50 Days With You

II

The next few days were rather awkward for Imayoshi and Mayuzumi;

both not knowing how to talk just like the usual after finding out that one of them was going to die.

But Imayoshi noticed that his usually quiet lover had been more silent than ever. To the point where sometimes Imayoshi really didn't know what else to talk about to lighten up the atmosphere.

Just like this afternoon.

They didn't exchange a single word as they ate lunch together in their apartment. Mayuzumi stared at his food the whole time, or sometimes glancing at the window to see the trees outside.

"What are you gonna do after this?" Imayoshi asked.

Mayuzumi only responded with a shrug and a shake of his head.

Then followed by another silence.

The black haired male stared at the other for a few moments, hoping that maybe Mayuzumi would say something back to him but to no avail.

Imayoshi could only sigh as he finished his food and let Mayuzumi do the dishes.

This wasn't how he pictured how his life was going to end; being ignored by the person he loved most.

He was hoping that Mayuzumi would change a little bit, maybe try to be a little more affectionate with him? Or smile a little more. Or laugh a little more.

Imayoshi would really love to see that while he still could.

With a small sigh, the black haired male got up from his seat and made his way over to his lover who was busy washing the dishes, pulling Mayuzumi into an embrace from behind.

It didn't surprise Mayuzumi the slightest.

It had been Imayoshi's habit since the very start to hug him when he washed the dishes and watched him.

And Mayuzumi knew well that this would be one of the many things he would terribly miss. Because even though he didn't react at all, it didn't mean Mayuzumi didn't enjoy it.

He actually liked it.

When Imayoshi began to nuzzle his neck, Mayuzumi had to stop for a second to glance at Imayoshi.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just want to hear your voice while I still can," Imayoshi answered and kissed Mayuzumi's shoulder.

"Hm.."

"Should I stop talking?"

Mayuzumi shook his head.

"But there's no use in talking if you don't respond, you know,"

The grey haired male let out a small sigh as he put the last plate on the dish rack.

Imayoshi blinked when Mayuzumi turned around and hugged him tight and remained still for a few seconds before kissing Mayuzumi's head, pulling him into a tighter embrace.

Mayuzumi closed his eyes and buried his face to the crook of Imayoshi's neck, inhaling the familiar scent.

How would he live without Imayoshi's warmth?

He was so used to it that he forgot how his life was before Imayoshi came.

"Shouichi," Mayuzumi sighed after being silent for a moment.

And it successfully made Imayoshi's heart jump. It was the first time Mayuzumi called him by his first name, and Imayoshi couldn't help but smile.

"Finally," Imayoshi chuckled and kissed Mayuzumi's head. "I thought I'd never hear you say my name~"

Mayuzumi stayed silent as he let Imayoshi stroke his hair, letting out another sigh.

He really didn't know what else to say.

But he knew for sure that he began to regret one thing.

He wished he had started calling Imayoshi by his first name sooner.

He didn't have much chance left now.

Later that night, after the two tucked themselves to bed, Imayoshi turned to face Mayuzumi and hugged him, just like he usually did.

Mayuzumi scooted closer to Imayoshi and nuzzled his neck, feeling comfortable in his lover's embrace.

He would really miss moments like this.

"Chihiro," Imayoshi called softly as he ran his hair through Mayuzumi's grey locks.

Mayuzumi looked up and hummed in question, only to see Imayoshi smiling and shaking his head.

"Nothing, I just love calling your name~"

The grey haired male couldn't help but smile a little, "Dork," he mumbled and caressed Imayoshi's cheek softly.

The smile didn't last long.

Mayuzumi couldn't help but remember that in twenty-seven days, he wouldn't be able to do this again.

He wouldn't get to look at Imayoshi's face before they went to sleep.

"Hey," Imayoshi called and kissed Mayuzumi's lips briefly, making the other male snap out of his thoughts.

"What?"

"I love you, Chihiro."

Upon hearing those words, Mayuzumi suddenly felt like there was a lump in his throat, preventing him from saying a single word.

But he had to say it. He didn't want to just nod in response. He would regret not saying 'I love you too' back to Imayoshi.

But then if he were to speak, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold back his tears again.

"I love you too, Shouichi-"

Mayuzumi said it a little too fast, and he was right about not being able to hold back his tears because the moment he opened his mouth, tears began falling down his cheeks again.

Imayoshi silently wiped the tears away then kissed Mayuzumi's forehead, pulling his lover into a tight embrace as if it was their last time.

Mayuzumi wished the time would just stop.