Archive of Our Own

“… Why do you always eat like you’re in a race?” Mitsuya asks, lofting his brow and amusement obvious in his tone. He's only barely started eating his crepe whereas the man sitting across from him is two bites away from polishing his off.

Taiju simply grunts before taking a particularly aggressive bite that Mitsuya rolls his eyes at, a relaxed look on his face. 

To anyone that knew them, this certainly would paint a perplexing scene. It’s only been three years since they had fought, nearly to the death on Mitsuya’s end, at a church on Christmas Eve. And yet here they are, sitting at an outdoor dining area for a crepe shop, chatting almost leisurely. 

And to an outsider, it might even look like a date. 

Suddenly, Taiju tenses and sits up straighter. Like he’s seen an incoming threat heading their way. But, no, that doesn’t make sense . Because if it was one, the other would be on his feet in a second and knocking the attacker’s lights out without a blink. 

Mitsuya takes note of Taiju’s sudden change in demeanor, and he’s seconds away from asking with a slightly upturned mouth what the hell he was looking at before the other beats him to it. 

“Shit.”

“Taka-chan?” 

Eyes widen immediately as Mitsuya whips around, stomach dropping when he sees his boyfriend. Which is a first, but neither here nor there. He drops his crepe and stands up, holding his hands up and internally wincing. He’s probably not doing himself any favors with how he’s reacting right now.

“Hakkai. It’s not what you think.” Idiot . Out of the millions of things he could’ve said, he chose the most stereotypically guilty sounding one? He sighs and tries again. “Look, we’re not—“ But he stops almost instantly, lilac eyes widening when he really looks at Hakkai. 

Hakkai, who is a picture of beauty in every imaginable way. From his sharp cheekbones to his long lashes, from his shoulder length hair that frames his face in an elegant curtain, from his defining scar on his mouth to the near ever-present sweet smiles he has for Mitsuya, Hakkai makes him absolutely breathless every time he looks at him. 

Only this time, Mitsuya has a tightening in his throat to go along with the feeling. Tears. There are tears running down his boyfriend’s face while his lower lip wobbles. And while Mitsuya is used to how sensitive Hakkai can be, he isn’t used to such a look of clear hurt written across his face. Directed at him. Because of him. 

It makes him falter, but then he’s even more determined to close the gap between them, arms outstretched and ready to clutch Hakkai like his life depends on it. 

“NO!” Hakkai shouts, the look of anguished pain contorting his face in a way Mitsuya never wants to see again. And his brows pull upwards as he tries to swallow the growing lump in his throat. 

“No…?” He repeats, voice low and wavering, afraid to upset Hakkai more than he clearly already has. 

Hakkai’s hands ball into fists that shake at his side, the stream of tears seemingly endless while he shakes his head violently. 

“I c-can’t—!” There’s a crack in his voice and he tries again. “I can’t be with you right now!” With that, he turns harshly on his heels to storm away from the pair. 

Mitsuya stares slack-jawed as Hakkai walks away, frozen only for a moment before he’s rushing forward again. His heart feels just about ready to explode out of his chest from panic, there’s no way he can let Hakkai go without clearing everything up.

He catches up enough to loosely grab Hakkai’s wrist, not intending to be forceful but just to stop him from walking away to hear him out; even for a minute. 

“Hakka, baby, wait please let me ex—“  Mitsuya’s voice is pleading, giving Hakkai’s wrist a gentle squeeze. But his efforts are cut off when Hakkai nearly rips his arm back and clutches it to himself like he couldn’t stand the contact. The pain he feels in his chest must only be a fraction of what his boyfriend is feeling right now, but it doesn’t make it sting any less.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” 

It’s shouted at him with a ferocity he hasn’t seen or heard in years, from way back in their Toman days. But god how it shatters his heart into pieces. Mitsuya freezes, brows upturned and pinching together. It’s almost as if Hakkai hated him.

Just the thought of such a thing makes his eyes prickle, mouth floundering open uselessly because he can’t think of anything to say in this moment to make things better. To get Hakkai to stop looking at him like that. 

Not that he’s given much time to think it over. Because in the next moment Hakkai’s turning away again and running away from him. And, Mitsuya notes, not once did the flow of tears stop. 

Mitsuya can only stare at his boyfriend’s retreating figure helplessly, hand still stupidly outstretched for nothing, until Hakkai becomes indistinguishable amongst the other city goers. 

He doesn’t know how long he stays there, statuesque. Realistically, only a few minutes have likely gone by. But to Mitsuya it feels like hours. Days. Replaying the conversation in his mind; and each time it’s like another crack forms in his already broken heart. 

There’s the sound of a chair scraping, it barely registers to Mitsuya even as heavy footsteps he’s come to recognize start towards him, pause, then seem to turn direction and head away. Until that too fades away and Mitsuya is left with the noises of a city moving on like his world wasn’t just crushed in front of him moments ago. 

Once again his first instinct, after regaining the ability to move, is to go after Hakkai. To explain and to apologize and to reassure that nothing was going on between him and Taiju. That he loves Hakkai to the moon and back and having interest in anyone else but him is the last thing that’s been on his mind for years. 

But he recalls how Hakkai had shouted for him to stay away, to leave him alone. So even if he wants to do anything but, he’ll give him space. 

Mitsuya barely remembers the journey home. The only thing he can say for sure is how his eyes were glued to his phone screen all the way up until he reached his front door, unlocking it and stepping inside to kick off his shoes haphazardly. His eyes could’ve burnt holes into his home screen, a candid picture of his sisters and Hakkai making a pillow fort. 

Luna and Mana had insisted Hakkai come inside despite his taller than average height, and the three of them had squished inside and looked to Mitsuya then, urging the eldest to come inside, that there was still room for all of them despite the fact that one side was definitely actively collapsing. 

The memory makes his chest ache again as he continues to will a message to appear over the picture; even though he knows it’s pointless.

And much like the train ride home, the rest of the day passes by in a blur as Mitsuya fulfills his responsibilities in a robotic-like trance. He tidies up, helps his sisters with their homework, prepares dinner, and gets them ready for bed. All the while having his phone within reach and checking it more often than he’s ever had.

Of course this gets the attention of his sisters, and he can only offer a half smile and tell them it’s nothing serious, he’s just waiting to hear from someone. 

There’s more questions, children ever inquisitive and unintentionally prying, but Mitsuya manages to distract them with a reminder that tomorrow is movie night and asking if they had reached an agreement on what to watch. 

It’s when Mana’s softly snoring and he’s tucking Luna into her futon directly across that the older of the two sisters puts a hand on Mitsuya’s just as he’s about to pull away. 

“You should call Hakkai-niisan… He’ll definitely cheer you up.” The smile she gives him is laced with the tiredness of a child on the brink of passing out for the night as well as the innocence of being completely unaware of the source of Mitsuya’s anxiety. 

The first genuine smile in hours spreads across his face and he breathes out a quiet laugh. He gently ruffles her hair, which earns a sleepy whine, and nods. 

