Chapter 16

Hiroki sighed as he finally managed to untangle himself from Nowaki's embrace. The younger man's arms lingered as if reluctant to let him go even for a moment, but Hiroki was resolute. "We need to get out of this bed," he said, his tone contrasting affection and exasperation.

Nowaki's pout was almost comical. "We could always skip breakfast," he offered, his voice hopeful as he propped himself up on one elbow, watching Hiroki gather his toiletries. "I'm not hungry for food anyway."

Hiroki shot him a sharp look, though the corners of his lips betrayed a faint twitch of amusement. "We aren't having this conversation again, and you'll regret saying that when we're on the train and all you can think about is how you should've eaten."

Nowaki's eyes tracked Hiroki as he moved about the bedroom, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. "You know what would get me out of bed?" he asked cheekily.

Hiroki paused, turning to meet Nowaki's gaze with a raised eyebrow. "What's that?"

"An invitation to join you in the shower," Nowaki replied with a smirk, a playful glint lighting up his blue eyes.

Hiroki sighed, exasperated but fond. "Absolutely not. If we showered together again, you'd turn it into something else entirely. You're insatiable, and we don't have time for that."

Nowaki let out a dramatic sigh, flopping back onto the bed in mock defeat. "Fine, I guess you're right, Hiro-san."

Hiroki shook his head and continued toward the bathroom, disappearing inside. As the sound of the shower came to life, Nowaki stared at the ceiling, a wistful smile softening his features.

"I wish life didn't come with so many time limits," he murmured to himself. "If only every day could be like this weekend, with nothing but time to spend with you, Hiro-san."

His grin lingered as he closed his eyes, the dreamlike memory of their weekend together warming him from within.

Ten minutes later, Hiroki emerged from the bathroom with damp hair and a towel slung around his shoulders. He found Nowaki still lounging in bed, looking far too comfortable for someone who knew they had a train to catch.

"Your turn," Hiroki said, tossing the towel onto a nearby chair. "And don't take forever. We still need to pack."

Nowaki rose from the bed with a dramatic stretch, his towering frame making the hotel room feel suddenly smaller. He leaned in to brush a kiss against Hiroki's temple as he passed. "Yes, sir," he teased, his tone light.

As Nowaki showered, Hiroki busied himself with folding their clothes and organising their belongings. The room, once a cozy retreat, now seemed a little emptier, its corners already holding the echoes of their laughter and whispered conversations from the past two days. It had been a perfect escape—quiet breakfasts, long walks, and the rare luxury of time spent together without interruption.

When Nowaki finally stepped out of the bathroom, Hiroki was zipping up their suitcase. "You're cutting it close," Hiroki remarked, glancing at the clock on the nightstand.

Nowaki shrugged, running a hand through his damp hair. "It's worth it to savour the last moments," he said, his voice softening.

Hiroki paused, his hand resting on the bag's handle. He looked up at Nowaki, and for a moment, his usual sharpness was replaced with something gentler. "I know," he admitted quietly. "I don't want to leave either."

Nowaki's eyes softened, and he closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Hiroki from behind. "We'll come back," he murmured against Hiroki's hair. "Maybe not to this place, but somewhere. Whenever you want."

Hiroki's lips curved into a small smile as he leaned back against Nowaki's chest. "You say that now but wait until work gets busy again."

"Then I'll work harder so I can take more time off for you," Nowaki replied earnestly.

Hiroki turned in his arms, resting a hand on Nowaki's cheek. "You're hopeless," he said, but his words had no heat, only affection. "Come on. Let's go before we end up late."

With some effort, they finished getting ready, their movements now more hurried but no less filled with the ease of familiarity. As they stepped out of the hotel room, luggage in tow, the world outside felt just a little brighter, even as the weight of reality loomed closer.

They walked side by side to the dining area for their last breakfast, making it just in time to catch the tail end of the service. The dining room was mostly empty, the morning rush having already come and gone, leaving only a few other late risers scattered around the tables. They found a cozy spot by the window, the sunlight spilling in and casting a warm glow over their plates as they settled in.

Nowaki filled his plate with bacon, a fluffy omelette, fruit and a glass of orange juice—steering clear of caffeine, knowing it would just make him jittery as he didn't need it. Hiroki, on the other hand, opted for crispy bacon, toast, and a strong cup of coffee, savouring the rich, bitter aroma that helped kick-start his day.

As they sat there, quietly eating, Hiroki felt a deep sense of contentment settle over him. Sitting across from Nowaki, sharing a peaceful moment before the rest of the day swept them back into their regular routines, was a perfect conclusion to their trip.

