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If there's one thing Gouenji loves about autumn, it's the leaves. He's never been a fan of cold weather, unlike his boyfriend, but even he enjoyed admiring the bright colors of the trees during this season of change. The fleeting beauty of nature, its last attempt to attract attention before withering away and starting over.
Given the occasion and the fact that he and Fubuki are about to celebrate one month since they got together, they agreed to go to Nara for their date, to participate in momijigari. Right now, he is waiting for him in front of the station, and although he is dying to see him again, his heart is calm.
Or rather, it is calm until he hears a velvety, familiar voice behind him, so close that it brushes against his ears.
— Hey — he greets him casually, popping up from behind him. For some reason, he really enjoys surprising him.
He stands in front of him, wearing an olive green cardigan and a huge smile. As always, Fubuki Shirou is a delight to behold.
— Hey — Gouenji greets him back. His facial features soften automatically. — Everything okay? Can we go?
The other nods with moderate enthusiasm, and they go together to catch the train, which arrives on time. During the journey, Gouenji alternates his gaze between the landscape outside the window and the boy next to him, who tells him about the most entertaining events of the morning. In reality, he forces himself to alternate only because he fears he will make the other uncomfortable if he stares at him too long.
He lets him talk for the most part, not only because he is generally a man of few words, but also because he loves listening to Fubuki. He loves listening to his laughter, his pauses, his emphasis. Like a gentle breeze that envelops his ears and tickles his brain.
— Ah~, I can't wait, I've never been to Nara — he says, as he folds his hands in his lap.
— Really? Well, you're in luck, we've chosen the perfect season to visit.
— Yes, and since we're going together, it will be even more beautiful — he almost whispers, his smile a little embarrassed.
This adorable sight helps Gouenji keep his eyes from wandering, as his cheeks are now slightly warm too.
Neither of them has ever been in a relationship before, so all these couple things are new to them. They still have to get the hang of it, but even this shy hesitation is sweet in a way.
After a while, they finally arrive in the city and head straight for their destination: Nara Park. A peaceful place where culture and nature come together to create an unforgettable experience; the heart of the city with its 500 hectares of colorful trees and its freely roaming young deer. The main goal is to observe the foliage, but if they also come across Kofukuji Temple or Kasuga Taisha Shrine along the way, they will have nothing to complain about.
As they walk along a path lined with golden ginkgo trees, Gouenji feels an itch in his hands. He doesn't know if it's because of the cool October air or if it's just the desire to hold Fubuki's, but in any case, he slowly reaches out to intertwine their hands. First one finger, then another, until their palms fit perfectly together. The silver-haired boy tightens his grip, and the blond notices that, despite his serene expression, his ears are a little red.
Now he is no longer cold.
— Gouenji-kun, look.
He watches Fubuki stretch out to catch a maple leaf that has just fallen from the branch. It is large and red with frayed edges, emphasizing the fact that everything that flourishes is destined to decay, thus encouraging them to enjoy the moment and a beauty that, precisely because it is fleeting, becomes more intense. And that's exactly what he does as he watches Fubuki turn the leaf over in his fingers, all cute and calm.
It's what he likes most about their relationship, that even small moments like these feel imbued with something special and unique, moments that may never happen again. It makes him appreciate the everydayness of life outside the adrenaline they share on the soccer field.
— What's up? Are you mesmerized? — the other teases him, turning the head in his direction.
— Maybe, why? Can't I?
— Of course you can, as long as I'm the object of your enchantment.
The blond smiles and brings his face closer to the other one.
— You really like attracting attention, don't you?
The albino seems to lose himself in his gaze for a few seconds. His eyes sparkle like stardust.
— Look who's talking — he replies, then chuckles too. — Well, maybe it's true, but I especially like to attract your attention.
This confession makes his heart skip a beat, excited. He ruffles his silver hair with the other hand like a rascal and they continue their walk.
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When they finally decide they've seen enough, Gouenji pulls a picnic blanket out of his backpack. They settle under the canopy of a tree and open the thermoses with hot drinks. Fubuki has prepared tuna rice balls, while Gouenji offers him various types of wagashi. They eat in comfortable silence, unaware of the presence of two pairs of curious eyes staring at them from not far away. At the sight of the food, the two guests take a few steps forward, revealing themselves at last.
