[Chaptered] just vanilla (Chapter Ten)
Title: just vanilla
Author: Annie
Pairing: Juri x Taiga, Yasui x Taiga, Keigo x Juri (friendship), Hokuto x Taiga (friendship)
Genre: Fluff, Romance
Rating: PG
Summary: When Taiga finds himself falling in love with the boy behind the counter of an ice cream store, he can't help but feel his heart being torn in hesitancy as another boy steps in between them, intent on claiming Taiga's heart for his own. Taiga must then choose whether to follow his heart or to give in to the other boy, whose confession he just can't bring himself to reject.
A/N: Unfortunately, due to my failure to finish posting this before school started, real life has caught up to me, and that means I'm really sorry, I'll be really busy from now, so it might be a while before I post anything after finishing this fic... I'm still working on stuff (for both the juniors and JUMP)... slowly, but eventually I'll post again when I get the chance! >< Sorry for the wait! Now to get to sleep before my chemistry test tomorrow.. =___=
Chapter Ten: Secrets
Wringing out his friend’s shirt gently for the final time, Juri searched the pink fabric for any remnants of the white cream before smiling widely in triumph. Timidly laying the shirt out to dry on the bench beside Taiga, Juri’s gaze only then dared to steal a quick glance up at the older boy.
To his surprise, Taiga eyes were closed, chest lifting lightly with every soft breath that slipped from his parted lips. The older boy’s head drooped feebly in his sleep.
A gentle smile curved at Juri’s lips, seeing his friend so innocent, so pure. “Just like vanilla,” he murmured, kneeling down beside Taiga. His gaze faltered as he admired his friend’s sleeping expression. He reached out, grazing his fingers against the soft surface of Taiga’s cheek.
Beneath his exposed chest, Juri’s heart beat erratically. His thumb caressing Taiga’s cheek, his countenance dyed a vivid red.
Closer, just a little closer, and he would be able to taste the sweetness of Taiga’s pink lips. Resolution, reticence, prudence, fear, fell back like a defeated battalion.
His body was no longer under his control.
One kiss.
That was all he dared to claim.
Taiga’s lips felt creamily soft, like vanilla under his touch. Juri’s eyes fluttered closed, the world around them melting away.
Only a brush.
That was all he could bear himself to linger.
To steal a kiss, the burning desire had overcome his feelings of guilt. Their breaths mingled in the close air.
Juri only sighed as he finally pulled away, the mere seconds having drawn to ages in his mind.
The softness of Taiga’s lips soon transferred itself to Juri’s smile.
A slight shiver ran through Juri’s body, breaking his captivated gaze. Only then did Juri remember he still had yet to retrieve his shirt. Rushing to his locker and back, Juri returned fully clothed, but with worries beginning to pervade his thoughts.
I can’t just let him sleep here... but I can’t just leave him sitting here like this...
Juri bit his lip apprehensively. He didn’t want to wake Taiga up, but he didn’t want Taiga to catch a cold either. He didn’t have a jacket or anything that he could use to help keep Taiga warm. Besides, he couldn’t ask Keigo to cover for him at the counter for too long without Kentaro’s notice; he would have to return to his job soon. Troubled, Juri scrunched his nose.
I can’t leave him here...
But where can I leave him while he’s asleep? At my house? I can’t go home now; I have to come back to work...
Can I take Taiga to his own house?
Juri’s eyes widened in realization as he remembered, he already had been to Taiga’s house in the past.
I walked him home before... so I should be able to recall how to get there... That’s what I’ll do, then; I’ll just take Taiga home and run back as quickly as possible, so Kentaro won’t even notice I left.
Nodding to himself, as if pleased by his plan, Juri now only had to decide how exactly he was going to get Taiga home.
I could... carry him...
Juri’s cheeks reddened at the thought. But he couldn’t think of any other way. Taking a last deep breath to try to calm his palpitating heart, Juri bent down and carefully lifted the snoozing Taiga into his arms, leaning the older boy’s head against his chest, while his legs dangled in the air. Juri felt the warmth of Taiga’s body pressing against his. Slowly, he filled his lungs with another breath of air, praying the pounding of his heart wouldn’t be loud enough wake Taiga. Taking a few steps forward, staggering a little under the unfamiliar weight, Juri could only smile shyly as Taiga sank gently against him.
Having straightened his composure, Juri then pushed open the door of the room, walking back into the store front.
“I’m going to go take Taiga home, but I’ll be back soon; would you mind keeping cover for me?” Juri whispered to Keigo hopefully.
