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Upon waking up, Rui immediately sensed he wasn't in his familiar surroundings. The sheets beneath him, soft and warm, were distinctively Tsukasa Tenma's. He had spent the night at the Tenma residence.
The morning sun's brilliant rays pierced through his eyelids as he gradually opened them. Blinking away the initial brightness, he took a moment to adjust to the light and surroundings. With a slight sense of unease, he confirmed the absence of anyone beside him. To reassure himself, Rui extended his hand into the empty space before him.
The lingering chill hinted at the absence of his lover, and he could still sense the imprint of Tsukasa's warmth. It had been no more than half an hour since Tsukasa had left his spot beside Rui after their night together.
The odd duo had spent nights like this even before they officially started dating. Sometimes Tsukasa would stay at Rui’s to practice a few extra lines, or it’d be the other way around. It was a common occurrence among friends, right? Simply sharing the same room, the same bed, and snuggling close together. Of course, it was mainly because the sheets were too small to envelop them both if they kept their distance. At least, that's what Rui chose to believe.
What Rui and Tsukasa had during their sleepovers was nobody else's business but their own. Now that they were officially a couple, at least Rui didn't have to ponder those questioning thoughts about whether it was normal to share so much intimacy with "just a friend."
A faint noise is what pulls Rui out of his thoughts. The piano. Of course, that’s what's got Tsukasa out of bed this early. It's his one hobby in which he is skilled and talented. Rui wasn't really well-versed in classical or advanced piano pieces, so he couldn't make out which song Tsukasa was playing. Nonetheless, his boyfriend always made it sound delightful.
He smiled to himself without realizing. He sat up, giving his arms and legs, which almost reached off of the bed, a big stretch before moving to the edge of the bed.
As the window blinds remained slightly cracked, allowing the sun's radiant rays to seep through and bathe Rui's soft skin in its brilliance, he found himself contemplating. The sun, the most beautifully blinding star in the galaxy, was a reflection of Tsukasa's own radiant nature. It was an independent star, shining brightly on its own. In contrast, the moon, existing in the shadows, could never match the sun's brilliance. The moon relied on the sun to bring out its best. Without the sun, what purpose did the moon serve?
Tsukasa, akin to the sun, exuded passion, radiance, energy, and warmth. On the other hand, Rui embodied the characteristics of the moon, displaying gentleness, serenity, and an enigmatic aura. They were a strikingly contrasting yet harmonious pair, a perfect match.
Just the thought makes Rui giggle. He still can't believe he managed to win over such an amazing man. He must've saved a whole continent in his past life.
These thoughts could wait for now though, as he was getting ready to greet his lover and start his day. Other than the quiet and soft piano playing, it was extremely quiet in the house. This confirmed Tsukasa's suspicion that his parents wouldn't be home. Just Tsukasa, Rui, and Saki.
Saki is already aware of Tsukasa's relationship, as they practically tell each other everything, but there aren't many updates given to her. For example, Rui is staying over again this week. It gets pretty lonely at Rui's house as he's an only child, and his parents are always busy, leaving him in an empty house, alone with only his robots for company. What else can he do other than visit his prince charming?
When he makes his way downstairs in his pajama pants and shirt, Rui can't help but notice how Tsukasa always ensures the comfiest pajamas and non-irritating pillow sheets. Rui's face tends to swell up in the mornings, a trait that Tsukasa personally adores because it makes Rui look incredibly cute. They've spent numerous minutes in front of the bathroom mirror trying to depuff Rui's face, resulting in some lighthearted and amusing moments.
"Tsukasa-kun," Rui meant for it to come out softly, but forgetting about his morning voice, it reaches Tsukasa hoarsely.
"You're awake? This is quite shocking, Rui," Tsukasa commented as he glanced up from the piano, surprised by Rui's sudden appearance. He couldn't resist saying, "You're such a cutie." Mornings had a way of making Rui look particularly endearing to Tsukasa.
Rui moves over to sit on the piano bench beside Tsukasa, noticing a cup sitting beside the blond, steam still wafting from the top. Absent-mindedly, Rui takes a sip.
