Chapter 2: Like Me
Yuuichirou rests his head on his arms as he observes Mikaela lying on his back beside him on the bed. They're supposed to be watching a movie, but only Mikaela is, Yuuichirou has stopped paying attention in favor of discreetly watching Mikaela instead. He observes his pale skin and long lashes and the way Mika's soft tousled blonde hair spreads out against the pillow, and Yuu knows it's as soft as it looks, he's run his fingers through the locks numerous times.
They've spent a lot of time together these past two months, probably more than Yuu has spent with his other friends this summer and he thinks….he may have just developed feelings for Mikaela.
It's not surprising considering he was finally able to get through Mikaela's shell and under he's actually really caring, when he wants to be, and teasing and Yuuichirou really likes spending time with him. Who knew a forced outing would turn out like this? He moves a little closer to Mikaela, Yuuichirou's eyes resting on the other's slightly parted lips and he wonders what it would be like to kiss him. He doubts Mika would mind, he's usually so calm about most things.
Yuuichirou strokes his socked foot against the inside of Mika's ankle, as expected, there's no response. "Mika."
"Hmm?" He answers without turning from the TV.
"I'm trying to talk to you," he whines.
"No, I'm pretty sure you've been staring at me. I don't know why you thought I wouldn't notice."
Yuu flushes, "I wasn't staring, I was observing, but I'm trying to talk to you now."
"You wanted to watch this movie."
"So?"
"So watch."
"Miiikaaa…"
Mikaela sighs and turns toward Yuu raising an eyebrow. Yuuichirou smiles before leaning in and placing a short sweet kiss on Mikaela's lips. Yuu pulls back and regards the other's surprised expression. Mika's lips are just as soft as he imagined, although he'd like a kiss that lasts longer. They're watching each other silently and Yuuichirou is contemplating going in for another, wondering if he can get away with it when his door is thrown open.
Both their eyes shoot to the door to see Yuu's group of friends led by none other than Shinoa. Mikaela inwardly groans before rolling across Yuuichirou to face the wall, Yuu is hit by the urge to grab Mikaela and hold him there on top of him when he feels Mikaela rolling across him. He would do it to, if his friends weren't in the room watching, he'd never hear the end of it.
"Ah, so this is the famous Mikaela whose taken all your time this summer," Shinoa says with a glint in her eyes. Yuuichirou wants to rewind to 5 minutes ago, he knows this isn't going anywhere good. He inwardly sighs at Mikaela's lack of movement or response, seems cold Mikaela is back.
"Seriously, Yuu," Mitsuba says sitting in Yuu's desk chair, "you've hardly spent any time with us this summer, but you've spent tons of time with him. How many favors does Guren's company need anyway?"
"Mitsuba!"
"What? It's true. Isn't that the whole reason you guys hung out that first time, for a favor?"
Before Yuu can even say a word in protest, Mikaela abruptly sits up and climbs off the bed. "I'm gonna go home."
"Wait!" Yuu can't let him leave like this, not thinking he's just using him, that'll ruin everything. "You know that's not true, Mika."
"It doesn't matter, Yuu." Yuuchirou feels himself flinch at the missing honorific to his name. "I should get home, spend time with your friends." Yuu knows what he's doing, he's distinguishing himself from what he considers Yuu's actual friends, closing himself off from their friendship. This is like two steps back.
They never even got to talk about the kiss. "You can't leave, we were…" Yuuichirou gestures helplessly.
Mikaela waves his hand dismissively, "That doesn't matter. I'll see you," he says before leaving the room. Yuuichirou feels his heart clench at Mika's casual dismissal of their kiss. It hurts to think that it meant nothing to him.
"How could you say that, Mitsuba," Yuuichirou yells.
"How was I supposed to know he'd get upset? I've never even met the guy. But, if you're letting him keep you from hanging out with us, I figured there were more favors involved."
"Jeezus Mistuba, you were wrong! We're friends!"
"Now now Yuu," Shinoa interrupts. "Mitsuba has a point, we haven't spent much time together this summer. But, you've spent a lot of time with him, it's like he's taking you away and we don't appreciate it."
Yuu scrubs his face in frustration, "It's not like that. Mika hasn't been keeping me away."
