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1.
The dorm was unusually quiet that evening. Most of their members were either out for schedules or holed up in their rooms, but Yushi was in the living room, half-buried in a mountain of freshly laundered clothes.
The scent of fabric softener lingered in the air as he methodically folded a hoodie, smoothing out the wrinkles with careful hands. It wasn't even all his-somewhere along the way, he had started folding the others' clothes too, a habit he picked up from the sheer chaos of shared dorm life. If he didn't do it, someone would leave their stuff in the dryer until it became a wrinkled mess.
As he worked through the pile, he heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. A moment later, Riku appeared in his periphery, dressed in a pair of sweatpants and one of Yushi's old hoodies, the sleeves just slightly too long on him. His damp hair clung to his forehead, fresh from a shower.
Riku didn't say anything at first. He simply stood there, watching as Yushi folded another shirt, the movements precise and almost subconscious. After a beat, he let out a quiet hum and dropped onto the couch beside him.
"Need help?"
Yushi glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You offering?"
Riku shrugged. "You look like you could use it."
Without waiting for a response, he reached for one of the shirts and started folding, copying Yushi's movements with surprising ease. Yushi watched him out of the corner of his eye, slightly amused.
"You don't have to," he murmured, but Riku only gave him a small look before continuing.
"Too late. I already started."
Yushi huffed a soft laugh and shook his head, returning to his own task. They fell into an easy rhythm-Yushi folding his own shirts, Riku handling hoodies and sweatpants. Occasionally, they'd accidentally reach for the same piece of clothing at the same time, their fingers brushing briefly before one of them wordlessly gave in.
The silence between them wasn't awkward. If anything, it was comfortable, the kind of silence that came from knowing someone long enough that words weren't always necessary.
Halfway through the pile, Yushi realized something.
Riku wasn't just folding his own clothes. He was folding Yushi's too.
He blinked, watching as Riku neatly folded one of his stage outfits, smoothing it out with the same careful attention he gave to his own things. Yushi had seen him be meticulous about many things-choreography, songwriting, organizing his shelves-but this was different.
"You're doing my laundry too now?" he asked, amused.
Riku didn't even look up. "You did mine first."
Yushi paused. Had he? He glanced at the neatly stacked pile beside him and realized, yeah, he had been folding Riku's clothes without a second thought.
It was such a small, thoughtless thing, but it settled something warm in his chest.
They kept going, neither of them acknowledging the way their natural instinct was to take care of each other.
At one point, Riku reached over and adjusted the way Yushi had folded a hoodie, making the edges line up perfectly. Yushi shot him a mildly offended look. "Are you fixing my folding?"
Riku, completely unbothered, nodded. "Yeah. It was uneven."
Yushi scoffed, nudging his knee against Riku's. "You're ridiculous."
"And yet, you let me do it," Riku pointed out.
Yushi rolled his eyes but didn't argue. They continued like that, occasionally bickering over who was better at folding, only for it to dissolve into quiet laughter and the sound of fabric rustling.
It was only when Sakuya wandered into the living room, rubbing his eyes sleepily, that they were snapped out of their little bubble.
The younger member stopped in his tracks, blinking at them. His gaze flickered from the pile of perfectly folded laundry to the way Yushi and Riku were sitting way too close, their shoulders brushing every time one of them moved. A slow grin spread across his face.
"Oh my god," Sakuya snickered. "You two look like a married couple."
Riku and Yushi both froze.
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Yushi glanced at Riku, who was staring at the laundry like it had suddenly betrayed him. He could almost see the exact moment Riku processed Sakuya's words-the slight stiffening of his shoulders, the subtle exhale through his nose.
Yushi was the first to recover. He turned back to Sakuya, deadpan. "Go back to sleep."
Sakuya only smirked, clearly pleased with himself, before trudging toward the kitchen in search of a late-night snack.
As soon as he was gone, Yushi glanced at Riku again. The other was still looking at the laundry, an unreadable expression on his face.
