The Moon's Redamancy In Fall [Tsukishima x Yamaguchi]

sixty-nine. (part 2)

Yamaguchi

Tsukki and I exited the gymnasium and started to walk by the side of the street, we walked in silence, not even wanting to talk about anything, though, I wouldn't blame myself, I was indeed tired today. As we both walked, I felt Tsukki completely closing the gap between and sniffling through the cold temperature. 

"Are you cold?" Tsukki asked, his breath condensating with the cold weather that envelopes us both. His cheeks were crimson red, lips wet and pink as he moistened it for another time.

I slightly shrugged my shoulders and shook my head, "I'm fine." I replied, coldly, actually. 

Tsukki didn't respond anymore. The gloomy aura suddenly felt too comfortable to me. When others see gloom, I see the world in silver-blues. When they see freezing rain, I see a coldness that brings me to a higher feeling of life, more aware of my internal flame. I see them cast their eyes to the ground, their mouth a full frown, when there is a moon above and stars beyond the canopy of cloud. 

There is a time for sunshine, and a time for wintry sombre hues. Every dance has pause, every song has silence. And so this time, so soon after the dawn, feels more akin to an old movie, one that builds from these blues to the kind of joy that spreads through mind, body and soul. And so I feel the ground beneath both shoes, tilt my head skyward, both rooted in the blessed moment and ready for the winter that beckons. 

I closed my eyes and trailed my shaky hand through Tsukki's, interlocking our freezing fingers together, I felt hazy and warm, even though he really had cold hands. Still pale as ever. 

The first winter of the year . . .

The gloom of the wintry day crept into me like the damp into bare timber. It seeped into my skin, travelling to my heart which beat more morosely. Even the bird song came to me as if from a deep well rather than high in the trees. 

I suddenly felt too . . . remorse. 

With delicate blooms of crystals white, with the conjuring of steel-grey clouds, the first day of winter comes as a promise and an open gloved hand. Upon this first day of winter, eyes warmed by soft brown hues, a newly cool air calls to both of our loving hearts. Snow rests upon the park bench as if it were a feather cushion, soft and warm. It covers the rich, deep wood in perfect white. The snow is a gift-wrap only spring will open, revealing the engrained beauty that lives safely below, protected these long winter months. The first falling snow had taken all my despair of the day.

"Look, it's the first winter of the year." I gleefully chirped, my grip tightened in our interwoven fingers, "Tonight's so pretty!" I giggled.

"Yeah . . ." Tsukki whispered, admiring the few falling snow, too. 

We both stared our surroundings in awe, eyes wandering around as we both shared each other's warmth, "Will you celebrate your Christmas with your family?" Tsukki asked, as I extended my arm to catch the falling snow on my palm. 

I didn't answer for a few minutes, still fully captivated with the thin snow that were blown by the slight wind, as Tsukki buries his mouth down in his scarf before heaving a deep sigh, "Why? You wanna celebrate Christmas with me?" I asked, a small smirk falling over my lips.

He scoffed, "Hell yeah, I do. I'd be so happy to receive more crappy presents from you." He chuckled, rolling my eyes in a teasingly manner.

I gasped in an exasperated manner, "My presents are not crappy!" I pouted, rolling my eyes, too. 

Tsukki shrugged his shoulders, "Knitted dinosaur socks and jacket? Yeah, right." He snarkily remarked with his typical snotty snout. 

I never thought my presents for him during Christmas season was never crappy because I always put so much effort into it and I knew he loves dinosaurs, he just always denies it which was a lot more funny because whenever I catch him reading dinosaur manga up until now, his face would grow all red. He was the one that gets me crappy presents. Like come on, cheap scarf from a grocery store? Mine was a whole level different compared to his. But I always appreciate him taking his time wrapping his gifts for me.

Tsukki sighed and pursed his lips together before looking away, "Fine. You get me the best presents every year. I just don't wanna admit it since I'm the one who get you shit presents." 

Taking a deep breath to tip my head back to laugh, "Your presents are not crap, Kei." I giggled.

They are.

"They are." He answered my thoughts, making me laugh even more, "You see? You wouldn't laugh at me like that if they aren't." Tsukki rolled his eyes, slightly bumping his arm to mine, pushing me in a teasingly manner.

My breathing settles, still grinning towards him, "Don't worry. I'll get you something even better this year." Tsukki smirked, as if looking pleased with his idea.

"I couldn't wait." A smile tugged at the corners of lips, leaning my head over Tsukki's arm and sniffling the cold air.

A few more minutes of walking, we finally arrived by the front of my gate as we stood there with Tsukki's arm around my shoulder, pulling me in an embrace, "Hey. Don't do something stupid with Yachi tonight." He mumbled out of the blue, his voice coming out lowly as he heaved a deep breath through my hair as we stayed in an embrace for a few more minutes, enjoying one's company and warmth despite the cold weather.

I suddenly had the urge to look at him, quirking an eyebrow, I felt a small smirk curling by the corners of my lips, "What stupid things?" I bemused.

Tsukki's grip clenched tighter around me, "You know . . ." He trailed.

"What?"

He immediately pouted, his cheeks burned in crimson red as he fixed his sliding glasses, "Don't kiss her."

I giggled, shaking my head, "I won't, god!" I rolled my eyes, involuntary giggles escaping my lips as I receive countless of kisses from Tsukki all over my face and to my lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Tsukki smiled, "Text me." He added, before leaving another peck on my lips and then striding away by the sidewalk.

I watched him disappear through the streetlight as I felt myself smile as I entered the gate of my house and up to my porch, I clutched the door handle to open the front door and as I enter the house, a familiar scent invaded my nostrils. 

Scent that was once I utterly despised. 

That familiar perfume of my childhood days.

I entered the house, my heart beating fast against my chest.

"Tadashi, my son! Welcome home."

My mom, sitting down by the couch, a big bruise over her left cheek.

And the monster I feared when I was a kid sat just beside her.

My dad. 

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yare yare B)