Author's Note:

Warning that Kiyotaka will be extremely OOC in this chapter. I had a hard time writing this chapter. Like for real, I don't know if this chapter came out good or not.

But please do tell if there is something wrong, I'll revise it! Thank you so much!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Third Person's Point of View

AXEL RAN THROUGH THE EMPTY CORRIDOR, his feet pounding against the pavement, but his heart felt heavy. The world around him blurred into a haze as he struggled to shake off the dark clouds hanging over his mind.

He didn't know where he was going; he just kept moving, hoping that the rhythm of his feet would drown out the chaos in his thoughts.

As he reached his room, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The familiar sight of his cluttered space greeted him, but it felt foreign, suffocating. He leaned against the door, feeling it press against his back as he slowly slid down to the floor.

Tears welled in his eyes, and he let them fall, each drop a release of the emotions he'd been bottling up.

"Why does it have to be like this?" he muttered to himself, the weight of anxiety creeping in.

"Kiyotaka likes Karuizawa... So what's going to happen to me now?" A bitter laugh escaped his lips, a mix of sarcasm and despair.

"Of course, I shouldn't interfere in their love life. I'll be a wall in their relationship if I keep hanging out with them. I get it... I can still talk to them, but not the way I used to talk to Kiyo."

He buried his face in his hands, feeling utterly alone.

"I can't even hug him anymore... Why her?"

Axel shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts.

"No, I shouldn't think like this. He won't leave me, even if Kiyo likes someone else, right? He promised me."

"He promised."

"We promise to each other."

The memory of their promise echoed in his mind, but it was quickly overshadowed by a haunting voice from his past.

"Stop talking. You see, we will never love you the way your parents loved you. And I'm sure no one will ever love you. They'll eventually leave you all alone, you useless brat."

He pressed his palms against his ears, desperate to silence the cruel words.

"I hate being alone..."

Axel found himself back at his parents' funeral, a small child lost in a sea of grief. He stood before a picture of them, surrounded by flowers that felt more like a burden than a tribute.

Dressed in black, he sniffled quietly, remembering his father's words: "A boy shouldn't cry."

But he felt weak, sobbing silently as he stared at their picture, wishing he could follow them into the afterlife.

Around him, the whispers of his relatives pierced through his sorrow. "Poor boy, so who will adopt him?" one aunt murmured.

"Not us, I don't need a burden in my house," another replied, dismissing him as if he were nothing more than an inconvenience.

"Poor his parents left him; he should just die with them—"

"He will hear you," a voice interjected, but it was too late. Axel clenched his fists, feeling the anger and despair bubble within him.

He could hear their laughter, the way they found joy in his suffering. "We can adopt him; besides, he has money that his parents left him." Their laughter echoed in his ears, a cruel reminder of his isolation.

"Why are they so happy?" he thought, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Why aren't they affected by what happened to my parents?"

That day, he learned that he was alone.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

AXEL WIPED HIS TEARS, the memories still fresh in his mind. "Every night I cried, wondering why this happened. Why did my parents leave me? I just wanted to be with them..."

He felt the familiar ache of loneliness settle in his chest. "I miss their warmth. I didn't receive love here; I'm just suffering and abused. No one believes me when I say I'm hurt. No one is there to protect me... Just me. I'm alone."

Axel found himself in a dark, dingy room, the air thick with the stench of alcohol and neglect. He was just a child, and the bruises on his arms told a story of their own. Slaps came from every direction—his uncle's hand was quick, and his aunt's laughter echoed like a cruel taunt.

"Slow down, brat! Get the beer!" his uncle barked, his voice slurred from too many drinks. Axel shuffled to the fridge, his heart pounding. He grabbed two bottles and opened it, the cold glass slick against his small hands.

"Here," he said, trying to keep his voice steady as he handed them over. But before he could step back, his uncle's hand shot out, connecting with his cheek in a sharp slap that sent him sprawling to the floor.

"SO SLOW! What's wrong with you?" his uncle roared, while his aunt cackled, her laughter ringing in his ears like a death knell. She took the beer, and took a long swig, her eyes gleaming with malice.

Axel lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, feeling the tears well in his eyes. He had become numb to the pain, but the humiliation cut deeper than any physical blow.

"Get up, you useless brat!" his uncle sneered, but Axel remained still, staring at the two adults who were supposed to care for him. Instead, they were his jailers.

Suddenly, his uncle's laughter died.

He looked over at his wife, who was slumped against the sofa, her mouth foaming.

"Sweetheart!" he shouted, panic seeping into his voice. He rushed to her side, but it was too late.

Axel's heart raced.

He had done it.

The two bottles of beer were poisoned—his idea, a plan he had concocted in the depths of his despair. He had hoped for freedom, but now he felt a strange mix of fear and elation.

