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When Yuma came out as nonbinary to their friend group Harua wasn't surprised, Yuma had always been apathetic to gender roles and norms. He always supported and encouraged Harua and the rest of their friends whenever others played around with gender and gender expression.
Him and Harua had been painting each other's nails together on that day at Nicholas and Euijoo's shared apartment. The maknae line has decided to crash at the ‘02’s apartment for an impromptu game night, Nicholas had been doing some last minute cleaning when Harua and Yuma had arrived having the same class today, the others still at school for about another hour which was the perfect amount of time in Yuma's opinion to raid Nicholas's nail polish collection and do eachothers nails.
Nicholas had a wide variety of colors, pastels, metallics, and even a couple neons.
“What are you feeling today, Shigeta Harua-san ?” Yuma asks, starting a client, nail tech roleplay.
“Hmm” Harua pursues his choices, landing on two beautifully clashing tones, “silver and baby pink.”
“Wonderful choice, Harua-chan~” Yuma gets to work prepping his nails, Yuma's own well maintained hands, soft from his jasmine hand cream, fingernails manicured with some shiny clear top coat, looking perfect compared to Harua's uneven nails, his index and thumb nails suffering from his nail biting habit. Yuma gently files and trims his nails, humming softly to the music playing from the living rooms tv that's currently on Nicholas's spotify.
Nicholas comes in after he deems the apartment rude enough and sits on the couch watching them, the two younger have set up “shop” on the coffee table, seated on the floor.
“I can't believe it's already been three years since college started, I would have never even dared to paint my nails in highschool and now we're here” he sighs, looking down at his own black nails, reminiscing.
“Woah our Nichol has grown so much since then,” Yuma teases, “ but I feel that before highschool and the unrestricted internet access I got when I finally got a phone I was so masc, I had to like boy things, do boy things, say boy things.”
Harua related to that, being naturally on the cuter side due to his facial features he had often gone the extra mile to be more masculine and ‘boy-like’. He had been called the f-slur once in middle school, before his growth spurt hit, and it has terrified him, if Harua hadn't been lucky enough to meet his current friends he might've fallen into some misogynistic, incel hell hole, the fear of being perceived as a too feminine had scarred him.
He had acted out alot in highschool, tried to hang out with the popular boy, the boys who thought ranking girls on their looks during lunch period was fun, the boys who expressed interest in female classmates by bullying them, claiming it was flirting and the teachers of course always defended it as “boys being boys”, the boys who smoked and drank, that's who Harua had tried to mold himself into in highschool. It had always felt wrong, unnatural, but conforming was safer then standing out, at the time he had thought that, now however he realizes how wrong that all was.
“Now I'm out and proud.” Nicholas smiles, throwing a peace sign at the two, they giggle at his silly antics.
“ Everybody acts surprised, the closet was made out of glass !” Harua has to point out the facts, reading his friends to filth is one of his love languages, Taki and Maki usually getting the worst of it, but that's also because they're easy to drag, in Harua's opinion at least.
“Says the twink” Harua sticks his tongue out at Nicholas, he would flip him off too if his hands weren't currently still being held by Yuma's who was doing a really good job despite the distracting banter.
Nicholas replies by sticking his tongue back out him, “if we wanna talk closets should we address the glass closet that,‘what the fuck even is gender” Yuma, is in ?” Nicholas’s words are meant to be playful and unserious but at his words the nail artist’s brush stops his shoulders tensing slightly. Yuma looks up from Harua's had making eye contact with the younger before flickering his gaze to Nicholas who’s eyes have lost all former mischief, concern taking over them.
“Actually I've been thinking about that for a while and I think I'm nonbinary or like, gender non-conforming. “ Yuma’s voice is quieter than usual as he speaks, clearly nervous. Harua feels his heart clench for his friend, he wants to hold him so he does, his hands reaching out to grab Yuma's own and giving him a soft but reassuring squeeze, Yuma cracks a soft smile at him, gratefulness in his gaze, then there's a band ruffling the raveonettes hair.
“You've been gender non-conforming since I met you, I'm your friend because you're a stupidly silly person, regardless of gender” Nicholas informs him, yuma’s smile spreads even wider, his snaggletooth appearing endearingly. “ you're not gonna stop being chaotic because you're nonbinary now right ? “ Nicho asks, furrowing his brow, giving Yuma big puppy-like blinks.
“Pfft- “ yuma's eyes crinkle as he laughs, “no I won't, if anything I'll be ten times more chaotic and evil now mwahahah” Yuma's words crack them all up.
“Oh no please don't become more evil” Harua sticks in on himself as if he's scared of Yuma, Yuma jerks forward as though he's about to pounce on him, and Nicholas kicks his feet in laughter at their antics.
Eventually they settle back into their tasks, Yuma finishing up Harua's last couple fingers, the designs are cute, stars and hearts in pink and silver, a little cat is on his ring finger and a smiley face on his thumb. He's very satisfied with Yuma's work.
“ I love them, Yuma-chan !! Thank you~” Harua praises, earning himself a catlike grin from Yuma. “Want me to do yours too?” they might have time to finish Yuma's nails before the rest of the gang gets here, as long as Yuma doesn't request any difficult designs.
“ Yeah, I just want,” Yuma's fingers hover over the polish, settling on a metallic indigo, then he looks between a pack of mail art stickers and Nicholas who's texting someone on his phone at his perch on the couch.
“Nicho-chan~” Yuma calls, Nicholas replies with a hum, “can I use your stickers? “
“yeah, go ahead dude- “ Nicholas stops furrowing his brows, thinking face on, “Yuma you never gave us any pronouns or like what you're okay with being called and stuff, if you're not okay with anything let me know.” Harua realizes Nicholas has a point, he hasn't even thought about that. Yuma, who's opened up the nail art stickers and is picking out a couple, carefully cutting out the ones he wants and seeing them aside, replies casually.
“ any pronouns are fine, just switching between them is good, I'm okay with being called dude, bro, girl, boy, in my head none of those words are actually gendered they're just slang, how we call each other ya'know” Yuma, now satisfied at his pile of stickers and puts the rest away then holds his hand out for Harua to start painting.
“What about, like, compliments? I know we all call each other pretty or cute, hell, we call Yudai mother, but if there's anything you prefer let us know, okay? We wanna support you as best we can.” Nicholas goes on, his caring side still catches Harua off guard at times, if Yudai is mother, Nicholas is auntie, he's always there for the youngest, always down to tease them and play with them but also their biggest supporter. All the hyung-line would happily fight for the youngsters though.
“I think I'm okay with most things, I'll let you know if I don't vibe with something.” Yuma reassures as Harua finishes up the first hand with the indigo base coat, moving onto the other. Yuma hands could be mistaken for a woman's hands with how delicate they appear to be right now the polish is the cherry on top.
“ Yuma-unnie’s nails are looking pretty~” Harua tests out the honorific playfully. Yuma's eyes lock onto his crinkling in amusement.
“ that’s cute Harua-chan,” his eyes darken for a split second, evil mischief peeking through, sending a shiver down Haruas spine, he stops mid-brushstroke, dipping the brush back into the polish bottle letting it rest there for a moment, “you should call me that more often.”
“always so freaky.” Nicholas says under his breath but loud enough for the two to hear.
“Shut up !” Harua flushes, despising the smug grin that takes over humans face and the way Yuma preens like a cat knowing he's won.
Finally Harua finished up Yuma's nails, the designs are cute, they match with the stars and hearts designs, Harua couldn't resist sneaking a bunny doodle onto Yuma's ring finger as well. The pair is showing off their nails to an amused Nicholas, who pulls out his Polaroid to capture the moment, a sweet habit of his. The manicured pair pose for the camera, Yuma doing a cat claw pose and squishing his cheek against Harua's who pouts and looks off to the side, holding up a lazy peace sign, it's a silly picture, that will hold one of the many precious memories that are kept, treasured, within Nicholas’s photo album.
