Milo looked down at his plate of fried eggs , sliced apples and toast . He would not look up at Ryo's face . He knew the other boy would be smirking at him , still thinking about what had happened earlier that morning .
Damn him , Milo thought and as everyone at the table could see ... his cheeks were slightly flushed.
....
" Wake up , " Ryo had said and punched his shoulder , " We have to shower and leave early ."
" What ? " Milo said getting up groggily , " What are you talking about ? Where are we going ? "
" Just get up . " Ryo said stretching his body , he was shirtless and had slept in his pants . Milo took a glance at his abdomen , noticing the striking tattoos there aswell . His whole body must have them , he thought .
" Let's shower together . " Ryo said snapping Milo out of his thoughts . Wait what !?
" What ? " Milo asked , sleep disappeared from his face , he was instantly alert .
" Let . us . shower . together ." Ryo said as if talking to a child , " It'll be faster and save time ."
" I don't think I want to do that ." Milo said and Ryo gave him a look .
It was not up for debate , the look said , he would go in or be dragged in . Milo sighed heavily , knowing Ryo could and would drag him into the bathroom .
" Fine , " Milo said softly and got up from bed , he scratched his head , " But where are we going so early in the morning ? "
" The cinema . " Ryo said , " Now let's go shower ."
Why me , Milo thought as he walked down the hall towards the bathroom .
Hot water splashed onto Milo's body and he soaked his hair until it hung on his head . He scrubbed his arms and legs , his body an enticing image to be behold .
" Hurry up , " Ryo said impatiently next to him and Milo turned to him .
Ryo's hair was damp and moist , shiny like shards of rose quartz . His upper body held a soaked image of a deity and Milo had to refrain from looking below his chest . His cheeks on the other hand turned slightly pink , whether from the hot water or something else .
" I'm hurrying . " Milo said and Ryo frowned as he looked him up and down . Milo turned to the side , feeling beyond self conscious . How do you feel when your bully looks at your body naked ? How are you supposed to feel ?
" Your back . " Ryo said and moved up to him and put his hands on Milo's back .
" What are you doing ? " Milo asked trying to move away but Ryo held him still .
" You haven't cleaned your back . I'm going to do it for you . " Ryo said putting soap on his hands , " Don't argue or I'll clean everywhere . "
Milo recognized the determination in the threat and nodded his head . Ryo began cleaning his back , starting from the shoulders . For a moment there was still silence , nothing but the water going , both boys mind's moved and shifted .
Ryo frowned with concentration as he rubbed Milo's back and cleaned him . Milo's skin was smooth , a creamy pale honey color and looked slightly flawless , but Ryo saw a small mole on his shoulder . He rubbed slowly , knowing he needed to rush but his hands seemed to have a will of their own . It was so odd , touching Milo without wanting to hit him or something . He wasn't sure why but ... he liked this feeling . Why ?
For Milo this felt even stranger , having Ryo touch his body without intending him harm . Hands that had caused many bruises , now moved across his skin , slowly cleaning him . Was this real ? Milo wondered and his flesh burned with a feeling so foreign and frightening he immediately snapped out of it .
" That's enough . I'm clean . " Milo said , his whole body burning and he turned around ... and slipped . Ryo reached out and caught him , pulling him close until moist flesh touched moist flesh .
If having Ryo wash his back was disorientating , then having Ryo hold him naked was absolute mortification . Milo turned to a tomato red and as fast as he could , mumbling a bunch of nonsense excuses , he left the bathroom. Ryo laughed at his reaction , feeling amused at such shyness .
That's how the morning had began .
.....
" Did you sleep well Ryo ? " Mrs Saki asked as they ate breakfast .
" Yes , thank you . " Ryo answered politely .
" Do you have any plans for today ? " Mr Saki asked as he ate his breakfast , " If you're going out , I can give you some transport money . "
" No , " Ryo and Milo said at the same time .
The two looked at each other before looking away .
" We will walk . " Ryo said and then he turned his head sideways as if listening to something .
Ryo sighed , fine , Miss Spirit guide .
" Mr and Mrs Saki , " he said in a serious voice and the two adults turned to him , " I would like to ask permission ... to take Milo on a date ."
Milo nearly choked on his apple slice . What did he just say ? He thought in horror . The two adults looked at each other before turning back to Ryo ... the friendliness had gone from their eyes and an air of seriousness took place .
