Chapter Text
Said I had the prettiest eyes he'd ever seen
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
“How'd you know you liked her?”
Eiji asked, wait, maybe I'm crossing the line—he overthinked, but Ash answered before Eiji got a chance to ask if that was alright to ask him.
“Hmm.. I don't really know, I just had an urge to protect her and I kinda liked who she was. But I failed and it made me feel devastated when she died. But I'm okay now… honestly, I don't think it was really a crush, it's mostly admiration.” The brunette hummed in reply, He didn't know how to reply. When he heard it was a girl, he got an uneasy feeling in his chest, unfamiliar too, he doesn't know why he felt that.
Brown eyes looked out into the window, taking sips of his drink and viewing the shoreline, it reminded him of the beaches in Izumo, God, the homesick is back at Eiji again. His mind wanders back to his home, the early morning sea breeze, his mom's gifts and hugs when she finally comes back home after a long day of work, his dad.. Nevermind about that—the playful banters with his beloved sister, oh and the lucky amulet she gave..
“Why are you still sipping? It's empty.”
“Eh? Really?”
he glanced at the empty cup, then huffed out a small laugh, he was so into his thoughts he didn't notice he was sipping air.
“What's this charm on your bag?”
Jade eyes looking at the amulet attached to Eiji's camera bag, while fidgeting with it as well, the blonde eyelashes caught Eiji's attention,, before answering his question.
“Uhh..,it's supposed to be an omamori—my little sister bought it for me as good luck, but it actually means good luck for love, so it's an enmusubi. I scolded her and she just laughed it off.” Eiji answered quite sheepishly.
“That's kinda cute isn't it?” the blonde snickered lightly, stopping as he heard Eiji reply.
“Mm, yeah I guess, now that I think about it.”
Tan fingers fidgeted with the amulet, leaning into his other hand, gazing at the amulet. He misses his sister, and maybe wishes this amulet will work as well. Eyes averting from the amulet to green pairs as he noticed Ash leaning in.
“How about you Eiji, do you have a crush? It's only fair if I ask you as well.” Green searched the tan face, waiting for his response
“Uh, uhm.. I don't have one, I don't know how it feels to have a crush either.. So maybe I do or I don't.” He squinted his eyes at the brunette before sitting down properly. Taking a sip of his cold brew coffee.
“We should go now, It's a long trip to my apartment after dropping you off, and I think my new roommate is coming today as well.”
“Ah really? What a coincidence! I'm moving into my dormitory too.” Ash just shrugged and slurped the last drops of his cold brew before lightly placing it onto the table. He gestured to Eiji that they should leave now, quickly obliging and wearing his camera bag over his shoulder, jogging a bit to catch up to Ash.
-
Pale hands grabbed keys from his pockets, and turned the engine on. Averting his hands to the helmet attached to handle bars and reaching out his hands to give it to the Japanese boy, in return, giving him a sheepish smile before asking him to put it on for him, Eiji swore he saw his eyes flicker from his brown eyes to his.. Chin or lips, he doesn't know, maybe there was a stain, and so he wiped his mouth and chin, there wasn't anything there. Why was he looking there? Shaking his head as if to wear off the thoughts physically, before riding the motorcycle with Ash, the tan hands contemplated on where to hold him, since he knew that Ash was a reckless driver. He had to engulf him in his arms.
“Ready?”
Eiji nodded eagerly, and off they went from the parking lot, a breeze of fresh air hitting them. Although Eiji only rode with Ash on a motorcycle for two times right now, yet, he loved the feeling already, lips curling up into a soft smile as the winds ran through them. He doesn't know what makes rides like this so fun, the reckless driving? The feeling of the air or.. was it Ash? Maybe all of them—Especially being with the blonde.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Pale hands waved at Eiji and yelled ‘see you later' , smiling at each other. Ash waited for Eiji to get into the elevator, before putting on the helmet, scented like cherry blossoms after Eiji wore it. It was a nice scent—Ash thought, then leaving the front of the building at a reckless speed. Skipping red lights, check. Swerving, another check, and.. Giving the finger to drivers, Big check, he's done that multiple times.
Shit it's fun, he'll never get tired of the thrill of his way of driving. It's fun seeing the reaction of Eiji as well, scolding him like a grandpa, with a small slap as well.
After a relentless breaking of traffic rules, he arrived at the dormitories. Eagerly running up towards the elevator to take a nice, hot shower and finally taking a nap with a side of nightmares. Nevermind, he shouldn't sleep yet, he has a roommate yet to come. And so he ordered pizza, he can't cook to save his life, he'll definitely make a fire hazard.
