Of Love and Death.

The Present Chapter 17: The Fight of Our Lives Pt. 3

Shu gripped Valt's hand as the doors opened. The smoke obscured them, hiding them from what they were about to face. Hiding the world from them. One more moment. One more moment, before it would all go to crap. What did he want to say? Did Shu want to say anything? Did he need to say anything?

Turning, the red-eyed blader took in Valt. Time froze as he gazed at his boyfriend. With dark eyes that stuck out against his hair. It was pushed back into spikes, and gleamed oceanic in the dim light. Shu did mean gleamed. The smoke and the spotlights made Valt twinkle. Little rainbows of every shade of blue made up every strand of the number one blader's hair.

In Shu's hand, Valt's gloves felt smooth. The other blader really needed a new pair. These ones had seen many, many years of battles. The well-worn fabric was comforting. Not just because it meant that they both knew what they were doing, that they were both experts. But because it was Valt. The gloves felt like Valt. Because of course Valt wouldn't replace his gloves until they were fully worn through. Even then, he probably wouldn't even notice. It was cute.

Slowly, almost moving without time, Shu reached out his free hand. He brushed one strand of blue rainbows back into place. Curling it back around Valt's soft ear. Shu could see as his boyfriend turned to look at him. The brown-eyed smiled softly as his gaze moved. Just the faintest touch of red graced his cheeks.

Leaning down slightly, Shu felt himself blush. He wanted to pretend it was beautiful and dignified like Valt, but he knew he looked like the flame that he was. But he ignored it, and lined his lips up with the shadow's ear. Maybe it was corny, but he knew what he wanted to say.

What he wanted to say. What Shu always wanted to say, every moment of every day. When he'd been a little kid, who had just realized his feelings . He'd wanted to shout it out right at that moment. Only the fact that so many others were there had kept him at bay. Even then, the blader had wanted to say this quietly, just to Valt.

But then it had become exhaustingly apparent that Valt had no sense in his head. And was not at all at the point where he'd date anyone. He probably wouldn't even pick up on what Shu was saying.

And then came Red Eye. Where Shu's had turned into what could only be described as a "self-destructive train wreck because he lost a battle". And then it became a habit. Staying silent and casting found smiles at Valt. Every moment where the other blader so much as rested a hand on Shu's shoulder was a miracle. One that sent smiles, that was the only word for it, up and down his spine.

Even if the sun had said it a million times before. In a million other lives. In a million different languages, a million different ways. He still meant it. And right now, he wasn't exactly Fire. He was just Shu Kurenai. Who finally got to tell Valt the truth. So, the white-haired blader leaned in with a smile. Because he want-needed to get this out. Because this could be the last moment he ever got the chance.

"Valt, I love you," there was no wavering in Shu's voice. No wondering, or insecurity. Just four words, and every single ounce of meaning he could cram into them. Every little detail and inflection and note. Even if Valt had said it before. Casually with sandwiches. Or with peanut butter or a million other times. This was the first time Shu'd been able to fully get the words out. To not stop himself halfway.

And it was beautiful.

It was Valt who moved. Valt who took his own free hand and cupped Shu's cheek. Who moved them together just slightly. So that their lips were brushing over each other like feathers. For just this moment, they stood together. Wrapped up and twisted around. I've said it before. But I love you too, Valt declared, strongly in Shu's mind.

Then the moment was over. Shu and Valt stepped back. The smoke cleared. The former reached out with his gloved hand, and placed it on his boyfriend's shoulder. The red fabric of the shadow's hoodie pooled around his fingers. And, from the look on Valt's face, Shu knew that he'd sent smiles up the blue-haired boy's spine.