Symbiotic [Kukai x Tadase]

①

Someone told me I was famous for writing fanfics for rare pairs and yanno, they're right. Enjoy!

Tadase Hotori smiled his way through the school day.

A compliment shot his way? A smile.

A question? Met with a smile.

Hotel? Trivago.

All those smiles were faked, forced. He only showed his genuine smiles for his close group of friends and... someone else.

That day was the usual hang out day, planned by the group of friends; ex guardians. Well, every ex guardian minus two. Kairi and Kukai...

The thought of the Ginger's name caused Tadase to pause in his step, staring off into space.

"Oi, Tadase. Are you okay?" A tiny voice asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm alright." Tadase smiled gently to his guardian character, Kiseki.

Kiseki sat on Tadase's shoulder, "Spacing out isn't a kingly thing to do." He spoke.

"You're right, I'm sorry," Tadase mused.

Up ahead was the cafe that was actually ran by Nikaido. After Easter was disbanded from their evil traits, Nikaido decided to open up a cafe that also held as the place for a Robotics group for young students.

The cafe was called The Guardians Cafe, the symbol of the shop being a white egg with a pair of golden wings in the center.

A bell sounded as Tadase walked inside and a chorus of greetings made their way to his ears.

Sitting at the large banquette was Amu, Yaya, Nagihiko, and Rima. "Hey! You're late!" Nagihiko teased.

Tadase awkwardly laughed, "Yes, I'm sorry about that. Just thinking about things on my way here." He sat down across from Amu, his best friend. They became so much closer after the fact that Tadase said he wasn't actually in love with her but wanted to be better friends, Amu had agreed, being in love with Ikuto. But it turned out Ikuto was in love with Lulu.

The pink haired girl was heartbroken, but everything turned out for the better. No more fighting among themselves or anyone else. Ikuto even started calling Tadase his younger brother again.

But no one knew Tadase's secret (well technically Ikuto, Kiseki, and Daichi knew but still).

Amu smiled at Tadase, "So? What were you thinking about?" She asked with a grin.

Tadase had his eyes on everyone's guardian characters that were playing on the counter near Nikaido, but at her question he faced her with a blush, "nothing really... just school stuff." Not technically a lie.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah..."

Amu inspected Tadase's nervous expression before giggling, "if you say so."

Yaya gasped, "that's right! Tonight Kukai is debuting at his college's soccer team! He's the youngest to make it ever!" She cheered.

Tadase's heart raced, "how did you find that out?" He asked curiously.

"He told me to tell everyone," she smiled, "he also said for you to call him."

"I will, tonight," Tadase murmured. He had a light blush on his cheeks. He was concerned though, why hadn't Kukai messaged him?

The group of friends carried on, talking about school and what they had planned for their futures. They all went to the same high school, just Tadase was the student council president and didn't have much time to hang out with anyone.

At around seven that night, Tadase slipped off his shoes and slid on slippers, making his way to his room. He flopped unceremoniously onto his bed with a sigh.

"Tadase, you're supposed to call Kukai," Kiseki informed as he floated to his egg to get rest.

Tadase hummed and reaches for his phone that had landed on the floor. He stayed on his side as he pressed call.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me..."

"Tadase, huh? Heard the news?"

Tadase smiled bashfully, practically hearing the warmth from Kukai, "Yeah, congratulations."

"Hm, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine... school is just stressful," Tadase spoke. And I miss you... but he left that unsaid.

"Li~ar!"

"Eh? I'm not lying..." Tadase was quick to defend.

"Tadase, I know you, very well if I do say so myself," a blush deepened on Tadase's cheeks, "and I know when you're getting too strained."

"I guess I've been more stressed than I let on..." Tadase gave a sigh as he rolled onto his back, "I... Uhm..."

"Hm?"

"Nothing... never mind."

There was a chuckle from Kukai, "I miss you too... hopefully we'll meet soon."

"Hopefully soon is sooner..." Tadase then gasped at how girly and cliche that was, "I-I mean!"

"Haha! Eager are we? Don't worry, it'll be sooner. I've gotta go, but I'll talk to you later,"

"Okay, goodnight..." Tadase was about to hang up-

"Oh and Tadase?"

"Yeah?"

"Love you~"

Tadase's heart leapt to his throat, "I love you too..." he closed his eyes with a smiling mouth. Then the call ended, leaving a slightly less stressed Tadase.