Work Text:
“Hey, isn’t that the guy?”
“Should be. Dude, check out those creepy eyes.”
“He looks like a gangster! Why did he choose him?”
“Shh…! If he hears you, he’ll kill you!”
Hissing whispers and murmurs filled Zeal’s ears as he walked down the school hallways. While gossip and rumours were something he was used to and couldn’t care less, the content of their words…
They pissed him off this particular morning.
Whipping his head around, Zeal glared fiercely at the group of gossiping students. The students jolted in shock and fear, immediately shutting up and avoiding eye contact.
Zeal rolled his eyes and stalked away to his first class, annoyed.
What a way to start the morning.
Lunch hour rolled by after two agonising lessons. Zeal was more than eager to escape the classrooms of judging stares and (not very well hidden) whispers, walking quickly to the cafeteria.
Of course, being in the cafeteria didn’t mean the stares and whispers stopped; rather, more eyes followed him as he entered the place. He just needed to tolerate it a bit longer, quickly grab his food, and it would all be worth it.
All worth it just to be with the love of his life – the reason he was staying sane in this godforsaken school.
His beloved, darling lover – Kaelix Debonair.
The thought of Kaelix made his heart warm as he queued for his meal. He thought of how Kaelix would greet him with a big smile, the way his face would just light up and shine brighter than the brightest suns, as if the sight of Zeal brought him all the happiness in the world.
Sometimes, Zeal couldn’t believe he was dating such a wonderful man. He was dating the Kaelix, the popular Council president who was hardworking and earnest. The Kaelix who was super sweet and friendly to everyone. The Kaelix who everyone loved and admired.
And then there was him. A loner who everyone feared. His creepy, piercing eyes that reminded people of snakes. His cold and unreadable expression that people avoided looking at. His intimidating demeanour that naturally turned people away.
How could someone like him be together with Kaelix?
Remarkably, Kaelix chose him. Of all people. Of all the better options out there better fitted for him, Kaelix chose him. And Kaelix had spent a lot of effort trying to convince Zeal that he really, truly, genuinely loved him. (And that his confession to him was NOT a prank.)
Kaelix loved him very much.
Zeal smiled a little. Collecting his (gluten-free) sandwich and a canned drink, he briskly exited the cafeteria, heading to the very big tree at the school’s small grass hill.
The hill was painted in vibrant shades of orange and red thanks to the nearing autumn. Getting closer to the hill, he noticed the familiar white-haired man, back-facing him and body leaning against the tree trunk. He seemed to be engaged in lively conversation with their two good friends, Seible and Freodore. And his neck was exposed. Hm.
Smirking to himself, Zeal silently crept up behind Kaelix, gesturing to the other two to pretend he wasn’t there.
“Yea, and that’s why Deoxys is RED! Not orange! You guys are colourbli– EEP!”
Zeal chose that perfect moment to tap the ice-cold canned drink onto Kaelix’s exposed neck, eliciting a high-pitched squeal from him.
Seible laughed loudly and Freodore giggled. Kaelix spun his head around, face red and flustered, meeting Zeal’s satisfied smile.
“What the– Zeal!! You can’t just do that! You’re sick!”
“You’re the sick one if you’re seeing Deoxys as red. It’s orange.”
“You don’t like me.”
Zeal sat down beside Kaelix, smiling fondly at the pout on Kaelix’s face.
“You’re right, I don’t like you. I love you.”
Kaelix looked as if he was going to explode as face turned even redder. Spluttering, he covered his face with his meal, muttering a “get well soon, Ginjoka” behind his burger.
“You two, in front of my salad? Do continue!” Seible teased, gesturing to his lunch.
Zeal laughed, noting Freodore’s timely lead into another topic. As he listened to the conversation, a familiar finger tapping on his own got his attention.
Glancing sideways to see Kaelix pointing to his ear, he leaned in closer, curious because the man seemed rather shy.
“...Just so you know, I love you very much too.”
That afternoon, Zeal was reminded how very difficult it was to focus on a conversation with a fluttering heart. Especially when caused by someone like Kaelix.
