Written for NaNoWriMo 2015

Part I

It was Monday. Of course it was. A crappy beginning to a shitty week.

To get more exact: It was Monday morning, just before the first period in a new school. An idiotic new school he was only able to attend due to a maybe not that shitty scholarship, knowing he would never feel comfortable in it. But he was a fighter and this trice damned school would be his weapon.

A deep scowl was on Gareki's face when he followed the teacher who seemed as stupid as every other adult. Maybe even more stupid, Gareki decided when the completely useless teacher turned around and smiled at him.

Gareki could actually feel his eyes twitching in annoyance. Could his day become any more shitty? It was only eight am. Lunchtime was only approaching. Breakfast was only over.

There were many things he could not stand. And this school seemed like a collection of every single thing.

The teacher halted and so did Gareki behind him. He was told to wait until he called him in. Gareki nodded with a shrug even though the last thing he wanted was to agree. He would be looked at like an animal in the zoo, the main attraction, if it was even similar than the last school.

But he knew, the scholarship had been hard – maybe even impossible – to get and he knew he would be angry with himself if he lost it merely because of his temper. The teacher left him, probably thinking he was just nervous or something similar stupid.

He took a deep breath, telling himself, it was just a class like every other class he had visited before. Even though it wasn't. This was a school for rich brats and he was the exact opposite.

He took another breath. He would be fine. After all, he had mastered everything else alone too. There were only so many people he could trust after all and he had learned to use his own mind to think a long time ago.

Tsukumo looked at her notes for the next class.

It was always best to be prepared after all, even though the next class was one of her best and one of the easiest ones. Skipping though her notes and over her homework until she heard the door open and the teacher stepped in. She closed her notes and took a new sheet of paper for new notes out.

However, the teacher didn't start with his lesson right away; instead, he told them about the new student who would attend. He took special emphasizes on the smartness of him and Tsukumo bit slightly on her lip. That was normally a bad move.

She sincerely hoped this 'Gareki' had a thick skin. But she would do what she could to help him in the beginning. She blinked when he stepped inside. With cold grey eyes his gaze wandered around in class. She knew him.

Eventually the teacher assigned him the place next to herself. She smiled softly. "Your project at the science competition was amazing, Gareki-kun," she told him with a gentle smile.

He shrugged as he pulled out a notebook and his pen. "I figured."

They both concentrated on the white board in front of them, jotting down notes as the lesson went along.

The nice thing about this school, Gareki eventually decided, was the science room.

While the scholarships only condition had been, that he became a member of it and participated regularly, he found that he enjoyed it, instead of finding it annoying.

Maybe it was due to how well everything was stocked and what tools he had access to, maybe it was because the teacher let him do what he wanted without making fuss (besides asking him to wear safety googles whenever he was too into a project and forgot them, but he could live with that quite well).

He bit slightly on his bottom lip and sighed. The only really annoying thing was that seemed like they weren't able to respect that people needed space.

"What the hell do you want?" Gareki asked, eyes meeting violet ones.

"Help," he was encountered slightly amused. "Sorry, I didn't want to bother you. You were so concentrated."

Gareki narrowed his eyes. "Why should I?"

"I'm Yogi," the student in front of him introduced himself, standing up from his chair and offering his hand.

"And?" Gareki asked, not even looking at the hand.

"I'm struggling with Integral calculations?"

"Pft. That's no answer," Gareki snorted. "So, why should I even try to explain math to you if you don't understand simple question? I've got better things to do with my time. There is still a project I want to finish and another on already on my mind—"

"I'll pay you!" Yogi interrupted him, "Just please don't tell my parents… I don't want them to be disappointed again."

Finally, Gareki closed his pen, looking up at him with a slight interest. "How much?" he questioned, "Is my time worth for you."

Yogi seemed to be thinking for a moment. "How about twenty for an hour?"

Gareki swallowed slightly. "You've got yourself a deal. But you'll be punctual. Otherwise, I'll be leaving."

"Of course! Thank you, Gareki-kun!" Yogi agreed. "So, when can we start?"

Gareki leaned back in his chair. "Are you free tomorrow at two? We could use the school's library then."

"I'll be there!" Yogi agreed with a bright smile.

"Tomorrow then, now leave me to my project." Gareki decided, opening his pen again.

"I'm looking forward to it, Gareki-kun!" Yogi exclaimed, almost bouncing in joy.

"Yeah, yeah…"

Well, Yogi wasn't late. That was at least a start. Gareki put a bookmark in his book, and looked up at him. "Hey Gareki-kun!" Yogi greeted him, falling into the seat next to him. "How was your day? I heard the science teacher praise your last project!"

For a moment Gareki was silent, but then, "It was alright, I guess. Let's start. I don't have all day."

Yogi's gaze dropped a little. "Yeah, sure… You must be awfully busy…"

"Not really," Gareki mumbled, somewhat surprising himself. "I just have to go shopping before the grocery store closes. So, I can't stay any longer than two hours."

Yogi nodded. "Alright then, where do we start?"

"Where do you struggle?" Gareki encountered.

Yogi seemed pensive. "I really don't know. I know the formulas and everything, but as soon as there is a text involved, I just—" He shook his head. "I just don't know what to do."

Gareki hummed, but then nodded. "I see…" He rummaged through his school bag, but quickly found a book he was looking for and flipped through it, clearly looking for something. "Let me see." He told Yogi and pointed at an exercise.

"Oh, of course." Yogi answered, pulling the book lightly closer, reading it with narrowed eyes. "I have to calculate the turning point first, right? To…"

"Try, I'll be watching." Gareki answered him. "I'm not expecting you to solve it; I just want to know what I need to teach you."

Yogi nodded slightly, gaze falling back on the paper as he calculated the first two derivations, trying his best to solve the exercise until suddenly… he had no idea how to go on, staring blankly at the paper.

Gareki rubbed his temples. "First of all, you're… too messy on the paper. If you have to look around later whether you already calculated something and don't find it, you're giving away time." His finger pointed at the area Yogi had just calculated again. "And one of them you calculated wrong as well. Which is also a reason you need to do this more tidy. I don't even want to see your notebook, this is already giving me a headache. Second of all, you need to learn to make this big problem into small easy problems. You're making this calculation more difficult than it is." Gareki took out his own notebook and flipped through the pages until he found his solution for the problem. "Look here."

Yogi blinked. Eyes wandering over the page, bit for bit realizing where he had gone wrong. "Oh…"

"It's always easier when you see the solution," Gareki then interrupted Yogi's thoughts. "But this is how you should work on difficult problems – on all problems that require more than one step really." He shrugged slightly. "Teachers sometimes even give points when they understand the way you thought and see where your mistake when the beginning or the follow up is correct. Sometimes even when you write down what you need to do even though you don't know how. It isn't much, but a few points can make a grade." Gareki rubbed his fingers slightly. "How about you copy this exercise down – tidily – and then you try another one? Repetition is the key, once you understand one, you'll understand the other exercises. Math is really simple once you understand it."

Yogi nodded. "Thank you, Gareki-kun. I'll do my best." He started to copy Gareki's solution on a clean page, using his ruler to underline the solutions twice, putting half sentences that would describe what would be the next step. "Your handwriting is so clean! There are girls with a messier handwriting."

"Pft. It's just simpler to keep track of everything. Sometimes, when I'm too caught up into a project, I really want to finish everything quickly, but by doing so, I would leave out the actual practise. Thus, I'd have to study more later. Maybe I'd have another project then, maybe I wouldn't have. But doing things right once, means less studying later while keeping my usual grades."

"Don't make fun of me," Yogi pouted slightly. "I just—there is always so much I have to do and keep up with…" he looked at the paper, rubbing his neck. "And then things like this happen, where I just don't understand where I stopped understanding what the teacher was explaining… Urgh, that life advice is a bit late, Gareki-kun!" he complained playfully. "School will be over in two years."

"Shut up and write," Gareki encountered, unsure how to handle someone as lively as Yogi. "We're in a library, you idiot."

"Sure, will do," he answered, smiling, because he didn't miss that the annoyance in Gareki's voice had just been there to cover up the slight shaking.

While he copied the calculations down, it made so much more sense than the questions had been (because why would he ever needed to know about the reproduction of bugs he had never even heard of?).

"You should make textbooks, Gareki-kun…" Yogi slowly mumbled when he had finished, but Gareki only rose an eyebrow.

"You should do your homework to check whether you understood everything that was taught. How about that?" Gareki answered, pushing the book back over to Yogi. "Number 5 is next. You can use your notes." He grinned slightly. "If you need them."

Yogi needed them. But that wasn't the thing. He had always referred to his older calculations or the ones he had written from the whiteboard. Before he just hadn't understood why he had done the single steps.

He blinked at his solutions. "You switched some numbers up," Gareki interrupted his line of thought. "Even with notes you will still need to concentrate." He pointed at the numbers Yogi had switched. "But I think that would only been a pointless."

For a moment, Yogi only breathed. Then he looked up at Gareki with a smile that could probably illuminate the night sky. "You're amazing, Gareki-kun!"

"And our time is up."

"It is?" Yogi asked, wide eyed. "When can you help me again?"

Gareki's eyes narrowed slightly. "Again? Didn't you… understand what your problem is?"

"But without you, I'll mess up again!" Yogi told him, hoping he wasn't pushing too much.

Gareki put the bag and his notebook back into his bag. "Fine. Tomorrow I've got club activities all afternoon. The day after that?"

"Fits perfectly!" Yogi agreed, enthusiastically, pulled out his wallet taking out 50, and put them into Gareki's hand. "Keep the change! Thank you so much for helping me!"

His hands were working on their own, while putting the groceries away. His mind was wandering, wondering what this had been about.

Yogi's grades generally weren't good (even by others opinion, his own might not be fitting for someone else, he knew that), but that had never bothered him before. It wasn't really his problem, but it still bothered him if he was honest to himself. Gareki bit on his bottom lip.

It could develop into a problem though. Under certain aspects like the people Yogi used to hang out with. But the money was good, it was far more than this tutoring lesson had been worth.

He heard the door opening and his frown was immediately replaced with a smile. "Welcome back", he called.

"It's nice to be home," his mother answered tired. "How was your day?"

"It was alright. I'm already starting with dinner."

Gareki was surprised though, Yogi had indeed studied. He hadn't just decided to rely entirely on his help, even though it had at first sounded like he would only study with Gareki

There were a few other mistakes, Yogi was prone to make. To forget that multiplication came before subtractions like he was just attempting to do again. "You're about to make a mistake," Gareki told him. "You should overthink what you just started."

Yogi's eyebrows narrowed, crossing his attempt away before going over his exercise again. Gareki could see the exact moment he realised the problem. Yogi's eyes widened. "Oh. Again…"

"You really have to learn to read to the end." Gareki sighed softly. "Go on though."

It was easy money, really. Especially since Gareki made his homework while Yogi tried his best to solve the problem. The only thing that really bothered Gareki was the socialisation part. He really didn't want to hang out with students from this school.

"I think I got it now!" Yogi exclaimed and threw Yogi an annoyed gaze.

"We're in the library, you really should stop being so goddamn loud." He answered. "Let me see though. It's getting messier again, you should really keep it tidy. Some of these exercises are three pages long. It won't be of any worth if you calculate correctly but the teacher can't find the solution. Also you forgot the answer sentence. Correct otherwise."

Yogi was one of the persons that could easily get annoying because he was so obnoxious, but there was something lurking under his smile, that spoke of charisma. Sometimes, when Gareki caught glimpses of it, he couldn't help but wonder how Yogi would grow into it. "Have you decided on your aesthetic subject yet?" Yogi asked suddenly. "I'm not sure what I'll be taking but I think I'll try drama!"

Gareki snorted – almost. Speaking of the devil. Drama. "Yes, that fits you."

"And you? What will you be doing?" Yogi asked, too eager for Gareki's taste, almost looking at him like a lost puppy.

"Literature."

"That fits you so well! You're always reading as it is!" Yogi exclaimed, "You'll probably have top grades there as—"

"You should be studying, you're not paying me for chatting." Gareki interrupted. He was already being overpaid. He wouldn't also waste the time. Not that he'd ever mention anything about being overpaid towards Yogi. He liked saving some money and Yogi had the money to spare.

"Yes…" Yogi mumbled. "Which number is next?"

He didn't quite attempt to chitchat afterwards while Gareki taught him.

That didn't mean he didn't attempt it otherwise.

They had just gotten their tests back and Yogi's grade was good enough. Definitely better than normally, but still not up to Gareki's expectations. The teacher sure was proud, praising Yogi's efforts. Gareki rolled his eyes.

"What's up?" Tsukumo asked him, almost carefully.

"The teacher is praising him, he didn't even know how much work that is. Keeping Yogi concentrated and not watching out of the window…" Gareki answered.

"You helped him study?" she inquired softly.

"For money? Sure." He grinned slightly. "But mostly I helped keeping him on track. His notetaking is horrible, no structure whatsoever, and he can't concentrate for five minutes before being distracted by his own pencil."

She blinked. "I thought he had given up on that a few years ago…" she mumbled. "We were friends once."

"Ah." That made sense. Tsukumo sometimes seemed worried about Yogi for no obvious reasons. She still saw him as a friend probably. "And then he met his current friends?"

She nodded slightly. "I don't like them."

"One shouldn't like…" he was interrupted by the teacher who had just decided that there were more people to praise then just Yogi. Namely Gareki and Tsukumo. He would have groaned, but he knew, that the oral mark wasn't worth voicing how much he hated being the centre of attention.

"Honour to the ones who earned it. You two have flawless grades. Not a single point missing." He spoke and Gareki would like to throw up. This wasn't even praise. It was the same sentence as usual.

Tsukumo seemed amused. "What did you expect?" she asked. "Some creativity? He's said the same sentence to me more often than I can count. You better get used to it."

Gareki shrugged slightly. "Whatever. What matters is the grade."

"Exactly." The teacher had walked back to the front of the classroom and she leaned over. "You were saying?"

"Later," he told her, only then realising that that was as good as a promise to talk to her later.

"So," Tsukumo started, "You were saying?"

"One shouldn't like manipulative, snotty, rich assholes," Gareki answered shortly. "That's what I was saying." He took another bite of his lunch. "What did you expect me to say?"

"Something along these lines actually." She smiled. "Thank you for helping Yogi, I know it must be difficult. He's smart, but gets distracted way too easily. He used to be better at focussing though."

Gareki shrugged. "I don't really mind. The payment is well and besides the science club there aren't a lot of other activities I do."

"How…" she swallowed softly. "How is Yogi doing?"

He halted. That was a question he didn't like. "He can smile all he want, but he can't hide that he's lonely."

She nodded. "I thought so too. He was shining so brightly when we were younger, like a sun chasing all the shadows away, but he's become a shadow now."

Gareki shrugged again. "His grade was good enough, I won't spend much time with him again."

How wrong he was.

He rubbed his temples. "I isn't that difficult. Look, break the problem down, make it solvable. If you watch problems as a whole you won't know where to start."

Yogi looked up at him and were that tears in his eyes? "I'm trying!" he told him. "But why would I even need to know. The trees are 20 metres high; they want to create a power connection over them with a distance of five metres to the trees, how high do the electrical towers have to be? That's…"

"Engineering."

"What?"

Gareki leaned back on his chair. "You need it for engineering. So now, how do you start?"

"Drawing?" Yogi guessed.

"Yes. Help yourself to figure out what is what and please use a ruler."

Gareki's gaze wandered on his own sheet of paper. Extracurricular work was sure something. He rubbed his neck, before writing down the answer.

"What are you actually doing?" Yogi asked suddenly and Gareki looked up.

"The exercise from Physics?"

"The… was that homework?" Yogi questioned.

"No," Gareki answered. "I just like to be ahead. Much preferable to your situation, don't you think?" He knew that that might have been a step too much.

Yogi shrugged it off. "My grades don't matter."

"And you paying me for what exactly?" Gareki questioned him sharply. If this was just part of some joke, he could live without his extra pocket money.

"We got the test back on my father's birthday…" Yogi mumbled. "It was really… Our math teacher always gives the test back the next lesson. I didn't want to be a disappointment this year." He cracked a bright smile. "You should have seen them! They were so proud. Apparently that was the best present I could have given him." He fell silent and Gareki waited. "So I kinda… want to see them happy next time too."

"Ah," Gareki mumbled. "You should talk with them then. You're on this school because they pay for it, so they should have a lot of money. There isn't much need to spend your own money on this."

Yogi shook his head. "Can we… can we just keep this a secret, Gareki-kun? Please?"

"It isn't as if I'm ever going to talk with your parents anyway, so there is no threat from my side." Gareki looked on his hands. "I'm sure, they wouldn't care if you needed help, because you still put a lot of work into it. Honesty is something parents value as well." He pointed at Yogi's sketch. "Can you see now, what you need to calculate?"

"Yes. The highest point, right?"

Gareki nodded. "Go on then. Calculate your highest point."

Gareki really wasn't sure why exactly Yogi insisted he had to help him when he slowly got the hang of it to the point of not even needing Gareki's help. Twenty an hour for basically sitting on the same desk as Yogi doing whatever he wanted was a bit… too overpriced. But Yogi hadn't complained once.

