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"have you ever had something you were so passionate about but it eventually felt like a chore as time went by?"
he looked at you like you grew two heads from asking that out of the blue, yet he still indulged in your question, taking a bite from the dorayaki he's eating and answered, "no, why? you starting to lose interest in something?"
you hummed, "this… relationship"
"what?" he jumped, his eyes wide and shoulders tense. why did you suddenly bring this up?
are you going to break up with him? mikey can't help but think about that and feel worried as he looks at you like a kicked puppy, the tears welling up in his eyes shows how he really feels from hearing your statement
he doesn't remember doing anything that would make you want to break up with him– he thinks himself as the bestest boyfriend there is!
so why?
"are we—" he choked, gulping before trying again. "are we going to break up?" he asked, voice like a whisper as he thinks if this will be the last time that he will get to be with you
it doesn't really matter, does it? since he's always hiding his emotions so well as long as he can remember. since he's already used to hiding away his feelings that most people thought that he's just an overly confident prick
the panic he feels was cut off by your answer, "no, manjiro" you sighed, "no, we're not breaking up" then you look at him in the eye with a confused look, eyebrows scrunched with a small frown that mikey didn't like seeing, "sorry, i think you misunderstood, manjiro"
mikey seriously looked like he was about cry. the corners of his lips were shaking as his eyes are wide in fear. seeing him like this had you feeling bad but somehow, a fluttering sadness and hope throbs inside of you knowing that you have this kind of effect on him
"i've noticed how i don't initiate dates anymore. the weekend movie dates don't happen anymore because i cancel. you spend the sunday morning rides to the beach alone now when back then i used to be with you even with how sleepy I was in the morning. and the simple little dates we have at home when we cook together and sing to our hearts content never repeated after the last time weeks ago" mikey was crying by this time because you were right, and he did notice this as well since he's too scared that if he brings it up with you, you might think that it's too annoying and that you're tired of him
but maybe you are tired of him already, and you talking to him about this is a sign that you want to end your relationship with him, but your next words gives him a bit of hope
"i'm saying this because i don't want to break up with you manjiro" you reach up to wipe his tears away before pressing his cheek
mikey lets you do it as he sniffs. he listens intently that he doesn't dare cut your words off and it's a good thing he hasn't spoke up because the next thing he knows, you're smiling sheepishly at him
"besides isn't a breakup a bit too much? want to get rid of me already?" you meant to say this in a joking way but mikey seemed to take it seriously
"no!" his high pitched tone made you jump and the panic in his eyes worsened. honestly, this is the first time you've seen him like this that it brought you guilt with how you had him thinking that you want to split
but mikey can be so cute at times. like now as he snatches both your hands and takes them up to his lips, "i don't want to break up with you, y/n. not now, not ever" you took note of his tear-stained cheeks and smiled as he finished his words, "i love you"
"i love you too, manjiro. always" you brought your hands down together to nuzzle your nose with his and he almost melts with how soothing it feels with his hands on yours adding to that eskimo kiss
"i'll do better for you" as soon as you said this, mikey shone brighter than the sun. it's like the bleak feeling in your heart instantly diminished seeing him so happy like this
that's right! you don't want to unintentionally hurt him again. you start to plan dates in your head. you'll go to the zoo and visit the lion and tigers again because 'the tiger reminds me so much of takemitchy!' he said the last time you went to the zoo
the sunday morning rides to the beach will surely happen again. just remembering how warm the sunrise was with mikey by your side flutters your heart and you know that mikey loves it as well with how he never misses a week
"let's get some taiyaki!" he cheers as he dangles the key to his motorcycle in his hand. mikey got back up so quickly and you're glad
telling him about your worries sure was helpful as you're feeling a bit better it's like life is coming back to you again that you can't help but shake your head in fondness before smiling at him, "gosh, you're such a dork mikey" yet you took his hand and pulled him to where his motorcycle is parked