Even Ryo noticed the change and cursed Mina for making him say that .
" You are asking our permission ? " Mrs Saki asked and Ryo nodded his head .
" Yes , Mam ." He said .
" Does this mean , you are also asking permission to court our son ? " Mr Saki said softly but with a sharp look in his eyes .
" Yes , Sir ." Ryo said , daring the shape look in Mr Saki's eyes . He was facing hell here and Milo's parents were the least of his worries . He'd snatch Milo away if they refused . Anything to get him to sign that letter and -
" We approve ."
- finally get him to ... huh ?
" What ? " He asked them , " Did you say you approve ? "
" Yes , " Mrs Saki said looking fondly at him and then at Milo , " It's nice meeting a boy who actually cares enough to ask us before courting our child . I would have beaten anyone else with a frying pan if they dated Milo in secret . "
Ryo looked at Mrs Saki and felt amused and a bit of respect . She loved Milo , that was clear and she'd not take anyone fooling around with him . That was a very tough mother ... if only ...
" I also like that you are trying to know us . Staying over and playing with Gou . It's like having another son . " Mr Saki said softly.
" Which might happen ." Mrs Saki put in mortifying the two boys .
" Thank you , Mr and Mrs Saki." Ryo said and looked at Milo . The other boy was looking at him with an odd look and Ryo gave a smirk . Milo looked down at his food but then he did something that made Ryo frown .
Milo smiled .
...
" So where are we going again ? " Milo asked as they walked on the sidewalk .
" To the cinema . Just around the corner . " Ryo said and took his hand . Milo pulled his hand away and Ryo gave a grunt . He took the other boys hand again and held it firmly , pulling him along so they wouldn't be late . Milo was pulled along and sighed softly but there was less exasperation in the sigh now .
" Here , " Ryo said as they reached the cinema and went inside .
" What about tickets ? " Milo asked once they were inside.
" I already bought them yesterday ." Ryo said putting two tickets into Milo's hand .
" Love's shaded pulse ? " Milo asked him with frown , " Why this movie ? "
" Have you seen it before ? " Ryo asked him and Milo nodded his head .
" I've seen it lots of times . It's my favorite movie . " He said and noticed the frown forming on Ryo's face , " But I love watching it and could watch it a million times ."
" Then let's get our seats . We have front row seats because we came here early ." Ryo said and the two went inside .
The interior was dark , a smell of popcorn and fizzy soda hung in the air . The two boys found their seats , front row seats , and sat down waiting for the movie to start . But there was one problem .
" What time does the movie start ? " Milo asked .
" Around eight o'clock , I think ." Ryo said thoughtfully and Milo scoffed .
" It's 07:32 " Milo said softly , " Why did we have to come so early ? It's nearly half an hour of waiting left ."
" Fine , " Ryo said , " I should have checked the time this morning but my watch doesn't work well ."
It's only on a countdown , he added mentally . So the two boys waited in silence for nearly ten minutes , about ten people entered in that time and Ryo became consumed with boredom .
" When did you get your tattoos ? " Milo asked him .
" What ? " Ryo turned to him .
" I said ; when did you get your tattoos ? " Milo repeated and Ryo wondered why he was asking.
" Two years ago . " He answered and Milo did the math .
" When you were sixteen ? " Milo said , " Did someone force you ? "
Ryo tilted his head and gave him a dubious look . Milo nodded his head realising how stupid the question sounded .
" No one can force you to do what you don't want to ." He said flatly .
" Yes . " Ryo answered matter-of-factly
" Did they hurt ? " Milo asked now .
" Why are you asking this ? Trying to annoy me ?" Ryo said and Milo shook his head .
" Just curious ... about things . About you ." Milo said , " I've never asked you things about yourself . We didn't have the best relationship for that ."
" So what's changed ? You think I won't beat you up if you keep annoying me ? " Ryo said turning his head .
" You would . " Milo said folding his arms , " But now , I can tell my parents if you maltreat me . "
" You think I'm scared of your parents ? " Ryo scoffed .
" No , but you are the one who asked their permission to take me here . In the last two days , I've learnt that you actually have some sense of respect for them . " Milo said and Ryo frowned hearing this .
" I may be a punk but I'm not an animal . I learnt respect . I just give it to those who deserve it ." He said and before Milo could ask more he decided to change the topic .
