Haru pushed open the café door, the familiar bell jingling above him. It was a crisp autumn afternoon, the kind where the air had a bite but the sun still warmed your face. He needed a strong black coffee after a morning of back-to-back meetings—his promotion kept him busy, but in a good way. The place was quiet, just a few regulars tapping on laptops and the barista steaming milk.
He ordered at the counter, turning with his cup—and nearly bumped into someone.
Ryan.
The guy froze mid-step, dark hair neat, casual jacket open, a takeaway cup in hand. His eyes widened in recognition, then flicked away awkward.
"Haru," Ryan said, voice lower than usual. "Hey there."
Haru nodded neutral, dark brown eyes steady. "Oh, it's you...Ryan."
They stood there a beat, café hum background. Ryan rubbed his neck. "Mind if we... sit? Quick chat. No drama, promise."
Haru hesitated—memories of Ryan's pushy jealousy fresh—but the guy's posture was different. Defeated, almost. Haru gestured to a corner table. "Sure. Five minutes."
They sat opposite, steam rising from cups. Ryan stared into his latte. "Look, I owe you big. That night—the mugging. You jumped in, got hurt bad saving my ass. Hospital said concussion, cracked rib. I... feel like shit."
Haru sipped coffee, reserved but listening. "You okay?"
Ryan nodded. "Bruises healed. But guilt? Not so much. Those guys—owed gambling debt, stupid bets. You didn't have to help. Especially after... how I acted."
Haru raised brow. "The flirting with Chris? Party crash? Yeah."
Ryan winced, face flushing. "Straight up—I was jealous as hell. Chris is great: smart, kind, hot. Saw him with you—stable, happy family—and it stung. I'm messing college, no real direction. Acted like asshole, pushing boundaries, hoping he'd notice me different. Immature crap."
Haru leaned back, voice even. "You crossed lines. Made him uncomfortable."
Ryan met his eyes, sincere. "I know. I Regret it bad. After you saved me... perspective hit. You're good guy—protecting even rival. Chris lucky. I'm sorry—for digs at you, pressure on him, crash. Won't happen again. Promise."
Haru studied him—jealousy gone, just regret. "Appreciate the apology. Chris mentioned you backed off campus too."
Ryan nodded. "Yeah. Blocked where he asked, keep distance. Lesson learned—hard way."
Silence comfortable now. Ryan added, "Hope you heal full. And... thanks. Owe you life, pretty much."
Haru soft smile. "Healed fine. Move on—no debt between us."
They stood, awkward handshake turning half-hug. Ryan left first, door bell jingling goodbye.
Haru finished coffee, texting Chris: Ran into Ryan café. Apologized sincere—for everything. Good closure.
Chris: Whoa. Believe him?
Haru: Yeah. Jealousy owned, regret real. Over.
Home: Ichigo tackle-hug, Chris kiss welcome. Story shared over dinner—Ichigo oblivious, adults relieved.
Bedtime hugs, kid out.
Living room dim, lights low. Chris pulled Haru close. "Closure nice. But you saving him... still hero."
Haru arm tight. "For good people."
Kiss started soft—gratitude deep. Turned heated quick. Chris straddled lap, lips hungry. Tongues urgent, breaths ragged.
Shirts shed—Chris's tee yanked, Haru's button-up tossed. Skin met hot, slim pressing medium. Haru's mouth neck—kissing slow, nipping gentle. Chris arched, gasp breathy, grinding hard.
Pants undone impatient, pushed away. Bare, sweat-slick. Bodies aligned—Haru's hand wrapping firm, stroking rhythm rolls. Chris bucked wild, moans soft, legs tight.
Haru's free hand pinned wrist gentle, deepening friction. Pleasure coiled intense—eyes locked, hazel possessive fire, brown burning love. Whispers: "My hero," Chris panted; "Yours," Haru growled low.
Climax crashed shared—Chris tensing beautiful, release spilling hot muffled cry. Haru followed, shuddering deep.
Tangled after, breaths evening. Chris smiled lazy. "Rival drama closed perfect."
Haru chuckled, kissing temple. "With you—always perfect."
Morning routine: pancakes, giggles, drop-offs. Ryan coincidence closure—clean slate real.
Jealousy faded—love unbreakable.