The beeping sound of the passcode being entered catches their attention, the door pushes open as Euijoo walks in followed by the rikiz and finally Jo, all four of them bumping shoulders as they pry off their shoes leaving them at the entrance.
“Hey, how was class? I know I love not having any classes after three on Fridays, but maybe you guys enjoy it.” Euijoo deadpans at Nicholas, unimpressed and unamused by his roommate, Maki sends Nicholas the bird on his way to raid their pantry for snacks, Jo simply sends him a little smile not taking the jab to heart, and Taki starts fake crying on his way to the couch.
“You don't understand my suffering,” he shakes Nicholas’s shoulders, wiping away non-existent tears, “I didn't know five and six pm classes existed, it's crazy! That's dinner time, not school time!” Taki rants, even though he's gotten this schedule due to his own procrastination. Yudai and Euijoo had both been reminding all of them to get their schedules sorted out asap because of how difficult it was to have a schedule change later on. Yet here he was, Maki had practice in the afternoon after classes, Jo had to assist his professors with the upcoming art exhibition, and Euijoo, being the studious academic he was, did tutoring in the evening on Wednesdays and Fridays.
“ That sucks.” Nicholas doesn't make any effort to console the whining boy who's leaning into his side. Euijoo settles down on the beanbag, he's dragged it from its corner to the side of the couch next to Nicholas, his long legs spread out in front of him.
“Too bad, Kei-hyung and Fuma can't join us tonight since they have to be in Kyoto for work this weekend.” Euijoo won't be getting any help keeping the chaotic youngsters at bay tonight, luckily Jo wouldn't cause any problems, that boy is the biggest sweetheart in the world, Maki would also help out where he could but the rest would probably give him a headache by the end of the night.
“Should we start with Mario kart or smash bros ?” Nicholas asks the group, logging into his account on the PlayStation.
“Mario kart !! “ Taki springs up, “I need to get my revenge, I'm defeating that catboy !” He declares pointing at Yuma.
‘catboy? catgirl? no, definitely not that, cat? just Yuma?’
Harua’s lips form a line as he ponders. Nicholas tilts his head at Taki, he then taps Yuma on the shoulder, sharing his phone screen to show him something, understanding flashes over Yuma's face and he nods.
“Oh yeah,” Yuma clears his throat,” I have an announcement to make.” Maki who strolls back in with a bag of chips nods, and Jo leans in closer from his seat on the couch. All six pairs of eyes are on Yuma now.
“ I'm nonbinary,”
“Oh. my. god.” Maki fake yawns into his hand, the sarcastic action gets him smacked on the back by a stray pillow.
“any pronouns are fine, if I'm not cool with something I'll let y'all know, cool ? cool” Yuma says it so casually like it's nothing, so unapologetic. It's one of the traits Harua admires the most about his friend, Yuma's ability to be so genuinely and authentically themselves, it inspires Harua to do the same. It was thanks to his new found friend group, that has honestly become like a second family, that he was able to realize his bisexuality, and embrace that part of himself.
Euijoo’s proud smile mimics Nicholas's after yuma's speech, they're morphing into each other more and more with each passing day, Harua thinks. Jo smiles brightly too, Maki despite his earlier comment, has a warm smile on his face as well, and Taki, being Taki, has to tap his jaw shut with his hand.
“ Is it okay to call you, catboy, still or ?” he asks tentatively, Yuma reaches out to oat Takis thighs, “it's fine, I'll always be catboy, don't worry, Nicholas is just a faker though, a puppy in cat's clothing, don't trust him. “ Nicholas kicks Yuma's side lightly at that.
“Can we just start gaming ?” At maki's call the controllers are passed to four of the boys, Euijoo, Nicholas, and Jo spectating this round, the winner from this round will have to face off against the others next round, tournament style.
When the countdown hits one, chaos ensues.
۶ৎ
As the semester came to a close, celebration and college house party season started. This Friday the gang was going to a house party hosted by a senior Yudai knew, Yeonjun, it would be held at a pool house on the nicer side of the city.
“If you plan on swimming bring, a change of clothes !! and a towel, please.“ Fuma had reminded them all multiple times, most of the boys were planning on drinking so Fuma became designated driver, the health nut wasn't big on drinking anyway, he also was gonna stuff all the boys into his Jeep Grand wagoneer so he also didn't want his nice seats to get wet. The “parents” apartment was only a fifteen minute drive from the house so the boys would all stay the night at Yudai and Fuma's to make it easier.
Harua wasn't big on pools but knowing his friends the odds of getting pushed in were high so he decided on dressing properly, in a white tank top, baggy jeans shorts, camo print, that reach mid-calf, a chunk leather belt keeping them up, and a thin grey zip up in case it gets chilly. Jo’s outfit was very similar to Harua's, opting for a tank top with a high-neckline, accentuating his shoulders that had been getting broadened in the last few months thanks to Fuma's training. Most of the other boys are in crop tops or loose button up tees, Taki pairing is loose button up with a pair of green swim trunks with palm tree patterns on them, maki on the other hand is in a black and red look, contrasting takis playfulness with his edgy-side, their outfits still somehow suit the beachy, poolside look, Euijoo showing off a flash of his abs, Nicholas opted for a muscle tee that is cropped as well very clearly something he has altered himself, Yudai having modesty, for once, is in high waisted jeans and a white tee tucked in, Fuma in rash guard top and black cargo shorts.
Yuma’s outfit stood out the most amongst the others, they wore a pale yellow Usahana crop top, that showed off his pale, toned midriff and his slim arms, wrists wrapped in stacks of beaded or threaded bracelets, paired with a black jean skirt that stopped less than four inches from the knees, that Harua was sure of, it wasn't a mini skirt by any means but it also wasn't very long, a sleek pair of shades pulled his bangs away from their forehead bringing together the whole look.
“Yuma-chan!! I'm loving the skirt.” Nicholas calls out as soon as Yuma shows up, having to compliment the younger’s fashion sense.
“Thank you, nicho-chan !” Yuma sends a wink his way as they step into the jeep, being the last to pick up, taking his seat in front of Harua and next to Nicholas and Euijoo in the second row of seats.
None of the other boys comment on Yuma's skirt, being fairly unfazed, many of them had dabbled in wearing women's wear, Nicholas and Yudai wearing longer skirts here and there, as the two more fashionable of the group if you didn't include Yuma. Yuma has probably been the one who was the most bold in embracing overtly feminine styles, they had been the one who introduced Nicholas to the women's section at the thrift shops whenever they went and would frequent the alternative fashion shop fronts in Harajuku and Shinjuku.
As soon as they turned onto the street where the house was located they could feel the chaos. There were lights of all colors shining up into the sky, fellow college students filtering through the entry gates in similar wear, some holding red solo cups in hand, some carrying plastic water guns. The driveway was wide, not filled with cars yet, as the night was still young, only nine in the afternoon. Fuma chose to park on the gravel, on the side of the gates and tall fence to keep his car away from the traffic jams that would surely occur if he’d parked directly on the driveway.
The boys tumble out of the vehicle, their towels neatly packed in the back of the jeep. As soon as they step onto the porch they can view the already pretty crowded dance floor in the living room through the glass sliding doors that have been left open for the guests to enter. The bass is pumped up playing 2000s and 2010s club bangers, don't stop the music by Rhianna plays over the hum of chatter from the partygoers.
“I'm getting drinks, who wants to come with?" Nicholas announces, already maneuvering through the crowd to the open bar on the other end of the room, Yuma, Taki and Maki quickly follow suit.
“You planning on drinking Euijoo?” Yusai asks, his hand already protectively around Fumas waist, Harua wants to tell him no one's stealing him but he resists. Jo was on the same boat as Fuma in the not into drinking club, at least when they were out in public, at private hangouts he'd sip on a drink or two but the poor boy became red so quickly and was just a giggly mess. You could say nothing at all and drink Jo would still laugh, it was sweet, so sweet that it should be gate kept, only his closest of friends getting to see him like that. Euijoo on the other hand the was a heavy-weight, one of the best drinkers in the group and one of the only ones to have the honors of drinking with Fuma, the younger trio still don't know all the details, apparently they drank sake until dawn or something along those lines, Yudai had his mouth covered by a strong hand before he could spill the beans.
