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Leo/Need’s band practice hadn’t run late that day, yet two of the four members were just starting to walk home. It had been hours since practice ended. The sun hadn’t set yet but the clouds in the sky made it feel later than it actually was as they covered what little bit of daylight the city had left. It felt like 9, but in reality it was only about 7. Ichika and Shiho had used the excuse that it’s the weekend to convince Saki and Honami to let them stay longer. They had both gotten drawn into whatever song they were playing and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving in the middle of a motivation spark. Eventually the keyboardist and drummer had gave in, so it was only the guitarist and bassist left. If basic human needs like hunger didn’t exist, there’s no doubt that they would still be there currently, but they were both hungry and wanted to go home so they could eat. They had both silently agreed they were going to Ichika’s place. It was practically Shiho’s second home anyway. All he had to do was let Shizuku know he wouldn’t be back until the following day, and that was that. Their walk had been surprisingly quiet. Usually there was idle chatter to fill the spaces between their discussions of how they thought practice went, but today there was nothing. They hadn’t said a word since they left. It wasn’t until they heard the thunder ring out across the city that they became aware of how dark their surroundings were.
“It’s supposed to rain?” Ichika’s pace slows as he observes the clouds blanketing the sky. Shiho hadn’t noticed he slowed down until he was pulled backwards since their hands were clasped together. “It wasn’t going to when I checked earlier. I didn’t bring anything.” He looked to the other, who shook his head.
“I didn’t know it was going to rain, either.”
Ichika tilts his head back to look up, and as soon as he did a drop of water hit his nose. He looks around for any sort of cover they could use, dragging Shiho over to an empty bus stop bench once it catches his attention.
“What are you doing? We’re not going to make it back in time.”
“I don’t wanna walk through the rain.”
As if on cue, small droplets turned into a steady drizzle.
“It’s just going to get worse.”
“That’s why we should hurry and get home while it’s light.”
“I’m not ready to go back yet.”
Their gazes meet. After a few seconds of staring, Shiho sighs and sets his bass on the ground, letting it lean against the bench and sitting down.
“I don’t want you to catch a cold, so I guess we can wait it out.”
Ichika smiles and mirrors Shiho’s actions with his own guitar. He drapes an arm along the back of the bench and starts humming the first song that comes to mind. Shiho offers him an earbud. He takes it without question, and when he puts it in his ear he realizes it’s playing the song he was just humming. He’s about to say something in regards to his sweet gesture, but he stops when Shiho leans against him and rests his head on his shoulder. Any thought he had previously dissipates. He slides his arm off the bench and around Shiho instead, who doesn't say anything but smiles subtly. He leaves him to whatever he was doing on his phone and observes all the activity happening in front of them despite the rain that is getting increasingly harder. People walk by with umbrellas and jackets. Cars zip by with their lights on. It felt like everyone had prepared for this except for them. Ichika didn't realize he was bouncing his leg until he felt a hand on his knee, causing him to slow to a stop; But as soon as the hand was gone, he started again. By the time the rain became more of a downpour, the streets were empty. Him and Shiho were the only people to be seen. The only light source was the street lamps littered along the side of the road. About an hour had passed by then, and he was getting antsy. He wanted to get up and do something, whether it was play his guitar or run through the rain or sing his heart out. Ichika had even completely tuned out the music by now, not noticing what song was playing or when Shiho would skip through five or ten songs looking for one he was in the mood for. That's right…Shiho. He glanced down at him. The weight on his shoulder was so comfortable and normal for him that Ichika had nearly forgotten he was there. He looked like he could drift off to sleep any second now. That wasn't good. Ichika couldn't carry Shiho and two guitars. Plus, he really needed to stand up and move around.
“Shiho?”
He gently hums in response.
“Can we get up?”
“Why?” he yawns, “It's still raining. You said you didn't want to walk through the rain.”
“I know, but…” He taps his fingers against his thigh, chewing on his bottom lip while he figures out how to finish his sentence. Shiho slowly lifts his head up regardless. “I need to move. It's been too long” is what he settles on. He stretches his arms to get his blood circulating through his entire body again. His shoulders feel uneven and way too light now.
“Where are you going to go?”
“I don't know. Nowhere far.”
Shiho nods and looks down at his phone which had fallen asleep just as he almost did. He checks the time and sighs.
“Hopefully this rain lets up soon. It's late already.”
