involuntarily silent

panic

He couldn't breathe. The hushed whispers were enough, but the rumors and the gossips were worse. No! Shino screams mentally, practically trembling in every limb. Panicked, his gaze darts around, searching for Haru. Unable to spot the boy, Shino sprints into an empty classroom, tears flooding his eyes.

"Shino?" Haru peeks into the classroom, freezing when he sees the fragile boy silently sobbing. He frowns as he walks over, gently wrapping his arms around Shino. "Shh, it's okay," he whispers, pressing his forehead to the boy's head, "I've got you." Haru soothingly rubs Shino's back, hoping to calm the boy.

It seems as if it was working, because now Shino's breaths are calm and even. The mute boy is now leaning towards Haru's touch, turning around only to wrap his arms around the taller male. Haru takes hold of Shino's chin with two fingers, lifting it up so that the two are looking each other in the eye. "I don't care that that horrid man broke you, Shino. I'll fix you. If I can't, then I'll be fine with keeping you safe and making sure you know that you're loved," Haru says.

Shino feels his face grow warm as he stares at Haru with wide eyes. Does he really mean that he loves me? He asks himself, before placing his lips to Haru's cheek. Even if Haru ends up lying about loving him, he'd make the best of these sweet moments while they lasted. Because, ever since he'd met Haru, he'd found himself attracted to the other boy.

Did Haru feel the same? Hopefully, because the thought of the chance that the feeling isn't mutual makes him almost cry, which startles Haru. "You're crying again. Why are you crying?" The male asks, brows furrowed. Shino just shakes his head and smiles, pressing his face to Haru's neck. "Fine, don't tell me then. If you really did like me, you'd t-" He's cut off as Shino suddenly kisses him, but he doesn't protest. He returns the gesture eagerly, hands moving down to the boy's hips.

"Okay, break it up you two. The dismissal bell is about to ring," They hear a teacher say, causing them to jump and shift sway from each other awkwardly.

"Wanna come home with me? Since your aunt is friends with my dad," Haru grins sheepishly, his hand taking hold of Shino's. Shino, as expected, nods as he blinks down at their hands. He then laces their fingers together, happily dragging Haru out the room. I need to grab my stuff from my locker. Shino mouthes to Haru, squeezing the taller boy's hand gently.

It takes Haru a few moments to comprehend the moving of Shino's lips, but he nods when he does and grins, following the mute to the locker. As Shino twists the lock left and right to enter his combination, Haru drags his lip up the side of his ear, praying that no teacher was watching. A small chuckle slips through his lips as Shino jumps, ear tips growing warm and turning to a rosy color.

After a scolding from Shino - in sign language and hand gestures, of course - they walk out to the car and head to Haru's house, fingers laced together.