#BUDDIE : Meet Me Halfway Across The Sky 🌌 ~Main Story~ | Story & Art by @fallen-lucifiel
60-pages of Buddie comic?? Am I crazy?? Yeah, crazy about Buddie lol I wanted to upload everything in one post so I combined 2 pages in 1 photo since there’s a max of 30 photos in a post. I hope it’s still readable. Pls lemme know if it isn’t ^^
Storywise, I’ve always wanted to write a scene where Eddie is hit with all the things Buck had done for him in the show. I thought this was the perfect chance to do it and have Eddie realize how much he meant to Buck and how much Buck meant to him. And the separation just begs for the ‘what if Buck gets into an accident while Eddie isn’t there?’ hahaha and who isn’t a sucker for a happy head over feet (yes Alanis Morisette inspi— played it on repeat while making this) in love Eddie???!!?!?!
Although I wasn’t able to translate everything I had in mind into this comic, I’m still pretty proud that I was able to complete it. At least, the main story! So there will be some supplementary comics that will follow this storyline. I’ve written out most of them and drafted two so far. I hope I’ll be able to finish everything in time before 8B coz I’m suddenly moving this month and will be busy, as if the comics jinxed me haha
Thank you so much for reading my work and if you’ve reached until here, thanks for listening to my rambling as well. Take this as a Christmas gift from me and hope it makes anyone reading it happy. Til next time! <3
Day/Prompt: Day 3 - Confession
Pairing: SouRei [Sousuke Yamazaki / Rei Ryugazaki]
Author: ProfessorDumbleBrows
Rating: T
Summary: Certain things remain in people's minds and will not leave until confronted. Sousuke experienced this once he saw the boy with the bright umbrella. He couldn't help but think about the person, wonder what was it they wanted before they walked away, and hope he would see them again. But little did he know, the umbrella boy has been there all along.
Note: Written for fallen-lucifiel
[AO3 Link Here]
A sigh escaped Sousuke’s lips as he looked out the window of the cafe. Since it was the rainy season, he should have expected the rain to fall sooner or later that day, but, alas, he believed he would have been able to leave before a single drop fell. Shaking his head, he looked back to the paper cup in his hand before raising it to take a sip of the hot coffee.
Classes had been hard for the young male. And with him not following his past dream of swimming for the gold, he found himself with a “I’m just doing this for now” attitude. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for him -- considering he was already in his second year -- but he couldn’t deny it was saddening to a degree.
Another few sips and he placed the cup down to pick up his phone instead. Distracted by typing a message to his childhood friend, he almost didn’t hear the distinct “ahem” that came from only a few inches away from him. Just as he looked up, he saw the person standing near him had already turned and walked away. Raising an eyebrow, Sousuke examined the person before brushing it off.
“Who was that?” He mumbled to himself, picking up his cup to finish the remains of his drink. However, as he did so, he couldn’t help but think of the bright umbrella the person was holding. Who wouldn’t think about it after seeing it’s bright purple and blue colors, though? It was a thought that Sousuke figured would come and go.
...And yet, it didn’t.
A week passed since the incident with the person at the cafe. Every day within that week, Sousuke had visited the cafe in hopes of seeing the person. Why? He wasn’t too sure. Part of him was convinced it was to see why that person tried speaking to him. Another part of him was convinced it was because he wanted to see the face of this blue haired, umbrella-holding stranger. And then there was the last part of him which developed from when he told his friend, Rin, about the situation. The part that thinks maybe he missed his chance at something.
Thursday afternoon, Sousuke looked at the cafe as he made his way to the campus library. He wondered if he should buy himself something to drink before having to do his research, but he knew it was just an excuse to check and see if the Umbrella Boy -- a nickname Rin came up with -- was there.
Instead, he continued walking to the library.
x X x
While Sousuke tapped away on the keyboard of his laptop, he found himself pausing and unpausing every now and then. He was distracted, unfocused, and most of all, annoyed. Where he knew he was always calm and collected, he knew he was now unraveling at the mere thought of that stupid boy with the umbrella. Sighing, Sousuke moved the mouse to click open the Skype app. As soon as the app opened, he looked through his friends list to see who was online.
