Chapter Text
Tsukasa, to put it simply, was confused.
Rui had sent him a good-night message. It wasn’t anything unusual, as they’ve been doing this for little over a year now. It started happening by accident, but it slowly became their signal to make sure the other was fine. Nothing about the message should’ve been confusing.
Well, except for the ‘love you’ Rui had added.
When Tsukasa had gotten the notification of Rui’s reply, he was in bed, ready to call it a night after making sure Rui was okay. Honestly, Tsukasa was extremely tired after today’s practice, he should’ve fallen asleep after the message came through.
But Rui, his best friend, added those 2 words at the end.
And here he is, sitting at his desk at 1am. He should’ve fallen asleep 3 hours ago, but this stupid text Rui sent him was keeping him awake. Tsukasa spent the first hour staring at the message, trying to convince himself that he was misreading it, or simply going insane, because Rui wouldn’t send him that. Probably.
Of course, Tsukasa knew Rui cared for himself, Nene, and Emu deeply. That was out of the question. But never, in the 2 years of knowing him, would he declare it like this.
‘What changed?’
That single thought was running through his mind ever since 10pm. No matter how hard Tsukasa tried, he couldn't seem to figure out the answer. The second hour, he got up and got a glass of water.
And another. And another.
It got to a point Saki had to check on him, because he kept turning the tap on so often. Honestly, it was so embarrassing. Both the fact she had to check on him, and why she was in the first place.
The light dim from his phone blinked away before Tsukasa clicked the on button and mindlessly typed in his password, taking him back to his and Rui’s direct messages.
Logically, he knows he shouldn’t be doing this, continually looking and analysing this one, single, message. Tsukasa can’t stop eyeing it, though, because every time he does this warm feeling blossoms in his chest and spreads throughout his whole body, and every time his phone turns off it leaves, lingering on him, making Tsukasa want more.
And that’s stupid, how are these 2 tiny words making him feel like this? Making his hands clammy, his breath speed up and his brain go fuzzy. Despite the small part of his brain telling him that this is wrong, that he shouldn’t feel like this, he unconsciously smiles. No matter how wrong this is, Tsukasa wants it. He really wants this feeling to continue, and to never end. Tsukasa’s mind starts to wander, thinking back to Rui. Differently to how he was thinking before.
Steam rose from the pan, loud sizzling filling the kitchen. Tsukasa hums while stirring around ingredients. Smiling, he turns around to sprinkle some spices on top of what he’s cooking. Two long arms wrap around his waist, a familiar face snuggling into his shoulder.
Tsukasa giggles, leaning into the other’s touch. Despite the heat from the food he’s cooking, he can’t help but feel the coldness in his body melt away, warmth thriving throughout his body from the touch. Eyeing behind him, Tsukasa can see purple, uncombed hair.
“Rui, you woke up late. It’s 1pm.” Tsukasa states, putting down the wooden spoon he’d be using to let the food rest. He turns around to face Rui, having to glance up to meet his gaze.
His face is scrunched up, eyebags dark and eyes glossy.
“Mm… we had such a late night last night, can you blame me?”
Rui replies, hugging Tsukasa closer to his body. It’s crazy, but Tsukasa can feel Rui’s heat transfer to his own body. He sighs happily, melting into the touch, resting his head on Rui’s chest. A warm hand strokes his back, moving up until it reaches his hair, stroking it. Tsukasa looks back up, watching as Rui look at him like..that,
Rui smiles at him so gently. It’s almost like Tsukasa is one of his inventions with how much care he’s treated with. Regardless of how much Rui teases him with his actual inventions, he will always know Rui would never hurt him. He’s never in danger here, and Tsukasa can feel his face turn red as he connects Rui with home.
“Hm? What are you thinking about? You’ve turned red. Is it because of last night, because I found that ho-”
He starts to tease, smirking, but Tsukasa interrupts him with a huff. Standing on his toes, he brings Rui into a kiss, feeling his gasp against his lips. He moves his hands up to hold onto his tangled hair, looping each finger between strands of hair. He was definitely making it worse.
Rui melts into the kiss, relocating his hands from Tsukasa’s own neck to grip onto his waist. Ignoring the food, the two continue to kiss. It feels nice, Tsukasa thinks. Like this is where he’s supposed to be. Not with anyone else, because no one else could make him feel like this. No one else could replicate the feeling Rui makes him experience, the emotion that he can’t even explain flow through his body, from the grasp of Rui’s hand, to the touch of his lips on his own.
Tsukasa can feel Rui deepen the kiss, and he sighs to himself, deepening it as well.
The breakfast could probably be eaten at Lunch, he supposes, as he lets go of Rui’s hair and wrap around his-
A small ding interrupts his thoughts. Tsukasa can feel heat move to his face. In a quick motion, he picks up his phone, feeling it slip slightly in his hands, which are covered in sweat. Calming his thoughts, he looks down at the notification and freezes. Rui texted him.
Rui texted him!!!!!!!
Why is he surprised? Rui is always up this late, spending hours on inventions for their show, for him to try-
He drops his phone onto his table, gasping as he raises his hands to grip his hair. Pulling, Tsukasa tries to calm his breath. How will he deal with Rui tomorrow, at school, when he can’t do it online?
“Ok, breathe, Tsukasa, you need to breathe,” Tsukasa speaks to himself quietly, slowly moving to peek at what Rui had sent him this time.
Rui!
10:59pm Tsukasa
Goodnight, Rui! See you tomorrow!
Rui 11:00pm
Goodnight, Tsukasa. Love you.
Seen - 11:00pm
Rui 1:24am
If you really are still online, you should get to sleep.
Seen - 1:24am
‘He’s so considerate,’ Tsukasa thinks, giggling to himself. He quickly snaps out of it after he rereads the message. Rui saw he was still online, and now he’ll see that Tsukasa read his message. He truly sucks at this. In a fit of embarrassment, he shuts nightcord completely, before turning his phone off. Tsukasa spins his chair around, shifting to go lay back in his bed, but he freezes. Spinning his chair back to his desk, Tsukasa silently picks up his phone, reopening nightcord and rapidly taking a screenshot of Rui’s messages, before slamming it on his desk.
Tsukasa winces at the sound, but that isn’t what’s on his mind right now. God, did he really just do that?
His cheeks, purely guessing, feel hotter than his phone. Tripping out of his chair, Tsukasa rushes into his bed, covering his body with the soft feel of his blankets.
It feels heavy on him. He pants quickly, feeling sweat drip down his neck. Gripping onto the blanket transfers said sweat, damping the blanket. He feels everything so suddenly, and it suffocates him. These feelings towards Rui, it isn’t right, but it’s so sweet, like sneaking to eat candy after his mother said not to.
It’s so stupid, but he’s craving more.