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The city seemed bathed in bright shades of gold as the two headed home.
Yori still had the habit of spinning like a wayward dancer.
Summer vacation had started a week ago, and Yori had already finished all of his summer homework.
"I brought strawberries."
They took advantage of Saori's absence to have the house to themselves. Yori brought his recently purchased tarot deck from a strange trinket shop. He didn't know how to use it; he bought it solely because the colors were beautiful. Yori's tarot deck displayed soft pastel tones, as if the colors had been gently kissed by the evening light. Yellow resembled the setting sun, green was like fresh leaves, and blue evoked a tranquil sky.
Minato was there next to Yori, immersed in the art of procrastination by not starting his homework. However, his attention was stolen by the irresistible strawberries Yori had brought. Minato devoured the strawberries, hoping that Yori wouldn't notice the quick and silent consumption of his pile of red fruits.
"Oh no. You ate everything." He didn't seem upset.
"It's okay. Let's go buy more."
"Let's go out on the city. It's just gloomy being by yourself." Yori ran his fingers through his hair, gently like the night breeze caressing a dark curtain. The smooth black strands tangled around his fingers. The texture was silky, almost like water flowing through his hands, and he kept on caressing, losing himself in the serenity of the movements and the endless darkness of his hair.
Riding on Minato's bike, they cut through the evening in the city. The wind, gentle as a whisper, slid through Yori's hair, while the bike wheels traced silent paths on the asphalt. The sky was completely painted in shades of orange and purple. The city lights began to come to life, blinking shyly on the horizon.
Minato steered the bike while Yori admired the scenery.
The buildings, with their illuminated facades, cast golden reflections onto the path. Yori leaned his head against Minato's tense shoulders and immediately felt him relax under his touch.
"Do you really want more strawberries?" Yori whispered.
"I'm sorry. I ate them all."
"I could paint every bit of this city, you know." He said with a dreamy smile, envisioning brushstrokes capturing the hues of the city at twilight. The orange and purple sky, the flickering city lights, and the reflective golden gleam on the buildings—all begging to be immortalized in his sketchbook. Another summer with Minato Mugino.
As they approached the fish market, Minato pedaled through the lively stalls, weaving the bike skillfully through the bustling crowd. The air was infused with the pungent aroma of the sea. Stalls displayed an array of seafood.
Minato pedaled with one goal: to get more inspiration for Yori.
As he maneuvered through the market, Minato swiftly biked through the bustling crowd. The market turned into a kind of obstacle course—vendors showing off their catches, customers haggling, and the occasional crate of fish becoming a spontaneous hurdle.
Dodging and weaving, he moved effortlessly gliding through the market.
Leaving the market, Minato continued pedaling through the park.
Yori hesitated, asking timidly, "Minato, aren't you going too fast?"
Minato chuckled, "Don't worry, Yori," and grinned reassuringly as they continued weaving through the trees.
They finally stopped beneath the cherry blossom trees, memories flooding back from their elementary school days when similar trees adorned the courtyard.
"These trees," Yori mused, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
"Yeah. We used to spend hours there during breaks."
"Remember the time we tried to climb one of the trees?"
Minato laughed.
"Yeah, and you ended up stuck, waiting for me to help you down."
They stood there, the cherry blossoms overhead, swaying gently in the breeze.
Yori glanced at Minato, "I thought I was going to fall that day."
Minato chuckled, "But you didn't."
Under the cherry blossoms, time seemed to slow.
"Thanks."
Minato looked confused for a moment, then a small smile played on his lips. "For what?" he asked.
Yori's eyes softened, appreciating Minato's confusion. "For always being there," Yori replied. "Even though we don't see each other as often anymore."
"Don't mention it, Yori. Summers and winters with you are treasures, no matter how often."
The thick, heavy clouds hung lazily in the sky, moving at a slow pace as if reluctant to part ways.
Yori, sensing a shift on his mood, reached out and gently took Minato's hand.
Memories flooded Minato's mind, transporting him to a time when the grass was their playground. Amidst the tall blades that towered over them. Yori stood in the middle of the tall grass, the blades reaching higher than him. His eyes met Minato's, an innocent smile dancing within. The grass embraced them. The world beyond the blades of green faded away.
