Archive of Our Own

The days after Yu Narukami left Inaba was felt by the entire town.

The streets suddenly felt empty, the sky looked dull, and the music from Yosuke's mp3 player just felt like background noise.

Or that was probably all just Yosuke and he was projecting his feelings to the entirety of Inaba.

It was no secret that Yu Narukami and Yosuke Hanamura were like two peas in a pod, always attached to the hip like they've been glued together or they had always been that way.

So, to nobody's surprise, Yosuke wasn't handling it well.

He'd been able to hide it well enough on Yu's last day, but the moment Yu was gone, Yosuke was sure a large part of himself went with his best friend.

He was good enough at his job that it wasn't an issue for a while, but when classes started again the partner-shaped hole just became more apparent than ever.

Not seeing his best friend's name in the list of students made Yosuke's chest hurt, and entering his new classroom with no empty seat saved for Yu made him want to hurl.

Yosuke thought to himself that Yu being in a different class would've been easier, that even if they weren't classmates this year it'd be alright because they could still meet up for lunch and after class.

But Yu wasn't even in town, he was miles away in the big city, either all alone or had garnered new friends in no time.

It wasn't like he didn't his best to be positive, because unlike last year, he still had friends he could hang out with in place of Yu, and that he only needed to go through one year without his partner before they could reunite again for college.

But when a teacher asked him a question and there was no one around to help (or his current seatmate Yukiko, if she was merciful enough that day), or when he ate lunch with Chie and Yukiko inside their classroom or with the second-years at the rooftop with a Junes-brand packed meal instead of something homemade, or when class ended and he would third-wheel Yukiko and Chie on the way out, his heart would clench, feeling the emptiness that couldn't easily be filled.

By this point, he was used to the worried glances. Rise was inviting him more to hang out with her at Okina (the him of last year would've been so ecstatic to have the Risette alone to himself, but now he was just… meh), Kanji and Naoto walked with him to school, Yukiko offered to help him with his studies, and even Chie would offer him an extra barbecue stick. He was grateful for them, truly, but they just weren't Yu. He couldn't just talk about the same things like he did with Yu, couldn't just bask in the comfort that only his partner could provide.

Yosuke's friends weren't the only ones who noticed his behaviour. His parents noticed he was eating less, with his mother having to force him to stay in his seat for dinner, Teddie claiming the job of feeding the cats of Inaba in place of Yosuke—who promised to do it in Yu's stead when he left—because Yosuke couldn't look at the cats anymore without thinking of Yu and getting crushed, and his father letting him take less shifts at Junes.

Normally, the last one would've made him jump for joy, but having less things to do to distract him and leaving him alone to his thoughts just made things worse.

He knew he was being dramatic, because Yu was coming back for Golden Week—which was just a three weeks away now—and promised to visit them every break, but waiting for Yu to come back was proving to be a real challenge for Yosuke.

In fact, he and Yu talked every day. Yu called him almost every night, and the two of them would last hours on the phone, often falling asleep mid-call (which Yosuke preferred despite his phone bill rising over having to hear Yu say goodbye). So Yosuke didn't really get why he still felt so lost, so empty, without Yu around.

Waking up felt like a chore, going to school proved more difficult than usual, work was even more of a drag, and every reminder of Yu felt like he was being pricked by needles all over his body.

It was Rise who brought the idea to him.

The two of them were in Okina with Yosuke being roped into being Rise's bag holder. He would've been annoyed with the amount of purchases he was currently forced to hold, but she did promise him she'd buy him whatever he wanted at the music store in exchange.

As he waited for Rise to finish having her clothes scanned and eventually pay, he thought of the image they displayed. To the untrained eye, they could pass off as a couple on a date. Rise did make them wear masks every time they exited the stores.

He should be elated about that. He should be jumping in joy at the idea of being on a date with Risette, or even at just the fact that she chose to hang out with him of all people. Instead, he's just grateful for the distraction, otherwise, he'd be rotting in his bedroom blasting depressing music.

