Walking home with Yuma wasn't nearly as bad as Ryouga made it out to be.

Every day without fail now that Yuma had found they lived in the same direction; now that Rio was better and was coming to school, the weather had finally begun to soften in its unbearability and she complained that they didn't get enough exercise, Yuma was more than happy to drag him along until they reached the apartment where he lived before continuing on his way back to his own home.

By the time they'd reach the Kamishiro's apartment, it's always just Yuma and the twins, and Rio nods and swipes the keys from Ryouga playfully with an I want to go inside you guys take too long to talk and she ducks inside the complex, leaving the two of them alone.

The two always end up the same, and today is no exception – Yuma doesn't even bother trying to be polite and props himself onto the brick fence, dropping his bag to the floor and stretching his arms wide in relaxation.

"What makes you think I'm going to stay out here and talk to you?" he asks, scowling as Yuma laughs, a chuckle mixed with a genuine happiness that answers Ryouga's question and more.

Yuma holds his hand to his mouth as his laughter softens to a giggle, calming himself as Ryouga plops onto the fence next to him. "Come on Shaaku, I have to tell you about what happened when I was at Kaito's the other day!"

He launches into his story despite Ryouga's I don't care, and he rolls his eyes and slouches against the fence as Yuma continues anyway. After a while he realizes he's no longer listening, and when Yuma pouts and grumbles are you even listening? He realizes he's got a tiny smile dancing across his lips and he chuckles willingly to himself. Yuma raises an eyebrow but says nothing else, and a small part of Ryouga is grateful for that.

After a promise that okay, okay I'll listen is broken for the fifth or sixth time, Yuma laughs and pushes at Ryouga's shoulder playfully, only to have to catch him by his arm before he falls from the back of the fence. Ryouga automatically scolds him – you could have winded me you idiot! – but Yuma can't help but laugh and suddenly they're pushing at each other, hanging onto each other as best they can as they do their best to disentangle each other from themselves as they tried to force the other to fall from the small height.

Yuma instinctively laughs as Ryouga's hand brushes his sides, his voice drops to a beg as Ryouga smirks and trails his hands either side of him, a small part of his mind smirking and enjoying watching Yuma laugh as he tickles him, begging him please Shaaku I'm so ticklish you know that please and he stops, unaware of how close he was until he feels Yuma's still heavy breath against his lips.

"Shark…"

[Now would be a really good time]

[Probably the best time you're ever going to get.]

He goes to give in, to finally let out what he's been holding on for what he feels has been lifetimes, and the "Yuma, I think-" falls from his lips when a large vibration shocks the two, forcing Ryouga to jump back to give Yuma room to pull his d-gazer from his pocket.

"Oh crap, is it that late already?" Yuma asks, grinning as he scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "No wonder nee-chan is so mad at me! We do this every day huh, Shark?" he laughs as he jumps from the fence and grabs his bag, slinging it over his shoulder and giving a final wave to Ryouga. "See you tomorrow, Shark!"

Ryouga nods, waving his hand nonchalantly as he watches him leave, biting his lip and rolling his eyes as he slumps against the wall for a second time.

[he sits there and contemplates just how close he'd been until the sun darkens in the sky and Rio drops next to him, holds his shoulder and says maybe next time, ani and yeah, she's right and there's always another day.]

[Always.]