Work Text:
When he and Francois arrive at the wedding venue, they are greeted by the childhood friend of the groom and bride.
“Yo, haven’t seen you in a while. When was it again, the new year party?”
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Senkuu-sama.” Francois crosses their forearm across their chest and bows. Ryuusui answers with a snap of his fingers.
“Haha! There was that press conference last month, don’t you remember?”
“Oh, yeah. That thing was pure business though, you were the one doing most of the talking, I was spacing out from how boring it was.”
Ryuusui purses his lips. “That conference was to raise funding for your projects, you’d do well to remember it.”
“Isn’t that what the assistants you had me hire for?” Senkuu dismisses him with a flick of his hand. “I have better things to expend my brain power on, like for example, helping the big oaf and Yuzuriha plan their wedding.”
At the mention of their long time friends and even longer for the cabbage head scientist, Ryuusui barks out a laugh. “Haha! Where are they right now? Having pre-wedding jitters, I assume?”
“You’ve got that right. Seriously, I don’t understand what’s there to be nervous about.” Senkuu rolls his eyes. “It’s not like they’ve known each other for years.”
“Still dry as ever, Senkuu. Getting nervous on such an important day is nothing out of the ordinary.” He draws an envelope out from his inner breastpocket. “Here, a little something from me to the happy couple.”
Senkuu’s eyes light up the instant they catch sight of it. “Kukuku, thank you very much.” He rubs his hands like a fly before receiving it. “President Nanami had better give us a lot.”
“Hah! Who do you take me for? This is a wedding of close friends, of course I’m not gonna spare any expense!”
“Yeah, yeah.” A lazy grin on his face, Senkuu gives the envelope a cursory look then puts it in the box for gifts. “Well then, come in.”
Ryuusui walks around the lush venue grounds. They were early. According to Yuzuriha, only one person had arrived before them, apart from Senkuu.
A man is leaning against a tree in the corner, eyes closed in peace.
His seafaring partner on the journey to unravel the mystery of petrification. The corners of his mouth subconsciously turn up.
“Ryuusui.” A smile tugging at his lips, Ukyou opens his eyes and calls out before he even says anything. Ryuusui barks out a laugh.
“Sharp as ever, our sonarman!” He stops across the other and peers up at the canopy. “Haha! If this was back in the days, you’d be up there!”
Ukyou laughs wryly. “What would I need to look out for? Yo crying about how single he is and making it everyone’s problem?”
They share a laugh at the expense of Yo, before he continues.
“If Ryuusui is here, then so is Francois, right?”
“Hmph, correct. Francois went to help with catering.”
“Ah, I see, I’ll be sure to say hi to them later. What about Sai?”
Ryuusui pouts. “He said he’s busy, he’ll attend the wedding tomorrow.”
“Well, to be honest, I thought you’d attend tomorrow too. Weren’t you just opening an airport in Spain?”
“Hmph, how could I miss such an important day for my friends! – I’d like to say, but I actually have some business tomorrow.”
“Haha, so you’re here today? It’s a good thing Taiju and Yuzuriha hold their wedding for two days.”
“What about you?” He quirks a bold eyebrow. “Seems like you’ve got some free time, you got here so early.”
“Speak for yourself?” Ukyou chuckles. “But yeah, I’m pretty free right now. My subordinates were hounding me to take a break, so I decided to use the days off I have piled up. I’ll be here tomorrow too, in case you were wondering.”
“Haha, I see! I’ll be sure to keep that in mind!”
“Eh?” He tilts his head in amusement. “What do you have planned?”
“Nothing yet, but if I think of something, I’ll let you know. By the way,” Ryuusui gives him a good once-over and compliments with a snap of his fingers, “you look good, Ukyou.”
“Ah? Thanks. It’s not very different from how you see me dress though, is it, President Nanami?”
He adds the formal title at the end playfully. Now working as a prominent government official, and factor in their close camaraderie, Ukyou is usually the one Ryuusui, the owner of private businesses, meets for negotiation. Today, he is decked out in an inconspicuous beige suit that leans towards yellow, certainly not a look Ryuusui hasn’t seen before.
“Haha! Quite the contrary, Lieutenant Saionji!” He laughs and tugs on the other man’s cream colored bowtie, causing his green eyes to flicker downward. “Your choice of neckwear is a refreshing deviation from your usual attire. And not to mention – this.”
He flicks the brim of the signature marine cap, now in a more muted color so as not to clash with the rest of the outfit, though the symbol of the Kingdom of Science – the rocket traveling among the stars – remains. Ukyou startled, eyes going round, before laughing softly.
“Well, Yuzuriha is the one who made it, after all. I thought it’s only fitting that I wear it today.”
“A smart choice!” Ryuusui hums in nostalgia. “It certainly brings back memories.”
“I could say the same for you.” Smiling, Ukyou points back at him, and now it’s his turn to look down at his double-breasted wine red suit, paired with a navy tie. “You look good too, captain.” He addresses him playfully. “Though you always dress to the nines, so I don’t think it’s that different from usual.”
“Why, thank you!” Ryuusui dusts non-existent dust off the front of his suit. “Let’s just say, you and I had quite similar ideas.”
“Haha, is that so? Maybe for today, we can be the captain and sonarman of the Perseus again.”
“Haha! I wouldn’t be opposed! After all, today is the day all of the crew is gathered in one place again!”
With tears streaming down his face, Taiju loudly declares that this is the happiest day of his life. Everyone smiles and laughs, because that’s just like Taiju. And then, Yuzuriha leads the speech about how far they have come. It is especially amazing because the two of them were one of the first resurrected, and Senkuu’s first allies. Without them, the world wouldn’t have recovered to the point it has today.
While appreciating the story of the people who were up and running before him, Ryuusui glances to his side.
Bingo.
Ukyou has surprisingly loose tear ducts. The tears of joy he shed when tasting Francois’ baked bread for the first time left such a deep impression on Ryuusui that he still remembers the sight years later. So it’s not out of expectation that he would be moved by their friends’ happiness and the arduous journey leading up to it.
He’s a kind-hearted man who values human lives above all else. I think he has always held a deep-seated respect and admiration for Yuzuriha for her vital role in restoring the broken stone statues. Ryuusui nudges the man who is brushing under his eye with the pad of his fingers and holds out a handkerchief under the table. Ukyou blinks his moist eyes, then with a tiny embarrassed smile, he takes the handkerchief.
“Thanks.” He whispers. Ryuusui only smiles coolly, keeping his eyes on the groom and bride.
“Here, Ryuusui.” Ukyou returns the handkerchief later. “Thanks for lending me it.” He scratches the back of his head. “Sorry you had to see that. I must have gotten old, getting emotional like that.”
