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1
Yusaku had never been much of a party-goer, but for once he could not deny to himself that he had had a good time and enjoyed the evening. He had done well to heed Ryoken's request, who had not even had to push him more than that hard to convince him to take part in the evening at Sora's house: he had only asked him explicitly once, slowly destroying all his resistance by simply batting his eyes and looking at him as only he knew how to do
(a sweet mischief that never erupted into vulgarity).
It was unbelievable how Yusei – as well as Yusaku's best friend whom he had known all his life – always had to work hard to convince him, whereas Ryoken had needed only so little – and they had known and dated each other for much less time.
(There was actually a difference, and it was as deep as a marvelous abyss in which, instead of darkness reigning, a light shone that led to a completely new and paradisiacal world, isolated from human pollution and all the pain felt by planet Earth: Ryoken was the first person for whom Yusaku had ever felt romantic feelings, and what made it all the more incredible and special maybe was precisely the fact that his feelings were completely reciprocated on the other side as well).
Yusaku had always been a rather shy boy and apparently also very aloof towards typically human emotions such as love or the overt display of affection towards others; this certainly did not mean that he was an apathetic and anaffective person, he was simply much more introverted than the others and it was very rare for him to indulge in outpourings or warm smiles in public despite the fact that it was glaringly obvious how much he cared for his friends, Yusei in particular.
Then Ryoken had arrived, and Yusaku had found himself with his entire existence turned upside down: it was amazing how, within a short time, he had gone from such sporadic outpourings of affection to a magnificent constant that clung to his ribcage and made that place where the heart beats so much more comfortable and welcoming.
Yusaku was smiling much more often, he was no longer so bored with life, and he made an effort to initiate conversations first and to carry them on – and especially to end them in a positive way.
These were just some of the many benefits that Ryoken's arrival in his life had brought with him, and for this Yusaku could never be grateful enough.
Ryoken had been able to go beyond appearance and glimpse a tiny pulsing glimmer of life hidden behind that thick, steel-hard exterior. Ryoken had slowly crumbled it with such calm and patience
(and love, especially so much love)
and in the end Yusaku had succumbed in the most beautiful way possible, discovering how enchanting that feeling could be that he never thought he would feel toward anyone.
He smiled as all those soft thoughts graced his mind. He was intent on walking beside Ryoken on that mid-April night, another day with shaky weather.
It was that time of year when spring danced merrily in the daytime to the notes of a lively yet warm song, while at night it was as if it still ceded its throne to winter, given and considering how much the temperatures plummeted as the sun lay beyond the horizon and the moon began its own night patrol, intent on observing humanity that in its own way never slept.
2
It was just a tiny hint of trembling in Yusaku's body that caught the attention of Ryoken, who took off his light gray coat and rested it on his trembling shoulders.
«You don't have to» Yusaku tried to protest, though in vain. For he knew how apprehensive Ryoken was about him, which was why such a gesture should also have been expected.
«But you're shivering» Ryoken pointed out in fact, who, left alone in a long-sleeved T-shirt also colored light gray, looked almost like a dream vision illuminated by the placid whiteness of the moon fixed in a sky as soft as velvet.
«Yes, but ... aren't you cold?» Yusaku asked, chattering his teeth a little because of a cold chill that mockingly ran down his back.
Ryoken smiled softly, moving closer to him again. «Thanks for the thought, but ... you need it more» he said, before resting his lips on Yusaku's, engaging them in a kiss that was at first very gentle and then, to Ryoken's own extreme surprise, quite bold and passionate.
(Reconnecting the pieces wouldn't be no mean feat, but in that moment, as he sensed Yusaku taking over more and more of his mouth, he could not help but wonder and delight in the most genuine way possible).
3
If his friends had seen him at that moment, they would surely have opened their eyes wide to such an extent as to push them over the permitted limit in the utmost and perfect representation of cartoony goliardery. After all, it was more unique than rare to be able to witness such a scene: Yusaku had completely let himself go and was kissing Ryoken with such impetus and such passion imprinted under his skin that it would almost have been able to burn the yellow dwarf at that moment dormant.
He could no longer understand anything, and this was because of Ryoken's lips that had made him discover a flavor he could now no longer do without: it was sweet, soft, fresh, with a fruity finish
(strawberry, that was the aroma of strawberry)
and as he reveled in that heavenly contact Yusaku recalled that, just before leaving the party, Ryoken had had a drink, but he had not been interested in finding out its identity since he was aware that that was one of the very few glasses containing an alcoholic beverage that his boyfriend had sipped over the course of the evening.
Yusaku was slowly and inexorably melting more and more; that contact was something he had never experienced before, a point of contact so intimate that he never thought it could be so engaging. It was certainly not the first time that he and Ryoken had kissed so passionately, but it was also true that these were special moments that blossomed and shone only within the domestic walls and never in public, where anyone could turn their gaze on them and watch them for endless moments.
As luck would have it, they were alone at that moment as they walked down the road leading to Ryoken's house, but the fact still remained that Yusaku had particularly let himself go in a public place
(as surprising as a card player winning at the last after making his opponent believe that he had been at a disadvantage throughout the duel).
Yusaku was constantly seeking Ryoken's tongue, finding it and basking in its taste, sinking deeper and deeper into an abyss of pleasure and desire. It was amazing how just a few sips of alcohol were able to send him into ecstasy – and the fact was that he hadn't actually even been drinking, he was just savoring Ryoken's lips moistened by the sweet, sensual taste of strawberry.
If the need to take in oxygen had not suddenly become pressing, in all likelihood Yusaku would have continued kissing
(to devour)
Ryoken all night there, in that little street caressed gracefully by the moon and stars that looked like little drops of white paint on black velvet.
Yusaku was drunk. Drunk on Ryoken, drunk on the taste that had triggered something inside him, a small sliver of electricity that had caused his body to vibrate from head to toe, making him throb and burn with passion.
«Wow...» Ryoken whispered after catching his breath for a moment. «What was that?» he asked without really doing anything to conceal the surprise that seeped from his gaze.
Yusaku's cheeks puckered a little. «No, it's just...» he tried to justify himself without the slightest success, however. He looked away and swallowed a little with difficulty.
«Nothing, I don't know what came over me either...» he murmured, realizing only in that instant what had happened.
«What did you drink just before we left the party?» he asked, trying to fit the pieces together in that mosaic of shades of boldness and embarrassment.
«Strawberry vodka» Ryoken replied, before curving his lips into a mischievous smile. «If I'd known sooner I could have bought a cup of strawberries to eat when we got home... at least I have cream in the fridge» he concluded with a shrug that was meant to hint at many things not at all innocent.
«Ryoken!» Yusaku exclaimed, by now completely engulfed in embarrassment
(his cheeks were reduced to a pile of burnt flesh).
«Come on Yusaku, don't you want to play with cream?» Ryoken continued, who had taken a liking to teasing his boyfriend.
«Only if I can rub it in your face».
«Are you maybe declaring war on me?»
«Who knows...?»
Eventually they let out a light laugh and, after intertwining the fingers of their hands, resumed walking.
Their story was filling with wonderful nuances.
And it was only the beginning.
4
«Ryoken?»
«Tell me».
«... do you really have cream in the fridge?»