First Kiss

The next morning, Takashi woke to sunlight streaming through his window and a lightness in his chest he hadn't felt for as long as he could remember. Memories of the night before filled him with warmth and wonder. The confessions shared in whispers, Kenji's hand clasped in his own, the joy and promise held in a single gaze - it all seemed like a dream, one he never wished to wake from.

Yet worries lingered at the back of his mind. His family knew nothing of his feelings for Kenji. How would they react if they found out the truth? His heart clenched at the thought of their disappointment and shame.

His phone chimed with an incoming message. Takashi picked it up, heart skipping a beat when he saw it was from Kenji.

Kenji: How did you sleep? I feel like I finally can, now that there are no more secrets between us.

Takashi smiled, pushing aside his anxieties for now. There would be time enough to face them, but this moment belonged to Kenji alone.

Takashi: I slept well for the first time in a long time. No more secrets, no more distance. Just you and me.

Kenji: Just you and me. I like the sound of that.

Takashi: So do I. More than I can say.

A knock sounded at Takashi's door, making his heart leap into his throat. In a panic, he hurried over and opened it to find Kenji waiting outside, familiar crooked smile fading into confusion at the sight of Takashi's worried face.

Takashi pulled Kenji inside quickly, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "Kenji, my parents don't know about us. They're very traditional and wouldn't understand." He gazed at Kenji anxiously. "Can you pretend we're just friends while they're around?"

Understanding dawned in Kenji's eyes and his face softened. He grasped Takashi's hand, running his thumb lightly over the back of it. "Of course. Don't worry, I'll be careful. Your secret is safe with me."

Relief coursed through Takashi and he nodded gratefully. As his mother came upon them, they quickly let their hands fall away, plastering polite smiles on as if nothing had changed between them at all.

As they sat down to breakfast, Takashi's mother smiled at Kenji. "So how have you been, Kenji? Are you keeping Takashi out of trouble?"

Kenji laughed, glancing sideways at Takashi. "I certainly try, but you know how stubborn he can be."

"Hey!" Takashi protested, fighting a smile as he caught the teasing glint in Kenji's eyes.

His mother sighed in mock exasperation. "Tell me about it. Like father, like son." She passed Takashi a plate of eggs. "At least I'm glad Takashi has a sensible friend like you, Kenji."

"Of course," Kenji said, turning his smile upon Takashi's mother. "Takashi is my best friend. I'll always look out for him."

Takashi nearly dropped his glass at the double meaning in Kenji's words, hidden from all but him. He caught Kenji's discreet wink when his mother wasn't looking and had to stifle a laugh.

His mother remained blissfully unaware of the silent exchange passing between them. "Such good boys I've raised. Takashi is lucky to have you, Kenji." She gazed at the two of them fondly. "It's so nice to have Kenji join us. I hope you'll come by more often!"

"I will," Kenji promised. "If you'll have me, of course."

"We always will," she insisted. "You've been Takashi's friend for so long. I'm glad to see that bond is still as strong as ever."

As they stood at the door, Kenji turned to Takashi's mother. "Would it be alright if I stayed a while longer?" He glanced at Takashi hopefully. "We have a project to work on for school."

"Of course!" his mother said. "Stay as long as you like. I'm just glad to see Takashi inviting friends over." She patted Kenji's shoulder before heading off to run errands.

As soon as she was out of sight, Takashi grasped Kenji's hand and pulled him inside and up the stairs into his room. He closed the door behind them, heart racing. His parents were just downstairs - what if one of them came up unannounced?

Takashi peered anxiously at Kenji through the crack in the door. "We have to be careful. My parents already know you're here, so they might walk in anytime."

Kenji nodded, expression sobering. He drew Takashi into his arms, holding him close with a hand soothing up and down his back. "Don't worry. We'll lock the door and be quiet. I won't do anything you don't want." He met Takashi's eyes, smiling tenderly. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. I'm right here with you."

Takashi gazed up at him, heart swelling. "You always know just what I need to hear." He sighed, resting his head on Kenji's shoulder. "I don't want to hide this, but..."

Kenji gave him a squeeze. "You don't have to explain. We'll go as slow as you need. There's no need to rush into anything before you're ready." He cupped Takashi's face with one hand. "All I ask is to share moments like this with you."

Takashi nodded, leaning into Kenji's tender touch. "That's all I want, too." He closed his eyes as Kenji's face drew nearer, shivering when warm breath dusted across his lips.

"Can I kiss you?" Kenji whispered.

Takashi swallowed hard, pulse racing. But gazing into Kenji's eyes, all doubts and fear melted away. He knew this was right. "Yes."

Kenji brushed the hair from Takashi's eyes and leaned in to kiss him, soft and slow and sweet. Takashi's breath caught as Kenji's lips met his, heart swelling near to bursting. His fingers twisted in the front of Kenji's shirt, keeping him close as the kiss deepened.

A knock sounded at the door, startling them apart. Panic rose in Takashi's throat as his mother's voice called from the other side.

"Takashi? Is everything okay in there?"

Takashi's eyes widened in fear. He gazed at Kenji helplessly, pulse pounding. Kenji smiled in reassurance and pulled him into an embrace, placing a quick kiss upon his brow before turning to the door.

"We're fine, Mrs. Ito. Just finishing up our homework." Kenji winked at Takashi as his mother spoke again.

"Alright, as long as you boys don't need anything. Let me know if you get hungry!" Her footsteps receded down the hall once more.

Takashi released the breath he'd been holding, muscles weak with relief. Kenji laughed and embraced him again.

"That was close. I thought she had us for sure!" Kenji shook his head in disbelief. "I'm going to have to get better at thinking on my feet if we want to keep sneaking around like this."

Despite the panic still coursing through him, Takashi couldn't help but laugh. He slid his arms around Kenji's waist, resting his head against his chest with a sigh. Kenji's heart beat steadily under his ear, soothing away the last of his fears.

"As long as we're together, I'm happy dealing with all of it," Takashi said. Kenji leaned down to scatter little soft kisses along his hairline.

"And together is where I plan to stay."