[FIC] NewS - Break (With Me) [5/5]
Title: Break (With Me) [5/5]
Fandom: NewS
Pairing: Masuda/Tegoshi
Rating: PG-13 (mentions of child abuse and neglect)
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summary: He pulls him close, arms circling his smaller form tight, and he murmurs softly, “Go to sleep, Tesshi.” He adds, a moment later, as though he knows what the younger is thinking, “I’ll be here tomorrow. I promise.”
A/N: Last chapter ._. Let me know if you spot any mistakes.
x Part One x Part Two x Part Three x Part Four x
Two years later
Masuda is fairly certain that he’s never been more nervous in his life than he is at this moment. He feels horribly out of place, in his jeans and t-shirt and old jacket that have obviously seen better days, sitting in the middle of a lobby that’s been so tastefully designed and decorated that he’s pretty sure the chairs alone cost more than a year’s worth of his rent. It helps, a little bit, that he’s the only one there, aside from the pretty receptionist who keeps eyeing him from behind her desk like he’s something disease-ridden. He supposes that she’s too professional to call security on him when he hasn’t done anything to warrant it, but it still makes him uncomfortable.
He wonders if he’s doing the right thing. He hasn’t questioned his choices once since starting down this path, but now that he’s here, miles away from his home town, in the middle of a city he knows nothing about surviving in, he can’t help but second guess himself.
He’d saved up for two years to get here, working overtime as often as he could, pinching his pennies, making plans. He’s worked hard, leaving everything he’s ever known behind in the process, and now… now he’s worried if maybe it wasn’t a bad idea in the first place. Maybe he should have stayed back in Yamakita, where he was comfortable, in his element. He’s so out of touch with himself now that he’s almost dizzy, and the long wait isn’t helping at all.
Masuda can’t believe that it’s only been two years since he last saw Tegoshi. It feels like so much longer, maybe because he’s been practically counting the hours, or maybe because he was so used to having the younger boy around that when he finally left, it felt a little bit like the world had stopped altogether.
They’d kept in contact, of course. But it had been difficult, slow going. Tegoshi had been constantly busy with work and training and everything else involved in becoming an idol, and Masuda had come to hate those brief phone calls, because they always hurt, always reminded him of what wasn’t there. Gradually, their calls had grown farther and farther apart, until it had gotten to the point that they only spoke to each other once a month, if that. That was probably the worst part of it all, knowing that he was letting something good slip away from him, but being unable to do anything about it.
He never told Tegoshi that he was coming. He wanted it to be a surprise. And now that he’s here, sitting in the lobby of the building that he knows Tegoshi works in, waiting for the younger boy to make an appearance nervously…
He wonders if this was the right decision.
Two years is a long time… he has to wonder if Tegoshi has changed. If he’s moved on. He and Masuda had had something, something very special, but that was then, and now Tegoshi’s on track to becoming a famous star, something far, far above anything Masuda could ever even dream of becoming himself. What if, when they finally meet again, it’s not like it was before? What if Tegoshi has changed? What if he’s left Masuda behind? Despite the last two years, Masuda is still the same small town boy he always was, and he’s horribly out of place in this crowded, bustling metropolis. But Tegoshi is the type to change, to grow, expand to fit the role he’s been given. What if he’s outgrown Masuda in the process?
That scares him, honestly. He’s spent so much of his life with Tegoshi by his side that the idea that he’ll never be able to go back to that is frightening.
He doesn’t even know if Tegoshi is going to show up, honestly. He doesn’t know the younger boy’s work schedule, doesn’t know if Tegoshi is here today or not. But Masuda is patient, he has time. If Tegoshi’s not here today, he’ll come back tomorrow, and the next day as well if it’s necessary. He just wants to see him, to have the chance to know if they can really make this work. It’s all he’s been able to think about these last couple of years, and he’s not going to let the chance slip away.
Not now.
