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Table of Contents (you are here!)Tags for Entire Work: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Other Additional Tags to be Added, My First Smut, Porn With Plot, Porn With Feelings, Uncircumcised Penis

as when the heart of this flower imagines / the snow everywhere carefully descending

Bloom Within Us Ch. 17 (Yuki/Machi)Tags: Underage, Kissing, Grinding, Nipple Play, Zodiac Curse (Fruits Basket), Animal Transformation, Crying, Panic Attacks, Dissociation, Vaginal Fingering, Condoms, First Time, Vaginal Sex, Missionary Position, Developing Relationship, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Abuse

i will hug you solemnly into me.

Bloom Within Us Ch. 19 (Yuki/Machi, background Kakeru)Tags: Underage, Humor, Zodiac Curse (Fruits Basket), Crying, Kissing, Cunnilingus, Condoms, Vaginal Sex, Literal Sleeping Together, Missionary Position, Vaginal Fingering, Developing Relationship, Family Issues, Grief/Mourning

The proof will be my body.

Bloom Within Us Ch. 27-28 (Yuki/Machi, background Nao, Saki, and Mio)Tags: Underage, Implied/Referenced Sexual Harassment, Jealousy, Angry Sex, Secret Relationship, Love Bites, Birth Control, Kissing, Cunnilingus, Teasing, Humor, Established Relationship, Grief/Mourning

show me / the detail, the intricate embroidery on the collar, tiny shell buttons

Bloom Within Us Ch. 32 (Yuki/Machi, background Kyo, Arisa, Saki, and Haru)Tags: Underage, Crying, Vaginal Sex, Missionary Position, Teasing, Bratting, Clothed Sex, Humor, Kissing, Literal Sleeping Together, Established Relationship, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Light Dom/sub, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Family Issues, Childhood Trauma, Grief/Mourning
craving the dream of knowing you.Bloom Within Us Ch. 37 (Hiroshi/Momiji, mentioned Hatori)Tags: Underage, Masturbation, Pre-Relationship, Internalized Kink Shaming, Fantasizing, (note: all further tags for this chapter are in Hiroshi's fantasy), Kissing, Grinding, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Anal Sex, Frottage, Light Dom/sub, Face-Fucking
the desperation / of unstruck / piano keysBloom Within Us Ch. 38 (Hiroshi/Momiji, background Hatori and Haru)Tags: Underage, The Talk, Pre-Relationship, Masturbation, Nipple Play, Humor, Fantasizing, (note: all further tags for this chapter are in Momiji's fantasy), Anal Sex, Rimming, Ass Play

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Yuki gathered up the plastic trays and disposable chopsticks from their convenience store dinner. “Is it up yet?” he asked. Machi had been refreshing her browser every few minutes to check for the mid-season premiere of Mogeta. “No,” she groaned. “Sorry, I know I haven’t been much fun today.” Yuki chuckled, returning to her side and kissing her on the temple. “It’s adorable.” Machi narrowed her eyes and gave him a playful shove. “Here,” Yuki said. “Let me try something.” He turned the computer to face him. After pressing a few buttons, the episode was at the top of her queue. “How did you-?!” “It’s a secret,” Yuki teased, a smug smirk on his face. “You’re the absolute worst,” Machi growled, leaning her head on his shoulder with a soft smile. “Yeah, sure,” Yuki said, fondly nuzzling the top of her head. As the theme song played, Yuki let his hand come to rest on her thigh, hoping she didn’t notice the slight tremble in his fingers. Why was he so nervous? Machi was the one person who’d seen through his princely mask. She knew almost everything there was to know about him, and she understood better than anyone what he’d been through. Except the whole transforming-into-a-rat thing. And Yuki knew that was the source of his nerves. Things had been heating up between them, and he wanted it every bit as much as Machi did, judging by her single-mindedness the last few times he’d come over. He’d had to block her from pressing against him—something which had taken an unbearable amount of willpower—and she’d taken that as a sign that he’d wanted to stop. Yuki didn’t know how to tell her it was just that he was afraid he’d turn into a rat. He’d done a lot of thinking since then. He was determined to give Machi what she wanted—what they both wanted. Before he knew it, the episode had ended. He’d missed it all, stuck in his thoughts. Machi seemed irritated, muttering to herself about going to get some water. He gulped. This was it. He reached out, catching her skirt between his thumb and index finger. Machi turned around, her eyes wide, and when they met his, she pounced. Tension unleashed, their mouths met in a bruising kiss. She straddled him, her hands raked through his hair, and he quickly tugged her blouse up over her head, bringing his hand back against her chest to keep enough space between them. She frantically started undoing the buttons of his shirt as his teeth nipped at her lower lip. None of it was fast enough; they hungered for each other with such intensity it felt like they would starve if they broke contact. As Machi yanked off his shirt, Yuki playfully pushed her onto her back. He climbed on top of her, careful to keep a safe distance between them as he continued kissing her passionately. Her hands explored every inch of his bare chest, craving more of his smooth skin under her eager touch. She ground her hips against him, feeling his arousal through their clothes as he gasped at the friction. He placed a hand on her ribs and slid his fingers under the cup of her bra, pushing it up to reveal an erect nipple. As he took it between his fingers, she arched her back. As if in slow motion, Yuki watched in horror as her chest pressed against his. “No!” he cried, but it was too late. The familiar sensation of being sucked through a straw that signaled his transformation had already begun. Before he could react, a puff of blue smoke appeared and he was a tiny rat on her belly. He was going to lose her. It took Machi a moment to process what had just happened. One minute, she’d finally been getting physical with Yuki; the next, he was gone and a tiny rat lay on her belly. “Yuki?” she blurted. What was wrong with her? Of course that wasn’t-  Did the rat just nod?!  Machi took a deep breath as she tried to stave off her panic. Her boyfriend had just turned into a rat. Her gorgeous, kind boyfriend who always seemed to know just what she needed and who never made her feel bad about herself for her many flaws. Her gut sank as she realized Yuki was trembling and hadn’t uncovered his eyes. He was terrified. He needed her understanding in this moment. “Uh... hang on!” She sat up, holding Yuki to her chest. “Are you cold?” She brought him in front of her face so she could see his response. “No,” he answered. Machi nearly jumped. Did the rat just speak-- in Yuki’s voice?   Get yourself together , she reminded herself. Yuki was panicking; he needed her right now. “Uhh... are you stuck like this for the rest of the… day?” “No... usually it’s just a few minutes.”  Usually?!  “Okay. Okay.” She took a few deep breaths. “What do you need?” “Just... just set me down,” he replied, his voice breaking, still covering his eyes. Machi obeyed, setting him on the bed in front of her. “Yuki-” “I- I’m going to be naked. When I turn back. Sorry.” Machi furrowed her brow. Hadn’t they just been getting naked? “Do you want me to...” Before she could finish her question, a puff of blue smoke announced the return of his human form. He slid down the side of the bed, clutching his head. Machi turned away from him. “Yuki? Let me know when I can turn around.” He didn’t answer. Instead, the sound of his breath hitching set off alarm bells in her head. “Yuki?” she asked, turning around. Yuki’s face was buried in his hands and his shoulders were shaking. Machi hurriedly wrapped him in a blanket. “Yuki, are you okay?” Still, no answer came. “I-I’ll get you some water.” Machi hopped off the bed and rushed into the kitchen, stepping over the piles of junk on her floor. She filled two glasses with water then returned to his side. “Drink this,” she said, pressing one glass into his hand. She gently tipped the glass up to his mouth, encouraging him to sip. Instead, he drank it in one gulp. She handed him the second glass and he drank that as well. She put the two glasses on the floor beside them. “Yuki, are you... do you..." She didn’t know what to say. Seeing the way Yuki had curled in on himself, hearing his harsh breathing and quiet sobs—it was apparent this was his worst nightmare. Sweet, kind, warm Yuki—the boy who seemed delighted at her messy apartment, who asked to make footprints in the snow together, who told her he was proud of her and saw how hard she’d worked, and who’d borne an unimaginable amount of pain in his life and let her see that part of himself—he had transformed into a rat, and he’d been horrified at the prospect of Machi knowing that part of him. She had to show him she'd be by his side, no matter what. Reminded of the moment their positions had been reversed, she put a hand on his head. He looked up, his eyes brimming with tears. Machi took a handkerchief from her pocket and started dabbing his eyes. “So, is that what you meant?” she asked. “What?” he gasped between sobs. “You said something strange happens to you when you hug certain people. Is that it?” He nodded, his face clouded with despair. “But we didn’t hug,” Machi stated, waiting for an explanation. Yuki looked at her, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Why did that happen if we didn’t hug?” she repeated. Yuki frowned. Suddenly, a fragile hope washed over his features. “You’re... you’re not disgusted by me?” Was that what he’d been so worried about? “Why would I be disgusted by you?” Machi asked. “Because... because...” After an awful pause, he broke down, clutching Machi’s arm. “I’m- I’m sorry,” he choked out. “Akito- he always said- he said no normal person- no one would accept me- accept someone who turns into a rat.” So, this was Akito, too. “I guess I’m not normal, then,” Machi said, shrugging as she flashed a small smile. “But- but if he- he finds out,” Yuki gasped, “he could- he could erase- erase me from- from you- from your memory.” Oh, he was afraid of losing her. “I guess we just won’t tell him, then,” she said. She hoped her reply would alleviate some of his fears. Yuki’s wide smile let her know she’d succeeded. His breathing slowed, returning to normal, and Machi breathed a sigh of relief. She reflected on what had happened. When Yuki hugs certain people, including her, he turns into a rat. But- “But why did that happen? We didn’t hug.” she pressed. “It... our chests touched,” he said, floundering for a clearer explanation. Machi turned this over in her head a few times. “So, it happens with any contact between our chests?” Yuki nodded. “Or our bellies,” he added. “Or backs, I think.” “Hm,” she said, images of them making love without their torsos touching flooding her mind. She gave him a playful grin and let the hand that had been on his head trail down to his shoulders. “I don’t think that should be a problem.” “What do you mean?” Her cheeks flushed deep fuchsia. “If you wanted to pick up where we left off, there’s no reason our chests or bellies would have to touch.” Yuki nodded, then his eyes widened as he suddenly realized what she meant. Yuki never believed he’d find someone who’d accept him, flaws and all. He never thought he’d be able to escape the iron grip of the Sohmas, or be loved for who he was and not who he pretended to be, or have anything beyond the slightest bit of physical contact with a girl. He never imagined he’d find someone besides Tohru who wasn’t utterly disgusted by his animal form. So, when Machi suggested they pick up where they left off before he’d transformed, when he’d been kissing her and rolling her nipple between his fingers, and she’d been grinding her center against his erection, it was as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found her. Sitting on the floor, wrapped in the blanket she’d draped around his shoulders, he finally took in the young woman in front of him. Machi was grinning at him, her face flushed. She hadn’t put her shirt back on or even fixed her bra, leaving one breast half exposed, her stiff nipple peeking out from under the wired rim. He lunged forward and took her face in his hands, meeting her lips with a passionate, fiery kiss. She moaned as he dragged his tongue across her lips and plunged it into her mouth. He leaned over her, and the blanket fell from his shoulders, leaving him fully nude, having never redressed after he transformed back. He nudged the other side of her bra up to reveal her other breast, and she quickly unhooked the back, removing it entirely and throwing it clear across the room, earning an amused laugh from him as he pulled back, grinning. “Mmm, so eager,” he teased, reaching forward to cup her breast with his hand. “Shut up,” Machi retorted, her giggles becoming gasps as he ran his thumb across her nipple. He gave an experimental pinch and her whole body lurched. “Yu- Yukiii,” she whined. “Yes?” he asked, his voice utterly loaded with desire.  “Don’t stop,” she implored. He didn’t need to be told twice. His lips were on hers in an instant, parting as she thrust her tongue between them needily. His hands returned to her breasts, squeezing and pinching them as she writhed under his touch. He dropped a hand to her skirt, tugging at the zipper closure on her left side. “Machi,” he panted. “Ca-can I...?”  “Yes,” she blurted eagerly, shimmying closer to give him better access. Yuki unzipped her skirt and tugged it down her legs. Suddenly aware they were still on the floor, he took her hand and stood, pulling her up with him. Machi still wore her panties while he was fully bare. Machi noticed his eyes lingering on her briefs. She flushed fuchsia from her chest all the way up to her face. “I-it’s okay,” she stammered. “You can... go ahead.” Yuki smiled softly at her and brought his hand to her cheek, giving her a gentle kiss. He then knelt and tugged her underwear all the way off. Slowly, he stood back up. For a moment, they simply took in the sight of each other’s bare bodies. Machi’s eyes lingered on Yuki’s hardening cock while he stared at her newly exposed bush. “M-Machi,” Yuki breathed, his eyes completely darkened with desire. This time, Machi sprang forward, taking his face in her hands and capturing his lips in a searing kiss. It took everything for Yuki not to wrap his arms around her and pull her flush against him. Instead, he rested one hand on her chest, bringing the other to her hip. He sat back on the bed, guiding Machi to come with him. She straddled him once more, rocking her hips into his as her fingers slid through his silky silver hair. Yuki brought a hand to her thigh, slowly moving toward her center. “Machi,” he panted. “Machi, I want-”  “Yes,” she blurted once more. Yuki stifled a laugh; he loved knowing she hungered so desperately for his touch. He let his slender fingers explore her slit, shuddering when he felt how wet she’d already become.  “Machi,” he moaned, his fingers running up and down her folds. When he found a small nub at her apex, she howled wildly, and he stroked it again. “In-inside me,” she panted. “Your fingers.” Yuki obeyed immediately, letting one of his fingers dive into her core. The sensation of slick heat sent a shudder through him as he imagined his length engulfed by that same warm, wet tightness. He soon added a second finger, captivated by the ridged texture of her walls as they contracted around him. He curled and flexed his fingers against her inner walls, discovering which sensations drew the most lewd, needy noises from Machi, his other hand gripping her hip tightly, careful to keep a safe distance. He leaned forward, taking one of her mauve nipples into his mouth and running his tongue across it. She wailed as her core spasmed around Yuki’s fingers, uncaring whether her neighbors heard, crushing his head to her chest, seeking more and stronger sensations from him. Yuki sighed as her hand firmly grasped his shaft, the rush of air from his mouth cooling the spot on her breast he’d just been sucking, earning a pleased hiss from Machi as she began stroking him quickly. He brought his hands down to still her. “What’s wrong?” she asked, panic audible between each heaved breath. “I want-” he gasped, “-I don’t want to finish... yet.” “Oh,” she said, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Oh,” she repeated, realizing what Yuki meant. He withdrew his fingers from inside of her, eliciting a soft moan from Machi. She rolled off him and lay back, scooting up the bed until her head lay on her small pillow. Yuki hurried over to his bag carelessly abandoned across the room. He removed the box of condoms and carried it back over to the bed. “Are you sure?” he asked, raising his eyebrows at Machi, who sat up and looked him in the eye. She nodded vigorously, her eyes wide. “I want you,” she said, spreading her legs for him, her glistening center on display. Yuki tore open the box of condoms, ripping one foil pouch open with clumsy hands. He rolled the condom down his length and climbed back on the bed, positioning himself between her knees. Machi grabbed her pillow from behind her and hugged it to her belly. “So we don’t have to stop,” she explained, blushing. Yuki stroked her face lovingly with his slender fingers, still slick with her juices, then aligned himself with her entrance. “Are you ready?” he asked softly, a gentle smile on his face. Machi nodded, holding her breath, as he slowly pressed into her. Instinctually, Machi rocked her hips, chasing the feeling of Yuki filling her insides. He cautiously pressed in another inch, then another, until he was nearly sheathed to the hilt. He watched her face closely, looking for any sign of discomfort, any cue that she’d relaxed. “Please!” she cried, rutting harder against him. “Please what?” Yuki asked, feigning innocence, the hint of a smirk just detectable behind his enraptured expression. “Yuki,” she seethed, “if you don’t start moving, I swear I’ll-OOOOooohhhnnng” her tirade cut off as a loud moan escaped her as he withdrew completely. His confidence bolstered, he sank all the way into her warmth again, slightly faster this time. He took a steadying breath as he processed the feeling of being engulfed by her tight, wet heat. It was beautiful and overwhelming and new. He withdrew and buried himself once more, arriving at a moderate tempo as they both adjusted to the intoxicating sensations at their point of connection. “Is this... is this good? For you?” Yuki asked, panting heavily as he continued thrusting into Machi. “Yes, yes, don’t stop,” Machi gasped, eyes screwed up in rapt pleasure. He increased his pace, wiping sweat from his brow with his hand before bringing it to cup her breast. She let out another moan as he ghosted his thumb over her nipple. He watched her whine with delight as he pinched the pebbled flesh between his delicate fingers. Her walls started to flutter around him, and he almost lost himself. “Machi,” he groaned. “I can’t... I can’t hold on much longer,” he grunted as his rhythm became unsteady. “Just go!” she blurted, urging him on, her own climax building. He thrust faster and out of tempo, inexpertly chasing his peak. Machi’s face contorted with focus and delight as she sought her own release. Yuki brought his mouth to her breast, swirling his tongue and sucking as his hand pulled and flicked at her other nipple. Her channel contracted around him as she came, pulling Yuki over the edge with her. His entire body lit up with electricity as the tension that had built between his legs like a tightly coiled spring suddenly gave way. Their cries mingled, echoing off the walls of her apartment as their pleasure reached an intensity far beyond anything they’d experienced at the behest of their own hands. On the other side of his peak, a deep satisfaction settled into his bones. Yuki gave a few more languid thrusts, taking himself through the end of his orgasm and bringing Machi back down to earth. It took everything in him not to collapse on top of her then and there. He withdrew completely and crashed to the bed beside her. Yuki couldn’t take his eyes off Machi as she luxuriated in the haze of her come-down. Her mouth hung slightly open, her cheeks bloomed with color, her hair a glorious tangle around her head, her chest heaving and shining with sweat. She was the most beautiful sight he’d ever beheld. “Machi?” he said, startled by the heaviness of his own breath. “Yes?” she asked, turning to face him, her eyes shining with emotion. “I love you. So, so much.” And he kissed her, a soft and tender kiss, full of all the gratitude and affection he felt for Machi and everything she meant to him. “I love you too, Yuki,” she said, beaming at him as they pulled apart. “So, so much.” Yuki stroked her face, pressing his forehead to hers. “I’ll be right back.” He rolled off the bed and traipsed to the washroom, disposing of the condom and cleaning himself up. He caught sight of himself in the mirror. His hair was mussed, his skin flushed and glimmering with sweat. And something had changed—he'd opened himself fully to Machi, and she’d accepted him without question. He’d known, back when Machi had said it took someone like him to notice someone like her. That was when he’d been certain she was his person. Maybe this wasn’t the ideal way for her to find out, and maybe he wasn’t proud of how he’d reacted, but he knew now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Machi would always be there for him. He returned to the bed, a warm, damp washcloth in hand. “Hey,” he said, a huge, dopey grin on his face. “Hey yourself,” Machi replied, beaming back at him. He climbed up on the bed, kneeling between her legs. “What are you doing?!” she exclaimed. “Cleaning... up?” Yuki answered, almost as panicked as Machi. Machi gave Yuki a devilish grin. “Leave it,” she instructed. Yuki laughed. “I love you,” he said, tossing the washcloth haphazardly on the floor and nestling into the bed beside her, careful still to keep a safe distance between their torsos. His hands intertwined with Machi’s as they lay there, basking in the new experience they’d just shared. “So...” Machi began. “So,” Yuki repeated, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Why a rat?” Yuki tensed. He should’ve expected this. It was a valid question, and one to which she deserved the answer. Machi wore a curious expression. He knew, after everything they’d just done, and everything they’d been through before today, she would stay by his side. He exhaled slowly. “Are you familiar with the folktale of the Chinese Zodiac?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Machi?”