“I should, shouldn’t I?” Ignoring the still present ache in his heart, Mitsuya finally stands and gives one last smile to his tired sister before shutting the girls’ door. If only it was that simple. 

Or… Maybe it was? Hours have passed and maybe Hakkai would hear him out now? Mitsuya worries his lip for a few moments before heading to his own room and sitting on his bed, staring at his still empty lockscreen. 

Anxiety bubbles as he gets to his contacts and scrolls to Hakkai’s name. With only a moment’s more hesitation, he presses the call button and places the phone against his ear. The beating in his ears threatens to drown out the ringing as he waits for Hakkai to pick up. 

Except he doesn’t. And he’s greeted with a robotic voice saying he can leave a message after the beep. 

Beep.

“Uh…. Hey Hakkai. I know you probably don’t want to hear from me right now, but I really… I really want to talk to you. It’s all just a huge misunderstanding, I promise.” He swallows, and wonders if there’s anything else he can add that doesn’t need to be said in person. “Give me a call back when you can, okay? I love you.” He tries to stress the last part, both hands clutching his phone with a force that makes him shake. 

————

If Mitsuya’s counting his blessings right now, one of them would be that he doesn’t have work today, just a mile long errands list. Which means that his mind should be preoccupied with getting things done. At least, that’s what should be happening. 

Except he finds himself unable to focus on anything but his boyfriend and his silent phone. 

It’s not like this is their first fight, or even their first big fight. Is this even a fight? Mitsuya shakes his head and aggressively shoves a box of baking soda into his basket, the distinction doesn’t matter right now.

But the point is they’ve gone through being mad at each other, or one at the other, but not once was it something like… This. 

People always tease and joke about how Hakkai likes Mitsuya too much, but god if he doesn’t feel the same fucking way. The love Mitsuya holds for Hakkai is ferocious, it’s devoted, it makes everything hurt all the more because the thought of his boyfriend thinking he’s cheating kills him. 

Hakkai is like the sun, bright and warm and full of life. He’s kind hearted almost to the point of naivety sometimes, but stubborn when it counts. He’s sensitive, beautiful, and loves with an intensity Mitsuya sometimes isn’t sure he deserves, but will gladly return in kind. 

And they both know they love each other. At least, that’s what Mitsuya thought. How could Mitsuya want to be with anyone other than Hakkai? Especially if that person in question is Taiju?

But then Mitsuya freezes, effectively becoming a nuisance in the freezer aisle and earning his fair share of ‘tsks’ and annoyed ‘excuse me’s . It’s exactly because it was Taiju is the point, isn’t it? 

They were just eating crepes together but even a stranger could’ve told that it wasn’t their first time meeting. And Mitsuya remembers being so… Casual. Calm. Like across from him wasn’t the man that had made Hakkai and Yuzuha’s life a living nightmare for years. It twists Mitsuya’s stomach into knots and his grip on his basket tightens, his knuckles turning white. 

After not hearing or seeing his vile older brother for three years and then to spot him with his boyfriend in a near comfortably cutesy setting? How the fuck else did Mitsuya expect Hakkai to react? 

With a sudden urge to do something, Mitsuya wakes his phone and stares at the screen for the umpteenth time. Nothing new except that he’s spent an hour longer at the grocery store than intended. With a huff, he shoves it into his pocket to rush through the rest of his shopping. Which ends up taking longer than planned again since he had to double back so many times when consulting his list. When he’s finally sure he’s gotten everything, Mitsuya shoves the worn paper into his right back pocket, where he keeps his wallet. 

He freezes. That’s where his wallet should be. He checks again. And then the pocket to the left. Frantic, he pats his front two and anywhere else his wallet could feasibly and not feasibly be before dropping his basket and slapping both his hands to his head, gripping his hair. 

“DAMMIT!” 

“Whoa… You okay man?” 

It’s a familiar voice. Mitsuya whips around, slightly wide eyed, to face a concerned looking Draken. His brows are furrowed and his free hand is raised in defense, before he leans down to pick up the spilt groceries. 

“I… Yeah. Just. Forgot my wallet…” He mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes in annoyance at himself. He hears a hum of acknowledgement and then it feels like Draken’s moving away. 

And then he sees that Draken is already at a cash register, setting down both of their goods and taking out his wallet to pay. 

“Wh—! Hey what are you doing!” Mitsuya calls, quickly running to the conveyor belt to repack his now-empty basket with his items. Until Draken grabs the no tears kiddie shampoo at the same time he does and they lock eyes. 

Any more force would result in the bottle bursting and making a mess. Mitsuya’s well aware of that and yet he still tries his hand at a stare down with his friend. 

“I can’t let you do this.” A tug towards himself. That earns him an eye roll and the bottle being tugged back as the cashier looks on with mild apprehension. Even after their delinquent days have long been over, the pair still don’t exactly paint the picture of ‘upstanding citizens’. 

“Just pay me back when you get your wallet. I know you’ll nag me to hell and back about it otherwise.” Draken must sense that Mitsuya’s about to make a rebuttal, because then he adds, “And if you take any longer, my lunch’ll be over and you’ll be cuttin’ into my hours.” 

Mitsuya huffs. And Draken smirks like he’s won because he has. Though it’s not without some reluctance that Mitsuya finally releases his grip on the shampoo and folds his arms across his chest. 

“Fine. But I’m carrying everything.” It’s mostly out of stubbornness that he adds that, his friend mumbling a ‘Knock yourself out’ when he’s finally free to pay for their items. 

They walk out of the grocery store side by side, and almost immediately Mitsuya regrets having both his hands occupied with grocery bags. But if he just pretends to shift them all to one hand casually and take a peek at his phone…

“So what’s eating you?”

He’s snapped out of his, admittedly, pathetic inner turmoil by Draken’s voice and he scoffs. But when he makes eye contact with the blonde, he sees his normally stern expression tinted with concern, barely visible to anyone who didn’t know how to read him, with a certain crease in his brow and slightly deeper frown.

“… Hakkai. I. I think I really messed up, Draken.” He admits aloud for the first time. His shoulders sag, but it doesn’t feel like any weight has been lifted off of him.  

“Huh?! Okay, c’mon, we’re goin’ to my shop.” It’s with a strong grip on Mitsuya’s elbow that he changes their direction and nearly makes the other trip in the process. 

“H-hey! You said you had work!” 

Draken merely gives him a sour look over his shoulder before flicking Mitsuya’s forehead with his free hand. Unfortunately, Mitsuya can only retaliate with an awkward hit of a grocery bag to Draken’s thigh. Not as effective. 

“And I’m my own boss. So shut up and come with.” 

Even if he really, really wanted to, Mitsuya wouldn’t be able to break Draken’s hold if he decided to get serious. So he relents, and when the blonde feels him relax, his grip loosens. The rest of their walk to D&D Motors is done in silence. It’d be comfortable if Mitsuya wasn’t so antsy thinking about what he was going to say. 