He has to wait another hour before Tegoshi finally appears. And when Masuda catches sight of him, for the first time since he got into that cab and drove away from him, he’s nearly struck breathless.
He looks amazing.
Tegoshi has always been pretty, almost feminine in his looks. A little on the scrawny side, maybe, and his sense of fashion and hair styles was questionable at best, but none of that had ever been able to mask the natural beauty that he’d always had. Masuda had always thought he was cute.
Now, though… now he’s something else. Drop dead gorgeous comes to mind, among other adjectives, some of which he couldn’t vocalize in polite company.
He’s still tiny and slim, but he’s filled out in enough places that he doesn’t look like he’s just skin hanging off of bones anymore. His skin has darkened, no longer fair and sickeningly pale but a tanned shade that suits him well. His hair has been colored and styled professionally, teased in a way that frames his handsome face perfectly. He’s walking out of the elevator when Masuda gets his first look at him, another man on his right side, the two of them walking in sync, chatting like old friends. Tegoshi smiles, laughs in a way that Masuda’s not sure he’s ever heard before. It’s a beautiful sound, not haunted or bitter, but genuine and cheerful… happy.
He’s radiant, shining so hard it’s practically blinding.
And all of a sudden, Masuda doesn’t think he can do this.
Tegoshi has changed. He’s grown, become the person he was always meant to be. The person he could have been years ago, if he’d had a better, easier life. And he has that now, doesn’t he? A new, happy life… one that Masuda doesn’t think he’ll be welcomed in.
He doesn’t want to be a reminder of the rough past Tegoshi came from. He doesn’t want to make the younger boy relive those years of torture. And that’s all his presence will do, he’s sure of it. He’ll just bring up bad memories, and the last thing he wants to do is ruin Tegoshi’s chance at being happy. After all, that’s all Masuda has ever wanted for him.
He stands to leave, to sneak out the entrance door before Tegoshi catches sight of him. He’ll go back to Yamakita; go back to working as a cashier in the grocery store his father now owns and operates; back to living each day feeling like he’s got a Tegoshi-sized hole in his heart. He’ll move on eventually, and Tegoshi will forget all about him, if he hasn’t already.
He’s almost there, hand stretched out to push open the revolving doors, when a voice reaches his ears, soft and familiar, trembling hopefully, “…Massu?”
And he freezes, because he’s dreamed of hearing that voice again, not distorted by the static of a telephone but live and in person, and now that he has, he knows he can’t walk away from it. He urges his legs to keep going, but instead, he finds himself turning slowly, swallowing the lump in his throat as he comes to face the boy he’s been waiting two years to see again.
Tegoshi looks him up and down, pretty eyes wide in disbelief, lips parted. After a long, tense moment, one where Masuda’s voice fails him and he finds himself unable to speak, the younger takes a hesitant step forward.
“It’s… it’s you, right? You’re Massu?” He sounds like he doesn’t think it’s true; like Masuda is some kind of imposter, pulling a cruel joke on him.
All he can muster up is the will to nod, very slowly, His throat is suddenly dry, painfully so, but he still finds himself whispering softly, “Tesshi…”
And that’s enough. Tegoshi’s face splits into the widest smile Masuda has ever seen, his eyes lighting up, and before Masuda can even blink, the younger has taken two steps forward and is falling into his arms like he belongs there. And it feels right; more right than anything Masuda has ever felt before, the way his arms wrap around Tegoshi’s smaller frame, hands curling gently against his spine, nose buried into his hair. Tegoshi is warm and soft against him, shoulders a little broader than Masuda remembers, but perfect in the way his body fits against Masuda’s, chests touching, lips against his neck.
He doesn’t want to let go. So he doesn’t, just holds Tegoshi tight against him, feeling like he’s not sure if he wants to cry or laugh. Tegoshi beats him to it, sniffling and giggling all at once as he murmurs into Masuda’s ear, “I can’t believe you’re really here…”
Masuda laughs weakly, nods his agreement, because really, he can’t believe it either.
