(ren's words have always managed to shake ryuji down to his very core, like there's a weight to them only ryuji can understand. just those few simple words, and ryuji's feeling better than he ever has. and that's all it ever takes, a single honest line from ren to make ryuji feel like he's worth the world.
his self esteem has bolstered a bit since high school, but not nearly enough that he can walk around with the confidence ren does. always the butt of a joke, the idiot, a delinquent, someone was always firing a comment about ways ryuji should change.
except ren.
ren saw him at his worst, repeatedly, and yet he never backed away in shame, never made some snide comment about ryuji's grades or temper or attitude. ren always just let ryuji be... himself. and now to hear that ren thinks ryuji should stay exactly as he is...
well, he's not fighting back any tears, but there is a lump of emotion in his throat. it's only let out in a quiet, yet audible enough gasp to be heard by ren, being so close and now resting his head back against ryuji's.
they're veering into territory the boys rarely visit, vulnerable and open, laid completely bare in their trust for each other. literally resting their weight against each other for support and comfort at the same time. ryuji wars internally with himself for what seems like ages, should he be more upfront, more open, take advantage of the moment and steal a kiss or a touch. or would it be best to play it safe, keep things as they are, not disrupt the precious... whatever it is they have now?
fuck it. this fake relationship won't move itself along. mustering what seems to be every ounce of his courage, ryuji reaches over to take ren's hand in his without letting himself second guess the decision. it's not as though they've never held hands before. they've high fived, grabbed each other out of dangerous situations, or just plain running down the street like a couple of kids.
but this is different, so different. it's quiet and intimate and only theirs. ryuji's cheeks are a shade of red to even counter panther's outfit, so he strategically keeps his head down.) ... shit. I was gonna try and, I dunno, say something cool back. But I don't know what to say.
(he laughs, quietly, almost to himself.) I never hear anyone say that about me.
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his self esteem has bolstered a bit since high school, but not nearly enough that he can walk around with the confidence ren does. always the butt of a joke, the idiot, a delinquent, someone was always firing a comment about ways ryuji should change.
except ren.
ren saw him at his worst, repeatedly, and yet he never backed away in shame, never made some snide comment about ryuji's grades or temper or attitude. ren always just let ryuji be... himself. and now to hear that ren thinks ryuji should stay exactly as he is...
well, he's not fighting back any tears, but there is a lump of emotion in his throat. it's only let out in a quiet, yet audible enough gasp to be heard by ren, being so close and now resting his head back against ryuji's.
they're veering into territory the boys rarely visit, vulnerable and open, laid completely bare in their trust for each other. literally resting their weight against each other for support and comfort at the same time. ryuji wars internally with himself for what seems like ages, should he be more upfront, more open, take advantage of the moment and steal a kiss or a touch. or would it be best to play it safe, keep things as they are, not disrupt the precious... whatever it is they have now?
fuck it. this fake relationship won't move itself along. mustering what seems to be every ounce of his courage, ryuji reaches over to take ren's hand in his without letting himself second guess the decision. it's not as though they've never held hands before. they've high fived, grabbed each other out of dangerous situations, or just plain running down the street like a couple of kids.
but this is different, so different. it's quiet and intimate and only theirs. ryuji's cheeks are a shade of red to even counter panther's outfit, so he strategically keeps his head down.) ... shit. I was gonna try and, I dunno, say something cool back. But I don't know what to say.
(he laughs, quietly, almost to himself.) I never hear anyone say that about me.