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Warm.
That’s how Toya’s hand felt against Akito’s.
Toya’s hands were always warm, in comparison to the ice blocks attached to Akito’s wrists.
After saying goodbye to Shiraishi at the school gates, the pair would start on their path to Toya’s house, which wasn’t too far of a walk, only about 20 minutes away from Kamiyama.
This was their usual routine, it had been since the beginning of the year. Akito would walk Toya home, holding onto his hand the entire way there before he’d drop him off down the street, half-way from his house, leaving a kiss on his cheek and whispering a “Bye, I love you.” and then would begin walking to his own house, almost a half hour in the opposite direction from their starting point.
Their walks usually consisted of Akito motor-mouthing about future quizzes,exams, performances, worries about his older sister, and anything else that would come to his busy mind, while Toya nodded along in silence, occasionally chiming in to give his partner some words of encouragement on his studies, or advice to give his sister, the sincerity would just make Akito stumble over his next few words. On the off chance where the blue-haired boy was starting conversation, it would usually be about his later plans; which would consist of studying, going to the arcade, or how his own classes were going, stories that Tsukasa had told him, and would sometimes mention his library duties. No matter what it was that he would talk about, Akito would listen to every word that he had to say.
Honestly, Akito had no way of telling if Toya was listening to him half of the time, the combination of usual silence and his usual deadpan and stoic expression was deadly. But if Akito mentioned doing good on a quiz, or a song/movie that Toya had recommended to him, then he’d crack the slightest smile that made Akito’s heart flutter away. He made a mental note to bring up Toya’s recommendations more often.
Akito could never get tired of this, even if he tried. Walking his treasure home everyday was a part of his own routine as well, in fact it was something he looked forward to. A break from school, from studying, from music; it was just them, walking, talking, laughing, and most importantly, at peace.
But today the walk was different, as the lovers were approaching the park that was along the way, when the big-shot was growing rather weary. His physical education class had done more intense exercise than usual, and the colder fall weather wasn’t helping him out very much.
“Toya, can we take a break here? I’m getting a little tired..”
“Want a piggyback ride?”
There was a silence between them, Akito standing in shock while Toya stood there with his usual blank stare, which eventually turned into his soft smile, even lightly chuckling at his boyfriend’s surprise, finding his confusion quite amusing.
“Are you sure-?”
“Yes, I’ll carry you the way there, and if you want I can convince my father to let you stay for a while, and then once you’re warm and rested.”
The silence was diminished, and now Toya was crouched, waiting for the weary boy to climb onto his back. After Toya gained his backpack, he hoisted his lover up so he didn’t slip, and then continued on the path to his house.
There was nothing special about the scenery, it was just rows of houses, the occasional shop, alleyways full of schoolmates hanging out, there wasn’t much to gawk at. But this is where Toya and his brothers grew up, so the area meant a lot to him. That’s why he especially liked walking around with Akito, showing him the tiny section of town where most of his memories were made was his own personal love language.
Eventually, the boys approached the Aoyagi residence, with Akito fast asleep on Toya’s back, his orange hair tickling the side of his partner’s neck. After giving Harumichi a brief rundown on Akito’s tiredness, and how he would take care of him until he was well-rested, Toya carried the sleeping teenager up the stairs and into his room.
“Down you go.”
Toya laid Akito onto his bed, before gently covering him with a blanket, being careful not to wake him. Afterwards, Toya got to studying for upcoming exams, maybe he’d ask Nene if she needed help with anything tomorrow, even though she usually didn’t. Nene was a good student, maybe she and Akito would get along well.
Time went on, and the pair was still doing separate things; Akito was still asleep, and Toya was still studying. Then there was a low grumble, and then a rustle of blankets, and now the (previously-sleeping) Akito was sitting upright, rubbing his eye and yawning.
“..Toya? Did I fall asleep?”
No, he had just blinked, and teleported into Toya’s room, obviously.
“Yes, you’ve been asleep since we got here, I’m not sure exactly when you fell asleep, though.”
“Oh. Hey, would you uh, wanna cuddle?”
It was like an arrow had been shot through Toya’s chest. Was that actually what he heard? Was he dreaming? Was it actually him who was asleep right now? Did Akito, of all people, really just ask him to cuddle? After a sharp pinch to his arm, he discovered that he wasn’t dreaming, that was something that had actually just happened.
“Sure, you’re small enough for the both of us to fit, anyway.”
“I should suffocate you.”
“I love you, too.”
After more talks about height from Toya, and jokingly violent threats from Akito, the two were peacefully snuggled up together, with Toya’s head laid against Akito’s chest, with the latter’s fingers on the head of his partner, gently running them through his hair. They were at peace, absolute peace. Nothing could ruin this moment.
“You’re cute, Akito.”
“Shut up.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Toya.”