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It felt like Nate had only just fallen asleep when his alarm sounded, a sense of determination flaring up in his chest. Even if he was a bit sleep deprived, he didn’t end up having to deal with zombie night, and that gave him more than enough energy to make it through the day. He dragged his feet as he entered the shower, groggily trying to remember how to work its handle.
Stepping out and slipping into a red sweatshirt, he looked over himself in the mirror one last time. He scanned his strange, spiky hair for any signs of imperfection, trying and failing to smooth out the shark-fin shape it always seemed to take. He trudged back up to his room, wondering if Buck would notice his attempts to look presentable, and flopped over onto his bed to wait.
He stood up to pace around his room. The meteor shower wouldn’t reach its most visible until later at night, he remembered Buck mentioning, so all he had left to do was wait. Considering the sun’s current place lowering in the sky, and the fact that they were waiting until the evening to head out to the treehouse, he had severely overestimated how much time he needed to get ready.
“My, aren’t you antsy?” Whisper teased, hovering by the rattled boy, “Big plans tonight?”
“N-no!” Nate dismissed, stiffening at the mention of his own anxiety, “I’m just going to see Buck, it’s not a big deal! Just…” Nate ran a hand through his bangs, tapping his foot on the floor with an increasing urgency, “two friends, going to see a meteor shower…”
“Nyeah, whatever you wanna believe, Nyate.” Jibanyan cut in, unwrapping a chocobar from his waistband.
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?!”
The nekomata responded bluntly, “Dyon’t pretend like you weren’t kicking your legs on your bed after he asked you to come.”
“You saw that?!”
“Now, now, it’s perfectly normal to feel these types of feelings at your age, Nate.” Whisper floated over most unhelpfully, “Even if it happens to be-“
“Whisper!” Nate sputtered, covering the yo-kai’s mouth with his jittery hands, “You don’t have to be so loud about it!”
“Nyot like we care,” Jibanyan chimed in, crushing the wrapper of his candy and tossing it in the wastebasket, “..just saying.”
The boy groaned, releasing Whisper to fall over onto his bed apathetically.
“Not like I can do anything about it, anyway…” He mumbled under his breath, a sinking feeling seeming to weigh him down further into his pillows.
If only he could have disappeared into his sheets, he thought. Jibanyan pounced up next to him, stretching out before snuggling up against his side. Nate scratched the cat’s ear, the warm touch allowing for a bit of a distraction from his own dread.
Resistant as he may have been to admit it out loud, Nate knew he liked Buck, and that it could very well be the end of him that night. Being in close proximity with his crush under the stars… it was too open of an opportunity to not think about confessing.
It wouldn’t work, he reminded himself, just how did he think Buck would respond to something like that?
He wiped his free hand over his face, rubbing his reddening cheek in circles. It was too embarrassing to even think about…
The knocking at his door came faster than expected, and the boy nearly tumbled to the floor as he ran to answer it. Jibanyan sent him a displeased glare at the lack of ear scratching, curling up on the bed to continue his nap. Nate took a deep breath, smoothing a hand over his clothes one last time, and opened it.
“Evenin’, Nate!” Buck beamed at the sight of his friend, fidgeting on the doorstep.
Nate savored the expression, his embarrassing thoughts beginning to fade.
“Hey, Buck.” Nate smiled back, stepping outside and shutting the door behind him.
“C’mon, I’ve got sumpin’ to show ya!”
The redhead almost moved into a sprint, whizzing halfway down the driveway before slowing down, his eyes widening at some sort of realization. He paused where he stood, and stepped back over to Nate. Wordlessly, he held out his free hand, offering it up to the brunette. An unsure, unusually nervous smile glazed over his lips, cheeks turning a deeper shade of red every second he waited.
Nate glanced between his hand and his expression a few times, his body taking a moment to catch up with his head. The brunette could feel his heart speeding up at the gesture, was Buck really…? No, he couldn’t be…
But, then again… what else could that hand have meant, looking so desperate to be held onto?