Obviously he’d tell Draken everything that happened, he was one of his best friends after all. But everything that he’s been feeling? Thinking? Worrying over? He just… Wasn’t the type. Then again, he usually knew how to fix things. And right now, he’s just about ready to pull his hair out in hopelessness. 

Upon making it to the shop, Draken raises a hand in greeting to Inui, who had been packing up a tool box before looking up at the pair, a look of mild surprise on his face.

“Yo! Brought a guest.” 

“Oh, hey Mitsuya-kun.” 

Mitsuya can only give a half-hearted smile, nodding his head and thanking them for letting him crash their work day. Draken leans down to reach into the shopping bags and rummages around for a second before pulling out a can of cherry soda and tossing it to his business partner. 

“Here. Gotta talk some sense into this guy for a bit so I’m extending my lunch.” And when he stands, he throws an arm around Mitsuya to lead him into the shop’s break room. 

“Got it. But I might ask for a raise if you take too long!” Inui monotonously teases, waving the pair off.

Mitsuya busies himself with putting what needs to be refrigerated into the room’s mini-fridge and setting aside the rest on the least messy corner of the coffee table. Then he looks up and sees Draken waiting for him, already seated on the secondhand couch that’s seen better days. 

Already knowing what’s coming, he sighs and plops down beside his friend and turns his head to look over at him.

“Guess I should start at the beginning huh?” 

So he does. He tells Draken about meeting up with Taiju, about why he does so. And about how Hakkai had reacted and how fucking hurt he had looked. As the words come out, he finds it easier to admit the anxiety that’s been bubbling just under the surface. To admit that he’s desperate to set things straight but how the absolute last thing he wants to do is hurt Hakkai even more. 

“… Holy shit man,” is the first thing Draken says after Mitsuya finishes laying it all out for him. Then he reaches across, maybe to put a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder? No. To smack Mitsuya upside the head. “You really fucked up.” 

“I know that!” The lilac haired teenager protests, rubbing the back of his head with a frown. “Do you have anything else to offer that I haven’t already figured out?” 

“You said he hasn’t called you back yet, right?” 

Mitsuya nods, mouth pressing into a thin line as his chest tightens at the reminder of his silent phone. 

“Okay… Why not shoot him a text? Sometimes that’s easier than having to talk. And I think you have to really prove you weren’t cheating.”

“Wh— Prove? Like show him my phone and the texts between me and Taiju?”

“No.” Draken pats one of the pockets on his coveralls and opens it up to fish out a cigarette. He pulls out another and looks to Mitsuya with a raised brow. But when the other teen shakes his head, he shrugs and takes a lighter that’s been resting on the table before inhaling deeply and blowing out the smoke above them both. 

Mitsuya watches as it rises and slowly dissipates into the air, not reacting otherwise due to the scent’s familiarity. He only looks back when Draken speaks up again. 

“Like do stuff for him. ‘Actions speak louder than words’ right? So do shit to prove you’re not looking at anyone but him. You guys eat up cheesy shit like that don’t you?” 

“It’s not ch—“ Mitsuya’s cut off with an unamused look from Draken. He’s self aware enough to accept that okay maybe Hakkai and himself enjoy indulging in what some might call ‘ romantic clichés ’. But it makes them happy so who cares? 

“Fine. Yeah, okay. So try to reach out again, and then try and get him to actually talk to me and prove my love.” Some heat rises to Mitsuya’s face as the words leave his mouth. He can see Draken’s point now about this being a little cheesy. “But… You don’t think I should give him more time? More space?” 

Hakkai shouting at him and ripping his arm away stays playing in Mitsuya’s head, shaking the confidence he usually has. His question makes Draken take out his cigarette and scratch at the side of his cheek with the same hand, frowning. 

“I… Don’t really know. Family shit is always tricky, so I can’t really guarantee anything won’t hurt him.” He looks to his friend sympathetically, kicking out his foot to knock into Mitsuya’s and giving him a barely there smile. 

“But it’s better to clear up any misunderstandings, yeah? Or else he’ll go who knows how long thinking you’re a sack of shit who cheats.” 

Mitsuya has to laugh at how brazenly his friend lays it out, Draken never was one to sugarcoat or mince words. It’s oddly relieving. 

He sighs and sinks into the couch, letting his head flop against the cushion as he stares up at the flickering fluorescent light above them. At least he has a plan now. 

Text Hakkai. 

Prove his love. 

Clear up the misunderstanding. 

Apologize. 

All better? 

With a deep breath, Mitsuya sits up and slaps his palms to his knees. Right. No more moping around about this, he’s got a plan to get started. 

“Yeah. Thanks, Draken.” And this time Mitsuya smiles wide, showing all his teeth while his friend chuckles and rises to his feet. 

“Don’t sweat it. I gotta get back to work before Inui wants to double his salary.” He puts out his cigarette in the ashtray that could use emptying before heading out of the break room with a wave. 

Mitsuya stands too, ready to gather his things and head back home. But then he takes a look around at the room he’s in. His nose wrinkles as he realizes just how overdue for a cleaning it is. 

Deciding it’s the least he can do, Mitsuya gets to work on tidying up what he can with what limited cleaning supplies the two motorcycle shop owners have. He also uses the time to brainstorm ideas of what to do, so it’s not entirely lost time. 

————

Arms stretch high above his head, fingers lacing as he lets out a sigh. It had been a busy day at the local tailor shop he’s been working part-time at, which meant his mind was occupied and his stomach wasn’t twisting into knots. 

It had been a day since Mtisuya spoke with Draken, and he’s since sent Hakkai a simple ‘ how are you? ’ text that has, so far, gone ignored. 

Closing his eyes for a moment, he lets out another sigh and brings his hands down to rub at his face. He’s tired. Normally when he’s feeling this drained he could call up Hakkai and cuddle on the couch or something, sitting in a pleasant silence that might turn into an impromptu nap. But that’s not exactly an option right now.

“YOU!” 

Mitsuya bristles and stops in place before removing his hands to see a familiar face just down the block. But that face doesn’t look, or sound, very happy to see him. 

“Hey, Yuzuha.” He greets, raising a hand and nodding his head. It’s understandable that she’d be upset with him. Hell, in her shoes he’d probably be livid and going after the guy to knock his lights out. 

But given the glare she has as she stalks forward, Mitsuya’s not going to put it past her to do the very same.

The slap to his face echoes in the mostly empty evening streets, and his cheek starts stinging something awful. He blinks rapidly and automatically brings a hand up to his cheek, then flinching with a hiss when he makes contact. 

“You’ve got a lot of nerve, Mitsuya!” She shouts, mere feet away and jabbing a finger at his chest. 

He holds his hands up in surrender, not intending to shy away from the accusations. 

“I know, believe me, I know . I fucked up really bad and I hurt Hakkai.” The ache in his chest is back, the pain in his face nothing in comparison. Then his voice becomes soft, trying to desperately get his sincerity across. 