“K-Kakeru,” she choked out.

“Machi? Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t- I can’t do it any more!”

“Are you at that company event tonight?”

“Mhm,” she replied, tears spilling down her face.

“Oh, I get it now. That sucks. I’m telling ya, you have no obligation to them, sis. You could walk out and they wouldn’t be any less horrible to you than they already are. Trust me, I would know.”

Machi didn’t respond. Kakeru was always telling her to set boundaries and refuse to go along with their outrageous demands, but he was already on the other side of it. He’d gotten out years ago; she only needed to put up with them for another two years before she could be free of them without losing her home, her friends, or her tuition to her high school.

“Sorry, I know you're sick of me saying that. Ummm...”

Kakeru made a few random mouth sounds into the microphone as he debated what to say next.

“D’you want me to call Yun-Yun? He always cheers you up!”

“He’s not answering!” Machi hissed.

“Oh. Oooohhhh. Everything’s making way more sense now!”

“Kakeru!”

“Hey, I'm the one who’s the second choice! If anything I should be-”

“Kakeru!” she shrieked.

“Okay, okay. Want to give me a clue as to what’s going on? Their shit comes in different flavors, ya know?”

Machi snorted a laugh at his crass metaphor. “It... it’s Mom.”

“Ah. The Machi insult parade, is it? Hmmm... well, you know none of it’s true, right?”

“I

am

boring,” Machi replied quietly.

“You? Boring? No way! You’re like... the most mysterious, unpredictable person I know! And you’re legit terrifying when you’re mad. I pity the man on the receiving end of your next punch!”

“So you pity yourself?” Machi quipped.

“See? You’re funny, too!”

Kakeru added.

“I’d give my left nut to come up with witty one-liners as readily as you. Your deadpan’s legendary!”

“Gross.” Machi gave a small smile. “Keep going,” she said.

“And you’re smart as a whip, too. Seriously. Even Yun-Yun says so, and you know how he is. Says he asks you to look over his math, ‘cause you’re so good with numbers, even though your year isn’t up to trig yet. This guy’s never gotten below a five in math, and he still turns to you for help.”

“Yeah?” Machi asked.

“Heck yeah! And you're brave as fuck, too!”

“I am?”
 
“Of course! Machi, you’re dealing with our dad’s bullshit along with your mom’s, and you’re still finding time to figure out who you are and try new things. It takes guts to do that, sis! And... and I’ll kick Yun-Yun's ass when I see him next!” 
Machi laughed. “Like you could. But really, you don’t have to-”

“Nonsense! He left my sister hanging in her hour of need! What kind of a brother would I be if I just let that go?”

“Half-brother,” Machi corrected.

“Sis! You wound me!”

Machi rolled her eyes. “Thanks...” Her voice trailed off into a mumble.

“Huh? I didn’t quite catch that.”

Machi growled. “I said thanks...” She gritted her teeth. “...nii-san.”

Kakeru gasped into the phone.

“Maki! Maki, she finally said it!”

Machi could just make out Komaki in the background of the call, either congratulating Kakeru or cheerfully telling him to shut up. It was impossible to tell.

“Well, you probably have to get back to the boring stuff,”

Kakeru said, returning to the call at last.

“Want me to come over? I can’t get there until tomorrow morning, is that okay?”

“Yeah,” Machi admitted. “See you then.”

“You got it,”

Kakeru responded. Then the line clicked, and she was alone again.

She took a deep breath and steeled herself for two more hours of abuse.

Yuki rested against the door of Machi’s apartment, a smile still on his face.

