Odd Jobs

Chapter 22 - Live Your Truth

Yuu threw his head back in his seat, as he stood parked in the driveway. He thought back to what Shinoa had told him. To take matters into his own hands.

Mika.

He was all Yuu could think about. How was he doing? Was he crying? Was he hurting? Was he enjoying himself? Eating enough? Drinking enough water? The ravenette mentally slapped himself, fully knowing he was the cause of any of the anguish Mika felt. He took a deep breath, stepping out of the car and making his way to the front door. Hesitating a mere moment, he rang the doorbell. It quickly opened, revealing Mitsuba.

"Hey-! Oh whoa you're a mess.", she greeted him.

"Gee. Thanks. Is he here?" Mitsu nodded, stepping to the side to let Yuu in.

"He's still in the shower, but he should be out any minute." Yuu nodded, as the two of them made their way over to Shinoa, who was seated on the couch.

"Hey, you made it!", she smiled.

"Y-Yeah..."

"You look nervous."

"I am. Mika's pissed at me, and I don't blame him." As Yuu finished his sentence, footsteps came down the stairs.

Yuu's eyes locked with those gorgeous blue ones. But before anyone could speak a word or make a sound, Mika turned on his heels, starting to make his way back up the stairs. Shinoa quickly stood up, running over to the boy and grabbing hold on his wrist.

"Oh no you don't! You're gonna sit down, and talk this out like normal, functioning adults!"

"I don't- want to-", Mika protested as he tried to pull his wrist free from the small girl's grasp. It was quite the sight to behold, the tall blonde mustering only half the power the petite lavender haired girl had. She quickly overpowered the boy, and dragged him to the couch. She sat him down next to Yuu.

"Now. Talk it out."

"Uhm, Shinoa, let's give them some privacy.", Mitsuba said as she got up from the couch, gently grabbing her girlfriend by her hand. They left the livingroom, Shinoa not forgetting to motion they were watching them.

The silence between the two boys was nerve wracking, eerie, even. Yuu couldn't build up the guts to glance at the blonde to his left, simply because of how terrified he was of what's to come. His heart stopped when Mika spoke.

"This is stupid.", he muttered as he stood up, getting ready to leave again. His hand was caught by Yuu's.

"Mika-! Don't... Don't go..." The ravenette felt the lump starting to build in his throat. "Please, don't leave me Mika..." Reluctant, Mika sat back down. Yuu still hadn't let go of his hand.

"What's there even to talk about...?"

"Allow me to apologise?" The blonde turned to look at him, finding those once bright, vibrant eyes now clouded with tears and regret.

"Why should you apologise? You were only being honest..." Mika sighed. "Have you tried seeing this from my point of view?"

"N-No...", Yuichiro shook his head.

"I'm in love with you. It's something you didn't know, sure, but that doesn't mean it hurt less when you said..." He paused. "When that kiss didn't mean anything."

"I'm so sorry, Mika... I didn't want it to be weird between us because of that."

"Then why even kiss me in the first place?", he let out a sad chuckle. It took them longer than expected, but the tears had reached his eyes aswell. "The past days, I couldn't help but wonder... Did you ask that because I'm a guy, or because I'm me? You could have asked anyone, be it Yoichi or even Lacus. Why me?"

Yuu leaned in closer. He cupped Mika's cheeks, cradling his sad, perfect face in his hands. He toned his volume down, to nothing more than a mere whisper.

"Because it's you, Mika. It's always been you."

"A-Always been me...?"

"I've been lying to myself for so long. And it's because of you I'm finally starting to come to terms with who I am. I need to be more honest with you, Mika."

"S-Stop-", the blonde protested as he tried wriggling free from Yuu. More tears spilled from his eyes, as he let out small sobs. Eventually, he quit fighting. "Please, Yuu, just... Don't do this to me..."

"Mika, look at me." He made him look at him, his eyes locking with those green ones. They were vibrant again, like a grassy field on a warm spring day. It had grown to be Mika's favourite colour.

All noises in the room drowned out. The radio quit playing, the dishwasher didn't make any sound, and the small parakeet stopped chirping. All Mika could hear, was the boy in front of him, and what he had to say.

"I love you, Mika."

"Stop-"

"I love you, Mika! Every morning, when I wake up, I glance at the bed next to mine, because the first thing I want to see is you! Every moment we're apart, I constantly check my phone, hoping for the moment you send me a text or give me a call! Everytime I'm alone, I think of you, how you're doing, if you're alright! Mika... You're my everything. All I want is to see you happy, make you happy, see you smile."

"Then why...?", Mika squeezed his eyes shut, trying his damn hardest to keep all his sobs to himself.

"Because the moment I kissed you, was the moment I realised I'm in love with you. I was scared. But I'm here to tell you now, that one kiss meant to much to me. *You* mean so much to me, Mika."

"Yuu-chan..." Mika sobbed. "I-I'm sorry, I-"

"Shh, it's okay." Yuu wrapped his arms around the blonde boy, holding him tight. "I'm here. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

It took a while before Mika had managed to calm down. It was all so overwhelming, and frankly, he was terrified. After he finally managed to relax, he glanced over at Yuu. It was like he was doused in a warm, cozy blanket when he looked in his eyes. Then, guilt struck.

"I should be honest with you, too, Yuu-chan."

"You can tell me anything." Mika took a deep breath, his hands clutching his knees.

"I lied about my job. I don't work a desk job, far from it, actually."

"What is it you do, then?"

"I'm... I work as a stripper." Mika returned his gaze from the floor back to Yuu, seeing the boy carrying a shocked expression on his face.

"Oh. Well then, uhm..."

"I'm sorry-" The blonde felt a hand rest on his thigh.

"Stop apologising for everything, Mika.", the ravenette smiled at him. "Who cares what you do for work? As long as you're healthy and happy, I couldn't be more satisfied."

"Y-You really mean that?"

"Ofcourse I do. But... I am curious to see you in action now.", he chuckled. He earned a laugh from the tense blonde.

"Ah, yeah, sure.", he said as he wiped a tear from his eyes.

"Look at me.", Yuu whispered, shuffling a little closer to Mika, who obliged. He raised his hand to cup the blonde's cheek again. Mika chuckled.

"Are you gonna kiss me again?", he whispered.

"If I may?"

"You may."

Yuu gently pressed his kiss against Mika's lips, and in that moment, the world could explode for all they cared. Yuu had his Mika. And Mika had his Yuu.