Distraught Duck
Offline
Haru
Offline
N a g i s a (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Online
Otter Boy Wonder
Online
R. Matsuoka
Offline
His shoulder slumped at his options of people to talk to. Nagisa, a classmate, had insisted on exchanging Skype usernames after they worked together on a project the previous semester. They hadn’t talked much but Nagisa would send pictures of various aquatic animals or a message bringing up a random topic. Sousuke forgot to click on the links or answer most of the time.
Momotarou, on the other hand, was a closer friend to him. They were friends in high school; and though Momo was younger and much more hyperactive, Sousuke never saw him as a real problem. Having to choose between Momotarou or Nagisa… It wasn’t a hard choice at all.
Sousuke
How do you distract yourself when you don’t want to think of something?
Otter Boy Wonder
huh?
i usually listen to music or play a game
sometimes i go talk to someone
you could try annoying someone thats always fun
why do you need to distract yourself sousuke senpai?
“Tsk. So nosey…”
Sousuke
I’ve just been thinking too much. That’s all.
Otter Boy Wonder
not acceptable!
you never message me first
so obviously something is wrong
Sousuke
I have work to do. Bye.
He click the sign out button just as Momo began typing again. Maybe listening to music really would help. Sousuke grabbed his headphones from his bookbag on the table and plugged them into his laptop. He went to Youtube and clicked the first suggested lyric video to begin listening to something as soon as possible. The music was very loud, causing him to flinch, but it was perfect and attention grabbing while not being distracting.
Sousuke clicked back to the Google search page and scrolled through the list of websites. Ready to click one that he felt would serve him right, he paused as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Blinking, Sousuke took out his earbuds and looked in the direction of where the poke came from.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry but do you mind lowering your music? It’s very distracting and I’m trying to read.” A guy with blue hair and red glasses said.
“Oh, sorry. Yeah, no problem.”
He put his earbuds back on and lowered the volume of his laptop. Only getting so far as to clicking the link, he felt another tap on his shoulder. He glanced to the side and saw it was the same guy looking at him.
Taking out an earbud, he said, “Yeah?”
“By any chance, is that an OLDCODEX song?”
He clicked back to the Youtube tab and raised his eyebrows. “Yes, actually.”
“Ah ha… Dried Up Youthful Fame?”
“Yep.”
“Thought it was familiar. A friend of mine has been singing that song for the past week.” The guy said, a small chuckle escaping his throat. “Well, I’ll leave you alone now. Sorry to interrupt your work.”
“It’s fine.”
x X x
R. Matsuoka
Any luck with umbrella boy?
Sousuke
No.
I’ve been staying away from the cafe.
R. Matsuoka
What? Why?
You do know he could literally be anywhere, right?
I bet he’s even in one of your classes.
Sousuke
I’m not going to let myself get caught up in worry about a stranger with a bright umbrella.
R. Matsuoka
Bullshit.
Look, I have to go.
Don’t you fucking give up though.
Sousuke
Stop being a romantic, Rin.
Later.
R. Matsuoka
This isn’t over!
He saw the green and white checkmark become blank and closed his laptop. Sousuke was now back in his dorm room. The black-haired male stretched and heard his stomach growl. A quick look to his watch told him it was early evening.
“Guess I’ll go get dinner.” Sousuke looked over his shoulder to his roommate. “Makoto, I’m going to get dinner. Wanna come?”
“Nah, I ate with Nagisa earlier. Bring me back a soda, though?”
“Will do.”
Sousuke got up from his seat. He grabbed his room key and wallet from the desk before walking out the room. The walk from the dormitory to the cafeteria wasn’t very far and he was there in no time. Sousuke looked through the selection of premade meals before moving on to the serve-yourself section. He grabbed a tray and went to grab a plate when his hand collided with someone else’s
“Sorry.” He said, eyes looking up at the person.
“It’s fin-- Oh. We meet again.” The person said, using his hand to fix those bright red frames of his.
“I guess so.” Sousuke responded casually, reaching for the plate after the other grabbed his own. Unsure what to say, he moved on to serving himself. The other male did the same thing and they both stood silent in the presence of one another.