And… It seems like she believes him, or is willing to hear him out. Yuzuha’s still simmering for sure, arms crossed over her chest and brows furrowed. But her mouth relaxes from a tight line to a slight frown. It’s something and Mitsuya will gladly take it. 

“You know I love him,” the confession is still one that tints Mitsuya’s face but one he’s happy to admit at any time. “The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt him. Or you.” Because this involves her too, doesn’t it? He can’t imagine the disgust and betrayal Yuzuha must feel at her understanding of what happened. 

“But I swear I’m not cheating on him! I’d never do that, Yuzuha! Especially not with Taiju of all people!” 

There’s a silence that befalls them. Mitsuya belatedly realizes he’s holding his breath while he feels like Yuzuha’s eyes are drilling into his soul. And apparently, she doesn’t like what she sees because her lip is twisting up again. 

“You’re so stupid!” She practically spits at him. He opens his mouth to try explaining again, to try and say that if he can just talk to Hakkai, that he’s ready to apologize until his hair turns grey. 

But it seems he’s used up all her patience because Yuzuha aggressively shoulder checks him as she passes, continuing on her way and making him stumble back. “You better fix things, Mitsuya.” Is the last thing she says, not even bothering to look back at him. 

“I will! I have a plan and everything!” Whether or not she has faith in his words is up in the air. Not that it would deter Mitsuya regardless. He’s going to make things right with Hakkai. He has to.

So instead of heading straight home like he had planned, Mitsuya makes a few detours along the way. So step one didn’t go so great. Big deal. But now came the more important part, proving his love for his boyfriend. 

He doesn’t get home until late and he’s glad that he had prepared microwavable leftovers for the girls the night before. At the very least, he makes sure to call home to check in on them as he continues with his errands. 

It’s just when Luna and Mana are brushing their teeth that Mitsuya finally arrives home. Both girls pop their heads out of the bathroom to say hello, Mana with her purple toothbrush still in her mouth. 

“Look at you two being responsible. Soon you guys aren’t gonna need me anymore, huh?” He chuckles at the muffled protest he gets from Mana, and the confident declaration from Luna about how she’ll take over soon so he can have a break. 

It lightens his mood a little as he takes out some of what he bought, arranging the ingredients on the counter. 

“Alright.” He rolls up his sleeves and checks his phone one last time. Still nothing. But his standby screen fills him with hope. He places it back into his pocket, promising himself not to check it for the rest of the night. 

————

At 5 in the morning Mitsuya is already up despite running on only a handful of hours of sleep. The exhaustion from the previous night hasn’t quite set in yet, as he busies himself around the kitchen, prepping bentos for the girls to take for lunch as quietly as he can. 

It’s somewhat second nature by now to shape the rice balls into cute bears and cut the sausages into squids before wrapping each of them in Luna and Mana’s respective furoshiki cloths. Lilac with small white rabbits for Luna, and electric pink with a winking seal for Mana. 

Mitsuya takes a moment to straighten them both out and smiles at the seal before turning to his next task. It had taken a few tries last night, but it had left him with a batch of raspberry swirl brownies that are both picturesque and tasty. 

With a hand that’s long been trained to be steady, he evenly scores the tray and begins placing them in a pink paper box. Minus any edge pieces , he reminds himself. Hakkai always loved the middle pieces best and he’s more than sure his sisters won’t mind having unexpected treats waiting for them. 

Once the box is full, Mitsuya ties it shut with a soft pink ribbon, carefully arranging the bow to be right smack in the middle. He grins proudly at the present. 

“Right. Now for the finishing touch.” Mitsuya rummages around one of the bags he brought home last night before fishing out a small, light blue card and plucking a pen from some arts and crafts that had been a little sloppily put away a few nights ago. 

To: Hakka-chan

Nothing can be as sweet as you, but maybe these will be a close second.

I love you from the bottom of my heart and I always will.  

From: Your Taka-chan

Mitsuya chews at his lower lip as he reads his small message over. Of course it doesn’t even begin to express all his love or how sorry he is, but it doesn’t have to. It just has to be enough to get Hakkai to talk to him. 

Once he tucks the card underneath the bow, Mitsuya’s off to get ready for the day. By 6 he’s out the door, the box of sweets cradled delicately in his arm as he locks the front door and heads to his destination. 

Hakkai should be heading out for school now, and unless he’s decided to change routes out of the blue, Mitsuya’s fairly confident in running into him this morning. 

On his way, he passes by the park they first met at, too early to be occupied by rambunctious children, instead just housing an elderly couple sitting on one of the benches. It makes him grin. 

Neither of them could have predicted that it would be the day to change the course of their lives forever. It makes Mitsuya pick up his pace and start jogging, careful to keep a steady hold on the box to not disturb its contents too much. 

And then finally, finally , Mitsuya slows to a halt when he sees two familiar figures in his path. 

The shorter of the two definitely does not look happy to see him. In fact, her face immediately morphs into a glare, hand going on her hip like she’s about to give him another well-deserved earful. 

But Mitsuya isn’t worried about that right now. Not when his eyes fall on the only person that matters right now. Even after all this time, his heart does flips in his chest upon seeing the boy. It feels like it’s been forever since he’s seen Hakkai and he would be more than happy to simply soak up being in his presence in silence. 

“Hakkai,” he starts, a little more breathless than he thought he’d be. “Hi. I uh—“ he keeps walking now, aiming to close the distance between himself and the Shiba siblings. Yuzuha’s eyes narrow and Hakkai fixes him with an impassive look. 

Right. Don’t fuck this up .

“I made you something. Please accept it.” And then he bows his head, looking down at the pavement below. He’s met with silence. Mitsuya can hear his heart beating in his ears but he steels himself, patience is his specialty. 

After what seems like ages, he finally hears footsteps. He even sees familiar shoes cross his line of sight. But they don’t stop in front of him. They start to go around him and Mitsuya’s head shoots up just in time to see Hakkai’s mouth press into a tense line as he walks past him without a word. 

His heart sinks right into his gut as his arms drop helplessly on either side of him. The two siblings continue to walk like nothing happened. Mitsuya bites at the inside of his cheek and lets himself wallow in his disappointment for just a few moments longer. 

Right . Mitsuya Takashi isn’t about to give up after one try. But even as he tells himself to move on to his next plan, the box feels oddly heavy in his arms as he heads to work. It serves as a constant reminder throughout the day as he helps with fittings and fixes tears that Hakkai isn’t even close to forgiving him. 

His boyfriend loves public displays of affection, so maybe this was just a little too private to be sincere? It was basically just the three of them around plus a random jogger passing by that early in the morning. 

So after work, Mitsuya takes his box and bids goodnight to Takahashi-san. He checks the time on his phone, text still unanswered, and nods to himself. 

————

He isn’t as late this time coming home, and Luna and Mana are quick to greet him at the door. 

“Oooh those flowers are so pretty! Did Hakkai-niisan get them for you?!” 

“Are they for mama? Is that why you made brownies too?” 

Mitsuya breathes out an airy laugh and ruffles each of their heads before heading to the kitchen to place the bouquet of red roses and pink peonies in a vase and his untouched box on the counter. 

