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The evening air had a crispness to it as Haruhiko left the office, the busy hours of work finally behind him. He had no real plan other than giving in to the simple desire to see the man he loved. He often found himself gravitating towards his boyfriend’s apartment these days, as if the mundane comforts there provided him something the grandiose Usami residence could not.
It did, and he knew exactly what it was.
His steps were quick and purposeful as dusk set upon the city. The street lights cast a soft yellow glow that illuminated the damp pavement. A light drizzle fell from the sky. Haruhiko had always liked the rain. It made the world quieter somehow. Softer.
But after a good twenty minutes, as he neared the apartment building, the drizzle escalated into a downpour. The rain fell in sheets, blurring everything around him.
Of course he had no umbrella. He was used to having a driver pick him up from work. This wasn’t the best day for an evening stroll, but what was done, was done.
His clothes were soaked through in seconds. His hair clung to his forehead, and the wet fabric of his three-piece suit clung uncomfortably to his skin. Yet, he kept walking, driven by the thought of Misaki.
Just a little further.
By the time he got to the door of Misaki’s apartment, Haruhiko was a soggy mess, drenched from head to toe. It should’ve literally chilled him to the bone, but all he felt was the warm embrace of excitement. He knocked three times.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal a very surprised Misaki. His eyes widened at the sight of his boyfriend standing on his doorstep like a drowned cat.
“Haruhiko-san?” Misaki blinked a few times. “What in the world are you doing here?”
Haruhiko casually wiped the raindrops off his glasses. “I came to see you.”
“You came to see me?” Misaki echoed, still stunned. “In this weather? Are you crazy? You’re soaked!”
“If I knew it was going to rain I would’ve brought an umbrella.”
Misaki sighed and briefly closed his eyes. “Unbelievable. Quick, get in here before you catch a cold!” he said, grabbing Haruhiko’s arm and pulling him inside.
Without being instructed to, Haruhiko left his shoes by the front door before entering. The apartment was the same as always: small but cosy, a sharp contrast to the opulence of the Usami residence. It felt like home in a way that Haruhiko hadn’t quite realised until now. He paid Misaki a visit as often as his schedule allowed.
Even though he still spent most of his evenings at the Usami residence, there was something about Misaki’s place that made it feel like he truly belonged there. Maybe it was just Misaki. His warmth. His presence.
While Haruhiko soaked in the energy around him, Misaki hurried to fetch him a towel. “I can’t believe you didn’t think to check the weather,” he muttered. There was no real anger in his voice.
Haruhiko thanked him as he took the towel. “I guess I was too busy thinking about you to care.”
Misaki's face immediately grew red. “Idiot. You should’ve at least let me know you were coming over. Have you eaten anything yet?” He sighed again when Haruhiko shook his head. “Thought so. Listen, you go have a seat and warm up while I fix us something easy for dinner, alright?”
“Your couch will get wet.”
“Oh, for the love of… just sit down!”
Misaki went into the small kitchen area and busied himself with gathering the necessary ingredients. Haruhiko had rarely seen Misaki cook, but it was certainly a sight to behold. He moved around the kitchen quickly and efficiently, like he knew exactly what he needed and where it was supposed to go.
It would be nice to come home to the smell of a home-cooked meal every day. Not a meal made by hired cooks, but one made by a loved one. Just like how his mother used to cook for him when he was a child.
Haruhiko decided to let Misaki cook in peace. He moved to the couch by the window, where he could watch the rain pour outside. The rhythmic sound soothed him and the sight of the rain-drenched streets made him feel strangely content. It wasn’t his apartment, but it was here, with Misaki, that he felt at home.
He sat back, closing his eyes for a moment. Despite the chill in the air from the rain, the warmth in his chest was still there. Something about the simple fact that Misaki was here, that he was a part of this life, made everything feel right.
The sound of a sizzling pan pulled him back to reality. Misaki flipped a pancake in the air and caught it with the skill of someone who had cooked them countless times before. Haruhiko smiled softly, overcome with a surge of gratitude.
“You’re making pancakes?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“Yeah. It may not be the most nutritious meal, but I happened to have all the ingredients for it. Plus... I know Haruhiko-san likes them.”
Haruhiko’s heart warmed at the simple, genuine kindness of Misaki’s gesture. It wasn’t anything grand, but it was exactly what he needed. He inhaled the smell of pancakes that wafted through the air. It smelled like home.
“Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate it.”
Misaki flushed slightly at his sincere words and quickly turned around to grab two plates. “They’ll be ready soon.”
A few minutes later, the pancakes were stacked onto the plates and set down on the square dining table. Haruhiko sat down first, his eyes on the stack of golden-brown pancakes in front of him. Misaki went back to the kitchen, grabbed forks, knives and some syrup, and returned to the table. He only had two dining chairs, so he sat across from Haruhiko.
"These pancakes look like they were made in a restaurant. Very impressive."
"You don't have to flatter me," Misaki said, drenching his portion of the pancakes in syrup. "They may look good, but I'm sure mine aren't nearly as good as the ones your mum used to make."
"The ones my mother made were usually burned, but I always looked forward to eating them because she made them with love. That's what made them delicious. And that's how I know yours will be delicious too."
Haruhiko couldn’t get Misaki to look at him, but he noticed a small, pleased smile tugging at the corners of Misaki’s lips. That was all he needed for now.
As they ate, the conversation slowed, and the quiet of the apartment settled in around them. The rain had eased up, but the occasional patter against the windows reminded them of the storm that had come through. Haruhiko ate slowly, savouring the pancakes, each bite bringing him back to memories of his childhood.
He was right: Misaki’s pancakes tasted just as good as his mother’s. Maybe even better. Or maybe he was enjoying them more, because he had someone special to share them with.
Once their plates were empty, Haruhiko put down his fork and knife.
“That was a lovely meal,” he said softly. “Thank you again.”
Misaki waved a hand, standing to collect the dirty dishes. “Don’t mention it. You’re always welcome here. Though next time, give me a heads up if you decide to come over, OK?”
Haruhiko watched him for a moment, still amazed at how easily they had fallen into this rhythm. Despite everything, despite all the troubles and misunderstandings between them in the past, he had never felt more sure of where he was supposed to be. It was here. Right here with Misaki.
As Misaki cleared the table, he glanced out of the window. “Look, it’s stopped raining!” he said. “You’d better head out before it starts again.”
“I don’t want to leave so soon.”
“You have to. If you don’t return to the Usami residence your dad will send his drivers all over the city to find you.”
“I guess you’re right.” Haruhiko reluctantly made his way over to the front door and picked up his shoes.
Misaki followed him, his face softening as Haruhiko stood back up.
“Take care,” he said. There was a quiet disappointment in his voice, like he didn’t want Haruhiko to walk out the door yet.
Say it. Say that you want me to stay.
But Misaki said nothing. He just stared at him, conflicted, having desires but not the courage to express them through speech. Haruhiko could see it in his eyes.
Without thinking, he cupped Misaki’s face and kissed him, relishing the warmth of his lips and the sweetness of the moment. It was brief, but it was enough.
Slowly, he pulled away.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Misaki gave him a shy smile. “Yeah, see you.”
Haruhiko stepped outside, his skin still damp but his heart full. He took out his phone, stared at it for a few seconds and then put it away again. He had no need for a driver. On a beautiful evening like this, he'd much rather go for a walk.