Unchanging Skies /// Akame /// Oneshot Part 1

[green_feelings]

Title: Unchanging Skies
Pairing: Akanishi Jin x Kazuya Kamenashi //Akame//
Genre: Romance, AU
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I don't make profit with this.
Summary: It's the memory of a summer with fifteen, a love when they were sixteen that connects them for the rest of their lives. It's that whispered promise they made, before they said goodbye. It's those unchanging skies that make them unable to forget about each other.
A/N: English isn't my mother tongue, but I lived in the UK for quite a time, so I basically write and speak well. You're welcome to correct any mistakes, though. Of course.

This was written for kizuna_exchange 2012 for paint_asmile and inourwriteminds. A few of you might have read this already and a few of you even recognised me ♥ I just wanted to have it on this journal, too.
Originally posted here.

Enjoy it ♥



Prologue

Kazuya stared at his reflection in the mirror and frowned slightly.

It was early in the morning, the sun had just risen and he had woken up long before his alarm had gone off.

Excitement, he thought and ran a hand through the brunette hair, looking at himself, as if he had never seen his face before. Almond-shaped, dark eyes looked back at him, clear and a little dark beneath, as he hadn’t slept too well.

It probably was excitement that had woken him this early in the morning.

This day was his birthday.

Turning seventeen was actually not as exciting, and yet, he was up this early, knowing this was a special day.

He didn’t feel much different from the day before, not too different from a year before and yet, everything had completely changed.

Never before had Kazuya gotten up early to figure out what he should wear; to actually take his time, before he would get out of the house. But today, he did all these things. He stood in front of his wardrobe for several minutes, pulled out different shirts and jeans, before he decided on a black, worn-out jeans and a simple long sleeve shirt in dark blue.

It was Saturday and yet, he wouldn’t sleep in, but leave the house before seven.

His birthday wasn’t the special occasion.

Today, Kazuya would break up with Jin.

Calmly, he brushed his hair and tied the longer strands at his nape, before he walked down the stairs and took his jacket.

February wasn’t yet spring, so it was still chilly outside and Kazuya closed the jacket and wound a shawl around his neck.

He would still have time to eat breakfast; yet, he left the house without having any.

Kazuya felt too excited to eat. He feared it wouldn’t stay inside his stomach and that was the last thing he wanted to happen this morning.

Outside, he took his bicycle and buried the lower part of his face in his shawl, as he rode off to the train station.

The sunrise was beautiful, dipping a blue sky into shades of red, yellow, orange and pink. The neighbourhood was still quiet, almost no one was on the streets and as it was Saturday and there was no school, there were no other bicycles, as well.

It was just Kazuya, riding his bike; riding towards the golden colours ahead of him.

And towards the painful goodbye he had to say today.

Part 1: A Golden Haze

Kazuya had just been seven years old, when they had moved to Tarumae, a small town in Hokkaido.

It was close to the sea and his parents had found work, but for Kazuya, it had been awful at first. He had just spent a year at school and then, had to leave all of his friends and his home.

The new home had been different. It felt like living at the country-side and everything was plain and simple. The kinds in his neighbourhood and school were all the same and different from those he had known in his previous school.

However, after a while, he had gotten used to it and by now - as he was fifteen - Tarumae had become his home and he almost didn’t remember the former place he had lived in.

Today - the last day before summer break - Kazuya was riding his bike to school as every morning. The sun stood high on a blue sky already and the air was fresh and clear.

This summer would be the best so far. He had planned out a lot to do during the upcoming six weeks.

At school, he hurried inside. It was warm already, so he just wore the white shirt of his uniform without the dark blue blazer. He couldn’t wait to get rid of the uniform and change into his sweatpants and a t-shirt this afternoon, when school was over.

“Kame!”

He turned, as he changed his shoes. Everyone called him by that nickname - it was because of his last name, Kamenashi. He saw Jin coming into the hall, approaching him quickly.

“My dad said we can have it!”

Kazuya held up his hand for a high five and they both grinned at each other.

