Check Me Out

by CrypticBeans

Raising one child, fostering another and running a book store is no easy feat. Especially when Hizashi has to balance his two other jobs but he's doing it! Or so he believes. It's only when he finds himself meeting Shouta Aizawa that his world seems to flip over and spin on its head.

45. The Time For Feelings

The scrape of his shovel against the sidewalk.

The cold breeze that whipped and snapped around him.

The aching chill to his fingers that made them creak and ache.

Hizashi sighed out with his face nuzzling itself down into his scarf with his gloved fingers tightening on the handle of the shovel that he held in his hands. He was doing his best to clear out the front walkway of snow; doing his best to get the snow as flat as possible so he could salt the ground to melt any ice beneath it. He'd much rather be shoveling his own front walkway but he knew there'd be plenty of time to do that tomorrow when he woke.

He groaned quietly under his breath at the thought of doing anymore shoveling. He was so ready for the season to be over with; he wanted the snow gone and the sun out from its place behind the clouds. He abhorred the idea of standing in the snow but he'd promised the boys that they'd play in it tomorrow. He was ready for winter to be over with. He knew his sons would lament their snow days and the heavy feet of snow but he couldn't wait to be done with it.

He couldn't wait until the snow had melted away in icy ribbons and he was left with a clear space. No more shoveling. No more icing. No more dealing with the feet of snow that would come down and block everything up. He was so tired of it but he had to put a smile on his face when he talked to the boys about the snow. There was something they loved about it that he didn't and he'd be damned if he let the boys catch onto his pessimism about it.

After all, he didn't want them to feel like he was being forced to play in the snow with them when that was the farthest thing from the truth. He adores playing in the snow with them; it was just the shoveling that he was tired of. Sighing out again, air pluming from his lips in a silver cloud he couldn't help but shudder when another of those snapping, gusting breezes burst over him. His hair rustling over the back of his coat.

Whipping around his face that felt frozen as he hunched his shoulders up slightly and lowered his head against the wind. Holding on tightly to his shovel, he scraped it over the ground again to heave another shovel full off to the side with a low groan. His lower back was killing him from all the shoveling he'd been doing lately and God knows he wanted to take a break. He wanted nothing more than to go inside and finish closing up.

But he knew he had to get this done before he left for the night. He'd rather do it at the end of the day then wake up tomorrow morning, come in, and have to clear out the sidewalk and lay out the ice. The streetlights made the world seem all the darker; the lights from his store cast over the sidewalk with a warm golden glow that had him itching to get back inside. Scooping up another shovel full of snow, he grunted as he tossed it to the side.

At least he was almost done. Almost done, done, done. He groaned under his breath as he shuffled forward with the snow and ice crunching beneath his boots deafeningly with his shovel tapping off of the ground. Scraping the snow together the best he could before heaving it off to the side with a grunt as he found himself inching closer to Nemuri and Oboro's café. They'd long since cleared out their side of the sidewalk and he was almost done.

He was so close to being done. Scraping the shovel over the ground once more, he found himself tightening his hold on the shovel with his stomach fluttering. Today had been hectic; whether it was one thing or another, the day seemed to go nowhere but wrong for him. Counting out the wrong chance, grabbing the wrong bag, and not double bagging. He'd been so wrapped up in his own head that he hadn't been able to focus properly on his job.

Because he'd been eyeing the clock throughout the day before Taishiro convinced him to go back to his office for the rest of the day. It was in his small office that he'd paced back and forth like a caged animal with his eyes on his phone as the time ticked by. Because tonight he was having the "talk" with Shouta as Nemuri playfully called it at lunch time. He was a damn mess all because of one man who wouldn't get out of his head for the remainder of the day.

A man who he should not have been thinking of when he was manning his store for the day. All he could think about, focus on, were the texts that he and Shouta exchanged the previous night. What did the black-haired man want to say? What was so important he wanted to say that he didn't want to text it? It was something that was driving him insane as he tried to figure out just what it was that the black-haired man was going to say to him after work.

He'd been an anxious, nervous mess all damn day with his knees jackhammering beneath his desk. His fingers picking at his clothing for lint that simply wasn't there. Twisting together, fighting the urge to gnaw on his nails, or tug on his hair. His piercings. A day spent being wound up slowly throughout the day while he tried to focus on his job only to do a damn poor job at it.

He had to thank Taishiro for taking over the way that he had and how seamlessly he had done. He felt like he was screwing things up left and right because he couldn't focus on work. He'd hardly eaten his lunch before returning it to the fridge in the break room much to the dissatisfaction of his three friends to which he promised to eat it for dinner. And true to his word, he'd sat down with Taishiro at the end of his shift and made a show of eating his food for the other blonde.

The man had watched him like a damn hawk. He did his best to power through and devour his food despite the fluttering of his stomach. Despite the way that his heart raced in his chest with anticipation. An anticipation that colored every little action of his day; an emotion that had left his hands shaking and his fingers useless. He'd been trying his best to focus on his work. He'd been trying to lose himself in the mundanity of it all but it had been so hard.

So very hard when the first thing on his mind that morning had been Shouta. He'd looked over their texts throughout the morning for some sign that he'd know what it was that the black-haired man wanted to talk about. He'd like to say that he was clueless about it. He'd like to say that he had not a clue what he wanted to talk about but he knew, didn't he?

He was a jittery, shaking mess throughout the day waiting for Shouta to text him or to appear at his door during the lunch break of theirs. He knew that Shouta took his lunches around the same time he did. However, he didn't know which he was when Shouta didn't show up; relieved or disappointed. He had not a clue which was more stronger during it but he'd been happy to return to his office where he'd curled up in his chair with his notebook in hand.

After his previous journaling event, he found it easier to write down his thoughts. Write down his feelings. What he wanted to say to Shouta. He'd written and written with Nemuri bringing him a coffee in the afternoon to perk him up the best that he could be. The promise that Nemuri and Oboro were picking up his boys made him staying late all the easier for him. He knew that the boys got a kick out of seeing the couple and having them babysit for the night.

He'd make sure to call the boys before bedtime if he couldn't make it home after his talk with Shouta. He'd make sure they knew they were on his mind before he went to the radio station where he'd be for the remainder of the night until early morning. He hated Fridays sometimes because of that; that he couldn't spend more time with his boys on their afternoon home from school. That he was jetting off from one job to the next but it was making him some money, at the very least.

Enough to keep them afloat rather than the paycheck to paycheck way he'd been living in his youth. He was more than happy to work his ass off if it meant saving up for the boys college funds and to make sure they had a comfortable life style. He was more than happy to work his ass off if that meant his sons had a good upraising. There was nothing he wanted more than to ensure he was doing something right for his sons.

That he was showing off a proper work etiquette that they would apply to their everyday lives. He would at least be spending the afternoon with them tomorrow to show them life wasn't all about work. He knew he didn't work nearly as much now that he had employees but he still liked to be in the store if something were to happen. He liked to help make the load of work all the easier on his employees the best ways that he could.

He liked to be able to stack books in contentment while someone took care of the register where in the past he'd be running to the register. He was happy to do work while knowing there was someone at the register who was going to take care of the customers. He just wished that he could say that he'd done a good job at work today but he'd been too clumsy. He'd been too shaky. He wished he could say that he'd done a good job before he'd shooed away by Taishiro.

The truth was, he simply didn't know. For once, work couldn't take his mind off of Shouta the way that it normally did. Today, he couldn't focus on getting his everyday tasks taken care of when his mind was on the black-haired man. His heart would jump every time the doorbell chimed, each time he heard a distinctly masculine voice only to be disappointed. He wished he wasn't so hung up on his phone. On the idea that Shouta could just show up and visit him when he wanted.