Therefore, Gareki wouldn't either. He flipped a page in the science book, reading approximately a lesson ahead.

"Would you…" Yogi started, "Would you mind studying other subjects with me?"

"Like?"

Yogi's gaze dropped, but Gareki could still see the blush spreading on his cheeks. "Physics? Chemistry? I was like attempting my homework, but…"

"You talked so much during the lessons and didn't even take any notes." Gareki finished his sentence.

"I did take—" Yogi complained, blushing even brighter.

"You copied down what the teacher wrote on the whiteboard. That isn't… quite the same as taking notes. It's not enough with that teacher." Gareki groaned slightly. "Have you ever learned how to study? You're giving me a headache."

"I'm sorry." Yogi mumbled, "I just…"

"You're just an idiot, I know," Gareki sighed. "Alright, what's in it for me?"

Yogi seemed uncomfortable. "I can't really give you anything besides money, Gareki-kun, I would be willing to give you as much money as I give you for math though?"

Gareki rubbed his neck. That sure is an offer, but… he wouldn't be bothered, Yogi could spare the money if he offered something like this. "Alright, we need to balance it with the science club. Being inside pays my school fees."

Yogi nodded in understanding. "I'm always free, so you can pick the date. I don't mind."

Gareki shrugged. "The good thing is that I've got free regime over the science rooms, that way I can even show you things you don't understand." He grinned slightly. "My next project might involve something related to our current topic in Physics, so maybe you'll be able to watch me work."

Gareki thrummed his fingers on the table, watching Yogi for a little while. Under his gaze Yogi slowly seemed to shrink, it was almost funny. "Did I do a mistake?" Yogi asked carefully. "You're staring at me…"

"That's what you're paying me for," Gareki answered. "As soon as you study, you understand the topics. But deciding on a study time is hard for you – concentrating on the task at hand is even harder. You don't need me, you need a study partner."

"I end up chatting with them…" Yogi told him, "and you're nice to have around, the silence doesn't seem awkward. He looked down on his sheet of paper. "Whenever I have a question you can answer it in a way I feel like I worked on the solution myself. It's really nice studying with you, Gareki-kun."

Gareki rubbed his neck, trying to find an adequate response. Was 'thank you' right? Was "you're welcome" better?

"Plus you're cuter than the tutors I've had before," Yogi mentioned almost absentminded, smiling quite content.

"I'm not cute," Gareki hissed slightly, all earlier thoughts forgotten.

Yogi nodded. "You've got the charm of a cat Gareki-kun. But don't bite me, we aren't that close." He winked and threw a gaze on the clock. "Time is over," Yogi said, sounding way sadder than he should, but pulled out his wallet. "When do we meet again?"

"Tomorrow, I want to show you something in the science club, won't be more than half an hour," Gareki spoke, still embarrassed by Yogi's comparison. "But don't embarrass me in public or I'll send you home."

Yogi nodded, the smile never leaving his face.

Yogi was amazed by Gareki's prowess in the science lab. The teacher had thrown Yogi a gaze at first, but Gareki just pulled him over to a corner desk. "It's totally alright that you're here," Gareki assured him. "There are stupider people actually inside the club."

Yogi raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for the vote of confidence."

"You know how I mean it."

He smiled slightly. "Yeah, surprisingly enough I understand your intention."

Gareki shrugged. "I never said I was a social person. Anyway, remember when we talked about the state of aggregation? You know, school lied to you. There are actually four and the three you know only make up the tiniest bit of the universe."

"But…" Yogi mumbled, "Isn't everything…?"

"Ever wondered what fire is? It's not gas and the other two even less." He leaned back in his chair, "But we're not here to make a bonfire. We're here to take a look at the three school teaches you about." He smiled. "I actually didn't even think this experiment would be possible in a school, but this one is ridiculously overfunded. I've been to laboratories that had less technical equipment."

"So I am about to see something special?" Yogi asked, sitting on the edge of the chair. "I can't wait!"

"It's going to blow your mind. And mine probably too, even though I theoretically know how it works." Gareki offered, "But first let's get over your studies."

Yogi was laughing. And Gareki wondered why he didn't do that more often. It was an uplifting sound, one that made him want to laugh too as if it was an infection, but Gareki wouldn't do that. "Pretty amazing," he asked with a soft grin.

"Yes! I didn't know that was even possible." He exclaimed, clearly amazed. "Why doesn't they show us stuff like this in lessons? It's amazing. I kinda want to take it home and put it in my room."

"Because it takes an awful lot of preparation for a single lesson," the teacher answered instead of Gareki. "Well done, Gareki-kun and Yogi-kun. And here I was afraid Yogi would wreak havoc."

Yogi blushed slightly. "It's not my fault, that my friends don't have any behaviour."

"They are bullies," Gareki told him. "And you could find better friends. The whole school wants to be friends with you and you pick out the bullies. Of course, everybody would assume the worst of you."

"They aren't bullies – they just…" Yogi started.

Gareki's eyes narrowed. "They just…?"

"…" Yogi shook his head. "You're probably right, Gareki-kun… but they still offered me a hand when I needed one and…"

Gareki knew he took chances, but maybe if he did that… "And probably make you pay for everything."

"My parents have the most money," Yogi mumbled, suddenly seeming unsure. Smile dropping, hands falling on the desk. "Of course, I'd…"

"I don't think something like that is ever 'of course', but who am I to talk? I have no idea how the friendship of rich brats looks like." Gareki stretched himself. "I think our time is over."

"Yeah…" Yogi mumbled. "It is, but…" He bit on his bottom lip. "Do you mind if I… you know spend some more time here?"

Gareki shrugged. "You're asking to stay longer in school not in my house. Ask the authority."

Yogi nodded lightly. "Al-alright. You mean you wouldn't be terribly annoyed by it. I get it. I'm just going to ask the teacher whether I can stay here for a little longer. Watch you – or more like the experiment. I—"

"You're rambling," Gareki interrupted him.

"Yes, I am rambling. I'm totally rambling. I—" he blushed. Gareki raised an eyebrow. "Alright," Yogi mumbled, "I'm… I should pay you first, but then I'm going to ask the teacher. Like immediately." He pulled out his wallet, offering the money to Gareki who took it, still frowning lightly and then he walked towards the teacher as if he expected him to say no.

If there was one thing, Gareki had learned in all his years of attending one or another science club, it was that science teachers, like the one Yogi was talking with, were more than enthusiastic if someone asked to take a look. Yogi smiled brightly at the teachers affirmation that yes, of course he could stay.

Yogi came back, brightly smiling. "You'll show me some more, right? I don't have enough money today, but I'll definitely pay you tomorrow!"

Gareki rolled his eyes. "Today – just today, mind you – is my treat. You're paying me for my mere presence sometimes." He saw Yogi stop in his tracks. "What's it?"

"You're not going to tell anyone, I was here, right? My sister might hear about it…" he all but whispered towards Gareki.

"You think I'd socialise just so your sister might hear about it?" Gareki asked. "We aren't friends, but I was thinking you knew a little bit better than that."

"Alright then!" Yogi exclaimed, back to sounding as excited as he had done earlier. "So what is this actually called?" He pointed at the currently frozen – and now it was liquid, just how amazing was that? – sphere Gareki had prepared.

"Triple point. Just enough warmth and pressure to, well you see it." He answered and pulled out some sheets of paper. "Now let's see how well you listened. This is what you need math and science for."

Yogi took the sheets. "We're back to calculations? Oh!" understanding appeared in Yogi's eyes. "That's what this… was for?"

Gareki shrugged. "It's one way to use it. There are tons of situation where you could use it. This is just were I use them most."

"You're amazing, Gareki-kun! Really utterly-!"

"Shut up and do your math," Gareki teased. "We're going to use your numbers, so no mistakes allowed or do you want to see explosions? We're in the wrong room for that." Gareki winked.

"My numbers? But…"

"Believe in yourself, Yogi." Gareki stood up from his place. "I'm back in a few minutes, why don't you get started? You're not having all day and this might take three to four pages depending what size your script is."

Yogi started to attend the science club regularly after that. Frankly, not every day like Gareki was, but at least twice a week. What surprised Gareki most was, that he actually came up with ideas and experiments he wanted to do.

It wasn't even a surprise for Gareki that he started doing his homework.

However, what came as a surprise was that he, out of the blue sat down on the free table next to Gareki.

"I'm pretty sure—" Gareki started, looking up from his notes in question, "That your seat was in the last row."

"Well, I decided Gareki-kun is better company than my bully friends," he joked, but Gareki understood.

His gaze dropped back on his notes. "Told you they weren't good friends."

Yogi laughed. "You said you weren't sure whether there were different rules between rich brats."

"Well, I didn't. Though, you being here, tells me the rules are the same, therefore I told you." Gareki spoke, gaze wandering to the door.

Yogi chuckled lightly. "Yeah, that's probably right." He leaned back in the chair. "But you're not sending me away?"

Gareki shrugged. "There are things I care about more. Just don't decide that my desk looks comfortable."

"You're the best, Gareki-kun!"

Tsukumo stood in front of his desk, coughing softly to gain their attention. "Do you need something?" Gareki asked her.

"Yogi is sitting here now?" she questioned, sounding distinctly relieved.

"He saw reason," Gareki told her lightly. "And how high are the chances that I'll get to read over my notes before the lesson starts?"

Yogi pulled papers out of his bag. "I have a question, Gareki-kun. Could you…?"

Gareki took a deep breath. "How much are you sure you know what your actual question is?"

"Pretty! It's just that-!"

"Then ask the teacher. Give me a few moments." Yogi looked a little lost. "It will be alright. If you know exactly what you want to know the teacher will be delighted to explain."

The change was… there.

Gareki missed the times when he had his quiet. Yogi could be a handful. Tsukumo stayed with Yogi. Yogi was glued to Gareki. The quiet to finish the novel he had just started a few days ago.

Yogi still paid him for his study time, Tsukumo raised an eye every time he offered him money. Always seemed like she wanted to say something, but never did.

He pocketed the money, ignoring it. "How about we grab something to drink on the way?" Yogi asked them, "It's my treat."

"I don't need charity," Gareki decided. "And I still need to go shopping and fix dinner. So don't count me in." He slung his bag over his shoulder, one last time checking whether all zippers were closed.

"You don't have to pay," Tsukumo offered him gently. "But I'd like some time to catch up with you. It's been some time since we last talked."

Gareki saw Yogi agreeing, before leaving them.

And maybe he shouldn't have.

"Will you meet up with us tomorrow, Gareki-kun?" Yogi asked as soon as he saw him.

"Tomorrow is Saturday." Gareki answered curtly.

Yogi nodded. "I know. We could meet at mine, my parents are looking forward to meeting Tsukumo again! Or we could go to the science museum, you must love the exhibit! Or the library! There are still some books I want to look at—" he babbled and Gareki wondered how he could even breathe between his sentences.

Gareki looked at his desk. "Only if there is food involved."

"Wha—" Yogi asked. "My mother is an amazing cook. You'll love the food." He nudged Gareki slightly. "Just tell me what you want to eat and it'll be there."

He took a moment before answering. "It's been ages since I had homemade curry with chicken."

"Alright," Yogi mumbled, pulling out his mobile and texting. "A good pick. It's been ages for me too." Then he looked at Gareki again, giving him his full attention. "How about we meet at eleven? We can head towards the library first and then head to mine. It's a little hard to find."

Figures, Tsukumo was utterly in love with the idea as well.

Gareki wasn't quite sure what he should think when instead of the library, Yogi pulled him into a clothing shop. An expensive one. (With an amazing selection, but Gareki would bite his tongue before voicing that opinion.)

"It'll only take a moment," Yogi promised, but instead of picking out something colourful, childish for himself, he walked over to the more subtle covers. "I just saw something last time I was here and you totally have to try it on, Gareki-kun!"

"I have to? Will you dress me otherwise?" he joked lightly, sounding serious enough for Yogi to turn around at him spluttering slightly.

"I'd—Gareki-kun!" he was red by now and Tsukumo chuckled. "Tsukumo-chan-!"

"You got yourself into this," Tsukumo said lightly, "I didn't do a thing, so don't involve me."

Yogi's gaze dropped slightly. "I know. I am sorry…" He turned to Gareki. "Could you just please try them on? I'll invite you for food sometimes, whatever you want to eat." He walked a little further down before taking what he had seen (and he just couldn't shake the need to see Gareki in these clothes). "Please?"

Gareki threw a gaze towards Tsukumo. "I'm getting bribed again," he told her, "Yogi knows I won't say no to food."

Tsukumo smiled at him. "Maybe you're too easy to bribe then, Gareki. But maybe you're too pessimistic either."

Gareki went to Yogi and took the clothes. "You're buying me breakfast on Monday," he told him.

"Of course!" he smiled, first at Gareki, but as soon as he had disappeared inside the changing room, he let his gaze wander towards Tsukumo. "Are you going to come a little earlier to school on Monday too?"

"No," she answered, "I'll be right on time, but not earlier."

Gareki looked even better in the clothes than Yogi had expected. "I think I found the right clothes! You look really handsome, Gareki-kun!" He pulled slightly on Gareki's sleeves and nodded to himself. "They are a keeper! Don't you think, Tsukumo-chan?"

"You're starting like your mother, Yogi," she laughed softly.

Yogi ignored it. "I'm buying them. And you better take them before I waste money!" He smiled happily.

And really there were things more worth to be bothered about than getting some clothes. Gareki shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"Thank you, Gareki-kun!"

Gareki merely shrugged again.

It wasn't exactly hard to find – Yogi's home it is.

It was just unbelievable that Yogi's family lived there. He pulled out the key, never ceasing to chat with them. It was a timeless mansion. The lawn was tidily cut, the flowers clearly well cared for.

"You live here?" Gareki asked, carefully.

"Sure do!" Yogi answered lightly, "My mother wasn't amused when I pulled out her flowers as toddler!"

Tsukumo laughed with him. "You always insisted they were weeds, your mother tried to show you the difference so often, but you ceased to see the difference until they got you your own flower bed!"

"Well, I still have it. So it was worth the investment." He huffed slightly and pushed the front gates open. "But you can talk. You helped me, Tsukumo-chan. You are my partner in crime."

Gareki watched there exchange, somehow feeling glad he got them back together. He looked away. He really shouldn't care.

"Gareki-kun?" Yogi asked, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have… You're our friend too!" He put his hands on Gareki's shoulders (he couldn't help but noticing how warm they were). "Let's make tones of new memories together!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Gareki answered, shrugging his hands off. "How do you live anyway, Tsukumo?"

She blinked for a moment, and Gareki recognized that it was an odd question to ask. "In a loft close to our school…"

Gareki snorted slightly. "Thought so." The school was in an expensive neighbourhood, so—he shook his head.

"What's up Gareki-kun?" Yogi inquired.

"It's stupid to be here. I should head home," he spoke, already in the middle of turning around.

"No turning back here. Mum cooked your wish for lunch, so you will be there." He held Gareki's wrist in a death grip.

"What the fuck are you—" Gareki started. "Look. I do not belong here."

Yogi huffed. "You do now. Welcome to your second home, you nerd." He turned around and continued pulling Gareki towards the front door. "Be nice and don't embarrass yourself will you?" He asked ringing the bell.

It took a moment, a moment in which Yogi didn't let go of Gareki and Tsukumo walked up behind them. Then the door opened. Yogi's mother sure was a sight, even if – considering Yogi's age, she couldn't be that young anymore. Long blond locks fell past her shoulders, violet eyes, the same shade of Yogi's sparkled with joy. "Welcome home, Yogi!" she greeted him, with a gentle smile, "And Tsukumo-chan is here too!" Her eyes wandered to Gareki. "Good afternoon, I don't think we've met yet. I'm Yogi's mother, Miyuki."

"Good afternoon," Gareki answered immediately, bowing softly. "My name is Gareki. It's nice to meet you."

"Gareki-kun, huh?" she said, throwing a short gaze to Yogi, "My son had told us a lot about you. He forgot to mention what a polite boy you are."

"I see…"

Gareki was glad that after that their encounter was cut short by Yogi. Still holding Gareki's wrist in his hand, he mentioned that he wanted to show Gareki his room before lunch and his mother just ushered them upstairs. It was somewhat nice, Gareki thought, if parents had the luxury to stay home a bit more. But that was exactly what it was: A luxury.

Like… Yogi's room. It was easily twice the size of Gareki's living room. And he really didn't want to know why Yogi needed a bed that big. Or a couch in his room. "Are you thirsty?" Yogi asked Gareki out of the blue and he looked at him, seeing that Tsukumo already had a cup of something hot.

"I'm fine," he answered.

Yogi narrowed his eyes watching him for a moment. "You don't… look fine. Do you want to sit down?"

Gareki shrugged. "Did you plan on standing until your mother finished lunch?"

"No!" Yogi answered, clearly embarrassed. "Of course not. Make yourself at home, Gareki-kun!"

Gareki almost snorted while he carefully sat down on the pristine white couch. If only that was so easy.

It was odd for Gareki to sit at a table with so many people. Granted, he should be used to it, but he kept away from the school cafeteria to avoid the people.

Because really, who would be happy with so many people around oneself?

