"It's a Love-Hate Relationship" (modern AU Heizou x male reader)

Chapter 21: Prom with Ink... and?

help I've had two people comment saying they like this story but I feel like it's so bad... I'm not gonna stop writing it tho, I'm just a bit writer's blocked but I'll push through it (on another note I genuinely hate prom.)

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Ink rested his face on the table he was sitting at with Hu Tao and Furina, letting out a quiet groan. "I've only been here for half an hour and I already feel like shit... Why, sugar, why? You're so delicious, but so horrible... Why do they only have soda here?! I just want water!"

"That's why I brought my own drink. But I thought you were supposed to be Heizou's prom date. Where is he?" Hu Tao asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"I dunno, he doesn't like me or something..." Ink folded his arms over his head. "He looked all sad and he went to hang out with his friends instead of me. I'm the worst prom date... I'm so... annoying. I just stuffed my face with cookies instead of... ugh... hanging out with him. What's wrong with me..?"

Furina sighed, patting Ink's back. "Of course he likes you, have you seen how he acts around you? If I were you, I wouldn't worry." They snatched Hu Tao's bottle of tea from her and handed it to Ink. "Here, drink some of this. It'll make you feel better."

Ink took a long sip of the drink, then handed it back to Hu Tao. "Ugh... yeah, I guess you're right. But even if he doesn't like me anymore, that's fine, I guess. I mean, it's not like I like him, right?"

Furina and Hu Tao exchanged a look, obviously skeptical of that being true. "Yeah, right."

"Ink!" The sound of Heizou's voice made him turn around. Not a moment later, Ink's hands were held in Heizou's as he looked at him almost reverently. "I'm sorry, I should've stayed with you. I want to stay with you. You mean a lot to me, and..." he paused, glancing at the other two at the table. "...do you want to go outside?"

Ink's wide eyes looked from Heizou to Hu Tao, then from Hu Tao to Furina. They both gave him mischievous smiles, and Furina gestured for him to go. "Um... yeah, ok." In an instant, Ink was pulled out of his chair and led by the hand out of the prom venue.

"Heizou, where are we going? You know that once we leave, we can't go back in, right?"

"Oh, I'm aware! Don't worry about that, though. I'm gonna fix this." Heizou led him around to the side of the building then turned to face him, taking both of Ink's hands in his. "I'm realizing now that... I never should have asked you to prom. That was a mistake. I should have just taken you on a date... one where you agree to it as a date, instead of just a hangout or some investigation."

"I'd be alright with that, but... you are aware that it's nine o'clock at night, right? A lot of places are gonna be closed."

"Not the ones that matter! I'm surprised you don't realize by now that a good detective such as myself is always prepared. Right now, all I want to do is buy you ice cream, or anything else you might want from somewhere open, and sit under the big, twisty tree in the park. Just you and me, and the stars." As Heizou explained his plan so excitedly, Ink couldn't help but think he looked kind of cute...

"Oh, alright... but no ice cream right now. I might explode if I have any more sugar. And that tree... you mean that stupid makeout tree? What are you planning?" Ink asked skeptically.

Heizou's eyebrows raised slightly at the words makeout tree. "I'm not planning anything! It's just a really nice spot. Trust me, you'll see how beautiful it is there, and you'll understand why I want to show it to you."

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"I have to admit, the view of the sky here is gorgeous..." Ink murmured as he stared up at the glittering stars, his hands absentmindedly playing with the grass he lay on.

"Yeah," Heizou replied, although he wasn't looking at the sky at all. He was gazing directly at Ink, eyes full of fondness. "Gorgeous."

Ink glanced at him, only to roll his eyes and elbow him in the side. "Stop being so cheesy, dumbass."

"I can't help it! You're adorable." Heizou elbowed him back. "Can you really blame me? Who'd wanna look at the stars when someone so... so dreamy is right here?"

Ink sat up. "Whatever, you're so lame."

Heizou sat up as well, giving Ink a soft smile. "Only for you." He inched his hand towards Ink's, their fingers gently brushing together. Ink felt his heart jump in his chest, and he fought the urge to pull his hand back in favor of the want to be closer. Heizou's fingers intertwined with his, and Ink internally scolded himself for being as flustered as he was. It wasn't like this was their first time holding hands.

"Are you ok? You're really tense." Heizou's smooth voice pulled Ink out of his thoughts.

"Uh, yeah."

"Do you want me to let go?"

"...no." Slowly, Ink leaned his head against Heizou's shoulder. It felt right, but also very wrong. What was wrong with him? A frown came to Ink's face as Heizou's hand withdrew from his, but it quickly went away when he felt that same hand rest on his hip and pull him a little closer.

"Ink," Heizou began, grasping his chin with his free hand and tilting his face towards him. The two stared at each other for a moment, the red-haired boy never finishing his thought. Ink felt his face heat up when Heizou's eyes briefly flickered to his lips, causing him to press them together.

Heizou seemed to notice that slight discomfort and withdrew his hand from Ink's chin. Ink felt his heart lurch as he saw the hint of guilt on Heizou's face. He didn't want him to think he was doing something wrong...

Without thinking, Ink placed his hand on the side of Heizou's face and leaned even closer, closer, until-

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