Because he knew what their talk was going to be about; he had the strongest feeling it was going to be about his confession. So, what did that mean for him? If this was going to be about his confession then did it mean that Shouta was going to return his feelings? Or was he going to crush his heart and reject his feelings? Was he going to rip his heart out of his chest and hand it to him? Or was he going to treat it delicately? Treat it sweetly?

He had not a clue what it was going to be with the black-haired man and he was terrified. He was utterly afraid that, somehow, he was going to mess this up. That this was going to end in a much different way than he was ready for. Shuddering, he ducked his head down with his shoulders hunching forward to brace himself against the wind that rushed over him. It tugged at his hair which fluttered into his face annoyingly while he hugged the handle of the shovel to his chest.

He shuddered with his fingers aching slightly from the biting cold. His cheeks and nose. His face ducked into his scarf as the wind blew over him viciously with his brows squeezing together. Once the gust ended, he lifted his head up to get back to work on scraping the snow together. Scraping it up then heaving it off to the side with a grunt. He needed to, at the very least, get this done before Shouta showed up.

He wanted to be able to confidently say that he'd gotten it done and that he didn't have it hanging over his head anymore. He wanted nothing more than to be able to sit down and not worry about the shoveling that would need to be done. He scraped the snow together then heaved it off to the side with a sigh as the plastic of the shovel scraped over the ground. Taking a slow breath, the cold air filled his chest before flying out of him on a huffing exhale as his breath plumed into the air.

At least Shouta didn't need to worry about shoveling or plowing; the man had that going for him in the apartment. If he had too, he'd been ready to get an apartment but his mothers had gone above and beyond helping him achieve the house he had. He wasn't going to squander it nor was he going to move the boys. Sighing out to himself, rolling his shoulders, he stared down at the final chunk of snow that needed to be scraped together.

Just a little more and then he'd be salting the ground and he'd be ready to stay inside. Warm up again. He adjusted his hold on the shovel then scraped the snow together when his heart throbbed against his chest. His stomach dropping with an icy jolt spearing through him with a case similar to intense nerves; like he had monstrous butterflies beating their wings in his stomach. Leaving him to become a mess before he even met the black-haired man.

He wanted nothing more than to text Shouta and question when he was coming over. When he'd be here. He wanted at least a timeline to know when the black-haired man was going to show up. He wanted nothing more than to be prepared, was there any harm in that? He didn't think so. He wished he knew what time so he could count down the hours, minutes or seconds it would take that would tell him if his heart would be okay or if it would be shattered in his chest.

He wanted nothing more than to find out if he was going to be devastated with a bottle of wine tonight or if it was going to be something completely, wildly different. He wanted to know what his night was going to look like. He wanted nothing more than to shake the black-haired man and get the answers that he was looking for. The answers that he was hoping for from the man who had his heart in his hand.

It was a terrifying thing; knowing his heart was in those big hands of his. Knowing that Shouta could so easily break it or care for it. Knowing that tonight hinged on a change because, as nice as the sex was, they couldn't continue on this way. They couldn't continue on with the passionate hookups each time they met up with one another. He loved the sex, he loved how it made him feel and how it felt to be wanted like that but he wanted more from Shouta.

He didn't want to be some friends with benefits situation. He didn't want this to be a casual hook up thing. He wanted Shouta to be with him because he wants too. Not because he wants Shouta to want too. He wants the black-haired man to come to him and fully admit he wants him. That he returns his feelings. He doesn't want Shouta to say what he thinks he wants him to say. It was anxiety inducing not knowing when Shouta was going to show up.

He let out another sigh to himself, his breath pluming into the air when he heard a car door slam behind him as he scraped the snow up. The last bit of it was all he needed to get done. Then he'd run into the shop, grab the salt, and then he'd be on his way to making sure that this task was taken care of. Then he could wait down the clock until Shouta got here. What were they going to talk about? Was Shouta going to let him down easy?

It had only been five days since his confession, since they fucked in the kitchen, but surely that was enough time to think? Did Shouta assume that was enough time? Or had the black-haired man really, truly, thought it over? Had he sat in his apartment and thought on it? Did it keep him up over the past four nights? Did it swim and sting in his head like a wasp? Or like a jellyfish?

Something that slowly aimed its way across his mind lazily from side to side of his head where it would sting intermittently? He wanted nothing more than to whip his phone out and ask the black-haired man when he'd be there. Heaving the snow off to the side with a grunt, he began to push the remaining snow to the side as well. Listening to the crunch of snow under boots. Or was it ice?

He had not a clue but he was happy to at least get the sidewalk cleared away for whoever this was. He scraped the snow gently to the snow pile off to the side when he sighed out again with the silver clouds pluming from his lips when he then lifted his head up and glancing over. And there he was. Quiet as ever but standing just out of the corner of his eye. Shouta wore a dark pair of jeans, his black boots, and his heavy black coat.

A red scarf tied loosely around his throat and a hat that pushed his curls down around his face. Curls that shimmered in the soft golden light of the street lamp above him that casted shadows over the face he'd spent hours admiring. A face that he adored more than anything in the world. His hands were tucked deep into his pockets as if he were awkward; as if he had no clue what he wanted to do with his hands.

He could imagine that Shouta's hands would fidget together. That fingers would twist and interlock together awkwardly. The black-haired man's breath plumed out slowly but steadily with each inhale and exhale. Those dark eyes shimmering at him when he realized, much to his embarrassment, he'd been holding his breath. Holding it down in his chest where it tightened; where it was held for the sake of not ruining the quiet between them.

His heart throbbed in a one-two hit against his chest as those nerves seemed to rush over him. Nerves that had been festering all day long rushed over him leaving his hand to tremble before dropping the shovel. The glance of the metal handle on the ground had him jumping when he let out a long breath that plumed out of him in a silver cloud as his face burned with the rush of embarrassment.

The first trace of heat he'd felt since he stepped out of his store to scrape the snow on the sidewalk together. His lips pinched together when he bent over to pick up his shovel again when he then straightened up once more quickly when he noted Shouta's hands sliding out of his pockets. No gloves. His heart gave another of those odd throbs when he licked his lips then swallowed; or well, tried would be a better term, wouldn't it?

His throat felt so tight when Shouta began to walk forward towards him; slow, even steps as if he were a wild cat he was trying to get closer too. Those dark eyes on his as their breaths plumed in silver clouds into the air with his hands holding onto the handle of his shovel tightly. And then he was breathing out again when the black-haired man came to a stop mere steps away from him with hands stretched out to do- what?

Touch him? Hug him? Take the shovel from his hands? He didn't know how to relax now that he was face-to-face with this man he'd been thinking about all damn day. Thinking about so much his head had been buzzing with thoughts of what their talk would include tonight. There was so much unknown about tonight that it was almost terrifying. It was honestly the scariest conversation he knew he'd have but he had to see this through. He had to know if Shouta was going to return his feelings or not. He had to know.

"You're early!" The two words burst out of him before he could stop them which had his face burning with a fresh wave of heat. He hadn't meant to blurt it out like that but the black-haired man blinked at him before grinning dryly at him; a look that had his heart jumping in his chest and his stomach fluttering. There was nothing he loves more than those grins of his. When they made his black eyes shimmer like that. "I'm-I'm sorry, I don't know what I said it like that! I meant to say that it's nice to see you!"

"It's alright, Zashi, I get it." Did he? Shouta looked to the shovel in his hands when he shifted slightly with the shovel dragging over the ground with a deafening screech that had the both of them wincing when the black-haired man's grin softened slightly with those eyes on his. So dark. So rich. They were utterly beautiful in the soft golden lighting of the street light above them when Shouta held his hands out. "If you're not horribly busy, I can take the shovel in for you if you'd like? And then, if you have it, some coffee while we, ah, talk?"