“Maybe, just enough to get tipsy. Harua?” Euijoo prompts the rest to look over at the boy whose eyes have trailed back to the group at the bar. Nicholas reached casually over the counter to pick up some cups and a bottle of vodka and poured them drinks, acting as bartender, a cup of vodka and fruit juice, mango for Taki, cranberry for maki, then for himself and Yuma cherry coke and vodka.
“Hmm?” Harua tilts his head not quite understanding why he's been called. This only brings out fond smiles from the three older men.
“You planning on getting tipsy tonight kiddo?” Fuma’s fatherly side always comes out when it comes to Harua it used to annoy him, when he had just became and adult he wanted to prove that he was super mature and and adult now ‘blah blah blah’ that whole phase had passed, for the most part, by now and he found it sweet that Fuma was always so gentle with him.
Harua however has a sweet tooth and still found alcohol to be a bit too bitter, he preferred long islands if he could have one or anything that didn't taste like alcohol, the only issue was that he had learned the hard way that sometimes the drinks that taste the least like alcohol can give you the worst hangovers, he had thrown back too many last time they partied, forgetting that they were alcoholic and suffered the consequences of his actions, befriending the toilet bowl and skipping classes as he recovered.
Maybe, I wanna wait, dance or play some games first, or a drinking game.” Harua was competitive and never backed down from a drinking game challenge. Fuma nodded at his words, approving. The quad returns with their cups shortly afterwards, Taki insisting they go out to the backyard and check out the pool.
The backyard is just as grand as the rest of the home, a long rectangular pool, lawn chairs spread throughout, a couple tables with umbrellas, and a basketball hoop and court were stationed at the other end. Out of nowhere Euijoo was hit with a light blue water balloon across the chest, wetting the front of his shirt and some of his bangs.
“Welcome ! You guys down for a water balloon fight?” Jake is standing across from them with his friends, Heesung is carrying a large basket full of colorful water balloons.
“Ahh” Taki screams beside him and they all look over at the boy who now has water dripping down his face, mouth open in shock. A deep laugh bursts out behind him, revealing Niki, who's clearly very pleased with himself after pulling the stunt. A d that is the start of the chaos, maki runs to grab a couple balloons from the basket and launches them at Niki and Jungwon. Harua gets swept up into the battle too, collecting balloons in his massive pockets from the oversized shorts and launching them at sunoo and Jay who attempt to sneak up on Yudai and Fuma, making them change their targets to him. The water hits Harua on his back as he runs from them deeper into the yard.
Eventually they run out of balloons and scatter into different groups doing their own thing. Nicholas, Jo, Euijoo, Jake and Jay head onto the court to play basketball. Taki, Maki, Niki, Sunoo, Yuma and Harua head back inside to dance, Exo’s Love Me Right, summoning them.
Body's are sliding against one another, shoulders bumping, hips brushing, sweats gathering at the back of Harua’s neck, his hoodie is now wrapped around his waist by the sleeves, saying to the rhythm his hips have set to the best of the track that plays. He had been handed a cup of something sweet earlier, it's all gone down his throat by now, the strobe lights in the room and the trembling of the bass are getting to him, his visions blurring along the edges, the bass feels likes it in tune with his own heartbeat, his tang tok is clinging to him in a way that would disgust him if he were more sober, from a mixture of sweat and water from earlier. His friends are coming in and out of his line of sight, Maki, Taki and Niki are having a dance battle, popping and locking, taunting either with their facial expressions, sunoo is next to Harua, saying and laughing at their antics, red solo cup in hand, Maki too is somehow still pulling off fancy footwork without spilling too much of his drink, some drops fall into the wooden floor but no one pays it any mind.
Harua's eyes drift from the trio battling it out to the pink haired individual behind them. Yuma is rolling their hips, hands over their head, to the music completely absorbed, their abs are glistening in the glow of the purple and white light beams that shine over them, his skirt’s swaying showing some of their upper thighs, milky white skin hairless.
They look ethereal in their element. Captivating, their bright grin is taking over their face, long lashes, casting shadows along his cheeks, they must've applied a bit of makeup tonight.
A hand reaches out to hold Yuma's waist from the crowd, belonging to a taller stranger with blonde hair and a devilish grin. The stranger is dangerously handsome, he's taller than Harua by a couple inches but still not impressive compared to the heights of Yudai, Jo, or Euijoo. He looms over Yuma, who seems unfazed, turning to look up at the stranger, smiling kindly whilst continuing to dance. The stranger moves in closer, both hands resting on yuma's hips, pulling them closer, dancing with them.
The song changes to something sultrier, Harua doesn't recognize the voice, honestly the lyrics aren't registering to him either, the bass is slower now, everything seems slower, more intentional, forcing him to focus on the scene. The way Yuma turns to lean their back on the stranger's chest, hips gyrating, slower than before, their eyes flutter closed, arm drifting up to hold the stranger's neck, keeping him close, though Harua doubts the stranger would pull away, no one would. Not when someone as attractive, addicting, as Yuma was in their arms. Harua sees the stranger move his head close, whispering something into Yuma's ears, Yuma giggles at it, then the stranger's lips move to pepper kisses down Yuma's throat.
Harua feels dizzy as he watches, feels like he may be sick, something is gnawing at his chest, a heavy feeling settles in his gut, like something's wrong, something's off. He wishes that the stranger wasn't holding yuma, but Yuma's not stopping it, not appearing uncomfortable, even reciprocating, Harua can do nothing but stare.
His throat feels dry, scratchy, he moves his hand up, to scratch at his chest, the irritation from the wet clothes finally hitting, he has to force himself to swallow down saliva to hydrate his throat, when he looks back up his eyes lock with Yuma's.
He watches as something flashes in Yuma's gaze, they stop dancing for a split second, realization at being caught in such a compromising position with a handsome stranger, then they tilt their head whispering something to the stranger, who smiles down at them, holding Yuma's hand till the last second as they walk away, out of the strangers grasp at last.
They hold Harua's gaze as they approach, a small smile hangs on their lips, soft, gentle, contrasting the flirtatious smirk they gave the stranger just minutes ago.
“You okay ? Feeling too drunk ? Let's go get some fresh air.” Harua doesn't get a chance to respond, Yuma's already holding his wrist and weaving through people to get back out onto the backyard.
Fuma and Yudai are sitting at one of the picnic tables chatting with a couple seniors, they smile at the pair once they spit them. Yuma naturally walks over sitting themselves and Harua on one of the striped lounge chairs a little ways from the table, they're in hearing range of the conversation, Yudai's amused laughter drifts over to them, he seems to be enjoying the story that the raveonettes across from him is telling, he's holding hands with the man say next to him who has a cute ‘polite cat’ smile. They must be a couple that the older couple knows.
Yuma brings their hands up to Harua's cheeks, they're manicured in pink and yellow now. They feel warm against his cheeks or maybe his cheeks are just warm, no, everything is warm, hot, even with the breeze that passes steadily.
“You're a little tipsy aren't you ?” Yuma’s smiling at him.
“Not too much, just had one or two cups”
Yuma quirks a brow at that response,”one or two?”
“ I don't remember,” Harua is honest, the cups looked the same, he knows he had been given one on the dancefloor but he doesn't recall getting a refill or another drink, cursing all the cups for looking the same, “ no more than two.”
“Good.” The praise brings more heat to Harua's cheeks and ears, Yuma's satisfied smile was too much right now, ” I had two, the one from Nicholas and then I grabbed one after a couple songs. It was getting hot in there.” Yuma fans themselves with their hand, leaning back into the chair, Harua is sitting on the edge, Yuma casually spreads their legs over Harua’s lap, like second nature. Harua's hands instinctively hold onto Yuma's, gently massaging him, making them preen and stretch, relaxing further into the chair.
