It was awful. The skies were dark and murky, the air was humid, lightning etched across the sky.... and Shinomiya was crying.

His face was buried in his knees, trying to suppress his sobs. Usually Nanashima was with him to comfort him... but he couldn't always rely on people even though he wanted to...

Mutsumi was lying in his room. He felt uneasy, but for a different reason. He knew in the past Shinomiya didn't do well with storms, but he didn't want to intrude if it wasn't the case anymore.

Luckily someone had his back.

Nana: yo Mutsumi, is Shinomiya with you?

Mu: no he's in his room, why?

Nana: he still is severely terrified of thunderstorms, he's probably crying rn, go to him

Mutsumi didn't need to be told twice. He quickly rushed to Shinomiya's room and opened the door, surprising the big ball of terror on the bed.

He got onto the bed and carefully wrapped his lanky arms around him, easing him slowly into a position where they're face to face but lying on their sides.

Shinomiya's eyes were red and teary, his cheeks stained with the salty tears. He didn't need to say anything. Mutsumi was there for him as Shinomiya would be there for Mutsumi. He closed his eyes and buried his face in Mutsumi's shoulder as the other combed his fingers through the ashen hair.

"It's okay... you're okay... I'm here..."

That night Shinomiya fell asleep with ease and Mutsumi slept feeling warm.

The next morning, Shinomiya was cuddled up against Mutsumi, his pink lips parted as soft breaths escaped. Mutsumi had awoken a few minutes earlier and decided to just watch and admire the cute boy in his arms.

Those long eyelashes, the peachy skin, and those pink rosy lips. Shinomiya was truly a wonder and Mutsumi found himself confused as to why he felt jealous of Nanashima. They weren't even together anymore, but anytime the ginger was around Shinomiya he felt cold and lonely.

Mutsumi wasn't stupid, he knew he had feelings for Shinomiya, he just didn't know how to handle it. He didn't want to force himself onto the boy, so he wouldn't say anything...

If Shinomiya liked him back, then that was perfectly okay and Mutsumi would embrace him.

If not... he would still be with him, just not in a way he would hope.

Shinomiya woke up, let out a yawn, and arched his back in a stretch- causing him to press his chest against Mutsumi's even closer. His eyes snapped open as he realized Mutsumi was still on the bed. His turned apple red, "Ah- M-Mutsumi! I'm- uh...." he couldn't find the words.

"It's okay, you don't have to apologize," Mutsumi spoke sweetly, sitting up and getting off. He looked to the sleepy and messy haired Shinomiya, "what would you like for breakfast?"

"L-Lets go out," Shinomiya spoke before he gasped, "a-as in breakfast!" He quickly corrected once he saw the confusion on Mutsumi's face.

"Oh, I see, that sounds fun to me," Mutsumi agreed. He left for his own room and got changed for the day.

The two were walking down the street. It was March so it was pretty chilly. The rain had made the ground super slippy so Mutsumi insisted on holding Shinomiya's hand so the other wouldn't fall.

Shinomiya agreed, but only for that reason- okay maybe for another but he wouldn't admit it.

So they walked hand in hand to a small cafe and as soon as they walked in they saw Nanashima with a smirk.

"C-Crap, I forgot y-you worked today..." Shinomiya whined, his lips forming a pout.

Nanashima eyes their hands and Mutsumi didn't even flinch nor he made a move to remove his, "soo... hand holdin basis?"

"Wh-What? I- uh, I fall e-easily you kn-know!" Shinomiya insisted, though he also didn't move to remove his hand. So they just awkwardly stood there with clasped hands as they made a break to leave the cafe.

"S-Sorry..." Shinomiya mumbled, his cheeks red, "I-I didn't kn-know he worked..."

Mutsumi smiled, "why are you sorry? We're all friends, right?" He asked.

Shinomiya nodded, but he felt like he was drowning. He couldn't say a single thing... he couldn't tell him he just wanted to eat alone together in public... he wanted a date... even if it weren't really one...