The blonde cleaned his desk , then catched a glimpse of his phone, deciding to text Eiji, asking for the picture he took of Ash earlier at the cafe. No reply, he was anxious, did someone see him together with Eiji and decided to go after him? Was he so distracted by Eiji's presence that he didn't notice the danger? There goes his pessimistic ass again.. He will never stop thinking about danger.
Then faint lightsteps were heard outside his dorm, halting to a stop, pin drop silence before a knock on the blonde's door. He immediately got up to check if it was his roommate, opening the door, he stood in shock. He Wasn't just any roommate, no, no, It's Eiji Okumura.
“Hi, Ash.” Greeting him with a soft smile. Holding a box of the things they packed yesterday afternoon. “Do you mind helping me carry these?” He asked the blonde, immediately obliging and laying down the boxes on the Japanese boy’s desk.
“Nice to see you again, Eiji.” the blonde greeted back as he sat down on his bed, palms on his lap, looking calm. In reality—He was panicking internally despite looking calm, Eiji was going to be his roommate.. Why is he worried about it? He can be himself around him, so.. Why? Maybe the thought of being too close with Ash. He might put him in danger, Arthur most likely will target him just to get Ash. His thoughts stopped as he heard his roommate
“Hey, you're zoning out. Are you alright?” he asked with noticeable worry in his voice.
“Uh, I'm good, it's kinda funny how we keep finding each other after just seeing one another.” The Japanese sat down on Ash's bed with him
Aww Ash was thinking about me? How thoughtful.” Fluttering his eye lashes at the blonde, with a teasing grin and leaning into Ash's side of the bed. The blonde tensed up, how can Eiji be this cute? Wait, what was he thinking?. So weird of him. He decided to tease back by leaning in closer and softly nudging his nose, calling him ‘cute'. Realizing what he said, he pulled away. Both of them felt heat rushing to their faces. Awkwardness seeping in.
Eiji eyed at the sliding door leading to the balcony with a view of the city. Standing up to look at the view. The photographer’s dark eyes sparkled at the sight, and the wind blew his black bangs back, the sunset lighting his tan skin into a more orange tint. His eyes turned into a honey brown from the ambiance.
“Its a nice view, ain't it?”
Eiji hummed in agreement, staring into the horizon of the immense view. Meanwhile Ash was looking at him instead of following his eyes. The two leaned onto the railings, pale arms crossed, while Eiji was leaning onto his palms. This warm view vaguely reminds the blonde of death.
“Hey Eiji, have you ever thought about death?”
“Death?”
“You once said I wasn't like normal people. One thing I'll admit to not being normal is that I don't fear death.”
He said confidently, Ash always wanted a taste of death, he always felt like that leopard from the book, everyone wondering what he was seeking at that high altitude. Thinking of it.. He told Eiji about that leopard, telling him how he also empathized with it.
“Humans can be funny. They don't understand death but they instinctively fear it. Most of the time, I felt like death would be a better feeling for me. There were so many times I thought death would be better. When I think of death, my mind goes back to that leopard .” Ash chuckled lightly, stealing a glance at the warm brown eyes with a soft gaze. He's never seen that look, sympathy. All he saw in almost everyone's eyes was lust. It made his heart beat faster.
He realized.. How he never thought about dying nowadays ever since he met this specific Japanese. How could Eiji make him want the temptation less? It's lingering now, barely there. Even if he got rid of his abusers and reunited with his half-brother—He still thought about it. Sure, his brother made the temptation repulse. There was still part of him that yearned for that feeling of death. But, Eiji really made him fully repulse. It was shocking, the way he's so comfortable with him, even showing his vulnerable side.. It's weird, no one made Ash feel this way, it made him question his feelings. He was so fluent in things he's never said. But he became stupid, unfluent in that language meeting the brunette. But he won't say that, not yet.. He'll say it someday once this chaos of his gang life ends. His eyes felt dazed, so he went inside to take a deep slumber, before not being able to sleep in for the rest of the week as school starts in two days.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
As the roommates drift off to sleep after greeting each other good night. Nightmares crawled into Ash's brain again. The sight of Eiji's face. Blank, expressionless. It wasn't like him. Jade eyes locked onto the seeping of blood from his throat.
You're a murderer!
a murderer!
His thoughts screamed out. Dropping to his knees, yelling out the words that his mind screamed out earlier.
The nightmare ended, sitting up panting, eyes blown wide. Moving his head towards Eiji's side of the room. He was already sitting up on his bed, expression unreadable in the dim light, the moon barely illuminating the room.
Shit shit shit! I probably woke him up.!
