Smoking cats - shinsero

A Question of Hearts

The silence between them was comfortable now, their breaths falling into the same steady rhythm. Shinsou lay nestled in Sero's arms, his head resting against the boy's chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall as Sero breathed. The world outside felt distant, like it didn't matter as much as the quiet space they had created between themselves.

Sero's fingers were still tracing light patterns on Shinsou's skin, his touch soft and grounding. It was a rhythm Shinsou could get used to, one that eased the weight of everything else.

"I could stay like this forever," Sero murmured, his voice low and relaxed, almost like he was talking to himself.

The other tilted his head slightly to look up at him, catching the serene expression on Sero's face. His heart gave a little flutter, a warmth spreading in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"I wouldn't mind that," Shinsou replied softly, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles.

Sero's hand stilled on his skin for a moment, like he was considering something. His gaze shifted down to meet Shinsou's, and there was a seriousness in his eyes now, something that made the boy's pulse quicken.

"Shin..." he began slowly, his voice a little hesitant, like he wasn't sure how to phase what he wanted to say.
"I've been thinking..."

The other blinked, waiting for him to continue, his heart beating a little faster now. The quiet that followed wasn't uncomfortable, but it was thick with something unspoken, something hovering between them.

Sero took a breath, his hand gently cupping Shinsou's cheek, his thumb brushing over his skin.
"Do you ever... I mean, do you think about us? Like... where this is going?"

Shinsou's brows furrowed slightly, his heart skipping a beat.
"What do you mean?"

The boy looked a little nervous now, but his eyes never left Shinsou's.
"I just... I don't want this to be some casual thing. I don't think I could handle it if it was. I care about you, Shinsou. A lot."

Shinsou's breath hitched at the sincerity in the boy's voice. His mind raced, trying to keep up with the conversation, but something about the way Sero was looking at him made his thoughts stumble.

"I care about you too," he admitted quietly, his voice softer than he intended. He had never been great with words, especially when it came to his feelings, but right now, it felt like the most natural thing to say.

The other smiled, a soft, relieved kind of smile, but he didn't let go of the intensity in his gaze.
"What I'm trying to say it... I want this. You and me. For real." He paused for a beat, swallowing nervously.

"Shinsou, do you want to... be my boyfriend?"

Shinsou's heart seemed to stop for a moment, the words hanging in the air between them. He hadn't expected the question, not here, not now, but as soon as it was out, he realized how much he wanted it too. How much he wanted this to be more than just a series of moments stolen in the quiet.

Sero watched him carefully, as if bracing himself for the other's response. His hand still rested on the boy's cheek, his thumb gently stroking his skin, grounding him, but there was an edge of vulnerability in his expression that Shinsou hadn't seen before.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he leaned in and kissed the other - soft, deliberate, and filled with everything he couldn't quite put into words. The kiss was his answer, his way of saying yes, without the clumsiness of language. When they finally pulled apart, Sero's eyes were wide, his breath a little unsteady.

"That's a yes," Shinsou murmured against his lips, his voice barely above a whisper.

The other let out a soft, relieved laugh, pulling him ever closer, his arms wrapping around him tightly.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Sero whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Shinsou rested his forehead against the other's, their breaths mingling in the small space between them.
"I think I do," he whispered back, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped up in each other, the weight of the question dissolving into something warm and steady. It felt ringt, like something they should have always been moving toward, and now that it was out in the open, it settled into place naturally.

Sero kissed him again, softer this time, more lingering. It wasn't rushed, wasn't urgent - just a kiss that spoke of promises, of something deeper that neither of them had dared to hope for before now.

When they pulled apart, Sero's hands were still holding onto him, like he couldn't quite believe this was real.
"So... boyfriend, huh?" He teased lightly, his voice tinged with the same warmth that filled Shinsou's chest.

He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile that spread across his face.
"Yeah, boyfriend."

The boy's grin widened, and he kissed him again, laughter bubbling between them. The lightness in that moment made everything else fade away - just for now, it was the two of them, and that was all they needed.

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