Harua's thoughts drift to earlier, had Yuma been getting hot with the stranger? Why didn't they stay, they seemed to be enjoying the stranger's company. Did Harua really look drunk ? Was he just trying to look out for his friend? Harua can feel a pounding at the back of his head, it's light now but it could get stronger, it's definitely not from drinking.
Soon the basketball group and dancers gather round them sitting on chairs or the floor. Yudai brought a stack of cups and a bottle of tequila from the house.
“Drinking game time!” Yudai announces, naturally hosting.
“Truth or dare!” Taki proposes raising his hand like a kid trying to get a teacher's attention.
“No, let's do ‘never have I ever’ instead,” Maki interrupts, an evil grin spreading onto his face, showing off charming dimples, “it's spicier.”
“Ooohhh, that's true.” Taki now mimics the evil grin, eyes flirting over the group, most likely pondering his questions in his head already. Yudai and the rest oblige to the younger's wishes and the game starts.
It starts off weaker, “never have I ever skipped a class to hangout with my crush” that one was directed at Jungwon, before he and Jay started dating. “Never have I ever kissed a boy, “ more than half the circle had to put a finger down for that one, Harua included. His first has been with a girl in middle school, a crush, short lived middle school first love, it wasn't until about six months ago at a different party that he had kissed a boy, it hadn't escalated much besides making out, Harua has been a little drunk and he didn't want to have his first time drunk so he stopped it before it got too heated.
Then Sunghoon asked, “ never have I ever had a crush on my roommate?” Harua watched in amusement as Euijoo folded a finger, followed by Nicholas who was noticeably drunk now, cheeks flushed, half leaning onto Fuma who was on his other side, Euijoo protectively had an arm placed behind Nicholas on his other side. The two pillars quietly take care of him in their own ways. Some glances were shared at Nicholas and Euijoo's antics but no one said a word, Jake going next asking about if anyone had ever chugged a whole bottle of champagne, targeting Jay who had been given that dare at their last party.
Yuma leaned over legs still on Harua's lap, moving up so that their knees were now hanging over the edge of the chair, bare thighs resting over Harua's camo clad ones, his skirt bunched up a bit in this position, “ Nicholas and Euijoo have definitely fucked.” He whispers to Harua.
Harua nods at his words, “They're just both emotionally constipated.” He can't resist the urge to smooth out the skirt so his hands reach out to do just that.
“Damn right.” Yuma replies as Harua's hands brush against their thighs, the skin to skin contact sends a little shiver down their spine, they smile up at Harua’s sweet gesture, not making any move to get off the boy's lap.
“Never have I ever had a nonbinary cutie in my lap?” Nicholas’s question jolts Harua back into reality, realizing that the others are watching him and Yuma, as they're basically canoodling.
Harua pouts folding his hands over his chest, “that's so not fair, if anything it should be directed at Yuma, their the one in MY lap.” Yuma's bright laughter that bursts into his air makes him want to smile but he hardens his face instead, jutting his bottom lip out more, incredulously
“lots of people would be jealous of you right now y'know, now fold your damn finger Harua!” Nicholas has a good point, Harua reluctantly folds his finger, he only has two fingers left now, scenting the room it seems like everyone's at around two or three. Euijoo is next, then it's him, and Harua intends to get revenge, when his turn comes.
“Never have I ever drank alcohol?” Euijoo's innocently smiles after his question is met with groans all around, no one in the circle is safe from him, not even Jo. The game is even more intense now but Harua knows he's about to make one or more ppl lose so he can't help but smile, bunny teeth on full display.
“Oh no!” Taki squeals.
“what is this little fucker about to do?” Maki questions under his breath.
“Never have I ever bottomed ?” Yuma can't help the evil chuckle that slips out as soon as he asks. Fuma has to hold Nicholas back from pouncing on the younger, Sunoo, Yudai, Fuma, Jungwon, and Yuma all folding. That makes the final losers, Jungwon, Yuma, and Nicholas.
“ This is so targeted !!” Nicholas complains, no longer resisting against fumas' hold, now leaning onto Euijoo, accepting his fate.
“ You did target the evil bunny earlier, you should've known he’d get his revenge. “ Yudai explains putting out the tequila into the cups, pouring a little extra in Nicholas's which doesn't go unnoticed.
“Wow, everyone's against me here.” Nicholas sighs, Euijoo's patting him comfortingly on the back. Yuma reaches out to revive their cup, and the group counts down for the three losers to chug their beverages, Jungwon clicks his tongue afterwards, Yuma's face scrunches up a bit, and Nicholas coughs a bit, patting his chest like they will help get the liquid down.
Yuma settles back down next to Harua once they're done, the group settles into another game, some Korean drinking game that Heesung suggests, a couple sit out to watch instead.
“That friendly fire was a little mean Harua-chan.” Yuma pouts at him, their lip gloss covered lips still shining, looking soft and juicy.
“Sorry,” Harua pouts back,” the goal was Nichol, you just got caught in the crossfire, no bad feelings ?” Harua jokes.
“Nah, not at all, he came for both of us earlier, so I'll count that as revenge on my behalf, “ they lean in playfully snuggling into the crook of Harua's neck, “my hero.”
Harua flushes a bit at the act, Yuma has always been clingy, Harua has been averse to physical contact in the past but with the combination of Maki and Yudai, he has learned to get used to it, even initiating it at times. Yuma was a clingy drunk, he was getting more tipsy as the night wore on, he's always picking someone to cling to after he got past a certain point, usually it would be Jo. Tha same aged boy, was a quiet steady pillar, all the boys gravitated to him when they needed comfort, his steady presence and kind personality always welcoming them. Sometimes it'd be Yudai or Fuma but it was always a little risky clinging to them, Yudai was a “will kiss you” drunk, often giving the gang kisses on the head or cheek, Fuma got the full on smooches from him though and no one wanted to be between them when they got all mushy and gross like that.
Harua had yet to get clingy drunk Yuma to choose him, tonight however, that seems to have changed. Yuma is nuzzling him, thighs on thighs, arma wrapped around his back and neck, it's a little uncomfortable but Harua won't move him. It's nice to be held like this, leaned on, especially by Yuma who rarely shows their softer side to him, their cute side.
They're both watching the game, it's some counting game their supposed to clap on multiples of three Harua thinks, Yuma is making commentary into his ear, it's mumbled, almost gibberish, but Harua makes sure to hum and nod continually, letting the other know he can hear them.
He's listening, paying more attention to the sensation of Yuma's warm breath on his neck, their vocal tone, their accent, lisp, so endearing. Harías hands are on Yuma's thighs absent-mindedly squeezing and massaging, just to give him something to do. To ground him maybe, he's not quite sure his body started making the movements on its own, Yuma didn't comment on it, so he simply continues lulling the older into an almost slumber, their head now fully leaning into Harua, the weight of it warm, heavier than he'd anticipated but tolerable.
Nicholas somehow loses again, drinking, chugging some mystery drink this time, he sways as he walks, staggering into Euijoo's side, burying his face into the younger ‘04’s chest, saying something but no one can make his words out, they're muffled by the fabric of the younger's shirt. Euijoo looks a little flustered by the action but doesn't move away, instead wrapping an arm around Nicholas’s waist and lower back, supporting him.
“He's gonna have a hangover come morning.” He comments, Fuma nods, looking around at the group of boys, most of them staggering, leaning into each other, wet from sweat and water gun sprays. Taki is passed out on Jo’s shoulder, who's having his ears talked off by a drunk, yapping,Maki. Poor boy. Yudai seems alright, his flushed ears betray him, his voice is a little too loud when he talks too. Harua is a little tipsy too but definitely on the better side compared to the others.
“I think it's time for us all to head home. “ Fuma decides, instructing Euijoo to take Nicholas to the jeep, giving him the keys, he goes to carry taki, Jo looking up at him gratefully for taking the weight of his shoulder, Maki and Jo follow Euijoo and Nicholas, maki still talking a mile a minute.
