Work Text:
1
Den City was particularly livable that day. Maybe it was because, after the frigid winter months, it had finally shed its layers and layers and layers of snow and dust, shining and making love to spring again.
For the first time in a long time, wearing lighter clothes was not seen as a risk: it was actually warm that day, as if a sliver of summer had made a quick visit on that May afternoon, intoxicating the air with its passionate sighs.
Ryoken was undecided about what to do: usually, when he and Yusaku met to spend some time together, he always knew how to behave toward him to make him feel appreciated and comfortable.
(Ryoken still continued to court him as if it were the first day).
(It was impossible to do otherwise since every time he saw him, Ryoken fell in love with Yusaku again).
That time, however, it was Yusaku who had suggested that they go out together, and not only to take a walk, but also to visit some stores and have a cold drink before saying goodbye and going home. Not that Ryoken hadn't been pleased, in fact, it was the exact opposite, as he didn't even know where to contain all his contentment anymore: Yusaku had explicitly said that he wanted to spend the afternoon in his company, the initiative had started from him who was usually so reserved and always let Ryoken propose and organize the outings.
Yusaku's proposal had snuck into that much placid day fluttering like a beautiful and colorful butterfly carrying with it the long trail of surprise and excitement.
Ryoken had been so taken aback that he had almost forgotten the way he used to act and behave when he and Yusaku were dating – they were not yet a full-fledged couple, but with the onset of spring their dating had become more assiduous.
Not by chance, Ryoken had not yet reached for Yusaku's hand to shake it gracefully during the walk, but not because he did not want to, but because he had all of a sudden become curious: he wanted to find out what Yusaku's next move would be because, he was certain, the
(almost his)
boyfriend also had more in mind for that afternoon that was becoming more and more special, step by step.
2
Yusaku seemed somewhat tense. Ryoken noticed this not only because he knew him all too well by now, but also because it was as if he was breathing Yusaku's own air filled with vibrations full of high expectations and desire to bring them to fruition.
It almost seemed as if Yusaku did not want to waste in any way that very special and beautiful opportunity that he himself had created, a small glimmer of light that increasingly thinned the darkness.
(That was far too hot and precious a day to devote it to university books and notes written in a brisk manner on square sheets).
(It was, instead, the ideal day to try to let go and show a part of one's self that had not yet managed to emerge).
If it had been up to Ryoken, he would have made sure that a single rotation of the Earth around its own axis would last another thousand hours longer just to let Yusaku know that time was on his side, that he did not have to worry so much if he failed on his first attempt, that there would be plenty of others, that he would always be there for him because he was happy to be by his side.
For just a moment Ryoken felt the overwhelming desire to interrupt their walk and to parade himself in front of Yusaku so that he could tell him everything and externalize all the pride he felt toward him, but he knew it was not yet the right time, that he had to wait.
And he would have done so gladly.
3
He felt Yusaku's hand brush against his once they left the clothing store that Yusaku himself had recommended – and boy, did he have good taste.
They both held a cute little bag in their hands containing a light-colored t-shirt for Yusaku and a stylish jacket for Ryoken, while their free hands were slowly intertwining their fingers together.
Everything was beautiful and perfect, and it was so because it was Yusaku who had made the first move. Ryoken had been longing to be able to hold Yusaku's hand all afternoon, but he had realized that this time it would be Yusaku who would step forward first and so it was only right to wait for him.
Thus, the moment their fingers found each other and intertwined, everything regained its balance and Den City became even more welcoming and bright.
They had not spoken much over the course of that afternoon, Yusaku tended to be of few words, not to mention that he had decided to do it all that day and Ryoken did not want to interfere
(Ryoken had left him his own space and had enjoyed his company even during all those dilated minutes when their vocal cords had not vibrated and their voices had not resonated in the air).
Who knows what Yusaku was thinking about at that moment; maybe he was digging deep in his mind, searching for the right phrases to say. That afternoon had almost come to an end, and Ryoken wished it could have lasted many more hours
(how time flew when walking beside the right person)
and to be able to bask in Yusaku's presence a little longer.
It was as if Yusaku had read his mind, as almost in a whisper he asked: «Would you like to have a drink before going home?»
Ryoken agreed without being asked twice.
4
The vanilla milkshake was good – and fresh. Especially fresh.
Ryoken couldn't help but look at Yusaku and note how perfectly the strawberry milkshake he had purchased matched the pink locks lost in the blue of his hair.
(Middle school kids would have called it “aesthetic”, in their strange yet interesting youth slang).
«How bad was I from one to ten?» Yusaku asked out of the blue before going back to sipping his milkshake as if he had asked any question at all.
Ryoken opened wide his eyes and for a moment was afraid that the last sip of milkshake had gone down his throat.
He barely coughed, immediately regaining all his composure. «In what sense, sorry?» he asked without stopping staring at Yusaku's face.
«In the sense... of trying to take the first step. To propose an outing for you, to be more spontaneous and even affectionate as you are with me. Seriously, Ryoken, do you really want to continue dating me?»
«Of course I want to» Ryoken answered immediately, as for that question he now knew the answer by heart. «And anyway... I don't want you to change, at least not in a forced way. I like you just the way you are... but I admit that I found you particularly lovely today, you were so clumsy that I would have spent hours kissing you».
Seeing Yusaku's cheeks turn red was a small event that tested Ryoken's self-control.
(Always. He would have wanted to kiss him all the time).
«I wouldn't have minded...» Yusaku muttered, realizing only a moment later the statement escaped his mouth. But instead of blushing further, he curved his lips into a sly smirk.
He brought his face closer to Ryoken's and brushed his lips with his own. «Strawberry and vanilla sounds like a good combination...» he whispered again, before kissing him.
They both closed their eyes as they sat in the shade of that bench located somewhere in the immense city park and indulged in that mixture known to all but, at the same time, sweet and delicious, of which one never tired.
Maybe it had not been the perfect date, and Yusaku still had a long way to go to open himself fully to the world.
But little by little, in small steps, he would make it.
Ryoken was certain of that.
(He would always be beside him, on his side).
5
«I would kiss you for hours on end».
«Me too... for another thousand hours, without ever getting tired».