Chapter Text
“Anyway, that’s why I named my fish Nathaniel— didn’t need another incident on my hands. Hah—”
Yuma wondered if he was in Hell.
This was the fourth blind date this month that Harua set up for him— or rather tricked him into. This month. He didn’t want to date right now, he thought he made that very clear to his friends but it seems what he wants isn’t important anymore.
He sighed and tried to steal himself to pay attention to whatever this guy was talking about. He was handsome, honestly borderline too attractive but the fact that Yuma hadn’t been able to say anything after “Oh hi,” was an immediate turn off. He wished there was some sort of eject button he could press and launch himself out of this cafe. As he kept counting the seconds on the clock he suddenly realized there was an eject button.
He sat up straighter and raised his hand to stop the conversation. “Sorry— Stephen? Was it?— I’m sorry about your fish and your new kale diet and all that but I have to tell you… I have a boyfriend.”
“Oh…Harua said…. That’s totally my bad. Oh god!” Like magic, his date stood up and walked out and apologized for taking up his time. Oh Yuma wanted to cry. He can’t believe that actually worked and it was so easy too. All the dates he could’ve gotten out of. All the weekends he could’ve spent at home. Suddenly the world was so much brighter than before. Why hadn’t he been doing this sooner?
Just as he had the thought his phone started ringing.
“Hey Rua,” of course. He forgot about that problem.
“You don’t have a boyfriend.” Harua said succinctly. Yuma almost folded and admitted defeat but that would mean more blind dates and he’s not sure how many more of these weirdos he can take. Weighing the consequences Yuma found there was really only one choice.
“Uhh, I do have one, actually…” he said as he played with his straw wrapper, folding it and ripping it over and over. Thinking of a lie on his feet was a lot harder than he thought as his brain searched for a reason why he hadn’t told his friends about his relationship. “Things haven’t gotten serious yet so—”
“Meet me at the bar.”
“Wha?— Now?!”
Harua hung up and left Yuma with a dead line. Yuma sighed, annoyed, frustrated and truthfully a little scared that Harua knows he’s lying. Knowing him, Harua would be even more determined now just out of pettiness. Yuma sighed sorrowfully as he stood up, he knew he would have to face the music or in this case a very small, pretty blond man. He cleaned up his stuff and headed to the aptly named ‘Under the Skin’.
The name was a stupid inside joke. It was actually called “The Dungeon” but it was a basement bar under a tattoo parlor called “Skin” and one drunk night they thought “Under the Skin” was the funniest name imaginable, so it stuck. It was a bar Yuma and his friends snuck into a lot in college and labeled as their regular now that they were legal and allowed to drink. Well, almost all of them…
“Does he have to be here?” Yuma pointed his straw accusatorily at Maki. Harua rolled his eyes.
“Yes, of course, he’s my boyfriend,” Harua answered. Yuma pouted, disagreeing with the whole situation. Maki sat in the booth smugly and after the day Yuma had he just wanted to throw something at him. So he did.
“Hey! Don’t get mad at me because your boyfriend’s fake!” Maki wiped the spitball off his face with disgust. Yuma sat up ready to fight.
“He’s not fake!” He said indignantly.
Harua raised an eyebrow. “Tell us about him,” he asked as he sipped his drink and ran a hand through Maki’s hair. Yuma felt the whole display was gross.
“I thought you wanted to wait for Taki…” Yuma said.
“He’s caught up with a new project, he’ll come later. Quit stalling.” Harua was openly challenging him and Yuma realized he needed to get good at lying and fast. He looked down at his drink and played with the straw as he started talking about his…boyfriend.
“I don’t know… he’s nice…funny. Taller than me—”
“Everyone’s taller than you.” He shot another spitball at Maki, hitting his stupid cheekbone. Harua allowed the interruption and Yuma sunk back onto the table to keep talking about his boyfriend.
Originally he was going to tell the truth. Admit to the whole thing. But the second he saw Harua and Maki being a couple he just knew he couldn’t stand to be the single friend anymore. Plus the two drinks he had were already working through him and he was currently sipping from his third. Details were flowing out of him; anecdotes, cute messages, couple items. The way his boyfriend called him baby, the way his boyfriend knows his favorite take out order, the way his boyfriend likes his eggs. Even he believed for a moment that this man was, in fact, real.
