Chapter 17 - Clean Slate

Part 5/5

Even though it wasn’t big, he sometimes took Daiki there to play. It was filled with happy memories for him. Hopefully, this would be one more, despite the heavy topic.

As they walked to a bench, Ren picked up a stick from the grass. When they sat down, he unleashed Jones and threw the stick up in the air. It made a beautiful arc, falling quite far from them. Yuki couldn’t help but stare at Ren’s arms again. They were definitely stronger than they looked. “So?” Ren asked again when Jones ran after the stick, letting out an approving bark.

“Ah,” Yuki stammered, embarrassed that he was caught staring. “Well, Yumi and I grew up together, right? We both knew Akuma from elementary school. A week before I took you to the store, he showed up there…” He hesitated to continue. “He was looking for a way to find me outside of school. I've always kept where I live pretty secret. Same with my phone number. I know it seems weird, but I always felt something off about those I hung around with. Like, the last thing I wanted was for one of them to show up at my door and bother my family, you know?

Ren frowned, but remained silent, like Yuki had asked.

“A-anyway, Yumi has always been more family than friend, and she knows that I like to keep my family life separate from my school life. That’s why she deleted my number from her phone and why she hadn’t asked her parents for it again. She wasn't sure if he would return before the store shut down and demand it from her.”

“That little shit,” Ren said through gritted teeth. When Jones approached them with the stick in his mouth, Ren took it without averting his eyes from Yuki and threw it away again.

“I guess Yumi got worried after we talked about it. She told her parents about my odd behavior, and they called my dad.” Yuki felt a weight pull down on his chest. “Like everyone else, he was afraid to bring it up. Am I really that hard to talk to about this kind of stuff?”

“Yes,” Ren said bluntly. “Your ability to avoid important conversations can be frustrating.” As Yuki bit the inside of his cheek, Ren’s expressions softened. A small, charming smile appeared on his lips. “But I figured the secret to getting you to talk is to be more stubborn than you are. Which is not a problem for me.” He mockingly tapped the tip of his finger against his chin, as though in thought.. “Maybe I’ll share this tip with everyone else.” 

Yuki let out a snort. Just like that, Ren was able to untangle the tight knot in Yuki’s chest. “Sure, you tell them that. But I don't think it would work the same for everyone else.”

He turned around before he could see Ren’s reaction. At that exact moment, Jones approached them and offered Yuki the stick. Bending forward, Yuki chuckled as he took it and rubbed his forehead on the dog’s. The payment was a sloppy kiss on the lips.

“You and your kisses are too much,” Yuki joked, wiping his mouth and throwing the stick. Jones instantly chased after it.

“Seems like he’s fond of your taste,” Ren commented. “And he isn’t easy to please.”

Whatever bitterness Yuki had been feeling while telling his story was fully gone. When he caught the sly smirk on Ren’s lip’s, he felt his face and chest burn. Averting his eyes, he realized his heart was racing.

What does he mean by “your taste”? Yuki chanced a glance back at Ren, who was looking at him like he had won something with his words. Is he trying to psych me out?

“And how would you know his tastes are hard to please?”

Ren shrugged with feign nonchalance. “I told you he doesn’t like almost anybody. But he clearly adores you. And licks you even more than he licks me.” His smirk widened. “I know I taste good. So you must taste amazing.”

It was hard not to blush. In fact, Yuki was pretty sure he was blushing more than ever before. But who wouldn't when someone said something so... intimate. They were obviously at a point now where playful flirting was allowed. But, Jesus, Yuki couldn't imagine saying something so bold to someone he was dating, let alone to a friend. 

Yuki took a deep breath in, then tilted his head forward. Fighting fire with fire, he grinned widely and raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought you were getting jealous that Jones was giving me all his attention.”

Licking his lips, Ren narrowed his eyes in amusement. “No, that’s not what I’m getting jealous of.”

A gasp left Yuki’s mouth before he could hold it in. His hands gripped the edge of the seat in an attempt to remain stable. If he had been leaning forward when Ren said those words, he’d be falling face first into the grass.

The intense grey eyes with their emerald green flecks watched Yuki like he was the only thing in the world. They traced up and down his body, as if Ren was determined to memorize every inch of him. That, combined with the talk of taste and jealousy, had Yuki overloading. 

His lungs emptied. There was a hitch in his throat that held his breath. He waited for the thoughts to subside. Desperate to remain in control of the situation. 

The things I would let him get away with...

“Anyway,” Yuki practically yelled as he turned his whole body away. Best not to play into it now, or I’ll never finish. “My dad made a police report. He wasn’t happy with how the officers dealt with the situation, though. They basically said there was nothing they could do, since the injuries were minor and mostly occurred when there were no other witnesses. They have a large file on the four of them, apparently. My dad said it was all horse shit and excuses. He went to the school to at least get them expelled. That was a hassle on its own, but we got it done. He didn’t want me going today. Actually, he doesn’t want me going back at all,” Yuki rattled off all at once, trying to forget the image of Ren licking his lips while smirking at him. 