"...Married couple, huh?" Yushi teased lightly, nudging Riku's knee again.
Riku finally looked up, meeting his gaze. His expression softened, lips twitching into the smallest smile. "At least we're efficient."
Yushi laughed, the warmth in his chest settling a little deeper.
They finished the laundry in silence, but the moment lingered-quiet, familiar, and undeniably theirs.
2.
The dorm was out of snacks. This was a crisis.
Yushi stared at the empty snack shelf in the kitchen, arms crossed, expression grave. The last bag of chips was gone. The chocolate stash? Wiped out. The emergency cup noodles? Completely ravaged.
It was moments like this that made him question his group's survival skills.
"They eat like wild animals," he muttered to himself, shutting the cabinet with more force than necessary.
"Talking to yourself again?"
Yushi turned to see Riku leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He was wearing one of his usual oversized hoodies, his dark hair slightly tousled like he had just rolled out of bed.
Yushi narrowed his eyes. "Did you eat the last of the chips?"
Riku blinked, then shrugged. "Maybe."
Yushi exhaled sharply. "You're unbelievable."
"We have other food."
"No, we don't." Yushi opened the fridge dramatically, gesturing toward the bleak sight of a few stray vegetables, a half-eaten yogurt, and some leftover takeout from two days ago. "This is what's left of civilization, Riku."
Riku snorted. "You're so dramatic."
Yushi turned to him, deadly serious. "You don't understand. If we don't restock, Sakuya's gonna start eating my protein bars again, and I can't live through that kind of betrayal twice."
That got a laugh out of Riku. He shook his head, stuffing his hands into his hoodie pocket. "Fine. Let's go."
Yushi blinked. "Go where?"
"The convenience store," Riku said, like it was obvious. "Unless you wanna wait until someone else does it."
That wasn't an option. Yushi had learned the hard way that if he left it up to the others, they'd come back with nothing but energy drinks, instant noodles, and the cheapest chips available.
Grabbing his phone and wallet, he threw on a cap and mask before following Riku out the door.
The walk to the nearest convenience store was short, the cold night air crisp against their skin. They walked side by side, their steps in sync without thinking about it.
Despite the late hour, the store was still brightly lit, its familiar green-and-white sign welcoming them inside. The bell chimed as they entered, and Yushi immediately made a beeline for the snack aisle.
Riku followed at a more leisurely pace, watching with mild amusement as Yushi surveyed the shelves like a seasoned general planning a battle strategy.
"Okay," Yushi muttered, scanning the options. "We need balance."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Balance?"
"Yeah. Sweet and salty, light snacks and filling ones, stuff for cravings and stuff for actual hunger," Yushi listed off, grabbing a pack of chocolate-covered almonds and tossing it into the basket Riku had somehow ended up holding.
"Didn't know snack shopping was this serious," Riku commented, picking up a bag of chips for himself.
Yushi shot him a look. "This is the difference between surviving and thriving, Riku."
Riku rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
They moved through the aisles with ease, occasionally tossing things into the basket without a word. Yushi grabbed spicy ramen. Riku added mochi ice cream. Yushi picked out a box of Pocky. Riku threw in a pack of dried mangoes.
When they reached the drinks section, Yushi held up two options. "Strawberry milk or banana?"
Riku gave him a flat look. "Neither."
"You have no taste."
"I'm getting coffee."
Yushi scoffed but didn't stop him as Riku reached for a cold brew. With a small shake of his head, Yushi grabbed the strawberry milk for himself.
As they headed toward the self-checkout, Yushi reached for his wallet, but before he could tap his card, Riku had already paid.
Yushi frowned. "You-"
"Too slow," Riku said simply, grabbing the bag of snacks and turning toward the door.
Yushi narrowed his eyes, following him outside. "You always do that."
Riku shrugged, casually holding the bag with one hand while stuffing his other into his pocket. "It's faster this way."
"That's not-" Yushi sighed, shaking his head. He knew arguing was pointless. This had been happening for months-whenever they went on quick errands together, Riku always managed to pay before Yushi could.