The moment the curse had broken, he'd been overwhelmed by how lonely it was without the rat spirit. Even with all the time he’d spent isolated in that dark room, he’d never truly been alone before now.

But he knew, without a doubt, he’d take this new type of loneliness over that which he’d experienced as a child, in a heartbeat.

He hoped Kyo would be all right. It had been such a difficult time for them both, since Tohru’s death. Yuki wished he could have thanked her for everything she’d given him. She’d changed him, from a quiet, scared boy who hid himself from the world into a young man who’d made his own bonds by choice. Every connection he had now, he owed to her— perhaps with the sole exception of Haru. His relationship with Machi, his friendship with Kakeru, his improved brotherly bond with Ayame, his mutual friendliness with Kyo... none of it could have happened without her, and he was certain the curse wouldn’t have broken without her, either.

She’d be ecstatic to learn that the curse had broken, he knew. Yuki made a mental note to tell her the next time he prayed to her.

He missed her so much. Her absence had become a permanent ache in his bones; the kind he’d never quite get used to. He couldn’t imagine the overwhelming feelings Kyo must have had when he realized the curse was gone. Kyo now faced life as a free man, but he would never get to hold Tohru without transforming. He wouldn’t get to spend it at Tohru’s side, like they’d both wanted.

And Yuki had run to Machi’s only minutes after it happened, the only thought in his head to hold Machi.

He’d need to make sure Kyo would come out of this okay.

But that could wait until tomorrow. Yuki knew the others were probably at the house by now, celebrating the end of the curse. Kyo wouldn’t be alone, at least not for a while. They’d all make sure he was okay for tonight, and Yuki could take over in the morning.

For now, Yuki would let himself enjoy his newfound freedom. He’d hold the woman he loved and tell her he was no longer bound to a cruel god. He’d kiss her and make love to her and get to feel her body pressed against his without fear of transforming.

He never dreamed he’d get to experience any of this, let alone live a life unbound by the curse. It truly felt like the first day of the rest of his life.

Yuki watched the glow of the sky as it changed from a subtle golden tint along the clouds to a fiery red, Machi’s favorite color.

“Yuki!”

Snapped out of his thoughts, he turned toward the sound of Machi’s voice and saw her, bathed in the scarlet glow of the sunset.

“Machi!” He stood up, smiling. She was so unbelievably beautiful.

“Are you okay? I was trying to call you!”

He gulped. This was the moment of truth. He walked over, slowly wrapping his arms around Machi, pulling her against him in a tight embrace.

Machi gasped. “Yuki! But that means-”

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes damp. “I can hold you now, Machi.”

Machi broke down, sobbing into his shirt. He spun her around, holding her tight to his chest, then put her down and loosened his grip just enough to seal her lips with his own in a blazing kiss.

As they pulled apart, he leaned his forehead against hers, and with a lustful gleam in his eye, he whispered, “And I’m never going to stop.”

Tears in her eyes, Machi fumbled for her apartment keys. Yuki stood behind her, his arms around her, their bodies still pressed together for the first time.

After he’d transformed the other day, he’d finally told her about the Zodiac curse. She’d been surprised—no one expects their boyfriend to suddenly turn into a rat in a puff of blue smoke just as they’re rounding second base—but truthfully, it helped her understand so much of him. The real reason he couldn’t hug her, first of all, and the truth of his role in the family. Why he was so lonely and closed off, and why he resented being idolized by the students at Kaibara High School. He’d been put on a pedestal his entire life, and it had only ever caused him intense, aching loneliness and pain.

Machi had never seen him as a prince. She could sense his loneliness because it was something she’d known, too. In seeing him for who he was, she’d given him what he’d always yearned for.

And here they stood, finally able to embrace each other. Yuki was

free;

he’d never be at Akito’s mercy again. It was too much; Machi was so incredibly, indescribably happy.

Yuki’s hand slid to hers. “I’ve got it,” he whispered, taking the keys from her. He’d had all day to process his new reality, while Machi was still recovering from the shock of it all.

Her apartment door clicked open and Yuki gently guided her inside, never allowing so much as an inch between them. He’d really meant it when he said he was never going to stop holding her, hadn’t he?

He closed the door and locked it, then turned Machi around so their chests were pressed together and hugged her tightly.

“Y-Yuki,” she sobbed.

“I know,” he whispered. He sniffled and pressed his face into her hair. She brought a hand up to his head and started stroking his silver locks in the way she knew he found comforting.

They stood for several minutes, simply holding each other and crying, enjoying the new, full contact between their bodies, when Machi suddenly gasped.

“Why didn’t you pick up when I called?” she demanded.

Yuki laughed. “I... might’ve forgotten my phone at home,” he admitted.

Machi giggled. He was

that

excited to see her. It filled her heart to know how happy he was to share the news with her.

“Machi,” he sighed against her ear, his fingers slipping under the edge of her blouse.

“Ohh,

yes?” she breathed into his neck. It was wild how quickly the air had changed between them from pure, overwhelmed joy to a desperate need for

more.

“I want to feel-” he paused as a shuddering breath ran through him. “I want to feel you. Your skin against mine.”

“I want that, too,” Machi said, bringing her hands to Yuki’s shirt and undoing the buttons.

Yuki’s lips came down to meet hers and they kissed with a passion beyond anything they’d shared yet. He quickly tugged her blouse off, then ran his hands down her back to unhook her bra—he could do this now without risking a transformation—while hers came to his fly, lowering his pants and briefs until he was bare. Yuki tugged off her skirt and panties, sliding back up to kiss her without ever breaking contact.

Machi reveled in the feeling of Yuki’s bare body pressed against hers. He was warm and smooth and delicate yet strong, like always, but she could now feel that in every inch of him. She ran her hands over his back, groping his ass and splaying her fingers over his bony shoulder blades. Yuki, in turn, lifted her by the thighs and set her on her kitchen counter.

“Here?” Machi yelped.

“Is that okay?” Yuki asked, already reaching into his bag for a condom.

After a moment’s thought, Machi nodded vigorously. Yuki beamed at her and tore open the condom, placing it on the counter next to her. He brought his fingers to her core, giving a few awkward strokes.

“Can I try something different?” he asked.

“Different how?”

Yuki blushed. “I’m not... great with my fingers.”

“Worked fine last time,” Machi quipped.

Yuki laughed and kissed her. “I want better than

‘fine.’

You

deserve

better than just ‘fine.’”

Machi flushed and took a deep breath. “I trust you,” she said, determined to enjoy whatever Yuki had in mind.

Yuki kissed her again, love written all over his face as he pulled away and sank down to his knees.

Machi realized what he was going to do only a half-second before his tongue was on her, allowing her no time to be self-conscious before he was giving her the most intense pleasure she’d ever felt.

“Yukiii,”

she whined, throwing her head back as she savored the feeling of his tongue on her most sensitive area. Yuki lifted her legs over his shoulders, Machi  leaned back onto her hands as she bucked into his mouth, the warm, wet swirls of his tongue undoing her in seconds.

She moaned as she came, her thighs squeezing his head and her calves crushing him against her mound. Yuki didn’t let up, his tongue still flicking the bundle of nerves at her apex, drawing even more needy sounds from her. Under one of her legs, his shoulder pulsed rhythmically. Was he touching himself? Before she could ask, he brought his fingers back up to her folds and thrust two into her.

“Yuki!” she moaned. He took that as a sign to keep going, pulsing harder and deeper into her as he sucked her clit, flicking his tongue over it as she came a second time screaming his name.

He brought her through her second peak, slowing his fingers and drawing his head back. “Was that-”

“Oh my

god,

yes!” she exclaimed. “Holy

fuck

where did you learn to do that?”

Yuki turned a deep shade of berry. “H-Haru might’ve... suggested I try using my tongue.”

Machi nearly choked. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Hatsuharu knowing so much about their sex life, even if he was one of Yuki’s closest, oldest friends.

“I didn’t tell him anything!” Yuki stammered, realizing Machi’s concerns. “He just... says stuff like that.”

Machi laughed. “Fair,” she said. Hatsuharu had a reputation for saying the filthiest things out of the blue.

“Are you ready...?” Yuki asked, reaching for the condom.

“Yes,

yes!”

Machi cried out, shifting her hips closer to his.

Yuki smiled and kissed her forehead before rolling the condom down his shaft. He sank into her in a single swift motion, bringing his arms to her hips and leaning his head on her shoulder.

“I love you... so much,” he breathed.

“I love- ah! ...you, too,” she sighed.

“I can’t believe... I can finally... hold you,” he moaned, his most private voice against her ear as he wrapped his arms around her even tighter.

“I’m so happy,” Machi husked.

“Yuki.”

“Machi.”

He buried himself in her again and again, each thrust bringing their hips and bellies together as they cried each other’s names over and over.

As Yuki’s rhythm grew more erratic, Machi brought her fingers down to where they were joined and drew frantic circles around her most sensitive spot. Yuki slid one of his hands down her arm, taking her place, coaxing another orgasm from her just before he reached his own.

As Yuki’s cock pulsed inside of her, his fingers still stroking her clit, his other arm holding her tight and his head still resting on her shoulder, Machi started to cry.

“Machi?” he said, immediately withdrawing from her. “Machi, did I hurt you?”

“N-no, I’m- I’m just so h-happy!” she wailed.

Yuki’s whole body relaxed as he pulled her closer. “Me too, Machi. Me too.”

He held her tightly until her tears dried. She was overwhelmed by the love between them, and it had already been such an emotionally wrought day even before she’d arrived home and learned the curse had broken.

Yuki kissed her forehead once more and said something about going to get cleaned up. Machi grabbed his arm and pulled him down for a kiss, her eyes going wide as she tasted herself on his lips.

“Is... that’s what I taste like?” she blurted.

“Mhm,” Yuki answered. “Do you want me to-”

“No, it’s just... unexpected,” she replied, flushing crimson.

“We can do that again. Whenever you’d like,” Yuki said, a lovestruck smile on his face.

“I'd always like that," Machi gushed. “Seriously. All the time.”

Yuki laughed. “Noted.”

Eventually, Yuki did need to dispose of the condom and clean himself up. While he took care of that, Machi microwaved dinner for them, leaving their clothes strewn about her kitchen. They ate dinner naked, then cuddled before going to bed.

They climbed under the covers and Yuki wrapped his arms around her, spooning her. They slept hard; it had been a big day for both of them, and sleeping in the arms of the one they loved had the additional benefit of quickly lulling them both to sleep.

Yuki woke up in the middle of the night, dully aware that something was

wrong.

He blinked his eyes a few times, finally registering the head of ash brown hair in front of him.

Immediately, he panicked, wrenching himself away from Machi.

She stirred, rolling over and giving him a confused, groggy look. “Whazwrong?” she slurred.

Yuki braced himself for a transformation, but it never came. Then, the events of that day came back to him.

“Machi,” he breathed. “Sorry, I must’ve panicked.”

She gave him a confused look before understanding washed over her features.

“Still getting used to it,” she murmured.

Yuki hummed in agreement. “Can I... can I hold you again?”

Machi turned back over and wriggled back against him. Yuki pulled her close, sighing happily. He’d never get tired of holding her.

With her ass rubbing against his dick, though, his body had other ideas.

“Yuki?” she purred.

“Mmm... yeah?" he answered, trying to focus on the list of irregular English verbs he’d been practicing to calm himself down.

“Do you want to go again?”

“Yes!” he blurted, immediately turning her over and climbing on top of her. He kissed her as his body lay over hers, the beautiful pressure from the contact between them sending fire through his veins.

“Yuki,”

she moaned into his mouth.

“Machi,”

he husked, his hands groping at the top of her headboard for the box of condoms. The moment he found one, he tore the wrapper open and rolled the thin sheath down his erection. “Ready?” he asked.

