high school sweethearts- naegami

chapter 9

IM SO SORRY MY LOVES BUT ITS HERE NOW *sobs*

cw for mention of scars and toxic masculinity!

When Byakuya looked up, the time read *6pm*. He blinked slowly, trying to clear his misty eyes as he wiped his glasses on his shirt cuff.

"...?" _am i seeing things correctly?_

He'd been in Naegi's arms for three hours, and still the young adult had held him, keeping that steady breathing pattern for him to follow.

he stayed?

"Hey, are you okay? Need some water?"

"?!"

Makoto gave the surprised heir a calm smile, not touching him unless he gave permission.

my plan..failed..how could this happen?
Why did that sound so familiar?

"i had my head down.." Byakuya mumbled without realising.

"? Yes, you did have your head down.." Makoto said slowly, with a hand on his chin. But then he smiled. "But it's okay..you're safe."

he didn't see my scar, did he?

"..I'm sorry." Togami said after that lingering thought of his, sitting up fully and adjusting his glasses. He felt the sticky tears on his face.

i was CRYING?!

"Don't worry about it, Togami-kun.."

"I.." how could I have been so weak in front of him?

"I promise it's okay, Togami-kun.."

"..I-I.." boys don't cry, and especially not togami boys.

*clink*.

"?"

"Here, drink this." Makoto was holding a glass of water to his lips.

Byakuya was surprised from this act of kindness, but still, he slowly sipped, feeling the dryness disappear from his mouth and his head clear a bit. He sighed deeply after finishing, looking at the other boy with some shame, he felt bad about breaking down in front of him.

"Are you okay now, Togami-kun?"

And yet, he stayed.

"..." Byakuya gave a brief nod, feeling the colour return to his cheeks. "I'm..sorry about that. It was an accident. I wasn't scared, just-"

"You don't have to explain anything to me, it's alright.." Naegi smiled, but he could feel butterflies in his stomach.

he had tried to confess to me before he panicked, right? The brunette wanted to press further, but thought better of it and just sat next to him.

"..you don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to I'll listen and I won't judge." There. That seemed alright, didn't it? Makoto felt the blonde's shoulders lose their tension.

Byakuya took in a steady breath.

"..I'm sorry if I say I need you."