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The moon hung high in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the sleeping forms scattered across the tatami mats. The night was still, save for the occasional rustle of fabric or a sleepy murmur from one of the students. The school trip had been exhausting but fun, and most were too tired to do anything but sleep soundly. However, in the dim light of the shared room, Tsukasa Tenma's eyes fluttered open.
He blinked, adjusting to the darkness, and glanced around. Something had stirred him from his sleep, but he couldn't quite place what it was. Just as he was about to dismiss it as a dream, he felt a weight settle beside him, and then the unmistakable sensation of someone crawling into his futon.
Before he could react, a hand clamped over his mouth, silencing his imminent yelp. His heart pounded in his chest, and his wide eyes met the mischievous ones of none other than Kamishiro Rui. "Shh," he whispered, a playful glint in his eyes. "You'll wake everyone."
“Rui?!” Tsukasa’s voice was a frantic whisper against his palm.
"Heh~ good evening, Tsukasa-kun,” Rui removed his hand, settling into the futon beside him with an almost casual air. "Surprised to see me?"
“What the hell are you doing?” Tsukasa hissed, shooting up to a sitting position. “This is my futon! Go back to yours!”
"Ah, but Tsukasa-kun," Rui teased as he adjusted himself comfortably under the covers, pulling them up to his chin with a playful glimmer in his eyes. "I was so cold over there, and you looked so nice and cozy over here.”
“You were cold?! That’s your excuse?!” Tsukasa gawked, staring down at the boy with wide eyes.
Rui simply shrugged, a satisfied smile dancing on his lips. "It’s a good one, no? Besides, the nights can get quite chilly in these old inns, don’t you think?”
Tsukasa sighed, feeling a mix of exasperation and reluctant amusement at Rui's audacity. "You could have just asked for an extra blanket!"
"But where's the fun in that?” he countered playfully, his smile widening. "It's much warmer here with you, anyways,” he added with a wink.
“Rui!” Tsukasa groaned, flopping back down on his back dramatically. “We could get into serious trouble!”
“Ah, Tsukasa-kun, always worrying about propriety,” Rui teased. “I never took you as such a stickler for rules.”
“It’s not about the rules,” Tsukasa mumbled, avoiding Rui’s gaze, “It’s about…appearances. And…”
“And…?”
“You…I…what if someone wakes up and sees us like this?”
Rui's eyes sparkled with amusement, a devilish grin playing on his lips. “Oh, but wouldn’t that make for an interesting story? Imagine the rumors that would spread...”
“Rui!” Tsukasa groaned, pulling the covers over his face in an attempt to hide the redness blooming across his cheeks.
"Hm? Could it be that our esteemed star actor is embarrassed?" Rui teased, inching closer.
Tsukasa felt heat rising to his ears. "Of course, I am!” he exclaimed, pulling the covers away to look Rui in the eye. “This is...this is..."
"Weird? Awkward? Intrusive?" Rui supplied with a teasing grin.
"Yes! All of the above!" Tsukasa cried in a hushed tone, glancing nervously at their sleeping classmates to ensure none of them stirred.
Rui sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me, Tsukasa-kun. Here I am, seeking warmth and comfort, and all you do is push me away. How cruel."
Tsukasa's flustered state only intensified. "Don't try to twist this around! You know exactly what you're doing, and it's not funny!"
Rui leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Are you sure it's not funny? Because I think it's quite amusing how red your face is right now."
"It’s not red!" Tsukasa hissed, his voice breaking slightly. It was definitely red. "Seriously! This isn't the time for your antics!"
Rui tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Antics? I'm just trying to stay warm, Tsukasa-kun. It's a perfectly reasonable request."
"Reasonable?!" Tsukasa’s whisper was almost a squeak. "There's nothing reasonable about this!"
Rui’s dramatic flair kicked in almost immediately. He sighed deeply, putting a hand to his forehead as if struck by a great tragedy. “Ah, I see how it is,” he declared in a low, sorrowful voice. “I’m not welcome.”
Tsukasa’s eye twitched with irritation as he watched Rui's dramatics. “Rui—”
"Cast out into the cold night, forsaken by the one I thought would shelter me," Rui continued dramatically, cutting off Tsukasa's attempt to speak. "But fear not, I shall wander these ancient halls alone, seeking solace in the moonlight, while you bask in the warmth of your solitude."
