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After patrols have ended, and they’ve said their respective goodbyes, Suo touches his hand gently to Sakura’s, then slips his hand in his, intertwining their fingers. Sakura jumps and looks at him quizzically, “we’re outside.”
“But the day is over, right?” Suo says, eye a deep crimson and twinkling, “I want to spend time with my boyfriend now, is that so bad?”
Sakura blushes to the tips of his ears. Suo really says these things with the straightest of faces. Whatever. He lets Suo hold his hand, as they walk down the shopping street, heading in the direction of Sakura’s apartment. He even squeezes his hand a little.
“Haruka-kun,” Suo suddenly says, prompting the other boy to look over, startled at the use of his name, “can I come over today?”
Sakura isn’t as easily surprised by this request anymore. They’ve been “together” for slightly over a month now, and the other boy has come over to his home on several occasions just to hang out. Aside from school and patrol duties, they usually spend most of their free time with the rest of his classmates, or with the Bofurin gang. They admittedly do not get a lot of “alone time”.
He nods in assent, cheeks still pinking at Suo’s bright smile in response, despite himself.
Once at home, Suo invites himself in like it’s natural. He arranges his shoes neatly next to Sakura’s at the entranceway, drops his school bag in a corner together with Sakura’s belongings, and washes his hands before stepping into Sakura’s living space. From there, he takes off his Furin jacket and hangs it on a hanger Sakura hands him. (He’s the one who brought hangers for Sakura in the first place).
While Sakura uses the bathroom, Suo settles himself into Sakura’s futon, pushed up against the far wall, sitting with his back against said wall and takes out a book he’s been reading. Sakura comes out to find him in this position, after changing out of his school clothes into an oversized shirt and dark shorts.
Suo smiles up at him, arms opened wide in invitation. After a beat of hesitation, his face flushing, Sakura seats himself in the space left open, between Suo’s legs, his back against Suo’s chest. It’s snug, and it’s warm. He can feel the other boy’s fringe touching his face as he shifts, his tassel earring resting on Sakura’s shoulder. When Suo asks if he’s comfortable, he can feel Suo’s breath tickling his neck. Sakura nods, body still tense.
A minute passes as they shift and move to get properly settled, and then Suo goes back to the novel he’s reading with one hand, his other resting warm on Sakura’s belly. Immediately, Sakura feels the tension fizzle out, as he leans his weight fully on Suo’s solid frame. He takes out his phone and starts scrolling through his messages, typing slow replies to the group chat and to Nirei’s individual chat. Distantly, he hears the buzzing vibration from Suo’s phone as well, pinging in their class chatroom. And another, and then another.
Suo doesn’t reach for his phone, instead looking over Sakura’s shoulder to read his message, and then the subsequent flurry of responses. Quietly, they discuss the shenanigans happening. Tsugeura is raving about some new protein powder, and Nirei is asking questions. Sakura posts one message, telling Nirei he should work on his fighting skill before building muscle, and Nirei agrees enthusiastically. Kiryu then asks suo-chan is being awfully quiet today, where’s your master nire-chan?
Without thinking, Sakura types out he’s here. The moment the message is sent through, he hears Suo huff a soft chuckle behind him. Immediately, he gets rapidfire pings in the chat, from all of his so called ‘friends’. Oh~ hi suo-chan~ followed by an obnoxious heart emoji, and it’s very virtuous of you to be deepening your friendship! And sakura-san, suo-san! Good evening!
Sakura nearly drops his phone out of shock and embarrassment, fingers trembling. Thankfully, this was in the smaller chatroom that Kiryu set up for just the handful of them. Their closest friends know of them getting together, but they get a real kick out of seeing their grade captain flustered whenever the topic comes around, especially Kiryu.
Suo plucks Sakura’s cell out of his hands and types in a response himself. Hello everyone, good evening, then a smiley emoji, Sakura-kun is completely red right now. Like one of Umemiya-san’s tomatoes. Then a tomato sticker. The others all follow suit by sending the same sticker, much to Sakura’s dismay, and he shows it as much through a grunt and pout.
“You think you’re so funny, Suo Hayato,” he says lowly through gritted teeth. Suo just laughs, passing his phone back to him.
“I think I’m hilarious, don’t you agree?” He even winks, which looks stupid, because he does so with his one good eye, but it still makes Sakura’s stomach do a weird flip against his will. Get it together, Sakura, you’ve known this guy for more than a year and a half now! It’s way late in the game to be still getting the butterflies.
Somewhat satisfied by Sakura’s non-response, Suo turns back to his book, quieting down to focus his eye on the tiny text Sakura can see from this distance. He watches Suo read for a bit, watches him expertly turn the page with one hand before Sakura could even skim to the end of said page. The words are so small as he squints.
“Is that fun?” He finally asks.
“It is,” Suo replies smoothly, bringing the book closer and more centered, so that Sakura can read it easier, “it’s a murder mystery, and it’s just getting to the twist. So if you’re planning on reading this later, Haruka-kun, I suggest looking away otherwise you will get spoiled on who the real mastermind is.”