Jin was slightly taller than him, wore his dark, almost black hair in a short tail and just as Kazuya, he only wore the dark blue pants and the white shirt of their uniform.

“So, are we going to leave this afternoon?”

Jin nodded. “Everything is packed. We just have to take the train to Tomakumai and then, we’ll be at the beach in no time.”

Kazuya made a striking pose. “I can’t wait for tonight!”

Jin nodded in excitement and together, they made their way up the stairs to the class room. Friends greeted them, but they both were still engaged in planning out their holiday.

For both of them, it was the first time to go on a holiday without their parents and somehow, they had ended up to go all by themselves.

First, they had planned this out with quite a few other boys of their class, but eventually, all of them had cancelled. So, only Jin and Kazuya and been left and they were determined to do everything they had planned.

Akanishi Jin had been Kazuya’s best friend, ever since he had moved to Tarumae.

On his first day in school, the teacher had given him the seat next to Jin and from that point on, they had developed a bond that was unique.

Kazuya didn’t think that anyone could replace Jin in his life. He was special to Kazuya, a best friend - a soul mate.

“So, we’re getting your dad’s boat. We can go to that island, after all”, Kazuya said, as they got into the class room.

Now that they were in middle school, they weren’t sitting next to each other anymore. Jin sat quite up front, while Kazuya’s seat was in the last row.

It was just good that they could communicate by just looking at each other, too.

“We’ll take a tent and everything we need and stay there for a few days, or a week. It’ll be so great!” Jin burst with excitement and took out a list he had made. “I wrote down everything we should have. In Tomakumai, we can buy something else to eat, but anything else in on this list.”

Kazuya peeked at it. “You didn’t forget a single thing, did you?”

“I guess, I didn’t.”

The school bell rang and they both hurried to their seats, as the teacher came in. It got quiet in class and the teacher greeted them.

Jin turned his head and flashed a grin at Kazuya.

It would be the best summer of his life, Kazuya thought and grinned back.

Because, he would spend it with Jin.

It was dark already, when they finally reached Tomakumai.

Kazuya had fallen asleep on the train - even though he had been all excited. When they had to get off, Jin woke him up and they first made their way to a convenience store to buy some food.

“I’ll take some more of the rice balls”, Jin said. “We’ll have quite a meal tonight.”

Kazuya shuffled through the shelves and picked up sweets.

Later, they reached the small harbour and Jin got out a key. Searching for the number, they walked along the small boat houses, until they found the one Jin’s father had rented for his boat.

Jin opened up the door and Kazuya helped him getting out the boat.

They hopped in and both laughed, as they had to adjust the balance. Then, Jin took the oars and rowed over the short distance of sea to a small island.

Not many people came here, actually. This wasn’t a place for tourists, so most of the summer, the island was empty. It wasn’t big and no one had yet built on it.

There were, however, other people, who enjoyed the loneliness and would definitely put up their tents, too.

Jin tied the boat to a tree close to shore and Kazuya took most of their things out of it.

“Are we staying at the shore?”

Kazuya shrugged. “We could go further in, but I think staying here would be best.”

Jin nodded and helped Kazuya unpacking their stuff. They put up their tent and put away all their things, before they had dinner.

“Let’s take a bath”, Kazuya said, as he stood up from the sand and pulled his shirt over his head.

Jin stared at him for a moment, as if he was frozen in his place, but then, he got up, too and followed Kazuya who already ran towards the water.

Kazuya splashed water at him, as Jin reached it and he laughed, dipping into the water, without a second thought, making his way to Kazuya. Jin gripped his waist and pulled him underwater.

Kazuya got up again, gasping for air and laughing at the same time. He giggled, as Jin’s fingers tickled him and he grabbed those hands at his stomach to keep them still.

A strange feeling hit him in that moment. Jin’s skin was cold and yet warm against Kazuya’s at his back. He could feel Jin’s heartbeat, his arms were tight around Kazuya’s waist and suddenly, it didn’t feel ticklish at all, anymore, as Jin touched his abdomen.

