( a small laugh from him, genuine and happy )
you really are the best, i hope you do know thatโฆ thank youโฆ for caring for me.
( a quiet exhale, a hand hesitantly reaching out to give a reassuring squeeze to his arm now )
really. thank you.
You can start with a 'thanks, mizuki, you're the best!' and then I'll be like 'yeah, I know'.
( ; maybe that was stroking his own ego a big, but the intention was pure, at least. Don't apologise. Just accept. )
( it was all reiji had known, hatred and violence and even in those rare moments of love and kindness, heโd been left behind )
. . . iโm just not used to mattering, i guess. itโs hardโฆ realizing that i matter to you and not knowing how to handle it. iโm sorry.
I'm not you or your dad.
( ; he shrugs again โ none of this was complicated - not to him. )
I'm your friend. It's what friends do. I've got my own worries and struggles but that doesn't mean I'm unavailable to you.
( there goes his gaze looking away now, a small frown. glancing back. shaking his head )
i donโt want to push you away by relying on you too muchโฆ i hate me, my dad hates meโฆ the idea of you ever hating me tooโฆ especially because i became too much?
I'm not trying to handle every crisis.
( ; he shifted in his seat, moving his left arm in small circles before looking up at Reiji. )
Just trying to tell you that you don't have to go through every crisis alone.
( his gaze would move back to him, watching him for a moment before speaking )
you canโt save me from every crisis iโm in, mizukiโฆ it would overwhelm you. i can handle myself.
How considerate of you, to think of my beauty sleep when you're in the middle of a war zone.
( ; his words were deadpan, and the message in his eyes was clear: Next time, just wake him up. )
. . . you needed your sleep far more than i needed your comfort.
( gaze refusing to look at him now. . . remembering the pain and how much it sucked alone )
besides, i did it and then i cleaned up after myself and went to sleep.
( moving his hand, there was a small wince and a frown before a soft laugh )
iโm glad i didnโt wake you, there was a lot of blood and pain and crying andโฆ you didnโt deserve to be thrown into thatโฆ
i want you to have your alone time. . . i know i can be a lotโฆ
( gaze shifting to him before away and then down at his hand after a few seconds with a sigh )
the mirror definitely won, it took hours to get to glass outโฆ iโm surprised i didnโt wake youโฆ
I'd remind you that we're roommates and you can just come in my room. ( ; his eyes were bright with the usual mischief as he looked at the other, then glanced down at his hand. )
Did you lose or something?
i just . . . feel comfortable with him around... i feel safe... i've never, uh, felt that before...
( a nervous laugh, looking away )
i think having him move in with me was a good idea, honestly...
aw that's โโ sweet . ( her heart is melting , though she wouldn't admit so . just in case mizuki himself found out . ) you are adorable . the both of you .
well , i'm glad you managed to feel comfortable ~ that's the one & only thing i could ask for .
no, not at all, i adore him, actually, i donโt knowโฆ heโs kind of sweet, actuallyโฆ? i donโt knowโฆ iโm happy he wants to spend time with me.
( a playful roll of his eyes at mizuki with a soft laugh, giving a shrug afterward )
and what if i did? what if i said i did miss you?
. . . i got into a fight with a mirror after you fell asleep. i think i got all the glass out myself, howeverโฆ
( thereโs a bright smile at mizuki, giving a shrug now. he just wanted company at this point, leaning against the arm of the couch now )
i wanted to come hang out, is that alright or were you busy?
( ; he looked up, then to the right, where Reiji was now plopped next to him. finishing up with his message, he sent it then paused his music before pushing the right headphone cup from over his ear. ) What's up?
no one has done that for me before. im used to violence and painโฆ from both family and my one night stands.
( a small smile at him with a shrug )
but youโre so gentle and sweet with meโฆ
Am I ? I think Iโm just showing you how much I care about you , which is normal to do .
( He places another kiss to his cheek . Chuckling lightly . )