Keigo nodded quickly, unable to suppress the grin on his face as he ushered the two out to the street. Unfortunately, in his rush, he hadn’t even noticed Kentaro had just turned the corner, returning from his break just in time to see Juri walk off, carrying Taiga in his arms.
A worried gaze reflected in his darkened eyes.
Taiga… you’ve chosen… Juri…?
~*~
“He gave you his shirt?!”
“Shh!” Taiga clamped his hand over Hokuto’s mouth, nodding quickly in reply.
“Right off his back? He just took his shirt off and gave it to you?” Hokuto stared at him, mouth agape in disbelief.
Taiga merely nodded once more. “It didn’t seem like that big of a deal when it happened...”
“But it really happened?” Hokuto grinned excitedly.
“Y-Yes,” Taiga stammered, failing to hide the warmth of pink invading his cheeks. “Is that bad?”
“You know what that means,” Hokuto smiled proudly, patting Taiga on his back. “It means he wants you to return it to him, and therefore, he wants to see you again. Today. I think he likes you, Taiga, judging by the sincere way he tries to take care of you.”
Taiga’s heart skipped a beat, hearing Hokuto’s assertion. “Juri likes me?” His eyes widened.
“Of course!” Hokuto nodded confidently. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken so much effort as to wash your shirt, give you his shirt, and even carry you home.”
Hearing the words “carry you home” made Taiga’s cheeks flush a bright red. He couldn’t even remember the two of their bodies being so close.
Was I only dreaming?
Did Juri really… carry me…?
It was a dream, wasn’t it?
It couldn’t have been real…
Even if it felt so soft...
so...
real...
Juri’s lips...
It had to be a dream...
“Taiga,” The sound of Hokuto’s voice penetrated Taiga’s daze. “I think he likes you,” Hokuto stated firmly once more.
Taiga sighed dejectedly, his mind unable to process Hokuto’s words. He can’t be telling the truth... can he?
“Just think about it, Taiga, Juri has obviously been interested in you since the day you met, so you just have to tell him about how you love him back, and everything will go exactly like I planned from the start,” Hokuto grinned broadly.
Taiga huffed, “As if you actually planned this... Besides, I didn’t say I love him!”
“You didn’t say you didn’t...”
Author: Annie
Pairing: Juri x Taiga, Yasui x Taiga, Keigo x Juri (friendship), Hokuto x Taiga (friendship)
Genre: Fluff, Romance
Rating: PG
Summary: When Taiga finds himself falling in love with the boy behind the counter of an ice cream store, he can't help but feel his heart being torn in hesitancy as another boy steps in between them, intent on claiming Taiga's heart for his own. Taiga must then choose whether to follow his heart or to give in to the other boy, whose confession he just can't bring himself to reject.
A/N: Unfortunately, due to my failure to finish posting this before school started, real life has caught up to me, and that means I'm really sorry, I'll be really busy from now, so it might be a while before I post anything after finishing this fic... I'm still working on stuff (for both the juniors and JUMP)... slowly, but eventually I'll post again when I get the chance! >< Sorry for the wait! Now to get to sleep before my chemistry test tomorrow.. =___=
Chapter Ten: Secrets
Wringing out his friend’s shirt gently for the final time, Juri searched the pink fabric for any remnants of the white cream before smiling widely in triumph. Timidly laying the shirt out to dry on the bench beside Taiga, Juri’s gaze only then dared to steal a quick glance up at the older boy.
To his surprise, Taiga eyes were closed, chest lifting lightly with every soft breath that slipped from his parted lips. The older boy’s head drooped feebly in his sleep.
A gentle smile curved at Juri’s lips, seeing his friend so innocent, so pure. “Just like vanilla,” he murmured, kneeling down beside Taiga. His gaze faltered as he admired his friend’s sleeping expression. He reached out, grazing his fingers against the soft surface of Taiga’s cheek.
Beneath his exposed chest, Juri’s heart beat erratically. His thumb caressing Taiga’s cheek, his countenance dyed a vivid red.
Closer, just a little closer, and he would be able to taste the sweetness of Taiga’s pink lips. Resolution, reticence, prudence, fear, fell back like a defeated battalion.
His body was no longer under his control.
One kiss.
That was all he dared to claim.
Taiga’s lips felt creamily soft, like vanilla under his touch. Juri’s eyes fluttered closed, the world around them melting away.
Only a brush.
That was all he could bear himself to linger.
