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Advanced Engineering was monotonous.
It's not that the professor was boring or that the topics weren't engaging, but they had been reviewing the materials from two weeks ago which Setsu had already gone through a thousand times by themself. The classroom itself wasn't overflowing with students, as engineering seemed to be one of the less popular subjects even though the advanced courses offered a decent amount of credits for a number of majors. Setsu's own still-undecided major left them with many different classes and subjects to pick from, and they had been taking advantage of that position to the fullest by cycling through different classes each semester. Engineering was interesting enough, they'd come to think with the passing time, but the question remained on whether they'd like to pursue the subject for the rest of their educational journey or not.
They readjusted a pen on their already neat looking table, checking their notes and confirming that yes, they were confident about the specific topic being discussed for this class. Taking that into considerarion, having a distracted mind wouldn't hurt this time around. Setsu allowed their mind to wander as they rested their head on a hand, elbow propped up on the table, looking around at the quiet classroom and at the focused students who quickly wrote down notes on their own notebooks. Although the college was decently high-class, most students still preferred to write manually in the old-fashioned pen and paper style, rather than type on laptops and the like. Setsu agreed with the sentiment, though their color-coded notes always prioritized efficiency instead of something like cuteness.
The scenario all around was quite uninspiring. Setsu sighed, picking up the pen again and twirling it between their fingers, maroon eyes giving up their aimless wander and instead focusing on the thing closest to them- which turned out to be Raqio, Setsu's table partner and someone who notoriously disliked being interrupted or bothered during class.
"Quit staring and pay attention to your notes." The snap came automatically after barely ten seconds, Raqio not even bothering to lift up their eyes from the tablet in front of them. They were one of the few who preferred the most advanced methods when it came to studying, owning a tablet and a laptop they took with them everywhere, claiming it was faster and more efficient as opposed to those who avoided relying too much on technology. Their dexterous fingers were quick as they typed, keeping up with the professor's words without a problem. Even Setsu could admit it was a little impressive, although perhaps it was expected from a genius like Raqio.
"I glanced at you for five seconds. That's hardly an invitation to a staring contest." But even then, Setsu didn't tear their gaze away, as if challenging Raqio to break their own concentration in favor of confirming if the claim had been correct or not. They continued to twirl the pen, adjusting their sitting to lean to the side slightly, granting them a better view of their partner's tablet and the contents there. "You, too, have already reviewed this subject before, right?"
"Yes, but that doesn’t mean it's not worth revisiting. There will be a test next week, obviously it's better to ensure all the topics are still fresh in my mind regardless of how many times I've studied them already." There was a short pause before Raqio sighed, a roll of their eyes and them pushing the tablet aside being the sign that their concentration had been successfully broken. They clicked their tongue in irritation, icy blue eyes finally turning to meet Setsu's own. "Moreso, you were looking for ten seconds, not five. You're clearly distracted, Setsu, and it reflects poorly on those of us who actually aim to stay at the top of our classes. I'll say it again, mind your own business and don't bother me."
Anyone else might have considered it an overreaction, and maybe there was a certain truth to that, but they had known each other for a while and Setsu was somewhat used to Raqio's personality by now, even if they weren't necessarily friends nor did they get along all that well. Raqio was arrogant, full of themself, and obnoxious in how they always made it clear their intelligence was way above those around them, but they were strangely reliable during classes and also in the Student Council together with Setsu, so they had learned how to co-exist, especially now that they'd bumped into each other again in Advanced Engineering.
"Must you react so strongly to someone just looking at you?" Setsu didn't feel threatened by the harsh words, they knew Raqio was often more bark than bite, and if anything they had already been previously exposed to sides of them that were a little less difficult to deal with, so they knew they weren't all that bad. "Besides, you're always free to change table partners. We are not exactly chained to each other."
"And risk being stuck with one of these brainless idiots? Hah. I'll pass. You know partnering in this class is mandatory, for some God forsaken reason, and you're the only one here with some semblance of an intellect, even if one barely acceptable to my own standards."