Licking his lips, his hands tightened on the handle of the shovel; as if it could somehow ward off the conversation that they were bound to have. He took a breath then held the shovel out which Shouta stepped forward to take from him when he then reached to slide his gloves off. His fingers were a pale red, nothing bad, but definitely not warm. "It goes in the little supply closet in the breakroom; the little door in the corner of the room, you can't miss it! I'm going to sprinkle some salt out here but you're lucky I made another pot of coffee when I did!"

Shouta blinked at him, black lashes fluttering, when that soft grin widened at him gently with those eyes shimmering at him Staring him like he was beautiful; like he was something breathtaking. It had his heart racing against his chest at that look when the black-haired man took the shovel from him and he then rubbed his hands over his coat when the black-haired man took the shovel. "I suppose I am lucky then. I'll meet you inside, then? You take your coffee with half and half, right? Three sugars?"

"Yup! And I'll be right in! This shouldn't take me long to salt everything! Let's head in together, yeah?" He shuffled forward then with ice cracking under his boots with Shouta smiling at him with those eyes lingering on his own before he stepped forward to call by his side with the black-haired man turning to follow after him as they began to walk forward. The crunch of ice, the screech of snow, deafening between them when he peeked at Shouta. "About this talk-"

"Let's get the sidewalk iced, coffees in hand, and relaxing first, yeah? You must be sore from your shoveling, aren't you?" Shouta replied as they kept pace with one another; falling into their sides with upper arms lightly brushing together when he put a pep to his step to the door which he pulled open for Shouta who stepped inside. He followed after him with boots thudding gently over the floor as Shouta wiped his boots before walking forward onto the wooden flooring before turning to him. "I'll get this put away and coffees made, alright?"

"Alright!" He chirped back before walking forward with his boots thudding over the wooden floor deafeningly as he reached out to scoop up the container of sidewalk salt. It was the dog friendly brand that he and Nemuri always bought; there was no sense in poor dogs burning their feet on salt. He then turned to rush across the shop to the front door where he pushed on the door with cold air swirling around his face. As if welcoming him back into its clutches once more after experiencing the brief warmth of his store.

He opened the top of the container and began shaking the white ice out on the front walkway then onto the sidewalk. Making sure to keep his arches wide over the sidewalk as he walked back and forth with the salt crunching beneath his boots as he made sure the sidewalk was covered. Then he turned on his feet with brisk steps, a pep to his step, as he rushed into the store once more. The bell jingling cheerfully when there was a shift from the backroom as he made his way to the counter. "Zashi, does it matter what mug you use?"

"Nope! I've used all them at some point so anyone is fine!" He called back as walked behind the counter and stuffed the salt back in its place beneath it before he reached up from the zipper of his coat. Pausing then unwinding his scarf, taking his hat off, he stuffed them into his coat pockets before grabbing the zipper again. Sliding it down from his throat to his stomach quickly, he shrugged it off then laid it across the counter before taking a breath. One. Two. In. Out.

He then shivered as he walked forward towards the doorway of the break room where Shouta was walking over to the table. Looking over his shoulder, a smile on his lips as he put the mugs down and God if he couldn't help but admire the beauty of the man. His hat, scarf and coat gone, the black-haired man was wearing that pale sweater he adored him on. Hugging him tightly making his chest look broader. He hesitated when Shouta pulled the chairs out with that soft smile. "Come on, I won't bite, Zashi."

"I know!" He got out before wavering on his feet again before walking forward with his boots thudding over the floor as he walked forward. He hesitated by his chair before sitting down as his hands went to his mug of coffee which felt so hot between his hands. Warming his fingers beautifully as he lifted it up to blow gently at the steaming liquid before taking a cautious sip only to flinch. Too hot. He then looked to Shouta only to feel his face burn at the intensity to those dark eyes as Shouta stared at him. "What?"

"You're really beautiful, you know that? Or should I say handsome?" His cheeks burned with that blush when fingers reached out to touch his cheek lightly before reaching back to tuck his hair behind his ear. Fingertips skimming along the shell of his ear while being mindful of his hearing aid when fingers rested on his earlobe briefly. Sliding forward to caress his jaw lightly when the black-haired man smiled softly at him. "I think that's one of the things I like the most. That you've got this beauty that shines through from the inside out."

His face was uncomfortably hot with the force of his blush as he fought the urge to duck his face away. To scrunch his shoulders up and deny what Shouta was saying but he found himself wordless. He didn't know what to say; how did he say anything in response to that? Without choking on his words? Licking his lips, Shouta's fingers drifted away from his jaw when he lifted his gaze back to the black-haired man. "So do you, you know. You're beautiful too, Shouta, and I admire it so much."

Black brows pinched together slightly before they smoothed out when Shouta lifted his coffee up. Blowing gently before taking a hesitant sip of it to which he did the same; lifting his coffee up, blowing, then sipping at the scalding liquid that made its way down his throat and into his chest. Warming him when he lowered it down and Shouta placed his own mug down. "Hizashi, you confessed to me. You told me how you felt and you told me what you wanted from me. That you need me. Is that still true?"

"Of course it's true! I need you! I want you in my life, Shouta, more than anything! And I don't want this to just be a hookup situation where we meet, fuck, and then go on our merry ways, you know? I don't want a friends with benefits thing and I don't want this to just be some casual thing but I need you, Shouta!" He clutched his mug to keep from reaching out to the black-haired man but it didn't stop Shouta from reaching out with fingers touching the back of his hand gently.

"And I want you to stay in my life, Zashi. I need you in my life because-because you give me a type of balance, I haven't found anywhere else, you know? You helped me when I felt like I was drowning and being horrible as a father. You've been my best friend for months and I truly value you more than anything." Shouta paused then with a swallow, his Adam's apple bobbing, then those fingers were touching his and he slid his hand away from his mug hesitantly. Fingers touching then gently weaving together as they fitted together.

Shouta's palm pressing to his own as fingers pressed fiercely into the back of his hand to which he squeezed at that big hand. How could something so simply feel so good? How could holding this man's hand feel so damn nice? He couldn't find the answer but he held that hand tightly with his breaths coming with a slight tremble when he took a deep breath then let it out. "You give me balance too. You've really helped me more than you know, Sho, and you really are my best friend. I just like you so damn much, you know?"

"I appreciate you saying that, Zashi, and I-" Shouta cut off then, the word caught in his throat when he squeezed at Shouta's hand. Leaning forward slightly in his seat when he rubbed his thumb against the black-haired man's when those dark eyes flickered away from him. Looking down into his lap, no doubt, with the hand in his tightening when he got to admire one of the most beautiful things in the world. Spots of color popped on Shouta's cheeks; a soft pink that was rapidly darkening into an equally soft red.

If Shouta needed a bit of prodding, then he could give that no problem. He found himself shifting forward with his knee pressing to Shouta's as he squeezed at the hand in his only to get a squeeze back as Shouta's lips parted then trembled silently. As if he were trying to will himself into saying something but he couldn't. He then moved his left hand from the mug to reach out; touching Shouta's jaw gently, he slid his fingers to his chin to lift his head up even if those dark eyes stayed down. "You what?"

"This- I'm not sure how to say it the right way even though I've been practicing it for hours, you know?" That soft red was absolutely beautiful; he found himself drifting his fingers from Shouta's jaw to his cheek where he slid his fingers along his cheekbone gently. The warmth of his blush warming his fingertips when those dark eyes raised up to him. And God, there was such a vulnerability to that gaze. "I came here, knowing what I have to say and what I want to say, but to really say it? It's nerve-wracking. I don't know how you did it."