They cling to each other for a few moments, before Tegoshi’s companion, who’s been standing off to the side, watching them with a light frown, clears his throat, and they reluctantly separate. Masuda keeps one protective hand on Tegoshi’s waist, like he’s afraid if he lets go, Tegoshi will vanish. And maybe he kind of is.
Tegoshi’s friend raises an eyebrow; he’s a short man, older than Tegoshi, and Masuda too, maybe, with black hair and a stern face. “Something you want to tell me, Tegonyan?”
Masuda frowns at the pet name, but Tegoshi just laughs in delight and loops an arm through Masuda’s, hugging him tightly. “Ryo-tan!” He sounds so ridiculously happy that Masuda can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm; he can’t recall ever hearing that cute, somewhat bratty tone from the younger, but somehow, it suits him. “This is Massu! Remember, I told you about him?”
‘Ryo-tan’ turns to look at Masuda appraisingly, a look of mild distaste crossing his features as he takes in Masuda’s thrift store outfit, scuffed shoes and floppy hair. “…he’s… different from how you described him.”
Masuda wants to retort to that, but Tegoshi beats him to it, pouting and tightening his grip on Masuda’s arm. “Goodbye, Ryo-tan,” He says, somewhat haughtily, frowning. And then he adds, as if to soften it just a bit, “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, okay?”
Ryo just rolls his eyes, apparently used to this behavior, and brushes past them with a sour look. Despite that, however, he waves casually as he disappears out the door.
As soon as he’s gone, Tegoshi turns back to Masuda with a cheerful look. “Don’t mind him. Ryo-tan’s just jealous because Massu’s special.” Masuda blushes somewhat awkwardly, and it only darkens when Tegoshi reaches up to straighten out his collar casually, beaming up at him. “He teases me all the time, because Massu’s all I ever talk about.”
Masuda doesn’t know what to say to that. Apart of him is practically bursting in joy at the idea that Tegoshi has carried his memory this far, has even bragged about him to his new, upscale friends, like he’s something to be proud of. It’s more than he ever hoped for, coming here.
They stare at each other, quiet, not needing words. Masuda’s eyes scan Tegoshi’s face, looking for differences, for the slight changes he knows will have accompanied two years of maturity, rememorizing the face he knows better than any other. Tegoshi’s hands are still on his chest, watching Masuda watch him, and when he moves to absentmindedly lick his lips, Masuda’s eyes follow the movement with avid fascination.
The kiss that follows is slow, hesitant, cautious, but there’s something undeniably passionate behind it, in the way Tegoshi parts his lips delicately, letting Masuda take the lead, their hands somehow becoming intertwined in the process. Masuda wants so much more -wants to pull Tegoshi close and crush their lips together, devour the younger boy until the two of them are fused together- but instead he eases away, smiling at the way Tegoshi pulls back, breathless, lips prettily swollen, cheeks flushed. It’s a good look for him, and the two of them giggle somewhat shyly in the aftermath, foreheads bumping affectionately.
Masuda still has Tegoshi’s hands in his own, the younger’s smaller, slender digits curling over his palm, and he absently moves to thumb gently over his knuckles, giving Tegoshi what’s probably a very silly grin. When his thumb brushes over something colder than Tegoshi’s skin, he glances down, curious.
He doesn’t expect what he sees: a ring, elegant and simple and so very familiar, snugly fit on the ring finger of the boy’s left hand, looking exactly like what it’s supposed to be: a wedding band.
Tegoshi catches him looking, blushes awkwardly, ducks his eyes out of Masuda’s sight. “It was the only finger it would fit on,” he explains, sounding nervous. “The chain broke. I’ve been meaning to get another one, but…” He trails off as Masuda gently presses a finger against his lips. When he finally looks up again, he realizes that Masuda is smiling at him, looking a little teary eyed.
