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Ranma watched the raindrops drip off the edge of their maroon umbrella, pooling into a puddle around their shoes. They stared at their reflection contemplatively, before sloshing the puddle with their shoe.
Of all days, why did it rain today? Did Heaven really not want them to see their partner at the bus stop? A shelterless bus stop? They couldn’t believe it.
The trees rustled nearby, loud and furious. Coupled with the incessant pelts of rain on the concrete pavement and their umbrella, it was the most chaotic, most noisy symphony nature had ever orchestrated. Ranma wanted to shut their ears and go home, away from the havoc that had wrecked their hometown in Chō-Tokyo and completely ruined their idea of a perfect, peaceful meetup for a sleepover with their partner.
But, they couldn’t do that. Not when Yuga had texted them a few moments ago and said his bus was arriving in five minutes.
And, God , this was the longest and most dreadful five minutes Ranma had ever endured.
Their index finger impatiently tapped the handle of their umbrella, and they could barely hear the clink of metal due to the ruckus of the downpour. Their breath came out as white mist in front of them, barely muffled by the thick scarf they had wrapped around their neck. (It’s raining and freezing, Heaven must have hated them today.)
Ranma trained their eyes at the end of the road, watching cars and taxis zoom by, rushing to get home or to find another customer to accommodate. Occasionally, Ranma’s eyes would light up from a bus' headlights, only to dim out when they realised it wasn’t Yuga’s bus. As the vehicles rushed by, Ranma felt their fingers curling painfully against their umbrella’s handle. Time was ticking by too slowly, and they wished they could speed it up. Or perhaps, stop the outrageous downpour and see the sun in the sky again. But Ranma knew, such selfish thoughts would only end up with worse outcomes, so they kept their mouth and thoughts shut, and continued watching the end of the road.
Their phone vibrated in their hand, and it was the calling for Ranma.
Suddenly, their posture straightened, fingers gripping the umbrella’s handle the tightest they’ve ever gripped it, and eyes were wide as a bus slowly approached the bus stop.
Ranma was the only one there, and despite the pounding orchestra of raindrops falling around them, the world was quiet when the bus stopped in front of them. Their eyes may have lit up, sparkled, brightened like a shining jewel when they recognised the familiar, sweet smile of their partner’s from the opposite side of the bus door.
And, as the bus’ door opened, Ranma thoroughly resisted the urge to throw their umbrella away and wrap Yuga in a tight embrace. It was like the world had stopped raining, when Yuga merrily hopped off the bus’ steps. Each step was a fraction away from the end of nature’s torment, each step closer was the approach of the light at the end of the tunnel, each step was one foot closer to home. Ranma’s lips quirked up with each step.
Yuga stopped in front of them, eyes bright and wide, two polished ambers that preserved the heart of gold and soul of the sun. His lips were pulled up into a smile that thawed the icicles formed around Ranma’s heart, melted the raindrops that dampened their spirits from the past five, ten minutes of waiting.
“Hey,” Yuga chirped, voice penetrating the dreary ambience of rain and becoming the star, the sun, the universe that resided within Ranma’s damp world.
“Hey,” Ranma whispered.
Yuga held their hand, and Ranma was going to burst like a supernova.
A warmth they missed oh-so much blossomed from the palm of their hand, to the tip of their fingers, to the edge of their ears. Yuga interlaced their fingers, gently clapping their hands together like puzzle pieces, and it made Ranma feel weak and warm and loved. The faint abashment was amplified when Yuga suddenly brought their hands to his lips and quickly kissed it, a cheeky smile forming with a rosy blossom on his cheeks.
Ranma must have short-circuited, eyes wide and mouth unable to form coherent words, only stumbling over monosyllables. Yuga quickly stopped, brows slightly furrowing.
“Ah! Sorry, was that too much?”
This boy was going to be the death of them.
The latter shook their head immediately, tightening their clasped hands as an apology. “No, no, it wasn’t. I just- well- didn’t expect that.”
Yuga nodded, his radiant smile returning. He stepped forward again, and kissed Ranma’s nose gently. A familiar blush spread across Ranma’s cheeks, and they hid their head in the crook of Yuga’s jacket.
(GOD damn it, Yuga.)
“Y-Y’know, we’re still outside i-in the rain, right?” Ranma muttered, embarrassed, but not mad.
“I know,” Yuga whispered, “I just missed you, that’s all.”
Ranma smiled to themselves, breathing out a sigh of relief and content, before pulling away from their partner. The embrace was lovely while it lasted, but they’d better get out of the rain before both of them were drenched and cold.
As Yuga held their hand and skipped down the pavement, Ranma noticed something particularly… fascinating.
“Why do you have a rainbow umbrella?”
Yuga made a confused hum, before looking up at his umbrella. He proceeded to laugh.
“What, don’t like it? It’s brilliant and colourful, perfect to make this gloomy place brighter!” he chuckled, “And it’s homo , like you.”
Ranma rolled their eyes, but a playful smile spread across their lips. “Hm… you mean you ?”
Yuga had the audacity to squawk in surprise, and counter the statement with, “Aren’t you the one who waited in the rain for me? That’s pretty homo!”
“Well, you’re the one that kissed my hand and nose. Who's homo-er now?”
That managed to shut Yuga up. The boy huffed, feigning annoyance, before squeezing Ranma’s hand. There was an unmistakable pink filter across Yuga’s face, and that warmed Ranma’s heart further. Their grip on Yuga’s hand never faltered either, even as raindrops dripped onto them.
Within this warm embrace of love and everything peaceful - within the presence of Yuga-, the palpitating droplets that battered their umbrella and the relentless rustle of drenched leaves were like muted, white noise. Ranma couldn’t help but relish in the tender hold of Yuga’s hand, the occasional chatter of the merry boy, and the kind, gentle, heartfelt melody of Yuga’s heart beating along with Ranma’s.
As their footsteps grew faster, racing through the rain, through the evening, through the empty streets; as their laughter echoed in the bleak air, bringing joy, bringing hope, bringing love to the slumbering souls residing in the quiet neighbourhood; as their eyes lock and time momentarily stops, it felt like they were infinite.
Ranma watched as the rain fell behind them, and the leaves on the trees whisked by. They watched Yuga laugh, watched him sing out their name like it was a sacred hymn and lovely lullaby.
Rain pelted the puddles along the pavement, and the two splashed through them, unheeding to the stains that were going to form on their trousers. Their umbrellas shook with every jump, but they continued shielding them from the rain. Maroon and rainbow, both were the shields for the bright souls of the dim world. Their hands were clasped, and the raindrops made them glisten like a pristine amulet bound together - a hopeful prayer.
In this reckless, stormy night, only two lovers were alight and alive.