He was still out of it by the time they were at a cafe, sitting next to each other at one side of a booth because the other seat held all of Rise's purchases (and the paper bag containing Yosuke's new CD's). Again, he should be ecstatic about this, especially when Rise grabbed his arm and clung to it. Except, all he could think of was that Rise would be doing this with Yu instead of him if he was here. The thought of Yu once again made him glum.

"Senpaiiii, at least pretend you're happy to be here," Rise pouted, waking him from his thoughts. She clung tighter, harrumphing when Yosuke only scratched his head.

"I would've expected you to jump at the chance to hang out with me. I even expected you to be freaking out right now, as I'm still hanging off of you," Rise pointed out, laying her head on Yosuke's shoulder as she took a slice of her cake.

He really should. Anyone, including his past self, would fight for the chance at what he had at the moment, but he just felt nothing. What was wrong with him?

"I'm sorry, Rise. I haven't exactly been good company, huh?"

"I won't lie and say you have, but… I guess Yu-senpai's departure would hit you the most, huh?" she replied.

Yosuke only bit his lip.

"I know you miss him, we all do too. But this isn't exactly healthy, senpai. You need to move forward. We're worried about you, you know?"

Yosuke sighed, "I know. It's just… I can't help it for some reason. I really want to, I do."

Rise intertwined their fingers and gave Yosuke's hand a squeeze.

"We're all here for you, Yosuke-senpai, alright? If you ever need company, I'm just a call away. The same goes for everyone else."

"Thanks, Rise. That means a lot to me," Yosuke smiled at her.

"Yu-senpai wouldn't like seeing you so gloomy, after all!" Rise smiled back.

While she was obviously just trying to help, the thought of Yu made his heart clench again. It didn't help that his brain unhelpfully supplied him an image of Yu's worried face, sporting a frown and scrunched eyebrows that already made Yosuke guilty.

He wouldn't be able to bear seeing that in person.

Noticing his inner turmoil, Rise squeezed his hand again.

"Yosuke-senpai, do you… like Yu-senpai?" she asked, as if careful of his reaction.

She was right to be careful, because Yosuke immediately jumped, letting go of Rise's hold and bumping his knee on the table.

He groaned, clutching his knee in pain. He laid his head on the table, using his pain as an excuse to hide from Rise.

"Oh, so you do! That makes so much sense."

"Wha– I haven't even said anything!" he protested, raising his head in panic. He could feel his cheeks burning at the thought of him… liking… Yu—god.

"You don't need to," she remarked, "we've been talking to ourselves on how you've been acting like you've been through a break up, and it's nice to know the suspicions are close to the truth."

"It is so not!" he almost screeched, remembering that they were still out and lowering his voice to hide his freak out as much as possible.

"I dunno senpai, you miss him right?"

He nodded.

"And you feel like you can't function without him around?" a nod.

"Even if the two of you talk every day?" another nod.

"Like a piece of you was taken away, leaving you empty?" Yosuke nodded again, with reluctance.

They were silent for a while, with Rise gently rubbing his back as Yosuke started to reevaluate his entire life.

"It's okay, senpai. I mean, it's Yu Narukami we're talking about here, I'm not surprised you caught feelings too," she patted him.

Yosuke didn't know if she was able to tell how he was feeling because of her persona, or he was just being obvious.

Did he really like Yu that way?

Sure, Yu was great. There was no one else like him, and Yosuke could spend his entire life looking for someone similar but they'll never hold a candle to Yu.

He couldn't imagine his life without his partner, and no matter what form that took, he couldn't bear to be separated from him.

…

Okay… those weren't helping his case at all.

"If I… if I had feelings for Yu, would that be okay…?" he whispered, mostly to himself.

Rise caught his words, however.

"Of course it is! Why would it be otherwise?"

"B-because! We're– we're both guys for one–"

"I thought you said you'd stop being homophobic," Rise raised an eyebrow.

"I mean! That's for other people! I– I can't be– be–"

"Gay?" Yosuke cringed, "you don't have to be though. You can like girls… and Yu-senpai."

He groaned in response, dropping his head to his hands.

"There, there. If you're so hung up about it, why don't you just go and visit him?"

Yosuke peeked through his fingers.

So he liked Yu. Great. Fantastic even.

Not.

That night, he rolled around on his bed, trying to make sense of it all.