Ichika pushes himself up to stand and attempts to ignore the weird, prickling sensation flowing through his feet and how it nipped at all his nerves. He takes a step out into the rain and hooks his fingers on a pole so he can swing himself around to walk slowly down the sidewalk. The cold water on his skin and soaking through his hair didn't bother him. He was just happy to have a change in scenery, or at least perspective. Watching the way the water got caught on the lamps and rolled down drop by drop caught his eye, which gave him an idea. He walks back over to Shiho and offers him a hand. Shiho looks at him like he's lost his mind.
“I’m not going out in the rain with you just because you feel like it.”
“It's more refreshing than you think.”
“Ichi, you're gonna get sick.”
“We can be sick together.”
“Who will take care of you then?”
While Shiho sounded genuinely concerned, Ichika was stubborn. He frowned.
“Just try to sit back down.”
“Please? Do this for me? Just this once?”
Shiho’s face has a tint of red and he's clearly struggling to keep himself from smiling.
“I can't say no when you ask like that.”
Ichika grins and his eyes light up like stars. Shiho stands up and intertwines their fingers, bringing Ichika’s hand up to kiss the back of it. Ichika leads them both back to the light that had caught his attention before. He doesn't notice the puddle that has formed underneath it until he steps in it. He looks down at his own reflection and smiles at it, laughing as his features are morphed and warped in the puddle of water. When he looks at Shiho he realizes that he had been staring at him the whole time.
“What?”
“Nothing. You're just…pretty.” The words fell from his lips softly, as if it was a secret between the two of them that nobody else could hear. He wasn't used to voicing his thoughts out loud, especially not these kinds. Ichika felt his face grow warm and Shiho knew the tips of his ears were red, but neither one minded.
“Thank you.”
“Mhm.”
They fall silent again. All that could be heard was the sound of rain hitting the pavement. Ichika pulls him into a hug. Shiho lets out a small noise of surprise, especially since he nearly tripped and knocked them both over as he was pulled, but he has a lovesick smile on his face as he hugs him back and buries his head into the crook of his neck. They stayed like that until the rain started slowing down a bit later. Ichika gently nudges Shiho’s head and makes him look up at him.
“I know you were probably right about our best bet being to rush home instead of waiting, but I didn't want our time together to end yet. You…you make me feel a certain type of way that I don't get from anyone else.” His words got quieter as he kept speaking until they faded out. He didn't know where he was going with that train of thought when he started it, but he didn't think it'd turn into a confession of feelings Shiho already knew about. Shiho presses a kiss to the side of his mouth.
“We could've spent more time together by ourselves dry and in your room, stupid.”
“In the rain is more poetic. I could write a song about this.” They both smile at each other in amusement. Ichika kisses his forehead, but as he moves down to kiss his cheek, Shiho captures his lips in a proper kiss instead. It almost felt grounding, like all the energy he previously had but couldn't let out was being drained out of his system and replaced with a much more calm sensation. His limbs feel like jello, but he isn't sure if that's his sudden energy crash or just one of the effects Shiho has on him. He'd believe either one was true. Now that he doesn't feel like he needs to be actively moving anymore, he's able to tune back into the music coming from his singular headphone. Coincidentally, it was a love song. The moment was sappy and sweet and stupidly poetic like he had said earlier. It was the type of thing you'd only ever see in movies and in dreams, except for him it was real. Shiho Hinomori was real and the warmth/excitement he made him feel was real. If it turned out to actually be a dream, he hoped nobody would ever pinch him. He didn't want to wake up. Shiho was the one to initiate and end the kiss. He wiped Ichika's face dry as best as possible and pushed any stray strands of hair out of his face.
“You're going to be impossible to dry off later.”
“That's okay. It was worth it.”
Shiho shakes his head with a smile and turns on his heels. “We're already wet, it can't get any worse. Let's go home.” He goes to grab his bag and Ichika follows closely behind like a lost puppy.
“My parents might be upset.”
“They love me. I don't think they'll be as mad if I'm there.”
“Or it'll be worse because you didn't stop me from making bad decisions.”
He puts his bag on and shrugs.
“I can't help it.”
Ichika giggles and puts his bag on as well. Shiho starts walking ahead of him, so he catches up and loosely slips his arm through his so they're linked together.
“Should we stop and pick up food?”
“Nobody is going to let you in when you look like a sopping wet cat, Ichika.”
“Says you.”
Shiho rolls his eyes and scoffs affectionately, and Ichika pretends to blow him a kiss in response.
“Let's just focus on getting home.”
“You make anywhere feel like home.”
“You're such a loser.”