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Curling up into a ball and snuggling himself against the side of Aiku’s body, Sae melted, resting his head casually on the other man’s shoulder. Tucking his feet under himself, he sighed as Aiku’s arm tightened around him, holding him close, fingers teasing the skin just under the hem of Sae’s shirt. Sae had tried to tug his shirt back down, but Aiku’s hands had continuously breached the barrier as they continued to watch their movie. Sae didn’t hate it, and his hands never wandered lower than his hip, so he didn’t stop him. Feeling Aiku’s hands on his skin was nice… comforting in the consistent pressure and pattern.
Spending time like this had become more and more common with the passing weeks. At first, Aiku had tried to take him out to dinner and social events and other things that would’ve required extra mental effort on Sae’s part. But eventually, Aiku had realized that focusing on one on one time, holding Sae close as they watched a movie or a game or a show in the solitude of his apartment was much more preferred. There, Sae brightened up more, and the pieces of his wall began to fall away. When it was just the two of them, Sae smiled more, and Aiku got to see a little bit more of Sae’s personality.
Sae wasn’t really aware of the differences Aiku saw in him when they were alone together. He simply thought he was the same as always. Dreary and dull and a bit mean. Maybe a tad bit softer, but that was only after he allowed himself to get comfortable in Aiku’s grasp, the heat from his body and the smell of his cologne wafting over him like a wave, pulling him under and allowing him to act just a bit more like a teenager, and less like a crotchety old man.
As the movie ended, Sae felt Aiku’s arms tightening around him again, holding him tightly like he was threatening to never let him go. Sae unwound his arms from where they were crossed over his chest, lacing them around Aiku’s waist as he hugged him back. Aiku laughed as Sae pressed his face against his chest, inhaling deeply, the deep rumble vibrating against Sae’s face.
“Hey, Sae…”
Lifting his head, Sae looked up into Aiku’s mismatched eyes, glinting with playfulness as he leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to Sae’s nose before diving in. Sae felt the tension leave his body as Aiku kissed him, soft stubble scratching at his chin and cheeks. Aiku's thumb continued to rub at the soft skin of his side, and Sae swore he could feel Aiku smiling against his lips as they pressed together. The thought made him flush, and he wrapped his fingers into the fabric of Aiku’s shirt, not knowing how much the simple idea of someone enjoying kissing him so much would mean to him.
Aiku pulled away before he was ready, pecking his lips once more before leaning back to get a good view of Sae’s face. Sae knew he was pouting, and he didn’t really care as it usually got Aiku to kiss him again, even if it was just for a moment.
But Aiku had an inch more self control than he did, and he was not swayed, even as Sae tugged on the front of his shirt, urging him to lean down once more. Aiku simply laughed, the apples of his cheeks looking so round and full that Sae could just bite them as he grinned.
“Sae, I really like you alot,” Aiku stated, letting the words fall from his lips as if it was as simple as breathing. But even if the words were obvious, and obviously reciprocated, they still caused Sae to turn as red as his hair. Sitting up straight, he pushed Aiku away, scooting himself back to the other side of the couch to get away from him.
“What are you even saying? You must be as stupid as I thought,” Sae mumbled, turning away as he crossed his arms over his chest, pushing Aiku away with his feet as he tried to inch closer to him.
“Awe, come on, Sae. Don’t be like that,” Aiku teased, grabbing Sae’s ankles and yanking them until he was laying flat on his back on the couch. Sae squirmed as he tried to escape, but no matter how strong he was, Aiku was still bigger than him in every way possible. He easily pinned Sae down on the couch, pressing his shoulders down as he worked his way between Sae’s legs. Sae stopped struggling as Aiku smirked, so satisfied with himself that he had incapacitated him. “What, are we really getting so embarrassed because I said I liked you?”
Sae flushed again, closing his eyes and turning his head to the side, hoping to hide his face in the back of the couch.
“Sae…look at me,” Aiku hummed, leaning in close until his lips dragged over Sae’s cheek, his stubble sending shivers down Sae’s spine. “You can’t act like you didn’t know…We’ve been dating for weeks, so of course I like you.”
“Something’s really wrong with you then…” Sae huffed, keeping his eyes closed and his head turned. Aiku chuckled once more, kissing the side of Sae’s neck, noticing immediately when Sae’s entire body tensed up in surprise. Soon he relaxed, his hands finding Aiku’s wrists as he continued to pin him down. Sae didn’t try to push him off or move him away, just simply held him, a silent encouragement to continue even though he continued to hide his face in the couch.
Leaning back, Aiku pulled his arms out of Sae’s grasp, waiting patiently for Sae to open his eyes.
Aiku smirked as Sae looked up at him, an irritated glare turning down his eyebrows and the corners of his lips.
“Why did you stop?” he asked, voice haughty and demanding, in stark contrast to the way that his hands pathetically grabbed for him, like a child who had just had his favorite toy taken away.
“Say you like me too,” Aiku requested, lopsided grin patient as he moved his hands further away, increasing Sae’s frustrations and desires all in one moment. Sae huffed, pressing his lips together defiantly, even as Aiku leaned back over him placing his hands on either side of his head. “Say it.”
“I…like you,” Sae whispered, death in his voice as he returned Aiku’s goofy grin with a frown that would make anyone else shake in their boots. Returning his confession with a brief kiss, one that left Sae even more frustrated as it just wasn’t enough for the torment Aiku was putting him through, Aiku leaned close to his ear, whispering and teasing and driving Sae absolutely insane.
“See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”
“It was absolutely excruciating,” Sae shivered, wrapping his arms around Aiku’s torso so he couldn’t easily escape again to continue his teasing. “Pure torture.”
Aiku’s breath was warm as it tickled Sae’s ear, another rumbling laugh falling out of Aiku’s lips as if Sae was the best comedian in the world.
“Well is it okay if I torture you some more?” Aiku asked, settling his weight between Sae’s legs, pressing against him lightly as Sae dug his nails into his back in warning. “For being the absolute brat you are…the one I like so much.”
Sae simply squeezed his legs together in response, letting the action speak for itself. Aiku clearly got the hint as his lips grazed his ear, smiling broadly as Sae once again melted under his hands.
Some things really didn’t need to be said out loud, Sae thought. Like the things he wanted from Aiku, or how he really felt about him deep down. Because “like” didn’t quite cover it all, but it was much too early to say anything else.
For now, he would let Aiku have this, though. All the likes and wants and needs he has to communicate…until it turns into something that sounds more like love.