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Toge idled in between racks of clothes in a department store, coaxing himself to be interested in what he saw instead of giving into the urge of looking at his phone again for the umpteenth time. It wasn’t like Yuuta to be so late, or at least doing so without giving a heads up. Anxiety crept in as easy as the cold did when the front doors were open for too long; what if something happened? What if he needed help but no one was available to reach him? He had the caliber to handle himself as a special grade, of course, but it was unavoidable not to worry; trouble had a way of finding his boyfriend. As Toge continued to ruminate and walk absentmindedly throughout the aisles, there was a gentle call from behind him, murmured the first few times by his troubled mind and soft music amplified throughout the store.
“Toge!” Yuuta called out once he was an arm’s length of distance away, which prompted Toge to turn around in time to see him approaching in what looked like 3 long strides, only to skid to a stop and brace himself by his knees when he finally got the chance to catch his breath. “I’m so sorry, were you waiting for long?” Toge had his arms out to keep Yuuta from running into him, and very quickly took in the sight of him to appreciate the efforts he’d made to look nice for their date. He looked handsome. Well, he always did, but seeing him making an effort delighted Toge. And now knowing he was safe, he could’ve taken an hour if he wanted, Toge was just happy to see him safe and in one piece.
“Not at all. Did something happen?” He signs before he lets his hands brush down Yuuta’s arms, attempting to soothe the frayed special grade.
“No, I just thought I could trust the trains to run on time.” Yuuta says exasperated, running a hand through his hair, and with it, an attempt to expel the franticness of getting there on time. Now that he was finally there, he could focus on Toge. It was hard for him not to look his boyfriend up and down, and because of how close they were, it was obvious. Toge’s blush slowly seeped into his cheeks. “You look nice, by the way.” He says with a crooked smile.
“So do you. Do you like the scarf?” Toge returns the smile, hand over the extended fabric that hung over his chest.
“I do, that’s the one I bought you.” Yuuta says, and reaches out to gently unfurl the scarf from its original fastening to something that wraps around his neck a little more securely. He takes his time to do so, and Toge studies how concentrated he becomes, smoothing the sides down and against Toge when he’s content with his work.
“I know, thank you. It’s the softest thing I own.” Toge feels his cheeks burn a little from the gesture, finding it impossible to meet his boyfriend’s gaze anymore. For a while they don’t say anything, now uncertain about what it is they should do next.
Yuuta clears his throat. “Should we get going? It’s getting close to our dinner reservation…” The sentence dies on his tongue the more he realizes how late it already was, and Toge jumps to try and alleviate his dread.
“I’m alright eating on campus, let’s just head back.” Toge hurriedly signs to try and dissuade the guilt he knows Yuuta must feel, but it does little to no avail in reassuring the special grade, who buries his face in his hands.
“This couldn’t have gone any worse…” Yuuta groans, and Toge gives him a moment to himself before gently tapping him on the arm to get his attention.
“How about some coffee? My treat.”
“At this point, is that even a safe bet anymore? I feel like I’ll screw this up too.” Yuuta gripes, but Toge insists with a pull on his jacket.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself—you’re worth the risk anyway.” Toge teases him with a gentle prodding in his side.
They walk out the department store, and Toge continues to lead the way by steering off to the side where a small cafe sits adjacent. As they walk, they bump into each other’s sides and their hands brush ever so slightly. Toge’s eyes drop down to their hands and gently tugs on Yuuta’s sleeve, waiting. Yuuta processes his request after a moment, growing even more flushed before hesitantly taking Toge’s hand in his, taking the lead in their walk.
“By the way,” Yuuta slows their walk to a stop to turn and look at Toge, “Why don’t you have gloves on?” Yuuta piques in a mild scolding tone.
“...Forgot them.” Toge signs too quickly, like if he did it fast enough, Yuuta wouldn’t read his confession.
Yuuta sighs as he takes his boyfriend’s smaller hands in his own, cupping them and bringing them close to his mouth to blow a few bursts of his breath in. “You’re going to get sick, Toge.”
“You’re gonna take care of me when I do, right?”
Yuuta rolls his eyes, taking Toge’s hand in his again. “It would be an irregular second date, but I’m not against it.”
When they get to the front doors of the cafe, Yuuta holds one open to guide Toge inside before he follows. It was late enough on a weekday that there wasn’t too many people waiting in line to put in their orders, but what caught them both off guard was the decorations throughout the store; paper pink and red hearts stuck to the store walls and windows, heart strung garlands on each portion of a tall bookshelf, red silhouetted cupids hung from the ceiling, and warm string heart lights were threaded through the exposed beams above their head. Somehow they both forgot their date was on Valentine’s Day.
“Pretty cute, right?” Yuuta giggles, letting Toge squeeze himself closer to his side in a hug.
“Mhm.”
The PDA can only go so far until both of them feel too awkward because of the people around them, so they do unpeel themselves before it’s Yuuta’s turn at the register.
“Can I get a medium coffee, an iced vanilla latte, and…” He draws out his sentence as he leans to look over the glass case of baked goods. “Two of the snickerdoodles? That should be it.”
Toge gently pulls his sleeve to get his attention again. “You know me too well.”
“It’s a little hard to forget, because I can’t accept that you would want to drink something cold in the middle of winter.” Yuuta scoffs, and instantly thanks the barista when he’s handed their orders.
“Keeps me frosty.” Toge signs with a wink.
“You mean sick? Because that’s what’s going to happen.” They enjoy their last moments of warmth inside the cafe before Yuuta pushes the front door open and they step out. “Least there’s no wind tonight, huh? I feel like the cold is tolerable so long as there’s no wind.” He exhales a gust of visible steam as he talks, and Toge nods in response, taking his free hand as they make their way back to the train station. Their prolonged comfortable quiet amidst the piles of snow that still lay atop buildings, fences and foliage is suddenly interrupted when the second Toge’s foot slips on an icy metal grate and sends him backwards, coffee flying off into the night. The second Toge goes airborne, Yuuta drops everything to grab him and pull him close to his chest, fumbling over the ice himself from the added momentum until they’re both able to avoid the grate on the street, and even then, they both take their time pulling away to meet each other’s gaze.
“Are you alright?” Yuuta asks, still very hesitant on letting Toge go, he lets his arms slip to hold him by his waist and very quickly glances up and down. “You’re not hurt?”
Toge beams up at his boyfriend, slowly shakes his head. “Thank you.”
The tension in Yuuta’s frame dispels hearing this, smiling back at him. “Thank goodness.”
They stand that way just a little longer, taking in the moment of how close they are to each other. Then Toge pulls his scarf away from his mouth, standing up on his tippy toes as he pulls Yuuta by his jacket down to meet his lips. Their noses bump, causing the first kiss to be a little awkward, but Yuuta lets his head tilt and lips slot more comfortably. Then Yuuta cups a hand to Toge’s cheek for another kiss or two, slow and chaste but still enticing and sweet amidst the cold winter night.
“We should get going, it’s late.” Yuuta thumbs his cheek before picking up what remains of his and Toge’s drink to get rid of.
Once they finally get onto the train, they sit together in a quiet car, nursing their cold limbs in the now heated space. Yuuta feels another small tug on his sleeve again, knowing it’s Toge asking for his attention once again.
“I didn’t know you liked iced vanilla lattes.” Toge signs.
Yuuta’s brows furrow. “I don’t dislike them, no. Why do you say that?”
Toge smirks. “You were definitely tasting me just now.”
“Toge-!”