The One
Summary:
Nowaki bitterly realized that Akihiko would always mean somebody for Hiroki.
Disclaimers: Junjo Romantica isn't mine.
Chapter 3
.-.-.
"Ugh!"
Groggily Nowaki opened his eyes. He blinked owlishly several times before his eyes could register the sight around him. The tickling clock told him it was just past dawn. Still with hazy vision, he tried to get up. As he did so, something slid down his shoulders.
No wonder he didn't feel cold at all. It must be Hiroki who had wrapped a comforter around his tall body. That thought alone was more than able to curve a smile on his face.
A muffling sound from the kitchen snapped him. Hiroki was there. The couch he had slept in creaked a bit when Nowaki got up.
"Nowaki? You're awake?"
"Good morning, Hiro-san."
There he saw Hiroki was heating up pasta on a pot. He already dressed for work.
Nowaki longingly watched his lover preparing their breakfast. He really missed him terribly. He wanted to give him a tight embrace, but seeing his tidy boyfriend, he knew he had to hold it. So, he averted his eyes to the pot.
"Hiro-san, I didn't remember buying any packs of pasta," Nowaki frowned.
Hiroki's hands stilled for a second. He had his back on Nowaki. If he turned around, he was afraid that the young man would see unreadable expression on his face.
"I…bought it for you last night, but when I was back, you were in deep slumber. So I guess I should just put it in the fridge.
Awkward silence reigned between them. Only the sound of spatula hitting the pot filled the kitchen.
Nowaki sighed heavily. "Haven't I told you before, Hiro-san: desire to see me, or even talk to me, every time you wish? No matter what I'm doing, I'll right away come to you. You could just wake me up."
Hiroki hated to hear pain in his young lover's voice. Moreover, when it was him who cast the spell.
"I didn't forget you told me that, but do you think I had the heart to do that? You looked tired." And very endearing. Slight blush tinged his cheeks. It was his secret pleasure watching Nowaki's sleeping face. So naïve and beautiful.
Hiroki put the pasta on the table. After serving Nowaki a mug of hot chocolate, he sat down before the younger man.
"What happened to Usami-san?"
In an instant, Hiroki lost his appetite. He gulped nervously. He knew Nowaki would ask about this sooner or later, but right after he woke up?
Nowaki was downhearted eying the changing expression his Hiro-san's face displayed. He recognized almost all of those expressions Hiroki possessed.
"It's not a particular issue for you," Hiroki lifted his eyes to meet Nowaki's. "He faces some kind of problems with his boyfriend. Asking me for advice. That's all."
Ironic. Grief-stricken, Nowaki wanted to shout out that they had problems too. He idly scratched his mug, whose pair was in Hiroki's hands as well.
"Oh."
They hadn't been together for seven years for nothing. Hiroki too, realized that Akihiko dragging him the previous night had troubled his black-haired boyfriend.
"Hiro-san…"
"How was your work?" Hiroki quickly cut. He was afraid of what Nowaki might say. No, not now. He wasn't ready for anything pertinent with their bonds.
Nowaki's face went blank. Was it just his imagination that he sensed Hiroki avoided the issues between them?
"I just want to know," Hiroki's eyes grew darker. "It's been a long time since you told me about your patients or co-workers."
At that moment Nowaki decided to dismiss his restless and troubling thoughts. He loved Hiroki too much. He wouldn't let Hiroki's attempt to cheer him up go to waste. He knew the Demon Kamijou could turn clumsy when it came to their love affairs.
"Well, the children wards are as lively as ever, despite the fact that the children are there as patients. Children indeed are wonderful creatures."
Nowaki smiled remembering his loud patients. It didn't appear that those energetic kids were having problems with their health. Life was just too beautiful for them.
Seeing the smile on Nowaki's lips and his sparkled eyes set Hiroki at ease. This was the Nowaki he loved very much. He couldn't stop the smile that threatened to mar his serious face.
"And yesterday," Nowaki continued, encouraged by his smiling lover. "On the train when I got back home, a young boy bumped onto me."
"A young boy?" Hiroki parroted. His smile started to vanish.
"Yes. He's small and has dark hair. Incredulously I wanted to laugh when he occasionally stared at me," Nowaki let out a small chuckle. "He reminded me of my little patients. Perhaps that boy also wondered how a man could be this big."
He failed to notice Hiroki's stiff figure.
"…!"
"Pardon me?" Nowaki couldn't catch Hiroki's mumble. He looked up in bewilderment when the older man murmured he should head to work.
"But..It's still early."
"Got something to do," Hiroki got up and gathered his things. He was guilty seeing Nowaki's puppy eyes dropped slightly. "I'm leaving," in a swift of motion, he raised Nowaki's chin and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
Nowaki was deeply caught off guard. The kiss lasted a second, as if it was just a dream. The next moment he regained his senses, he was all alone. Only a tingling sensation burning his lips told him the kiss was real.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips. Nowaki regretted that nothing changed between them. He was scared that the longer the problems lasted, the more difficult it was to mend. He didn't want to lose the most precious person in his life. Even in his dreams he couldn't imagine it.
Nowaki's big hands reached towards Hiroki's mug. His fingertips traced its handle and its side, marveling the remnant of his lover's touch. His thumb caressed the side where Hiroki's lips had been.
For the first time in his life, Nowaki let insecurity devour his insides.
.-.-.
TBC
A/N : I just noticed that most of my stories for Junjo Romantica are dark and gloomy, just like the rainy season it is now in my place. Dunno why. Anyway, enjoy!
