The front door of Yosuke’s house clicked shut behind you both.

Inside, the air was cooler, the hush almost sacred after the distant roar of the ocean and the loud chattering of the others lingered in your ears like a conch shell. Your skin was sun-warmed and a little salty, sand still clinging your skin.

Yosuke sighed like he’d just sat down after running a marathon, keys tossed blindly onto the kitchen counter. “Man… Okina was packed today. And so freaking hot..."

You nudged him with your shoulder as you passed. “Your sunburn is gonna curse you in the morning.”

“Don’t remind me. It might turn into a lovely tan.” He huffed, flopping face-first onto the couch before reaching back to pat the seat beside him lazily. “Come lay down. My legs are jelly.”

You joined him, dropping your beach bag by the coffee table before curling beside him. It wasn’t the most spacious couch, and you were both still in damp clothes, but the weight of his arm lazily wrapping around your back made it easy to ignore. Comfortable. Familiar.

Outside, the cicadas were just starting to hum. There was a pause, not awkward, just thick with the weight of the day winding down. You could hear his heartbeat through the fabric of his tank top, his thumb rubbing idle circles on your shoulder blade.

Then, a quiet:

“Thanks for coming over.”

You tilted your head. “I always come over.”

“I know, I just…” He hesitated. “I like this. The… being with you part.”

You looked up at him. He wasn’t blushing—yet—but there was something tentative about the way he avoided your gaze.

You smiled. “I like it too.”

That got a grin out of him. He leaned over and kissed your temple, quick and shy.

“Wanna help me put our damp stuff in the laundry before we shower?” he asked, pulling away with a lopsided smile.