Here it were less, Yogi's parents, his little sister, Tsukumo and him. But Gareki really wasn't used to so many people either. He forced himself to keep his cool, counting down to ten over and over. But he still found himself nervous and he was, rather honestly annoyed by his feelings.

Yogi had just finished their tale of the morning, not leaving out a single thing, his parents listening attentive as if he was telling an actual tale. Tsukumo added a few thoughts here and there as did Yogi's sister.

"What about you, Gareki-kun?" Yogi's father asked him rather sudden.

"Excuse me?" Gareki encountered, unsure what he wanted to hear.

Yogi's father laughed (and Gareki suddenly knew from where Yogi's laughter came). "I mean, what's your side of the story? Did Yogi just decide you had to come? Did you have fun?"

"Yogi promised me food if I were to come. But it was alright, I guess," he answered softly.

Said person blushed. "You're never agreeing to go anywhere if I don't promise you food."

Gareki shrugged it off. "Humans need food to survive, you know?"

"Yes, I—"

"Do you like the food?" Yogi's mother interrupted her son. "Yogi mentioned it was some time since you had curry. I really hope I hit your taste."

"It's really delicious, thank you for preparing the food. I know it must have been a lot of work." He answered honestly, throwing Yogi an amused gaze, but Yogi just pouted. "Yogi insisted that I could make a wish, I hope it wasn't too much work."

She shook her head. "Not at all, Gareki-kun," she answered softly. "Feel free to come again every time when you keep Yogi on the track, you're keeping him on."

Gareki raised an eyebrow. "I'm not keeping him on any track. He's just… trailing me."

"Then thank you for offering a trail he could follow," she said. "With the company he kept before, we weren't sure what would become out of him."

Gareki nodded. "Tsukumo and I agreed that he kept bad company already. Now, he's accompanying me though. I doubt that that's better." He shrugged. "He won't take no for an answer."

"I honestly doubt that," Yogi's father told him, "You can't possibly be worse company than them."

"I'm living in Karasuna. I'm nowhere the company someone like Yogi or Tsukumo should look for."

The mortified look Yogi's mother had was probably agreement. "You poor boy," she mumbled. Or it wasn't. "No child should have to grow up there, it's barely…"

"It's is better than the slums," Gareki said in a manner of fact, narrowing his eyes. "Been there, done that. Karasuna is at least dry." He wore a weird smile. "Nothing really compares to the slums."

Yogi's mother looked like she was about to cry, but Gareki was making a point here. "Yogi mentioned you were a classmate…" Yogi's father started, throwing Yogi a warning gaze.

"I am," Gareki agreed. "That crappy school was so mortified they lost in the science competition twice in a row against me, so they offered me a full scholarship and I'm getting money for attending it. Who's ever heard about that?" He shrugged again. "Besides it'll look good on my college applications."

"You must be awful smart then," Yogi's mother mentioned, "Not that Yogi told us anything different, but to win the science competition twice? That's impressive." Gareki looked on his food, avoiding eye contact. "I'm glad, Yogi befriended you."

Gareki thought this whole encounter had been weird. How could they insist he was good company?

Yogi just seemed worried afterwards and Gareki almost apologized. But he hadn't told anything he had promised Yogi not to tell, so there was no reason. None at all.

"What's bothering you," Gareki finally snapped.

Yogi suddenly seemed a whole lot smaller. "Just… How are you living?"

He needed a moment. "You mean what my home life is looking like?" Yogi nodded. "There isn't a whole lot. My parent works two jobs to keep us above the water, used to be three, but the scholarship smoothed that a bit. Since she isn't home a lot, I'm taking care of the flat. It isn't much, but its home."

"You mentioned, you went shopping," Yogi asked softly.

He rolled his eyes. "I'm cooking dinner too, if that's your question."

"You're so… dedicated, Gareki-kun… It must be hard," he mumbled.

"Right now? It's the best I've ever known it to be." He laughed softly. "You're just too spoiled."

The next time they saw each other – another crappy Monday, Yogi was in school shortly after him. And he was packed. "First of all, you forgot the clothes I bought you," he started before Gareki had even seen him. "Second of all, mum made you lunch. Don't complain I never even saw you eating in school. Third, she bought you clothes, so you better take them home as well. Congratulations to your third parent by the way and also good morning."

Gareki raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me? I'm not a charity event." He told him.

Yogi shook his head. "That's not it, not at all. She does that to all of my friends – the ones she likes at least. She constantly bought Tsukumo clothes when we were kids, but when Miu was born she somewhat stopped, but never really." He shrugged, "I dunno why though."

"I suppose because they look similar," Gareki muttered.

"What? They don't—"

"If I hadn't known better I would think Tsukumo was your sister as well, maybe a year younger than you. Marginally different hair colour, the same eye colour, and even some of your facial expressions seem similar."

Yogi looked utterly weirded out. "I really can't see it…"

"Yeah," Gareki said simply, "because you know each other your entire lives."

Yogi was silent as he set the bag down on Gareki's table. "You are really weird sometimes, but I'm going to ignore it right now."

Yogi had blinked when his mother seemed even fonder of Gareki at dinner. He had thought she was rather fond of him before, but thought he might just be imagining it because his other friends weren't to her liking.

This time even Yogi's father thought it was a change, so Yogi couldn't exactly be wrong about it. His father didn't have his subjectivity towards it after all.

"He wrote me a thank you letter," she told them happily when the question came up. "Such a difficult life, but he's still so polite. You should really invite him over again soon, Yogi!"

"Alright…?" Yogi answered, "I'm not sure I can get him to agree though. He's got a rather… cat-ish charm? Sometimes shrugging me off for no reason besides that he doesn't want to have people around him."

"He's probably just not used to a lot of people," his mother told him gently. I'm sure he doesn't mean to hurt you."

Yogi shook his head. "I'm not hurt by it, it's just the way he is. It's endearing sometimes."

"Endearing?" Yogi's father asked slowly. "How so?"

"Cat-ish charm, I said. That also means times where he approaches people. Have you ever seen water at its triple point? Gareki is so amazing, even the science teacher is amazed most of the times. Of course, Gareki just keeps mentioning that the school is ridiculously overfunded." He laughed. "But then the teacher wouldn't be amazed, right? This year's science competition goes to Gareki as well, I'm sure! He's just brilliant."

"I'm sure he'll win," his mother agreed. "He loves science a lot, doesn't he?"

Yogi seemed pensive for a moment. "I think… he loves it more than everything. He sometimes loses sight of whom he's talking with when the subject comes. He surely doesn't assume I know what he's talking about." He smiled softly. "It's a beauty to see people talk about things they are really passionate about."

"Can't you just try to invite him over again?" his mother asked him again.

Yogi seemed slightly amused. "Believe me; I'm not stopping, mum. But I'm not going to carry him here, the scratch marks might be too deep."

"Well, then I'm holding my fingers crossed," she told him, winking softly.

It really wasn't how Yogi would have imagined Gareki's next visit. This really wasn't a stage in which he wanted to see Gareki ever. But that wasn't for him to decide. "Mum?" he called into his home.

"Honey? You're back—" she looked at Gareki who had all but passed out from fever by now. "—early…"

"I don't know where exactly he lives, but he still needed somewhere to have a break. He didn't say anything either until I asked him whether he was all right and he was already burning up then and only mentioned he had a little cold. He's feverish!"

"Calm down, Yogi," his mother spoke gently. "But him on your bed will you? I'll call a doctor. Try to look for a mobile in his bag, if we're lucky, he saved his mother's number or even his home."

"Will do!" he exclaimed and seized Gareki up to carry him up the stairs into his room.

The doctor didn't have many information they didn't have. A cold with fever. He should drink a lot and stay in bed. Yogi nodded, he was listening even though, he knew it all, how many times had Miu been down with a fever or he himself? Countless times.

But this was something else, surely. The doctor mentioned that Gareki should probably eat more, but also that, Yogi had known. So he settled down with the number he had found in Gareki's mobile, slowly starting to compose a text message.

'Gareki feel sick in school and I didn't have his address, so I took him home with me for now. Would you kindly send me the address?' He considered using and kaomoji to express how sorry he was, but stopped himself. He was texting an adult, not even one he knew well, thus he settled with, 'Best of wishes, Yogi'. He actually expected a quick reaction, but after two minutes of starring on his phone there still hadn't been one.

He bit on his bottom lip, maybe she had put her mobile on silent for work. He slipped his mobile into his pocket and walked over to his bed. Gareki's fever was still high, high enough for him to not even be responsive. Out of some thought he wasn't exactly sure where it had come from he ran his fingers though the silken black hair. "You'll be healthy in no time, Gareki-kun!" he mumbled.

The only answer was a soft groan. But was Gareki actually leaning into his touch? If only a little bit? His cheeks heated up and he could suddenly hear his heart. As if he was burned he pulled his hand away, gaze resting on Gareki.

"Everything is going to be alright…" he mumbled, more to himself than to Gareki.

At dinner, Yogi finally received a reply. Normally, he wouldn't look at it while they were eating together, the annoyed gaze of his father that just met his excusing one, was reason enough for that. "Gareki's mother asks whether he can stay here for the night, because she'll be back late."

"Of course he can!" his mother assured him. "You're going to have to sleep in the guestroom then, but I am sure, we can arrange that."

Yogi nodded. "It won't be a problem at all. I'm just going to text her back and then put the mobile very far away."

His father nodded. "You do that."

Yogi knew that it was probably childish, but he was glad, his father agreed. The gaze was somewhat too punishing for his opinion.

Gareki was somewhat better the next day, not really good, but at least conscious enough to eat something and exchange a few words with them.

Yogi checked on him right before heading off to school. "How are you feeling?" he asked, carefully sitting down on his bedside. "Better I hope?"

"It's less blurry," Gareki mentioned, slowly sitting up. "I still don't understand why I woke up in your bed. It's comfy." Gareki paused. "I didn't mean to say that."

"I didn't know where you live, and you don't exactly come with an address tag." Yogi answered him, slowly – slower than he normally spoke. "And I didn't want to… leave you at the infirmary, you wouldn't have been able to make your way home later that day." His gaze fell on the clock. "I have to go to school now, I'll see you in the afternoon."

"Today is science club." Gareki told him. "It's Tuesday."

"Yes, but I'm not a member, so I can skip if I don't want to go. I'll excuse you, don't worry. Sleep some more will you?" He nudged him slightly, so Gareki fell back on the bed.

"Fine. I'll just abuse your bed."

"Use, not abuse," Yogi corrected. "It's a perfectly fine bed, you know?"

"Yeah, now shoo." Gareki rolled on the side facing away from Yogi, hugging the pillow tightly.

"Later then, Gareki-kun…"

It's odd how small Gareki looked when he was sleeping. The intimidating frown disappeared, the face utterly tranquil. Yogi knew the picture he had taken, was probably going to make him creepy.

He sighed. Gareki was really pretty. Sharp intelligent eyes, a cool demeanour, quick wit, honesty…

"What's on your mind, Yogi?" his mother asked when she came into the room. "Are you getting sick too?"

"No…" he pulled the soft blanket over his head. "I'm totally fine."

His mother stopped in her tracks and whatever movement she had done. "Who?"

"I am not sick," Yogi groaned. "I'm fine."

"No," his mother told him. "Who caught your heart? Nobody… we won't like, I hope."

"Nobody. Just leave me alone, mum," Yogi mumbled, blushing bright red, burrowing even more under the blanket. "And be quiet."

"I'm curious, Yogi. Talk to me," she settled down next to her son. "Please, honey, talk to me."

Her hand rested on his back and Yogi gave a strangled sound. He had lied to his parents. And they still didn't know. He hated it. He hated it. He desperately wanted to come clean, but now he had pulled Gareki into his mess and he couldn't. Couldn't.

"Everything is going to be alright, honey. I'm sure, I…" his mother spoke, but that only made Yogi feel even worse.

"I lied," Yogi suddenly told her, closing his eyes, feeling the tears escaping his eyes running down his cheeks. "I lied to you and dad." He made himself even smaller under the covers. "And I dragged Gareki-kun into this mess and made him promise not to tell you and he didn't and now he's in and…!"

"It's alright honey," his mother mumbled, soothingly rubbing his back. "What did you lie about?"

Yogi slowly came out from the blanket, watching his mother for a long time before answering. "Gareki-kun was… my tutor… The math test I got back on dad's birthday I just really didn't want to mess it up and so I asked him and he agreed reluctantly and he's still watching after my study time, but you just seem so glad I'm doing good in school and… please don't be mad!"

"Why should I be mad?" his mother asked, pulling him into a reassuring hug. "How does that make your grades worse? I'm still proud of you, I'll always be, honey. Asking for help when you need it isn't a shameful thing to do."

Well, Yogi had known his mother would tell his father and expected a remark of him, but nothing came. Besides their praise over his next grade.

Gareki shrugged when he had told him, "I told you they wouldn't mind. It's not as if I'm writing your exams for you – then they probably would mind quite a bit." He took another bit of the food Yogi's mother had prepared for him. "It's not like you do anything debatable either to concentrate, if you were one to hype up on caffeine pills they'd mind it too. 'Cause it wouldn't be good for your health."

"Yeah, but…" Yogi mumbled, "I still didn't do it on my own."

Gareki narrowed his eyes. "Who is doing it on their own? You needing my help to study either means that the teacher doesn't explain it on a way that's suitable for you or – and that would make more sense to me – you never learnt to study. You probably had an easy time in elementary."

"How do you-?"

"Because you never learnt to study. Don't ask questions I already answered." Gareki huffed. "Where is Tsukumo anyway? Your talking buddy isn't here, why don't you mind?"

Yogi chuckled. "Tsukumo-chan is with Kiichi-chan. I like talking to you though. You're good company, Gareki-kun." He leaned slightly over to him. "How about we head to mine after school without telling her? You're probably good at videogames."

"Mh? No, I've never played them," Gareki answered. "What's for dinner anyway?"

Yogi's eyes sparkled. "You're actually coming? That's so-!"

"I'm considering," he interrupted him simply. "So what's for dinner?"

Yogi seemed pensive for a moment. "Today is Thursday… you know I think today is teak…" He narrowed his eyes, then shook his head, and pulled out his mobile. "I'll ask mum."

"I can't come then—" Gareki started the logical.

"Don't underestimate my mother, Gareki-kun. Even if you don't like it it'll be delicious—Hey, mum!" Yogi was suddenly distracted by his mother picking up the phone. "Gareki-kun was thinking about coming over, but wondered what dinner will be? … Yeah, I thought so! … I love you too! Bye!" He threw the phone inside his school bag and Gareki almost whined at the sight. The display would be utterly destroyed in a few months and wasn't that Yogi's new phone too? "I was right, today is steak and mum told me to invite you over which is now done!" He grinned like an idiot.

"Alright…" Gareki mumbled. "But only because your mother invited me."

Yogi rolled his eyes. "I told you once, congratulations to your third parent."

"Second actually." Gareki mentioned nonchalant. "I only ever had one parent."

"Oh," Yogi whispered. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I just assumed, I—I am so sorry, Gareki-kun."

Gareki only shrugged again. "I only wanted to mention it once. You don't have to be sorry either, it's not your fault, and it's mine."

"Still…" Yogi mumbled, "I'm sorry to bring it up. It must have been hard…"

"I never met my other parent. They didn't want me." Something about that struck Yogi – struck him hard.

Yogi suddenly couldn't help himself, he just pulled Gareki into a hug. Sure, he took care not to waste their carefully prepared meal, but he didn't care as much for Gareki's dignity. "I'm always going to be here for you…"

"Don't be ridiculous, in two years, we'll be apart. It doesn't matter what you say now." Gareki seemed way too sure of that.

"Even when we're apart we'll still be friends. That's a promise. You can call me every time!" Yogi exclaimed, hugging him even tighter. "I'm never going to leave you alone."

Gareki sighed softly. "Yes, yes, alright. Would you mind letting go of me now? People are starring."

"You're nice to hug. Lemme." Gareki could hear the smile out of Yogi's sentence.

"But I'm still hungry," he complained lightly. "Your mother was nice enough to prepare something for me."

"My mother is pretty amazing, I know. She was a badass manager before she had me, now she only manages the family. Sometimes she says it was easier to manage a politician's life than our family life." He laughed, but slowly let go of Gareki. "I think that's just because she can't leave it anywhere."

"She decided being a homemaker was more fulfilling?" Gareki asked carefully. "Must be nice to be able to make such a decision."

"I think so too," Yogi mumbled. "I can't imagine my life being different, I'd drown in responsibility. You're really amazing, Gareki-kun. I wouldn't be able to do half of the things you do."

"I guess I can take that as a compliment…" He took another bite of his food, leaning against the chairs backrest. "Lately I'm rather… in luck."

"Me too. My life hasn't gone so smooth in ages. I'm glad I met you, Gareki-kun. It's nice to be around you." He smiled lightly. "You're my best friend, there isn't anything worth risking what we have."

Gareki didn't answer.

Yogi's mother greeted Gareki almost as happily as she greeted Yogi, which still seemed odd to him, but Gareki put on his best smile and greeted her back.

"How was school?" she asked them. "You wrote a test today."

"It was alright?" Yogi said throwing a gaze at Gareki. "It was pretty simple."

Gareki nodded. "If you don't have 90% I'm going to judge you."

Yogi spluttered. "That would be the highest I'd have in a test since the fifth grade!"

