Take a chance | mikey

18

"Yuri-chan," Takemichi said softly, "it's tough seeing him like this, isn't it?"

I nodded, my heart heavy. "Yeah, I wish he didn't feel like he has to be strong all the time."

Takemichi sighed, the weight of the night settling on his shoulders.

As we walked towards the entrance, he asked, "Did Hina and Emma-chan leave?"

"Yeah, it's pretty late," I replied, glancing back toward the hospital lobby.

"Yeah, you should head back as well," he suggested.

I hesitated for a moment, the thought of leaving without Mikey gnawing at me. "Uh, yeah, I'm actually sleeping over at Emma's. So I'll wait for Mikey,"

Takemichi nodded, gave me a small wave, and left. I stood there, trying to figure out what I'd say to Mikey when I saw him.

"Yuri? You didn't leave?" Mikey's voice came from behind me, sounding confused.

Crap. My mind scrambled for an excuse. "Uh... I got caught up chatting with everyone. You know how it is."

Mikey narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "Were you waiting for me?"

I crossed my arms, trying to act cool. "NO, Why would I wait for your dumbass?" I shot back, my voice a little too defensive.

"Oh, really?" he smirked, clearly not buying it.

I groaned, giving in. "Okay, fine. I waited for you, blockhead," I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

Mikey blinked, looking genuinely surprised. "Really? You were actually waiting for me?"

There was something almost boyish in his surprise, and it made my heart soften. I sighed, rolling my eyes to cover up how embarrassed I felt.

But then I caught the slight puffiness around his eyes. And without thinking like, truly, no rational thought whatsoever, I blurted out, "Do you... want to hug?"

He blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

I should've backpedaled. Should've found some way to save face and pretend I wasn't offering to wrap my arms around him like some lovesick idiot. But my brain wasn't cooperating.

Oh god, what was I doing? 

"I mean, like, you know," I said, waving my hand like a hug was the most obvious thing in the world, "A hug. Two arms. Wrapping. Comfort. That kind of thing."

He gave me the most incredulous look. "I KNOW WHAT A HUG IS-"

And I don't know what possessed me, but suddenly my arms were around him, pulling him into me.

For a split second, I regretted it. Because, of course, he went stiff, like he wasn't used to physical affection. Or maybe he wasn't used to getting affection from me. I had no idea what I was thinking. Hugging Mikey of all people?

But then, slowly, so slowly that I almost didn't notice, he softened against me. His arms came up around my back, hesitant at first, then stronger, like he was giving himself permission to fall apart.

For a second, we just stood there, and all I could think was OH.

Because hugging Mikey was not like hugging anyone else. He was warm and solid, and I could feel his breath slow and shaky against my neck. And for the first time since I'd met him, he wasn't teasing, or joking, or pretending to be fine. He was just there. Holding on like he needed it.

"You don't have to be strong all the time, you know," I whispered, my voice embarrassingly soft.

He didn't say anything, just held me a little tighter, like he was afraid that if he let go, everything might fall apart. His fingers clutched the back of my shirt, and I could feel the raw emotion in the way he clung to me, as if the weight of everything he had been carrying was finally too much.

And in that moment, I didn't care about sarcasm or pretending I wasn't ridiculously worried about him. I didn't care that my heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. All I cared about was Mikey.

We stood there for what felt like hours but was probably just a few minutes. His heart was beating against mine, and it was such a strange, intimate thing. Because Mikey wasn't supposed to be this soft.

When he finally pulled away, his eyes were a little red. But he smiled. A real smile. Not the cocky, teasing one he usually gave me, but something softer. Something grateful.

"Thanks Yuri," he said, voice rough like he hadn't spoken in hours.

I swallowed, suddenly all too aware of how close we still were. "Anytime, dumbass" I mumbled, because what else was I supposed to say after hugging Mikey of all people?

A/N: So, I've been rewriting the first few chapters since I wrote them like two years ago, and honestly, they just weren't it. Feel free to check out the updates if you're interested!