Chapter Text
The low hum of conversation punctuated by the occasional laughter set the ambience of a regular Sunday night at the local bar ‘The Cursed Libation’. Behind the counter, Maki deftly mixed drinks, her practiced hands making it seem like an effortless dance.
Yuuta pushed open the door, the little chime above announcing his entrance. He glanced around and, spotting Maki behind the bar, waved, taking his favourite seat at the counter.
"Out pretty late, aren’t you?" Maki smirked, wiping her hands on a cloth.
"Can't resist the allure of your bartending skills," Yuuta responded, his mood light, though there was a tension in his eyes.
“Says the man who always gets a virgin,” She chirped.
Just as he was about to reply with what he would call a sick burn, a buzz from his pocket stole his attention. His face lost color as he remembered why he came in tonight.
Seeing his sudden change in demeanor, Maki raised an eyebrow. "Bad news?"
"Rika," Yuuta murmured. "She's coming to town for the week."
“Well, that’s one way to ruin your Sunday. Want a drink-drink?”
Yuuta nodded, and as she poured him a whiskey concoction, he detailed the frustration of his past relationship with Rika. “She’s just so...” He paused, searching for a word. “...possessive.”
Maki chuckled, "It’s been two years now, why not just get yourself another girlfriend? Maybe she'll back off." Maki jokes, but she is well aware of the extent of Rika's behavior.
Yuuta sighed, "I wish it were that easy. It's too close to find someone I’d want to date for real. Though..." he paused, "maybe a pretend partner might keep her away."
Maki laughed, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Looking for suggestions?"
Before Yuuta could answer, she leaned in teasingly. "How about me? We can make a grand show of it," she winked, before stepping down the line to converse and make the drink for a couple that approached the bar.
He considered it briefly, but decided against it before Maki had returned to her station in front of him. "As easy as that would be, I don't think anyone would buy it. We've known each other too long; it would be like dating my sister."
"I get it, I get it," Maki said, pretending to be offended but grinning nonetheless. "Why not look around then? Maybe someone in this very bar could be your pretend date for the week."
The words were one thing, but the tone definitely suggested she didn’t think it would happen. She had called him hopeless on too many occasions when he saw someone he liked, let alone finding someone on a whim that he would gather the courage to talk to.
Maki would much prefer to remove Rika from the equation altogether, but trying something new could also be worth a shot.
Yuuta scanned the room. Couples chatting in low voices, friends in high spirits—and then his eyes landed on a solo figure. Seated in a corner booth was a young man with platinum blonde hair, absorbed in a book.
Maki followed Yuuta's gaze and smirked. "Him? He comes in here every so often, usually keeps to himself."
"Think he'd be up for it?" Yuuta asked, half-joking.
Maki raised an eyebrow. "Only one way to find out."
He started to push out from the bar, his intent clear in the set of his shoulders and the determined look in his eyes. He was going to approach the blonde.
But before he could take two steps, a firm hand gripped his wrist. Maki's fingers wrapped around him, keeping him in place. She looked up at him with an expression that was a mix of amusement and concern.
"Easy there, tiger," she teased. "As much as we appreciate a man who takes initiative, you might want to think this through."
Yuuta blinked, taken aback by Maki's sudden intervention. "I just thought I'd—"
"Go and ask him to be your fake boyfriend out of the blue?" Maki interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "I get it, desperate times and all. But rushing into this without a plan? That's a recipe for disaster."
Yuuta sighed and sank back into his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right. I guess I got a bit carried away."
Maki chuckled, releasing his wrist and taking a sip of her water hidden behind the bar. "I've known you for years, Yuuta. When you get an idea in your head, there's no stopping you. But this? This requires finesse."
Yuuta looked thoughtful. "Alright, strategist. What do you suggest?"
Maki leaned in; her voice low. "First, don’t make it about Rika. Start with a casual conversation, maybe bond over something in that book he's reading. If things go well, and you feel a connection, then broach the subject. And be honest about your reasons. No one likes to be deceived."
Yuuta nodded, taking in her words. "Makes sense. Thanks, Maki."
She winked at him. "Just doing my bartender duties, helping out customers in distress. Now, go on. And remember, take it slow."
Yuuta could feel his heart pounding as he approached the booth. He had acted shocked when Maki stopped him the first time, but genuinely he should have been more shocked that he stood up so fast in the first place. This plan had sounded great in theory, but now he was on his way to talk to a stranger when he wasn’t good at picking up conversations with friends that he had accidentally left on Read for a few days.