Sakura scrunches his nose cutely, brows furrowing as he leans his head back against Suo’s shoulder, “nah, ain’t gonna do that. You can just tell me. The words are too damn little.”
Suo tuts, his free hand moving to run long, cool fingers through Sakura’s hair, “reading is an honorable skill, Haruka-kun, you should pick it up.”
Sakura grunts in disagreement, but doesn’t say more. Instead, he opens up a game on his phone, the volume turned down so as to not disturb Suo’s reading. The continued pressure on his hair is soothing, his eyes are starting to shut.
“Fuck yeah,” he suddenly says, softly. Suo looks over to see his phone screen showing a score in the thousands, with bright colors and flashing symbols. He takes a screenshot (Suo taught him how, months ago) and opens up Nirei’s private chatroom. “Beat that!” He sends the text, and Nirei replies with a string of shocked then crying then burning eyes emojis. Sakura chuckles in amusement.
It’s all very cute and doing little squeezes to Suo’s chest.
Another ten minutes pass like this, in relative silence. Sakura has abandoned his phone, in favor of closing his eyes and leaning back fully onto Suo, relishing in the constant petting of his hair. The sky outside is darkening, painting hues of oranges and pinks. It’s quiet where he lives. He’s going to fall asleep.
Suo lets him doze for another fifteen minutes, before he’s closing his book and putting it down. He watches Sakura like this, docile and comfortable, peaceful and unguarded. He feels pride bloom in his chest unrestrained, that he is where Sakura can find such solace in. A boy of 17, wrapped safely in his arms.
As the sky darkens some more, he finally deems it late enough. Gently, he shakes Sakura awake, delighting in the bleary eyed look he gets in return. “Hello, Haruka-kun, how about we make some dinner?”
Sakura ponders the question, then turns his head to look him in the eye. “You’re gonna cook?” Suo nods. He cannot help himself, he circles his arms around Sakura’s middle, very respectfully maintaining above his clothes. “Okay,” Sakura says, “you better eat too.” Suo just smiles.
He knows there are some leftover supplies in Sakura’s fridge, since he came over a couple of days ago to drop off groceries, against Sakura’s complaints. Suo grabs the mushrooms, and two eggs, and a pack of Sakura’s favourite brand of ramen noodles and fires up the stove. It’s a simple affair. Suo isn’t an extravagant cook by any means, and would normally suggest they eat out. But today felt like a stay in sort of dinner, with how soft Sakura looked.
Sakura hovers over him, helping him to crack the eggs, and picks out the utensils (two sets, Suo had brought them over a while ago). They eat from the pot, sitting across from each other on the small dining table (this was given to him by Kiryu a long time ago). More specifically, Sakura eats, while Suo nurses a mug of hot tea that he prepared for himself.
(“It’s my-”
“-diet, I know,” Sakura interrupts, “can you just eat some? For me?”
Suo has not the heart to reject those words. He eats two spoonfuls of noodle and soup.)
At his insistence, Suo lets Sakura do the washing, while he dries and puts the cutlery away. He turns to look at the wall clock mounted above the fridge (he did it for Sakura), and takes note that it is fast approaching 7pm.
“It’s getting late, I should go,” he says, making to grab his belongings when Sakura stops him.
“Y-you’re not staying over?”
Suo feels his eye widen despite himself.
“I mean, if you want to! O-or not!” Sakura backpedals, pinpricks of familiar insecurity rises up under his skin. Why had he assumed? He just…but…is it wrong to? “I just thought, I mean, it’s Friday, and we don’t have school or anything tomorrow…unless you have something to do. Of course, yeah, you have something don’t you. I’m sorry, like, I just thought, you know-”
“Haruka,” Suo cuts him off. Sakura has to physically chew on his bottom lip to stop himself from rambling, “-kun,” he adds, politely, “I’d love to stay over. Are you okay with me staying over?”
Sakura isn’t sure anymore, averting his eyes. Maybe he’s being selfish?
“Let me try that again.” Suo clears his throat, holding Sakura’s hands so that the boy would look up at him, “can I stay over tonight, Haruka?” He watches, as the redness crawls up Sakura’s neck, from the low collar of his homewear shirt, all the way up to his ears. It’s so cute.
He’s so lovely. Suo Hayato is devastated, utterly destroyed.
“T-that’s what couples…do…right?” Sakura’s voice is smaller than he expected, “a-and we’re a couple…” he trails off.
Suo smiles then, lacing the fingers of both their hands together tightly, “yes we are!” He sing-songs. Sakura sputters angrily, stop making fun of me!
But Suo pays him no mind, he’s literally on cloud nine, fighting the high from his lover asking him to stay over like it’s the most natural thing to do. Ah, what would he do. “I’ll have to run to the store to grab some essentials, I’ll be right back.”
“What do you need?” Sakura interjects quickly, “I kept the toothbrush you used from two weeks ago,” he says, shifting his weight from foot to foot, “and I can lend you…c-clothes…”
Over the moon. In absolute bliss. Suo smiles again, “aww you didn’t throw out the toothbrush?”