"Oh yeah," Kimizuki interjects, "then why haven't we met him? Where've you been? You have no problem laying up in bed with him, but we barely see you!"
Yuuichirou glares, "Don't act like you care."
"Guys, come on, don't gang up on Yuu," Yoichi soothes. "He's probably just been busy."
Kimizuki scoffs. Yuu levels him with another glare, "Thanks Yoichi, at least someone here can act like an actual friend."
"You'd have to be around to be a friend," Kimizuki retorts.
"Well, why don't you just get the fuck out then?"
"Ahaha, none of that. Why don't you just tell us why we've never met him, Yuu?"
Yuu looks at Shinoa and sighs, "No reason really. Mika just isn't really a people person, so I haven't wanted to make him uncomfortable."
"And us?"
"I can't be in two places at once, Shinoa."
"You don't have to be, but it would be nice to see you a bit more, Yuu," Yoichi says gently.
Yuu looks at Mitsuba and falls back on his bed, "I'm sure that'll be no problem now."
~~~~~
Mikaela is irritated, he's sure it's plainly written on his face. He likes Yuu, he really does, he was wrong to let himself get so attached. They were getting along so well, perhaps too well because now it'll end. Krul always tells him not to be so pessimistic, but this time he was right.
He wasn't stupid, he knew Yuuichirou had other friends, however, he never brought them up or offered to introduce them which Mikaela was fine with. But, now with his actual friends showing up and demanding Yuu's attention, Mikaela is pretty sure their summer together is over.
Well, everything good has to end, it does make him sad though. Mikaela really really hopes that what Mistuba said isn't true, he doesn't think it is, but you can never tell with people. He's so engrossed in his despondency that he doesn't notice a car has pulled up next to him.
"Hey you!" Mikaela looks over to see a purple haired guy leaning out of the car window with a grin, "You look angry."
"So?"
"So, we happen to be one person short for our street hockey team and you look like you could use somewhere to let out that aggression." Mikaela peers at the two guys in the car, they look about his age and the black haired guy driving seemed okay, but street hockey?
"I'm not really dressed for it."
The purple haired guy appraises him, "Nah, its fine, you don't have to wear anything special."
"I've never played before."
"We're not professionals either."
He considers, he is still pretty irritated and his house is far since he didn't drive to Yuu's. It seems it's either this or walk hours home, "Will you take me home after?"
"Duh."
That decides it, "Alright."
"Cool, I'm Lacus and this is Rene. Hop in."
Once is Mika is settled in and Rene is driving, Lacus explains, "We play 3v3, no goalie, it's kind of aggressive, but fun. We had a third person, but he quit, so we were short, fortunately we found you."
He wasn't exactly looking forward to this, but it is something to keep his mind off Yuu rather than sitting at home depressed wondering why he let it get this far.
Arriving at the court, Lacus gives him a quick introduction to the opposing team, Crowley, Chess and Horn. He's surprised that the last two are girls, but Lacus quickly reassures him. He's told that they can hold their own and if you go easy on them, you'll be unpleasantly surprised. Contact sports aren't his favorite, but he supposes a few games won't kill him.
~~~~~
Lacus was right, Chess and Horn are aggressive, in fact everyone's aggressive, but him. And it constantly ends with him on the ground whether from tripping over someone's hockey stick or being smashed into when they're stealing the puck. His mouth is gritty from all the times he's hit the ground, at this point, he'd rather run away from the puck.
They're losing of course, but Lacus and Rene keep giving him support, telling him he's doing well. They probably know he's close to quitting. Oh look, he's back on the ground again after Horn took a swipe at him, if he didn't know any better, he'd say he was the rookie punching bag. Rene comes to stand over him, "Had enough?"
"Are we finished?"
Rene glances over to where the opposite team is celebrating another goal. "5-0, I think you've helped us get our asses kicked enough for one day."
Mikaela glares up at him, "I was helping you guys."
"Uh huh and we thank you. That doesn't mean that you don't suck though." Rene reaches down a hand and pulls him up. "Come on, I guess I'll keep my word and take you home."
"Thanks." Mikaela follows Rene to say goodbye to the others and he has to admit as much as this sucked, it did keep his mind of Yuu.