With every step Yuuta took, he noted more details about the blonde. His skin, pale and smooth, contrasted sharply with the deep hue of the leather booth behind him. The white button-up shirt he wore seemed impeccably tailored, enhancing the graceful lines of his slender frame.
Compared to the standard issue male black t-shirt that he was currently wearing? He felt like a mess.
Yuuta took a sip of his drink, and peaked back over to Maki over his shoulder. She crossed her arms over her chest and unleashed the cheekiest grin. He scowled in return.
Turning back to his mission, with no help from his so-called friend, Yuuta mustered up the courage to take the final few steps to the table. The stranger’s presence was undeniably captivating, like a character plucked straight from the pages of a novel.
The hair he had initially labeled as blonde was much lighter, almost white. Long slender fingers of one hand held a book that looked to be a murder mystery, while the other gently held a drink to his lips.
There was something extremely enticing about him, the way his features seemed so sharp, but also delicate at the same time. As intense lavender eyes locked onto Yuuta's, words escaped him.
Wait…
Those lavender eyes.
They were focused…
On him.
Just standing there, frozen in place, like some kind of-
“Hi,” Yuuta finally opened his mouth, pointing to the empty seat across from the blonde with his free hand. “Hi, sorry, my name is Yuuta. Would you mind if I had a seat?”
Book now discarded on the table; sharp eyes watched him making Yuuta feel like he was under a microscope. After what felt like an eternity, he gave a slight nod, granting Yuuta permission.
Yuuta clutched his drink as a lifeline, “My name is Yuuta. Uhm, wait sorry I already said that, didn’t I?” he started again, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. Time for another approach.
The blond grabbed a small notebook and pen from his bag and quickly scribbled something down before spinning it around. ‘Toge’
“Toge… nice to meet you!” Now was his chance, make a casual conversation, bond over the book, don’t make an ass out of yourself, easy… right? “I couldn’t help but notice your book,”
Toge responded by tilting the book towards Yuuta, allowing him to read the title: "Whispers of the Silent", a best-selling thriller that Yuuta had hoped to read a few months ago but… just never got around to it.
"I’ve been planning to read that one," Yuuta exclaimed, happy to find a comfortable talking point. "I’ve heard it has incredible plot twists. Without giving anything away, how are you finding it?"
The book turns back to Toge, more writing, another spin of the book, ‘Intriguing. Keeps me on my toes.’
“That’s good to hear,” Yuuta says. But then, something clicks in his mind. “Oh, wait… Toge, are you deaf?” The sudden realization hits him hard. Was Toge reading his lips this whole time? Yuuta's face turns a shade of crimson, panic overtaking him. Had he been unintentionally rude, assuming Toge could speak just like anyone else?
"I mean, not that being deaf's a bad thing!" Yuuta rushes to clarify, his words tumbling out faster than he can think. "It's just... unexpected? No, that's not right... I mean, it's cool! Or, um, not cool per se, but..." Desperation seeps into his voice. Wanting to show that he genuinely didn't mean any harm, he fumbles with his hands, trying to sign something—anything—to convey his apologetic sentiments.
Yuuta tried to recall the rudimentary sign language he'd learned in college, to help Maki out by having a friend to practice with for her JSL course. He signed a basic, and slow, ‘Nice to meet you.’
Toge’s eyes widened a bit before he quickly signed back… paused, then started over, making sure to use slower movements after realizing Yuuta’s skill level. His fingers feathered a few signals, before moving a palm-back "A"-handshape backwards towards his lips to signal ‘Not deaf, mute.’
Yuuta felt a sense of relief wash over him. His muscle memory had kicked in just when he needed it most. It seemed like he was finally catching a break. “Okay, so you’re mute? But not deaf? That’s good– Uh, I mean, not that it’s good per say, but I mean it could’ve been worse? But at least you can hear me I guess, although at this point, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing really-”
Toge’s lips curved into a faint smile, almost teasing, as he brought pen back to paper. ‘Is there something I can help you with, Yuuta? Let me guess, you lost a bet? Or is this a dare?’
Yuuta waved his hands in front of him, “Oh no, nono, nothing like that.” He paused, frowning slightly, “I mean, maybe? I guess something like that?”