Just as Rui began to rise, Tsukasa’s patience finally snapped. With a growl, he grabbed Rui’s wrist and yanked him back down onto the futon with surprising force. Rui landed with a soft thud, eyes wide in shock.
“For christ's sake—stay! Just stay here and be quiet!”
For a moment, Rui was stunned, his mouth slightly agape. Then, his expression shifted to one of delight.
“My, Tsukasa-kun, who knew you could be so assertive?” he purred, his eyes sparkling with triumph as he wasted no time in sliding back under the covers. "How could I refuse such a heartfelt request?"
Tsukasa’s heart pounded in his chest, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. He wanted to push Rui away, to regain some semblance of control, but a part of him couldn’t deny how badly he wanted to envelop the boy in his arms.
“You’re such a pain,” he finally managed, his voice a strained whisper.
“And yet, you still put up with me,” Rui replied smoothly. “Now, why do you think that is?”
Tsukasa glared at him, trying to ignore the way his pulse quickened. “Because I’m a decent person who doesn’t kick friends out of their futon in the middle of the night, no matter how much they deserve it.”
Rui laughed softly, the sound sending shivers down Tsukasa’s spine. “Ah, so Tsukasa-kun really does care...”
Tsukasa groaned, turning over abruptly so his back was towards Rui. “Just...behave yourself, or else I’m kicking you out,” he muttered, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"Behave myself? Oh, Tsukasa-kun, you wound me with your lack of faith in my impeccable behaviour." Rui said from behind him, though the playful lilt in his voice suggested otherwise.
For a moment, they lay there in silence, the sounds of their classmates' soft snores filling the room. The situation was utterly ridiculous. Here he was, sharing a futon with Rui, the most infuriating, impossible, beautiful, incredible person he knew. His heart pounded as he heard Rui’s soft breathing from behind him, making the hairs stand up on his neck. He was so close.
Just as he began to drift off, a pair of arms were suddenly wrapping around his waist and a pair of legs were tangling with his own. Tsukasa's body stiffened in shock, a yelp escaping his lips before he could stop it.
“R-Rui! What are you doing?” he spluttered, trying to pry himself away but finding himself held in place.
Rui hummed contentedly. “You’re so warm, Tsukasa-kun. It’s nice.”
A wave of heat crept up Tsukasa’s neck as his mind raced out of control. What on earth was happening?
“Gah—you’re freezing! Let go!” Tsukasa hissed.
Rui’s hold around Tsukasa tightened for a moment, as if he was savoring the warmth radiating from him. Tsukasa could feel the steady rise and fall of Rui’s chest against his back, matching the rhythm of his own quickened breaths. His mind raced with a jumble of conflicting emotions—frustration, embarrassment, and an inexplicable fluttering sensation in his chest that he refused to acknowledge.
“Rui, seriously,” Tsukasa whispered urgently, his voice laced with both panic and a hint of something else he couldn’t quite place. “Let go of me.”
Rui’s arms around him loosened, and he shifted slightly, his breath warm against Tsukasa’s ear. “I’m sorry,” he murmured softly, his voice uncharacteristically sincere. "Please, can we stay like this? Just for a little while?"
Tsukasa froze, his heart skipping a beat at the unexpected gratitude in Rui’s tone. It was a stark contrast to the teasing demeanour Rui exuded just a few moments ago.
Tentatively, Tsukasa glanced over his shoulder, meeting Rui’s gaze in the dim moonlight filtering through the room. Rui’s eyes held a warmth that Tsukasa wasn’t accustomed to seeing—a genuine appreciation that momentarily took him aback.
“Rui...?” Tsukasa managed to choke out, his voice barely above a whisper, betraying the flurry of emotions swirling inside him.
Rui’s smile was soft, almost vulnerable. “Tsukasa-kun, I…really wasn’t looking forward to this trip,” he admitted quietly. “But it turned out to be a lot of fun…and that’s all thanks to you.”
Tsukasa’s breath caught in his throat, struck by the sincerity in Rui’s words. It was a side of Rui he rarely showed—vulnerable, genuine, and undeniably human.
Tsukasa found himself slowly turning over in Rui’s arms to face him. He was speechless, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. He searched Rui’s eyes for any hint of jest, but all he saw was sincerity and a warmth that made his heart ache in the most beautiful way. "But...I didn't do anything special?"