Rise was right, everything he was feeling right now led to having feelings for his best friend, and there was no point denying it anymore. If anything, he's more surprised that he wasn't freaking out as much over it.

But he supposed that there were bigger problems to chew on, such as the fact that still remained: romantic feelings or not, Yosuke was nothing without his partner.

He groaned on his pillow, the sounds muffled so Teddie wouldn't wake up and get all concerned again.

He just finished a call with Yu an hour ago, telling her about his hang out with Rise sans the feelings talk. Yu seemed happy for him, saying that it was nice to know that he and Rise had gotten closer. Yosuke tried his best to stop himself from saying that it didn't feel the same without Yu.

As he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts went back to Rise's idea. It seemed sound enough. He could drop by over the weekend to check on Yu and come back before Monday, easy.

But then, Yu was coming back in two weeks anyway, and it hadn't been that long since he left, so Yosuke didn't want to look too desperate (even if he so was).

And there was the other thing. If he went there, he was sure he'd never be able to come back to Inaba. Not because he'd be back in the city, but because he wouldn't be able bear letting Yu go.

It was only two weeks. He can wait.

He could not wait any longer.

It was three days before Yu was scheduled to return to Inaba. He'd arrive on Sunday and spend the entire Golden Week in town.

The investigation team already had plans for a welcoming party over the Dojima Residence that day, and Yosuke—most likely due to everyone pitying him—was assigned to pick Yu up from the station while everyone worked on the preparations.

Maybe he was just far too weak (or because he had to work last weekend so he really couldn't go), but he applauded himself for even lasting this long. There were already far too many instances when he wanted to just skip school and head straight to Tokyo, consequences be damned.

(He'd already gotten Yu's address from Dojima the week prior, and he was very sure the man didn't buy his excuse of getting gifts delivered to Yu at all, but he luckily didn't pry. Yosuke must've looked horrible enough without Yu's presence that even he took pity.)

If anything however, his friends were glad that he looked slightly better than usual, even though "better" meant less depressed and just more agitated and jumpy. They chalked it all to nerves as Yu's return date approached, but only Rise knew the truth.

Friday evening, Yosuke couldn't bear it any longer.

He talked to his mother, begging asking her to let him go to Tokyo for the weekend.

"I'll use my own money for everything, swear! I just need your permission," he said over the kitchen island, close to kneeling.

His mother took a good look at him. Most likely noticing the hollow in his cheeks, the bags under his eyes and the rather pathetic look his entire being exuded, she eventually sighed and relented.

"Fine. But do it tomorrow, it's already too late for you to travel to Tokyo at this hour."

Yosuke almost cried in joy. Instead, he whooped and gave his mother a grateful hug.

Yosuke woke up extra early—though he didn't exactly need to, seeing as he barely slept last night—and took the very first train to Tokyo. He only packed an overnight bag since he planned to return with Yu to Inaba together the next day anyway, and his white jacket in case it got too cold. He would've taken his hoodie with him, because he thought that looked a lot more fitting to wear in the city, but for some reason, he just couldn't find it, and he didn't have the time to turn his entire closet upside down for just one article of clothing. Teddie must've stolen it, he had gotten to borrowing some of Yosuke's clothes lately due to living in his closet. He took a mental note to reprimand him when he came back.

Despite his assurances to use his own allowance, his mother still drove him to the station and bought him a ticket anyway, even giving him snacks to eat for the ride. He really must've looked that bad for his mother to go through the extra mile for him before she went to work.

When he finally arrived in the city hours later, he suddenly felt overwhelmed.

It's been a while since he'd been to Tokyo, and over a year of living in the sticks had now caused him to be unused to the loud hustle and bustle of the city. There were far too much people as well, nowhere near the relative emptiness of Inaba. He wondered if Yu felt the same when he returned.

Speaking of Yu, he didn't even tell Yu that he was coming that day, intending to surprise his partner. Knowing his partner, he must've made plans to meet up with his new friends or he found a part-time job already. There were so many options to choose from now that he was back in a busy city after all.

Yosuke sighed. Oh well, he could probably just wait outside Yu's door if he was out and about, or if there was a nearby park or cafe, he could chill there for a bit.

