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“Ran,” he mutters, eyes widening in recognition when he feels a sudden weight on his head, two arms that wrap around his weight, and the signature braids that fall onto his shoulders.
A glance up proves him right. His boyfriend is indeed the one who’s hugging him from behind, smiling down at him. His purple eyes sparkle with something akin to happiness when their gazes meet. Like that, the shade of purple resembles amethyst. As always, he’s stunned by their beauty. Or, well, how gorgeous his boyfriend is in general.
(Really, it makes him wonder why he’s the one getting his affections.)
“Good morning, Micchan. I hope you’ve slept well.”
Then he takes his hands off of the younger one, letting Takemichi turn around to face his lover. Ran immediately uses that chance to caress his cheek. There is something so tender about that action, about the way Ran glances at him. So, Takemichi can’t help but blush at the gesture, having no doubt that the other can feel the temperature of his skin rise.
“Morning,” he mumbles, a little shy. “I did… I hope you too.”
“I did. Have you eaten yet?”
He shakes his head upon hearing the other’s questions. He didn’t feel like eating when he woke up that day. That’s nothing unusual for him. He’s always not used to eating much anyway, partially because of his financial situation, and partially because of some minor health concerns. He can see Ran frowning at his response for a few seconds before the smile returns.
“Alright, let’s go eat something then. I know this cosy coffee shop near here.”
Takemichi nods in agreement, and that’s all Ran needs to move and grab his hand, interweaving their fingers as he does so. Then they make themselves on their way, Ran leading him along the street through crowds of people. As they walk, they naturally start a conversation, talking about how the last days went for them and what’s been happening in their lives recently. It’s currently Saturday, their token date day as they are not always capable of meeting up during their week, both being busy with gang-related things as well as other stuff.
“How’s Rindou doing?” He asks, tilting his head slightly. “I didn’t have time to text him recently.”
At that, Ran’s expression instantly drops. He furrows his eyebrows, looking undoubtedly irritated. Takemichi bites his lips, heart beating faster as concern builds up in him. Did he make the other mad? Oh god, what should he d–
“He’s out with Sanzu,” Ran groans and relief sweeps through him at those words.
Alright, Ran’s not mad at him. It’s about Sanzu. Makes sense, Ran and Sanzu never got along… but Rindou and Sanzu is a whole other story.
“Wait,” Ran says, halting in his steps, causing Takemichi to walk into his back.
His boyfriend turns to face him, grabbing both his shoulders gently to steady him. There’s a troubled expression on his face. It’s rare that this kind of stare graces Ran’s face. He’s always been someone who seemed like the embodiment of calm. Perhaps that’s why Takemichi felt drawn to him—Ran is his opposite in many ways, isn’t he? Ran never loses his head and he doesn’t struggle with fighting. Ran’s good at approaching and talking with people. He always has this knowledgeable aura around him, even though he’s just a teen. But sometimes even he can’t stop things from affecting him.
“Did you think I was mad at you?” Ran asks him.
He’s always been perceptive, so it only makes sense that he would notice. Still, being pointed out like this makes him feel like he’s been put on a spot, like he has to justify his feelings. Takemichi puts up his hands, wanting to explain and apologize, but his lover uses that moment to grab both of his hands with his own.
“I’m not mad at you, Takemichi,” Ran begins, leaning closer. “Even if I were mad at you, I definitely wouldn’t be so rude about it—I care about you.”
Takemichi’s left speechless, unable to utter any words but he doesn’t have to as Ran closes the remaining distance between and kisses the spot under his right eye, then his nose and lastly the corner of his lips.
“There, I’m stopping now. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck here for hours. That can’t happen, though. You definitely need to eat something.”
Takemichi remains quiet, out of timidity, following behind his lover, who resumes their way.
There’s something really pleasant about the coffee shop Ran has led him to. It’s soothing with its warmly colored interior decor. The soft jazz music playing in the background just adds to the place and Takemichi can feel himself relax in that place. There aren’t even that many, his boyfriend very much aware of his anxiety in crowded places.
(Something he can thank many unnecessary gang fights for.)
They both end up ordering tea, chamomile for himself and a mix of fruits for Ran, as well as souffle pancakes. The typical yet tasty breakfast food.
They wait for their food and Ran immediately reaches across the table to intertwine their hands once more, his thumb stroking Takemichi’s hand. For a while, he doesn’t speak up and just stares at him. It makes Takemichi wonder, of course. Wonder what’s going on inside his boyfriend’s head. Such curiosities aren’t anything new though, Ran has always been mysterious in his own right. Something that has always left him more and more curious, determined to try to and find out more about his lover—and it’s always very rewarding when he picks up on stuff. The hairstyles Ran likes, which skirts and dresses he likes to wear, the plants that he keeps in Rindou’s and his home. Takemichi doesn’t think he could ever stop being curious. There’s something so addicting about being able to figure out more and more things about the other.