"Coffee again...? Tsukasa-kun, you're like a little grandpa. Only a third-year student and you're already drinking the middle-aged teacher's beverage," Rui says with a disgusted expression. Coffee was never his forte; the bitter flavor tasted absolutely horrible on Rui's tongue. He was a picky eater, after all.
Tsukasa responded with a stern look before returning his fingers to the piano keys. Rui was genuinely surprised when Tsukasa stated he could play the piano. He hadn't known about this talent, let alone that Tsukasa's mother was a piano teacher. It dawned on Rui that Tsukasa practiced a lot, especially since he was often home alone with nothing but the piano in his living room for company.
Rui couldn't help but feel empathy for Tsukasa as he thought about the situation. It must have been incredibly difficult for him to be stranded at home while his sibling was in the hospital, especially at such a young age. Both Rui and Tsukasa were relieved that Saki was now safe at home and on the path to a good recovery.
"Hey, no kiss good morning for me?" Rui pouted, his lips forming a cute, petulant expression. "Good morning, Rui." Tsukasa looked up from his piano playing and leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on Rui's delicate cheek, relishing the soft texture of his skin. Tsukasa couldn't help but appreciate that Rui had been using the skincare products he recommended, making their morning kisses all the more enjoyable.
Rui raised an eyebrow with a challenging grin. "Really? You can do way better than that, Tsukasa-kun." He puckered his lips into a playful duck face, hinting that he wanted more than just a cheek kiss. Tsukasa had to stifle a laugh, amused by Rui's energetic antics so early in the morning.
The blond gently placed his hands on each side of Rui's cheeks. They shared a meaningful look, and Tsukasa's gaze fixed on Rui's lips. His thumb brushed the bottom lip, making sure they were soft and ready to meet Tsukasa's.
Impatience taking over, Rui initiated the kiss. Kissing Tsukasa was akin to dissecting a plush from Wonderland Sekai. It was a skill he had honed over time, a skill Rui was well-versed in.
He fondly recalls their first kiss. Back then, they both lacked experience, but somehow, it worked. Tsukasa suggested it was like a "test" kiss, just in case they needed to perform a stage kiss. Rui, not that oblivious, knew there was more to it.
Their kiss is like no other. Chapped against soft warm lips. Rui could taste the bitter coffee on Tsukasa’s tongue but paid no mind to it. His heart quicked as he felt the blond’s arms wrap around his neck. This is how he knew Tsukasa wasn’t planning on just a quick kiss.
Everytime they shared intimate moments like this, the world always seemed to vanish around them, leaving only the pair and their unspoken affection. It was soon getting hard to breathe, but Rui didn’t care. What was the problem with dying if he was about to die in one of the best ways possible?
A symphony of sensations enveloped them–the soft murmur of tree’s blowing in the breeze outside, birds still singing their morning call, cars passing by the neighborhood; all these were pleasant sounds. Until a not so pleasant sound wrung in both Tsukasa and Rui’s ears.
Rui, trying to get closer to Tsukasa (if that was even possible), accidentally elbowed the piano making multiple keys go off, creating a very dull note. This startled the pair and Tsukasa jumped back in fright.
The two stared at each other. Both blushing intensely. Rui gave a sheepish glance at the piano, cursing it in his head for ruining the moment. Tsukasa’s wide eyes full of shock soon went soft, letting out an affectionate giggle.
Sunlight filtered through the room, casting a warm, golden glow on his blushing cheeks. He gently slid a piece of hair blocking his vision behind his ear, his gaze tenderly fixed on Rui.
“Rui, you know I love you, right?” Tsukasa murmured with a warm and sincere smile, sliding closer to Rui. His words lingered in the air, filled with affection and devotion.
Said words filled Rui’s heart with warmth. Overwhelmed by the emotion, he dove in for another passionate kiss, their lips meeting in a fervent embrace.
As the intensity of their kisses left them breathless, they pulled apart, gasping for air but still sporting contented smiles. Tsukasa leaned in until their foreheads touched, gazing into each other's eyes full of love.
“Tsukasa-kun,” Rui whispered, his voice filled with sentiment. “I really do love you more than anything. You truly are the brightest star in the galaxy.”