Ryuusui doubts age has anything to do with it. He takes back the handkerchief. “Didn’t you just turn 30? It’s too early for you to talk about being old.”
“Ryuusui.” Ukyou quirks a brow and gives him a wry smile. “I turned 30 two years ago.”
“My point still stands! You don’t look a day past 20!”
Ukyou laughs. “Ok, now you’re just flattering me.”
“I’m not!” Ryuusui taps his cheek with the back of his fore and middle fingers. “Your baby face is quite something. You didn’t even look 20 at 24, I thought you were a high school student.”
Ukyou blushes. Waving Ryuusui’s hand off, he pulls down the brim of his hat and turns away.
“You… what are you even saying to a 32 year old man…”
Ryuusui grins and sniggers, while the other closes his eyes with a sullen expression. After a while, as his cheeks almost return to their original color, he glances back at Ryuusui.
“You know, the other day, I saw on the news that you’re in a relationship. Maybe I'll be attending another wedding soon?”
“The Princess of Spain, you mean?” Ryuusui crosses his arms and purses his lips. “Surely you know that's false news. I was just escorting her, they got it on camera and ran with it.”
“Ah, I thought it's something like that. But maybe I'm wrong, you know? You two looked good together, so I thought this might be the one.”
Ryuusui holds back a sigh. “I'm sure the princess would appreciate the compliment, but there's nothing like that going on.”
As a prominent figure and definitely the richest man in the new world, his personal affairs are always a hot topic. News outlets just need to cover which woman he is in close proximity of and say it's a potential relationship and rake in views. Not only that, it would be unwise not to try to forge a connection with him, through the means of marriage included. The Princess of Spain definitely approaches him with some similar motives. He treated her with the courtesy she deserved, but ultimately, he was not interested.
“Ehhh… well, do you plan on getting married soon? You're at that age, after all.” Ukyou adds as an afterthought. “Surely at least one of those girls piqued your interest?”
Why does Ukyou sound like the old men in his family? Now that more members of the Nanami Conglomerate are resurrected, they’ve been hounding him to get married, even setting him up with some of the women he was caught with.
“No, not really.” He can’t help a hint of annoyance bleeding into his voice. “I want to do what I want to do, and right now, marriage isn’t on my agenda.”
Of course, it doesn’t go unnoticed by Ukyou. “Sorry.” He says, ducking his head. “I didn’t know it’s a sensitive topic, I was just curious.”
Ryuusui feels bad about making him apologize. This isn’t even the first time they talk about this kind of topic, but perhaps the merry atmosphere of the wedding makes him averse to talking about his own situation. “It’s fine.” He shakes his head and says. “We’re at a wedding, so this topic would naturally come up. I have no interest right now though, and I don’t want to drag the mood down.”
“Yeah, I get that. Sorry again.”
“I said it’s fine, didn’t I?”
They reach at an impasse, until Ukyou opens his mouth again.
“Well,” he cautiously begins, “I still think you should give it some thought. I’d like to attend another close friend’s wedding soon. Especially yours, since it’s bound to be extravagant.”
“What, do you like going to weddings or something? I didn’t know you had that kind of hobby.”
“I do not! It’s just that—” He sighs. “It's a sign of recovery, you know? People have to worry about survival less, so more people can think about stuff like love and marriage.”
“I can understand the sentiment, but I don’t see how it has to be me! You can get married yourself if that’s what you’re concerned with!”
“Do you think finding a partner is that easy? That’s why I have to count on you!”
Their discussion seems to have devolved into bickering now, because what is Ukyou even saying? Ryuusui retorts. “Are you trying to make me laugh? I know for a fact that people also have their eyes on you, just to a lesser extent. Besides, if we consider our age, shouldn’t you get married first?”
Ukyou becomes momentarily at a loss for words. “That’s…”
As the scale tilts towards his favor, Ryuusui crosses his arms smugly. “You can’t say age has nothing to do with it, because I’ll turn that logic against you.” Snap! “Haha! Until the likes of you and Hyouga settle down, you’re in no place to rush me!”
He expects Ukyou to laugh and admit defeat. Admittedly, things have gotten a little heated, but it is still in the realm of jokes between friends. However, the anticipated response comes delayed. In that split second, the slight furrow of Ukyou's brows, his melted eyes, and his tight lips forming a downward slope – he appears genuinely upset.
Before Ryuusui could process it properly, he lets out a wry laugh like he usually does and starts talking about Hyouga, and the hitch seems to have never happened at all.
Dancing isn’t common in Japanese weddings. It’s a good thing a lot of the guests are American, because the party gets much livelier. Ryuusui asks Suika to a dance, and when he twirls the younger girl at the end, she goes spinning in a flurry of giggles.
As Suika exits the stage while clapping her hands, Kohaku enters with a challenging stretching from ear to ear. With their high energy dynamite warrior, he leads her like a tango. One hand on her back and the other one grabbing hers, they take long strides across the dance floor, and when he spins her outwards, she flies in the air with a kick. People have to step back, forming a wide circle around them to cheer on the dance show that has taken on an element of martial art.
Ryuusui laughs gleefully as Kohaku somersaults in the air. She falls back in his arms, which dip under the weight then bounce back up, and Kohaku lands on her feet like a feline. When he pushes forwards, she pushes back even fiercer. Towards the end of the song, he secures his hold on her and spins them one, twice, before ending in a dip as the last note rings out. Her ponytail brushing the floor, Kohaku has one leg thrown out in a straight line, while his feet are positioned far apart for stability, supporting her with his thigh and the arm under her back. Their hands grabbing each other are high in the air.
The spectators erupt, clapping and whistling enthusiastically. Kohaku scrambles back onto her feet in high spirits.
“You’re good at this, Ryuusui!” She exclaims and high fives him.
“Haha! It’s my pleasure to dance with a beautiful woman!”
“I wanna try those moves you did too.” She huffs out an excited breath and instantly starts scanning the crowd with her 11/10 eyes. Once she spots what she’s looking for, she runs out of the dance floor— towards Ruri sitting at the bar next to Ukyou.
Ryuusui follows after her at a more leisure pace. Ruri smiles and says something, probably praising her little sister. They talk for a bit before Kohaku is tugging on her arm to stand up. They have a little struggle, Ukyou laughs, and then Ruri acquiesces and lets Kohaku pull her away, at which point Ryuusui arrives at the bar. Loosening his tie, he signals for the bartender, Francois, for a cup of water.
“Ah…” Ukyou drawls lightly, leaning his face into his hand. “My drinking partner is gone.”
Francois places a glass on the counter. Ryuusui takes it and downs it in one go. Once he’s done, he lets out a large breath.