Nowaki glanced up from his plate, his lips curving into a warm smile as his eyes lingered on Hiroki. The morning's intimacy still danced in his gaze, and a soft blush crept over Hiroki's cheeks as he caught Nowaki looking at him like that—a mixture of awe and gratitude that made Hiroki's heart do an uncharacteristic flip.

Nowaki's gaze was filled with adoration, and every so often, he would steal glances at Hiroki as though he couldn't quite believe his luck. Hiroki, ever the composed one, was not reacting to such open admiration. Trying to focus on his coffee, he took a deep sip, hoping it would steady him, but the warmth in Nowaki's eyes was impossible to ignore.

"I have to say, Hiro-san," Nowaki murmured, his voice low and brimming with affection, "you've made this morning unforgettable." His smile widened, his eyes twinkling with playful warmth as he added, "I don't think any breakfast could top it."

Hiroki felt his cheeks flush, his usually steady hands faltering as he reached for his toast. "W-well," he stammered, trying to maintain his composure, "I'm glad you enjoyed it." He ducked his head, suddenly engrossed in the crumbs left on his plate, as though they held some deep secret.

Nowaki chuckled softly, watching Hiroki's rare, flustered expression with delighted amusement. Back to their familiar roles, Hiroki looked up, a soft but mischievous smile creeping on his face.

"It was a delicious treat I had this morning," he said, voice teasing, "and I couldn't resist such a snack lying there, ready and just for me." He then dabbed the side of his mouth with a napkin, his gaze locking with Nowaki's.

Nowaki's breath hitched, and a blush crept over his face as Hiroki's words settled between them, unspoken but unmistakable. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice but still with that unmistakable playful edge. "Hiro-san, are you trying to kill me? Talking and acting like that in public?"

Hiroki smirked, his gaze darting to the other patrons in the dining room. "I'm just stating facts. Maybe you should focus on your food instead of staring at me like a lovesick puppy."

Nowaki chuckled, unabashed. "But Hiro-san, how can I focus on anything else when you're sitting there, looking so... delicious?"

Hiroki nearly choked on his coffee, shooting Nowaki a warning glare. "Keep your voice down!" he hissed, though his cheeks betrayed a faint pink hue.

Nowaki grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "I can't help it. You've completely ruined me for normal breakfast conversation."

Hiroki rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," Nowaki countered, leaning back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Hiroki shook his head, muttering, "How did I end up with someone so shameless?"

"Because you love me," Nowaki replied without missing a beat. Then, with a cheeky grin, he added, "And because you secretly enjoy being adored like this, even if you won't admit it."

Hiroki sighed dramatically but couldn't hide the affection in his eyes. "Just finish your food before you embarrass me any further."

"Too late for that, Hiro-san," Nowaki teased, his grin softening as he looked at Hiroki with pure adoration.

As they continued to eat in the sunlit dining room, Hiroki began to relax, though he still found it difficult to meet Nowaki's gaze for too long without feeling his heart race. Every now and then, he'd catch Nowaki smiling at him, his blue eyes filled with warmth, and Hiroki would quickly glance away, his cheeks still carrying a faint pink flush.

A soft breeze drifted in from the open window nearby, carrying the scent of fresh coffee and the faintest hint of autumn in the air. It felt like a perfect, unhurried start to the day.

"So, Hiro-san," Nowaki said, breaking the peaceful silence, "I was thinking…" He trailed off, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "We should make a habit of mornings like this. Though, maybe next time I should be the one pampering you." He winked, and Hiroki's eyes widened, his face flushing even more at the suggestion.

"Nowaki!" Hiroki's voice was a mix of exasperation and fondness, and though he tried to maintain his usual serious tone, the warmth in his gaze gave him away. Nowaki's laughter was soft, and the way he looked at Hiroki with such ease and affection only served to melt Hiroki's defences further.

Hiroki shook his head, trying to brush off his embarrassment as he took another sip of his coffee, but inwardly, he felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun streaming through the window. They fell back into easy conversation.

As they continued chatting, Hiroki found himself smiling more than usual, his usual guarded demeanour softening under Nowaki's attentive gaze. This quiet morning together felt like a world apart from the hustle and bustle awaiting them, a reminder that, no matter what the day brought, they had each other to come back to.

After finishing their meal, they made their way to the lobby to check out, sharing small, casual smiles that held a more profound warmth. Bags slung over their shoulders, they left the hotel and began the walk to the train station. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the soft scent of distant coffee shops and freshly baked bread. The streets were quiet, with many people already starting their days and were busy at work, the early afternoon sunlight casting a soft glow that stretched their shadows along the pavement. Nowaki walked close beside Hiroki, his long, easy strides naturally syncing with Hiroki's measured steps, as if they'd always walked side by side like this.