“Don’t.” The older tells him, brushing his thumb over the ring slowly. Seeing the younger boy wear his ring -his mother’s ring- makes him undeniably happy; there’s no one else he’d rather have it, really. And it looks right, sitting on Tegoshi’s finger like that; it feels a little bit like the younger boy is letting himself be claimed, something that Masuda rather likes the idea of.
But there’s a question nagging him, one he has to have answered. He can’t really believe that he’s here, that Tegoshi is right here in his arms, that he actually has this chance. He’s terrified that the other shoe will drop any moment now, leaving him all alone all over again.
“Tesshi…” His throat is dry, and somehow, the name feels wrong on his lips. ‘Tesshi’ is his childhood friend; the abused, neglected little boy that he spent hours wrapping up in bandages and kissing the cuts and bruises of. It doesn’t seem right anymore, looking at the boy in front of him now. He tries again, “Yuya…” And yes, that feels better. “There’s… there’s no one else, right?” Tegoshi gives him a strange look, but Masuda can’t seem to get control of his tongue now that he’s started. “I mean, it’s been two years, and I never expected you to wait for me. I hoped you would, but…”
He stops abruptly when Tegoshi rolls his eyes and hushes him, sounding more amused than anything else as he says affectionately, “You’re an idiot.”
Masuda blinks, surprised, and Tegoshi looks up at him with soft eyes, smiling gently; takes his hand and brings it up slowly, presses a kiss to his palm, the same way he did so many years ago, when they were children and just as much in love as they are now.
“Stupid. Massu is the only one for me.”
END
Final A/N: I can't believe it's over. I just want to thank everyone who's commented on this story, and even those who read and didn't comment. You have no idea how encouraging it was to see such kind comments, especially since this was my first JE fic. I'm really excited to get involved in this fandom (insane as it is; yes, Yam, that was aimed at you) and I'm definitely going to be writing for it again.
Keep your eyes open for my next fic :3 I've got one in progress right now, in fact XD If you're really interested in reading more from me, you should join my community, because I often post sneak previews of upcoming fics there exclusively for my members! [/shameless self-plug]
Bye bye~
Fandom: NewS
Pairing: Masuda/Tegoshi
Rating: PG-13 (mentions of child abuse and neglect)
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summary: He pulls him close, arms circling his smaller form tight, and he murmurs softly, “Go to sleep, Tesshi.” He adds, a moment later, as though he knows what the younger is thinking, “I’ll be here tomorrow. I promise.”
A/N: Last chapter ._. Let me know if you spot any mistakes.
x Part One x Part Two x Part Three x Part Four x
Two years later
Masuda is fairly certain that he’s never been more nervous in his life than he is at this moment. He feels horribly out of place, in his jeans and t-shirt and old jacket that have obviously seen better days, sitting in the middle of a lobby that’s been so tastefully designed and decorated that he’s pretty sure the chairs alone cost more than a year’s worth of his rent. It helps, a little bit, that he’s the only one there, aside from the pretty receptionist who keeps eyeing him from behind her desk like he’s something disease-ridden. He supposes that she’s too professional to call security on him when he hasn’t done anything to warrant it, but it still makes him uncomfortable.
He wonders if he’s doing the right thing. He hasn’t questioned his choices once since starting down this path, but now that he’s here, miles away from his home town, in the middle of a city he knows nothing about surviving in, he can’t help but second guess himself.
He’d saved up for two years to get here, working overtime as often as he could, pinching his pennies, making plans. He’s worked hard, leaving everything he’s ever known behind in the process, and now… now he’s worried if maybe it wasn’t a bad idea in the first place. Maybe he should have stayed back in Yamakita, where he was comfortable, in his element. He’s so out of touch with himself now that he’s almost dizzy, and the long wait isn’t helping at all.
Masuda can’t believe that it’s only been two years since he last saw Tegoshi. It feels like so much longer, maybe because he’s been practically counting the hours, or maybe because he was so used to having the younger boy around that when he finally left, it felt a little bit like the world had stopped altogether.
