prompt: midterms
title: take-me-out
Ruka stared at the timer on his phone, counting down the seconds that would end his long, but productive study session. His finger pressed against the stop button before it could ring and with a sigh, he closed his laptop and the textbook beside it. Organic chemistry wasn't the death of him, but it was definitely a factor that added unneeded stress in his life. Although, Ruka could think of other stressors in his life that were equally as bad.
The struggles of being pre-vet were real, but nothing compared to managing a workaholic girlfriend.
Ruka leaned back as he scanned through his messages. Two from his roommate reminding him to clean the litter box and to take out the trash afterwards, one from a classmate asking about an upcoming zoology exam, multiple from a group chat titled "Koko's a dumbass" which Ruka always kept on do not disturb, a message from his mother asking if he would be home for Fall break, and absolutely none from his workaholic girlfriend.
His phone tapped against his chin after replying to all the messages, wondering whether he should give his girlfriend a call. Her classes ended before noon today and her internship never ran on Tuesdays. This meant she was either holed up in research or—more likely—took up camp in her engineering studio.
Ruka checked the time again, noting that it was now a quarter past midnight. As much as it annoyed her, he made her promise to text him if she ever skipped out on any meals. Although she had intelligently reasoned that if she was too busy to skip a meal then she was too busy to send a text about it. Ruka ran a hand through his usually tidy hair. He wondered how he managed to care so much for a person that he would willingly go out of his way to make sure they were okay in every sense of the word.
Without much of a second thought, he quickly packed his bookbag and walked out of the library. He fiddled with his phone as he texted Mikan about her best friend's whereabouts. If Hotaru was truly too busy to send a text, she definitely wouldn't answer any of his calls or messages.
He was halfway toward the twenty-four seven campus diner when his phone vibrated with a response from Mikan.
In her studio! You know how she is ):
Ruka shook his head as he sent a text of thanks back. It was ironic. For how aloof and mysterious everybody portrayed his girlfriend to be, she sure was predictable.
The waitress behind the counter sent him a smile as soon as he entered the diner, signaled by the bell on top of the door. "You look like you've been kicked out on the side of the road." Misaki, his senpai and the lab assistant in his genetics lab, stated. "Sad little puppy. You having girl troubles again?"
Ruka tried not to roll his eyes, largely because she'd smack him upside of the head if he did, customer or not. "It's hard not having any problems when I'm dating the Ice Queen herself."
Misaki laughed as she finished up wiping the counter. "No one forced you to do that, Ruka-chan. Do you need a menu or is it gonna be the usual?"
"Just the usual, thank you." Ruka said, taking a seat in front of the newly wiped counter. It felt nostalgic sitting there. It was the first place he saw Hotaru. She had been sitting in a booth with Mikan, tuning out her babblering best friend while her head was buried in a book. For some strange and bizarre reason, Ruka had found it cute. How insanely focused and motivated she could be performing a task. How she seemed to devote herself completely to achieve something nothing short of perfection. Yet she was still there, somewhat making an effort to maintain a relationship with a girl who was the complete opposite of her demeanor. Yeah, it was cute. It was cute until Ruka found himself in the same situation as the girl had been in. Now, all Ruka ever seemed to wonder is how he didn't seem to mind as much as he thought he would.
"Here you go, sweetie." Misaki placed his to-go order in front of him after a short while. "You paying with cash or credit?"
"Credit." Ruka broke out of his daze, reaching for his wallet in his bookbag. College was definitely an expensive investment, especially when one didn't have the time to cook all the time. But with Hotaru...
"She's really giving you a run for your money, isn't she?" She accepted his card with a small laugh. "Hoping she's worth the investment?"
Ruka smiled as he accepted his card back. "She's worth it. Definitely worth it." So, so worth it, Ruka wanted to add.
"Cute. You make me want to be in a serious, committed relationship with Tsubasa." she teased. "But he'd have to be half the man you are first. Oh, and don't tell him I said that."
Ruka laughed as he gathered his things from the counter. "I'll try not to bring it up. Thanks, senpai."
He gave a little wave as he exited the diner, embracing the slight chill and the long journey up to Hotaru's studio. In the takeout box was her favorite crab cakes and fried octopus. It wasn't the healthiest of meals, but it was something.
Ruka was almost up the path that would lead to her studio when his phone began to ring. It was Hotaru. He couldn't help the smile that inched up his face, practically grinning from cheek to cheek. Natsume would be disgusted if he saw his reaction to a mere phone call.
"Hotaru?" He answered, trying not to sound too excited. But who could blame him if he was? He hadn't seen her all day and might not be able to for the rest of the week.
"What gave it away?" she deadpanned sarcastically. "Where are you?"