“Yes, yes, go!”

He chuckled, finding her slit with his fingers before aligning the tip of his cock with her entrance and sleepily sliding into her. He let his full weight rest against her as he rolled his hips, setting a slow, relaxed pace.

Machi’s hands ran up and down his backside, and her legs wrapped around him, hugging him closer as he rocked into her. He loved being able to touch her, getting to

feel

her like this. It was his new favorite sensation.

He lifted his head, parting his lips to let his tongue explore Machi’s mouth, unhurried by the promise of morning. It was summer; they had nothing to do tomorrow except each other.

Machi’s channel started quivering around him and he lost himself, spilling into the condom as she whined, still seeking her release. Yuki rolled off of her, bringing his hand down between her legs and tracing circles over her clit until she sighed contentedly.

“Did you-”

“Mhm,” she answered, cutting him off.

Yuki hummed happily to himself, pulling Machi back against him as he drifted back to sleep.

Machi jolted awake at the sound of a key turning in her door.

Fuck!

She scrambled out of bed, tumbling to the floor in a tangle of blankets. She leapt to her feet, running to the front door just as it started to open.

“No!” she screeched, throwing her entire body weight against it, slamming it shut and turning the deadbolt.

“Sis, it’s just me! Are you okay in there?”

“Don’t come in!”

she hissed.

“What? Machi, don’t be ridiculous. I came all this way-”

“Don’t!”

she repeated, her voice horribly high pitched in her desperation.

“I’ve seen worse, I promise! Dirty underwear, rotting food... it’ll take a lot more than that to scare off Ranger Black!”

“Stay outside! Just... just give me five minutes, okay?”

Kakeru was silent for a moment. “Five minutes? Machi, what are you, naked or something?”

Machi groaned.

“Yes,”

she choked out. This was officially the most embarrassing moment of her life.

“Okay. I’m gonna go get coffee. You want anything?”

“N-” she paused, remembering that Yuki liked coffee for some reason, and he was a nightmare to wake up without caffeine. “Yeah. Twelve ounce dark roast.”

After an excruciating silence, Kakeru gasped. “Oh my god, is Yun-Yun there?”

“Just go!” she shrieked.

“Oh my god, oh my god. Oh my god!”

“Kakeru!”

“I’m going! I’m going...”

Machi sighed. It seemed today would be another very, very long day.

But soon, she smiled. For the first time, she knew she could hug her boyfriend when it was over.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Oh, Sohma-san! There you are!” 
 
Yuki heaved a deep sigh. A new term meant once more dealing with unwanted attention from his classmates and underclassmen. He’d already politely rebuffed this student, Mio Yamagishi, a handful of times today, but he knew better than to expect she'd get the hint.  
“Yamagishi-san, did you need something else?”

He registered the way her eyes lingered on his hair, still damp from his post-basketball shower. He barely stifled the roll of his eyes that followed.

“Yes, Sohma-san! I was wondering... when did you start playing basketball?”

Yuki looked around for a familiar face to help him out of the conversation, but most of the guys who’d played that afternoon were already long gone. Yuki had taken his time, knowing he’d have to wait for Machi to finish her student council duties anyway.

He took a deep breath. “Oh, I...”

You don’t owe her any answers,

he reminded himself.  “Why do you need to know?”

She giggled nervously. “Oh! For... an article in the school paper! Yeah... on the... basketball club.”

Yuki smiled politely. “Hayashi and Ueno would be better people to ask for this article. They’ve been playing much longer than I have.” He moved to turn around, but her hand caught his wrist.

“Actually,” she blurted, “I’m interested in the experience of... newer members.”

“Past-President Yuki Sohma,” came a familiar voice, one that was always relaying its owner’s suppressed temper. “Do you have a moment? President Kurosawa had some questions for you on your filing system.”

Yuki had never been happier to see the small sandy-haired boy by the door than he was at this moment. “Nao, absolutely. I’m so sorry for keeping the president waiting.” He turned back to Mio, politely removing his forearm from her grip. “As I said, you should talk to Hayashi and Ueno. Or maybe my cousin Haru, if your article will focus on the newer members. I believe he’s in your class. Sorry I can’t be of more help.”

With that, he left, following Nao inside.

“I can’t thank you enough, Nao,” he said, a knowing smile coming over his face. The filing system had been the responsibility of the student council secretaries, including Nao himself. “That was a clever lie.”

Nao scowled. “I only came because Machi was on the verge of destroying everything again! Why is she even allowed to stay on student council? Honestly, she creates more work than she-”

“Hold on a minute,” Yuki interrupted, sending steam out Nao’s ears. With a twist of his gut, he voiced the question whose answer he dreaded. “How did you know to come get

me?”

Nao gave an irritated sigh. “You two

are

together, aren’t you?”

Yuki blanched. “How did you know?”

“Why does it matter? For all we know, she’s already broken a door down. Hurry up!”

Yuki put a hand firmly on Nao’s shoulder, preventing him from storming up the stairs any further. “Nao. How did you know?”

Nao’s eyes bulged as he attempted to quell his indignance. “I saw you two together over the summer. Satisfied? Can we go now, before everything is destroyed?”

Yuki frowned. If Nao knew, it was possible others had seen them together, too. The last thing he wanted was for Machi to be a target of even more bullying because of him.

Nao scoffed impatiently.

Yuki looked up. “Uh, yes. Let’s go.”

In the student council room, Machi sat at the table, her knuckles white from her tight grip on the edge of her chair.

“Machi? Are you okay?”

Machi startled at the sound of Yuki’s voice. She nodded, looking away.

“At least we made it in time,” Nao grumbled.

“Shut up!” Yuki exclaimed, immediately looking horrified when he remembered he owed Nao on more than one count. “Sorry,” he added, pinching his forehead. “Thank you for your help today, Nao. And your discretion.”

Nao snorted. “Must be so hard for you, with so many admirers.”

Machi stood suddenly, her teeth bared, her fists clenched and trembling. “You- how

dare-”

Yuki squeezed her arm gently. She stopped and turned to him, her eyes filled with tears. “Yuki... I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“Hey, look at me, it’s okay,” he said, gently taking her face in his hands.

Nao scoffed. “I won’t say anything to anyone,” he conceded, his voice clipped. “Here.” He thrust the key into Machi’s hand. “You lock up.” With that, he stormed out.

Yuki frowned. It seemed Nao still saw him as a rival. He wondered if Nao was still upset over Motoko Minagawa, his crush from last year, or if he’d fallen for someone else who was part of that obnoxious fan club.

“He has

no idea,”

Machi seethed. “He thinks you’re

lucky.”

“Really, it’s okay,” Yuki soothed.

“But it’s not!” Machi snapped. “Yuki-- they don’t even

know

you!”

Yuki’s stomach churned. Was that really their fault? “It’s not like I’m so easy to know,” he muttered.

Machi looked him straight in the eye. “You don’t owe them that,” she reminded him, her voice firm.

Yuki sighed. He still struggled to accept that sometimes. He truly was getting more comfortable with saying “no,” but maybe he’d been too accommodating for too long.

Machi huffed. “They just- they treat you like an object.”

Yuki shook his head. He didn’t want to think about that just now. “Come on,” he said, taking Machi’s hand. “I’ll get us a pizza on the way to your place.”

Machi gathered her things and followed him out, her mood turning even more foul when Yuki dropped her hand the moment they stepped out of the student council room.

They took different routes to the train station, a routine they’d developed at the end of the previous term. Yuki stopped to pick up the pizza on the way, thus ending up on a later train than Machi.

He knew it bothered Machi that he had to constantly deal with all the unwanted attention, or

‘harassment,’

as she called it. And he knew she had a point.

He had so few places where he

wasn’t

treated as an object; held to some role he’d never chosen by people who only cared about what he meant to

them,

and not the person he truly was.

Back when he’d lived on the estate, the only reason he’d mattered to anyone was because of the rat spirit. Now that it was gone, how quickly they all seemed to forget about him. Not that he was complaining—the less he had to interact with the inner family, the better.

And at school, those students only fawned over him because they saw him as some prince. And he’d always played into it, acting the part of the polite and mysterious prince, keeping everyone at arm’s length because he was terrified, if he did let them in, that they wouldn’t like what they found.

Machi had seen right through that, though. She’d known he was lonely and fragile, and she loved him all the more for it, because she’d been lonely and fragile, too. He didn’t have to keep any walls up with her. She saw him as he was and didn’t need him to be anything else.

He’d craved that sort of acceptance his entire life. He’d wanted friends, a family who loved him, and a warm place to come home to, and he finally had it.

He blinked back the tears that sprang to his eyes as he remembered the first time he’d felt that way. Tohru had been his family, his friend, his warm place to come home to. As grateful as he was to have a home at the dojo and to be on such good terms with Kyo now, he missed Tohru,

so much,

and he’d never be able to sufficiently thank her for all she’d done for him.

He exited his train and made his way to Machi’s apartment, still lost in his thoughts.

He was glad that awful fan club had never given Tohru a hard time, to his knowledge. It already ate at him that Machi had suffered because of him. Although, he realized, it’s not like Tohru would have said anything even if they had bothered her.

Didn’t they realize he didn’t want their admiration? He hated it. It made him feel dirty and used, like he was their

property.

It brought him back to that dark room, when he’d belonged to the god and been nothing more than a tool for his mother’s advancement. Those students controlled so much of his school life without his permission. If they really loved him, wouldn’t they respect his autonomy?

When he finally came to Machi’s apartment, lost in his thoughts, he shifted the pizza to one hand and knocked.

The door opened immediately and Machi took the pizza, shoving it onto a stretch of her kitchen counter that wasn’t covered in clutter. She pulled him inside, closing and locking the door before roughly pressing him up against it.

Yuki dropped his school bag, melting into her kiss. He opened his mouth, happily letting her tongue in to stroke against his own. He brought his hands down to her thighs, sliding them up to her ass and giving an appreciative squeeze.

Machi broke the kiss, moving to suck on a spot at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. Yuki gave a low moan as she pulled off his necktie and she sucked harder, drawing his flesh into her mouth and sending goosebumps from Yuki’s neck over the rest of his pale skin. She worked at the buttons of his school shirt with intense determination. Her hands crept lower over the buttons and he moaned again, spurring her on; she sucked at a spot on his chest as she yanked his school shirt off his arms, letting it fall to the floor at their feet.

Yuki had never seen Machi quite so needy. It drove him crazy. Still, the rational part of his brain remembered they had a pizza to eat, and it wouldn’t stay warm forever.

“Machi," Yuki husked, his breathing ragged. “Should- shouldn’t we eat first?”

She pulled back, narrowing her eyes. “Do you not like this?”

“N-no, that’s not-” Yuki stammered.

“Do you want me to stop?” she demanded, bringing a hand down to cup his bulge.

Yuki gasped.

“God,

no,” he panted, capturing her lips hungrily. Machi brought her attention to his belt, quickly loosing the buckle and freeing him from his pants and briefs in one fell swoop. Yuki responded in kind, pulling her shirt off before unhooking her bra.

“Ah!” he cried as Machi began stroking him hard. She was always so rough when she handled him—not that he was complaining, but he knew he wouldn’t last if she kept this up.

He fumbled with her zipper, eventually tugging it down to slide her skirt and panties off. He ran his hands down to her ass again, lifting her by the thighs. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, rocking her hips into his erection and clinging to him as he carried her to the bed.

“I’ve been looking forward to this... all day,” he grunted, setting her down on the edge and sinking into a squat.

“Me too,” she moaned, her back arching as Yuki’s tongue made contact with her swollen clit.

Yuki gripped her hips as he licked a wide stripe down her folds, savoring the earthy tang that was pure Machi. He let his tongue linger at her entrance, lapping up her moisture before dragging his tongue back up to her clit and swirling his tongue around it.