The first few times, Yushi had tried insisting on paying him back, but Riku never took the money. Eventually, Yushi just stopped trying.
They walked back toward the dorm, the streets quieter than before. Streetlights cast long shadows on the pavement, the city's hum a steady background noise.
Halfway there, Yushi slipped his hand into Riku's hoodie pocket without a word.
Riku didn't even flinch.
It was something he had started doing a while ago, mostly when it was cold. Riku's pockets were always warm, and for some reason, Yushi never carried gloves. At first, Riku had questioned it, but now he barely reacted.
"You're ridiculous," Riku muttered, but there was no bite to his words.
"And yet, you let me do it," Yushi echoed his words from earlier with a smirk.
Riku just exhaled through his nose, but Yushi caught the slight upward twitch of his lips.
As they approached the dorm, Yushi glanced at the bag of snacks in Riku's other hand. "You kept the receipt, didn't you?"
Riku didn't answer. He didn't have to.
Yushi rolled his eyes but found himself smiling.
When they got back inside, Riku set the bag on the counter and started unpacking, handing Yushi his strawberry milk without looking.
Yushi took it, watching as Riku quietly put everything in its usual place, like this was something they did all the time.
And maybe it was.
Maybe that was the part Yushi hadn't realized before-that they had fallen into these small habits so naturally, so seamlessly, that it never felt like something new. It just felt like them.
"Next time, I'm paying," Yushi declared, just to say something.
Riku hummed. "Sure."
He didn't mean it. Yushi knew that.
But he let it slide, because somehow, it didn't really matter.
3.
The dorm was quiet, wrapped in the kind of stillness that only came past midnight. Most of their members had already gone to bed, their doors shut, their rooms dark. The hum of the refrigerator and the faint ticking of the wall clock were the only sounds that filled the air.
Yushi sat on the floor in front of the couch, scrolling idly through his phone. His back rested against the soft cushion, his legs stretched out on the wooden floor, one knee bent as he absentmindedly tapped on the screen.
His hair was still damp from the shower, strands sticking to his skin. He knew he should dry it properly-should at least run a comb through it before sleeping-but exhaustion weighed heavy on his limbs, making him lazy.
Then, without a word, Riku appeared behind him.
Yushi barely acknowledged him at first, too caught up in whatever video was playing on his screen. He only glanced up when he felt the couch dip slightly as Riku settled in, one leg folded beneath him, the other dangling off the edge.
Yushi tilted his head back slightly, catching sight of Riku's calm expression. "What?"
Riku didn't answer. Instead, he lifted his hand and gently ran his fingers through Yushi's damp hair, carefully untangling the strands.
Yushi blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What are you doing?"
"Fixing it," Riku murmured, his voice quiet, almost absentminded.
Yushi could have protested. Could have told him he didn't need help, that it wasn't that bad. But the warmth of Riku's fingertips against his scalp, the gentle way he combed through his hair, made him pause.
"...You do this often," Yushi said after a beat. His voice was softer now, his initial resistance melting away.
Riku hummed in acknowledgment, still focused on his task. "Your hair's always a mess after showers. If I don't fix it, you'll wake up with it sticking in five different directions."
Yushi huffed a quiet laugh. "You're exaggerating."
"I'm not." Riku's fingers combed through another tangle, his movements slow, deliberate.
Yushi sighed, letting his eyes flutter shut. He hadn't realized how good this felt-how soothing it was to have someone take care of him like this. Riku's touch was gentle, his nails grazing lightly against Yushi's scalp as he worked through the knots with practiced ease.
The rhythmic motion of Riku's hands, the warmth of his presence so close behind him, made something inside Yushi soften.
"You're good at this," he murmured, tilting his head slightly to give Riku better access.
Riku let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah?"
Yushi nodded, his voice laced with drowsy contentment. "Better than I am, at least."
Riku didn't say anything for a moment. Then, quietly, he said, "I used to do it for my sister when we were younger."