The Narukami household was near enough from the train station that he opted to walk there, looking around his surroundings to try to get a better grasp of Yu's life here in the city.

The house seemed to be conveniently placed overall, for Yosuke saw several cafes and restaurants nearby and a konbini at the street before Yu's house. Yu also mentioned that his school was just a train station away, and it made Yosuke feel better knowing that Yu at least had the conveniences of having everything close by, similar to Inaba.

As he walked, Yosuke wondered if Yu found new friends already. He probably already did, he did mention some names during their calls before, but Yosuke was unsure of how close they've already gotten.

He felt a little insecure about it at first, the small irrational part of himself thought that he'd eventually get replaced, but his partner knew him well. He sensed Yosuke's reservations through the phone one time, and reassured him that Yosuke would always be his best friend, and that he was irreplaceable.

The thought of being irreplaceable made Yosuke blush, and he had to shake himself from letting his emotions show when he was already in front of Yu's door. He didn't want Yu to see Yosuke all flustered over him in case he was home.

He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. If Yu wasn't home, Yosuke saw a nice-looking cafe he could stay in. But if he was…

If he was being honest, he didn't plan for that.

He'll just wing it. Say something like, "surprise, partner! I've totally been unable to survive without you, so here I am, even if you're coming to Inaba tomorrow anyway. Oh, by the way, I think I like you."

No, no– that's too much. Way too much.

Nobody answered. He rang the doorbell again, just to make sure.

Soon enough, a muffled "Coming!" came from a familiar voice inside.

Shit, so Yu was home.

Right. Okay. Just say the first sentence. Yu'll be surprised, but Yosuke's sure he'll break out into a grin, inviting Yosuke to come inside. If Yosuke was lucky, maybe Yu would even blush at the surprise visit.

When the door opened, Yosuke didn't realise that he too, would be just as surprised as Yu.

He expected to see Yu, warm, gentle and composed Yu, to open the door.

What greeted him was a slightly thinner Yu, who was pale and had bags under his eyes that looked worse than Yosuke's own and unkempt hair—which Yosuke never thought was possible since Yu had that straight bowl cut anyway—with some of the ends sticking up. It was longer too, with the bangs almost covering Yu's eyes. He was holding his phone and cash in one boney-looking hand, like he was expecting a delivery person instead of his best friend from Inaba.

What added to Yosuke's surprise was the clothes Yu was wearing.

He was used to seeing his friend in a monochrome of blacks, greys and whites, so he was stunned to see the sudden amount of bright blue in his view. The colour a stark contrast to what Yosuke was used to seeing on his partner.

He was… he was wearing Yosuke's missing hoodie.

When did he manage to nab it? How did he even get his hands on it without Yosuke noticing?

Back to the important matter.

Yu was wearing Yosuke's clothes.

Yu was wearing Yosuke's clothes.

Yosuke's hoodie.

Fuck, he looked good in it too. He should wear more colours, Yosuke thought.

No– that wasn't the important matter at all! What even happened to Yu?

"Y-Yosuke?" Yu blinked, as if he couldn't believe that Yosuke was actually here in Tokyo.

Yosuke mentally shook himself from his stupor.

"Yu?! What happened to you?!"

"What happened to me? What are you doing here?" he asked, shock still evident.

"C-can I come in first?" Yosuke scratched the back of his neck.

"O-oh, right. Of course," Yu stepped aside, letting Yosuke enter.

He scanned his surroundings, taking note of what Yu's home looked like in the city. It looked decent enough, though it looked so barren, like Yu just moved in instead of moved back.

"Wanna go to my room?" Yu asked and Yosuke nodded, following his partner upstairs.

On their way there, they passed by the kitchen, and Yosuke was surprised to see the mess of dishes in the sink.

Yu's room was a different matter entirely.

While his room was a lot more decorated than the rest of his house, with his figures and other collected tidbits from his year in Inaba all over his room, it still looked… well, messy. Nothing like what Yosuke was used to in the Dojima Residence.

It looked more like Yosuke and Teddie's room than Yu's in that moment.