That was as close to a compliment as anyone could get from Raqio: an acknowledgement of one's academic skills, rare as the instances could be, they were at least genuine when coming from a person who hated sycophantic speech with a passion. The professor cleared his throat, catching the attention of the students all around and interrupting their clandestine conversation for a moment, though it was only a short announcement that they were allowed twenty minutes of independent studying and reviewing with their partners now before the class would officially end for the day. Setsu organized their belongings once again, but didn't close their notebook even if they knew they wouldn't be able to fully focus just yet, instead tapping the pen against the paper in a rhythmic pattern. They could at least try to review the contents and notes again after a short break, knowing fully well they'd feel guilty if they didn't.
"What is really on your mind today? It's not like you to be negligent." Surprisingly, it was Raqio who picked their conversation back up after a somewhat long moment of awkward silence. They reached across the table and snatched the pen out of Setsu's hand, instead twirling it now between their own fingers with a cautiously questioning expression, raising an eyebrow as if imperiously expecting an answer that could satisfy them.
It's not as if Setsu knew how to answer the question properly. They were simply distracted and restless. Although it wasn't an everyday occurrence for them to feel this way, it's not like it was so uncommon as for it to be out of character either. Getting lost in their own mind was often a problem, even if they seldom allowed others to know about such weaknesses, and often worked thrice as hard to quickly catch up should they fall behind in classes due to it. They tilted their head when Raqio gestured with a hand for them to hurry up and answer already.
"I don't know. I think I need a break. I'll go take a walk during my downtime before my next class today." Setsu sighed, answering honestly. Lying had never been a strong suit of theirs, so it wasn't an option even under different circumstances, and it certainly would not be a good strategy to use against someone so observant as Raqio.
"Hm. How disappointing. I suppose it's expected of the average mind to require a moment to rest every now and then. We will only be in contact again tomorrow at the Council meeting, so do ensure you'll be less miserable by then."
The words were delivered in Raqio's usual harsh way, but there was no bite behind it once they moved to return Setsu's pen, holding it in offering like a hypothetical bridge between them. The gesture confused Setsu slightly, considering the context of them not getting along during most of their past experiences, but they still moved to take the pen back without hesitation. Perhaps subconsciously, they'd grown to trust Raqio in the familiarity they shared with each other born from attending classes and meetings together.
The fingers holding the pen were slender and soft, well cared for, and the medium-length nails beautifully painted in a shade of vibrant green. Those fingers and even the hand itself contrasted greatly with Setsu's own slightly calloused ones, but they fit someone like Raqio perfectly. They might have a loud, arrogant and harsh personality, but their appearance was nothing if not delicate and easy on the eyes. The green was a bold choice, the color popping out even more when paired with the paleness of Raqio's skin.
"Green... Is green your favorite color?"
Setsu didn't know why the words stumbled out of their lips so carelessly, but they didn't take it back. It was a mere observation based on what they were looking at, glancing up at Raqio to find the other's expression locked in another look of confusion, though it quickly shifted into something a little more extreme, close to bewilderment. They didn't often chat like this during classes, and definitely not in such a casual manner nor about unrelated topics like favorite colors.
"And why would that be relevant?" It made sense for Raqio to be confused, Setsu concluded, though they were now curious enough to not allow the topic to slip or be disregarded so quickly.
"Your nails." They were not so bold as to take hold of Raqio's hand in order to explain their point, but they did drop the pen unceremoniously on the table before turning their attention back to the other, lifting their own hand up and showing their own unpainted, clipped short nails. "They're painted green. From my observation, that's not a very common color, so you must favor it to some extent... Though they do fit your taste in accessories."
