Dangerous Lines | Yuzuru Hanyu

18. Temptation

Temptation is always difficult to fight, especially when it comes in the form of Yuzuru.

It was so easy to relinquish those kisses, his gentle touch, the way his eyes looked at her with an adoration she had never experienced...

Nothing of what Yuzuru was with her seemed familiar. He was so different from her husband that it was difficult to even understand the full depth of what she was feeling.

Accepting his suggestion was way too easy but then again, even if he thought he did, Yuzuru couldn't even begin to understand what he was getting himself into.

He hadn't seen the violence that she did, he couldn't understand what happened to men who slept with married women in the Yakuza.

Nothing of his beautiful and innocent self could compare to the experience she had in that world.

It was with reluctance that she placed some distance between them, one hand on his chest lingering and attempting to control her own body.

"It's not you... God, Yuzu, I wish I could."

She saw him gulp and nod, moving slowly to peck her cheek and not saying any other word as he held her close.

"No matter your decision, I will always be here for you."

Yaeko had no doubts that he was telling the truth. Maybe it was a bit naive but she felt like she knew him well, even if their connection was only a few months old.

"I wish we had met in another life, one that wasn't so messed up for me and that would allow things to be easier..."

"Shh."

Shushing her was probably a bad choice but nothing seemed to prevent him from kissing her again after that.
It didn't seem to matter how many times they told themselves to stop.

Now that they knew how it felt, it all felt impossible to control. The temptation was ever too present.

"Yuzu..."

"You're beautiful"

The words brought crimson red to her face right away, goosebumps filling her skin. How could he say something so simple and manage a reaction so intense?

"Stop it." She begged.

"Promise me you will always tell me things. I know I can't stop whatever happens inside your home but I still want to know."

"What good does it do?"

"It means that I can listen, it means that I can give you the support you never had. Tell me... Was there ever anyone there for you after you married? Have you ever had a decent friend after entering the Yakuza?"

Yuzuru barely knew the full story. He didn't know the true ins and outs of her marriage and yet, none of that seemed to matter.

He knew she needed a friend and was casually placing himself as the right person for the job, no matter how stupid such a thing could quickly become.
Because Yuzu was hardly just a friend and both of them knew it well.

"I don't believe friends kiss each other."

"Friends with benefits are still friends."

Yaeko eyed him carefully. She always felt puzzled by this man.
Suddenly, it felt like the ease that she had reading his thoughts was gone and she was almost instantly confused about what he really wanted.

"If my husband even suspects anything... Yuzu... You have no idea what he would do if he even dreams about us."

"You just said it yourself... We're friends"

Rolling her eyes was inevitable but at the same time, his casualness was something she could never get used to. Yuzuru was crazier than she ever gave him credit for.

"You..."

"Let's just go back before Nakayama-san comes here."

Yuzu changed subjects so easily that she barely noticed until he carefully placed her scarf around her neck again. The consideration for her was ever so present, no matter the circumstance.

It was hand in hand that they walked into the coffee shop again and sat in their usual seats as if nothing had happened.

For a few seconds, as he easily resumed conversation on a random topic, Yaeko could almost forget what had happened outside. She could almost forget his touch and more importantly, his lips.

Yet, just looking at him brought memories of how it felt. Yae felt electrified as she imagined that kiss over and over again.

One thing was certain, the skater had just fueled more and more of her imagination and it would most likely be more connected to their reality now.

Now she knew how it felt and it seemed impossible to ignore how much it messed with her body and mind.

After being exposed to shitty men for so long, this was certainly a change.

Nothing of the way she felt about Yuzu was normal and none of it felt as it did with her husband. It was both dangerous and exciting all at the same time.

The worst was that he knew.

Yuzuru wasn't the innocent flower she deemed him to be. He knew exactly what was on her mind when she spaced out in the middle of his babbling.

"Yae..."

"Hum..."

"You got to stop thinking about it"

"You can't possibly know..."

"The way you bite your lip every now and then is way too distracting to me. Don't ask me to ignore it."

"I..."

"Save those thoughts for when you're alone, when you're lonely and in need of something positive."

How did he know her life so well when he didn't live it? Hell, he didn't, he was just able to read her so well that it felt like he was a tiny fly who could listen in on conversations and know exactly how it was for her.

"How do you always know?"

"I just pay attention, kitten."