“They’re for Hakkai, actually. The brownies and the flowers. He was just busy today, so I’m going to give them to him tomorrow.” It’s a white lie, but it’s one that makes his sisters giggle and tease him about how in no time there will be a wedding to attend. 

I’d be lucky to get him to speak to me at this point . 

“Now how about some dinner? If you guys finish your plates, those brownies have your names on it.” He gets cheers from the both of them and Luna even hurries to beat him to setting the table, Mana right behind to insist on letting her place the bowls down. 

It’s a nice distraction that soothes his aching heart just a bit. And since he doesn’t have anything pressing to prep for tomorrow, he allows himself to enjoy dinner with his sisters. 

He even indulges in eating brownies with them while they watch TV until it’s time to get ready for bed. And it’s when Luna and Mana are tucked into bed that Mitsuya finally feels the exhaustion of the day catch up with him. 

Hands come up to rub at his face as he breathes out. Tomorrow for sure . And it’s a mantra he repeats to himself as he brushes his teeth, changes into sleepwear, and when he finally gets into bed. Tomorrow for sure .

————

The next morning sees Mitsuya running a little late and rushing throughout the small home to help the girls with their morning routine. He’s essentially booking it as he heads out the door, bouquet clutched in his left hand while his right brings out his phone to check the time.

Fuck . 

Hakkai should nearly be at school now. And who knows if he had decided to go in earlier to try and avoid something like yesterday from happening again? 

It’s with these thoughts that Mitsuya sprints the familiar route to Hakkai’s high school, the crowds of students still leisurely passing through the open gates a relief in some way. 

“— and because that asshole started screaming out of nowhere, the cat I was showing his wife got scared and scratched the hell out of my arms! Look!” 

“Oooh… Maybe you’ll get a cool scar like me.”

“It might even help with his love li—HEY!” 

The voices make Mitsuya’s ears perk before he swivels in place. There . Chifuyu, Takemitchy, and Hakkai are all walking alongside each other while Chifuyu gives the other blonde a seemingly much deserved headlock and noogie combo. 

Seeing Hakkai smile, hearing him laugh, it warms Mitsuya’s heart. He almost forgets about the bouquet in his hand and his mission until Chifuyu notices him and at last releases his victim, waving merrily. 

“Yo! Mitsuya!”

Hakkai’s reaction, much to Mitsuya’s dismay, is immediate. His laughter stops and a look of surprise takes over before it changes to something more neutral, but not exactly welcoming. 

Despite his stomach twisting uncomfortably, Mitsuya gives a small smile to the trio and approaches them casually. As if he didn’t just run the entire way over. 

“Hey guys. I just came to drop something off.” This time when he approaches Hakkai, he keeps eye contact and presents the bouquet with a flourish, grinning.

Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Chifuyu and Takemitchy giving them both shit-eating grins, and even hears a few ‘oooh’s in the background. But Mitsuya can only really focus on Hakkai’s face.

How he quickly looks at Mitsuya and then the flowers and how his gaze stays on the flowers. And then how his mouth twists like he ate something sour, teeth clacking together harshly. Lilac eyes flicker down in time to see his hands clench into fists and then unclench to white-knuckle his bag’s strap instead. 

Without a word or another look, Hakkai stomps past Mitsuya, not even letting them knock shoulders as he passes. 

Instantly, the smile is wiped clean off of Mitsuya’s face as he turns to watch Hakkai storm onto the school grounds. 

And then he remembers their audience. Or, more like two people from it. He turns to face his two friends who are, understandably, more than a little confused. 

“Man… Looks like that didn’t work out too well huh?” He admits, hand rubbing the back of his neck. 

“I’ve never seen Hakkai look at you like that, Mitsuya-kun.” Is what Takemitchy immediately blurts out. It earns him an elbow to the ribs from Chifuyu and a laugh without heart from Mitsuya. 

When Chifuyu speaks, his tone is wary, like he isn’t sure if he’d be crossing a line by engaging in this topic further. 

“… I guess this fight is really serious, isn’t it?” They lock eyes and Mitsuya wonders how much of what happened Hakkai has told either of them. And while Chifuyu’s gaze is open and saying he’s willing to listen, Mitsuya doesn’t think dumping his relationship problems on a friend right before school is the best idea. No matter how much shoujo manga he’s read.

So instead he chuckles again and shrugs. Knowing these two, they’d definitely try their best to help if asked. And probably even if not. But this is Mitsuya’s problem to fix. Not theirs. 

“It’s… Complicated. But I’m working on it.” And then he walks behind the two blondes and gives a playful shove to the backs of their heads. “Don’t worry about it! Get to class you delinquents!” 

“OW!” 

“MITSUYA-KUN!” 

Mitsuya can only grin like a bastard as they call out how he was one too and that they’d be getting him back for that. He gives them one last wave before placing the flowers against his shoulder and heading back home. Strike two . 

This time when he heads into work, Takahashi-san gives him a curious look when she spots the bouquet. But he simply waves it off as a gift he’s delivering later and to not worry about it. 

On his lunch break, he makes sure to head home to put the flowers back in their vase and move them into his room. Or else he’d have some pestering questions that he's not quite sure how to deal with.

But as he gently arranges the flowers on his desk, Mitsuya frowns down at them. Brownies and flowers… Maybe they were too showy? All flair and no real substance? And maybe… Hakkai wanted something just between them? Something personal. 

Just then, an idea comes to him and his hand freezes while holding a petal. Something personal . Slowly, Mitsuya feels a smile spread onto his face. It’ll take a little while, but this time he’s sure he knows what to do.

He practically books it back to work and is out of breath by the time he bursts through the door.

“Mitsuya-kun! You almost put me in an early grave!” Takahashi-san scolds as she puts a hand to her chest. “What’s gotten into you?”

“S-sorry! Sorry. I just… Would it be alright if I took the rest of the week off?” He’s met with high raised brows and a look of concern from the elderly tailor, and he’s quick to reassure her. “Nothing’s wrong! Just….” he takes a deep breath, very acutely feeling his heart beat in his chest. 

“There’s a really important project I want to finish.” Silence falls between them. Mitsuya knows that sounds like a poor excuse for missing work, but to his credit he hasn’t missed a day since he started. 

But the look Takahashi-san gives him is… Thoughtful. Like she’s reading into something he hasn’t said aloud. Mitsuya can only hope whatever it is works in his favor. 

“…Alright. I suspect this has something to do with who those flowers were for.” Briefly, a look of surprise crosses his face and it makes her grin in response. That was all the confirmation she needed. 

And then she’s walking forward and giving him a light push towards the door, using her other hand to motion him away.

“Now go on. Better to strike when the iron is hot, yes?” 

“Wh—“ he blinks rapidly before frowning, unmoving from his spot in the shop. “But I’m not done with today’s work. Yukimura-san is coming in for a fitting, and Terada-san’s pants still need to be hem—“ 

“Tch! I managed just fine before you, you know?” She gives him a faux-sneer before it softens into something kinder. “This shop will still be here when you get back. But that little project of yours better have all of your heart put into it, Mitsuya-kun!” 

