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A familiar voice rang in his ears, pulled him out from the ever-quiet darkness.
“Shu- senpai , are you…okay?”
“H-huh?” The man in question blinked rapidly and straightened his sitting position. Shu didn’t even realize he had closed his eyes; all he remembered was accepting his friend’s request to help for the incoming school festival stuff, helping around here and there, and…he didn’t remember the rest.
He looked up and found Fulgur was staring at him. His face was twisted in worry and concern. He then felt another warmth beside him and turned his head, only to find crouching Uki with a frown expression. It’s clear as day that these two underclassmen of his weren't happy.
“Why are you two…? Wait,” Shu looked around. He wasn’t awake enough to process the whole situation. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost 10PM,” Uki replied. His expression went dark. “We promised to come home together at 7PM, didn’t we, liar?”
“Ah,” Shu cringed. He was right; they were supposed to come home together three hours ago. And to put salt on his wounds, this was not his first time he broke promises with Fulgur and Uki because of his sudden change of schedules.
He was terribly fucked.
“Uh, I’m,” Shu averted his eyes. He wanted to say sorry but he knew it would not make things better. Yet, he didn’t know what to do at this moment other than uttering said words in shame. “Sorry… I-I know this won’t make things better, but—uh. Sorry.”
Uki stared at him, expression unchanging, before letting out the longest sigh he’d ever heard. “You know what? Fine. Where’s your other friends by the way? Why are you alone here?”
“Oh, them…?” Shu scratched his cheek. He vaguely remembered them mentioning their own activities; not that he knew precisely what and until when. “If you’re talking about Luxiem, then uh… Mysta had to go back early, Vox had an appointment today so he couldn’t help, Luca was…being Luca I guess? Family business stuff? And Ike, um,” what was Ike doing again? “I think Ike had something going on with the rest of the student council. I don’t know.”
He was too busy jumping from one class to another to pay attention fully to his friends’ words. It made Shu feel bad. He should’ve paid more attention to them.
“...The student council meeting had ended hours ago,” Shu was startled with the darkness in Fulgur's tone. He looked up and had to hold back a shiver when Legatus for a moment came to the surface, complete with the killing intent unfitted for his high school student image. “He should have come to your aid yet he chose to walk away. Your friends are trash, sorcerer.”
Shu frowned. It’s not Ike’s fault if he decided to come home alone. He had no obligation to come help him in the first place; he wouldn’t accept any slander toward his friends. “Hey, don’t talk about my friends like that, Legatus,” he reprimanded. “That wasn’t cool, man.”
Legatus scoffed before closing his eyes, dived back to his slumber and let Fulgur take over. The man himself only gave a sheepish smile—fully knowing what his alter ego had said to him. Shu pouted but chose not to push the matter anymore. It was just Legatus being himself so nothing he could do.
“Now what are you going to do next, Shu- senpai ?” Uki’s question invited attention from the other men. The purple haired man had changed his sitting position to cross legged one, head cocked a little bit to the other side as he stared at the said man in curiosity. His expression was serene, yet there was undeniably pressure shone on his eyes.
“Most people, except the one who was actually being assigned to do their project, already went back home. Considering you are just a voluntary helper, not even part of the management team, shouldn’t you come back home now?”
Shu laughed nervously at the not-so discreet jab. He couldn’t fault him; he wasn’t the member of the management team for the school festival yet it felt like he was partaking in most of the preparation. He didn’t mind doing it, of course, but he could understand Uki’s distaste for his choice of work. He did unfairly sacrifice their time for things that weren't supposed to be his job.
“Okay, okay, I will go back home,” Uki and Fulgur perked up at his words but their faces immediately fell as Shu continued, “But I need to polish the remaining woods then tidy up this entire mess first.”
Uki’s eyes went sharp. “No!” He grabbed Shu’s hand to prevent him from standing up. “What the fuck bitch, that’s just—no. You’re coming home with us, right now. And I don’t take no for an answer.”
“B-but the mess…”
In answer, Uki raised his other free hand activating his psychic power. Shu watched in astonishment as the scattered items glowed in purple light before magically lifted up, flying to the side of the room and settled them down there. Even the debris and wood dusts were being gathered in another corner where the trash can was placed.
Is it okay for Uki to use his power here? He glanced at the glowered man. Usually Uki disliked using his power in public places even if it was just him and his closest people, school included. It was rare to see him using it in a place like this. Shu wanted to ask, but looking at Uki’s expression made him scared. He was sure would get scolded instead.
After a moment, Uki’s hand finally stopped glowing. He let his hand down with a tired but satisfied sigh. “It’s done,” he exclaimed. “Now you don’t have any excuse to stay here. If you dare to say another word I swear I’m gonna slap your face, bitch.”
Shu shook his head rapidly with mouth sticking tight. “Good,” he said. He then glanced at the only one who still stood among them. “Fuufuu-chan, bring him. Make sure he won’t escape.”
“On it.”
The older man gave them questioning eyes before shrieking in surprise when someone suddenly manhandled him. Before he realized what just happened, Fulgur had settled him nicely on his arms while Uki opened a portal straight to his bedroom. Shu could only stare like a deer on highlight as he clinged on the cyborg’s shoulder like there was no tomorrow, the sight of the empty room and the darkened window disappeared within the closed portal and changed into a familiar wallpaper and homely scent.
It took him a few seconds to realize he was being brought to Uki’s place. He patted Fulgur’s back telling him to put him down but the man refused. Instead, he went out, arms still protectively held the older man, and walked straight to the dining room.
Shu’s mouth immediately watered when the smell of food hit his nostrils. He didn’t realize he hadn’t eaten dinner yet with the amount of work that had taken most of his attention away. Shu heard a chuckle rumble close to his ear and found Fulgur was staring at him smiling.
