Chapter 7 – When Touch Burns
Yuji didn't plan to touch him again.
He swore he wouldn't.
He kept his distance all morning, avoiding Ren's gaze, staying in the farthest corner of the apartment as if the space between them could smother whatever this was.
But the ache started again.
A slow, building throb in his chest, growing sharper the longer he stayed away.
By noon, it was unbearable.
---
"Yuji," Ren said softly.
Yuji ignored him.
"Yuji."
The tone made him look.
Ren stood by the doorway, jacket on, like he'd been about to leave. But his expression wasn't calm this time. His forehead was slightly damp, his breathing uneven.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
Yuji clenched his fists. "No."
Ren took a step closer. "You're lying."
Yuji's pulse roared in his ears. "Stay there."
"Yuji." Another step.
"Ren, I swear—"
The moment Ren crossed that invisible line between them, the pain vanished.
Just like that.
Relief crashed over Yuji so hard it almost dropped him to his knees. His body betrayed him, loosening, leaning forward like a magnet drawn to its pair.
Ren stopped right in front of him.
Close enough that Yuji could smell the faint mix of soap and leather clinging to him.
Close enough that Yuji could feel his emotions — steady, focused… and burning.
---
"Why does it do this?" Yuji demanded, voice breaking.
Ren didn't answer.
Instead, he reached out — slow enough for Yuji to pull back if he wanted.
Yuji didn't.
Ren's hand brushed against his cheek, fingers barely grazing his skin.
And Yuji's breath hitched.
It wasn't just touch. It was everything. A floodgate opening. His heart beating out of rhythm. A heat curling deep in his stomach.
"Stop," Yuji whispered.
Ren's thumb lingered against his jaw. "You don't want me to."
Yuji's breath caught.
And for one terrifying moment… he couldn't tell if Ren was wrong.