Stay With Me (Onodera x Takano)

Chapter 2

WARNING: Loads of fluff in this chapter!

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So I finally said it. On that one cool day in October.

Masamune and I were walking back to our apartments from the library. We were returning some books. I stopped walking and he noticed and turned around. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

I said "There's... something I need to tell you... But I don't want you to laugh at me."

"Why would I laugh?" He asked. I almost laughed at that.

I'll never forget how the air felt blowing against me, the colorful leaves scattered across the ground, and how fast my heart was pounding against my chest. But most of all, I will always remember those three little words and one name I said that evening.

"I love you Masamune"

Do you want to know how he reacted that time? He didn't laugh that time. He hugged me and whispered in my ear "I love you so much Ritsu. Thank you for finally saying it. I'm really happy... And I would never ever laugh at you for saying that."

I began to cry and I pulled out of the hug. "What's wrong?" He asked with concern in his voice. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I cried over and over again. "I'm sorry it took me so long! I just... I was scared."

"Scared about what?" He questioned.

"I was scared about what would happen after I confessed to you. Would we start dating and get into a fight and break up? I don't think I would be able to pull myself up again after that. If you get close to the person you love... then something happens... it hurts even worse than it would if you weren't that close in the first place. But I love you Masamune! I love you so much..."

He walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Ritsu" he began. "I love you and will continue to love you until the day I die and we will never be separated again. I promise."

I cried even harder. "I love you so much!" I cried into his jacket.

We walked home holding hands together and when we reached our floor, I stopped at his front door. "Is it... Okay if I sleep at your place tonight..." I asked, unsure if he would think it was annoying that I was around him so often.

But he didn't look angry. He looked surprised, and then his expression changed to a soft and happy one. "Of course you can." He said with a smile. But it wasn't one of those sarcastic smiles or the one he gives when he's trying to impress someone. It was a real, genuine smile and I knew he was really happy.

So I walked into his apartment and awkwardly stood in the kitchen after I took off my shoes and coat. He walked over to me and suggested we go to sleep since it was late. I agreed because I was so tired I could fall asleep standing up. Also because I would feel awkward being with him after what just happened.

"You can just set down your bag here." He said as he put his down on one of the chairs at the table. I set down my bag on another chair and then followed him to his room.

"You probably don't want to sleep in the clothes you worked in all day. You can just borrow some of mine." He said and opened his closet. He grabbed a shirt and walked over to his bed. Then proceeded to take off the shirt he was already wearing. "W-what are you doing?!" I stuttered. "Changing my clothes, what else?"

"Well don't do it in front of me!" I shouted.

"Quit down... Besides, you see my naked body anyway when we-"

"Stop it!" I interrupted and ran to the bathroom.

After I finished putting on a fresh shirt and pair of sweat pants I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. "Thee are kind of big on me." I said to myself then walked back to the bedroom. When I entered the room I saw Masmune siting on the bed with only a shirt and a pair of boxers on. "Aren't you going to finished getting dressed?" I said, blushing.

"What are you talking about? This is what I sleep in." I blushed madly. "W-whatever." I mumbled as I began to get under the covers. He turned off the light on his bedside table and laid down next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and smiled. "Goodnight my Ritsu. I love you." He said softly. "Goodnight... Masamune." I whispered quietly. But he still heard me. And he pulled me closer to him.

That night he held me so gently that I slept like I was on clouds. Even in my sleep I felt his long warm arms wrapped around me. And that night... I felt like I couldn't be any happier. I didn't regret confessing to him again.