Work Text:
Kikuchihara Jin was the most bizarre person Ichikawa Giichi had met.
He was a mess of emotions, tactless and unbearably embarrassing - all of which were negative traits most of the time.
Yet Ichikawa didn't feel the slightest bit uncomfortable with Kikuchihara's presence, and his eventual confession. It was surprising, sure, and almost nerve-wrecking to think about at first, but perhaps it was his authenticity which drew him in. Despite Kikuchihara's usually laid-off attitude, he's never been more serious when it came to Ichikawa.
Before long, he's found himself attached to him as well, and just the casual thought of Kikuchihara leaving high school soon felt more and more burdensome as the days passed. It wasn't like he was actively thinking about it, but it would just squeeze into his thoughts just as his guard was down.
'To take things as they come' - sure, they agreed on that, but...
"-- kawa. Ichikawa!" A tap on his shoulder startled him. Ichikawa jerked up, his spectacles almost sliding from his face from the sudden movement. "Huh?"
"You okay? You've been stuck at that page for a while now. And you didn't respond when I spoke to you..." Kikuchihara tilted his head. "What is it? Can't get me out of your head?"
"W... What." Ichikawa's eyes visibly widened, his blush becoming increasingly apparent as he looked away. "Don't flatter yourself."
"What's with that reaction? Were you really thinking about me?" The other's expression twisted from surprise to a pleased one. He sat beside him, grinning like a Cheshire cat, their shoulders touching.
"Hey, Kikuchihara." Ichikawa begun, "After you graduate... We won't be able to meet as frequently."
Kikuchihara froze for a moment, and then firmly nodded. "Yeah."
"And you'll be busy with other things."
"Uh-huh."
"While I'm still here."
"Don't tell me... You're feeling down because of this?"
He nodded. "Of course I'd be. I know I said not to stress about it, but. Whenever the couples have a long distance relationship in a BL manga, it almost never--"
"Ah, ah," Kikuchihara cut in, "That's where it differs. We're not reading BL manga now, and we don't have to follow those tropes. I could always come back to visit the film club... Or drop by your place, like I'm doing now. I'll even drag you out to Kyushu during holiday periods just to spend time with you." He grinned. "We don't have to behave like a paper cut out BL couple, do we? I'll make time even if I don't have it."
Ichikawa felt his cheeks burn. His heart was pounding so loudly that he was sure Kikuchihara was just pretending not to notice. It was strange how his worries faded away like that, almost as though it never existed to begin with - and he could feel his entire body relaxing as Kikuchihara grasped his hand.
"So stop thinking about those tropes and just answer me truthfully, Ichikawa Giichi - do you think that I'll let you go just like that? After you stole my heart? Hmm?"
He's being awfully serious right now. It's a far cry from his usual cool, charming look, but this expression made him unable to tear his eyes away.
Ichikawa said nothing, his face blaring bright red as he shook his head. How was it possible that his mind could be reeling yet empty whenever it concerned Kikuchihara? He couldn't understand.
"You're right. I'm keeping you hostage." The other playfully murmured. "After all, how am I supposed to let such a lovable and cute boyfriend like you go?"
"You're... Seriously too embarrassing." Ichikawa complained, pulling away to hide his face. Cute HOW? And was the usage of words like 'hostage' deliberate, because Ichikawa revealed that he was reading a BDSM manga a while back? That cunning smooth-talker...!
With the way he was described, it'd probably seem like Kikuchihara was just throwing together words to fluster him. But his gaze was anything but lackluster, throwing him off guard. It was frankly impossible to even think he was joking like this.
"Well, that settles it. I'll come disturb you whenever I can. I'd have you know I'm very demanding when it comes to spoken and physical affection, so -- "
"Stop, hold on! Who dumps this kind of info first thing into the relationship?"
"Me, of course." Kikuchihara grinned as he planted a kiss on the back of his palm. "I like you, so I want to always be close to you. That's only fair, right?"