Chapter Text
Once everyone went to sleep either on the small ass couch or on the floor, Ranmaru quietly tried to get out the door so he could see Anzu again. Even though she didn't say it, he knew fully that she needed him. And he couldn't back out of a promise. A promise that he would come. As he gets close to the door, he hears light footsteps. He wonders who would be still awake at this hour and stops for a moment.
“Can I tag along?”
He freezes and he turns around to see Sara. Her phone light was dim just to get by the dark hall. The sympathetic look she had on her face made it for the boy to say no. But he knew that Anzu might.. not take it well. Especially because of what happened, she is definitely going to be extra sensitive. Ranmaru didn't know how to respond.
“Umm.. I would love for you to come but im sure if Anzu will appreciate it..”
Ranmaru answered, his voice being as gentle as he can make it to be. Sara did look a little bit disappointed but quickly got an idea. Her face lit up the darkness in the darkness like the phone was the broken lightbulb and she was the working one that is helping the dim light bulb work again.
“What if.. I just go for the ride? And you just drop me off at my place.”
Sara spoke with a slight tilt of her head to the side, waiting for Ranmaru’s answer. He looks at the girl and immediately gets butterflies all around his stomach. He nods quickly and the redhead goes to get her stuff from the living room and then comes back to Ranmaru to go with him. As they walked outside, he suddenly remembers something as he sees it right in front of him.
“Wait Sara, how are you going to get your car after I drop you off?”
The ginger turns to look at him and takes a few seconds to think.
“Shit i forgot about that.. I can just bus to my work and then bus here to get it. I will just let him know when we get to your car.”
Sara winked at him and he got off guard by her swearing. He never heard her swear because she was always so propper. Maybe this is her way of letting go of that side around him. The thought of that made Ranmaru get that sharp feeling again. As they got to the car, Ranmaru quickly goes in front of Sara and opens the passenger door for her.
“Ladies first..?”
He spoke awkwardly and Sara giggled. Her smile widens as she nods and gets in the car. As he gets into the driver’s seat and turns on the car, Sara nugges his arm.
“I like your little toys.”
She complimented the hello kitty toys on his windshield and in response he gave her a small smile.
“Oh thanks, they are from a long time ago im still surprised that they were not lost-“
He realizes his rambling so he stops to turn to the ginger. Looking at him like she is listening to him. Or judging him. He couldn't really tell.
“My bad uh-”
“Its okay you can keep talking.”
She replies quickly with a brush of her hand. Ranmaru looked at her knowing he can talk more, however he didn't. He didn't want to embarrass himself even more. The car ride was pretty much quiet besides from Sara saying simple lefts and rights for where Ranmaru should turn to get to the ginger’s apartment. As they get to her place, he parks so Sara can get out of the car.
“Thank you for doing this, I really appreciate it.”
Sara spoke in a soft tone and took his bandaged hand. Ranmaru’s eyes widened at this action. Despite it happening before back in the close now it was more sudden yet heartwarming to him. His hand was cold but was slowly warming up to her temperature as her fingers lingered to his. Her warm temperature was just the same when they touched hands with each other back in his workplace for just a moment. Now it's for even longer, longer for him to analyze her hands. Her freckled slim hand, on his pale banaged one. And even what the two went through, her hand still felt like a smooth flower petal, now with some small holes.
“Y-yeah no problem..”
The white haired boy smiles at her and lets go of his hand since she would have to go. He didn't want to attach himself to her touch just yet. It was too early. Sara smiles back and goes out of the car to go to her apartment. He watched her walk there, just if anything might’ve happen. Or he wanted to look at her a little while more. In any case it would be, he did it out of affection for her. As he drives to Anzu’s he is quite surprised how close they are to each other since they live only 10 mins away from one another. They must’ve seen each other. At least once.
As Ranmaru gets out of his car and walks closer to the apartment buzzer, he feels himself getting hesitant and weaker. He knew that his anxiety was getting the better of him but at the same time he knew that this had to be done. To reconnect to his best friend again. His finger lingered around the button for Anzu’s apartment as he thought it would've been easier. Well they made up right? Why is it so hard now? He presses the button and closes his eyes, just to calm himself a little bit.
“Anzu?”
Ranmaru calls out as he plays with his nose piercing, tensing up as he waits for her to speak out.
