𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐊𝐄𝐘 - 𝐑. 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐖𝐎

TWENTY-TWO
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The Suna had already set with the Moon already looming over this part of the Earth while the Sun rises up on its other portion. The surroundings had already gone dark outside with only streetlight bleeding onto its present surface that weren't covered with objects, and the sound of crickets were the only things heard besides the occasional smooth sounds of pencil running on paper and it rolling up.

Suna and Zumi were already working on the fourth background after she had to explain him which colors to use for the third time – though she had already gotten annoyed at the fact that he seemed so out of it and he was sure to take notice of it when he sees that corner of her eye twitch. Immediately right after, he pulled himself to focus on what she was trying to say.

His hands shook slightly as he laid on his chest on the floors of Zumi's room while he glided the paintbrush carefully over the paper, trying his best to not go passed the lines that she already drew beforehand. The color blue filled his vision and his mouth quirks up, finding it quite fun and relaxing to be doing something that was so detail-oriented and almost felt like he would actually want to learn how to do this for a new hobby.

He lifted his head up and looked at Zumi who was in a crossed-legged position while leaning her body down to finish up with painting the shading of the base that Suna had already applied.

He then asks, "How am I going to paint the stars?"

She sat up straight then glanced at the top portion of the paper that was already covered in paint that presented the dark sky, her lips quirking up at how hard he seemed to try to make it look as perfect as possible. There were a few spaces that needed another layer of blue paint but overall, he did a great job especially for someone who rarely did this kind of work.

"Hm, you can just make a lot of dots like this." She motions of him to hand him the paint brush and he quickly obliges.

She dipped the paintbrush down in the jar filled with water that had already gotten dirty because of the different colors of acrylic that mixed together, then dipped it down on the white paint. She lightly poked the pointed hairs of the paintbrush in random patterns before moving away to present him what she had just done.

He nods his head with his mouth forming an 'o' before she hands the paintbrush back to him. He tried to do the same then occasionally lifted his head up to ask, "Like this?"

"Yeah."

They were quiet once again for the next fifteen minutes as they finished up with the last few details and finishing details to emphasize more of its beauty – well, hopefully it was decent enough for Kita-san.

Once they sat up straight and moved away from the paper, their eyes scanned it in wonder, feeling a sense of fulfillment to finally be able to finish something that clouded her mind with worry for two weeks also because of the added school work that she had to accomplish along with it. She breathed out a contented sigh and freely allowed a large smile to plaster on her face before looking at Suna who was already staring at her with his eyes widened a bit.

She gave him a thumbs-up then said, "We did it. You did a great job too, Rin."

"Thanks, you did most of the job though." He answers, shrugging awkwardly and averting his gaze to the ground with the tips of his ears heating up. He reached up to rub the back of his neck when he glances at the smile on her face.

"No, you were a really big help."

Her smile then contorts to a frown when she continues to observe the peculiar expression that he had on then slowly asked, "Hey Rintarou." She crosses her arms then continues, "Now that we're done with the backgrounds, will you finally tell me what you were worrying about a while ago?"

His head snaps up to her direction with his eyes widening considerably once again. He fumbled with his fingers when he feels the intense gaze that was directed on the side of his head since he couldn't seem to bring himself to stare back.

She shrugs as she stood up from the floor then began, "You don't have to tell me if you don't feel comfo-"

He breathed a sigh and closed his eyes tight before cutting her off, "I like you."

He could hear the sound of the bed squeak and a loud thud making him open his eyes to see that Zumi had accidentally flopped on the bed in shock.

It was silent for a minute as she took in the new-found information before she opened her mouth, laying her hands over her face then stuttered out, "W-What? As in like-like? O-Or you're joking, because if you are, then stop it."

She continues to lay on the bed and felt the space beside her dip down. She removed her hands from her face and sees Suna who had an unreadable look on his face as he stares down at her.

He shook his head and shrugs, deciding that it was better to just get it out of him instead of suffering in silence whenever she crossed his mind – that was just not his thing. He then said, "I'm not joking and I just realized a few days ago. I've also never really liked anyone before so this is pretty new to me."

She scrunched her face up then mumbled, looking at the window and at the minimal number of stars to avoid his gaze and distract herself from her heart that was racing, "How are you so relaxed about saying that? Why are you not having a mini heart attack like I am right now? It's unfair."

He chuckles then lays his body beside her, resting on his back then mutters, "I am. I'm just good at hiding it."

He tilts his head to look at the side of her face with an aching feeling spreading across his chest the longer he stays there.

He bit his lip then added quietly, "You don't have to say it back of you don't feel the same way. Just let me have these feelings for you."

She turns her gaze to the ceiling then mumble, "Who am I to tell you what you should feel? Of course, you can." She pauses then adds, "I just don't know how to act now. D-Do I uh- do I have to be touchy now as well?"

He shook his head and laughed lightly at her cluelessness, "No, just be yourself. But I can't promise that I'll be acting the same way."

"W-Why?" She asks nervously then squirms when she feels the deadpanned stare that he was giving her, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

His lips quirk up in amusement before answering her first question, "Because I like you, and what kind of man would I be if I didn't try to make you mine."

_____

not trying to be
sexist with the
last line. I just
think it sounds
really hot lmao.

also i know that
i kinda made him
confess after he
realized his feelings
just a few days ago,
but trust me, i
planned this story
out owo.