safeword

twenty

"Alright. I think that's the last of it." Keigo hands off the last cardboard box filled and heavy with the rest of Touya's clothes back to him.

"Yeah, that's it." Touya turns around, leading you and Keigo deeper into his new home. Surprisingly, he chose something quaint - a renovated Machiya on the outside of the city. He says he chose the spot and location because it reminded him of home, and was close to where he grew up. The surrounding streets are quiet, and his car is parked in the back.

The inside is unfurnished and echoey. The space felt cold waiting for Touya to warm it up, but the exposed, dated wood made it feel like home.

"Let me give you a tour." Touya kneels, dropping the box off in the room where the living space would be.

"Please." Keigo guides you forward with a hand pressed to the small of your back. It's an evening after work, and you weren't planning on staying on campus. Now you're here, hands crossed in front of you and nodding along whenever necessary. You honestly think you'd do better on campus, drowning out thoughts through work. Then, finally, you'd be able to stop thinking about the move.

Touya, however, seems a bit excited. There's a quirk in his step that is never usually there, and you wonder if he's happy. Though, you know he's probably strung out. "Only two bedrooms." He starts, pointing off of the kitchen to a sliding stone door. "One bathroom upstairs, and that's the powder room."

"Your kitchen is beautiful, babe." Keigo cranes his head, scanning the new fixtures and brushed silver. "Will you finally learn how to cook?"

"Y/N's kitchen, then." He turns around, cracking a cocky smile. You smile back. "I'm joking, I'll learn."

"Smart. I hardly have time to cook at home anymore."

"It's stupid they have staff living on campus." Touya continues through the house, and you follow behind with Keigo's touch on your back. He walks through a hallway lined with exposed wood and then motions you to a pair of doors. "Our bedroom."

You walk ahead, peeking through the sliding entryway. It's bright, with the sun spilling through its large central window and onto the original floors. It's spacious, too, with closet space and plenty of room for a large bed. While you're looking around, Keigo and Touya regroup behind you, standing side by side and gazing at each other shortly.

"I'm proud of you, Touya," Keigo whispers, bringing his hand to Touya's chin, stroking softly. They're close enough for their breaths to touch with each exhale, but it isn't uncomfortable. "And how strong you've become."

"Become?" He takes Keigo's hand from his face and kisses over the back. When you turn around, Touya's already walking up to you, a smile on his face. "What do you think?"

"I think that with some furniture, this house could be a home." He puts his arms around your neck, kissing around and over your right ear. It tickles ever so slightly.

"I have some things being delivered in a few days. My bed, a sofa and I think my dresser." His hands fall over your chest, bunching the expensive fabric of your shirt with his fingers. "In the meantime, the floor is looking really comfortable."

"What?" You turn around, breaking from his hold. He chuckles, rolling his eyes when he feels a lecture start to begin. "No, absolutely not. Why would you sleep on the floor when you can stay with Keigo and I until you get your place set up?"

"I paid good money for this place. I have to make this investment worth it."

"By sleeping on the floor? Absolutely not, you're coming home with us."

"No, Y/N." He laughs again in his hand, stepping away. His footsteps echo around you. "I am home."

"You're really insisting on sleeping on the floor? Did you at least have this place deep-cleaned?"