“Yes, yes, right there!” she cried out, her thighs squeezing Yuki’s head between them as she fell back onto her elbows. Her utter abandon when lost to her pleasure was so unbelievably sexy to him. He brought one hand between her legs and started pulsing two fingers into her, his other hand moving down to his aching cock to give himself some relief. He retracted his foreskin and ran his thumb over the exposed head, spreading the bead of moisture that had gathered at the tip over his slit.

He moaned into her core, and she responded by writhing and moaning loudly as the vibrations from his voice traveled to her most sensitive spot. He wrapped his lips around the engorged nub at her apex and sucked, his own arousal building as she bucked into his mouth and screamed his name. He didn’t let up when her climax subsided, only sucking harder and flicking his tongue over the little bundle of nerves, bringing Machi to another peak only seconds after her first.

Quite pleased with himself, he stood. “Are you ready?” he breathed, his eyes raking over Machi as she recovered from the efforts of his tongue. She lay back on the bed, her legs dangling on either side of him, an arm thrown over her pink face. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, and she wore an expression of pure bliss. Yuki couldn’t help but feel proud of his efforts.

Machi nodded. He reached for the condoms, but she batted his hand away. “Don’t need ‘em,” she reminded him. “Just want you,

now.”

Yuki’s entire body quivered with anticipation as he remembered her birth control had taken effect over the weekend.

He hitched her legs up over his shoulders and entered her in one swift stroke.

“Yuki!” she cried out.

“M-Machi,” he replied, already setting a dizzying pace. His hips roughly snapped into hers, the rhythmic sound of her ass slapping against his groin exciting him even further.

He reached down to squeeze her bouncing tits, flicking his thumbs over her nipples. Her back arched with pleasure as he pounded into her. He couldn’t get enough of her, the way she

felt,

the way she sounded, moaning his name over and over to the pulse of flesh against flesh. And the way she looked while deep in the throes of pleasure was intoxicating. Watching his thrusts travel up through her, rippling over her skin, seeing the way her chest rose and fell rapidly, the way her nipples stiffened into mauve peaks, the goosebumps that traveled across her flushed skin, the way she grasped at the bedsheets and rolled her head from side to side as her release neared, her brows knitted and her mouth hanging open as she cried out in delight—it was all too much.

“Ah, Machi!” he cried as he came hard, still slamming into her as his cock pulsed over and over as he spilled inside of her. The brand new sensation of his spend filling her up was enough to tip her into her climax, and the feeling of her walls clenching around his bare length took him through his peak as his vision dissolved to white and he collapsed on top of her, still buried inside of her.

When he came back down to earth, his face was nuzzled in the crook of her neck, his feet still planted on the floor at the side of the bed. He kissed her cheek, humming contentedly, wrapping her in his arms.

“Mmmm,” she moaned, still seeing static. “Yuki,” she breathed.

“Mmmmyeah?”

“D’you think the pizza is still warm?”

Yuki burst into giggles.

“Now

you’re hungry?”

Machi huffed indignantly. “People get hungry after they exercise!”

Yuki only laughed harder. “Exercise?!”

“That counts as vigorous!”

Yuki couldn’t contain his cackles, running to the kitchen and dodging the pillow Machi threw at him.

The pizza was room temperature by the time they ate, sitting at the chabudai beside her bed in their underwear.

“So,” Yuki said as he finished his third slice, hint of a smirk in his eyes. “Care to tell me what that was all about?”

Machi froze mid bite, turning away from him to respond. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yuki put his slice down, snaking his arm around Machi’s waist and pulling her against him. “Oh yeah? What was it...

’Do you not like this?’”

he quoted.

“’Do you want me to stop?’”

“And you didn’t!” she screeched.

Yuki laughed. “That’s true, I didn’t.” His tone grew serious. “But... are you sure everything’s... okay?”

Machi sighed, turning back toward him and leaning her head on his shoulder. “They just make me so

angry.

The way they treat you like you’re some

thing.

They have

no idea

what you’re really like.”

Yuki squeezed her close again, burying his face into her neck. “You’re right. They don’t.”

Machi scowled. She didn’t understand why Yuki insisted on managing them himself. She’d dealt with them before, it wasn’t like she couldn’t handle it.

Yuki started pressing kisses to her neck and collarbone when all of a sudden, her stomach dropped.

“Yuki,” she uttered, “C-can I see your neck?”

Yuki frowned. “Is something wrong?”

Machi didn’t answer, instead bringing her hand up to Yuki’s face and turning his head. There, at the juncture of his neck and shoulder, was an enormous love bite.

Her eyes wide, she immediately released his jaw.

“Machi?” Yuki responded, his voice rising in pitch as panic set in. “Machi, is something wrong?”

“I’m

so sorry

,” she whispered, turning away from him.

Utterly bewildered, he stood and hurried to the washroom, yelping when he caught sight of the dark bruises on his chest and neck.

“Oh my god,” he groaned. “Oh my god, Machi, what are we going to do?”

“I don’t know,” she wailed from outside the door. “I don’t know!”

Yuki paced back and forth, his mind racing. Should he just skip school until it healed? Ask Kazuma to call in sick for him? Maybe Ayame could make him a special collar to cover it up... but that would mean telling

Ayame

about the...

activities

that had led to his neck being marked, and Yuki would rather go naked to school than tell his brother any details of his sex life.

Bandages! Maybe Machi had bandages somewhere? He groaned—even if she did, their odds of

finding

them in this mess were slim to none.

He vaguely registered his phone ringing in his bag, still by the front door. Ignoring it, he called out to Machi, “Do you have a first aid kit?”

“Um... somewhere?” she replied. “I’ll start looking.”

Yuki went through the storage under her washroom sink, finding some dirty clothes, an empty trash can, and an unopened bag of marshmallows, but no first aid kit. He went out to join Machi in searching for the bandages.

Meanwhile, Machi’s phone began to ring. She hurried over to answer it, in case it was her mother.

“Oh... that’s strange. It’s Hana-chan,” she said.

Yuki cocked his head, then gasped as he realized Saki was

exactly

the person who might be able to help them out of this situation. “Answer it!” he exclaimed.

Machi pressed the green button to answer the phone. “Hello? ...Yes. ...Yes, that’s- ...Oh my god,

thank you.

...Ten past? ...Okay, he’ll be there. ...I can’t thank you enough. Seriously. ...Yakiniku? Hmmm... do you know- ...oh, I see. I’ll bring some, then. ...You’re a lifesaver, Hana-chan. ...Above the fridge? Um... okay. See you tomorrow.”

Relieved, Yuki slumped onto the bed. “So, she has a plan?”

“She said she’ll bring her makeup kit to school tomorrow. She’s certain she has your shade. You just have to get there a bit early.”

“Ten past eight,” Yuki repeated. “And the yakiniku? What was that about?”

Machi stifled a giggle. “She said no thanks were necessary, though she dropped several hints that she wants us to bring her yakiniku for lunch.”

Yuki laughed. Saki’s fondness for the grilled meat was no secret; she’d even barbecued on stage when she’d played Cinderella last year.

“We just have to figure out how to get you to school without anyone seeing

...it,”

Machi said, a blush creeping up her face.

Yuki chuckled, kissing each of her rosy cheeks where they’d bloomed with color. “Well, I guess we should keep looking for the bandages.”

“Oh!” Machi exclaimed, suddenly lighting up. She jogged over to the kitchen, getting on her tiptoes to dig around the cabinets above her fridge, soon producing a small red box with a first aid symbol . “So that's what she meant.”

Yuki slapped a hand to his forehead, grinning. He had some strange friends, for sure, but they were

his.

As they went back to finish their pizza, a weight off their shoulders, Machi’s brow creased.

“What’s wrong?” Yuki asked softly.

“It’s nothing,” she replied.

Yuki raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“It’s just… it’s completely unfair,” she amended. “You always have to consider how they’re going to react to every little thing. You should just get to be a normal teenager.”

Yuki sighed. “I know.” He wrapped an arm around Machi as she leaned onto his shoulder. The last thing he wanted was for her to face any more harassment because of him. “Maybe normal’s overrated,” he said.

She nuzzled into his neck. “Maybe. I

do

kind of like my weirdo boyfriend who used to turn into a rat.”

Yuki laughed. “And I

guess

I kind of like my oddball girlfriend who stashes marshmallows under her bathroom sink.”

Machi gave him a shove, giggling.

