It was a weekend. Gokudera woke up from the best sleep he ever had. Stretching his body, he shuffled his way out of the blanket…
Only to find Yamamoto missing.
Feeling the sense of loneliness overtaking his emotions, Gokudera rolled over to where Yamamoto was suppose to be sleeping last night, right next beside him. The area smelt of him, and felt really warm and comforting. However, that doesn't explain why Yamamoto would leave him like that without telling him.
Gokudera flinched as he got off the bed, running downstairs for breakfast, hoping it was Yamamoto's turn to prepare him a meal.
To his surprise, Yamamoto wasn't there to rush out from his dedicated work just to hug him and kiss him. In fact, Takeshi wasn't there at all, just his father working alone behind the counter, tending to some early customers of the day. Meowing sadly, Gokudera came over to his father and sat down beside him, trying to piece everything together. Where would Yamamoto go at a time like this?
"Oh, good morning Hayato!" Tsuyoshi looked down at the cat and grinned. Gokudera had a sudden urge to just lift his head and shower him with a lot of questions regarding Yamamoto, but decided that it was best to stay quiet and meow for all he knew. Tsuyoshi stopped work as he squatted down and pat Gokudera on the head. Gokudera purred in comfort after being so lonely just now.
"Yamamoto had some things to tend to, so he's out for the moment. He really cares a lot for you, you know?" Gokudera meowed back in questioning. Tsuyoshi continued, staring at the door where Yamamoto left today. "That son of mine caught a cold last night, because he gave you his blanket and left himself exposed to the chilly wind yesterday." Gokudera fell speechless, not feeling like replying anymore. "When I asked him why on earth he would do so much for just a cat, he just laughed and said that Hayato is something really special to him, and he's willing to give it all out just to make sure you are happy. For all I know, he really cares about you."
Gokudera starred wide-eyed at Yamamoto's father. "Yamamoto… you idiot," Gokudera thought, finding himself rather selfish that he didn't notice it and continued to keep the blanket last night. "Now then, you must be hungry! Here…" Tsuyoshi stood up and handed the little silver cat a piece of fish. "It's our best so far, since Takeshi loves you so much, then as a Father I'll respect his thoughts and do the same thing as well!"
Gokudera hesitantly took the fish and ran off back to their room. He didn't touch the fish. Too full from his sadness, Gokudera went back to bed and fell asleep at the same spot that Yamamoto slept on his bed, whining to himself…
Hours seemed to have passed.
"Dad! I'm home!" Yamamoto came in panting. His father directed his attention at his son. "Yo, Takeshi! You're sick, so don't push yourself. And what's with all the bags?" He laughed at his son who was struggling to carry 3 bags at once. Yamamoto was too excited to reply, dashing up to his room. Tsuyoshi stared at him with the 'that's-my-boy' look on his face.
"GOKUDERA, I'M HOME!" Yamamoto burst into his room. He felt fatigued from his fever and all the running, but a smile was adorning his face , as bright as sunbeams, just brighter, and the entire room seemed to come alive with his laughter as its source.
Gokudera slowly lifted his face from his nap. "Yamamoto!" He called out in relief, jumping off and dashing towards him like he hasn't seen him for 3 years, hugging him tightly from the front, burying his face into his chest. "YOU IDIOT! DON'T DO THIS TO YOURSELF FOR ME EVER AGAIN!" He cried out in pain.
"Gokudera?" Yamamoto lifted his bags as his adorable kitten cried, jumping up to hug him real tight around the neck. He slowly placed his bags down at a side and hugged his cat in comfort. "Gokudera, did you miss me? I'm sorry I left without a word."
"Idiot. You're a big idiot!" Gokudera snuggled in closer. Yamamoto laughed to himself. "Yeah, I am a big idiot, I'm sorry for leaving you alone." Gokudera calmed down when he heard it. "Yamamoto let me go."
Yamamoto responded by hugging him tighter. "I won't. I won't let you go." The cat meowed softly and was slightly audible against his ears. Yamamoto sighed as he placed the cat down onto the bed and squatted infront of him, apologizing once again.