“Hungry?” he asked. The man blushed and nodded shyly, not used to get caught like this. His laugh went louder, not without fondness latching on his voice, and put him down. “Then go eat. Uki knew you must’ve not eaten yet so he made this for you.”
Coming from the bedroom, Uki’s voice echoed through the wall. “Like hell I will let you die out of starvation!” he shouted. “Finish it or I will finish your ass!”
Shu couldn’t help but laugh at the comment. “Oh my god,” his throat felt so tight and there was a hot sensation pooling up on his nose that made him want to tear up. He wasn't used to being taken care of so nicely like this; usually it was him giving care and attention to others.
He had especially disappointed Uki and Fulgur many times for prioritizing others more than them. He thought he would be scolded, or the worst thing ever possible, hated by them. He didn't expect to be instead showered with such warm care; it made him feel loved and a little bit disappointed in himself for wasting their abundant love for someone like him.
“You two… Seriously, I don’t know what to say…”
Fulgur came to him and patted his head. “It’s okay, you’ve been working hard,” he praised. As someone who aspired to be someone like Shu, he knew very well how hard he had been working to make sure everyone could enjoy the incoming festival perfectly without any hitch.
Nevertheless, there must be someone—or some people—who must support the Shupport when he himself failed to take care of himself. And who else could do it other than his own boyfriends?
Shu sniffled. "I'm sorry," his voice cracked in thick emotion. He was usually composed and could control his emotions well, but Fulgur's warmth and Uki's rare caring side made him feel weak. "I should've spent more time with you two…"
"I've told you, it's okay. We are not angry so don't mind it."
Fulgur planted a soft kiss on Shu’s temple and took a good look at his expression. While tearing up and flushing red Shu was cute, he could see the darkened circle around his eyes and unfocused gaze. He was pushing himself too hard this time but still didn’t realize it yet. He let out a sigh and hugged the man ignoring his startling cries.
Maybe I can pull some strings behind so Shu can work less, he pondered. It wouldn't be his first time nor the last, considering the amount of problems his friends had caused inside and outside the school ground. Manipulating Shu's workflow wouldn't be hard compared to things he had done before.
Fulgur hugged him deeper, eyes became darker. Shu didn't have to know. Better to have him retain his innocence and unknowingness as long as he could.
"Wow, you two are having sweet moments and don't even call me? The audacity."
Out of nowhere Uki appeared and latched on Shu's back, hugging him from behind like a koala. Fulgur let out a small chuckle and ducked his head a bit, letting the shortest man among them tiptoed to meet their lips together. Shu blushed red witnessing their quick kissing session.
"Aw, Shu-chan is embarrassed~" Uki teased in a sing-song tone. The shorter man latched on Shu's side and poked Shu's cheek. "It's okay, we will give you plenty kisses too after you finish your meal. And a bath. You smell like sweat, yuck."
"I will, I will."
Shu chuckled, letting his other partner guide him to sit on the table where the food had been prepared. Fulgur went away to another room, his figure disappearing in the other hallway.
The sorcerer stared at Uki's homemade food feeling the excitement bubbling inside his chest. He hadn't tasted it yet, but he already knew it would taste divine. Uki's food was always delicious. "Thank you, by the way, for the food."
Uki took the seat in front of him and scoffed. "Oh, please," he made a face. "Better than let you eat take outs. Not to shame any food chain store exists, but I surely doubt you can get freshly made food at this hour. That's why I made you food hours ago."
Shu stared at him confused. How come Uki had time to make food when he was still in school? How did he… Oh. Wait. Of course. Psychic power.
Now that explained well why Uki and Fulgur didn't bring any bags with them when picking him up. They had gone back home before picking him up. High possibility they also had taken care of his belongings too, since he hadn't seen his bags everywhere.
Shu looked up and saw Uki cupped his face and gave him a big smile, confirming all the questions inside his head. He smiled back in return, feeling grateful. Thousands of thank you's wouldn't be enough to pay for their deeds.
The man finally picked up his utensils and began to eat. All he could think was how truly lucky he was, having such caring boyfriends. He had to step up his games to show how appreciative he was for them.
"Don't forget to take a bath after this. I refuse to sleep with a guy who smell like they just did hot steamy sex even though we don't do one."
Shu almost choked on his food as Fulgur's head popped from another room. "Oh, hey, I haven't taken a bath either! We can take a bath together. What do you think, Uki? Are we allowed to borrow your bathroom?"
"You act like you didn't take a bath yesterday here, Fuufuu-chan."
"Consent is still important though!"
"Whatever. By the way, you left your sweater and some of your undies. I've cleaned it, you can check the second shelf near the laundry."
"Oh, really? Thanks Uki! Shu, you can wear it! I already have my own clothes change."
"Ah," Shu nodded nimbly. It took him several minutes to subdue his choked cough. "Y-yeah. Thanks, Fuu-chan."
"Anything for you!"
Shu watched as Fulgur's head once again disappeared to the hallway before returning to his food. In the middle of his bites, he could hear Uki sighed fondly to himself.
"That guy," he murmured. "Easygoing as always. God knows what is inside his pretty head."
The man chuckled at the remark. The sight of his two partners getting along fine never failed to bring joy to his chest.
He couldn't thank enough for today's blessing. Hot piping meal in the middle of night, two boyfriends who cared for him unconditionally, and the occasional lovey-dovey sight of his two most favorite people on earth accompanying his dinner. It might be not special for some people, but for Shu himself, he wouldn't trade today's experience for anything. Forever he would ingrain this moment deep inside his brain and heart.
I'm truly the luckiest guy on earth.