The feeling vanished, however, as Jin pulled him beneath the water again.

Kazuya turned and gripped Jin’s shoulders, before he emerged and Jin followed just a second later.

Kazuya still had his hands on Jin’s shoulders and Jin’s held Kazuya’s waist. They were close, their chests touching, faces just inches apart.

For a moment, both just stared at each other, before they burst out laughing.

Kazuya swam ahead towards the shore and Jin followed. They got out towels and dried their skin and hair, before they changed into dry clothes.

What a stupid reaction, Kazuya thought, as he glanced at Jin changing. He had seen Jin naked a million times already and it hadn’t been the first time to feel Jin’s bare skin beneath his hands.

He really had no idea what had gotten into him - what had suddenly made him feel so strangely aroused.

But, as he lay next to Jin in the tent later on that night, it suddenly was hard to fall asleep.

And even harder to not turn to Jin and reach out for him.

A week went by way much faster than Kazuya had ever experienced it before.

They had prepared that week on the island for months and now, it was almost over again. Tomorrow morning, they would leave and go back home; pack up everything and return to Tarumae, where their families and friends were waiting for them.

Kazuya wouldn’t have Jin to himself any longer.

For most of the time, he could have forgotten about that strange feeling during the past week. But every now and then, it had surfaced again; had tingled in his chest, whenever Jin had thrown him a look, or when their fingers had touched by accident, or even just, when they had lay a little close in the morning.

The sun was setting and Kazuya sat at the shore, watching the soft drinks, they had put into the water to cool them down.

It was their last evening and it was the day before Jin’s birthday.

“It’s beautiful”, Jin noticed, as he sat down next to Kazuya.

Kazuya nodded. “They say sunsets here are special.”

“Well, I guess I agree”, Jin murmured and for a while, they sat like that, watching the horizon that was dipped in shades of blue, yellow, red and pink.

“It’s golden”, Kazuya said then. “Usually, a sunset doesn’t look this golden.”

Jin frowned at that and shrugged. “That’s probably it.”

When the sun had eventually dipped beneath the horizon and the sky was dark, Jin got up and started a fire at the fireplace they had built earlier that night. From the other side of the small island, they could hear voices and laughter.

A group of young people had appeared on Wednesday and had claimed a spot at the shore, too.

“Are we grilling the fish we bought this morning?” Kazuya strolled over and watched Jin.

“Definitely.” Jin unpacked them and put them over the fire.

When midnight approached, Kazuya went and got the soft drinks. He could see lights at the mainland and pointed at it.

“Looks like there’s a summer festival in Tomakumai tonight.”

Jin came over, too and they watched the scenery far away. “Looks like that. We could have gone, too.”

Kazuya shrugged. “No, I’m fine here. Next week, there’s a festival at home, we can go to that one.”

Jin nodded and took a soft drink from Kazuya’s hand. “Sounds good.”

It would always be like that, Kazuya thoughts. Them, making plans together.

He couldn’t even imagine not having Jin around. He would have nothing to plan without Jin - nowhere to go to and no place that felt like home.

A firework went off and Kazuya and Jin both winced at the sudden sound. It burst in the night sky, red, blue and silver colours sprinkled in front of the bright stars.

For a moment, both of them stared, then Kazuya looked at his watch.

“Ah!” He opened his can. “Happy Birthday, Jin!”

Jin smiled at him, as the next firework burst and held up his can. “Thanks.”

Kazuya toasted to Jin, before he sipped from his drink. The firework hadn’t stopped yet and they remained standing at the shore, watching it from afar.

“What a coincidence”, Kazuya said with a smile and looked at Jin again.

Jin tilted his head, too, returning the look. “That’s what it’ll be like every year on my birthday, when I finally get to be famous.”

Kazuya laughed. “You’ll have a firework for your birthday each year?”

Jin nodded. “You just have to come and watch it together with me.”

Kazuya didn’t even notice. He felt something is his chest tingle again, and before he knew it, he had his arms thrown around Jin’s neck.