“Why would I? You’re gonna come over again anyways…” Sakura’s voice is tinny as it trails off, yet again. His face is flushing so prettily, Suo thinks this should be unfair, unhealthy for his heart.
Physically incapable of holding back from teasing, he grins, “and you will lend me underwear? My, Haruka-kun, how bold of you.”
“T-that!” Sakura yelps, stabbing a finger into Suo’s chest, “they’re all clean! Okay!”
Delighted by this response, Suo doesn’t push him further. He dutifully draws the bath, then lets Sakura use it first, despite his protests.
(“You’re the guest.”
“It’s your house.”)
While staring at his toothbrush in a cup left on the bathroom sink, Suo makes a mental list of items he should bring over the next time, and leave over. A set of sleepwear, underwear, some toiletries. As much as he loved the idea of sharing Sakura’s clothes, the boxers are fitting a bit snugly on his slightly more filled out frame.
One day, he pictures them sharing everything. From living space, to a bed, to the same scented body soap and shampoo.
If Sakura would have him, he would never leave.
Coming out, he finds Sakura already lounging in his futon, flipping through a volume of Jump aimlessly. Kiryu had lent his copy to him today, after Sakura had expressed interest in one of the mangas he was following. He looks up when he hears Suo’s feet pad over, shyly acknowledges the white medical eyepatch Suo has switched out for instead of the black leather he wears during the day.
Suo carries a spare with him always, and he does take it off when sleeping. But he hasn’t done that many times in Sakura’s presence. The last time he slept over was to tutor Sakura for an upcoming exam, and Sakura had fallen asleep before him, then woken after he had the next morning.
“You know, you don’t have to, like,” Sakura waves a hand in the air in the general direction of his right eye, hoping that the other gets the message.
Even though Suo knows it already, that Sakura would never judge him for his appearances or his quirkiness, it still warms his heart. He kneels down next to the futon, neatly tucking his legs under him with his eye closed, before opening it, half lidded and pointing one finger at his eye patch, “are you sure, Haruka-kun? Are you sure you can handle the truth?”
“What?”
“The source of all my powers…are you sure you’re ready for it?” He leans in close, into Sakura’s space, smiling mysteriously.
“Hayato, I swear,” Sakura’s right hand pushes gently at Suo’s face, palm against the silly grin. Suo’s heart does a little happy jump, that’s the first time he’s heard his name the whole day, “you’re so full of shit.” There is no bite behind the insult at all, unlike a year ago, when they were still feeling each other out, discovering each other’s depths.
Sakura pouts, cheeks heating up yet again. He reaches his hand upwards towards Suo’s ear, finger going under the white tie of the eyepatch. A tug and it would come loose. Yet, he pauses, looks directly into Suo’s eye for silent permission, which Suo grants with a little nod. Suo sits up, shuffling closer, and reaches his own hands back to untie the knot, pulling the material off and putting his trust into Sakura’s hands completely.
The other teen looks at him, studies the scar tissue stretched across a sealed shut lid, at Suo’s averted gaze and slightly pinched brow. Sakura wouldn’t judge him, Suo knows this, but even then, he cannot help the urge to fidget in his boyfriend’s hold. And hold him he did. Sakura reaches his other hand up too, to squeeze Suo’s cheeks and capture his attention. He’s pouting up a storm, for some reason, and before Suo can ask why, Sakura had tugged him forward to press a kiss smack dab on his lips. Then again, and then once more on Suo’s chin, before letting go and flopping down on his bed.
“Go to sleep, stupid,” is all Suo gets.
Quietly, Suo thinks again as he observes the pink tips of Sakura’s ears, that no matter how strong he trains to become, he is no match for his beloved.
He stands to turn off the room lights, plunging them into semi darkness. Moonlight streams in through Sakura’s window, the curtains (courtesy of Nirei) having been pulled aside. Suo slips into Sakura’s futon behind him, familiar, and wraps an arm around Sakura’s middle, prompting him to shift and shuffle backwards, fitting himself into Suo’s hold like a puzzle piece slotting into place.
Like this, under the guise of night, Sakura can hide the blush high on his cheeks, can turn around suddenly to face his surprised boyfriend. In the dark, he brushes aside Suo’s fringe covering his bad eye, touches the side of Suo’s face. He doesn’t comment on the vulnerability showing through, unhindered by the person Suo tries so hard to be when the sun is shining.
“It’s gnarly, right?” Suo chuckles, holding Sakura’s hand and pulling it down to a kiss the center of his palm.
Sakura tugs, lifting his head and closing their distance so he can press his lips across the scar, before swallowing Suo’s responding gasp with feverish kisses. When he finally pulls back, breathless and tomato red, he buries his nose into the crook of Suo’s neck, finger reaching up to pinch and massage Suo’s bare ear lobe.
“‘s kinda cool,” he mutters, “ancient curse and all that.”
It takes a while for Suo to recover from the shock, eventually, chuckling brightly but quietly. He gathers the boy in his arms tight, gives silent thanks to whatever higher being watching over him and granting him the miracle in the form of Sakura Haruka.
As long as Sakura wants him, he’ll never let him go.