Seeing as there’s probably not going to be any winning this argument with his boss, Mitsuya finally relents with a half smile. 

“It definitely will. Thank you.” He gives a bow of his head before finally heading out the door and back towards home. 

And Mitsuya is going to put all of his heart into this. He already knows which fabric he’s going to use too, their special blue, white, and orange marbled one. Their matching outfits have to be his favorite garments he’s ever designed.

It had started out as a fun idea to daydream about to pass the time, but once he and Hakkai started dating, he wanted to make it into a reality. 

He remembers staying late in the club for months, refusing to let Pah-chin or Peh-yan inside the clubroom whenever he was working on them, and fussing over every little stitch and cut. And when they were ready to be taken home for their finishing touches, he had been sure to stash them out of sight of his sisters. He hadn’t wanted the surprise to be revealed too soon. 

And when he finally, finally, deemed them ready to be given, Mitsuya painstakingly ironed and folded them into a simple black box. Just holding the thing had made his nerves come alive with anticipation. 

Mitsuya decided on the anniversary of when they both met to give it to him. In truth, neither of them really remembered the exact date, but they had a vague idea and that was a good enough excuse to decide their anniversary activities could last a whole week if they wanted. They always did. 

Though Mitsuya’s favorite part was seeing Hakkai’s face when he realized what it was. Not just a handmade outfit, but matching handmade outfits. He liked to think he played it cool and calm, like this didn’t mean as much to him as it did his boyfriend. 

But that would be a lie. Despite his straight face, he knew his cheeks were burning and that his leg was bouncing. He knew his heart skipped multiple beats when Hakkai called them beautiful and held them like they were the most precious things on the planet, just like how he would Mitsuya. 

He knew he had fallen in love again that day with that teary eyed, bashful grin that was nearly blinding. Knew that he had kissed him so quickly, that he’s pretty sure he had cut Hakkai off from saying something. 

It’s with that same love, care, and drive that Mitsuya plans out this next gift. He becomes thankful for Takahashi-san making him start today pretty quickly. As planning becomes sketching becomes list making becomes shopping before stores close so he can get a head start. 

Mana and Luna are thrilled when Mitsuya reveals he’s off for the rest of the week, his youngest sister pleading to be able to spend it with him in lieu of school. 

“Sorry. I don’t think your teachers or mom would be too happy with me if I said yes.” He replies while ruffling her hair. Mana puffs out her cheeks in a pout and Mitsuya can sense the beginning of a fit coming on, so he’s quick to add onto that. 

“But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a fun weekend together right? If you two finish up all your homework on Friday, then maybe we can go to that cat cafe Luna was telling us about.”  

And that seems to satisfy Mana for the time being which leaves Mitsuya free to do the chores he had neglected over the course of the day. 

————

The following morning sees the lilac haired boy clearing the floor of their modest living room to spread out his roll of manila pattern paper and his scribbled notes beside it. He has two pieces in mind for his gift; a scarf and a jacket.

It’s easier to start with the scarf and he gets his measuring tape to get started on making the pattern for it. He makes a few sketches on the paper before finally deciding on a length he likes and begins to cut the pattern out. 

By the time his sisters get home from school is when Mitsuya has the body of the black scarf done and is sitting criss-crossed as he hand stitches heart-shaped pockets onto either end. The fabric is soft to the touch, a blend of 70% rayon and 30% cotton, it’s no Burberry sure, but it’ll keep the wearers warm.

His concentration is especially intense with these, the fabric of the pockets being the marble pattern. So he doesn’t notice when two pairs of wide eyes are watching him until they start whispering to one another. 

“Oh, sorry girls. Do you like my new present for Hakkai?” he asks, holding up the scarf as far as his arms can stretch. 

“OOH! The hearts are so cute! He’s going to love it!” chirps Luna, carefully tracing a finger over one fo the pockets, already well aware to be gentle when her older brother presented his work. 

“Is it so long because Hakkai-niisan is so tall?!” Mana is a little less reverent, and is trying to pull out the scarf to it’s full length. It gets her a scolding from her older sister, one that makes their brother chuckle and Mana pout but relent.

“Mmm something like that…” Mitsuya admits with a slightly quirked mouth. 

————

The jacket is definitely the more labor intensive part. Mitsuya spends a full day drafting sewing patterns and double checking measurements he’s already committed to memory by now. By the time dinnertime comes around, he’s only cut half of his patterns into the muslin fabric. 

There’s only so much he can accomplish while getting adequate sleep and fulfilling all his chores for the day. It’s something he unfortunately has to admit to himself after realizing he’s behind on laundry. 

————

This time chores and feeding himself on time have, a little begrudgingly, taken priority. But in between waiting for his food to heat up and emptying out the hampers, Mitsuya squeezes in chances to drape his draft jacket on an old mannequin he bought off of Takahashi-san.

Between bites of a rather quickly slapped together curry, he makes minor adjustments to get the cloth to drape how he had envisioned. 

————

Soon enough, the week is up and he’s not done with his project. So now comes balancing chores, work, and this. It’s nothing Mitsuya’s a stranger to, but every second he spends not working on Hakkai’s gift has him longing to do so. 

Eventually, it seems that even his boss can tell what he’s thinking. And she tells him to just bring in the jacket so he can work on it on his off time and even stay late to use the much better sewing machine here if he closes up once he’s satisfied for the night. 

Mitsuya excitedly takes her up on her offer the following day. And wouldn’t you know it, things start to move a lot faster when he has better equipment and is free from the guilt of not doing chores while he’s at home. 

————

The jacket starts to really come together in the following days. It’s slim and asymmetrical, something that will compliment Hakkai’s tall and lanky figure elegantly. But Mitsuya’s favorite thing to work on is the lining for the jacket.

When he spreads out their special marble patterned fabric, Takahashi-san ooh’s . 

“This is the same as that suit and trench coat you made, yes?” Her hands gingerly sweep across the fabric, admiring it’s design and texture before her eyes meet Mitsuya’s own. “It must be very special.” 

A light pink dusts Mitsuya’s face as he nods, a little embarrassed that she still remembers the pieces he presented her in his portfolio when applying for the job. 

“It is. This project’s also pretty special so I want to make sure I get my point across.” 

————

It’s been over two weeks since he last saw Hakkai. And as Mitsuya folds the jacket and the scarf into a simple, light blue gift box, he takes a deep breath. This time has to work. It will work . He corrects himself, steeling his nerves. Mitsuya places the box into a canvas tote bag and puts it over his shoulder. 

This time when he makes his way over to Hakkai’s school, it’s at the end of the day. His pace is fast, not wanting to miss his boyfriend but he doesn’t want to jostle his cargo too much either. 