Zeal collapsed onto his bed, exhausted from the events of the day. His mind flickered back to the annoying memories of that morning and the cafeteria. And just the whole day after lunch in general.
Truly, it was a shame that he and Kaelix shared no lessons. This was natural, as Zeal was in sciences and Kaelix was in the arts.
Another reminder of how different they were.
This triggered a spiral of more self-depreciating thoughts. How different they were, how Kaelix would be better with someone more like him, how he felt unworthy of someone like Kaelix, how he was ruining Kaelix’s life…
His ringtone cut through the noisy thoughts. Glancing at his phone, he saw the caller – Kaelix.
With a bit of hesitation, he picked up.
“Hello?”
“Zeal!! I missed you!” An energetic, comforting voice filled the silent room. Zeal smiled a little.
“We just saw each other today!”
“It was only for a few hours! I missed you so much!”
Ah, Kaelix’s voice felt like a warm hug. But even the contagiousness of the white-haired man’s cheery energy lost its effect after a bit, and it couldn’t shake out the horrible thoughts in his brain.
“...Ginjoka? Zeal? Are you there?”
“Oh, sorry. Distracted.” Zeal responded, sounding more tired than he had intended.
The moment of hesitation on the other side just amplified the thoughts in his head. Ah, Zeal thought. I made it awkward. Oh he hates me now. I knew it.
Laughing awkwardly (and failing to hide his fears), Zeal attempted an apology. “Sorry, Kaelix, I…”
“Pause! Why are you apologising?” Kaelix cut in.
“Because… I made it awkward. I’m sorry. I don’t feel good today.”
A pause could be heard on the other side. Then, Zeal’s phone went “ping!” – a call request to switch from voice call to video call.
Kaelix's voice sounded somewhat demanding. “Switch to video. I want to see you.”
Zeal did so reluctantly, knowing that Kaelix was about to see just how sad he looked. On the other hand, he really couldn’t deny his beloved anything.
“There’s my darling.” Zeal teased lightly, trying to ease up the tension.
Kaelix frowned slightly. “Don’t ‘darling’ me now, Zeal! It’s the gossip in school again, right? Ugh, I wish I could use my President position to punish them!”
“Now don’t do that.”
“Why not? You’re my boyfriend. I would.” Kaelix retorted stubbornly.
“Well… it’s not worth it. If you did that, people in school would start to dislike you, too.” Zeal pointed out.
Kaelix huffed. “So? I love you. It’s worth everything.”
“No, truly. I’m… not worth it. Don’t let your reputation be dragged down by me any more than it has, Kaelix. Please.”
Zeal didn’t intend for his reply to sound so vulnerable, almost a beg, a plea. For Kaelix to let him go before he could ruin his life even more.
Kaelix’s breath hitched. “...Zeal. Is that how you truly feel?”
Zeal avoided Kaelix’s gaze. The silence on both ends was way too loud.
“Zeal. Look at me.”
His creepy purple eyes met striking blue ones. Kaelix’s glasses were taken off, removing another shield that could protect Zeal from the intense stare the wearer was giving him.
The tense atmosphere certainly didn’t prepare Zeal for what Kaelix was going to say next.
“Is there anything you’re craving to eat?”
“Anything– what?”
“Craving to eat. Anything. Now.” Kaelix demanded.
A little thrown off, Zeal just said the first craving that came to mind. “Uh. Bread from Plain Bakery.”
“Got it. Be there in 15.” With that, Kaelix promptly ended the call. Zeal stared at the black screen, stunned.
For a moment, he lay on his bed, unmoving.
Wait, did he just say he’d be here in 15 minutes?
And wasn't the bakery closing soon??
Slightly panicking as it was nearing midnight and Kaelix definitely shouldn’t be out this late because autumn nights were colder, Zeal grabbed his coat and rushed outside.
The couple (luckily) lived around the same area. And the bakery wasn’t very far. He rushed to the location, mind trying to keep up with the sequence of events.
Nearing the store, he noted the time. 12.01pm. Plain Bakery closed at exactly midnight – and Kaelix definitely knew that. He was victim to some of Zeal’s crashouts over failing to get the bread due to the bakery’s closing time.
