Chapter 3

Aburatsubo's eyes lit up when he saw Takeo waiting for him at the front doors of the school, surprised to see that the other had waited for him. Despite the confusion he felt, it didn't change the fact that being around Takeo made him happy. His heart always skipped a beat when those chocolate eyes met his own.

They'd had a meeting of the Magic Club after school. At first, things had been very tense between everyone as they'd struggled to figure out exactly how they were supposed to act around each other now that four of them were dating. As they'd realized that things could go on just as they had before, that they could keep still keep their friendly comradery with each other, everything had settled down into the familiar routine.

Once they'd been dismissed, Aburatsubo had headed off to get changed before he made his way home. He hadn't been expecting to find Takeo waiting for him, as they had no plans for the day.

"Hey," he greeted as he came to a stop near the other.

"Hey. I hope you don't mind I waited for you," Takeo replied, looking more nervous than usual.

"Of course not. Want me to walk you home?" Aburatsubo asked, motioning for the other to follow him as he began walking once again. The two of them actually lived only a few houses away from each other, but Takeo's was closer to the school.

"Yeah, actually, I thought maybe we could go through the park on the way." Takeo's face was bright red at the end of the suggestion, and he couldn't meet Aburatsubo's gaze.

The brunette's steps faltered slightly as his eyes widened. Takeo had never actually asked him out yet. It had always been Aburatsubo to suggest where and when they went. He couldn't keep himself from grinning broadly, doing a little dance in his head that he wouldn't dare to actually dance out. It wasn't exactly a date, but it was still something couples did, and he couldn't keep himself from being elated.

"That sounds nice," he said, trying to keep his composure. He knew how hard it had been for Takeo to make the suggestion, as innocent as it was. He wanted to do his best to keep Takeo from becoming uncomfortable with the leap that he'd taken.

Aburatsubo wasn't fooling anyone. Takeo had seen the delighted look on his boyfriend's face, making his calm reaction afterward moot. The taller youth obviously didn't realize exactly how expressive his face was to Takeo, used to how easy it was to place up a shallow fiscade that kept everyone else from seeing too much. The mask had been completely useless with Takeo for the last four years, although he hadn't mentioned that to Aburatsubo. The brunette was already so forward with his feelings as it was, he'd feared the consequences had he mentioned he could already tell those that Aburatsubo had actually tried to keep a secret.

He liked it, he realized. A warm sensation had gone through him when he'd seen the happy look on Aburatsubo's face, one that made it worth it, despite how nervous he'd been. He was already so awkward, no one had noticed he fumbles through the club meeting. They hadn't seemed to suspect exactly how out of it he'd been as the time to go through with his plan drew close.

He knew Aburatsubo was disappointed with the lack of progress that they had made in their romantic relationship. He could see the pain that the brunette tried to mask whenever Takeo pulled away. He'd thought he was immune to the look, had seen it many, many times over the last ten years they had known each other. However, now, it seemed to pierce him, and he felt bad.

He'd thought about all of this before he'd told Aburatsubo that they could try dating. The truth of the matter was that they weren't trying. They really were dating, and he really did enjoy it, and he really did find the other youth attractive. He felt incredibly honored that Aburatsubo cared about him in the way that he did. Takeo had been so awkward his entire life, clumsy and gawky, he'd never thought that anyone would actually fall in love with someone like him. After so many of years of telling himself that it couldn't really be love the other felt for him, he'd started to believe it.

It was his own insecurities, he knew. He'd never been very sure of himself, and even as the other leaned in to kiss him, couldn't believe that Aburatsubo would actually want to. His doubts would overpower him, and he'd make some sort of an excuse or another. What if he turned out to be a lousy kisser and disappointed Aburatsubo? He'd never done anything like this before, and he didn't know if he was any good at it. What if he tripped while they were holding hands and knocked Aburatsubo down too? What if someone made a comment at them, and he reacted the wrong way? What if Aburatsubo saw him naked, and laughed at his scrawny body?

What if Aburatsubo realized, now that he finally did have Takeo, that he didn't actually want him?

The two of them made their way down the street slowly, and Takeo found himself watching the other. He didn't think Aburatsubo would every do anything mean to him, they were too close of friends for that, but what if he got tired of Takeo's fumbling? He tried to keep himself from panicking, but still did every time. Aburatsubo was always so sure of himself, never wasting a word or movement, it must be hard for him to have to deal with Takeo's short comings, no matter if he said they bothered him or not. Still, the other boy was patient with him, not giving up even after Takeo had disappointed him again and again. But every one of those nagging insecurities stuck with him, hitting him every time they were about to take an important step in their relationship.

So, he'd made a decision when he'd woken up that morning. He would ask Aburatsubo to walk home with him, and he WOULD hold his hand!

The silence was starting to become an uncomfortable one, and Takeo laughed nervously. Then he kicked himself for making himself look like an idiot again. It never seemed to fail that he would do something stupid.

But Aburatsubo just smiled at him, as though he didn't mind in the least. "Have you studied much for the test tomorrow?" he offered up, effortlessly easing the tension.

"Ah, not too much. I kind of forgot about it," Takeo blurted, unable to keep himself from laughing again. It really was a nervous habit he had to learn to control.

"Do you want to study when we get home? You could stay for supper," Aburatsubo suggested, giving him another warm smile.

His heart skipped a little, despite the fact it was something they'd done countless numbers of times before. Everything seemed different now, more meaningful and important, even something as inane as studying. "Sure," he agreed, his eyes trailing down to the hand which hung down at Aburatsubo's side.

Do it now!

He moved before he could lose his nerve, slipping his fingers into the other's relaxed grip. The moment seemed to stretch on forever, then Aburatsubo's hand tightened around his own and they continued on as though nothing had happened.

However, the feel of the other's hand against his own served as a big reminder, and Takeo felt his heart beat hard as he walked next to the other. It seemed like such an easy thing to do now that he'd done it. He could feel the tension ease out of his back and allowed himself to relax. Nothing had fallen out of the sky and crushed him, Aburatsubo hadn't pulled his hand away, Takeo hadn't tripped, and no one else on the street seemed to even notice. All of those fears, half of which were irrational, and everything was normal.

Well, except for the flush on Aburatsubo's cheeks and the silly little smile on his lips.

It really was worth it, he thought, pleased beyond words to see the happy expression he'd brought to Aburatsubo's face.

I will get used to this, he silently vowed to the other. I don't know how long it will take me, but one day I'll surprise you, and I won't pull away. I promise.