That morning felt like one of those post-rain mornings—fresh, calming, and a little bit magical.
The air carried a scent of dew and wood, and warm sunlight slipped through the curtains, landing softly on Airi's sleeping face.
Louise was already up.
He sat on the edge of the bed, gently brushing Airi's hair, then leaned down and kissed the boy's forehead—like a quiet greeting to the person he loved most in the world.
"Wake up, sweetheart…" he whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind Airi's ear.
Airi stirred a little, eyes blinking open, still half-asleep. His dewy eyes looked up at Louise from beneath long lashes, and his lips barely moved.
"Mm… it's morning already?" he mumbled.
Louise smiled, sitting beside him. "Yeah. But you can sleep five more minutes… as long as it's in my arms."
Without arguing, Airi rolled over and snuggled into Louise's chest, his face buried in that warm space, breath still soft.
"You smell nice this morning," he murmured playfully.
"I always smell nice, babe," Louise replied, pulling him in tighter.
They stayed like that for a while.
No words, just the steady beat of Louise's heart and his big hand gently stroking Airi's back.
---
A little later, they finally got up.
Louise made breakfast—honey pancakes and warm milk—while Airi sat at the kitchen table, playing with the hem of Louise's shirt.
"You should totally be the royal chef," Airi said, sniffing the sweet scent.
Louise glanced back with a smirk. "I just wanna be your personal chef."
Airi blushed, got up, and hugged him from behind, cheek pressed to his back.
"You know… if I had to pick one flavor to describe you…"
"Yeah?"
"Warm honey," Airi whispered. "Sweet… and comforting."
Louise nearly lost it, holding back from pinching Airi's cheeks.
But when the food was ready, he spun around and scooped Airi up like a kitten.
"WAAAH—!" Airi gasped, gripping Louise's collar.
"Since you're being so sweet today, I'm keeping you in my arms for two hours minimum," Louise threatened, kissing his forehead over and over.
"Cheesy flirt…" Airi mumbled, face completely red.
---
They didn't open the bar that day.
Louise wrote a little sign and hung it outside:
"Temporarily Closed: Bar owner is in love."
Airi, of course, protested. But deep down… he smiled at the sign.
They spent the afternoon chilling in the little garden behind the bar.
Airi sat in a woven swing chair, wearing an oversized sweater and comfy pants, while Louise combed through his hair slowly.
"You know…" Louise muttered, fingers running through the silky strands, "I really love your hair. Especially when you just wake up."
Airi winced. "It's always a mess though…"
"That's the best part. You look like a baby kitten that just crawled out of a blanket fort."
"Stop comparing me to kittens…"
"Okay," Louise lifted his chin. "Then you're a little fox. Sly, adorable, and always stealing my heart."
Airi threw a garden pillow at his face. But Louise caught it and quickly pulled Airi into his lap.
"OH MY GOD! LET ME GO!"
"Nope," Louise said, resting his chin on Airi's shoulder. "You're mine today. All day."
They sat under the sun, chatting about childhood memories, favorite foods, blooming flowers, and unfulfilled dreams.
Airi took a photo of a wildflower growing in the corner, then showed it to Louise. "Who do you think this flower looks like?"
Louise looked at him, then at the flower.
"Compared to you? The flower loses."
Airi turned, face deadpan. "You wanna get thrown into the koi pond?"
"Go ahead," Louise whispered. "As long as you fall in with me."
---
That night, they read a book together in bed.
Airi leaned back against Louise's chest while he wrapped his arms around him, fingers tracing slow circles along Airi's waist.
"Why do you love hugging me so much?" Airi asked, eyes still on the book.
Louise pressed a soft kiss to his ear. "Because holding you feels like holding the whole world… and I never wanna let it go."
Airi froze. His cheeks went bright red.
"I… I like it too," he murmured. "But don't say stuff like that too often… my heart can't handle it."
"If it breaks, I'll be your backup heart," Louise whispered.
"LOUISE!"
---
At bedtime, Louise slipped under the covers first, then opened his arms.