Lacus throws an arm around his shoulders, "We should do this again." Mikaela gives him a flat look. "You'll get better with practice."
After Mikaela has been dropped off and scrubbed all the dirt and sweat from his skin, he checks his blinking phone and sees two messages. One from Krul telling him to come get dinner and another from Yuu, the latter of which he decides to ignore.
He has been spending too much time with Yuu, he'll give him some space to be with his real friends for a while. He joins Krul at the table a few minutes later. He's halfway through his meal when Krul asked what she's clearly been burning to ask, "Who were those boys?"
"Some guys I met today."
"I thought you were hanging out with Yuuichirou today."
"Something came up."
Krul is silent for a moment, "You're not going to push him away, are you?"
"Why would I?"
"Mikaela I know you. Something happened and I know you try to keep people at a distance. Don't do something you'll regret."
"You said I could ditch him if I found other friends."
"That was before you two became close. It's okay to trust someone."
"No, no it isn't and personally I'd rather not. Are you finished?" Mikaela asks standing up from the table and grabbing Krul's plate. Krul watches him at the kitchen sink. She knows he still has abandonment issues from his parents and the orphanage, but it's like pulling teeth to get him to talk about them.
If he never lets anyone in, he's right, he won't get hurt, but he won't stop being lonely either. She really thought he and Yuuichirou were making progress. She stands and pats Mikaela's shoulder before leaving the kitchen.
~~~~~
It's been a week since Mikaela had met Lacus and Rene and he actually gets along with them well. While Lacus seems to be the more outgoing of the two, neither of them seems to be the energetic type and they don't expect much from Mika either. It works out perfectly for Mikaela, he may be sad about Yuuichirou, but this way Yuu's friends get to spend time with him and Mikaela doesn't have to deal with them.
"Dude Mikaela, I'm trying to play this game, but this Yuu-chan keeps sending texts."
"Really," Mika says from the beanbag where he's playing video games against Rene.
"Yeah and he sounds kind of annoyed. Ex-boyfriend?"
"No."
"Read them," Rene says and Lacus complies.
[Mika, reply to my texts]
[This isn't funny]
[You're never home, you barely reply, and you're not answering my calls!]
"Jeez Mika, you sure he's not an ex," Lacus teases.
"We're just friends."
"Put him out of his misery and talk to him," Lacus laughs.
[Stop avoiding me!]
Lacus pauses. [I want to kiss you again]
Both Rene and Mikaela's heads whip around to stare at Lacus. "That does not sound like something a friend would say," Rene states.
"Nope. You stringing him along Mika?"
"No," he turns back around and aggressively murders Rene's character on screen.
Rene stares at him, "Ass."
Just then Mika's phone rings, "Oops, guess he didn't like my reply."
Mika shoots up, "What did you say?!"
"Nothing much, just that maybe you didn't want to kiss him back."
"Lacus!" Mika can hear Rene chuckling, he kind of wants to strangle them both.
"You said you're just friends, clearly you don't want to kiss him." Lacus smirks at him before answering the call. "Lacus speaking…..I'm Mika's friend too…Yea he's here….Nah, he's busy playing with Rene."
Mikaela feels his cheeks burn with anger, he knows what Lacus is doing and it's not helping. Mika snatches the phone away from him midsentence. "Hey Yuu-chan, what's up?"
There's silence on the other end of the line. "Yuu-chan?"
"Mikaela."
"Yeah?"
"So, that's it. You're just going to make new friends and ditch me?"
"That's not what happened, I was giving you space."
"I didn't ask for space."
"You still needed it."
"Don't lie! You were angry about my friends, so you've been avoiding me!"
"I haven't-," Mikaela is embarrassed as Yuu begins to rant at him with Lacus and Rene watching him in amusement. He knows they can hear by the identical smirks they're both wearing.
"You can't just ditch me," Yuu cries out pulling Mikaela's attention back to him. Yuuichirou knows he's being too emotional about this, but he can't help it. Mikaela's trying to separate them and pull away, he can't let that happen.
"Okay, Yuu-chan, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"I really did want to kiss you again," Yuu says in a quiet voice.