"Well, if you're talking about my confession, it had taken me months to work up to it, you know? And then I blurted it out while angry and it took me days after to work up the courage to say it!" He smiled at the black-haired man then who smiled softly back at him when he brushed his fingers down that red cheek gently when he shifted in his seat to lean towards the black-haired man. "Don't overthink it, okay? If you know what you have to say then just say it. God knows overthinking will be the death of us."

"True, I'm trying not to overthink it but it's hard, you know? My brain has been going over this all damn day and it's been driving me crazy." And then the hand in his was squeezing softly when he squeezed back, moving his thumb against Shouta's gently with the black-haired man's other hand raising up with fingertips brushing over the back of his hand. Pushing his hand lightly until his palm pressed against his cheek when those dark eyes met his. "Zashi, you know you're important to me, right?"

"I mean, I'd hope I was important to you! Because you're very, very important to me, Shouta." The hand in his squeezed again when he slid his thumb along Shouta's cheekbone with his free hand as that blush warmed his palm. It was utterly beautiful and God if it didn't twist a knife into his chest the longer he stared at Shouta. The longer he sat here with his heart thrumming in his chest with its sickening beats. "You really do mean so much to me, Sho, and I treasure our friendship. Whatever it'll look like going forward."

"What if I told you that friendship isn't enough for me anymore? If-If I don't want to be friends anymore?" His heart thudded in a sickening one-two hit against his chest when Shouta's fingers brushed over the back of his hand again before holding his wrist gently. Was Shouta about to say what he thinks he is? Or is this going to be something different all together? "Hizashi Yamada, you are by far the most important person in my life other than my child. And, after evaluating everything-"

Shouta cut off again with that red deepening on his cheeks surprisingly with his thumb sliding over that hot blush which had him in awe. What was Shouta going to say? He was hanging onto each word like it was a tether; something that had him leaning forward towards the black-haired man eagerly with his palm pressing against his cheek and the hand in his squeezing. He squeezed back gently with his thumbs moving to caress the black-haired man gently. "It's okay, take your time, yeah?"

The black-haired man nodded then with a slow, deep breath being taken by the man with black lashes fluttering down briefly. Then those eyes, so beautifully rich and dark, were meeting his own again without so much as a flinch when Shouta squeezed his hand gently with his thumb moving against the back of his hand. "Hizashi, I like you. I think, if I'm honest about it, I've, ah, liked you since October. Since the beginning but that's cliché to say, isn't it? I just- I really do like you in that way. I like you, Zashi."

Oh.

Oh.

His heart was flying against his chest with his face burning with a fresh wave of heat that had the hand holding his wrist reaching out to touch his cheek lightly. Trailing down it when he blinked at the black-haired man when he noticed the way his shoulders scrunched up slightly. As if he wanted to hide. And he was left swaying back in his chair with his hand leaving Shouta's cheek as he blinked at the black-haired man. The whole time? Shouta's liked him since October? "Since October? You mean that-that thing on Halloween-?"

"When I wanted to kiss you for the first time? What should have been our first kiss? Yes. I guess I was, um, kinda denying it? I mean, I knew I felt something for you but I was trying to keep things platonic. Trying to keep being your friend rather than messing everything up especially after you spoke to me about Halloween and what happened." Shouta paused then before that rough palm was pressing to his cheek with a soft smile on those full lips. "But it wasn't until you took that temp job that I felt really jealous. Over Toshinori of all people!"

Jealous? Shouta had been jealous over him being friends with Yagi? He found himself gawking at the black-haired man with the awe that was unraveling in his chest leaving him breathless when he then felt Shouta's knee touch his own. A gentle touch when the palm on his cheek pressed against it with a thumb moving over his cheekbone gently when he then shook his head lightly then pointed at the black-haired man. He needed to wrap his head around this. "So, you like me? Like, like me?"

"Yes."

"And you're confessing to me right now? You're returning my feelings?"

"Yes."

"And you don't want to be friends anymore?"

"Well, I suppose in some way we will still be friends if you think about it."

"But you don't want to be friends like that anymore?"

"That would be correct, Zashi."

"So, does that mean you want to be with me romantically? You want to-to be my-?" He couldn't squeeze the word out as his face burned when the palm on his cheek rubbed softly at him with a thumb moving over his cheekbone again gently. A soft, amused smile on Shouta's lips when he found himself choking on the word. Did it mean what it he thought it to mean? He couldn't help but feel like a child. A teenager being confessed too when he licked his lips.

"I think I'd like to try being with you romantically, Zashi. I think I'd like it very, very much." The black-haired man squeezed his hand then when that amused smile curled wider on those full lips with dark eyes sparkling at him. As if there was some type of relief to the moment that he had been waiting for. The thumb on his cheek slid over his cheekbone gently when Shouta leaned forward. "I know I should've confessed sooner but I didn't know if you felt it too, you know? And when you confessed it just-"

"Kicked you in the ass to say something sooner?" He finished for the black-haired man who chuckled before nodding with those black curls bouncing gently when he then swallowed before meeting that dark gaze with the black-haired man stroking his cheek gently. He couldn't believe that, out of all the outcomes, that this was it. This was the hoped for, dreamed for, answer he'd get from the black-haired man when he swallowed before speaking. "You know, some part of me feels like this isn't real. Like you're going to say sike at any moment."

"I'm not. Look, Zashi, I really mean what I said, I have felt this way for you since the beginning. I thought it was an innocent little thing, you know? And I wanted to kiss you on Halloween because I believed you felt it too. And then, of course, there was that kiss we shared while drunk which threw us off. But I really mean what I'm saying and I'll prove it to you anyway I can. I'll prove to you that I like you, more than just physically, and I'll show you that I mean what I say."

He was wordless. He found himself staring at the black-haired man with wide eyes when he then found himself giggling. And once he started giggling, he couldn't stop as he let himself sway forward with his head coming to rest on Shouta's shoulder. And the hand on his cheek left as that arm slid around him and he was tugged forward. Pulled out of his seat as Shouta pushed back and he was tugged into his lap. Held close, close, close. "I can't believe this! I seriously can't believe this! You like me? Really?"

"Really. I really do like you, Zashi, and I should have said this so much sooner but I was afraid of ruining our friendship. Afraid you didn't feel the same, you know?" Shouta's hand left his then as arms curled around his waist to hold him close as he settled into place on this man's lap, his legs dangling on either side of the chair. He rested his cheek against Shouta's broad cheek when fingers coaxed his hair from his face gently. "Is it really so hard to believe I feel the same? How can you accept me fucking you but not me feeling the same?"

"Because you fucking me was a-a physical thing I could somewhat wrap my head around, you know? I mean, not everyone likes sex with tans people, I didn't think you'd even liked me that way and the fact that you do? It's fucking aweing. And you feeling the same way as me? It's even harder to believe, you know?" He couldn't help a little giggle at the end of it when arms tightened gently around him and he stretched his own arms out to wrap around Shouta. "This is mind-blowing, Sho."

"I can only imagine how mind-blowing it is, Zashi, but I mean it. Everything I've said, I mean it. I like you more than you possibly know and I have from the beginning when I thought it was an innocent little crush.The more I got to know the man you are, the man that I adore, the bigger that crush got." Arms squeezed him gently to which he squeezed back with his cheek resting against that broad shoulder as fingers slid over his hair again. "I truly do like you, Zashi. Very much."

