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Kiyoomi does not believe in love at first sight. He does not understand it. How can you fall in love with the person you just met? Kiyoomi does not judge, though. He is not a hopeless romantic like Motoya, and he is not a lover boy like Atsumu. Sometimes, Kiyoomi tends to overthink his situation regarding romance or his personal love life because the raven doesn’t see himself entering a relationship; it scares him.
He sighed, sipping his coffee outside his terrace. It’s a comfortable apartment; not too many people, and it's overly spacious. It doesn’t feel like he could suffocate, so it’s already a win for him. Kiyoomi’s favorite part though, was the heavenly view in front of him. He’s located on the 5th floor, but the building was built on top of a sturdy hill, creating a scenic view of the ocean miles away from him paired with the city lights at night.
A breathtaking landscape filled with warmth and familiarity. The surrounding color doesn’t feel like an eye sore, it mixes with each piece so well that Kiyoomi could look at it nonstop. An ambient lighting hitting the waters like a poem reaching out to the soul, or music that’s pleasing to hear, or maybe, a way for love to reach the deep ends of the bottom, even if it wouldn’t get to the very end of the ocean, it’s still there, trying, and giving it’s mellowness.
When the night time wakes up, the moon hugs the stars while whispering with the gentle waves; it makes Kiyoomi’s apartment an entrance to serendipity.
He’s lonely, maybe.
The next day came and Kiyoomi was surprised to see someone standing beside his doorway. He tried to recall if people were visiting nearby but remembered that his landlord informed him about it. Someone was going to move next to his room; it was a vacant room, and in this apartment, the terraces would slightly connect. It was too close for Kiyoomi’s liking, so he was nervous to see someone moving into his supposedly empty haven.
Kiyoomi observed the man, his features looked soft but he could tell that this guy might be older than him. It was in his vibes, with his mature stance and careful manner, that Kiyoomi was going to like him. He looks like an angel, he thought. There was something about this man that Kiyoomi couldn’t pinpoint but it made his heart thump. Oh, he’s nervous? That’s what it is when your heart thumps against your chest, right? And when the stranger finally looked at him, Kiyoomi got himself staring.
His eyes shine against the sunlight seeping through the cracks, and it transforms a soft autumn feel. It’s like chocolate with honey coating it and it probably tastes too sweet for Kiyoomi but he wouldn’t mind when it gives off a tender light among the burden of the darkness. A beauty mark under his left eye, matching with Kiyoomi’s moles on top of his eyebrows. He couldn't help but stare, and the stranger smiled sweetly.
“Hi there! I’m moving next door so we are neighbors from now on. Don’t worry, I’m not the rackety and boisterous type!” The stranger said, “Usually, maybe, depends.” He smirks; chuckling before bowing and entering the apartment, leaving already when Kiyoomi hasn’t said a word. The latter doesn’t believe in romances but he can tell an angel had already met him when he hasn’t fallen yet.
Kiyoomi slapped his face. Hard. No, he shouldn’t be thinking about this. His heart raced like an athlete getting nervous for his big official match. He shook off the feeling and went straight to his usual morning run. (There’s nothing straight about this, really.)
When Kiyoomi came back, he bought a plant. His mind wanders to his new neighbor and maybe getting something for him can leave a good impression, and Kiyoomi wants the stranger to see him as a nice and reliable man. It’s a cute plant; easily manageable. He doesn’t know what to get so he opts for an aloe vera. He went outside to stand but, again, was startled to see his neighbor already outside too, holding something hot and tasty in his hands.
“Hey there again, so, uhm—” The stranger’s cheeks went red, he’s probably shy facing Kiyoomi like this, wearing a flower pattern apron with his hair clipped with a star-designed tie.
Cute. Kiyoomi quickly hides the thought.
“I’m Sugawara Koushi. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier! I was just nervous, but yeah—” Koushi laughs, not quite blaring yet Kiyoomi had perfectly heard the melody within it. “I was cooking, and I accidentally made an extra portion...and I am definitely and a hundred percent sure I couldn’t finish this because curse Daichi and Asahi for always eating at my place…” He muttered, then composed himself again. “So, my dear neighbor, this pasta will be my advance apologies if you hear me scream at night due to stress and for Daichi and Asahi annoying me all the time.”
Kiyoomi smiled; those two must have been his friends, and he would probably react the same way with Atsumu for being so loud that his patience might dissipate. He thoroughly looked at the pasta.
A Ume Jaka Pasta. His favorite dish. Umeboshis.
“Oh, how did you know that’s my favorite dish? I love this.” Kiyoomi voiced out his thoughts, his excitement going through the rooftop. After seconds had passed, he embarrassingly looked away. I can’t believe I just said that.
Koushi looked at him like Kiyoomi was the one who hung up the stars, and the ends of the former’s mouth had reached from ear to ear. Koushi chuckled. “I didn’t know they were your favorite, glad to know something from you, and maybe I could get a name too if you’d like.”
It was smooth, it made Kiyoomi’s heart thump again against his chest, mumbling a soft, “I’m Sakusa Kiyoomi.”
“Well then, Mr. Sakusa Kiyoomi, here’s your pasta,” His smile radiates so much sun that Kiyoomi might burn. He wouldn’t mind.
Kiyoomi quickly handed him the potted plant he bought earlier, and it was nice to see Koushi’s eyes widen from the sudden gesture, catching him off guard. “Here’s yours. Sorry. I didn’t know what plant to get you,” Kiyoomi said with a flushed face, eyes avoiding Koushi’s curious gaze. “Uhm, Ah, Yeah.” He awkwardly said instead, and he could imagine himself face-planting against the bed repeatedly. “For your apartment,”
Kiyoomi is a man of few words but sometimes he wants to bang his head against something because wherever he goes, his awkward personality comes with him. But the look on Koushi’s face made him feel at ease.