"Why?" Gokudera started.
"Why did you leave yourself in the cold while you tucked me up in your own blanket? Why?" Gokudera asked, feeling extremely hurt that Yamamoto ended up falling sick. Yamamoto laughed, patting his head. "Don't worry! It's nothing much, a little fever won't kill me. After all…" He stared at the calendar hanging opposite his room. "It will happen tomorrow."
"What will?" Gokudera asked, still hating himself.
Yamamoto turned back and smiled excitedly. "The Namimori baseball tournament, I'm playing in it with the rest of my club members. The juniors did a lot last year, so Namimori got quite a reputation. We'll definitely keep that tomorrow. Just watch," Yamamoto looked up at the ceiling. "We're gonna win. Yah~ I'm so excited that I can't sit still!"
"…Yamamoto?"
"Yeah?"
"Good luck." Gokudera said that with an embarrassed expression, turning away to avoid eye contact. Yamamoto was a little surprised at first, but his shoulders slack as he smiled warmly. Approaching the silver cat, he patted Gokudera lightly on the forehead. "Thanks."
… Silence filled the room as the two stared at each other smiling in companionable silence.
"Oh right, I woke up extra early this morning to get these for you!" Yamamoto grinned as he rushed over to his bags. Gokudera sat there on the bed and watched as he unloaded lots of things. He took out a brush and some other things that Gokudera may need if he was a cat. Gokudera winced when he saw kitty litter and special cat shampoo. He would do ANYTHING to make those two items useless. He also bought himself a book. "How to take good care of your cat," Yamamoto read the title out loud, then looking at the rather dissatisfied Gokudera, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, tail thumping in annoyance.
"And here…" Yamamoto smiled to himself proudly as he pulled out a collar. Gokudera stared at it. The hoop was red, his colour, and a decorative ribbon and a bell of the colour blue, Yamamoto's colour. "I knew this was the one when I first saw it! How do you find it, Gokudera?"
Gokudera stared at the double coloured collar. Hell is there anyway he's going to have anything with a ribbon be put around his neck, but he didn't want to hurt Yamamoto's feelings after he personally brought it for him despite having a fever.
" I guess it's okay… not that I want…"
"GREAT! So put this on! ^^" Yamamoto didn't care what Gokudera said at the back of his sentence after he heard Gokudera said that he's okay with it. Gokudera sputtered at the sudden reaction from his raven-haired friend. "But it's!..."
"Come on~! I'll be gentle…" Yamamoto laughed as he chased Gokudera around the room, trying to catch him to fit it on. Gokudera ran for his life, but he wasn't upset like the chase from the bathing situation. He was in fact, really happy that Yamamoto's fever didn't change his demeanor despite having a fever. He really hopes that Yamamoto has every single reason to smile everyday. He laughed back as he ran ahead, Yamamoto laughing as he chased behind. "You can't even catch a helpless little cat like me, you're useless, baseball idiot!" Gokudera laughed back jokingly at a certain point.
"!" Yamamoto's eyes widened in surprise as he immediately slowed down, losing his mood to play tag anymore. Gokudera turned back in horror. What happened Yamamoto? Did he said something wrong!"
"Ya…yamamoto?" Gokudera ran over and stared at him, only to be hugged again. Why was Yamamoto so emotional all of a sudden? Gokudera really hated himself when he makes Yamamoto upset.
"Gokudera, you're wrong." He then scooped the cat up and cuddled it. "You're not helpless. You got me, I'll go to the ends of earth even if it means just to help you, I promise." Gokudera sighed hopelessly, seriously? That was why he was so upset? Gokudera got himself so worked up over nothing. "Yamamoto, I was just joking~! Don't sweat over the small stuff…"
"Oh and one more thing," he let go of Gokudera, lifting him high up into the air as he smiled at how cute Gokudera looked staring doubtfully back with his beautiful jade eyes. "I'm not useless. I would only feel useless till the day I can't help you, but that would mean I never will feel that way. I promised you, didn't I? That I would take good care of you! ^^"
…Takeshi…
"Which would mean that I'm still going to get you and put this collar on." Yamamoto laughed out loud in victory with the cat now in his arms, he practically shouted, "GOT YOU! ^^"
"! Yamamoto you BASTARD YOU TRICKED ME!" Gokudera yelled back like he finally realized how his weakness for Yamamoto was his downfall to his doomsday. As he tried to squirm his way out of being captive, but Yamamoto has an iron grip. Eventually, he lost the struggle, and Yamamoto whistled out cheerfully as he fitted the collar in slowly to make sure it doesn't hurt Gokudera.
