August
By: Aztec999
Salt air, and the rust on your door
I never needed anything more
Whispers of "Are you sure?"
"Never have I ever before"
Mikey found himself standing in front of Takemichi's house and knocking on his doorstep.
He knew that the blond will just laze around on a morning weekend inside his house since his girlfriend and her family were on a vacation trip to their relatives in Hokkaido this summer.
This means that he can take up the time of Takemichi for himself.
He knew that it was wrong but in the back of Mikey's mind he tried to rationalize it that he wanted to hang out with Takemichi because he's one of his closest friends and he enjoyed his company.
And nothing more.
But upon settling his dark gaze to the warm smile and bright blue eyes that were the epitome of the clear skies and sunshine, he knew that his heart was in trouble.
But at this moment he never needed anything more aside from the radiant hope standing in front of him in the form of Hanagaki Takemichi.
"Mikey-kun?" His voice had the usual lilt of innocent curiosity and light airiness that's akin to the soft, harmonic sounds of the chimes against the salt air of autumn skies.
"Hello, Takemitchy. Better prepare your helmet cause we're going to test out your knowledge and skills on driving the bike just like I taught you the last time!" Mikey smiled at him cheerfully and willfully ignored the surprised look on his face and sputtering some nonsense.
The more he looked at the blond's rosy cheeks and innocent gaze on his eyes, the more he could be lost into them.
And again, it's not good for his fragile heart.
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine
He heaved a deep breath as he watched the stream of light from the setting sun grazed softly along with the soft and peaceful features of a sleeping Takemichi beside him on the grass.
Mikey could watch on his face forever and tucked it away on the deep recesses of his mind, making it a faint memory inside his head that he would replay over and over again when he's gone.
He knew that Takemichi didn't belong here and he needed to go back soon into the future where he belongs.
And embraced the optimistic future that waits for him in the loving arms of his girlfriend, Hinata.
That thought sent a pang into his heart. But Mikey decided to ignore it as always.
He knew that Takemichi isn't his, to begin with, but in the limited time they have together, he could be selfish and shut down any reason his brain was screaming at him. He scooted closer and leaned down on his lips, capturing it in a fluttering kiss.
Takemichi stayed asleep.
He didn't know whether to be thankful or feel wretched about it afterward.
Your back beneath the sun
Wishin' I could write my name on it
Will you call when you're back at school?
I remember thinkin' I had you
That day was memorable to him.
Mikey's gaze was on Takemichi's back under the glistening rays of the sun on that fighting ring when he first met him. He was dressed in a uniform similar to the middle schoolers. But his back was bigger than anyone else present there. Takemichi was an old soul trapped in a teenager's body because of the burdens he's carrying that day.
And now he finally understood why.
Takemichi would look at him with that electrifying blue eyes of his, an all-knowing gaze that made Mikey want to imprint on his memory forever.
That desperate yet glimmering smile of hope was thrown over his direction. Takemichi had seen all the terrible deeds he had done not only to himself but to the others as well. Yet Takemichi continued to believe in him.
Continued to save him from the bleak future that waits for him.
And all Mikey wanted to do was to scream out his name and plead for him to stay right beside him.
Because he doesn't know if he can handle things alone when Takemichi was not on his side anymore.
He's the sunshine to the lagoon of the darkness of his life.
But Mikey knew that's not right. He can't monopolize and depend on Takemichi like this.
He needed to do his part and save everyone too. Even if he has to erase himself from the lives of the people that matter to him.
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine
Mikey had watched Takemichi's sleeping figure beside him in silence. The blond was pretty damn exhausted after his bloody fight with Taiju at the church and his emotional confession to Hina afterward. He tried not to dwell on the last part as it brought a certain pang to his chest at seeing them get back together again.
But overall, the young blond had passed out on him again as they traversed through the city with his CB250T motorcycle. He studied his bruised face and mottled arms with the usual blank expression on his face. Despite the numerous cuts and wounds on his face, it didn't take away the breathtaking innocence of his face. It was more magnified when he was in a deep slumber and unconscious state since he was free away from the burdens and hardships that he carried throughout his life. His hand had unconsciously drifted towards his flaxen locks, caressing idly the soft strands that fell through the side of his face.
