In Excess (Itafushi)

Chapter 8

Early morning light filtered in through the window, engulfing the room in fiery orange light as the sun crept above the horizon. The dull, grayscale room exploded into color, matching Yuji for the first time. Birds were chirping just outside the window, mixing with Yuji's steady breathing to create a soothing melody. The warmth from his body against my back and his arm draped over my waist was euphoric, solidifying that the decision to stay the night was the best choice.

Yuji took a deep breath, breaking the steady rhythm he had maintained as long as I had been awake. His arm tightened around me, and he placed a small peck at the corner of my jaw.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep. I turned my body to face him, his lips spreading into a sleepy smile. My heart fluttered seeing him cast in the light of dawn, his hair in perfect disarray, and eyes squinting, trying to adjust from the darkness of sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, bliss creeping into my voice.

"Did you sleep well?" He brushed my hair away from my eyes, his fingertips grazing gently against my face.

"I don't think I've ever slept better," I said honestly. His sleepy smile turned into a toothy grin, his eyes flickering from my eyes to my lips.

"Good. I'm glad," he sighed peacefully. "I'm glad you stayed." He propped his head up on his elbow, stroking my cheek softly with his free hand. "Megumi," he started. My heartbeat hastened, responding to the change in his tone. "I really like you."

"I really like you, too," I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It's important to me that you know how serious I am," he explained. "I don't want you to think that last night was just some casual thing." The intensity in his voice and eyes was startling this early in the morning.

"I didn't think that it was," I reassured. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Good," he said, his smile spilling into his voice. His eyes lingered on my lips once again. "You really are something, Megumi." He sat up and stretched his arms and back, snaps and pops cascading up his spine. I raised my torso up, resting on my elbows, watching him shake the sleep out of his system.

"I'm going to brush my teeth so I don't keep subjecting you to my morning breath," he smiled at me over his shoulder. "Then how about I steal a kiss or two?"

"Oh, I don't," I paused, trying to find the right words. I was suddenly aware of the staleness of my own breath, but I had no means to freshen up here. "I think maybe I should go home so that I can brush my teeth and everything, too." The smile faded from his face.

"I have an extra toothbrush, still in the package. Do you want it?" He offered. I couldn't ignore the earnest look on his face.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely certain. It will make things easier the next time you stay the night," he suggested.

"Next time?" I picked out, unable to contain my smile.

"You would never leave if I had it my way." He winked at me before getting up from the bed. "Come on," he said, pulling at my arm and dragging me behind him to the bathroom. He found the toothbrush, still in the packaging as promised, and he handed it to me with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. The placid domesticity of the image in the mirror as we brushed our teeth side by side filled my mind with visions of what the future could bring. Yuji had already promised that there would be a next time. Would next time feel this right, this comforting?

After we finished, Yuji turned to me and finally pressed his lips into mine, giving me a soft, quick, minty kiss. "Now I can properly say good morning."