Gareki rolled his eyes. "You'll see." Then he turned towards Yogi's mother and bowed softly. "Thank you for the lunch, it was really delicious. But please excuse us, we still have homework."

"Of course, Gareki-kun! I'll bring you drinks and snacks in a few minutes, so get comfortable first." She told them and turned around towards what Gareki knew was the kitchen.

Gareki was still utterly amazed when Yogi's mother actually came in with drinks and snacks, assuring her that she wouldn't have needed to, Yogi and he had functioning legs too. She just continued thinking that this was way too charming and lightly ruffled Gareki's hair. "You're welcome, Gareki-kun!"

"Still…" Gareki mumbled. "You really don't have to go out of your way because I'm here." He averted his gaze. "You've been doing this a lot and I feel like a thank you doesn't begin to cover everything."

"Well, then," she told him, humming lost in thought for a moment. "Please keep Yogi on the right track. You brought my family closer again by helping him, don't drop him again just because he'll hurt you once."

"He paid me for helping him, I didn't just decide, that I'll help him just like that," Gareki answered, biting on his bottom lip.

"You've been his friend for some time now, haven't you? I don't care how you got friends – or why. I just know that you made Yogi see what was wrong with his actions. He didn't pay you for giving him a piece of your mind. But that is what I'm thankful for." Her hand was warm on Gareki's cheek, so incredibly warm.

He leaned into it right before pulling away and averting his gaze entirely. "Alright…" he mumbled, letting himself fall on Yogi's couch.

They finished their homework quickly.

Which all things considered only made sense, Yogi wasn't struggling with these subjects anymore and Gareki never had. There wasn't any sort of test ahead either.

Gareki listened attentive while Yogi explained the controls while they were spread out on Yogi's bed. He nodded slightly. "I think I got it."

Yogi was rather hyped at dinner. Gareki blinked slightly, thinking about his mother's earlier words. "I really can't imagine how it was before. Yogi always seems to be on a sugar rush."

His mother chuckled softly. "I'd rather have that then him being all broody and telling us that we wouldn't care what he did all day when asked."

Gareki watched Yogi for a moment, who grinned at him with mirth. "Broody? I really can't imagine that. Like at all." He poked Yogi's cheek. "Don't trouble your family; be happy you have one like that. Treasure it."

"Will do, Gareki-kun!" he chattered. "And you come over for lunch more, it isn't the same without you!"

Gareki snorted. "You still know that I'm not actually part of your family."

Yogi shook his head. "Friends are the chosen family. You already are part of my family."

"I never really had friends before." Gareki shrugged lightly. "So don't lie to me."

"I wouldn't do that, I treasure you too much!" Yogi exclaimed, looking as if he was ready to pull Gareki into a tight hug. He probably was too.

Gareki didn't answer. A small huff was all Yogi got, but it was enough, he was sure he could melt Gareki's cold demeanour a little more in time. He had already done good progress.

Just… some things Yogi never expected.

How close Gareki had become, how Gareki didn't mind anymore when he cuddled close on his bed or didn't pull away from a hug. Frankly, Gareki still wasn't touchy, He never initiated any sort of body contact, but he had stopped pulling away from it too.

Yogi counted it as a win. Tsukumo was amused. "So, what's going on between you and Gareki?" she asked as soon as Gareki had bit his farewell and was out of sight.

"Come again?" Yogi asked, confused. "We're friends?"

She chuckled, amused. "Some friends you are. You sleep on his lap."

"So?" Yogi asked, running a hand though his hair.

"You share food and use the same cup…"

"We're good friends?" Yogi tried.

Tsukumo raised an eyebrow. "You want to get into each other's pants."

"Excuse me? We don't even know Gareki's preference." Yogi crossed his arms. "I think you're overthinking this. We're just friends, really."

"I am not so sure of that," Tsukumo mentioned, "He wouldn't allow anyone else what he allows you."

Yogi's cheeks were deep red. "Go home, Tsukumo. I don't want to talk about my love life."

"Just because you don't want to be honest to yourself," she told him and pulled him into a hug. "You should confess you know? Gareki would never on his own. I'm going home now. Good night!"

As if it hadn't been awkward enough these last few weeks, Tsukumo only had to increase the awkwardness by making Yogi overthink his every action.

Gareki leaned slightly over the table, paying him attention as he spoke, but suddenly Yogi faltered, stopped speaking, and looked at the table in shame. He really liked Gareki – probably. But how does one start.

"I've been wondering…" Yogi started, completely having forgotten about their earlier subject. Gareki's eyes were narrowed; maybe already aware of how jumpy Yogi's thoughts had been whenever he saw these blue orbs.

"That—well, isn't anything new. Is that a friendship question or I would have been paid for?" Gareki answered, grinning slightly. "Go on."

Yogi rubbed the back of his neck. "…neither, but rather friendship?"

"Well, I don't know. It would be easier to answer if I knew it." Gareki took a sip from Yogi's cup. Waiting.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?" And Yogi wished Gareki had taken his own. He was covered in orange juice. Granted it was the freshly pressed kind and Gareki was still coughing – but still… "Ew…"

"What kind of question is that?!" Gareki all but screamed at him.

"I've just been wondering…" Yogi wasn't sure what else to answer. "You don't have to answer."

"No," Gareki answered curtly, wiping his mouth. "At least it's your juice."

"No, I mean it. You don't have to—"

Gareki sighed. "But I just did. No, I've never been in one."

That… was kind of cute. "Whoa. I didn't expect that," Yogi answered falling against his bed. He hadn't hoped that either, because this gave him no hint of Gareki's preferences. "You liked someone before, right?"

"Can we drop this subject? There has never been one I wanted to risk," he groaned falling against the bed next to Yogi, slightly against his shoulder. "So who's been your last conquest?"

"That's an awkward question too." Yogi buried his nose in Gareki's hair. "I don't really do conquests. I prefer being in a relationship."

Gareki laughed softly. "You aren't in one now."

"I'd like to be, but the person I've got my sight set on is of limits…" he mumbled.

"Who would be off limits to you? You're wealthy from a good family, kind and handsome. I really can't think of anyone."

Yogi chuckled. "You wouldn't. You're the amazing one though."

"She's got to be really fortunate if you think she's got off limits," Gareki mumbled.

"Whoever decided I liked a girl?" Yogi answered, clearly amused. "Ever crossed your mind that Tsukumo might not be the only queer person in this friendship?"

"Somebody got to be straight. And you had girlfriends in the past," Gareki declared, before bringing some distance between himself and Yogi.

It broke Yogi's heart, but at the same time made it beat quicker. He could have a chance. But would it be worth risking a friendship that close? "I don't really care about the gender at all. I've had boyfriends too." He watched how Gareki looked at him with curiosity.

"Your parents don't mind?"

Yogi seemed pensive. "It always depends on who I bring home, the gender isn't important, the character is." He chuckled slightly. "This one time I brought a girl home, who was totally awestruck with me and my family and urgh, she wasn't talking about anything different than that, really. My parents sat me down and told me they expected a boyfriend next. Maybe I've got a better taste in men. I think they can handle it pretty well."

"That sounds like in movies," Gareki mumbled. "Being accepted for being you."

"It's part of being a family, I guess. They raised me my whole life, they decided to have me. It's their responsibility to love me." Yogi slowly cuddled against Gareki again. "Children never asked to be born, their parents decided it."

He could feel how uneven Gareki's breath was. But when he looked at his face, he couldn't detect any of his emotional tumult. "Not every child is that fortunate, Yogi. I've seen… children being thrown out of their home for being queer, running away because their parents wouldn't stop to try straightening them."

"…Gareki-kun?" Yogi asked, brushing Gareki's fringe out of his eyes to see them, maybe trying to understand a little more from this world that he wasn't quite part of.

"I'm scared…" it was nothing more than a horse whisper not even meant for Yogi's ears.

Yogi sat up and pulled Gareki on his lap. "You're save here. You'll always be save here. Whenever you don't know where to go, you'll always be welcome. Please don't be scared. I'm going to do everything."

Gareki shook his head, not looking anywhere like he felt. Still relaxed, not at all tensed or nervous, not even scared. If he hadn't known any better, he would call it an act, but Gareki never said things he didn't mean. "It's alright. Love is ridiculous anyway."

Yogi shook his head. "It isn't Gareki. Everybody should have the chance to be in love. Maybe you don't think straight, but it's an amazing feeling." He carefully rubbed Gareki's back.

"When you get this of limits person you like, will you still talk to me sometimes?" Gareki whispered, pressing his face into Yogi's shirt.

"I'd like to think so," Yogi answered with weird smile. "It would be really awkward otherwise." He squeezed Gareki a little. "But don't worry your pretty head about that. I won't date someone who's of limits."

Gareki narrowed his eyes. "I still don't understand how—" He stopped talking, looking up at Yogi. "You've got no taste whatsoever. You fell in love with someone who's straight?"

Yogi snorted softly. "It's not that. We just have something I wouldn't ever want to risk."

"Then they aren't off limits. You want to be in a relationship, so go get it and him." Gareki was still sitting on his lap, so close to him, Yogi could feel his breath on his skin.

But he couldn't lose his cool. "That would be like confessing to you, Gareki-kun. What would you say?"

"That you've got a misguided taste."

It was said so flatly and at the same time honest, Yogi blinked. "Come again?" he asked, completely flabbergasted. "I don't think I heard you right."

"You would have a misguided taste, you could do better, much much better than me. It would be like… like a prince asking out a street rat." He poked Yogi in the cheek when he just stared at him, utterly confused.

"Gareki-kun… That isn't… not at all…"

Gareki laughed softly. "That's nothing but the truth and you know it. Most of the time I don't even understand why you want to be friends with me. I don't fit into your circle of friends – at all. I don't have a personality that fits to your bright attitude – I am gloomy." He snorted softly. "But I'm pretty smart am I not?"

"You're more than just smart, Gareki-kun…"

This broke Yogi's heart.

In a few thousand pieces.

All these spoken words…

Yogi took a deep breath, and then shook his head. "I hate it that you talk like this. It breaks my heart." His resolve had all but shattered, no more tiptoeing around. "I really like you, you're the best that has happened to me in ages. Don't talk yourself down. Not now, not ever, not again, not again, because I will fight you. You're utterly amazing. Sure, you're smart, but you're so much more."

Gareki didn't seem like he understood what he was trying to tell him, although some sort of understanding shone in his eyes. "A hypothetical action, Yogi. Can an action be hypothetical?"

"Wha—"

Clumsy. Was the first thought, probably the last one too. This was something Gareki was clumsy in. Yogi's hands threaded through the silken hair, pulling him closer, kissing back.

Amazing. Was the second one after a while. Gareki was panting lightly, out of breath and looked ruffled. He was even blushing. Yogi was sure of it.

Gareki look at him, fierce eyes and everything already back on defence. He hadn't seen Gareki that much on guard since he tutored Yogi. "Hypothetically."

Yogi's mind was at a loss for a moment, a moment long enough for Gareki to stand up. "Wait!" He pulled Gareki back down. "I love you!"

Gareki seemed amused, "Didn't we talk about 'hypothetically?" He sunk back to the ground next to Yogi. "It makes sense though what you said earlier about being of limits. Your parents sure wouldn't like someone like me." He grinned weirdly. "Let's stay friends and just forget all about that."

"No," Yogi spoke. "That isn't going to happen. You were of limits because I wasn't sure whether confessing was worth to risk our friendship, but this already happened." He huffed slightly. "How is next Saturday at two with you?"

"I'm not planning anything, but what are you planning?" Gareki asked. "We can't just decide to—"

Yogi inclined his head. "We're going on a date. You can still say no afterwards, but you threw all caution into the air to answer me. I am not taking the invitation back."

Gareki was silent for a moment. But then… "Alright. One date is all you get."

"You mean one date is all I need to persuade you that a relationship is something nice to be in." He smiled and pressed their foreheads together, humming softly. "We'll have lots of fun together, I promise."

Gareki snorted softly. "It can't be as good as you make it sound. You probably just want a cuddle buddy. I heard dogs were great for that."

"I like cats more…" Yogi mumbled softly. And then out of the blue, Yogi pressed their lips together for another kiss. "My parents don't like the idea of having pets."

Gareki snorted once more. "Just how random is that?"

"Saturday at two. Meet me at the library?" Yogi asked, running a hand through Gareki's hair.

Gareki shrugged softly. "I don't have any other plans."

"That already works in our favour."

"Ours?"

"Yes, definitely."

"Miu!" Yogi called into the hallway, "Please help me for a second!"

He heard her door open. "You know you can knock too!" she called back, looking out of her door, over to Yogi's room. "Who are you meeting up with?"

"A date. Now help me. Is this fine?" He stepped into the floor between their rooms. "Not too childish? Not to bright?"

"Maybe a tad too…" she stopped talking, starring at her brother. "And here I thought you had it bad for Gareki-san." Miu came over into his room and rummaged through the closet. "You know, I'm not sure whether I like that you're dating again. What does Gareki-san think about it?"

"Gareki-kun was fine with it…?" Yogi told her, seeming pensive. "He agreed, so I think he was."

She nodded. "Then I'm going to help you. Your belt is not the right colour for the shirt. Try this one." She offered him another belt and Yogi rose an eyebrow.

"They look the same to me."

She rolled her eyes, but kept smiling. "Everything looks the same to you."

"That isn't true!" Yogi exclaimed, but changed the belt anyway. He laughed. "Thank you, Miu."

"If Gareki-san agrees, I would be a foul to disagree. Are you meeting a boy or a girl?"

Yogi seemed confused for a moment. "… A boy… are you even listening?"

"Of course I am!" she laughed softly. "You're probably just running way too many thoughts to probably speak. You're always like a puppy when you're in love. It's adorable."

"I don't want to seem like a puppy, I just…"

She chuckled. "If you say 'I just want to get laid', I'll be disappointed." She started rolling Yogi's sleeves up. "I want you home tonight with a big sappy grin and all the juicy details, you hear me?"

"We're going to a museum not a striptease bar," Yogi mumbled, slightly red.

Miu starred at him. "Are you sure you don't want to date Gareki-san?"

He shook his head. "Seriously. Are you even listening?"

"Of course I am!"

As soon as Yogi saw Gareki, he halted for a few moments. He could remember buying these clothes, the washed out and ripped jeans, the soft light blue shirt with the hood. He had just never seen them worn together. He swallowed and made his way over to Gareki, bright smile n place. "Hey, have you waited long?"

Against his expectations, Gareki hugged him. "Not at all, but apparently long enough to get hit on." He laughed softly. "Don't you dare to let go of my hand until we're out of sight from that guy over there."

"You look good today." Yogi mumbled, pressing a careful kiss on Gareki's cheek.

"Geez thanks. You look better." He pulled out of the embrace. "What are you planning on doing with me today?"

"Remember wanting to go to the science museum?" Yogi winked softly and entangled their fingers. "I'm not planning on letting go of your hand at all."

There was a blush high on Gareki's cheek and Yogi died of cute, but he still knew better than to comment.

He was in awe. Of everything. It was simple as that.

When Gareki had talked about the museum the first time, Yogi had been bored. Because who cares about science?

But the more Yogi had gotten to know Gareki, the more, he had learned to appreciate and love it. He could still see himself being bored by everything that only carried the name science, but he also knew the curious side of himself now, that wanted to understand and take apart (even though Gareki seemed concerned whenever Yogi started with it).

Gareki pressed his hand lightly and pulled him along towards something special. Yogi wasn't sure to what exactly, but the happy glint in Gareki's eyes was enough for him to go everywhere Gareki demanded him to go.

"Look," Yogi heard Gareki suddenly say as they stood at a display. "That's where the winner of the last science competition get their invention displayed. I really wanted to see it again before the next competition takes place."

Yogi gazed up, swirling colours were all he saw at first, but then he saw it as what it really was. "Is that… is that plasma?"

"Yes!" Gareki answered excited, pressing his hand happily.

"It's so pretty!" Yogi couldn't avert his eyes for a moment. "This is another thing I want in my room…"

Gareki laughed softly. "I think the handling would be a bit too difficult for you, it's—difficult. But if it gets a little more stable it'll be a nice night light."

"Gareki-kun?" they heard a voice behind them and turned around.

"Tokitatsu-san?" Yogi asked softly, turning around with Gareki. "How do you know Gareki-kun?"

"Yogi-kun and Gareki-kun together, what a coincidence. I heard you are on the same school now, it's true then?"

Yogi nodded slightly. "It's been some time, Tokitatsu-san."

"How do you know each other anyway?" Gareki interrupted them suddenly, squeezing Yogi's hand tightly.

"Ouch, his brother was my body guard when I was younger," he explained. "But how do you know each other?"

"You… had a body guard…?" Gareki mumbled confused, "What for? I mean sure your parents have some money… but…"

Yogi chuckled softly. "Your head is in the science cloud. It all makes sense now." And suddenly he started laughing. "This is awesome. I never dated somebody who had no idea who my parents are!"

Gareki's eyes narrowed and he kicked him softly. "Don't laugh at me. I didn't laugh at your math problems either."