"Why?" his uncle gasped, clutching his chest, his eyes wide with terror. Axel stood, a small smile creeping onto his lips as he pointed a finger at his uncle's chest.

"You shouldn't have left her, Uncle. Now you can follow her, you can't let her be alone. If you follow her, the both of you won't be lonely, right?" 

With that, his uncle fell to the floor, gasping for breath, and Axel walked away, leaving the chaos behind.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

AXEL'S BREATH HITCHED AS HE returned to the present, the tears streaming down his face. The memories were suffocating, and he felt the weight of his actions pressing down on him. "Maybe Kiyo will leave me because I did that, right? Maybe when I tell him I did that when I was a child, he'll hate me," he whispered, his voice cracking under the strain of his anxiety.

He pressed his back against the door, wishing he could disappear. Just then, a soft knock echoed through the room.

"Axel," came a familiar voice—Kiyotaka.

"Go away," Axel replied, his voice muffled and shaky.

"Please, just let me in. I'm worried about you," Kiyotaka said, his tone gentle but firm.

"We need to talk."

Axel hesitated, the internal battle raging within him. He wanted to push Kiyotaka away, to hide his pain, but he also craved the comfort of his friend's presence.

"I can't, Kiyo. You don't understand, even I. I don't understand myself now." Axel said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Try me," Kiyotaka urged.

Axel's heart raced as he wrestled with his feelings.

Did he like Kiyotaka?

The thought made him blush, but it also filled him with fear. He was terrified of being alone again, of losing the one person who had ever truly cared for him.

He realized that the quality time he spent with Kiyotaka would lessen now that Kiyotaka had a girlfriend. "Kiyotaka should focus his attention on her, not on me," he thought, panic rising in his chest.

Lost in his thoughts, he felt his back being pushed forward, and before he knew it, his face met the floor. Kiyotaka had popped his head through the door, looking nonchalant despite the chaos.

"Sorry," Kiyotaka said in his usual monotone voice, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

Axel rubbed his forehead, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. When their eyes met, Axel's heart raced uncontrollably. It was a feeling he had never experienced with anyone else.

'Why does it feel like this?' Axel wondered, his cheeks flushing.

'Why does my heart beat so fast around him?'

Kiyotaka knelt down beside Axel, cupping his face gently, their eyes locking in a moment that felt suspended in time. Axel's heart raced, pounding against his chest like a drum, his ears turning a bright shade of pink.

Kiyotaka noticed the blush but kept his focus on Axel's face, rubbing his thumb softly over Axel's porcelain cheeks. 'My Axel is so beautiful, so pretty. I'm afraid that if I touch him, it will hurt him,' Kiyotaka thought, his heart swelling with affection.

"Why did you run away? Please answer me, Axel. Please talk to me," Kiyotaka urged, his voice slightly monotone but filled with sincerity.

Axel felt the walls he had built around himself begin to crumble. "I... I don't know how to explain it," he stammered, vulnerability creeping into his voice.

"I'm scared, Kiyo. Scared of losing you." Tears streamed down his cheeks, and Kiyotaka's heart ached at the sight.

"Look at you, a masterpiece misunderstanding the situation. How embarrassing," Kiyotaka said with a teasing grin, but he quickly noticed the angry mark forming above Axel's eyebrows.

"What misunderstanding, huh? I clearly heard you say you like—ah, like K-Karuizawa!" Axel shot back, his voice rising with frustration.

Kiyotaka's grin faltered for a moment, realizing Axel had misunderstood everything. 'To think I practiced my confession using Karuizawa and because of that he misunderstood that.This is amusing,' he thought, placing a finger on his mouth to suppress a laugh.

"Why do you think that I like Karuizawa? And why did you run?" Kiyotaka asked, his tone nonchalant, but a glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes.

Axel's expression shifted back to sadness, his fidgeting hands betraying his anxiety.

"W-Well, I heard you say, 'I like you' to her. And... Why did I run... I don't know. My feet just... ran away. I didn't want to ruin your conversation with her. It seems that Karuizawa likes you too. And of course, I will support you in your relationship with her. I promise, right? You can have your freedom here; you can be free around me. Free to express whatever you want. I'll be happy to be the one who sees that."

Axel's sincerity shone through, even as he battled his own hurt. He wanted Kiyotaka to be happy, even if it meant stepping back.

All he wants now...is Him. Kiyotaka. To be happy and nothing else.

Even he, himself was destroyed.

Kiyotaka leaned in closer, their foreheads touching, the warmth of their skin igniting a spark between them. Axel's heart raced, a mix of confusion and anticipation swirling within him.

"But what about your promise to her?" Axel asked, his voice trembling slightly. He needed reassurance, a confirmation that Kiyotaka's feelings were real, that he wasn't just saying these things to comfort him.