Leaning forward, Toge propped his chin on his palm, his gaze fixed on Yuuta. An eyebrow arched in silent invitation for Yuuta to continue.
Feeling the weight of Toge's scrutiny, Yuuta sighed. "Sorry for rambling. Maki told me to 'be chill,' and this is definitely not chill."
At the mention of Maki's name, Toge pulled back sharply. His lavender eyes flickered with a mixture of confusion and surprise as he leaned out of the booth to scan the bar, finally landing on Maki, who was busy at work and not paying them any mind at this point.
"Wait, I didn't mean- Maki didn't send me over here," Yuuta hastily clarified, realizing his mistake. "It was my own idea, based on my circumstances." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "So, you…. know Maki? Your reaction seemed to suggest that."
Toge returned to his seat, but the playful smile he wore earlier was now absent. His hands moved swiftly as he signed, spelling out a lot of the individual letters likely for Yuuta’s benefit, 'School, we met at school.'
"Ah, I see," Yuuta murmured. Now he understood the sudden change in atmosphere. Toge must have thought this was some prank orchestrated by Maki, or something.
"Maki and I go way back, and she’s actually the reason I know the little bit of JSL that I do... Small world, eh?” He hadn’t left though, so maybe this wasn’t a total flop of a situation, although it would make sense that Yuuta would somehow find himself talking to a complete smoke show and then absolutely blow it.” For what it's worth, if anything, that while she knew I was coming over here, the idea to come talk to you was all mine. I promise.”
He took another sip from the drink, but when he placed it back down his gaze remained focused on it.
Until the notebook brushed against his arm gently and filled his vision again.
‘What circumstances?’
“Oh…. Oh… I guess yeah…” The tip of a finger absentmindedly circling the rim of his glass. He took a deep breath, before explaining about how two years ago he ended his relationship with a girl named Rika.
In the beginning it was a lot of fun, and they got along well. They spent most of their free time together, and as the months went on, they even started discussing wedding plans. She was pretty, and nice, and Yuuta didn’t know how he had been so lucky to land such a wonderful person. They were in love and everything was perfect!
Until it wasn’t.
Rika became possessive, wanting to constantly be with him and even getting upset when he was off at work at his part time job, because of the other women there. She somehow figured out a way to put a tracker on his phone, and when talking wasn’t getting through to her anymore and suggested they take a break, she wailed and tried to break the lock mechanism on their apartment door to keep him from ever leaving her.
Maki was actually the only one who reached out to Yuuta, seeing his mental health slowly decline, and watched his weight drop off in ways that Hollywood stars could only dream of. She finally got Yuuta to admit that things were out of control, and with her help he was able to document the situation and bring in outside help to get her, and her things, taken away. He stayed with Maki and her roommate until he was able to find a place on his own again.
The idea of deceiving someone for the sole purpose of benefiting himself made him feel scummy. Yuuta hated lying, but, if a small game of pretend would be all that was needed to make Rika leave him alone for good then maybe it would be worth it.
“She’s not really dangerous anymore, she just makes me extremely uncomfortable and I was hoping that there might be some way to get her to see reason, to get her to move on with her life. This is honestly all I could think of… I don’t even understand the appeal, I mean, it’s just me, and before she went all crazy, she was definitely the better of the two of us. If she got her shit together again, honestly, she could be such a catch for someone.”
Pen went to paper again, faster than it was before, and Yuuta could only imagine the kind of comments he was about to receive. Things like ‘Why don’t you just talk to her?’, ‘Be a man about it’, or ‘This is stupid, you’re stupid, please leave me alone’. He expected anything except for what he did receive,
‘Do you think I’m gay?’
“Oh my god!” Yuuta could feel the heat rising to his cheeks, making them turn a shade of deep crimson. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to assume or impose..." Both hands had moved to cover his mouth, “Of course that’s probably something I should have considered. I didn’t even think-, I just-, people are just people to me, y’know? I always forget that not everyone is like that. You didn’t give off any weird vibes or anything, really! Oh man, I really am so sorry Toge, Maki is never going to let me forget this, I swear-”
Yuuta's words tumbled out of his mouth in a rapid, anxious stream. Every passing second made him feel more and more like a fish out of water, gasping and floundering. But before he could dig himself further into the depths of embarrassment, a sudden burst of laughter interrupted him.