"I know," Mika said just as quietly.
"When are you coming back?"
"Soon."
"…I want seven kisses when you do."
"Okay…why is that?"
"Because that's how many days you've avoided me! No, wait, I changed my mind, I want 20!"
Mika chuckles, "Why 20?"
"Because I can!"
"Okay, Yuu-chan, I'll see you later."
"You better," he says before hanging up the phone.
Mikaela can feel Lacus and Rene's curious gazes on him as he takes his seat on the beanbag chair again, but he refuses to humor them. Choosing instead to crush them on screen in payback. Games are so much easier to deal with.
~~~~~
Yuuichirou is upset, other than that quick phone call yesterday, he's barely had any contact with Mikaela in a week. Sure, it's great spending time with his friends again. They've attempted to cram half a summer's worth of stuff into a week, but he still misses Mikaela. They left it at such an awkward point, he's not sure how Mikaela feels about him, not that he'd get an answer even if he asked.
Even Guren has noticed that he's been a little down lately. He tried to play it off, but he wasn't fooling anyone. The fact that he hasn't left the house today and barely his room can attest to the fact that he's not in the best mood.
Which is why he's caught completely off guard when Mikaela runs into his bedroom and jumps on him covering his face in kisses, "One, two, three, four, five."
"Stop," Yuu protests, "that's not how I wanted them."
"You said twenty kisses," he continues kissing him everywhere except his mouth, "six, seven, eight, nine, ten."
"Sttooopppp! Not like this," Yuu yells frantically trying to push Mikaela off.
"Too bad," he laughs in between kisses.
"Noooo, this isn't fair," Yuu sulks and gives up as Mikaela reaches nineteen.
Mikaela smiles down at him before, finally, placing the twentieth kiss on his lips. This one lingers and Yuu smiles at how Mikaela's lips are just as soft as he remembers. Before Mika can pull back, Yuuichirou brings his hands up to cup both sides of Mika's face to hold him in place and deepen the kiss. Yuu presses his tongue to Mikaela's lips, but, of course, the jerk refuses to open his mouth. Yuu can feel Mika smiling against his lips and knows he's doing it on purpose.
Yuuichirou growls in frustration and drops one of his hands to slip under Mikaela's shirt and tickle his side causing Mika to lose his balance and collapse on him. Yuu takes advantage of the distraction to flip them over and slip his tongue into Mikaela's open mouth sealing it with his lips. Surprisingly, Mika is cooperative and Yuu takes full advantage of it to explore Mika's mouth and wrap his tongue around the others.
He isn't quite finished yet when Mikaela pushes him away to catch his breath. Mika looks up at him through half lidded eyes, "You're lucky I didn't bite your tongue off."
"Yeah whatever," Yuu murmurs before dipping back down to continue where he left off. Unfortunately, Mikaela turns his head last minute and Yuu ends up kissing his neck instead. "You're such a tease," Yuuichirou mutters before latching onto Mikaela's neck and giving a hard suck.
"What are you doing?!" Mikaela's hand slips into Yuu's hair futilely trying to pull his head back. Yuu grumbles something unintelligible before pressing into Mikaela's side and biting down harder on his neck, Mika's back arches off the bed as he cries out. Mikaela could feel Yuu smirking against his neck before he felt his teeth let go and he promptly shoved Yuu off the side of the bed.
Yuuichirou wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and gave Mikaela a wide smile, "Tables turned, hmm?" Mikaela threw a pillow at him.
"Sorry sorry, don't be mad," Yuuichirou holds up his hands placatingly. "Besides…you started it." "Seriously though," he continues before Mikaela can respond, "Come here." Mikaela hesitates for a minute before Yuu pulls him off the bed and into his lap with an impatient sigh. He adjusts him so that Mika's legs straddle his waist and Yuuichirou has a firm grip on Mika's hips. Yuu takes a deep breath, "So…I really did want to do that."
"You've told me numerous times."
Yuu's grip on his hips tighten, "Mika…." Yuu is nervous as hell, the past week without him has made him realize he really does like Mikaela and wants to be with him. But getting Mika to admit anything about his feelings is like pulling teeth that never come out which makes this even harder.
