Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Welcome to the King Karaoke!” The man greeted them behind the counter, and Akito and Toya nodded, muttering their greeting as well. “We had a reservation; Akito Shinonome?” While Akito got their reservation set, Toya looked around, eyes wide, taking in the details. He was always eager to experience new things, and he hadn’t been in a Karaoke bar before. It was exciting. Akito glanced at his partner while signing and paying for the karaoke room. His lips turned into a small, crooked smile, seeing Toya enjoying himself. Immersing himself in new things. Akito would never be bored to witness that. The gleam and excitement in Toya’s eyes when he discovered something new was precious.

Akito poked Toya gently on his side, and they headed to their Karaoke room. “We can order their drinks as well, and I think they also had pancakes and stuff,” Akito talked as they walked, Toya nodded at that. The room was small but nice and smelled clean. Toya smiled, stopped at the door to take a look. Akito sat on the couch and smiled at his partner. “Come in, silly, and close the door. What do you want to sing first?” He clicked on the screen, and songs scrolled on the big screen. Toya felt a sudden unease, looking at Akito. “You go first and I watch, then I sing and you watch, and then we can sing together? Does that sound like a valid plan, Akito?”

Akito nodded and chose the first song. It was more of a hard rock song, one that suited his strong voice perfectly. Toya sat and listened, smiled softly; he always did when it was just the two of them. Akito's singing was something he loved; the fire in his eyes, his voice, everything was perfect. It ignited the desire to sing in Toya, and so as the song was finished, he was already choosing a song to sing. “You did great, Akito! It was amazing! “ Toya praised, eyes switching from Akito and the song screen and back to Akito again. There was a faint pink shade on Akito’s cheeks, and his brows were furrowed in embarrassment slightly. Toya could not help himself, when passing to get in front of the screen to sing, he stopped to press a little kiss on Akito’s warm cheek. “Amazing, like everything you do is. Akito.” The rest of the praise was said aloud as the music began, and  Toya started to sing, leaving Akito to deal with his more reddening cheeks and flustered state himself. Toya kissed his cheek? Did it just happen? Though they were always close and some part of them was always touching, like, shoes bumping together, arm over shoulder and so on, kissing was something that never happened.

Akito breathed out and calmed down. It was his turn now to listen, and he took his opportunity to admire his beautiful partner shamelessly. Toya had chosen a soft, more mellow song, and his voice was like velvet to Akito’s ears. He got shivers and goosebumps as the song reached the high point, and when it ended, he clapped his hands and flashed a warm smile at Toya. “Dude! That was sick! And this was your first time in karaoke.” Akito said excitedly and stood up, his arm moved to Toya’s shoulder, and then his hand ruffled his hair. “You sounded so good…Toya. Really, really good! “ Toya smiled, taking Akito’s hand to pull him closer. Suddenly, Akito was pulled in front of the screen, Toya selecting a song, and the first slow beats filled the room.

Akito took a peek at the song, and his eyes widened a bit…it was a love song? Toya had chosen a love song; maybe it was a mistake? Akito hoped it would be, but there was no way he would deal with his totally non-romantic feelings for his partner right now. Toya started to sing, voice smooth as silk, dark and mysterious, Akito felt a shiver on his back and blinked at Toya. His partner's beautiful eyes were so warm and affectionate that it made Akito's heartbeat rise again. Maybe it wasn't a mistake after all. Toya nodded at Akito as a cue to start singing his part.

Akito wasn't sure whether Toya had done it on purpose or accidentally, but somehow he got in the flow as well. The part Akito sang came out soft and smooth, almost affectionate and loving. Akito was sure there was a light dust of pink on Toya’s cheek, and his own must have been blazing red at this point. Those grey eyes were so captivating, glimmering and perfect, like the whole boy in front of him. Toya sang how much he loved Akito, and Akito’s lines responded in kind; the odd confessional song went on until…

…right before the end, Toya stopped singing and just looked at Akito. Stared at him with those perfect eyes, Akito leaned closer, forgot his lyrics, and the melody continued to play as they both leaned closer to each other. The music faded away to the background; there was just Toya and him in their little bubble.

“Toya?” Akito asked, suddenly out of breath, his palms felt sweaty, and his heart was thundering so loudly. “Akito. May I kiss you?” Toya’s voice was soft and smooth, yet slightly nervous. Akito swallowed and nodded slowly, hearing nothing but his heartbeat thunder in his ears.

Toya closed the distance and pressed his lips against Akito’s. Toya’s lips were soft and cool, Akito’s warm and chapped, but none of those mattered. It was their first kiss. Sweet, a little bit shy, and really amazing. Why didn't he think this sooner? Toya pulled away first, and Akito grabbed Toya’s hoodie, pulling him back to another kiss. Kissing Toya was an absolute bliss feeling, if Akito were to describe it. The way Toya kind of melted in the kiss, his hand curling on Akito's neck to play with the ginger curls. Akito wrapped his arms more around Toya's waist and deepened the kiss even more.

After many more kisses later, they both sat on the couch, breaths wild and short, cheeks flushed, hearts racing. “Toya, you’re so damn perfect…you make my head spin, man,” Akito said in a post-kiss bliss and just blurted out the rest of his thoughts. “I'm so crazy in love with you, Toya. You’re perfect. I don’t know how you manage that all, being this kind of perfect partner,” he kept rambling on until he suddenly felt Toya’s lips against his own. The blue-haired boy smiled in the kiss; Akito could feel it. “Then let me be your partner both in singing, life, and love, Akito. From this moment forward, I promise to be with you, sing forever with you.” Poetic words, Akito’s blushed cheeks warmed his whole face as he stared at his partner. A quick nod of his head and an affectionate smile to his partner. Staring at Toya's love-drunk face, with a face matching his partner, Akito got up, taking Toya's hand in his own.

“Come, Toya. Let’s sing together…forever.”