For a moment, it feels like a break away from the world around them, because with Shirayuki here, Zen isn't just a Zodiac member, but he's human too. And Shirayuki's smiles and laughter and sunshine, though she's so guided and smart and not quite cool, but attentive in class. And somehow up here, they are nowhere near anything serious.
And she leans back, carefully now, so that she doesn't fall, and she smiles up at Zen, like the tree is their secret oasis, like there's a hidden melody here that only the two of them know the tune of. It's so, so nice to be up here with her.
It reminds him far too easily of what was lost that day when he was a kid, the way even Atri turned away, the way Zen was left alone once again, the outcast of sorts that hides in plain sight. The outcast that is viewed as the beloved one.
And here's Shirayuki, who wound up at Zen's house, who with just an accidental hug on unsteady feet, revealed Zen's secret and kept it. She kept it just like she keeps Izana's, just like she keeps Obi's.
It's nice up here in this tree, because nothing is pretend, and Zen feels more human than he's felt in a really long time. And it's Shirayuki's hand that slips into his own, a steady grip, fingers curling tightly around his as if to hold even his heart close.
And Zen wonders how long he can keep the words tucked inside that want to come spilling and tumbling out. It seems impossible. Because he already knows he loves her so much, but romance like friendship for a Zodiac doesn't ever seem to go well. And romance is a bigger bargain he knows than it first appears; it's a risk and a challenge all at once.
He doesn't want to accidentally push her away, but mostly he doesn't want her torn from his life, not after he just came to realize how much he needs her around, how she brings new life like sprouts to his heart, just reaching up, filled to the brim with greenery and joy and hope.
And so, Zen is trying his best to keep his lips sealed, and when Shirayuki looks at him today, he sees possibilities, hopes, and a future that he's hoping may one day come to pass, if they are ever strong enough to get through this.
The Rat of the Zodiac can't ever be this lucky, can he? His eyes are on his friend, who he definitely feels more than just friendship for; there's another layer on top of that, that he's just trying to keep the lid on, keep it closed tight, so they can even be friends.
"This is so fun." Shirayuki leaned half against his side, careful to not hug him, careful to keep her arms from curling around him, "Not the tree, but all of this." And she smiles, and Zen can't blink the sunlight rays of hope from his eyes just yet.
"Yes." Zen smiles over at her, big and wide and happy, "I agree."
And for now, they are just two teenagers sitting up high in a tree after class, but maybe one day, step by step, they'll have an even brighter and greater future. If all goes well as Zen hopes for and longs for so, so much.