Work Text:
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Keito’s eyes flitted between his watch and the clock on the wall on the brick wall of the coffee shop, nervously tapping his fingers against the surface of the table.
What was taking him so long?
His coffee was beginning to cool, and he raised the porcelain mug to his lips once again. Bitter- too bitter, really. He wasn’t yet used to the sharp taste of such strong coffee.
Was it a joke to him? A game? Did he not mean it?
His leg began to bounce, moving so fervently that it hit the table’s underside. He cursed quietly, rubbing the knee of his freshly-pressed pants. He had wanted to look his best for this, even if it seemed now that Eichi would never arrive.
Or did something happen? Is he back in the hospital? Is it my fault?
The ticking of the clock echoed in his head, and he felt his heartbeat match the second hand’s motion.
Damn it, what’s-
“Kei~to~”
Keito jumped in his seat at the sound of the melodious and familiar voice. He looked up at his childhood friend, fixing him with a stern look.
“Eichi. We agreed to meet fifteen minutes ago, didn’t we?”
“Did we?” his companion asked smoothly, pulling out the chair on the opposite side of the table. “You shouldn’t trouble yourself over such trivial details, Keito.”
“Trivial?” Keito scoffed, folding his arms. “I’ve arranged a full day of activities. We’re now behind schedule.”
“Have you?” Eichi’s eyes sparkled, and he reached for Keito’s cup from across the table. “I didn’t realize you had so much planned for us, Keito. Why don’t you tell me about it?”
“That’s mine-” Keito started to say, but Eichi paid him no mind. He took a sip of the coffee and made a disgusted face, pushing the cup away.
“Ugh, it’s horrible.”
“It’s espresso,” Keito sighed.
(art: @fourleafprince on twitter)
“You’re too young to be drinking such things, Keito,” Eichi hummed. “You’re still a middle-schooler, you know.”
“For now,” he sighed. “Eichi, order your own drink and be quick about it. We only have ten minutes until the next item on the itinerary.”
“You’re like a chaperone on a field trip,” Eichi laughed, signaling the barista for a drink with a name Keito didn’t recognize. Knowing his preferences, it was likely something sweet and cold. “So? What’s next, then?”
“Flower-viewing,” Keito declared, pushing up his glasses. “We’ll need to get there before it gets too crowded. I don’t want you around too many people.”
Eichi’s expression soured. “I told you, I’m fine.”
“We can’t be too careful. Your parents-”
“I don’t want to talk about my parents,” Eichi’s voice was sharp, and Keito winced.
“Alright,” he acquiesced, voice softening. “But we should be careful either way.”
Eichi sighed as the barista dropped off what looked to Keito to be mainly ice cream with a bit of coffee mixed into it. Keito narrowly resisted the urge to tell him not to drink such needlessly sugared things.
“Well then,” Eichi chirped, mood evidently restored by the sweet beverage in the plastic to-go cup, “Shall we go?”
Keito glanced at his watch and nodded. So Eichi does know how to consider the feelings of others at times. “Fine. Let me pay for our drinks.”
“What? No, there’s no need for you to do that,” his companion laughed, pulling out his own wallet.
Keito pursed his lips. “There is,” he protested. “This…”
“This?” Eichi cocked his head.
Keito took a deep breath, gripping the edge of the chair to ground himself.
“This is a date. I should pay.”
Eichi laughed once again, and Keito felt his chest tighten. Had he misread this, somehow? No, he had asked, he had asked clearly, for once in his life, and Eichi had said yes, so why-
“How old-fashioned of you,” Eichi said, his giggles dying down at last. “Very well. Just this once, then.”
Keito nodded, swallowing hard. He reached for his wallet with shaking hands and carefully counted out the money, placing it on the table. He noticed Eichi’s icy blue eyes following his motions, but, to his credit, he said nothing about it.
“Flower viewing awaits,” Eichi murmured, offering his hand.
The train ride was a quiet one, the two boys seated at the far end of a nearly-empty car together. The soft snoring of the elderly lady on the other side of the car added a slightly relaxing ambience to the ride as the train raced along the track, though it did nothing to soothe his rapidly beating heart when Eichi squeezed his hand and smiled in that horribly charming way of his.
The train squealed to a stop, and Keito practically jumped up, jerking Eichi along with him.
“We’re here. Let’s go.”
Eichi rubbed his arm in an exaggerated reaction of pain, though there was still a smile in his eyes. “Be more gentle with me, won’t you? Weren’t you the one who said we had to be careful?”
“I’m sorry,” Keito muttered, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “Ahem. Let’s go. If you want.”
Eichi merely chuckled and took his arm, and the two of them made the short trek to the park. Keito had planned out a route and a place to rest beforehand that wouldn’t require Eichi to walk far, and yet he could hear his companion starting to breathe hard by the time they arrived.
The park was nearly empty, as he had promised, only a few older couples chatting quietly with each other on picnic blankets and park benches. He turned his back to Eichi to set down a blanket of his own when he heard his voice.
“Plum blossoms,” Eichi commented, and Keito felt his heart sink.
“You’re disappointed.”
“No.”
“You are,” Keito argued, turning around to study his face. Sure enough, Eichi looked a little glum.
“This is for old people, Keito.”
Keito bristled. “My parents take me here every year. It’s just as beautiful and much more peaceful than a loud party. And it’s safer for you-“
“I get it, ” the sharpness was back in Eichi’s voice, and he flopped down on the blanket with the pout of a spoiled young master.
He hasn’t changed much, has he…
Keito was silent for a moment.
"We can go,” he said at last. “If you want.”
“No,” Eichi sighed.”No, it’s okay. I just…”
It was unlike him to not speak his mind, at least around Keito. “You just…?” he prompted, trying to sound like a comforting presence.
“I wish things were different,” Eichi said quietly, bunching up the blanket in his hands. “I wish we could stay together. My parents want me to attend that cesspool of a school just to have it on my future resumé.”
Keito sat beside him, listening silently.
“And you have your own dreams for the future,” Eichi went on. “You’ll publish your manga and become a beloved artist. I just worry.”
Keito felt his stomach twist as he made the connection. “About us?”
Eichi nodded, bringing a hand up to caress Keito’s cheek. “I don’t want to lose you, my Keito,” he said, vulnerability creeping into his voice.
Oh.
Some newfound resolve solidified in Keito, and he spoke up with confidence that surprised himself. “You won’t. Not ever. I promise.” His hands scrambled for Eichi’s, and he clasped them together in his.
Eichi cocked his head, a bit taken aback by the force of his tone and the boldness of his gesture. “You do?”
“I do,” he swore, knowing it would always be true. “I…want to stay by your side, Eichi. I love you.”
I love you . The words hung in the air, the gravity of them pressing down on both of the boy’s shoulders.
Eichi smiled at last and leaned forward, pressing his lips lightly against Keito’s. The sensation was so dizzying, so heavenly , that he almost failed to catch Eichi’s next words.
“I love you too.”
And just like that, Keito knew what he had to do.