Chapter Two
He abruptly realized that it had been a few minutes since Genrou had spoken, and was more than acutely aware of the rising flush in his cheeks. The red-haired man looked away slightly, and it took a while to register that his shoulders were shaking. Genrou was laughing.
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He looked so adorable, standing there with his mouth slightly open in surprise and with the blush that worked its way up his skin, that he had to stifle his outright amusement. A faded blue cap was perched on his head, shadowing his eyes slightly that he couldn't read the emotions that flickered there.
Houjun had changed so much, and yet it seemed like only yesterday that he had last seen him. The former, bright blue locks had been trimmed to a shorter, neater cropped cut, and dyed so black it gleamed dark blue under the white lights. He seemed a tad better built now, slightly heavier about the shoulders, but his skin was just as fair as he remembered, if paler against the dark green shirt he was wearing.
"Can we talk without this?" he gestured to the plastic barrier which separated them, and cocked his head towards the main entrance. Houjun nodded, still not speaking after the initial greeting.
As he made his way forward, he could feel the other's eyes on his back, could sense him following, and tried not to show that despite his outward bravado, he was quaking inside.
This is going terribly. I just know it. I look terrible. I should have worn something else...
What if he hates me!?!?
That last thought hit him with a velocity that made his palms sweat. And then he turned the corner, and waiting there, expressionless, Houjun stood leaning slightly against the counter, looking at him.
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As Genrou walked towards him, he felt his usual composure crumble like dry biscuits. The familiar gait, combined with the sheer physical presence of the man he had dreamed about for the last four years, was enough to make his knees tremble slightly, and he leaned on the counter for support.
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I don't care if he hates me. No. I do care! But it's not going to stop me… Well if he doesn't care it'll stop me, all right…argh what am I thinking? Okay…breathe in…breathe out…don't think…just do it…
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They stood there, contemplating each other for a while, both at a complete loss as to how to begin. Then Houjun took a deep breath.
"How are—"
He was cut off when Genrou advanced and pulled him roughly into his arms. Shocked, the words dangled in the air and he looked up, his bones turning almost entirely to jelly as the redhead reached out and lifted his chin slightly, before spontaneously kissing him full on the lips, right there in front of everybody.
"I missed you, Houjun," the whisper was soft, yet he caught it as clearly as if the other had shouted it out. "Oh. I'm fine, thank you," he added as an afterthought, pulling back slightly and smiling at the ground, his long red bangs hiding his eyes. Before Houjun could think of what else to say, Genrou solved the problem for him.
"I just want to say I'm sorry."
His heart tightened. "I'm sorry too," he whispered back.
Yet something told him that apologies didn't matter now.
*End of Flashback