“What do you mean, no witnesses?” Ren’s tone changed completely. Rage now ringed in it. “I’ll go there right now to testify if they need fucking witnesses! I’m sure Kai and Niko would, too!”

“It’s not enough. I don’t know the details. You can ask my dad later. I stayed out of most of it.”

Ren huffed indignantly, crossing his arms over his chest. A few meters from them, Jones was having the time of his life chasing a flock of birds. Every time they flew away, he joyfully barked and jumped on his back paws.

“I only have a few weeks left of school, then I’ll spend some time studying at home for the Equivalency Examination,” Yuki muttered, desperate for anything but silence between them. “Once my class period finishes, it should all be behind me. So no need to worry about it anymore.”

Still frowning, Ren grumbled, “I wish I could escort you to and from school every day.” He turned to Yuki with a serious expression, dropping his arms on his lap. “Will you promise to call me if anything like this happens again? I want my number on your speed dial.”

“I…” Yuki trailed off, unsure of what to say. The grey eyes became pleading, pulling tightly at his heartstrings. I want to laugh at how ridiculous he’s being, but he’s so serious. 

“Yuki?” Ren said more softly. “Please, promise me.”

“Fuck,” Yuki muttered, hutching over and hiding his face in his hands. “I cannot win against you, can I?”

“This isn’t a game,” Ren whispered. “I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”

“I know!” Exasperation took over Yuki. “That’s not what I meant! It’s just… why the fuck do you care so much?”

There was silence for a beat. When Ren spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically unsure. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Yuki let out a deep breath, trying to will his overwhelming thoughts away. “I don’t want to be a burden.” He shot up in his seat. “And you can’t always play the hero!” 

“I’m not playing the hero!” Ren snapped, way more fiercely than before. “But those guys aren’t afraid of getting physical.” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard. “And I’m way more prepared for that than you. Not that I wanna fight them. I promised you I’d try to hold back next time, didn’t I?” He held a solemn gaze. “But you have to admit you’ll need help if they…” His fists clenched. “Go after you again. And I truly believe I’m your best option if you’re alone. Even if just to call the police on them or something.”

Ren held his stare. Yuki knew he was right. And it made him feel worse because of it. Memories of why he remained friends with Akuma for so long haunted him. He wasn't about to start this new relationship with the expectation of protection. 

“This isn’t why I want to be your friend. You know that, right?”

The grey eyes widened more than Yuki had ever seen. Ren’s body subtly bent forward, as though he’d been punched in the stomach. Yuki’s blood ran cold as a fear hit him. 

Does he think that is my reason? 

“Y-you… regret saying we were?” Ren barely murmured.

Yuki’s fear was replaced with irritation. “That’s not what I said!” When Ren didn’t look up, Yuki caved. “Fine. Yes, Ren. I will call you if Akuma or anyone else ever shows up like that again. I promise. But I won’t forgive you if you get hurt because of it. Or if you say we're not friends!” 

Confusion marked Ren’s face. While his eyes softened, his brows furrowed deeply. “I don’t want to be invasive. I just want to help.”

“I said it’s fine,” Yuki repeated himself. Putting his feet on the bench, he pulled his knees to his chest. He was trying not to tremble. 

“Are you mad?” Ren asked quietly.

“No,” Yuki grumbled. I’m scared. Just cause you won't throw the first punch next time, doesn't mean there won't be violence. I don't think there will be a next time, but if there is and you get hurt…

A bark brought their attention back to their four legged friend, who had finally returned with the stick. He looked up at them happily. When neither responded, Jones whimpered. Ren blinked at him a few times, like he was processing what was happening. 

“Oh, sorry, Joney,” he said, finally bending forward to take the stick from his mouth. He placed a little peck on the dog’s head and threw the stick away. This time, it didn’t go very far.

It was then that Yuki realized that just having Ren close helped his nerves settle. More than once, Ren had helped calm him down, even without knowing. Yuki just hadn’t acknowledged it until now. It suddenly became clear that their bond, whatever it was, had become very important to him. 

Scooting close enough to Ren that their hips touched, Yuki buried his head in his own arms, which were tightly wrapped around his knees. He bit his cheek and leaned into Ren’s shoulder. The sharp intake of breath from Ren was loud. Yuki didn’t know what it meant and didn’t want to ask.

“I need to calm down,” he admitted. “Can we stay like this for a while before we head home?”

It took Ren five long seconds to react—seconds that felt like an eternity. When he gingerly leaned into Yuki, his cheek resting on Yuki's hair, a comforting sensation filled Yuki’s heart. 

“Of course we can.”