Prompt: Favorite Moment (2020, Part 6 of 7)
"Heh."
Ritsu was just on the cusp of falling asleep when he heard his Senpai chuckle next to him. "What's so funny?" He mumbled tiredly, too curious to ignore it.
The days were getting hotter and longer, Spring turning into Summer, and these sleepovers of theirs becoming more frequent. Ritsu could tell his mom was getting more and more curious about this 'friend' Ritsu was constantly hanging out with, but he was going to avoid that line of questioning for as long as possible.
"I was just thinking about you." Saga said, one of his arms draped over Ritsu, the two of them laying on their sides and facing one another. It was a little bit of a squeeze to have them both in Saga's bed, but that just gave the older teen the perfect excuse to cuddle close.
"What about me?" Ritsu asked, much more awake now.
"When I first realized that you really loved me. And when I first realized I loved you back." Saga answered honestly.
"And when was that?"
Saga raised an eyebrow. "You really wanna know?"
"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"
"Because it's gonna embarrass the hell out of you." Saga said.
"I still wanna know." Ritsu insisted.
"Alright, you asked for it. Don't say I didn't warn you. Which one do you wanna hear first?"
"When you first realized I love you." Ritsu said.
"Okay, do you remember when you came back to school while it was raining? After I said those...mean things to you." Saga said. He didn't like thinking about that part, but it was unfortunately a part of the story.
Ritsu nodded. "I brought you back an umbrella."
"You did. And I just didn't get it. I couldn't understand why you would bother coming back with an umbrella. You didn't have any reason to care, especially after I blew up like that. There was nothing in it for you, nothing that you could possibly gain from being so nice to me. That's when I realized that you weren't trying to get something. You were taking care of me for no reason other than the fact that you loved me. You didn't expect anything back, you were just happy knowing I wouldn't go home soaking wet. I...honestly didn't think people like that existed until I met you. I still think most of the world is pretty bleak and selfish. But now I know not all of it is." Saga spoke softly and with sincerity.
Ritsu could only nod and squeak out, "A-And when you realized you l-loved m-me?"
Saga smiled. "It was maybe a couple days after that night. All the students were heading to some stupid assembly and our classes walked by each other." He started and Ritsu immediately knew where this story was going because it was one of his most mortifying memories ever.
"THAT'S when you realized you loved me?!" Ritsu whined.
"Sh, it's rude to interupt." Saga scolded him jokingly. "Anyways, you obviously couldn't stop staring at me, a habit you still can't seem to break."
"Please stop teasing me." Ritsu's face was starting to heat up and he couldn't hide while the two of them were this close.
Saga ignored his plea and continued the story. "And you were just SO distracted that you-"
"Ran into a freaking pillar, I know!" Ritsu turned to lay on his side, facing away from his Senpai. "What the hell, why of all moments was it THAT one?" He asked, just a little bit of profanity slipping out. Saga was rubbing off on him.
Saga pressed closer when Ritsu turned away. "You're the one who said you wanted to hear." He reminded him. "Now hush and let me finish. When I saw that happen, I laughed a little and-"
"Oh great, you laughing at me making a fool of myself, how romantic. You're so mean sometimes." He complained with a pout.
"Ritsu." Saga huffed. "If you interrupt again I swear I'll embarrass you even worse." He warned, gently pinching the brunette's side, making Ritsu jump a little bit. "The point is I realized I had laughed. I couldn't remember the last time I had laughed let alone genuinely smiled. Seeing you act all cute and clumsy made me happy. Knowing that you had eyes only for me to the point where you forgot about everything else made me happy. You made me happy during a time when I thought I couldn't be. And I realized that you're the only person in the world that makes me feel this way. I realized that I loved you." Saga finished his story, holding on to Ritsu a little tighter.
Ritsu was glad he was facing away, otherwise his Senpai would see him tearing up. Damn it, Ritsu's heart was too soft when it came to Saga.
"Am I still mean?" Saga asked when Ritsu said nothing.
"Yes." Ritsu sniffled and rubbed his eyes.
"Are you crying?"
"N-no!"
"Liar. Why are you crying?" Saga asked, trying to get Ritsu to turn and face him, but to no avail.
"I'm just...so happy." Ritsu answered honestly. "You make me so happy it feels like it's overflowing and I can't do anything but cry."
Saga smiled affectionately, hugging him tightly again. "Dork."
"Well, it's your fault, you know!" Ritsu wiped at his eyes again.
"I'll gladly take responsibility." Saga assured him. "I love you, Ritsu."
"D-D-Don't say that when I'm already crying!"
Saga chuckled. "You can't stop me. I'll say it till you're sick of hearing it."
"Please don't." Ritsu begged. He was going to be sent to an early grave at this rate.
Saga left a kiss on his head. 'It's your fault I'm such a lovesick idiot in the first place.' He thought. 'I can't be the only one taking responsibility here.'
"Thank you." Saga said suddenly.
"For what?" Ritsu asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
"For not giving up on me."
Ritsu blushed again and slowly put his hand on top of Saga's. "You know I don't give up."
Saga laced their fingers as a final, silent 'I love you' before sleep overtook them.