" Do you like Boy love genres because you're gay ? " He asked and Milo was slightly put off by the change of conversation .
" No , you don't have to be gay to like Boy love . " Milo said and then he gave Ryo a side glance , " What makes you think I'm gay anyway ? "
Ryo thought of mentioning Milo's reaction earlier that morning but then had a better idea . With a wicked smirk he reached and put his hands on Milo's cheeks , drawing the boy close as if for a kiss .
Milo was stunned as Ryo drew his face close and their lips almost touched . But just they were about to , the sound of the projector snapped the boys to attention . The movie was starting .
Devi looked down frown the projector room and glared at the two boys in the front seats . A moment later and all would have been ruined , she thought angrily . It was time to act .
.....
The movie was pretty good , Ryo had to admit . When he'd planned a romantic movie for them to watch yesterday , he had wanted something with some action aswell . ' Love's shaded pulse ' had that and more . The characters were so conflicting and yet found balance with each other . He liked Bareum above all , a Lieutenant commander with strong will , like him . He wished the main character , Tian , had chosen him but had to admit that the Fiend , Ken was pretty cool . At the end of the movie , he was hooked and begrudged the ending .
He hoped Heaven had a cinema , so he could watch the next movie . Turning to his side , he found Milo looking at the screen with a sad look . What was more surprising were the bits of moisture in his eyes .
He reached out and almost wiped Milo's tear but before he could , the lights of the cinema turned on . Oh , he thought as he looked at the people coming from behind the screen .
" Oh my God ! " A girl screamed in the back and soon there was mummering and hushed voices from the crowd .
" Hello , everyone ." A tall young man with black hair said . He stood infront of the audience with three other men . One was dressed in all black , another wore a military blue uniform with combat boots and the last one was an old man with glasses .
" That's Win , Thanpur and Akira . " Milo said in shock , as he should have been . The three men Infront of him and that most of the audience were looking at had just been on the screen . They were the actors for ' Love's shaded pulse ' and the fans could barely contain themselves .
" I'd like to thank everyone for watching our movie . As you know , it was not easy getting full coverage and funding to make it . But thanks to our fans support , we could ." The boy with black hair said , he wore navy blue clothes with a white shirt .
" It has been great watching fans come and support us across Asia ." The guy dressed in black said , he had blonde hair , " Touring everywhere , we feel loved wherever we go ."
" Your support is very important to us . Thank you ." The other guy in Military clothes said .
" And we would like to have five fans , come up and have a signature and photo with us . Post it and share it on your social networks. " The boy with black hair said and looked at the front row . " The fans in the front row please get up and come on stage . Starting from the left side . "
There were twelve people in the front row and Milo and Ryo were sitting close in the left side . Luckily they were more in the left than out but unfortunately ...
Ryo was sitting in the last fifth seat and Milo was in sixth . They looked at each other and Milo felt his heart sink . This was a great moment and he wouldn't experience it .
" Get up and go instead of me ." Ryo said and Milo frowned at him .
" No , you got chosen . " Milo said but Ryo wouldn't hear it.
He got up and pulled Milo up , took his hand and pulled him on stage infront of everyone . Then to add to Milo's mortification , Ryo kissed their linked hands before letting go and getting back to his seat .
" Wow , amazing boyfriend you have . " Win said to Milo but the other boy was too stunned . He nodded his head and smiled anxiously . This was unbelievable !
The five fans , Milo included , took photos and got autographs from the three actors . Milo was grinning like a fool and Ryo knew he had done good in choosing this cinema . He hadn't planned the actors coming but was glad for it .
He wondered if Milo was in love with him yet .
....
" That was incredible ! " Milo shouted as soon as they got out .
" You liked it , huh ? " Ryo asked and Milo smiled again even wider .
" I loved it . I can't believe I got to meet them ! " Milo was beyond happy , this was the greatest day of his life !
And it was all thanks to Ryo , he realized suddenly . He looked at the boy next to him thoughtfully . Was Dad right , he wondered for the hundredth time that day , could Ryo be more than he seems ?
The dog park , the late night movie , the shower and this time with his favorite actors in Boy love romance . He had never had this happen to him before . He didn't have any friends and no one had ever shown him this much attention or care at school . He thought then of a day long ago ... on a playground ... under a maple tree .
Milo smiled and before he could even think about it ... He kissed Ryo on the cheek .