Eijiro gulped.
Shoto, proving he had somewhat sobered up, trailed straight for the bathroom. He didn't take long and was visibly more refreshed when he emerged.
Red eyes followed him as he gathered linens from a closet. Eijiro hadn't moved much, confused in his objectives.
If Kats is never going to speak with me.. but I don't know that, and this isn't.. Damn it, why couldn't he just talk to me before leaving?!
"Couch?" Shoto interrupted his thoughts, pillow in hand hovering over the couch in question.
Oh thank Crimson Riot. Eijiro relaxed at the option.
Shoto smirked, "You'd be more comfortable on the bed, I won't bite." His tone was lightly playful while handing over the pillow.
"T-thanks.." Eijiro slowly approached the bed with it. There'd be a better chance to talk.. Right, talk..
Since he still felt hot in the room, he cautiously undressed down to his boxers and got in, covering lightly with a sheet. Ah.. I should've showered first..
Shoto busied himself around the kitchen with a few last things to tidy up, the main light still on over the shared space.
Eijiro swung the inside of an elbow over his face and settled in. Mmm this bed is nice.
He could hear Shoto moving around.. and he could also hear his heart thumping. When the bed dipped, his heart dipped with it.
He peeked from under his elbow to see the paleness of Shoto's muscular back glow in the sliver of moonlight coming through the balcony door, now the only source of light. Are those scratch marks?
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Eijiro was startled for a moment, then countered, "Do you?"
Shoto rolled to face him. After some time, he simply offered, "Thank you for coming. I apologize that you had to see me that way.."
Eijiro thought about this for a moment. "I don't know.. I bad that I might have interrupted your.. process. I haven't even started mine yet, worried I'd have to pause before I could get it all out."
It felt weird to say aloud. Of course he knew what he meant to do, at least, it was the notion of giving it all a scheduled time that's allowed him to keep it together til then.
"I suppose there's a certain power in deciding when something you already understand is allowed to be felt.." Shoto conceded.
A short silence later, Eijiro heard light breathing.. Ah.. I guess that last thought knocked him out. He smiled a little then willed himself to sleep.
Instead, he continued to stare off into the dark nothingness around the room. Sighing, he surrendered. I think I have a date with that balcony.
He grabbed the couch throw on his way to the sliding door. He slipped through quietly and wrapped himself up with both throw and emotions.
Somewhere behind him, Shoto observed just enough to understand then leave him be.
Some time later Shoto awoke with the need to relieve himself again, cursing his bright idea to self-bartend.
Walking back to the bed, he could see through the darkness that Eijiro's eyes were puffy. He contemplated something while facing his back, and decided as soon as he noticed him twitch and whimper.
Is he having a bad dream?
He hugged him from behind. He didn't expect Eijiro to melt into him, nor for his member to respond immediately. Shit, shit, shit. Shoto slowly scooted his lower half away.
Eijiro turned into him, ducking his head into Shoto's chest and wrapping loosely around his waist.
*Thump* Shoto willed his heart to slow down. He's sad. That's all. Fuck, -I'm- sad.
In Shoto's stillness, he could hear Eijiro's breathing, a bit labored after crying. Another twitch. Whew.. He's definitely sleeping.
Shoto had barely relaxed when Eijiro moved his head back. ..I guess it was hard to breathe ducked down like that..
Shoto considered repositioning but became fascinated by Eijiro's beautifully shaped eyes darting around under closed lids. He is dreaming.
Our faces close like this.. it's too much, he bit down his lip.
After discreetly rolling away, he felt some movement behind him. Mistaking it for more distressed sleeping, he partially rolled back to find Eijiro wiping his eyes.
Slowly blinking them open, Eijiro was surprised to find a concerned Shoto turn to him. "Oh right, I'm here. Sorry." Eijiro mumbled.
This was the break Shoto thought he needed but he felt shorted as he watched Eijiro rub the bottom of his nose with the heel of his hand.
When Eijiro stopped and just blinked up into nothingness, Shoto risked reaching for his cheek, gently redirecting to face him. His thumb spread across while looking into embarrassed eyes.
"You were dreaming, what was it?" Shoto inquired softly.
Eijiro's eyes lingered on his lips a moment too long - while forming the lie. "I don't remember."
Shoto started to remove his hand, "If you say so.." but Eijiro cupped his hand over his, facing down and distraught.
They were almost at their limit of ignoring the tension between them.
Eijiro was unlikely to move first, he had taken charge then and is still dealing with the repercussions.
Shoto's despair was that he had to lead everything for anything to happen.. In the end they were just playing house, while kept at a certain maddening distance.
"Do you think things could still work out for us?" Eijiro asked earnestly.
He had meant to settle in a new place that was his own before breaking down. Though he had already decided not to fault Katsuki's response to that night, he couldn't help but wish for just a little more tact.
Shoto suspected Eijiro's situation but didn't know enough, and worried about Izuku's silence after leaving him with that case.
I hope he gets back okay, and just needs time and space away from everything else before.. Well, if he ends up back with me or not.. I better just be ready to be happy if he's happy..
They knew they'd taken too long to respond. When they locked eyes again after being lost in their thoughts, they gave in to the gravity that had been pulling them in for so long now.
***
