It's a perfect night for ringing in the new year, clear and crisp. The temple grounds are bursting at the seams with people from every age and walk of life. The countdown ends with a resounding 'zero' and the miko chime the bells, sparklers ignite, and almost every adult has someone to exchange a quick kiss with.
Itsuki isn't all that shocked when he sees two of his best friends offer the same for each other; Sakuya and Christian have always been close, and to be honest he suspected something within the last few months. Tsubasa looks content to simply watch everyone else, but Kyouji's pensive expression speaks volumes.
"Is he still uneasy in large crowds?" wonders Itsuki with a little frown.
Regardless of how tough or confident Kyouji comes off as, he's still the shy kid that Itsuki met in middle school. Sometimes he gets so antsy or uncomfortable that he reverts to his old speech habits, speaking so softly that he's almost inaudible. Looking at him now and the way he's ducking his head beneath the folds of his coat, it's easy to read him.
"Happy New Year," chirps Itsuki behind him, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
Kyouji offers him a vague nod in response and leers at the kissing couples all around them. "Yeah…"
"If you're feeling as left out as I do, then maybe we could help one another?" Itsuki raises an eyebrow as their gazes meet. "Don't look so scandalized, Akatsuki-kun. It's not like I'm asking you to marry me."
Although he's sorely tempted to refuse Itsuki's sympathy, Kyouji can't push aside the fact that he does feel left out and that he really would like to get in on the whole 'kissing on New Year's' tradition. It doesn't have to mean anything.
"F-Fine…" grumbles the redhead, turning to come closer to Itsuki than he expects. He backs up a step or two and thrusts his hands into his coat pockets stubbornly. "You're gonna have to bend down because I'm not standing tip-toed to accommodate you."
Itsuki suppresses a chuckle for his friend's sake and leans down. "A-Akatsuki-kun?"
Kyouji has squeezed his eyes shut and puckered his lips awkwardly, preferring to get it over with quickly. He looks ridiculous, like a little kid trying to kiss for the first time and…is he blushing?
Really, how could Itsuki help himself in such a situation?
Smiling, he pulls his friend in as close as he can and catches his lips unexpectedly. Kyouji blushes well into his neck and ears, but he doesn't fight back or resist any; he just stays frozen on the spot with his hands still balled into his coat pockets and his eyes wide. Itsuki's lips aren't as cold as his hands, and they're so soft. Kyouji barely catches tastes of the lip balm he used earlier and the honeyed tea he bought from the vendor. A hand at the small of his back guides him closer and he has to grip the taller man's jacket to keep himself steady. Itsuki is far too gentle and accommodating, so Kyouji pushes back on his lips a little, surprising him. The orange-flavored soda and takoyaki that Kyouji had earlier mingle well with his tea, Itsuki decides with a little sigh.
Both men pull away from each other with ragged breaths and wide eyes. Embarrassment goads them into awkward glances and stammers, but it doesn't take long for them to rebound. Itsuki comes around first, and he does so with a gentle laugh.
"Happy New Year," he says again. "What's past is past, right?"
Kyouji shivers and stuffs his hands back into his pockets, still in disbelief about grabbing Itsuki's jacket the way he did a minute ago. "It is, but it doesn't change the fact that you're still a reckless dingbat," he mutters with a smile trying to edge its way into the corner of his mouth.
Itsuki pats his back this time. "Thanks for the compliment!"