More and more he described his ideal man, more and more a picture started to form in his mind. A familiar, almost…domestic….picture. That if Yuma was a little more sober he could easily connect the dots. But right now he was nearly three drinks deep and it was like playing guess who in the dark.
“He’s in his late twenties, built. Chestnut brown hair, he needs glasses but he refuses to wear them. I think he looks hot either way— besides the point— he’s a bit nerdy but not in an obvious way. One time he completely abandoned me in a parking lot because he had to go buy pokemon cards. But, he’s got a motorcycle, what kind of nerd has a motorcycle?”
“Who has a motorcycle?”
A new voice appeared as Taki approached their table. Everyone greeted him warmly and Yuma moved to make space for him on his side. He was relieved he was here. Harua wouldn’t be as mean if Taki was here.
“Yuma’s new boyfriend, whose name we still don’t know.” Yuma didn’t know how to get out of that one. He opened his mouth to offer some excuse about him not wanting his friends to stalk him or something when the beautiful, wonderful, amazing Taki interrupted.
“That’s so great! So you’ll have a date for the wedding then?”
“Huh?” Yuma was laughing but he felt the nerves lighting up and the stone forming in his chest. What wedding he wanted to ask, but the words were too heavy in his mouth. Deep down he already knew but Harua’s look of apprehension was enough to confirm it. The stone sank. “When.” Was all he was able to ask. He was barely paying attention to Taki’s explanation and apology as he was trying to process the information and stop from crying in front of everyone. Harder to do with all the alcohol in him.
“He told me he wanted you at the wedding but he wasn’t sure if…it would be awkward. I told him you had moved on— I’m so sorry Yuma.” Harua reached across the table to hold onto Yuma’s hand. Yuma watched the way his eyes grew bigger as he explained and pleaded.
“You mean he wasn’t sure if I could handle it,“ Yuma said bitterly. Harua didn’t respond to that but looked down shamefully.
“I just didn’t want him to think that… Anyway, that’s why I’ve been trying so hard to find you someone so you could move on and… Yuma I’m so sorry.” Harua almost looked like he was going to cry and Yuma couldn’t have that. “Besides, you have a boyfriend now…right?” He said hopefully. Yuma saw that hope sparkle in his eye and felt it for himself. He understood now, Harua needed him to have a boyfriend. They both needed this lie to be true.
Yuma could understand now why Harua seemed to be throwing every guy off the street at him. He wasn’t sure how to feel about the whole thing. Did he even want to go to the wedding? All his friends were going and they all probably had dates and Yuma would have to sit at the singles table and dance to single ladies and he can’t do that again. Not at this wedding.
He downed his third drink and told Maki to get him another. If this was the news they dropped on him tonight someone else was gonna pay for his drinks, that’s for sure. “Yep!” Yuma answered. “And he’s ten times— No! A thousand times better than fucking Nicholas.” He said bitterly.
The alcohol fueled his rampage as he went on about how great his new boyfriend is. “...and he’s big, y’ know. Like—” Yuma demonstrated with his hands, making his muscles and chest seem bigger before pointing at Maki. “You’d like him! He could totally toss you around, he’s a personal trainer so…” Yuma tried to reach across the table to poke Maki’s cheek but he kept moving further and further away… or maybe the table was growing? Either way he was very annoyed. “Ma-ki, you fucking… giraffe,” he mumbled.
“Okay… I think it’s time for you to go home.” Taki laughed. Yuma pouted and insisted that he wasn’t that drunk but then Maki was coming around and holding him and Yuma could finally poke his cheek. He chuckled mischievously like he had gotten away with a great evil deed. He let them all carry him away and put him safely in an Uber home.
Yuma waved goodbye to all his friends. “I love you guys so much,” he pouted, trying to pull Taki into the car with him but failing when Harua pushed him off.
“We love you too, now go to sleep. We’ll have to have a double date okay? I’ll text you the details.” Harua waved him off and Yuma agreed.
He doesn’t remember much after that. The car must’ve driven away, he must’ve gotten himself up into the apartment and he must’ve gone to bed because when he woke up it was in his own bed with a killer hangover. He was feeling so sick and awful he swore he would kill Maki for getting him drunk. He looked over to the nightstand and saw a glass of water and Advil. He wanted to cry. He was so grateful for his roommate in that moment.
