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Riku fidgeted nervously, looking around many times, still amazed by the luxurious house he was currently in. Even just sitting on the couch felt like he could dirty it, so it was hard not to feel self-conscious and notice the gap between himself and that place. He patiently waited, scanning the room with eyes full of curiosity.
He wasn't sure what was he expecting when Ryo suddenly invited him to his house, but it was neat and modern, although a bit too big to live alone. Maybe that was why Ryo seemed lonely often, which led him to talk to Riku and want to befriend him. He could vaguely relate to that.
''Sorry for the wait~!'' A chirpy voice joined the room as Ryo joined Riku, sitting next to him holding two glasses full of a light-yellow liquid. Riku tilted his head in confusion, but Ryo smiled and thrust one of the tall glasses to his hand. ''It's non alcoholic! I bought the best of the best just for you.''
''Ah… Thank you.'' Still a bit hesitant, Riku took the glass and brought it to his lips, drinking a small sip and frowning a little at the bitterish taste. However, once he swallowed it, it wasn't so bad, so he smiled. All of his smiles warmed Ryo's heart and made it skip a beat, and this time was no exception.
He moved a bit closer until their knees bumped, having a bit of his own drink before looking at Riku again. ''I really wanted to have a proper conversation with you… I feel like there's always someone around to interrupt us. We can relax better here, right?''
''I… guess? I feel pretty nervous, though.'' Riku let out an awkward chuckle, as adorable as anything he did. Ryo was really fond of each of his mannerisms.
''You don't have to! We're just gonna chat a little.''
For once, Ryo truly didn't have any ulterior motives. Momo painted him like a villain, and he didn't deny it, but he was also a person. He simply had taken an interest in Riku and wanted to get to know him better, since he believed they were kindred souls. And even though Riku had been wary of him at first, their conversations seemed to gradually make him trust Ryo a bit more, to the extent of coming to his house alone. Which was already more than Momo would like, for sure.
Still, Ryo didn't want to bring up their similarities. They would have time for that another day —he wasn't planning on letting go for a while— and it was way too depressing for their first private reunion. Maybe he should call it a date?
He got distracted thinking about trivialities like those as Riku stared at him, bringing Ryo back to reality after a few seconds. ''...Is this a date?''
His sudden question made Riku blush, and he opened his mouth to retort but closed it right away, hesitating. He wasn't stupid, Ryo knew that. He had to have noticed Ryo's feelings if only a little, and unless he wasn't comfortable with them at least a bit he wouldn't have gone along with any of it. Still, neither of them had put anything into words yet, despite Ryo's overwhelming use of words and praise.
''Ryo… Did you invite me here with that in mind?''
''And what could you be referring to with 'that'? I honestly only want to talk, share some drinks, maybe eat something if you get hungry. Does that not count as a date? Is it not enough for youngsters these days?!'' He gestured dramatically, and Riku was quick to correct himself, not wanting Ryo to misunderstand him.
''It is, it's enough! It's the opposite… I wondered if that's fine by you. I haven't gone on many dates, so I don't really know…'' There was a tinkling sound as Riku tapped on the glass with his nail, gaze fixated on it to avoid Ryo's eyes, a smile still on his face. Anyone could tell he still wasn't uncomfortable, just awkward and nervous.
And Ryo wanted to share that. Even if it sounded too sentimental or childish, he wanted to feel that alongside Riku. ''It's the same for me! You don't have to worry about anything, little duckling.''
Their eyes met again and there was no way Riku could reject that sparkling gaze, like an excited kid who had found a jewel. He giggled and nodded, the tension on his body slowly fading. ''Alright. Then it's a date.'' It was still embarrassing to say it out loud, but it was worth it when Ryo's yellow eyes sparkled even more and his smile widened almost comically.
Riku wasn't sure if they were really similar or not, and he didn't want to doubt his friends when they said that it was better to be wary of Ryo, but he also didn't want to ignore the other sides of him he had been discovering. Each of them picked his own curiosity, and it was interesting to be around someone so unlike anyone he had met before.
Not only that, but Ryo's words more than once fueled something inside him. He had no idea what was that just yet, but it burned more when they were together, brighter and stronger. He wanted to prove that nothing would go wrong, that Ryo's praises weren't wrong. He didn't want to think that those hopeful and loving eyes were misdirected.
Or maybe it wasn't so complicated. Maybe he just had fun with him.
Their little date went on for a while, the two of them enjoying some tasty meat Ryo prepared after an hour of chatting about different topics. Just like his house, everything Ryo offered to Riku looked and tasted expensive, and it both made him nervous as it made him happy. It wasn't as if Riku enjoyed the thought of having an older adult pamper him while engaging in charming and pleasant conversations, no, they were purer than that. He believed they were.
