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A loud thud echoed throughout the dorm as the door was slammed shut. He just wanted to forget what ensued just a couple of minutes ago.
"It's not like I had anything to say about your escapades with Sena-senpai, why are you on my case all of a sudden?!"
Ritsu groaned, diving face-first into his bed, not even bothering to turn on the lights. Not like it was necessary, since he burrowed further into his bed, enveloping his body in the darkness of his comforter.
How did it come to this…
"That's not what I meant Maa-kun! Why can't you understand?!"
Stop.
Stop thinking about it.
Ritsu tried to will himself into sleeping his troubles away, as he used to do.
It was so easy then, why was it so hard to do now?
Was the heartbroken look on Mao's face completely ingrained into his mind that he can't even close his eyes without seeing it? Was it the way his eyebrows furrowed in frustration, jaw clenched tightly, trying so hard to be patient for both of their sake?
You'll be fine tomorrow morning, Ritsu tried to convince himself. His whole body felt numb, with his heartbeat loudly ringing in his ears. Closing his eyes, he slowly breathed in, willing his body to relax. It's not like we'll break up over some misunderstanding.
Everyone was used to Ritsu's bouts of possessiveness. He knew that Mao would sigh and brush it off as something that was simply a part of him.
Except, that wasn't what happened.
He was starting to feel the fatigue weighing down on him when he heard the door click open gently. He paid no attention to it, as it was probably just his dormmate. Ritsu breathed softly in relief.
However, he immediately tensed as he felt his bed dip by his side. His blood red eyes shot open, but before he could see or even think about who could be intruding in his space, he felt a warm hand carding through his hair.
Ritsu could cry.
"Hey." Mao's voice was barely above a whisper, as if he was afraid he'd break if he spoke any louder. Ritsu didn't respond, only submitting to his lover's gentle touch by closing his eyes again.
Ritsu felt a whine creeping out his throat when his Maakun's hand left his head. Ah, do I even deserve to call him mine after that? Sharp canines threatened to draw blood as he bit his lip, desperately trying to hold back a sob.
But before he could think of saying anything, he felt the bed dip again and his comforter was lifted from under his back. He allowed Mao under the covers.
The tension in the room didn't decrease at all, as the two laid on the bed in silence. Neither of them wanting to speak first, afraid of what they might say. The last thing they wanted to do was hurt the other more than they already were.
Mao patted his hand on Ritsu's shoulder, signaling him to turn around. The older of the two seemed to be startled at the touch, curling into himself more. Nonetheless, Ritsu turned to face him, watching him intently as he steeled himself for what Mao's next words were going to be.
It didn't even take a minute, but Ritsu could tell Mao was already feeling a bit overwhelmed by his gaze. Mao tried not to let it show, returning the same intensity of Ritsu's stare.
Finally, they were looking at each other's eyes. The room was dark, yet they could see the hues of emerald and ruby quite clearly.
Mao broke the silence first. He laid a hand on Ritsu's cheek, gently rubbing his cheekbone with his thumb. "I'm sorry."
Ritsu only sighed through his nose, shuffling closer to the other until his face was fully smothered on Mao's chest. He felt Mao chuckle as he slid an arm under Ritsu's head. Mao's bicep wasn't exactly the most comfortable pillow, but Ritsu had never felt so at home.
Mao's fingers continued to comb through Ritsu's hair once more, occasionally leaving kisses on the crown of his head. Ritsu allowed himself to cry, quiet sniffles left his shaking form. It was oddly soothing, showing vulnerability to someone he trusts. Albeit, this is the same person that made him want to cry in the first place.
Even though Mao was upset, rightfully so, he still went to check Ritsu's wellbeing. Even though he was the one that was hurt.
I'm really selfish, aren't I, Maa-kun?
All that crying made him rather sleepy. He had been planning on sleeping his troubles away, anyway. Ritsu wrapped his arms around Mao's torso, and before he fully drifted off to sleep, he made sure to say in a voice low yet clear enough that his partner would hear:
"I love you."