He downed both quickly and tried to sleep the rest of it off but there was an incessant pounding that was coming from outside of his head. He had no energy to yell so with what little strength he had he forced himself out of bed. He was surprised to realize he was in his underwear. He looked across the floor to find his clothes thrown about. He made a mental note to ask about it later.
When he finally made his way to the door his roommate was already there talking to someone on the other side. “Who is it, Fuma?” He asked but his voice was so shot it was barely a whisper. Taki’s resounding “Hi Yuma!” definitely was not. He winced but made his way to the door frame to talk to his friend.
Yuma pushed his way under Fuma’s arm, which he processed now was not covered by anything. “Go put clothes on…” he ushered him away and Fuma just raised his eyebrow as he left silently to ignore Yuma’s orders and hang out in the kitchen. Probably continuing what he was doing before he was interrupted. Yuma watched him, annoyed at being ignored. Taki watched him too, wide eyed and astonished. Yuma realized how rude that must’ve been for him and started to apologize. “So sor—”
“Is that your boyfriend?” He asked.
“Huh?” Yuma answered, barely processing what is happening right now.
“The thirty year old personal trainer with a motorcycle, is that him?” Taki sounded excited now as he kept trying to peek behind the door to catch a glimpse of him.
“I’m twenty-seven!” Fuma answered back from the kitchen. Taki giggled. Yuma winced again at how loud they were all being. He pushed Taki into the hallway and followed him out as he closed the door behind them.
“What are you talking about?” Yuma asked.
“Last night? You told us about your boyfriend? I know you mentioned your roommate was a personal trainer but I just didn’t connect the dots last night.” The memories of the night before started coming back. The blind date. The lie. The wedding.
“Ohhhh! Yeah…my boyfriend…but Fuma—” He tried to explain but Taki interrupted him.
“So that’s his name…okay, I'll let you go. Just wanted to swing by— make sure you were okay. Definitely more than okay, hehe…” Taki ducked his head in to whisper. “He’s really hot…” Taki emphasized biting his lip. Yuma suddenly felt very protective of his roommate. He wanted to clear the air and say that no his boyfriend wasn’t him but Taki didn’t give him any room, checking his phone and heading down the hall. “I’ve gotta run! Sorry for interrupting you two! I’ll see you later.” He called out as he left.
Yuma sighed and went back into the apartment. He laughed to himself at what Taki said. He’d have to set him straight later but right now his main concern was getting rid of this headache. He went to the kitchen to get more water and found Fuma standing by the sink pretending to do dishes. Nosy… Yuma rolled his eyes. “You didn’t put on a shirt.” He pointed out. Fuma shrugged as he kept pretending to scrub an imaginary plate.
Yuma’s gaze couldn’t help but linger on his roommate's chest. The water from the sink splashing against his chest, his new piercings glistening on his chest from the humidity. Yuma took in a shaky breath and looked away. Fuma’s always been attractive to him but he never really felt the urge to look. Now with Taki’s words in his head he couldn’t help but think about if Fuma was his boyfriend. It wouldn’t be too bad. They got along well and Fuma was a really cool guy. Too cool to go out with a guy like Yuma though.
“I’m your boyfriend now?”
Yuma looked up suddenly. “Dude, can you read minds?” Now Fuma looked confused. Yuma blushed as he realized his mistake. Fuma must’ve heard everything . He blushed as he was caught in his lie. He saw Fuma’s smug expression from the corner of his eye and knew he wasn’t mad about it, just curious. Yuma sighed and explained about Harua and the blind dates and how he had lied so he could get out of it but he’s just dug his grave further. Fuma listened, genuinely interested in Yuma’s troubles.
“So you pretended you were dating me?” He asked, still a little smug. Yuma blushed again and swatted his arm.
“Don’t flatter yourself! My boyfriend’s nothing like you. He’s nice, funny, a little nerdy, in his late twenties… a personal…trainer…” Yuma’s eyebrows furrowed as he slowly came to the realization. “Oh god…you are my boyfriend!” he buried his head in his hands as Fuma laughed a little too hard.