The urge to kiss him on his lips was strong and achingly bittersweet.
Mikey had leaned closer until his face is a few inches away from the other, almost feeling his calm breathing and the steady beat of his heart.
How he wished that they could stay like this forever.
But that is wishful thinking that got lost in the depths of the ocean a long time ago.
It will remain unfulfilled till the very end.
And all he could do is to kiss his forehead and left him in stone silence despite the growing numbness inside his heart.
Back when we were still changin' for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you'd call
And say, "Meet me behind the mall"
So much for summer love and saying "us"
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose, no
It's no question how Takemichi would drop almost everything when Mikey called for his presence and asked him to stay by his side when they strolled aimlessly outside the city or just lounging lazily around the grassy area of the park near the lake.
However, Mikey had begun realizing within himself that he'd do the same for the blond when he was in need even if Takemichi wasn't pushy as him and still provide him of a leeway to decline as not to impose himself too much on him or on to the others.
The blond would show up in the most unexpected of ways.
Bringing him some home-cooked meals on the weekends and just hang out with him if he doesn't have any dates with Hina or a busy schedule or just asking him to hang out around the city to stroll in the arcade center or the mall randomly.
And of course, he can't decline. He can't outright reject Takemichi. Even if he has plans or somewhere to go on that day, the priority would lose its essence and be pushed back at the far recesses of his mind when Takemichi calls and requested his presence by his side.
It didn't occur to him that it wasn't cemented.
That it was just a temporary form of happiness.
Because Takemichi can still cancel his plans unexpectedly when something happens or when someone rather calls for his attention and time back.
And that's with Hina. Or with the other people closest to him.
A bittersweet smile curved on his lips as he stared despondently at the calm sea on the pier in front of him.
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine
'Cause you were never mine, never mine
But do you remember?
Remember when I pulled up and said, "Get in the car"
And then canceled my plans just in case you'd call?
Back when I was livin' for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all
"Meet me behind the mall"
His short, raven locks danced against the wind as he stared numbly at the ruins of the dilapidated edifice in front of him.
Mikey was getting used to the sweltering heat and tropical climate here in the Philippines that the blazing heat of the sun and the humidity of the weather didn't faze him a bit. It's been a while since he last felt the cold breeze of the autumn wind or the faint, droplets of snow back in Japan.
Also…
It's been a while…
Since he last saw…
His sunshine… and his last ray of hope.
Mikey still remembered back then how Takemichi's smile and comforting words would calm him down and reassure him of everything.
But then Takemichi left and everything seemed dull and monotonous.
He should've killed Chifuyu instantly when he saw him back then and not let his words messed up his mind further by listening to his hopeful words and staring at his promising smile that was etched on his face before he shot him to death.
Because hope was a fine conception of a man that brought out the best in every individual.
Ironically, it also brought out the wretchedness and misery in every person when it was dashed out in despair.
Because Takemichi was his own hope and his own lingering despair at the same time.
Takemichi had the power to build him up only to destroy him once again with that fleeting yet hopeful smile on his face.
"Mikey-kun!"
"Some things never changed Takemitchy."
Remember when I pulled up and said, "Get in the car"
And then canceled my plans just in case you'd call?
Back when I was livin' for the hope of it all (For the hope of it all)
For the hope of it all
For the hope of it all
(For the hope of it all)
(For the hope of it all)
(A/N: I don't own any of the characters from the franchise nor the song August from Taylor Swift's Folklore album. If there is one thing that the song and Taylor got it right, it's the lyrics of, "August slipped away into a moment in time." Because we're only a few moments away until we hit September, I'd like to get this done and published this fic before August ends within a few days. This was greatly inspired by the song August and Takemikey just screams of angst, unrequited love, and longingness. Reviews are fascinating. So, let me hear them from you.)