"DONE!" Yamamoto grinned happily to Gokudera, thinking how adorable he looked in it. He really, REALLY wanted to just spill everything he held within to him for so long.
"Gokudera, I love you." Yamamoto thought, smiling down at his cat. Gokudera stared at him like he just saw a slug on a cabbage on his plate. "… I think it looks great on you!" Yamamoto grinned, and he really meant it. The two shining emerald eyes blinked back, the bell tinkling at the slightest movement.
Staring down at himself, Gokudera reached the collar with his fingers, stroking the bell, it heard it tinkle. Surprised by how it reminded him about Yamamoto's joyous laughter, Gokudera smiled to himself. He really like it, but for now his pride's going to make him say how much he hated it.
"So?" Yamamoto asked. Gokudera stared back up. "I don't quite like it. It's uncomfortable, and it tickles." "I know you don't mean it." Yamamoto laughed at his negative-as-always Gokudera, playing the tip of his tail around with fingers. "Just don't take it out, okay?" Gokudera stared into his happy eyes that waited for an answer. He sighed, if it means that Yamamoto would be upset once he takes it off, which he can with his own fingers, then…
"If you piss me off, I'll just pull it off and rip it to shreds," Gokudera pouted, inverting his ears downwards. Yamamoto laughed as he picked the cat up to smell his fur. "You're impossible." Gokudera blushed as Yamamoto smelt his hair at the back of his head.
"Yamamoto, I really love you." He thought.
…
Later that night, Gokudera went to bed without a bath. Secretly, Yamamoto felt quite upset about it, but he doesn't want to upset his cat anymore, so he kept cheerful, whistling as he read the book he bought today.
"You know that thing is going to be useless till the very end right?" Gokudera pointed out, playing with the bell between his fingers. Yamamoto looked up to find his cat jingling the collar bell with its paw like he really enjoyed it. Yamamoto was happy that what he said earlier was definitely a lie. He then proceeded to read on, and stopped at a particular page, his eyes travelling slowly, as he seemed to be digest a sentence deeply. Gokudera stared at him suspiciously. Seriously, what's with that guy? Curious, he went over, jumped onto Yamamoto's lap to make himself comfortable, which he was just basically resting his head against his chest, sleeping beside the taller teen. Sighing at how cute he was, Yamamoto was defeated by it and caressed the feline gently with his hand, stroking the back of his ears. He swore he felt Gokudera purring against him.
"Trust me, this book will DEFINITELY come in handy some day." Yamamoto laughed as Gokudera fell asleep in his arms.
Yamamoto woke up the next day to find Gokudera curled up into a ball right on top of him, sleeping so soundly that Yamamoto can feel his breathing rate against him. Yamamoto realized that he had been hugging onto Gokudera ever so stubbornly throughout the night. To Yamamoto, Gokudera was just a cat that he didn't find anything strange about it at all.
For Gokudera's wake up call, the situation was ENTIRELY different.
Gokudera woke up and nearly nose-bleed himself to death. In is human prospective, Gokudera realized that he was literally RIGHT ON TOP of Yamamoto, him smiling back at Gokudera. Gokudera winced in embarrassment as he felt the urge to kiss him on the lips, finding Yamamoto looking really cute at that precise moment. Gokudera felt his face burning, so he used his hand to cover his mouth. "Damn it you bastard…" Gokudera thought. Yamamoto still had a hand on his back, as he had been caressing Gokudera since last night.
Gokudera was secretly happy that they were at least sharing a blanket, and that Yamamoto was kept away from the cold.
