Capture - Volume 1 Chapter 29 When I Look At You

Kaoru opened his eyes to an empty space next to him. In a room he was not familiar with. With a body which bore marks and a soreness he knew well.

Of course, he had s.e.x with the man last night.

But Keigo was so gentle with him. When he looked at Kaoru, he almost forgot to breathe. When Keigo’s hands coursed through his hair afterwards in a warm embrace, he almost burst with happiness.

It was the first time that Kaoru felt truly held and mattered.

He sat up gingerly and glanced at the alarm clock by the bed. It was almost noon.

“Want to take a shower?”

Kaoru’s heart skipped a beat.

Keigo sauntered over and sat down on the bed beside him. A set of towels and fresh clothes in hand.

“Yes..I’m a mess,” Kaoru agreed and looked down at the duvet covering him.

“I wouldn’t mind having you in my bed like this all day.”

Kaoru couldn’t help but stared at him in shock.

A low chuckle escaped Keigo. “I got a takeaway. See you downstairs?”

Kaoru could only nod. He went about the task numbly after Keigo left the bedroom, mildly aware of the scent of the citrus soap and the spaciousness of the bathroom. The clothes he borrowed hung loose on him.

When he went downstairs, Keigo was reading something on his phone. He looked up and smiled almost boyishly.

Kaoru offered a tentative smile of his own and stood opposite him at the dining table. Since it was Keigo after all, the takeaway turned out to be brunch dishes from a fancy French restaurant.

“I can leave after this,” he offered hesitantly.

“Do you have something to do?” Keigo inquired. “I can drive you there.”

“No, it’s just…” Kaoru struggled to voice it out. They had never spent a day afterwards together. He just didn’t know what to do.

It dawned upon Keigo what the other man was saying. He stood up and came around to Kaoru’s side. With deliberate care and attentiveness, he drew Kaoru’s waist to him until their faces were close.

“We are lovers now, Kaoru,” he said steadily.

Kaoru swallowed and whispered, “Lovers..”

Keigo could see the uncertainty in those eyes.

“It will be different this time,” he swore quietly.

There was a smile which was sweet and tinged with insecurity.

“I believe you,” Kaoru said with conviction. No matter how this would unfold, things would never be the same again between them. He wanted to hope for the better, a happy ending, a future where he would be able to look at Keigo like this every day.

Keigo kissed him then. Soft and languid. Kaoru felt caressed.

When they broke off, Keigo murmured, “Much as I like to continue this, the food is getting cold.”

Despite himself, Kaoru giggled. “I AM a little hungry.”

“I know,” Keigo remarked with a smirk.

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What do couples do in a day? Neither of them had a blueprint to follow.

It was the beginning of a relationship which was unexplored territory for both. Keigo’s initial instinct was to shower Kaoru with extravagance. Kaoru wondered if he was intruding into Keigo’s space.

In the end, it was a normal day. A perfect, normal day.

They cleaned up after lunch, packed up dirty sheets to be sent to the laundry and lazed on the sofa while surfing the internet or reading their messages.

Of course, there were teasing glances and stolen kisses. More than once, they were looking at each other almost in disbelief.

“I forgot to mention,” Keigo recalled suddenly. “The plant is doing well. It’s in my office.”

“The office?” Kaoru queried.

“It seems to prefer being in my presence during the day,” Keigo said evenly.

Kaoru decided to play along. “I see. What about the weekends?”

“You’re right,” Keigo agreed. “I should bring it home. It may get lonely.”

“Maybe you should,” Kaoru tried very hard not to laugh.

Keigo purred, “It does like to be played with. The leaves are very soft.”

They were talking about a plant but Kaoru felt a sense of heat creeping into his cheeks. He managed to remark without stammering, “I see. Do you play with it a lot?”

Keigo’s smile right at this moment. Evocative and mischievous. Kaoru nearly swallowed.

He whispered to Kaoru, “All the time.”

Kaoru couldn’t take it anymore. He literally took the nearest pillow available and buried his face in it. He didn’t know whether to it was because he was about to erupt into giggles or that he didn’t want Keigo to see his maddening blush.

Keigo laughed fondly and pulled him next to him.

“It’s a plant,” Kaoru grumbled.

“It takes after its owners,” Keigo countered.

Kaoru sighed in defeat although his chest warmed when he realized that Keigo had used a plural term. Owners.

“Do you want to stay tonight?” Keigo asked while Kaoru snuggled against him.

“Mmm..I better go home. I’ve no clean clothes,” Kaoru murmured.

“If clothes are the only issue” Keigo’s voice trailed off suggestively.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I guess I will?”

“Of course. It’s part of my charm.”

Kaoru poked Keigo’s rib in response. The other man gave him a mock reproaching look.

“Well, two can play the game.”

“W-wait!” Kaoru yelped as Keigo began to tickle him.

He protested between helpless laughter as Keigo showed no mercy.

“Stop it!” Kaoru squealed and collapsed onto the sofa.

Keigo gave him an evil smile. “But you’re so adorable right now.”

“No, stop! Keigo!”

Keigo relented and pulled him against his chest again. “Alright, alright.”

“Bully.” Kaoru was breathless.

“Only a bit.”

Kaoru shook his head ruefully.