Toge, to Yuuta's surprise, had thrown his head back, eyes closed, his face lit up in pure amusement. The sound that escaped him was beautiful – crisp, clear, and utterly infectious. It had a melodic quality, the kind of laughter that was genuine, coming from the very depths of one's soul.
For a moment, Yuuta could only stare, caught in the unexpected beauty of the scene. The soft glow of the bar lights illuminated Toge's face, making his skin appear ethereal. The contours of his neck, the hint of collarbones peeking from beneath his shirt, everything was accentuated in that fleeting moment.
It took a few seconds for Yuuta to snap out of his trance. The panic that had overwhelmed him began to recede, replaced by a growing warmth. There was something disarming about Toge's reaction, making the weight of the situation feel a little lighter.
‘I’m sorry, Yuuta,’ Toge signed, before turning to the side briefly to clear his throat, the motion hidden by the curve of his elbow. ‘That was mean of me.’ He lifted his drink to his lips and finished the last of it.
Toge tilted his head thoughtfully, eyes sparkling with pure pleasure. He raised his hands to sign again, paused, then continued on, making sure to keep his movements slow, simple, and concise; sometimes alternating to signing individual letters which Yuuta assumed would be to keep him from getting confused by the more complex words. 'So, let's circle back. You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend to keep your ex at bay. Is that correct?'
Yuuta nodded. “In essence, yes. But only if you're comfortable with it. I don’t want to put you in a weird or awkward situation.”
‘Oh, I think we are way past that,’ Toge remarked, ‘Sure, I can help, if you want. I've always had a flair for drama.’
Yuuta blinked in surprise. "Really? You'd do that?"
'You know, I've always been a fan of the whole "fake dating" trope,' Toge remarked, the corner of his mouth lifting up in a mischievous smirk. 'Think of this as... hands-on research.'
Yuuta blinked, surprised, and then chuckled. "Really? Well, I'm grateful for your willingness to be a part of my... unique situation."
"Before we jump into things, shouldn't we lay down some ground rules?" Yuuta suggested, scratching the back of his neck thoughtfully.
Toge quickly wrote, 'Definitely. We need clear boundaries, shared histories, and guidelines on what's off-limits. But Maki is in for a lecture first.'
As the pair walked back to the bar, Yuuta felt a renewed sense of confidence. He wasn't alone in this; he had both Maki and Toge by his side, and that felt reassuring.
Maki looked up as they approached, her grin widening. "Look who didn’t come back empty handed," she teased. Toge simply arched an eyebrow and began signing rapidly to Maki.
To Yuuta, it was a blur of movement, but Maki kept up effortlessly. From the amused expression on her face, it was clear Toge was giving her a good-natured scolding.
"Okay, okay," Maki chuckled, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Perhaps I should've given you both a little warning. But meddling isn't my style, and it's not like any real harm was done."
Yuuta smiled, shaking his head. With friends like these, who needed enemies? But he was glad for them all the same.
Yuuta had mapped out his whole route. Get off the train one stop early, swing by the coffee shop for some sweet coffee Maki remembered Toge used to enjoy in college, then armed with the caffeinated bribe, Yuuta aimed to coax Toge into answering his door before noon.
Maki had insisted that, if Toge was still the same as in their college years, he would require a caffeinated incentive to get out of bed. Always organized, she rifled through the Notes app on her phone, using keywords to pinpoint where she'd recorded the coffee preferences of friends and classmates from back then.
If you could even call this coffee? This,
• Iced brown sugar
• Oatmilk, shaken
• Espresso
• Triple blonde shots?
• Six pumps of brown sugar
• 2 pumps vanilla
• Light ice
• Extra Oatmilk
• Vanilla sweet cream cold foam to top off that…. Thing.
Yuuta picks up Toge's coffee order and walks two remaining blocks to Toge's place. He knocks at the door and waits, knocks at the door again, and waits. The two of them were with Maki for hours the night before, chatting and getting to know each other. There was no way Toge wouldn’t be home for this after all that. Maki must have been right, Toge was still sleeping. Yuuta pulls out his phone and calls Toge.
The phone rings once, twice, then on the third ring a video chat is accepted- which… makes sense.
His screen is mostly covered in pixelated shadows, but a sliver of light escaping through his curtain’s lands on his pillow and Yuuta can tell that Toge has his face buried into his pillows still.
"Good morning starshine," Yuuta chimes.
A rolling groan is Toge's response.