He's not sure where he stands with Mikaela and asking will no doubt get him an evasive answer, so he'll just have to hope he's not rejected. His eyes fall on Mikaela's mouth which is pulled into a small frown as he waits for Yuu to speak, maybe he should just….kiss him again, that sounds a lot easier and a lot nicer, but… "Mika, have you ever dated anyone?"
"I haven't."
"Aren't you curious?"
"Not at all."
"No one wants to be alone forever," Yuuichirou coaxed. "What kind of life is that?" Mikaela shoved him away hard enough to break his grip on him and stood up.
"Some people prefer to be alone," he stated coldly. "Connections are only good until they're not and I'm not interested." Mikaela turned towards the door, "I'll see you later Yuu-chan."
Yuuichirou watched him leave in shock. That did not go as he was hoping, at all. Apparently he'd hit a sore spot that he didn't even know was there. Next time, he'd have to try a different approach.
~~~~~
Mikaela's in the kitchen making breakfast for himself and Krul when she strolls in taking a seat at the island. "How much longer do you think it'll be, I kind of have to be at work soon."
Mika glances back at her, "You could eat cereal, just saying."
"That's not very nutritious."
"It's not, but I'm not the one in a rush."
"You should…" Krul pauses.
"I should what?"
"Tell me what that is on your neck!"
"Oh…I got bit by a bug and I guess it got irritated."
Krul comes around the corner, "Don't lie to me Mikaela." She presses two fingers against his neck and he flinches. "You got bit, but it definitely was not by a bug. Yuuichirou did this, didn't he?"
"Why him? He's not the only person I talk to."
"Not recently, but I've still seen the way he looks at you. Unless….it was someone else and that's why you haven't been hanging out much lately." She looked closer, "No, it's too fresh for that."
"It was just a one-time thing, he got a little carried away."
"Uh huh, I bet he'd like to get 'carried away' several more times." Krul snaps several photos.
"Don't take pictures!"
"I need evidence. Pack my breakfast to go, I've got a meeting."
~~~~~
"Stop eating," Guren commands. Yuu freezes with his spoon half way to his mouth. He had been idly eating his cereal thinking about nothing in particular when Guren stormed in and shoved a phone between him and his cereal, "Yuu, what the hell is this?!"
Yuu looks blankly at the phone in front of him before it clicks what he's looking at. It's a picture of Mikaela's neck with a rather impressive mark on it, Yuuichirou feels himself pale. "Uhh..."
"That's right, Yuu." Guren smacks him in the head with the phone. "What were you thinking!"
"Ow shit, Guren, that hurts!" Yuu protests rubbing his head.
Guren looks on unimpressed, "Well?"
"I didn't, I mean, I wasn't thinking anything. It just kind of happened?"
"Your mouth just kind of attached to his neck," Guren glances at the photo. "And apparently aggressively at that."
Yuu flushes and looks away. He doesn't regret it and he's not embarrassed about doing it per say, but being called out on it and having it shoved in his face by his guardian is making him uncomfortable. "How did you get that anyway?"
"Krul Tepes sent it to me this morning with a question of what was wrong with my man eating son."
"Oh."
"She wasn't pleased. Seriously, keep your mouth to yourself or don't make it so noticeable."
"..."
"Did you forget the business formal tonight? You're both gonna be there and that's going to take a lot to cover up, probably why she's annoyed."
"...Sorry."
"We both know you're not. What's with you and him anyway? He doesn't seem like the type to let just anyone mark him like that."
Yuuichirou shrugged, "It just happened."
Guren gave him a long look, but decided not to press it. "Just make sure you're here in time to go tonight."
He nodded. Guren turned to leave, but paused, "Oh and Yuu?"
"Yea?"
Guren narrowed his eyes, "Stay off him."
Yuu glared at Guren's retreating back. What was that supposed to mean? He could have Mikaela if he wanted and he did want him, Guren couldn't stop him. He didn't need a fucking warning, it's not like he was a slave to his hormones or something. Did he expect him to try something at the formal? He could control himself for fuck's sake. Now, Yuu kind of wanted to bail just to make Guren as irritated as he currently was. But then again...Mikaela. They hadn't spent as much time together lately and he didn't want to miss the chance to see him, school would be starting back soon. Yuuichirou sighed and looked down, fuck, his cereal was soggy now.