“But you did, you always do. You make everything better, Tsukasa-kun,” Rui replied, reaching down and gently taking Tsuaksa’s hand in his own. Tsukasa hoped he couldn’t feel how clammy it was. “Being around you just...makes me happy. You have this incredible way of making me feel understood, even when I’m being difficult or eccentric. You see me for who I am, and you accept me without question. That means more to me than you could ever know.”
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the world around them fading into the background. The connection between them felt almost palpable, a silent understanding passing between their gazes.
Rui’s eyes softened further, a small, tender smile playing on his lips. He leaned in slowly, giving Tsukasa the chance to pull away if he wanted to.
He didn't.
Then, suddenly, Rui was kissing him.
Tsukasa let out a gasp of surprise, his eyes wide as he processed what was happening. Rui's lips were soft and warm, a stark contrast to the cold he had felt earlier. For a few seconds, Tsukasa was frozen, unable to think or move. Then, Rui’s hand moved to cup his cheek, his thumb brushing softly against his skin, and slowly, Tsukasa felt himself melt into the kiss. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into Rui, his hands gripping the fabric of his robe, pulling him closer.
Then, just as soon as it began, Rui pulled away, his breathing heavy and uneven as his eyes searched Tsukasa's face nervously.
“Sorry…” he whispered hesitantly, a glint of fear flickering in his eyes. ”…Did you hate it?”
Tsukasa was frozen for a moment, his mind reeling from the kiss and the flood of emotions that came with it. Tsukasa stared at him in shock for a moment, the intensity of Rui's gaze piercing through him. Hate it? The question seemed absurd, almost comical given the rush of emotions coursing through him. But instead of answering with words, Tsukasa acted on instinct. He reached out, his hand gently gripping the back of Rui's neck, pulling him back in for another kiss.
Their lips met again, and Tsukasa poured all of his feelings into the kiss, hoping to convey everything he couldn’t put into words. Rui responded immediately, his arms wrapping around Tsukasa tightly. Tsukasa could feel the intensity of Rui’s emotions in the way he kissed him, in the way his hands roamed over his back, pulling him closer and closer until there was no space between them. Then, the kiss deepened further, their tongues meeting in a sensual, slow exploration. Tsukasa could taste the faint hint of mint on Rui’s breath, and every nerve in his body seemed to be on fire as he felt the warmth of Rui’s body pressed against his own. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and yet he couldn’t get enough. But as the kiss continued, Tsukasa found himself gasping for air, his lungs protesting the lack of oxygen.
Reluctantly, after what simultaneously felt like both a second and an hour, he pulled away, breaking their kiss with a soft sigh. Their foreheads touched, and Tsukasa could feel Rui’s ragged breaths mingling with his own. They stayed like that for a moment, both catching their breath, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of understanding and raw emotion. Tsukasa’s fingers traced the line of Rui’s jaw delicately as he finally spoke again.
“Idiot. How could I ever hate something like that,” Tsukasa said, the words coming out in a breathless rush.
Rui blinked, looking a bit stunned and confused. “Tsukasa-kun…do you like me?” he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Tsukasa rolled his eyes, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “I don’t kiss people I don’t like, Rui."
Rui’s expression softened, a smile slowly spreading across his face. Before Tsukasa could say anything more, Rui leaned in again, eager to capture his lips once more. However, Tsukasa gently placed a hand on Rui's chest, halting him.
“Rui, we…we can’t do this here,” he whispered, his voice laced with regret. "Someone might see."
"Always the responsible one, aren't you? It's almost endearing," Rui gently chided, pushing Tsukasa's hand away from his chest and leaning in closer, their noses brushing. "But, Tsukasa-kun, sometimes rules are meant to be bent. Or at least bent a little."
Tsukasa raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You really think you can change my mind that easily?"
Rui shrugged playfully. "Well, I've been known to work miracles. Besides, you're not the only one with a stubborn streak."
Tsukasa sighed, his fingers brushing against Rui's cheek. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Rui grinned, leaning into Tsukasa's touch. "Maybe. But you like impossible. I seem to recall you kissing me again just a moment ago."
Tsukasa chuckled, his heart racing at the memory. "True. You definitely have a way of making impossible seem possible."
Rui let out a breathy laugh, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Tsukasa’s. “I really do like you, Tsukasa-kun,” he admitted quietly. “I hope you know that.”
Tsukasa met Rui’s gaze, his heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in Rui’s eyes. “I do,” he replied softly, giving Rui’s hand a gentle squeeze. “And...I like you too, Rui.”
