MAKEUP DATE — i. sae x reader : late to another date, his guilt changes him .
your boyfriend, sae itoshi, has been late before, that wasn’t new.
many reasons like training, flight delays, interviews were longer than expected. you learned how to wait, learned how to sit through dinners alone, scrolling through your phone until a short message from him popped up.
and usually, there was a next time. but tonight didn’t feel like one of those nights. maybe it was because he didn’t message at all, leaving you alone with silence. you stayed longer than you should’ve. long enough for the waiter to glance at you with that look, long enough to feel stupid. so you left without texting him either.
the minutes after that was somewhat of a blur, you don’t know if it was from your tears or your mind was just not thinking at all.
and sae noticed the moment he checked his phone. the time specifically.
he stood in the doorway of his apartment for a while, staring at nothing with his phone still in his hand. he knew he messed up, but he didn’t know what to do.
sae : got held back. sorry.
he stared at it, a little frustrated because that sounded like every other time, like he couldn't keep a promise for once. so he deleted it.
you were already in bed, washed and changed when your phone buzzed. you didn’t check it right away, you already knew it was him.
it buzzed again, and again. eventually, you reached over, squinting at the screen.
you quickly sat up, that was new from itoshi.
when you opened the door, he looked off. still put together, still sae. but his eyes gave him away. he seemed tired, maybe more.
“you didn’t text,” you said. not accusing, just stating fact. his gaze flickered, like he didn’t expect you to start with that. he only nodded, acknowledging it yet only staring at you. he didn’t move from where he stood, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed in.
you sighed, stepping aside anyway. he walked in quietly, slower than usual.
you didn’t say much, and neither did he. it wasn’t tense exactly. sae wasn’t the type to fill silence, it was usually comforting for him. but tonight, it felt like he was searching for something to say and coming up short.
you sat on the edge of your bed. he stayed standing for a second, then eventually sat beside you.
he looked down, “…how long?”
that answer didn’t help him. you were too vague, too dismissive. you could tell that he was becoming more bothered. his fingers curled slightly, like he was holding something back. frustration, maybe, but not at you.
your head turned slightly. “forgot?”
“about tonight.” he said it flat, no excuses attached.
you didn’t respond right away.
“it slipped,” he added, quieter this time. “i had a meeting, then training—” he stopped. none of it sounded like a good enough reason.
you nodded slowly. “i know that,” and you did, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.
he was taking in the way you avoided his gaze, the slight stiffness in your shoulders. something in his chest tightened, he wasn’t used to this version of you. the one that pulled away.
you let out a small breath. “not really.”
you glanced at him, a little surprised. he was already looking at you.
“if you were mad, i could fix it.” his voice was steady, but the frustration was starting to show.
“this isn’t something you fix in one night, sae.”
you weren’t wrong. a few seconds passed before he shifted closer. he didn’t touch you yet. just sat nearer than before, like testing if you’d move away. and you didn’t, so he moved more. his hand reached for yours, slower than usual. you let him take it.
you frowned slightly. “sae—”
“i’m sorry.” he cut you off.
his thumb pressed lightly against your hand, like grounding himself.
“i know i say it a lot,” he continued, gaze fixed on your intertwined hands. “but i don’t think i’ve meant it this much before.”
you stayed quiet as he moved closer again. his shoulder brushed against yours, then he leaned in slightly, resting his forehead against the side of your head.
sae wasn’t like this. not clingy, not physically needy. but right now, he acted like he needed you. you could feel the slight tension in him. the way he exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding his breath all night.
“…don’t get used to it,” he muttered.
you almost laughed. “to what?”
“…this.” he didn’t elaborate, he really didn’t need to. you already knew this wasn’t normal of him.
you softened a little. “you feel guilty.”
you shifted slightly, turning toward him. he lifted his head just enough to look at you.
“you don’t have to overdo it by being clingy,” you said softly.
his expression didn’t change. “i’m not.” he tightened his hold on your hand slightly. “…i just don’t like this.”
“you being distant.” it made something in your chest ease. his honesty, his vulnerability. he earned himself a kiss.
you leaned into him, just slightly. and his reaction was immediate. his free arm wrapped around you without hesitation this time, pulling you closer against him like he’d been waiting for permission.
you felt him relax in the kiss, just a bit. he lets go and rests his chin on your shoulder.
“i won’t forget next time.” he said quietly,
you hummed. “you say that every time.”
he only held you a little tighter. eyes looking at you as if he’s asking for permission to do more.
“you’re cute like this.” you tease,
“yeah whatever.” he sighs, kissing you a little more.
with sae, you really were easy.
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