Work Text:
Cold, dark streets of the city, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights. Akito found comfort in this. When you leave the cheers from the livehouses of Vivid Street, and escape the heart-pounding environment you find yourself in the comforting silence of a slumbering city. Akito had found himself taking strolls around a dark city. Yes, it’s dangerous and who knows who could be standing behind you with a knife, but other than that something was so nice about it. Something so...calming. When he had crushing defeats, it made him feel just a bit less angry with himself, when he had come out victorious, something about it motivated him even further to become better and better, to become worthy of surpassing RAD WEEKEND. His walks were always short; they never went over 20 minutes, but they were always nice.
This was one of these nights, where after a passionate performance, Akito escaped from the bright lights of the livehouse to the quiet city, where it was Akito alone with his thoughts. Today, there was a clear sky, though the air was rather chilly, even though he had three jackets on. His sneakers gently patted against the concrete pavement, him gently humming to the tune of Fragile . Just him. Just Akito alone with his thoughts.
...At least it should have been.
His sudden trails of thoughts were interrupted by a rustle. His gentle footsteps were outpowered by loud, frantic footsteps, and his hums were drowned out by loud pants and soft hiccups. He wasn’t alone.
He was about to sharply turn around to find out who was running towards him before the figure crashed into him at full speed, sending him flying backwards. He fell down, the other person immediately climbing back up.
“My apologies, I-I did-”
“....Kamishiro-senpai?”
“...Ah, Shinonome-kun…”
Akito quickly made his way back to his feet, dusting himself off before looking Kamishiro-senpai straight in the eye. The man didn’t have the usual glow about him. His eyes were red and puffy, and he had a backpack clumsily swung against his shoulders. Something about him looked like he’d break down any minute.
There was an eerie silence between the two, both of them not daring to speak before Kamishiro spoke up.
“...Hehe, rather pitiful for you to see me in this state, but I’ll be taking my leave now! I’d advise you to forget about me. I’m not coming back. I’m sure it won't be that much of a challenge anyways! Goodbye, Shino-”
Akito quickly grabbed the man's hand tightly, looking at him intensely. “Stay…” Kamishiro-senpai looked back, his eyes watering.
“Why do you care anyways, Shinonome-kun? Just let me go and forget my existence.”
Akitos grip only tightened, he started to drag Kamishiro-senpai away, to somewhere else. Yes, he openly loathed this man and his stupid, no-good, chaotic antics but there was also a spot of admirery, and to be honest, somewhere inside, he cared about this man.
“I don’t care.” He said, bringing Kamishiro-senpai into a quiet corner, closer to Vivid Street. “But I’m sure there's people that do.”
Kamishiro-senpai crouched down, curling into a ball. “I know. Fufu, It’s selfish. But it’s only for the best. Emu-kun, Tsukasa-kun, Nene…they all deserve a better director. I’m only going to ruin everything. Hurt Tsukasa-kun again. Maybe I’ll hurt some small kid in the audience, and then ruin all of Emu-kuns hopes and dreams by getting the Wonder Stage shut down. Or I’ll find some way to make Nene miserable. Ruin her self-confidence, make her mess up. Make her never want to perform again..If I go, then they can find a better director; they can be happy!” Kamishiro-senpai plastered a bright smile onto their face, yet Akito immediately noticed how miserable they seemed.
“Aren’t you...happy with what you’ve got? Are you really okay with leaving it all behind?”
“Of course.” They smiled again. “I’m happy. I’m so happy. I’ve never been happier. And… I don’t want to lose what I have.” Their smile quickly faded. “But….this isn’t- this won't last, Shinonome-kun…will it? I’m going to mess up, and- and then I’m- Tsukasa-kun- Nene- Emu-kun- they- they’ll le-”
Their breaths immediately sped up, they started panicking, clutching their shirt and looking down at it, barely holding back tears. Akito crouched down, putting his hands on Kamishiro-senpai's shoulders reassuringly.
“Kamishiro-senpai….? Shh….calm down. Look at me…” The other man looked up, their golden eyes meeting Akitos confident olive ones. “You aren’t going to ruin anything, okay? Nobodies leaving you. Tsukasa-senpai isn’t. Otori isn’t. Kusanagi isn’t, and I’m not either. You disappearing will not make us happier. We don’t want you to disappear, Kamishiro-senpai.”
Kamishiro-senpai's eyes widened and it didn’t take long for a river of tears to start. Soon tears were leaking from Kamishiro-senpai's eyes. This was followed up by loud sobs. Akito immediately embraced him into a hug, stroking a hand through his spordiatic purple hair. He softened his tone, hoping to sound more gentle and soothing to the crying man. “I’m here…I’m here…”
They both sat in a comforting silence for a while, the only noise being the sobs Kamishiro-senpai let out, and the soft whispers of reassuring words and compliments coming from Akito. Soon, Kamishiro-senpai fell silent, just melting into Akitos embrace.
“Feeling a bit better?” Akito still spoke softly.
“....Mhm.”