Just as Rui is about to go for his nth kiss, somewhere on Tsukasa’s jaw or neck, this time it isn’t a piano startling them.
“Onii-chann~ Are you awake? I’m starr–ving!”
Oh… Saki. How could Tsukasa forget that Saki was home??
She's halfway down the stairs when the scene in front of her unfolds. It's not the first time she's caught them in such an intimate embrace, given how frequently Rui clings to Tsukasa. However, making out on the piano? I suppose there's a first time for everything...
"Ah! Uhm, S-Saki!" Tsukasa quickly pushes Rui away. Saki couldn't fathom why Tsukasa was so intent on "hiding" their relationship when he'd already blurted it out to his sister. It was far from the first time Saki had caught them in a passionate kiss, just another addition to the ever-growing list.
Rui turns his gaze toward the direction of the female voice. "Good morning, Saki-kun. Did you sleep well?"
"Rui-san! I see you've stayed the night again. Yes, I had a nice, cozy sleep. Um... I interrupted something, didn't I?"
Tsukasa couldn't help but wonder how Saki and Rui could engage in such a casual conversation, almost as if they hadn't just been caught in the act, frozen like deer in headlights.
“O-of course not, Saki! You just witnessed me teaching Rui how to play the piano!” Tsukasa quickly stated. Anything to save this embarrassing scene his poor sister just had to witness.
Saki wasn't gullible. She had, what, three girlfriends? She certainly wasn't buying whatever nonsense Tsukasa had come up with to defend himself.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot the part where making out with your teacher is a super necessary step in the piano lessons process," Saki said. Rui couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at her response.
"Saki, don't get the wrong idea! We're just practicing. Anyway, you said you were hungry, right? Toasted bread, two eggs, and a nice piece of bacon coming right up!" Tsukasa didn't even finish his statement before leaping up from his seat and practically sprinting to the kitchen, already gathering the needed ingredients.
Saki and Rui exchanged a knowing glance before she quickly averted her eyes. "Sure... Thank you, onii-chan!! Call me when it's done. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone!" With that, she had already vanished into her room. Rui had always been curious about why one of Tsukasa's bedroom wall was nonexistent.
"Tsukasa-kun is still hiding from Saki-kun," Rui teased.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tsukasa replied, taking all the necessary ingredients out of the fridge and preparing to cook. He was the only person in the house who could operate a stove. Saki's long hours at the hospital left her with no time to learn, and as for Rui, well... Could Tsukasa even trust him in the kitchen, given his track record?
Tsukasa stood in front of the stove, a frying pan sizzling with anticipation on the stovetop. He gently placed four fresh eggs into the pan one by one, taking care to ensure the yolks remained intact. The eggs sizzled as they made contact with the hot surface, the whites beginning to cook. Tsukasa watched attentively, adjusting the heat to ensure they cooked to perfection. The edges of the egg whites slowly crisped while the yolks remained runny, creating that quintessential sunny-side up appearance. Each egg was meticulously cooked, and Tsukasa's skilled hands made it look effortless.
Once the eggs were sufficiently cooked, he turned his attention to the bacon. He carefully laid two strips of bacon into the heated pan, and they soon started to dance with a melodious sizzle.
As he was cooking, Rui stealthily approached Tsukasa from behind. His gentle footsteps were inaudible over the kitchen's hum. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Tsukasa's lower stomach, his warm breath tickling Tsukasa's neck. Resting his chin on Tsukasa's shoulder, he felt Tsukasa's body tense up in response. A mischievous smile curved on Rui's lips as Tsukasa's cooking momentarily faltered. Tsukasa's heightened pulse betrayed his composure, and he couldn't help but blush.
"R-RUI! Crap! You can't just sneak up behind me while I'm cooking! Your arms could've gotten burnt, or something! Please, don't do that in the future..." Tsukasa's voice revealed his genuine concern. His hands were perilously close to the stove, one small mishap, and a patch of his delicate skin could be harmed.
"I'm sorry, Tsukasa-kun! You just looked so adorable, like a little housewife!" Rui chuckled.