There was no immediate reaction at first, with only Setsu waiting for an answer, serious expression still firmly in place, and Raqio looking back with that still-bewildered expression. A part of Setsu's brain began to prepare for another outburst, already knowing to expect an unpleasant reaction from their table partner, but the silence extended itself for yet another awkwardly long time, only to be broken by a barely restrained laughter. It had escaped Raqio's lips in such an unexpected way that they reacted quickly to bring a hand up to cover their mouth, eyebrows drawing together when they laughed again, trying to do so quietly as to not bother the other students and not draw attention onto their shared table. Once they seemed to have enough, and the hand was finally removed, their lips shaped into a self-satisfied smirk was revealed to a curious Setsu.
"Is that not common sense? You're not stupid, Setsu." The specific glint in Raqio's eyes, however, betrayed the tiny amusement they felt at the observation. For whatever reason that was unknown to Setsu, they at least looked proud to show off the colored nails with a wiggle of their fingers. "While you're not wrong, saying something so obvious is a waste of effort and breath. You must really be distracted today to be paying attention to such meaningless details, but this type of advanced class can be rather unforgiving. Why do you think there's only a few of us still left standing? Everyone else jumped ship exactly because they had issues to focus, just like you. How long are you going to last, at this rate?"
They tapped the notebook between them as if to prove a point- Setsu's, still open on the page containing the last notes they wrote at the first minutes of class and never touched again after that.
"I thought Advanced Engineering was simply not very popular. The subjects aren't particularly challenging, after all." Setsu answered, matter-of-factly. They weren't ruffled nor fazed at the attempt to patronize them, but the clear technique of a misdirection only fueled their curiosity farther. "You're a vain person, Raqio. This specific shade of green you picked must have been a purposeful and conscious choice, especially on your hands, since they're almost always in your field of vision."
"That's... We aren't really friends, you know? Why would I tell you anything about my personal tastes or choices whatsoever?"
The dismissal was expected, but it still made Setsu smile a little in its predictability. Is this what a flustered Raqio was like? It was almost cute. They pulled their neglected notebook closer and flipped it to the next page, a blank one, before uncapping the pen and writing a single word, as if just the act of writing something was a threat in itself- then, they nodded to themself and turned their full attention back to their table partner. Unapologetic.
"Humor me? I've already presented all the evidence, and this small thing has clearly caught my attention completely. The sooner you grace me with an answer, the faster we can go back to reviewing notes and memorizing formula."
The click of a tongue was all Setsu needed to know they had won.
"Fine. Since you're so obsessed. Yes, it is my favorite color- this specific shade of green. And yes, it's a pain to find nail polish in this color, so I do go through the extra trouble of searching for it." Raqio paused, lips pressed into a thin line as if considering if they should even continue at all. Although their complexion was already naturally rather pale, the fact they wore some intricate make-up made the subtle reddening of their cheeks all the more evident. It was a side of them that Setsu had never seen before. "I suppose it simply reminds me of good things. Or, rather, I associate the color with precious memories... Senseless as the notion may be."
Setsu's smile grew, only imperceptibly so, soft at the edges. They might have pressed the other for this answer out of their own curiosity, but it turned out to be quite a tender thing- they knew nearly nothing of Raqio's past at all, but here in this moment, the feeling of a familiar fondness was obvious in the shape of those blue eyes, and in the tune those words had been said with.
It was honest, and vulnerable, and it made Setsu understand their classmate a little bit better, even if only slightly.
"Thank you." They settled for saying, simple and without making any fuss about it. "Now help me make sense of the mathematics in this scenario the professor mentioned."
When they turned to their notebook and started writing down the formula for their notes, the sound of Raqio picking up their tablet to begin typing, together with their 'huff' of feigned annoyance was all the evidence they needed to know the other would follow the suggestion without protest. As if nothing had happened at all.