Imagining having to let Jin go was impossible, made him want to hold Jin as close as possible.

It just took Kazuya a second to realise what he was doing and he drew back, managing a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry, that was stupid…”

Jin stared at him and Kazuya tried to avoid looking at him directly. He ran a hand through his hair and turned away. “I’ll get some…”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence, as Jin grabbed his wrists and pulled him back. Kazuya just had enough time to make a surprised noise, before Jin tugged him close again and their lips met.

Another firework burst over them; this time, a golden rain dropped from the sky and then, silence followed.

It was short; just a hasty touch of their lips, before Jin drew back again.

Kazuya stared at him with big eyes, heard his heartbeat pound in his ears, felt it in every vein.

Had this just really happened? Had Jin really just kissed him?

Kazuya saw Jin blush and lift his hand, press his fingers over his lips. Then, he turned away and stared over the water to the lights on the other side.

Taking it as a hint, Kazuya turned, too and walked over to their tent and started to pack his things.

For the next thirty minutes, they didn’t talk, at all. Jin joined Kazuya at some point and got his things packed, while the lights on the mainland got fewer and fewer.

Kazuya got into the tent first. He changed and crawled onto the air mattress. He stared at the ceiling, heard noises from outside and waited for Jin to join him.

As that didn’t happen, he crawled out of the tent again and saw Jin lying in the sand. He lay on his back and Kazuya carefully approached him.

Jin was singing lowly. It was almost not audible, but Kazuya noticed, as he got closer.

“They’ll love your voice”, Kazuya said, as he finally sat down next to Jin. He still didn’t dare looking at him. “When you’ll be famous.”

Jin didn’t bother to stop. He kept on singing lowly and quiet, staring up at the sky. But eventually, he ended it, when he reached the last note, didn’t have any more words.

“I’m sorry for earlier”, he murmured.

Kazuya lay down, too, leaving some space between them. “Hm.”

“I have no idea what’s gotten into me then”, Jin went on. “I’ve never did something stupid like that before.”

Kazuya swallowed thickly and could only nod.

He knew just so much more. He practically knew everything about Jin; so, he also knew that this had been Jin’s first kiss. Just as it had been Kazuya’s, too.

“It didn’t feel too bad. I wasn’t all that shocked”, Kazuya finally said to comfort Jin. “Don’t worry about it.”

Nervousness rose in his chest, as Jin didn’t answer. He turned his head, as Jin suddenly sat up and looked down at Kazuya.

“Jin, what…?”

The words got caught up in his throat, as Jin leaned over to him, one hand beside Kazuya’s head, his face close.

For a moment, Kazuya’s look flickered to Jin’s lips, before he stared up into his eyes again. Jin noticed and leaned in further, until his lips met Kazuya’s.

It felt just like before, a subtle brush, a soft pressure; but this time, longer.

Kazuya lifted his chin to meet Jin’s lips, to return the kiss and let go of a shaky breath, as Jin pulled back again.

For a moment, they stared at each other and Kazuya held his breath, felt Jin shifting closer, his body pressing warm to Kazuya’s. The tips of Jin’s hair brushed his face, as he leaned in again and caught Kazuya’s lips in another kiss.

Closing his eyes, Kazuya opened his lips slightly and nipped Jin’s, returned the playful moves. He lifted his arms and wound them around Jin’s neck, ran a hand into his hair.

Jin leaned in closer, brushed his hand over Kazuya’s cheek and tilted his head to change his angle, before he carefully ran his tongue over Kazuya’s lips. He trembled, when he met Kazuya’s the next moment and slowly deepened the kiss.

Kazuya moaned slightly and forgot every awkward feeling, as Jin’s tongue explored his mouth, nudged his back. They kept the slow pace, trying out how far they could go, what they were capable of and what felt good.

As Jin finally pulled back, they were both a bit out of breath. He pressed his lips together and stared down at Kazuya, his fingers still moving through Kazuya’s hair.

