NO, THAT'S WRONG! ~~Naegami~~

Chapter 23: Stop Talking

"Oh my God, Togami. You do realise that's absolutely ridiculous to do, right? God, you have such a pretty face, but the brain behind it leaves something to be desired. You don't have to ask for that, Byakuya. Do you know how long I've wished that you'd just talk to me? I've been sat here for weeks, man."

"I know, I just.." Byakuya paused. Why hadn't he wanted to speak to Makoto? It wasn't exactly a mystery, but it was certainly something that he had trouble admitting out loud. Nonetheless, he would do it if it meant that he could talk to Makoto.

"Yes?" Makoto asked, eyebrow raised expectantly and altogether smugly. "Go on, I want to hear it."

"I was embarrassed, okay?" snapped Byakuya. "Is that what you wanted me to say? I still don't know the full story, but I've been told that you dove into the swimming pool to save me. I didn't deserve that. I've been treating you awfully, and you still saved me. I don't want to become someone who only holds you back, Makoto. I was wrong about you, you know. I thought that because you were in the 99 percent, you were worthless. That you could never do anything worthwhile. I couldn't have been more mistaken. Makoto, you are amazing. You could do so much with your life... as long as you don't waste it on me."

Makoto was silent for a few moments after Byakuya spoke, which made his mind run wild with awful possibility after awful possibility. What if he had said something wrong? Or, worse, had he said something right? Makoto must be realising that he didn't need Byakuya anymore, that he never did in the first place. It was a feeling so sudden and sure that it made his breathing speed up, and his heart rate followed suit. What was Makoto going to say?

***

What was Makoto going to say? After what Byakuya had just told him, was there any response that matched it in raw vulnerability and honesty? Makoto didn't think so. He hadn't been expecting anything like that, and he retroactively regretted his gentle teasing from before.

"Byakuya... how do you consistently manage to be both the smartest and dumbest person I know?" Makoto asked, to which the blonde frowned in confusion.

"I.. what?" was his only response. Even in a situation as serious as this, Makoto still managed to find Togami's confused expression absolutely adorable.

"First of all, you idiot, you don't get to call my decisions a waste." Makoto began, speaking in an affectionate tone even if the words themselves were harsh. "I can do whatever I want with my time and my life, and you shouldn't judge me for it. And secondly, and most importantly.." his face softened. "You are not a waste, Byakuya Togami. You're the most important person in the world to me. I would throw away my life a hundred times over for you, and it still wouldn't be enough to justify you caring about me at all."

Makoto had stood up and walked over to the bed where Byakuya was lying, standing right next to him. Although he was standing up whilst the other was lying down, the sizeable height difference between them meant that their faces were almost touching.

"I don't know what point you were trying to make." Makoto continued. "About me saving you, I mean. I saw somebody in danger, and I did what I could to help them. Your inferiority complex doesn't come into account here. Really, I should be the one apologising. I put you on the spot earlier, at the party, and I shouldn't have been surprised or upset when you panicked. I'm genuinely sorry for that, I didn't think it through. And I'm sorry for being difficult these past few months, I honestly didn't mean-" Makoto was cut off by Byakuya speaking quietly.

"Makoto?" he said, almost too quiet to hear.

"Yes?" came Makoto's response.

"Stop talking." Byakuya said, and leaned forward to kiss him.

Word count without A/N: 1373

A/N: So. I finally got around to updating this thing after a quarter of a year. Ouch, sorry about that. I say that pretty much every time I update, so I should probably think about what that says about my consistency with writing haha. For real, though, these past few months have been rough with relationships and family drama. I won't bore you with details but passion projects like this had to take a backseat. I can't promise that I'll update it again anytime soon, but I can say that I am immensely grateful to every single person who votes, comments, or even just reads this fic. So if you're reading this: props to you, I really appreciate it! I read every one of the comments and they motivate me hugely to keep writing this thing. I'm so glad that people are enjoying this silly gay fanfiction that I started over a year ago before alllll the shit that happened to me in 2022. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it (and if you don't: have an awesome time anyway) and I will see all of you the next time I update! (or when I lurk and read your comments. Know this: I am always watching.) Alr peace
--Winter <3