Chapter Text
“It's very cozy here.”
Shogo says it without even believing what he's saying or seeing. He's known Kei for three years, and all that time he's completely ignored the material world. His room in their shared home was empty and ascetic, without the slightest decoration that would change this sterile atmosphere.
The house that 1Nm8 moved into was spacious, clean and bright. And, most importantly, full of various small, but so cute details that make it seem really vivid.
“This is...for Itsuki and Rokuta,” Kei mumbles quietly, looking at the cute doggie statue on the shelf. “I don't pay much attention to such things, but I wanted to create a homely atmosphere for them.”
Shogo can't hold his smile back when he hears those words. Kei had always had that gentle, caring nature, but now it was as if he was no longer afraid to show it to others.
It makes a sad feeling somewhere in his heart, despite the fact that they've already set the stage. Some part of him selfishly wants to turn back the clock and be cheekier, more stubborn, give Kei more attention, showing that he can be sincere with him. That he can trust VISTY not just as temporary coworkers, but as loving friends. That he can trust him, his actual boyfriend, even though they never revealed their relationship to others because of their work as idols.
Maybe then he wouldn't have left like that, silently, without a word to anyone. Then they wouldn't have had to part for long, painful months, full of frustration and misunderstandings.
And maybe, just maybe, Kei wouldn't have left him at all.
Though now, after all the truth, after all the revelations, it's painfully obvious that Kei would have left them anyway. Simply because he believes too much in their own way to be drawn into something as dangerous as the destruction of the phantom metal culture.
Shogo realizes he's been thinking too much when his palm is covered by Kei's soft and gentle hand in an affectionate, comforting touch. He lifts his gaze, facing the gray eyes staring at him anxiously, the orange glow in them painfully reminiscent of miniature suns.
Man, sometimes he seems too beautiful for this world. There's a reason his illusion is angel wings.
“I'm... so happy you have each other,” Shogo finally responds, squeezing Kei's hand gently and bringing it up to his face, kissing it weightlessly.
Kei watches, mesmerized, then shakes his head slightly.
“I'm happy about that, too,” and after a short pause, he adds, heartfelt and so painfully honest. “And I'm also happy that we are together again.”
Kei had always been elusive, unreal, as if he weren't a person but a mirage in the desert. A cloud drifting in the sky that would change shape in a minute. Too beautiful to be real. Too distant to be understood by anyone. And yet, the more you get to know him, the more you see how much of Kei is really humane, hiding under the indestructible shell of perfection.
That is why the fact that Kei can now allow himself to be sincere and trusting with him, can allow himself to lean on him, to openly show tenderness and affection, all of it hits him right in the heart.
Shogo swallows, trying to keep himself in check, because he feels like just a little bit more and he'll be standing there with a smile stretched from ear to ear like a total fool. So he only wraps his arms around his lover's fragile waist and pulls him close.
“Oh, Kei…” he felt his voice shaking again with excitement. “I missed you so much. You have no idea... You're such a fool.”
Kei is silent for a while, only stroking the arms around him with his usual softness before wrapping his arms around his neck in return.
“I'm sorry,” he answers quietly, looking into his eyes before leaning his cheek against his shoulder. The closeness and intimacy of the moment makes Shogo feel like his head might spin. “Thank you for waiting for stupid me.”
He chuckles softly, and that gentle, brook-like laugh seeps into Shogo's heart like another memory he'll cherish.
“How could I not?”
Shogo joins Kei's laughter.
Yes, they missed out on a lot of things because of stupid misunderstandings, but now they have all the time in the world ahead of them to share it with each other and create many new happy memories.
For example, right now, while Rokuta and Itsuki are not home, Shogo wants to steal some of the most tender and affectionate kisses in the world from his boyfriend's lips. And he's absolutely not going to deny himself that.