This is the best.
“Ha.” Uta tosses an eyeball into the air and catches it in his mouth. “So juicy.”
Yomo frowns, but says nothing.
“Ever so stoic.” Uta tilts his head. They’ve been trying out friendship for the last few months, and he’s already bored. "Sometimes I think you don’t even need a mask.”
Yomo rolls his eyes. “You couldn’t bear it if I died.”
“That’s true,” Uta admits, sitting on his desk. “Is that all we are, though? Acquaintances who hope the other don’t die?”
“It’s called friendship, Uta.” Yomo blushes.
“Your face is red. Hell, you really are emotionally constipated.” Uta snickers. “Are you a virgin?”
Yomo splutters. He steps back to collide with the wall. “Don’t ask people that.”
“I just did.” Uta narrows his eyes. “I can’t tell with you, though, Renji.”
“We all know you aren’t.”
Uta gasps. “Are you calling me a tramp?”
“You broke many men’s hearts last year.”
“But not yours.” Uta bestows his special puppy eyes upon Renji.
“I’m confident you can.” Yomo shrugs.
Uta sidles up to him and runs a hand down his friend’s arm. He can feel Yomo stiffen under that stupid coat. “So you are a virgin.”
“No,” Yomo mutters, his face a brilliant red.
“No?” Uta gasps. “Who is she?”
“He and I was drunk at the time. Sorry I don’t have details.” Yomo tries to brush past Uta, but his friend grabs him by the arm.
“Want practice?” Uta puckers his lips.
“Are you seducing me?”
“You’re not very romantic, are you?” Uta grins. “Oh well. Kiss me, Renji.”
Yomo glances around the shop. No one around. This isn’t a joke.
He kisses Uta.
“Thank you,” Uta murmurs. “You sure you don’t want to kiss me again?”
“Stop teasing,” Yomo says gruffly.
“I want to make love to you. Sober.” Uta crosses his arms. “What do you want?”
Yomo looks at the floor. Of course he wants to. But – should they?
“I promise not to wear a mask.”
Yomo breaks into laughter. “Sometimes I still hate you.” And then he kisses Uta again, and Uta is leading him upstairs, to his flat.
Uta slowly undoes Yomo’s coat buttons as Yomo caresses his hair.
Uta can’t resist nibbling Yomo’s chest, and Yomo has to laugh again. “I should have guessed you don’t take this seriously.”
“I take everything too seriously to never sprinkle in some fun.” Uta’s eyes widen. “Wanna pull off my shirt?”
When they’re both fully undressed, they stroke every inch of each other’s bodies.
“You’re so strong,” Uta whispers. Yomo is still red, like a virgin, but he looks happy for once. “I can’t live without you.”
“Stop the fatalism.” Yomo shakes his head.
“Sounds good.” Uta rolls on top of Yomo and asks quietly, “Are you ready?”
Yomo nods.
“I’ll let you do me later.” Uta winks. His bed shakes beneath their rhythm, and he keeps whispering Renji’s name.
“How long have you wanted this?” Uta asked when they lie side-by-side, panting.
“Since I realized you liked me. Last month,” Yomo mutters, still painfully shy. “You?”
“Since I realized I’m not lonely when I’m with you.”
Mercy and Magic 