But it seems luck is on his side today as he makes it to the gates and sees a familiar trio only just coming out of the building. And like every time Mitsuya’s eyes land on Hakkai, his heart squeezes and a smile spreads on his face naturally. The fondness he has for his boyfriend hasn’t faltered even once during this entire situation, and he hopes to the gods he can prove that to him. 

When the three spot him, they falter, and Chifuyu and Takemitchy both cast uncertain glances between the couple. On the other hand, Hakkai’s smile slowly drops into an unreadable expression. At least it’s not a glare . Mitsuya ends up walking a few feet onto school grounds, impatient to meet up with him. 

“Hey guys,” he greets, briefly nodding to the two blondes. They give their own greetings by the time Mitsuya’s attention is already completely on Hakkai. “Can I walk you home?” 

Three pairs of eyes stare at Hakkai, and Mitsuya doesn’t miss how he squeezes the strap of his bag briefly before loosening his grip. A small show of nerves that Mitsuya will gladly take over frustration. Finally, Hakkai gives a small nod.

And it feels like a huge wave has just washed over Mitsuya. In fact, he doesn’t even try to hide his relief as he sighs. He gives one of his signature small smiles as Hakkai tells Takemitchy and Chifuyu he’ll see them tomorrow. 

As they walk side by side, Mitsuya is quick to note how Hakkai is trying to keep his arms as close to his body as possible, apparently not wanting to even briefly bump into Mitsuya. It makes something uneasy rise in his stomach, but he tries to push it down as they make it through the throngs of high schoolers eager to head home. 

As the crowds of people get thinner, Mitsuya notices how Hakkai’s posture seems to relax, and that he even starts to cast brief glances his way. Instantly, he feels his heart shoot into his throat and his cheeks burn like they’re on fire. It’s like he’s a middle schooler all over again with an embarrassingly huge crush on his best friend.

But it’s a good sign. And it turns into an even better one when they make unintentional eye contact and Mitsuya can spot a light pink dusting his boyfriend’s face. If this were any other time, he’d tuck strands of Hakkai’s hair behind his ear and kiss his cheek, surely making that blush even worse. 

It’s when they’re getting close to Hakkai’s house and when the streets are basically empty, leaving them without an audience, that Mitsuya stops walking. It takes a few moments for him to notice, but Hakkai does too, looking a little expectant.

Now’s my chance . 

Without waiting a second longer, Mitsuya takes out the box from his tote and presents it to Hakkai with both hands. 

“I made you s—“ but he doesn’t even get to finish his sentence. The box is smacked out of his hands and Hakkai, beautiful and kind and patient and loving Hakkai, is furious. 

“I DON’T WANT IT!” He basically roars at Mitsuya, who can only look at him stunned with wide eyes. He’s frozen in place. Unable to move a centimeter even if he wanted to. His brain is scrambling to figure out what to do, how to fix this, because this is not the outcome he thought he’d be dealing with.

“I DON’T WANT THINGS FROM YOU, TAKA-CHAN!” Hakkai keeps going, his brow creasing into a glare that has Mitsuya’s attention in a vice grip. But while Mitsuya was preparing to deal with more rage, he sees as Hakkai deflates, his anger is simmering instead of explosive now. 

“I want a conversation! I want you to talk to me! I want—!” and he cuts himself off, because tears of frustration are starting to form in the corners of his eyes and Mitsuya can see how he struggles to speak. 

That is what breaks Mitsuya out of his stock still stupor, and by instinct he takes hold of Hakkai’s shaking hands. 

“Then we’ll talk! We’ll talk and I’ll explain everything.” Mitsuya promises with a desperate tremor in his voice. It breaks his heart knowing he’s made Hakkai get to this point. That his stupid decisions brought them here. How could he have been so dumb? 

Hakkai seems content with his answer for now, his hands still trembling but unmoving from Mitsuya’s hold. He starts running his thumbs over knuckles he remembers patching up over and over again. “I’m not cheating on you with Taiju,” he begins, looking up at Hakkai and giving his hands a squeeze. “I would ne—“ 

“WHAT?!” The look Hakkai gives him is incredulous to say the least. Mitsuya is prepared to repeat his statement, prepared to say it as many times as Hakkai needed or wanted to hear, until the taller boy rips his hands away. 

“Taka-chan I never thought you were!” 

And now it’s Mitsuya’s turn to look dumbfounded. What? He blinks. What?! His mouth opens, but not a sound comes out.

“But you looked… And we were…” Mitsuya is floundering as everything he had planned to say and everything he had thought about these past few weeks are completely turned upside down. “And the crepes!” 

“I’m not stupid enough to think you’d ever cheat on me! Especially not with him!” And had this been some kind of drama he was watching as a third party, he might’ve almost found it funny how he had uttered almost those exact words himself. 

“I’m mad because… Because it looked like you guys were friends! I’m mad that you never told me you were talking to him! Or that you guys hang out!” Hakkai is getting worked up again, Mitsuya can tell from the rapid rise and fall of his chest and how he grips his hair roughly as he speaks, trying desperately to blink away tears before they fall. 

This time, Mitsuya approaches Hakkai slowly, letting him see clearly that he is going for his hands again. To untangle one from his hair and to unclench the other from his side. Then he laces their fingers together and takes another step closer, not once letting his eyes leave Hakkai’s. 

“I’m sorry.” He whispers, and while he knows this is only the beginning of his apology, he tries to convey his absolute sincerity in those two words. “I should’ve told you. At first it just started with texts from some number I didn’t recognize. He… Wanted to know how you and Yuzuha were doing. If you were okay.”

“I ignored him for a while but he kept texting. So I told him you guys were fine. Then he asked again a few months later. I figured… I could tell him that much, you know? That you two were okay. And then texts turned into calls,” Mitsuya squeezes Hakkai’s hands, noting the hard line his boyfriend had pressed his mouth into. So with a deep breath, he keeps going. 

“And calls turned into meeting up. It was supposed to be just letting him know how you guys were doing, but then he wanted to know how I viewed being a big brother. And I thought… Maybe he’s trying to change. And that I could do what I could to help with that. But… I. I guess I got a little too comfortable with h— Hey. Hakkai I’m s— I know that doesn’t excuse anything,” Mitsuya quickly finishes, trying to untangle their hands so he can wipe at Hakkai’s quickly falling tears.

With his eyes shut, Hakkai’s shoulders shake as he cries silently. He’s biting at his lower lip in an effort to keep things in but the dam is already broken. 

Mitsuya cups his face and gently shushes him, thumbs swiping at tears as he brings their foreheads together, apologizing over and over again in a whisper-like chant.

When Hakkai finally opens his eyes, he gives Mitsuya a pained look that’s enough to shatter his heart into pieces. 

“Taka-chan has so much love in his heart to give…” he croaks, clutching one of Mitsuya’s hands to his face. “But I selfishly want more. I want all that you can give and I want you to be all mine!” And he finishes with a sob, eyes squeezing shut once more. 

