Love Me Harder // MatsuHana.

eighteen

The walk to Matsukawa's house was a blur. Neither of them said much after this kiss, but the silence between them wasn't awkward. It was charged with something unspoken- an anticipation that hung in the air like static. Every glance they exchanged felt heavier, every accidental brush of their hands sending a ripple of heat up Hanamaki's spine.

When they finally reached Matsukawa's place, Hanamaki wasn't surprised when Matsukawa invited him inside. His heart raced as they stepped through the front door, his senses heightened by the subtle thrum of tension that lingered between them. Matsukawa's house was quiet, the kind of stillness that made Hanamaki hyper-aware of every movement, every sound.

Matsukawa tossed his bag onto the floor by the doo, turning back to Hanamaki with that easygoing grin that never failed to make Hanamaki's pulse quicken. "You want something to drink?" he asked, heading toward the kitchen.

Hanamaki hesitated, feeling like he should say something-anything to diffuse the growing tension-but his throat was dry and all he could manage was a quick, "Uh, yeah. Sure."

Matsukawa disappeared into the kitchen, and Hanamaki stood there for a moment, running a hand through his hair as he tried to calm his racing heart. He hadn't meant for things to go this far. The kiss had caught him off guard, and now... now they were here, alone, and the atmosphere between them was thick with something neither of them could ignore.

When Matsukawa returned, handing Hanamaki a drink, their eyes met again, and it was like they didn't need to say anything. The teasing, the banter-it all fell away, replaced by something more intense. Hanamaki took a sip of his drink, barely tasting it, his gaze locked on Matsukawa's.

"So," Matsukawa said after a moment, leaning against the counter. His voice was low, almost casual, but Hanamaki could hear the underlying tension. "You're really bad at hiding your nerves, Makki."

Hanamaki huffed, setting his drink down. "I'm not nervous."

Matsukawa raised an eyebrow, the smirk tugging at his lips again. "Oh? Is that why you're standing there like you're about to bolt?"

"I'm not-" Hanamaki stopped himself, realizing how defensive he sounded. He forced himself to relax, crossing his arms as he shot Matsukawa a half-hearted glare. "You're imagining things. Again."

"Am i?"

The look in Matsukawa's eyes was different now-more focused, more intent. He pushed of the counter, taking a slow step toward Hanamaki, and suddenly the air between them felt even heavier. Hanamaki's heart pounded in his chest, his breath catching as Matsukawa closed the distance between them.

"Makki," Matsukawa murmured, his voice dropping to that low, lazy tone that always made Hanamaki's stomach flip. He stopped just in front of him, close enough that Hanamaki could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Tell me to stop."

Hanamaki swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. He couldn't tell him to stop. He didn't want to.

Instead, Hanamaki tilted his head up, his gaze meeting Matsukawa's as a slow, nervous grin tugged at his lips. "You won't."

Matsukawa's eyes darkened, a flash of something intense passing between them, and before Hanamaki could react, Matsukawa's hands were on him, pulling him in for another kiss. This time, there was nothing hesitant about it. It was hungry, desperate-like all the tension between them had finally boiled over, and neither of them could hold back anymore.

Hanamaki's hands found their way to Matsukawa's shoulders, gripping his shirt as he kissed him back, hard and fast. It was messy, the kind of kiss that left them both breathless, but neither of them cared. Matsukawa's hands slid down to Hanamaki's waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were pressed together, and Hanamaki could feel every inch of him.

They stumbled back, barely managing to navigate through the hallway until they reached Matsukawa's room. Hanamaki's back hit the wall first, and Matsukawa's lips moved from his mouth to his neck, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. Hanamaki's breath hitched, his fingers tangling in Matsukawa's hair as he tried to keep up with the onslaught of sensations.

"Matsun," Hanamaki breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Matsukawa hummed against his skin, the vibration sending shivers down Hanamaki's spine. "What?"

"Shut up," Hanamaki muttered, pulling him in for another kiss.

They stumbled onto the bed, limbs tangled as they started what they'd started in the alley. There was no hesitation anymore-just raw, unfiltered want. Matsukawa's touch was firm but gentle, his hands exploring every inch of Hanamaki's body like he'd been waiting to do this forever.

And maybe he had been. Maybe they both had.

Hanamaki didn't know how long they stayed like that, lost in each other, but by the time they finally slowed down, both of them were breathless, their bodies pressed together in a way that felt natural, like they'd done this a thousand times before. Matsukawa's head rested on Hanamaki's chest, his breathing heavy but steady as they lay there, the tension between them finally easing into something more comfortable.

For a long moment, neither of them said anything. The room was quiet, save for the sound of their breathing, and Hanamaki found himself absentmindedly running his fingers through Matsukawa's hair, his heart still pounding in his chest.

"I wasn't nervous," Hanamaki said after a while, his voice soft but teasing.

Matsukawa let out a tired laugh, lifting his head to meet Hanamaki's gaze. "Sure, Makki. Whatever you say."