Odd Jobs

Chapter 6 - The Cold Warmth

The weeks go by fast. Before he knew it, Mika was rushing and rushing to meet each deadline. He felt a little guilty about it, if he was honest. He had just started getting closer to Yuu, and was on the verge of telling him what happened with his parents. But then, duty called as he scrambled to finish papers and assignments. He couldn't even find the time to eat with Yuu. So, as per habit when things got hectic, he didn't. He couldn't find the time to eat, spending nearly all his free time on catching up on some sleep. Mika felt his stomach rumble, yet drowned it out with a sip from his Red Bull. He couldn't even find the time to clean his desk. The door had opened, yet he didn't hear due to the heavy metal in his ears. A bit later, he heard the distant sound of his name. Mika paused his music, turning around to face his roommate.

"Have you moved once since I left yesterday?", Yuu questioned him. He nodded.

"Yeah, I went to the bathroom."

"Just the bathroom? No food? No bed?"

"I slept a little on my desk.", the blonde said as he turned back around to face his laptop.

"Mika...", Yuu whined. "Come on, you're a mess."

"I'm fine, Yuu, I just need to finish this."

"When's the deadline?"

"Two days from now."

"Then take a break, Mika. Please. You haven't been eating, come to McDonalds with me." He sighed, saving his document and shutting off the laptop.

"I don't want McDonalds."

"Subway?"

"... Fine." Mika pushed back his chair, immediately hugged by Yuu. "H-Hey, what are you-!"

"Shut up and accept my affection, blondie.", the ravenette whispered. Hesitating, Mika eventually wrapped his arms around Yuu. "Mika?", he whispered.

"Yeah...?", he matched his volume.

"Go take a shower."

"I smell that bad?"

"No, but you're sweaty." Mika pulled his head away from the crook of Yuu's neck, raising his voice back to a regular speaking volume.

"I'm sweaty but I don't smell bad?"

"Don't make this weird."

"You're the one making it weird." Yuu frowned.

"Go take a shower, stinky." Mika chuckled as he walked over to his wardrobe. He grabbed some clean underwear, jeans and a sweater. The weather was finally starting to cool a little.

"You know, Yuu...", Mika started as he stood in the doorway of the small bathroom. "Liking someone's smell shows you're genetically compatible." He was met with a pillow thrown at his face.

"Stop making it weird, Mika!" They laughed. Mika walked in the bathroom, turning down the temperature of the shower immediately. As much as Yuu loved his hot and steamy showers, the blonde much preferred a nice and cold one. That, and it was amusing to hear Yuu shriek when he forgot the turn the temperature back up. The thought put a smile to his face.

Yuu...

A great kid, really. He always seemed stuck in his own little world, where everything went great. He was positive, so much it could annoy Mika from time to time. And yet, he was considerate of the moody blonde. He was annoyed enough with Crowley and Lacus on his ass about his diet and energy drink consumption, and now his loud roommate did the same. And for some reason, he actually listened to that guy. As much as Mika planned to drown out his hunger with more Red Bull, here he was getting ready to get some food with Yuu. Again. It got a little tiresome. Mika shook his head, ridding it of any thoughts. He took off his sweaty clothes, and made his way in the shower.

The cold water on his skin felt nice. Surprising in the first touch, but nice. He reached over to the small shampoo bottle, squeezing some of its content in his hand. He washed his hair, his body... He got back out as soon as he got in, really. Adding to getting extremely cold, long showers drained Mika's energy. Especially considering he barely had any at the moment to begin with. The blonde glanced in the mirror as he dried his hair.

"Jesus, what a mess...", he muttered to himself. He had bags under his eyes that could carry groceries for a week, and his skin was dried out from the lack of care. He didn't feel like putting any effort into his looks for now, though. He just wanted to get Subway over with and back to work. After he was fully dry, Mika pulled on the clean set of clothing, and tied his hair back in a small ponytail. He placed his hand on the doorknob to go, but stopped when he heard Yuu on the other side.

"Hey, Yoichi." Oh, he was on the phone. "Yeah, I'm okay. I had a question, but it's a pretty personal one. So it's okay if you don't feel like answering." Mika felt weird listening in on the conversation, even if it was accidental. Privacy was important to him, and he shouldn't be hypocritical about it. Yet, curiosity got the better of him, as he overheard Yuu talk. "Great, thanks. You mentioned once your sister struggled with an eating disorder, right...?" There was a small pause. "How did you and your parents handle that?" A brick fell upon Mika's stomach. Why couldn't everyone just leave him be and mind their own business? He stepped away from the door, not wanting to bother to get out of the bathroom anymore. He sat down on the floor, back pressed against the wall. He sat there for a while, actually. A long while. Yuu had probably ended his phone call, but even still, Mika couldn't find the courage to stand up and walk out the door.

There was a small knock on the door, but he stayed quiet. Yuu knocked again, and eventually, Mika caved.

"Coast is clear...", he said. The door opened slowly, as Yuu peered in the bathroom.

"Mika? Are you okay?" He didn't respond. The ravenette kneeled in front of him, trying to get the other to face him. He looked away. "Oi, Mika?" Eventually, his plan paid off, and the blonde looked at him. Yuu swore he felt his heart shatter as he saw the tears in his eyes.

"Why does everyone feel the need to care for me like I'm some child?", he snapped.

"What do you mean?"

"No one ever believes me when I say I'm fine, and they never leave it be. Not Crowley, Lacus, not even you!" Mika sobbed.

"Mika, I'm just-"

"Looking out for me?" He nodded. "Well stop... Just... Stop wasting your time..." Yuu grabbed hold of Mika's wrist. The blonde looked up at him, expecting to find that usual sympathetic smile. Except he didn't. Yuu was frowning. He seemed mad, even.

"I'll stop 'wasting' my time on you when you stop with your bullshit self-loathing. I'm looking out for you because you're my friend and I care about you."

"Yuu, stop-"

"No, you stop!" Tears had started to form in his eyes aswell. "You've had the bad luck of running into me, so now you're stuck with me goddammit, whether you like it or not! And I don't care how long you're gonna wait to let me in, because I'm prepared to wait forever if it just means you know you can rely on me!", he sobbed.

"Yuu..." Mika couldn't bear to look at him. He just wanted to leave. Crawl in a hole and die. He'd upset himself, and now Yuu aswell. He was forced to look up at him when he felt a soft hand on his cheek.

"Mikaela...", his voice was soft and warm again. "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I just... I want you to let me in..."

"It's not that easy, Yuu..."

"I know. And as I said, I'm prepared to wait as long as I need. But I will penetrate your walls." Mika let out a little chuckle. "Hm?"

"Your word choice is always outstanding.", he said as he wiped his eyes.

"... Shut up, blondie." The warm smile was back. And honestly, that was all Mika needed for now. "Come here.", Yuu said as he stretched out his arms. They leaned in closer, engulfing eachother in a warm, much needed hug.