A very matchablossom book

It felt like home

This is set in their high school years btw

"What do you mean you ran away?!"

"I mean I ran away!"

"Why?!"

"I don't know!"

The rain pattered gently against Kojiro's window as he threw a drenched Kaoru a bath towel. "Really, Kaoru, what were you thinking? This isn't like you."

"Look, it just...doesn't feel like home right now...okay?"

He sighed. "...Okay. Do you want to stay the night?"

"Wouldn't your parents be mad?"

"I think they'd rather have you here than on the street," he said, gesturing to the rain, which was steadily getting heavier.

"That's...fair."

They sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the rain, which would soon turn into thunder. Kaoru shivered.

"You look cold. Do you want a warm drink?"

"Yes, thank you."

"I'll be back in a few minutes. Try to dry off."

"I will."

Kojiro tiptoed down the stairs. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to warm up whatever drink he made, because the microwave timer would beep. Trying to figure out how to heat it up quietly, he eventually opted to just use the microwave and stop it just before the timer went off. Risky, but less so than using the oven. Besides, if he did get caught, his parents would surely understand. But he would prefer to explain it to them in the morning. No one would be happy after waking up in the middle of the night, and the thought of his parents sending Kaoru home in the middle of the night did not sit pleasantly in his mind as he worked. After what seemed like forever, he finished, and with his heart pounding, slowly snuck upstairs, careful not to spill anything.

After presenting him with the cup, Kojiro rummaged through his closet and tossed Kaoru some of his clothes. "Go get changed in the bathroom," he whispered, "while this cools to the point where you won't get burned." The pink-haired male nodded and grabbed the clothes, then slipped out the door. He was a true master of sneaking around. After a few more minutes of waiting, he came back and sat down on the bed next to Kojiro. He was holding his wet clothes. "What should I do with these?"

"Just give them to me. I'll put them in my hamper and wash them tomorrow."

Kaoru sighed. "Thank you."

"It's nothing."

"No, I mean for all of this. For letting me in when I knocked on your bedroom window, for giving me dry clothes and a warm drink, for not calling my parents..."

"It's nothing," Kojiro repeated. He decided to not point out that Kaoru's hands were trembling.

Kaoru slowly leaned on his friend's shoulder, holding the warm cup with both hands. The other man pulled his blanket around them both. The sound of the rain made the moment peaceful, while making sure neither fell asleep. They sat there for however long the time wanted to pass, until Kojiro got up and made his friend a bed using spare pillows. Once he finished it, he patted the middle and threw a blanket over it. After thanking him one more time, Kaoru laid down in it, as his green-haired friend did the same in his own bed. It didn't take too long for the soft pattering of the rain against the windows and roof to lull both of the boys into a comfortable sleep.

To Kaoru, it felt like home.