I turned, seeing a hand patting the now cold mattress, an eye opening to confirm the fact before the owner sat up sleepily, hair in every direction, eyes blinking sleepily, looking for me.

“Go back to sleep”

He turned towards me, half hidden in the shadows, the moonless night serving to help hide me. He made his way slowly towards me, stretching his tired limbs, my eyes following his every graceful movement.

“Kaoru”

He knelt in front of me, the glint of his eyes steady on mine as his hands reached for me in the dark. A hand touched my bare shoulder, following the line to my hands, prying my arms apart, him moving nearer to sit in the space he created for himself, his back against my chest, his head resting on my arm. He is not unlike a cat, proud and silent in his own way, independent and at the same time so vulnerable. His warmth is welcomed in the chilly room, warming me.

“Kyo”

There was no answer from him, only steady breathing. He must have fallen asleep.

“I love you”

With those words said, I felt a kind of freedom, euphoria, a burden lift, a sense of acceptance. Our relationship had started with both of us wanting a quick fix, a satisfaction of our primal urges. Along the way, somehow, it had become something so much more. At least for me. I don’t know what goes on his mind sometimes, the mental barrier of his up at all times. The few times that it slipped made me fall even harder for him. Perhaps during nights like this, I can pretend that feelings were returned. Perhaps during nights like this, we can truly be ourselves,

“Me too”

My jaw fall slack then as he turned in my arms, eyes seeking mine before a wry grin appeared on his face. A soft kiss very different from our usual was pressed against my chin and then my lips before he tuck his head under my chin again.

“You should close your mouth”

I don’t have to look at him to know that he is grinning cheekily. Wrapping arms around him, I lifted him to carry him to the bed.

Perhaps during nights like this, wishes do come true.