When I woke, I could hear the shower running in the bathroom. It sounded heavier--more like a bath than a shower. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. The covers were made on top of me, tucked under and kind of tight. The pillows--even the ones under my head--were surprisingly straight.
"Machi?" I asked. I tried to pull out of the already-neat bedding without crinkling or messing up Machi's work. "Machi?" I asked a bit louder. I heard a muffled few words from the bathroom and concluded it was him in the shower. I heard the water cut off and some movement. After just a minute or two, he stepped out of the bathroom in, a fuzzy, color-scheme blue bath robe, matching his room. He smiled at me and raised his brow.
"Good morning," Machi said, running a pale hand through his hair. I just blinked, admiring his feminine features. He grunted. "Sleep well?" I nodded, patting the bedding I had crinkled.
"You?" I asked, accidentally letting a giggle slip.
"Yeah, I guessing so. Did go to bed pretty late," He replied. Machi had no look of someone who had just woken. His crystal blue eyes were wide, posture perfect. I guess Mama wasn't exaggerating when she told me that he woke really every morning to practice.
Machi nodded quaintly at me and grabbed some clothes from his drawers. He slipped back into the bathroom. The door was opened moments later as he dried his hair, now dressed. He wore bleached-out skinny jeans and a black tank top, sheathed by a white flanel. His button-up was barely sheer, so this could be seen through it. It made it look kind of hazy and cool. I really didn't picture Machi in this sort of style, as the only thing I had seen him in was yoga stuff and his concert garments, which were nothing less than traditional Borginese. This look was fantastic on him, and not to mention, bad ass.
I came in after him, still in my pajamas. After drying his hair, Machi picked up the straightening iron on the other side of the sink. "I thought your hair was naturally straight," I exclaimed. Machi shook his head and made a little 'heh' sound. I guessed he got this attitude from Daryan. It didn't fit my original view of him, but I guess everyone thought he was a little angel at first.
"You straighten your hair... every morning? Doesn't that fry it?" I asked. Machi, quiet as ever, pointed to a series of products on a shelf nearing the shower. So that's how he got his hair so perfect.
"Sometime on lazy days just leave it, but is annoying and tangly when it curls. Hate it." Personally, I thought it was really adorable, but I guess that's just because I wasn't used to it. When he exited the bathroom, he slid on a pair of socks and laced up some black leather Doc Martin's. The insides of them were plaid; green, blue, and red.
"I didn't know you liked combat boots," I giggled.
"Oh, muchly. Will be seeing you downstairs. Join me? Lamiroir have breakfast ready."
"Shouldn't I get some real clothes on first?" I asked, biting my lip. I scanned Machi up and down. He looked great in those skinnies.
"If you want, but nobody be caring downstairs. Is just us."
When I was dressed- tank top, few necklaces, jean shorts, wedges- I tip-toed down the glass spiral staircase to see what Mama had cooking.
At the table was eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes. Yes! I was surprised to see Machi only had pancakes and hash browns on his plate. "You don't like eggs and bacon?" I asked, sliding into a seat closer to him that Mama. Machi finished chewing what he had in his mouth and shook his head.
"Its not that," He said between swallows, "I'm veagan." Boy doesn't get much protein! Wonder his teeth were so perfect, they were probably porcelains.
I blinked a few times, trying to imagine what a life without steak and cheese would be like. "Why?" I asked simply.
"When I was in orphanage, only had veagan food. If I'm trying to be of the eating meat and some dairy, I'll just throw it back up. Some exceptions like certain milk and cheese will go down though--sometimes. My stomach is being of the very fragile, usually only eat one meal a day around noon or I'll throw up."
"Aww man, that stinks!"
"That is just you crazy Americans and your cheeseburger fetish. I think looks nasty with all that crap on it." I sat for a moment, taking in the subtle insult. It sounded almost like a joke, but Machi's expression didn't change much. After it seemed like he saw I took it a little bit more harshly then he had imagined, he giggled and smirked a bit, but barely, trying to play it off as a joke.
"I didn't know you two were so well aquainted," Mama poked in, smiling.
"Yeah, talked a little last night. Trucy had watching me do my contortion," Machi replied. I smiled over at him and nodded frantically.
"It was fabulous!" I exclaimed. After one last sip of my juice, I stood and skipped back upstairs with Machi. He lead me to a room--another gym it seemed; with lots of mats, bars, and a foampit. He left and entered again shirtless with some kind of stretchy pants on, kind of like the yoga pants he wore the previous day. He saluted me and hopped onto one of the bars. Machi hung upside-down on it, starting to swing from his arms Lara Croft-style and jumped, grabbing onto another. He did this on several until he got to one before the foam pit, flipping into it. He just layed there in the pit. I hopped in next to him. "How deep is this?" I asked.
"About six feet," He replied, rolling over closer to me. We stared at eachother for a few moments without words. Machi perked up a bit, planting a kiss on my cheek. My whole face flushed red. Although he had kissed me before, this had a different feel to it. This was innocent, it wasn't hungry. It was shy and adorable. I giggled and rolled over to face him. It was weird to think that I had gotten to know him so well in just a day.
"It must be amazing living here," I said. Machi shrugged.
"I guess am used to it."
"Can you teach me? To.. do some of this?" I asked.
"Well, it take time, but we can give it a shot." Machi sat up and helped me out of the foam pit. He lead me over to a small group of metal bars. "Grab on to this one," He said. I did. He then picked me up and set my legs on another, hooking my calves on it. I giggled, surprised at his strength, despite his size. My stomach hung between the two bars. "Now let go of bar," Machi added. I squeaked.
"Are you sure?"
"I got you."
This reassured me a bit, and I did what he said. I hung upside-down, grabbing on to Machi's shoulders.
"Now try to swing a little bit, rock forward and back. Dont worry, you won't fall."
I did this. It was a bit scary at first, but then it was fun
"Now swing faster, and trying to build momentum."
I did.
"Do it one good time and release your legs."
I looked at him like he was crazy. "I'm going to fall!" I exclaimed. Machi shook his head.
"You're going to have to trust me."
I listened, and although it took some serious guts, I let myself go. I shut my eyes tight, feeling something slam up against the back of my knees. I opened my eyes--I was hanging on the next bar. I started laughing, extremely pleased with myself.
"That was... that was soo fun!" I chirped. Machi giggled and scampered over to me.
"You did good," He said. He wrapped his delicate fingers around my waist and helped me down, flashing me a big smile.
"Thanks," I replied, giving him a quick hug.