It felt like a dream. Like he'd fallen asleep in his office and any moment his eyes were going to open. He was going to wake up and Shouta was going to reject him. But he felt so alert. So focused. There's no way he could be asleep, was there? Lifting his head from Shouta's shoulder, he slid his arms up to wrap around his shoulders with his fingers going to those black curls he adored. Messy. "So, what does this mean for us? I mean, are we going to be something more? Would you want that?"

"Well, if you wanted to go on a few dates first before we establish anything, I don't mind that. But just know I would love nothing more than to be able to call you my boyfriend when I ask you properly." Shouta's arms were tight around his waist when he stared into those dark eyes that shimmered at him. So dark, so bottomless, that he felt himself drowning in them when Shouta's hands rubbed at his lower back gently. "We can take this one step at a time if you want, Zashi. We can take it slow as you need."

"I like that. Calling you my boyfriend, I mean, but we should take it a bit slow, you know? Ironic since we've been fucking for two weeks now!" A chuckle left the black-haired man then when he twisted his fingers into those black curls gently with his arms tight around his broad shoulders when he twisted himself close to the black-haired man. Arms squeezing him gently, delicately, with teeth dragging over that full bottom lip slightly when his lips parted "Shouta?"

"Zashi?" God, the murmur of Shouta's voice was absolutely everything to him. There was a sparkle to those dark eyes when he found himself leaning into Shouta with arms tightening around his waist. Hands sliding up his back with fingers plucking at his sweater idly. Twisting into the fabric when he then licked his lips before he found himself wheezing out a breath when Shouta's fingers skimmed up his back. "Is there something you want? Anything more we need to talk about?"

"Oh, we have plenty to talk about! So much to talk about but I just-" He paused then when he took a slow, trembling breath when Shouta's fingers skimmed down the center of his back coaxing him to arch when he pressed his lips to Shouta's jaw. A soft kiss that had the black-haired man hum softly when he pulled back to lick his lips. Tingling. That desire was pulling together in lazy strings that thrummed under his skin. That had him alert. Aware. "Shouta, I want you to kiss me. Please, kiss me?"

The look of longing, of desire, flickered in those dark eyes as arms tightened around his waist as he was tugged impossibly close to Shouta. Trapped in his lap when the black-haired man leaned forward with full lips parting ever so slightly when he leaned in to meet him halfway. Meeting him in the middle as he pressed his lips to those full, plush lips that he absolutely adored. He sighed out at the touch of those lightly chapped lips to his own.

A sigh of Shouta's fanned over his hot cheek. Warm. Surprising he could feel that when his cheeks burned so fiercely. He moved his lips against Shouta's; a slow slide that was given back to him with arms tightening around his waist as hands slipped up his back then down it in a rub that had him melting into the black-haired man's hold. Kissing him slowly, firmly, with those lips moving against his as his glasses nudged against his cheekbone and his eyebrow.

He ignored his glasses as he kissed the black-haired man happily with his hand burying itself into those black curls that wrapped around his fingers effortlessly. Beautifully. Cupping the back of Shouta's head, he let out another sigh as lips slid against his slowly; allowing him to admire their plushness. To admire the way that they were curving to fit and shape to his own ever so slightly. Filling the gaps that his own thinner lips couldn't begin to fill.

And God if he doesn't adore it; if he doesn't absolutely love the way that Shouta was kissing him even if he was setting the pace for it. He tugged curiously at those black curls when the black-haired man hummed softly into the kiss with hands rubbing over his back gently with fingers rolling in circles against him that had him shuddering. The pressure of those fingers digging into his back were absolutely amazing as they rolled into tense muscles.

He hadn't been aware of just how achy his body had been but the gentle way Shouta's fingers prodded just enough at his muscles had him melting into his arms. Had him slumping in his lap as he moved his lips against those full ones; delighting in the way his lisp was curving to fit against Shouta's. As if, somehow, after all the kisses they'd shared, they were finally beginning to feel familiar to him. Finally beginning to feel the smallest bit comfortable against his own.

There was nothing he loves more than that as he kissed the black-haired man with that spark of eagerness in his chest. Moving his lips slowly against those full ones with his fingers tugging at those black curls lightly before scratching at the black-haired man's head gently. Loving the hum, it got him in response as he tightened his arms around the man's shoulders when he felt fingers tugging on the ends of his hair.

A hand skimming up his back only to come up and to cup the back of his head. Fingers curling to scratch at him gently which had his heart fluttering in his chest along with his stomach when he pressed himself up against the black-haired man with a spark in his chest. Excitement twisting into him when he felt a hand rubbing at his lower back gently with those soothing circles that had him melting. He needed a nice, hot bath when he got home tonight.

Could he bring Shouta home? Could he convince the man of what he wanted from him? Or would he need to return home to be with his daughter? He wouldn't fault him if that were the case. After all, he didn't have a toddler bed for Eri to sleep in. He couldn't expect her to sleep in the pack and play all night long like that. He sighed out through his nose with his fingers tugging on those black curls absentmindedly. Loving the way that they curled so effortlessly around his fingers.

How they clung onto him when he curled his fingers slightly. Allowing those curls to tug and twist around his fingers as he kissed the black-haired man softly. Slowly. Drags of those lips against his own had his skin thrumming with an excitement, a livewire, that was threatening to drive him insane. Something that could very much become overwhelming if he gave it the time and dedication for it to become just that.

He twisted himself forward against the black-haired man with his breaths sighing out of him before dragging in another far too quickly. And he found himself drowning under the heat that flickered over his skin. A heat that threatened to sink down beneath the surface of his skin but didn't. Not yet. Full lips dragged against his with Shouta's breaths fanning over his cheek with hands holding him close.

Rolling those soothing circles into his lower back and sliding over his hair. Cupping the back of his neck gently, tugging at his hair lightly, which had him all too over the moon delighted. He kissed the black-haired man without a second thought. Without a drop of hesitation in his chest. He could do this all night long. The quiet whisper of their moving lips filled the quiet of the breakroom. The gurgle of the coffee pot ringing out briefly before going silent.

The sound of his nails dragging over Shouta's head when he scratched at him again. The rustle of fingers rolling over his shirt as they pressed into the tender muscles of his back. There was nothing else that he adored more than being able to sit right here and admire the way Shouta's lips moved. The way they felt against his own. There were so many moments when these lips were crushed to his.

When they would kiss in a furious frenzy with hands holding onto one another fiercely. When they would kiss passionately, lustfully, and with such desire that it left him reeling. There were hardly kisses that allowed him to properly feel the black-haired man's lips like this. And he found that he adored this way of kissing; he likes being held on Shouta's lap while those full lips moved against his own. To have those black curls around his fingers and his broad shoulders beneath his arms.

The feel of Shouta's chest pressing against his own with lips sliding against his. There was so much to this that he absolutely adores. He kissed Shouta with that quiet desire, that adoration, which was returned to him without a drop of hesitation from the black-haired man. Kissing him tenderly, sweetly, with hands squeezing gently at him with fingers beginning to roll to rub the nape of his neck softly. Adoringly.

And he happily scratched at Shouta's head with his breaths trembling faintly when he felt Shouta twisting forward to press against him with fingers rolling into his lower back comfortingly. Circles that had him utterly melting into the black-haired man's hold as he tightened his arms around his shoulders. There was something so nice about being able to kiss Shouta like this. There was a tenderness, a sweetness, that he absolutely melted for.

Something that had him returning it without thinking twice about it as he kissed the black-haired man tenderly. Sweetly. Adoringly. There was so much in his chest making it feel tighter than ever as he pressed against the black-haired man. As if it could somehow help with that tightness in his chest but he knew that nothing was going to help it. There was so much emotion in his chest that had him drowning under the waves that pummeled over him.

Shouta likes him.

