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Tantalising aromas, sweet and fragrant, emanated from the quaint kitchen of Le Blanc. Yet despite such blissful scents, the type that could adrift tranquillity, chaos transpired within, for Yusuke laboured to elate his valentine. To exchange sugary treats with his beloved was not out of their normalcy. However, he would often use homemade chocolate kits, something he refused to do today as he wished to embellish his love with the zeal of his heart. Akira, the very light of his life, deserved his utmost, and he felt he wasn’t providing such by travelling the path of ease. He bought various moulds, researched how to temper chocolate till the core of the night and even purchased silk to wrap it all - only to realise he lacked the equipment, as well as the space in his dormitory.
With a stroke of devilish luck, the gods instructed Akira to partake in his university’s seminar today, thus gracing Yusuke with the chance to utilise Le Blanc. The only obstacle was to ask Sojiro, a man who trusted little in his cookhouse, but Futaba ended up querying in his stead, for she found the notion of him toiling against cacao’s ichor to be hilarious.
“Release from your enclosure, fiend!” Yusuke shouted whilst he battled a silicone mould, one shaped akin to a cat.
“You do know that if you keep yeeting it in the air, it will break, right?” Futaba snickered from behind a manga; sat at the counter and eager to witness his mayhem.
“But it won’t budge, no matter how hard or which direction I pull!”
“Did you let it sit in the fridge long enough?”
“I’m… uncertain.” Sighing heavily, Yusuke inspected every facet of the mould. “There were no instructions, so I just waited until they seemed to form.”
“You’re really hopeless, Inari,” She teased before an impish smirk took over her visage. “A guy who can’t even make chocolate? Jeez, I really do question what Akira sees in you. It’s like a world first raider dating a noob.”
“I will not stand to have my love questioned!” Invigorated by her taunt, he twisted and contorted the mould until a chocolate shot out into his grasp, perfectly formed and without indentations. “Aha! The gods truly are on my side today!”
Futaba just leaned upon the counter, a hint of relief in her eyes. “Sheesh… I wonder why.” She then gestured towards the various sweets he had unearthed prior. “What do you even plan to do with all of that? Do you really expect Akira to eat them all?”
“No. Only those of utter perfection will be granted the privilege of his lips,” Yusuke assured, swooned by the imagery until he snapped out of it and set the final mould down. “I will eat the rest later to avoid wastage. You may even have some if you wish.”
“Chocolates from Inari? I think I’d rather grind out an item with a zero point one drop rate.” Despite her exaggerated protest, she snatched one off the tray and popped it within her mouth. “Wow, they’re actually pretty good…”
Encouraged, Yusuke smiled. “Really?”
“Nope! I’m just trying to soften the blow when Akira inevitably vomits all over you.”
His expression dropped, utterly disappointed to have fallen for such heinous tricks.
“You are the rudest child I have ever had the displeasure of knowing…!”
“Hey, I’m not a kid!” Bellowed Futaba, her movements quick to lecture, “I am literally a third-year now!”
“Well, you act akin to one!”
“Do not!”
Do too!”
They glowered at each other, petulant and il-tempered, until grins of amusement seized their expressions and provoked them to laugh. As often as they may clash, they equally rejoiced in one another’s company, for their eccentricity paved the way to a mirthful friendship. With her at his side, jeering and questioning every idea, he forgot the nerves harboured in his heart - eased whatever worries for what may await.
~~~~~~~~
The frigid wind of February grazed Yusuke’s cheek as the crunch of grass accompanied each step. Warm fingers obscured his vision, left him to the guidance of his beloved. Whilst he trusted Akira with his entirety, his movements were rather hesitant, careful in the dark which enshrouds. The unknown, the imaginations of an unseen world would evoke any heart to flutter, and his was no different.
“A-Are we almost there…?” He questioned, concerned he may seem impatient.
“Mm, almost,”
His partner assured without reservation, his voice soft yet mesmerising.
In the depths of his sightlessness, the rest of Yusuke’s senses flourished to compensate. The sensation of Akira’s hold, of his tepid breath and slight nudges of instruction enkindled him to blush, sensitive to each and every minute act. Even the erratic thump of his own chest deafened, resounded with diverse emotions.
“We’re here.”