Yudai walks up to him, “need help taking Yuma to the car?” He's already reaching for their sleeping friend, Harua holds up yuma's shoulders and waist with Yudai's help and they squeeze through people saying their goodbyes to those they know before finally exiting the house. The others have already taken their seats, Nicholas is sprawled out over Jo, Maki, and Euijoo's lap, Taki is leaning his head on a makeshift towel blanket in the back row of seats, still out. Yuma is shaken out of his slumber enough to enter the van on his own, the walk through the party, voices and loud speakers must've rused them from their alcohol induced haze.
Harua climbs in after him, they settle in the back row, as soon as Harua buckles in Yuma is leaning all over him again, using him as a pillow.
“So comfy,” they comment, nosing the younger's neck, it tickles. “ ya' smell good. “
Harua's thrown off at their words, surely their cologne had worn off by now, they'd been in a house full of sweaty body, he's sure water isn't the only liquid he got splashed by, with the amount of dancers holding cups of something, the chance of alcohol splatters getting in him is high.
Yuma squirms more, lifting his legs up onto the seat and Harua's lap, their skirt shifts in a way that shows off the swell of his ass, it doesn't help that they're practically arching their back as they lean into Harua. Harua's breath hitches at the breathy little noise that sneaks out of the olde’s lips as they settle into a comfortable position.
Maybe this is dangerous, being next to drunk, clingy, Yuma, in this stunning little skirt, in their adorable Usahana, Sanrio top, it hugs their upper body so well, leaving nothing to the imagination. Yuma's chest and abs are leaning into Harua, the bare flesh on flesh is doing nothing good for his tipsy, slightly horny brain. Harua wishes he had thought to wrap Yuma in his hoodie before they sat down, to at least create a barrier between them, the warmth radiating from the older body, as their breaths tickle Harua’s neck, goosebumps raising all along his skin.
Fifteen minutes feels too long, like torture, curse human biology. He hates that his body is ten times more sensitive when he's tipsy, how his senses are muted, he can't focus on anything but the current moment. Yuma, asleep in his lap. He wants to cover the others bare legs, ban them from ever showing skin, from ever looking this good. He hates how he can see Yuma's ankle tattoo peeking out, the intricate lines forming the picture of berries on a vine. He wants to reach out and pet the inked skin, he wants to run his fingers through the older soft hair, squish those bitten red lips that are currently freezing his neck, bite that wet tongue that's licking at his throat and adam's apple-
Harua gasps at the realization, he peeks down to see Yuma's face, greeted by the she of heaven or, actually hell.
Yuma's lids are heavy, their eyes glance up at him for a moment before landing back on his neck before them, they're pressing soft kittenish kisses and licks to harua's throat.
Maybe this is just another strange habit? this doesn't mean anything right ? Maybe Yuma thinks he's the man from earlier, the man who'd been grinding on him on the dancefloor a couple hours ago.
As those thoughts invade harua's mind, an ache builds in his chest a mass forming, weighing on his body, against his lungs, making it hard to breath, the pressure squeezing his throat painfully. He clenches his fists, the words fly out before he can fully process it.
“Yuma, who are you kissing?” It's so breathless, if Yuma wasn't right under his head he wouldn't have caught it, the soft tunes playing through the jeeps speakers and the light murmurs of the others conversing buzz around them but Yuma still replies.
“Harua.” They lean up enough to press their nose into Harua's cheeks affectionately, sweetly, and innocently. Then they return their assault on his neck, tongue coming out, lips applying more pressure, he'll leave marks for sure. But Harua doesn't stop him, he could, easily, Yuma's so defenseless right now, Harua is physically stronger this is something they both know, he would hardly have to exert any stretch if he wanted to push the other away.
He doesn't. He lets him continue, enjoying the sensations, the slight pain from the sharp teeth that nibble, only to be soothed by a warm tongue right after, the hard bud of Yuma's tongue piercing, glides softly over harua's skin. The coolness contrasts the warmth of the muscle it's pierced into. Harua has to work hard to control his breaths, looking up at the beige material that covers the vehicles ceiling, his own tongue swiping at his lips to moisten them as they're rapidly drying from his open-mouthed breathing.
Yuma continues practically putting under his chin, nose, tongue, lips, and teeth taking turns to brush against the younger's flesh.
The vehicle comes to a final stop, the lights all tuning in as the engine is turned off. The brightness makes the drunker boys grumble, yuma buries his face into harías neck, no more kisses just using the other to shield themselves from the light.
“Wakey wakey ~” Yudai sings opening the doors, “you just gotta walk to the elevator and then a couple steps to the apartment then y'all can go back to sleep. “ Jo steps out, holding Maki's hand, pulling him along. Euijoo struggles a bit getting Nicholas to wrap his arms around his shoulders so that he can carry most of the older’s weight as they walk.
Yudai peeks at the boy's in the back, quirking a brow at Harua, a look the younger can't discern in his eyes. He then shakes Taki, the youngest blinking up at him sleepily.
“Huh” he rubs his palms into his eyes, as if to wipe the sleep from them, it's unfortunately ineffective.
“We're here pup, come on.” Yudai guides the youngest, letting the boy fall into his arms, he practically carries the boy. Yuma crawls off Harías lap after Taki, stretching out once on the parking lot's concrete floor, Harua following. Fuma climbs in to collect any belongings left behind and the damp towels before exiting the car and locking it.
They all make the trip to the elevator, thank goodness it's empty, the boys all climb in, Fuma pressing the button to their floor and they arrive shortly after, stunning down the hall and finally falling into the apartment.
The apartment is nice and cool, the AC must’ve stayed on. Yudai carries Taki into his and Fuma's shared bedroom while the second oldest, pulls done futons out for the storage closet, moving the couch aside with Jo’s help, Euijoo still occupied with holding up a passed out Nicholas. The pair then set up the futons, Eujoo setting Nicholas softly onto the couch, then sitting down on the futon and undoing the older boy's shoelaces for him.
Maki, rummages through his backpack that Fuma had brought up for him, a new fresh set of clothes appearing before heading towards the bathroom to shower, ever the neat freak. Fuma shakes his head at him, a smile on his lips. He turns to the trio that are still by the door.
“You guys want the spare bedroom or out here with the ‘02’s “ he asks them.
“Bedroom !”
“I'm okay with futon. “
Yuma and Jo reply at the same time, turning to Harua, “come stay with me Harua-chan, I don't want my ear talked off by the husky. “ Yuma pleads, Harua can't turn him down, besides a bed would be nice, not as nice as finally changing out of these clothes.
They pick up their bags, taking them to the spare room that's across from the bathroom, Yuma sits down, taking out some makeup wipes and removing his mascara. Harua pulls out his pj's, a matching light blue satin set, it was comfortable and breathable, he wants no time changing,throwing his clothes into the hamper in the corner of the room.
They stayed over often enough that even the spare room seemed well lived in, family pictures of the friends, along with some of Jo's art works, decorated the walls. A stuffed dinosaur that Fuma had won at a claw game sits on the bed, between the pillows. Harua wastes no time jumping onto the bed after he's changed, plugging in his phone, ready to scroll through IG, and post a couple pics from the party.
“Harua, can you help me change?” Harua looks over the side of the bed where Yuma is arm stuck in a weird angle from trying to get out of the right top.
Harua softly laughs at the older, skipping off the bed to rescue him. He guides their arms back into the shirt, “lift your arms, straight up, I'll pull the shirt off for you.” Yuma follows his instructions well and they are able to pull the offending shirt off successfully, Harua takes it to the hamper, turning back in time to see a glimpse of Yuma's underwear as he slips out of the skirt. The boy turns away quickly listening to the rustling of a bag being rummaged through, clothes being slipped on, and finally when the other moves past him to place his skirt and socks into the hamper Harua is safe to go back to bed.
