Title: if, maybe
Rating: G
Fandom: Togainu no Chi
Relationship: Akira/Yukihito
Wordcount: 1010
Short summary: Touya invites Akira to talk at the bar Yukihito works at while Yukihito is on shift. It seems this was purposefully arranged by Touya to address something between Akira and Yukihito.
“Akira! Over here!”
Akira had been momentarily stunned by the volume of noise upon opening the door to this bar, but somehow Touya’s voice manages to cut through it all. Somehow this is a place that Yukihito works at. It’s Akira first time visiting this bar because he has no business here normally, as he technically is still not old enough to drink alcohol. Moreover, loud places in general are not a scene for a quiet guy like Akira, and he wouldn’t expect it to be a scene for a quiet guy like Yukihito either, but Akira supposes a job is a job.
“How’re things?” Touya pats the spot to his right. Akira slides onto the barstool and picks up the glass of water in front of him. Touya picks up his own glass, containing something brown and alcoholic probably, and clinks it against Akira’s. “It’s been a while since our trip, right?”
The one Yukihito and Akira joined? “It’s been 10 days.”
Touya laughs. “Hey, that’s a long time. Compared to how much you and Yukihito see each other.”
“We live together,” Akira states, raising an eyebrow. He’s feeling suspicious about this meeting now. Why does it have to be at this bar, while Yukihito is on shift? What does Touya really want to talk about tonight?
“Working at different places and different shifts.” Touya grins. “Yeah, I know, you don’t get to spend that much time together. But your place is small! I actually saw inside a few days ago and couldn’t believe it. Sharing a double bed and all.”
“Is something wrong about that?” Akira and Yukihito started renting that place together right after they escaped from Toshima and the whole civil war business concluded. Aka they’ve been living like this for months. Why would that be an issue now?
Akira finds himself frowning as he thinks upon his daily life with Yukihito. They don’t keep the neatest of places, but Yukihito never makes much of a stink about it. Actually, Yukihito is the messier one and can forget sometimes to put his drawing implements away, but a small reminder is enough to rectify that. Otherwise…
"Do you two actually do anything together?” Touya asks, grin disappearing. This must be a serious question, but it confuses Akira.
“What do you mean by that?” Akira is starting to think maybe during that trip and the subsequent visit that Akira was not present for, that Yukihito must have said something to Touya.
“You know, he—“
“It’s none of your business.” A glass of water is slammed down in front of Touya. On the other side of the counter stands Yukihito with a disgruntled expression.
Touya laughs, undeterred. “What do you mean? As an ‘older brother’ I want to know if I should expect an announcement soon or something.”
Yukihito sighs. “Akira’s not your ‘brother.’” He shoots a look over at Akira, but Akira isn’t sure what it means. Perhaps to just stay quiet?
“Ah, so you’re just roommates.” Touya claps his hands together. “Pity.”
Yukihito scowls. “Shut up.” He takes Touya’s empty glass away. “Order another drink or just head out.”
“Is that how you rake in the business?” Touya laughs as he stands up. “Hey, Akira.” He puts a few bills on the counter. “Feel free to order yourself something other than water. I gotta head out though.”
Akira raises a brow. Already? He still wonders what point Touya had been trying to make, to bring Akira here and not stay long before leaving.
“Sorry.” Yukihito’s apology catches Akira’s attention. He doesn’t meet Akira’s gaze while refilling Akira’s glass of water. “Just because Touya said some things…”
Yukihito sets the pitcher aside and sighs. Talking about emotional things isn’t a strong point for either of them. Thus Akira’s breath catches in anticipation of what Yukihito is determined to say.
“I…like the way we live right now.” Yukihito’s lips press into a tight smile. “I would be fine with more, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Akira’s mouth opens but he closes it before speaking. His heart is beating fast, his mind working hard to untangle Yukihito’s words, Touya’s words. “With more…?” he utters.
“You know…” Yukihito clasps his hands together tightly. “Like…closer…”
Closer… Physically? Akira isn’t a touchy-feely type of guy. It just doesn’t cross his mind to touch someone, to hug someone, to kiss someone. He understands that those are forms of intimacy, and while he feels quite close to Yukihito now compared to their first meetings in Toshima, there’s just… Akira’s just not sure. Holding hands that one time made him feel flushed, but he thought it was just embarrassment…
“I…” Akira shakes his head, realizing he doesn’t have an answer.
“You don’t know.” Yukihito correctly reads Akira’s mind. He smiles wryly. “That’s fine.” His head turns suddenly, a customer catching his attention. “If later…tonight…I happen to…”
The thought is not finished as the customer shouts again and Yukihito leaves to serve them. Akira is left with a glass of water and time to mull over those words. Even in the loud bar Akira does his best to pretend he’s by himself, creating a false quiet. He doesn’t think Yukihito is threatening him, and the phrasing of ‘happen to’ suggests it would be not on purpose… If accidentally… What could accidentally happen tonight? They live in the same place, they share the same kitchen, shower, bed… Wait a moment.
Akira almost laughs realizing what Yukihito was trying to say. They share a bed. That’s the most obvious place for accidental contact. Akira closes his eyes and imagines it, while he’s asleep, Yukihito slipping into the bed and happening to brush his hands against Akira’s arm…
Akira opens his eyes. Yukihito has been caught by another customer. Akira picks up his glass of water, drains it, sets it onto the counter empty. He doesn’t need to linger around. He scribbles a note to let Yukihito know he’s left and not to worry.
Because Akira’s pretty sure he won’t mind if Yukihito does that later…