SLEEPING AT LAST | bajifuyu

nineteen

Laying under the soft comforts of his blanket, Chifuyu drowns in the memories of the past few days. The way Baji's smile effortlessly completes his day, his ebony locks dancing softly in the breeze of the wind, his skin that looks ethereal tinted by the light orange of the sunset, and his words that seem to occupy the latter's mind.

Together, we're infinite.

"Did he mean those things he said, or I'm comprehending something different?" Chifuyu questioned.

Chifuyu believes that he's a logical person, choosing reasoning and logic over the rush decisions made by emotions. As if he hadn't convinced himself enough to believe that.

Did he mean anything he said? They're friends, and friends do those kinds of declarations. It's not like Baji would do something like that and claim that he likes him that way. There's no way that he did.

"But, it's not like I like him, right?" Sitting up straight at the realization, Chifuyu's hands move to his mouth, covering any living force coming out of it.

His stomach flips, and his chest began to squeeze. Mouth still agape, sucking space to its hollow void. His skin tingles, friction runs through the bumps and hairs in his arms, but the humidity in his room isn't at fault at this moment. If he could, he would blame Baji for this moment.

'Of course, I just admire him as a friend,' Chifuyu assures himself.

He accidentally confessed to his captain and the boy that saved his butt multiple times. In the spur of the moment, he said those words with unwavering voice and chest swelling with adoration for the latter. What if Baji didn't saw it as a confession? Will he be okay? Did he save their friendship to avoid the inevitable end?

He let sleep solve his worries, lending his problems for tomorrow to handle as he snuggles closer to his cat.

He lied. Chifuyu didn't get a wink of sleep.

"Fucking hell," he cursed under his breath, hands in his hair.

The teacher's voice buzzes in his mind. His fingers tug a little too tight to his hair, causing an itch to his scalp, but he can't bring himself to care, not when he doesn't know how he should face Baji in his state. The smell of old wood, the sound of chalk grazing the smooth board, and the murmurs of his classmates feel all too overwhelming for Chifuyu, inviting headache to visit him.

Then there was a sound, and Chifuyu stood tall inside the room. All eyes turned to him, curious, annoyed, and deadpanned, but he didn't care, eager to leave the room as fast as he could.

"I need to go to the clinic,"

The bell had rung for some time now, and the halls were alive carrying choirs of squeaking shoes and laughter, in contrast to the bed Chifuyu lays. The smell of the alcohol lingers through the air, and the nurse—who was supposedly assisting him at the moment, is nowhere to be found, leaving him with his conflicted emotions. He liked it, though, despite the lonesome atmosphere.

'Baji-san must have been waiting,' he thought,

As he was thinking, there was a soft thud of the sliding door, notifying him of an intruder. Chifuyu's ears perked up to hear who is the unsolicited visitor, concluding that maybe it's the nurse until there was a harsh sound from a curtain a few feet away from him. It continued, and his body could only curl as the sound comes closer and closer until it's close enough to his ears.

"Just like they said," an all-too-familiar deep voice said, "You're here,"

Fate must be laughing at him, mocking Chifuyu to his face. The boy standing beside him carries a container to what he assumed as yakisoba and a grin showing his canines. His face displayed a wordless invitation that the blond could not refuse.

"So, what's your problem?" the smell overwhelms the alcohol around the place as Baji hands him the warm yakisoba.

Chifuyu took it and ate the food, "It's nothing."

"Sure, it's nothing, then you choose to stay here," a scowl embellished Baji's face while his back slump at the chair.

"It's just a headache."

"Then, you want to sleep?" " Baji asked, to which Chifuyu could only shake his head.

Baji agreed to his decision, as it seems, putting down the yakisoba on the chair beside the bed. There was a glint of mischief in his eyes, keeping his toes curl in anticipation as he watches him do what he plans to do. He knows the boy is full of surprise, and you'll never know: one thing could lead to chaos. But, what he didn't expect is how Baji's hand gently push him to the side, muttering something along the lines of giving him some space.

Chifuyu wonders how many times he had said that Baji would be the cause of his death.

"Man, I'm also beat," Baji stretched, nonchalantly occupying most of his bed space.

"Why don't you-"

"So as I was saying, I have to tell you this story,"

Though tired, Chifuyu did his best to listen to the latter. Baji's stories are as compelling as always, followed by hand gestures similar to a child talking about his day. Even with closed eyes, Chifuyu chuckles at the funny moments, commenting on questionable parts, and savors the warmth Baji radiates beside him.

'Just let me live this moment a little longer,' he prayed, hoping someone somewhere heard his pleas.

As much as he enjoys their time, he couldn't help to notice how often Kazutora would leave Baji's lips, tugging his strings. Of course, he heard his name multiple times, but this time is different, and something might snap in him. He could feel his heart sink the more he hears the name. It's unlikely for him to complain now, after all the time he spent listening to everything involving Kazutora.

"And, guess what Kazutora did? He snorts the ice cream-"

"It must be fun to be with Kazutora."

It sounded harsh than friendly, he was never one to spit acid, but he felt the squeeze in his chest cease. Chifuyu noticed Baji's smile falter, and guilt soon overcomes him.

"Sorry, what I meant is-"

"Actually, yes, and I would be glad to introduce you to him." Baji chuckles as if the tension didn't exist between them, assuring him.

He couldn't help but feel his heart sink to his feet as the words left his mouth.

"I can't wait for the day you'll see him again."