~~~~~
Yuuichirou hates formals, especially ones where he has to dress up and that are full of adults networking and kissing each other's asses. He hates that Guren forces him to come to these. The only positive part of this is Mikaela…and the champagne, yeah the champagne's pretty good too. However, he did forget one crucial fact, that Shinoa would also be here.
She was also forced to come and she's been bored as fuck the entire time which was bad news for Yuuichirou. She'd been practically up his ass since he walked in the door harassing him for her own entertainment. That's also the reason he hasn't been around Mika all night, where he would go, Shinoa would follow and the last thing he wanted was for Shinoa to start in on Mikaela.
That would not end well and he really didn't want Mika to turn away from him ever again. He could not wait for this to end. Yuu is drifting in his thoughts working his way through his 2nd glass of champagne when he feels Guren grab his arm. "Come on kid, come meet my boss, I'm sure you remember him." Yuu groaned, of course he remembers Guren's bastard of a boss.
"Hello Yuuichirou."
Yuu is silent until he feels Guren subtly pinching his arm. "Hello," he forces out.
Kureto appraises Yuuichirou and smirks, "Well, I see you have grown up. You are not as wild as you used to be." Unfortunately Yuu knows exactly what Kureto is referring to.
One time not long after Guren adopted him, he needed to pick something up from work and Yuu hadn't wanted to come. He had sat in the lobby pouting and when Kureto had passed by and spoken to him making a remark about his adoption and adjustment, Yuu had responded with some very unkind words. Next thing he knew, Kureto had him by the ankle and was shaking him upside down. He remembers screaming all kinds of shit until Guren had come running and dragged him out of the office by his neck. He had been grounded for two weeks after that incident. Yeah he remembers this guy.
"It has been a few years." Yuu bets he could take Kureto now.
"I just wanted to give my appreciation for you volunteering to show Krul's son around. It was very beneficial to our company and Guren's job."
Yuuichirou knows as well as Kureto does that he did not volunteer, he swears this guy is testing him on purpose. "It was no problem."
"I imagine not. I hear you two have gotten close."
"That's not really your business, is it?"
"In fact it is. If you mess up this business partnership with whatever the hell it is you're doing, it won't be nice."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Enough," Guren interrupts, giving Yuuichirou a warning look. "Why don't you go find Mikaela, Shinoa's going to be busy with Shinya for a while. You two can keep each other out of trouble."
Yuu swallows the rest of his glass, "Fine."
"Lay off the champagne." Yuuichirou grabs another glass and walks off.
Yuu spots Mikaela alone on a couch near the back of the room and speeds up, but immediately has to slow down. His head is starting to feel weird and it seems the alcohol has started to catch up with him. Starting a third glass was definitely a mistake. Yuu reaches Mikaela and collapses beside him, scooting close and resting his head on Mika's shoulder. Mikaela wraps an arm around his waist, "Hey Yuu-chan."
"This party sucks."
Mikaela laughs, "You drank so much, you should be having a great time."
"Well, I'm not," Yuu rubs his face into Mikaela's neck. "That only made it worse."
Mikaela lazily runs his fingers up Yuu's side, "How do you feel?"
"Like my head could float off at any minute," he slurs.
"You should probably lay off the champagne."
"Yeah," he hands Mika his half full glass. Mikaela takes a sip.
"This isn't half bad."
"That's probably why it was so easy to drink," he yawns. "Wait a minute, the mark is gone."
"It's not gone, Krul just used a lot of makeup, which won't last if you keep rubbing against me."
Yuu began trying to wipe the makeup away with his hand, "You should show it off. If you gave me one, I would."
"You're drunk," Mikaela pulls away from him. "Cut it out, it's still sore."
Yuu pulls him back, "Want me to kiss it better?"
"That's the last thing I want. Isn't that how this happened."
"No, I'm pretty sure it happened because you were being a fucking tease and turned your head. It's your fault. You should've just let me kiss you more."
