Warmth

After all the Promare had left to go back to their own world, Lio couldn't help but feel oddly cold. He had grown so used to the heat of the flames inside of him. Not having them anymore made him feel almost empty. And, from talking with a few other ex-Burnish, it seemed they felt something similar. But their bodies did seem to be slowly getting used to normal temperatures.

This meant that any average temperature still felt a little too cold for him. Galo would often worry about him, asking if he was sick whenever he saw him wearing warm clothes on a hot day. But even then, the clothes couldn't quite compare to the heat he was missing.

But Galo… Galo somehow made him feel just a little bit warmer inside, a warmth that reminded him of the Promare. He didn't even need to touch him to feel that way. Just standing next to him or seeing him made him heat up, specially on his cheeks.

But he couldn't get a certain memory out of his mind… He couldn't help but always remember the time Galo had given him the "kiss of life". He couldn't help but at least glance at Galo's lips whenever he was around. He still remembered how they felt against his, even if just faintly. He wondered if a proper kiss would feel different, if it could feel better…

And yet he never managed to get the answer to that. He knew what his feelings for Galo were, and he suspected Galo felt the same, given the way he was always going after him whenever he could.

But Galo was just… He didn't seem to even realise there was anything more to them at all. He always seemed unfazed by the times Lio held onto his arm or hand (oh, how much he enjoyed the warmth of his body, even if it wasn't that much contact), and never seemed to see the times Lio took him out on coffee dates as anything that special.

That being said, Lio still loved to see his smile and hear his laugh. Even if he didn't seem to understand what was going on. Or maybe that was just how he treated his romantic relationships…?

He didn't seem to find anything weird about Lio spending literally the whole day at his house every once in a while, either. Lio liked going there. He could lose track of time so easily when they were together…

But this time, when Lio looked at his phone, he realised it was a little too late. Maybe he could still get to his place in time, but he was already starting to feel sleepy.

"Is something wrong?" Galo asked, after seeing the frown on his face.

"It's pretty late already." Lio yawned. "I should get going…"

"Are you sure you'll be able to? You seem pretty tired."

"I'm not that tired." Lio yawned again.

"See? I don't want you getting in an accident if you ride that bike like this." Galo then smiled at him. That cheerful smile of his that Lio had started to love so much. "You can spend the night here! I wouldn't mind it at all!"

Lio sighed. He knew he wouldn't be able to convince Galo to let him leave. That's just how he was. "Fine. Give me a blanket and I'll sleep on the couch."

"Why on the couch? You can just sleep on my bed."

"I can't make you sleep on the couch in your own house."

"I mean together. We can both sleep on my bed. It's pretty big."

Lio froze at that. Did Galo realise what he was suggesting? The two of them, on the same bed… Lio didn't think he would even be able to sleep…

"Wait. Would you have trouble falling asleep that way? I don't mind sleeping on the couch if that's the case."

"That's not it…" Lio sighed. "Fine. I'll sleep with you."

Galo smiled at that, making Lio's cheeks heat up just slightly.

Galo had guided him to his bedroom. Lio had been there before, many times, but this time it felt a lot different.

He shouted when Galo suddenly threw a sweater at him.

"You can borrow that for tonight. You're always saying you feel cold, after all." He laid on the bed, shirtless. Just like how he had been all day.

Lio got changed right there without much thought. They never felt necessarily any embarrassment about doing that in front of each other. That part wasn't new to him.

But he then realised just how big Galo's clothes were compared to him. The sweater was almost sliding off his shoulders completely. And yet it felt… Nice. It was warm, like he wanted it. But it also clearly smelled like Galo. He liked that.

It was only when Galo called his attention that he realised he had spaced out for a moment. He didn't say anything and just laid down next to him. He would never admit out loud that he was a little too happy to be wearing his clothes.

"Good night." Galo said as he pulled him closer.

"Night." Lio mumbled. He hadn't expected Galo to just hold him like that, but still didn't push him away.

It actually felt nice. He liked it. A lot. It felt so warm and cozy. But while Galo's body warmed him from the outside, he could feel himself getting warm on the inside as well. He could feel it in his cheeks, in his chest. His heart beating a little harder.

He turned around so he was facing Galo, wrapping his arms around him. His face leaning on his chest. He could hear Galo's heartbeat. He could feel the way his chest moved with his breathing.

He was surprised that Galo seemed to have already fallen asleep. Lio didn't even want to sleep anymore. He wouldn't mind being with him like this for longer.

He started to gently run his hands through his skin. Up his chest, then his neck. Until he reached his cheek. Lio moved his body to get himself on the same eye level as Galo, then rubbed his thumb on the corner of his lips.

He started thinking about their kiss again. About the warmth… He began wondering how it would feel again.

Galo seemed to be asleep anyway. So maybe he wouldn't even notice if Lio kissed him…

Lio moved closer to him, their lips almost touching. He took a deep but quiet breath before actually kissing him.

The sensation almost scared him. But for good reasons. It felt much better than he remembered. But Lio couldn't tell if that was because he couldn't really process the sensation properly in his near-death situation, or if it was just how much time had passed that made his memory less clear.

He felt Galo's lips pressing back against his and he pulled away in shock. His heartbeat dropped at the fear of possibly having woken him up. He wasn't 100% sure of Galo's feelings, after all. What if he got angry at him?

Galo groaned and mumbled. "Why are you running away?"

"I'm not running from anything." Lio replied, turning his back to Galo again.

"Oh? You sure?"

Even without looking at him, Lio could tell he was smirking. He nodded.

"Then what is this about you kissing me just now?"

"I didn't kiss you!"

"Yes you did."

There was a moment of silence, during which Lio couldn't really ignore how much his face was burning. He hid his face in his hands.

Galo chuckled. "Hey, it's not a big deal." He pulled Lio's hands away from his face, and his smile made Lio feel like he could melt.

And then… Galo kissed him. Lio froze for a moment, but relaxed as he focused more and more on the feeling of their lips together. It was gentle. Tender.

Warm.

Once their lips parted, he didn't feel anxious anymore. Maybe he didn't have anything to be worried about in the first place.

"So you do like me?" Lio asked, just to be sure.

Galo raised an eyebrow at the question. "Of course I do, firefly. What makes you think I don't?"

"Well, you never exactly said you did either. I thought you were just dense…"

"I just thought it didn't need to be said." Then Galo laughed. "Sorry, I must have confused you a little."

"Do you know what a headache you caused me!?" Lio threw a pillow at him and then turned his back to him. But he couldn't ignore the way his heart pounded. More happy than actually angry.

Galo laughed again, hugging him from behind once more. "Sorry. I'll be more clear from now on." He nuzzled Lio's neck, and Lio could feel his smile. "I love you."

Lio never felt so warm in so long, maybe even warmer than when he had the flames inside of him. And all it took was those three words he had been wanting Galo to say for so long.

He turned around and wrapped his own arms around Galo. Holding him tightly as if trying to make sure it was real. He hid his face in his chest as he spoke, his voice coming as a whisper. "I… I love you too…"

Galo hummed, then gave his lips a quick peck. Then his cheeks. Then his forehead. Just showering Lio with affection.

Lio felt so light. Slightly exhausted from all the emotions, even. And that all combined with how nice it felt to be in Galo's arms…

He managed to mumble one more "love you" before falling asleep.