“Haha! You’re drinking alone tonight of all nights?” He grabs Ukyou’s arm. “Come on!”
“Ah– what?” Ukyou remains seated. “Sorry, I’ll pass.” He waves his hand frantically. “I don’t dance.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, anyone can dance! Even Ruri is having fun, let loose, Ukyou!”
Francois gathers both of their glasses. “Have fun, Ryuusui-sama, Ukyou-sama.”
“Ah, wait–”
Ryuusui pulls on his arm, heading back to the dance floor. Flustered, Ukyou stumbles out of his seat and lets himself be dragged along.
“Ryuusui!” He whisper-shouts once they are in the throng of people. “I really don’t know how to dance! I mean, I’ve never danced before!”
“Haha, don’t stress yourself over it! Just move your body to the music! You think Kohaku has any former education in dancing?”
“Do I look like Kohaku to you!?”
“Didn’t you use to jump from tree to tree?” Ryuusui questions, a knowing smile on his lips. “I’m sure you won’t have any trouble.”
At the reluctant look on the other’s face, green eyes darting everywhere, he chuckles. “Relax.” He pats his shoulder. “You’ll look out of place standing still like that. Look, even those aloof scientists are dancing.”
Ukyou turns in the direction his thumb is pointing. A few meters away, Senkuu is wriggling like a worm. This cannot be out of his own volition, it must be the work of alcohol and persuasion… Right? And Dr Xeno has his clawy hands on his knees while spinning his head like no tomorrow, and somehow not a single hair in his ridiculous pompadour is out of place. Next to him, Stanley is dancing normally as though nothing is out of the ordinary.
Ukyou frowns in fear and concern. Ryuusui cold sweats, the corner of his upturned lips twitching. He never said they are good at it. The confidence is something, he supposes.
He laughs, drawing Ukyou’s attention back to him. “See? Even if you’re bad at it, no one cares. Or rather, what other people think doesn't matter. And if you're worried about not knowing how to dance,” Ryuusui pulls him closer by the hand, “I'll teach you.”
The song that is playing dies down. Staring into the big green eyes round in surprise, he puts the other hand on Ukyou’s back.
“This is a waltz.”
As the music changes to a slow, sensual love song, he takes a step forward. Ukyou hastily looks down at their feet, placing his hovering hand on Ryuusui’s shoulder and taking a step backward. To the right, then backwards. At first, Ukyou is only focused on not stepping on his partner’s shoes, but the coordination that allows him to fire arrows with pinpoint accuracy while moving also helps him quickly get used to it. Soon, he no longer needs to look down as they move around the dance floor.
“See? Not hard at all, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” he admits with slightly red cheeks, “I suppose.”
“Let’s up the ante a little.” Saying this, Ryuusui digs the toe of his leather shoe into the ground and spins them in a full circle.
“Whoa.”
Ukyou blinks a few times to regain his bearings. Ryuusui speeds up their pace a notch, but it only takes a few seconds for Ukyou to catch up with him. He smiles, starting to enjoy it.
“Ryuusui is good at these kinds of dances, aren’t you?” He says. “Ballroom dancing, right?”
“Yeah, I was taught before petrification. There actually wasn’t much emphasis put on it, but I like it, that’s why I even took extra classes. And also,” a winning smile playing on his lips, Ryuusui dips him, though nowhere near as low as Kohaku, “I’d hate to disappoint the beauties who dance with me.”
Ukyou has just gotten his hand on his hat to prevent it from falling off and he is already pulled back into orbit before he realizes it, the whole move forming a smooth arch.
“Ahaha…” He laughs awkwardly.
“So… you use these skills a lot?”
“Yes.” Ryuusui holds up their connected hands and he takes that as his cue to do a twirl like he has seen in movies. “Especially in the west, they love dancing.”
“I saw your performance with Kohaku, it was impressive, to say the least.”
“You saw that? Haha, thanks! Would you like a similar dance?”
“Ah, no, the pace we’re at is fine.”
As soon as he says that, Ryuusui puts both hands on his waist and lifts him off the ground.
“Whoa!”
With the sound of laughter ringing in his ears, Ukyou finds purchase on his partner’s shoulders. At the same time, Ryuusui lets go of him. Instead of falling back down, Ukyou uses him as a fulcrum and vaults forward, landing on the floor cleanly in a flip.
Ryuusui swivels around to face him. “Nice one!”
Holding onto his hat, Ukyou gives him a half-hearted glare. “At least give me a warning!”
The only response he receives is boisterous laughter. Stepping closer, Ryuusui’s sharp eyes gleam, the eyes of the captain asking his sonarman to put his trust in him. A smile makes its way on Ukyou’s face, ready to see what he will throw at him.
Ryuusui offers his right hand. At the furtive glance at his own right hand, Ukyou curiously mirrors him and places it into his. As the last chorus of the song plays out overhead, they circle each other. They change hands and move in the opposite direction. Eyes locked onto each other, they shorten the distance between them until their folded arms touch, then break away again, their arms stretched straight. At last, when Ryuusui turns on his heel, his partner copies him. They swing into place in the same position they were dancing before, except this time due to the momentum there is barely any space between their bodies. It’s almost like a hug.
Accompanied by the last melody, Ryuusui spins his partner slowly. His soft smile is reflected in those acorn shaped eyes. He ends the performance with a dip. Ukyou’s back is nearly parallel with the floor. His round cap falls off his silver head, making no noise as it hits the floor, though that might not be the case for those supernatural ears.
Ukyou blinks his big round eyes slowly. Ryuusui can’t help but chuckle, reaching out to pick up the fallen cap.
“How was that?” He asks while helping the other back on his feet and putting the hat back on.
“Ah, uhm,” Ukyou’s hands slide off of him to fix it in place, “it was good. Really good.” He puts one hand on his cheek, fingers splayed over his lips, and looks away timidly. “I don’t think any girl would be disappointed to have you as a dance partner.” He lets out a small embarrassed laugh at the end of the sentence.
“Don’t be so humble.” Ryuusui reaches out his hands to smooth down the other’s suit. “Half of it was you. Just as I expected, you have the talent for this.”
“Ahaha, thank you.”
“What do you say?” He holds up his hand, and Ukyou’s gaze flickers down at it. “Care for another dance?”
“...”
The sonarman pulls down the brim of his hat, obscuring his face as he looks away. And then, angling his head in a particular way, his sparkling eyes peer up at Ryuusui as he puts his smaller hand in his.
His lips turn up coyly. “If you insist.”
Ryuusui snaps his fingers and laughs at his own joke. When he receives no reaction, he turns to his conversation partner. Ukyou is staring down at the glass in his hand with heavy eyelids and a dumb smile perpetually stuck on his face.