• • •
The interaction had followed Setsu throughout most of their day. After Advanced Engineering was over and done with, they had a downtime of four hours before their next class that would happen in the late afternoon. The schedule was strange, and took a little bit of getting used to at first, but having some time to themself before falling head first into another class that required their braincells to be working at full capacity was an unlikely blessing in disguise. On most days they'd wisely use their time to get lunch before hitting the gym, adamant about their routine and wholly dedicated to their idea of daily discipline, but on some rare occasions, that tightly organized schedule met its biggest enemy in the shape of a minty haired boy that managed to be even shorter than Setsu themself. The concept of 'unstoppable force versus immovable object' had never been such a constant in Setsu's life until they met Yuri.
Of course, the boy was so understanding that Setsu was sure they could've simply explained themself and no big deal would be made from it, but. Could they be blamed for wanting to spend time with their boyfriend, even if at the cost of making occasional adjustments to their tight schedule?
"I'm so glad we can hang out today." It was the first thing to leave Yuri's mouth as soon as they entered his room, Setsu following right behind him and closing the door with a soft smile. The house itself was empty, even before they got there, but Yuri always preferred to spend time in his room as opposed to the other living spaces since it made him self-conscious about the lack of any family members around.
Truth be told, they hadn't known each other for too long, only meeting during the first day of college when they'd ended up sitting side by side at the introductory speech for freshmen, and even their romantic involvement was still somewhat of a fresh thing, but Setsu was more than confident by now that what they shared was special, perhaps even a spiritual connection of sorts. Yuri was kind and helpful, the sort of person who was always there for everyone, but without being so meek as to be labeled a pushover. He might not be the most confident person in a group, but he made up for it with a determination to do things right. Everyone liked Yuri right off the bat, or at the very least regarded him with polite neutrality, and there was just something about him that made people gravitate or be pulled towards him in ways that didn't always make sense. Setsu, of course, was not an exception, though they'd never claim to regret any decision made when it came to interacting with the boy. To them, Yuri was an unique and irreplaceable variable, one they'd like to unabashedly treasure for the rest of their time on this Earth.
"Setsu?"
"Ah, sorry, Yuri. I've been a little lost in thought today." Their smile turned sheepish, watching the boy settle into his own room, dropping his bag on his work desk at the corner before sitting down on the edge of the bed and gesturing for Setsu to approach, which they did without hesitation. "But I'm happy to be here too."
"Hm... Is it one of those days...?" Yuri lifted his hand in offering, palm up and welcoming, even when Setsu knew from previous experiences that he wouldn't be offended if they rejected the touch. Still, they took the hand, lacing their fingers together once they sat down beside the other, watching the way Yuri's face lit up at the contact.
"Kind of. I'm just distracted. It made classes feel a lot longer than usual." Everyone had their bad days, but Yuri was the only person Setsu had trusted enough to open up about theirs. They looked up at the ceiling, the thumb rubbing their knuckles a grounding and welcomed pressure. "But anyway, we are here now. How was your day? Or is, I suppose, it's still early to claim it as close to ending."
Yuri fell back onto the bed immediately, a sigh escaping his lips and his free hand placed behind his head in a position that was far too relaxed and casual for the strange mix of feelings that showed on his expression. It was uncommon to see Yuri like this, looking unsure and complicated, prompting Setsu to tilt their head curiously in a silent question. They knew the boy led a life that was far from perfect, especially considering the accident over a year ago that left him dealing with the consequences of retrograde amnesia- it couldn't have been easy to navigate life on such a blank slate that took over all of his high school years. But Yuri managed, as best as he could, and Setsu was at least glad to be able to support him through it. Having each other made the bad days easier.
"It was fine. I'm being dramatic." But his slight pouty lips said otherwise, a fact which Setsu observed with equal amounts of amusement and fondness. Yuri stared up at the ceiling, but he still squeezed Setsu's hand when he spoke again. "Psychology is not as much fun without you there."
That hit a certain chord in their heart, even if they knew Yuri wasn't truly upset about it. Not at them, at least, he did respect their decision of switching minors but spending time together at class and studying had been such a constant that anyone would've missed them in a similar situation. The fact they were dating certainly only made the feeling more evident, even if they still saw each other and tried to hang out as much as possible.
