[fic] It Started with a Smile (Part III)
Title: It Started with a Smile (Part III)
Author:puddingfiend
Pairing: Massu/Tegoshi, Ryo/Tegoshi (aslk;dfjalkfj LOVE TRIANGLE!!!), Koyato
Genre: AU, Romance, Fluff, Angst
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: A continuation of this fic. + more of Massu angsting over the forgotten basket of cookies
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Notes: For thixophobia ♥ ♥ ♥
Tegoshi ran his hands over the blanket he was sitting on and smooted out the little wrinkles and bumps, even though it was already laying flat on the sand. He wasn’t really aware of what he was doing, but his hands felt as if they needed something to do in the meantime, while Ryo was away, buying dinner for the two of them. They felt empty, after being enveloped by the warmth of Ryo’s warm hands all day.
A small, dreamy smile began to form on his lips as he mind began to replay the entire day.
Tegoshi had to admit-this was definitely the best date that Ryo had taken him on so far. They had spent the morning and afternoon at the beach’s pier, holding hands as they walked through its small amusement park, riding on the rides like rollar coasters and carousels, playing at those game booths and attempting to win prizes for each other, falling in line at the Tunnel of Love again and again.
Lunch had been at a beach-side restaurant with freshly cooked seafood and a wonderful view of the ocean beyond them. The food had been amazing. They’d ordered crabs. Ryo had taken the liberty of cracking them open for both of them and had even held out de-shelled crab legs in front of Tegoshi’s mouth for him to eat from. Tegoshi couldn’t help but to finding it romantic and funny at the same time-being fed crab legs like this.
But this… right now, was definitely more romantic than that.
Dinner on the shores of a deserted beach, on a single blanket- large enough to fit the both of them, but small enough that they’d have to sit side by side- located feet away from where the waves washed up upon the sand. (It was a wonder how Ryo had managed to find an empty spot on the beach.) The large sun was setting in from of him against the sky that faded from dark blue to red. It was like a scene taken from a movie, and Tegoshi definitely felt like he was in one. Things were just too good to be true. With Ryo, everything was okay. Everything was perfect. Ryo spoiled him like no one ever had before. He showered him with love and affection, but still, Tegoshi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. And it constantly bugged him that he couldn’t place his finger on what that thing was.
“Fish and chips, anyone?”
Tegoshi smiled as he heard a familiar voice come from behind him. He turned around to see Ryo grinning at him and holding up one of those white, fast food restaurant-like bags.
Ryo took a seat next to him and snuggled closer to fit his butt on the blanket. Their shoulders and legs were pressed against each others.
“Are you sure you want to eat this?” Ryo said tentatively as Tegoshi began digging through the bag, taking out napkins and boxes of fish and fries. “I don’t mind going back and buying something else.”
Tegoshi chuckled.
Even though Tegoshi’d told him what he wanted for dinner, he still had to ask if he was okay with it. Ryo never bought him fast food while they were on a date. He always thought restaurants were where you should take your significant other to eat at. Either that or your house for a home-cooked meal. Anywhere else he considered unworthy.
“Don’t worry,” he told Ryo, placing a hand on his thigh assuringly. “I love fish and chips.”
And that was enough to put a smile on Ryo’s face.
He scooted closer to Tegoshi and wrapped an arm around him. He remained quiet and gazed at the setting sun as Tegoshi began to finger with the fish, tearing a piece and placing it in his mouth.
Ryo opened his mouth when Tegoshi offered him a piece fish and gently took it from his finger tips. As he swallowed, Tegoshi placed their food in the little space to the side and rested his head on Ryo’s shoulder.
Ryo’s hand dropped down from his shoulder and slowly moved down his arm, stopping at the sleeve of his shirt. His thumb slipped underneath the cloth. It began to trace light circles on Tegoshi’s skin.
The two of them watched the sun disappear below the horizon. They sat there in silence, Ryo holding Tegoshi, Tegoshi cuddling against Ryo, as the waves continued to approach and tide away from their feet. The food remained uneaten and was growing cold.
Suddenly, on his arm, Tegoshi felt Ryo’s relaxed hand go firm. He automatically looked up at him to see if anything was wrong. His eyes could find nothing that was. Ryo was just sitting there, his dark eyes gazing out into the ocean, his face peaceful, his black hair slightly ruffled at the breeze. A smile gradually formed on his face.
