Yuji watches Megumi move with interest but patience. He keeps his eyes politely trained anywhere but directly on himāmostlyābut the quiet stretches, and the oil lamp throws long shadows that make it hard not to notice the shape of Megumi passing through them. Yuji swallows, shifts his weight, then finally lets out a slow breath when Megumi disappears into the washroom with his clothes.
Yuji uses the moment to busy himself, padding over to the bed and smoothing the quilt with both hands. The mattress looks soft! Really soft compared to the narrow cot in the bunkhouse. He perches on the edge, bouncing once experimentally, then stills, grinning to himself. Fancy or not, it feels welcomingā¦ Like Megumi.
He hears water running, the faint clink of porcelain, and his smile softens without him quite noticing. Itās strange how good this feelsājust being here, waiting. Like when they were kids, Megumi would wash his hands extra carefully before supper, and Yuji would sit on the porch rail swinging his legs, pretending not to wait.
When Megumi comes back out, Yuji straightens a touch, hands folding loosely in his lap. He nods at the quiet question, voice low but bright.
āYeah." he says easily.
The lamp goes dark, and for a second, Yuji blinks, letting his eyes adjust. The stars outside the window spill pale light across the room, enough to make out shapes, the bed, the dresser, Megumiās silhouette moving closer. Yuji scoots back to make room without being asked, lifting the quilt and sliding beneath it with an awkward little shuffle. He settles on his side, toes brushing the cool sheets before the warmth builds around him.
When Megumi lies down beside him, Yuji goes very stillānot stiff, just attentive. He can feel the mattress dip as the shared heat gathers between them. His heartbeat steadiesā¦ He stares up at the ceiling for a moment, counting breaths, until Megumi speaks. Yuji turns his head in the dark, eyes finding Megumiās outline. The apology lands heavyā¦ Yujiās chest tightens, then eases. He rolls onto his side so theyāre facing each other, propping his head on his arm. His voice stays gentle, boyish warmth intact.
āHeyā¦ Itās okay.ā
He reaches out without really thinking, stopping just short of touching, then lets his hand rest on the quilt between them instead. Close enough.
āI meanā¦ yeah, it hurt back thenā¦ But I was a kid. I didnāt know the world could justā¦ yank you somewhere else. Once I got older, I realized that.ā
He smiles softly and shifts closer, careful, like heās testing the space. Their shoulders brush, and Yuji relaxes into it, content. His voice turns lighter, the sunshine peeking back through.
āBesides,ā he adds, a hint of a grin in his words, āWe both found our way back to each other. Thatās what matters. Now I get to be sleeping in the nicest bed Iāve ever seen, next to my best friend.ā
He chuckles softly, then quiets, sincerity returning.
āI missed you,ā he says simply. āBut Iām not mad. I never was.ā
Yuji exhales, slow and steady, and lets his eyes close halfway. He stays awake, thoughāpresent, warm, right there. If Megumi needs to say more, Yujiās ready to listen. If not, heās just as happy sharing the quiet, the stars watching over them, the night gentle and wide around two people who finally found their way back.
amandla
theartofmadeline
germansingergirl