"Yogi's father is a public person, a well renowned and liked politician, Gareki-kun," Tokitatsu answered for him. "He's mentioned in one newspaper or another almost every day. With him also Yogi-kun or Miumari-chan, growing up their entire life with cameras on them and then not getting recognized must be some sort of surprise."

"A big one," Yogi said between laughter. "No wonder mum adores you so much, you never recognized her. Woman feel such things."

Gareki seemed embarrassed. "Pft. As if, such things are important. You could have said something if it would have been important."

"Mom always says: Fall in love with someone who loves you back for who you are not for what you are." Yogi mumbled. "I'm so glad I confessed now. It really is an amazing feeling." He pulled Gareki into a tight embrace and pecked him on the cheek. "You are so utterly unbelievable."

Gareki huffed softly.

"So, what's your plan for this year's competition? Two years winning in a row would sure boost your academic career," Tokitatsu mentioned after watching Yogi cuddling Gareki for some time.

"The spark isn't there yet," Gareki mentioned. "Besides, it's only in a few months. I'll think of something." He looked at Yogi. "And you better come, I always get a few tickets, but my parent is busy."

"Sure! I'll be you plus one for everything!" he smiled brightly. "It might just be a little awkward considering that my father night hand out the price to you…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "But it'll just fine, I'm sure."

"You're ridiculous," Gareki spoke gently. "But everything will be quite alright. I get this price, the semester finishes and we'll be preparing for university."

"Right. The school year is almost over again, it'll be summer soon…" He sighed, "I still have no idea what to do after school…"

"But before the semester finishes, you still stand on the stage once. You haven't invited me yet." Gareki grinned slightly. "You're probably amazing on there. You're just starting to show the presence that always lingered under your skin."

Yogi winked. "You're just starting the kindness that lingered under yours, so we're even." His gaze wandered to the plasma project. "As far as I understood you created this? It was only fair you won."

"Mine was much smaller, but the principle is mine. This is 99% of the universe."

"You mentioned that when you showed me the triple point… It still seems unreal."

"But that's what's making it so interesting," Gareki interrupted him immediately.

"That's true…"

Gareki pulled gently on his hand. "What did you want to see here?" He asked, maybe only now remembering that Yogi had paid the entrance fee.

Yogi shook his head, laughing softly. "I saw everything I wanted to see already." The sparkling enjoyment in Gareki's eyes were far more than he had expected to see. "Why don't you show me your favourites?"

"My favour—" He shrugged. "Why not. If you excuse us, Tokitatsu-san?"

"Go along, enjoy your date." He teased, Yogi smiled brightly and thanked him while Gareki only seemed slightly embarrassed by it.

Soon enough they wandered through the halls, commenting on one thing or the other, when Yogi suddenly asked Gareki. "What are you doing for the competition this year?"

"Something with robotics. I've run the plans with the teach, but he doesn't really understand the programming aspect of it, so I'm really alone with it. One grows with their tasks I guess." He suddenly pulled Yogi's hand into a room that was half hidden. "You really should see this exhibit! It's like a hidden treasure under many."

Yogi chuckled softly, and nodded, eyes wandering through the room. "Whoa, this looks really interesting."

"And you know what the best thing is?" Gareki asked, letting go of Yogi's hand.

"No?"

"We're free to try everything out. Prepare for fun with as safe assumed proto types."

Gareki sunk his teeth into one of the sandwiches Yogi had bought, relishing in the last few sunrays of the autumn. Yogi hummed contently, putting his head on Gareki's shoulder.

"What are you planning next?" Gareki asked softly, pulling Yogi out of his thoughts.

"I never planned beyond now, what do you want to do?" His hand rested next to Gareki on the bench. "I'm thinking about just taking a stroll in the city…"

"That sounds alright…" Gareki mumbled, "I was still thinking about picking something up today."

"Just alright? I'll try harder then," Yogi mumbled oddly determined. "Have you ever been to the arcade?" Gareki blinked slightly and Yogi shook his head. "No, you said you didn't play videogames until I invited you. Let's go right after we eat up!"

Gareki cracked a small grin and let his head fall on Yogi's shoulder. "Let's take a break before without stuffing the sandwiches into our mouths. They are quite tasty."

"Of course, Gareki-kun!"

The arcade was brightly lit, colours almost constantly changing and if Yogi had held Gareki's hand, he probably would have backed out, letting Yogi go in on his own.

Yogi gave him an encouraging smile, but didn't stop. He merely pressed Gareki's hand and Gareki's stomach almost flipped. Was that how it felt to be in love?

"Good afternoon, Yogi-same!" a cashier greeted him happily.

"Good afternoon!" Yogi greeted back, already pulling out his wallet. "Are there any new games since I was here the last time?" With that, he let go of Gareki and put some bills on the counter.

"Of course there are!" he laughed. "You haven't been here in months, Yogi-same. We try to vary the games every month or so." Then he carefully counted the bills and Gareki was embarrassed when he realized just how much money Yogi must have already spent today – but before he could really say something, the cashier already put coins on the counter. "Have fun!"

"Thanks!" Yogi answered and pocketed the coins before taking Gareki's hand once more.

Yogi led Gareki past machines, that some people seemed to obsess over and towards machines that actually seemed like games. "You like shooting games, so let's start with one?"

Gareki nodded slightly. "I'd like that."

Yogi nodded, smiling brightly. He handed a plastic gun to Gareki and took the other one before putting some coins into it. "Just pointing and pulling the trigger, Gareki-kun!" he chirped happily and Gareki nodded.

Yogi cheered when they had cleared the floor and pulled Gareki into a tight hug. "We did it!"

"Yeah," Gareki answered, hesitating slightly before hugging him back. "We did."

"Let's clear the next floor too! We're on a roll!"

In the end, Gareki couldn't count how many floors they had cleared when suddenly the game ended and the machine threw out coins. "Whoa! I never cleared the entire game with someone before, you really are…" He interrupted himself and instead just buried his nose in Gareki's neck. "I love you, Gareki-kun."

For some time Gareki was silent, then he mumbled. "I really like you too…" Yogi hoped he had heard right, even though the music was a whole lot louder than what Gareki had said.

Gareki was surprisingly good at these games. Yogi blinked, but then laughed. "You're awesome, Gareki-kun! Thank you so much!" He pressed the bracelet close to his chest, before tying it around his wrist.

"You're welcome…" Gareki mumbled slightly and turned around.

Yogi didn't like that, he wasn't even sure why, but he just gripped Gareki's hand and fell into step next to him. "How about we get some dinner next?"

"Sure…"

When Yogi had invited him for dinner, he hadn't quite expected Yogi's proposal to be so… fancy. It was a small bistro, on Yogi apparently knew well enough to immediately lead him to it even though he kept chatting all the time and the fact that the people knew him by his given name only confirmed his suspicion.

"Table for two, Yogi-sama?" a waiter asked, the bright smile firmly settled on his face.

Yogi nodded softly. "Yes, please."

"You're in luck then, your favourite table is still free. Please let me take care of your jackets," the waiter answered and Yogi already started shrugging it from his shoulders.

"Thank you," he told him when he handed him his coat, gaze wandering to Gareki who seemed slightly confused, but had started to take of his coat as well.

"Thank you very much…" he mumbled and avoided eye contact.

"You're welcome," the waiter answered softly and took it. "I'll be back in a few moments, please be patient."

Yogi smiled slightly and took Gareki's hand once more as they waited. "Has it been some time since you last ate out?" he whispered softly, catching how Gareki tensed up.

"I can't remember ever eating out like this." He shrugged slightly. "It's expensive."

"That's no good." Yogi bit on his bottom lip. "I should have taken you somewhere really fancy instead. This is just… my usual go to bistro when mum isn't in town." He smiled gently. "The food is really amazing though, you'll definitely enjoy it."

Gareki's gaze wandered through the bistro until it settled back on Yogi. "I feel like you spend way too much money today."

"No, I didn't. Don't worry, I still have plenty." He rubbed his neck, "My parents are really not limiting anything about that since we just sometimes spend a lot but normally we don't. Just enjoy this." He pressed his forehead against Gareki's. "That's all I'm asking."

"I can do that," Gareki answered him, for a split second pressing his forehead against Yogi's, then he pulled back. "I'm self-sufficient after all."

Yogi nodded, "That you are. Amazingly so, I wouldn't even know half of the stuff you take care of."

"If you would like to follow me," the waiter interrupted them, the menus already in his hands.

"Of course," Yogi answered, offering him a bright smile and they followed the waiter towards a table that was slightly out of sight, calmer than the others were and looked incredibly cosy.

The waiter lit the candle and Gareki and Yogi sat down. "Can I already bring you drinks?" the waiter asked.

"We'll start with water, thank you," Yogi started as he opened the menu the waiter offered him.

Gareki followed his lead. And halted. "What sort of bistro is this even?"

Yogi looked up from his menu. "Italian why—oh. Trust me enough to let me pick for you?" he offered, winking.

"Sure, whatever. Would be a chance food anyway." He closed his menu and handed it to Yogi. "No alcohol whatsoever. I'm still underage and I value my brain."

Yogi nodded, understanding. "Of course. Mhh, I won't go too overboard either."

Gareki liked the food, and he also liked having Yogi's undivided attention for the duration of the meal.

"If this was a usual date, I'd ask for your hobbies, but we're already friends…" Yogi suddenly mentioned, but then shook his head. "Tell me something you really love and I don't know of."

Gareki answered without missing a beat. "I like bathing. Your turn."

Yogi grinned. "I like fencing."

"Fencing?" Gareki asked, sounding somewhat confused. "Why aren't you in a club when you like it?"

"My… former friends were annoyed with it since it took up almost every evening they wanted to do something. So they told me to stop fencing or being friends with them. I was stupid."

"Indeed, you were. But you're done with them for some time now, why not start again?" Gareki asked, nursing his glass. "I don't think anybody would mind that hobby."

Yogi looked sad for a moment. "I lied to my parents about the reason I was quitting." He ruffled his hair slightly. "I lie about too many things when I don't want people to be disappointed."

Gareki inclined his head. "That is a bad habit. But I already told you that." He fell silent for a second before he added. "You're not allowed to lie to me, do you understand?"

Yogi reached for Gareki's hand. "I'm never going to lie to you. I promise."

He nodded. "That's a step in the right direction. Just stop lying from now on." Gareki grinned slightly. "White lies are still allowed, even though they are mostly just annoying."

"I understand." He answered, even though he didn't.

Gareki hummed content. "So, are you going to spoiler me what's for dessert?"

"I settled for something that isn't awful sweet for you and something that has way to much sugar for me. That's all the spoiler you get."

Gareki averted his gaze slightly before it met Yogi's again. And Yogi was almost sure, he felt his heart melting at the sight. He swallowed. "Please?"

Yogi opened his mouth, no sound escaped, then he averted his eyes, face entirely red. "Pancakes for you, mousse au chocolate for me…"

"Thank you for the answer, I really like pancakes." Gareki answered and Yogi looked as if Gareki had the answer to all of his questions.

It was almost bitingly cold when the huddled close on a park bench not for from a lake, looking at the scenery. "Look, Gareki-kun, we can already see the stars."

Gareki looked up, watching the stars for a moment before entangling his fingers with Yogi's. "I had fun today," he spoke.

"Me too!" Yogi exclaimed. "Being with you it… really amazing. It's so much fun."

The water made soft noises in the distance. "You're pretty amazing too; if you don't let yourself be manipulated into a person you're not. Your real you is really nice to have around actually." Gareki let his head fall on Yogi's shoulder, gazing into the distance. "We should repeat this sometimes."

These five words made Yogi's heart skip a beat. Or two. Or three. And a thousand little explosions took their place. "You'll really be my boyfriend?"

"Mh? Yes. I did say that—"

Whatever he had been prepared for it wasn't to be tackled into a hug by Yogi. "I'm so happy!" Yogi exclaimed, pressing his face into Gareki's neck, not caring that they weren't on the park bench anymore, but on the ground. "So, so happy! Thank you, Gareki-kun!"

It took Gareki a moment to realise what had just occurred and even one more time to realise that the wet sensation on his neck wasn't from the foliage he lay on. "Are you crying?" he asked confused.

"I'm just so happy!" Yogi answered, tears in his eyes, running down his cheek when he sat up. "Thank you for giving me a chance, Gareki-kun, I definitely won't disappoint you!"

He didn't have the heart to push Yogi off, even though he felt the wetness and the cold seep through his clothes.

But maybe he should have done exactly that to avoid Yogi's future fussing. "Are you really sure, you'll be alright?"

Gareki rolled his eyes slightly. "The way isn't that far."

"I think it's pretty far for this time of the year." Yogi mentioned, not letting go of Gareki's hand. "You can crash at mine. I'll take the guestroom again or you could, I don't care, and then head home tomorrow when the busses actually drive. It's no big deal – it's none at all actually. Mom adores you, Miu does too. C'mon."

Gareki shrugged slightly. This actually sounded good, really, really good. "I'd need to call home then as soon as we're at yours and my mobile died." That was the actual issue.

"Oh, you can take mine. I saved your mother's number when you were sick to contact her. It didn't feel right to use your mobile phone."

"Alright," Gareki answered, not resisting Yogi's light pull anymore. "But one last thing: She's my parent not my mother."

"What's the difference?" Yogi asked, watching Gareki from the side.

"A mother is the one who brings you into this world, a parent raises you," Gareki mentioned, gaze on the ground. "That's the difference."

"I see…" Yogi answered. "You're adopted then? Why did she adopt you when she was barely able to support herself?"

"The foster system is horrible, she saved me from it. Things aren't perfect, but they are much better than what they could be. Not everybody gets to grow up like you, so never forget the privilege you had, Yogi." This time it wasn't only Gareki's gaze that turned somewhat distant, but also his voice. Yogi worried, but suddenly, it was back to normal. "Two loving parents, one makes enough money for the other one to be able to be a homemaker. You're having a dream life, Yogi."

"I won't forget that again, Gareki-kun. I will never forget that again." He squeezed Gareki's hand a little tighter at his words.

"That's the least you can do."

Yogi's mother was ecstatic to have Gareki over again, greeting him before she even greeted Yogi. "You look so good in these clothes. Yogi bought them didn't he?"

"Yes?" Gareki answered, overwhelmed by her greeting. "It's nice to be back."

"Come in, Gareki-kun, you missed dinner, but I can still warm something up for you—"

"We ate out today," Yogi interrupted his mother amused. "But I think Gareki-kun needs a warm shower, dry clothes and a tea." He slipped inside and was already on the first stair. "I'll look for some dry clothes already. Gareki-kun was already sneezing on the way here."

"That's no good at all, Gareki-kun," Yogi's mother mentioned. "You've got to take care of your health. Run along, you know where Yogi's bathroom is."

"Will do," Gareki answered and caught up with Yogi.

He loved Yogi's bathroom. The big shower, the dozen of bathing soap, shampoo and shower gel. It was somewhat how he imagined a spa looking on the inside.

Just that he didn't actually feel comfortable enough to take anything more than he was told to do. Just a shower, not a bath. He sighed softly when the warm water chased the cold that had set in his bones away.

Today had been fun.

They had held hands all day long.

And it had felt right.

Gareki's heart still fluttered.

He could feel his cheeks heat up.

Taking a shaking breath, he grabbed for a random bottle of shampoo and opened it. Washing his hair to calm himself down, showering usually did the trick.

He sighed again. Yogi might not even be in the room next to him, but in the guest room at the end of the floor. And really, relationships weren't that great anyway, sooner or later they all ended. Depending on how much was invested, the more hurting it was. He shouldn't be that nervous, but enjoying everything as long as it lasted and then move on like nothing ever happened.

Everything else would just be painful in the end.

The warm water washed the soap out of his hair, sticking it wetly to his head.

Just… there was this nagging feeling that he already was in too deep. That he would lose more, than he would ever have be willing to give away freely.

He grabbed one of the fluffy light orange towels Yogi kept in his bathroom and started to dry himself with it. Everything would be all right, everything had eventually worked out before, he could work this out too.

He slipped out of the shower and slipped the shirt Yogi had given him over, the shorts followed soon after. He tried to ignore the thought that he was wearing Yogi's clothes, if his old clothes, as he stepped out of the room.

Yogi was there, lying on his bed and reading.

"What's so interesting?" Gareki asked him, slightly amused. A few months ago, Yogi didn't even seem to like the ability to read.

Yogi looked up to him, as if he was half way expecting Gareki to laugh at him at his next words. "It's just a novel…"

He dropped on the bed next to Yogi. "Tell me about it."

"It's about the plague…" He put a bookmark into the book and sat up. "I'm not very far into it, but it's a rather busy town where people try to get rich and save up their free time for the weekend. It's pretty boring town too, but now there are rats dying on the streets thus far." He looked at Gareki who seemed pensive for a moment.

"I know that book. The plague?" he asked after a short while. "I read it before I got too involved with the science club. The one at your school that actually pays my school fees." He grinned slightly. "I'll have more time once it's over. Next year I won't be able to be in the science competition again. Good thing I got it signed that they pay for my last year too."

Yogi didn't know what to say. "You like reading? I barely ever see you reading anything but school books!"

Gareki shrugged. "There are things I need to concentrate on more. In some subjects, I'm slightly behind, because my teachers taught it different. I need to find these gaps before I don't know it in exams."