Yushi opened his eyes at that, tilting his head slightly as if to glance at him. "Really?"
Riku's hands didn't pause. "Yeah. She hated brushing her hair, so I'd do it for her before bed. She used to fall asleep halfway through."
There was something unguarded in his tone, something rare. Yushi could count on one hand the number of times Riku had shared something personal without being prompted.
Yushi smiled, closing his eyes again. "Guess some things don't change."
Riku scoffed softly but didn't argue. His fingers moved lower, trailing down to the ends of Yushi's hair, smoothing it out with quiet care.
A comfortable silence settled between them, thick with something unspoken.
Yushi wasn't sure when he started leaning back, wasn't sure when Riku shifted closer. But at some point, the space between them disappeared, and Yushi found himself resting against Riku's legs, the warmth of his body solid behind him.
It should have felt strange. Too intimate. Too much.
But it didn't.
Instead, it felt easy-like something they had done a thousand times before, even if they hadn't.
Riku's fingers ghosted over Yushi's ear, tucking a stray strand of hair behind it. His touch lingered for a second longer than necessary, as if debating whether to pull away.
He didn't.
Instead, he murmured, "Done."
Yushi cracked one eye open, his lips curving into a lazy smirk. "You sure? You seem to be enjoying this."
Riku exhaled a soft laugh, his breath warm against the back of Yushi's neck. "You're the one leaning into me."
Yushi didn't even try to deny it. He just tilted his head slightly, glancing up at Riku from where he rested against his legs. Their eyes met, and something in the air shifted-subtle but unmistakable.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
For a second, Yushi thought Riku might pull away. But he didn't. He stayed there, close enough that Yushi could see the way his lashes cast shadows over his cheeks, the way his lips parted slightly like he wanted to say something but couldn't quite find the words.
Yushi's heart did something strange in his chest-something slow and steady and warm.
Then, breaking the silence, he murmured, "You're really soft, you know that?"
Riku blinked, caught off guard. "...What?"
Yushi grinned, shifting slightly against him. "You pretend to be all nonchalant, but you're the one sitting here playing with my hair like it's your favorite pastime."
Riku rolled his eyes, his hand moving to flick Yushi's forehead lightly. "Shut up."
Yushi laughed, but he didn't move away.
Neither did Riku.
Instead, they sat there for a while longer, the silence between them stretching out-soft, warm, and entirely theirs.
4.
The dorm was quiet by the time Yushi finished his nighttime routine. Most of the members had already turned in for the night, doors shut, lights off. The only sound that remained was the occasional hum of the refrigerator and the faint rustle of fabric as he dried his hair with a towel.
He checked the time-1:42 AM.
Late, but not unusual.
He yawned, stretching slightly before making his way toward his room, but something made him pause at the end of the hallway. He turned his head slightly, his gaze automatically landing on the kitchen.
The light was still on.
Yushi sighed, shaking his head. He didn't even have to check to know who the culprit was.
Instead of heading straight to bed, he walked into the kitchen, crossing the tiled floor in silence. He reached for the light switch without thinking, fingers flicking it off in a single motion. The room was plunged into darkness, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering in through the window.
Yushi turned to leave, but before he could take a step, he caught sight of another open door.
Riku's.
It wasn't fully open, just slightly ajar-enough for Yushi to see the soft glow of his bedside lamp still on.
Of course.
He should have expected it. Riku always went to bed late, always got lost in his own thoughts or some random book he had picked up, always left his door slightly open, as if he was in the middle of deciding whether to sleep or stay awake just a little longer.
Yushi hesitated for only a second before walking toward it.
He didn't knock. He never had to.
Instead, he leaned against the doorframe and peeked inside.
Riku was lying on his bed, his back against the headboard, a book resting on his chest. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and even. His bedside lamp cast a soft golden glow over his face, highlighting the gentle curve of his features, the way his lips parted slightly in sleep.
Yushi smiled to himself.
He stepped forward quietly, careful not to make too much noise. His fingers found the switch of the lamp, and with a soft click, the room dimmed into darkness.