To steal a kiss, the burning desire had overcome his feelings of guilt. Their breaths mingled in the close air.
Juri only sighed as he finally pulled away, the mere seconds having drawn to ages in his mind.
The softness of Taiga’s lips soon transferred itself to Juri’s smile.
A slight shiver ran through Juri’s body, breaking his captivated gaze. Only then did Juri remember he still had yet to retrieve his shirt. Rushing to his locker and back, Juri returned fully clothed, but with worries beginning to pervade his thoughts.
I can’t just let him sleep here... but I can’t just leave him sitting here like this...
Juri bit his lip apprehensively. He didn’t want to wake Taiga up, but he didn’t want Taiga to catch a cold either. He didn’t have a jacket or anything that he could use to help keep Taiga warm. Besides, he couldn’t ask Keigo to cover for him at the counter for too long without Kentaro’s notice; he would have to return to his job soon. Troubled, Juri scrunched his nose.
I can’t leave him here...
But where can I leave him while he’s asleep? At my house? I can’t go home now; I have to come back to work...
Can I take Taiga to his own house?
Juri’s eyes widened in realization as he remembered, he already had been to Taiga’s house in the past.
I walked him home before... so I should be able to recall how to get there... That’s what I’ll do, then; I’ll just take Taiga home and run back as quickly as possible, so Kentaro won’t even notice I left.
Nodding to himself, as if pleased by his plan, Juri now only had to decide how exactly he was going to get Taiga home.
I could... carry him...
Juri’s cheeks reddened at the thought. But he couldn’t think of any other way. Taking a last deep breath to try to calm his palpitating heart, Juri bent down and carefully lifted the snoozing Taiga into his arms, leaning the older boy’s head against his chest, while his legs dangled in the air. Juri felt the warmth of Taiga’s body pressing against his. Slowly, he filled his lungs with another breath of air, praying the pounding of his heart wouldn’t be loud enough wake Taiga. Taking a few steps forward, staggering a little under the unfamiliar weight, Juri could only smile shyly as Taiga sank gently against him.
Having straightened his composure, Juri then pushed open the door of the room, walking back into the store front.
“I’m going to go take Taiga home, but I’ll be back soon; would you mind keeping cover for me?” Juri whispered to Keigo hopefully.
Keigo nodded quickly, unable to suppress the grin on his face as he ushered the two out to the street. Unfortunately, in his rush, he hadn’t even noticed Kentaro had just turned the corner, returning from his break just in time to see Juri walk off, carrying Taiga in his arms.
A worried gaze reflected in his darkened eyes.
Taiga… you’ve chosen… Juri…?
~*~
“He gave you his shirt?!”
“Shh!” Taiga clamped his hand over Hokuto’s mouth, nodding quickly in reply.
“Right off his back? He just took his shirt off and gave it to you?” Hokuto stared at him, mouth agape in disbelief.
Taiga merely nodded once more. “It didn’t seem like that big of a deal when it happened...”
“But it really happened?” Hokuto grinned excitedly.
“Y-Yes,” Taiga stammered, failing to hide the warmth of pink invading his cheeks. “Is that bad?”
“You know what that means,” Hokuto smiled proudly, patting Taiga on his back. “It means he wants you to return it to him, and therefore, he wants to see you again. Today. I think he likes you, Taiga, judging by the sincere way he tries to take care of you.”
Taiga’s heart skipped a beat, hearing Hokuto’s assertion. “Juri likes me?” His eyes widened.
“Of course!” Hokuto nodded confidently. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken so much effort as to wash your shirt, give you his shirt, and even carry you home.”
Hearing the words “carry you home” made Taiga’s cheeks flush a bright red. He couldn’t even remember the two of their bodies being so close.
Was I only dreaming?
Did Juri really… carry me…?
It was a dream, wasn’t it?
It couldn’t have been real…
Even if it felt so soft...
so...
real...
Juri’s lips...
It had to be a dream...
“Taiga,” The sound of Hokuto’s voice penetrated Taiga’s daze. “I think he likes you,” Hokuto stated firmly once more.
Taiga sighed dejectedly, his mind unable to process Hokuto’s words. He can’t be telling the truth... can he?
“Just think about it, Taiga, Juri has obviously been interested in you since the day you met, so you just have to tell him about how you love him back, and everything will go exactly like I planned from the start,” Hokuto grinned broadly.
Taiga huffed, “As if you actually planned this... Besides, I didn’t say I love him!”
“You didn’t say you didn’t...”