Mikaela rolls his eyes and lets silence take over. He's kind of surprised, it seems Yuuichirou is even more assertive than usual when he drinks. He sighs when he feels Yuu's breathing even out and his body become heavier. Guren appears in front of him, "You're taking him home."
Mikaela raises an eyebrow, "Why should I?"
"Because he's being a brat and I don't want to deal with him."
"You shouldn't have let him drink so much."
Guren shrugged, "He was in one of his moods, he'll be nicer to you anyway."
"So? He's not my responsibility."
"Tonight he is. Krul already okayed it. Drive safe."
Mikaela sighed again, these events sucked, so did adults in general. He didn't mind taking care of Yuu-chan, but he hated the way they made assumptions and that Krul was trying to force him into something again. No doubt, since she had noticed Yuu hadn't been around much the past week, this was her way of getting them to spend time together again. The feel of Yuu's arms tightening around him pulled him from his thoughts, "Mikaela?"
"I thought you were asleep."
"You didn't mean it, right?"
"Mean what?"
"That I'm not your responsibility."
"Yuu-chan…."
"Why can't I be your responsibility," Yuu demands. "You care about me, you like me, right?"
"Of course, you know I do."
Yuu's arms tighten further, "Say it. Tell me."
"I-I can't," Mika stutters out caught off guard by Yuu's sudden aggression.
"Why not," he angrily asks.
"I just can't."
"You said you do! If you meant it, you can say it!" Mikaela stares back at him. "Forget it," Yuu pushes him away and clumsily takes off.
Shit, Mikaela thinks. That wasn't supposed to happen, he cares about Yuu, he really does, but admitting his feelings out loud is not something he's ready to do. Saying them makes them real and anything good or bad could happen when you make yourself vulnerable like that.
He eventually finds Yuuichirou passed out in the grass on the side of the building. He shakes his head before bending down and lifting Yuu into his arms. As he carried him to the car, he could swear he heard Yuu mumble "I won't let you be alone."
~~~~~
Mikaela wakes to Yuuichirou running his fingers through his hair the next morning. Despite how much Yuuichirou drank last night, his eyes are alert and clear. In fact, they're so intensely focused on him that it makes Mikaela squirm and he can feel the beginnings of a blush starting.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," he replies sitting up and removing Yuu's hand. Yuuichirou frowns, but says nothing. He still hasn't broken his intense staring and it's making Mika self-conscious. "Stop staring at me," he covers his red face with a pillow.
"Don't hide from me." Yuu wastes no time removing the pillow and grabbing Mikaela's hand between both of his. Mikaela glances down at their hands then back up at Yuuichirou who has a small smile on his face now.
"Hey, Mika, so we're dating now, right?" Even if he can't get Mika to admit his feelings, doesn't mean there's not hope for the future.
"What?"
"We're dating now, aren't we?"
Mikaela pauses and attempts to remove his hand from Yuu's grip to no avail. He's surprised, they are pretty close, but after last night, he really didn't think the morning would start like this. He hasn't thought much on taking the next step and would prefer not to. "I don't know, Yuu-chan, you're kind of a handful. I don't know if I can take the stress."
"Me?" Yuu says in disbelief. "You're the difficult one! You're always sarcastic! Or you're cold! You avoided me for a week, that hurt! You refuse to talk to people and you shut down all the time around others! And you don't even care!" Yuu rants on and on.
Mikaela listens to his rant in amusement before Yuu finally runs out of steam and simply sits there sulking. "You done?"
"Yeah," he mutters.
"If it's like that, I don't understand why you even want to date."
Yuuichirou frowns, "Because for all that, I still like you, okay. I like your smile. I like it when you're nice to me, I like being the one you're closest to. I like when you're affectionate and even though you're kind of snarky and distant sometimes, I know you don't mean it and underneath I can tell you're actually really sweet." Yuuichirou gazes at him, "And I really just want to be with you."
Mikaela gives him one of those rare sweet smiles, "Okay Yuu-chan, we can date."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, I'm pretty demanding though."
"Yes!" Yuu throws his arms around Mikaela pulling him into a tight hug, "That's all I wanted!" Mikaela returns the hug squeezing tight and although Mikaela still has his doubts about starting a relationship, he decides to let his guard down just this once, trust Yuu and hope for the best.