"I've got a present for you if you come let me in." Yuuta entices.
Yuuta hears nothing at first, but then the shuffling sound of bed sheets.
The phone is now darker than it was before, but the sound of bare feet padding across the floor must mean that the phone is being held at Toge's side.
Yuuta hears the door unlock in front of him, and he hangs up the call and pockets his phone. The door opens a few inches, and Yuuta can see Toge leaning heavily against the door frame. The light is too bright, as Toge opens the door, causing him to shield his eyes with a hand and squinting hard against the glare. His eyes half-lidded from being woken up, but his eyes were still just as vibrant as they were last night, even if they were currently being hidden behind long blonde lashes.
Yuuta rewards him with a bright smile, and shakes the coffee in his hand, the sound of ice bumping against each other is music to Toge's ears as he reaches out and takes a large gulp immediately, before releasing a small sigh of relief.
'Maki is so good to me', Toge slowly signs with his free hand.
Yuuta scoffs in jest, "Hey now, I was the one who brought it to you, where is my praise?"
Toge waved his hand, seemingly dismissing Yuuta's question, but a small smile formed on his lips. He rose and extended his free hand to grasp Yuuta's, guiding him inside, and using his foot, Toge shut the door behind them. As Yuuta removed his shoes, Toge intertwined their fingers as if it were a natural thing that they had done a thousand times before, leading him down the hall.
Toge led Yuuta past a tidy kitchen and into a spacious living room. Without a word, Yuuta allowed Toge to guide him through the house, moving from the kitchen to the living room. They eventually reached a couch, where Toge motioned for Yuuta to sit. As their hands separated, Toge settled on the opposite end of the couch. He curled up, sipping his coffee, and wiggled his toes gently beneath Yuuta's thigh to keep them warm.
Yuuta sat rigid, his mind racing as he observed the scene of them, almost as if he wasn’t a part of it. Perhaps Toge was simply too exhausted to be fully aware of his actions, Yuuta mused. It was hard to believe that Toge genuinely intended to enjoy his company this much; after all, their arrangement was merely a game of pretend to rescue him from Rika's overbearing intentions.
The way Toge effortlessly intertwined their fingers earlier, or how he'd tucked his feet under Yuuta's thigh was all so... intimate. Not in a romantic way, but in a manner that suggested a deep-rooted familiarity. It wasn't just about the physical closeness; it was the gentle ease, the quiet confidence in their interactions, which baffled Yuuta the most.
Yuuta had always seen himself as fairly average. He wasn't unattractive, but neither did he consider himself to be someone that could turn heads. When compared against Toge's radiant allure, Yuuta felt out of place, almost overshadowed.
A gentle touch startles him back to his senses.
Toge had adjusted his position, sitting upright on folded knees. Coffee long since discarded on the table, a hand delicately resting on Yuuta's forearm, squeezing slightly. His vibrant eyes were now wide awake, concern evident among his features. They roamed over Yuuta, silently inquiring, searching for any signs of distress or discomfort.
A soft sigh of relief escapes his lips.
‘Where did you go? Is everything alright?’
Yuuta could kick himself for his behaviour. First, he wakes Toge up, although that was something he knew would be happening the night before, then he proceeds to worry him? He needed to get a handle on himself, and fast.
“Of course, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to go anywhere. I was just thinking.”
Toge didn’t seem convinced.
Yuuta shifted to face him more and smiled, “I’m serious, it’s fine. I was just overthinking about things, but they aren’t important. We have some planning to do, don't we?”
Toge pulls his hand back to himself, and leans back slightly against the arm of the couch again. Not as comfortable as he was looking earlier, Yuuta notices, but it was still an improvement to him worrying.
‘First, tell me more about this ex of yours. What should I be prepared for?’
Back to business.
Yuuta sighed, thinking about how to encapsulate the whirlwind that was Rika. “Well, she's very... possessive. Emotional, too. She tends to make scenes, and she's very skeptical of anyone who gets close to me. So be prepared for a lot of questioning and possibly some dramatic moments.”
'Drama, possessiveness, emotional turbulence. Got it.' Toge nods, his fingers dancing in a quick succession of signs. ‘She doesn’t know JSL though… right?’
“No, she can’t speak it, like at all, there are a few basic signs she might recognize from being around Maki and me…” Yuuta shifted slightly on the couch, trying to navigate this new terrain.