“Ukyou, hey.” Ryuusui reaches out to shake his shoulder slightly.
“...huh?” His eyes aren’t even able to open fully as he looks at Ryuusui. “Ryuu…sui…? Did you say something?”
“Damn, how much did you have to drink?”
“Quite a bit, I’d say.” The other guy at the table answers for him.
Ryuusui stares at Stanley Snyder. Dr Xeno had to retire early with the excuse of work tomorrow, so he came to drink with them. With Ryuusui’s experience as a pilot and Ukyou’s time in the Maritime Self-Defense Force, they have a lot they can talk about, and they did.
Since he has plans tomorrow, Ryuusui doesn’t drink much, but perhaps he was too engrossed in his own stories. Stanley was probably encouraging Ukyou to drink more when he’s not looking. Damn, he should have paid more attention.
“He’s got more tolerance than I thought.” Stanley takes a sip of his whiskey. “Appearance does deceive.”
“...I think that’s enough for today.” He pushes the drink out of Ukyou’s limp hand. “Come on, I’ll help you get back.”
“Huh? Back?”
“Yeah, where are you staying?” He snaps his fingers for Francois, and a moment later they appear with a tray carrying a jug of water and glasses.
“A nearby hotel…”
“Can you show me direction?” He shoves a glass of water into the other’s hand. Ukyou nods minutely before drinking it.
“You should head back too.” He tells Stanley. “You look a little red yourself, need a ride?”
“No thanks.” Stanley waves him off. “I’ll hitch a ride with Brody.”
Ryuusui nods, slinging Ukyou’s arm over his shoulders. “I'll head out first, Francois.” He calls out.
“Yes, drive safely, Ryuusui-sama.”
A stark contrast to the lively wedding party, the drive back is silent. Ukyou seems to have sobered up somewhat, as he is able to give Ryuusui the direction. It is a little questionable to follow the words of a drunk man, but Ryuusui trusts him.
“Ah, turn left.” Ukyou weakly points to the left. Once Ryuusui makes the turn, he drops his hand back in his lap.
The world has recovered enough that there are now proper asphalt roads, but not many people own private vehicles yet, so even though it is not that late into the night, the road is completely empty. Absent-mindedly watching the streetlights pass by, Ukyou speaks up.
“Ryuusui,” his drowsy voice stirs up the dead silence, “will you never get married?”
This again, all of a sudden? “I said it before, didn’t I?” Ryuusui keeps his eyes on the road. “It’s just not what I have in plan at the moment.”
Ukyou hums.
“Is it because… everyone in the world is your lover?”
Ryuusui startles internally. The line he said when he was younger… he didn’t expect Ukyou to bring it up. The corner of his mouth quirks up, cringing at his younger self.
“You remember that?”
“Of course.” Ukyou smiles and gives a barely perceptible nod. “Ryuusui says a lot of hard to forget things.”
Ryuusui glances out the window for a beat, then returns to the road ahead. “Everyone in the world is my lover.” He repeats the outrageous line. “I stop saying it so as not to cause any misunderstanding. Besides, the meaning has changed a bit now.”
“My desire for people hasn’t changed, but that feeling isn’t what you think of when you hear the word ‘love’.” His fingers drum on the steering wheel. “I was 20. You thought you knew a lot, but when you look back at it, there’s still a lot you have to learn. I realized ‘romantic love’ is a different thing.”
For the first time, he gives voice to the conclusion he has spent a long time to arrive at to somebody else. “It’s not that I won’t be able to choose one person. When I think about it, I’d like to have a partner and cherish them one day. But you don’t force love, do you? Right now, I have no romantic interest in anyone, nor am I desperate for a relationship. I’m not too worried about it – I have plenty of things I want to do, and I have you guys as friends. If love comes knocking at my door one day, I’ll gladly welcome it.”
He slows down as they near the red light.
“I see…” They stop at an empty crossroad. Ukyou smiles down at his lap, a hazy smile like steam fogged on the glass. As if any moment now, it could disappear, leaving behind no trace that it ever existed at all.
“Whoever your future partner is, they must be very lucky.”
By the time they arrive at the door of Ukyou’s hotel room, the man in question is already dead on his feet. Letting him lean on him, Ryuusui fiddles with the key he managed to extract from the other and opens the door.
“Ukyou, wake up.” He nudges.
“Ngghhh…” Ukyou barely stirs.
With a sigh, Ryuusui puts a hand under his knees and picks him up in a bridal carry. The person in his arms puffs out a tiny laugh of joy, snuggling up to his body heat.
What are you laughing at? He smiles a little.
Ryuusui carries him to bed. He takes off Ukyou’s shoes, his jacket, then his hat.
“Ryuusui.”
When he turns to place the cap on the nightstand, something tugs on his sleeve. Ryuusui turns around. Ukyou’s glassy eyes, opened only a sliver, peer up at him.
“Can you give me a hug…?”
“Ah… sure.”
Confused, he does as requested. Ukyou winds his weak arms around him. His lowered brows tighten slightly, and a blissful smile tugs on his lips. From between his narrowed lashes, tears spill out. They haltingly trickle down his temples, before soaking into his silver hair.
Ryuusui is frozen in place. At that moment, a thought crosses his mind.
Could it be… Ukyou is in love with me?
The fragile smile on the other’s face dissolves as his breathing slows down and evens out. Ukyou seems to have fallen into a deep sleep.
That would explain his behavior today. Ah, this will prove to be quite troublesome. Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, Ryuusui sits down on the floor with his back resting against the bed.
He just told Ukyou that he’s not interested in a relationship right now. And it’s not as if Ukyou actually confessed to him. Knowing him, even in the case he remembers everything that happened tonight, he would either be unaware Ryuusui has found out, or not act any differently with him. The best course of action seems to be just keeping quiet about it. Bringing it up just to reject him is no different from trampling on his feelings. It’s beyond uncouth.
That’s fine. Their friendship isn’t some shaky thing that would collapse from a little blow to it. Ukyou is a nice and reasonable man. But. Ryuusui sighs. It just… sours his mood a little. He has been annoyed by the pressure for a relationship and marriage lately, and now this. They had so much fun earlier, he even has souvenir gifts in the back of his car he plans to give Ukyou later, so why…
Wait.
Ryuusui blinks.
Didn’t he bring souvenirs back for Ukyou last time too?
Now that he thinks about it, that is almost every time he comes back to Japan. It’s not like he goes out of his way to buy those souvenirs. Ukyou is just an easy person to buy gifts for, and when Ryuusui sees interesting stuff on his trips, he thinks one of his friends would like it, and coincidentally, most of the time, that friend happens to be Ukyou.
