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Riku has been having a rough time lately. To make matters worse, he and Yushi haven't seen each other for almost a week since workloads are all piled up and their schedules won’t align.
Today has been very exhausting, add to that, his plate was harshly critiqued by his professor in architectural design. The first thing that came to mind is to see his boyfriend to feel better. He knows he’ll be able to relax his mind in his presence.
When Yushi messaged that he’d be at a café to finish some requirements, Riku immediately drove his car to the location the moment his class ended.
What he didn’t expect, however, was to find Yushi smiling so widely—sitting across from his past fling.
As Riku stepped inside, he caught Yushi’s startled glance. It was the kind of look you give when someone shows up unannounced. He hadn’t told him he was coming, after all.
“Babe I–I didn’t know you were going…”
Sion stood up to greet Riku before excusing himself and leaving.
As soon as he was gone, Yushi reached for Riku, hugging him tightly. “Riku, I’m glad you came… Do you want any pastry?”
Riku only shook his head, pressing a kiss to Yushi’s forehead.
── .✦
The ride home was quiet, the kind of silence that pressed heavy against Yushi’s chest. Riku’s grip on the wheel was tense, his eyes never leaving the road. Every time Yushi tried to talk, he got short, clipped replies.
Yushi let out a slow breath. His tone was gentle, but steady. “We don’t get to see each other often, Riku. I wanted today to feel different… but you’re so far away from me right now.”
Riku’s jaw tightened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Yushi kept his eyes on him, voice calm. “I’m saying I missed you. But sitting here, it doesn’t feel like you missed me too.”
Riku gave a short, humorless laugh. “Really? Because it sure looked like you haven’t had time for me all week… but you had time for Sion.”
The words lingered heavily in the air. Yushi’s lips parted, but no reply came right away. He turned his gaze toward the window, watching the blur of passing lights. The remark stung—more than he wanted to admit.
When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. “That’s unfair, Riku.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Even Yushi’s quiet breaths seemed loud in the car, and that was when Riku realized just how harsh he had been.
Riku pulled up in front of Yushi’s place but didn’t cut the engine. The weight of everything he’d said sat like stone in his chest. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yushi undo his seatbelt, movements slow, guarded.
Riku swallowed hard. He could already imagine the thoughts running through Yushi’s head, circling, twisting, replaying every word he’d thrown carelessly. The thought made his chest ache.
“Yushi…” His voice came out low, unsteady. “I’m sorry. I let my temper… my head… get the better of me.” He finally turned to him, guilt etched into his features. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“I was supposed to tell you after Sion leaves,” Yushi replied gently. “I just wasn’t expecting you to come.” His gaze softened, not accusing, simply honest. “And… I can see why you felt the way you did.”
He paused, then continued, “But what happened between us is long over, Riku. Sion only sat with me because there weren’t any tables left. He also mentioned how his mom finally recovered. I was happy for them, nothing more.”
I'm gonna work on my temper
While you learn to speak your mind some more
Riku leaned across the console, pressing his forehead gently against Yushi’s. “I’ll do better,” he whispered.
Yushi’s eyes slipped closed, his hand coming up to rest against Riku’s cheek. “We both will.”
I'll be more of a shelter and less of a storm
While we both are working on ourselves in our own ways
“I told Sion about you, you know,” Yushi had said quietly. “He respects that. He even wished us well.”
Something in Riku eased at that, the knot in his chest finally loosening. He turned the keys in the ignition again, the low hum filling the silence.
“Don’t take me home yet,” Yushi said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Let’s just drive for a while.”
So they did. The city lights stretched endlessly ahead of them, soft music spilling through the speakers. With the windows rolled down, the night air tangled with Yushi’s laughter, and for the first time all day, Riku felt the heaviness in his chest fade away.