This time, tears prickle in Mitsuya’s own eyes before he crushes his boyfriend against his smaller frame and hugs him like this might be the last time he’ll ever see him. And that seems to be enough for Hakkai to finally sob openly. To clutch at the back of Mitsuya’s shirt and cry right into the crook of his neck. 

If Mitsuya could go back in time, he would. He’d never answer that fucking text if he knew it would lead to this. He quickly tries to blink away tears, this isn’t about him right now. But some still fall regardless of his efforts.

“You’re not selfish. I should’ve told you what was going on right from the start. You and Yuzuha. I had no right to keep it a secret.” Mitsuya takes a difficult gulp and pulls back some, letting their foreheads rest against each other. At the very least, Hakkai is no longer sobbing. But a few stray tears still run down his face. 

“I won’t meet up with him anymore. I won’t even answer his texts if you don’t want me to.” Mitsuya promises, and he means it. He had stupidly started to think that Taiju maybe wanted to be an older brother again someday, or at least try leading a life that wasn’t strictly ruled by violence. 

But just because it had been a problem that presented itself, didn’t necessarily mean Mitsuya had to be the one to fix it. Hakkai and Yuzuha are important to him. He cares about them. Taiju is neither of those things. 

“…I’ll have to talk it over with Yuzuha.” Hakkai’s voice sounds scratchy, but the tears have finally stopped. And then it’s his turn to take hold of Mitsuya’s hands. “But I forgive you.” Then he gives Mitsuya the smallest of smiles, barely there, and definitely tired, but it’s a smile and the most heavenly thing Mitsuya has ever seen. 

It easily takes his breath away, and Mitsuya wouldn’t be surprised if he blacked out right then and there. And for the first time in a while, his chest isn’t squeezing in that painful way that’s started to become familiar to him. 

“Thank you,” he breathes out, letting his eyes fall shut for a moment while he lets them have a moment of comfortable silence as they rest against each other. 

Mitsuya feels Hakkai pull back and then press a feather-light kiss to his forehead. Lilac eyes flutter open in surprise as he looks up at his boyfriend with a gradually flushing face. He’s met with a smile that’s even wider than the last and makes him gulp. It’s a touch flustered despite being the one who initiated the gesture of affection, and the look Hakkai gives him is… Bashful. 

“Can I… Kiss you?”

And oh, how can’t Mitsuya fall in love over and over and over again with a boy as adorable as this? With someone who acts like they’ve never gone beyond holding hands if even that? Something bubbles in Mitsuya’s chest and it comes out as laughter. Loud and full bellied laughter that nearly brings the tears right back to his eyes. When his fit is finally over, he gives Hakkai a stupidly wide grin that only grows at seeing his boyfriend’s pout. 

“Of course you can, Hakka-chan.” 

It’s nice to know that he hadn’t been the only one to miss their usual affection, if the surging kiss that nearly knocks the wind out of him is anything to go by. Hakkai is cupping his cheeks and keeping him in place like Mitsuya would have the absolutely impossible idea of running away. 

But any other train of thought is quickly put to a halt as Mitsuya melts into the other, bringing his arms up to drape over Hakkai’s neck as his lips lazily deepen the kiss. 

He doesn’t know or care how long they stay like that. All he knows is that they part with a soft pop and that, from what he can feel, their faces are likely matching in hue. Mitsuya is content to bask in the smile Hakkai directs his way, stay there and look at him all night even as strands of his soft hair tickle his face, until his boyfriend’s face warps into one of horror. 

“OH TAKA-CHAN YOUR GIFT!” And before Mitsuya can do more than raise his slitted brows, Hakkai is darting over to where the box had fallen and cradles it in his arms like it’s something priceless. “I’m so sorry I was so ungrateful! I’m sure whatever’s inside here is amazing!” 

It’s a true testament to Hakkai’s forgiveness (some would call it naivety, or even blind love) that he so easily falls back into being overly enthusiastic about the things his boyfriend gives him. With a roll of his eyes, Mitsuya gets up on his tip-toes to flick him on the forehead, earning an indignant yelp. 

“Stupid. I’m the one that should be apologizing still.” And then he puts his hands over Hakkai’s so they can hold the box together, his tone becoming soft while his thumbs run over pointy knuckles. “So I don’t want to hear any more apologies out of you.” 

Then he moves his hands to open the lid for Hakkai to see before taking the box and holding it against his chest so the other can take out the items inside. The one folded on top is the jacket, and Mitsuya watches with a fluttering heart as Hakkai slowly lifts it up. 

“Taka-chan….” He breathes out, eyes slowly taking in every inch of the asymmetrical jacket that’s been tailored to fit him perfectly. “Wait. Does this…?” 

Mitsuya’s mouth twitches as he tries not to laugh, watching as Hakkai unzips the jacket to reveal the patterned lining. Their pattern. Blue eyes with no business being so breathtaking immediately flit over to him, already filling with tears once more as he hugs the garment to his chest. 

“It’s beautiful!” It’s no use now. Mitsuya laughs softly and he reaches up to quickly wipe at tears that are always so quick to fall. But they’re happy this time. They fill him with a loving familiarity instead of the panic and regret of before. Mitsuya isn’t even close to being done making things up to Hakkai, but this is a nice start. 

“At least look at what else I made, crybaby.” The teasing earns him a loud sniffle. Hakkai drapes the jacket over his arm and then he reaches in for the last gift. 

He pulls the scarf out with one hand, momentarily confused by the length as it keeps going.

Mitsuya smirks and internally counts down. Any moment now . And then something seems to click for Hakkai, because his eyes go wide and this time the tears are paired with a grin that can easily get Mitsuya promising this boy the world. 

“You really did it?! Can we wear it right now?! Please, Taka-chan?” 

“Wh— Right now? It’s summer, Hakkai!” But even as the protest comes out of Mitsuya’s mouth, he knows it’s a lost cause. Because Hakkai is batting his lashes and folding his hands together to rest under his chin. It’s stupid and cheesy. It gets Mitsuya right in the heart. 

And Hakkai knows it as soon as Mitsuya sighs too. Because he cheers and wraps one end of the scarf around his neck before looking at his boyfriend expectantly. 

Content with his warm fate, Mitsuya takes the other end out of the box and wraps it around himself, hand tucking into the heart-shaped pocket and offering out the one closest to Hakkai. 

To say that Hakkai shines when he smiles is an understatement. Hakkai glows . He radiates light like he’s some kind of angel and Mitsuya is no closer to getting used to it than he was the first time he saw Hakkai direct a smile like this his way. 

With a giggle, Hakkai clasps their hands together to swing them gently as he starts walking. 

“And just where are you taking me?” Mitsuya teases, briefly untucking his hand from the scarf to stuff the now empty box into his bag. 

“Home!” Hakkai cheers. Until a second later, his face is flushing and he gives their entangled hands a quick squeeze. “I mean. My house. If that’s okay…?” 

It’s really ridiculous how they can still get flustered around each other so easily. But Mitsuya wouldn’t trade it for anything as he throws his head back and laughs, shoulders shaking. 

“That’s more than okay, Hakka-chan."