The sound of tape being pulled and boxes being shuffled around echoed through the small apartment as Y/N and Miko carried the last of their things inside.
"Alright, this is the last one," Y/N said, hoisting a box filled with kitchen supplies. She made her way toward the kitchen area, narrowly missing a stack of books Miko had just placed down. "Careful with that!" Y/N warned, but Miko was already gone, moving another box into the living room.
Miko turned and flashed a grin. "You should be more careful with your boxes," she teased. "You're going to make a mess of your own stuff."
Y/N rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "I'm just glad you let me carry the fragile stuff. That was very sweet of you."
"Well, someone has to make sure it all gets done," Miko replied, her voice light with humor. "I figured I'd do my part by making the living room feel cozy, so it's the first place we can relax."
They worked in sync, the excitement of moving into their first place together bubbling under the surface. There was something about unpacking that felt like a fresh start. Y/N opened a box of plates and mugs, carefully setting them in the kitchen cabinets, while Miko pulled out a small potted plant, placing it on the window sill.
"Think we should paint?" Y/N asked, glancing over at the white walls. "Maybe something to match the vibe you want for the living room?"
"Yeah, maybe a deep teal? Something to make it feel like our space." Miko looked over the room thoughtfully. "Just not that neon green you tried to convince me to paint our dorm room."
Y/N laughed at the memory. "You should've seen it in person. It was a statement."
Miko shot her a playful glare. "If by statement you mean 'why is my friend trying to blind me with color,' then yes."
They paused for a second, looking at each other with soft smiles and just chuckled.
After another hour of unpacking, they finally agreed they were done for the night. The apartment didn't look perfect yet, but it was starting to feel like home.
"I'm starving," Y/N said, wiping her brow. "Pizza?"
Miko nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Extra cheese?"
"Obviously." Y/N grabbed her phone and ordered their usual: a large pizza with everything but anchovies. As the pizza arrived and they sat on the living room floor, surrounded by boxes and the last bits of unpacked things, there was a sense of calm.
"Look at us, making this our place," Y/N said, leaning back on her hands. "I feel like we should do something celebratory. Maybe... a dance party after?"
Miko chuckled, opening the pizza box. "We just got here, and you're already talking about dancing?"
"Hey, if you can't dance with me in the living room, what's the point of having our own place?" Y/N said with a shrug, taking a slice.
Miko smiled, the warmth of the apartment and their friendship wrapping around them like a blanket. "Alright. Dance party it is. But only if you promise not to judge my moves."
"Deal," Y/N said, offering a mock salute.
As they ate and laughed, the city lights shining softly through the windows, everything felt just right. They might have just moved in, but it already felt like home.