Maybe he’d still have to put up with nonsense from the fan club, and maybe they still had to hide their relationship at school, but they had each other, and right now, that was enough.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Bye, Yun,” Arisa said quietly, patting Yuki on the shoulder.“Yes. Happy birthday, Yuki-kun,” Saki added. “We shall see you tomorrow.”“See you tomorrow,” Machi answered for him. Yuki’s face was still buried in his hands, still overwhelmed that his friends—his family—had surprised him with a birthday gift.Saki knelt down, ostensibly to adjust the hem of her dress, whispering so only Machi could hear. “Master Kazuma offered you a guest room because your brother was in earshot. He will be neither surprised nor offended if you stay with Yuki-kun in his room tonight.”Machi stiffened. Saki was one of her dearest friends, but it still unnerved her sometimes that Saki was privy to so much of her inner world. After a beat, she simply nodded, averting her eyes.“I’m, uh... I’m gonna walk ’em out,” Kyo said, scratching the back of his neck before following Saki and Arisa out to the dojo gate.With the others gone, Machi leaned down, pressing her lips to Yuki’s ear as she stroked the hair at the nape of his neck. “Are you okay?” she whispered.Yuki nodded, nuzzling into her shoulder.“Do... do you want to talk about it?”After a long pause, Yuki sat up, wiping the tears from his face. “Later,” he said, pressing a kiss to Machi’s temple.Machi studied him. His mood seemed to have clouded even further since he’d begun to cry.Just then, loud footsteps alerted them to Kyo’s return. Machi’s heart swelled with appreciation for Kyo, who’d always been famously light on his feet. She knew he was only walking in such a deliberately noisy manner so they’d know he was there.He hopped up onto the engawa, slipping his shoes off. He cleared his throat, giving them even more warning of his approach, and came back around the chabudai, planting himself across from them.“So, uh... are you gonna be okay?” he asked, his brow furrowed at Yuki.“I am,” Yuki insisted, dabbing at his eyes hurriedly. “Really.”“Oh, uh... well, good then,” Kyo replied. He twiddled his thumbs for a moment, then looked around the dining room and kitchen. “I guess you and Hiro already took care of everything,” he said to Machi. “Thanks for that.”Machi nodded, giving him a small smile. “Thank you for hosting dinner. It was fun.”Kyo raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “It’s his home, too. Y’know you’re welcome over anytime. Don’t need my permission or anything.”A small sob escaped Yuki’s lips.Kyo frowned. “Y’know, after everything we’ve been through-- hell, even just this week, I thought you of all people’d know you don’t gotta hide it from me when... well, y’know. When you have... feelings.”Yuki took a deep breath. “It- it’s not that. I just...” he paused, searching for the right words to express the way his appreciation for his friends’ gesture was tinged with grief. “I suppose it doesn’t really make sense. It’s stupid.”Kyo gave Yuki a curious look. He made a gesture for Yuki to go on.“Do you ever have moments when you realize just how bad everything was?”“Oh. Yeah, all the damn time.”“And it always hits me when I should be happy.”“Why d’you think I completely gave up when the curse broke?” Kyo replied. “That should’ve been a good thing. It meant we were free.”“But it also meant you could finally see what you’d lost out on all that time,” Machi interjected.Both boys turned their attention to her. She continued, “Kakeru told me he was depressed for a while after he quit the successorship. I was, too, after my brother was born. It’s like... if it was always that simple, what was it all for?”“Yes, that’s it,” Yuki agreed. “Why did we have to go through all that if it didn’t matter in the end?”Kyo nodded. “All the time we lost… the people…” he trailed off, then crossed his arms on the tabletop and rested his head on top of them.Yuki and Machi fell quiet, too; the reminder of Tohru’s death adding to the heavy air between them.After a long stretch of silence, Kyo stood. “Well, happy birthday, Yuki. See you in the mornin’. You got any requests for breakfast, Kuragi?”Machi shook her head.“Kay. ‘Night.”He started in the direction of the stairs.“Kyo,” Yuki blurted. Kyo stopped where he was, looking at Yuki expectantly. “Thanks. For everything.”Kyo blinked, taken aback by Yuki’s acknowledgment. “S’no problem,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Uh... you, too. Thanks, I mean.”Yuki cocked his head. “I haven’t done anything-”“You have,” Kyo insisted. “Back when the curse broke. I know you were makin’ sure someone was there, checkin’ on me. And you reassured me when I was freakin’ out yesterday. And you were the one who got us talkin’ after Tohru... well, y’know.”Yuki looked ready to argue, but Machi gave him a squeeze. Instead, Yuki nodded. “It’s like Arisa said. We’re family.”“Yeah,” Kyo turned to leave, waving over his shoulder. “Night.”“Good night,” Yuki called back.Machi kept her eyes on Yuki, watching as his face darkened once more.She stood, pulling Yuki up with her. “Let’s go to bed,” she said, taking him by the hand and leading him upstairs.Safely in his room, she wrapped her arms around him, and he melted into her, resting his cheek on her shoulder.“Sorry,” he murmured, nuzzling into her.“Don’t be,” she replied simply.“Tonight should’ve been fun.”“It was.”Yuki pulled away and smiled at Machi, who had fixed him with a determined stare. “It was,” he echoed, leaning down to kiss her softly. “I wish you could stay with me tonight.”Machi cocked her head. “Oh. You didn’t hear what Hana-chan said, did you?”Yuki blinked. “When?”Machi smiled, her cheeks pink. “It was just before she left. She said Kazuma-san won’t mind if I stay with you. He just didn’t want to embarrass us in front of Kakeru.”Yuki raised his eyebrows. “I guess he lets Haru stay here with Rin...” He gave Machi another gentle kiss. “In that case… please stay,” he whispered.Machi beamed at him, wrapping her arms around him once more.They changed into their pajamas and climbed into bed together, lying on their sides, facing each other.“Can we talk about it now?” Machi asked quietly.Yuki frowned. “We did talk about it. Downstairs.”“But there’s more, isn’t there?”Yuki heaved a sigh. “Sort of. I mean, it’s the same sort of thing. Just… it still hits me, sometimes, how bad everything was, and for so long.”Machi gently rubbed his shoulder and leaned her forehead against his.“Do you remember how I lost the first friends I had, when they found out about the curse?”“I do.”“I never thought I’d have friends like I do now,” he said. “I just thought that wasn’t for me. I definitely never thought I’d get to be friends with him, or that he’d be… looking out for me, the way he does. He despised me.”“But look at you two now,” Machi said softly.“Look at us now,” Yuki repeated. “He keeps telling me how cool he thinks you are.”“Smart man.”Yuki laughed. “Maybe, but he’s still a stupid cat.”Machi snorted. “You’re terrible.”“Apparently, Saki’s mom thought we were brothers.”“It’s not that surprising.”“That’s what I said, too. But…” Yuki frowned. “Maybe that’s more true than I realized.”Machi brought her hand to his cheek. “Yeah?”“I mean… when I think about what he’s done for me... like… like the way he treats me as if I belong here every bit as much as he does.”“You do belong here.”Yuki smiled softly. “Maybe. But he grew up here. Shihan is his father. He always would have come here, if we left the house. I’m only here because he invited me. I know I had other options. Nii-san would’ve been thrilled if I’d asked to stay with him. Even my mother would’ve taken me in, if I’d asked. But Kyo didn’t wait for me to ask. He was already thinking about where I’d go, even before I was. And… and you remember what happened on Sunday.”Machi nodded. Yuki had told her the very next day about how Kyo had helped him through a panic attack.“I just… I wish I could tell my younger self how things are now. That he wouldn’t always hate me. That would’ve meant a lot, knowing it wouldn’t always be that way.”Machi rubbed his cheek with her thumb. “That you wouldn’t always be so lonely.”Yuki nuzzled against her neck. “Yeah.”Machi held him close as they cuddled. It had been incredible, seeing the ways Yuki had changed since they’d met. And he’d basically handed her a road map for how to figure yourself out when you’d spent your childhood trying to please everyone else. She would never have been able to change if he hadn’t done it first.She broke into a wicked grin. “Am I allowed to be mad at you yet?”Yuki lifted his head, his brow furrowed. “Mad? Why?”She gave him a light kick. “You never told me it was your birthday!”“Oh,” Yuki replied, sighing with relief. “It was on Sunday. I... actually forgot until Saki said something.”Machi stared at him, wide-eyed. “Your birthday was four whole days ago, and you neglected to tell your girlfriend?”Yuki nuzzled her cheek. “Allow me to make it up to you?” he purred, his hand running along her side down to her hips.“Okay,” Machi responded. “But I’m taking you out to celebrate this weekend.”Yuki smiled, leaning in to kiss her. “It’s a date.”The kiss started out gentle and slow, but soon, Yuki’s hands trailed under Machi’s nightgown, her hands slipped under the waistband of his pajama bottoms, and their tongues swirled around each other frantically.Yuki pulled back, his pupils blown wide. “Machi,” he whispered, now palming her breast.“Mmm?” she replied, her voice barely audible.“Do you want to...?”“We’d have to be quiet,” she murmured.“I'm not the one we’d have to worry about,” he replied, a wry smile playing at his lips.She sent another soft kick toward him. “Shut up.”“Think you can do it?”“Watch me,” she hissed, a determined glint in her eyes.Yuki climbed on top of her, pulling his half-hard cock through his pajama fly and tugging Machi’s panties to the side under her nightgown. He gave himself a few quick strokes then aligned himself with her entrance. “Ready?” he whispered.Machi nodded, but let out a harsh gasp as his erection made contact with her slit. Yuki’s hand flew up to cover her mouth.“Can you do it?” he whispered urgently. “Kyo hears everything.”Machi nodded. Satisfied, Yuki let go of her mouth and slowly pressed into her. He let out a quiet, breathy sigh as he sank all the way into her warmth. He nuzzled into the crook of Machi’s neck as he began rocking his hips slowly.Machi’s entire focus was on keeping quiet, but Yuki’s cock felt so good inside of her. And the way he’d buried his face in her neck, panting softly against her skin, drove her crazy.A cry rumbled up from her lungs as he struck the spot that made her whole body sing, and Yuki quickly covered her mouth once more as he paused his motion. He lifted his head, listening for any disturbance in the hall.Apparently satisfied, he breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn’t resume his thrusts. Machi rutted against him, desperate for any motion, but Yuki still didn’t relent. She narrowed her eyes at him, and he broke into a fiendish smirk.
He was enjoying this.
Well, two could play at that game.Machi stuck her tongue out and pressed it against Yuki’s hand with a defiant glare. He immediately drew back and covered his own mouth to stifle a giggle. Machi gave him a triumphant grin and Yuki narrowed his eyes, that infernal smirk of his returning to his eyes.“Well, I guess that’s it for tonight,” he whispered, beginning to withdraw from inside of her, an eyebrow raised as he waited for her to react.It took Machi a moment to understand he was playing a game, but the moment she did, she shook her head vigorously.“Oh, you want more?”She nodded enthusiastically.Yuki stifled another laugh. “Well, you know what you need to do,” he murmured.Machi huffed. “You’re terrible. The absolute worst!”“Okay,” Yuki whispered, feigning withdrawal once more.“Wait! Please,” she begged.“Please what?” he teased, his eyebrows raised.“Please fuck me!” she hissed through gritted teeth.Yuki grinned, entirely too pleased with himself, and resumed his slow thrusts. Machi focused on the sensation of his length sliding all the way in until they were joined at the base, then back out again, and all the delicious sensations he was creating just for her. She loved the way he’d shift angles ever so slightly, pressing against different spots until he found the one that drove her crazy.When Machi couldn’t help but let a quiet moan escape, Yuki covered her mouth once more and kept pace, leaning down to whisper in her ear.“Is this okay?” he asked urgently. “My hand?”It took Machi a moment to process that he wasn’t teasing her this time, that his concern was genuine. She nodded and Yuki picked up the pace, his hand still glued to her mouth.Machi would sooner have died than admit this out loud, but she loved it when Yuki teased her. No one else in her life could get a rise out of her quite like Yuki, because no one understood her as well as he did.And Yuki didn’t really tease anyone else the way he teased her. In fact, other people seemed to get a rise out of him more often than not. This was a side of him only she got to see. This Yuki was just for her.And she knew he loved it when she pushed his buttons. She always got to see his most delighted smiles when she challenged him in surprising and creative ways.Like licking his hand.After her hellish childhood, it was so freeing to know she didn’t have to meet any impossible standards for Yuki to love her. She could sass him or fail to keep her voice down and he’d still love her with his whole being.He’d still try to give her as much pleasure and satisfaction as he possibly could.Like the way he brought his free hand down to rub circles against her clit as he approached his climax, even though it only made her moan louder into his palm.“Machi,” he whined into her ear, “Machi, I’m close!”She nodded once before her peak hit and she cried out into his hand. Yuki panted and groaned softly against her neck and snapped his hips harder and faster until his release filled her up and he let his body relax on top of her.When his breathing finally evened out, he removed his hand from her mouth and tucked her hair behind her ear.“How was that?” he asked, his eyes full of admiration and tenderness.“Fun,” she replied, a tired but genuine smile on her face.He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you,” he whispered, turning onto his side and gazing at her once more.Machi turned over and settled back against him. Even if they were always tangled in a mess of blankets by the time they woke up, it was still so special to be able to fall asleep in each other’s arms.In the morning, Machi awoke to the sound of her phone alarm. As always, Yuki slept right through it without even stirring.She grinned to herself. This was another side of Yuki only she got to see; this bed-headed, snoring, drooling mess haphazardly covered by his bedsheets and impossible to wake up.This was the man she loved.She crept out of bed and changed into her school clothes before making her way downstairs for breakfast.Kyo, Kazuma, and Haru were already eating when she appeared.“There’re plates made up for you and Yuki in the oven,” Kyo told her.“Thanks,” she replied, retrieving the plates and joining them around the table.Yuki stumbled down the stairs a short while later and sped through his breakfast so he’d have time to get dressed.As they set out on the walk to school, Kyo hung back, looking over Yuki with concern.“So…uh, how- how’re you doin’? After last night, I mean?”Yuki nearly choked, his face a deep shade of red.“Nice,” Haru said mildly, a knowing smirk on his face.Kyo made a puzzled expression.“I think he means after the talk we had,” Machi suggested, her face also a deep red. “With him. Downstairs,” she clarified.Yuki slapped a hand to his forehead. “Of course,” he muttered. He turned to Kyo. “Much better, thanks.”“Good,” Kyo replied, though he didn’t seem totally convinced.“Really,” Yuki assured him.Kyo nodded and went up to walk with Haru.“He really does look out for you,” Machi remarked.“He’s always been like that.”Machi gave Yuki a skeptical look.“Not with me!” Yuki clarified. “But… he was always looking out for Momiji like that. And Haru-- he used to walk him to the bathroom so he wouldn’t get lost. I think he’s just like that. He tries to protect people.”“People he cares about,” Machi corrected.Yuki looked ahead at Kyo and smiled. “Yeah.”They walked for another block or so in a comfortable silence until Yuki spoke again.“By the way, when’s your birthday?”“August twenty-third,” Machi answered, a mischievous grin coming to her face.“Oh,” Yuki replied. “Wait— that was two weeks ago! Machi, why didn’t you tell me?”“There were bigger things on my mind. Like the curse breaking.”Yuki laughed. “Okay, fair. But we should celebrate. Maybe this weekend?”“Can’t.”“What do you mean, ‘can’t’?”“I already have plans for this weekend.”Yuki cocked his head. “Is it a family thing?”“No, idiot, we’re already celebrating your birthday!”Yuki burst out laughing. “I completely forgot! Well, no reason we can’t celebrate both our birthdays this weekend.”Machi grinned. “Fine, it’s a date.”Yuki stopped walking to press a kiss to the back of her hand, meeting her eyes with a radiant, carefree smile.When he was happy– truly happy– his smile still made her stomach do backflips, and his laughter still made her heart flutter. His joy filled her up and made her feel like they could take on the world together.After last night, it felt like such a gift to see such a genuine smile on his face.It was the best belated birthday gift she could ever ask for.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Hiroshi sat on his bed, hardly able to believe the incredible evening he’d just spent with Momiji.He’d never gotten to this point in a relationship before. He’d fallen for straight boys (or queer boys in denial) over and over, but Momiji was different. Hiroshi had assumed he was another out-of-reach straight boy because he was so open about his love for Tohru, but Momiji had been quick to correct him.And that was so much of why Hiroshi had fallen for him in the first place. Momiji just seemed so confident, so ready to try new things and laugh at himself if it went sideways, so comfortable in his own skin and sure of who he was. Spending time around Momiji made him feel like anything was possible. Like he might one day be brave enough to tell his family who he was.Hiroshi smiled to himself and resumed his mental replay of the evening. Before Momiji texted him, he’d been thinking about that moment on the bed, after Momiji had changed in front of him, when they’d almost kissed.Hiroshi’s pulse quickened at the flash of bright red he’d seen below Momiji’s waistband, before Momiji had taken off his pants and Hiroshi had averted his eyes. If he’d allowed himself to look, what might he have seen? What could have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted just before Momiji had moved to close the gap between their lips?Hiroshi shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for what ifs. He wanted to remember every detail of their evening exactly as it was.Thinking of the dinner with Hatori that followed, Hiroshi couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Hatori really was much nicer than he looked. It had been very generous of him to invite Hiroshi over to discuss medical school, and he’d offered such thoughtful advice. Hiroshi made a mental note to send a thank-you card.Then, they had begun baking. His heart fluttered at the way Momiji had pressed their cheeks together as he’d tied the apron round his back, or the way Momiji had taken his hands and told him they were ‘very pleasant.’That was flirting, right? Hiroshi knew he could be clueless at times, but he wasn’t that bad, was he?And if Momiji was flirting, Hiroshi might actually have a chance!But Momiji seemed to flirt with everyone. Maybe Hiroshi was getting his hopes up; he didn’t want to set himself up for more disappointment.Then again, he didn’t want to count himself out just yet.He arrived at their first embrace in the kitchen, when Momiji had softly moaned his name.Hiroshi gulped. If Momiji only knew the effect he had….As his pajama pants became uncomfortably tight, Hiroshi glanced at his bedroom door, ensuring it was locked. Satisfied, he lowered his pajamas and wrapped his hand around his cock, stroking slowly to the feel of Momiji’s stomach under his fingers.Despite being slender and lanky, Momiji was so soft to the touch. Every time Hiroshi had gotten to touch him— whether during their basketball lessons, or the first time they’d hugged in the sweets shop, and every time since— Hiroshi couldn’t help but notice how soft he was.And his neck had smelled so sweet and citrusy. It matched his personality perfectly, like his very skin was made of sunlight. If Hiroshi kissed his neck, would he taste of honey and grapefruit, too?And his cheeks had flushed such a pretty shade of peachy pink. Hiroshi groaned at the thought of that same warm color reaching down, down past his chest and his navel to what lay under that red fabric. Maybe Momiji had other colors he could discover, too. Maybe those cute golden freckles that dotted his cheeks and his forearms speckled his shoulders, or his chest, or maybe they continued all the way beneath that bright red underwear.Oh, and that voice. The way Momiji’s bright, cheerful tone had turned husky and breathy there in the kitchen when Hiroshi had finally worked up the courage to hold him. Would his voice sound the same if Hiroshi unzipped the fly of those white jeans, dipped his fingers under the waistband of that bright red underwear, and pumped him the way he was pumping himself right now? Was there another, even more intimate voice Hiroshi might hear if he sank to his knees and went down on Momiji right there in that kitchen? What would his most lewd moans and sighs sound like? How many different ways might Momiji call out his name while he lost himself to his mouth?He increased his pace as his mental replay moved on to the flour fight. He let out a small moan at the sensation of Momiji’s hands pressing dusty white handprints all over him, or Momiji’s body pressing his own against the wall, or the electric jolt of Momiji's teeth grazing his neck. He wanted Momiji to hold his hands above his head as he palmed his bulge and nipped the sensitive spot below his jaw. And Momiji’s hardness would rub against his own, or he’d unbutton Hiroshi’s fly and slide his hands down the front of his tight chinos. If only it were Momiji’s hand wrapped around him right now, back in Hatori’s kitchen, as Momiji's other hand pinned him against the wall by the wrists.A delicious pressure built in Hiroshi's groin. He paused his strokes to fish around in the back of his nightstand for the small jar of coconut oil he kept hidden, swiftly opening the jar and letting the lid clatter to the floor. He coated two fingers in the oil then lifted his hips, inserting his fingers into his ass as he resumed working his cock. He wanted Momiji behind him, thrusting into him just like this, his hands splayed over his chest and hips, his fingernails digging harsh trails across his torso. He’d feel Momiji’s breath on his neck, his teeth tugging at his earlobe, his moans growing more and more urgent as he snapped his hips harder and harder, hitting that sensitive spot that made Hiroshi’s whole body tingle excitedly. And maybe then Momiji would reach around to stroke him as he continued pounding into him at a brutal pace. He wanted to feel Momiji inside of him, hear his voice crying out at his moment of ecstasy, learn all the ways he could make Momiji feel good.Hiroshi let his thoughts drift to that moment on the bed, when Momiji had started undressing. He wished he’d allowed himself to look. Did Momiji wear briefs? They were too tight to be boxers, but maybe Momiji wore boxer briefs like him?Hiroshi moaned at the brief glimpse he’d gotten of Momiji’s bulge. If Momiji caught him looking, would he have freed himself from his red underwear with a wink? Maybe then, Momiji would climb on top of him, boxing him in, jamming his tongue into his mouth as he ground his hard cock against Hiroshi’s, pressing his whole weight on top of him.Oh, and then there were their basketball lessons, and the electricity Hiroshi felt every time they bumped into each other. He loved the cheeky way Momiji would smile at him when he’d successfully block a shot. And the feel of him through his basketball shorts was almost too much.Maybe next week, when he went over to play duets, Momiji would finally kiss him. They’d come so close tonight, more than once. The way Momiji had looked at him at the end of the night had made Hiroshi weak in the knees. And maybe kissing would lead to other things, like the kinds of things Hiroshi was currently fantasizing about. Momiji lived alone, after all, and they would be alone together next week, with no dinners to attend or oven timers to interrupt them. It wouldn’t be surprising if they fucked, right? If Momiji lay on top of him, rutting into him, pinning him face-down against the bed, moaning so Hiroshi could feel the vibrations of his pleasure travel through his ribcage and into his bones.Hiroshi reached a blistering tempo, rubbing his thumb over the tip of his cock where it was most sensitive and thrusting his fingers in and out of his hole with desperation. He wanted Momiji to overwhelm him, to fill all his senses until all he could see, feel, taste, smell, hear was Momiji. He wanted to be surrounded by his sweet, lemony scent until it was all he could smell, to taste the salt of sweat on Momiji’s honeyed skin, to count the freckles on every inch of his body and learn all the colors he could flush. He wanted to hear every one of Momiji’s private voices and memorize the way his soft skin felt under his fingertips and know what Momiji’s tongue felt like swirling around his and know the way his cock felt in his hands and against his own cock and down his throat and slamming into his ass while Momiji’s fingernails dug into his hips. He wanted Momiji to hold him down and consume him, to shove his cock into Hiroshi’s eager mouth and fuck his throat.He opened his mouth, imagining what it would be like to have Momiji’s shaft between his parted lips. He wriggled his tongue, licking and flicking shapes all up and down the imaginary cock that was bucking into his mouth, pretending he could hear Momiji moaning and whining and calling out his name, that he could taste his spend and feel it hitting the back of his tongue and throat.“Momiji!” Hiroshi hissed as he came hard, spilling over his hand. He stroked himself through his peak, his finger still working his hole, until all the tension that had built in him that day was released.He relaxed into his bed as he came back down to earth, his chest heaving and his mouth still hanging open.He’d never wanted anyone like this before. Momiji set him alight with every touch, every smile, every flirty word.But what if Hiroshi was deluding himself? What if he was reading into Momiji’s actions and only seeing flirting because he wanted to?What would Momiji think of him if he knew all the things he’d fantasized about tonight?Quickly, he grabbed several tissues from his nightstand and cleaned himself up. He carefully cracked open his bedroom door, ensuring he wouldn’t be stopped in the hallway, before sneaking over to the washroom.Cleansing his hands in the sink, a fresh wave of shame swept over him. He had no idea if Momiji even liked him, let alone whether he wanted to have sex with him. And even if he felt the same way, there was no way Momiji was as filthy and perverted as he was.What kind of friend fantasizes about their friend holding them down and fucking their mouth? What kind of person fantasizes about being consumed?And how would Momiji feel if he knew the dirty things Hiroshi had imagined them doing?Hiroshi knew the answer. Momiji would feel so violated if he ever found out, because Momiji is a good person with normal, healthy desires. Momiji would never want to hold him down and fuck his face the way he wanted, because people like Momiji don’t do things like that.Momiji deserved someone so much better than him.He was disgusting.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The sleek black car pulled up to Momiji's home and the driver got out to open his door and fetch his school bag from the trunk. Momiji thanked the driver, then looked across the back seat.