Making his way to one of the tables after paying, Sousuke sat down. He picked up his chopsticks and was ready to begin eating when he saw from the corner of his eye that the blue-haired male sat down only seats away from himself. He tried to ignore it, but the self-induced tension caused him to give in.
He picked up his tray and walked over to the other table.
“Mind if I sit with you?”
“Hm?” The other looked up. “Oh. Sure. I don’t mind at all.”
He placed the tray down and pulled out the seat before sitting down. “Thanks. ...By the way, the name’s Sousuke.”
“Rei. Pleased to meet you.” He smiled.
“Likewise.”
The two began eating, only remaining silent for a short moment before Sousuke spoke again.
“I haven’t seen you around here much until recently.”
“The beginning of the semester was a busy time for me. Plus, I’m not a resident. But I have been staying on campus later than usual the past few days.”
“That would make sense.”
Rei opened his mouth before he heard a loud crash come from the serving station. He looked over in it’s direction and saw brunet with an undercut lower himself to the floor to pick up the mess of trays and plates. Another girl with lighter hair came by to help him.
“That’s the third time this week.” Rei commented before breaking off a piece of his food to eat.
“What do you mean?” Sousuke asked, looking away to look at Rei.
He took a few bites before swallowing and answering, “That guy has been knocking over the trays and plates for the past two days. And the same girl comes to help him.”
“He could be trying to get her attention.” He moved to eat a piece of his food now.
“Perhaps. That’s a terrible way to do it, though.”
“If you were getting someone’s attention, what would you do?”
Rei blinked, looking off to the side as he thought. “...I would just try to talk to the person, I suppose. Get to know them.”
“Reasonable.”
They continued to eat and chatted as they did so. Even after they were finished with their dinner, Sousuke and Rei continued to talk. It wasn’t until Rei checked the time that he said he had to leave. They cleaned up after themselves and parted ways after walking out of the cafeteria.
“Did you get my soda?” Makoto asked when Sousuke returned.
“What? Ah, no. I forgot.”
“It’s fine.” The brunet paused before tilting his head a little. “Did something happen while you went to eat?”
“Hm? Not really. I just met someone new.”
“Is that so? Well that’s nice!” Makoto smiled.
“Mhm… It is.”
x X x
Sousuke walked up and down the aisles of the library’s bookshelves. He was trying to look for a book that Momotarou recommended to him, but he couldn’t even find the author’s name. Taking another look at the Kanji he wrote the author’s name in, he now wondered if he wrote it wrong. Sighing, he walked over to the next aisle and stopped in his tracks as he saw Rei reaching up to a shelf just at his reach.
The male was awkwardly trying to grab a book but couldn’t find a way to slip it out from the side. Rei sighed and dropped his arm. He was ready to go look for a librarian but turned and saw Sousuke looking at him.
“Oh. Sousuke-kun. Hello.”
“No need for the ‘-kun’. Hey. Do you need help?” He asked, walking over to him.
“I do. I can’t reach the novel up there.”
Without saying anything, Sousuke reached up and slid his fingers along the spines of the books. “Which one?”
As his fingers landed upon a particular book, Rei said, “That one.”
He moved to hook his finger at the top of the book and pulled it free from its slot. Grabbing the book, Sousuke brought it down and looked at the title before handing it to Rei. “I was actually looking for this book.” He commented before extending it to the bespectacled male.
“Were you? Then by all means, you can take it.”
“No, it’s fine. I can wait to read it.”
Rei took the book, a frown tugging at the corner of his lips. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. Well, that’s all I was looking for. I’ll see you later.”
“Take care.”
Sousuke walked away, heading to the exit of the library. However, when he walked out, he was stopped by the scene of rain falling before him. Pressing his lips in discontent, he stood against the wall to shelter himself under the pillar-supported roof. He waited for a moment and was ready to walk when he suddenly saw someone walk out and into the rain with an umbrella.
At first, he paid the person no attention. But his eyes widened once he realized the colors of the umbrella. Bright blue and purple. Without another thought, Sousuke sprinted out into the rain and after the person. He quickly tapped the shoulder and stood as the person turned in place.