“Good.” Akito didn’t try and remove his arms yet, still hugging Kamishiro-senpai tightly. “...What was I thinking, trying to run away from everything like that? All because I thought everyone would feel better…that everyone would be happier…”
“Well you’re still here, Kamishiro-senpai. And I’m sure you won’t be going anywhere.”
Kamishiro-senpai's lips curved into a small smile. “I suppose the Alchemist can stay for a bit longer. Who said it was curtain call yet?”
“See? Nobody. Now come on” Akito finally let go of him to extend a hand to the so-called Alchemist, a gentle smile on his face.
“I’ll take you home.”
---
Rui didn’t understand Shinonome-kuns kindness.
He’d always run away from Rui whenever they were nearby. Shinonome-kun clearly wanted nothing to do with them, despite their best efforts to become friends.
So the sudden kindness was surprising. Why wasn’t Shinonome-kun happy that they’d disappear? It was clear he didn’t care. Wouldn’t he be happier to never see Rui again? Why wouldn’t he just leave Rui on a street corner to rot instead of being so kind….
Maybe Rui wasn’t used to such affection. They were barely used to friendship, to being part of a troupe. They were just used to being fearful of abandonment. To believe they were disposable, that one day they'll ruin everything. It’d been ingrained into their mind, becoming their motto - Leave before they leave you.
It was Shinonome-kuns confidence...how confident he was that Rui wouldn’t mess up. All Rui ever does is mess up. How could he be so sure ?! But that confidence was so reassuring, and it lured him in, making him feel safe, in a way…
...His touch too. He was warm. And when he held Rui, it was like he was protecting him, making all his bad thoughts and fears disappear, telling him that it was okay to be a child sometimes. It was okay to cry. It was okay to have issues. And that he mattered. Rui Kamishiro mattered. And that someone would be there no matter what.
Of course none of this was said, maybe none of it was true, maybe he was overthinking it and Shinonome-kun was disgusted to have even had to do that, and that Rui was a pathetic waste of space.
But a smile still came onto his face, the thought of Shinonome-kun starting to make butterflies flutter in his stomach.
“...Hello?? Kamishiro-senpai?”
“...-Ah! My apologies, Shinonome-kun, for having to see any of that…”
“Eh, no need to apologise….I’m glad you feel better now anyways. Just know….people are here for you. …Including me. Now here.”
Suddenly, Shinonome-kun had thrown something over their head. A pout formed before realizing what it was. A jacket. Specifically Shinonome-kuns jacket. Why did he….
“...Eh? Shinonome-kun?”
“It’s chilly, besides, you’re shivering, and there's goosebumps covering your arms. And you’re wearing nothing but an oil stained t-shirt.”
“Hehe….guess I am….” They’d been angrily working before attempting to run away. They must have spilt oil on their shirt and somehow, they didn’t notice as they ran around their messy room, scavenging for and chucking everything dear to him into an old rucksack. They put the jacket on, their cheeks glowing a rosy red from the kindness, standing up and taking Shinonome-kuns hand, which was so warm; why was he so warm?! Why was he so kind?! What did Rui do to deserve this kindness?!
“Now let's take you home.” They started to walk together, Rui finding themself creeping closer to Shinonome-kuns side as they continued to walk.
“...Hey, Shinonome-kun….” A huge smile had come onto their face, a feeling of warmth entering them despite the chill of the air. “Thank you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You have no reason to be so kind.”
Shinonome-kun stopped for a moment, his face turning red (Rui thought it was rather cute how a simple compliment made Shinonome-kun red.) before clearing his throat and responding. “Eh...it’s no big deal. You are my senpai after all...and I don’t want you to disappear. School would be really dull without you…”
“So, are we on good terms now?”
“....Yeah, we’re friends.”
Rui gave an overexaggerated gasp. “Shinonome-kun...said we’re friends ?! Oh I’m so pleased, I might explode!” He started to swoon, though he felt immense joy that they were friends.
“Yeah yeah….friends….You know you can use my first name, right?”
“...I’m so flattered! First name privileges….you’re really being nice to your dear senpai today! Be free to use my first name too, then, Akito-kun.”
“....Alright then, Rui. And so what if I am?!”
“Fufu, maybe you should be nice to me more often! I like it when Akito-kun is nice!” He giggled gently. Maybe sticking around for a bit more won't be too bad…especially since Akito-kun and him were... friends.
“Yeah yeah….whatever. This is your place, right?” They stopped, standing outside Ruis house. “Yup, this is my stop!” Akito walked him up to the door.
“Well goodnight, Ka- Rui. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Akito-kun…” Rui quickly embraced Akito in a tight and warm hug. Akito looked shocked at first...but he immediately settled into it, gently stroking Ruis hair. “Goodnight. And thank you, again.”
“Welcome.” They stayed like that for a while, before Rui finally let go, walking up to his door and opening the door, waving to Akito. “Bye Akito! Sleep well!”
“...Goodbye, Rui.” And as Akito walked away and Rui shut his door, he was left to ponder on these...feelings. How peculiar. His feelings about Akito were weird, and Rui wasn’t very good with feelings in general. Fascinating
Maybe...he should get to know Akito more...