"Ah. Sorry for the mess, I was… busy packing up for tomorrow," Yu spoke, though Yosuke could tell that the cause for the mess was from a different matter entirely.

"Never mind that, partner. How have you been? You… you really don't look well at all," Yosuke said, looking closer at his partner's appearance. Mixed with the surroundings of his home, he could tell that Yu wasn't doing well.

Yu bit his lip, seemingly reluctant to respond.

Yosuke wanted to pry further, but they were cut off by the doorbell ringing again.

"Ah, that must be the food… I'll be back in a bit. Let's go down first?"

As Yu busied himself with take out, Yosuke took it upon himself to wash the dishes. It looked like Yu had been neglecting the chore for at least three days, but they fortunately had spares they could still use for lunch.

"Yosuke, you don't have to do that…" Yu said, coming back inside and catching Yosuke place the plates on the dish rack.

"I'm almost done anyway, partner. And something tells me you won't do it any time soon," Yosuke responded, ignoring Yu who came closer and tried to pry his hands off.

"How about you set the table instead, partner?"

Yu sighed in defeat, "fine. I was going to do that later anyway, since I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Dishes cleaned and table set, the two of them sat lunch together.

"You sure bought a lot for someone who wasn't expecting visitors, partner," Yosuke pointed out as he munched on his rice.

Yu shrugged, "I buy a lot so I could eat the leftovers for the next meal. But since you're here, we can just order dinner later."

"Speaking of, since when did you even order take out? What happened to our world-famous chef Narukami?"

Yu blushed, scoffing, "I'm not world-famous. But… I uh, haven't really been cooking much lately."

He looked down, trying to escape Yosuke's eyes.

"Why not? Y'know partner, don't think I can't tell how awful you look right now. What's wrong? Did you plan to return to Inaba looking like this?" Yosuke pried.

"No, I was planning to cut my hair later. And I think I have concealer somewhere to hide my eyebags. I was planning to prepare today, y'know, for tomorrow," Yu shrugged in response, "but what about you, Yosuke? Why are you here? Not that I mind, of course. I'm very happy you're here. But… what brings you all the way to Tokyo by yourself?"

Yosuke cringed, he still wasn't prepared to answer these kinds of questions, especially since he came here on a whim.

Before he could formulate a response, Yu spoke again, "and don't think that I haven't notied how you look too. If you're concerned about me, then I am too. What happened?"

The two of them stared at each other in silence for what felt like hours. It didn't seem like either was going to budge.

Eventually, Yosuke sighed.

"Fine, I missed you, alright? I missed you a whole fucking lot and it hasn't even been that long, but I did. I do," Yosuke groaned, raking his fingers through his hair.

"Inaba without you sucks. I know its a lot better and more tolerable for me now, but not having you in it… it just… sucks."

"Yosuke…"

"I'm sorry, I'm not doing well. I feel empty without you in Inaba. Everywhere I go, I'm reminded of you, but you're not there. Everyone else is bummed that you're gone, but I can't seem to move on for some reason."

He felt like tearing up, baring his whole heart out to Yu like this. But Yu wasn't any better. He could see the clenched hands on the table and Yu's red-rimmed eyes, like he was going to cry very soon.

"Is that… why you're here?"

Yosuke nodded, not looking at Yu's way. He was already embarrassed enough to admit it.

"I can't take it anymore, dude. I needed to see you or else I'd explode. Or something."

He was too busy biting his lip and looking down that he barely registered when Yu stood up and approached, wrapping his arms around Yosuke like a vice grip.

"Sorry, I know this is for girls… but I missed you too, Yosuke. Partner. I missed you so much," Yu said, voice muffled as he buried his face on Yosuke's neck. He could feel it getting wet, and he knew that Yu gave up on keeping his tears from falling.

He must be uncomfortable with his position, and Yosuke wanted to hug him back anyway, so he pulled Yu closer, making the latter sit on his lap. Yosuke layed his head on Yu's shoulder as well, breathing into his partner's scent.

Relief flooded his chest. Finally, things felt full again.

Yu clung to him tighter, and Yosuke rubbed slow circles on Yu's back as they hugged.

