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Ushimitsu is, by no means, a weak person. He likes to imagine that he’s always been at his strongest when things seem hopeless. Near-death situations have seemingly become his specialty, but, right now, looking into Akashi’s cold, absent eyes, all his heart wants to do is shatter.
Amaya’s life burnt out, the loss of Shun was too much for him. Ushimitsu would’ve loved to appreciate Amaya, reckless, destructive Amaya, as he died, but as soon as his blood settled on the tile Ushimitsu was desperately calling towards the only person that mattered to him anymore.
Akashi collapsed to his knees, muttering sweet nothings to himself as Ushimitsu ran to his side. The timer jumped to life with a loud click.
Ushimitsu slid to his knees at his friend’s side, and, cradling Akashi’s face in his hands, Ushimitsu called out his name.
“Akashi, it’s over, that was a terrible game, right?” He chuckled weakly. “What a stupid idea, remind me to never let Amaya pick games again.”
Akashi didn’t even acknowledge him. He continued whispering softly to himself, and the timer chirped harshly as they kneeled together.
“Akashi?”
His hands shook as more tears rushed down his cheeks.
The timer beeped.
Ushimitsu didn’t want to look at it, but looking at Akashi’s lifeless face was almost worse than looking at the timer.
This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. They were supposed to save the world, revive all their friends, and live happy lives. This was. . . wrong.
Ushimitsu choked back his sorrow, and hugged Akashi tightly.
“Hey, Akashi,” He bit back a sob. I’ll always lov-”
The timer beeps.
Suddenly his arms are full of nothing but blood, and even though he’s screaming he can’t hear himself anymore, and as his vision goes black he had never felt so alone before in his life.
.
.
.
.
.
Ushimitsu wakes up with a start, his hands clutching desperately for seemingly nothing at all. A soft light filters through the classroom window, gently illuminating the surrounding room.
He swallows the lump in his throat.
A blur of black-blue hair in front of him catches his eye, and Akashi is suddenly looking at him, slightly concerned.
‘. . .Oh, it’s an angel.’
The door clatters open, and Roku-chan quickly rolls in on his skateboard, loudly apologizing for his lateness. Their english teacher, who had been droning on about the differences between action verbs from helping verbs, scolded him for riding his skateboard indoors again, and that this was the 11th time this month, and how maybe he needs to calm down a little.
Roku-chan laughs brightly, “My bad!” He quickly picks up his skateboard and walks over to his seat near the back, making sure to take a detour and give Ushimitsu’s head a quick little pat on his way.
Akashi taps his pencil on Ushimitsu’s desk. He leans down and whispers a quick “You ok?”
Ushimitsu hums, still a little shaken. “Just a bad dream.”
Akashi sighs in understanding. “Why are you sleeping, anyways? I thought english was your favorite class.”
“It is, but there was a super moon last night, and it was at it’s brightest, and I absolutely could not miss it-”
“What?” Akashi cut him off. “Even I saw it last night, it was visible for hours! How long did you stay awake to watch it?”
Ushimitsu has the decency to look a little ashamed. “Four in the morning- Ow!”
Akashi was pinching his cheek hard, “You moron! No wonder you’re tired!”
Their teacher loudly clears her throat, and Akashi immediately spins back to face the front. She sighs in exasperation, “I know how much you two love bonding, but, please, save it until after class.”
“Y-yes, ma’am.” Akashi stutters.
Ushimitsu pouts, Akashi had just been giving him so much attention. He didn’t want their moment to end yet, still feeling a little jittery from the dream he had. He whispered to Akashi, trying to reclaim his attention.
“Hey.”
Akashi pretends not to hear him, trying to avoid getting scolded again.
“Akashi.”
Ushimitsu tugs on the back of his uniform, and Akashi glances back at him, reluctant, but mildly curious.
“I love you.”
Akashi splutters, face flushing, as if embarrassed for thinking he would say anything else.
He mumbles, “I know, idiot.” in a low whisper.
Akashi turns to face the front again, a faint blush still dusting his cheeks. After a moment, he twists his arm around behind his chair, and rests his hand on Ushimitsu’s desk.
Ushimitsu stares at it blankly.
“H-hurry up,” Akashi mumbles, wiggling his fingers. He shifts in his seat, “Come on, this is uncomfortable.”
Quickly realizing, Ushimitsu lovingly entwines their fingers together. He presses a soft kiss to the back of his hand, and rests it against his cheek. He can see the tips of Akashi’s ears redden, and sighs contently.
“You’re so embarrassing, man… Just go back to sleep already, you can copy my notes later.”
Ushimitsu squeezes his hand, reveling in how affectionate Akashi was being today. He closes his eyes, and using Akashi’s hand as a makeshift pillow, begins to drift off.
It was just a dream. His friends were all alive and kicking. Akashi was alive.
The warm light of the room and Akashi’s hand against his cheek lulls him gently back to sleep. The last thing he feels before he’s out is Akashi’s hand softly squeeze back.