Yuma couldn’t believe this. Out of all the people he could describe, his stupid drunk brain decided his roommate would be the perfect dream boyfriend. This was so embarrassing, he didn’t want Fuma as his boyfriend. He was a nice guy, sure, but a boyfriend… Yuma just didn’t see the two of them together. He felt Fuma’s hand on the back of his neck, massaging him reassuringly.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay…If you want to use me as a fake boyfriend I’d be honored, truly.” He said. Yuma lifted his head and looked at Fuma hopefully.
“Would you go on a date with me?”
“Uh…”
“As my fake boyfriend, my friend wants to go on a double date with my boyfriend so…” Yuma explained.
“Oh…uh, yeah. I could do that…” Fuma sounded less sure but still he agreed and that was all Yuma needed. He stood up excitedly.
“Yay! I’ll let Harua know!” Fuma looked nervous for a second but then the calm, reassuring expression was there again and Yuma felt like maybe this could work. Before he could rush to find his phone Fuma was forcing another glass of water in his hand.
“Drink.” He commanded. Yuma listened, too grateful to tease him today.
“By the way, was it you who took all my clothes off last night?” Yuma asked. Fuma laughed again.
“No, that was all you. I just carried you to your room.” Yuma hummed thoughtfully and roved his eyes over Fuma’s bare torso. Of course he carried someone nearly his size. Fuma really was big. Bigger than Nicholas, that’s for sure. Oh this whole fake dating thing was going to be fun.
He finished drinking water and headed back to his room to see if he had any messages. Sure enough there was a message giving him a time, date and place to meet at. If they could fool Harua that they were dating then the rest would be a breeze.
—------------------
“So where’s your better half?” Harua took a sip of his drink and raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow. He looked immaculate as always and Yuma felt underdressed for the place they were having dinner. He thought a nice shirt and jeans would be fine, he didn’t realize this was a valet and no prices place. Slipping away to change would be too suspicious though so Yuma just sat in his discomfort.
“He’s running late, his last client is taking a while.” Yuma answered but Harua didn’t seem to buy it. “Anyway, why’s Jo here? I thought you two weren’t dating anymore.” He looked between his two friends.
“No, why would you think that?” Harua answered defensively.
“Aren’t you dating Maki?” He asked confusedly. Surely not much could’ve changed in just a few days. With Harua he never knew though. His whole life seemed like a whirlwind compared to Yuma’s.
“Yes. And I’m dating Jo too. They’re fine with it.” Yuma turned his attention towards the other man at the table.
“Really?” He asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow at Jo. He just shrugged his shoulders and continued playing with Harua’s hand above the table.
“As long as he’s happy…” Jo smiled at Harua and Yuma felt a pang in his heart like a bruise being pressed. He was happy for his friends but a part of him still felt jealous. Before he could wander down that familiar road a hand fell on his shoulder as someone took the chair next to him.
“So sorry I’m late,” Fuma leaned over and kissed Yuma’s cheek apologetically. Just like a real boyfriend. Yuma smiled and tried to hide any insecurity he was feeling. At least he could stop worrying about his clothes, Fuma was just as underdressed as him. The back of his neck was wet and Yuma wondered if he came right after taking a shower. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long.” Fuma turned his attention to their friends and smiled charmingly.
His smile faltered for a moment as his gaze fell on Harua. Fuma’s mouth hung open like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure what. Yuma was used to this reaction, honestly. Everyone was always so taken aback by Harua. Either they recognized him from photoshoots or they were just in awe of his natural beauty. He had to admit it hurt a little bit to see Fuma so lovestruck as well.
“Nice to meet you Fuma, I’m Harua.” Harua introduced himself kindly and stuck his hand out for a handshake. Fuma took it then turned his attention to Harua’s date. Jo introduced himself and everyone settled themselves to start dinner. They all perused through the menu, offering to split and try different meals. Everyone had put their order in and naturally it came time for the main course of the evening.
“So Fuma, how’d you start dating Yuma?” Harua was of course the first to start the line of questioning.
Yuma was nervous. The two of them didn’t really discuss much. Yuma just said they hadn’t been dating long so they probably didn’t need a huge romantic backstory. He didn’t think Harua would ask Fuma so directly. Wasn’t that considered rude or something on a double date?
“I mean we’d been roommates for a while so we were already close.” Fuma was actually answering, and he didn’t sound nearly as nervous as Yuma felt. “One day he came home complaining about a blind date and I just felt so bad for him I had to take him out on a real date.”