"Gokudera, ohayo," Yamamoto grinned. Gokudera blushed as he found himself propping the top of him with his arms by the side of Yamamoto's face, he looked up at Gokudera and smiled. "Good morning."
"Damn it… you…" Gokudera cursed out as he sighed and fell back to his chest, his hair veiling his blushing face. Yamamoto was in a state of confusion. He woke up to find Hayato fast asleep on him after he stroked him lovingly to his dreams, now he just so happen to wake up on his four paws, and then after greeting him, he slump back to sleep.
Gokudera is SURE full of surprises.
Then Yamamoto remembered something that he learnt from last night that caught the most of his attention.
Cats are well known to show their affections to others by contact on their noses. Show some love to your own cat by kissing them on their noses.
That was what it said in the book. "…" Yamamoto stared at the cat who looked extremely annoyed from being flustered. Here goes nothing.
Carefully, Yamamoto inched forward towards Gokudera who was lying on his chest. Just a little more… Yamamoto's heart raced as he prayed hard for a positive reaction from Gokudera leaning over…
CHU!
"…!" Gokudera's eyes opened abruptly as Yamamoto's lips made contact with his nose. Simply putting it in his prospective, Gokudera was kissed full on the lips by Yamamoto with passion and yearning. That was quite something to receive early in the morning.
"Yamamoto you…" Gokudera turned around, only to stare at Yamamoto's blushing face, looking away from the cat, mumbling something like, "I can't help it…"
Gokudera's face saddened by it, Yamamoto thinks that he is going to shout back and start calling him names. The last thing he wanted to do was to make Yamamoto think that he never liked him.
It was completely not obvious, but if it wasn't his inflated pride, Gokudera would just run up into his arms and just spill EVERYTHING he felt to the baseball player, how much he liked him, no, how much he LOVED him, how he appreciates all he has done for him, just simply everything.
The trouble is that Gokudera was too scared that he hurt the other teens feelingas Yamamoto looked away from him, clearly depressed with himself. Yamamoto thought he did something rather… well, stupid, since he knew that that wasn't enough to convince Gokudera how much he loved him and everything about him.
Until he felt a wet nose against his.
Surprised, he looked back to see the silver kitten nudging his nose softly against his… a tender kiss in other words. Gokudera was kissing Yamamoto back in his perspective, long and tender tasting his breath of sashimi and other raw seafood with his eyes closed to enjoy the moment's magic.
Yamamoto acknowledged it by slightly pushing his nose further back, which was to Gokudera, further deepening their sweet and longing kiss. He didn't understand how it worked, but he knew Gokudera was feeling the same thing for him. It was a dream come true for the tanned teenager. He was practically happy to tears as they kissed in each other's comforting presence, wishing how it won't end.
"Hayato I… I LOVE YOU! AHAHAHA! " Yamamoto finally had the courage to declare it out loud as his emotions were impatient to burst after being trapped inside too long for comfort. Gokudera's jade eyes widened in surprise, he never heard Yamamoto laugh like that before, is he experiencing true happiness for something he longed so much for? "Idiot," Gokudera bit Yamamoto's nose. Yamamoto let out a soft shout from the pain as his laughter subsided, "Hey, that kind of hurt okay, Gokudera?" then Gokudera fell onto him as he curled up, his tail swaying slowly as he listened to Yamamoto's heartbeat. "You shouldn't say it THAT loudly, even if it means you're really happy, idiot." Gokudera blushed.
"Hayato…" And with that the baseball player wrapped his arms around the tiny kitten. "I love you." He whispered into his ear. Gokudera remained silent, making sure Yamamoto can't see his rather rare grin of bliss that he never manage to smile out for so many years till today.
Tsuyoshi just went back to his bedroom after preparing all his ingredients for the store-holding later this morning. While passing his son's room, he heard a loud shout. "HAYATO I… I LOVE YOU!" Followed by a series of joyous laughter.
He sighed as he carried on walking. "My son can get quite emotional sometime. But seriously speaking, what does he see in that fiery little kitten?"