When they arrived at the station, the gentle murmur of the platform wrapped around them like a blanket. The train soon rumbled in, and they boarded, settling into a quiet corner by the window. As the train moved, the familiar hum of the tracks seemed to lull them into a peaceful silence. Hiroki leaned back in his seat, his gaze drifting over to Nowaki, who was staring out the window, his expression soft and reflective. Nowaki's fingers drummed lightly on his thigh as he hummed to himself, lost in thought, perfectly content.

Hiroki let his own mind wander, the warm memories of the weekend swirling like a soothing balm. It had been a perfect escape, filled with small, precious moments, each amplifying their bond. Those quiet mornings, the easy laughter, and even Nowaki's radiant smile over breakfast wrapped around Hiroki like a warm, familiar embrace.

As the train rolled along, Hiroki realised that though the weekend was ending, its comfort and closeness were something they could carry back with them, a quiet reserve to draw from when life inevitably got busier. He looked at Nowaki, the softness of the moment making him feel more exposed yet comfortable than he usually did.

Without thinking, Hiroki shifted closer, their knees brushing. Nowaki turned his head, a small, curious smile breaking across his face as he met Hiroki's eyes.

"What?" Nowaki asked, his voice low, warm with affection.

"Nothing," Hiroki replied, his tone soft but firm. "You just… look ridiculously content, that's all."

Nowaki chuckled, leaning in slightly. "I can't help it. I'm sitting next to the person I love most in the world. It's hard not to look like this."

Hiroki rolled his eyes, though the pink tint creeping into his cheeks betrayed him. "Idiot," he muttered.

Nowaki's hand slid onto the space on the seat between them, his pinky finger brushing against Hiroki's. It was a small, almost imperceptible touch, but it sent a thrill through Hiroki's chest.

Hiroki glanced around the train car—quiet, with only a few passengers scattered at a distance—before he leaned in quickly, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of Nowaki's mouth. It was so brief it was almost nothing, but when he pulled back, Nowaki was staring at him, wide-eyed and utterly charmed.

"Hiro-san," Nowaki whispered, his grin growing devilish. "If you keep doing things like that, you'll tempt me into more dangerous ideas."

Hiroki arched an eyebrow, already regretting the kiss. "What kind of ideas?" he asked, though he had a sinking feeling he already knew the answer.

Nowaki's grin turned positively wicked. "You know, there's an empty compartment just a few cars down—"

"Absolutely not," Hiroki interrupted, his voice sharp but his cheeks flushing furiously. "It's the middle of the day, and we're in public. Control yourself, you overgrown horn-dog."

Nowaki laughed, throwing his head back, delighted. "You say that, Hiro-san, but you were the one who kissed me first!"

"That was a normal kiss," Hiroki huffed, crossing his arms. "Not an invitation for your wild ideas."

Nowaki leaned in, his voice soft and teasing. "You can't blame me for wanting more of you. You're too irresistible, Hiro-san."

Hiroki shook his head, exasperated but smiling despite himself. "If I have to put up with your nonsense the whole way home, I'm switching seats."

Nowaki's hand lightly clasped Hiroki's, holding it firmly but gently. "You wouldn't," he murmured, his tone shocked.

Hiroki glanced away, his expression softening. "I would," he pouted, almost too quietly for Nowaki to hear.

Nowaki squeezed his hand, his grin gentler now. "If you want to swap seats, your only option is to swap with me."

Hiroki smiled at his suggestion, finding his concern adorable. They sat like that, hands resting together, as the train carried them back toward their everyday life, the echoes of their playful banter filling the space between them with warmth. As their stop neared, Hiroki felt a gentle pang in his chest. Maybe five extra minutes wouldn't always be enough, but somehow, they'd find time—find the pauses to savour each other's presence, whether it was in early mornings, stolen glances, or even a quiet train ride like this.

As they stood, gathering their bags and stepping back onto the familiar platform, Hiroki knew that no matter where life took them, they'd always have those five minutes just for themselves.


AN: Hiroki really came out swinging with that bold streak, huh? These past few chapters have been a joy! I love seeing him throw Nowaki off balance for a change! These two have been so fun to write: Hiroki with his exasperated affection and Nowaki being his usual cheeky, lovesick self. I wish this were more canon! Shall we start a petition?

Their getaway might be over, but don't worry—this is far from the end of their story. If you're as in love with bold Hiroki as I am (and enjoy Nowaki being completely ruined by it), Let me know! There's more to come! Thanks for reading—you're the real MVP.

Up next is the return to Tokyo; what else could possibly happen?

As always, let me know you were here.

Have a lovely festive break, and a happy start to 2025 if I don't upload before then.

asdfghjklove