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“Alright Tsukasa, let’s get you to bed.”
It was the middle of the night after a typical high school gathering; Rui, the designated driver, was in charge of getting everyone home after they had all drank at Emu’s house while her family was out. No one had expected Emu to be a drinker, but it turns out she loved a little fruity drink for her soul sometimes. Nene decided to just stay at Emu’s, so that just left Tsukasa.
“Mmm… I’m so sleepy,” Tsukasa mumbled.
“I know,” Rui smiled.
After getting Tsukasa situated in the passenger’s seat, Rui noticed Tsukasa looking at his phone. He peeked a little. Tsukasa was… looking at pictures of him. Rui chuckled.
“What’s so interesting on your phone, Tsukasa?” he pouted.
“A-ah! Nothing!” Tsukasa turned it off to face Rui, flushed red.
Rui shook his head fondly and started the engine. It was quiet, all except for the occasional chuckle from Tsukasa after he scrolled across a picture of the troupe that brought back fond memories. Rui loved his troupe. He loved Tsukasa especially, but that was a conversation in his head for another time. He knew that Tsukasa liked him back. Rui was just waiting for the right moment. He had an idea.
Tsukasa looked up.
“Why’re we turnin’ this way… My house is the other way…”
“We’re taking the back roads. I don’t want to get stuck in traffic.”
That was a bullshit answer. There was no traffic past midnight in this part of town, Rui knew that. But he was waiting for a chance.
Eventually they turned onto country roads, with the stars visible from beyond the city lights.
“Tsukasa, dearest, would you mind if we stopped for a bit? I want to check out the stars.”
“Wh- Rui. I have to get home.”
Rui smiled, and parked the car on the side of the road. With it being summer, the night was cool, but still warm enough for a quick trip outside. He opened the door to the passenger’s side, and grabbed Tsukasa’s hand.
“Come now, we won’t be long.”
“Alright, but only for a few minutes,” Tsukasa blushed.
They stood under the stars, there, for a few minutes. They twinkled, and it reminded Rui of Tsukasa’s eyes after a particularly good show. He chuckled, and thought for a moment. Mostly about Tsukasa’s eyes. How they shone, how they sparkled. He thought about Tsukasa’s hair, like strokes of sunlight, which in retrospect, was the perfect metaphor. Rays of sunlight, attached to the sun itself.
“Rui, I can barely stand up! Can we go back to the car now?”
Rui took a deep breath.
“In a moment.”
There was one more thought at the back of Rui’s mind. What if this was the right moment? What if he had been waiting for too long, and Tsukasa was ready to give up? Rui looked at Tsukasa. He looked impatient. Rui squeezed his hand. It was time to go, but Rui wanted to say one more thing.
“Tsukasa-kun.” Rui said fondly.
“Don’t say my name like that while we’re holding hands!” Tsukasa squawked.
Rui stepped in front of him and took his other hand.
“I’ve always wanted to say this to you, but it wasn’t the right time. I don’t even know if you’ll remember this in the morning. I hope not. That would be embarrassing…” he looked down at his shoes, then back up to Tsukasa and smiled. A real smile, one that he would be smiling every day of his life with Tsukasa.
“Rui… what are you saying?” blushed Tsukasa.
“I’m saying I like you. I love you, even. And I know you do too. But I don’t know if this is the right time to tell you that, so what we’re going to do is we’re going to go back to the car, and forget this ever happened.” Rui started walking back to the car.
Tsukasa gripped his hand and didn’t move.
“Tsukasa. Please.” Rui panicked.
“I’m not going to forget this. You can make sure of that.” Rui looked at Tsukasa and saw fire in his eyes. “I won’t forget this, ever. In fact, I won’t forget this for the rest of my-” he yawned. “For the rest of my life. And I’ll make sure you won’t forget it either.”
Tsukasa pulled Rui in and kissed him. He grabbed the back of Rui’s head while they breathed in sync, kissing softly, like they would do it for the rest of their lives. Rui broke away first.
“I certainly won’t forget that, Tsukasa-kun, but who knows about you?” he said sadly, but fondly. “You’re the drunk one here.”
“I am not drunk! I’ll prove it to you!” Tsukasa kissed him again, but Rui pulled away.
“Yes, you are. Come, let’s get you home.”
It was Rui’s conscience that kept him from grabbing Tsukasa’s face and straight up making out with him. He didn’t want to do something while Tsukasa was under the influence, especially not if he wasn’t even sure Tsukasa would remember.
They got in the car silently. Rui got on the main road as soon as he could, and when the ride ended, there was no good-night kiss, or fond looks back from the door. He could tell Tsukasa was mad. But, it was for the better. When Rui got home, he went straight to bed. He didn’t sleep, just thought. He didn’t notice when he finally slept, but he dreamed of Tsukasa.
Rui woke up to a gentle smack on his window.
“What in the world…?”
There was another, and another. He opened the window, and a pebble came flying at his face and hit him right in the eye.
“Ow! Shit!”
“Oh my god! Rui, are you okay?? I’m coming right up, don’t worry!”
“Tsukasa, I’m fine!”
It was too late, he was already rushing his way to the door and making his way to Rui’s room.
“Rui!” Tsukasa burst in the door. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Tsukasa. Why are you here?”
Tsukasa took a deep breath, and looked Rui right in the eyes.
“I remember everything.”
Rui’s eyes widened. He stepped forward, tentatively, and then Tsukasa grabbed him by the waist and dipped him into a kiss. Rui gasped into it, and melted. They were both smiling, lips pressed together like flowers. Unfortunately, Tsukasa’s grip melted too, and Rui fell straight onto the floor.
“Waah! Rui! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!” Tsukasa dove to the floor before Rui caught him for another kiss.
“I’m glad you remember.”
“Me too.”