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"You're late."
Keigo's eyes widened at the voice drifting from the darkness, causing him to glance over his shoulder. His wings hadn't detected the man's presence, and a smirk played across his lips.
"You don't mind."
The man huffed, emerging from the shadows to join him at the railing. Keigo grinned, sliding beneath Shouta's arms until they were pressed together. The older hero's cheeks reddened slightly as he gazed down, his expression a mixture of annoyance and affection.
"I missed you," Keigo murmured, tilting his head as he looked up at the man. Shouta exhaled softly, giving a subtle nod before leaning down to brush his lips against Keigo's forehead.
"Missed you too."
Keigo leaned into the touch, savouring the rare moment of affection. Their stolen meetings on rooftops had become the highlight of his chaotic life, precious moments hidden from the world.
They'd been sneaking around for months now, their relationship a carefully guarded secret. The 8 year age difference between them was part of the reason, it would raise eyebrows in certain circles, where traditional values still held sway. But Keigo couldn't bring himself to care about societal expectations. He'd spent his whole life following someone else's rules; his heart was the one thing he refused to let others dictate.
And if that meant falling for a perpetually exhausted hero with dark circles and a heart hidden behind layers of logic, so be it.
Shouta's shoulder bumped against his, drawing Keigo back from his wandering thoughts.
"Rough day?" he murmured, dark eyes searching his. Keigo responded with a weary nod, his usual brightness dimmed but still present in the curve of his lips.
"The Commission expects perfection," Keigo admitted with a half-hearted shrug, letting his wings droop slightly behind him. "Sometimes I just want to fly away from it all." He glanced up at Shouta, his amber eyes reflecting the city lights below. "But then I wouldn't get to see you, would I?"
Shouta hummed, calloused fingers brushing Keigo's cheek as if touching something priceless. "You're such a hopeless romantic."
Keigo let out a soft laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he wrapped his arms around Shouta's waist. "Only for you," he whispered, burying his face against the thin fabric of Shouta's capture weapon. The steady rhythm of Shouta's heartbeat beneath his ear was more comforting than any safety net could ever be.
Shouta's fingers threaded through his windswept hair, the touch tender and soothing against his scalp.
Deep down, a part of Keigo longed for something more open with Shouta. He dreamed of walking hand-in-hand without glancing over their shoulders, of using the front door instead of slipping through windows like thieves in the night. The secrecy wore on him sometimes — a silent weight he carried willingly. For Shouta, he'd continue as long as necessary, but in quiet moments like these, he couldn't help but imagine a future where their relationship could exist in daylight.
Shouta sighed, his breath ghosting over Keigo's forehead as his arms tightened around the winged hero. "I know it's hard," he murmured, as if reading Keigo's thoughts. "But we can't risk the Commission using this against you." His dark eyes searched Keigo's face, a rare vulnerability flickering in their depths. "Not yet."
Keigo nodded slowly. “I know.”
Shouta must have caught the longing in his eyes, because one heartbeat later, his lips found Keigo's in a kiss that felt like coming home, tender yet reassuring. Keigo's breath caught as he responded to Shouta's kiss, his body melting completely into the warmth between them.
When Shouta finally broke the kiss, his whispered words against Keigo's lips sent a flutter through his chest — something totally unexpected.
"I love you."
Keigo froze, eyes widening as the words registered. It was the first time either of them had said those words aloud, though the sentiment had been growing between them for months. His wings fluttered involuntarily, betraying the rush of emotion that surged through his chest.
“You do?” he squeaked.
Shouta huffed out a soft laugh, his eyes warm despite his attempt at playing it cool. "Of course I do." His voice dropped lower, full of something that made Keigo's heart ache. "I wouldn't be risking everything if I didn't."
Overwhelming emotion swelled in Keigo's chest, so warm and all-consuming. His usual quick wit failed him as he gazed up at the man who had somehow become his entire world. After a moment of stunned silence, he managed to find his voice again.
"I love you too," Keigo whispered, the words feeling both foreign and completely natural on his tongue. "More than flying. More than freedom." His wings curled forward instinctively, creating a feathery cocoon around them both as he pressed closer to Shouta's chest.
Shouta's arms tightened around him in response, his usual facade softened in the private moment between. For once, Keigo didn't feel the need to fill the silence with chatter or jokes. This was enough.