Grading Chemistry (GenMui)

Humble Home

The sun had long dipped beneath the horizon by the time Muichiro and Genya had settled in for the evening. The living room was bathed in the soft light from a single lamp beside the couch.

Muichiro had wasted no time getting comfortable in Genya's house. He had immediately changed into Genya's oversized white t-shirt and the red plaid pants that practically swallowed his frame. The baggy clothes hung off his petite body, the soft fabric maintaining his boyish look. He had tried to act nonchalant about it, but his mind couldn't stop thinking about how the soft cotton of the shirt brushed against his skin in ways that made him aware of the warmth of Genya's presence—his shirt.

Meanwhile, Genya had opted for a more fitting attire, wearing a gray tank that outlined the muscular definition of his chest and shoulders. Paired with loose sweatpants, he looked as relaxed as Muichiro, though that hardly meant his mind was at ease.

Genya had a plan for tonight—he wasn't about to back down. And yet, the closer they sat together, the harder it became to stick to his resolution. He'd catch glimpses of Muichiro's innocent expression, his soft, feigned disinterest in the world around him, and for some reason, it made the fluttering in Genya's chest feel more like a storm.

Each time Muichiro's eyes strayed to Genya, his body would feel a tiny shock—his heart would beat faster, his breath a little shorter—but he'd quickly try to calm himself, forcing his eyes back to the screen, pretending to focus on the horror movie that had long since started. The film wasn't even that scary, but Muichiro could hardly focus on it. Instead, all he could think about was Genya sitting next to him, so close, so warm, with the faint smell of his cologne lingering in the air.

Genya's hands would brush against Muichiro's ever so slightly as they adjusted their positions, and each time, Genya would try not to flinch or pull away. He couldn't focus on the movie, either. He kept replaying the words in his head, running through the speech he'd prepared in his mind over and over again. But each time he imagined it, the nerves set in, the vulnerability rising. He couldn't even look Muichiro in the eye without turning crimson, imagining the quiet but inevitable shift that would follow once he confessed.

"Muichiro..." Genya muttered softly, half-laughing at himself as he cleared his throat, a nervous edge creeping into his voice.

Muichiro immediately turned toward him, his abnormally floating hairs on either side of his head twitching slightly like a cat's ears responding to a distant sound. His usual stoic expression softened slightly as he looked at Genya, waiting for him to continue. "Yeah?"

Genya opened his mouth, then hesitated, unsure whether his thoughts would come out as they were meant to. But there was no more stalling—he couldn't keep doing this. He swallowed, glancing at Muichiro briefly before gathering his courage.

"I..." Genya began, his voice quiet but firm. He didn't look away this time, letting his words carry the weight of everything he'd been holding back. "I've been thinking a lot, and I don't want to just pretend like it's nothing anymore." His hands fidgeted for a second before he steadied them. "I want to tell you that... I've always felt this way."

Muichiro was always aware. His gaze didn't falter as he met Genya's. "What way?" His voice was gentle, the edges of his words still holding onto that calmness he always carried as he recalled their potential kiss.

Genya's heart hammered in his chest. This was it. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to look into Muichiro's eyes with as much certainty as he could muster.

"Like... this," he said, leaning just a little closer, his voice turning hushed as his lips parted to reveal what he had wanted to say for so long. "I've always cared about you. More than just... as a colleague or a friend. I can't seem to shake it, no matter how much I try." His words slipped out in a rush, and the suddenness of his confession made his own breath catch.

Muichiro's eyes widened just slightly. He was quiet for a long beat, his expression unreadable for a moment. But then, something shifted in his gaze—a gentle understanding.

"You've always been this way, huh?" He whispered, his voice distant but tender. "I thought I was the only one feeling it."

The realization hit Genya like a wave. His chest tightened, but it wasn't from anxiety—it was from something else, something deeper. Something he'd wanted for so long, even though he never quite knew how to ask for it.

Muichiro leaned forward slightly, a small, almost nervous smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His heart raced, each beat resonating through his chest. "You're really serious, aren't you?"

"I wouldn't joke about this," Genya replied, his voice low but unwavering. He placed a hand gently on Muichiro's cheek, cupping it with a tenderness that seemed to make the room feel infinitely warmer. He let his thumb trace along the soft skin, the touch light but lingering. "You're the one I've always wanted, Muichiro."

Muichiro felt a shiver run through him, his body responding to the touch like a magnet. His heart fluttered, his pulse quickening, and without thinking, he reached up to gently hold onto Genya's wrist. His fingers curled around the warmth of his skin, and for a moment, they just stood there, breathing in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"Genya..." Muichiro whispered, his voice catching slightly as his eyes locked with the taller ones. "I... I want this, too. I've wanted this."

With that, the air between them seemed to close, the space filled with nothing but their shared breaths. Genya moved slightly closer, his lips trembling with the unspoken need between them, and without another word, he leaned forward, his eyes fluttering closed as he pressed his lips softly against Muichiro's.

The kiss was slow, tender, as if neither of them wanted to rush through this moment they had both been waiting for.

Muichiro responded immediately, his body naturally moving closer, his hands gently pulling Genya in. It was as if everything else—the movie, the world outside, the weight of their unspoken feelings—disappeared in the warmth of that kiss. Their bodies synced together in a way that felt completely right, each breath and movement flowing with perfect harmony.

Genya pulled back just enough to look into Muichiro's eyes, his hand still cupping his cheek. His voice was barely a whisper. "I never thought it could feel this easy."

Muichiro smiled softly, his expression relaxed but full of contentment. "It's always been easy, Genya. We just had to stop pretending."

Genya chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss him once more, this time with more certainty, more fire. And for the first time, they both knew that everything had shifted, not just between them, but in the world around them. In that moment, there was nothing but the two of them, wrapped in the quiet warmth of their shared affection.