It has been two months already since second semester began. The distance had to start becoming easier eventually.
"I've been a little more interested in numbers recently. They're much easier to understand than people." Setsu replied, only mildly surprised to note how much they meant it.
"I figured. But still." Turning on his side, Yuri looked up at Setsu, green eyes looking somewhat pleading through his bangs, the same way a puppy would look at its owner while waiting for a snack. "Maybe I should just swap majors, we could end up in the same class again then."
"Don't. You're already halfway done with your first year, and you have good credits and grades. Meanwhile, I still don't feel like I'm closer to a decision... even if, realistically, I'll have to settle soon. I'm just delaying the inevitable for as long as I can." The sigh that left their lips was heavy and uncertain, as if they already knew the ending that awaited them wasn't a happy one, no matter how many different sides and angles they tried to look at it from. Still, they shot Yuri a tiny smile, a little tentative, but a hopeful one nonetheless. "Don't be a lost cause like me, Yuri. Aren't you enjoying Social Work? I thought you'd like being able to help people."
"And I am. It's just... I wish I could consider other options too, you know? I've been doing this for months already and every time I still ask myself where I would be had I chose something different. Would I be happier? Or would I find it too difficult and give up? I don't even know where I'd start. I don't know if there's any other option I would pick."
Setsu listened to the words with an attentive silence that they reserved solely for moments where they cared the most. Yuri was just like them in certain aspects. He didn't have many people whom he trusted to talk to about his struggles, especially regarding his amnesia and the subsequent issues with his sense of self that came with it, so whenever he talked, Setsu listened. It was only fair. And Yuri had always found it easier to speak his mind freely with someone he trusted rather than with his therapist, even if he still left the heavier topics to be discussed with a professional, something Setsu knew he chose to do out of care for both himself and for the people around him.
There was silence for a while, but it wasn't uncomfortable or heavy. It was simply the shared silence of two people who understood each other too well, and didn't feel the need to put it into words. Setsu knew Yuri's venting rarely required constant commentary- he only vocalized things in order to better organize them in his mind, and to remove some of the weight that often laid on his shoulders from silent overthinking. And Setsu might have been intelligent in many different topics, but emotional advice was something they were still working on getting better at, one step at a time. They didn't trust themself to say the right thing just yet.
They felt Yuri's hand squeeze theirs, then a sudden tug that was both playful and purposeful. Setsu fell back onto the bed with an oof, knowing fully well they could have resisted and easily stopped Yuri's attempt, but choosing to play along if only so the both of them could be even closer.
"Besides, you're not a lost cause, Setsu." He said simply, with all the determination someone so small like him could gather, like it was an immutable truth of the world.
They smiled again, a bigger one this time, more open and unrestrained and the kind that made their cheeks flush. Even though they'd said it mostly as a joke, it was still nice to hear that someone thought of them positively. Moreover, their opinion of Yuri was the highest too, even if the boy's confidence was a flicker little thing. They knew for sure he would grow into someone perfectly amazing, no matter what path he took.
"...And you, Yuri, aren't lost at all."
The reassurance came easily this time, and Yuri smiled at that too, a reflection of Setsu's expression that showed a sense of understanding. This light moment shared between only the two of them, hands still laced together and faces mere a palm apart, would remain in their memories for the next years to come. And that was more important than any current insecurities.
"Hm... When you say it like that, I can't help but believe it." That simple exchange of words had enough weight and comfort attached to it to give them energy for the rest of the week. Yuri rolled back onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling again, but his expression was a lot more carefree, his shoulders relaxed, as if he'd let go of a heavy weight he'd been holding to himself this whole time. Setsu observed his profile- the curve of his nose, his plump cheeks-, while waiting for him to continue patiently. "But, engineering, huh? I heard that's a pretty demanding class. But it does give a nice amount of credits."
