By Zephyria 
“Ha ha hahahaha.”
Seeing him shake his shoulders while letting out a string of laughter, Grayson blinked in bewilderment. Then Dane, continuing to chuckle emptily, said.
“Isn’t it hilarious how I’m acting like this just from riding that?”
The more he thought about it, the more absurd it felt. He was a soldier who had been to the battlefield. He had rushed into raging flames countless times to save people, and he had rushed in with his bare hands to dismantle bombs. Yet, to end up like this from a mere amusement ride that just went up and down. The actual ride time couldn’t have been more than five minutes.
Sighing, Grayson, who had been gazing at him as he shook his head in self-pity, opened his mouth.
“Everyone has a weak spot.”
At those words, the smile slowly disappeared from Dane’s lips. Instead, as Dane turned his bewildered gaze towards him, Grayson continued.
“This is just an amusement ride. You don’t need to be strong, and I think it’s okay for you to stay weak, always.”
Dane looked at his face without a word. Grayson was, of course, sincere. He didn’t doubt his words. Perhaps that was exactly what Grayson wanted. If so, Dane would remain by his side, just as he wished. Most certainly.
But…
“I don’t want to.”
At the blunt words, Grayson blinked in surprise. Dane conjured a faint smile at Grayson’s wavering eyes, as if he didn’t know how to take his statement.
“I prefer to get stronger with amusement rides. That way, hmm, I can ride them with you.”
He coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed by the unspoken words. Grayson’s eyes widened in surprise. It was obvious what he was thinking. Dane already anticipated the next words. Before Grayson could ask him to slap his cheek, Dane pulled him forward by the back of his head. Their lips immediately met, and a sweet scent flowed into his mouth. It was Grayson’s joy-filled Pheromone. A sigh-laden breath could be felt on his lips. With every touch of their tongues, his happiness seemed to spread through Dane’s mouth and into his entire body. And Dane became happy too.
That was love.
Slowly pulling away, Dane met Grayson’s eyes. Smiling with his eyes crinkled, he whispered.
“There. Got it?”
“…Yeah.”
Grayson nodded with a still bewildered expression. Despite the passionate kiss, he seemed unable to grasp the situation. Dane lightly tapped his cheek with his fingertip and turned his head. His ears felt hot for some reason. He wondered if he should pretend not to hear if Grayson spoke and just get up and leave, though he knew he shouldn’t. He had decided not to run away from this feeling, from Grayson, any longer.
“Dane…”
Grayson finally managed to speak. The sun had just begun to set. A white arc was drawn across the sky painted red. And Grayson’s barely uttered words were soon drowned out by the sound of fireworks.
Ah.
Dane stared blankly up at the sky. A bright light, just like then, illuminated the entire sky.
Beautiful.
Colorful, brilliant fireworks scattered in all directions. One after another. The fireworks continued to bloom, explode, and spectacularly fade in the sky. For a while, Dane sat there, gazing at the flames. Grayson, who had been waiting to speak to him, also hesitated and then turned his gaze to the sky.
The fireworks continued to burst. The consecutive, deafening sounds made it feel like his ears would go deaf. Yes, this should be enough. If now is the time. After a loud bang, Dane slowly opened his mouth.
“I like you, Grayson.”
At first, Grayson didn’t understand his quiet voice. He slowly turned his head and looked at Dane after two more fireworks exploded. Feeling Grayson’s gaze fixed on him, Dane stubbornly continued to look at the sky as he spoke.
“Last time, you told me we should break up. So, I wanted to tell you today.”
And then, he finally tore his eyes away from the fireworks and met Grayson’s gaze. Looking him straight in the eye, Dane opened his mouth.
“I love you, so let’s not break up and stay together.”
Bang, boom, bang, the sounds of consecutive fireworks echoed. The cheers of the crowd followed faintly. Even then, Grayson just stared at Dane with a blank expression. Dane grinned and reached out to cover Grayson’s hand. At that action, Grayson was even more surprised, his eyes widening as if they would split open.
“Stop it, you idiot.”
Feeling awkward at his reaction, Dane chided him unnecessarily and gave a wry smile. As if to soothe him, he stroked his hair and then stopped his hand, gazing at Grayson.
“I know my past wasn’t exactly desirable.”
Dane spoke quietly. Grayson held his breath, waiting for his words.
“I’m lacking in many ways, and I have many deficiencies. I might make things difficult for you in many aspects as we spend time together. No, I definitely will.”
He was revealing his weakest side for the first time, a side he had never told anyone and had even refused to acknowledge himself. Meeting his unwavering gaze, Dane offered a faint smile.
“When that happens, I hope you won’t give up on me.”
This was it. This was all Dane had prepared to say. The rest was up to Grayson. He might embrace Dane with joy, or he might step back out of burden. He actually knew. He knew that because he was this kind of person, no one had ever tried to get close to him.
But the reason he confessed to this person despite that was probably the same reason he had opened up about his mother.
Dane’s hand stroked Grayson’s cheek and then moved to withdraw. Grayson, who had been about to pull away, grabbed his hand. After gazing at Dane’s face for a while, he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Dane’s palm. Watching him, Dane remembered.
This person was Grayson Miller.
“I never let go of what’s mine.”
Grayson looked at him, his lips still on Dane’s palm.
“You gave yourself to me. So, you’re mine forever.”
At those words, Dane was momentarily flustered, then let out a laugh.
“I know, you idiot.”
Dane curled his fingers and pinched Grayson’s cheek gently. Grayson smiled at Dane. Just then, a series of fireworks illuminated his face. Ah, Dane recalled. The image of a man crying so hard his face was soaked flashed before his eyes. Why couldn’t I say anything then? Grayson had always, every time, thrown his whole heart at me.
A pang of belated guilt tightened his chest. Dane looked at Grayson and asked.
“How was it today? Did it seem successful enough?”
Reminded of their purpose for being there, a smile slowly spread across Grayson’s face. Dane was once again lost in thought. A flower bloomed on his face again. That flower of brilliant color.
“Of course, naturally.”
Grayson answered without hesitation. And then, with a smile that lit up his entire face, he added.
“I like Disneyland the most.”
Dane also slowly began to smile. He hoped his memories would be diluted, just like Grayson’s. He wished that today’s memory would remain forever, and this place would always be revived with happiness.
Bang, boom, bang, the fireworks ceaselessly colored the sky. They no longer exchanged any conversation. But the warmth of their clasped hands remained unchanged. It probably would, from now on. No matter what happened, he wouldn’t let go of this warmth.
Because this was the warmth of his happiness and love.
〈The End〉