Kazuya licked his lips; still tasting Jin on them. He slowly blinked his eyes and managed a smile. “We should have done that on the first day already.”

Jin couldn’t hold back the laugh. “What?”

“Well”, Kazuya said, “we would have had a week to do it again and again.”

The smile on Jin’s lips got softer. “We can still do it again and again.”

Kazuya nodded and pulled Jin in again, catching his lips.

That night, they didn’t get back to the tent. They kept lying in the cool sand of the shore, the sound of the waves embracing them, while they explored those new feelings and that new sensation between them.

Until they fell asleep, still holding each other.

After that summer, everything had changed.

Kazuya and Jin had been practically inseparable. They spent every free minute together, texting each other during class, going to lonely places in the afternoons, where they’d be all alone.

No one at school knew and to all of them, they still just were best friends and nothing more.

After all, the whole situation was new and difficult for them. They both had no idea how their friends would react, should they find out that they had fallen in love.

So, they had decided to keep it a secret from everyone.

It was Christmas time and school had already ended for that year. Kazuya was on his way to Jin’s house.

His parents had gone on a short trip, leaving Kazuya and his brothers alone at home. But, said brothers were out with friends that night and had announced they wouldn’t come back that night, but stay in the city.

Kazuya greeted Jin’s mother, as she opened the door and had a short talk with her. Then, Jin showed up.

“Behave, you two”, his mother said. “I don’t want Kamenashi-san to call and tell me you guys destroyed the house.”

“Mom”, Jin mumbled. “We won’t do anything that would destroy a house.”

She rolled her eyes and saw them off.

Kazuya grinned at Jin, as they walked down the street. “My brothers are all out. They’re on a group date in Tomakumai and stay there the night.”

Jin blinked his eyes at him. “We’re all alone?”

Kazuya nodded. “Looks like that.”

As they reached the house, Kazuya unlocked the door and let Jin go in first. They walked up to his room and Kazuya held up two DVDs for Jin, as he put down his bag.

“The left one”, Jin decided and Kazuya nodded, before he put it into the player.

Jin crawled onto Kazuya’s bed - something he was used to already, as if it was his own - and sprawled out the blanket, holding it up for Kazuya to join him. Kazuya shifted close and put his hand over Jin’s chest, while Jin wound an arm around Kazuya’s shoulders.

They often spent evenings like this. Usually at Kazuya’s - just because no one would come in, without knocking the door first. That way, no one of their families had yet discovered what was going on between them.

“Today”, Jin said, as he ran a hand up to Kazuya’s hair. “What did that girl from 2-c want from you?”

Kazuya bit his lip. “It was about the school’s festival in March. She asked, if I could do a few things.”

Jin raised a brow, but kept on watching the TV screen. “You see, shortly after I saw her talking with you - what was all alone in a corner, by the way - I saw her with some of her friends and she had been crying.”

“I said I couldn’t take any jobs for the festival?”

Jin kept silent for a while and Kazuya stared at the screen in tension, trying to make out, what Jin was going to do next.

“She confessed to you.”

Kazuya shrugged.

“What did you say to her?”

“I obviously couldn’t tell her I’m in a relationship. I said, I was sorry”, Kazuya answered. “And that I couldn’t return her feelings.”

Jin hummed slightly. “You didn’t think of what it would be like to be with her for a single second?”

Kazuya laughed. “What’s that? No, I didn’t.”

“I don’t like girls confessing to you.”

“It’s not like it happened on a daily basis”, Kazuya just said silently. “You don’t have to worry.”

Kazuya smiled slightly, as he felt Jin rubbing his thumb over his nape and tilted his head slightly to give him more space for his caresses. Jin leaned in slightly and placed a kiss to Kazuya’s temple.

Over the past six months, Kazuya had learned that Jin was a very romantic person and a cuddly one on top of that. He liked to be physically close and he liked to show affection through touches and kisses.

Jin never said much, but he showed Kazuya a lot through his actions.