They lingered in silence for a moment, the air heavy with unspoken words and the tension of their newfound closeness. Tsukasa could feel Rui's breath mingling with his own, their faces still mere inches apart. It took all of Tsukasa's willpower to resist the urge to close the distance again, to lose himself in another kiss.
But finally, with a soft exhale, Tsukasa gently withdrew from Rui's touch, laying his back down on the futon. "Let's...let's try to get some sleep," he suggested quietly, avoiding Rui's gaze momentarily. "We can...talk about this in the morning."
Rui nodded slowly, a small, wistful smile playing on his lips. "Yeah," he agreed, his voice barely a whisper. "Sleep sounds good."
With that, Rui pulled the covers back over the two of them, their bodies naturally gravitating towards each other. He rested his head against Tsukasa’s chest, his arm draping over his waist comfortably. Tsukasa hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest, before he wrapped his arms around Rui in return, holding him close. The warmth of Rui’s body pressed against his own was soothing—he could feel his steady breaths against his chest, the rhythmic rise and fall lulling him into a sense of calm. Gently, he carded his fingers through Rui’s hair, feeling the silky strands slide between his fingers.
“You know,” Tsukasa whispered softly, his lips brushing against the top of Rui’s head, “I never thought we’d end up like this.”
Rui looked up at him with sleepy eyes, a small, amused smile on his lips. “Like what?”
“Like…this, ” Tsukasa repeated, tightening his hold on Rui slightly. “Together. Cuddling. Kissing.”
Rui chuckled softly, his breath warm against Tsukasa’s neck. “Life is full of surprises, Tsukasa-kun.”
Tsukasa smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
They lay in silence for a few moments, the quiet of the room only broken by the sound of their breaths mingling together. Tsukasa could feel himself growing drowsy, the comfort of Rui’s presence lulling him towards sleep.
“Rui,” he murmured, his voice taking on a nervous lilt, “just…make sure you leave before anyone wakes up in the morning.”
Rui, already half-asleep, mumbled something incoherent in response, his head nestled snugly against Tsukasa’s shoulder. Tsukasa could feel Rui’s grip on him loosen slightly as he drifted further into sleep.
“Rui, promise me,” Tsukasa insisted gently, his fingers tracing soothing patterns on Rui’s back.
“Mm… promise…” Rui mumbled, his voice barely audible. “Sleep now…”
Tsukasa chuckled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to Rui’s forehead. “Okay. Sleep well, Rui.”
The next morning, Tsukasa stirred awake, feeling an unexpected heaviness on top of him. His mind, still foggy with sleep, struggled to comprehend the source of the weight pressing down on his chest. Blinking groggily, he tried to move, only to realize that something—no, someone—was draped over him.
Opening his eyes fully, Tsukasa was met with the sight of Rui, peacefully asleep, his head nestled comfortably against Tsukasa’s shoulder. For a moment, Tsukasa’s breath caught in his throat. The soft morning light filtered through the room, casting a gentle glow on Rui’s serene face. His long lashes brushed his cheeks, and his purple hair fell in soft waves around his face, giving him an almost ethereal appearance.
Tsukasa felt a strange giddiness bubbling up inside him. There was something incredibly intimate and sweet about the way Rui was clinging to him, his arms wrapped loosely around Tsukasa’s torso. It was a sight that made his heart flutter, a feeling he couldn’t quite describe but knew he didn’t want to end.
Then, suddenly, a surge of panic shot through Tsukasa as the events of the previous night came rushing back.
It was morning, and Rui had most certainly not left as promised.
"Rui...Rui, wake up!" he hissed, his voice filled with urgency.
But before he could move, he heard a chorus of snickers and the unmistakable sound of a camera shutter clicking. Tsukasa's eyes widened in horror as he noticed a group of their classmates gathered around them, some of them taking pictures, others stifling laughter.
"Looks like someone had a good night," one of the students holding a phone teased, grinning widely.
"Damn, I knew Tenma-kun and Kamishiro-kun were close, but I didn't know they were this close," another classmate smirked, holding back a laugh.
"I-it's not what it looks like!" Tsukasa stammered, though the words sounded hollow even to his own ears. "Rui just...he was cold, and...and..."
Another student snickered, "Sure, sure. That's what they all say."
"That’s not…we’re not…Rui, please!" Tsukasa insisted, giving him a firm shake.