For a moment, he thought Riku would sleep through it. But just as he turned to leave, a quiet voice broke through the silence.
"You always do that."
Yushi froze, then exhaled a soft laugh. "You say that like you don't always leave your light on."
Riku's eyes were half-open now, lazy and laced with exhaustion. He shifted slightly, blinking up at Yushi as if deciding whether to stay awake or let himself drift off again.
"You checked my door again, didn't you?" Riku murmured. His voice was quieter in the dark, like it belonged in this moment.
Yushi shrugged, leaning a shoulder against the wall. "You always forget to close it properly."
Riku huffed, a ghost of a smirk on his lips. "Maybe I leave it open on purpose."
Yushi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? For what?"
Riku didn't answer immediately. He just looked at Yushi, his expression unreadable in the dim light. Then, after a beat, he muttered, "Dunno. Maybe to see if you'll check."
Yushi's heart did a slow, unsteady turn in his chest.
Because he did check. Every night. Without fail.
Even before he realized it was a habit, even before he had a reason for doing it, he always glanced at Riku's door before going to bed. Always made sure it was closed properly. Always turned off his light if he forgot.
Just like how Riku always checked if Yushi's door was locked.
Yushi swallowed, the weight of realization settling in his chest.
Neither of them ever talked about it.
It was just something they did, something that had slipped into their routine like it had always been there, unspoken but understood.
And now, standing here in the dim glow of the hallway, Yushi wasn't sure what to say.
So, instead, he took a step closer, his hand resting lightly against the edge of Riku's door. "Go to sleep, idiot."
Riku let out a soft breath-something between a chuckle and a sigh. "Yeah, yeah."
But before Yushi could leave, Riku shifted, his fingers curling slightly in the sheets as he murmured, "You should sleep too."
Yushi smiled faintly. "I will."
It was a simple exchange. But somehow, it felt heavier than it should have.
Before Yushi could think too much about it, he reached out, fingers brushing against the doorframe. "I'm closing this now."
Riku hummed in acknowledgment. His eyes were already shutting again, his breathing slowing.
Yushi hesitated for only a second before pushing the door gently, letting it close halfway-just enough to keep it from being fully shut, just enough to let Riku know he was still there.
Then, quietly, he walked back to his own room, heart beating just a little faster than before.
5.
The first time Riku got sick in the dorm, he tried to hide it.
He wasn’t the type to make a big deal out of things. He didn’t like people fussing over him, didn’t like showing weakness. So, when he woke up with a fever creeping along his skin, he did what he always did—ignored it.
But by the time the evening rolled around, it was impossible to hide.
Yushi found him curled up on the couch, arms wrapped around himself, his hoodie pulled up as if that could block out the fever burning through his body. His face was paler than usual, his breathing slow and heavy, the unmistakable flush of sickness coloring his cheeks.
Yushi sighed, walking over to stand in front of him, arms crossed. “You look like you’re dying.”
Riku cracked one eye open, his voice scratchy when he muttered, “Feel like it, too.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you say anything?”
Riku shut his eyes again, as if that could end the conversation. “Didn’t wanna bother anyone.”
Yushi scoffed. “You’re literally suffering.”
“I’ll live.”
Yushi stared at him for a long moment, then sighed, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”
Still, he disappeared into the kitchen, the sound of cabinets opening and closing filling the quiet space. Riku didn’t move, too exhausted to even lift his head, but when Yushi returned minutes later, he sat up slightly, blinking at what was placed in front of him.
A bowl of soup, steam curling softly in the air.
Riku blinked, then looked up at Yushi, who stood there with his arms crossed, watching him with a look that was both exasperated and unbearably fond.
“You made this?” Riku asked.
Yushi rolled his eyes. “No, I summoned it with magic.”
Riku huffed a weak laugh but didn’t argue. He reached for the spoon, but his hands were shaky, his fingers trembling slightly from the fever. Yushi noticed, of course he did, and before Riku could protest, he was already moving.
