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[Kyosuke isn't puzzled by Juzo's stammering. On some level, he understands it. After all, what he's saying isn't something he's really put into words before. He's stressed how important they are to him as friends, as partners, as associates over the years, but such titles don't do them justice. It's not just friendship; it's about the two most important people of his life and his desire to give them-- well, the world, if necessary.

Maybe he hasn't completely figured out how to handle all of it, but that doesn't diminish his feelings.

He takes comfort that Juzo continues holding his hand despite his perplexed reaction.]

I know. I know what you meant. [The thunder above has finally abated, with his anger waning.] Saka-- Juzo. [He sighs and stops to avoid his own verbal fumbling.

The silence goes on longer as he continues trying to root out something that will convince Juzo that he didn't misinterpret what he meant. More than once he begins opening his mouth, only for his lips to twitch into a slight frown. He shouldn't be struggling so much. Maybe he's more tired than he thought.

But he eventually takes a page from Chisa's book, steeling himself for a bad reaction as he closes the gap between them and tilts his head up just enough to kiss Juzo briefly on the lips. It's simple, straightforward, and can't be misconstrued.]

[Juzo spends all that time Kyosuke is fumbling for words assuming that he's fumbling for a kind way to let Juzo down, and thinks about interrupting him to say, I know, it's fine, you don't have to worry about me being weird about it, I gave up on you years ago . . .

But once again, he gets something much more surprising.

This whole day has felt like an insane nightmare. Maybe it really has been one, and now his brain is taking pity on him and turning it into a nicer dream, one he'll wake up from before long and be disappointed like he always is when he has these, but at least a respite from the ongoing nightmare. When Kyosuke pulls back, Juzo just stares for a moment and waits to wake up. Any second now. Surely soon . . .

The world around him isn't quite so passive, though: already the ground at their feet is beginning to bloom with red roses. The vines curl up out of the ground, bud, and open, all within the time Juzo spends stunned into silence. (They might be familiar-looking roses.)

When he still hasn't woken up yet a few long, silent moments later, Juzo does literally the only thing he can think of to do: he pulls Kyosuke back over for another kiss.

Look, he's been holding this inside for a really long time.]

[Kyosuke knows he shouldn't be looking away at such an important moment, but the rustling and shifting of ... something at their feet is difficult to ignore. The red roses are oddly vibrant colors in the cobblestone square, and they hold his attention as they unfurl themselves into full, thorny blooms.

He's just about to comment on the roses and the odd coincidence that he received roses just the other day, if only to fill the silence, when Juzo acts, and his brows fly up in surprise as he steadies himself with a hand against his friend's chest.

Kissing Juzo was different from kissing Chisa; whereas there was a certain finesse and whimsy from Chisa, there was fervor from Juzo, and Kyosuke finds himself kissing back firmly simply so he won't drown. He's warm and breathless by the end of it, anchoring his fingers in Juzo's coat to avoid swaying into him.]

I-- Ah... I'm glad you understand.

[Does he?! He still feels like he can't possibly be understanding this right—but at this point, there's nothing left to think. The reality is finally beginning to penetrate his skull. Kyosuke had said he loved him, and then kissed him. His brain looks for any other possible way to interpret it and comes up blank. The only explanation is . . . this, right here.

He manages not to lean in and close the distance again, but it takes a lot of effort; for a moment he looks like he might. His expression overall has no fucking idea what to do other than look stunned, until finally, he begins to smile. Awkward, tentative, but how can he help it?!]

Aah . . . sorry if I . . . got carried away there.

[That is like .000001% of how carried away he could get right now. He could literally carry Kyosuke away, all the way back to his room. No! Don't get caught up in that shit yet!]

I, uh. Uhhh. —I . . . guess now isn't really the time to work everything out.

[God, that's right. Not five minutes ago, Kyosuke had been absolutely losing his shit, and with good reason. Juzo swallows down a lump in his throat. How selfish is he to even think about this right now when he should be supportive instead?!]

Can you walk yet? You've gotta get dried off. You could probably use a drink, too. I'll—I'll be here however you need me, Kyosuke. Just leave it to me.

[Part of Kyosuke wants to feel good in this moment, to be able to relish some happiness in that kiss. But there's a good degree of surprise still, and a quickly-encroaching feeling of exhaustion as what's left of his anger and bitterness drains away into numbness.

How long have they been outside in this self-inflicted weather? He's lost all track of time.]

Yes. Let's-- [He doesn't even know where to take that thought, and he expresses that with a shake of his head, further messing up his drenched hair.] Is there even anything open? Maybe we should just retire for the night.

I've got beer at home, at least, but—I should probably help you back to your own place instead. I want you to be comfortable.

[Not that Juzo's place isn't, but it's still unfamiliar territory, maybe not the most comforting thing in the moment. And then he'd be stuck there with Juzo. Right now, Juzo's not even sure if Kyosuke would rather be with him or alone. Should he stay, when they get back inside? Leave him? Maybe it'll be more clear when the moment comes.

He forces himself to pull back and to his feet and extends a hand to help Kyosuke up, if he wants it.]

Let's go.

[Instead of immediately reaching for Juzo's hand, Kyosuke lingers long enough touch the roses that had sprouted in the middle of everything. There's a minimal amount of rainwater on the plant, further cementing that it had just appeared.

He accepts Juzo's help shortly after, suppressing a heavy sigh and focusing instead on the flowers as they start walking.]

The roses from the other day. They were from you?

[The thought should probably bewilder him more, but it's so innocuous after everything else that he can't help being faintly amused.]

[Juzo's hand can't decide whether to drop Kyosuke's or not as they walk. He waffles between the two, his grip loosening as if to let their fingers slip apart and their arms swing loose again, then tightening to maintain the contact. They're still touching as the two of them head away from the tree and the tower and back towards their apartments, and once in a while, another rose begins to blossom when Juzo's foot comes down on the crack between cobbles in the road. The air has gone pleasantly warm and dry—a complete contrast to the heavy, freezing rain of before.

And if all that weren't embarrassing enough, then Kyosuke asks about the roses!

Juzo huffs out a short, nervous laugh, refusing eye contact, though he doesn't pull his hand away.]

Yeah. . . . You sent me something on Valentine's Day. If you knew how much I obsessed over those flowers and that letter, you'd really understand how pathetic I am. I couldn't stop myself from sending something back. Even though I knew—Yukizome told me all about how you two—

[He stops and shakes his head.

At the time, he'd felt like he was sharing a happy moment with his best friend. The culmination of her feelings at last. Of course she'd tell Juzo, and of course Juzo would be happy for her, but now . . . now he can't know. He doesn't want to think about it.]

—So I felt like shit about it, but I couldn't stop myself from sending you something for White Day.

It's not like I'd ever done anything like that before in my life. There's no Valentine's Day or White Day for homos. I wouldn't've dared.

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