“Bye, Papa!” he chirped, waving goodbye to his father, who smiled and waved back as the car drove off.

Momiji dropped his bag inside his front door before walking over to Hatori’s.

He wasn’t sure what to expect. Hatori had been very vague last night, only asking that Momiji return tonight after his conference so they could discuss something important. He hoped Hatori wasn’t going to say Hiroshi was no longer welcome. The flour fight may have been a bit rude, but Hatori had seemed to find it funny at the time.

To his surprise, the shoji doors leading to Hatori’s home office were open. Hatori sat at his desk, looking up when he heard Momiji’s footsteps.

“Momiji,” he said, his characteristic stoic greeting. “Come in.”

Momiji hopped onto the engawa, removing his shoes. “Ha’ri! Am I due for a physical?”

Hatori closed his eyes and sighed. “No. I wanted to speak to you because-” he rubbed his forehead. “Because I realized the talk I gave you last year was inadequate.”

Momiji blinked. “Inadequate?”

Hatori waited until Momiji had taken a seat on the small couch he kept in his office. He closed the shoji doors and took his spot in one of the chairs opposite the couch. “Momiji, Hiroshi-kun is more than a friend, is he not?”

Momiji flushed. He nodded quietly.

“Do the two of you already have a physical relationship?”

Momiji shook his head.

“Nein,

not yet.”

“Do you

intend

to have a physical relationship with him?”