Wordlessly, Yushi sat beside him, taking the spoon and scooping up a bit of the broth. Then, with the same ease as breathing, he lifted it toward Riku’s lips.
Riku froze, his eyes flickering up to meet Yushi’s.
“…Are you serious?” Riku muttered, voice hoarse.
Yushi raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to spill this all over yourself?”
Riku hesitated, then sighed in defeat.
He leaned forward slightly, letting Yushi feed him, the warmth of the soup easing the ache in his throat. The silence between them stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. If anything, it felt… natural. Like this wasn’t the first time. Like it wouldn’t be the last.
As Yushi continued, his movements were careful, precise, his eyes flickering over Riku’s face as if checking for any sign of worsening. Riku noticed. He always noticed.
“…You do this a lot,” Riku muttered after a while, his voice quieter now.
Yushi paused mid-motion. “Do what?”
“Take care of me.”
Yushi didn’t answer immediately. He set the spoon down, tilting his head slightly. “Well,” he said, after a beat. “You take care of me too.”
Riku blinked, caught off guard.
Yushi gave a small, lopsided smile. “You check my door every night, make sure it’s locked. You pay for my drinks even when I tell you not to. You fold my laundry like it’s yours.” His voice softened slightly. “You do a lot of things without saying anything. So, yeah. I take care of you, too.”
Riku stared at him, something unreadable flickering in his fevered gaze.
The air between them changed—subtle, but undeniable.
Riku wasn’t sure if it was the fever or exhaustion, but something in him unraveled at Yushi’s words, at the quiet understanding between them, at the fact that this—this—was home.
Before he could second-guess himself, before he could talk himself out of it, he reached out.
His fingers curled around Yushi’s wrist, warm despite his own feverish state. Yushi stiffened slightly but didn’t pull away.
Riku swallowed, his voice low when he finally spoke.
“…I think I wanna kiss you.”
Yushi’s breath hitched.
His lips parted slightly, his usual teasing demeanor slipping away as he stared at Riku, eyes searching. Riku let him, let him take his time, let him figure out what to do with the moment that had unfolded between them.
Then, slowly, Yushi shifted closer.
The space between them disappeared in the span of a heartbeat, and then—
Soft.
That was the first thing Riku registered. The warmth of Yushi’s lips, the way he tilted his head just slightly to deepen it, slow and careful and unbearably tender.
It wasn’t rushed.
It wasn’t fevered or desperate.
It was home.
When they finally pulled apart, Yushi let out a small, breathless laugh, his forehead resting lightly against Riku’s.
“You really just confessed while half-delirious with a fever,” Yushi murmured, amusement threading through his voice.
Riku gave a small, tired smirk. “Guess that means I don’t have to say it again when I’m better.”
Yushi rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away. “Idiot.”
Still, his fingers brushed against Riku’s, lacing them together lightly.
Neither of them let go.
(+1)
Sunday mornings were slow in the dorm, filled with the kind of stillness that only came after long weeks of rehearsals, schedules, and performances. It was one of the few times they didn’t have to wake up to alarms blaring or managers knocking on their doors.
Yushi woke up late, the sun already high in the sky, spilling soft light through his window. He stretched lazily before rolling out of bed, ruffling his already messy hair as he yawned.
He had no real plan for the day—just the simple, comforting thought of a quiet morning, maybe making himself a cup of strawberry milk and scrolling on his phone for a bit.
But when he walked out of his room, he was met with an unexpected sight.
Riku was already in the kitchen.
Not unusual. What was unusual, though, was the fact that he was standing there in Yushi’s oversized white shirt, the fabric hanging loose on his frame like it belonged to him. He was making coffee, the scent rich and warm in the air, his movements slow, methodical—like this was something he did every day.
For a moment, Yushi just stood there.
Watching.
The way Riku leaned slightly against the counter, the way his hair was still slightly tousled from sleep, the way he absentmindedly reached for the sugar without having to look.
Everything about the scene felt natural. Familiar. Too familiar.
