Love Is Love (BL Short Stories)

~Akira x Kiao~angst to fluff

Title: Rekindling the Flame

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the quiet town of Yamato. The streets, once bustling with the laughter of children, now felt empty and forlorn. Akira stood by the old oak tree in the park, the one where he and Kiao used to spend hours dreaming of the future. But that was before Kiao left for another country, before Akira's heart had hardened.

Akira had changed. The boy who once beamed with warmth had become reserved, his smile a rare sight. His friends had noticed, but they didn't know how to reach him. Only Kiao knew, and now, Kiao was back.

The first time Akira saw Kiao after years was on the day Kiao returned to Yamato. He was walking through the park, his familiar figure cutting through the twilight. Kiao's presence was like a beacon, piercing through Akira's emotional fog. He approached cautiously, his heart racing despite the icy wall he had built around himself.

"Kiao?" Akira's voice was tentative, unsure.

Kiao turned, his eyes lighting up with recognition and a hint of apprehension. "Akira. I didn't expect to see you here."

Akira's gaze softened, but he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "It's been a while."

"Yeah," Kiao said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "I missed this place. I missed you."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Akira's mind was a whirlwind of memories, each one a reminder of how much had changed. But despite his efforts to stay aloof, his heart ached with a longing he hadn't admitted even to himself.

Kiao took a tentative step closer. "I know things have changed. I know I hurt you by leaving. But I've come back to make things right. If you'll let me."

Akira's defenses started to crumble. The boy he had loved so deeply was back, and the cold exterior he had crafted was no match for the warmth Kiao still radiated.

"I've missed you too," Akira admitted quietly. "But things are different now."

"I know," Kiao said, his voice soft. "But we can figure things out. I want to try. I want to be with you, Akira."

The sincerity in Kiao's eyes was undeniable. Slowly, Akira's resolve began to thaw. He remembered the moments they had shared, the dreams they had woven together. Maybe, just maybe, they could rebuild what had been lost.

As they stood together under the old oak tree, Akira felt a familiar flutter in his chest, a feeling he had buried deep. Kiao reached out, his hand brushing against Akira's. The touch was electric, a reminder of their past connection and a promise of a hopeful future.

"Let's start over," Akira said softly, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know what the future holds, but I want to find out with you."

Kiao's face lit up with a relieved smile. "I'd like that. More than anything."

As the stars began to twinkle overhead, Akira and Kiao walked together, hand in hand, ready to rediscover each other and rekindle the flame that had never truly gone out.