“Now for boundaries, Is there anything you're not comfortable with? How do you feel about PDA? Do we go all out to make it convincing, or keep it subtle?”
Toge picked up his coffee again, sipping it as he contemplated. Then he signed, 'Subtle but convincing. Don't want to overdo it. Hand-holding, sure. Quick pecks, okay. But no full-on make-out sessions in public. Deal?'
Yuuta chuckled, "Deal.” Nothing overwhelming, of course, he didn’t want to gross out Toge with signs of affection after all.
'This was a good start toward fulfilling your boyfriend duties.' Toge lifted his coffee as indication, as his lips pulled back into a lazy smile.
Yuuta laughed. “I’m glad, I aim to please.”
It was strange; as they sat there discussing the intricate details of their faux relationship and even little details about their lives, Yuuta felt more at ease than he'd expected. Even if this was all for show, a part of him was looking forward to what the next few days—or however long this act lasted—would bring. There was something refreshing about Toge's straightforwardness, his willingness to play along. And as Toge's lavender eyes met his, Yuuta felt a peculiar sense of fluttery anticipation.
He was going to miss Toge when this was done, and they went their own separate ways.
Yuuta's eyes light up with realization. "Oh! I haven't mentioned what we'll actually be doing at the event."
Toge’s lips curve up into a lazy grin, ‘I've been wondering.’
"Well, a group of us enrolled in a Jujutsu class a few years ago and really enjoyed it. We continued the class for a few more years, and along the way, we made some great friends. Even though many of us have moved on to different paths, we still make an effort to reunite at least once a year," Yuuta explains.
Toge's interest piqued, he asks, ‘So Rika attended the same classes, then?’
Yuuta nods. "Yes, but she only joined because I did. She dropped out soon after, but I have to admit, she was surprisingly nimble."
"Why don't you just... not invite her?’ Toge suggests, his face suggests a light and teasing tone.
Yuuta knows that Toge is joking, really, he does! It’s just in his nature to answer honestly, though. So, he does. "Well, she did take the classes, so she has every right to be there. I just... don't want her there with me."
Toge leans in a little, flashing a flirtatious grin as he winks. ‘But you do want me there, with you? To be introduced to all your friends as the person you're dating?’
Yuuta locks eyes with Toge, the weight of their playful challenge hanging between them. For a beat, Yuuta remains quiet.
Then, a warm, genuine smile transforms Yuuta's face. "Of course! That's the plan, isn't it? I’ll be honest, initially, I wasn't sure if I had the guts to see this through. When you agreed to help, I half-expected it to be a short-lived joke and you'd drop me the next day. I know we just met, Toge… But I really like you. I think you're wonderful! Besides, you have Maki’s seal of approval and that’s virtually impossible to get. I think it’s just rude that she kept you from me for so long! Having my friends meet you as someone important would mean the world to me. And, well, getting Rika off my back becomes just an added bonus."
Toge's breath catches, leaving Yuuta in sudden dread. Did he say too much? Was he too forward? Had he overstepped? Made things too personal? He always seemed to make situations awkward. Why couldn't he have just kept things light for once?
A kaleidoscope of emotions played across Toge’s face, each one fleeting but intense. Just as quickly, he masters them, settling into a smile as his eyes soften. He then signs, 'You're too kind-hearted, Yuuta. How have you managed all these years?'
Yuuta's already radiant smile broadens, "It's all because I have incredible people like you looking out for me!"
Toge rises and makes a beeline for the kitchen, hoping to mask the flush creeping up his cheeks. He fills a jug with water and begins tending to his plants in the living room, letting the gentle ritual calm him as Yuuta continues discussing their plans.
Time flies by, and soon Yuuta's phone beeps with an alarm, jolting him to the realization that- “I’ve been here for almost three hours? I'm so sorry, Toge, I have to head home. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late to work!”
Toge nods in understanding. While it has indeed been a long time, there's no sign of irritation on his face. If anything, it seems he enjoyed their time together just as much as Yuuta did.
Rather than simply standing, Toge practically unfurls from his seated position. As he stretches, his shirt rises above his plaid pajama pants, revealing toned hips that merge flawlessly into lean lines of muscle across his slender stomach.
Yuuta's breath hitches in his throat, momentarily stunned by the sight before him. In his distraction, he fumbles with his phone, trying to slide it into his back pocket, needing something to divert his attention from openly ogling Toge.