“Yes?”
“Rei?”
“Sousuke? I thought you left. Ah-- Wait!” Rei quickly held the umbrella over Sousuke and inched closer. “You shouldn’t be out in this rain without an umbrella!”
“It was your umbrella?!”
“What are you talking about?”
“This whole time it’s been you?!”
“May you please explain what’s going on?”
Lifting a hand to rake his fingers through his wet locks, he shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”
“I’m very confused right no--”
“How would you feel if I said I’ve been unintentionally thinking about you for around two or three weeks?”
Rei’s eyes widened. He blinked, unsure how to answer right away. “...I would be even more confused than I am now considering we have only known each other for a week.”
“A while back. Did you try talking to someone at the campus cafe? And he ignored you?”
The other stared blankly, trying to remember if he did such a thing. Just when he was about to say he didn’t remember, the memory came back to him. “Yes, actually. There were no seats left in the cafe and I wanted to ask him if I may sit for the time being. However, he was busy with his phone and someone left, so I just walked away.”
“That was me.”
“That was you?”
“I was the one who ignored you.”
“Someone would not willingly admit to that…”
“Sorry.” Sousuke rubbed the back of his neck. “Should we get out of the rain? There’s something else I want to say.”
“Is that so? Let’s go to the cafe then.”
Sousuke nodded and the two made their way to the cafe. All the while, there was a hint of an awkward atmosphere around them. They walked in and looked for a place to sit before seating themselves. Rei placed his umbrella and bag on the floor and Sousuke wiped his wet hand on his jeans.
“You said there was something you wanted to tell me?”
“Right. There is. Well, I just wanted to be honest and confess that I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Both… as the ‘umbrella boy’ and as yourself.” Sousuke said but then realized how he phrased it. Eyes widening, he quickly added, “Don’t take it the wrong way, though! I meant that you have just been distracting. I mean, you’re interesting. Wait, not--”
Rei laughed. “Sousuke, calm down. I understand what you mean. If I had to be honest, it’s been the same for me. Both as the ‘phone boy’ and yourself.” He said, the last sentence spoken in a tone to mock Sousuke’s. “There’s nothing wrong with thinking about a person. It just means a connection has been made.”
“It’s still weird to actually admit it to the person, though.”
“Yes. I do agree with that.”
Silence blanketed over the two. They both took turns with looking to the side or playing with their fingers -- anything to keep their attention in place of the situation. Sousuke was the first one to speak again after a moment.
“So. Now that I know you’re the one with that umbrella… I have to ask you this. Why did you get one so bright?”
“It’s kind of a long story.” Rei responded, adjusting his glasses.
“I have time.”
Rei gave Sousuke a look and Sousuke smirked in return.
Summary: Rin invited Rei, Haruka, and Makoto to go to a ski resort with him for good old fashion winter fun. But things go wrong when Rei skis off the course. The guys are left to look for him. However, after Rin finds him, sparks fly in directions they didn’t expect to go.
Notes: Written for Fallen-Lucifiel
[AO3 Link Here]
“Are you guys ready?” Rin asked as he awkwardly shifted over to the beginning of the slope.
Makoto, Haruka, and Rei trailed behind him, Makoto and Rei shifting with their skis and Haruka hopping over to the far end of the slope with his snowboard. Rin narrowed his eyes at Haruka but shrugged it off as he grinned at the other two males next to him.
“Are you sure this is safe, Rin?” Makoto asked, looking warily at the slope before them.
“I’ve done this almost every winter since I was young. I can promise you that it’s safe if you know what you’re doing.”
Makoto’s wary look remained on his face, but he shrugged it off and moved his goggles over his eyes. Rei, on the other hand, took a few steps back for he was uncertain of the end result of him going down the slope. Rin noticed, and he immediately began hopping over to him so he could grab his arm.
“Oi, where do you think you’re going?” Rin asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Rei gulped and smiled, “Nowhere. What made you think I was going somewhere, Rin-san?” He laughed nervously.
“Hmph… You’re not backing down now, are you?”
