Hope ~Yato x Reader AU~

Chapter 37: Smile

~Yato's POV~

I shouldn't be surprised.

Seeing the way they look at each other...they look at each other with so much...love. I can see it in their eyes. In her eyes. Y/N's eyes, that is. I see it all. Every time her eyes collide with his I see her light up a little bit more and I know what that means. I am no stranger to this.

She's in love with him.

And that's why I shouldn't be surprised. It's all predictable, in all honesty. She knows him. She knows him and he knows her. They have known each other longer than I've known her, and he knows far more about her than I could ever dream of knowing. So, I shouldn't be surprised. Shouldn't, being the keyword...yet, here I am...still surprised.

I let out a huff just as Yukine asks, "So, why are we here again?"

"I already told ya, just to see what's the big deal about this thing," I answer.

His stare scans me before he lifts a brow. "Really? You expect me to buy that?"

"What are ya talkin' about? Buy what? It's the truth," I defend.

But it's not. That's nowhere near the truth. I couldn't care less about this stupid award ceremony. Nothing about it matters to me. What does, however, matter to me is seeing her.

Seeing her smile as she talks to the shopkeeper. Seeing her eyes light up as that smile reaches them. Seeing how her hair falls against her soft features. Watching how that dress moves with her body. Everything...everything about her is beautiful. Seeing her...watching her...that's what matters because there's no saying how much longer I have to do just that. So, that...that's the real truth. That's why I'm here.

"Yeah, right," Yukine snorts. "We're here because you like her!"

I feel my face burn as I defend, "N-no I don't! S-shut up! You don't know nothin'!"

"Ha! Just stop while you're ahead," he laughs. "You're just making your case worse. You do like her and you know it." He leans against the railing, resting his chin on his folded arms as he adds, "Still don't know why you dragged me along, though. This is boring as hell."

"Eh, stop your bellyachin'. This won't kill ya," I say.

Honestly, I didn't need to bring him. There was no reason to. There is no reason. I could've come by myself...but I didn't want to. I didn't want to be here alone because I know myself. Without someone here with me...I'd be lost in my thoughts. Lost and wrapped in those haunting thoughts. Because I know what tonight could possibly bring.

"Ugh!" he whines. "For real, I know why you're here, but why am I here? I could be using this time being productive."

"Tch," I snort. "How would you do that?"

"Geez, I wonder how," he replies sarcastically. "Studying would be a big one."

A lump forms in my throat. Despite how stupid it may seem, hearing him say that makes me think of another smile that I used to admire. A smile I cut ties with years ago for her own good. A smile that still crosses my mind from time to time. A smile that I miss.

"Ya know, I know I don't say this enough...but I'm proud of ya," I laugh halfheartedly, turning to face him. "For keepin' with that...with studying, that is."

Confusion masks his face as he blinks. "Uh, umm...th-thank you? Where the hell did that come from?"

I tighten my clutch on the railing and shrug, "What? I can't just be proud of ya?"

"I mean, I guess you can...for real, Yato," he snaps, "what the hell is going on? You're acting weird and I don't like it." He pauses for a moment before his eyes widen and he adds, "Wait...are you thinking about...Hiyori?"

I wasn't...not initially. Not until he mentioned something as small as studying. That's what stirred those thoughts of Hiyori. That's what made her cross my mind too. I guess I just can't win.

"Maybe," I sigh.

"No way!" he exclaims. "You're thinking about both Y/N and Hiyori?"

"Well, I wasn't earlier," I reply. "But now I am."

He blinks. "Whoa. Why?"

I bite my lower lip. I have my reasons for that...but I'm too scared to admit them. If I do, then I'll only damper myself even more. I don't want to think about that...not right now. I tell myself. So, I just turn back to Y/N, watching as she continues to chat with the shopkeeper, all the while she smiles.

And that's when a faint smile bows my lips as I swallow, "Because I want to remember their smiles forever."

**Hello my awesome lovelies! Been a hot minute since we last saw Yato, so I figured a little Yato POV was needed. Hope that's okay! Also, sorry I didn't post Monday. Life was hectic, so there will be a double posting Friday. Technically, I could've done that today, but I'll do it Friday instead. So, look forward to that! As always, thank you so super duper much for everything! Y'all are the bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross