Today was Valentine's Day. The single-most romantic day of the year. Yet somehow, the former Phantom Thief leader found himself all alone today. One might think that such a charming guy would be constantly flocked by a bunch of different girls, but Akira wasn't exactly interested in any of them. Every single girl who had confessed to him, he turned down. This may or may not be because of his 'maybe-crush' on a certain eccentric artist.

Akira sat at the counter finishing his breakfast when he was suddenly overcome with the urge to invite Yusuke over. Would that seem too forward? Would Yusuke realize his intentions?

He wrote and rewrote the message several times before finally deciding on a simple, yet straightforward approach.

Akira: Want to come over later?

Akira hesitated, thumb hovering over the 'send' button.

"Just send it already, will you!" Akira jumped. He almost forgot that Morgana had been sitting beside him, peering over his shoulder at his phone screen the entire time. After a long period of silence, his phone beeped. Morgana let out an amused snort.

Akira nearly choked on a mouthful of curry as he noticed that he had accidentally sent it.

"Fuck." Akira cursed himself while his mind raced with different ways to play it off. 'Maybe I can just play it off as an accident, or pretend I was joking...' Before he even had time to think over his possible actions, his phone chimed, alerting him of a new response.

Yusuke: Alright. I will see you then.

What was he getting himself into?

*

Akira spent most of the day helping out Sojiro downstairs in the cafe. As the day began winding down, and fewer customers came in and out, Akira finished up the dishes whileSojiro saw the elderly couple out. After a long pause, Sojiro sighed and looked up from the counter.

"Oh right, today's Valentine's Day. No wonder there were so many guys bringing girls in here." He turned to the messy-haired barista with a sly smirk.

"Don't you have anything exciting happening? I mean, you've been here nearly a whole year. Y'know, when I was young,hoo boy..." Just then, the bell chimed as someone entered the cafe. Sojiro and Akira turned to see a tall bluenette standing by the door, clutching a small bag tightly against his side.

"Good evening. I hope that I am nottoolate..."

Sojiro blinked back and forth between the two teens for a brief moment before turning to the door, waving a hand dismissively.

"Nah, I was just about to head out for the night," he turned back to Akira once more, flashing him a knowing smile, "I'll leave the place to you.Have fun." Then he was gone, Morgana quickly in tow, muttering under his breath something about not wanting to stick around for this 'mushy stuff'.

Akira nearly sighed in relief. He leaned forward, placing his palms on the counter.

"Would you like some curry?" Right on cue, Yusuke's stomach rumbled.

Yusuke set his fork down as he finished the last of his curry.

"Thank you. It was delightful, as always." Akira smiled.

"It was nothing." Even though Akirahadinvitedhim, he actually hadn't thought this far ahead. He had no idea what to suggest they do.

"Shall we head up?" Oh, nevermind. It looks as though Yusuke had already planned what he was going to do. Akira nodded in approval, placing the plate into the sink and reminding himself to wash it later.

*

The two teens made their way up into the attic. Akira couldn't help but notice that Yusuke had kept the bag gripped tightly in his hand since the moment he stepped into the cafe. Akira sat down on his bed and looked up at Yusuke, who was standing in the middle of the room awkwardly, looking off to the side.

"Aren't you gonna sit?" Yusuke snapped his gaze back to Akira at the question, then shook his head.

"No. I don't plan to stay long. I merely wanted to tell you something...and to give you this." Yusuke stepped forward and pushed the bag into Akira's hands.

"Ah, what's this?" Akira asked, eyeing the bag thoughtfully.

"It is Valentine's Day, is it not? I'm afraid it isn't anything too extravagant; I spent most of my money on art supplies." Yusuke rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. Akira smiled, a faint blush dusting his cheeks at the gesture.

"Thank you, Yusuke..." Akira stood up, staring the other straight into his eyes, or at least, as best he could, being six centimeters shorter than Yusuke.

"What do you want to tell me?" Akira asked softly. He had to fight the urge to take the other boy's hand, because he didn't know for certain thatthat'swhere this conversation was going. Even if hedidhope that's what it was.

"Well, I...I just wanted to..." Yusuke froze, his face flushed. It was so unusual seeing the taller boy like this. He was always so elegant and composed, even in his mannerisms, so seeing Yusuke fumble over his words while his face lit up as red as a tomato was rather endearing to the quiet teen. Finally, Yusuke managed to get his words out in a mostly-coherent sentence.

"You are...my muse."

Akira's mind whirled and his stomach tightened in anticipation.

"While it is true that I was initially attracted to capturing Ann's beauty, I came to seeyourbeauty as well... You became so many things to me; a leader, a friend, an endless well of inspiration, and...so much more. Yusuke swallowed, suddenly finding the floorboards to be very captivating. Akira stepped closer and placed a hand on Yusuke's shoulder. Yusuke tensed up at first, but then quickly relaxed into the touch. After a moment of silence, while Akira collected his thought enough to be able to convey them in words, Yusuke gently pulled himself away.

"Ah, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please disregard what I said, it's nothing." He attempted to make a beeline for the stairs, but Akira was already one step ahead of him. He grabbed Yusuke's wrist, halting him in his tracks. Slowly, Yusuke turned back around to face the shorter boy.

"Why did you stop me?" Yusuke asked, a decidedly cute pout on his lips.

"Because, I feel the same." Yusuke's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What did you say?" He all but shouted the question.

"I feel the same way. I don't even know exactly when it happened, but my feelings of friendship towards you somehow bled into something more. I just can't help it."

As Yusuke processed his words, a light smile lit up his face, eyes twinkling. Akira pulled him forward with ease and wrapped his arms around the taller boy, and the latter quickly complied, returning the gesture.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Yusuke."

Just like that, wrapped in one another's arms, they shared their first kiss and then some, and it certainly would not be their last.

In between kisses, Akira reminded himself to convince Yusuke to stay over tonight...