“Of course not! I just…” Rei paused to think of an excuse, a reason for why he would be shying away from the rather dangerous-looking slope of snow and ramps.
“Come on, this isn’t even the worst one they have here,” Rin said, thinking it would at least make Rei more comfortable with the thought of moving.
Rei opened his mouth to speak but was suddenly cut off by a whiny voice exclaiming, “Haru, wait!”
The two butterfly swimmers turned their attention to look at where Makoto was standing and saw that Haruka had begun going down the slope. With a quick, “I’m going after him, see you at the bottom.” Makoto pushed himself to begin skiing down the ramp after his childhood friend.
Rin sighed in frustration. Couldn’t Haru ever be patient for once? He was planning on kicking his ass on the slope, and he just had to go on without him… Shaking his head, Rin tightened his grip on Rei’s arm and began shifting back to his place by the top of the slope. A series of uncompleted phrases escaped the bespectacled teen’s mouth but was obviously ignored.
“Now, why don’t you want to go down this slope?”
“I never said I didn’t want to go down the slope–”
“You didn’t seem too excited to go down.”
“Neither did Makoto-senpai–”
“That’s how Makoto is.”
“Rin-san–”
“Rei, just go down the slope.”
“I will.”
Both males became silent. Rin looked at Rei and Rei looked at the slope. He pressed his lips in a straight line and took a deep breath, not bothering to make a move.
“Well?”
“I’m going.”
“I don’t see you moving.”
“I’m mentally preparing myself. This is a first time experience, and thus I must make sure I am prepared both physically and mentally.”
Rin raised an eyebrow, staring for a few more seconds before clicking his tongue. “Whatever. I’ll see you at the bottom when you finally decide to move.” With that said, he pressed his goggles, snapped the elastic of said goggles, and hopped off the slanted edge to begin sliding down the snow on his snowboard.
Rei watched as the red head slid down the slope. Knees bent and body leaning left and right to change directions and keep balanced. It seemed simple… But Rei was still unsure if he could do it. Sighing, he scoots over to the edge. He takes a few seconds to make sure his feet are properly strapped in and his goggles are secured. Gripping his ski poles tightly, Rei pushed himself to begin sliding down the slope.
A gasp escaped his mouth at the sudden rush that ran through him, and he tried his best to keep balanced as he swayed from left to right on the skis. It wasn’t so bad after all, he figured.
At the bottom of the slope, Rin skidded to a halt by his two childhood friends. Makoto was busy scolding Haru, and Haru was busy looking at the slope from where Rin came.
“Come on, Makoto. We’re here to have fun!” Rin said with a grin as he moved his goggles to rest on his forehead.
“I know… But–”
“No but’s. Have fun, okay?”
Before Makoto could respond with his meek ‘okay’, Haruka interrupted. “Where’s Rei?”
“Huh? Eh, he was still at the top of the slope by the time I started going down.” Rin responded, turning around to see if he could spot him out of all the skiers. Squinting, it only took a short time before he was able to point him out. “There, see? On the left.”
“He’s doing great!” Makoto commented.
“He’s off.” Haruka said, causing Rin and Makoto to look at him inquisitively.
“What do you mean? He’s doing just fine.” Rin said
“No. Look. He’s leaning too much and he’s too close to the side. There’s…” He paused and Makoto continued for him.
“There’s an opening, and if he leans too much toward it…”
“Crap! Why is that spot even open?! Let’s just hope he isn’t stupid enough to lean toward it.”
Rin frowned as he watched Rei ski down the hill. He was doing fine, yes, but Makoto and Haruka were right. Relief washed over the three as they watched him begin to lean away from the opening, but sudden panic came immediately after.
As Rei was leaning away, a group of children racing down the slope went right by him. One bumped into him, causing him to lose his balance and lean in the other direction. He didn’t have enough time to change his course and went right into the opening of the slope.
“Rei!” The three boys exclaimed. They quickly began unstrapping themselves from their gear.
“Where are we going to put these?!” Makoto asked, referring to the skis and snowboards.
“Uh– Just take them all to the booth.” Rin said before turning his attention to Haruka. “Haru, come with me. Let’s get a headstart.”