"On my way to your studio." He paused slightly in his steps, staring at the Engineering building coming into view. "I'm almost up the path. How was your day?"
"I've been up since 5 am. I'm finished for the day." She said decidingly. "I'm tired. I'm headed to my dorm now."
"I'll walk with you!" Ruka said without hesitation, already increasing his pace. "It's dangerous to be out by yourself at night. Wait right there."
"The building is right next to my studio, Ruka." Hotaru replied, once again reminding Ruka that she lived in the Engineering Village part of campus, the complete opposite direction from his dormitories. "I can manage."
"But I bought you food!" Ruka tried to reason with her. He just wanted to see her, at least once before they'd would be buried in the mess that was midterms and extracurriculars. "I'll be quick. Promise."
There was silence on the other end of the line. Ruka chewed his lip as he waited for Hotaru's consensus. He knew how cranky she was when she was tired. But she'd wake up feeling weak and sick if she didn't get anything in her stomach before bed.
"...Fine." Ruka smiled in relief. "You have two minutes."
She ended the call and Ruka's smile ended just as quickly. Without a second thought, he raced toward toward her building, all the while repeating the mantra in his head. She's worth it. Definitely worth it.
So, so worth it.
At least he hoped.
Ruka chewed contently at his own meal as he stared at Hotaru daintily eat hers. Despite how greasy her meal was, she always seemed to eat with grace. Ruka was in complete awe of her.
"I'll be busy for the rest of the week." She broke the silence, staring up from her food. "I won't have time to see you."
Ruka swallowed before giving a small shrug. "I figured. We'll both be pretty busy actually. With midterms and all."
Hotaru nodded in agreement. She ate a little bit more before setting her box down. She seemed to struggle to say something (although her demeanor suggest otherwise) before finally asking, "How was your day?" Ruka tried to hide a smile behind his own takeout box.
She was so cute.
"I volunteered at the clinic this morning. Got to spay some of the dogs and cats. It was a good experience. I really enjoyed it actually."
She nodded, lifting up her meal again to finish it up.
"My last class got canceled today so I've been buried in the library all day. Natsume keeps reminding me about chores I haven't been able to get to. I feel kind of bad prioritizing other things, but..."
"Hyuuga has always been tedious about things. It will get done eventually."
"I guess," He played around with his Vegetarian dish. "Hey, listen..."
When she took her last bite, it was Ruka's turn to struggle with words. She looked at him boredly. "Spit it out, Ruka. You're making me nauseous with how much you're fidgeting."
His cheeks burned red as he tried to control his actions. "I wanted to ask you something... but I don't want you to get freaked out if you don't want to do it. And it's totally okay if you don't want to do it!
Hotaru leaned back on her bedframe with an eyebrow raised. "What is it?"
"Fall break is a week after midterms."
"I'm aware." she said patiently.
"I'm going home for break."
It was hard to look into her eyes so he didn't.
"I was hoping you might want to come with me..." He saw her shift slightly from the corner of his peripherals. He wanted to bolt out the door, but he remained grounded as he finally mustered the courage to ask, "...To meet my family?"
A few seconds of silence felt like hours of unending torture for Ruka. He had been looking at anywhere but her face so it was a surprise when he finally saw her shrug nonchalantly and reply with a "Sure."
"Really? It's that easy?" Ruka asked in disbelief.
"I'll have some time." she said simply.
"You aren't nervous at all?"
"If they're anything like you, I see no reason why I should be." She smirked at his blushing reaction. "Besides, it might be interesting. Seeing all the expressions you'll make. Great for pictures."
Ruka's face was surely as red as a tomato at this point. He was suddenly hit with all the possible scenarios his mom could do to embarrass him in front of his malicious girlfriend. Then he thought about all the festivities his family always participated in during breaks. His overbearing aunts and female cousins were always in on the "fun." If they got a hold of Hotaru... Those thoughts sent a shiver down his spine. Nevertheless—Ruka thought calmly—he was glad that she agreed. It might end up costing him later, but for now he was happy.
"Also..."
She raised her eyebrow again though he caught the slight droop in her tired eyes.
"I'm super beat and my dorm is all the way on the other side of campus—"
"Get out before I shoot you with my Baka gun, Ruka."
"But—"
"You have two minutes."
Ah, he had pushed her too far.
Still worth it.
A/N: Wrote this on a whim last night. Been craving to write for a while now and this is what it manifested into. I've always loved Ruka and Hotaru's dynamic the best, although there really isn't a lot of stories written about them within this fandom. Thus, I give you a Modern/College AU. Not much direction and quite plotless, but a snippet into what I would imagine our ship in today's world would be like. I'm really not good at writing long stories, but leave a review if you want me to turn this into a series!