“Come in.”
Anzu responds and the apartment complex opens for him. He loosened as he got a reply he didn’t expect as his original thought would've been more awkward between the two. He decides to not think too much about it as he gets into the elevator and gets out to walk to her apartment. Ranmaru for the first time, stops at her door and just looks at it. Maybe it's him just being a pussy to face her or him actually being nervous because of the call. In the end Ranmaru comes over his overthinking and knocks on her door. It's either now or never.
Anzu quickly answers the door and he sees the state he left her in. He knew something was up from the way she spoke to him on the phone but seeing her face to face, it confirmed that as a whole she wasn't okay. Her blue hair in the back was a whole ass nest and even looking at her eyes hurt. Anzu’s eyes were irritated and puffy as if she was crying, alot, non stop. The boy could tell since her yellowish orange hoodie was covered in tear stains. Guilt overwhelmed him seeing his best friend in this state and it made him realize how badly he hurt her. All because of some girl.
Out of pure instinct he hugged her and the blue head just stood there. He knew that she was in disbelief and it's not because he came. He does not remember the last time he initiated the hug in their close friendship. It was always Anzu. Anzu was always the clingy one. Always wanting to hang out and always the ones making plans despite their lines of work. And everytime it was the time to say goodbye to each other, there was a hug.
Ranmaru held her tightly like the world was collapsing around them but Anzu stood there. Maybe this is how she felt when he did that to her. When he just stood there or just gave her a simple pat. He felt his eyes getting watery at the thought but still was strong for Anzu. Waiting for her response in any way. A sentence, an action, a word heck even a squeak. All he felt was her breath on his shoulder which was too quiet for her. A few mer seconds later her hands went for his back, lightly returning the hug. She didn’t squeeze too loosely but not too tight like she used to do for him before. It was just right.
“Thanks for coming..”
Anzu whispered in her raspy voice and she let go of his hug and gave him a smile. A smile that was honest. He gave one back, just glad that they are okay.
“Yeah of course. I-if it's not too much to ask for a sleepover? It's a little too late for me to drive”
Ranmaru asks and silence overfills the apartment floor. He thought he did something wrong so he nitpicks his skin, not saying anything and adding onto the awkward silence.
“Oh uh yeah sorry. I'm a lil out of it, you know tried. I guess.”
Anzu steps onto the side so she can let him in. Ranmaru takes off his shoes and sees the blue haired girl sit on her couch so he joins her. Keeping their distance, she sees her snacking on sunflower seeds so he decides to make small talk.
“You know the girl who wrote her number on the receipt?”
“Yes yes i remember her name. Sara or what not. What about it?”
Anzu said as she cracked the outer shell so she could get the kernel and looked at him. He swore he saw her eye slightly light up and it made him smile a little bit.
“We are dating. I think.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.. I mean she asked me about it and she even held my hand.”
The white haired boy went on, taking a sunflower from the small bowl on the coffee table. Anzu snorts as she leans back on the couch.
“Well that’s exciting..good for you bro.”
She spoke as she yawned and closed her eyes shortly after. He could tell she was tired, after everything she went through. He knew she needed a break. And he knew that him being here wasn't a good idea but Anzu wanted him here. He is her comfort person. Even after everything their friendship had gone through and so was she to him. Ranmaru checks the time to see it is almost 3am.
“I can talk about this later. We should go to sleep. Especially after everything from today.”
Ranmaru stood up from the couch and went behind her to slightly shake her, to sort of wake Anzu up. She stood up too and went beside him.
“You know where your room is right?”
Anzu sleepily asked. Her tone was not as teasing as usual but actually genuine. Ever since they got jobs they couldn't sleep over as much as they used to.
“I know.. The guest room.”
Ranmaru replies and she makes a nod while smiling.
“I will guide you anyway.”
Anzu spoke as she walked down the short corridor and opened a door on the right. He went inside and sat down on the bed.
“Good night Anzu.”
“Good night Ranran. Hope the bed bugs bite.”
“Shuat uap.”
He spoke and Anzu closed the door. The boy goes to the dresser to get his pajamas. Anzu calls this room a guest room but the only person that really visits is Ranmaru and once in a full moon her parents whose bed isn't really big enough for two people. He quickly changes and flops on the bed, slowly drifting to sleep.