They never touched so intimately before, but they were always touching. Arms or thighs next together, an arm slung across a shouder… a hand on the other or on a wrist, pulling them away from a shadow. Yosuke never even realised how much they've touched in the past until Yu left and his body felt cold all over, a warmth that couldn't come back until now, at this moment.

Now…

He missed this.

He had never been this near to Yu before, not even their last hug in the Samegawa had them this close. They were chest to chest, hands on each other's backs and faces burried on each other's necks. He found that he liked it though, the warmth of having Yu in his arms like this felt like coming home.

He sighed, hoping to have Yu on his lap for as long as he wished. They hugged each other in silence, content in each other's embrace.

Eventually, Yu broke the silence.

"It's the same for me too," he whispered, his breath fanning against Yosuke's neck causing him to shiver.

"I was all alone in this city, and it's so big and loud and full of people. It made me wish I had your headphones, so I could block everything out. I bought one eventually, actually. It looked similar to yours because… y'know."

He hasn't heard Yu speak so much about his feelings before, so Yosuke patted Yu's back, encouraging him to continute.

"I tried listening to the songs you usually listened to, but they reminded me of you and that made you miss you even more. I know we talk almost every night, but it's just not the same. I wanted to see you, to hear your voice next to mine, not muffled by the phone speaker."

"To be honest, I felt like I couldn't function without you either. It felt like November all over again, and it sucked. I couldn't even cook meals at times because it made me remember all the times I made lunch for you. Now, I have no one to share my meals with if I ever make too much."

"I… made a few new friends here, but I haven't been as close to them as I've been with the team yet. And nobody could light a candle to you, so I've mostly been spending my time here at home. It feels wrong to find a friend to be close with, when all I could think about was you. Sometimes, on bad days, I'd think of how much fun you're having without me, and I'd be sad again."

The thought of Yu all alone in a big city and an empty house made Yosuke's heart ache, but he could only hug Yu tighter in response.

"No way, dude. I couldn't bear it at all partner. I'm lucky to have the team with me to help—I'm really grateful for them too—and I can't imagine how difficult it is for you here, but sometimes, when I'm with them, I just can't help but think about how better it would be if you were there. Whenever Rise brought me along to Okina, I couldn't help but think about how much more fun it'd be if you were with us," Yosuke chuckled, "you would've been better at handling Rise's clinginess than I do."

"I know you're coming back tomorrow, but I couldn't help myself. I had to see you as soon as I could. I was planning to go yesterday actually, but my mom stopped me."

Yu chuckled, his tears still wetting the side of Yu's neck.

"I'm glad you're here though, partner. Thanks for coming, and I'm sorry you had to see me in such a state," Yu said. Yosuke fought the urge to kiss his hair.

"I'm sorry you had to see me in just as bad shape, dude. So let's just agree to be even?"

Yu lifted his head from Yosuke's neck and nodded.

Yosuke wanted to wipe the tears away, but that would be too gay wouldn't it?

Ugh, what was he even saying, Yu was still sitting on his lap. Yu, who he has feelings for. It doesn't get any gayer than that.

So he gave in to his urges, lifting a hand to swipe his thumb across Yu's eyes, wiping the tears away. Yu looked like he melted from the touch, his cheek resting on Yosuke's hand, and looking like he was restraining himself from nuzzling it.

His other hand was still rubbing circles on Yu's back, moving closer to the hem of Yu's—no, it was his, but Yu could have it, if he wanted—hoodie.

Up close like this, Yosuke could see just how beautiful Yu looked. Sure, he already knew that his best friend was attractive, even when he was reluctant to admit it to not sound gay. But it was different, seeing all the details of Yu Narukami's face this close to his.

He still looked a bit sickly, but his handsome features were still there, with his long lashes, his nose, his pink lips, his flushed cheeks and his stormy grey eyes that could see through everything.

The sick, perverted part of his brain also unhelpfully supplied that Yu looked really good all teary-eyed, and he wanted to smack himself for thinking such thoughts at such a wrong time. He decided to put that to the shelf for now and to think about it next time, preferrably when he was alone and mentally prepared enough to unpack that, not when Yu was sitting on his lap and could cause him a boner right then and there.

