It's far too bright when Mikey opens his dark eyes, squinting and half-heartedly debating with himself to sleep a few moments longer. He brings his hand to his face and placidly roams it over his eyes trying to coax them to wake up. He stays there for a few moments longer before feeling a coldness seep into his bones, completely unwelcomed, as he realizes another body is not pressed against his as a comforting, grounding warmth. As he sighs, he rolls over to snatch his phone and curse when the bright screen screams at him, reading “10:32”. Mikey throws his phone half haphazardly back down, spread eagle on the bed, until he willed himself up.
By no means was Takemichi a morning person; Maybe compared to Mikey, yes, he would be considered an insane early bird, daring to leave the comfort of their bed anytime before 9:00. But the bright side was that Mikey got to wake up to the soft aroma of sickly sweet coffee made just for him, knowing Takemichi would already have prepared him a seat and breakfast to enjoy and lull in the late morning sunshine with him. Today however, was different. When he got up, his nose was bombarded by a multitude of different smells. Discerning one from another, he could pick out the sweet smell of pastries, and the savoury smell of dough. He pondered if maybe he woke up in too much of a daze, he began to hallucinate being at his favourite shop where he bought dorayaki. He pushed away that thought quickly as grabbed his brush lying plaintly on the dresser cabinet before brushing his messy ash blonde hair. He did so quickly, intrigued by the sweet and savoury aroma seeping up from downstairs.
Sporting a loose pair of dark sweatpants and slippers, Miley made his way down the stairs, although slowly as he was still willing himself to properly wake up. The plush carpet of the stairs was welcoming, homey to the touch, even more accentuated by the aroma leaving the kitchen. He could hear Takemichi shuffle around, a quiet tune played slowly in the background from an old radio. He heard the pangs of kitchenware bang against one another, as he could almost envision Takemichi this early in the day with clumsy hands, trying to fiddle his way through his activity at hand.
He entered the kitchen with Takemichis back to him, a loopy bow tied around his waist. He was kneading some coloured starch based dough, most likely made for mochi. On the counter sat a half dozen loafs of melon bread, still steamy from being removed from the oven. He eyed some fresh dorayaki sitting on a plate not too far from him, and his mouth watered at the thought of biting into one of them. Some Taiyaki sat beside them, looking picturesque with how neatly they were stacked. An assortment of different sweets littered the counter, a bowl of mochi filling with some fresh strawberries laid beside it, some easy-to-make cupcakes cooling off, wafting its scent into the air, smelling so heavenly.
He made his way to Takemichi, pulling himself into Takemichi’s warmth, halting his task for a moment to airily chuckle and bask in Mickey’s warmth as well. Takemichi, with a content smile on his face, turns around to face Mikey, his blonde hair tickling Mikey’s nose as he does so. “Finally got out of bed?” He says lowly, staring at Mikey amused as his face scorns into a childish pout. He flicks Takemichi in the nose, surprising Takemichi before he swats Mikey’s hand away from his face, admiring and still as ever enthralled by Mikey's childish attitude.
“Better question for you, why are you baking so much?” Mikey asked, his facade of a stern face staring at Takemichi.
At that, Takemichi drops his smile to a more nervous turn of his lips, looking away from Mikey and around the pastry filled kitchen. Takemichi was not a baker, he enjoyed doing it in his free time or when he was asked to bake his sweet pastries for some event, but to this level and extent? Mikey had never seen him be this nervous about his baking habits before. He refused to meet Mikey’s questioning coal eyes, looking around aimlessly for an excuse. “What, forgot to tell me you had a bake sale or something ‘Michy?” Mikey asked again, pressing Takemichi even further into his embrace and the cool counter top where mochi dough lay forgotten.
Takemichi could never lie to Manjiro Sano; not with his intense gaze that trusted him with every little detail and every ounce of self Mikey possessed. It was only fair to do the same in return. He trusted Mikey knowing about his time travel, his experience he had seen and every different timeline he had gone to, crying out as he told all the bad and gory details that his ocean blue eyes were so determined to stop. And MIkey was there, to sooth him and be understanding in the way that he could, peppering his face with light kisses and holding him close, cradling him like he was the most precious treasure he could ever hope to possess. He didn’t have to carry this fear and responsibility alone anymore, having the strongest man he knew by his side, who stuck to him closer than anyone in his life had ever been, being a rock of comfort. So Takemichi relented and looked at Mikey shyly, debating his word choice.
“I… Couldn't sleep because I was stressed about the last timeline, and what my next move would be. Before I knew it, I started baking. I guess it's just calming.” With that, Mikey frowned looking at Takemichi with all the sincerity he had. He learned a new thing about the other everyday and he thought he could pin Takemichi’s character pretty well; and he can, in all honesty. He had Takemichi figured out down to the way he prefers to rest at night, how he didn't like his food salty, and how he hated rosemary. But stress baking was never on the list. It was surprising, but as he was eyeing all the pastries around them, being so tempting to just devour on the spot, he couldn't be mad.