Gently, he slipped his fingers in between Bucks, the freckled boy breathing a sigh of relief at the contact. Nate matched this relief for a moment, but was reverted to his panicked state as he tried to make sense of the situation.
As the two walked side by side, updating each other on anything and everything that came to mind, Nate wasn’t sure his heart could pound any faster than it did then. The slight roughness of Buck’s hands in collision with his own felt as if it was sending sparks through his veins, creating a naïve, flustering rush of adrenaline.
“Where are we going?” Nate asked, desperately trying to recollect his thoughts.
“Can’t tell ya’, it’s a surprise.” Buck winked, sending him a toothy grin.
The sky had turned shades ranging from neon oranges to dark violets by now, highlighting themselves along Buck’s soft smile. Crickets chirped calmly above their silence, comfortably filling the void that the question had left. Approaching the path that they normally took to the treehouse, Buck’s eyebrows furrowed, unsure of how to approach his next question.
“Could you close yer’ eyes?” He spoke softly, clasping Nate’s other hand in his own.
“S-sure..”
It was even harder not to squirm from the electric feeling coursing through his chest now, the smaller touches becoming all the more noticeable with one less sense to focus on. He allowed Buck to lead him through what he guessed was the forest, hearing the boy struggle to shift leaves and rocks aside in their path. But through all of this, no matter how frustrating the objects sounded to move, not once did he let go of Nate’s hands.
When he finally released his hold, he moved his fingers to cup over the boy’s eyes, and rested his other arm over Nate’s shoulder to aim his gaze. Buck took an audible breath, momentarily pausing before speaking again in a hushed tone.
“Y’can open your eyes.”
Nate listened, and what he saw was nothing short of beautiful. A clearing in the woods with a completely unobstructed view of the darkening sky above, the stars beginning to shine down as if just for the two of them. A blue checkered blanket had been set on the ground beside where they stood, an assortment of pillows that he recognized to be taken from the treehouse scattered over its surface. He gaped at the expansive area, glancing between a thoroughly pensive Buck and his surroundings.
“Woah… this place is incredible!” Nate exclaimed, eyes shining as he met Buck’s stare, “How’d you find it?”
Buck stiffened, what Nate could’ve sworn was a pink color rising to his face at the praise.
“J-just went out explorin’ a while ago..” Buck laughed, nerves lacing through his words as he spoke, “I knew you’d like it, o’course!”
Buck grinned, a plastic look of confidence returning to his face, but Nate could see something more in his expression. Underneath that smile he could’ve sworn he saw a kind of unsure, fickle nature that would only be plausible to exist in one scenario.
Was Buck trying to… impress him?
No, it couldn’t be. Nate tried to swallow the thought, taking a deep breath to slow the quickening beat of his heart, but the idea remained in the back of his head, bouncing back and forth in a frantic rhythm.
“Now c’mere and siddown!” Buck plopped himself onto the ground, patting the spot next to his crossed legs, “I brought snacks!”
Nate complied, following to sit in the same position. Buck shuffled around with a small pile of wrapped treats hidden from the other’s sight.
“Want some?” The redhead asked, holding out a sleeve of chocolate sandwich cookies.
Nate nodded eagerly, relieved to be presented with an easy distraction. He reached for one hastily, being sure to take the top off to lick the frosting first. Buck followed, setting the sleeve on the ground and raising an eyebrow as he watched this.
“That just ain’t right, you’ve gotta eat the whole cookie together.” He playfully scolded, crunching down on his own triumphantly. “Makes it taste way better.”
So, the two bickered over the proper way to eat the treats until they weren’t sure they could analyze the situation any further, demonstrating as they went. Little by little, their snack supply began to deteriorate with the passing of conversation, laughter bubbling up as their tensions eased. Nate’s did, at the very least.
Before they could even think to check the time, a faint streak of white flashed through the murky sky above, just barely making itself seen for a few seconds.
“Nate, check it out!” Buck pointed upwards, his hand resting on the blanket next to him, “I reckon we’re in for a real show tonight!”
