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Ever since their first encounter in the basement of the school, Mash had continuously run into Rayne almost wherever he went. At first, he was unbothered by it. But now, the more and more he talked to and hung around the upperclassmen, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with him. Mash had started to get this tight feeling in his chest when Rayne was around. And when they were walking together, Mash’s hand always felt oddly empty. Not to mention the way his cheeks would warm and his heart would speed up without warning when they touched.
This was new to Mash, and he was scared he was dying. He was used to fending for himself, but now he couldn’t help but relax around Rayne. He felt oddly safe with the older male. And Mash couldn’t understand why. He wanted to.
For days, Mash racked his brain on what it could be. And with no solution, he was a little more open to Rayne’s offer, no matter how badly he didn’t want to hit the books. So on their way to the library, Mash was sure only to pout a little bit. Both him and Rayne knew he’d be in deep shit if he couldn’t pass this next test. Rayne was just trying to be helpful. It still sucked though.
Sitting in the library with Rayne at a little hidden back table so they wouldn’t attract any attention, Rayne skimmed through Mash’s textbooks and looked over past tests he did poorly on to see what he needed help with. It was, well… more than Rayne had expected. Not to mention, it was rather hard to get the boy to concentrate.
“Mash.” Rayne sighed. This was getting nowhere. “Is there something I can give you or do for you to help you focus better?”
Mash paused. What did he want from Rayne? Did he want anything within reason in general? Then it hit him. “If…” Mash trailed off, seemingly thinking about it a little more. “If I do good studying, then can I see your hand?”
“My hand?” Rayne sounded almost critical.
Sure with his answer, Mash gave an insistent nod, his eyes almost sparkling.
Rayne stared at him for a moment before he rested his face in his hand, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks. “I guess that’s something I can do.” He grumbled into his palm.
With those final words, Mash picked up his pencil and intently started studying.
~~~
After studying for what felt like hours, Mash was sure he was going to collapse if he did this any longer. So he did just that and slumped down on the table before it happened to him unwillingly. The hardwood was cool against his skin, and it felt nice.
“I think this is a good stopping point for today,” Rayne spoke up, closing his book and placing it on the table. He’d been reading the entire time Mash had been studying, only pausing to answer one of Mash’s nonsensical questions. “You did well. But don’t forget to continue in your own time…” Rayne froze when he caught Mash staring at him, full of hope. “What?”
“My reward.” Mash put his hands out expectantly.
Hesitantly, Rayne offered his hand to Mash. “Are you sure all you want is to see my hand?” He was so lost on what Mash was thinking. More so than usual. And that said something.
Taking his hand, Mash stared at their hands with knitted brows. Rayne’s hands were softer than he thought they’d be. But that wasn’t the point. Just as he thought, he felt his heart speed up a little bit. Tenderly running his fingers down each of Rayne’s fingers, Mash glanced up and felt his cheeks warm upon seeing Rayne’s brows knitted together tightly, his own face a little red. Mash nibbled on his lip and laced their fingers together. He watched in a curious satisfaction as Rayne’s eyebrow twitched, and he gulped thickly. This was fun! Looking back at Rayne’s hand, Mash slowly unlaced their fingers, keeping their hands together. Rayne’s hand was a good bit larger than his own. After staring for a moment, Mash slowly raised Rayne’s hand to his face and rested his cheek against his palm. Mash let out a gentle breath before opening his eyes and making eye contact with a red Rayne who looked incredibly lost with his mouth slackened open like that.
Mash thought hard about how he felt, and he could answer that. Easily. But he still didn’t know why. Furrowing his brows, he reluctantly let Rayne’s hand drop from his face. Well, this was no help. With that, Mash pushed himself up from his chair and collected his papers and textbooks. He’d think about this more later; for now, he wanted dinner.
~~~
It was a little over a week later that Mash and Finn were leaving their room for their first class of the day when Finn paused before speaking up.
“I just remembered today is Rayne’s birthday.” He said, glancing at Mash.
It wasn’t until later on that evening that Mash regretted not putting more thought into Finn’s words, because it was then that he ran into Rayne.
“Mash, hello.” Rayne seemed to visibly relax upon seeing the younger boy. Must be having a rough day.
It was then that Mash remembered what Finn had told him that morning. It was Rayne’s birthday. Mash froze. He didn’t have anything to give his upperclassmen. Unless… He reached into his pocket and pulled out a creampuff he had been saving. It was his last one. Regretably, Mash held out his hand, offering Rayne the treat. “Happy birthday.”
Eyebrows raised in mild shock, Rayne carefully took the sweet. “Thank you.” He examined it for a moment before looking back at Mash. “Did Finn tell you?”
With a small nod, Mash watched in anticipation as Rayne took his first bite.
“It’s good.”
~~~
With spring rolling in and the days growing warmer, Mash’s group decided it was high time to go outside and get some sun. And their plans sounded fun. It was a short hike to an open field on a hill where they were going to have a picnic. Good exercise and food.
It was on their way out of the academy that their plans unexpectedly changed. But not in a bad way. They had all been a little surprised when they found Rayne slumped down on a bench, looking more drained than ever.