Shouta likes him. It was a rushing exhilaration knowing that this beautiful, gorgeous, sexy man wanted him. That by some miracle, Shouta felt the same way for him. That somehow this was the best outcome he could have ever wished for. He had held out hope that this could be what the black-haired man was going to say but he hadn't let himself hope. He'd refused to let himself hope. But here he was, in Shouta's lap with the black-haired man kissing him so tenderly it had his heart aching in his chest.

He was more than happy to stay right here for the rest of the night. There was nothing he wanted more than to stay in this man's arms. This man who liked him romantically and wanted him physically. There was so much euphoria that it damn near hurt. The relief in knowing that his emotions were returned to him. That they both liked one another and reciprocated it effortlessly. Kissing the black-haired man delightedly, he felt a hand sliding along his back with that gentle rubbing to get him utterly melting.

To get him pressing against Shouta fervently with his thighs squirming slightly in their spread position. The urge to curl them around the black-haired man was strong but he had the feeling they were dripping with wetness. He didn't want to wet the man's clothes. The quiet whisper of their moving lips filled the quiet of the room with hands sliding along backs gently. The rustle of their clothing beneath hands was deafening when he curled his fingers to scratch at Shouta's head again.

Loving the way those curls were wrapped around his fingers with lips pressing firmly to his own They began to move from that slow speed that he had set to something casual. Something a bit quicker that he could follow along with without thinking twice. He moved his lips against Shouta's faster when fingers slid along the center of his back with flicks at his hair. Playful swats that had him fighting the urge to smile. To giggle.

He instead focused on moving his lips with Shouta's delightedly with breaths trembling over his cheek when the hand on his hand splayed out. Fingers stretching out as they spread with a light pull on him that had him crushing himself against the black-haired man. Pressed tightly together from chest to hip with not a gap of space to be had as those full lips slid against his with breaths fanning on his cheeks.

Curls wrapping effortlessly around his fingers with the black-haired man leaning forward from the back of the chair to press against him allowing him to slide his hand down his upper back. Rolling circles into the muscles there that trembled beneath his fingers when Shouta let out another soft hum that he found himself echoing with a hum of his own. Something that had the black-haired man kissing him with an increased press of his lips to his.

A hard press that he returned without thinking twice about it as he kissed the black-haired man harder. Faster. Listening to the light smack of their moving lips that broke up the quiet whisper as breaths were taken through noses that trembled ever so slightly. Hands pushing on the other for that tight press of their bodies as lips slid against one another faster. Harder. Kisses that remained with that adoration but there was an exhilaration that had him his heart jumping in his chest.

As if, somehow, that relief was shared between the both of them. This was the outcome everyone would wish for when confessing a crush. This was the outcome that was dreamed and written about in those romance books that he'd always read out of morbid fascination. Sure, he and Shouta were out of step what with their physical relationship taking form first but he didn't mind that. He didn't mind that they were a few steps ahead of the common relationship.

Kissing the black-haired man fervently, sweetly, he tightened his arms around him as he rolled his fingers in comforting circles between Shouta's shoulder blades. They pinched inwards ever so slightly with the black-haired man's back arching when a quiet sound slipped out of Shouta. A small sound that lit his skin with a flash of heat but he did his best to ignore it as he moved his lips against Shouta's.

Kissing him with the tender passion that he'd recognize anywhere with fingers moving to knead at one another. Moving to rub, massage, and gently relax the other while their lips moved together with a light smack that rang out intermittently. He knew he should lock up. He knew he should say goodbye to Shouta. But he didn't want too. Not yet. He didn't want to say goodbye yet when he'd been gifted the greatest news in the damn world.

There was no other night that was more perfect than this one. More special to him. Twisting in Shouta's arms with a squirm, his feet kicked out slightly where they skimmed over the floor with arms wrapped tightly around him. Fingers kneading at the nape of his neck in soothing circles that he mimicked on Shouta's back with the black-haired man humming at him softly.

A hand sliding up and down his back idly with fingers tugging teasingly at his hair every once in a while, which had his heart jumping in his chest. There was a tenderness to the moment that had his heart positively singing in his chest. His blood thrumming through his veins with a speed that had him dizzy but he didn't mind it in the slightest bit. Lips dragged against his own as he curved slightly with his arms tightening around Shouta again.

The black-haired man holding him close, close, close. As if he might disappear at any moment. There was nothing he loves more than having those strong arms wrapped around him like this. It had him squirming slightly before pressing up against the man again with a renewed force as he pressed his lips harder to Shouta's. Listening to the resulting smack it created, he felt Shouta pressing his lips to his with that answering strength.

Hands slid from the nape of his neck and down his back. Both moving in unison along his back in an up and down rub that had his heart jumping and his stomach fluttering. Being touched so tenderly despite the force of their lips pressing together was the absolute best. If they were standing God knows he'd be swooning into Shouta's arms. He'd be a damned mess if he were on his feet but it didn't matter, did it?

Because Shouta was kissing him and touching him with all the tenderness in the world. When he was being kissed with a tender passion that had his heart leaping in his chest wildly as he clung to the black-haired man. There was no better way for his night to turn out. There was no better night than this one. It was pivotal. It was a change that he hadn't known he'd been waiting for.

He'd been crushing on Shouta for months that the reality that his feeling was returned? That Shouta's liked him since October? There was nothing more amazing than to have Shouta confess his feelings. Holding onto the black-haired man, hands slid up and down his back with fingers tugging playfully at his hair with each upwards slide. Rubbing his back again with those lips pressing hard to his own with the sharp smack ringing out as their lips moved together.

Kisses that had heat flashing over his skin again before melting beneath the surface of it. Running down along his bones leaving him utterly breathless as he clung to the black-haired man when he began to tug his hand free from those wild curls. He slipped his hand out of his hair to curl his arms around him properly with his hands sliding along Shouta's back in a similar way to the hands on his back.

And God if he didn't love the way that Shouta's back arched as he pressed forward against him with another of those quiet sounds slipping out of the black-haired man. It had him humming softly at the black-haired man in response when he felt Shouta's back arching beneath his hands. Felt him squirming slightly beneath him with thighs tensing briefly before relaxing as hands slid up and down his back.

Both rubbing, stroking, caressing the other while their lips slid together quickly. Fiercely. Kisses that left him clinging to the man as he pressed up against him with those hands sliding up and down his back idly. Gently. Touching him reverently when those hands slid forward to slide along his waist. Slipping up and down along his side to get him squirming with a quiet sound of his own bursting out of him as he twisted eagerly.

Squirming with the black-haired man's hands sliding up and down along his sides which had tingles fanning beneath his skin. Pooling into his stomach when he curled his toes in his boots; scrunching up tightly with his cheeks burning with a fresh blush. There was nothing he wanted to do than to kiss Shouta all night long. He wanted nothing more than to stay right here. Kissing the black-haired man with that fierce, hard press of their lips was absolutely addicting.

The smack of their moving lips deafening in the small room with hands sliding along his sides while he rubbed his hands up and down Shouta's back. Both squirming and twisting together with hands holding onto one another when Shouta's hands slid down to his waist where fingers kneaded at him. Holding him with all the tenderness in the world to get him inhaling shakily then letting it out on a rush when he squirmed again as those hands swept up his sides.

He tried to copy the movement with his own hands on the black-haired man's back. Sweeping his hands up and down with that back arching beneath his hands as the black-haired man squirmed against him. Both squirming and twisting together with hands sliding along his sides. Lips pressed to his fervently with slides that had him eager to kiss back; had him all too delighted to kiss the black-haired man who squirmed beneath his hands.