“For some reason, I think you’re right.” Nate replied softly, searching the sky with admiration in his eyes.
After the pair held their breath for a moment, hoping to see a second comet pass, this wish was granted. Another light crossed over the horizon, Buck’s eyes gleaming with excitement as he watched.
“Didja see that?” He flitted his head back and forth between Nate and the sky.
“Yeah, really pretty…”
This wasn’t technically a lie on Nate’s part. He did happen to be thinking those words, but he was focused on something else. No, he wasn’t watching the meteor shower anymore, bright as it may have been, he was stuck on something that captivated his attention above that.
Staring at Buck in that moment, seeing his eyes shining with the reflection of the moon, Nate wasn’t sure if the boy was more or less tangible than the stars above. He thought back to when Buck had reached for his hand earlier that evening, glancing down at where the other’s were laying on the blanket now.
Would he mind? Nate wondered, an invisible force keeping his fingers hovering over Buck’s own.
Another comet flew by, Nate’s heart pounding louder as he forced himself to look back to the sky, but what he failed to account for was where his palm would land when he did so. This time, Buck’s breathing was halted as he felt a soft touch send static shocks up his arm.
“Sorry!” Nate apologized, recoiling with a growing blush as he realized he’d accidentally gone grabbing for Buck’s hand.
A beat of silence passed. Buck watched a third comet fly by with a kind of expression Nate couldn’t quite grasp. The actions that followed, however, were a different story.
At first, he wasn’t even sure Buck’s hand had moved at all, the contact barely registering against his pinky. But gradually, the boy’s calloused fingers laced themselves in between Nate’s softer ones, gently squeezing over his palm as if to confirm its presence. It was the third time this had happened that day, but the impact it held always made Nate’s head go the same level of haywire.
Buck said nothing, so neither did Nate. Though his heart may as well have been beating out of his chest by now, he wouldn’t point it out. His mind raced between two points, desperately trying to confirm where this situation landed on a scale of platonic and romantic. And what’s more, this left him with another burning question.
Is this… a date?!
His eyes begged to the stars, hoping that somehow he would find an acceptable answer in their light. One in particular seemed to blink back, sending him a message of… something. Unfortunately, Nate was illiterate in star language. It seemed his only option if he wanted answers, though historically embarrassing for him, was to try to send a signal back.
Nate scooted a bit closer, forcing him to move their connected hands on top of their legs, pressing together as he did so. Buck turned his head in response, just far enough to glance at the movement. He paused, taking a deep breath, and slowly lowered it to rest on Nate’s shoulder.
Though he didn’t say anything out loud, continuing to look to the sky, at that moment Nate’s head was a complete mess of feelings, all due to this one action. On one hand, this could mean his feelings were reciprocated. Maybe that night could conclude with a big confession from Buck, and Nate would have his happy ending.
On the other hand, it could turn out this was completely platonic. It could be revealed that this was all just a normal thing to Buck, and Nate would be humiliated beyond belief. But this wasn’t even the worst part, Buck could stop talking to him for good.
Buck continued to point out comets excitedly, his head burrowing further into Nate’s shoulder as he did this. And as insane as the lack of clarity may have been driving the latter, he couldn’t help but relax at the rambling. Buck’s passion for the stars was somewhat soothing, the well of information he provided spilling out in a seemingly endless flow.
After a while of this, Buck stiffened up. He raised his head, tilting it to watch Nate curiously. The silence sounded louder than any of his words had, as Buck chewed on his lip quietly.
“What?”
Nate could have sworn he saw the redhead’s eyes flit down to his mouth for a moment, just barely visible.
“Nothin’. You…” The other started, now pointedly looking at his lips, “I- could you gimme a sec?”
Nate obliged, watching his movement with wide eyes. Carefully, Buck moved his shaky free hand to his cheek, swiping at it with his thumb.
