“My life is like detestably bad graffiti, but when you looked at me, I felt I wasn’t alone…”
The sound waves pour into an empty room, bouncing off of the paper thin walls that line the quiet apartment. There is a robotic autotune applied to the charming, resplendent voice that sings along—a quiet hum that adds its own unique sound. A beautiful voice that is so calming yet so invoking.
“I’m glad that I’m alive, I truly am…”
Outside the weather is yet turbulent, but inside of the empty room it remains calm. The soft singing voice humming along to one of his favourite songs was a sound to be heard, to be sure—his voice carried on like the sound of an angel, and alongside him was the subtle sound of a ceiling fan spinning, along with the rain outside pouring down along in harmony. There was a slight blush that had formed on the boy’s cheeks as he sit cross legged on his bed with his eyes closed and his lips moving in rhythm with the soothing melody.
Behind him was a boy with blue hair and a shy smile, his hands running through his companions hair, gathering tufts and stray pieces of his hair that he was weaving together into a loose, elegant braid.
Ai really is programmed with everything… The boy says to himself. I can’t believe he even has autotune in his voice, he thinks in wonder, pulling a strand of hair in between his slender fingers.
“What I couldn’t say before, I can say now…”
The moment is tender, more tender than he has the words for, and Yusaku feels a knot start to grow in his throat. Being so close, so quiet like this is a form of closeness he’s never quite felt before. Listening to Ai’s angelic sounding voice singing along to such a heartfelt melody made Yusaku feel so many things at once. He and Ai had only very recently decided to start dating, and the thoughts that plagued Yusaku’s mind were too many to count. Having never been with anyone before, Yusaku oftentimes didn’t know what to do with his feelings. And there are so many feelings, especially right now. About Ai, about love, about romance, about affection, about the future… Yes, the future. The future that Ai had experienced so intimately, of a world where he had died millions and millions of times in front of his very eyes because of his survival as an AI. So much was uncertain, but there was one thing Yusaku was certain of: that he would do absolutely everything in his power to create a new future for the two of them—where they can live in peace, together. Forever.
…But the moment right now is so tender, and so romantic, and Yusaku is having so much difficulty trying to quiet his rapid heart rate. He tries taking slower breaths, breathing in and out with more focus and deepening his breathing, but to no avail. His feelings for Ai are welling up inside of him much like the storm outside—spinning around like a whirlwind until he starts feeling like his heart is about to to burst at the seams.
Yusaku clumsily attempts to swallow the knot, and makes a decision. His hands shake rapidly as they try to hold Ai’s silky hair in place, and Yusaku’s face heats up like an oven as he attempts to put words to his feelings.
“Ai…” Yusaku squeaks, barely able to get his dearest’s name out of his mouth. “There is something I want to tell you.” His voice trembles as he notices his companion stops his singing.
Ai begins to turn around but decides against it upon feeling Yusaku’s tight grip on his hair.
He smiles instead, and answers, “Of course. What is it Yusaku-chan?”
Yusaku feels like his entire face is on fire.
“I…” He trails off, panicking. What if this is too fast? What if these overwhelming feelings of his make Ai uncomfortable? What if Ai doesn’t have the same disorienting feelings clouding his mind like Yusaku does? What if this conversation ends up awkward or overbearing?
Yusaku has second thoughts about his choice, averting his eyes as he twiddles his thumbs. Ai notices the nervous tick and does what he can to quiet his partner.
“Whatever it is Yusaku, you can tell me. You can tell me anything.” He says in a reassuring tone, gently grabbing one of Yusaku’s trembling hands and giving it a soft squeeze.
This only causes Yusaku to turn even more red, which Ai thinks is absolutely adorable but he somehow remains calm given the circumstances. (The circumstances being that he is boyfriend is way too adorable.)
He’s just so damn cute when he’s so embarrassed…
“W-Well…” Yusaku trails off, squeezing the hand that is holding onto his so tenderly. “That is— I mean— Um—” he stammers, hands shaking and body heat rising.
“I love you, Ai.”
Ai’s eyes grow wide as he feels his heart rate stop—fake as it is, it’s still quite a noticeable feeling. He’s caught so off guard that he simply can’t do anything but smile, a warmth gathering in his chest.
“ I love you too, Yusaku,” he confesses, gently bringing Yusaku’s hand to his lips to plant a gentle kiss there, as he does everything in his power to keep cool and calm. They were words Ai wasn’t sure he ever would have heard when the two first met, but… now look at where they are.