Going back to the previous topic so suddenly almost startled Setsu, interrupting their task of minutely noticing their beloved, but they recovered quickly with a couple blinks, focusing on the words and humming as if mulling over them. They knew Yuri paid attention to their schedule and knew what classes they were part of, but knowing he put thought into it unprompted and worried about them made their heart flutter every time. It's not as if they thought themselves particularly interesting or noteworthy, though in the past Yuri had claimed the exact contrary.
"It's not as bad as it sounds. It includes many concepts that are familiar to me from my studies in military school." Their free hand lifted itself to their hair, playing with that insistent strand that always laid in front of their forehead. They weren't embarrassed of their choice nor of their past, but talking about themselves and how they felt would always leave them feeling strangely vulnerable, even if in front of the one person they trusted the most. "But I'm keeping up easily enough, even if it's an advanced class. I'm second place in grades right now."
"Second place?! Woah." Yuri's eyes shone in that way they only did when he was being genuine. Setsu found themself blushing slightly at the reaction, allowing a sense of pride to bloom in their chest. "That's amazing. I knew you were smart, Setsu, but that made me admire you even more now."
That sort of sincere admission was too much. They avoided the eye contact immediately, instead focusing on the ceiling too and adopting the same position as Yuri, trying to will away the burn on their cheeks that was certainly noticeable by now.
"Maybe. But it's not really that impressive... Second place isn't the same as first place, after all."
"I still think it's amazing." Yuri repeated, simply. He lifted his free hand up high in front of him, stretching his fingers and looking at the ceiling between them as if reaching for something far away. As if there was something neither of them could see, but maybe with enough effort, they could touch it. Then, as if it was nothing, he just dropped the hand and turned on his side again, even if Setsu wasn't quite ready to mimic the movement just yet. "Besides, Raqio is in that class too, right? They're pretty much a genius, it's kind of scary. I'm sure that's the only reason why you're not first place yourself."
The question made Setsu pause their train of thought. Their brows furrowed lightly as if instinct. "How do you know?"
"I'm friends with them. Well, somewhat. They help me out with some classes by tutoring me when I ask." It wasn't new information that Yuri was occasionally tutored by upperclassmen, but Setsu hadn't known Raqio was one of them, especially since the other had never mentioned Yuri in any conversation before. "I've seen them walking to the STEM building at the same time that engineering classes are happening, so it was easy to connect the dots..."
"I see... Yeah, they're first place in Advanced Engineering right now. We've worked on a couple projects together before too." Their frown deepened only a little. It's not that they expected Raqio to talk about their personal life, but it was somewhat of a common knowledge around the college that Setsu and Yuri were an item, especially due to the boy's popularity. And, maybe the friendship with their boyfriend could have assisted in breaking the obvious wall between them and Raqio. That, at the very least, would have spared them a number of headaches before. Setsu shook their head, pushing the thought away and attempting to shape their expression back into a neutral one. "To tell you the truth, I don't think they like me very much."
"Really? I think that's how they are with everyone. They have this strange way of acting unreachable all the time, but they always end up helping me when I need, so I don't think they're truly a bad person. Maybe they're shy?"
Shy. Such a word that definitely did not describe Raqio whatsoever, but it still made the slightest bit of sense when Yuri said it like that, even if only because he seemed to really believe it a possibility. The absurdity of the situation was hilarious to Setsu, no matter what angle they tried to look at it from, and they were unable to stop a small laugh from bubbling up in their chest, covering their mouth with a hand and curling in on themself a bit as they continued to laugh. Yuri looked like he was caught entirely off-guard, eyes widening just so at the display even though the corner of his own lips also twitched, obviously holding back his own laughter at both the situation and his partner's reaction alike.
"What? I didn't say anything weird!"