Hasn’t he always come to see Ukyou every time he is in the country, business or not? Ryuusui places a hand over his mouth in thought. That is why he was upset, because he didn’t want to strain their close bond.
A memory resurfaces in his mind, memory of an important date two years ago.
The launch of the rocket to the moon. In the end, he could still fulfill his desire. Even though he had wanted it so badly and finally got his hands on it, no one would have no fear going to space to face an unknown enemy. When Xeno entrusted the fate of the world to him with a hand on his shoulder, perhaps out of nerves, Ryuusui glanced behind the man.
Xeno was standing in front of the communication board. That means – one of the people in charge of communication, Ukyou, was sitting behind him. They made eye contact. Ryuusui thought he saw a flicker of fear in those green eyes, but it disappeared before he could properly register it.
And then, Ukyou smiled and gave a thumbs up.
The kind, big brother smile he gave everyone in the Kingdom of Science. His eyes were bright, as though it was a peaceful day at sea. Just that sight alleviated the heavy weight Ryuusui felt on his shoulders. He never knew such a simple, familiar gesture could bring him such relief. He nodded then, his resolve set in stone.
Afterwards, when they returned victorious, the boat that came to take them back had Ukyou on it. He remembers feeling that the pride he saw in their sonarman back then was more gratifying than any medal he could have received.
Like running a marathon with no predetermined destination, sometimes he can’t help looking back. The lonely road he used to walk is now full of people cheering him on from the sides. As a captain, he isn’t infallible. But when he strays and falters, he has his sonarman he can rely on to help him fix his course and go on the right track. With this trust placed in him, he can go anywhere in the world.
He seems to have underestimated the role of the sonarman. Ryuusui turns around to look at said person peacefully sleeping on the bed. He remains unconscious, not giving Ryuusui the answer he is looking for.
He thought he had learned what there is to learn about love, but could there be more to it?
Let’s look at this from a different angle. If he imagines Ukyou getting married to someone else, and dancing happily like they did with someone else…
“...So that’s how it is.”
As the weight of the new discovery dawns on his mind, slowly, he reaches out a hand to cup Ukyou’s face.
He wonders how long Ukyou has harbored these feelings. It can’t have been a recent development on the same day.
His thumb brushes under Ukyou’s eye, where the tear tract still remains. Perhaps what truly upsets him is the thought that he would be the reason this cute face sheds unhappy tears, were Ryuusui to reject him. That is, if he isn’t already.
I should have known. After all, I hate to see you cry in pain.
“Sorry.” He smiles apologetically. “I’ve made you wait, Ukyou.”
Now then, what should he do to make up to his beloved?
Saionji Ukyou has been in unrequited love for a long time.
They met in a world where all of humanity had been turned to stone. His presence is loud, unignorable – after he woke up, he reintroduced currency and market, and amassed wealth and power in a primitive world that previously had no concept of money, all in a span of just a few days. Ukyou had some reservations about him at first, but he quickly realized that endless greed belies something else.
It was kindness. Nanami Ryuusui is kind. His desire propels the development of science, for the good of the people.
They got along well due to their shared interest and expertise in marine, but the tipping point was back in Treasure Island. Not killing is rational, we have to save even our enemies – even when all the laws of the old world had disappeared, he sincerely affirmed Ukyou’s cowardly ideal. Those words saved him. He never thought something that had always been said to be bad called greed could bring him such relief.
After that, Ukyou always finds himself following Ryuusui with his eyes.
Captain and sonarman. He was secretly happy that there was this unique bond between them that Ryuusui didn’t have with anyone else. In the grand scheme of things, the time they sailed together is insignificant compared to how long either of them spent at sea, but it is undoubtedly the period of his life that he recalls most vividly.
The control room of the Perseus was a space reserved for the two of them. His seat was the one right behind the captain’s place at the rudder. In between listening to the sonar, he would steal a glance. The long black cloak which cascaded down his broad back asserted his larger than life presence. When he was moving or out on the deck, it swished and billowed in the wind, not unlike the long lost fantastical heroes depicted in art.
His bright eyes, always looking forwards, reflect a better world. His finger is the compass needle that points humanity towards the future. As long as he is leading the way, Ukyou feels as though they could go anywhere, even to the end of the earth.
…But all things have to come to an end eventually. The Perseus was lost in their journey around the world, closing that chapter of their lives. The captain – sonarman relationship became something of the past. Ryuusui keeps running, chasing after his desires, going to faraway places. Ukyou could only watch him go to outer space, to the moon high in the distant sky, with his heart in his throat.
It is not so much the matter of whether Ukyou could follow him, but rather, Ryuusui has no need for him wherever he's going. From then on, Ukyou stays in Japan to work on reconstruction, while Ryuusui travels the world to expand the power and influence of the conglomerate he created and named after himself. They could go for months without seeing each other. As long as the person he loves is happy, then that is enough – perhaps the Ukyou in the past would think this, but maybe because he has been watching Ryuusui for so long, his insatiable greed has rubbed off on him, and his heart keeps yearning for something unattainable.
What can he do though? The other person is greed incarnate, who will never choose just one person. He has known this since the beginning. There's no point in confessing, Ryuusui doesn't need that kind of concern weighing on his mind. He should be flying freely around the world. And when he decides to rest his wings, Ukyou will show him the joy of a friend happy to see him again while burying the pain of silent yearning deep in his heart.
He is happy for Taiju and Yuzuriha today, he really is. They deserve it after all they have been through. But, ah, it’s embarrassing to say it. Being at this wedding, where the atmosphere is filled with joy, he feels a little sorry for himself. It doesn’t help that Ryuusui is also here. A hopeless love like this should eventually die out over the years – that is what he thought, but every time they meet, he is reminded of why he fell in the first place, and he loses sight of what he needs to do for his own good.
When he is carried to bed, the rocking of Ryuusui’s body as he moves is like the lull of the boat being swayed by the waves. It’s so nostalgic…
It's no good, at this rate he will continue to carry this feeling for the rest of his life. How long has it been again? Since that day on Treasure Island, throughout the seven year period petrified in South America, over all the ups and downs, and surely, far into the future. Yes…
I have been in love with you for over thirteen years.
There is a clinging sound, the rustling sound of clothes brushing against each other, the sound of slippers scratching the floor – the noise of someone moving around in general. Ukyou blearily opens his eyes. His head aches, but it’s nothing unbearable. Holding his head in his hand, he turns over under the cover.
The tall, broad silhouette clad in a painfully familiar shade of red appears before him. He frowns, focusing his vision.
“Ryuusui…?”
