barking at the moon [tendou satori]

chapter five: through a door

AT ONCE SHE swallowed her sobs and furiously dabbed at her tears. "What?" She croaked, flinching at the broken noise. Her throat was hoarse from the borderline screaming sobbing she'd been doing.

  Someone came to her stall, but their feet stopped right before the door. A part of her wished they would open it, to see her looking so pitiful and broken. As if she needed to prove her sadness to them. Like she needed validation. Or maybe revenge.

  The person slid down the stall door, leaning against it. Their hands rested on the ground and her lip wobbled at the sight. Bandages were wrapped around his fingers, like they always were.

  "Oka I'm sorry I did that. I was just," Tendou blew out a breath, "a little conflicted. No one ever stood up for me, let alone admit they like me. My whole life I've been called names because of my hair and my eyes. It was weird to hear you defend me like that.

  "When I gave you my number I almost wished you'd thrown it away. I thought you were gonna hate me because of my looks like everyone else. I'm just so used to it, the abuse and the names. But I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," Oka looked up at the door as she heard his voice crack, "I'm sorry I let you down, Oka."

  Something in her heart ripped open at that. Her chest felt weightless. Hearing Tendou cry was a strange experience, borderline religious. Her fingers inched to cover his and wrap themselves around his bandages. He sniffled, returning the gesture full force.

  Using her other hand, she slid the lock on the door and let the thing swing open.

  A moment of time passed. It felt like forever as they stared at each other.

  Then it was over. She threw her arms around him like a man with nothing to lose, holding onto his clothing, his hair, his body - anything she could grab.

  Tendou had leapt towards her, arms furiously holding her close to him. He lifted her into his lap, pulling her close to his chest and cocooning her as he drew her in. His scent filled his nose and her head went dizzy at it. Her fingers clutched into his shirt and his own wrapped themselves in her hair and her waist.

  It was silent. They didn't need words. The pair just held onto each other, tears drying as they calmed down. The emptied bathroom was their personal church; their religion each other.

  Tendou's hand began slowly stroking her head. She sniffed and realized just how close she was to his head. He had tucked her face into his neck. Without realizing it, she leaned in slightly to press a kiss to the base of his neck, above his collarbone.

  He stilled. She fluttered her eyes, knowing he could feel it on his skin. He shivered and she smiled, arms tightening around from where they rested. "Oka, love, don't tease me like that. Not when we're having a moment," his voice sounded extra deep when she laid on his chest and she laughed.

  "Sorry," she shifted, "didn't realize we were having one." She sat up, staring into his eyes. They were hazy and a little red-rimmed from crying. She knew she probably looked similar. Her hands moved to lock around his neck and he slid his hands down to her bottom.

  He lazily smiled. "Every moment is a moment with you. You know, I wanted to see you crying but not like this." It took her a moment to process his meaning and she slapped his arm. He barked out a laugh and tugged her closer to him, as if they could get any closer.

  "You dirty minded boy. I thought we were having a moment," she teased. He smiled, teeth poking through. When she realized her head was slowly falling forward, she let it. Her eyes fluttered shut once again and for once she let her body relax into his hold.

  His lips were soft.

  They were warm and gentle. He went slow, she went slow. She had never kissed someone before, and certainly not like this. It was like she could feel every bit of love he had. She felt like time had stilled as they diligently moved their lips back and forth, only breaking apart to breathe. She rested her forehead in his and didn't dare to open his eyes.

  She felt him press a brief kiss to her. "You look so hot when you're flushed like this, I need to take a picture." He murmured the last part and she pretended she didn't hear it, only lightly slapping his arm and blushed like a little girl.

  She didn't actually expect him to take a picture and when she saw the flash through her eyelids her eyes shot open and she glared accusingly at Tendou. He grinned, sticking his tongue. "What? Sue me, I like to take pictures of my girlfriend." He shrugged.

  Oka's eyebrows shot up. "Girlfriend? You never asked, genius." She tried so hard to sound confident but she was still slightly out of breath from their kiss. Tendou pretended to think for a moment and then gasped.

  "I forgot to ask you!" He quickly lifted her (like she weighed nothing) and stood her up. He then sank to one knee and grabbed her hands. "Katano Oka, please make me the happiest bug and be my girlfriend," he smiled so genuinely at her, like he loved her, like he liked liked her.

  It made her tear up. His smile drooped a little but she quickly nodded and laughed. "Of course dummy," she laughed and he let out a wild whoop. He was quick to rise and sweep her into another breathtaking kiss, breaking away to swing her around like that day during lunch.