“I- yes, I’d like to,” Momiji said, his cheeks growing warmer still. This was the first time he’d said as much out loud, but he was

very

attracted to Hiroshi.

“Good,” Hatori said matter-of-factly. “He seems like a nice boy.”

Momiji pressed a hand to his cheek. “Um... is this... what you wanted to talk about?”

“In a way,” Hatori answered. “You remember the conversation we had when you entered high school?”

“About... sex?”

“Yes.”

Momiji nodded again, torn between his own embarrassment and his awe of Hatori’s professionalism when discussing such personal matters.

“I neglected to include information on safe sex practices between two partners with male anatomy. I apologize for my oversight. It was foolish, especially given my own-” he stopped short, coughing hurriedly into his fist before recovering, “-my own training. As a doctor.”

Momiji seemed not to notice the slip, still wrapped up in his own nerves. “Is it so different?” he blurted. “I mean, we won’t need to worry about pregnancy, but getting tested, using condoms... that’s all the same,

ja?”

“Yes and no,” Hatori answered. He lifted a box from the floor, setting it on the coffee table between them. “There are some important things you should know if you plan to engage in anal sex. Will that be relevant information for you?”

Momiji’s eyes widened and he was certain he was a deeper shade of red than he’d ever been, but he gathered himself as best he could and gave a single, small nod. He’d do his best and listen closely despite the intense awkwardness.

A short while later, Momiji was back in his own home, sitting on his bed, the box of supplies from Hatori on his lap.

He took the items out one by one, setting them on his nightstand, a shiver going through his body as he realized the possibilities that had just opened up for him.

Momiji was no stranger to sex. He’d fooled around with a few of his classmates at his German middle school. They’d used their hands or rubbed against each other. One time, they’d even used their mouths.

And he knew that some people used their

Arsch

for penetrative sex. It shouldn’t have surprised him that people used their parts in all different combinations.

But he never imagined he’d want to lick someone’s

Arsch

quite so badly.

He abruptly stood up, taking a small subset of supplies— the bulb douches, epsom salts, and witch hazel cream— and putting them under his washroom sink.

He returned to his bed, his hands beginning to sweat.

God

, he wanted Hiroshi.

He took the wipes and condoms and stuffed them in his top nightstand drawer, next to the unopened box of condoms Hatori had given him when he’d started high school.

Next, he put the bottle of lube in the drawer. Hatori had helpfully put it in a plastic baggie, warning Momiji that, although silicone lubes lasted longer than water-based, they had an unfortunate tendency to leak. Momiji tried not to think too hard about whether Hatori knew this because of his role as the family doctor, or from

personal experience.

The last two items were the ones making his knees weak. Hatori had given him a box of dental dams, for rimming, and a box of finger cots, for fingering Hiroshi’s

Arsch

—or for Hiroshi to finger his.

“You can always use gloves,”

Hatori had said.

“They’re certainly easier to find. But given that Hiroshi plans to be a doctor, gloves will always carry certain... associations for him.”

Momiji gulped, looking down at the prominent bulge in his school trousers, and flopped back down on his bed. He hadn’t been able to get Hiroshi out of his head since he’d come over yesterday. He’d even had to calm himself down more than once in class today, mentally rehearsing the exposition of the first movement of the Mozart concerto he was learning to distract himself.

It didn’t help that they played basketball together almost daily now. Hiroshi might be adorably polite in the locker room, but Momiji had no qualms about checking other guys out. He loved Hiroshi’s toned physique, his broad shoulders, his tight little

Arsch

…

…and his

enormous

, thick

Schwanz

.

It was an open secret among the boys at Kaibara that Hiroshi was the most well-endowed at the school. Momiji had a feeling Hiroshi was completely oblivious to this, given his prudishness.

He’d intended to kiss Hiroshi when he came over the day before. He’d hoped they might get to do more. But something had happened that Momiji had never experienced before.

Momiji had been

nervous.

It didn’t make sense. He

knew

Hiroshi liked him. At least, he was as sure as he could be without Hiroshi actually saying it out loud.

And he knew he was more experienced than Hiroshi. He didn’t have the pressure of a first kiss, or first… lots of things.

But something was different this time. Maybe it was that he wanted something more than a hookup, or maybe it was that he had a feeling Hiroshi wanted that, too.

Maybe it was something entirely different.

But Momiji

really

wanted to get things right.

He stood up and shed his school uniform. He was about to change into his pajamas, but his erection strained against his Mogeta boxer briefs.

He ought to take care of that.

He tugged his underwear off and sat back on his bed, already tracing circles around the head of his cock. Should he try out some of the new items that sat in his drawer tonight?

No, he wasn’t in the mood to experiment tonight.

He began stroking himself lazily, letting his mind wander until he found the fantasy that would undo him tonight. Kissing, grinding, hands, mouths, none of it got him going.

Then he found it, and his pace quickened dramatically.

Yeah. Tonight would be all about Hiroshi’s

Arsch

.

Momiji wanted to start by feeling his

Arsch

as they made out, rubbing his hands up and down Hiroshi’s tight cheeks while his tongue plunged in and out of Hiroshi’s mouth, exploring every last nook and cranny. He’d palm the sides and squeeze the fleshy middles and caress the underside and cautiously work his way toward the entrance.

Then, maybe he’d rub little circles around Hiroshi’s hole until he relaxed and let him in. He’d use one, maybe two fingers, and he’d start slow, only pushing in a little at a time, then pulling back out.

Each time, he’d press in a little deeper until he found the little nub that would make Hiroshi lose his mind.

And then, he’d want to see Hiroshi’s face as he teased it, giving him little hints of what he wanted but never enough for Hiroshi to come. No, he wanted to draw this out, to wait until Hiroshi

begged

him to come and then wait a little bit longer. He wanted to give him the best, most explosive orgasm of his life, and that was something he’d have to earn through patience and a deft hand.

Momiji brought his free hand up to flick his nipples as pressure built below his navel.

Maybe he’d lick a broad stripe up Hiroshi’s cock and circle the tip with his tongue only to back off when Hiroshi started to whine. He’d lick up and down every side and tease the tip, then travel down past his balls until his tongue found Hiroshi’s hole.

Momiji would flatten his tongue out and press it fully against that ring of muscle, or sharpen it into a point and work it past the entrance. He’d trace feather-light circles around it, kiss every inch of his

Arsch

and lick wet trails over his hole while he stroked

both

their cocks and he’d keep going until he felt Hiroshi start to open up under his tongue.

And once Hiroshi was fully relaxed, Momiji would climb on top of him and fuck him. He’d get to feel that tight ring of muscle welcome him in and grip him and drive him

crazy.

And, if the stars aligned, he’d be driving Hiroshi every bit as crazy as his cock struck Hiroshi’s most sensitive place over and over again. He’d get to watch the faces Hiroshi would make and hear the sounds that would escape him as Momiji pleasured him. He’d get to taste all Hiroshi’s most private areas and feel his hole relax against his mouth or tighten around his cock or grip his fingers. He’d learn things about Hiroshi that no one else knew, not even Hiroshi himself.

The sheer

intimacy

of it all, the privilege of knowing someone so completely— it was the most sensual, most incredible thing. To be bare with someone, both in a literal sense and metaphorically, was such a beautiful experience, and he wanted to share that with Hiroshi. He wanted to know all of Hiroshi’s deepest desires and to make every single one of them come true. And he wanted Hiroshi to know all of him, too; to know about his family and the curse and how much the thought of licking his

Arsch

was undoing him right now.

Momiji pumped himself vigorously, his other hand teasing each of his nipples in turn. He was close,

so close,

but he needed an extra push to make it to his peak.

The image of his face buried between Hiroshi’s cheeks was enough to take him there, and he came hard, shooting his load all over his upper body. He kept stroking himself and working his nipples until all the pressure dissipated and a deep satisfaction swept over him.

He lay there, a smile on his face, for several minutes before he went to get cleaned up.

He was so incredibly excited to see where things went. He had no idea if Hiroshi would even be open to rimming. Maybe he was into something Momiji hadn’t ever even considered. But no matter what happened, they’d get to figure it out together, and that was beautiful.

The next day at school, Momiji couldn’t stop thinking about all the things he wanted to do to Hiroshi. More than once, he’d caught himself fantasizing in the middle of a lecture, forcing himself to turn his attention back to the lesson and mentally rehearsing his Mozart cadenzas when he needed to calm down.

When the lunch bell rang, Haru sauntered past his desk, a concerned look on his face. “What’s up with you today?”

“Trust me, you don’t want to know,” Momiji groaned, hoping the heat in his cheeks didn’t give anything away.

“Momiji!” Hiroshi called from the door. “You ready?”

Momiji startled at Hiroshi’s arrival. He was

not

prepared for lunch with the person who’d been occupying his fantasies for the last several hours.

They ended up finding a more private spot on the grass this time, under the shade of one of the school’s cherry trees.

Momiji let his eyes trace along Hiroshi’s body, from his loafers up his toned legs, up over his abs and pecs and shoulders and-

“Momiji? Are you okay?”

“Bitte?

I must have been spacing out.”

“Oh, I was just saying, basketball should be fun today.”

“Oh.

Ja,

sounds like it!”

Basketball. After school, they’d be out breathing heavily, bumping against each other, pressed together, sweating hard enough that they’d need to shower afterward. Together.

Naked.

Ohhhh

god

he’d get to see Hiroshi’s giant

Schwanz

again today.

How had he made it this far without jumping the guy? Really, it was a shock none of the other queer guys at Kaibara had made a move yet. Hiroshi was a

babe.

And he had

plenty

to offer.

“…right, Momiji?”

Momiji had a small coughing fit. “Hmm? Oh,

Entschuldigung,

I was off in my own

kleine Welt

again!”

Hiroshi raised an eyebrow at him, but seemed to decide against saying anything. Momiji groaned internally. This was

not

the time or place to be fantasizing about what Hiroshi’s enormous

Schwanz

might look like when it was fully erect and throbbing in the palm of Momiji’s hand.

Even if he

did

get to see it again this afternoon, just a few dozen feet from this very spot.

And that tight little

Arsch…

Maybe, if they both hung back after everyone was done showering…

Mozart! Mozart Mozart!

“Uhm!” Momiji blurted. “What did you bring for lunch today?”

Hiroshi frowned at the riceball in his hand. “Uh… my mom made salmon riceballs. D’you want one?”

Momiji took a deep breath and tried to collect himself. “Ah! I’m all set, thank you!”

Hiroshi cocked his head, but didn’t say anything. And Momiji was quickly losing the plot. With the way Hiroshi was sitting just now, Momiji could easily-

“Ah! I’m sorry! I just remembered- I have to see a Mozart! Um! Play Mozart. For Nishikawa-sensei!”

He leapt to his feet and ran inside as quickly as he could, using his lunchbox to cover the growing bulge in his school trousers.

Back in his classroom, he pulled out the concerto he was working on and started mentally rehearsing the second movement.

“Hey.”

Momiji looked up to find Haru leaning against the wall beside him.

“Haru! Have you eaten already?”

Haru shrugged. “Saw you run inside. Everything okay?”

Momiji sighed.

“Ja.

Just… being a teenage boy is a lot sometimes.”

Haru smirked. “You’re telling me.” He peered at the sheet music in Momiji’s hand. “What’ve you got there?”

“Oh, just a concerto I’m learning.”

“Mozart, hm?” A devilish grin came over Haru’s face. “Funny guy.”

“I didn’t realize you like Mozart!”

“Oh, I don’t really listen to classical music. But he wrote some pretty funny stuff.”

Momiji smiled, relieved Haru was helping his mind go to more school-appropriate places. “Oh

ja?

Like what?”

Haru folded his arms and smirked, an eyebrow raised suggestively. “There’s a song he wrote called

‘Lick My Ass.’”