Haruka nodded and the two began running toward where they believed Rei slid off to. Makoto, on the other hand, ran in the opposite direction to return the gear before joining them in their search. Going into the forest, they decided to split up and call each other if they found him. Rin was hesitant at first, but he saw the determination in Haruka’s eyes.
Time passed and Rin traveled through the forest. He climbed over surfaced roots and tried not to slip on the snow that had hardened into ice. Every now and then, he called out Rei’s name, but no response. He pulled out his phone to check the time, grateful it was still early in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Rei was struggling with walking. He had sprained his ankle upon his landing and was now using the ski poles to keep him steady. The skis themselves have been left behind, Rei figuring there was no way he was going to be able to carry them around and balance himself at the same time.
He mumbled to himself, asking ‘why does this always happen to me?’. He had always seemed to have a bad habit of attracting misfortune. A sigh escaped the teen’s mouth, and he frowned as he hopped around. “I should have never joined Rin-san and the others… I probably just caused them problems now.”
“Rei?!” A voice called out in the distance.
“Not only have I hurt myself, but I am now hearing voices.” Rei shook his head.
“Rei?! Where are you?!” The voice called out, closer this time.
“And now the voice sounds like Rin-san. A reminder as to how much trouble I have caused him thus far.”
“Rei, I’m right behind you.” Rin said, voice laced with annoyance.
Rei jumped at hearing the voice right behind him. He turned his head quickly and stared at the male with wide eyes. “Rin-san?!”
“Tsk, I’m glad I finally found you.” He said. He was ready to say something else but instead he furrowed his eyebrows. “What happened to your skis?”
“I… couldn’t carry them.”
“How come?”
“I may have sprained my ankle, leaving me with no choice but to support my weight with the ski poles alone.”
Rin blinked. “What…?” He shook his head and stepped over to Rei’s side. “Come here…” He mumbled, bringing one of Rei’s arm over his shoulder to support him.
“You really don’t have to–” Rei began, quickly moving one pole to the other hand.
“Shut up. I’m not going to let you walk the way back by just using those damn poles.”
Rei stood silent, unsure how to respond. He knew he would only start an argument if he went against Rin. A small frown came across his lips, and he began limping as soon as Rin began moving. The two stood silent as they traveled through the snow, both still feeling shaken up by the whole ordeal.
A few minutes passed and Rin stopped walking, forcing Rei to stop as well. The red head groaned.
“Are we going in circles?!” He questioned to no one in particular.
“I don’t believe so. I also don’t think we can really escape from here unless we go up that slope over there.”
“Rei, I’m not making you walk up that in your condition.”
“I’m fine, I can walk up it.”
Rin narrowed his eyes at him. He said nothing, but Rei began to crack under the pressure of his bluff standing out.
“Okay, okay!” He said, turning his head away to avoid looking into his friend’s eyes.
“Let’s just—” Rin started but was cut off. He looked up and blinked, watching as snowflakes began to fall. There was a chance that a snow storm was supposed to come, but Rin could have sworn the weather report said it was a low chance. “Let’s keep walking.”
Another lap around did not help them at all. Rin grew irritated and Rei became weary from the strain of balancing and dragging his weight. Along the way, more snowflakes fell. It was exactly a storm, but it wasn’t a small flurry either.
“Rin-san, we should find somewhere to shelter ourselves from the snow before it gets too bad.”
Ready to say no, Rin suddenly remembered that they might not have much of a choice at that point. “Yeah, we should. I think I saw some kind of opening a few feet ahead.”
With that, they made their way to the opening Rin saw. Approaching it, it seemed to had been a small cave. It had a wide opening but was not too deep in. Rin made sure Rei went in first, carefully helping him to sit down. He walked in himself and sat down next to Rei, watching as the snow picked up outside after.
Rin shifted and took out his phone from his pocket. He was ready to call Haruka but saw there was no service. “Are you kidding me…? Looks like we’re gonna have to wait it out for now.”
“Rin-san, I am so sorry.” Rei suddenly apologized.
“Eh, for what?”
“For causing so much trouble for you, Haruka-senpai, and Makoto-senpai today.”