They’d kept in contact, of course. But it had been difficult, slow going. Tegoshi had been constantly busy with work and training and everything else involved in becoming an idol, and Masuda had come to hate those brief phone calls, because they always hurt, always reminded him of what wasn’t there. Gradually, their calls had grown farther and farther apart, until it had gotten to the point that they only spoke to each other once a month, if that. That was probably the worst part of it all, knowing that he was letting something good slip away from him, but being unable to do anything about it.
He never told Tegoshi that he was coming. He wanted it to be a surprise. And now that he’s here, sitting in the lobby of the building that he knows Tegoshi works in, waiting for the younger boy to make an appearance nervously…
He wonders if this was the right decision.
Two years is a long time… he has to wonder if Tegoshi has changed. If he’s moved on. He and Masuda had had something, something very special, but that was then, and now Tegoshi’s on track to becoming a famous star, something far, far above anything Masuda could ever even dream of becoming himself. What if, when they finally meet again, it’s not like it was before? What if Tegoshi has changed? What if he’s left Masuda behind? Despite the last two years, Masuda is still the same small town boy he always was, and he’s horribly out of place in this crowded, bustling metropolis. But Tegoshi is the type to change, to grow, expand to fit the role he’s been given. What if he’s outgrown Masuda in the process?
That scares him, honestly. He’s spent so much of his life with Tegoshi by his side that the idea that he’ll never be able to go back to that is frightening.
He doesn’t even know if Tegoshi is going to show up, honestly. He doesn’t know the younger boy’s work schedule, doesn’t know if Tegoshi is here today or not. But Masuda is patient, he has time. If Tegoshi’s not here today, he’ll come back tomorrow, and the next day as well if it’s necessary. He just wants to see him, to have the chance to know if they can really make this work. It’s all he’s been able to think about these last couple of years, and he’s not going to let the chance slip away.
Not now.
He has to wait another hour before Tegoshi finally appears. And when Masuda catches sight of him, for the first time since he got into that cab and drove away from him, he’s nearly struck breathless.
He looks amazing.
Tegoshi has always been pretty, almost feminine in his looks. A little on the scrawny side, maybe, and his sense of fashion and hair styles was questionable at best, but none of that had ever been able to mask the natural beauty that he’d always had. Masuda had always thought he was cute.
Now, though… now he’s something else. Drop dead gorgeous comes to mind, among other adjectives, some of which he couldn’t vocalize in polite company.
He’s still tiny and slim, but he’s filled out in enough places that he doesn’t look like he’s just skin hanging off of bones anymore. His skin has darkened, no longer fair and sickeningly pale but a tanned shade that suits him well. His hair has been colored and styled professionally, teased in a way that frames his handsome face perfectly. He’s walking out of the elevator when Masuda gets his first look at him, another man on his right side, the two of them walking in sync, chatting like old friends. Tegoshi smiles, laughs in a way that Masuda’s not sure he’s ever heard before. It’s a beautiful sound, not haunted or bitter, but genuine and cheerful… happy.
He’s radiant, shining so hard it’s practically blinding.
And all of a sudden, Masuda doesn’t think he can do this.
Tegoshi has changed. He’s grown, become the person he was always meant to be. The person he could have been years ago, if he’d had a better, easier life. And he has that now, doesn’t he? A new, happy life… one that Masuda doesn’t think he’ll be welcomed in.
He doesn’t want to be a reminder of the rough past Tegoshi came from. He doesn’t want to make the younger boy relive those years of torture. And that’s all his presence will do, he’s sure of it. He’ll just bring up bad memories, and the last thing he wants to do is ruin Tegoshi’s chance at being happy. After all, that’s all Masuda has ever wanted for him.
He stands to leave, to sneak out the entrance door before Tegoshi catches sight of him. He’ll go back to Yamakita; go back to working as a cashier in the grocery store his father now owns and operates; back to living each day feeling like he’s got a Tegoshi-sized hole in his heart. He’ll move on eventually, and Tegoshi will forget all about him, if he hasn’t already.