Finally, Rui opened one eye, staring confusedly at Tsukasa’s horrified expression. "Tsukasa-kun...?".
"Rui, you need to move! Now!" Tsukasa begged, trying once more to push Rui away.
Rui didn't budge. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder, taking in the situation before them. "Ah, good morning, everyone," he said nonchalantly, as if waking up tangled in Tsukasa’s arms in front of their classmates was the most normal thing in the world.
"Morning, lovebirds!"
"Wow, Tenma-kun, you're really red. Are you blushing?"
"This is priceless," another chimed in, "I never thought I'd see the day."
Tsukasa's cheeks burned with embarrassment as the teasing voices of their classmates swirled around them. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of panic and mortification coursing through him. "Rui, I swear, if you don't get up right now..."
Finally, with a reluctant sigh, Rui began to untangle himself from Tsukasa, rolling off him and sitting up slowly. Once he was free, Tsukasa shot up, sitting upright beside him with his face burning crimson. He could hear the snickers and whispers fading as their classmates walked away, but the embarrassment lingered like a dark cloud over him.
“Well, that was an interesting wake-up call, don’t you think?” Rui spoke, breaking the silence that had fallen upon them.
"Rui!" Tsukasa scolded, turning to face him with a glare. "You promised you'd leave!"
Rui, on the other hand, seemed remarkably composed despite the awkward situation they found themselves in. He casually stretched his arms above his head, unconcerned with the lingering stares and hushed whispers that followed their classmates' departure. His messy purple hair cascaded around him as he tilted his head slightly, regarding Tsukasa with an amused glint in his eyes.
"My apologies, Tsukasa-kun," Rui began nonchalantly, his tone carrying an underlying amusement that grated on Tsukasa's nerves. "It seems I overslept. Quite an unexpected turn of events, wouldn't you agree?"
“This is a nightmare,” Tsukasa groaned, covering his burning face with his hands.
“Oh come now, it's not every day we get such an enthusiastic audience for our morning routine,” Rui chuckled softly, reaching out to gently pull Tsukasa’s hands away from his face.
"This isn't funny, Rui!" Tsukasa exclaimed, the memory of their classmates' teasing words still ringing in his ears. “They took pictures, Rui! Pictures! This is going to be all over the class group chat, and who knows where else!”
Rui’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Maybe, but it’s not like we were caught doing anything scandalous. We were just...cuddling.”
“Just cuddling?” Tsukasa repeated incredulously. “Rui! I-I have a reputation to uphold you know!”
Rui chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Tsukasa's hair. "You worry too much, Tsukasa-kun. They’ll forget about it soon enough. Besides, look on the bright side—you’re now the most popular person on the trip."
“That's not exactly a consolation,” Tsukasa huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
Rui chuckled again, his eyes softening. "I promise, it’ll blow over soon. And if it doesn’t, I’ll just have to come up with something even more dramatic to distract them."
Tsukasa couldn’t help but smile at that. "You would, wouldn’t you?"
"Absolutely," Rui said, his grin widening.
Rui sat up fully, swinging his legs off the futon, before looking back to Tsukasa. "Shall we go get breakfast? I’m quite hungry."
Tsukasa glared at him for a moment longer before slowly nodding, unable to deny his own hunger any longer.
Rui swiftly stood up with an exaggerated stretch, before, holding out his hand to Tsukasa with a small smile. Tsukasa hesitated for a moment, his cheeks still tinged with embarrassment. But then, he sighed inwardly and reached out, allowing Rui to pull him to his feet. As he stood up, he felt Rui’s warmth close to him, their hands intertwined. It was a small gesture, but it made Tsukasa feel oddly comforted. "Thanks..." he muttered awkwardly.
Rui simply smiled in response, squeezing Tsukasa's hand once more before letting go. As he turned to begin walking towards the door, Tsukasa suddenly stopped him, his hand on Rui's arm.
“Hey…”
Rui turned back to him, curious. “Hm?”
Tsukasa quickly glanced left and right, making sure they were truly alone, before turning back to Rui. Then, without another word, he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss on Rui’s lips.
It was quick, barely more than a peck, but it left Rui standing there, stunned as a flush quickly crept up his neck.
"I'll, uh...see you at breakfast," Tsukasa spluttered before rushing out of the room, leaving Rui frozen behind him.
"Tsukasa-kun! Wait up!"