Kiyotaka's gaze softened as he held Axel's cheeks firmly. "I don't care about promises made out of obligation. I care about what feels right. And right now, what feels right is you."

Axel's heart soared at Kiyotaka's confession, but doubt still lingered. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden to you. I don't want to ruin your life."

"Axel," Kiyotaka said, his tone serious yet gentle, "you could never be a burden to me. I want to support you too. We can figure this out together. Just trust me."

Axel's uncertainty lingered, but Kiyotaka's words were like a lifeline. He felt a flicker of hope. "Are you scared?" Kiyotaka asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Axel's eyes widened. Yes, he was scared. He didn't voice it, but the fear of losing Kiyotaka after they became something more loomed over him. What if Kiyotaka got bored and threw him away like everyone else?

But before he could articulate his fears, Kiyotaka interrupted his thoughts. "Don't be angry."

"Angry? What do you mean?" Axel asked, confusion etched on his face.

"Just don't be angry," Kiyotaka repeated, a hint of mischief in his voice.

"Why?" Axel pressed, trying to understand.

"Just say yes... don't be angry," Kiyotaka urged, his eyes locked onto Axel's.

"Why? I don't know what you're talking about—" Axel's words were cut off when Kiyotaka suddenly wrapped his arms around Axel's waist, pulling him closer, and with a swift motion, Kiyotaka kissed him.

The world around them faded away as Axel's mind went blank. The kiss was gentle yet filled with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. Kiyotaka's lips were soft against his, and for a moment, all his fears melted away.

When Kiyotaka pulled back, Axel was left breathless, his cheeks flushed. "What was that for?" he asked, still dazed.

Kiyotaka smirked, a glint of playfulness in his eyes. "Just confirming what I said. I don't like Karuizawa; I like you, Axel. You're the one I want."

Axel's heart raced, a mix of disbelief and joy flooding through him. "You really mean that?"

"Of course," Kiyotaka replied, his expression sincere. "I want to be with you. I've wanted to tell you for a while now, but I didn't know how."

Axel felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "I... I want to be with you too, Kiyotaka. I was just so scared."

Kiyotaka's hand remained on Axel's waist, his thumb gently rubbing the soft fabric of his shirt. He leaned in closer, placing his other hand on Axel's cheek, feeling the warmth radiating from him. "Why are you scared?" he asked softly, searching Axel's eyes for the truth.

"That... you will leave me," Axel admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kiyotaka's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head firmly. "I will not leave you. Over my dead body. When I promise to someone I care about, it's not an obligation or a contract. It's a true feeling that will never change."

Axel felt a swell of emotion at Kiyotaka's words. "Please allow me to take you as mine," Kiyotaka added, his voice low and sincere.

Axel almost laughed at the phrasing, a mix of amusement and disbelief bubbling up inside him. "Where did you get those words? It's so cringy," he chuckled, wrapping his arms around Kiyotaka's shoulders and resting his head affectionately against him.

"Of course... but you'll be mine too," Axel replied, a teasing smile on his lips.

Kiyotaka's lips curved into a genuine smile, the first real smile he had ever given Axel. It lit up his face, and Axel felt a rush of warmth at the sight. Kiyotaka's hand found its way to Axel's, their fingers intertwining.

"Don't be angry..." Kiyotaka said playfully, causing Axel to laugh.

"What, you're gonna kiss me aga–?" Axel teased, but his words were cut off when Kiyotaka suddenly pressed his lips against Axel's, capturing him in a passionate kiss.

The kiss was hot and intense, igniting a fire deep within Axel. Kiyotaka's lips moved against his with a fervor that made Axel's heart race. He melted into the kiss, feeling the world around them fade away.

Kiyotaka's tongue traced Axel's bottom lip, seeking entrance. Axel parted his lips slightly, allowing Kiyotaka to deepen the kiss. Their tongues tangled together in a sensual dance, exploring and tasting each other.

Axel's hands slid up Kiyotaka's back, pulling him closer as the kiss intensified. Kiyotaka's grip on Axel's waist tightened, his fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt. The air around them grew thick with desire, their bodies pressing together in a desperate need for closeness.

Kiyotaka's lips left Axel's, trailing hot kisses along his jaw and down his neck. Axel tilted his head back, exposing more of his skin to Kiyotaka's ministrations. A soft moan escaped his lips as Kiyotaka sucked gently on his pulse point, sending shivers down his spine.

Axel's hands tangled in Kiyotaka's hair, holding him in place as he continued his assault on Axel's neck. Kiyotaka's tongue darted out, tracing patterns on the sensitive skin, eliciting more delicious sounds from Axel.

Kiyotaka's hands slid under Axel's shirt, caressing the smooth skin of his back. Axel arched into the touch, craving more of Kiyotaka's warmth. Their bodies moved together in a sensual rhythm, heat building between them with each passing second.

