Let's just put the past behind us

The rain was still falling as a couple sat on a porch of a traditional inn, looking out over the garden shrouded in a misty fog. Pink flowers added color and fragrance to the lush green foliage, that seemed almost ethereal, like straight out of a fairytale.

The two men were protected from rain by a wooden roof. The sound of droplets hitting the surface created a gentle rhythm, creating a rather soothing atmosphere for drinking tea in the evening.

The navy blue robes they wore were rented from the guesthouse where they planned to spend the night. After taking a hot bath in the inn's tub, they hung their wet clothes on a bamboo rack, so they would be ready for tomorrow when they returned home, as partners.

Even after reconciliation, Natsuo's features were drawn tight as his gaze focused on the steaming tea cup in his hands.

"What are you thinking?" Jiro asked with a thoughtful look.

"I'm just thinking... how did you plan to kill me?" Natsuo asked in a low voice.

Jiro's expression turned solemn as he pondered the question.

"I didn't make a detailed plan, to be honest," he admitted, looking off into the distance before continuing.

"I realized I had to gain your trust first, which was harder than I thought."

"Well, you did it..." Natsuo murmured.

"I promised to be honest with you, so I will be if you really want me to," the man replied, turning his head to look at the other one.

"I thought that if you suffered enough, you would eventually kill yourself, in the same way that I tried."

Natsuo cautiously glanced at Jiro. The look on his face was filled with regret and sorrow as sudden tears glistened in his eyes.

"Would you mind... if I told you about my uncle?"

"Was he... on the television back then? On that show?"

Jiro squeezed his hands and clutched the blue robe, before nodding his head. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm himself.

"Because I constantly felt so lonely and had so many problems at school, I... I tried killing myself, but our maid caught me just in time. My parents made me live with my uncle, who..."

His face turned just as broken as when the Toshiro interview aired. Jiro paused for a moment, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes, so Natsuo put down the mug he was holding and took the man's hand into his own.

"He took advantage of me and abused me. When I told my mother, she thought I had made it up... so I..."

Jiro nervously looked at the person beside him, but his partner had nothing but sympathy and compassion in his gaze. Natsuo's grip on his hand tightened, letting the man know he was there for him and that he had been heard.

"I thought you were the root of all my problems and miseries... I knew I couldn't get revenge against my uncle, but you just appeared in my life like the perfect target for my bitterness and anger."

The rain kept padding against the roof above them, creating a comforting background noise that helped fill the brief silence between them.

"I'm sorry you had to suffer through all of that because of me," Natsuo said quietly and cleared his voice before continuing.

"But you know, maybe I get it now."

Jiro seemed surprised by the other's sudden statement. His brows twitched in disbelief as he stared at the man beside him.

"Maybe I would have wanted revenge too if I had experienced the same things as you."

Natsuo stroked Jiro's fingers with his thumb, keeping his eyes downward.

"Every day I feel ashamed that I didn't step up for you sooner, that I let it happen..."

He raised his face, his damp teal hair framing his sad expression.

"Have you... really forgiven me?"

Jiro's features softened and he smiled gently, tapping the other's hand with his free one.

"I really forgive you. I did it a long time ago. My parents and uncle are to blame, not you. Let's just put the past behind us and move forward, okay?"

Natsuo nodded, a warm smile spreading across his lips as he leaned in and embraced the other man tightly.

Jiro slowly trailed his lips along his boyfriend's neck, stopping below his ear where he paused for a moment and inhaled the scent of his freshly washed hair. He pressed his lips against that tender area, causing his companion to sigh softly.

The man laughed and looked at the other one's blushing cheeks amusedly.

"I'm glad I found this little spot. It makes it easier to get your attention," he joked while smoothing the area with his thumb.

Natsuo shuddered and his cheeks heated even more as he tried to ignore his body's response to the intimate touch.

"Am I... not paying enough attention to you right now?" he asked awkwardly as Jiro caressed his neck from both sides, sending slight tingles down his spine.

"Hmm, I guess I can't complain about that right now," he chuckled as he bent over to suck on the delicate surface.

"Ah, that feels... so..." Natsuo moaned faintly when an unexpected flood of pleasure washed through him, ascending his body until it settled between his legs.

"Good?" Jiro finished with a smirk.

The man's lips became hungrier as he explored more of his lover's neck, generating many more quiet gasps from the smaller one. He painted circles with his tongue, making the other's body tremble.

"Hah, I guess that will leave a mark," Jiro stated seductively, a grin on his lips as he continued his exploration to the other side of the neck.

At the same time, his hands found their way inside his lover's outfit to study the other's slim body from every angle. His palms traced his smaller counterpart's smooth skin before moving lower, grazing his abdomen with his fingertips.

Then, he lightly pushed Natsuo on the porch, pressing his hips against the other's as he kissed his lips and let their tongues entwine.

The teal-haired man responded to it with eagerness, surrendering to the moment without second thought. Their hardened body parts rubbed against each other, revealing the strong desire that had grown inside each of them.

The blue eyes opened wide as Jiro's hand slipped between his legs. The yakuza's digits massaged the rigid area with gentle strokes as his mouth moved back a bit to ask a question.

"I want to put it in my mouth. Is it okay if I do that?"