Ash panicked, his mind racing through multiple thoughts he can't comprehend how many there are. But his body was paralyzed. He wanted to speak, wanted Eiji to tell him to leave him alone, suffer the burden himself, not wanting to drag Eiji into his nightmare episodes. But the said man stood up, walking over to Ash's bed. Climbed onto Ash, legs over either side of him then pulling him into a warm embrace. Not forcing him to hug back. Tensing up, but the blonde did after a still moment. Enjoying his embrace, nuzzling into his neck. He didn't realize he was crying until he felt the wet shirt of Eiji. He didn't seem to mind.. How..?
“You're not alone, Ash. I won't let you carry this alone.” His voice was as stern as it could get as he whispered into the blonde's ear, who sighed with relief. Then engulfing the Japanese boy by the waist, he never liked too much physical touch. But for Eiji's? He would give up forever to touch him, cause he knows that he feels him somehow. Eiji is probably the closest to heaven that Ash will ever be. It's intoxicating, but he doesn't care, not when he feels like this.
*I can sleep beside you again, if you want. It won't hurt me.”
“Sounds nice..”
Ash abruptly laid back onto his pillow without warning, letting out a yelp from the guy above him, steadying himself before he crashed into the pale face. Tan and pale skin almost meeting by their noses. Both eyes staring at each other, green momentarily flickering to the plump lips above him, feeling a weird urge in his entire body, like it wants to lunge forward. He shook the thought off before returning the gaze once again to the Angel's eyes above him, Eiji is definitely an angel. Wasn't unlike anyone. Everyone else wanted to get under the sheets with Ash. Meanwhile.. The Japanese just wanted to cuddle with the American, it was strange, but he was welcome to do so.
He thought an alarm would go off at this moment, none.
Ash swore he felt a shift in the air before Eiji scrambled to get off Ash's lap and sit beside him, back against the headboard before sliding down to fully lay on the bed. Mumbling under his breath.
“You have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen.”
Ash somehow muttered a thank you before turning and hugging Eiji. Legs flung over the athlete. Pulling him a little bit closer, Eiji wiggled a bit and his hair was tickling Ash's chin. The blonde moved the brunette’s head over his arm, making him a makeshift pillow, as Ash only had two but was using both of them. The one laying on the other’s arm nuzzled closer till he felt comfortable before greeting him.
“Good night, Ash.”
“G'night Eiji.”
he whispered back, and was lightly scolded after he closed his eyes.
“Say good fully!”
“Good night Eiji.”
Eiji hummed in satisfaction at Ash's obligation. Snuggling a bit more closer to the chest of the blonde, who wished he couldn't hear or feel his heartbeat right now. It'll probably pop out of his chest any moment. Ash doesn't want to risk sleeping right now because of the previous nightmare, so he decided to stare at the guy who was enveloped in his arms, lips parting, thick lashes that Ash could probably count by how close their faces were and thick eyebrows slightly furrowed in sleep.
The Japanese's light snoring lullabied the American to sleep after he stared at him for what felt like hours, which it was. Who was that capable of staring at a person for hours? Ash really doesn't know how he did that, but it was worth the time instead of experiencing nightmares alone. Maybe the sight of Eiji calmed him down.
-
Waking up, sun beaming into his face, annoyed, they forgot to close the curtains. Scrunching his nose before turning over on his stomach, trying to get more sleep from him. None. Ash groaned, forcing himself to get up, their room was right beside the communal kitchen, he could smell something like pancakes being cooked. Might be his roommate cooking, no one's ever cooked in the communal kitchen before. Reluctantly standing up, on his way to sneak up on Eiji for the second time. Quietly opened the door and stealthily made his way to the communal kitchen. Seeing his roommate huffling around the kitchen made him slightly smile.. It was an adorable sight for Ash. But he's denying it.
Shaking his head as if to shake his thoughts off physically, he walked towards the Japanese, he didn't know what he's gonna do, he's still quite unconscious as he just woke up. Now, he's behind a tensed up Okumura, he can smell the shampoo he uses, and feels Eiji beneath him. Ah, he was bear hugging him. Why is he so clingy? He wasn't like this with anyone. The blonde's mouth opened to say something, but he didn't quite catch it. Feeling Eiji heats up as he chuckled, it finally woke Ash completely to ask about what just said.
“Wait, what did I say?”
“That I'm so soft to hold, are you this touchy with people?” voice clashing with the sound of the whisk hitting the bowl, mixing up pancake batter. Then giggling at Ash's reaction.
Ah.. Ash wanted to curse at himself for saying that, at least it was true, Eiji really was soft despite his toned body from his sports, Ash would die for his touch, and that's not an exaggeration.
“No, not really.. Wait, are you saying you're uncomfortable? Are you okay with me hugging you?”
“Of course I am, I wouldn't hug back then, Ash.”
“Geez, my name sounds like a sneeze from your lips.”
“Sorry for having an accent!”
