Many thanks to katBelle for the beta. Cross-posted on my AO3 and tumblr.

Of Wisterias and Wildflowers

Hold Me Close

Chapter Summary: Abeno wasn't Ashiya's first crush, but Abeno was the first male guy he had been attracted to, and Ashiya was certain that he was the first 'human' Abeno had really cared about, and possibly Abeno's first love.

Class had just ended and Ashiya was on his way to the rooftop to meet Abeno. He was honestly relieved that Abeno hadn't picked him up through the use of the mononokean. Ever since they started dating a few months ago, Abeno had developed a habit of picking him up using the mononokean. Every time Ashiya opened the front door of his house Abeno was already there sitting in the middle of the small comfy tearoom patiently waiting for him, even if they had no classes during the day. Abeno would also make sure to drop him home after. And when Ashiya had inquired about the meaning of his actions, Abeno had just reasoned that he didn't want him to get lost or get devoured by any yokai even though they both knew that Ashiya was no longer a five-year-old kid and that he was safer in the mundane world.

Abeno's concern for his well-being was really endearing though sometimes he could be really infuriating. There was a time when Ashiya had just come out of the bath and instead of his bedroom had found himself inside the familiar tearoom with Abeno sitting in his usual spot on the tatami mat. He only had a small towel wrapped around his waist and you could already guess what happened next. Abeno had let him go the next morning and Ashiya finally arrived in his bedroom with a sore ass. He had already reprimanded him to stop abusing his power whenever he felt like it, but the mononokean only encouraged Abeno to take full advantage of his position as a master. By then it was common for Ashiya to find himself getting dragged out of his room to spend the rest of the day with Abeno in the mononokean.

Ashiya loved being with Abeno but his body had its own limits, especially if he would have to endure it the next day without hissing in pain whenever he sit or stand. He and Abeno had a heated discussion before about who would be putting it in and who would be one to receive it. Ashiya obviously lost though he never really regretted allowing Abeno to hold him and even admitted to himself that it actually felt good. Abeno wasn't Ashiya's first crush, but Abeno was the first male guy he had been attracted to, and Ashiya was certain that he was the first 'human' Abeno had really cared about, and possibly Abeno's first love. Ashiya had never heard Abeno saying those 'three words' at him even though he practically told it to him every day. Abeno's usual response would be to get away from him as far as possible.

A horrible thought suddenly crossed Ashiya's mind. Now that he thought about it, Abeno would always refuse to hold his hand even though Ashiya begged for it and he even called him disgusting. Ashiya couldn't really understand the reason why when they had done things much more intimate than simply holding each other's hand. What if Abeno-san didn't love him as much as he loved him? What if he didn't love him at all? What if Abeno-san only wanted his body? More and more dreadful things piled up in his mind. Ashiya was already running in panic as he leaped up the stairs and swung the heavy doors of the rooftop open. He instantly spotted the object of his affection sleeping in that usual tiring sitting position. "Abeno-san!" he cried out and Abeno immediately stirred awake and looked very startled.

"Ashiya? What? What happened? Did you get into trouble again? I already told you that you should let me and the mononokean pick you up. Is it another yokai?" Abeno asked with urgency in his voice. While it could be concern for Ashiya or the yokai, there was a high chance it was be the latter. Abeno had been waiting for him to finish the exam. Ashiya was one of the few unlucky people who had to take a retest. Meanwhile, Abeno was one of the few lucky ones who had made it to the top even though he'd slept throughout the whole semester. He was really happy to see him waiting for him but Ashiya quickly shook his head. "Is there something wrong, Ashiya?" Abeno asked worriedly.

"Abeno-san," Ashiya began carefully as he mustered all of his courage and swallowed. "D-do you love me?" he stuttered, suddenly losing all of his confidence from before, and belatedly realized how awkward and ridiculous he must have sounded. When Abeno didn't answer, Ashiya could feel himself blushing in embarrassment and the silence continued to stretch. He wished the ground would open and swallow him whole. He couldn't help it! Ashiya desperately wanted to know if the object of his affection also felt the same way as him. Abeno would never understand him if he didn't ask directly, but he had never imagined he would confront him like this, and Ashiya was really nervous for his reply. What if Abeno-san told him that he only wanted his body? Were they even dating in the first place? What if Ashiya was the only one who thought like that?

"Before you can come up with more crazy conclusions," Abeno suddenly interrupted Ashiya's inner monologue with a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Could you tell me why you are suddenly asking me this?" Abeno demanded, not hiding the irritation on his face.

Ashiya had never thought of strangling another human being before until now. Seriously?! He was asking him why?! Abeno had a bad habit of answering his question with another question, especially if the topic concerned human relations. Ashiya could understand why Abeno didn't much favor humans even though he was a human himself. But disregarding him and his feelings like this was really aggravating.

"What am I to you, Abeno-san? Am I just your employee?" Ashiya could feel his voice slightly shaking as he balled his fists. "You never once told me that you love me! How would I know if you feel the same way when you haven't told me anything?! You don't even want to hold my hands as if I have some weird disgusting disease! Am I the only one thinking that we're seriously dating? Or am I just a temporary fling for you? Do you only want me for my body? Am I just your fuck buddy, Abeno-sa-?" He didn't finish his sentence before Abeno suddenly pulled him close and shut him up with a kiss. Ashiya froze for a moment before he felt his lips responding to Abeno's kiss. He found it somehow amusing that Abeno couldn't simply hold his hand but he could easily kiss him like this.

"ILoveYouAndI'mSeriousAboutYouAndI'mSorryIfIWasInsensitiveButBelieveMeWhenISaidYou'reTheOnlyOneForMe." Abeno managed to tell him all the words Ashiya wanted to hear in just a single breath. There was a faint blush on his normally stoic face and this was the first time Ashiya had seen Abeno looking rather flustered. He couldn't help the grin from creeping onto his face.

"Stop grinning at me like that or I'm going to gut you. I hope you're happy now you spoiled five year old," Abeno grumbled, but Ashiya still wasn't satisfied. He stretched out his hand expectantly. Abeno glared at his outstretched hand for a few seconds before he finally gave in and grabbed Ashiya's hand rather tightly, making it feel as if he could break his bones. "You really are a spoiled five year old."

"I love you too, Abeno-san," Ashiya said fondly with a warm smile that could rival the sun's and had the power to melt even the iciest corners of Abeno's heart. "By the way, your palm is really sweaty, Abeno-san."

"That's why I don't want to hold hands with you in the first place!"

I apologize for any OOCness. Thanks for reading and feedback are appreciated.