helianthusjoy:
He smiled. He wished he wouldn’t, but he can’t help it; there’s a tiny part of him that’s happy to have Eiichi here. After everything they’ve been through together, bad and good, his presence was a familiar comfort. Rather than give a tour, he crumpled backward into the body-swallowing couch of their shared living space.
“Not really. I looked around a little and then ate the snack the people here gave me in my little gift thing.”
Otoya’s smile got wider. “Besides, real talent is fashionably late, right?” And maybe he can’t help himself to make a joke from their past. With absent eyes he watched Eiichi’s fingers dig at the scarf around his neck; he blinked and caught himself, and wiggled a little back into the couch.
“By the way, I picked a room out, but we can negotiate if you’re going to be particular about it!”
otoya became a folded blob in the couch, and eiichi honestly couldn’t blame him. he almost wanted to do the same, but he ... felt some subconscious need to keep a distance for now. it was learned, and residual, but he was almost grateful for it - even though otoya smiled and joked at him, it still felt best to ease into this. no making the same mistakes twice.
❝ haha, good! you’ve learned well. ❞ his mouth quirked up into a lopsided grin while his arms folded one over the other in the ridiculous pose that once accompanied the phrase. it only lasted a second, though, as his bag began to slip from his shoulder and he had to adjust. his eyes followed toward the door otoya had basically crawled out of and made a quick deduction. he found what he assumed was the other bedroom and pushed it open to set his bag down. ❝ there’s no need for that. this arrangement is fine. ❞ the weight that they’d be living together now only just hit, and he was ... excited by the notion. his partner was one of the few individuals who always interested him - hopefully their understanding of each other would only grow. he needed that.
eiichi stood in the doorway of his room, looking into the dim space filled only by outside light. he froze as if slapped with a stroke of genius, before he quickly turned over his shoulder.
❝ we should celebrate - no, we will. it’s necessary. a housewarming celebration. ❞
