By Monday, it was too late to feign that nothing was different.
Suki went to the classroom as usual, with his smile on his face, only this time he did not say good morning, Ryuuuuziii! tapping his lip, he bent across the desk.
"Morning, honey."
The word dropped like a bomb. Heads snapped around. Whispers flared instantly.
Ryuzi froze, face blazing. "...Don't call me that here."
Suki smirked, but made a light voice. "Why not? It's true."
Kenji was kicked on the back, jumped up two legs and tipped his chair. "Ha! See? I told you guys ages ago. They're a thing."
Aoi did not even look up her notebook. "It was obvious. Others of us have working eyes.
Kenji stuck a finger at Ryuzi. "And look at him! Blushing like crazy."
Ryuzi scowled, ears flaming. "...Shut up."
The group became noisier and their eyes were flicking back and forth between the two.
"Are they really...?"
"No way, Takeda? He's so cold.
" But Aoyama always wants him--makes sense.
In fact, they are rather cute together.
His pen was tighter in Ryuzi, his jaw fixed. But when Suki touched his hand underneath the desk he did not take it away. His heart pangs did not hurt him, and not with fear.
With something warmer.
It was no longer quiet on the rooftop at lunch.
Suki was leaning with great ease against Ryuzi and his head lay against his shoulder as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Mmm. Perfect pillow."
Ryuzi made himself stiff and glanced about. "Someone might see."
They know already, agreed Suki, who was half-closing her eyes with a lazy smile.
"Why hide?"Ryuzi's throat worked. "...You're reckless."and you are in love with me on account of it, jabbing me with his chest, Suki teased.
Kenji was lying nearby chewing bread, and was staring with delight. "Man, this is better than TV."
Aoi sipped her tea. "Finally. No further gazing and strained silence. Peace at last."
"Peace?" Kenji barked a laugh. "This is chaos, Aoi! Beautiful chaos!"
Suki laughed, drawing still closer. "Told you, honey. Everyone's fine with it."
With one hand Ryuzi groaned, his face covered. "...I regret everything."
Yet his free hand was lightly touching the back of Suki as the fingers brushed across her.
It was the remainder of the week of whispers.
Suki put his hands over his mouth in gym. "Go, honey!"
Ryuzi faltered on the run, and swore to himself.
The other boys snickered. "Did he just call him honey?"
"Seriously? In gym?"
They were checked with a glare of Ryuzi--but his ears were scarlet.
At the library, Suki leaned over his textbook whispering, I study better when you are next to me.
The pencil of Ryuzi slipped, and made a scribble over the sheet.
Kenji saw it on top of the table. "Ohoho, busted~!"
Aoi smacked him with a book. "Shut up. People are staring."
Suki smiled and leaned his chin on his hand as he waited as Ryuzi tried to get himself together.
Suki extended his chopsticks in the cafeteria.
"Say ahh~."Ryuzi's face flamed. "...Absolutely not."
"Please? Just once?"
Kenji stooped forward chanting, Do it! Do it!"
Aoi sighed, pinching her nose. "Children."
Ryuzi swore to himself, and came forward to take the bite.
The cafeteria broke out into screams and laughter.
Groaning, Ryuzi pushed his tray forward. "...Never again."
Suki's grin was triumphant. "Worth it."
But there were less noisy ones as well.
Hand of Ryuzi working under the table of Suki.
Suki pulling the hair of Ryuzi behind his ear in study hall.
Their eyes meeting, across the room, staying a moment too long before they both turned their heads, and little smiles jerking their lips.
Ryuzi was not merely enjoying the sunshine of Suki, as he had never done before. He was reaching for it.
As they were packing one afternoon Ryuzi caught Suki by the wrist."...Thanks."
Suki blinked. "For what?"
Ryuzi looked away, ears pink. "...For not hiding."
He smiled in his low voice, Suki. "I'll never hide you. Not from anyone."
The chest of Ryuzi tightened, his lips pinched. "...You're ridiculous."
Suki bent forward whispering only to him: Your ridiculous.
The feeling that was passing through the chest of Ryuzi was unquestionable.
He hesitantly released it, saying,...Id-- "...Suki."
That night Ryuzi was in bed and his phone was buzzing with a new message.
"Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams.
With a groan Ryuzi buried his face in the pillow. "...Idiot."
But his lips smiled a little and he said into the dark:... Goodnight.