“There.” He chuckled, a contradictory action to how jittery his hand seemed, “Y’just had a crumb on yer face…”
“R-right!” Nate responded dumbly, voice raising at a similar pace to his heart rate, “Thanks…”
And though this crumb was supposedly a thing of the past, Buck kept his hand on Nate’s cheek for quite some time. He opened and shut his mouth a few times, running his tongue over his bottom lip in search of.. something, before pulling back with a start.
“It’s gettin’ late, I should probably getcha home so your ma’ doesn’t worry.” He stood up, letting go of Nate’s hand to dust off his overalls as he did this.
What was that, just now?
Nate didn’t want to dwell on the thought too long, but it had almost been as if…
He dismissed the idea, taking Buck’s hand. He was disappointed to have to leave, but relieved that he’d be able to think it over in the safety of his room.
The pair gathered up the things that had been scattered on the ground, calling on mirapo to warp them back to the treehouse. Buck had insisted Nate shouldn’t have to assist in cleaning up, but was met with his ironclad will to be helpful. It was something he had always admired about Nate. Though, he did worry the boy was too kind for his own good.
It was a relatively short walk to Nate’s house in BBQ, and an even shorter conversation made on the way. Silence loomed over the air between them, not quite uncomfortably, but just enough to make Nate worry. As everything seemed to do, lately.
“Right…” Buck stopped outside the front door, rocking on his heels, “I suppose you’ve gotta be headin’ back to Springdale now…”
Nate shoved a fist in his pocket, eyes refusing to make contact.
“I wish I didn’t. Everything feels so boring without you there…”
“Me neither, Nate.”
Buck stopped where he stood, taking a deep breath. He seemed to be steeling himself, but the anxiety still caused him to drum his hands against his legs as he spoke.
“But, since you probably ain’t gonna be back for a little while, I’ll give you somethin’ to take home.”
Buck glanced over his shoulder, scanning the street quickly. Nate raised an eyebrow at him, nearly opening his mouth to ask what he was doing before having his lips promptly sealed shut against the other’s. Nate watched his eyes squeeze shut, barely able to register the brief contact before Buck pulled away.
Nate slowly moved a hand to his mouth, touching where the kiss had landed as if to verify the reality of it.
“I- Buck, you! Er-“
Buck responded with an alarmed haste, reddened cheeks moving out of sight as he turned to bolt down the driveway.
“Welp! I’ll see ya’ when I see ya’, Nate! G’night!”
He began to sprint, but another contact stopped him before he made it more than halfway down. This time, Nate had caught his hand, keeping a grip with a kind of desperation the smaller boy wasn’t sure he’d ever known to feel before.
“Wait! Please!”
Buck obliged, expression still out of view. Silence hung in the air as Nate realized he wasn’t sure how he meant to continue, aimlessly scraping his head for a way to convince him to stay. And more importantly, to figure out if whatever the hell just happened was real.
“I don't want you to go yet!”
It came out, at first, as a plea. Buck said nothing, now visibly distressed as he began to turn around.
But this wasn’t far enough for Nate. It needed to be more direct, literally and figuratively. He had to make sure Buck knew exactly what he was thinking, but how could he do such a thing without the right words?
…well, there was one way.
He wasn’t quite sure how so much confidence came over him as he gripped at the collar of the taller boy’s shirt, barely allowing him to let out a startled gasp as he pulled him closer. Nate squeezed his eyes shut, pressing them tightly closed while he pushed his lips against Buck’s.
It was still a rough, inexperienced kiss, to say the least. A messy, few second contact that Nate quickly reeled back from.
“I’m sorry.” The boy breathed out, releasing his grip on Buck’s shirt, “That- it was… I’m sorry!”
Buck stuttered for a response as Nate stumbled back, gripping his shirt in his fist as the other had just done. He adjusted his sunglasses, fixing their askew placement on his hair.
“You just…” He spoke quietly, pointing to his mouth with a shaky hand, “Was that for real just now?”
Nate nodded hesitantly.
“You jus’ really kissed me… so… that’s gotta mean..” Buck continued, breathing heavily.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he finally put the pieces together.