Yeah, he was definitely in love with Yu, there was no denying it anymore.

Wait– love? That wasn't the word he originally had in mind, but…

Screw it.

It fit nontheless.

Toying with the hem of Yu's—his—hoodie and rubbing Yu's cheeks with his thumb, he asked, "when did you steal this?"

Yu, suddenly just realising that he was, in fact, weaing Yosuke's clothes, blushed red. It was a really pretty sight.

He really did look good in Yosuke’s clothes. And if Yu really wanted the holdie, he could have it. It’s all his now.

"I uh… took it the last time I was in your place," he gulped, looking away, "I put it in my bag while you were in the bathroom."

Yosuke's eyes widened, "really? The last time? Wait, then I– I just used that then, you could've at least told me so I could wash it beforehand!"

"N-no, it's fine. I like that it smells like you," Yu replied shyly, voice going lower and lower.

Yu looked so cute like this, Yosuke couldn't handle it anymore.

"Partner?" he asked, moving his hand towards the back of Yu's neck. If anything, the movement made Yu flush even more, surprising Yosuke that it could even happen, and that he could be the cause of it.

"Yeah?"

"I really want to kiss you right now, can I?" he asked. Perhaps Yosuke was getting his hopes too high and was reading too much into it, but with the hoodie and how Yu was reacting, he probably had a chance.

Yu responded by leaning forward.

They kissed for what felt like hours, and they only moved when their positions got too uncomfortable and when they realised their food had gone cold.

They laughed at that, and Yu picked up the dishes to heat up in the microwave.

Yosuke hugged him from behind as they waited for the timer to end.

Yu leaned against him, placing a hand over Yosuke's.

"Yosuke?"

"Hm?"

"Partner?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you," Yu whispered, but still loud enough for Yosuke to hear.

Yosuke hugged him tighter, kissing his shoulder, "I love you too."

On the train ride back to Inaba, Yu and Yosuke sat side by side, heads resting on each other. Their hands were intertwined and they shared Yosuke's earphones as it played a slow ballad.

They talked about anything and everything, and when they ran out of mundane topics to talk about, they moved to topics of the future.

"When Golden Week ends and you have to come back, it's gonna suck again," Yosuke muttered.

"I know, but… we'll make it work, we have to."

Yosuke squeezed Yu's hand, "I'll study hard so I can come to Tokyo with you for college."

"Or you know, I can just move back and study with you at Okina."

"You'd do that?"

Yu nodded, "there's nothing waiting for me in Tokyo. At least here, I'll have everyone. I'll have you."

Yosuke's cheeks heated up at that.

"Ah well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, you better prepare yourself for everyone hounding you again. I know I had it the worst, but I live with Teddie. Even if he's been quiet enough around me, I just know he'll jump at the chance to cling to you the moment he sees you."

Yu chuckled, "well, that's if he beats Nanako to the punch."

Yosuke laughed along, kissing Yu's temple.

"We'll arrive in two hours, and by then my attention will be split. For now though, you have me all to yourself. Any ideas?" Yu asked.

"I can think of some," Yosuke grinned.

"Keep it PG, will you? We're still on the train."

"In an empty car– ow!" Yu pinched his side, "I was joking! I wasn't thinking of anything weird! Okay– maybe a bit."

"I wouldn't mind making out, though," Yu offered, his other hand moving to Yosuke's thigh. Yosuke was right, they were all alone in this train car, so maybe a bit of making out wouldn't hurt anyone.

"How about a bit more–ow! Partner, you have got to stop that! I'm just teasing!"

By the time they reached the Dojima Residence and Yu had been greeted by everyone, there came in the onslaught of teasing remarks. Yosuke made a mad dash to Tokyo after all, and everyone (except Nanako) noticed the dissheveled look they both had when they arrived.

The true test was for when Golden Week ends, where Yosuke's sure that he'll miss Yu again, more so now, where he'll also start to miss his partner's warm touches and sweet lips. He was still unsure if he’d even be able to let Yu go.

But now, he thinks he would be able to bear it, both of them would.

So he will wait and build what he could for themselves in Inaba, so when Yu returns and they reunite once more, he'll have something waiting for him.