"Come on. Your spot's right here."
Airi pouted. "I can sleep by myself, you know."
"You can," Louise said. "But then you'll have nightmares 'cause no one's rubbing your back."
Airi glared… but less than a minute later, he was snuggling right into Louise's chest, seeking warmth like always.
Louise stroked his hair, kissed the top of his head.
"Good night, love…"
Airi looked up, staring into those familiar eyes.
"Hey, Lou…"
"Yeah?"
"I still can't say 'I love you' out loud… But my body… always wants to be near you. And my heart feels safe when you're around."
Louise didn't say anything.
He just held Airi closer, resting his face in Airi's hair.
"You don't need to rush," he whispered. "I know… slow-growing love is the strongest."
Airi smiled softly and closed his eyes.
That night, they fell asleep in the same embrace, same breath, and a love unspoken… but beating in every heartbeat.
---
But before sleep fully took him, Airi opened his eyes again in the dark.
He stared at Louise's peaceful face, leaned in, kissed his chin gently—and whispered so quietly, it was almost just for himself:
"…I love you too."
Louise didn't react.
But seconds later, that big hand gripped Airi's fingers tighter in his sleep… and his lips curled into the faintest smile.
Airi watched him, heart thudding wildly, then buried his face in Louise's chest again.
That night, in the silence, two hearts finally found each other—without needing words.
And the stars in the sky seemed to shine just a little brighter for them.
Because love… doesn't always need to be shouted.
Sometimes, it just needs to be whispered in a hug you never want to let go of.
---
Morning light crept through the curtains again, brushing Airi's toes under the blanket.
The air was warmer than usual, and birds chirped cheerfully outside the garden.
Airi stirred, still curled up in Louise's chest.
The man's arm stayed wrapped around him, scent familiar, heartbeat steady.
He peeked up at Louise's sleeping face and whispered, "Still asleep? Weird… you're not annoying me awake today."
Louise groaned a little and pulled Airi in closer. "Woke up to bug you, but you looked too peaceful," he grumbled with his husky morning voice.
Airi giggled. "How long you gonna hold me like a teddy bear?"
"Forever?" Louise opened one eye and grinned.
Airi smacked his chest lightly. "Get up, we've got work to do."
"Aww…" Louise groaned, finally sitting up and ruffling his hair. "Still, best morning of my life."
Airi didn't say anything, just smiled and got up.
He walked to the window, pulling the curtains open and letting the golden light flood the room. Shadows danced across the wooden floor, painting them both in morning warmth.
After freshening up, they headed down to the bar.
It was already a little busy. A few regulars sat with coffee and newspapers, and the smell of toast drifted from the kitchen.
Louise went to prep food while Airi wiped down tables and greeted the guests.
"Airi, you're glowing today," said old man Jorren with a white beard.
Airi blushed. "Morning, Mr. Jorren. I just got over a cold, maybe that's why."
"Still as cute as ever," he said with a chuckle, making Airi duck his head shyly.
But the laughter died down… when the sound of heavy footsteps hit the wooden floor.
The door creaked open. A gust of wind blew in. The scent of refined cologne and leather filled the space.
Everyone turned.
Including Airi.
"…Duke Nicholas," he murmured.
The tall man stood at the entrance in a sharp navy coat, hair slicked perfectly, and his eyes—sharp as ever—locked right onto Airi.
"Good morning, Airi," he said with a soft smile.
"You're up early," Airi said, nervous.
"I couldn't wait any longer. There's something I need to talk about."
He stepped inside slowly. His gaze scanned the bar, then paused longer near the kitchen.
"Could we speak privately?"
Airi opened his mouth to reply—
But a voice cut in from the kitchen.
"We can talk while eating, right?" Louise stepped out, tone cool—but clearly unimpressed.
The Duke turned. "Still the same… protective bar owner."
Louise gave a dry smile. "And you're still the same… showing up uninvited."
Tension crackled in the air.
Airi stood between them, like a single leaf caught in a storm between two opposing winds.
---