Disclaimer: TeniPuri belongs to Konomi and all the other parties involved.
Author's Note:
No. 3 from NiouYuki 63 themes at: http:theworld.littlestar.jp/teniss/ss/NIYUKI/TOP.htm
Excuses
Niou always had an excuse to visit Yukimura. He would say that he needed help with English because Yagyuu was too busy. He would say that Yukimura's garden calmed him after a fight with his partner or that he needed to get out of the house for a while. The other, in return, would nod and smile with acceptance, letting Niou into the house without question.
He visited most frequently when his captain was still in the hospital while he received treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Those words had pricked his tongue, tasting bitter and rank, when he repeated them after Yagyuu. He was angry that something like this had to happen to someone so strong and respected. So he visited almost everyday, fearing that if he didn't see Yukimura at least once, the other would disappear like an evanescent dream, leaving only the fragrance of the cornflowers that bloomed in his garden.
But Yukimura got better and returned back to the mantle of brilliance that filled the memories of those who knew him. Niou, instead of taking the regular route to the hospital by bus, now walked down the familiar path to the other's house, settling into the ritual of a new excuse per week. Sometimes they would stay at Yukimura's house and enjoy tea outside in the midst of peonies, cornflowers, and wisteria. Other times they would take the JR down to Harajuku station for a little bit of shopping among the Gackts, lolitas, and bands. Once, Yukimura asked him why he didn't invite Yagyuu instead. Niou just shrugged it off and answered, "Yagyuu wouldn't like the chaos of this place." He added a few seconds later as he scuffed his foot against the pavement, "Besides, your favorite store is here." The other boy didn't question anymore after that.
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It was exactly 5 minutes and 3 seconds after midnight, 5 minutes and 12 seconds after Niou left his house and 5 minutes and 54 seconds after he had the urge to see Yukimura. He could tell because his heart was beating loudly in his ears like a metronome. Being a creature who moved on impulse, he immediately walked out of his house with images of blue hair, soft skin, and delicate lips lingering in his mind.
The face that greeted him at 12:17 am was a bit more surprised than usual but it still had the same two smoky eyes with their cloud-like variation, the sharp features, and the kind smile tugging at the corners of rouge lips. When Yukimura didn't get an immediate explanation to Niou's sudden midnight visit, he chuckled and smoothed a stray lock of curls behind his ear.
"Finally ran out of excuses, Niou?"
He could've said that he had a nightmare where Yukimura suffered a relapse and disappeared with only traces of fragrance as evidence of his existence. He could've but he didn't. It was the truth but he kept silent. Instead, he closed the distance between them and hugged the younger boy to make sure he was really there and not just a dream.
"I had one but I don't need it anymore."
Another chuckle flowed past supple lips as Yukimura completed the embrace and kissed him.