— Gouenji-kun, look, deer!
Of course, Fubuki is the first to react. His face lights up and he beckons the two animals to come closer. The blond, having anticipated such an occasion, pulls a packet of crackers out of his backpack, only to find that his boyfriend had the same idea. They stare at each other for a few seconds, incredulous, then burst out laughing. The deer are really lucky today, they'll have a whole feast all to themselves.
They feed them; in particular, one of the deer not only nibbles on the cracker, but also licks Fubuki's hand.
— Oi, you're supposed to eat the cracker, not my hand.
From what one can see, the contact tickles him, and his laughter frames a preciousness that Gouenji cannot describe in words, yet feels in every corner of his body.
— Hey, no, that's mine! — exclaims the silver-haired boy right afterwards, seeing his wagashi being taken away by the other animal.
— Crackers may be crackers, but apparently even they prefer wagashi — Gouenji comments, while the thief devours the sweet.
— Won't it hurt him? — he asks, worried.
— I don't think so, just a little piece.
— Hm, okay — he pauses, his eyes still watching the scene. — That wagashi was mine, though...
The blond looks at him with a mixture of amusement and tenderness.
— Here, take mine.
The other smiles again, but instead of taking the dessert, Fubuki approaches him, lies down, and rests his head on his leg.
— Do you mind if I lie here like this? — he asks in a soft voice.
Although Gouenji is a little taken aback, he slowly shakes his head.
— No, you can stay as long as you like.
He strokes his silky hair as if caring for a delicate flower, and Fubuki almost gurgles with happiness as he looks up at him.
— What is it?
— Nothing, it's just... I'm happy we went out together today — he murmurs, and in those words there is confirmation that he has felt the same way all this time.
It's curious, because today they didn't do anything particularly extraordinary, yet the simple fact that they spent that time together made the day memorable.
— Me too — the blond admits, making an exception to his personal rule of emotional restraint. With Fubuki, it's always easier for him to express himself.
The seconds, then the minutes, stretch out between them, prolonging the moment and allowing them to enjoy that feeling of peace for a little longer, even if in the end there never seems to be enough time.
And in fact, it isn't enough, because the sky slowly begins to darken, the air becomes colder, and it's time to go home, so the two teenagers force themselves to get up and walk to the station. On the way, however, they allow themselves a couple of minutes to buy some sweet potatoes.
On the train, Fubuki rests his head on his shoulder, saying he's tired. Something makes him think he's just pretending, but of course he lets him do it.
By the time they reach Inazuma, it is late evening. Gouenji offers to walk him home, and as they walk through the almost deserted streets of the residential area, he feels that bitter aftertaste in the mouth that comes when you know something beautiful is about to end, and you try to hold on to it and postpone it as long as possible.
Unfortunately, the gate to his boyfriend's house appears in his field of vision, and he can no longer postpone the inevitable.
— Here we are — says Fubuki, his gaze fixed on the ground as he pokes the asphalt with his foot.
— Yeah — he replies, and after that, silence creeps in. Neither of them dares to say goodbye first.
When the silence starts to become awkward, however, the blond sighs and runs a hand through his hair, deciding that - for better or worse - he has to do something about it.
— Okay, I'll go then. See you tomorrow, good night, Fubuki.
He is about to turn and leave, but the albino stops him. He grabs his sweatshirt sleeve abruptly and, before he can react in any way, brings their lips together and steals his breath away. They are not yet used to taking this kind of initiative, but when they do, of course they don't pull away immediately. In fact, Gouenji wraps his arms around his hips, taking refuge in the warmth of that kiss and refusing to let him go.
And as he savors those lips that still taste of wagashi, he realizes that if they both commit themselves, those moments don't need to have an end. Maybe just very brief pauses, like when they break away from a kiss and then resume right afterwards, which are just small interludes for what will happen next. A continuum, a ring that starts and returns to where it must return.
That day, Gouenji came home very late.