“Ukyou!” Ryuusui swivels around, hair swaying in the air. Smiling brightly in a contrast to Ukyou’s mood, he walks toward the bed. “Sorry, I tried to be quiet. You always get woken up easily, don’t you?”
“Uh, no, it’s ok.” He tries to sit up in bed, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. His body has actually gotten used to the peace that he is no longer on edge about every strange noise. “I’m used to waking up early, I think.”
“Here.” Ryuusui hands him a cup of water he prepared beforehand. “I also got Francois to prepare some hangover cure. It’s on the table, remember to have it later. I’d love to stay, but I have to go see a business partner now.”
Wow, so attentive… “Thank you. But uh, why are you getting ready in my room?” He asks, before drinking from the cup.
“You don’t remember?” Those brown eyes gleam mischievously. “You fell asleep. This hotel doesn’t have autolock doors, and I can’t let you sleep alone in an unlocked room now, can I?”
“So you spent the night here? Wait, where did you even sleep?” Since this is clearly a single room??
Ryuusui looks at him and says blankly. “On the bed.”
“Ah, h–huh???”
“What’s wrong? We used to sleep next to each other, didn’t we?”
Yeah, in a room with a bunch of other people, or outdoors on the ground! Because they were trying to survive in Stone World! This is a single bed in a single hotel room, it’s too cramped for two grown men, let alone one of Ryuusui’s stature! If they were sleeping in the same bed, they were definitely pressed up against each other… Urgh. Ukyou hangs his head between his knees to hide his rapidly heating face.
“I didn’t lay a hand on you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“That’s not it.” He replies curtly. That is the furthest thing from what is on his mind. He lifts his face with a shameful expression. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you…”
“It wasn’t that bad. It was a little cramped, but you sleep in a nice posture and don’t move a lot in your sleep.”
Has Ryuusui always had the habit of saying things that unintentionally dig at him, or has his crush reached a critical level? Ukyou drains the water in the cup and rests an arm on his knee, leaning his face in his hand and closing his eyes tiredly.
Ryuusui takes the cup from him, places it on the nightstand, then holds Ukyou’s hand with his other one. Some butterflies flutter in his stomach, but at this point, he is used to it.
Until the moment drags on too long. What’s going on? Ryuusui isn’t even saying anything. Ukyou cracks his eyes open to look at him.
“Uhm, is there something on my hand…?”
“Ukyou.” With a dashing smile on his face, Ryuusui kneels down by the bed on one knee akin to a knight. Ukyou’s eyes grow wide as saucers. “I love you.”
“Ah– uh– what–?”
“I said! Be my lover, Ukyou!”
“No, no, I must have misheard you– I mean, do you even have any idea what you’re saying—”
“I assure you, I’m fully aware of what I’m asking of you! Haha, but it’s ok!” Ryuusui places a kiss on his knuckles. Ukyou has a strange sudden urge to retract his hand. “I know it’s a little sudden. And of course I plan on properly wooing you, so there's no need for you to give your answer right away. This is just a little prior notice, if you will.”
He is speaking continuously and confidently, making it impossible to get a word in. Ukyou's head is spinning in circles trying to process what he is saying. Finally, Ryuusui lets go of his hand and stands up.
“Unfortunately, I really have to go right now. But I'll be back this afternoon to woo you, so wait for me, ok?”
He brushes Ukyou’s cheek, a fleeting contact that is there then gone the next moment. His gallant smile never changing, Ryuusui turns on his heel and leaves. He takes a glance at the expensive watch on his wrist and then at the door, he turns back to wave his hand before disappearing from sight, leaving Ukyou to struggle to make sense of anything.
“Boooriiing~! Here's what happened, Ukyou-chan: And then, Ryuusui-chan pinned you down on the bed and proceeded to show his love to you like it was you two's own wedding night aaall daaay looong~ The end!”
Ukyou’s eyes flatten into half moons as they glare at the person next to him. “What in the fuck are you talking about?”
“Just think about it!” Gen places a narrating hand over his chest. “After a long time being far apart, you met again at a wedding party. The princely Ryuusui-chan invited you to a dance, and you had fun all night long. And then, when he caringly took you back home, it was revealed the greedy prince is capable of loving one person. So then, isn’t it a natural conclusion that you connect your feelings when you wake up and go your merry way on a honeymoon!?”
“That’s some overactive imagination you’ve got there… Well, I’m here, aren’t I? There’s no honeymoon, as you can see.”
“Argh! I can excuse letting Ukyou-chan sleep because he was drunk, but not gobbling up the food that’s served right to your mouth is a crime! Is that idiot Ryuusui-chan even the self-proclaimed greediest man in the world anymore???”
Ukyou sighs into his glass. Of coke, that is. He is so ashamed of his actions while drunk yesterday that he avoids alcohol all together. In fact, when he sees Stanley again today and the other man acknowledges him, he even goes red to his ears and has to yank his hat down over his face.
Gen is just concerned and being theatrical to cheer him up, but he can’t find anything to be optimistic about. The scene in the morning feels more like a dream than reality, a hallucination his desperate mind made up in a fit of drunkenness to feel better about himself.
“Maybe I misheard it…”
“Ukyou-chan~ if you misheard, then what about us normal people? Are we completely deaf?!”
“But… nothing seemed out of the ordinary yesterday, Ryuusui was acting like usual… what could have changed for him?”
The only thing different is that Ukyou was drunk and overstepped his boundaries. He can’t believe it… all these years hiding without ever being found out, and it all fell apart in one night.
It’s easy to hide when he knows that it’s futile. Even when Ryuusui smiles gently at him, and hugs him, he knows there is no chance for him, and he can easily bury the trembling deep in his heart. Gen is the only one who knows about his unrequited love, and from early on, too. Even if I told him not to, I’m sure he would have tried to help me if there was a chance, that’s the kind of friend he is. The fact that he never did means that even the mentalist could not detect even a hint of something leaning towards romantic in Ryuusui all this time.
“You know, Ukyou-chan.” Gen opens another bottle of cola and pours half of it into each of their glasses. Forgoing the singsonging, his voice is soft. “When you have been struggling for so long, you might find it hard to believe good things can happen.”
He isn’t struggling. Their relationship as friends is going fine. They meet frequently for someone with such a tight schedule flying all over the world like Ryuusui, and when they meet they have no trouble reconnecting and having fun. Ukyou wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. He just… wishes the tightening in his heart would stop.
Every time he sees the news or tabloids discussing another one of Ryuusui’s supposed ‘lover’, he feels an ugly sense of jealousy rises up inside him, but at the same time, he wishes with all his heart that this will be it, that Ryuusui will finally marry a nice girl and settle down, so that the last of the exits are blocked off, and his mind will finally understand that it is inescapable, and this love will be left to die in this cage with no escape.