He’s almost there, hand stretched out to push open the revolving doors, when a voice reaches his ears, soft and familiar, trembling hopefully, “…Massu?”
And he freezes, because he’s dreamed of hearing that voice again, not distorted by the static of a telephone but live and in person, and now that he has, he knows he can’t walk away from it. He urges his legs to keep going, but instead, he finds himself turning slowly, swallowing the lump in his throat as he comes to face the boy he’s been waiting two years to see again.
Tegoshi looks him up and down, pretty eyes wide in disbelief, lips parted. After a long, tense moment, one where Masuda’s voice fails him and he finds himself unable to speak, the younger takes a hesitant step forward.
“It’s… it’s you, right? You’re Massu?” He sounds like he doesn’t think it’s true; like Masuda is some kind of imposter, pulling a cruel joke on him.
All he can muster up is the will to nod, very slowly, His throat is suddenly dry, painfully so, but he still finds himself whispering softly, “Tesshi…”
And that’s enough. Tegoshi’s face splits into the widest smile Masuda has ever seen, his eyes lighting up, and before Masuda can even blink, the younger has taken two steps forward and is falling into his arms like he belongs there. And it feels right; more right than anything Masuda has ever felt before, the way his arms wrap around Tegoshi’s smaller frame, hands curling gently against his spine, nose buried into his hair. Tegoshi is warm and soft against him, shoulders a little broader than Masuda remembers, but perfect in the way his body fits against Masuda’s, chests touching, lips against his neck.
He doesn’t want to let go. So he doesn’t, just holds Tegoshi tight against him, feeling like he’s not sure if he wants to cry or laugh. Tegoshi beats him to it, sniffling and giggling all at once as he murmurs into Masuda’s ear, “I can’t believe you’re really here…”
Masuda laughs weakly, nods his agreement, because really, he can’t believe it either.
They cling to each other for a few moments, before Tegoshi’s companion, who’s been standing off to the side, watching them with a light frown, clears his throat, and they reluctantly separate. Masuda keeps one protective hand on Tegoshi’s waist, like he’s afraid if he lets go, Tegoshi will vanish. And maybe he kind of is.
Tegoshi’s friend raises an eyebrow; he’s a short man, older than Tegoshi, and Masuda too, maybe, with black hair and a stern face. “Something you want to tell me, Tegonyan?”
Masuda frowns at the pet name, but Tegoshi just laughs in delight and loops an arm through Masuda’s, hugging him tightly. “Ryo-tan!” He sounds so ridiculously happy that Masuda can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm; he can’t recall ever hearing that cute, somewhat bratty tone from the younger, but somehow, it suits him. “This is Massu! Remember, I told you about him?”
‘Ryo-tan’ turns to look at Masuda appraisingly, a look of mild distaste crossing his features as he takes in Masuda’s thrift store outfit, scuffed shoes and floppy hair. “…he’s… different from how you described him.”
Masuda wants to retort to that, but Tegoshi beats him to it, pouting and tightening his grip on Masuda’s arm. “Goodbye, Ryo-tan,” He says, somewhat haughtily, frowning. And then he adds, as if to soften it just a bit, “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, okay?”
Ryo just rolls his eyes, apparently used to this behavior, and brushes past them with a sour look. Despite that, however, he waves casually as he disappears out the door.
As soon as he’s gone, Tegoshi turns back to Masuda with a cheerful look. “Don’t mind him. Ryo-tan’s just jealous because Massu’s special.” Masuda blushes somewhat awkwardly, and it only darkens when Tegoshi reaches up to straighten out his collar casually, beaming up at him. “He teases me all the time, because Massu’s all I ever talk about.”
Masuda doesn’t know what to say to that. Apart of him is practically bursting in joy at the idea that Tegoshi has carried his memory this far, has even bragged about him to his new, upscale friends, like he’s something to be proud of. It’s more than he ever hoped for, coming here.