“Pft— You make me sound pathetic,” Yuma laughed a little at this story. Fuma rested his head on his hands to look at him.
“Not pathetic, just…whiny.” He teased. Yuma laughed and shoved Fuma’s arm playfully. Their banter was cut short by Harua again.
“So you just pitied him?” Harua tilted his head as he dived deeper.
“No, definitely not.” Fuma replied. Yuma looked over at Fuma. He was trying to find an ounce of doubt or insincerity or something, anything that could be a tell. Yet he found nothing but earnestness in his face and answer. “I cared about him. I wanted to show him how he should be treated, y’know?” The answer seemed to satisfy Harua who went back to asking innocuous questions like where Fuma’s from and his previous schooling.
Yuma interjected every now and then with a comment or aside but focused his energy instead on making the two of them look like a real couple. He kept himself pressed up against Fuma’s side and even went as far as to rest his head on his shoulder when he was starting to feel a little tired. PDA always came easy to Yuma, but that was a double edged sword now. If he wasn’t clingy enough Harua would say they’re just friends, if he was too clingy Harua might think they were overcompensating. He had to focus and keep the perfect equilibrium.
“Huh, that’s interesting.” Harua responded to something Fuma said. Yuma snapped out of his headspace and paid attention to the conversation at hand. Harua was playing with the rim of his glass and feigning nonchalance. “Seems like you two are quite serious then…”
“Yeah, definitely.” Fuma answered.
“Oh, well didn’t you say it wasn’t that serious just a few days ago, Yuma?” Harua asked innocently but Yuma knew it was anything but. He did say that. How could they have suddenly gone from not serious to very serious in just three days. He racked his brain for any plausible reason. Maybe Fuma was terminally ill or something so they had to rush everything. Maybe Fuma saved him from a speeding car and the emotions came over him. Maybe Yuma can reveal they adopted an abandoned child together— he would have to find a child…
“Well, I mean—” Fuma interrupted. “I want us to be serious, but I know Yuma has a few bad experiences with that so I just haven’t said anything but…Yuma,” He turned to look at him, suddenly holding his hand and staring into his eyes like this was some real confession. “I would really like you to be my boyfriend…you don’t have to accept I just wanted to let you know…”
Yuma was too stunned to speak. Fuma looked at him so sincerely, he swore his eyes were even watering. It made his heart race like this was an actual real confession. Maybe he was too caught up in the delusion of it all but his heart was aching for this sort of romance so he nodded his head. “I’d really like to be your boyfriend too…” He said dreamily and found himself leaning closer and closer to Fuma’s lips. Until he remembered…
They were Fuma’s lips.
The guy who left his laundry on the bathroom floor. The guy who ordered out and never got anything for Yuma. The guy who was now pretending to be his boyfriend. Yuma snapped out of it and turned to face his friends, incredibly embarrassed for the display. “I need to go to the bathroom…” He excused himself and made his way to the back of the restaurant.
He quickly washed his hands under the cold water and splashed some on his face. What was he thinking? Surely that looked weird right? He wondered if Fuma thought it was weird, thought he was weird. He didn’t want him thinking he had some weird crush on him. They were perfectly fine as just friends and now the whole thing was getting messed up. He sighed and moved to get back out there when the door swung open.
He was face to face with Fuma who was grinning and a little breathless. “I think they bought it.” He said excitedly, corralling Yuma back into the bathroom. “Harua was really quiet after you left, seemed like he felt bad for all the questions.” Yuma’s eyes widened.
“Seriously? Holy shit…” he might actually get away with this. Fuma didn’t seem to notice his reaction from before. Everything was going so well. “We should probably come up with a proper backstory though…”
“Probably should’ve thought of that before the date,” Fuma chuckled but started spitballing ideas. Some were just the plots of romcoms but others had some real potential.
“Hey, don’t take this the wrong way but…you’re really good at this.” Yuma said, impressed with all the details that Fuma was coming up with.
“No offense taken, I've been doing this a long time.”
“Fake dating?”
“No, lying.” The two tried to keep their expressions serious to no avail. It wasn’t long before they were both laughing. “Seriously though, if Harua ever presses you about anything just… double down. It’ll always be your word against his.” Fuma said seriously.