Yogi was speechless, but then he understood something. "That's why you sometimes insist that we go ahead without you. You still have questions for the teacher."

"Often, yes." He fell down on the pillows and snuggled into them. "Not always. Sometimes I also have questions about the material of the next day. Some teachers like this, some hate it."

Yogi chuckled, "That's so like you." He fell down next to Gareki, faces just inches apart. "I love you Gareki-kun." His hand cupped Gareki's cheek, thumb slowly caressing it. "Can I kiss you?"

Gareki could feel his pulse when he nodded slightly. But Yogi didn't make it any better. His lips where soft on his, soft and incredibly skilled. He forgot how to breathe.

Yogi's hand slipped down to his nape to pull him closer, and then shifted. Gareki was suddenly on his back and Yogi on top of him. He felt Yogi's body heat, even though there was still space between him and there was Yogi's hand that carefully pulled him closer.

His own slowly tangled in Yogi's blond locks, pulling him closer or just holding him in place.

But eventually Yogi ended the kiss. Pressing small kisses on his cheek, all over his face, he pulled back, watching Gareki pant slightly. "You're incredible, Gareki-kun." He mumbled, laughing happily. "I love you so much, Gareki-kun."

"How can you say that so easily?" Gareki mumbled, rolling on his side, face still red from the lake of oxygen. "It's big word."

Yogi hummed for a moment. "I just know what I feel. When there is clarity, abstract words and concepts become exact." He cuddled into Gareki. "I wouldn't mind being with you forever just like this."

"It's still all so messed up for me," Gareki mumbled. "All my life I never wanted to fall in love and here I am, way too deep into it to go back." He sighed softly. "I still need to call my parent."

"Let's just stay like this for a few more minutes," Yogi mumbled, pressing his head under Gareki's chin.

"No, I'm pretty sure you'll fall asleep then." Gareki decided and freed himself from Yogi's grip. "We can do this after I called. Or wrote a message."

Yogi made an unhappy noise but let Gareki go and turned around to get his phone. "You can go on the balcony if you want some privacy." He mentioned as he offered it to Gareki.

"…Balcony?" Gareki asked after a short break.

"Mhhm, right behind the dark orange curtain there," he answered while pointing at a place behind Gareki.

Gareki shook his head. "Let me rephrase: Why do you have your own balcony?"

Yogi shrugged. "It's just the way this house was build, Gareki-kun!" But there was something almost warning in Yogi's expression telling Gareki not to ask more. He inclined his head, slightly confused, not showing it in the slightest. If Yogi didn't want to tell him that was fine.

"Alright." He answered. "It's completely alright."

Because he wasn't ready to share everything with Yogi either – not now. "Alright."

Gareki took his mobile. "Thank you."

Yogi didn't answer for some time, curiosity shining in his eyes, but then, "It's no problem. Not that." He pulled his knees close to his chest leaning against the backrest of his bed.

Gareki halted in mid-step and turned around to sit down next to Yogi. "I'm sorry for whatever I made you think of."

"It's not your fault, Gareki-kun!" He forced a smile. "Just go and call your parent, I'll be alright!"

He poked Yogi's cheek. "Don't force a smile. That's a lie too."

Gareki hadn't quite known breakfast the same way, Yogi knew it.

The table was packet with everything his heart might possibly desire. Gareki swallowed slightly. "It's nice that you actually got to join us today," Yogi's mother told him. "On a Sunday even! It's so nice to have you over again."

"It's always nice to be here," Gareki answered gently.

Yogi's mother laughed softly. "Thank you, Gareki-kun! You're too kind." She then turned to Yogi. "Why can't you date someone like Gareki-kun next time, Yogi?"

Gareki blinked softly. "I told you—"

"That Gareki-san agreed with your date," Miumari interrupted him softly.

Yogi shook his head, slightly grinning. "You're twisting my words to fit what you think."

"What am I thinking then?" Miu encountered, pouting slightly.

"That I'm an utter fool," he turned to Gareki and kissed him. Just like that, in between what should have been heartbeats, but it rather felt like his heart skipped a beat. Or two.

Gareki blinked, Yogi smiled brightly at him – a bit like a dork. And Gareki already cringed at his own unfitting words. "I was just deciding on my breakfast."

Yogi chuckled. "You were so going for the bacon anyway."

Gareki huffed slightly. "Yes, but that's no reason to distract me."

He reached over the table and put the plate with bacon directly in front of Gareki. "Better?"

"We aren't alone, you can't just—" Gareki fell quiet, only now realizing the gazes from Yogi's family. "Yogi took the bacon – not me!"

Yogi's mother shook her head. "Take everything you want, Gareki-kun!" she told him happily – way too happily.

Gareki blinked. "What did I miss?"

Yogi shrugged slightly. "My parents are weird when it's about you. Sometimes I think they love you more than me." He stuck his tongue out towards his parents and Gareki almost laughed.

"You know they love you more than anything," Gareki told him, slowly starting to shovel food on his plate. "You can see how much they care in every single interaction with you."

"I know, it's just…" Yogi seemed pensive. "They adore you more than anybody else I am friends with. At first I thought they were just normally friendly, but they are even friendlier with you than they are with Tsukumo!"

"You never expressed any signs of falling in love with Tsukumo-chan," his mother told him. "And Gareki-kun is our first choice – has been ever since you introduced him."

"Before that," Yogi's father threw in. "I always said Gareki-kun would end up in our family. In one way or another."

"Before?" Yogi and Gareki asked – almost at the same time.

"Sure, Gareki now carries his mother's maiden name, since his aunt took him in, but that doesn't change who his parents were." He smiled. "They would be so proud to see what kind of person he became."

Yogi could almost see how Gareki latched onto the opportunity to learn more, like a cat starting to jump towards their prey. "You knew my mother?"

"You didn't know?" Yogi's father asked softly. "I knew both of your parents pretty well. They were great people."

Gareki seemed slightly uncomfortable, unsure, but eventually he asked. "Could you tell me about my mother?"

Yogi father was silent for a moment, gaze locked on Gareki. "Is there a reason why you are against stories of your father?" he questioned softly. "Or are you just more curious about your mother?"

"Who cares about my father? He left and my mother to died," Gareki stated, eyes narrowing. "I don't bother with persons who don't care—"

"That's a dangerous half-truth you're talking about. Your father was ecstatic when he heard about you. He was visiting with your mother and spend all evening on the ground with Yogi telling him that he would have a new playmate soon. He was with your mother at every doctor's appointment. He talked nonstop about the colour scheme of your room until it was decided." He stopped talking for a moment, gaze softly on Gareki. "But he died before you were born. Dead people can't be there for births."

It was silent for a moment. "I never…"

Yogi's father sighed softly. "You never heard any of this, I know. Your aunt… loved her sister dearly, so she never forgave your father that he died and left her sister with all the tears." He inclined his head slightly. "I'm sorry for your loss, Gareki-kun."

Gareki stood up from his seat and left the dining room. Yogi threw a last gaze at his father before following his boyfriend out of the room.

"Wasn't that a little… overwhelming?" Yogi heard his mother ask just before he shut the door behind himself.

"Hey…" Yogi mumbled, sitting down on his bed next to Gareki. "I'm here for you. I'll always be."

Gareki didn't react besides of a whispered, "Go away…"

"No, I'll be right here. I'd be a horrible person if I just left you alone like this." He put his hand on Gareki's body. "That was pretty brutal of my father, wasn't it?"

"Can't decide…" he heard Gareki mumble, but the rest was lost in his blanket.

"I can't understand you, Gareki-kun. I'd like to see you," Yogi told him.

Suddenly Gareki sat up, even though Yogi had almost expected it, there was not a single tear swimming in Gareki's eyes, but there was still a great loneliness in them, on Yogi could understand too well. "That was just pretty damn world shattering, ok. Can't I just sort my thoughts? Do you just have to interrupt me?"

Yogi pulled him into a gentle hug. "You're feeling lonely, don't you?"

"Of course I feel lonely—" Yogi could see the immediate regret in Gareki's eyes after the words slipped from his lips. "I mean, I'm not lonely, you're putting words in my mouth!"

"I love you, Gareki-kun," Yogi spoke, barely loud enough for Gareki to understand. "And I'll be there for you as long as you want me to be."

Gareki buried his face in his neck. "It's just a damn shitty situation isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Yogi answered, "I wish I could help you somehow, but… I know how lonely that place is."

Gareki didn't answer, he didn't seem as if he was looking for comfort either, but he slowly started easing into his embrace. "Can we go somewhere? I'm going to walk up these wall if I stay inside."

"Of course, let's just get dressed and then do stuff. What do you want to do?"

When he had asked that, he hadn't guessed he would find himself quite so far outside of the town and so deep in the forest.

Gareki held his hand tightly while he pulled him through the forest, a destination clear in his mind and sometimes Yogi struggled to keep up with him. The slippery leaves under his feet didn't make the uneven ground any better.

They didn't speak, Gareki had be quiet the entire way and Yogi understood it. Gareki was a privy person to begin with.

It startled him enough to lose his footing for a moment when Gareki raised his voice. "You should really stop lying or things like this happen. So you better come clear with your parents before it hurts anybody."

Yogi blinked. "I am planning on doing that. But you are my first priority right now."

Gareki nodded. "Alright. That's good. I… somehow like your attention, but really, family first. Yours isn't as messed up as mine apparently is."

"Just that mine is in there too? I'm keeping my loyalties and priorities with you first for the time being."

Gareki snorted slightly. "You're so ridiculously in love with me and I don't even understand why. There really isn't anything special about gloomy moody me. But thank you. I love you too."

Yogi stopped walking, almost slipping because Gareki didn't stop, but they caught themselves from falling once more. "That's the first time you actually said that…"

"It is a pretty big word, but I think I can trust you." Gareki told him. "C'mon, we're not there yet."

"Where are we heading anyway?" Yogi asked, not wanting to let their voices die down completely once more for a few hours.

Gareki needed a moment to answer. "It's just a spot I like to go to when life gets messy."

A tree house. Gareki had a tree house. All the way up in one medium tall tree.

Yogi ran his hand up the tree bark, watching Gareki who was already climbing up. As soon as there where a few metres difference between them, he followed.

"It's small, it isn't completely comfortable, but welcome in my home away from home," Gareki greeted him as soon as Yogi came inside.

"It brilliant," Yogi mumbled, stunned by its sheer size. "You built this all on your own?"

"Of course I did," Gareki answered, "I like being self-sufficient."

Yogi munched on a snack, Gareki had in a cupboard along with plenty others. "In the case of a zombie apocalypse, we're going to hide here," Yogi told Gareki in the attempt to make a joke and Gareki snorted.

"If there is a zombie apocalypse, we'll have bad cards, because it's more probable that the infection carries in the air than though bites." He then cracked up a bit. "But we'd be save here for a little, I guess."

Gareki put his head on Yogi's lap. "Why does everything have to be so messy all the time?" He mumbled one had gripping for Yogi's hair, pulling softly. "What's next? What are your parents to me anyway?"

Yogi shook his head. "I've got no idea… But maybe, if our parents were good friends they are like your godparents? Or were planned to be it at least."

Gareki didn't answer for a moment. "I wish I had grown up with you. You're a good friend."

"Thank you, Gareki-kun," Yogi answered, sounding too proud at these measly words. And then shifted to pull his mobile out. "Whoa," he mumbled. "21 missed calls and 30 messages. I should have said that I was heading out with you."

Gareki sat up again. "How late is it anyway, I forget that it's autumn. Without light we can't exactly climb down safely."

Yogi stared at his mobile and the swallowed. "I hope you've got some more blankets then, Gareki-kun. It's already eight."

"…" Gareki stood up from his spot and climbed through a hole in what Yogi had assumed to be the roof. "Give me the blanket and then follow me," he told him holding out his hand.

Yogi hadn't expected Gareki to have some sort of bedroom with pillows and blankets, but Gareki had it up here. There even was a small window from which he could see the night sky and the stars. "Tsukumo-chan would love this…" Yogi whispered.

Twinkle little star.

Illuminate my wishes.

Up in the night sky.

"Just Tsukumo?" Gareki mentioned, almost sounding absentminded, but Yogi what Gareki wanted to say.

"Me too. This is brilliant, Gareki-kun," he answered. "It's amazing here. When did you built all of this?" He fell into the mountains of pillows, halfway expecting them to be dusty, but instead they just smelled like Gareki. Not at all fitting for a place like this.

"I was around eight when I started," he explained, "But a lot of what you're seeing I only made when I was twelve or so. Like the electrics that might work, but don't have to because they don't save enough energy up yet." He shuffled through some blankets before he pulled out a little clock. "We'll be late at school tomorrow, that's for sure."

"I don't mind, I get to spend another night with Gareki-kun after all. We could skip for all I care."

"That's no good though," Gareki mentioned. "Look it's just because it's so far away. We'll be back on time starting tomorrow."

"I'll never get to skip a day of school as long as we hang out, I know," Yogi joked.

Gareki threw a blanket at his. "Skipping is boring anyway." Then he took the others, wrapped himself in one and the last one he threw over them before snuggling up to Yogi. "We're better up sharing body heat."

Yogi chuckled gently and pulled Gareki a little closer. "That we are."

"Shut up, will you? I'm trying to sleep."

There was a bird in front of the small window and Yogi couldn't help himself when the bird started tweeting. He carefully shook Gareki's shoulder. "Listen Gareki-kun," he whispered.

"Birds tend to sing. Is the sun already out?" Gareki answered, unconsciously cuddling into his blanket. "Or is this one of the early singers?"

"The sun is just starting to rise, it's not enough to climb down yet," Yogi answered truthfully, still fawning over the little bird. "It's so pretty!"

"It just wants food." Gareki sat up sleepily and gripped the window which immediately opened and the bird flew inside. Yogi watched it circling over their heads until it landed on Gareki's lap. "Good morning to you too, you annoyance," he greeted it. "Can't let me sleep out once out here, can you?"

As if it was answering, it twitched happily and flapped his wings.

"How did you do that?" Yogi asked, astonished. "You tamed a wild animal."

Gareki shrugged slightly. "I raised this fellow and it just comes back. How many times have I told you to fly away?" he asked the bird and then turned back to Yogi. "It broke his wing some time ago when it was still young, nursed it back to health, fed it until it was old enough to hunt for itself and how does it thank me? By waking me at ungodly hours."

Yogi laughed softly. "That's so cute. What's his name?"

Gareki raised his eyebrows. "You don't name animals you don't plan on keeping, that will only bind you to it."

"I think that this little fellow is pretty much your pet anyway. So you better give it a name." Yogi said. "Not naming it would be mean."

"You name it then," Gareki proposed. "I'm not good with names."

Yogi looked at the bird in concentration and Gareki simply put it on Yogi's lap. "Enjoy your new playmate."

"Are you talking with me or with your bird?" Yogi questioned gently.

"How am I your playmate? I'm not –" Gareki sighed. "I still don't know what to do, but I'll keep a little distance from your parents until I decide."

Yogi nodded. "I'm not sure how things look from your point of view, but it didn't sound as if your father was that bad of a person. Sure, my father keeps a bit odd company sometimes – opportunists, really – but the ones he really calls friends are all nice and special in their way."

"I thought so too. But Yogi, it still changes everything for me. Everything I know."

Yogi raised his hands. "Stop there. It doesn't change everything. It doesn't change that I love you, it doesn't change science, it doesn't really change anything but the way you feel about yourself." He put the bird back on Gareki's lap. "Take care of Aka-tan and I'll check something with my father. Just a minute or two."

"Aka, huh?" Gareki mentioned to the bird, "That isn't the most creative name either. Just naming you after your colour…" The bird flapped his wings happily but didn't start flying.

Yogi was back not even a minute afterwards. "It's a little blurry, buuut your parents wedding picture! Look how happy they look." Yogi said while holding his mobile for Gareki to take. "Dad promised to make you a copy if you wanted one."

Gareki took his mobile phone, looking at the display for a long time before he said something. "They were… married?"

"Otherwise they wouldn't have a wedding picture," Yogi answered softly, moving closer to Gareki. "I'm sure dad has some more. I'll ask him to make copies of the all and then we can go somewhere and look at them together! What do you think?"

He heard how Gareki swallowed. "That would be nice."

"I always have the best ideas!" He nudged Gareki in the side, "Let's get some food into our stomachs, so we can leave as soon as it's a little brighter outside."

Tracking back to the civilisation was less strenuous than Yogi remembered the way into the forest. Maybe it was because this time, he knew the way and also Gareki talked or at least allowed him to talk the entire time.

"Will you head to school after you're feeling a little more human again?" Yogi asked, "I think I'll go. I still have drama club in the afternoon. And you should totally come to our play! I already got you a ticket in the first row!"

"Isn't that normally for families?" Gareki asked softly, timidly reaching out for Yogi's hand. "I think I could bear it for you if you want me to."

Yogi pressed the offered hand lightly. "They won't mention anything about your or mine or both of our families if I ask them to. You can't keep thinking forever, but it would be my pleasure to keep you distracted for an evening."

"I'll come to watch you then," Gareki answered. "You're right. Let's make a deal. You come clean with your parents about your 'fencing' lie and I'll come for a dinner. Nothing more nothing less. If I don't feel up to I don't have to talk. If you don't feel up to you don't have to tell the entire truth."