“Are you alright?” Finn spoke up first, worried about his older brother.
Slowly lifting his gaze from the concrete, he lazily blinked then let out a drawn-out sigh. “Just a lot on my mind.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Lemon chimed in. She didn’t particularly like Rayne because of how close he and Mash seemed to be, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a heart.
“No, you guys shouldn’t bother yourselves with my work.” Rayne sighed once again, this time standing afterwards.
“You should take a break,” Mash suggested.
“He’s right.” Finn agreed. “You shouldn’t overwork yourself. What if you joined us? It’d be a good breath of fresh air.” Glancing back at his friends to see if it was okay with them, everyone shrugged and said little why nots.
“If that’s alright, then I will.”
With smiles and a few hurrahs, the party now had an extra addition to it. A mentally exhausted Rayne.
Sticking with primarily Finn and Mash, Rayne also found himself alone a few times. He knew the other people in the group, just not well enough to hold a conversation. And especially not in his current state. He didn’t mind that, though. Walking alone let him take in his surroundings better. The whistles of the birds, the humming of bugs, the cool, yet tranquil breeze, the gentle sun rays shining through the leaves of a tree hanging over the path. They were right. This was good for him. Yet, still with all the natural beauty around him, he couldn’t help but find his gaze migrate to Mash. So when he came across the younger boy squatting off to the side of the path, the others further up ahead, he was right there, squatting down next to him. Draping his arms over his knees and leaning his head against one, Rayne found himself in a position to easily look at Mash’s face while he gazed at the little flowers in front of them.
“Cute, aren’t they?” Mash spoke up after a long while.
With nothing but a gentle hum, Rayne’s gaze didn’t break once.
Lifting his head, Mash flinched slightly. He hadn’t realized how close they were. Mash took a shaky breath. Something about the way Rayne was looking at him made him anxious. He didn’t dislike it. It just made him confused. His heart started to speed up.
Breaking their gaze, Rayne looked down at the flowers, Mash watching intently as he picked one. Rayne twisted it in his fingers for a moment, watching it spin around before reaching towards Mash and gently tucking it behind his ear. “It’s cuter like this.” He said simply, the smallest smile playing on his lips.
Mash felt his face burn as Rayne pushed himself up from the ground. What was happening to him!?
“Come on.” Rayne snapped Mash out of his thoughts, a large hand now in his face. “We should get going, or else the others will come looking for us.”
With a small nod, Mash took Rayne’s warm hand and let him pull him up even though he was fully capable of getting up by himself.
Mash was only a little surprised when neither of them moved to let go, and they instead walked back hand in hand until the rest of their group came into view. With the warmth of Rayne’s hand disappearing, Mash couldn’t help but try and chase it. Why was that?
~~~
Trudging down the winding hallways with only one thing on his mind, Mash was determined. He had racked his brain for hours every single day for the past week or so, and he was at a complete and utter loss, and he couldn’t take it any longer. He had to know the answer. He had to know why he felt this way around Rayne. So that’s precisely who he was going to ask.
It wasn’t long until Mash came across Rayne in the academy courtyard, nose buried in a book. Approaching swiftly, he stopped just in front of Rayne, who glanced up at him curiously. After a moment, he put in his bookmark and placed the novel off to the side, giving Mash his full attention.
“Do you need something?” Rayne tilted his head, a breeze ruffling his hair.
“I have a question,” Mash stated in more of a demand than anything. Upon receiving a small nod to continue, Mash furrowed his brows. It was now or never. “When I’m around you,” He started, voice starting to go shaky, “Why do I feel so hot, and why does my heart speed up? I-I’ve thought about it for weeks, and I don’t understand! Is there something wrong with me?” Mash looked up to meet Rayne’s eyes.
The older student was bewildered. Had Mash really just said that to him!? Was this a confession!? Taking a slow breath, Rayne stood and took a slow step towards Mash. “Could I try something? I have an idea as to what you’re feeling.” With a small nod in acceptance, Rayne carefully reached out towards Mash and gently placed his hand against his cheek, cupping it. With his other hand, he took Mash’s waist and tugged him closer, ever so slightly. Upon no sign of discomfort, Rayne pushed further and gingerly kissed Mash’s cheek. Then his nose. His eyelid. And lastly, he ran his fingers up the side of his face and pushed his bangs back to press a kiss to his forehead. “How do you feel now?” Rayne couldn’t help but smile as he took a step back, but not far enough so his hand would leave Mash’s hip.
“Warm and confused,” Mash replied breathlessly. “Why is my heart beating so fast?”
“Mash,” Rayne spoke softly, his hand dropping to take Mash’s, “I think you like me. More than a friend.”
Freezing in place, Mash thought about it. “I think-” He hadn’t considered that it was a possibility. But something about those words set right with him. “Yeah. I think you’re right.” He continued. “I do like you.”
Looking up to meet Rayne’s eyes, Mash was sure. He liked Rayne. More than a friend. Maybe even more than creampuffs. Maybe.