Yuma pajamas suit them, a light grey pullover with a cat on it, and matching shorts. They climb into bed after Harua, nuzzling into the pillow and burrowing under the cover of the comforter, only their eyes peek out now, watching Harua how's sat up against the headboard scrolling through his phone.
“Did you have fun today Harua?” Yuma's question surprises the younger boy, it's said in a tentative tone, one that the older one doesn't use often. Like they're being cautious.
“Yeah, it was nice. Hanging out with everyone, letting loose. “ Harua is honest. They had all been busy with classes or work, finals and exams, studying. Boring stuff. It had been nice to party, and knowing they'll get a warm breakfast, will probably have more of a brunch or lunch as it's late now, Harua predicts that the drunkards won't wake up until late morning, early afternoon at best. It's nice to spend time like this with his friends.
“I had fun too, ‘m gonna go to bed now. Goodnight. “ Yuma seems satisfied with his answer.
“Goodnight Yuma-kun, sleep well. “
۶ৎ
Harua wakes up on an innovative breathing pillow, Yuma's chest somehow ends up under his head at some point during the night. The older is still resting soundly, they're sprawled out into a star, taking up most of the space on the bed despite being basically the same size as Harua.
Harua unplugs his phone, it's half past eleven in the morning, not bad, he thinks.
He climbs over Yuma, to get out of bed, freshening up in the bathroom before going to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, realizing he hasn't drank anything non-alcoholic in eight plus hours. Most of those hours were spent sleeping but still, he needs to rehydrate.
In the living room, Nicholas is sat on the couch wrapped in his blanket, watching some drama on the tv, with subtitles so the volume is still low, beside him is a sleeping Euijoo, who either slept on the couch with him or ended up on the couch at some point in the morning. Jo and Maki each have a futon to themselves, both in a deep sleep. There's a cup of tea on the table beside Nicholas. He looks up to smile at Harua as the boy passes him to go into the kitchen.
The kitchen is empty, the oldest must be in their room. He wonders if Taki's doing alright, he passed out even though he had considerably less drinks than Nicholas and Yuma.
Harua gets a glass and some ice, craving coolness. He raids the pantry for some snacks, finding some fruit gummies and stealing them, going back to the spare room to watch videos on his phone.
He's in the middle of a video about a lone wolf reuniting with its pack when the body beside him starts rustling. Yuma's eyes are crusted with eye boogers, yet they still manage to look cute. They shift to sit criss crossed on the bed leaning against the headboard beside Harua.
“What time is it?” Is the first thing anyone thinks of when they get up, Yuma is no different.
“It's almost one in the afternoon. “ Harua checks, surprised that there haven't been too many noises from the outside yet beside the litter pattern of steps to the bathroom from the living room, or Fuma and Yudai's bedroom to the bathroom, a couple people had showered, Harua had remembered hearing the water run for about twenty minutes then shut off and turn on again for around that length of time.
“It's still too early.” Yuma's words contradict their actions, they throw the blanket off and rummage through their bag, pulling out a small pouch before heading out to the bathroom, not bothering to shut the door. They return a few minutes later, face washed, teeth and hair brushed. They look much more awake now, a little bit of water did get on their pullover, Harua can picture them splashing their face with water over the sink, the water flying up and hitting their pullover in the process of getting soap off their skin.
“Woah,” Yuma’s eyes widen as they look at Harua. “ What happened to your neck?”
Harua is confused for a moment, bringing his hand to his neck, then he feels the sore spot along his Adam's apple and under his ear, the memories from last night, in the back of the car coming back.
“Oh um,”
“Did you hook up with someone? “ Their brows furrow, frowning while thinking, “ and I didn't notice? “ The last half of that is said to themselves but Harua still catches it with his keen hearing.
Harua is a little offended that Yuma doesn't remember, but also confused as to why the older would assume he hooked up with some stranger. Harua had explained before to his friends he didn't want to sleep with anyone drunk so that in case he got too drunk at any of the parties they would look out for him and stop it before anything happened. He would do the same for them, he had pretended to be Jo’s boyfriend a handful of times to get suitors off his back, even though people were more open to queerness, bisexuality, and the existence of multiple different kinds of gender identities, some people still wouldn't back off when Jo explained that he was asexual.
It was frustrating for all of them to watch people say the say things they would say to lesbians or gays, “how do you know you don't like sex if you've never had sex?” / “How do you know you're really gay/lesbian if you've never slept with the other gender, maybe you just haven't met the right person.” That same old rhetoric was constantly said, if Jo decided to change his mind that's up to him, sexuality and gender can change, they're not set, but it's up to the individual, not outside pressure or others. Harua thinks about Yuma and how they feel so apathetic to gender, them coming out as nonbinary felt so casual, didn't change a thing, just like when he had gone to Fuma after the first time he kissed a boy, panicking.
Not because of the fact that it was queer to kiss men but because it was scary to think about how society could treat him for it, because even though he knows who he is and is happy with himself, he will still give barriers in the real world for it. Face potential prejudice, discrimination, it's scary but knowing that he's not alone, he has supportive friends who will always be there for him, that is what keeps him from retreating or suppressing his emotions and for that he's thankful.
He thinks about last night, how he had allowed Yuma to mark up his neck and basically claim him. About how attractive Yuma had looked, how enticing they were, how they had left that stranger's side for him after one look. How smug that had made him.
“ You were all up on me last night, kissing my neck on the car ride here.” Jarua can't help but grin cockily at the older, who's crawled back onto the bed, taking delight in the way they freeze at his words. They blink multiple times and then fall forward into the comforter, muffled screams getting absorbed by fabric and cushion.
“That was real, “ Yuma sits back up, grabbing a pillow and squeezing the life out of it, their eyes locking onto Harua's, their gaze is a little regretful but mostly embarrassed, “I thought that was all a dream. “ They admit.
“A good dream or a bad one?” Harua asks, his earlier smugness melting away, vulnerability bubbling up, anxious to hear the others reply.
“good.” It's quiet, honest.
Relief floods through Harías body, tension that he hadn't realized he had been carrying fading, a soft smile tugging at his lips mirroring the soft rhythm of his heart. Yuma smiles back at him, the littlest of smiles, his ears are flushed, tainted with a soft blush that sits on his cheeks, Harua is sure he has matching blush on his own cheeks.
The admission between them, the events that had occurred , it’s out now, to be dissected, explained, but that can wait till later, now they bask in the safety of “it's okay” in the knowledge that this bond hasn't been soured, that it was consensual, it was remembered, it was intentional, it meant something, something good.
It's not until an hour after Yuma wakes up that Euijoo knocks on their door beckoning them to come eat. The smells of eggs, toast, some kind of meat, maybe bacon or sausage, greets them as they walk down the corridor into the kitchen, Maki is with Fuma and Yudai finishing up the food, Jo, Nicholas and Taki all already sat at the table. Taki looks back to normal, maybe still a little sleepy, clearly showered, in new clothes, an oversized hoodie, probably Yudai’s. Taki usually sleeps in an old T-shirt but with the AC up in the apartment he getting chilly wouldn't be out of the norm. Nicholas on the other hand looks a little rougher, the blanket from earlier is still wrapped around his shoulders, he's got another cup of tea in front of him, and he's leaning his cheek into his palm, too lazy to exert any more energy. Jo, of course, is just fine, his drawing tablet is in front of him and he's working on something colorful. Harua can make out a skyline, even from a distance he can tell it will be beautiful.
Yuma plops down beside Jo, asking him about his drawing, prompting the boy to explain and show him the full thing, it is a skyline, the view from last night's sunset according to Jo. Harua can't even recall the sunset last night, too much happening after dark, he's sure it was pretty though, sunsets usually are, not as pretty as Jo's romanticized depiction of them but still nice on the eyes. Harua takes a seat beside Yuma.
Lunch is served, waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs. It's heavenly, the combined efforts of the two oldest and the youngest producing wonderful results. The sounds of eating and utensils against plates are the only sounds heard as the famished group finally digs in.