“Yuya.” Ryo’s eyes remained locked on the ocean and he hesistated before going on. “I love you.”
Tegoshi was glad Ryo wasn’t staring at him at the moment. He didn’t want him to see the look of utter shock on his face. Tegoshi himself couldn’t tell if it was the happy-surprised shock or the horrified kind.
“I-I’m glad you do.”
---
Massu slipped on a jacket as he headed out the employee’s room at the mall.
“Good work today, everybody,” their manager said as the swinging door closed behind him.
Out in the hallway, Massu leaned against the wall and waited for several of his other co-workers to come out. He stared at the basket he was holding. All day, he had been debating what to do. Should he keep it for himself? Give it back? Put it back where he found it?
“Aahh, I hate the Valentine’s Day rush! It was jammed-packed today!”
“Yeah, why does everybody decide to take their dates to the mall?”
Massu turned his head and saw two of his friends/co-workers walk out of the employees room. “Took you two long enough.”
“Wow, someone sounds pissed off,” Koyama said.
“Don’t worry. He’s been like this all day,” Shige said.
“No, I haven’t,” Massu pressed, scowling.
Not only did the three of them work part-time at the mall, but they also attended the same university and shared an apartment. Koyama and Shige were a year older than Massu and had been living together for almost two years now. It wasn’t until a year ago that a new apartment room (bigger and nicer than the one they had) nearer to their school opened up. They both decided to jump at the chance but knew that they would need someone else to move in in order to split the higher rental fees.
At the same time, Massu was beginning his first year of university and was looking for somewhere closer to live in. Luckily, while he was at the Wanted board, he caught Shige putting up a flyer for a wanted room mate with a reasonable price and a short walking distance from the university. He quickly took him up on the offer and said that he’d move in ASAP, not minding at all when Shige asked if he was sure he was okay sharing an apartment with a gay couple.
Koyama and Shige also knew all about him and Tegoshi, how they had been best friends ever since they could remember, how Tegoshi had always baked him cookies on Valentine’s Day, how they began dating after Tegoshi confessed, how the relationship had fallen apart months ago… Massu hadn’t planned on telling them about his relationship with Tegoshi unless it came up, but when he moved into their apartment the first week of the semester began, bringing over a dozen identical baskets with him, both of them were quick to ask questions and were quick to coo and say “Awww…. how cute!” as soon as Massu had finished explaining everything.
“Oh, what’s that?” Shige was pointing at the basket that Massu was holding.
“Ah! Wait, I remember!” Koyama said before Massu could respond. “Remember how he told us how Tegoshi used to-”
“Oh, I remember now!”
Koyama grinned and nudged Massu on the side. “It was pretty nice of him to still bake you cookies on Valentine’s Day, ne?”
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Shige said. “Maybe he wants to get back together.”
“He didn’t give it to me.”
“What do you mean?”
"He didn't give it to me," Massu repeated.
"I don't get it..."
"What's there to get? He didn't give it to me. He gave it to that Nishikido guy, and that Nishikido guy just left it sitting in front of the water fountain outside as if it meant absolutely nothing to him. And it should mean something to his dear ol' heart because Tegoshi made it especially for him and nobody else! Why can't he appreciate that-- that he's the only person who received cookies from Tegoshi on Valentine's Day? I mean, you should've seen him when Tegoshi gave the basket to him. He took one peek inside and kissed him on the cheek, probably saying, 'Oh, they look delcious. Thank you.' That's it! And he didn't do anything else, except place it on the ground and take Tegoshi to his nice, fancy car to drive off to God knows where-"
"Whoa, Massu, Massu, slow down!" Koyama said, grabbing a hold of Massu's shoulders, trying to meet his eyes.
Massu was on the verge of tears and attempted to hide his face in the opposite direction.
"Massu." Koyama squeezed Massu's shoulders even harder. "Massu, look at me. Look at me." He sighed when Massu finally faced him and hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I know I’ve told this a million times before, but I’m going to say it again. You need to get over him, Massu. I know these things take time, but it’s already been over a month now. You need to move on.”