And today’s actions were different from the usual. Jin had moved his hand from Kazuya’s nape to his back and down to his waist and his fingers were now playing with the hem of Kazuya’s pullover.

Kazuya lifted his head and looked at Jin. His heartbeat sped up a bit, as Jin calmly returned it, while his hand found its way beneath the fabric to touch Kazuya’s skin.

Sitting up a bit, Kazuya closed his lips over Jin’s chin and nipped it lightly, before Jin lowered his head slightly and kissed Kazuya.

Slowly, their playful kisses and touches turned into something more serious and Jin fell back to the bed, Kazuya on top of him.

Their kisses got deeper, more passionate and Kazuya couldn’t remember the moment, he had lost his pullover, neither the one Jin had lost his.

He was in deep trouble, Kazuya thought, as he shifted down on Jin to trail his lips over the bare skin of Jin’s chest. He had a serious problem and if Jin wasn’t up to do it, Kazuya would have a very hard time solving it by himself.

However, as he shifted back up again, he felt that the problem had just doubled and caught Jin’s look.

Kazuya swallowed thickly and held Jin’s eyes with his.

There was no doubt about it and Kazuya wouldn’t have to worry about solving any problem on his own.

Jin was definitely up to do it, too.

“Kame?”

Kazuya looked up from his desk and smiled, as he saw Jin peeked into his room from the door.

This was a little odd; Jin usually just dashed into the room, without knocking or asking first.

It was a year later; snow was falling outside and the end of the year was once again close. They had just seen each other today at school and because of an upcoming exam, they had agreed on staying home to study.

Apparently, Jin had problems sticking to that.

“Hey”, Kazuya greeted him and gestured for him to come in. Something felt off.

“You won’t believe it”, Jin said, as he walked in and closed the door. He held up a letter.

Kazuya blinked at him, then, he realised and smiled widely. “They accepted you?!”

Jin nodded and next, Kazuya hugged him tight, his arms around Jin’s neck and he jumped a little, making Jin lose his balance and fall to the bed with Kazuya.

“You made it!” Kazuya looked down at Jin and grinned widely, framing his face, before he placed a kiss to his lips.

It had been a few months ago. Jin had gone to a casting that had been held in Sapporo. Kazuya had gone with him to support him, but the result hadn’t come, so they had both thought Jin had not passed it.

“Kazuya”, Jin murmured and pulled him in once more; taking another kiss.

Kazuya frowned slightly.

Jin usually didn’t call him Kazuya. He said Kame or called him stupid nicknames, when they were alone.

“What’s wrong?” Kazuya still framed Jin’s face, saw concerned eyes looking back at him.

Jin sat up and pulled Kazuya with him, so that they sat kneeling in front of each other.

“You don’t seem too happy”, Kazuya noticed and frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Kazuya”, Jin said again and Kazuya felt his heart drop to his knees. Using his name so often, Jin really had to be serious. “I’ll be going to Sapporo again.”

Kazuya laughed slightly. “Oh, I see. Well, this time, I might not be able to come with you, but…”

Jin shook his head. “I know, I know. That’s not what I tried to say.” He looked at Kazuya again, bit his lip. “I couldn’t ever ask you for that.”

Kazuya felt panic crawl up in his chest. Something was more than wrong - Jin was keeping something from him. “Why?” His voice was thin and Kazuya hated how it revealed his insecurity.

“Kazuya…” Again, his name. “I won’t be coming back this time.”

Kazuya stared at him for a moment. That had to be a joke, that couldn’t be true. “Why?” Again, that same question, that trembling in Kazuya’s voice.

Jin didn’t answer, he just pulled Kazuya close and buried his hand in the soft, dark hair.

“Does that mean, we’ll have to break-up?”

Jin didn’t answer, he just held on tighter.

“Sapporo isn’t too far. I can come visit you anytime and…”

“They’ll take me to Tokyo”, Jin just said lowly. “I’m going to live in Tokyo.”

Kazuya felt tears crawl up his throat, but they just didn’t want to flow over. “You’re leaving me?”

