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"How long have you been together?" Ryousuke inquired, and took a sip from his coffee.
"Almost a year." Kuramochi answered.
"So in that time, have you heard him say those three words to you?"
--
Kuramochi's journey to his shared place with Miyuki has been occupied with Ryousuke's question to him. Looking back, he doesn't even noticed Miyuki not uttering those words to him ever since they dated. Not that he mind though, he knows Miyuki's feeling to him is genuine and he knows Miyuki is not the type of person who expresses his affection thru words. He conveys his feelings through his actions and it is enough for Kuramochi.
He won't lie, he really wants to hear Miyuki tell him those words. He even wanted to ask Miyuki to say it back every time he says those words to him, but he didn't want Miyuki to be pressured to say it back. But because of what Ryousuke had asked him, suddenly felt a little conscious and what ifs has started to cloud his mind.
Kuramochi's train of thoughts stopped when he finally arrived at their place. He opened the door and was greeted by the sight of Miyuki watching a replay of his favorite team's game. A sight he won't get tired seeing everyday.
"Hey, you're back. I thought you're coming home later." Miyuki welcomed Kuramochi with a small smile on his face.
"Ryou-san had something urgent to do so we cut it off short. Have you eaten?" Kuramochi asked as he took off his shoes and sat next to Miyuki on the couch in their living room.
"Yeah, I still have some left. I can reheat it for you if you want." Kuramochi shook his head and told him he has already eaten.
They just sat there in silence, only the announcer of the game on the television can be heard. Miyuki seemed to be focused on watching the game but Kuramochi's train of thoughts started to occupy his brain again. He can hear Miyuki's side comments beside him and only nods when Miyuki starts to have small talks with him. He really wanted to focus on the game but his mind keeps on going back to his conversation with Ryousuke a while ago.
Kuramochi felt a hand wrapped around his own. "Youichi, is there something wrong?" Miyuki asked as he caresses Kuramochi's hand with his thumb, a concerned look evident on his face. Kuramochi only looked at Miyuki's eyes briefly before looking at their hands. He interlocked their hands and squeezed Miyuki's hand. "It's nothing."
"You've been spacing out since you came home, I know it's not Nothing. If you don't want to say it, it's fine. Just remember that I'm always here for you, yeah?" Miyuki lifted up Kuramochi's chin so that he can be face to face with him.
Kuramochi heaved a sigh, contemplating whether to tell Miyuki what's bugging him or just shrug it off. "It's silly. Almost embarrassing to say out loud." Of course he chose the latter.
Miyuki gave him a teasing smile. "Eh? Do you even get embarrassed? This is new." Their hands still interlocked, Kuramochi used this opportunity to squeeze Miyuki's hand as hard as he can. "Shut up, bastard." He retorted, which only earned him a chuckle from Miyuki.
Kuramochi removed his hand on Miyuki's and shifted his position on the couch for him to properly face Miyuki. The latter turned off the television and mimicked his position so they are now both facing each other.
"Just promise me you won't laugh at me after this." Kuramochi started which made Miyuki confused for a second. "Okay, I won't promise but I'll do my best." Kuramochi shot him a glare and lightly kicked his leg.
"Promise me." Kuramochi repeated.
"Okay, okay. I promise! Now tell what's bothering you."
Kuramochi looked away from Miyuki and started playing with his fingers, an action he does when he's nervous. Miyuki noticed this and lightly tapped Kuramochi's foot with his. Kuramochi looked up again to him and Miyuki just gave him a nod, indicating that he's ready to listen to him to what he's going to say.
Kuramochi heaved a sigh for the second time that night and looked down. "Kazuya," he started. "Do you, do you love me?"
Silence.
Kuramochi decided to look up at Miyuki and he saw the guy trying his best to suppress his laughter. Miyuki finally reached his limit and now bursted into laughter. "So that's what bugging you huh?" He said, his hands on his stomach, probably hurting because he laughed too much.
"You just promised less than 5 minutes ago that you won't laugh but," Kuramochi growls. "Whatever. Just forget it." He said and stood up from the couch.
Miyuki caught his hand and forced him to get back on the couch. "You don't want to hear my answer?"
"No, really it's fine. I already know the answer. Forget that I asked."
Miyuki was about to speak again when Kuramochi stopped him, "Don't say another word, please."
So they sat there in silence. No one dared to speak a word. But Miyuki is not used to this kind of silence so he's the first one to speak.
"Hey, Youchi. I'm sorry for laughing a while ago."
"I'm used to it."
"Are you mad at me?"
"You know I don't get mad at you."
Another silence.
Kuramochi was about to get up the couch once again when Miyuki held his hand to stop him from leaving.
"What, Kazuya? Let me go, please. I wanna go to bed."
"Stay here for a while please?" Miyuki rarely uses the word please so Kuramochi caved in.
Kuramochi just watched Miyuki play with his hand, tracing the lines of his palms with his index finger.
"Youichi." Miyuki said, breaking the silence between them.
"Hmm?" Kuramochi looked up at Miyuki who is already staring at him.
Miyuki gave him a small smile and uttered those three words that he wanted to hear him say to him for the longest time. "I love you."
Kid you not, Kuramochi almost bursted out to tears when he heard him say that, but he collected himself and leaned closer to Miyuki's face. "I know. I love you, too." He muttered and closed the gap between them.