The smack of their moving lips was deafening in the quiet but he didn't mind it one damn bit. If anything, there was a heat to the moment that he found tender. Found it to be absolutely thrilling with how Shouta kissed him. How the black-haired man was touching him. It had him over the moon with his heart thudding in solid hits against his chest; thudding, thudding, thudding. His head was spinning weakly with his fingers moving to massage Shouta's back.

It had muscles trembling beneath his fingers when Shouta squeezed at his waist with a quiet groan when he slid his hands up and down. Fingers prodding at those trembling muscles when he felt those hands sliding along his waist curving towards his back again. Kneading at him in a similar way he rubbed at Shouta's back. It was unbelievably nice; it had him mentally swooning when he exhaled on a sigh as he kissed the black-haired man fervently. Tenderly. Passionately.

Loving that those emotions were returned to him by the black-haired man when he felt his phone buzzing in his back pocket but he ignored it. Ignored it for Shouta ate up his attention. The black-haired man commanded every bit of his concentration and focus in that moment. There was no one but him and Shouta in the breakroom of his store. The two of them the only living beings on the blocks. The only person who mattered to him in the moment.

When they broke away, he'd check his phone and he'd be sure to call the boys if that's what they wanted. He'd have to take off in a few hours but he didn't mind putting them to bed over FaceTime. He kissed the black-haired man fervently, fiercely, with hands sliding along his back where they moved up and down. Rolling circles being given that had his breaths trembling out of him when those hands slipped down his back to grab at his ass.

Palming at him, it had his heart jumping to his throat when he let out a soft groan at the black-haired man who squeezed his ass. Lifting him up slightly to which he planted his feet to the floor awkwardly but he didn't mind it one damn bit. He kissed Shouta passionately with the black-haired man returning that passion to him as hands palmed at his ass; squeezing and kneading. Fingers digging into him with enough force to get him shuddering.

He groaned softly again when fingers curled in with a firm squeeze that had his breaths rasping in and out excitedly when hands tugged at him causing his hips to thrust forward slightly. Holding onto the black-haired man, he kissed him with that passion and desire which was returned to him without a drop of hesitation from the black-haired man. He was more than eager to kiss this man; to touch him and caress his back that arched beneath his hands.

Arching forward with their chests pinning together. Pressing together so hard he swore he could feel Shouta's heart beating against his chest. It was a sensation that he absolutely adored as he twisted himself close as possible to the black-haired man. Wanting to be closer, closer, closer to the man. There was nothing he wants more than to be twisted up with this man in his bed. To have Shouta pinning him down to the bed with hips grinding fervently against him.

To twist his hands in those black curls and arch, squirm, twist beneath the man. Hands squeezed at his ass again; as if there was something worth holding. He'd always been aware that he didn't have much of an ass; that it was flat and small. That, compared to others, he had a washboard ass. And yet Shouta was palming, squeezing, squishing his ass like there was more to it than that small flatness of it.

The black-haired man's hands cupped his ass like there was something worth worshiping about it. it had his blood running hot through his veins with another flash of heat sizzling beneath his skin. Leaving him to gasp in a breath that trembled on its way down while those hands continued to palm at his ass shamelessly. Squeezing and squishing. It had his toes curling in his boots when he kissed the black-haired man harder; faster.

Kissing him with the desire and heat he felt simmering beneath the surface of his skin. He took another trembling breath through his nose only to hear Shouta take a shaking breath of his own. It fanned over his cheek as those full lips slid against his with a desire that had his heart racing against his chest. Tightening his arms around Shouta, he felt those strong arms of his tightening around him in response.

Both holding onto one another tightly with lips moving with that sharp smack ringing out with breaths trembling onto hot cheeks in response. There was nowhere else he'd want to be. This was by far the most perfect moment in his damn life. Getting to kiss Shouta like this while knowing that the other man felt the same way as him? That their feelings were shared? It was like being put over the moon; he was weightless. Untouchable.

Hands kneaded at his ass before they slid over his ass up his back once more when lips pressed fiercely to his. It had his teeth aching faintly but he didn't mind it one damn bit. There was a passion, a desire, to this kiss that wasn't quite blinding but it was hot enough to get his body reacting to it but it wasn't overwhelming. It wasn't the clumsy, passionate kisses when they were fucking.

This was something else entirely and he adores it more than anything. Arched up in Shouta's lap, he happily pressed himself back down into his lap where the black-haired man held him tightly with hands sliding up and down his back comfortingly. Sweetly. And then the speed of Shouta's lips began to slow slightly which he followed along with; twisting himself close to the black-haired man as he trailed his hands down his back.

Those kisses were slowing down considerably but he didn't mind it whatsoever as they began to drop back into the slowness that they had started with. Something that allowed him to really appreciate the way that those lips slid against his own. That allowed him to marvel at just how plush those full lips were against his own with arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Hands sliding along his back to get him squirming. Holding him close.

It was like every fantasy he'd ever had of being in Shouta's lap was coming to life. Was having that life breathed into it. He wanted to stay right here in his lap for the remainder of the night. He wants those hands sliding along his back as they curved forward to caress his waist. He wants to kiss this man until his head was spinning and his lips tender. Lifting a hand up away from Shouta's back, he reached up to cup the back of his head again with fingers curling to scratch at his head.

Curls wrapping effortlessly around his fingers again as he slid his other hand up and down along his back just like the hands on his own back. There was a tenderness to the way Shouta was touching him. Like there was more than the fast, blinding lust they'd been acting on. As if they could take their time with this if they wanted too. Something slow, easy, and good.

Moving his lips against Shouta's with that old slowness, he listened to the sharp smack of their moving lips reduce back to that light, intermittent smack. The brush of their lips between them was deafening and God if he doesn't love it. Tugging at those black curls delightedly, he moved his lips against Shouta's with slow, firm kisses that the black-haired man returned to him with hands sliding along his waist.

Caressing it gently with thumbs rolling into his hips briefly before sliding up his sides to get him to arch. Squirming with his toes curling in his shoes tightly when he let out a trembling breath with his arms wrapped tight around those broad shoulders of his. The musky vanilla scent of Shouta's cologne was a familiar scent; a comforting one. He dragged it down into his lungs greedily with lips sliding slowly against his while hands slid along his waist again.

And he happily pressed down into Shouta's lap. There was a faint throb between his thighs; a pressure that was mounting slowly but surely but it was far easier to think around it than he thought it would be but it didn't stop that ache from twisting. From settling into his lower stomach and crotch with that pressure to get him pressing down against Shouta. He caressed those black curls gently with light tugs that had the black-haired man humming softly at him to which he hummed back.

There was so much to the moment that his heart felt full. It felt like a cup filled to the very top with water; trembling along the edges with the threat of spilling over. His heart had grown to accept the love he felt for Shouta and now that those feelings were returned to him? His heart ached. So full of that love that it was aching with each beat as he moved his lips against Shouta's with those soft, dry black curls wrapped around his hand and fingers.

With each slide of those full, plush lips against his own as he listened to the quiet whisper of their moving lips with arms sliding around his waist again with hands sliding up his back where fingers tugged at his hair. Twirling it around fingers, no doubt, as he happily settled himself anew in Shouta's lap. Squirming his hips slightly with the black-haired man holding him close. Tightly. There was nothing that gave him more pleasure in the world than to have Shouta holding him so tight.

To have the black-haired man kissing him so sweetly with that passion the way that he was. The desire that still had its place in the slow, firm kisses given to one another as he listened to that light smack of their moving lips. It felt so cliché, this scenario but he adored it. There was no bigger sigh of relief than to know the feelings were shared. That Shouta likes him both physically and romantically. He'd even offered up a couple of dates before he called him his boyfriend.