Yogi nodded. "Get ready for dinner on Tuesday—on the other side, let's go for Saturday. I think I need some time to prepare my mother for that." He hid his face slightly. "I would be much easier if you had come to my school last year. Less lies, still with normal friends, grades a bit better—"

"They are getting better. You'll be surprised by the end of the semester." Gareki let go of Yogi's hand and stuffed them into his pockets. "Besides most teachers adore you, you're pretty nice – when you don't hang out with bullies that is."

Yogi laughed softly. "I'm never going to get rid of that am I?"

"First impressions never completely fade. So prove the good things and let people forget the bad ones." Gareki answered. "No PDA, we're just friends in this part of town. I don't want to run into trouble."

"Trouble?" Yogi asked, confused. "For holding hands? Did their partner dump them badly?"

"They want to prove they are a real hard guy and definitely not gay with a knife." Gareki mumbled, "Some people have egos that are bigger than their brain. Though in these cases, this shouldn't be impressing. I was once thinking about making graphs about that in school, but my teachers thought that that idea was too dangerous."

"Honest question," Yogi started and Gareki looked at him. "Were you bullied in school?"

"I once ran into detention because I beat someone up who tried to bully me – nobody even thought about doing it afterwards. Besides a few persons who wanted to be friends I was left alone," Gareki answered, grinning evilly. "I might not look like it, but I'm pretty good at fighting. He was two heads bigger than me and I still broke his nose and two rips while I only got a few bruises."

"That's impressive," Yogi said in awe and suddenly sobered up. "But you shouldn't do it anyway. It's dangerous, you know?"

Gareki snorted. "Getting beaten up by a bully is more endangering than defending yourself and winning."

"That's true but still-!" Yogi insisted, kicking a small stone. "Please tell me, I'll be your back up. And false testimony."

Gareki chuckled. "Yeah, ok. Next time we'll beat up bullies together. But don't cry if someone gives you a bruise."

"I used to fence, Gareki. Even with all the protection you have to wear you sometimes still get a bruise."

"Okey then. Next time you get to beat up a bully and I'm cheering from the side lines." He winked and Yogi just shook his head laughing until he was crying because of it.

"You are the worst, Gareki-kun."

Yogi carefully opened the door and wasn't even completely inside of the floor when his mother stood in front of him and almost fell into his arms. "You've got to call when you stay outside all night. Your father might be able to shake it off, but I am not." She took his hands in hers. "Where did you stay?"

"Secret tree house Gareki likes to call his home away from home?" he told his mother. "And by the time Gareki calmed down, it was too late to climb down so we just spend the night in all blankets he had and munched snacks?"

She blinked. "A tree house?"

"A really impressive one! Water is missing, but there even is light. I have no idea how Gareki does that!" Yogi explained. "But I've got to shower and get my school bag. I'm meeting Gareki at school in a little over half an hour. Can you pack me some lunch please?"

"Don't you rather want to stay home?" she inquired, sounding somewhat worried. "You look a little tired…"

Yogi shook his head. "I promised Gareki to meet him. I'm heading upstairs! Talk to you later!" And he was off, running up to his room.

He greeted Gareki happily when he saw Gareki exit the bus and jumped up from the bench he sat on. "Let's go in Gareki-kun!"

"You didn't need to wait for me," Gareki answered and caught up with him. "Did you wait long?"

"The bus I took arrived a minute before yours. I wouldn't have waited longer than five. Not missing the next lesson when I'm already in school." He smiled brightly and reached out for Gareki's hand. "PDA is fine again?"

Gareki shrugged softly. "I think there are also people with small brains and big egos here, but they respect you for your family's reputation. I finally had time to google it." He huffed softly. "You could have said something."

"I like it more when people like me for being me than for my family. Especially when I'm dating them," Yogi mentioned softly, pressing his hand. "I love you."

Gareki pressed his hand. "I love you too, Yogi," Gareki mumbled and Yogi's smile lit up more.

"I really like how my name sounds out of your mouth," he told him.

His hand was pressed lightly when Gareki swung the school's door open. "I'll try to say it more often then."

Tsukumo approached them immediately when she caught sight of them. "You could have said you were coming later…"

"We weren't planning on it," Yogi apologized. "One thing led to another and we were stuck on a tree house with no safe way to get down."

She looked at Gareki. "You're lucky then our English teacher fell sick. The lessons you skipped didn't even take place."

"No lit either then?" he looked at Yogi. "Looks like I'll be able to catch up sleep sooner than you."

"I did sleep well," Yogi answered.

"Sure, you hogged the blankets and snuggled. I honestly can't tell how you did it."

"I'm just awesome like that!" Yogi exclaimed, laughing.

Gareki huffed. "Next time I'm sleeping over, I'll turn you heater on. Let's see how long you can still laugh then!"

Yogi melodramatically placed his hand on his heart. "That hurts right here, Gareki-kun!" But then sobered up. "We probably won't get to share the bed next time anyway. My parents are weird like that."

He raised an eyebrow. „Yes, this certainly does sound weird… What did you do with other room mates? Eat them alive?" he joked.

Yogi opened his mouth and closed it again. „So innocent!"

This made Gareki halt in midstep. „Wait. That?"

Yogi didn't exactly answer. Gareki didn't really need one.

Gareki leaned against Yogi in the break, slightly closing his eyes. All energy drained. Yogi would pitty him, he really would, if he himself wasn't just as tired. He nuzzled into Gareki's hair and closed his eyes.

„You shouldn't fall asleep in school," Tsukumo mentioned abesentminded and stood up. „You'll only be more tired later, not less tired."

„We should be completely alright if we were used to it," Gareki mentioned. „But considering we slept almost the entire night and that I'm actually somewhat used to camp up there…" He sighed. „My parent only commented that I picked an odd time to need alone time. The single minutes I saw her."

„Reminds me that mine packed lunch for you. Are you hungry?" Yogi mumbled.

„A bit… not really. Tell her thank you anyway."

Yogi nodded. „Will do. The blue bento box is for you." He sighed softly. „She almost insisted I stayed for some breakfast. I couldn't decide whether to jump at the food or decline, so I told her later. How embarrassing is that? I'll have breakfast later."

Gareki chuckled softly. „I forgot my pencils. That's more embarrassing."

„Stuff like that happens from time to time, Gareki." Tsukumo conseilled him.

But it didn't really work, Gareki just huffed. „Never happened to me before."

Yogi laughed and hugged him. „You can have my pencil case if that makes you feel better!"

„Not really, no." Gareki told him. „But keep sharing, yes? I'd be in some trouble otherwise."

Yogi just snorted. „Give me one thing I wouldn't share with you." He mentioned. „You don't even need to ask. Just take what you need."

Gareki raised an eyebrow. „If it's like that… gimme your phone for a moment. I want to see the picture again."

„Of course. I already wrote dad to make you your copies. But until then…" He pulled out his phone and gave it to Gareki. „This had to be enough."

Gareki held the mobile as if it was a treasure and it almost broke Yogi's heart. „They looked really happy didn't they?" Gareki mumbled, gazing at the picture.

„It would have been really amazing to grow up with you," Yogi mumbled. „Imagine what we would have done. Maybe we would have set a kitchen in flames or stolen all the cookies and ice cream."

„Or maybe you would have done all of that and I would have told your parents to get my share fair and square." Gareki mentioned, looking up with a sly grin.

„Excuse me," Tsukumo interrupted them. „Why are you getting on this subject?"

„My parents were good friends of Gareki's. Our dads were best friends even. If his aunt hadn't taken him in, my father would have. He said he always knew Gareki would end up with my family. Guess how proud he is that I've got myself an awesome boyfriend?" He grinned, pulling Gareki closer and gave him a kiss on the cheek. „But that doesn't change the fact that I'm dead tired."

„Well, you were up as soon as Aka started to sing. I was still sleeping," Gareki mentioned, yawning gently. „I would have been able to ignore that annoyance for all eternity."

„That's not nice. Your pet bird was hungry. You ought to give some food to it."

„It's a wild bird not a ‚pet bird'," Gareki complained softly and looked to Tsukumo. „There is this annoyance of bird coming to the tree house everytime I'm there because it wants food. Yogi gave it a name and is now insisting it's a pet."

Tsukumo covered her mouth with her hand, chuckling amused. „You've got the bickering down. When do you show me the rest?"

Yogi blushed bright red. „Excuse me? How about: Never?"

Yogi couldn't help but think that nothing really changed.

His mother had been mad at first, sure, but she had forgiven him not long afterwards.

And it was so worth having Gareki back at the table. His parents, fond of Gareki as always, didn't even try to bring up the subject of Gareki's parents back. Gareki was slightly too eager for these subjects, too enthusiastic. It was kinda cute.

"Yogi?" Gareki asked him and his gaze snapped to him.

"Yes?" he said.

"Which university are you planning to visit?"

Yogi's heart sunk. "I still have over a year to decide!" he answered. "Don't ask such hard questions!"

Gareki halted for a moment, before his eyes widened. "Rich family, right. One year and a half, not one year."

Yogi's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean by that?"

"Scholarships are given earlier than that. For me it's only one a year since I'd still need time to write the applications. How nice do you think our school is going to look on it?" He seemed utterly content. "That will at least be one bonus point. My applications has to back it up somehow."

"If your favourite university accepts you, you should take it even if they wouldn't grand you the scholarship," Yogi's father mentioned lightly. "I'll pay your first year and afterwards you'll have your inheriance. That should cover the expenses and then some more."

"I couldn't ask for that," Gareki told him.

Yogi's father sighed softly. "I missed 17 of your birthdays, Gareki. I think, the present to your 18th should be something big."

"…I'm not celebrating my birthday anyway. I don't need any present, don't bother yourself with it," Gareki told him and turned to Yogi. "Same goes to you."

He pouted. "Well then." Yogi huffed. "I'm just going to get you something really special you can't say no to. Or go with you on a date to someplace you'll enjoy more than any other place." Then he grinned. "And still buy you a birthday present."

"I have to second Yogi here, Gareki. You're definitely getting a present. May 21st wasn't it?" Yogi's father winked at Yogi. "Maybe we'll throw you a bigger birthday party than Yogi."

"Pft. I don't know as many people as Yogi. I am just hanging out with Yogi and Tsukumo."

Yogi put his hand on Gareki's tight. "You'll get the nicest birthday party ever. I know enough people to make it an educated blast."

"I'm not sure I like the way you used the word educated here, Yogi." Gareki told him, putting his hand on Yogi's and Yogi turned his hand around to take it carefully. "I really don't need one."

"Between necessary and pleasure is a big difference, Gareki-kun." He said, pressing his hand. "And I want you to have the biggest pleasure on your birthday."

"I'm not a people person. I don't like… parties." Gareki shuddered slightly. "Not at all."

"Well, then I'll think of something else! Trust me," Yogi told him, pressing a soft kiss on Gareki's cheek.

"On another note," Yogi's father than started. "Do you already know when you'll be occupied around Christmas? We'd like to invite you over for a dinner."

Gareki shrugged slightly. "My parent has to work on the Christmas days. I'm free on all of them. Just invite me whenever it fits you best."

Yogi's eyes widened. "That's no good! Christmas is for the family!"

"My aunt really wants the best for me, Yogi. It might not seem like it to you, but a roof over your head and food on the table is more needed than holidays spend with the family. It might be pleasure, but survival is first."

"It still hurts that your life is so hard. I want to hear you laugh out of pure joy just once. I don't want you to constandly worry…" Yogi mumbled. "I just want you to be happy…"

Gareki pressed his head in Yogi's shoulder. "I am happier than I have been in years. Things are just starting to relax."

But this wasn't quite enough for Yogi.

"Don't you have a scarf?" Yogi asked Gareki when school ended. "And where are your gloves?"

Gareki blinked. "It isn't that cold."

His boyfriend started to unwrap himself and wrapped his scarf around Gareki's neck. "It is snowing outside and you have a long way home. Use this one for now, I still have another one at home."

Gareki nodded slightly. "Thank you, Yogi. But now you've got no scarf."

He shrugged. "My father is going to pick me up anyway. I only need to walk to the street. Don't worry."

Hiding his face in the scarf, Gareki nodded. "Alright."

"Where is your scarf anyway?" his mother asked him over dinner.

His father smirked taking a sip out of his cup. "Shared with his boyfriend. Yogi can be insisting if he wants to."

"Hello there marvellous," Yogi greeted him when he opened the front door. "Come in, it's warmer."

It was slightly weird for Gareki how he could smell the Christmas mood in Yogi's home. And how he could see it. "It looks inviting," he mumbled as he slipped past Yogi to tidily put his shoes and jacket away, but the cold was still under his skin. Then he turned to Yogi hugging him quickly. "Thank you for letting me in."

He rolled his eyes. "The last thing I want is that you fall sick. How are you?"

"I'm fine," he answered. "You?"

"Now that you're here? I couldn't be better." He smiled brightly. "Mum just started to heat up milk. Are you in the mood for hot chocolate? Because I sure am."

"I guess it would be fine."

Yogi pouted. "That isn't enough for me. Do you like tea more?"

"Yes, I do. But I'm fine with hot chocolate too." Gareki answered already heading for the kitchen. "There is no need to inconvenience your mother about a little preference."

"Inconvenience me?" Yogi's mother asked, coming out of the kitchen and pulling Gareki into a hug. It wasn't the first time Yogi realized how Gareki went stiff before hugging her back, then waited a moment – until it wouldn't be rude – before pulling back first. "What do you want Gareki-kun?"

His mother didn't realize it. Yogi was slightly proud of himself. "Gareki-kun would rather have tea than hot chocolate, but doesn't want to decline because you already started to heat it up," he explained. "That's silly isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. What's your favourite kind of tea, Gareki-kun?"

Gareki seemed uncomfortable. "Every kind is fine…"

"Not really picky, are you?" Yogi's father mentioned as he came down the stairs. "Hello, Gareki-kun. Have you ever had green tea with freshly pressed lemon?"

"No, I haven't had."

"Well, then we have an order. It's nice to have you over. How did you sleep? Did you have breakfast yet?" he chatted lightly.

"I slept well, thank you, and no, I haven't had breakfast yet. It's still a bit too early." Gareki answered.

"We're only about to set the table. Maybe we should put some more bacon and ham on it in this case." He laughed and carefully ruffled Gareki's hair. He turned towards his wife. "Where is Miu-chan?"

"Still sleeping," she answered. "Yogi, darling, would you mind setting the table already?"

Yogi nodded and pulled out plates from the cabin, red ones with delicate Christmas drawings. Gareki squatted down next to him reaching to take one out of his hand. "These are really—" he fell quiet, blushing lightly.

"They are part of our special Christmas set! Only to be used from the 24th until the 26th of December." He grinned softly. "I like how they carry a Christmas spirit on their own and are even somewhat our Christmas tradition."

"I see…" Gareki mumbled, "Hold them tight then." He stood up again. "What can I do to help? This isn't my kit—"

"You're our guest, Gareki-kun!" Yogi's mother scolded him and gave him a cup of tea (for a moment he wondered when the tea had time to cook, but then let go of that thought). "Take your tea and head to the living room."

"I want to help, Rimhakka-san," Gareki told her. "I would feel bad if I didn't help."

She sighed softly. "You don't have to be so formal with me either. You're dating my son, so you're basically already part of the family." She ruffled his hair. "Really, just sit down on the couch and enjoy your tea. I am almost finished here and Yogi can handle a handful of plates."

Gareki shrugged, realizing that it was useless to fight this. "Take care of the plates, Yogi," he said and made his way to the living room.

He halted slightly, looking at the tall shimmering Christmas tree. The golden and red ornaments reflecting the light that fell in from the door and window, Gareki hadn't wanted to destroy the picture by lighting the lights.

He took a sip of his tea, savouring the slightly bitter taste on his tongue. Smaller lights were already illuminating the Christmas tree from within. He heard Yogi shuffling into the room, the soft noises of him setting a table.

He didn't say a word.

Gareki didn't mind at all. Moreover, he loved this almost silence or rather loved how Yogi understood well enough that he didn't always need the constant chatter to feel like he was still welcomed and wanted.

He still liked to talk.

But for now, they were only breathing,

Gareki rather listened than participated in dialogs. But it was fine, in this family there was always someone to fill the silence.

Nevertheless, Gareki choose to throw something in. "I think you should find a hobby, Yogi," he spoke, completely disrupting the slight bickering of him and his sister.

"Not you too," he wined slightly. "You're supposed to—"

Gareki raised his eyebrow as he interrupted. "If you say hobby, I'll be mad."

Yogi shook his head. "You're supposed to be on my side. Is what I was going to say, before you interrupted me." His parents chuckled softly.

"I am," Gareki assured him. "But I'm not a people person, it's draining to be around people all the time. When do I still have time for myself anyway?" He snorted lightly. "Not even in the science club," he added, mumbling it bitterly.

"I'm not heading to the science club with you every—" he fell silent, remembering how many people seemed to be around Gareki lately, especially in the science club. They were almost swarming him as his project came together under his hands. "They are annoying you? I thought you finally made friends on your own!"

Gareki snorted. "With these opportunists? Your judgment of me is so off." He chewed on a piece of bacon.

"And instead of telling them off, you tell me to go find a hobby?" Yogi asked, pouting.

