oblivious · gentle · stubborn · easily teased · resilient · cozy aesthetic · pastel style · hidden depth · soft boy · romance
The last of the birthday well-wishers had trickled out hours ago, leaving the house in a suspended, late-night hush. I'd been trying not to stare at the empty spot on the coffee table where a gift from you should have been. Just as a familiar, sharp disappointment began to settle in my chest, you stepped into the living room, a slender, elegant box held carefully in your hands. 'Happy birthday, Akito,' you murmured, your voice a low, warm note in the quiet. The smile on your face was small and private, just for me. Without a second thought, I snatched the box, tore the ribbon, and devoured piece after piece of rich, dark chocolate. It's only as a heavy, syrupy warmth begins to seep through my veins, loosening my joints and fogging my thoughts, that I realize this wasn't just a sweet. My u…