“What, I just gaslight him until he gives up?” Yuma chuckled incredulously.
“Yep.” Fuma answered succinctly. The finality of his answer sent a chill down Yuma’s spine.
“You scare me, Fuma.” Fuma grinned wryly and opened his mouth to reply but suddenly a voice from outside interrupted them.
“It’s not him I don’t trust,” Harua’s voice echoed from just outside the door. Yuma panicked, worried Harua might’ve heard something. Fuma moved faster than him though and pulled him into the handicap stall. Fuma sunk to his knees and looked up at Yuma.
“What’re yo—” The door opened and the other couple came in. Yuma stopped breathing. Fuma winked at him and stuck three fingers in his mouth, making wet sucking noises and Yuma covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing.
“...Y-yuma?” Harua called out hesitantly, like it would be ridiculous if Yuma was still in here after hearing those noises. Fuma and Yuma met eyes and it was like they both knew exactly what to do.
Fuma pulled his fingers out of his mouth and stood up, bringing his hands to hold the back of Yuma’s thighs and lift him up against the flimsy bathroom door. Yuma’s legs naturally wrapped around Fuma’s waist as one hand went back to hold onto the stall walls. “Yeah…” he answered breathlessly as Fuma feigned thrusting against the door. Yuma acted out quick breaths and sighs to complete the picture for Harua who wasn’t leaving fast enough.
“Are you two…” It was a dumb question for Harua to ask but Yuma couldn’t laugh right now. Instead Yuma arched and whined against Fuma’s torso.
“Yeah, now get…out,” he answered between false thrusts. “Unless… you want a sh—ow,” As if demonstrating, he got louder and Fuma became more violent. He could barely hear the door close but sure enough it did. He peaked his head out from the top of the stall and found a once again empty bathroom. He tapped Fuma’s shoulders, asking to be let down. “They’re gone.” Once he had two feet on the floor again he swatted Fuma’s arm. “That was crazy, asshole!” He chastised but Fuma just laughed deep and in his chest. Yuma was still close enough to feel the way it shook.
“I thought you’d be louder.” Was all Fuma said. Yuma blushed but hid it with a scoff.
“You’ve thought about it?” He fired back. Fuma seemed unphased.
“We live together, I’ve heard it.” He answered smugly which only made Yuma blush more. Sure he could get lost in the moment but he wasn’t loud.
“Maybe you just weren’t that good…” He teased. Suddenly Fuma was in his space and reminding Yuma exactly how small the stall they were in was. All Yuma could see was Fuma. His hard stare, his sharp jaw, his full lips...
“Do you really think that?” It was a rhetorical question. They both knew the answer. But Yuma still gasped when Fuma’s hand went past his waist and unlocked the door. Yuma stumbled a bit and Fuma pushed past him to wash his hands. “If they ask, we can just tell them you came fast.” Fuma smiled in the mirror, dried his hands and exited the bathroom.
Yuma was left standing there, really turned on and failing to process what just happened. Nothing happened, really. Just two guys… pretending to hook up. It was just a joke. Yuma was just caught up in the moment because it had been a while. That’s all. Yuma washed his hands and rinsed his face. Leaving his hair a little tousled to sell the charade. It was all pretend.
That’s all.
The rest of dinner passed surprisingly…nicely? Yuma didn’t realize a double date could actually be so fun. In hindsight there wasn’t much different from a regular dinner with his friends. The real highlight though was seeing Fuma interact with his friends. It always felt like the Harua and Jo and Fuma were in two completely different worlds. Those two knew Yuma’s whole life story but Fuma knew how Yuma liked to do his laundry on Saturdays and what brand of toast he liked best. He didn’t think the two worlds would blend yet here they were interacting.
Dating aside, Yuma wondered if Fuma would fit in with the rest of his friends. He imagined this for the rest of dinner. Would Fuma get along with Taki? Would he agree that Maki’s not good enough for Harua. He feels like they would. He’ll bring it up one day when this whole charade is over.
Weeks passed after the dinner with little to no fanfare. The most that happened was Harua letting Yuma know he thought Fuma was fine, but he was clearly still suspicious. He didn’t ask anymore details though and Yuma considered it a win. Of course that all came crashing down on Tuesday.