Minato felt the warmth of Yori's hand in his, a grounding presence. Yori's laughter echoed in Minato's mind, a melody that transcended the passing years bringing him a comfort that overflowed the spectrum, Minato squeezed his waist and drew him closer.
"That's why we'll keep enjoying every summer until you can live with me."
Yori's whispered Minato's name, a soft breeze carrying the sound like a secret between them, moments before their lips met. The atmosphere tightened, every heartbeat echoing in the hushed space. The anticipation hung in the air, a delicate tension that wrapped around them. Their breaths mingled. Their lips met in a soft and lingering kiss.
Until you can live with me.
Yori clung to those words as if they were his last hope. His body tingled as he felt Minato's hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Yori didn't mind; the closer, the better. He still blushed as he slowly parted his lips to feel Minato's tongue.
It always made him remember about their first kiss.
In the quiet of Minato's room, bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp, Minato sat on the floor, leaning against the bed, lazily strumming his guitar, the melodic notes lingering in the air like a comforting lullaby. Meanwhile, Yori, cross-legged on the bed, immersed himself in the rhythmic strokes of his pencil, sketching something that captured his attention. The sketchbook rested on his lap.
Minato cast a glance towards the sketchbook. His curiosity sparked, and a playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He resisted the urge to peek, deciding to let Yori draw in his own time. The sound of Minato's guitar merged with the quiet scratches of Yori's pencil on paper.
"What are you drawing?"
Yori smiled and hid his embarrassed face behind the sketchbook.
"Nothing interesting."
"Come on, then why don't you let me see?"
"Because it's not ready."
"Will you show me when it's done?"
"No."
Minato's confusion lingered until he playfully threw himself onto Yori on the bed, attempting to snatch the his sketchbook. The room filled with their laughter as Minato wrestled in a attempt to uncover the hidden art. Yori smiled, trying to keep the sketchbook out of Minato's reach as best he could, even though Minato was stronger.
"Minato! Minato! I'm not letting you see anything!" Yori laughed as he tossed the sketchbook to the other side of the room. "Only if you promise to let me go watch Senritsu World with you!"
Minato sighed, looking down at Yori. He was on top of him, able to watch his reactions.
"It's a horror movie, Yori, are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"I don't know... won't you get too scared?"
"No!" Yori shook his head.
"Even if..." Minato approached slowly, almost as if about to kiss him. "A ghost hurts someone?"
"I'm not a child anymore." He says as Minato inched closer, their faces mere inches apart. Yori's laughter faded into a nervous anticipation, their eyes locked in a silent exchange.
The sketchbook lay forgotten on the other side of the room.
"You're still afraid of bugs, Yori."
"Are you still scared of the dark, Minato?"
"Boys?"
Both were interrupted by Saori. Her son's relationship with the other boy wasn't a secret, but by the scene she witnessed as soon as she opened Minato's door to ask if he needed extra supplies for later, she figured it was time to have that talk with her son. After all, he was already a teenager.
"Um, sorry... leave the door open."
Minato hid his flushed face in the nape of Yori's neck.
In the theater, Yori asked Minato without taking his eyes off a poster for a movie about humanist vampires, "What would you do if you were a vampire? I think I'd be a humanist vampire."
Yori wore his patterned t-shirt was a rainbow of cheerful shades with a rabbit print, black cotton shorts that reached his knees. Minato wore his short-sleeved shirt and baggy pants.
"If I were a vampire I’d have the same power as in the movies, like strength, super speed and healing."
"You know, I think I'd rather be a friendly vampire, not the scary kind."
"Friendly vampires don't exist in horror movies, Yori."
They entered the darkened room and settled in to watch the film. Yori, seemingly unfazed, kept a stoic expression as the found footage movie started, not willing to admit any fear to Minato. On the screen, eerie shadows danced across dimly lit hallways, and the characters navigated through an abandoned building, their camera capturing glimpses of something otherworldly and disgusting. Yori squirmed in his seat, eyes flickering nervously.
"If I were a vampire, I'd have all those powers too, and I wouldn't be scared of anything."
Yori chuckled, "Yeah, right. Even vampires get scared."
He shifted uncomfortably, stealing a quick glance at Minato to make sure his boyfriend didn't catch onto his unease.
"You alright there, tough guy?"
Yori shot back, "Of course, just checking if you're paying attention."
