It started small. Unintentional, really. Yu was just being honest. He knew he could be unreadable, a bit difficult to understand. And he never wanted Adachi to question how he felt. Not now, when he didn't have to hide or deny it.

So when Adachi got home from work, he made sure to tell him, "I couldn't wait for you to get home." He helped slip the jacket off Adachi's shoulders. "I've been thinking of you all day."

Adachi ducked his head. "Ugh. Gross. What are you, my wife?"

"No," Yu replied. Adachi nodded, still disgruntled. "We're not married. Yet."

"Yet?" Adachi squawked.

That might have been the start.

*

Then, when they were in bed together, enjoying the afterglow and each other's warmth, a respite from Inaba's cold winter, he traced his fingers up and down Adachi's arm. Just soft movements. Gooseflesh rose on Adachi's skin, but he didn't protest or pull away.

"I never thought I would get to touch you like this," he murmured.

Adachi jerked, opening his eyes, before glowering. He rolled away. His cheeks were dusted pink. Yu pouted and chased after him, pinning him down, kissing across his clavicle and neck until Adachi was liquid underneath him.

*

So maybe he started saying more things. More often. Unprompted. Maybe he was trying to get a reaction.

As they lazed on the couch, watching a shitty movie, his arm looped around Adachi: "Everytime I think of you, my heart beats faster."

"That sounds like a medical condition," Adachi replied. But when Yu glanced down, Adachi was, again, flushed.

When they were out at lunch, a rare moment midday when they both had time off, he caught Adachi's hand in his and said, "Being with you brings me the greatest joy."

Adachi yanked his hand away. "Idiot," he hissed. "We're in public."

Yu nodded and reclaimed Adachi's hand, intertwining their fingers. "That's fine. I want everyone to know how much I love you."

Adachi squirmed, flushed almost to the tips of his hair, but let Yu keep his hand.