"Welcome to the crib," Miles said with a flourish as they stepped inside. "I have a couple roommates but they're usually not here this time of night, anyway." He twirled around dramatically, as Niles soaked in the sight of his dinky little apartment.
Niles's gaze flitted around the room, taking it all in. Several different 'live, laugh, love' decorations adorned the walls. They couldn't really tell if it was all supposed to be completely ironic or not, and would have bet that Miles didn't know either. The apartment felt a little on the cheaper side, water stains on the ceiling, and thin, worn out carpeting lining the floor, but nevertheless, Niles could palpably feel Miles' personality come through.
"This place is pretty cool," Niles said, smiling at the room's quirky features.
"Yeah, I try to keep it presentable on the off chance I would gain a friend to even invite here." Niles turned around and Miles was affectionately smirking at them while leaning on the doorframe. He looked dorky. "Well, feel free to help yourself to some food," Miles said, hopping up to open the pantry door that was only a few paces away.
The pantry was messy, except for Miles' portion, which was somehow even worse. Niles couldn't tell if those were noodles or fried onions. The food was labeled, though, and seemed to have only one organizational factor: random snacks versus Kosher-for-Passover matzo and other boxed meals to cook.
Normally they would've kept it to themself, but they were already too tired not to voice their observation. "You're Jewish, too?"
Miles paused. "Yeah. Well, my mom was. I don't go to temple that often or keep Kosher but I like to do Passover. It's an important tradition and I like it. Plus, sometimes fasting helps you, like, find yourself. Or whatever."
Niles stared in mild awe. "You're very thoughtful, you know. More than you were when we knew each other in Yawnee Valley, at least."
Miles was silent for a moment, and Niles wondered if they had accidentally offended him. Arms heavy at his sides, Miles rubbed his fingertips together.
"Yeah, well, I didn't really know how to talk a lot back then." Miles furrowed his eyebrows. "I just, I think I had a lot to say, and, I don't know. It was easier for me to just play it off than it was to try and search for the right words." He gritted his teeth. It looked as if he was flipping through an entire dictionary in an attempt to communicate. "I'm still not as good as you, though, I don't think." He unconsciously leaned his weight on Niles, digging his hands into his pockets. "Sorry."
Niles rubbed his arm a little. "Don't apologize."
"Okay."
Niles angled their head a bit, and kissed Miles on the cheek. It seemed to convey the right message, and Miles relaxed his shoulders.
Niles tried to hide their blush by looking at the floor. "You don't mind if I stay over tonight, do you?"
"Not at all," Miles replied.
• • •
The pair laid on their backs on Miles' pull-out couch, staring at the ceiling and thinking of what to say next. A paused and forgotten movie was frozen on the TV screen. Both boys were acutely aware of the proximity of their hands on the mattress, but neither of them moved.
"So, uh, yeah," Miles continued. "I basically stopped pranking after moving from Yawnee Valley. It just wasn't the same."
"Yeah, me too. Like, I still had ideas and stuff but, like you said, it didn't feel the same." Niles shifted closer to the boy next to him, still staring at the ceiling. "I... really liked you in middle school. It wasn't the same without you."
