SLEEPING AT LAST | bajifuyu

twenty

"This is comfy," Baji tossed around the futon, playing with Peke J beside him.

"Yeah, I can see that," Chifuyu said, staring at him from his study table, "It's been three days. Are you planning on living in my space?"

The yellow glow from his lamp was mellow, comforting them despite the darkness of the night. Baji's long hair splayed across the futon, shiny and soft in their wake. A book lay in his stomach, already forgotten after Peke J decided to interrupt them, playing with the cat for a couple of minutes now. Chifuyu let out a sigh, accepting his defeat on teaching the boy, fed up at the sight of his cat and Baji fawning over each other.

After their talk in the clinic, Baji had decided to crash in his bedroom for quite some time, and Chifuyu starts to convince himself the boy plans on living with them. When asked about his reasons for crashing in, he would make excuses as stupid as wetting his bed, and his mom was angry at him. But, knowing the boy, he probably wanted to waste time than do his homework.

They've shared futons, fight over blankets, frustrate over simple math equations, watch movies, curse their English subject, and spend the night telling each other memories of their childhood days. Chifuyu admits it was the first time he had someone to share the nostalgia of his childish adventures, at least those he remembers to be the good ones (which is only one or a couple of them)

"What will you do if I plan on living with you?" putting Peke J in front of him, a devious smirk displayed on his face.

Chifuyu rolls a paper and smacks him on his head, "Probably kick you out. I don't like blanket snatchers, people who take over the whole futon, and those who snore loudly."

Baji put his hands on his chest, dramatically posing in front of him. Eyebrows furrowed and scrunched nose into a constipated manner, causing the latter to laugh.

"It went through my heart," He groans, adding another element to his spectacular show, "How could you hurt me?"

"Hurt you, my ass," Chifuyu clears his throat, "Let's stop pretending to study. You're hopeless."

"Hopelessly in lo-" and to that, Chifuyu knocked the living daylight out of him.

"You've been hasher to me these past few days," Baji said, putting the tissue to his bloodied nose. A pout was evident on his lips, sitting still as he let the blond tend to his injured nose.

Intentionally pressing hard on his cut, "I think I did what's right,"

"Will you mind being gentle? Be a dear for me,"

"You should be careful with your words, Baji,"

The room comes to a still, surprising them both with his words. Aquamarine eyes observe Baji's tensed face and how his eyes would often glance on his face, anticipating something Chifuyu couldn't decipher. His heart pounded in his ears, but it wasn't from the overwhelming delight. It's rather fear that pumps in his veins.

"People might think different is what I meant," moving away to clean the band-aids and antiseptic laying on the floor, he immediately goes to the door until he heard Baji spoke.

"I don't think there's something wrong with being different,"

the blond clenched his jaw, "Easier said than done, Baji,"

Chifuyu returns to his room after wasting his time in the kitchen trying to calm his nerves after their exchange. He saw Baji all spread out, snoring like he did for the consecutive days he slept in the room. He couldn't help but sigh, and tension on his shoulder seems to tighten as he spent more days together with him. He's inching closer and closer to the inevitable day where he will have to face his dilemma.

"You're right, Baji-san. What's wrong with being different? Liking someone like you," he chuckles, laying beside the snoring guy, "There's nothing wrong with it, but I'm scared."

He found it cowardly—to be honest with someone while they're asleep, mumbling everything under his breath, hoping that someday he'll get the courage to say everything. But, for now, this is all Chifuyu could muster. For now, he can settle in watching Baji from the sidelines.

"I envy you," he turned to lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, "Saying something without fear, with so much courage,"

Chifuyu turn to gaze one last time at Baji, "Let's hope the day will come where I can be as courageous as you are, and say everything I have to say,"

Assured that the male didn't hear everything he said, he turns his back on him, settling to sleep. He couldn't help it still how his chest would squeeze from thinking that Baji would leave if he hears about the truth. Too indulged with his thoughts, Chifuyu didn't notice the boy snuggling closer on his back.

his breath tickling the back of his neck, "You don't have to be scared, Chifuyu,"