Chapter 11: The Night

The plate has been emptied in a short time. Yuki was definitely the best cook despite being unable to see. Even though the process was not that fast, everything blended in perfectly. The aroma was nice, and even the dishes were tasty. Yuki must have been used to his condition and coped in well.

Ryohei could not cover his amazement. He dug in Yuki's dishes without hesitant, and even purposely sounded his chewing to express how delicious they were. Yuki smiled while consuming his own dish. He was satisfied that he could serve Ryohei a good meal as their dinner that night.

"You'll be a very responsible husband, Yuki-kun," Ryohei thumbed up, "I couldn't find any word to portray how tasty these are."

"I'm sorry that I could only serve simple dishes like this," Yuki fidgeted with his fingers. He was embarrassed by Ryohei's continuous compliment.

Ryohei glanced at Yuki's so-called simple dishes. Curry with rice, plus fruit salad and iced lemon tea? "If these are your term of simple, I can't guess how you will call difficult dishes are."

It was the fact though. Judging by Yuki's incapability, one would doubt that he cooked. Even for himself, it was mesmerizing enough. Ryohei was really astounded by Yuki's skills in the kitchen, and he would petrify if he saw Yuki cleaning up the house.

"You always cook me delicious food. I must cook for you too," Ryohei rarely cooked but he could give it a try.

Yuki chuckled at Ryohei's spirit. "I like your childishness. It doesn't annoy me at all."

Just guess who got his face blushed. "Why so suddenly?"

"Nothing in particular. I just like the way you act around me. I believe this is your truest side. You like being cheeky and clingy, and you like it when the other party reacted to your expression."

Ryohei could not stop gazing at Yuki's smooth skin, "You can tell?"

"I don't really," Yuki propped his chin while focusing affront, believably looking at Ryohei. "It's more to my instinct."

Ryohei surely was flustered by Yuki's comment, hence he stood up abruptly and left the table to wash dishes. He would wash his plate and glass first, then he would help Yuki cleaning up.

At least, it was what he has constructed in his head.

Ryohei was stunned as he witnessed Yuki falling from his chair while getting up and bringing his plate. The plate crashed into pieces, almost injured the lying Yuki on the floor. Yuki seemed shocked and clueless - he might have not expected the falling. He was unready to avoid from plunging, thus he bumped his side on the floor.

"Yuki-kun!" Ryohei dashed to get the startled Yuki in his arms. "Are you all right, Yuki-kun? Do you hurt somewhere?"

It was almost like how they were during their first meet. It took some time for Yuki to get his sense back before he could utter clearly, "I- I'm fine, I suppose."

Ryohei examined on Yuki's body. Fortunately, there was no bruise or cut on any of Yuki's body parts. Yuki must be so surprised that he turned speechless by the incident. What caused him to fall down?

"I think- my back hurt a little," Yuki said as he rubbed his back, "I couldn't properly stand straight for a sec. I- I don't know why."

"Let me check on you," Ryohei rubbed his palm against Yuki's back.

The blind flinched and hissed. It was not a mere pain then. "Do you need to get further examination at the hospital?"

"No, it's okay," Yuki immediately declined, "I guess it's because I slept on the floor this evening."

"You slept on the floor?" That indirectly explained why Yuki's bed was tidy. "You accidentally slept on the floor?"

Yuki pulled a pout, "You don't have to repeat it twice, though."

The sulking Yuki entertained Ryohei that he burst to laughter. It was his first time to see Yuki pouting for real. It must have offended him, but Ryohei did not mean it badly. "It shocked me that you divulged that you slept on the floor instead of the bed. I assume you got a very nice sleep judging from you bed hair- or should I call it floor-hair?"

"Don't laugh!" Yuki crossed his arms at the chest and turned to other direction, avoided Ryohei and kept on sulking. "I would laugh at you really loud if it was you. One day. I promise!"

Yuki has not been persuaded as Ryohei lifted him up in bridal style. Ryohei was giggling, but he still carried Yuki to somewhere away from the scene. He placed the baffled Yuki on the sofa, then he went to fetch a broom.

Listening in detail of the sound, Yuki figured out Ryohei was cleaning up the mess. It was his house, however it was improper that Ryohei was the one doing the cleaning.

"Ryohei, you don't have to-"

"Shhh! I heard someone's coming."

Yuki froze on the couch. His eyes skimmed around to sense any upcoming presence of entity. He could not see, but he still had his instinct. Ryohei quietly removed the pieces of broken plate and threw it into the bin.

"Ryohei, who is it? Ryohei."

Ryohei was initially joking, but Yuki's fright halted him from prolonging the tease. Yuki's hands were groping the air, believably to get protection by Ryohei. He needed to shield himself. He seemed afraid of to be found. Ryohei could not mend the situation - he could not reveal to Yuki that it was only a joke.

"Ryohei, where are you?"

Watching how desperate Yuki was to find Ryohei, the latter was upset. He rushed to Yuki as Yuki was about to slide down from the couch. He swept Yuki into his arms, soothing him down. The trembling Yuki buried himself into Ryohei's warm cuddle, and sobbed.

"I'm here, Yuki-kun. I'm here," Ryohei patted Yuki while hushing him. "It's okay. I'm here. I was too paranoid."

"Please. Don't leave me. I don't want that."

Ryohei pursed his lips. He regretted his deed. Yuki was that terrified when Ryohei stated about 'someone was coming'. He must have had terrible experience from 'someone coming' to him. He wiped away Yuki's tear trails on the cheeks, and stared directly into his eyes. Yuki could not see how Ryohei's eyes glittered, but he could sense Ryohei was staring.

"Wh- Why are you- looking at me like this?" Yuki was still shaking.

With one hand, Ryohei gently caressed Yuki's face. His thumb grazed over Yuki's brows, eyes, nose, cheek, lips, and chin. Whenever a tear escaped from the corner of Yuki's eye, he would immediately wipe it away.

"I want to protect you, Yuki-kun," Despite monotonously, Ryohei murmured right into Yuki's ear.