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Dawn always came too early.
Yuu squinted as pale sunlight crept over the rooftops, warmth brushing his skin like it didn't know the world had already ended once.
He leaned back against a concrete ledge, arms folded behind his head, listening to the city wake up.
'wowww,' Shinoa said, shielding her eyes dramatically. 'look at that!' Brief pause, 'the sun's out and yuu hasn't done anything stupid yet. a miracle'
Yuu snorted 'give it time.'
Mitsuba laughed, Yoichi hummed in agreement, and even Kimizuki looked faintly amused. For a moment, things felt.. normal. Even too normal.
Topics as usual—missions coming up,supplies, Shinoa complaining about paperwork like it was personal. Yuu laughed the loudest, he always does.
But his gaze kept drifting.
Toward the lengthening shadows. Towards the places the sun hadn't touched yet.
'you spacing out again?' Shinoa asked, her eyes sharp despite the teasing tone
Yuu blinked. 'Huh? No..'
She didn't look convinced. 'You've been doing that a lot lately. Is like your waiting for something?'
Yuu shrugged. 'Someone.'
They exchanged looks— 'well,' Shinoa said lightly, clapping her hands, 'whoever it is, tell them they owe you back before curfew. We don't need your blood getting sucked up.'
Yuu smiled, 'yeah.. i'll be careful.'
He always said that. what's wrong with him?
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By the time the sun fully claimed the sky, Yuu was already walking away.
He moved faster and faster. As the light grew harsher, like instinct pulled him forward.
By the time dusk crept in—when the city quieted down, when the shadows stretched long and forgiving— Yuu reached the edge of Mika's territory
Mika hated this hour.
Not because the sun could hurt him— No. it couldn't. not physically. he had walked beneath it countless times before. ruled beneath it. bled beneath it.
But it reminded him of things he had lost..
It reminded him of being human.
Of warmth.
Of days that belonged to him.
Of promises made under open skies that had shattered the moment the world decided monsters were necessary.
Sunlight exposed him. made him visible in ways he despised.
At night though, he could pretend.
'you're late again.'
Yuu froze mid-step, then grinned. 'you always say that..'
Mika stood at the edge of the street, red eyes catching the last traces of gold in the air. he looked like he belonged to the dark—not because he was born to it. but because it was the only place that hadn't taken something from him.
'you didn't have to wait,' Muka said.
'i wanted to'
Mika exhaled 'thats not a reason.'
Yuu walked closer anyway.
They fell into step together, the city quieting around them. Mika walked half a step ahead, positioning himself between the raved haired and the world like it was instinct. like it had always been this way.
'you disappear during the day,' Yuu said suddenly. 'every time.'
Mika's jaw tightened. 'i don't like the light.'
'but.. you're not affected by it,' Yuu said, 'you've told me that'
The blonde stopped.
'i don't burn,' Mika said. 'i don't weaken. But the sun reminds me of everything i was before i became something people experimented on. something— whatever.. they controlled.'
He turned to Yuu, eyes sharp, tired, and ancient.
'it reminds me of how easy it was to lose everything.'
Yuu's expression softened.
'that's why you only come out at night,'
Mika nodded.
Silence stretched between them, Then Yuu stepped closer, 'if i asked you to stay,' Yuu said, voice low, 'would you?'
Mika's hand shot out, gripping the Blonde's wrist— firm, grounding ,A warning for sure.
'you shouldn't ask me that,' Mika murmured.
Yuu didn't pull away, His pulse fluttered beneath The Blonde fingers. alive and unafraid.
'i know exactly who im asking'
The sun was gone now.
Mika loosened his grip but didn't let go. His thumb brushed against Yuu's wrist, careful.
'then stay' Mika said. 'but you stay with me. not the sun'
Yuu smiled—the same bright, reckless smile that made Mika want to shield him from everyone. everything.
'okay,' Yuu said. easy. certain.
For the first time in a long time, the night felt like home.