“I like you!” Nate couldn’t believe he was saying it out loud, squeaky and nervous as it may have sounded. “I really, really like you… in the crush way…” He covered his eyes with his hands as he spoke, praying to shrink out of sight.
Buck’s eyes widened at the confession, the words finally falling into place.
“Big sis was right…”
“Big sis? Dorothy?” Nate parroted, confusion coating his embarrassment, “What does she have to do with-“
He wasn’t able to finish his question before being scooped up in a tight hug, feeling Buck’s arms lifting him off the ground by the waist.
“She was right!” Buck exclaimed, a wide, irresistibly goofy grin taking over his expression. He spun Nate around, squeezing the boy that clung to his arms affectionately, “I told Dorothy about m’crush on you and she said you felt the same!”
“You- your what?!”
Buck laughed, feeling like his lungs had been filled with helium. Nate’s legs dangled in the air, finally getting a grip on solid ground as he was gently put down.
“Sheesh, it feels silly to admit now… but I never thought you’d feel the same.” He paused, shying a bit as he felt the need to clear up his messy thoughts, “Since I like ya’, an’ allat.”
Nate felt his breathing come to a halt as he took this in, his mind still racing in disbelieving circles.
This is too good to be true…
“Y’know, I was real worried about tonight goin’ w- ow! What’re you shining that light in m’eye for?!”
Nate turned off the light on his yo-kai watch, being sure to project it around the area before realizing what he’d been doing.
“Sorry! Force of habit!” He put his hands back down, “I had to make sure it was really you talking, and not just a yo-kai messing with me…”
“Nope!” Buck released his hold, “Maybe that big yellow critter that makes ya’ feel all warm n’fuzzy… but y’make me feel like that normally!”
“Shut up…” Nate muttered, wrapping his arms around Buck’s middle to suppress a smile.
He could hide his face, but what he couldn’t do was prevent Buck from feeling his heartbeat steadily increase against his chest. His head only made it as far as the bottom of Buck’s chin, the latter burrowing his face into Nate’s spiky hair.
“Can I ask you something?” Nate pulled back to speak.
“Sure thing.”
“Does this mean today was a date?” Nate finally managed to let the thought spill out, the one that had been burning in his head all night.
But he didn’t get an answer. Buck fired back.
“Depends, didja want it to be?”
“Well you kept holding my hand like it was!”
“I was scared outta my wits the first time I did that…” He laughed lightly, “But Dorothy gave me a couple rules to help me seem more gentleman-like. I only really remember the first and last ones, but I’m mighty grateful for it. I suppose there’s one I still have to follow through on, though…”
“What’s that?”
He cleared his throat, paraphrasing what he remembered of the last rule.
“Always give ‘em a kiss goodnight.”
“But… you already kissed me?”
Buck pressed his lips to Nate’s quickly, holding his shoulders in place as he did. He watched Nate’s cheeks burn with a devilish grin, ever entertained with his flustered expressions.
“We can bend the rules a little, if you’d like.”
“Yeah.” The brunette admitted, shyly beginning to smile, “I would.”
Allowing himself to be bold once more, Nate latched onto Buck’s face to pull him down to his level for one last kiss.
Overhead that doorstep, the longest lasting comets of the night flew by. And, though the pair didn’t see it, this comet, or rather, comets, were a peculiar case. These happened to be a set of two that streaked parallel, beginning and ending with each other. Separate, a perfectly nice sight, but when aligned they became such a view that they couldn’t help but be marveled at.
Buck had run into Dorothy’s room the following morning at a speed she wasn’t sure to be humanly possible, making her jump as he knocked on the door excitedly.
Nate, though not as forward, had kicked his own door open similarly. It was much quieter, having to resist letting out a yelp as he stubbed his toe, but it wasn’t enough to slow the elated feeling racing through his head.
He let gravity take over, falling onto his bed as drowsiness began to kick in. His dreams that night, or rather, day, played his memories back in a loop.
Until the world of the moon, he loved Buck. And he wasn’t afraid to think such a thing anymore.