“Sakusa-san, you didn’t have too.”
“I wanted to.”
“You’re unpredictable,” and adorable. It goes unheard. Koushi grins instead. “Thank you, this is lovely, you know? I’ll name him Kiyo, in honor of you.”
The wind came to tell them that it was getting dark, and they needed to warm up soon for the night, so, Kiyoomi placed the plant inside of Koushi’s apartment because the latter was holding hot pasta in his hand. And with a sudden act of bravery, Kiyoomi asked if they could eat the pasta together. The way Koushi’s cheeks go red, and his eyes glint with astonishment under the cozy ambiance from the lamps, Kiyoomi knew that was the right choice.
After a few cans of beer and a happy and satisfied stomach, that’s when Kiyoomi finds out that Koushi is indeed older than him, automatically calling him Sugawara-senpai; the latter cackles and insists that Kiyoomi can call him Koushi. So in return, the raven told him that he could call him Kiyoomi, and it’s good to be familiar with each other since they’re going to live close by now.
“Kiyoomi sounds pretty. Can I call you Kiyo?”
“But isn’t that the plant's name?”
“Then starting today, you’re Kiyo Senior and the plant will be named Kiyo Junior.”
Months passed, and within those lazy mornings and mellow evenings, Kiyoomi and Koushi knew more about each other. They talked every day once Kiyoomi was out having a morning walk and Koushi watered the plants he placed outside. Kiyoomi spilled about his childhood, and how his family seemed so busy with everything that he grew up to be lonely, resenting any form of attachments that may come his way. He also told Koushi about his relationship with Motoya, saying he’s his favorite cousin but quickly ushered not to tell him that. Koushi smiled, holding out a pinky promise. It’s silly, but Kiyoomi cherishes these moments.
Koushi had opened up about his worries and anxiety about the future, and how he’s pressured about what to do in life because everything seems to be going fast and he’s getting dizzy. “I’m glad you’re here, Kiyo. The world may be fast but at least you’re there to keep me grounded.”
Kiyoomi’s blushing now, deep red covering his face because of how shameless Koushi is to say that so calmly in front of him. The latter called him a tomato because of it, and now they’re buying a tomato plant for Kouhi’s mini garden.
Koushi talked about his high school and the things he did. And they talked until the moon yawned. The stars were still noisy, but the feeling of a heavy blanket covering the two bodies made them fall into a deep slumber, not caring about how crazy the world could be. It will continue to become crazy, but Kiyoomi has his heart for Koushi now, he doesn't mind. He wouldn't mind.
Kiyoomi does not believe in love at first sight.
Well, that was before he met Koushi.
His heart was already telling him about it but his stubborn mind denied it. Kiyoomi feels like a silly teenage boy with a crush, but he’s not a teenager anymore and that silly crush turns into an overwhelming feeling of tenderness and beauty. He knew he was in love the moment he saw Koushi, but he waited, standing patiently on the side. He preferred getting to know the other more before accepting and acknowledging his feelings.
It was raining, a sudden downpour, and he was stuck at the bus stop. He wouldn’t mind; it’s like the extended version of his apartment view, where the ocean meets the sky and the horizon is too far yet so close. Kiyoomi lifted his hand to touch the imaginary line and breathed in the sincere calmness of the world.
Just now, the world seemed to stop. There’s no transportation and he completely forgot about his umbrella. Great! It's time to think about his feelings for Koushi as he waits for the bus.
“Kiyo? Funny how you’re stuck here too.” Koushi was covering his head with a bag to shield it from the cold splatter of the clouds, and Kiyoomi immediately reached for his handkerchief, brushing off the wet droplets in his hair. “It’s thrumming heavily, Koushi. You need to be more careful.”
Koushi smirked, “Says the one who forgot his umbrella.” Then smirking because he enjoys the way Kiyoomi pouts with his eyebrows furrowed. It reached his face, and the handkerchief seemed to work well brushing against Koushi’s soft cheeks. Or maybe Kiyoomi was slightly panicking inside; he’d never been this close to Koushi, and it was making his mind fog.
Warm hands came to hold Kiyoomi’s cold ones, and then the world got quiet.
Kiyoomi didn’t know that a simple touch could make him melt on the spot. Despite the cold and harsh weather, Kiyoomi feels so warm; and so loved.
“Kiyo—”
“Remember that time you told me how lucky it is for someone to find something constant in this fast-paced world.”
It was just the two of them under the bus station, the horizon was still there, where the ocean meets the sky and the moon might come out soon, and then everything might be cold and harsh again. But it’s just the two of them.
Koushi glanced at Kiyoomi. His pale cheeks flush, somewhat a red hue, and the tenderness is suddenly back. And it’s just the two of them.
Koushi could only nod, and Kiyoomi could see the faint smirk slipping through his smile, but he waited. He waits for Kiyoomi because he’s patient, mature, and a role model. And even if Koushi hasn’t let the former meet his wild and mischievous side, Kiyoomi would love every version of Koushi because it’s just the two of them. “Don’t get shy on me now, Kiyo.”
Kiyoomi laughed; he let himself laugh and all the tension and stress were gone. He gazes at Koushi, who used to be a stranger who just entered Kiyoomi’s life, and now, he wants him to stay forever.
Kiyoomi recalled the view from his apartment terrace, where he knew that something was missing. As he peaks behind his neighbor; it's still the same view— nothing changed, but someone came.
It was Koushi.
“You’re my warmth, so let me be your constant in this hasty world.”
Their lips connected; it was soft, kind, and lovely. It’s just the two of them.