In response to Rui's laughter, Tsukasa couldn't help but chuckle as well. Despite his momentary distraction, he was delighted by Rui's endearing clinginess. Although, he didn’t enjoy whatever just came out of his mouth.
"Don't call me that, Rui," Tsukasa said with a stern tone, though the playful giggle in his voice made it clear he wasn't entirely serious.
Rui didn't stop his teasing there, though. "Hehehe. What? You're my little princess," he said, sealing it with a kiss to Tsukasa's cheek. The blond proceeded to turn off the stove and slide bread into the toaster.
"Yeah, yeah, Rui. Here, I made you an egg and some bacon." It was quite a challenge for Tsukasa to navigate with an oversized sloth clinging to his body, so he gently sat Rui down on a stool by the island counter. Plating Rui's breakfast, he placed it right in front of the purple-haired boy.
"Mm~ Shukasa-kun fwood ish yommy!" Rui exclaimed with his mouth full.
"RUI! Don't talk with your mouth full!!" Tsukasa scolded, his concern showing.
Now, Tsukasa's focus shifted to preparing Saki's breakfast. He retrieved butter from the fridge along with a butter knife from the utensils drawer. With the toaster popping out the freshly toasted bread, Tsukasa placed it on a white plate, all while Rui observed from a distance.
Tsukasa made sure the butter was applied evenly to the bread, spreading it meticulously. He then selected two eggs, along with a strip of bacon, and arranged them on the bread to create a happy face. It was a routine he had followed when Saki was younger, back in junior school. Having spent significant periods alone during Tsukasa's childhood, he had learned to cook for himself to avoid the risk of going hungry.
It wasn't a pleasant memory to dwell on, those days of being home alone, but now he couldn't be more grateful that his sister was still with him. He genuinely didn't know what he'd do without her. Meeting Rui, he was certain, would never have happened if not for her presence in his life.
In an attempt to move past those memories, Tsukasa focuses on calling down to Saki, letting her know that the food was ready and plated.
"Kasa-kun, I'm done!" Rui exclaimed as he rose from his seat, revealing the plate for Tsukasa to see. It was clear and shiny, as if Rui had licked it clean. Though, the situation might have been quite different if there had been even a single carrot on the plate.
Tsukasa smiled. He always appreciated compliments for his culinary skills, even if they weren't expressed directly. Seeing Rui enjoy his breakfast brought him immense joy, as did Rui in general.
He couldn't imagine a world without him. How had he managed to exist before he discovered him on that rooftop that day?
"You're so cute, Rui. My perfect director," Tsukasa murmured. It wasn't intended to be spoken aloud, but he didn't mind. "I love you a lot, you know that—right?" He accepted the plate from Rui's hands and set it down on the counter. Gently, he cupped Rui's cheeks, their foreheads leaning against each other.
"Hehehe, Tsukasa-kun, what's come over you?" Rui inquired as he leaned Tsukasa against the island counter. The blond found the flat surface more comfortable, so he situated himself to sit on the counter, with Rui's assistance.
"What, I can't tell my boyfriend how much he means to me?" Tsukasa teased, a playful glint in his eyes. "I mean, I am a visual learner… Actions speak louder than words, right?" Rui's words held a hint of mischief, a testament to his affectionate nature. He never wanted to be apart from Tsukasa even for a moment.
Tsukasa smiled, a warm and affectionate expression. "Come here if you wanna find out."
Rui closed the gap between them, standing in the space between Tsukasa's legs, their bodies inches apart. He tilted his head slightly, their lips meeting in a tender and passionate kiss. As their lips touched, it felt like time stood still, and all that mattered was the connection they shared. They kissed with a depth of feeling that words couldn't express, conveying their love for each other.
Then, of course, there was Saki. It almost felt as if they had timed it deliberately. How had Tsukasa managed to call Saki down precisely at the moment they were about to be caught making out again?
"I'll just..." She trailed off as she retrieved her plate. Without wasting a moment, she rushed up the stairs. Perhaps she could contact her band and suggest meeting up at Sekai for the rest of the day...
Obviously, the two heard her, and Tsukasa smiled into the kiss. It was moments like these when he could relish every second. What a delightful way to commence a love-struck teenage boy's Saturday.