They stare at each other, quiet, not needing words. Masuda’s eyes scan Tegoshi’s face, looking for differences, for the slight changes he knows will have accompanied two years of maturity, rememorizing the face he knows better than any other. Tegoshi’s hands are still on his chest, watching Masuda watch him, and when he moves to absentmindedly lick his lips, Masuda’s eyes follow the movement with avid fascination.
The kiss that follows is slow, hesitant, cautious, but there’s something undeniably passionate behind it, in the way Tegoshi parts his lips delicately, letting Masuda take the lead, their hands somehow becoming intertwined in the process. Masuda wants so much more -wants to pull Tegoshi close and crush their lips together, devour the younger boy until the two of them are fused together- but instead he eases away, smiling at the way Tegoshi pulls back, breathless, lips prettily swollen, cheeks flushed. It’s a good look for him, and the two of them giggle somewhat shyly in the aftermath, foreheads bumping affectionately.
Masuda still has Tegoshi’s hands in his own, the younger’s smaller, slender digits curling over his palm, and he absently moves to thumb gently over his knuckles, giving Tegoshi what’s probably a very silly grin. When his thumb brushes over something colder than Tegoshi’s skin, he glances down, curious.
He doesn’t expect what he sees: a ring, elegant and simple and so very familiar, snugly fit on the ring finger of the boy’s left hand, looking exactly like what it’s supposed to be: a wedding band.
Tegoshi catches him looking, blushes awkwardly, ducks his eyes out of Masuda’s sight. “It was the only finger it would fit on,” he explains, sounding nervous. “The chain broke. I’ve been meaning to get another one, but…” He trails off as Masuda gently presses a finger against his lips. When he finally looks up again, he realizes that Masuda is smiling at him, looking a little teary eyed.
“Don’t.” The older tells him, brushing his thumb over the ring slowly. Seeing the younger boy wear his ring -his mother’s ring- makes him undeniably happy; there’s no one else he’d rather have it, really. And it looks right, sitting on Tegoshi’s finger like that; it feels a little bit like the younger boy is letting himself be claimed, something that Masuda rather likes the idea of.
But there’s a question nagging him, one he has to have answered. He can’t really believe that he’s here, that Tegoshi is right here in his arms, that he actually has this chance. He’s terrified that the other shoe will drop any moment now, leaving him all alone all over again.
“Tesshi…” His throat is dry, and somehow, the name feels wrong on his lips. ‘Tesshi’ is his childhood friend; the abused, neglected little boy that he spent hours wrapping up in bandages and kissing the cuts and bruises of. It doesn’t seem right anymore, looking at the boy in front of him now. He tries again, “Yuya…” And yes, that feels better. “There’s… there’s no one else, right?” Tegoshi gives him a strange look, but Masuda can’t seem to get control of his tongue now that he’s started. “I mean, it’s been two years, and I never expected you to wait for me. I hoped you would, but…”
He stops abruptly when Tegoshi rolls his eyes and hushes him, sounding more amused than anything else as he says affectionately, “You’re an idiot.”
Masuda blinks, surprised, and Tegoshi looks up at him with soft eyes, smiling gently; takes his hand and brings it up slowly, presses a kiss to his palm, the same way he did so many years ago, when they were children and just as much in love as they are now.
“Stupid. Massu is the only one for me.”
END
Final A/N: I can't believe it's over. I just want to thank everyone who's commented on this story, and even those who read and didn't comment. You have no idea how encouraging it was to see such kind comments, especially since this was my first JE fic. I'm really excited to get involved in this fandom (insane as it is; yes, Yam, that was aimed at you) and I'm definitely going to be writing for it again.
Keep your eyes open for my next fic :3 I've got one in progress right now, in fact XD If you're really interested in reading more from me, you should join my community, because I often post sneak previews of upcoming fics there exclusively for my members! [/shameless self-plug]
Bye bye~