My Bride (Reituha/Aoiha)

Unite

“One day, Kouyou, you’ll be my bride.”

The boy had smiled then, his eyes mere crescents. “Will I be able to wear a pretty dress too?”

His friend had mirrored his smile, hint of pink on his cheeks. “Of course!” he answered, confidence in his voice. “I want you to be happy Kouyou.”

Kouyou grinned. “And we’ll be together forever, right?”

“Right. I’ll always be here with you… we’ll always be together. Because I love you, Kouyou.”

…I love you, Kouyou.

Liar.

~*~*~

Kouyou woke up slowly, his eyes attempting to accustom themselves to the sunlight that had somehow managed to burst through his curtains, thin yellow strips landing on his face. He turned away from the assaulting light, eyes now on a much darker form.

Yuu was lying on his stomach, bangs covering his eyes as he slept quietly, head facing Kouyou. His eyes lingered on the man’s serene face a moment longer, before wandering to his strong arms, smooth back and just a little beyond that, before the bed sheets interrupted his view of the man’s skin. Sighing a little, he got out of bed, pulling on yesterday’s jeans before making his way to the small balcony that hid behind his curtains. He leaned against the balcony’s edge, pulling out a cigarette and lighter from the depths of his jean pockets. Lighting his cigarette, he took a leisurely puff before letting the smoke curl out of his nose and mouth, circling around him before slowly disappearing.

…I love you Kouyou… we’ll always be together.

Shit. He grit his teeth, before taking another puff. How long had it been? He needed to grow up. Let the past be the past.

And yet, there was always that small part of him. That tiny little thought that seemed to resonate inside his head. But what if I find him again. A tiny shred of hope that never seemed to completely go away. It faded with time, but continued to linger oh so quietly.

He had given up looking for him a year ago, if not longer. He shouldn’t think like this, he shouldn’t hope.

After all, there is no crueler lie than hope.

“Kouyou.” A sweet voice rang from behind him. Strong arms wrapped around his waist, a thick head of black hair sweeping by his shoulder. “Morning Kouyou.” He mewled, his voice sweet like honey. Sweet enough to get trapped in.

“Morning.” He smiled a little, butting out his cigarette.

“Don’t you have class?” Yuu asked, kissing his shoulder lightly.

“Yeah, I was just about to go take a shower and get ready.”

“Need any help?” Yuu asked teasingly.

Kouyou smiled. “I suppose.”

Yuu grinned at that, taking the blond by the hand and leading him to the bathroom. He had time to spare before his first class, why not enjoy it?

~*~*~

Kouyou was entering his first year of university when he had met Yuu. It was not a romantic meeting nor one forged by destiny; it was a meeting made by convenience.

Kouyou had hardly managed to pay his tuition and there was no way he’d be able to pay for the university’s high priced dormitories nor their meal plans. He had thus arrived into the city without any permanent lodging and stayed in a cheap motel until he could find a better situation. In a city this big, finding a suitable apartment with his limited funds was going to be a challenge.