''I'm full…'' After Ryo whined about how insufficient the meat was for their very special day and ordered sushi too, Riku found himself flopping onto the couch with a satisfied hum. The light outside told him it was getting late, but he didn't feel like moving at all.
''Are you alright? I can lend you a blanket if you want to take a nap!'' In contrast to Riku, Ryo seemed to be just as excited as before, or even slightly more after having one glass of, this time, an alcoholic drink— he had still held back because Riku was there, he believed himself to be a very considerate man!
''No, I'm not gonna fall asleep here… And I should leave soon or everyone will get worried.'' He didn't miss how Ryo's smile got just a bit lonelier after those words, even though it didn't disappear. ''I had a lot of fun! Please invite me again.''
''Really? I'll do so.'' With a happy inhale, Ryo held Riku's hand, stroking it a little. ''Should I call a taxi?''
''I'll do it, don't worry.'' Maybe it was because they had both softened after those hours together, but Riku had learned that Ryo was more caring than he seemed, even a bit of a busybody. Not only that, but apparently it was something he especially did for Riku, and unlike with other people in his past, he could tell it wasn't out of pity. It was one more thing about Ryo that made him really happy. ''Well then… I should get going, Ryo.''
''Of course!!'' Waving his hand energetically, Ryo waited for Riku to stand from the couch, but instead he tightened the hold on his other hand, keeping Ryo close. ''...Is something wrong?''
Riku's cheeks got redder, slightly embarrassed at his own actions. That was as much as he could do for now without his heart bursting, but he hoped it was enough to transmit his feelings. ''Thank you for today.''
Ryo's eyes softened, again feeling a warmth through his chest. ''Thank you too, Riku.''
''I'll leave for real now! Sorry for staying for so long.'' Riku finally got up, a bit too quickly and nervously, which made him totter and trip on his own feet due to a slight dizziness. ''Ah—!'' He shut his eyes tightly, readying himself for an impact that never happened despite the loud sound echoing in the room. ''Huh…?''
He never expected to open his eyes to find Ryo's face just a few centimeters away from his, so close their noses would have touched if Ryo had been a second slower. He soon realized that they were on the floor, Ryo under him after catching him in the middle of his fall.
''S-Sorry! Did you hit your head?'' Despite his worries once he understood the situation, Ryo's expression wasn't a pained one at all. He was just as surprised as himself, and was that a faint blush on his face?
Riku had never seen him like that, and it made him gulp. He knew he had to get up, this had to be uncomfortable for Ryo, but his body had frozen, stuck around Ryo's arms in his shoulders and their tangled legs. And, again, their faces were really close.
This was the president of Tsukumo, an important, probably dangerous adult. Even though they had just had their first date, Riku knew that there were lines that couldn't be crossed— that he would get killed by his unit mates (and Re:vale) if he did as much as touch Ryo for a second too long.
But he also knew that they were both nervous, hearts racing in unison as neither of them looked away for a second, and that they wanted more of whatever was going on between them.
Riku had never been too patient or too good at controlling his impulses.
Ryo was probably worse, because he was pressing one of his hands on Riku's nape, stroking it as if to encourage him. He was just like a devil, tempting Riku to cross that forbidden line.
In spite of how perfect their date had been, the way Riku clumsily pressed their lips together was nothing but elegant. He was impulsive and way too nervous, trying to focus on Ryo's reassuring touch as they kissed a few times, softly and lovingly. Maybe too lovingly. He was sure he wasn't supposed to feel so much, but he could deal with all of that later. For once in his life, he wanted to have this, something that was only his. Theirs.
Once he pulled away, breath slightly shaky because of how restless he felt, Ryo simply smiled. Something about the whole situation made Riku aware of how insatiable he was, because he already wanted to kiss him again, so much more, and he wouldn't care that they were still on the floor or whatever. But he held back and slowly got up, looking away as he tried to steady his breathing. He definitely would have to assess those uncontrollable feelings soon.
''I-I'll be on my way. See you soon!'' He spoke a bit more formally than usual, too stiff, but Ryo paid it no mind. His own heart was also hammering on his chest, after all.
He watched Riku with a smile, the boy hurriedly taking his belongings and almost running towards the door. ''See you~'' They smiled at each other one last time, Riku giving him a bashful grin before closing the door, and Ryo knew he was done for.
''What…?'' He took a deep breath, placing a hand over his chest. ''It's still going so fast.''