Chapter Text
“I love you.”
The few words that could change a relationship forever. These precious words were said at precisely 5:00 AM, for the unconscious—to fall on deaf ears.
No one was supposed to listen to such a sacred confession besides the one who had spoken it for merely themselves to hear. A confession, or rather, a statement, or perhaps an oath, a sworn vow to oneself. The universe just might never know.
That is, Aoyagi Toya who had just whispered these words. So delicately, so sweetly for the one he cherished with his entire heart. His partner that saved him from the ocean he was drowning In, now together—along with the other team members—making unimaginable dreams come true by performing on dozens of stages. The exhilaration and the feeling of his heart beating in adrenaline and joy were everything that he could have asked for.
Perhaps he had woken up too early. The sun hadn't even risen yet. But he couldn't go back to sleep. Knowing that he helped his dearest fulfill their dreams was surreal.
Late in the morning, within the walls of An's house, with Akito laying next to his side, peacefully sleeping with mild snores. Even throughout the ginger's drooling mess, Toya couldn't help but find him terribly handsome.
Moonlight shines through translucent curtains, highlighting the difference in Akito's sun-kissed skin compared to his own, pale ivory. He was glad Akito was somewhat of a deep sleeper because Toya wouldn't be able to caress soft locks of tangerine, nor the feather-like traces that he leaves on recently done piercings, nor the gentle motion of interlocking their fingers.
His painful pining and longing for the years they've been together have simultaneously been the best years of his life—no matter how much his unrequited feelings have affected the ache in his heart. Over these years, his emotions have grown and mutated into something no three words could ever describe, but he still used them anyway.
“I love you,” Toya breathed out, this time a decibel louder. “Akito.”
“I love you,” he said once more, but this time he froze—for the other's snoring had stopped.
Yet his fright was for naught since heavy breaths were drawn again. Toya let out his own breath he'd been holding unknowingly, and continued with his confessions full of tenderness of his whole heart.
“Akito,” he voiced—but now with a pause, until he repeated again, “I love you, so much.”
For his last declaration, he held their interlocked hands closer to his face, only to sweetly place his lips on the back of Akito's hand.
He had done this many times in the past. Although without the person of his dreams in front of him. Confessing his love dozens of times before he fell asleep. It was the only thing that could get him back to slumber.
“Akito…” Toya whispered fondly, until his drowsiness overtook him.