But it’s fine. Even if he has to hold on to this feeling for the rest of his life…
“As long as I can cheer him on…” He slides down on the counter until his head is cushioned on his folded arms.
“Oh, Ukyou-chan~ Do you have any idea how sad you look when you say that? Like a kitten being left in the rain, that’s what you look like.”
He watches the bubbles fizzing in the cola dully. In the first place, isn’t being in unrequited love for years with no hope of things looking up the definition of pitiful?
“I bet if Ryuusui-chan has seen you like this even once, he will fall for Ukyou-chan sooner!”
He quietly listens to Gen chatters on. At one point, there is some commotion behind them. Taiju and Yuzuriha are saying something about bringing the wedding cake to Senkuu. At the mention of the scientist’s name, Gen perks up, then hesitates, glancing back at Ukyou.
“Just go.” He tells Gen. “I’ll stay here…” wallowing in self-pity…
“Mark my words, Ryuusui-chan will definitely show up later and sweep Ukyou-chan off your feet!” Gen declares, throwing out his hand. “I swear on my pride as a mentalist!”
“Here~” With a wink, he magics out of his sleeve a rose he lifted from one of the many bouquets around. “A little good luck charm for you~”
Ukyou can't help but smile, taking it from him. “Thanks.”
“Tell me how it goes later, ok!”
He bids farewell and runs out. And then, Ukyou is alone. He turns back to the counter and places the rose on it. Sipping cola through a straw, he takes his phone out of his pocket.
He even sent a text to Ryuusui asking for an explanation, but all he received was vague replies.
From: Ryuusui
You'll see
DON'T LEAVE THE WEDDING!! I'll pick you up!!!
Is this really it? Reciprocation? It has been so long that his fantasy of what to hope for has become unclear and muddled. What if Ryuusui just wants to reject him nicely? Ukyou has never doubted his ears more than in that moment. A heavy sigh leaves him. He doesn't want to get his hopes up only to be disappointed.
There is a crash outside, some thuds. That's par for the course for these guys, so he isn't really worried about it. However, soon the thudding of Gen’s footsteps echoes back, along with his voice.
“Ukyou-chan! Ukyou-chan!”
“What?” Ukyou turns to him, puzzled. “Did you forget something?”
Gen snatches the rose back rudely. “Come out there right now!”
Standing next to his lavish car, Ryuusui is holding a giant bouquet of roses. No matter how you look at it, he looks like a man waiting for his lover, a sight Ukyou doesn’t know what to feel about when it hits his eyes.
The cool, lazy smile Ryuusui wears morphs into a bright-eyed grin the instant he spots Ukyou. “Ukyou!” He calls out loudly.
“Ryuusui…” Ukyou slows down from a slight jog to taking the last hesitant steps to reach the other. Before he can say anything more, Ryuusui pushes the bouquet into his hands.
“This is for you!”
Ukyou looks down in surprise. Its diameter is the same as the width of his body. The rich red roses, in an overwhelming amount, are so fresh there are still dews lingering upon the soft petals.
“This is…”
“My first act of wooing you!”
“So, what you said this morning…”
“—is true, of course! I already planned everything for today and the next, so just get in the car and–”
Subconsciously, the corners of his mouth twist. The wrapping paper in his hands crinkle.
“Ryuusui, what even compelled you to do this…?”
Ryuusui stops in his rambling. “Didn’t I say so? I want you to be my lover.”
Ukyou’s lips thin. “Why…?” Ryuusui opens his mouth. “Actually, it doesn’t matter.”
Because surely Ryuusui doesn’t actually love him. Ukyou shoves the bouquet back into his hands.
“I’m sorry.” He bows his head, obscuring his eyes with the brim of his cap, and clasps his hands in front of him, as though he is at work apologizing to an associate. “You probably already know I have feelings for you. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, both last night or in the future. You don’t have to feel obligated to humor me. I won’t let it affect our relationship as it is right now. If you give it time, I’m sure it will go away, so please,” the grip of his hands tighten as he pleads, “you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Go away? That’s the last thing I want.”
Ryuusui’s sailor hand reaches out to tilt his face up by the chin. The earnest eyes that reflect the future greet him.
“Did you think I’d do something like this for someone I don’t love?” Ryuusui strokes his cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I was saving this for when we’re in a romantic mood, but I’ll say it now. In the context of romantic love, I love Ukyou more than anyone in the world.”
The big acorn shaped eyes, gazing up at him, are filled with uncertainty in their lustrous shades of green. Pinned by that gaze, Ryuusui divulges the honest thoughts which have accumulated in less than one day.
“I’ve always relied on Ukyou to assure myself. Because I know I have you to watch my back, I can freely do whatever I desire. Like on the Perseus. When I hit an obstacle, when I have doubts, even when I feel bored, or just feel like looking back, the one sitting right behind me, the sonarman seat – is you.”
His warm brown eyes soften. A gentle wind blows by. It gently ruffles his golden hair, swaying like wispy willow branches reflected in Ukyou’s trembling vision. His hand slides down to take hold of Ukyou’s clasped ones.
“I realized I had taken your beautiful smiles for granted. Ukyou has always supported me, but from now on, I want to go forward together.”
The back of his eyes burn. Ukyou presses his trembling lips tightly together. He thought he would forever remain in the background. Watching from afar, alone with a love that has no place to go. Ryuusui’s words, it is almost like—
Like he is seen.
Ryuusui laughs, his anchor-shaped eyebrows lowered, as his hand wipes the tears flowing down the face of his beloved futilely. “So what’s your answer?”
Swallowing back a sob, Ukyou nods, weakly and desperately.
Because…
“I love the sight of you getting everything you desire.”
Happiness bursts across Ryuusui’s handsome face. Having watched him for so many years, Ukyou never knew he could look so happy. With the arm holding the bouquet, he pulls Ukyou closer by the shoulders while holding his face in the other hand to kiss the tears away. Ukyou sniffles, fisting his hands in the lapel of his burgundy suit jacket.
“Ah… uh…”
Ryuusui sticks out his tongue to lick up the salty tears. He laps at his cute face until it is clean, then kisses his shuddering lashes and eyelids.
“S-stop.”
Ryuusui chuckles. “Why? I’ve wanted to do this since I saw your face waking up this morning.”
Ukyou whines low in his throat. Has his new lover ever acted this childish before? “It’s embarrassing with an audience.” He leans on Ryuusui, cheeks delightfully pink. “Ryuusui, do something about them.”
Ryuusui wraps his arms around him and laughs. “You know you can’t hide from Ukyou’s ears, come out now!”
Signaled by captain's words, everyone pokes their heads out of their hiding place. Trees, walls, gates, electricity poles – many such things.