God, the idea of calling Shouta his boyfriend had his stomach fluttering viciously; like giant, ferocious butterflies were beating there. The idea that he could have some claim on this man was a thought that had his breaths trembling briefly when he shifted his hips again. Rocking down slightly against the black-haired man who arched his hips up to press firmly against him when he felt another throb of his inner walls spasming together.

His fingers tugging on those black curls as he pressed himself up against Shouta which forced him back against the chair with a light rock of the chair. He poured that desire, that lust, that passion and need into the kiss which was returned to him. Returned to him without a moment of hesitation as Shouta's hands slid along his back then to his waist once again to squeeze at him. Pulling him down tightly in his lap where hips rocked up against him gently.

He rocked down against the black-haired man with that pressure being soothed ever so slightly by his press down against Shouta. Moaning softly into the kiss when he felt Shouta's hands sliding along his waist before reaching back to grab at his ass again. A good, hard grab that told him if he had more to it which he absolutely adored when those fingers curved to cup his ass properly. Squeezing at him.

He shuddered at the touch with his fingers twisting into black curls and Shouta's sweater. Moving his lips against Shouta's with that hard press even as they moved slowly with hands holding him close as he rocked down against the black-haired man. Shivering at the relief to the pressure when his inner walls spasmed together again when hands kneaded at his ass. Firm squeezes that had him groaning quietly into the kiss which got him a groan back when he pushed down into Shouta's hands.

Into his lap. Pressing himself shamelessly against him as he kissed the black-haired man fiercely with that slowness that allowed him to admire everything about those lips on his. The black curls around his fingers. The heat in his cheeks as his inner walls spasmed together in another throb as he pressed himself down against Shouta. Rocking his hips side to side with hips arching up beneath him to rock with him.

Moving with him gently with hands sliding over his ass in a petting manner to get his toes curling in his boots as his fingers tugged at those black curls of hair as he slid his lips against Shouta's. Kissing him slowly, hard, with that desire and passion that was being given to him. The adoration that trickled into the kiss was undeniable as he clung to the black-haired man who kissed him with such hunger.

Holding him like he was something truly precious to the black-haired man. He twisted in his arms with his hand sliding down his upper back to knead at his shoulder blade gently. Tugging at those curls again gently before scratching at Shouta's head with hips rocking in time with him. Both moving gently, slowly; taking their time with the movements rather than losing themselves in the heat of passion.

Losing themselves the way they had been over the past couple of weeks when they had sex. This felt better; it felt different. And he absolutely loves how different it feels. There was something nice about losing himself in passion; something about getting clothes off fast as they could so he could get the relief of his skin against his own. Something good about being fucked breathless with Shouta holding onto him tightly.

But this was also nice too; to take things slowly and let it mount up. To take their time with their petting touches and rocking hips. He curled forward in Shouta's arms with lips sliding against his slowly, firmly, with a passion that left him eager for more. For the chance to touch the black-haired man. Rocking his hips down against Shouta's, he began to pull backwards slightly when Shouta chased after him.

Lips pressing to his firmly once, twice, three times and a fourth before he pulled back. Trembling breaths being taken as hands traced his waist and he found his eyes opening to find those dark ones on him. So close he could see the expanded pupils in those dark eyes that left his irises mere rings of color. Full lips parted ever so slightly with a blush smothering itself over Shouta's cheeks that was positively lovely. A beautiful red.

A look of desire smoldering in those dark eyes as hands squeezed his waist when he pressed down harder into Shouta's lap with hips rocking together when he tugged on those curls. How his lips tingled, buzzed, with the desire for those lips to come down on his own again but he held strong. No matter how badly he wanted to kiss him again, there were better places to do this than the break room of his book store. Better places like his bedroom, for one.

"Do you-" He paused to clear the husky edge from his throat which had those eyes flaring at him in response when he watched Shouta's tongue darting out to lick his lips. He found himself strangely breathless when he paused the rocking of his hips when he slid his hand from Shouta's curls gently. Bringing his hand down to trace along that red cheek gently. "Do you, um, want to go back to my place? Take it from there? I have my radio thing but I have a bit of time tonight before! And obviously you could, um, spend the night?"

Temptation. He knew he'd offered Shouta the perfect temptation, something that they'd both want. It had hands tightening on his waist with thumbs stretching down to roll into his hips when the black-haired man then hummed softly. As if he were thinking it over before those dark eyes met his again. "Let me text my sister and see if she'd be willing to keep Eri over night for me again, yeah? What about your boys? Are they going to be home tonight? Or are they with Kayama and Oboro?"

"They'll be with Nem and Oboro tonight but they'll be back tomorrow afternoon! So, we've got plenty of time if your sister is willing to look after Eri for the night! If she can't I'll let Eri sleep in Toshi or Izu's bed! I have those bed side guards that'll keep her from rolling off if we have to make do like that!" He then paused to touch Shouta's jaw when he took another of those trembling breaths before smiling softly at Shouta. "You've really made my night, you know that? Thank you for returning my feelings!"

"I should be thanking you for having the balls to confess in the first place! But we'll take this slowly, yeah? I know we've gone about this all wrong but I want to take you on proper dates. I want you to be happy with me, you know?" Those hands on his waist tightened when Shouta smiled softly at him with a shimmer to those dark eyes that had his breath catching in his throat. "I want to make you happy, Zashi, and I want to be a proper man with you. I don't want you to think all we'll do is hookup, you know?"

"I get it! I do! But I'm always happy when I'm with you, Sho, and there's nothing more you can do to make me happier! But some dates sound nice, honestly, but I'm happy with what we do now, you know? Even if we went about this backwards by fucking first, I don't mind it so much because I have you. And you're mine, aren't you? Or do I have to officially ask you?" He questioned with the black-haired man squeezing him gently with arms wrapping around his waist again to hold him close. Lips pressing softly to his jaw.

"I think I'd like to hear you officially ask that of me." Shouta murmured into his jaw with those full lips pressing to his jaw softly again and again with arms tightening around him. Lazy, soft kisses trailed along his jaw that left him utterly breathless when he found himself squirming in the black-haired man's arms instinctively. Tilting his head back when Shouta began to kiss down his throat softly which had him utterly melting into his arms when he sighed out as he slid his hand over those black curls.

"You make it very hard to focus, you know that?" He mumbled back which got him one of those throaty chuckles into his throat which he absolutely adored. It was a sound that sent shivers through him when he tightened his arms around Shouta's shoulders as he slid his hand over those black curls again. Adoringly. His heart was hammering against his chest leaving him positively breathless when he raised his head up to meet that gaze as Shouta stared at him. "Shouta Aizawa, will you do me the pleasure of being my boyfriend?"

"Absolutely." There was a resolution, a confirmation in that voice that was strong and clear. No doubts. No hesitations. The black-haired man held him tighter when he smiled with the exhilaration with those strong arms wrapping tightly around his waist to hold him close, close, close. He happily held himself to Shouta with those strong arms holding him so damn good it had his skin thrumming. His heart jumping in his chest when Shouta smiled softly at him. "Hizashi Yamada?"

"Yes?"

"Would you do me the amazing honor of being my boyfriend?"

He looked over the face he so adored; admiring the planes of Shouta's face. The arch of his brows, the cut of his cheekbones and his strong jaw. The stubble that covered his jaw and cheeks. The shape of his nose. The way those black lashes fluttered and those dark eyes widened at him with full lips tilted in a smile. Shouta was beautiful. Utterly, completely beautiful and his heart was so full he felt ready to cry. Ready to swoon away when he leaned in with his top lip lightly touching Shouta's. "Abso-fucking-lutely!"

And then Shouta's lips were coming down on his in a sizzling kiss.