The red head stood silent for a moment. Shaking his head, he gave Rei a small shove with his shoulder. “Don’t be. It happens. It’s just unfortunate that it happened to you.”
“I’m still sorry.” Rei frowned.
Sighing, Rin responded, “Since you won’t stop apologizing, I’ll just have to say ‘I accept your apology’.”
“Thank you.”
Silence filled the space between them for a moment longer. Rin would check his phone every now and then but soon gave up. It wasn’t long before they picked up idle conversation with each other, asking questions and exchanging stories to find out more and entertain. Time passed by much quicker after, and they didn’t take notice until the shift in temperature finally came to their attention.
“…and that’s how I got these teeth.” Rin said with a smirk.
“Amazing! Didn’t it hurt?”
“Nah. It was surprisingly quick too.”
“I see…” Rei mused for a second before he wrapped his arms around himself. Rin tilted his head in curiosity.
“Are you getting cold now?” He asked.
“Just a little. It’s no problem.”
Without another word, Rin slipped his arm around him from behind. He shifted closer and used his hand to rub at Rei’s arm. “Don’t say it’s not a problem.” Rin kept close, waiting for their body heat to raise from the shared heat.
Rei snuggled up to him in an attempt to keep close himself. “I really cannot thank you enough.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s what friends do. Save lives, share body heat in freezing temperatures.”
Rei shook his head and Rin chuckled. The sound soon faded and they were left with silence again. Rin inhaled deeply and exhaled softly.
“I hope they come by soon.”
“They should.”
The air around them began to change. It felt as if there was more tension than earlier before. Words that are being left out, thoughts that are being concealed. As Rei thought about what he wanted to say, he felt his heart ram against his rib cage. However, much to his misfortune, he was close enough to Rin that he could feel it — though very light.
“Everything okay?” He asked.
“Fine!” Rei immediately responded, earning a suspicious look from Rin.
“Rei…”
“I’ve been thinking.”
“And?”
“That’s all.”
Another suspicious stare and Rei cracked.
“I’ve been think about a few things. One of those things being… My feelings toward you, Rin-san.”
“Your feelings…?”
“I have come to a conclusion that, for a while, I have had feelings of affections toward you. I thought it was just admiration, but it was far beyond that.”
Rin stood silent for a moment. He stared at Rei with a blank expression.
“Rin-sa—”
“Are you trying to say that you like me?”
“…In simple terms, yes.” Rei confirmed bashfully, bringing a hand up to adjust his glasses.
“Well it’s a good thing you confessed first. I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell you.”
“Eh?!” The blue haired male looked at Rin with a shocked expression, and Rin grinned in return.
“Yes, Rei, I like you too.”
Incoherent sounds escaped from Rei as he tried to understand what just happened. Ever since he came to grips with his emotions, he had always thought he would have been rejected. For Rin to accept and return his feelings, he was too surprised.
“I also wanted to ask if—” Rei began, but was cut off by the sound of his name.
“Rei?!” A voice called out in the distance.
“Rin?!” Another voice called out.
“Makoto?” “Haruka-senpai?” Rin and Rei said simultaneously.
“Wait here.” Rin took his arm away from Rei and got up. He walked over to the opening of the cave and looked around. In the distance, he saw two figures aimlessly walking around.
“Oi! Makoto, Haru!” Rin called out, watching as the two turned around. Haruka began walking in his direction while Makoto was making some gesture off to the side. A few more people came and followed in his track.
“Did you find Rei?” Haruka asked.
Rin nodded and tilted his head to the side as a way of saying he was inside. Haruka walked passed Rin to step into the cave and Rin followed. Deciding to save the chatting for later, Haruka and Rin helped Rei get back up to his feet and allowed him to lean on them as they walk outside again. There, the few people on the resort’s search team came over and replaced the teens.
~ * ~
Evening rolled around and the guys were settled in their hotel room. Makoto and Haru were getting ready to leave as Rei and Rin sat on the couch. Rei’s ankle was wrapped and propped on a pillow on top of the coffee table – much to his displeasure.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come, Rin?” Makoto asked, pulling his hoodie over his head.