Massu stood there, as if he was considering what Koyama said. At least half a minute passed before he did anything. He took both of Koyama’s hands off his shoulder and wiped his eyes with the back of his free hand.
“I’m gonna head back to the apartment. You two have fun on your date,” Massu said simply, before turning around to walk down the hall, his head hung over, one hand in pocket, the other holding loosely onto the basket’s handle.
Shige nudged Koyama to do something.
Koyama nodded his head and gave Shige the “Don’t worry, I have this all under control” face.
“Massu,” Koyama called out. “You’re coming with us tonight.”
Massu stopped and turned around. “Huh?”
Koyama grinned. “I refuse to let you brood and weep all by yourself on the night Valentine’s Day, so you’re coming with us.”
Massu managed a small smile and knew that Koyama was doing the best to cheer him up, but he also knew that Koyama and Shige had been looking forward to a night out, just the two of them, for weeks now. (Work and going to university had them all tied up.)
Massu shook his head. “It’s okay. You guys don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine by myself. Plus, I don’t want to ruin your date.”
Shige couldn’t help but to laugh at the stern “I won’t take no for an answer” face Koyama was giving Massu. He turned to Massu and and smiled, showing that he was all for it. “Don’t worry about it. We can set you up with one of our friends and go on a double date. C’mon, it’ll be fun.”
“Hey, I was about to say that that!” Koyama said, feigning offence as Shige stuck his tongue out at him, hoping it would lighten the mood.
“Hmm… how about Tomo-chan? He wouldn’t stop complaining about not having a date on Valentine’s Day,” Shige said.
Koyama made a face. “Tomo-chan? He’d probably drive Massu crazy,” he said, laughing. “How about Hiroki? I don’t think he’s doing anything tonight.”
“Now that I think about it, he and Massu would go pretty good together-”
“They would, wouldn’t they? Ah! I’ll call him right now!”
Massu couldn’t be less excited at the thought of going on a blind date. As Koyama chatted with Hiroki on his cellphone, Massu couldn’t help but to stare down at the basket in his hands again. His mind went back to wandering what to do with it, and he barely paid any attention when Koyama hung up and told him how excited Hiroki was to meet him.
Author:puddingfiend
Pairing: Massu/Tegoshi, Ryo/Tegoshi (aslk;dfjalkfj LOVE TRIANGLE!!!), Koyato
Genre: AU, Romance, Fluff, Angst
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: A continuation of this fic. + more of Massu angsting over the forgotten basket of cookies
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Notes: For thixophobia ♥ ♥ ♥
Tegoshi ran his hands over the blanket he was sitting on and smooted out the little wrinkles and bumps, even though it was already laying flat on the sand. He wasn’t really aware of what he was doing, but his hands felt as if they needed something to do in the meantime, while Ryo was away, buying dinner for the two of them. They felt empty, after being enveloped by the warmth of Ryo’s warm hands all day.
A small, dreamy smile began to form on his lips as he mind began to replay the entire day.
Tegoshi had to admit-this was definitely the best date that Ryo had taken him on so far. They had spent the morning and afternoon at the beach’s pier, holding hands as they walked through its small amusement park, riding on the rides like rollar coasters and carousels, playing at those game booths and attempting to win prizes for each other, falling in line at the Tunnel of Love again and again.
Lunch had been at a beach-side restaurant with freshly cooked seafood and a wonderful view of the ocean beyond them. The food had been amazing. They’d ordered crabs. Ryo had taken the liberty of cracking them open for both of them and had even held out de-shelled crab legs in front of Tegoshi’s mouth for him to eat from. Tegoshi couldn’t help but to finding it romantic and funny at the same time-being fed crab legs like this.
But this… right now, was definitely more romantic than that.
Dinner on the shores of a deserted beach, on a single blanket- large enough to fit the both of them, but small enough that they’d have to sit side by side- located feet away from where the waves washed up upon the sand. (It was a wonder how Ryo had managed to find an empty spot on the beach.) The large sun was setting in from of him against the sky that faded from dark blue to red. It was like a scene taken from a movie, and Tegoshi definitely felt like he was in one. Things were just too good to be true. With Ryo, everything was okay. Everything was perfect. Ryo spoiled him like no one ever had before. He showered him with love and affection, but still, Tegoshi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. And it constantly bugged him that he couldn’t place his finger on what that thing was.