Yushi wasn’t even sure how long he had been staring before Riku finally noticed him.
“You’re finally up,” Riku said without looking away from his coffee. “Thought you were gonna sleep all day.”
Yushi blinked, shaking off whatever daze he had been in. He walked into the kitchen, rubbing his neck. “Didn’t know I needed permission to wake up.”
Riku smirked slightly, but it was small, lazy, softened by sleep. “No permission needed. Just an observation.”
Yushi leaned against the counter, arms crossed as he watched Riku take a slow sip of his coffee. “You’re wearing my shirt.”
Riku glanced down, as if just realizing. “Yeah.”
Yushi raised an eyebrow. “Not even gonna deny it?”
Riku took another sip, unbothered. “It was in the laundry pile. It’s comfortable.”
Yushi stared at him, waiting for a punchline, some kind of excuse. But there was none. Just Riku, standing there in his shirt, looking like he belonged in it.
Something warm curled in Yushi’s chest, slow and steady.
He wasn’t sure why this—of all things—was making his heart beat faster.
It wasn’t like they hadn’t done things like this before.
They had shared clothes plenty of times. Riku had crashed in his bed after late-night rehearsals. Yushi had cooked for him when he was too exhausted to move. They had always taken care of each other, had always existed in this space between friendship and something else, something unspoken.
But today, with the morning light catching against Riku’s face, with the warmth of familiarity settling around them like second nature—
It felt different.
Yushi exhaled, breaking the silence. “You always make coffee.”
Riku hummed, setting his mug down. “And you always wake up late.”
Yushi tilted his head slightly, watching him. “We’re basically already living like a married couple, huh?”
Riku didn’t react right away. He just looked at Yushi for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Then, softly, he said, “Yeah.”
Yushi blinked.
Riku wasn’t teasing. He wasn’t laughing it off or rolling his eyes. He was just… agreeing. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Yushi swallowed, something unfamiliar tightening in his chest. “You—” He hesitated, voice quieter now. “You’re really not gonna argue?”
Riku tilted his head, studying him. “Do you want me to?”
Yushi opened his mouth, then closed it.
Because, no. He didn’t.
He didn’t want Riku to joke his way out of this. Didn’t want to pretend like this wasn’t something.
Riku must have caught the hesitation, because after a beat, he set his coffee down and stepped closer—just slightly, just enough to close the space between them in a way that made Yushi’s breath hitch.
“You’re thinking too much,” Riku murmured, watching him carefully.
Yushi let out a soft, breathless laugh. “You’re making it hard not to.”
Riku’s lips twitched. “Yeah?”
Yushi nodded. “Yeah.”
They were close now. Closer than they needed to be.
Close enough that Yushi could see the way Riku’s lashes cast faint shadows against his cheekbones, could see the way his gaze flickered down to Yushi’s lips for just a fraction of a second.
Yushi’s heart stuttered.
Before he could stop himself, before he could think too hard about it—
He reached out, fingers curling into the hem of the shirt Riku was wearing. His shirt.
Riku didn’t pull away.
Didn’t move.
Just watched him.
And then—
Yushi leaned in, closing the distance between them in the span of a heartbeat.
Their lips met softly, slowly—like they had all the time in the world.
Riku inhaled sharply through his nose, startled, but he didn’t hesitate. His hand lifted, fingers brushing against Yushi’s jaw, tilting his head slightly to deepen the kiss.
It was gentle. Warm.
Not rushed. Not desperate.
Just… right.
When they finally pulled apart, Yushi let out a small, breathless laugh. His forehead rested lightly against Riku’s, his fingers still loosely gripping the fabric of his shirt.
Riku was smiling now—
small, barely there, but unmistakably real.
Yushi exhaled. “So.”
Riku raised an eyebrow. “So?”
Yushi licked his lips, voice quieter now. “Guess we really are living like a married couple.”
Riku huffed a soft laugh, brushing his thumb lightly against Yushi’s chin before letting his hand drop.
“Guess we are.”