Just as Zeal reached the bakery, the door opened onto his face. He groaned, clutching his forehead.
“Thank you so mu– ah! So sorry! Wait, Zeal?”
Zeal removed his hand to see a bewildered Kaelix staring at him, eyes wide with surprise and concern.
Kaelix moved to close the door and gently brushed aside the hair covering Zeal’s forehead. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t expect you to come here.”
“I’m okay. I didn’t expect YOU to actually come here.” Zeal nodded to the loaf of bread in Kaelix’s arm. “You managed to get here before closing?”
Kaelix grinned, hand moving to cup Zeal’s cheek. “Yep. Right before they closed. I convinced them to let me get one loaf for my very special someone.”
Zeal smiled, leaning into Kaelix’s touch. “You convinced them? You mean you begged?”
“Hey! What can I say, I’m a very charming man.”
“You are indeed.”
Zeal’s smile faded a little. “So, why did you buy the bread? I appreciate it, Kaelix, but it’s not like the bakery won’t open tomorrow, so why–”
Two hands clapped onto Zeal’s cheeks, cutting Zeal off as Kaelix frowned at him. “You’re so silly, Ginjoka. The reason is so simple. You’re so silly.”
Zeal stared at Kaelix.
The frown melted into a soft smile. “Because you’re worth it. I ran as fast as I could to buy this bread for you. I even begged, alright! You’re worth everything in this world.”
Zeal hesitated.
“Don’t you see? I love you. I cherish you. I treasure you more than… more than monkeys, okay! And that says a lot! I love you so very much, Zeal.”
“I love you too, Kaelix. And I don’t doubt your love for me. But you could be so much better off without me. I’ve tied you down in so many ways. I love you, and that’s why you deserve better.” Zeal admitted, revealing his deepest insecurities to Kaelix.
Kaelix squished his cheeks. “You silly goose. You’ve never tied me down. Who cares what anyone else thinks? You're worth everything to me. We’re perfect together, Zeal. I wouldn’t have anyone else.”
Warmth rushed through Zeal’s body as tears brimmed in his eyes. He was not much of a crier, but Kaelix’s words gave him so much comfort. An overwhelming, unbearable comfort.
Kaelix dropped the bread beside them as he pulled Zeal into a big hug, whispering into his ears wonderful adorations as he patted his hair. With each pat, a whisper of love.
Pat. “I love the way your eyes shine when you smile.”
Pat. “I love how you look at me with the softest, most gentle smiles.”
Pat. “I love how you’re so kind to people you love.”
Pat. “I love how you love me.”
Pulling apart slightly, Zeal looked at Kaelix, whose face was filled with pure adoration and love for him. For him and only him.
Kaelix grinned. “Do you now know how much I love you?”
Zeal smiled. “I think I love you more.”
“Wha– I just ran to get bread for you! At midnight! In my pajamas– ah-choo!” Kaelix protested, before sneezing loudly.
Zeal pulled away and immediately removed his coat to wrap it around Kaelix, smiling. “Can’t have someone as pretty as you getting sick, darling.”
“Get well soon, Ginjoka.”
“Aren’t you the one who has to get well soon?”
Dodging Kaelix’s shove, Zeal grabbed his arm and pressed their bodies together once more. Their lips hovered over each other’s, so close that they could hear each other’s breaths.
“Can we?” Zeal murmured a quiet plea.
Kaelix nodded slightly. “...You’ll get sick too.”
“Worth it.”
Zeal pressed their lips together, slotting perfectly into Kaelix’s mouth. It felt as if time had stopped, as if the world had stopped just for them. Just to frame and prolong this perfect moment for the both of them.
They maintained the kiss until Kaelix broke away. “I’m still kinda out of breath from rushing here,” he said, panting a little.
Zeal smiled fondly and held out his hand for Kaelix. “Stay over tonight.”
Kaelix took his hand enthusiastically, grabbing the loaf of bread and following Zeal down the streets leading to his apartment, both happily laughing and giggling over silly things along the way.
It was absolutely perfect.