An unbreakable bond. A hushed, quiet love that breaks boundaries and feels… quite simply unshakable.
Yusaku continues to tremble, his face getting redder with each passing moment as he feels the relief of his worries wash away. His stomach is in knots and his throat is so dried up that he barely feels able to speak.
“I’m so glad…” Yusaku breathes in relief, his voice still shaking.
Ai giggles. “What did you think I’d say? That Ai don’t love you, Yusaku-chan?”
“Please don’t tease me,” Yusaku pleads. “Its very hard and very overwhelming right now.”
Ai wonders if it’s just a first love type of feeling for Yusaku or if his past traumas may have affected his stumbling now, but he smiles regardless of the reason for it. He still thinks Yusaku is the cutest when he’s stumbling for words because of him. Because of him! The very idea makes Ai’s stomach flutter as he draws closer to his most beloved Yusaku.
“Sorry.” He apologizes. “Is there anything else you need? Hmm?”
Yusaku looks up into Ai’s shimmering golden eyes and tries to calm himself, but what he feels simply won’t go away. He finally lets go of the grip he has on Ai’s hair, trying to gather his thoughts. It sounds crazy, he sounds so crazy! His feelings overwhelm him as he attempts to spit them out.
“I want to kiss you. I want to kiss you and never stop,” he pleads, his face still roasting.
Ai is taken by surprise, his own face starting to roast like an oven. The tips of his ears turn red as he looks down and into Yusaku’s emerald green eyes with fervent desire.
“Yusaku…” he trails off, cupping both of Yusaku’s cheeks with his cold, slender hands. Yusaku places his own hands onto Ai’s chest, leaning forward and closing his eyes.
The two have equally matching red faces, which makes Ai’s stomach churn as he has a hard time burying the desire he has for his partner. He leans down to kiss his beloved on the lips, breathing heavily as their lips meld together.
Ai’s hands move from Yusaku’s cheeks down to his neck, and then to his shoulders, until finally he embraces him in an evocative hug. His hands cling tightly to the boy as his lips hesitantly break contact with Yusaku’s so he can manage his breathing. He breathes so heavily as he sighs into Yusaku’s neck, holding him as close as he can.
Yusaku on the other hand, feels his weight shifting to dead weight as he feels Ai grasp him so fondly. The sensation of his hands moving across his back makes Yusaku’s stomach flutter as he feels himself get weak in the knees. He rests his face in Ai’s soft hair as Ai breathes him in; his heart racing and his hands trembling with anticipation. He giggles, mostly to himself, but Ai notices.
“What’s so funny?” Ai asks sheepishly, his breath erratic.
“Nothing really. It’s just…” Yusaku trails off. “I didn’t think my first kiss would be like this.”
“Like what?” Ai asks breathlessly.
“So wonderful. I always imagined it’d be a bit more awkward.” Yusaku laughs nervously. “Well, I guess I was rather awkward wasn’t I?”
Ai giggles, squeezing Yusaku even tighter as he breathes in the scent of his skin. “I’m honestly surprised at how bold you were with your affection. Not that I’m complaining.”
Yusaku can’t help it. He just can’t stop himself from burning up with affection for Ai. He has this effect on him sometimes.
“I just couldn’t help it. The feelings were so overwhelming, I couldn’t keep quiet…”
Ai giggles once again, lifting his head back up to look at Yusaku eye to eye. “I’m glad you did. I was afraid my feelings were too intense for Yusaku-chan.”
Yusaku chuckles, shyly turning his face away. “Well, I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
He pauses, looking back into Ai’s golden yellow eyes. “Speaking of that, um…” Yusaku trails off yet another time, wrapping his arms around Ai’s slender neck.
“Oh, you want more?” Ai coos, kissing Yusaku’s nose.
Yusaku twitches. “W-Well I did say I want to kiss you and never stop…”
Ai grins, pulling Yusaku into another evocative embrace. Yusaku blushes even more as their lips meet once again, the two clinging tightly to one another as they melt in each other’s arms, heedless of the passage of time. They spend hours like this, so close and so intimate and so hungry for one another. Ai kisses Yusaku as many times as he pleases with no objections, and Yusaku feels himself melting even more with every single embrace.
They fall asleep in each other’s arms when they finally notice the passing of time—only because their yawns begin to outweigh their kisses—refusing to let go of one another as they place gentle smooches on their partner in between their sleepy demeanour.