resting lightly on Io’s thighs just above his knees. “I’m definitely holding myself responsible for that. You can thank me later.”
“There. There he is,” Io chuckled. “The confident Ryuu that stole my heart without telling me first.”
Ryuu rolled his eyes, but leaned in so his lips were awkwardly pressing against Io’s in a soft kiss. They were still learning each other, still figuring each other out as well as themselves; there was plenty of time to get the hand of it all and make it perfect.Just as quickly as he initiated the kiss, Ryuu eased back a bit, his hot breath still ghosting against Io’s parted lips.
“What about you? Are you disregarding labels for yourself, too?”
Io paused at the question, his hands sliding down from Ryuu’s face to his shoulders to start rubbing them, eliciting a soft groan of approval from Ryuu. The sound motivated Io to keep going, fingers pressing deeper into his shoulders until Ryuu’s eyes closed and his head lolled back and to the side exposing his throat. Io leaned in, lips pressing tiny barely there kisses up his throat and just under his chin.
“I’m not going to label any of this,” Io murmured against Ryuu’s skin. “I wanted to. I tried to. I tried to run from it, and as a result, from you.”
“The student council,” was Ryuu’s breathy comment.
“Right, the student council,” Io confirmed, “but I’m not going to anymore. I just want to enjoy this.”
“You’re still trying to figure this out, too?” Ryuu asked as he opened his eyes, genuinely surprised.
Io’s hands stilled on Ryuu’s shoulders as he pushed himself up onto his knees so he had a slight height difference on his friend to look down at him. “I am. I want to do this, regardless of my confusion. It’s like the stocks, you’re supposed to take risks in order to cash in higher profits, otherwise it’s worthless.”
“Ah, we’re back to that?” Ryuu teased, hands inching up a little higher along Io’s thighs as he held Io’s gaze. “But, okay. So am I the risk or the profit?”
“Neither.” Io laughed, shifting his body so his lips were hovering just above Ryuu’s. “Did you not hear me in the stairwell the other day? You’re priceless, Ryuu. There is nothing in this world more righteous than money, but having an irreplaceable friend is priceless.”
Ryuu stayed quiet for a moment, regarding Io’s face. Io, too, had looked stressed out as of late. From a mixture of exams, to his finances, to issues regarding the Battle Lovers, to understanding the thing growing between himself and Ryuu. But now he looked relaxed, calm...happy. Io looked completely and totally at ease for the first time in days and it made Ryuu’s heart skip a beat.
He raised his hands off of Io’s thighs so he could cup his cheeks instead. “I did say that dating me would be more profitable...” Ryuu replied with a shrug. “Who said to stop rubbing my shoulders? That felt good.” Before Io had time to respond in any way, Ryuu reclaimed his lips, his arms wrapping around Io’s neck to pull him in closer.
Io laughed against Ryuu’s lips before returning the kiss, one hand resuming the massage while his other arm wrapped around Ryuu’s body to make him follow his lead in shifting their bodies so Io could lower him back down into a reclining position. Ryuu’s arms tightened around Io to keep him put just as the arm Io had wrapped around him moved to once again let his fingers thread through Ryuu’s hair.
Moments later, Io finally began to push himself away from Ryuu but he just wasn’t having it, body pushing up to follow Io’s lips to hold their kiss intact. It wasn’t until he began to feel truly breathless that the kiss ended, replaced by the sounds of heavy breathing and light chuckling.
“We have class in the morning,” Io gasped, fingers brushing Ryuu’s bangs out of his eyes.
“You must be kidding me.” Ryuu groaned, but nodded slowly while reluctantly removing his arms from around Io’s neck. “I’m expecting more of that in the morning, then.”
“You’re the one that always complains about not having had enough sleep,” Io commented, moving up and off of Ryuu’s body to go back to laying on his side next to him. “Especially if we have to deal with any weird monsters tomorrow, you’re going to want a good night’s sleep.”
Ryuu didn’t reply verbally, just grumbled in annoyance as he curled in close to Io, burying his face in his neck while draping an arm across Io’s waist.
“Better. You’ll thank me in the morning.” Io moved to press a quick kiss to the top of Ryuu’s head. “Sleep well -- ”
“Don’t forget that I like you, Io,” Ryuu said, suddenly, cutting him off. “If you’re confused or scared, please just tell me. I’ll tell you, too. I promise.”
“I...” Io trailed off, completely caught off guard by Ryuu’s words.
“We’re in this together. You don’t have much choice anymore.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Io sighed, smiling as he closed his eyes. “You always did balance me out, Ryuu.”
“Hmmm... I know,” was the playful response Io got, followed by a few tiny kisses to the side of his neck.
Io laughed, arms wrapping around Ryuu to keep him against his body, feeling comforted by the warmth of his friend’s body against his own. It was that closeness, that warmth that he had been craving for so long, he didn’t know how to function without it anymore. He began to rub his hand up and down the expanse of Ryuu’s back, appeasing Io’s desire to touch him in some way, to fully accept that he was real and there and present.
The night and their newest conversation kept Io awake even as he felt Ryuu’s breath even out against his skin confirming that he had fallen back asleep. He was going to regret it in the morning when it was time for school, Io knew it, but it was worth it. His hand slowed its movements against Ryuu’s back so as not to disturb him, and he let his eyes fall shut as he inhaled the faint scent of cherry shampoo that lingered in the other’s hair. Io felt good that Ryuu felt comfortable enough with him to sleep this way. Even if neither one of them fully understood what was going on, this was still a major step forward.
There was still the matter of their families finding out, of becoming official and telling the rest of the defense club, but none of it mattered at that moment.
“I might already have fallen for you without realizing, Ryuu,” Io murmured under his breath, hand stilling against Ryuu’s back as he let sleep claim him at last, bright rays of the sunrise beginning to come into the room and against their skin through an opening in the curtains.
Io didn’t feel the slight smile that pressed against the skin of his neck, nor did he feel his body get pulled closer by the arm that was draped across his waist.
“Good,” Ryuu whispered faintly. “I want to hear you say it again. I want to hear you say it all the time.”
Ryuu eased back slightly to get a better look at Io’s face now that he had fallen asleep, and he bit his lip. His initial thought was that it was weird to find his best friend so attractive, but he truly did; he was gorgeous. The way the shadows and lights spilling into the room were accentuating Io’s face left him at a loss for words. Ryuu didn’t even realize that he had unwrapped his arm from around Io’s body so the tip of his index finger could trace along Io’s jawline, up his cheek, and across his lips.
“They’re really so soft,” he found himself whispering, unable to help himself. It felt weird to be on the opposite end of things - the one being held, the one touching and staring nervously, blushing madly and at a complete loss for words. Usually, Ryuu liked being the one causing all of those reactions, but he couldn’t lie...it all felt so wonderful. Io was right; he was trying to paint himself into a corner with all sorts of labels and names, but why? To get a better understanding of what was happening? It was only confusing him more. It was starting to feel better to just feel and experience without always needing an answer for everything, if that night had taught him anything.
Ryuu cuddled back into Io’s body, arm draping back over his waist while he buried his face back in the crook of Io’s neck. He wanted to stay there in Io’s bed with him as long as he could to just soak up the moment and the good feelings it brought. Wombat would be proud, he thought. They still had some time before they had to get ready for the new school day; he was in no rush.
This would be the first day he’d face with no labels, no names, and no hesitations at all.