Part of And Then, They Fall in Love Again Series / Fluff / Short read (1,001 words) / Gender neutral
It had been three weeks since you two last met. Both of you were busy, you with your college works and him with his athlete career. Yet, even though it was lonely at times, knowing that he, too, was working hard towards his dream comforted you in a way. With that in mind, you couldn’t help but hoping he would be a little more excited to see you. However, the man ahead of you stayed abnormally quiet. On an empty street after the day died, you could only follow him into the unknown.
Yaku slowed his pace down once he noticed the wider distance between you two. Truth to be told, he didn’t mean to appear cold. He just daren’t look to your way, at least not for that period of time. For three weeks, he thought he was prepared but when you popped up at his door, his hesitation won over him again.
Would you be okay with what he had to say?
Right then, he felt warmth on his clenched fist. He was so tense, he didn’t realize, until you shyly held it in your palms and waited for him to relax his posture to intertwined your fingers with his. Receiving such a gesture and then your smile, he stopped completely and his mind became clear. With you, it would be alright. Yaku looked into your eyes for the first time of the night as he tightened his hold on your hand. “Let’s talk,” he told before leading you to a bench in a nearby park.
Under the purple sky, you both sat next to each other, hands still in one another’s. Yaku began to speak. “Y/N,” he called. “I got scouted for the Russia Super League.”
“What? For real?!” You blurted loudly, eyes sparkling with excitement. Yaku simply smiled as he went on.
“Nothing’s official yet. They said they wanted to see my performance in the next match first but for most parts, it’s pretty much settled. If things go well, I’ll leave Japan in May. So before that, I would like to talk to you.”
“Y/N, this time, it may take for longer than a year and I know it’s selfish for having you wait for god-knows-how-long while I am living a life, chasing my dream. But I hope… I really do hope that you would stay.”
“Please know that I can’t and will never stop you from chasing your dream. So If here is where your dream lies, I won’t ask you to leave everything for me. I understand if you are going to say no. But still, I… ah shit, I’m not making sense…“
You raised your voice and cupped his face, startling him in the process. But at least, you were able to stop his tangling thoughts before he said something that may you both regrets.
“Listen to me and answer truthfully, okay? I will ask you only once…” You told him, clearly and calmly. “Do you still need me in your life?”
“More than anything,” Yaku answered instantly.
“Even after you moved away?”
“Yes. Even though missing you is hard, it’s better than not having you in my life at all.”
Satisfied, you grinned. “Then, I will stay. I will wait for you.”
As if the whole world stopped and you were the only one in motion, Yaku was still when you finally let him go. He pressed his lips together. Hesitantly, he asked, almost whispered, “Are you sure?“
“I am sure. I know it’s gonna be hard for us but you know what? I think that anything is better than not having you in my life at all too!” You beamed. “So let’s try, Yaku. You and me.”
Contented and grateful, Yaku gave you his reply but not by his words as he slowly pressed his lips against yours. You closed your eyes, gladly accepting the touch of his lips. Sensing that you were giving in to him, Yaku lost a bit of his control and pulled you in even closer to deepen the kiss. He loved you and he made sure that fact was well carved into your soul. The kiss was long and tender. Although you were getting breathless, you didn’t resist because, as Yaku was intended, his feeling was well received.
Eventually, you two parted with gentle smiles on your faces and Yaku was reminded once again of how easy it was to fall in love with you. He thumbed along your cheek, looking at you like you were his sweetest dream. Still, if he was going to be away, there were few more things he need to tell you.
“While I’m gone, don’t forget your keys when you go out,” Yaku said out of the blue.
“Make sure you lock the windows before you go to sleep.”
“And watch your steps too. I won’t be there to catch you when you fall anymore.”
“Stop! It’s not like you are leaving tomorrow,” you whined.
“And don’t fall in love with someone else, alright?”
Your eyes widened, surprised by the unexpected request. It was so unusual of him that you started to believe it may just be a slip of the tongue. Yet, when you looked at his pinkish cheeks and unswerving eyes, it then became clear to you that he only wanted an affirmation. You held his hand and told him.
“Never. I love you, Yaku.”
Deep down, you and he both knew that words were weightless comparing to the great unknown of the future but what you had there, you, him and those moments, were going to last. So you let love filled the air and be free for once. With him, you were at peace and with you, he was secure. On the way home, you two walked at the same pace towards the same destination. With hands still hanging on one another, even on a path full of uncertainties, it would be fine. Everything will be fine.