“Fish and chips, anyone?”
Tegoshi smiled as he heard a familiar voice come from behind him. He turned around to see Ryo grinning at him and holding up one of those white, fast food restaurant-like bags.
Ryo took a seat next to him and snuggled closer to fit his butt on the blanket. Their shoulders and legs were pressed against each others.
“Are you sure you want to eat this?” Ryo said tentatively as Tegoshi began digging through the bag, taking out napkins and boxes of fish and fries. “I don’t mind going back and buying something else.”
Tegoshi chuckled.
Even though Tegoshi’d told him what he wanted for dinner, he still had to ask if he was okay with it. Ryo never bought him fast food while they were on a date. He always thought restaurants were where you should take your significant other to eat at. Either that or your house for a home-cooked meal. Anywhere else he considered unworthy.
“Don’t worry,” he told Ryo, placing a hand on his thigh assuringly. “I love fish and chips.”
And that was enough to put a smile on Ryo’s face.
He scooted closer to Tegoshi and wrapped an arm around him. He remained quiet and gazed at the setting sun as Tegoshi began to finger with the fish, tearing a piece and placing it in his mouth.
Ryo opened his mouth when Tegoshi offered him a piece fish and gently took it from his finger tips. As he swallowed, Tegoshi placed their food in the little space to the side and rested his head on Ryo’s shoulder.
Ryo’s hand dropped down from his shoulder and slowly moved down his arm, stopping at the sleeve of his shirt. His thumb slipped underneath the cloth. It began to trace light circles on Tegoshi’s skin.
The two of them watched the sun disappear below the horizon. They sat there in silence, Ryo holding Tegoshi, Tegoshi cuddling against Ryo, as the waves continued to approach and tide away from their feet. The food remained uneaten and was growing cold.
Suddenly, on his arm, Tegoshi felt Ryo’s relaxed hand go firm. He automatically looked up at him to see if anything was wrong. His eyes could find nothing that was. Ryo was just sitting there, his dark eyes gazing out into the ocean, his face peaceful, his black hair slightly ruffled at the breeze. A smile gradually formed on his face.
“Yuya.” Ryo’s eyes remained locked on the ocean and he hesistated before going on. “I love you.”
Tegoshi was glad Ryo wasn’t staring at him at the moment. He didn’t want him to see the look of utter shock on his face. Tegoshi himself couldn’t tell if it was the happy-surprised shock or the horrified kind.
“I-I’m glad you do.”
---
Massu slipped on a jacket as he headed out the employee’s room at the mall.
“Good work today, everybody,” their manager said as the swinging door closed behind him.
Out in the hallway, Massu leaned against the wall and waited for several of his other co-workers to come out. He stared at the basket he was holding. All day, he had been debating what to do. Should he keep it for himself? Give it back? Put it back where he found it?
“Aahh, I hate the Valentine’s Day rush! It was jammed-packed today!”
“Yeah, why does everybody decide to take their dates to the mall?”
Massu turned his head and saw two of his friends/co-workers walk out of the employees room. “Took you two long enough.”
“Wow, someone sounds pissed off,” Koyama said.
“Don’t worry. He’s been like this all day,” Shige said.
“No, I haven’t,” Massu pressed, scowling.
Not only did the three of them work part-time at the mall, but they also attended the same university and shared an apartment. Koyama and Shige were a year older than Massu and had been living together for almost two years now. It wasn’t until a year ago that a new apartment room (bigger and nicer than the one they had) nearer to their school opened up. They both decided to jump at the chance but knew that they would need someone else to move in in order to split the higher rental fees.
At the same time, Massu was beginning his first year of university and was looking for somewhere closer to live in. Luckily, while he was at the Wanted board, he caught Shige putting up a flyer for a wanted room mate with a reasonable price and a short walking distance from the university. He quickly took him up on the offer and said that he’d move in ASAP, not minding at all when Shige asked if he was sure he was okay sharing an apartment with a gay couple.
