𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓 ➛ ryusae

chpt 22 ➛ sae

After the incredible evening Shidou had orchestrated, they stayed at the mountaintop far longer than either of them intended. The city lights below flickered like a galaxy mirrored on earth, and the cool night air wrapped around them as they lounged on the rock, indulging in each other's company. The conversation ebbed and flowed naturally, shifting between teasing banter, deeper reflections, and moments of comfortable silence.

The crisp night air had grown heavier, wrapping around them as stars began to scatter across the dark sky. Sae glanced at his phone, his sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of the screen. "It's late," he noted, voice calm and measured as always, but the subtle curve of his lips betrayed his mood.

Shidou stretched his arms above his head, the motion casual, but his grin wide and unbothered. "What can I say? I'm just that good that you lost track of time?"

Sae didn't dignify that with a response, merely shooting Shidou a glance that spoke volumes before brushing off his jeans and standing. "We should head back," he said simply, already turning toward the trail that would lead them back to the city.

___

The descent down the winding path was unhurried, the silence between them comfortable, broken only by the occasional sound of leaves crunching underfoot. Despite Sae's usual stoicism, there was an undeniable shift in the air, a lingering warmth from the evening's events that neither seemed willing to disturb with unnecessary words.

When they reached the curb, the cab was already waiting for them. The ride back was markedly different from the earlier journey; the vibrant, charged energy that typically defined Shidou had softened. He leaned ever so slightly against Sae's shoulder, his eyelids heavy but his grin still present. Sae didn't shrug him off this time, though he kept his gaze fixed on the passing city lights, as if pretending not to notice.

By the time they made it back to the dorms, it was well past midnight. Sae pushed the door open, stepping into the softly lit common area, only to find it already occupied. Rin was sprawled across the couch, looking far too comfortable with Isagi leaning into his side, as Bachira and Chigiri were sat on the floor across from them, apparently mid-conversation, though they all paused as the door clicked shut behind Sae and Shidou.

"Finally!" Bachira exclaimed, his grin wide and mischievous. "We were starting to think you'd got kidnapped or something."

"Yeah," Chigiri chimed in, his tone teasing. "So, how'd it go?"

Shidou was the first to reply, his grin matching Bachira's energy. "Oh, it was perfect," he said, slinging an arm around Sae's shoulders and pulling him closer. "I mean, just look at him—he's glowing, isn't he?"

Sae sighed, slipping out from under Shidou's arm with practiced ease. "It went fine," he said smoothly, ignoring the way Shidou leaned in close, his lips brushing against Sae's ear.

"Fine?" Shidou whispered, his voice low and suggestive, meant only for Sae. "Come on, baby, tell them how good it really was. Tell them about how you couldn't stop staring at me alllll night."

Sae stiffened, his expression carefully composed, though the tips of his ears betrayed a faint redness. He cleared his throat, turning his attention back to the group. "It was... relaxing," he said, keeping his tone neutral even as Shidou's hand grazed the small of his back from under his sweater, his touch sending shivers up Sae's spine

Rin raised a brow, clearly skeptical. "Relaxing? With him?" He shot Shidou a pointed look.

Shidou laughed, leaning in closer to Sae, his lips ghosting against his skin as he whispered again, this time more daringly. "Relaxing, huh? That's what you're going with? Should I remind you when—"