𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓 ➛ ryusae

chpt 9 - shidou

Was he dreaming?

The only dream here were Sae's lips, soft and warm against Shidou's own. In that moment, he felt weightless, as if he could fly.

Sae's kiss left him speechless, grounding him and setting him adrift all at once—a surge of every emotion he didn't even know he could feel. He took a moment to steady himself, trying to catch his breath and gather his thoughts, not wanting to blurt out anything he hadn't meant to say.

Finally, a familiar smirk tugged at Shidou's lips as his composure returned. The spark in his eyes danced with something unspoken, his usual playful confidence mixing with something softer, a vulnerability he rarely let anyone see.

"Well, well... didn't know you'd finally come around," he murmured, letting his hand settle on the back of Sae's neck, thumb brushing gently along his skin.

Sae rolled his eyes, though a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. Shidou's smirk softened, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"Yeah... didn't think I would either," Sae scoffed, pulling back just slightly. But Shidou's arm slid around his waist, keeping him close, grounding him there. He leaned in, voice dropping to a low murmur near Sae's ear.

"Am I that irresistible?"

He felt Sae tense, just for a second, the faintest hitch in his breath giving him away. But Sae shoved him back, expression unimpressed.

"Gross," he muttered, turning away without another glance.

Shidou just shrugged, grin widening. "Wasn't exactly a no."

Sae turned his head, not objecting Shidou's comment. "So, are you going to let me assist you or are we going to call it a night?"

Shidou's eyes widened, and Sae didn't need to tell him twice.

"Oh yes sir."

__

And just like old times, they spent hours kicking the ball back and forth, the familiar rhythm grounding them both. This pitch had been their place from the start—the spot where they'd had their first real conversation, not counting that half-coherent talk after Sae's night at Bachira's party. This was the field where they'd pushed each other past limits, where hours melted into nights as they opened up in ways neither of them had with anyone else. It was here that Sae had first allowed himself to be vulnerable, finding a comfort he'd never expected, trusting Shidou with parts of himself he'd long kept hidden.

This field felt like home—steady, familiar, and, with Shidou beside him, somehow safe.

Sae passed the ball to Shidou one last time, watching as Shidou wound up and struck it with his signature intensity. The ball soared into the net, and Shidou erupted with a shout of triumph, spinning around to find Sae, eyes shining, silently asking if he'd seen.

The answer was always the same: yes. Sae had seen it all. In fact, his gaze hadn't left Shidou once.

Every kick, every wild grin, every reckless burst of energy that Shidou brought to the field—Sae took it all in, his quiet admiration steady, unspoken, and constant. 

They found themselves lying on the grass, both staring right up at the night sky, the moonlight shining back down on them.

"I'm exhausted." Shidou sighed, crossing his arms on his chest. Sae raised an eyebrow.

"That's new." He muttered, and Shidou shifted beside him, inching himself closer.

"It's been a long few days."

Sae's eyes lit up, and he suddenly remembered how he had ignored Shidou for almost a week. The guilt shot through him like a bullet, and he turned to face him.