The movie reached its climax, and a sudden jump scare sent Yori jumping in his seat. He quickly brushed it off with a nervous laugh, but Minato raised an eyebrow.
"You can bury your face in my shoulder like those cheesy soap opera couples."
Yori shook his head.
"Stubborn boy." Minato whispered.
The room was nearly empty, with six or seven people in total. The room soon plunged into darkness as the credits rolled, and Yori sighed in relief.
"Well, that wasn't so scary," he mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Minato.
Minato smirked.
"Sure didn't look that way."
They continued munching on the remaining popcorn mixed with M&M's. The lights were on, and there was no one else around.
"I feel weird still liking to mix M&M's with popcorn," Yori admitted, staring at the floor. He sat in the chair in a meditative pose while Minato seemed bored beside him, but he soon raised an eyebrow and turned his face towards Yori.
"Don't feel that way. I like it. I can't eat this without M&M's now; it feels weird."
It seems like something sweet is missing, like Yori, sweet like honey.
"You still on the swim team?"
Minato shook his head.
"It was kinda shitty. I prefer swimming alone without the coach telling me what to do all the time."
On the way back to Minato's house, Yori matched his steps but had been silent since they left the theater. Minato could sense something was wrong but didn't want to press him.
"Wanna go swimming with me tomorrow? At school?"
"You can get in during the break?"
"The janitor probably won't know I snuck out."
He felt victorious for coaxing a smile out of him.
Yori, barefoot, tiptoed through the garden in the morning, his fingers gently caressing the petals of the flowers. The soft soil cradled his steps as he knelt beside a cluster of blossoms. The rhythmic hum of cicadas played in the background. His father slept on the sofa, a silent pathetic figure unaware of the world outside. With a small green watering can in hand, he poured droplets of water onto the soil. The scent of damp earth mingled with the delicate and almost imperceptible smell of the flowers.
Some blooms sagged, their vibrant hues muted by the relentless sun. Yori delicately plucked the withered ones. His father never took care of the garden when he was with his grandmother.
A breeze rustled the leaves, and Yori's fingers danced along the stems.
The sketchbook nestled in the overall pocket, Yori anticipated settling on the grass to resume his drawing until Minato arrived on his bicycle.
"Bring an extra towel!"
Yori and Minato entered Minato's high school, footsteps echoing through the empty halls. They made their way to the pool area, passing by classrooms with closed doors. The only sounds being their footsteps and the occasional creaking of the floor beneath.
As they approached the pool, the scent of chlorine greeted them. Yori pulled out his sketchbook from the overall pocket, settling on the poolside.
Minato glanced sideways at Yori as he took off his shirt. The necklace Yori made still adorned his neck, causing a subtle blush to color his cheeks. "I haven't forgotten, you know. Your drawing. Still don't know what it is."
Yori hummed, casually glancing around. Through the windows, he watched the clouds darkening outside. "I'll give it to you when summer ends, and I leave."
Minato's reaction was a sullen pout, his brows furrowing slightly. He huffed.
Yori peeled off the overall and the white shirt, revealing the warm hues of summer-kissed skin. The fabric clung momentarily, then surrendered to his movements, pooling at his feet. His shorts clung to the contours of his frame.
Minato, with an impish grin, shoved Yori towards the pool's edge. The splash of water echoed in the stillness as they tumbled into the clear blue. Yori, in shorts that clung to the remnants of summer, emerged from the water, droplets clinging to the contours of his skin.
The light danced on the water's surface, casting fleeting patterns on Yori's exposed shoulders and Minato's tousled hair.
Yori and Minato moved through the water, and ripples followed each stroke, casting delicate shadows on the pool's floor. When Minato surfaced, his hair covered his face, and he couldn't see anything for a moment until he brushed the bangs away and sought out Yori's silhouette. Water droplets clung to their skin, shimmering in the ambient light. Yori's hair trailed behind him like dark ribbons as he effortlessly glided through the pool.
Rain poured heavily as they left the school. Minato pedaled the bicycle through the downpour, water splashing around as he navigated the wet streets. Yori, perched on the back, glanced around, raindrops streaming down his face.
He prayed for every day to be like this, not just in summers. Yori enjoyed the chilly sensation of rain against his face and closed his eyes.
May every day be like this, sweet as honey.