With his announcement, Akira slowed to a halt and caressed his hands away, permitting Yusuke to bask in the glory of a spectacular sight. A picnic, one set and established with the notion of design in mind laid ahead. From the comfy blanket to the basket of splendent food and beverages atop - such alone was enough to adore, but with a slight elevation of gaze, Yusuke's breath truly ceased. All was assembled upon a grassed hill, one granting the beauty of the stars. Tiny jewels glimmered and enveloped the sky, their lustre unrivalled by any reality or mirage of earth. The celestial night was often obstructed by the skyscrapers of Tokyo, but not a single obstacle here stood before Yusuke and stellar’s magnificence.
“A-Akira…” He managed, his composure fragmented in awe. “When did you…”
“Find this place?” Akira finished his sentence, a chuckle freeing from his throat. “I happened across it after class one day, and well… I instantly thought of you.”
Astonished by all, Yusuke was unable to do much but stare agape. His silence provoked Akira to grin and gently grasp his hand.
“Come now.”
His fingers brushing against another pair, Yusuke allowed himself to be escorted closer towards ethereal elegance, and lowered upon the blanket alongside his beloved. Words held no form upon his tongue, devoid of any articulation as he absorbed further delights of Akira’s labour. Various savoury treats, from curry puffs to panini sandwiches housed within the basket, and even a bottle of sake sat aside.
Mustering his voice forth, he beheld his lover and expressed which he so desperately yearned to, “This is all so beautiful, Akira…”
Akira merely gleefully huffed, instead gladdened by the view of the other beside. He then reached inside the basket, pulling forth a heart shaped package with a blue hydrangea wrapped within its ribbon.
“Happy Valentine’s day, Yusuke!” His complexion softened, a faint scarlet upon his cheeks as he proffered the box of sweets with enthusiasm.
Yusuke blinked for a moment before he graciously accepted, his lips curled in profound reverence. “Thank you, Akira.”
“Y-Your welcome…” His partner sheepishly scratched his cheek, his face somewhat averted. “I made your usual favourite, but decided to flavour them with coffee this time. I-I hope it turned out well.”
“I’m certain it did, for everything you touch is graced by perfection,” Yusuke hummed, his fingers stroking the article of love upon his lap. “I was wondering what you had in store when you mentioned you had a date plan… To think it was something akin to this… You truly spoil me, don’t you?”
“Of course. You deserve nothing less, after all.”
Yusuke stared, beholden, until he recalled his own zeal of devotion and rummaged through his jacket.
“Happy Valentine’s day, my love.”
He volunteered the embodiment of his own love, neatly encased within a silk purse of his own making.
Akira accepted with a warm chuckle, his fingers cradling it akin to pearls, “Thank you so much, Yusuke.”
“I decided to make my chocolates from scratch this time, and even laboured to decorate them in a way I never have before.” Somewhat abashed, Yusuke strayed to the stars. “I-I hope they taste okay…”
“I’m certain they will!” Akira reassured, genial and encouraging as always. “I’ll try one now just to prove it to you.”
He enacted his words, unfurling the purse until he unearthed a piece of chocolate shaped akin to a star. He then held it towards the moon, inspecting the hues and intricate patterns drawn and carved upon it.
“Wow… This looks like one of those designer chocolates. You really went all out this year, didn’t you?” He joyfully huffed as he tossed the sweet inside his mouth, his chewing slow and rhythmic until his eyes widened. “It tastes amazing too!”
“N-No… I’m sure you’re only saying such.”
“I promise I’m not! It’s really good!” Enamoured by his modesty, Akira laughed and leaned against him, lovingly gazing upwards. “I would’ve been happy with anything, even a store bought set, yet you did this all for me… I truly am a lucky guy.”
“That’s my line,” Yusuke joked, unable to resist an amused exhale. “But I’m glad to hear so… You deserve the world, after all - every light which graces this earth...”
They gazed at one another, their eyes sparkling with pure adoration; the cold air dissolving against the warmth of their affection. A desire to unite via a kiss bloomed within Yusuke’s chest, for no mere words could bear to convey the weight of his emotions. Inching closer, he caressed to grasp and removed Akira’s glasses ever so gently, his vision unwavering. He then shifted to brush his lips against his beloved’s, feeling him incline and further their connection. Soft fingers stroked, cradled each other and embraced as close as their physical forms allowed. In this tender night, they expressed an ethereal beauty fit for the stars - Heavenward and beyond.