Fuma asks about how everyone slept, most being done besides Nicholas and Taki who had made multiple trips to the bathroom throughout the night having to relieve themselves and rid their systems of alcohol. Maki apparently slept like a rock blacking out after his shower.
‘must be nice,’ Harua thinks. He had been too busy replaying the events from the night, against his will, his stupid brain refusing to shut off, preferring to replay the scenes of Yuma and the stranger, transforming the stranger into Harua, Harua dancing with Yuma, Harua whispering into Yuma's neck, leading them up into one of the upstairs bedrooms of the house. Harua kept having to challenge the horny thoughts, with sad stuff, like a gay penguin couple mating for life, but one tragically gets killed by an orca and the other waits for them at the shore for days, turned weeks, eventually starving to death while waiting for its lover. Yes, Harua had ended up making himself cry about sad gay penguins, but it curbed the horny thoughts so it was worth it, depressing but worth it.
“So Harua, what's up with that?” Nicholas still manages to tease him even in his hungover state, the other three oldest make eye contact, some sort of wordless conversation happening, Harua catching it for once. Maki smirks across the table, Jo lances up at them, something flashes in his gaze, before a small smile appears on his doll-like face, and Taki twists his head around so quickly to stare at the boy who's barely older than him so quickly he might get whiplash.
Yuma stays silent by his side, their hand that had been under that table on their own lap travels onto Harua's leg, resting it there as if to say “I'm here.”
“It's none of your business. “ Harua stands his ground, not ready to share his ‘thing’ with Yuma, not when it's so undefined.
“Not something, someone.” Maki has to correct Nicholas, who sends him a finger gun, “right, someone happened.” The two of them grin at Harua trying to get under his skin, failing. Harua only rolls his eyes at them, exaggeratedly stabbing the last of his waffle.
“Leave the poor boy alone guys, he'll tell eventually.” Fuma assures them, as though he himself is in on it too, “ we still need to finish eating and then y'all have to split the chores up between yourselves and clean up your mess. “ The others groan at his words, not looking forward to the prospect of cleaning, but it must be done, if you don't cook you’re automatically put on cleaning duty.
Harua gets out on dishwashing duty with Taki, who seems to be doing fine after last night, Yudai must've nursed him back to health earlier.
“Do you want to talk about your neck ?” He asks tentatively scrubbing the plates as Harua rinses them and stacks them in the dish rack. Harua takes in a deep breath, he does want to confide in someone, Taki might freak out if he tells him the whole truth though.
“Nah, I mean, it was just the neck. Nothing else happened, they were drunk and I was tipsy so y’know.” He vaguely explains, Taki nods, not prying. Harua can tell he wants to by the glances he keeps sending his way, he respects the others wishes and doesn't push him. They talk about Nicholas’s antics instead, Maki had squirted the older big with the water gun last night and made a wet patch in the crotch of his pants, looking like a piss stain, somehow Harua had completely missed that.
Harua was trying his best to pay attention to Takis ramblings, recalling last night's chaos, however kept bringing his thoughts back to Yuma. He had to tell someone, figure this out, he knew he didn't dislike what had happened last night, he had wished it had progressed, if they had been sober. But would Yuma even do that with Harua if they were sober? Yuma had a type that Harua has recognized by now, taller than them, handsome, masculine u handsome, broad, built. Harua wasn't that, he was slimmer, toned and muscular but not bulky, muscular in a lean way, he was barely taller than Yuma, maybe.
Then there was the concern of hurting their friendship, they had all the same friends, if things got sour how would that affect the rest of the group ?
He felt so conflicted. Nicholas and Euijoo weren't options, they had their own issues that had been going on for years now, everyone but them knew they were together. Maki would tease too much, Taki wouldn't be able to keep it a secret, Jo would listen but Harua doesn't want to subject Yuma's best friend to his impure thoughts about them.
Yudai or Fuma it is. Harua drags his gaze over the group scattered around the living room, some of them are watching some action movie, others are on their phones, Yudai is fussing with Taki about something, but Fuma has just came out of the bathroom, currently leaning against the wall of the corridor watching the boys with a fond gaze. Very papa-like. Harua approaches him, the older man raising his brows at him, Harua doesn't say anything, grabbing the older's wrist and taking him to his bedroom for privacy.
Harua releases the older's wrist as they enter the room, sitting on the bed, grabbing a Charizard plushie to hug, he hears the door close, footsteps approaching the bed, the older sits down on the edge of the mattress across from him.
“Wanna talk about it? Yuma?” Of course he already knows, he always knows. Harua releases a breath he was subconsciously holding.
“Yeah,” he looks down at the orange stuffed toy, tugging at the tail, then petting it, “they kissed me, not on the lips, just marked up my neck. “
Fumas soft chuckle is heard above him, “they'd been claiming you all night, sitting on your lap, I'm surprised they waited til the car ride to finally gnaw on you. “ Harua thinks back, he had t realized it has looked like that to onlookers, like he and Yuma were together, that Yuma was basically keeping everyone off his back by sitting on him and in turn that kept people off of their back too, any suitors being effectively deferred.
Were you uncomfortable at all?” Harua doesn't have to think, without hesitation he shakes his head. He was fine with it, it felt natural to touch Yuma, hold Yuma in his arms.
“That's good, I think you guys just have to talk it out sooner is better than later, I think you'll be fine, if you need anything, anything at all you can always come to me, you know that right ?” Fumas reassurance warms Harua's little heart, he's right, this morning he and Yuma haven't really discussed it, it felt too raw, vulnerable, fresh. Now that they were both well rested, fed, relaxed, and had been mingling with others it felt like the dust had settled.
Harua's resolve is hardened. He knows what he must do now.
۶ৎ
All good things must end, Fuma has to work in the morning at the gym he's working at as a personal trainer, so the gang's all packed in the jeep again, getting dropped off one by one. Maki and Jo are first, both waving goodbye and giving hugs. Next comes Yuma's turn, when the jeep comes to a stop in front of their apartment complex they reach out to Harua, grabbing their wrist.
“ Goodnight everyone, thanks for letting us crash at yours last night,” they send the older couple in the front seat a catlike smile. Pulling Harua out with them as they exit the vehicle, Harua manages to wave at their friends, Taki looking confused as he watches them leave together, Nicholas and Euijoo don't pay it any mind, Fuma and Yudai send Harua knowing smiles from their spots at the front seats.
Yuma's fingers are warm on his wrist, their face is set with determination, easily maneuvering through the apartment's halls to his room, they quickly input the code, dragging Harua into the apartment with him. Once inside they release their grip on the younger's wrist to remove their shoes and set down their bags. Harua removes his own shoes more on instinct than consciousness. When he looks up, Yuma is already staring at him, something unreadable in their gaze. Their face is uncharacteristically unexpressive, serious, solemn.
“ we need to talk, wanna sit on my bed to talk or on the bean bags? “ Yuma didn't have a large living room space, it was a small but comfortable apartment, kitchen opening into the living room space then the bathroom and lastly their room.
“The bed would be more comfy than those bean bags.” Yuma rolls his eyes at Harua’s words, heading to their room.
“You're such a hater, you just haven't gotten used to the bean bag lifestyle yet.“ Yuma's apartment smells like sandalwood, sweet, woody, cozy. Their comforter is half off the bed, pillows and a couple stuffed animals are scattered on the mattress, it's a controlled mess. Like them.
Harua naturally climbs onto the bed leaning back against the wall, Yuma follows suit pulling a bit of the comforter around their bare calves. They make eye contact, Yuma's eyes are flitting from Harua to the various items on the bed.
“Y'know how people say that drunk actions and words are the truth,” they start, words coming out in a soft tone, serious, “ I don't really like that saying, sometimes people do things that they don't mean when inebriated, but I also know myself, know what I want.” They look up at Harua now, more confident than before, “ I kissed you because I wanted to, I sat on your lap because I wanted to, I gave myself to you because I wanted to. “ Harua's chest swells at their words, the knot that had been wound from last night slowly unravels, I'm the tension it wrapped around him loosening.
