Divinity | MxM

Chapter 23

After finally finishing up in the bathroom and spending some more time thinking over the whole situation Raiden was just dragged through, he finally decides to head back to Seki.

It seems the male has paid the bill and is getting ready to leave, because the both of them already finished up their food. It's probably for the better, Raiden isn't sure he would be able to continue a casual conversation in a public restaurant after all this. 

They have been here for a few hours, so maybe it's time to call it a day and go home. 

As he starts approaching the other, Raiden suddenly feels a weird sensation emerge within him, his hands overly sweaty and his mind filled with images of Reina's eyes.

Something about them just don't sit right.

Maybe it's just Raiden who's losing his mind, but he can't help but haste his steps a bit so he's reunited with Seki as quickly as possible. He doesn't want to walk around alone, simply due to fear of people popping up around him randomly again. It has surely made him quick on his feet.

"You good to go?" Seki asks, looking up at Raiden once the male has appeared beside him.

"Yeah..." Raiden mumbles and shortly glances around. They left, right? Yeah... Why's he even thinking about that, though? There's no reason for him to be scared of them. They are just endears. 

Seki immediately notices Raiden's hesitant reaction, and he too can't help but look around in the direction of Raiden's eyes. There's a few humans and endears walking around and chatting as they are looking through the windows of the different stores. But nothing out of the ordinary.

"Raiden, are you alright?" Seki asks, frowning his eyebrows a little. And when Raiden doesn't seem to react, the supreme ends up putting a hand on the younger's shoulder to catch his attention.

This brings Raiden back to earth, and he flinches slightly before looking back at Seki, weirdly disorientated. Why is he so out of it? It was just some endears speaking with him, it's not like they were holding him at gun point or something.

"Sorry," he then smiles and scratches his neck awkwardly, "I was just lost in my thoughts for a second. I'm fine."

He feels that he saved that somewhat, and senses a rush of relief when Seki removes his hand from his shoulder and seemingly accepts the excuse. But Raiden doesn't miss the slight furrow between Seki's eyebrows that tells he isn't believing Raiden completely. Still, he doesn't question it, which the younger is grateful for. 

So, he decides to just keep quiet as they start making it towards the exit.

Maybe... Letting Seki in on what he just experienced would be a good idea? Any sane person would be gossiping about something like this right away, but for some reason, as Raiden is looking at Seki walking out the door, he holds himself back.

It doesn't matter.

Those people just wanted him to join their group in some half-hearted attempt to act nonchalant and cool towards a new endear. And the endear of Seki Masahiro even. It's not like they were hurting him, so telling Seki about it might be a bit dramatic.

So, they end up just sparking up a conversation about something else.

"Ehem... I really enjoyed myself today, Raiden. Thank you," Seki says, gently moving a strand of hair behind his ear. Since they have been in the mall for a quite some time, the sun has started to set and Raiden can't help but think they often find themselves outside at this time of day. And what really sticks with him is what the afternoon glow manages to do to Seki's looks.

It just gives him a vibe the younger can't really describe, but... it's mesmerizing. 

"I thought the arcade was a bit overboard, but I must admit... it was kind of fun," Raiden replies, his voice a little lower. He's not overly enthusiastic about admitting that he had a good time. Just a month or two back, he would have strangled himself for saying something like this. But right now... this is far from what he's feeling.