Koyama and Shige also knew all about him and Tegoshi, how they had been best friends ever since they could remember, how Tegoshi had always baked him cookies on Valentine’s Day, how they began dating after Tegoshi confessed, how the relationship had fallen apart months ago… Massu hadn’t planned on telling them about his relationship with Tegoshi unless it came up, but when he moved into their apartment the first week of the semester began, bringing over a dozen identical baskets with him, both of them were quick to ask questions and were quick to coo and say “Awww…. how cute!” as soon as Massu had finished explaining everything.
“Oh, what’s that?” Shige was pointing at the basket that Massu was holding.
“Ah! Wait, I remember!” Koyama said before Massu could respond. “Remember how he told us how Tegoshi used to-”
“Oh, I remember now!”
Koyama grinned and nudged Massu on the side. “It was pretty nice of him to still bake you cookies on Valentine’s Day, ne?”
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Shige said. “Maybe he wants to get back together.”
“He didn’t give it to me.”
“What do you mean?”
"He didn't give it to me," Massu repeated.
"I don't get it..."
"What's there to get? He didn't give it to me. He gave it to that Nishikido guy, and that Nishikido guy just left it sitting in front of the water fountain outside as if it meant absolutely nothing to him. And it should mean something to his dear ol' heart because Tegoshi made it especially for him and nobody else! Why can't he appreciate that-- that he's the only person who received cookies from Tegoshi on Valentine's Day? I mean, you should've seen him when Tegoshi gave the basket to him. He took one peek inside and kissed him on the cheek, probably saying, 'Oh, they look delcious. Thank you.' That's it! And he didn't do anything else, except place it on the ground and take Tegoshi to his nice, fancy car to drive off to God knows where-"
"Whoa, Massu, Massu, slow down!" Koyama said, grabbing a hold of Massu's shoulders, trying to meet his eyes.
Massu was on the verge of tears and attempted to hide his face in the opposite direction.
"Massu." Koyama squeezed Massu's shoulders even harder. "Massu, look at me. Look at me." He sighed when Massu finally faced him and hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I know I’ve told this a million times before, but I’m going to say it again. You need to get over him, Massu. I know these things take time, but it’s already been over a month now. You need to move on.”
Massu stood there, as if he was considering what Koyama said. At least half a minute passed before he did anything. He took both of Koyama’s hands off his shoulder and wiped his eyes with the back of his free hand.
“I’m gonna head back to the apartment. You two have fun on your date,” Massu said simply, before turning around to walk down the hall, his head hung over, one hand in pocket, the other holding loosely onto the basket’s handle.
Shige nudged Koyama to do something.
Koyama nodded his head and gave Shige the “Don’t worry, I have this all under control” face.
“Massu,” Koyama called out. “You’re coming with us tonight.”
Massu stopped and turned around. “Huh?”
Koyama grinned. “I refuse to let you brood and weep all by yourself on the night Valentine’s Day, so you’re coming with us.”
Massu managed a small smile and knew that Koyama was doing the best to cheer him up, but he also knew that Koyama and Shige had been looking forward to a night out, just the two of them, for weeks now. (Work and going to university had them all tied up.)
Massu shook his head. “It’s okay. You guys don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine by myself. Plus, I don’t want to ruin your date.”
Shige couldn’t help but to laugh at the stern “I won’t take no for an answer” face Koyama was giving Massu. He turned to Massu and and smiled, showing that he was all for it. “Don’t worry about it. We can set you up with one of our friends and go on a double date. C’mon, it’ll be fun.”
“Hey, I was about to say that that!” Koyama said, feigning offence as Shige stuck his tongue out at him, hoping it would lighten the mood.
“Hmm… how about Tomo-chan? He wouldn’t stop complaining about not having a date on Valentine’s Day,” Shige said.
Koyama made a face. “Tomo-chan? He’d probably drive Massu crazy,” he said, laughing. “How about Hiroki? I don’t think he’s doing anything tonight.”
“Now that I think about it, he and Massu would go pretty good together-”
“They would, wouldn’t they? Ah! I’ll call him right now!”
Massu couldn’t be less excited at the thought of going on a blind date. As Koyama chatted with Hiroki on his cellphone, Massu couldn’t help but to stare down at the basket in his hands again. His mind went back to wandering what to do with it, and he barely paid any attention when Koyama hung up and told him how excited Hiroki was to meet him.