“Rindou is doing alright,” Ran eventually breaks the silence. “Since you’ve asked before and I haven’t properly answered.”
He blinks, immediately paying all of his attention to the one in front of him.
“I like that about you, Takemichi,” Ran suddenly says, his smile especially warm under the sunlight that filters through the windows. “The way you care so generously. You never hesitated to build up a friendship with Rindou as well, texting and hanging out with him regularly. Asking about him when you meet me and vice versa. But it’s not only this…”
Heat travels up his neck to his head.
“You text me as much as possible to ask me if I’m alright, if I like the weather, or if there's something I’ve done recently that I like… you send me cute letters often with little drawings you painted, as well pictures of cats and dogs you’ve seen on the street. You bake stuff for my brother and me. Takemichi, you go out of your way to be present in my life.”
His eyes widen at how… vulnerable the other one sounds for once. He’s not used to that. To Ran letting himself be this unguarded.
“I know you keep wondering why I’m here with you, even if I wish you’d stop doubting yourself.”
Takemichi stills, shock coursing through him. Is he that obvious?
“But believe me, I think I’m very lucky to have you, Takemichi. More than you know.”
Something raw lies in that and Takemichi clings to it's memory, afraid to let go once he sees it. In fact, seeing Ran this emotional, this downright gorgeous, he cannot help but want more.
'I'm the lucky one.'
He wants to say it so badly, to tell the other one all about the little things that make him so endearing to Takemichi. From his personality to his hugs to the way he holds his hands—everything about Ran is precious to him.
He doesn't have to worry about a reply as at that moment, their order arrives. After thanking the server, both start eating, resuming another conversation topic amid it.
In a way, he loves that too. The ability to always return to the same wavelength with Ran.
They sit there, letting time pass as they laugh together.
Once they're done with their breakfast, they take a walk through the city, window shopping as they do so. They don’t enter a store often, but sometimes they come across a bookstore that interests Takemichi or a clothing store, which has something displayed that catches Ran’s attentions. When they enter those stores though, Takemichi often ends up being dressed up by his boyfriend.
“I can’t help it,” Ran tells him, grinning, “you just look so pretty in everything.”
That’s definitely a lie.
“Ah, don’t stare so doubtful at me, Micchan. I’m telling the truth.”
Takemichi blinks at this, having not expected the other to be able to tell what he’s thinking. He shouldn’t be that surprised. Ran always had a knack for knowing what’s going on in his head. He must seem like an open book to the other. Takemichi’s been told that he shows his emotions on his face easily by many people. Snapping out of his thoughts, he notices Ran walking towards the checkout with a pile of clothes in his arms. The clothes he had Takemichi try on to be specific.
“R-Ran?” He calls out, immediately walking after the other. “What are you doing?”
“Buying them for you, obviously.”
Oh no. Oh no.
Ran had this annoying habit of constantly showering him in gifts, most of them being rather luxurious. He understands Ran means well, but it doesn’t stop the guilt from forming when he realizes just how much some of these things cost. He’d rather his lover wouldn’t waste so much money on him.
“Ah, it’s okay, Ran. Let’s just put them back. You already paid for breakfast.”
Ran pouts at that. “Breakfast doesn’t count—I refuse to start the day without you having eaten, no matter what. It’s okay, Micchan. Just let me spoil you. You look great in all of them.”
“But… but… Ran… the price”
“Not a problem for me. You know that.”
In the end, he’s unable to convince Ran to refrain from buying the clothes for him, and then letting him carry the bags. The only good thing about this is that people stopped complaining about his shitty fashion sense after his boyfriend started to buy him clothes.
They end up taking a break in the park, looking out at the river and the fish swimming in there. Ran lets him thread his fingers through his hair, humming a lullaby as he does. It’s tranquil. He’s not used to this, not with all the things that have happened in the last years, but regardless of all that, Takemichi’s content with his current situation. He’s content when Ran sits up and turns to face him. He’s content when he leans in, their foreheads touching.
And he’s in love.
In love with the way Ran smiles at him, with how gentle he is when he caresses his cheek, with how bright his usually dark eyes seem in that moment—when he’s with Ran, Takemichi knows he’s loved.
That he holds a place in the heart of the person sitting in front of him.
Ran closes the last space in between and covers his lips with his own.
Warmth—soft warmth that spreads through his body is all he can feel.
Ran chuckles against his lips before moving to litter his face with kisses. Once he's finished, he rests his forehead once more against Takemichi's and closes his eyes.
Takemichi can feel hands grab his own. A small smile makes its way onto his face.
"You're warm, Ran," he mumbles, interweaving their fingers once more.
"Not as warm as you," the other replies, finally moving to encase him in a hug.
"No one can be warmer than you, Takemichi."