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NONSENSE
Oh, to be the wind caressing feathery streaks of pearly white hair, Takiishi thinks, and time slows down so drastically he’s convinced their surroundings have long melted into insignificant blur.
How is it that the sun can make such gorgeous glisten over crystal blue?
‘’-kiishi!’’ Ocean eyes are now swirling with mild concern, and then there’s a pinch of amusement, and Takiishi’s heartbeat stumbles. Oh, he’s down bad bad.
No one’s gotta know just how bad, right? It might as well be no more than a teenage fling. If he’s decided Umemiya will belong to him and him only the first day he’s been introduced to his new class, that’s Takiishi’s business and only his. In the end, he’s got what he wanted.. so what’s it to anyone?
‘’Hey, you’re supposed to dodge,’’ Umemiya’s voice tickles in his ears, with his flexed hand coming to an abrupt halt mid-air just before his lower arm had made impact over the side of Takiishi’s neck. Takiishi rolls his eyes in mock exaggeration, as if using it as wordless explanation for his nonexistent deflection.
He resorts to clearing his throat, like that’d save whatever nonchalance he’s trying to convey. The tall blonde breathes out an airy chuckle, posture relaxing to run his hand through his hair with a dramatized sigh.
‘’You know, the point of material arts is kind of to focus on your opponent,’’ Takiishi’s face turns beet red with that, because oh, if Umemiya only knew just how very uselessly focused he was. Not that he’d ever admit it straight up.
Maybe he does know, if the teasing click of his tongue is anything to go by.
‘’Not like that, oi.. Takiishi, if you keep falling into my charms we’re never gonna get a nice fight out of this,’’
Ah, so annoying.
Why did Takiishi ask to be shown Aikido again?
His nose gives a dismayed scrunch, sharp eyes daring to flick up to meet Umemiya’s as he scoffs. ‘’If I’m such a bad student then go show off to someone else,’’ He takes a step closer, batting his lashes up at the taller man sweetly in the persuasive way that usually has everyone else fold. Everyone but Umemiya, his boyfriend, of course, but Takiishi sees the quirk to his lips and the dare in his eyes. ‘’That’s what you’re doing, isn’t it? With your stupid grin,’’ His index finger gives an accusative prod square into the middle of Umemiya’s strong chest, watching as his slitted brow quirks up in sheer amusement.
‘’No, but even if I was, I’m pretty sure you’d get me into trouble if I were to show off to anyone but you,’’ Ume supplies smugly, earning himself a levelling glare from the fiery haired man whose cheeks now just so happen to be sprinkled pink. Yet again. Infuriatingly.
They’ve been dating for a month tops, but starting with a silly tussle two days after Takiishi had moved into town half a year ago their fate was pretty much sealed – or so everyone else said, because they’d never seen Umemiya throw fists with such awestruck calculation and they’d never seen anyone take Umemiya down. Takiishi did, however, not simply take him down – he took him down with a devious smile gracing the streak of blood that had dribbled down his nose. It was euphoria in a way Takiishi has never experienced before, and will never experience again.
That day, Umemiya helped him up with a beaming grin and unspoken peace offering that held straightforward invitation in his eyes, despite the way Takiishi had swatted his hand away.
Come be a part of Furin – so be it, here they are.
‘’I’d do no such thing.’’ Takiishi counters, feigned nonchalance lacing his voice. Umemiya merely gives a flat hum. ‘’Yeah, just like you didn’t that one time a girl dared to look at me and smile.’’
‘’That wasn’t even half of what I’m capable of, she deserved the entirety of my strawberry milk dumped over her head. I only gave her half.’’
‘’Right, has anyone ever told you about impulse control and rational notions and the benefits of using such has?’’
Yes, you, so many times, mister stuck up sooo grown up.
He doesn’t need to say it for his demeanor speaks loud and clear. Takiishi’s eyes roll comically, hand reaching up to gently cup at Umemiya’s chin which then he uses to shake the blonde’s head no slowly. ‘’You’re the only person who has the guts to try putting me into my place, Ume. Will you ever learn?’’
‘’..you really do need to work on your temper, you know. I’m just saying, throwing stuff at people won’t solve misunderstandings on the long run…’’
Takiishi’s lips curl up into a sugary sweet smile yet again, arms thrown up over Umemiya’s shoulders to scoot flush up against the taller man’s chest. He takes a moment to observe the way his nose bridge comes to a pretty point, the way his jawline is so, so magnificently carved – sculptured like Greek art, putting absolute nonsense into his mind for all Takiishi wants to do is kiss and love and nuzzle.
Huh?
Ridiculous. The way Umemiya is the first person who’s managed to break through his façade, who’s set ablaze another desire besides the one to stand above whoever crosses his path. The only person who’s come this close to make Takiishi feel.
What were they talking about again? Oops.
‘’Yeah yeah, since we’re talking about improving stuff, you need to spoil me more. Start by buying me melon ice cream.’’
There’s a flicker of conflict over Umemiya’s features – it ‘s not the first time Ume has told him he’s got stuff to work on, seriously, but Takiishi knows it won’t be last time he’ll wrap the smitten man around his finger and make him forget whatever responsible thought he’s had. It wouldn’t matter, ever, because Takiishi’s issues with himself won’t get in the way of what they have.. right?