Jin kissed him again and this time, it was Kazuya whose back hit the mattress. Jin held his wrists down and Kazuya couldn’t do anything but return the kiss. He stared up into Jin’s eyes, saw the pain and regret in them.

Jin buried his face at Kazuya’s neck, remained silent and Kazuya wondered if that had just been the answer to his question.

“I will have to leave you…”, Jin murmured after a while, “but nothing is ever going to tear us apart, Kazuya.”

A first tear strolled down Kazuya’s cheek, as he stared up to the ceiling, linking his fingers with Jin’s.

But Jin had said it using Kazuya’s name.

He was dead serious.

Kazuya parked his bike at the strain station.

It had just taken him a few minutes to get here from his parents’ home. After all, Tarumae was a very small town.

Too small, Kazuya thought. He couldn’t resent Jin for wanting to leave this place.

However, it was a pity that Kazuya alone wasn’t reason enough for him to stay and endure it, until they would be able to leave together.

Instead, he would leave Kazuya behind.

Shaking his head, Kazuya entered the station and wasn’t surprised to Jin sit at a bench. There was only one platform and only one train that came through every morning and every evening.

It was shortly after seven and the train was due to at a quarter past.

“Jin”, Kazuya said lowly and Jin’s head turned to him, as he immediately got up from that bench.

He had several bags and looked nervous. “Kame. Hey.”

Kazuya put on a smile. “Ready?”

Jin nodded. “I guess. I’m feeling nervous.”

“For some odd reason, I feel nervous, too.” Kazuya laughed about it.

Slowly approaching him, the smile on Jin’s face faded and he reached out his hands, pulled Kazuya into an embrace. “Happy Birthday, Kame.”

Kazuya pressed his lips together and returned the embrace. “Thanks.”

“I don’t have anything special, but… next year”, Jin said, “next year, I’d might be able to give you anything you want.”

Kazuya shook his head. There was nothing else he wanted than for Jin to stay with him. And that was the only thing he couldn’t ask for.

Jin drew back slightly, as the train came in and pressed his lips together. “Are you sure about your decision?”

Kazuya sniffled and nodded. “It’s better to break off all contact.”

Nodding, Jin took his bags and waited for one of the doors to open. “It’s up to you.”

“I’m sure I’ll hear from you”, Kazuya said and forced himself to keep up his smile. “So, you better don’t forget about me.”

Jin put his bags into the carriage and then, turned to Kazuya again. He stood outside the train, in front of the door and looked at Jin.

“As I’ve said”, Jin murmured and pulled a small box from his pocket. “It’s nothing special.”

Kazuya stared at it - a small box wrapped in blue and a white ribbon - before he took it. “Thanks.”

A loud, shrill ringing echoed over the platform and they both knew this was the moment to say goodbye.

Kazuya wanted to say so many things; that he’d miss Jin, that he loved him. Yet, all those words were pointless at that moment.

This was not a promise - this was a goodbye.

The bell shrilled again and Kazuya winced at the sound, before Jin pulled him in once more.

They never kissed in public places. So, Kazuya was more than surprised, as Jin’s lips found his, pressed to his mouth. But, there was no other reaction than to return it.

Jin’s hands framed Kazuya’s face and he pulled back from the kiss, as the ringing echoed again. He opened his eyes and directly looked at Kazuya’s; their lips still close.

“I love you, Kazuya.”

With that, he leaned back and the door closed in the very next moment. Kazuya still stared at Jin, through the thin glass of the door that was between them.

The train started moving and Kazuya turned his head and to keep up the eye contact with Jin. He kept staring after the train, as it disappeared into the soft, golden morning light.

He had never said it, Kazuya thought and stared at the rails.

None of them had ever said it. They had been together for almost two years and yet, the word love had not once fallen between them.

Although, it had been obvious.

“I love you, too”, Kazuya whispered and stayed like frozen.

It wouldn’t last, he thought and finally turned. It would vanish, just like Jin had.

After all, this was a goodbye, not a promise.
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CONTINUES HERE