“If I join you guys, then Rei would be alone.” Rin responded, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. Which it was.
“Come on, Makoto.” Haruka said, opening the door for he was eager to check out the hotel’s swimming pool.
“Wait up, Haru.” The brunet responded with a sigh. “We’ll see you later. Call if anything, okay?” He said before rushing out the door to follow his friend.
“Will do!” Rin called out, chuckling after the two left. “They never really changed much over the years.” He mused to himself.
Rei looked at the door before turning his attention to the red head. “…Rin-san?”
Ceasing his chuckling, Rin blinked and looked at Rei. “Hmm? Yeah?”
Hesitating, Rei looked to his lap. “Again, I would like to apologize.”
“I already said you di–”
“And I would like to thank you.”
“For…?”
“For helping me.”
“…It’s what friends would do.”
Another pause in hesitation from Rei. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath before speaking again. “Back when we were in the cave and, er, said those things… I wanted to ask you something.”
“Rei, you’re acting a little strange. What’s up?”
“Rin-san… I wanted to ask you if…” Rei began, but mumbled the rest of his sentence.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear that.” Rin said, leaning closer.
Rei felt his face warm up and he shifted a bit. “I wanted to ask… If I may kiss you…”
Rin’s eyes widened. Now it was his face which began to warm up. He began stuttering incompleted words, causing it to sound like gibberish instead. He forced himself to calm down, looking away as he brought his hand up to rub the back of his neck the way he does whenever he’s shy or nervous.
“You… Want to kiss me?”
“Yes.”
“…Right now?”
“Yes.”
“…On the lips…?”
“Rin-san. It took a lot of courage for me to ask you. Please, can we just… get this over with?” Rei said, frowning a bit at the wasted time. He felt his stomach turn with anticipation, ready for both rejection or acceptance of his request.
“Right, right. Sorry.” Rin mumbled. “You can.” He said, finally granting permission. He waited a second, expecting Rei to move closer. But then it occurred to him that Rei wouldn’t be able to move from his seat much due to his propped leg. And thus, he shifted closer until he was right next to him on the couch.
Rei took a deep breath before making an attempt to at least turn his upper body. He began to tilt his head and lean closer. Rin, following his lead, also tilted his head and leaned in the rest of the way. They closed their eyes and their lips brushed against each others’. Rei was ready to move back when Rin suddenly pressed his lips fully against his.
Heat rushing through his body and adrenaline pumping through his veins, Rei suddenly felt excited. He eagerly returned the pressure given, and they broke the kiss after a few seconds. Looking at each other, they both noticed how their pupils were dilated from the moment they shared.
“…Rin-san.”
“Rin.”
“What?” Rei asked, suddenly baffled.
The other male laughed softly at his reaction, his breath ghosting over Rei’s lips for their faces were still close to one another.
“You can stop using ‘-san’. Call me Rin.”
Rei gulped. “…Okay then. Rin.”
Rin smiled and gave his lips a peck. “I hope you know what this means.”
“Hmm…?”
“I’m claiming you as my boyfriend now.”
“As your… what?”
“Boyfriend. You know. The masculine term used for a male in a relationship.”
Rei blinked and then began laughing. He moved his head to the side, covering his mouth to conceal the sound as much as possible.
“Oi! What are you laughing at?!” Rin asked, narrowing his eyes at him.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He apologized, quickly calming down and looking at the other once more. “If you are going to claim me as your boyfriend, you should at least use your manners and ask.”
“Tsk.” Rin rolled his eyes. Using a sarcastic tone, he asked, “Rei, will you be my boyfriend?”
“I’ll think about it.” The megane responded quickly.
Rin’s jaw dropped, causing Rei to laugh again.
“Yes, I will be your boyfriend.”
“Hmph!”
“Have I upset you now?”
“You have.”
“Shall I make it up to you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, how would you like me to make it up to you?”
Rin thought for a second before smirking. “Oh, there’s a thing or two you can do…” He said, quickly leaning over to capture Rei’s lips again. Rei’s eyes widened at the sudden kiss but he easily melted into it. And thus, they spent their time wisely while they were alone in each others’ company.