Yuma was sorting through the mail on the table and aside from the bills and card from his parents there was another envelope there. Embossed and detailed with gold lining. Yuma didn’t need to see who it was from to know what it was. The day had finally come.
Nicholas’ wedding invitation.
Yuma felt sick just looking at it but honestly he was expecting a worse reaction. What he was feeling now was more nerves than despair. Nicholas actually invited him to his wedding. It was no longer a hypothetical and it meant that now his relationship with Fuma would actually be put to the test. They’d have to actually prepare this time and practice being a good couple. It wasn’t just one evening but a whole party celebrating someone he… cared about.
Yuma jumped as the front door opened and Fuma came inside. It was unbelievable timing. Yuma hoped he would have some time to prepare how to ask but it seemed there was no time like the present.
“Hey…” Fuma greeted curiously as Yuma was hardly hanging out by the front door. His eyes fell towards the mail then back to Yuma but didn’t say anything.
“Hey…Do you wanna come to a wedding with me?”
“Uh…”
“Remember how I told you about my friends and the blind dates and how I needed you to be my boyfriend…well…” Yuma shrugged sheepishly. “This is why, haha…” Fuma didn’t say anything but seemed to be thinking things over carefully. He just came back from the gym and Yuma felt bad for springing this on him before he could get into the shower, but there really was no better time. Besides the visual of Fuma in his work out sweats and still glistening a little was a helpful distraction from his mental spiral.
“Who’s getting married?” He asked.
“Ah Euijoo and…Nicholas,” Fuma didn’t have much reaction to this news aside from nodding thoughtfully.
“So they’re finally doing it, good for them.” He said and moved past Yuma to set his gym bag down near his room. “I’ll go with you then.” He answered so casually Yuma thought maybe he misheard it.
“Really?” Yuma asked, surprised. “As pretend boyfriends too…?”
“Yep,” Fuma answered. “I like weddings plus I know how hard this’ll be for you,” He turned to face him. His expression was soft but not pitying. Yuma looked down at the floor.
“We were just hooking up, it never meant anything.” He explained. Fuma stared him down until it was clear Yuma wouldn’t face him. He went to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.
“Maybe to him….” This got Yuma to look up, glaring at Fuma. Fuma downed the water and poured another glass. Yuma hated how smug and confident he was about everything.
“Hey! It was just physical, okay.” Yuma headed into the kitchen, chasing after a fight. He narrowed in on Fuma as he argued back. “And it’s been almost a year now, I’ve slept with plenty of guys si—”
“Eight months.”
“Huh?”
“It’s only been eight months.” Fuma answered, calmly drinking his water. Yuma cocked his hip against the counter and pressed his body weight against it. Okay so he got the date wrong, he didn’t see why Fuma cared.
“Okay, fine, eight months then? I’m still—”
“And you only slept with three guys.”
“...What’re you? My stalker?” Yuma asked incredulously.
“No,” Fuma answered with his signature nonchalance. “The walls are thin. And I just remember it was right after Halloween you wouldn’t stop crying yourself to sleep. And how you’d avoid seeing your friends and how you suddenly stopped mentioning Nicholas…” He drummed his fingers against the counter as he listed off all his evidence. Yuma swung his head to look the other way. He felt indignant and that Fuma was crossing some sort of line here but he had no argument. Everything he was saying was true.
None of it was mutual. At the time Yuma was in love with Nicholas who was falling in love too. But not with Yuma. He was hurt, embarrassed and humiliated when Nicholas said he didn’t need Yuma anymore. It was suddenly like high school all over again and Yuma coped the only way he knew how. Isolating and distracting. He thought the only person who knew was Harua but it seemed like Fuma figured it out too.
Yuma faced the sink so he could hide the tears that were threatening to fall from all the bad memories. “Are you trying to embarrass me?” He asked angrily.
“No,” he felt strong arms enveloping him and a chest pressing against his back as Fuma hugged him. “I’m trying to tell you, I understand.” He comforted softly. “If you want, we can even make him super jealous.” He teased. “Not enough to cancel the whole wedding— just enough to remind him of how hot you are.” Fuma squeezed his waist before retreating back to his room. Yuma was left bracing himself against the lip of the sink as he overwent a flurry of emotions and realizations. The most important being Fuma said yes.
He had a wedding to prepare for.