Chapter Text
The beach waves swishing back and forth, meeting with the rough sand, sparkling in the sunlight. The trees blowing with the breeze, shifting the shady spots, letting sun rays shine between the gaps. The people walking by each other, with each other, talking and laughing about comfortable topics in the breeze.
Akihiko closed his eyes and listened to the gentle call of seagulls, an unfamiliar noise, but it was pleasant to the ear.
It was spring break and both Akihiko and Harumi decided to spend it at a beach house, away from anyone and everyone who knew them.
Away from the pressure and anxiety to keep their facades sealed tight to their face. Should the facades slip, their schools would know the truth, and high school would be miserable.
So, they picked a distant beach, not usually crowded because of its sad-ish waves, but it was still beach-enough for the two.
“Bunny” Akihiko’s sister called out, “We’re here.”
He opened his eyes again, meeting with the familiar grin of Harumi outside the window. He sighed and opened the door, also grabbing his things (which wasn’t too much).
“Tired?” Harumi asked.
“A little, but I’ll manage.”
“Lets check out the inside.”
“Sure. Bye sis, thank you.”
Akihiko’s sister waved from the car before driving off, joining the flow of traffic in the distance.
Both the boys walked inside the beach house, taking in the decor, style, size, and overall area of the house. Neither of them had lived or stayed by the beach before, and so they were in awe of the peaceful atmosphere it gave. It was breathtaking.
The downstairs included a kitchen with an island table and bar stools. Next to it was the giant living room, which was beach style (of course) and it even included a hanging seat, made from comfortable nets and pillows.
The upstairs had two bedrooms, both conjoined with a large bathroom in between. And lastly, the porch in which connected to the downstairs living room.
“Wow, this place is really nice?” Akihiko commented, “I thought it would be a lot worse than the photos…”
“Yeah, wasn’t expecting this either….How about we go for a swim?”
“Yeah, sounds fun.”
Both the boys changed into their trunks, and Harumi grabbed his surf board, shiny like it had never been used.
Or maybe he just polished it to show off.
“You surf at all, Shiraishi?” Harumi asked as they walked to the shore, sandals in hand when they reached the hot sand.
“Ah, no….I’ve only been to the beach once or twice.”
“Really? I used go often with my mom.”
“Did she teach you how to surf?”
“Pfft- Definitely not. She hated getting in the water.”
“Oh…”
“I can teach you if you want though.”
“Oh, I mean- sure why not?”
“Cool.”
They reached the shore and let their feet soothe into the cool water, contrasting with the hot sun that had been beating on them.
Akihiko breathed in the seaside air, it was unfamiliar to him, but he wasn’t complaining.
He could finally let his ‘perfect’ facade slip. He could be messy, silly-, imperfect even.
And the same went for Harumi.
He could be playful, talkative, and nice. Letting that ‘cold prince’ act melt under the beach sun.
Akihiko watched Harumi surf in awe, seeing him flow above the water’s surface so gracefully. He himself was just swimming through the waves, making sure to give the surfer some distance.
But after a bit, Harumi put away his board to join Akihiko.
“Wow,” Akihiko started, “You were so cool.”
“Hah, thanks. Wanna give it a go, Shiraishi?”
“Ah…I dont know…I have- zero experience.”
“Well, I have a ton, so your in good hands~” Harumi grinned as he dunked the other in water.
“Ah- Kurose! Yuck, its so salty…”
“Well duh, its the ocean…home to things like fish, dolphins…” He grinned a bit and also mentioned, “Sharks..”
“Sharks? But they don’t live so close to shore, right?”
“Not usually….but they can.”
Akihiko looked at the wide see, a bit nervous from Harumi’s teases. It was surprising how he was still so gullible to his jokes.
“Im just kidding Shiraishi, haha…You believe anything I say, don’t you?”
“I-! I dont know!! Agh, cant believe I fell for another one…haha…”
“Watch out,” Harumi said as he walked to shore, “Next thing you know, I’ll have you falling for me too.”
“…”
After what seemed like 100 attempts to surf,
Akihiko laid in the sand, beat up from the constant waves that had been crashing onto him earlier.
Maybe he should just stick to swimming….
“You alright?” Harumi asked, covering the sun on Akihiko’s face with his hand.
“Hah… yeah, just taking a break.”
“I guess surfing isn’t for everyone. Even for the perfect Shiraishi, haha…”
“Right….”
Seeing as Akihiko’s mood changed after the ‘perfect’ remark, he felt guilt about bringing up the very thing they were escaping from.
“You okay…? I was just kidding about that.”
“I’m….I’m fine. It just sucks, y’know? I wish I didn’t have to feel perfect all the time.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
And it was the truth. They knew that no one in the entire world would understand that pressure. Except for them.
It was why this vacation was so important. It was a getaway from all the fear and stress that one day, everyone will know the truth. A truth that both the boys were forced to hide because the schools decided to make them the center of attention. The heart of the schools. A fuel for the rumors and old traditions.
Feeling bad for making the mood gloomy, Akihiko cleared his throat and tried thinking of something else to talk about.
“Haha…you’re hair looks funny when it’s wet.”
Harumi looked at his hair, and made a confused expression, not knowing how to fix it.
“Here,” Akihiko said, “Let me help.”
Harumi leaned forward as Akihiko used both hands to ruffle through the hair, straightening out some of the awkward strands. He couldn’t help but move his eyes to the beach, away from the tan, half-naked boy ruffling in his hair. But it was a bit hard to cover the small pinkness on his cheeks.
“You okay?” Akihiko asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“You just look a but flushed. I thought maybe it was too hot for you.”
It wasn’t, but…he didn’t have any better excuse at the moment.
“Yeah its a little hot, could we go back?”
“Sure! I’ll cook us some dinner.”
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As both sat at the table, they enjoyed their meals and talked about how nice their vacation had been so far.
“I guess you were pretty hungry….” Akihiko remarked.
“Well, this is ten times better than the instant ramen I’ve been eating all week.”
“All week?! Dude! I can cook dinner for you, y’know!”
“You don’t exactly live that close.”
“Well…still, sometimes is okay.”
“…I’ll keep it in mind.” Harumi smiled as he picked up his plate to wash, “Thanks.”
Akihiko sat on the porch, with the wind blowing through his hair, the bench swing creaking, the waves crashing into the sand.
He wished that this unfamiliar scene would become familiar. He wished that the two of them could run away forever, and have fun everyday at the beach. Maybe maybe even just in the beach house. It would be enough for him.
But since he has expectations, since he has a family, since he has friends, he couldn’t leave.
So for now, he let the cool breeze gently kiss his cheeks as his friend came out to join him on the bench swing.
The creaking became a bit louder now, but so did his heart.