Toge follows Yuuta to the door. As his hand rests on the doorknob, preparing to leave, he catches Toge's gaze. The playful mix of humor and intrigue in his eyes gives Yuuta pause.
“What is it?” He inquires.
Accompanying a smile that blends sweetness with a touch of shyness, Toge’s fingers dance in the air. ‘You're leaving your boyfriend's house, Yuuta. Aren't you going to kiss him goodbye?’
Extending his hand, he waits. After a moment of hesitation, Yuuta moves his hand from the doorknob to Toge's outstretched one. Their fingers intertwine, echoing their earlier closeness, and Toge uses the connection to gently pull him closer.
Yuuta feels his face turn a deep shade of red. Toge is right; if they're going to pretend to date, they need to be able to kiss. It's part of the charade. Yuuta knows he should be grateful for the chance to kiss someone as attractive as Toge, and he is fairly certain this week is going to be something he remembers for the rest of his life.
Taking a deep breath, Yuuta slowly leans down, allowing his lips to gently brush against Toge’s in a brief, innocent kiss. As he pulls back, he notices Toge's eyelashes flutter open and realizes, with a jolt, that Toge had closed his eyes during their embrace. The thought sends a thrill of butterflies surging through Yuuta's stomach.
Toge's lips curl into a gentle smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Cute, Yuuta," he drawls, letting the name roll lazily on his tongue. The name sounding a touch distorted as it leaves his lips. The sound is broken, somewhat uneven. His voice doesn't carry the typical resonance one might expect; it's as if his vocal cords aren't quite cooperating, struggling to form the words in the usual way.
A whirlwind of thoughts rush through Yuuta's mind. 'Does it hurt Toge to speak like that? ‘Was he teased for it when they were younger?' But amidst these fleeting concerns, one sentiment stands out: he loves the sound of Toge's voice.
Hearing Toge's voice, especially uttering his name, is even more enchanting than Yuuta could have ever imagined. It sends shivers down his spine. Subconsciously, Yuuta's fingers tighten around Toge's. Yuuta's gaze, once darting and uncertain, settles on Toge, fixated as he absentmindedly licks his lips.
Toge leans forward, intending to take the lead with the next kiss. He’s slow, tentative, allowing Yuuta plenty of time to pull away; but the thought doesn’t cross his mind, not in the slightest.
Soft fingers caress his cheek, then glide upwards, entwining in his hair and gently drawing him into another kiss. While it starts much like their first, the instant Toge moves his lips the kiss deepens in intensity. Sure, he’s kissed before, but those were all safe kisses that came about after plenty of dates. This was different, this was new, this was exhilarating– this was Toge; and he wanted more. Yuuta pulls him closer until their bodies are pressed together, aligned from hip to chest.
Yuuta takes one step forward, then a second, and then on the third he has Toge pressed against the wall. He can feel the curve of Toge’s smile against his lips as he takes over the lead.
Yuuta's free hand drifts upward, fingers threading through Toge’s hair. The silky strands wrapping around his fingers feel just as good as he'd imagined when they first met at the bar.
Yuuta goes to adjust their positions, but doesn’t realize how much the hair is tangled around his fingers-
He pulls. It’s an accident.
The moan that escapes Toge isn't an accident.
He liked that.
It's a sound so unexpected, however, that it snaps Yuuta from the trance of kissing the beautiful, sensual, Toge. Yuuta gasps, releasing him and swiftly pushing off the wall, practically propelling himself to the opposite side of the hall.
Yuuta feels like a disheveled mess, and is convinced he must look the part, which certainly wasn’t fair considering Toge stands mere feet away, looking effortlessly breathtaking. Toge, still leaning against the wall, fixes him with a gaze through half-lidded eyes. A quick flick of his tongue moistens swollen lips, and a hand rises in a vain attempt to smooth tousled hair.
‘I thought you needed to get to work?’ Toge asks after a minute.
“O-oh yeah, you're right.” Yuuta stands, adjusting his shirt. “How do I look?”
Toge steps closer and uses one hand to playfully tousle Yuuta’s hair, making it appear less unkempt. With his other hand, he slowly fingerspells ‘delicious,’ accompanied by a cheeky grin.
Yuuta blushes. Bolstered by newfound confidence, he takes Toge’s hand from his hair and gently kisses the knuckles. “I’ll text you later?”
Toge beams up at him, nodding in agreement.