Chapter 3: Coming on Strong

Author's Notes: Hey all! Welcome back! I have a brand new chapter out for you. Thank you guys so much for reading this story, and especially to the anonymous person who reviewed this story. You guys are the best!

As for this chapter . . . I had a fun time with this one. Akise sure knows how to keep Yuki on his toes. Not going to spoil it, you'll just have to see. Without further ado, I bring you chapter #3!

...

At 7 p.m. sharp, Akise arrived at Yuki's door with a bag of popcorn, Lay's potato chips, and a 2-liter bottle of Pepsi, much to Yuki's surprise. In lieu of going to the movies, Akise suggested that he and Yuki stay in at Yuki's house and watch a movie. He explained that it would give him a chance to see Yuki's house fully and give them time to relax. Yuki weakly agreed, not wanting to ruin his first friendship with someone.

The two boys sat beside each other and sifted through the movie list on Netflix in the living room, ultimately deciding on the classic Indiana Jones movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark." They both watched the characters onscreen with rapt interest, each sharing the newly popped bag of popcorn and chips sitting in between them.

Towards the end of the movie, Yuki looked over at Akise and bit his lip.

"Hey, Akise . . .?" he mumbled.

The silver-haired boy turned his head, giving him a cheerful smile. "Yes?"

Yuki fumbled for words, keeping his gaze set on the floor. "Um, don't take this the wrong way or anything, but are you . . . gay?"

Akise's eyes widened slightly and Yuki immediately backtracked. "N-not that there is anything wrong with that," he asserted. "I just . . . wanted to know . . . ."

Yuki looked up to find Akise chuckling, a warm smile returning to his lips.

"Why? Do I seem that way to you?" he asked.

Yuki looked off to the side. "Well . . . kinda," he answered.

Akise grew quiet then, his eyes set on the floor in contemplation.

Not hearing a response, Yuki looked back at him in confusion. "Akise?"

Akise's gaze met his, and Yuki jumped in alarm when he felt a hand suddenly move up his right thigh and stay there. His body jolted, a sudden warmth spreading to his nether regions.

"What the heck?!" Yuki exclaimed, leaping back. His heart beat wildly inside his chest.

Akise shifted closer, placing his hand over Yuki's as his crimson eyes stared deeply into his. "Do you . . . want me to be gay, Yuki?"

Yuki's eyes became wide, a dark blush staining his cheeks. He gasped when Akise placed his other hand to his cheek, gently caressing it. "I- . . . I think- . . . I think," he stuttered, his entire body petrified.

Akise broke out into fits of laughter, letting go of Yuki's hand and cheek. "Relax," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "I'm not gay. I like girls."

Yuki blinked. ". . . oh," he said, unsure whether to feel relieved. He cursed himself for reacting so foolishly. Of course Akise wasn't gay. What was he thinking? Then, he remembered the scene in the hallway with Akise tilting his chin up to meet his eyes.

Still . . . .

Akise looked over at him, a warm smile on his lips. "But, even if I were gay, that doesn't necessarily mean I'd be gay for you, right?"

Yuki frowned. "I-I know that," he answered defensively. "Still, you probably get that question a lot, don't you?"

Akise blinked. "You're the first one actually," he responded.

Yuki's eyes widened in shock. You've got to be kidding me! he thought.

"Then again," Akise retracted, "there's also a chance that people think it, but choose not to say anything." He looked away. "Although . . . I can't say that I've ever really been interested in someone before." He looked back at him, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Yuki, is there someone you find special?"

Yuki started, not expecting to be having this conversation. "I . . . ." he stumbled. "Well, there is someone I like." His eyes lowered to the floor, a sad smile on his lips. "But I don't know if she likes me back. I haven't said anything yet."

"Is she Moe Wakaba, by any chance?"

Yuki blinked, his head turning abruptly to Akise. "H-how- . . . how did you know?!" he exclaimed. "I haven't told anyone!"

Akise looked away. "I've noticed you look at her a lot," he explained. "Anytime she walks by in the halls, you can't keep your eyes off her." He looked back at Yuki, giving him a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "For the record, I think you should ask her out. You're a nice guy, Yuki. And I've noticed . . . she sometimes looks at you too."

Yuki's eyes widened at the information. She actually. . . .

He noticed Akise suddenly rise from the couch and walk over to the door.

He blinked. "You're leaving?"

Akise looked back at him, a smile still on his face. "Yes. I think it's about time I go. It's getting late, and besides, the movie's already over."

Yuki turned sharply to the TV. To his surprise, the TV screen had already returned to the Netflix movie list. His eyes widened. He hadn't noticed. He turned back to Akise, rising from his spot and walking to the door.

"Akis-"

"Aru," Akise interjected, causing the other boy to gasp in surprise. "Please. Call me Aru." He gave a small smile. "I've noticed that, so far, you've only called me by my family name. I'd prefer it if you call me by my first name, Aru."

Yuki's eyebrows furrowed. Aru was right. He had been so stupid, never bothering to ask what Aru would prefer to be called. It was no wonder why he didn't have any friends.

Yuki lowered his head. "I'm sorry."

Aru laughed. "No, it's quite alright. You were just being polite."

Yuki didn't raise his head. "Still . . . I should've asked you, so . . . I'm sorry."

He felt his chin being tilted upwards again. Cobalt eyes widened into crimson. Aru slowly leaned over and put his lips to Yuki's left cheek. Yuki's heart skipped a beat. Aru lingered only for a moment before leaning away from him.

Aru stared lovingly into his own, making Yuki's stomach do somersaults.

"Don't be," he whispered.

Yuki slowly brought a hand to the cheek Aru kissed, staring back in shock.

"I want to see you again, Yuki. If possible, I'd like to hang out a little longer next time," Aru said.

Yuki's eyes widened. He tried to find his voice. "I- . . . I'd like that a lot."

Aru nodded, a smile still on his face as he exited the door. Yuki quickly peered out the window just in time to see Aru give a short wave before heading down the road.

He did it.

He actually did it.

He made a friend.

A friend that he'd always wanted.

…

Author's Notes: So, we learned one thing from this chapter—Aru pays quite a bit of attention to Yuki, watching him watch another person in the school hallway. Some might find it a little unsettling, but hey, maybe he's just being a good friend by looking out for Yuki. Who knows?

Well, maybe we'll find out a little more about Aru in the next chapter, hm? I'll try to have another chapter out either before Friday or on Friday. Stay tuned!

edited 12/26/2015