Axel pulled Kiyotaka back up, capturing his lips in another searing kiss. This one was more desperate, more needy. Their tongues danced together, exploring every inch of each other's mouths. Axel could taste the faint hint of coffee on Kiyotaka's lips, and it only served to heighten his desire.

Kiyotaka's hands slid down to Axel's hips, pulling him even closer until there was no space left between them. Axel could feel the rapid beating of Kiyotaka's heart, matching the frantic pace of his own. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them and the burning need that consumed them.

As they finally pulled apart, both breathless and flushed, Axel couldn't help but smile. "W-Where did you learn t–those," he said, his voice low and raspy.

Kiyotaka pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting against each other as they both breathed heavily, their eyes locked. "Well. Internet-chan. Hmm...did I do great?" Kiyotaka murmured, his voice low and filled with awe.

Axel's chuckle and nod his head, "Yeah...so good."

With a newfound confidence, Kiyotaka leaned in again, capturing Axel's lips in another deep kiss. This time, it was softer, more tender, as if they were savoring the moment. Axel melted into it, feeling every brush of Kiyotaka's lips against his, every caress of his hands.

Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, the kiss lingering as they explored the depths of their feelings. Axel's heart swelled with happiness, the warmth of Kiyotaka's affection wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

As they finally pulled away, both breathless and slightly dazed, Axel couldn't help but smile. "You already kissed me too much," he said, still feeling the electricity between them.

Kiyotaka chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from Axel's forehead. "Hmm... is that wrong?" he echoed, his eyes sparkling with emotion.

"Well... no," Axel replied shyly, a blush creeping across his cheeks. Kiyotaka leaned in, resting his face against Axel's neck, and Axel instinctively began to play with Kiyotaka's hair, running his fingers through the soft strands.

They were lost in their own little world, enjoying the warmth and comfort of each other's presence.

The moment was blissful, a sanctuary from all their worries. Axel could feel Kiyotaka's breath against his skin, sending pleasant shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes, savoring the intimacy they shared, the way their bodies fit together so perfectly.

While Axel continued to play with Kiyotaka's hair, Kiyotaka felt a sudden urge to tease him.

"So... I'm no longer your friend, right? Our friendship is also over," Kiyotaka said, his voice muffled against Axel's neck.

Axel couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it. "Why do you say that, haha?" he laughed, pulling back slightly to look at Kiyotaka's face.

Kiyotaka pouted, looking almost childlike in his expression. "Well, basically, I'm your boyfri—"

"What?" Axel interrupted, his eyes widening in surprise. Kiyotaka jolted up, removing his head from Axel's shoulder, a look of mock seriousness on his face.

"Wait, you? Already my boyfriend? Are you serious?" Axel asked, laughter bubbling up inside him.

"What? I'm not your boyfriend?" Kiyotaka replied, a hint of confusion in his tone.

"No, no, you need to court me first!" Axel insisted, still giggling.

"What? I'm not your boyfriend, even if we kissed that har—" Kiyotaka started, but Axel quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

"Stop!" Axel exclaimed, trying to suppress his laughter.

"Why? It's true. Besides, why am I still gonna court you when we both know we'll just end up being boyfriends?" Kiyotaka asked, his expression deadpan, but Axel could see the playful glint in his eyes.

Axel rolled his eyes dramatically. "Of course, you still need to!"

"Just be my boyfriend so that I can court you forever," Kiyotaka said, his voice monotone but with a hint of sincerity that made Axel's heart flutter.

"Forever, huh?" Axel teased, raising an eyebrow. "That sounds like a pretty big commitment for someone who just kissed me."

Kiyotaka smirked, leaning closer again. "Well, I'm ready for it if you are. I mean, who else would put up with my weirdness?"

Axel's heart swelled at Kiyotaka's words. "I guess I can tolerate you for a while longer," he said, feigning indifference while secretly enjoying the banter.

"Just a while?" Kiyotaka asked, feigning disappointment. "I thought I was special."

"You are special!" Axel replied quickly, his cheeks flushing again. "But you still need to earn the title of 'boyfriend' properly."

Kiyotaka tilted his head, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Well then, but I'm already your boyfriend, right? Say yes, baby."

Axel felt his cheeks heat up at the term of endearment, and he smacked Kiyotaka's shoulder playfully. "You're seriously annoying! Of course, I want you to be my boyfriend, but you can't just claim it like that when you just confessed!"

When Axel said that, Kiyotaka just looked at him still waiting for his response. He just rolled his eyes and spoke again.

"Fine," Axel finally relented, unable to suppress a smile.

Kiyotaka's grin widened, and without hesitation, he leaned in, capturing Axel's lips in a passionate kiss.