"No, it was just amusing to imagine. I don't think they strike me as the shy type, maybe more so the playful type who is full of themself... But they did say something today that made me look at them differently for a moment, so maybe you're not completely wrong." They had stopped laughing, but the smile that remained gracing their lips was of the softest kind even as they caught their breath. Setsu wouldn't normally act in such an unrestrained way, but being with Yuri did give them the freedom to show sides of themself that they wouldn't do to anyone else. "You're far too cute, Yuri. Always trying to see the good in everyone."
Saying that, Setsu dropped all restraint at last and allowed themself to scoot closer, letting go of Yuri's hand only to instead wrap their arms around the boy in a loose hug, the kind that left room for rejection should he choose to, though they tighetened their hold slightly once they felt the nearly automatic response of Yuri's arms wrapping around them as well, bringing them closer, like they're allowed to do this without shame of hesitance at all. They rested their chin on Yuri's chest, maroon eyes looking up at the boy's face with a soft look of fondness. His popularity was no wonder then, when one truly thought about it in depth. Yuri was a precious person in a world that didn't treat him as kindly. He was complex- he could be selfish at times, Setsu had learned, and scarily calculating when the situation asked for it too-, but ultimately he was friendly and warm and always prioritized those close to him. Setsu's heart felt full in the way it only did when they remembered with certainty that they were Yuri's most cherished person, just like Yuri was to them, and they would continue to find each other over and over no matter what it took.
Maybe they are soulmates in every universe, every timeline. That was a nice thought to have.
"You called me cute and are cuddling up to me. I don't see any real complaints there." The pout on Yuri's face, however adorable it was, was also of the fakest nature, Setsu could tell. "You may disagree, but that's really how I see it. Just like I meant it when I said you're amazing."
It was his turn to blush, and his reaction was just as obvious as Setsu's own, which made them feel considerably better and less self conscious of their burning cheeks. When they were held this close, they could smell the faint scent of vanilla and mint that seemed to follow Yuri everywhere, and it was comforting when they turned their head to instead rest their cheek against the boy's chest. The arms around them squeezed once, then the hold loosened and one of Yuri's hands came up to Setsu's head, playing with their hair softly, hesitantly at first, but then with a growing certainty and confidence when they leaned into the touch in a poorly restrained act of neediness.
"I know. It may not always seen like I do, but I know. I promise." They closed their eyes, happy to bask in the comfort of this moment and of their shared proximity, ignorant to the outside world and not thinking of anything but the scent of mint and the warmth that surrounded them.
Yuri shifted under them, only slightly, but they remained stubbornly unmoving, only until they felt a pair of lips cut the distance between them, landing on their forehead with the certainty of someone who wanted to communicate nothing but love. It was soft but secure, lasting slightly longer than expected, as if Yuri himself was trying to memorize the feeling. Setsu would have gasped, but they didn't want to end up cutting the contact short on accident by overreacting, instead allowing Yuri to go on for as long as he pleased. The contact itself was comforting, just like everything else in the scenario. Setsu could grow used to this.
But then it was gone, with Yuri leaning back and Setsu opening their eyes at last to look at him. He was smiling, of course, the goofy type of smile from a boy who's smitten with what's in front of him, his cheeks were flushed a deep red that reached even the tip of his ears, even his forehead looking somewhat pinkish. Adorable, adorable, adorable. It was all Setsu could think of, even if they knew their own face must have been in a similar situation. Then, as if prompted by a higher force they understood nothing about, they focused on Yuri's eyes that looked at them with so much fondness it made their chest hurt. They were big, and bright, filled with an affection that maybe no one else would have understood if they didn't feel the exact same like Setsu did, and they were oh so green.
Green, the exact same shade from earlier that day. The same shade as that person's nails. Yes, it was a good color, just like Raqio had said. It made one think of precious memories, of moments shared between two people who loved each other more than anything. Maybe if Setsu could carry a reminder of Yuri's eyes with them everywhere, they certainly would, if only to always be reminded of this feeling, this happiness that belonged exclusively to the two of them.
Raqio had good taste. Setsu would have to find a way to tell them later.