𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧 ☼ 𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚

V

     shōyō couldn't describe the way it felt to be with tobio. he can't remember the last time he really had any sort of summer, to be truthful- before she passed, natsu took up every moment of his life. shōyō of course didn't mind being the one to stay by her side, but some days he did wish he could step away from the bittersweet taste of watching her fight for her life.
     with tobio, he feels like the chains that held him back from feeling the sun on his skin have fallen away; his wrists are red with the indent natsu left there, but they don't ache anymore. he feels... free.
tobio feels like summer, and he likes summer. he likes it a lot. in fact, he loves summer.

"shō!"

tobio came speeding down the cobbled walkway on his old blue bike, his striking eyes shining with an air of relief when the orange tufts of hair came into view.

     "hi, tobio,"

     "hey," he hopped off the bike swiftly, "i- i missed you."

     "i missed you, too, dummy. c'mon."

     today they were visiting mrs. kageyama first. the sky was a periwinkle shade, cloudy like a classic painting above their swirling heads.

     "you know, you don't have to come with me every time. don't feel like you have to."

     "i know. you come to natsu every time, though. it's only fair. plus," shōyō hooked his hand in the crook of the taller's elbow, "it's nice not to be alone."

     tobio smiled so very wide.

     the grass felt fuzzy underneath his feet, and the sun was beating down heavily, and everything felt so bright and colorful it was almost assaulting to the boy; tobio wonders if anyone's ever felt so comforted or content in the sad expanse of a cemetery.

     "hi mama. i have my friend with me again."

     "hello, mrs. kageyama," shōyō sighed softly, hugging tobio's arm with both of his own now. he pressed his blushing cheek into the soft skin and leaned in, staying close to him. shōyō couldn't help but feel bubbly as he caught a whiff of the fresh scent from tobio's purple t-shirt. he always smelled nice, like a clean batch of laundry. sometimes like the forest, if he's wearing that fancy cologne his mother bought him once.

they stood in front of the stone together, one listening as the other spoke quietly, and let themselves blame the weather- as per usual- for the pink rushing across their skin. it was calm, and it was not lonely.

"you know, tobio," shōyō murmured, "your mom would be so proud of the person you're growing up to be."

"do you really think so?" tobio asked, looking to the clingy little ginger pushing up on his tip toes.

"i do. i know i am."

"you're too nice to me, shō."

"you deserve a little kindness, i think."

the shorter boy pushed a little higher and pressed a small kiss to tobio's cheek, and then dropped to his heels again. he said goodbye to tobio's mother and tugged the boy along, smiling like always.

always smiling, even though he's lost everything. tobio was enamored with him.