“Took you long enough, Ryuusui-chan!” Gen shakes his fist in the air wildly. “Do you know how long Ukyou-chan has been in pain? You’d better pamper him to the fullest!!”
“Haha! Noted!”
“Wow! Are you two a couple now?” Taiju shouts. “Congrats!”
Yuzuriha smiles along with her husband. “Congrats, you two.”
Kohaku hops over to them. “Ukyou huh, Ryuusui? Good choice.” She nudges him with her elbow, and the two blonds share a grin. “Will there be a wedding soon? These are fun.”
“Ah, no,” Ukyou waves his hand and laughs nervously, “there’s no way we can talk about that kind of topic at this point. I mean,” he glances over at his now partner, “there’s no guarantee we… will…”
His words die down as a large hand strokes his cheek, angling his face to stare into sharp eyes which glint dangerously.
“You shouldn’t doom our relationship so soon.” Ryuusui breathes into the incredibly narrowed space that separates them. His sensual voice sends heat straight to Ukyou’s ears. “I’ll have you know I don’t intend to let you go anytime soon.”
A giggle floats over, saving him from being devoured by a carnivorous beast. “Haven’t Ryuusui and Ukyou always had good chemistry?” Ruri says as she comes to stand next to Kohaku. “I don’t think anyone expected this, but now that it’s happened, I wouldn’t be surprised if things play out smoothly for you.”
“Yeah.” Kohaku nods along. “At any rate, you might get married sooner than this girl here and her blockhead boyfriend.”
Ruri startles. “Kohaku…” She cries, and her sister pats her back to comfort her.
“I thought there was something between you two.” Stanley walks up to them, huffing his cigarette coolly. “Congrats.”
“Thank you.” Ukyou inclines his head. “Although, come to think of it, you have a hand in making this happen, so we actually owe you thanks.”
“Oh? Did something happen last night?”
Ryuusui bursts out laughing. “Nothing as exciting as what you have in mind, I’m sure!”
“Hm, too bad. It might do you some good to loosen up a little.” That statement seems to be aimed at Ukyou in particular. Stanley exhales the smoke, and one corner of his painted lips is turned up. “Well, it was fun. I wouldn’t mind having another drink with you guys.”
“Only if you don’t push so many to me.” Ukyou frowns at him. “But I wouldn’t be opposed either.”
Sai approaches them cautiously. “Ukyou-kun, are you sure about this?” He asks in full concern. “It’s not too late to back out now! You can pick someone better!”
Ryuusui instantly spits fire. “Shut up, Sai! I still haven’t got to you about the fact you avoided going with me!”
“Because I know you’re too much at parties like this! Am I not wrong?!”
“You weren’t even here yesterday, how would you know!”
“You weren’t here today and still caused this much commotion! Need I say more?!”
Bark bark! Woof woof! Ryuusui almost runs off to quarrel with his brother. He gives Ukyou the bouquet and takes one step, but one look at his lover has him standing back in place.
“Ngh…” He raises a fist to eye level, and his grin twitches menacingly. “I’ll get you later.”
Sai makes a face mocking him while backing away. Are these two really grown men? As Ukyou thinks that, the sound of the shutter of a camera going off rings out. They look in the direction of the noise to find Minami holding up her camera.
“The day the captain and sonarman who helped restore humanity got together – think that’s a good name? Don’t worry, I won’t put this in the newspaper.” Putting the camera away, she turns to address Ukyou. “Ryuusui isn’t too bad, but if he’s ever too much,” she mimes a phone with her hand, winking, “give us a call, ok?”
In the end, because they are a pretty close-knitted group, everyone has something to say and congratulates them. It kinda is similar to a wedding.
“So, what do you have planned?”
Later, as Ryuusui drives them toward their unknown destination, Ukyou asks. Seated in the passenger seat, he holds the bouquet of roses in his arms and gently brushes the soft petals with his fingertips.
“Hmph, I was thinking of taking advantage of your days off and going on a cruise.”
He perks up at the idea. “A cruise?”
“Yes.” Ryuusui glances at him and smiles. “Our time together working on the Perseus and steering it is precious to me. The Perseus is happily retired now, but that doesn’t mean our journey has to end. I’m sure there are still many things I can learn from you, I want to keep sailing with you.”
Ukyou looks down at the flowers in his lap, and his vision grows fuzzy.
“I see…” His lips curve upward shakily. “It's important to me too. I want to keep sailing with Ryuusui.”
A chuckle comes from next to him.
“Don’t cry now. I can’t dry your tears and drive at the same time.”
His face flushes. How mean. “I wasn’t going to.” He sulkily turns his head in the opposite direction.
The scenery on the side of the road passes by idly in the comfortable silence for a moment, before Ryuusui pipes up.
“It seems you have been in love with me for a long time, can I ask how long?”
Ukyou turns back around to direct his gaze on him.
“Hmmm…” He hums coquettishly as though withholding a great secret, leaning his head back on the seat. “How long has Ryuusui been in love?”
“Hmph, I only realized it yesterday, but looking back, I think it started on the day of the rocket launch.”
“Rocket launch? I see, so about two years ago. Fufu,” a small laugh escapes him, “for me, it was—Treasure Island.”
“Treasure Island?” Ryuusui's eyes on the road widen. “That's…”
“So long ago, right? Haha, more than six times longer than you.”
Ukyou acts as if that is a victory to have over him, but Ryuusui can tell it is for his own sake, so that he doesn't dwell too much on how long Ukyou has been in unrequited pain. The lines of his face soften.
“I've made you wait a long time.”
“It’s ok.” Ukyou smiles softly. “I never thought this day would come, I’m happy." He hugs the bouquet Ryuusui gave him. "If this is what awaits at the end of the tunnel, then it’s worth it.”
Perhaps Ryuusui’s vision has been stained by love, because the light coming through the windshield seems to give his companion a hazy glow. He looks both happy and sad, like a lost spirit whose outline is only vaguely defined. If it weren’t for the fact he is driving, Ryuusui would lean over to kiss him silly.
“I’ll make it up to you.” He stares up ahead. “All of those years and more.”
A small laugh. “I can’t wait. I wonder what the greediest guy in the world has in store for me.”
The vast blue sky opens up ahead. In the distance, the harbor they have worked so hard to rebuild comes into view. Ryuusui rolls down the windows, and a refreshing gust of wind rushes in, bringing with it the dizzy scent of salt. For them, it is a scent that brings comfort.
They have their first kiss standing at the bow of the ship cutting through the waves, among the splashing current and whipping wind. The setting, which couldn’t be more fitting for them, reminds him of the ending scene of a lost movie about moving castles.
Their future has only just begun.