By the time they reached the Aoyama home, the storm had dulled to a drizzle. The streets gleamed under the streetlamps, puddles glimmering like shards of glass.
Suki fumbled with the keys, still half-laughing, half-breathless from the walk. His hoodie clung damp to his frame, his hair dripping into his eyes. "We're gonna catch colds like this. Hurry inside."
Ryuzí followed silently, his own clothes heavy with rain. His eyes stayed fixed on Suki's back, on the warmth that pulled him like gravity.
The door swung shut, muffling the rain. Warmth enveloped them, carrying the faint scent of tea and laundry. The house was quiet; Suki's sisters had clearly gone to bed.
Suki dropped the umbrella by the door and toed off his shoes. "Wait here, I'll grab towels."
He disappeared down the hall, leaving Ryuzí standing in the narrow entryway. Water dripped from his hoodie, pooling at his feet. His fists clenched at his sides, his chest still heaving.
What am I doing here? he thought, pulse racing. What am I going to do now?
But when Suki returned, arms full of fluffy towels, all Ryuzí's doubts vanished under the weight of that bright smile.
"Here," Suki said, tossing one at him. "Dry off before you ruin the floor. My sisters will kill me if you drip everywhere."
Ryuzí caught it clumsily, muttering, "...Idiot," as he dragged the towel through his wet hair.
Suki laughed, scrubbing his own head vigorously until his hair stuck out in ridiculous spikes. "See? Now we match. Two drowned cats."
Ryuzí stared. His chest tightened painfully. Why do you make everything feel lighter just by existing?
They moved into Suki's room, the small space cluttered with textbooks, posters, and the oversized plush Ryuzí had won for him at the festival.
Suki flopped onto the bed with a dramatic groan, towel still draped over his shoulders. "Finally. Warmth. You don't know how much I love this blanket when it's cold."
Ryuzí stood awkwardly near the door, clutching his towel. His heart pounded so hard it echoed in his ears.
Suki peeked at him, tilting his head. "...You're not gonna stand there all night, are you?"
Ryuzí's throat tightened. "...I shouldn't be here."
Suki sat up, frowning. "Don't say that."
Ryuzí looked away, his voice rough. "I—said too much. Back there."
Suki blinked, then smiled softly. "...No, you didn't. You said what I've been waiting to hear."
Ryuzí froze, his breath caught. "...What?"
Suki rose slowly, crossing the small room until he stood in front of him. His hand reached up, brushing damp hair from Ryuzí's eyes. "You think you're the only one who's been hurting? I thought giving you space was what you wanted. But every day, it felt like I was ripping myself apart."
Ryuzí's eyes burned. His hands trembled, fists tightening around the towel. "...Idiot."
Suki grinned faintly, though his own eyes glistened. "Your idiot. Always."
Something inside Ryuzí snapped.
He dropped the towel, grabbed Suki's wrist, and yanked him closer.
Their lips crashed together.
The kiss was nothing like the clumsy accident under fireworks, nothing like the hesitant almost-kiss in the library. This was desperate, raw, messy. Ryuzí's hands cupped Suki's face, fingers trembling as though afraid he'd vanish. Suki gasped against his mouth, then melted, his own hands clutching at Ryuzí's hoodie.
Breath tangled. Hearts thundered. The world fell away.
They broke apart just long enough to breathe, foreheads pressed together, gasping.
Suki's lips were red, his voice shaky. "Took you long enough."
Ryuzí growled softly, pressing another kiss to his mouth, harder this time. "...Shut up."
Suki laughed breathlessly into the kiss, his arms looping around Ryuzí's neck, pulling him closer.
The room spun with heat, the storm outside forgotten. Every kiss grew rougher, deeper, like they were making up for every second they'd wasted in silence.
Ryuzí pressed Suki back onto the bed, his hands braced on either side of him. Their lips broke only to find each other again, the space between them unbearable.
Suki's fingers tangled in his wet hair, tugging him down, whispering against his mouth. "...Don't stop. Please, don't stop."
Ryuzí's chest burned, his voice raw. "...Never."
When they finally pulled apart, panting, Suki's cheeks were flushed, his lips swollen. His eyes shimmered, bright and unguarded.
Ryuzí stared, his chest aching. "...I meant it."
Suki blinked. "...Meant what?"
Ryuzí swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "...I like you. More than I've ever liked anyone."
Suki's breath caught. His smile wobbled, then bloomed, radiant even through tears. "...Good. Because I've liked you from the start."
Ryuzí groaned, burying his face against Suki's neck.
Suki laughed softly, holding him close.
The storm had passed, but in Suki's room, two boys clung to each other like they'd finally found the place they belonged.
And for the first time, Ryuzí didn't feel alone.