"I told them off. But opportunists are the worst." He shrugged lightly. "Some tried to get to me over you the week before vacations started. You look for a hobby and I get a new set of books." This was accompanied by a firm gaze. "And then we'll enjoy our time even more. But I need some space."

"Any ideas?" Yogi mumbled, still not happy with the proposal, but knowing that Gareki would only be unhappy if he didn't accept and plainly declined.

"Fencing," Gareki told him without even thinking about it. "You enjoyed it in the past."

Yogi's mother nodded. "I think this is a brilliant idea, Yogi! You're getting out of shape lately."

He raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. "Am I making shopping hard for you?"

"No, but when was the last time you went for a run?" she asked. "You were out of breath from running half a mile a few weeks ago."

He rolled his eyes. "Sorry." He told her, but it was pretty clear that he didn't mean it.

Gareki looked vaguely amused by their exchange. "So, now that that's decided," Gareki changed the subject, "Would you mind giving me the bread, Yogi?"

"You're fast with deciding for me," Yogi pouted, handing him the bread. "Besides, you didn't even ask whether I was alright with it."

"That's because you mentioned you never wanted to stop fencing," he took a slice of the offered bread. "So, you can start again. Thank you."

"It's no problem." Yogi sighed. "When I started dating you, I didn't know what would actually happen."

"Says the one with dating experience. When you think about it, it's a bit like kissing and math, isn't it?" Gareki snorted lightly. "At first seems so odd and difficult, but in the end, when you get a feeling about how it works, it's easy."

Yogi raised an eyebrow. "I agree about it from my point of view. But I never would have thought you would have had problems with math."

"I was struggling in elementary, because teachers always tried to explain math with whole numbers. One orange and another orange made two oranges, but I kept taking them apart, insisting that suddenly it wasn't one and one, but one and 64…" Gareki mumbled, "I was very mindfully by taking them apart, I even took the slices apart. Same with chalk or… whatever else they used in an attempt to explain. Took a while until they pulled me out and explained fractions to me. I understood from then on and tried to do my research on my own as soon as I got a library card." He took a breath and saw how his boyfriend was close to laughing. "Just laugh. Thinking back, I was somewhat stupid."

"That's not it," Yogi chuckled, "It's just somewhat endearing that even you struggled with school before."

Gareki snorted lightly.

Gareki looked at his Christmas present wide eyed. "I can't take this," he told Yogi's parents. "It must have costed a fortune."

"I insist, Gareki-kun." Yogi's father answered. "We were planned to become your god parents and weren't there before, so from now on we'll spoil you a bit more. Yogi helped picking it out actually." He winked softly. "We still have another present for you."

"For real?" Gareki asked softly.

"Mine is next!" Yogi exclaimed, pressing a carefully wrapped package into Gareki's hands. "And thank you so much for the present, I already love it!" He pulled him into a soft hug. "You've got a brilliant sense for presents!"

"Thanks?" Gareki answered and looked down at the present he had in his hands. "I'm going ahead." He pulled on the bow, eyes still resting on the slightly sparkling gift-wrap. It was too pretty to be unwrapped, but Gareki didn't let himself be bothered by it. A colourful box slipped on his lap and he laughed gently. "That's—!"

"You mentioned that you always wanted one, now your first experimental box! We can try it all out together, Gareki-kun!" Yogi joined in his laughter. "Let's have fun over Christmas!"

"Yes," Gareki mumbled, "Let's have fun." He held the box tightly in his hands. "Thank you, Yogi."

"You're welcome!" Yogi answered happily, pressing a soft kiss on Gareki's cheek. "I love you."

"Me too."

The science competition came steadily closer and Yogi was glad he started fencing again, because the time Gareki had to spend with him grew steadily rarer, so rare indeed that Yogi even started taking advanced lessons that he never quite had the time to do before (but with Gareki's study tips and without Gareki's presence, he had it and more free time than ever). His grades hadn't dropped again and so his parents didn't even mind paying for it. But right now, there was nothing for him to do besides staring on his phone, waiting for a response.

"Yogi, could you—" his mother started, but halted when she saw him. "Gareki-kun will have more time again soon, sweetie. Just a week longer and then you can spend the entire Easter vacation with him. Doesn't that sound nice?"

He nodded slightly. "Science is great and all, but I really miss him mum. We didn't even share any words in the break, he just… told me to shut up while he slept on my lap. Which is cute and all, but – don't tell Gareki-kun I mentioned him and cute in the same sentence," he took a breath, "but I really miss talking to him. I don't even know what his project is. I only know that programming is a part of it and our teacher can't help him." He let his head fall on the table. "I just really miss my boyfriend, mum…"

His mother pursed her lips. "How about you stand up, pretend your mobile phone's battery is out and you occupy yourself. I'm sure I can keep you busy for a bit." She ruffled his hair. "He didn't end things with you, he's just a bit busy."

"Alright…" he mumbled and turned his phone off. "What do I do first?"

His mother smiled brightly at him. "I was thinking about repainting the living room. Do you want to help me?"

"Sure," he answered putting his mobile on the table. "I've got nothing better to do."

With his mother to keep him busy, the science competition came much quicker than Yogi would have thought this blessed and cursed day would ever come.

But here he was, standing in his room, three hours before the doors of the museum the competition was held opened, having a hard time to decide on a shirt. Annoyed with his own inability, he just gripped both and headed to his parents bedroom.

Stepping into it without even knocking, he held the shirts up. "Which one?" he asked his mother.

"Good morning to you too, Yogi," she mumbled sitting up and rubbed her eyes. "I think the blue one would suit the occasion more. Why are you up already? It's a Saturday."

He narrowed his eyes. "It's Gareki's big day and I'm going to be a prober boyfriend who's there half an hour early." He declared and shuffled out of their bedroom again.

"Tell him that he can come with me later," his father mumbled to his wife, because Yogi had already closed the door behind himself. "I'm going to be there at that time anyway."

"Tell him yourself," she answered. "It's nice how early he woke up. If only school would excite him so much."

He chuckled lightly. "Nobody is that excited for school, darling. Besides he does wake up earlier because he's looking forward to seeing Gareki at school."

"Just who raised him to be such a lovesick puppy?" she mumbled. "It's cute, but he'll grow jealous for sure when Gareki-kun even looks after someone the wrong way."

"That's for Gareki-kun to figure out," he mentioned, "We've raised him as good as we could."

Yogi seemed to be considerably excited. So excited in fact, that his father took him aside because he just couldn't keep calm. "Everything will be alright, Yogi", he told him. "The winner will be announced soon and you're going to hug Gareki tightly. Just keep your feet calm for a moment longer."

Yogi looked around with wide eyes. "But what if Gareki-kun won't win? They are all so amazing."

"Then you'll be there to comfort him," his father ruffled his hair, but then smoothed it out again. "It won't break his academic career, don't worry." He smiled slightly and pressed a soft kiss on Yogi's forehead. "What will damage yours is that you aren't able to decide on a plan. So do not worry for Gareki-kun. He'll be fine."

"Gareki-kun will be fine," Yogi repeated slowly and nodded. "I'll just sit down in the corner and keep my fingers crossed anyway."

"Do that," his father said. "Just keep calm. You're making me nervous. What if I accidentally say Arumerita Gareki? He'll hate me forever."

Yogi halted for a moment and then nodded. "Probably."

"Exactly. So please keep your feet calm or I'm going to make you run home and back until I announce the winner." He chuckled again, but then turned around as well and went back to the staff.

Yogi sat down on a chair, front row, mind you, but relatively close to the end. He'd have to believe in Gareki. And into these cute little robots Gareki had made that acted a ridiculous amount like real animals. (Even though Yogi didn't understand what exactly their use was.)

He considered again. Somehow most inventions here had something to do with toys. Maybe there was some kind of theme every year? Suddenly something landed on his lap, he blinked as he realized it was a ball from the den Gareki had put his two robots it. The robots, one wouldn't quite believe they were robots, if one didn't see their frame. If Gareki had put them into some sort of fur though… things would look entirely different.

Taking the ball into his hand, he walked up to the small den. "You lost something, Gareki-kun," he told him as he offered it to him.

"You look so gloomy, what's up?" Gareki asked as he took the ball and let it fall to the ground where one of the robots immediately threw himself onto it and played with it.

Yogi shook his head. "I was just thinking. Do these competitions have some sort of theme?"

Gareki nodded slightly. "It's not a… theme per se though. More like an idea itself. If there would be submitted something entirely different, it wouldn't be regarded negatively, but for people who have too many, they can narrow it down with the suggested theme." He sat down on a chair. "Come in, they don't bite."

"Why is it so closed then?" Yogi questioned, slightly amused.

"Because I don't want people to be too rough with them. The judges are fair, but not every contestant." Gareki grinned. "You always wanted a pet, play with them for me. I need a break."

Yogi chuckled. "Share your food with me and tell me the theme. Why is so much toy related?"

Gareki sighed softly. "The theme is pretty sad. 'How to make children's stays in hospitals more comforting?' I just thought kids like pets, don't they?" He opened up his lunch and offered some to Yogi.

He looked at Gareki's lunchbox with slightly narrowed eyes. "You made this yourself, didn't you?" Then he shook his head. "It's almost as tasty as mum's lunch, but not as pretty to look at is it."

"You don't have to eat," Gareki hissed slightly.

But Yogi only shook his head. "You already have the hardest part down! Mine looks cute, but you can't really eat it. I'd never think about offering it to anybody."

Gareki slid from the chair and sat down on the ground next to Yogi. "I missed this…"

Yogi's eyes lit up. "Me too. I love you, Gareki-kun."

Gareki smiled. "I love you too."

Yogi almost jumped up from his chair when his father announced Gareki to be the winner of this year's science competition, but he kept calm, as his father had asked him to be. Just clapping, he told himself and almost cried of relief.

His father ruffled Gareki's hair, saying something out of earshot from the media and Gareki nodded, maybe he said something too, but that Yogi couldn't see. He could however see disappointment in some other faces and it took him a moment to even realize why too blinded by his own happiness.

Eventually, Gareki had made his way to him and Yogi pulled him into a tight hug. "You're brilliant," he told him and gave him a soft kiss.

"Brilliant? Not really. But thank you for the encouragement, Yogi," he answered, pressing their foreheads together. "Your father invited me over. Dinner at yours?"

"Sounds amazing!" Yogi answered.

Someone caught behind Gareki and Yogi looked up to see a teacher that wasn't from his school. "Can we help you?" Yogi asked him when Gareki turned around.

"Good morning," Gareki greeted him instead. "Long time not seen."

"Good morning, Gareki-kun," he answered. "It's nice to see you again. How have you been?"

"I'm good. Things finally smoothen out, sensei." He responded and Yogi blinked. Was he Gareki's old science teacher?

The man smiled at Gareki. "That's nice to hear. I see you're not alone today either. Who's your friend?"

Gareki pressed Yogi's hand for a short moment. "This is Yogi and he's actually my boyfriend," he introduced him. "He's a classmate of mine."

The teacher nodded, clearly relived. "And here I was afraid that you would be unhappy in your new school. It's good to see I was wrong." He patted Gareki on the shoulder, Yogi could see how Gareki wanted nothing more than to pull himself out of reach, but didn't do it out of respect. "I'll head back to my class. You should visit sometime."

"Sure!" Gareki answered and added, "How about never?" as soon as he was out of earshot.

Yogi chuckled lightly. "Never is a big word too."

"I disliked that school. Never gonna go there again." He turned around and hid his face in Yogi's neck. "Any plans for Eastern?"

"Besides buying too much chocolate to eat in a lifetime?" He shook his head. "None yet. Will you sleep over?"

Gareki shrugged slightly. "If I get an invitation? I'm not start to say, 'Ah, by the way, I'm sleeping in your bed today, I hope you changed the sheets in the last two days!" He grinned slightly and Yogi rolled his eyes.

"A bit of warning would be appreciated. Like two minutes." He shook his head. "I mean, you can say that. Really randomly. Without any warning. I like having you over, it's amazing. Because you're amazing. And when we have vacations, we don't even have to take care of starting to sleep early enough." He put his arms around Gareki and pulled him close. "Someday, I'll just capture you and hold you forever."

"I'll miss food you attention vampire", Gareki joked lightly. "And you'll miss your social networking."

"There is nothing wrong with my social networking. At least I use my phone," he argued lightly. "Not like you with the wasted 20 mp camera for what? Do you even have pictures?"

"Of course I do. Who'd not use it? I have the whole progress of my pets documented." Gareki seemed proud, even though Yogi didn't quite understand of what.

"Well, I've got our whole relationship documented in pictures. Social skills for win." He grinned and snuggled into Gareki. "I'm already looking forward to your stay, Gareki-kun!"

"…Don't say that with a grin like that, you creeper." Gareki just mumbled in response.

"Do you already have any plans for your vacation, Gareki-kun?" Yogi's father asked over dinner and Gareki shook his head.

"Yogi invited me over, but none otherwise," he then clarified after swallowing his food. "Why are you asking?"

He seemed to think. "We were planning on giving you a present for winning the competition, but since we didn't know your plans, we couldn't book the flight or the hotel yet."

Gareki blinked and then shook his head. "I absolute will not accept a vacation as present. You've already done too much for me." He crossed his arms, resolute.

"I have barely done anything for you, Gareki-kun," his father argued and Yogi watched their exchange interested.

"What about the letter of recommendation? It got me a scholarship at my first choice," Gareki responded without missing a beat, "I am thankful, but I won't ever be able to pay back that favour."

Yogi's father reached over to ruffle Gareki's hair. "That wasn't any bother. I want to be able to look into my best friend's eyes when I meet him ago and tell him I did all I could for you." There was a uncomfortable silence, that almost made Yogi cringe. "I wanted to take you in, but I also understood your aunt. I wanted to help but she didn't accept it. Now that I can do something, I want to do everything before I lose the chance again."

Yogi could see how Gareki's resolution crackled. "Alright," he mumbled. "But only a weekend."

"With Yogi. And I can pick the destination," his father agreed eager. "You'll have a lot of fun, I promise."

Gareki shrugged lightly. "I'd be offended if you send me somewhere alone, when I was planning to do stuff with Yogi already."

That was it. That was the entire discussion. That was what landed Yogi in a resort. That was what landed him in this bed that was way too comfortable with Gareki who wasn't wearing enough and was still sweating.

He watched the droplets roll down Gareki's back, and then heard Gareki flipping a page. "Can I help you or are you good?"

"The view is pretty good!" He stopped breathing and hid his face in the pillow. "Tell me I didn't just say that."

"You hit on your boyfriend." He stared at Yogi for some time and then sat up with a sighed. "What's wrong with that?"

"How can you be so damn sexy while reading? It isn't even my type…" Yogi mumbled perking up from the pillow, but still hugged it close to his chest.

Gareki winked. "Want me to dress up as your type?" He put a bookmark in the book and stood up making his way to his suitcase.

"Please don't…" Yogi mumbled. "I find that I cannot bear it. You're already so attractive."

"You can be actually funny if you try to be," Gareki answered and pulled out a black shirt, Yogi knew all too well. "Skinny jeans were with it, weren't there? I'm sure I packed your favourite pants." He threw some clothes on the floor before he found what he was looking for, then he put the jeans and the shirt tidily on the bed before packing everything properly folded back into the suitcase. "There we go, this will be way too much clothes for this temperature… The stupid things you do for love." He slid down the shorts he was wearing and changed them for the tight black pants and then slid the shirt over his head. Yogi could still see a bit of Gareki's stomach under the hem of the shirt when Gareki mussed up his hair. "This is actually comfortable, but my parent would flip if I dressed like this."

"What a shame," Yogi commented, taking in the sight with diluted pupils. "That sure is… a shame."

Gareki sat down on the bed, pushing Yogi's face up until their eyes met and kissed him. While Yogi enjoyed being close, that close and kissing, he fought for taking control. Sure, Gareki was more skilled now than in the beginning, but he always had to lure out the sweetness in his kisses.

Yogi knew for Gareki it was the exact opposite. He always tried (and often than not also accomplished) to lure the fierceness out of Yogi's kisses. Bruised and bitten lips, soft panting, seemed to be what he desired. Never possessiveness. Yogi had tried it once and Gareki hadn't kissed him again for days after.

He wanted sweetness. His hands fumbled slightly with Gareki's shirt, pushing it up, more up than it had slid up before. The beautiful muscular back. He ended the kiss and pressed one on Gareki's neck, only to reconsider it and softly biting in the soft flesh. Maybe Gareki wouldn't kiss him again for days put that was and would be completely fine.

Gareki moaned softly. Yogi hoped it was pleasure and not pain. He let go of the skin, running his tongue over it and then running it up Gareki's neck. The slightly bitter taste was oddly sweet.

"Yogi?" Gareki whispered and waited until Yogi's gaze found him. "I want that."

He found himself pressed into the pillows. "Me too." He dropped some more kisses all over Gareki's face before he met his lips again. "How can a person be so—" Gareki shut him up from even thinking something else, kissing him, biting his lips. It was still an odd sensation to Yogi.

Gareki grinned slightly into the kiss. "Your parents," he told him between kisses, "probably didn't account that."

"They…" Yogi shook his head. "They probably did."