“ If,” they close their eyes, retreating to the safety that dodging Harua's gaze gives them, “ if I were, if I wanted to give myself to you, “ his brown eyes meet harías once more, vulnerability leaking through, “if I wanted to be yours, would you be mine?” They chew on their bottom lip in anticipation as the last words leave their mouth.
Harua feels the threads that had been restricting him earlier finally falling away from him, the tightness in his chest being lifted, a warm, grounding feeling settles within him.
“Aren't I already yours?” he points to his still bruised neck, Yuma's sharp teeth release their lip, a puff of airy laughter escapes.
“That's not what I meant you idiot, do you want me or not ? “ Their earlier hesitation has been crushed by Harua's casual remark.
“Yeah I want you, I'll be yours since you want me too. “ Harua's words are teasing but his tone is nothing but sincere. True. He wants the person in front of him, he's wanted them for a while now, feelings buried by the fear of destroying something beautiful, feelings repressed, urges hidden away, blocked off, he had held back for so long. Had quickly tried to counter any thoughts of Yuma as anything less than friends, scared, why would someone as bright, someone who shines, stealing everyone in a room's attention with their presence, want someone like him. He didn't think he had anything to offer Yuma, he didn't think he stood a chance, not when Yuma hadn't shown any overt interest back, Yuma who would flirt blatantly at parties or clubs when interested in someone. Why didn't he do that with Harua ?
“Yuma, how long have you liked me, as more than friends?” He can't help but ask, so curious.
Yuma's face turns a couple shades redder, fidgeting with the comforter at his lap.
“Honestly, since we met. “ They catch the way Harua's brows furrow, clearly more confused now, “ I knew you were pretty, handsome, attractive, but I was scared, you were just a freshman still finding yourself, barely an adult, even though I'm only a year older, I still felt like I had to hold back, let you grow into yourself, experience a few more things, plus I didn't even know you were queer at first, you were much more masc back then. “ Harua cracks a smile at the older's words, it's true, he had been a little overwhelmed when he'd first arrived on campus, living on his own, being surrounded by strangers, new freedoms that came with adulthood, the friends he made were cherished.
“ I don't know when I started seeing you in a different light,” he opens up to Yuma, “ at some point I began craving your attention, taking pride in the moments where my joke made you burst into uncontrollable laughter. I would find myself staring, taking notes of the way your eyes crinkle when you smile big, of your sharp canines and the way they rest against your lips, the way your shoulders bounce when you snicker behind your hand, the way your eyes sparkle when you're in your element. I found myself melting into your touch, replaying our little moments in my head at night, instead of sleeping I'd think of you."
Yuma's smile spreads along with the blush, splattered all over their cheeks, burning their eyes, neck matching the color of a ripe peach.
“Isn't this the part where you kiss me?” They ask, tilting their head in faux innocence. Harua loves it when they do that. They're such a brat, just like him.
“Aren't you supposed to ask me to be your boyfriend first?” He can't help himself, Yuma's little fist knocks against his chest at his words. They scooch in closer to Harua, pressing him up further against the wall, the coolness seeping through the fabric of his shirt against his back, their eyes are half-lidded as they lean forward, face just a few inches from Harua's now.
“Kiss me, Lover boy, please. “ Harua isn't cruel enough to refuse his friend, now lover's request, he closes the gap, finally feeling the others' lips against his. No fantasy or daydream can compare to reality, they're warm and plush fitting perfectly against his.
The first kiss is softer, testing the waters, lips against lips, enough pressure to feel real, nothing suffocating, neither pulls away, starved for long enough. They find a steady rhythm, adding more pressure, Harua nips at Yumas lips first, relishing in the breathy gasp it draws out from the other. Yuma wastes no time fighting back, tongue poking out seeking entry into Harua's mouth, he relents, the warm muscle invading his mouth tasting him. The cool metal feels addicting against his own tongue, he can't help sucking on it, drawing out a soft mewl from the older.
With their defenses lowered by Harías move, Harua moves in, taking over the older's mouth, forcefully, his hands move to the other's waist, he dives in licking and sucking into their mouth, as they surge forward the older falls back onto the mattress pulling him with them.
Harua's now hovering over Yuma, the older's hands each up to grip at his shoulders tugging at the fabric of his shirt, nails scraping along the hills of his shoulder blades. Harua gets so swept up into the kiss he doesn't process that somewhere along the way Yuma's legs had wrapped around his waist, as he lowers himself to take more of them as they lay beneath him, his hips brush against yuma's, the older gasping out a pathetic whimper.
Harua pulls back, the sight of the older underneath him, looking debauched, lips bitten and swollen, saliva slicking up the corners of their mouth, their eyes half-life and clouded by lust and affection, chest moving up and down in quick motions, their breaths are deafening.
“Sorry, I got carried away, “ Harua makes a move to put distance between their two bodies but gets trapped by the other's legs that wrap tighter around his waist, keeping him in place.
“Where do you think you're going?” A smirk graces their face, it pisses Harua off, how good the other looks under him. He can't help but smack his lower thighs, basically ass, reprimanding the older. The older giggles at him for that, giving his waist a little encouraging squeeze with their thighs.
“Keep kissing me, it feels good. “ Yuma is a little minx, batting their eyelashes up at the younger boy, like a cartoon cat pleading for a treat.
“You're gonna kill me, stop being such a horny little asshole. “ Harua gives in, leaning into the older's neck to finally get revenge from earlier, he licks a stripe from their collarbone to the earlobe, thoroughly enjoying the way the older shivers in his arms at the sensation. His teeth graze the older's jugular, making them let out sharp little gasps, their fingers are digging more deeply into his shoulders now, almost painful.
He sucks and nibbles at the warm flesh, smoothing his tongue over it afterwards in a soothing manner, he noses along the column of the older's neck, drinking in his natural scent, he wants to drown in it. Then he continues his assault lower into the crook of the older's neck where their collarbones stick out, they've always looked so inviting and biteable, Harua doesn't waste any more time, pressing hit, open-mouthed kisses all over their collarbones, one of Yuma's hands move up into his hair gripping it tightly, not pulling him away, pushing him forward further into him.
“ Fuck, Harua, why are you so good at this? Who have you been practicing with? “ they're twisting the head to give Harua more access to them.
“I'm just mimicking what you were doing the other night.” Yuma groans at his words.
“I didn't do this much!! I'm gonna look like I got mauled by a wolf.” Yuma puffs, trying to appear annoyed but the love filled smile on their face betrays them.
“ Are you calling me an alpha ? My omega?”
Yuma smacks him lightly in the back for that comment.
“Shut up you idiot ! “
Harua pushes himself back into his knees admiring his work, Yuma's neck and collar bones have little red patches blooming across the skin there, his shirt's collar is stretched in an unnatural way but neither of them bother to fix it.
“Can't wait to see how pretty you look, covered in bruises. “ Harua is filled with pride, a little smug, knowing that Yuma is finally his, smiling up at him, with kiss swollen lips, with a radiant smile on their face, covered in evidence of their affection from one another.
“You're such a freak!”
“You know you like it.”
“Fuck off!!”
Yuma reaches up to shut Harua up before he can send back a crude remark, he surrenders into the kiss, warmth that would otherwise suffocate is coursing through his entire body, happiness, relief, adoration all mixing together creating an indescribable bliss.
This moment is perfect, just him and his lover, kissing on a purple kuromi themed comforter, with badtz-maru and a white bunny plush watching them, judgmentally from their places on the edge of the mattress. Their limbs are tangled together, tugging at the fabric of the clothing that covers their backs, they continue sharing deep kisses, showering each other with affection, all the emotions that had been tucked away pouring through them.
Harua wouldn't wish for anything else, nothing could beat this. He's more than happy to continue to satisfy his lover, holding them tighter, pulling more little sounds from their lips, devouring their complaints.
Yuma's taste and scent have clouded all of his senses, everything is Yuma, Harua's favorite flavor, Yuma.