A Whale Shark's Ray (Free!)(SousukexOC)(Boyxboy)

Chapter 13

That night, I couldn't sleep. I tried everything. Counting sheep, warm milk, listening to lullabies. Nothing worked. The fear of losing my new life out of abuse filled every fiber of my being. Eventually, I just lay in bed numbly.

I didn't notice when the front door opened.

Noise no longer held meaning to me right now. I wanted to sleep. I was tired. But I couldn't think of anything else to try. I stared out my bedroom window at the stars peeking through the drawn curtains.. The blankets were pushed down to my abdomen, and my feet were out at the end of the bed. I was wearing socks, of course. No way I was going let my feet freeze. My eyes finally drifted closed, breathing falling into a rhythmic pattern. My heartbeat slowed as sleep began to creep up on me.

Only to pick up in a sudden adrenaline rush as I felt something touch my foot. I panicked, eyes snapping open to see a figure standing at the end of the bed. To which my first response was to throw my pillow in their face. As they let go of me in their surprise, I darted out of that room into the hall closet, somehow curling into a ball in the bottom shelf. I think I said something in that instant, but I don't really know what. A moment passed, and then I heard laughing.

Not creepy laughing, the dreaded I-just-scared-the-shit-out-of-my-friend laughing.

And of course who else but Mr. Pretty Eyes found me curled on in the bottom of the hall closet. I glared at him, my heart still freaking out, as he crouched down.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. You left yourself wide open. You okay?"

I couldn't help but snap at him, still recovering from my adrenaline rush.

"I just woke up to find some person standing at the end of the bed looking like they were going to kill me! So no, I'm not okay!"

He pulls me out of the space I'd wedged myself in, and pulls me into a comforting hug. My anger with him slips away, and I just sigh. He help me to my feet, and we go back to bed. Well, I go back. He just goes to bed next to me.

"Rin and Nanase will be fine. Nanase came home, so I left to give them some space. How've you been?"

"I'm fine. "

"Okay... Are you mad at me?"

I don't respond for a moment, just staring at the wall. We're both under the covers, him facing me. However, I have my back to him. Mostly so he can't see my expression. He'd just call me a tomato-face or something.

"....No. I'm not mad."

"Then why are you looking over there?"

"Growing Iwatobi Wallshrooms."

"What?"

I feel the bed dip a little, and glance back to see him sitting up and leaning over to see my face. I pull the covers over my head, but he pulls them back down, rolling his eyes at me.

"Munto, stop hiding like a little girl."

"Does that make you a pedophile?"

"It doesn't if you start acting like what your body says you should act like."

"And what would that be?"

"A sexy grown man with confidence issues."

"I'm not sure if that was a compliment or an insult."

"Both."

"Thanks..."

We fall into a short silence for a time, each in our own thoughts. I turn a little to say something, and end up speaking at the same time as him. I fall quiet quickly, back into another silence before he continues with whatever he was going to say.

"I'm going to take a bath. Want to join me?"

I turn and give him a funny look. Yes, let's have two gay guys get naked together in an enclosed space. That sounds just fantastic. Not like anyone could embarrass themselves at all.

..........

But I kinda want to anyways....

He blinks at me, waiting for an answer. He seems amused at my lack of words and changing expression from 'why would I want to do that' and 'I would like that'. I settled with the latter, though I knew it likely wouldn't end well.

"Fine..."

He smiles, then looks at me expectantly.

"Weren't you going to say something?"

I look away in embarrassment. I really was hoping he'd forget about that...

"I need help. With that stupid medicine."

"Oh, the lotion? I can put it on for you. We should bathe first though. Besides, a bath should help you sleep."

"How'd you know about that?"

"You have bags under your eyes."

"Oh... I didn't notice..."

"By the way, I called you earlier, but you didn't answer.."

"Mm? Oh, I was cleaning. Guess I didn't hear it."

"I see."

By the tone of his voice, he doesn't really believe me. That in itself makes me nervous. He doesn't give me much time to ponder upon it, getting out of bed and heading towards his bathroom. I get up as well, but go to my own bathroom to grab my towel. I've had it since middle school, so I'm pretty much entirely used to it. Other towels just don't feel right to me.

I make my way to his bathroom door, hesitating to go in. Sure, we'd changed in the same room before, but that was entirely different, not to mention years ago. Back when I was part of the club.

"Or you coming in or what? It's creepy when you're just standing outside like that."

I grumbled in his general direction, walking in and closing the door behind me. I kept my gaze on the floor, unwilling to look up. It's not like I haven't been in this bathroom before, I clean it. I even cleaned it earlier today. I can feel his gaze on me, though I don't dare to look over at him. I can tell he's unclothed.

Though I'm not sure whether that freaks me out or makes me want him more..