Not even if Ume becomes the head of Furin with a clear goal in mind, one he’s disclosed to Takiishi many times, one Takiishi can’t quite grasp.
‘’Softserve or conbini?’’ Ume’s palms gently curl around Takiishi’s petite waist and there’s no further attempt at making any of this a thing, Takiishi’s grin wide enough to cutely bunch up the apples of his cheeks. ‘’Conbini.. duh.’’
With his popsicle in hand and Umemiya’s strong hands serving as support to his weight Takiishi’s chin is propped up on the taller’s shoulder, gazing at the pinkish purple sky above them with the sun having begun to set. ‘’Happy now, your highness?’’ Ume jokes, playfulness crinkling in the corner of his eyes.
As happy as can be, as long as I get to be with you, he thinks, but his tongue turns into cotton when filling his vision is the gentle glow of deep orange illuminating Ume’s features, his sparkling eyes, gazing back at him as if anticipating a sappy response. It fills his heart with something fiery, something wild and free, a sensation he can’t fathom nor tame.
Cute aggression some may want to call it. Takiishi calls it infuriating.
Thus, his response comes in the form of shoving the popsicle past Ume’s pink lips, relentlessly, for the blonde male to choke out a muffled laughter, the sound so melodic and peaceful it’s all Takiishi needs for his racing mind to still, for his heart to drown in sweet serenity. He clicks his tongue in mock dismiss, cheeks flushing crimson as his head drops into the crook of Ume’s warm neck where he savors his distinctive cologne.
‘’You’re gross.’’
‘’Hah, what was that? You want me to drop you?’’ It’s a silly threat, muffled around the popsicle between Umemiya’s lips. Takiishi splutters.
‘’Wha--, hey! Dumba-,’’ It’s followed by a soft yelp, his feet landing on the floor with a small thud and caramel eyes shooting piercing daggers up Ume’s own. Almost as if to ask for a smack across the face, said man’s brow gives a provocative quirk – why, with that stupid melon popsicle pulled past his lips around a soft pop before the icy treat is prodding over Takiishi’s pursed lips.
‘’If that’s not what you asked for then what’d you say, Takiishi?’’ He asks around a taunting grin, toothy and wide enough to rival the blaring sun, eyes soft enough to get Takiishi’s frantic heart stumbling. He crosses his arms over his chest with a petulant huff. It’s so unfair – because he can’t think of a witty reply, no, he can’t think at all, when Umemiya looks at him with endearment and warmth on a scale he’s never found within anyone’s eyes before.
His lips do eventually part, but stubbornly he takes a sharp bite off the popsicle as if making a show of his silly tantrum. Umemiya’s lips press into a thin line to seemingly stifle yet another chuckle.
‘’Shut up, you know what I said. I said you’re gross, for sweettalking me.’’
‘’You could just admit it makes you feel a little something for a change, you know.’’
‘’Like what? Punching your stupid face?’’
Umemiya gasps, free hand coming up to his chest as if crucially wounded by Takiishi’s cruel word choice. ‘’Now now..,’’
‘’I really should, for putting all that nonsense into my mind, you know.’’ Takiishi states matter-of-factly, voice contemplative as casually he leans in to take another bite off the popsicle in Umemiya’s hand. ‘’Everyone always thinks I’ve got attitude, but they haven’t seen yours.’’ He adds, cunning gaze flicking up to meet Umemiya’s crystal eyes with a flicker of amusement glazing them over.
‘’That’s cause it’s only for you to see.’’ The taller man retorts softly, voice no more than a secretive whisper, and Takiishi’s eyes widen with the surge of burning heat now colouring his face red to the tips of his ears. He tries to huff out a scoff, but with Ume’s gentle fingers cupping over his jaw the notion falls molded into a defeated little whine.
Long lashes flutter close with the soft warmth flush to his lips before he can come up with a feisty comeback and oh, Takiishi melts like the sticky remains of his stupid melon popsicle in Ume’s free hand, his own fingertips affectionate up the taller man’s nape before curling loosely around a few strands of snowy hair. Their kiss is sweet, a constant battle for the upper hand until Umemiya gives in and let’s Takiishi have his little victory – sealed with a delicate peck to his bottom lip, softened by young love.
They part eventually, if only for Ume to note the sugary trail of melted melon ice cream down his arm and Takiishi thinks yeah, me too, feeling no more than a puddle, freed of all his inner turmoil at the cusp of giddy bliss sprung out of their time together.
He doesn’t muse on whether it would last forever, because he knows he won’t be if not by Ume’s side.
‘’Stay the night, my parents aren’t home,’’ It’s not a suggestion, it’s more of a demand, and Umemiya tosses the tissue and wooden stick into the nearby trashcan with a soft smile before his fingers delicately slip in between Takiishi’s to lace their hands together.
‘’When are they ever home,’’ The blonde man supplies, half joking, half serious, and Takiishi’s shoulder is nudged to his with a feisty smile before tugging the taller man along. ‘’You should be happy they’re not, or else your stupid tomato plant farm in our garden would be long gone.’’