Mikey sighed before painting his face with a lazy smile, turning from Takemich to push the melon breads to the side and slide up onto the counter, making himself at home. He pried one of the dorayaki off of the plate, still slightly warm and so inviting, he took a bite before widening his smile. “I guess this isn't bad stress relief. Plus now I get free dorayaki, were you thinking of me when you made these? If you don't hurry and grab one, I'll eat them all before you get one Takmichy.” Mikey finally said in a childish, playful tone, taking another big bite of his dorayaki. His eyes looked more lively in the morning and his relaxed figure and easy, airy tone could always capture Takemichi’s attention. His mind went completely void of his previous stress, as he replaces his nervousness with faux horror and he stalks up to him.
“If you dare eat all that dorayaki i worked so hard to make, you won't get another sweet coming out of this kitchen!” Takemichi exclaimed triumphantly.
Mikey, with his shock, pushed the plate of taiyaki behind him, as if protecting the fished shaped sweet treat from Takemichi’s blazing playful gaze. “You wouldn’t dare. That's insubordination and treason in my book Takemichy.” he replied with horror. He still held his relaxed posture, though now his shoulders were tense from the thought of being kept from the sweet treats he so dearly loved.
“Those are my pastries and this is my house Mikey,” Takemichi says with a smile that brightens up any room. His blue eyes shone with adoration and mastiff that Mikeys held only a second ago. He loved when he got the chance to teaseMikey as the older always did with him at every chance that he got. His sweet revenge had marit this time, even if it was only an empty threat at the end. He continued, “Plus, I’m sure Draken and Chifuyu, or maybe even the other Toman members will enjoy eating my pastries while you clean the kitchen.”
This was the last straw that broke Mikey’s resolve, as he shoved the plate of warm taiyaki out from behind him, looking at Takemichi with a tense and desperate smile. He jumped off the counter, abandoning his half eaten dorayaki on the counter in favour of enveloping Takemichi in a hug, Smiling up to him with desperation. “You wouldn't be so cruel ‘Michy, I thought you said you loved me! How could you be so cruel! I promise I won't eat all the dorayaki but you can tempt me by leaving it out! You know they're my favourite-” Before Mikey could finish his childish rambling, Takemichi let out a honey soaked laugh that filled the air. He held onto Mikey's shoulders as he desperately tried to calm his laughter, shaking ever so slightly as he calmed enough to laboured breathing. He looked back to Mikeys onyx eyes, with tears glossing his own. He bore the most genuine smile down at Mikey, and Mikey believed he had woken up to an angel disguised as Takemichi, as he lit up his whole world with such a simple action. Mikey was swooning, never once had he stopped since he and Takemichi got together, but moments like these he remembered why he fell so hard for the weak but tenacious and bright Takemichi Hanagaki.
Takemichi felt every ounce of stress seep from his body and buried deep beneath a large layer of adoration and pure serenity of this moment. He could worry about such things later- he deserved a moment to share with Mikey that wasn't hellbent on blood and gang violence. He needed to feel Mikey's presence and frivolous nature to envelope him in a calming blanket, while the summer sun shone on them lightly, warming their skin. He looked at Mikey like the world was between his arms, like Mikey was the only person he had ever loved and all his soul could ever need. He blinked slowly and shyly pecked Mikey’s lips before turning away, avoiding eye contact. Mikey smiled softly at him and pecked his cheek in return. “I'm happy you’re less stressed now, but does that mean I don't get to wake up to an abundance of sweets anymore?” Mikey said with his childish pout returning. Takemichi chuckled before replying, “I’ll make you dorayaki anytime you want as long as you’re not a child about it, Mikey.” With that Takemichi let go before returning with Mikey half eaten dorayaki, now cold but just as sweet and addictive as before.
Before they could continue to share their quiet morning together in the comfort of Takemichis house, the front door sprang open with a start. Clearly not caring they had just broken into another person's house, Takemichi sighed knowing it was the others. Going a weekend without seeing them was absolutely not possible, and even going a single morning without the ambiance the group brought with them was a blessing. Hearing Draken announce their presence, and Mitsuya apologizing for the intrusion like the ever so gracious and kind person he is, Mikey smiled up at him, going into the doorway of the kitchen, staring at the group of rowdy teens.
“We’re here as always partner! Don’t tell me you were smooching with our commander again!” Chifuyu said lightly before Baji’s arm wrapped heavily around his lith shoulders. “Get a room, you two!” Baji proclaimed loudly before cackling at his own statement.
“This is MY house you dimwits! You broke in here!” Takemichi said with no heat actually behind his words. In truth he enjoyed the company of everyone. He had been so lonesome in his past timeline, only ever having the Mizo Middle gang to ever hangout with. Their chaotic tendencies didn't bother him anymore, and he enjoyed how lively his house finally was. The ambiance was always playful and light hearted, with Draken and Mikey bickering, while Chifuyu and Baji ate yakisoba on the couch while playing video games with him on the TV. Mitsuya and Hakki would go out to buy snacks and return to be bombarded by a feral Mikey intent on getting his fair share (which was always much larger than everyone else's.) He pushed his way to sit directly beside Takemichi and they’d bicker and converse from there. He enjoyed it all with them- especially Mikey.
“So, who wants some sweets?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi ok so im not dead but now have some big Tokyo Rev brainrot. Also tumblr doesnt let me indent my paragraphs and it kinda looks funky to me now. sorry if this isnt that good, i just wanted to write some fluff.