“Right, sorry.. Hmm, your cheeks are so fluffy, like those mochis or something.. I could squish them all day. So cute..” Ash said as he moved his arms from Eiji's waist to squeeze the cheeks of the Japanese boy. Letting out a snicker before realization hit him like a truck, stopping his hands from squishing the Japanese's face. Covering his face with his hands as heat rushed up to color his cheeks red, he's never gonna speak to Eiji while drowsy and unconscious ever again, making a mental note. Eiji's eyes widened before uttering.
“What..?”
“Ignore what I said because I was sleepy.” Then Ash grabbed a coffee pod and a mug, preparing his black coffee for the morning. School starts tomorrow,
Damn, he has to ruin his precious afternoon wake up from now on. Plus him being the school council president, at least he could put his gang leadership to use but seriously? Ugh, there were better options. Never mind, there wasn't. Talking about school, he wonders which school his roommate goes to. There were 2 schools near this dormitory, so he had to ask.
“Eiji, which school are you going to?” Said boy answered with the school Ash goes to.. Another coincidence.. First, bumping into each other, second, meeting again at the Library, then, at Chang dai, becoming his roommate, finally, being his schoolmate. Ash kind of liked the idea that to it was fate, but why would he be fated with a Japanese boy who's the complete opposite, and what for?
“Do you think you can tour me Ash?”
Eiji asked while pottering around the kitchen, too focused to even look at the blonde who was literally waiting for his cup of coffee beside him, Ash huffed before answering sternly.
“Unfortunately, I can't.”
“Why not?” he whined while chopping up some berries.
“Student Council president, it sucks.”
“That sucks.”
Ash chuckled before taking a sip of his black coffee, the hot bitterness calming his nerves down.
They talked about the differences between American and Japanese schools till Eiji was done making the pancakes.
“I've never tried making pancakes before, so this is my first time.” the Japanese said as he plated both of their plates down on the table quietly as more people came around the communal kitchen. Ash put down his mug to look at the pancakes his roommate had cooked for the both of them. His eyes widening, is this actually Eiji's first time? Ash mused. It was soufflé pancakes decorated with sliced strawberries and blueberries on top along with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup. Pale fingers picked up a spoon to slice through the well presented fluffy pancakes and took a generous bite. He wasn't even into sweets like this, but with the wave of the flavors that flowed through his tongue. Honestly, he might change his mind on not liking sweets, he can't deny this was his favorite pancakes, sorry, Griffin!
“Good?”
“So good, I feel like I'm underestimating it. Are you sure this is your first time making pancakes? You'd make a good housewife.” the one in question nods, also trying his pancakes, green eyes looking at his face, watching his brown eyes glisten and sparkle from the food he cooked. It was an.. Adorable sight for Ash. He watched Eiji eat that he didn't realize he was eating messily, his eyes widening when the Japanese boy wiped the corner of his mouth, mumbling something in his home language. Green eyes squinted at him before gently placing the tan fingers away from his face, seeing the tint of red of the other's face as he did, making his cheeks flush too. The blonde was done eating first, decided to wash his plate first before watching his roommate enjoy his pancakes. While washing, he heard murmurs of their floormates, he glanced around, their eyes were on the one who was sitting across from him, who looked oblivious about what they were talking about. But he's most likely ignoring it. Suddenly, someone put their hands and leaning on to their table, a confident grin glued to his face.
*Hey, new one.. Have you slept with anyone before?”
His grin turning smug as Eiji reluctantly shook his head, he looked uncomfortable, Ash can tell. Seeing the guy lift the photographer's chin made his blood boil. Rushing to put his plate into the dishwasher, taking fast yet heavy steps towards where he was supposed to be sitting with his roommate. The stranger took Eii's chin with his fingers and was about to lean into a shivering Eiji, instead meeting lips, he was met with pale, calloused hands that punched him in the face, earning a grunt from the guy and a gasp from the other floormates. Hearing a slight call of his name from the Japanese.
He kept punching the one who tried to assault the foreigner, till his face was painted red. He stopped when he felt the blood on his hands and a sharp pain on his upper arm as the one who he was punching had a pocket knife, standing up slowly with a ragged breathing and glaring down at the guy beneath him. The one with a red face from the Lynx stumbled back and his face was in fear, as if to say.. definitely not gonna touch Okumura and the Lynx ever again. Scrambling to get up and run back to his room. The others followed suit.
Noticing what he just did, he turned back to meet angel’s eyes, green eyes softening as he was looking at the guy sitting down. It wasn't filled with disgust, fear, anything that Ash had seen, instead was met with awe and something he can't seem to find the words for. Then he saw the brown eyes stare at his hand, damn he got blood on it, he was too harsh with the guy, at least Eiji didn't get to experience what Ash did. That's all that mattered to Ash right now. He scrambled to get and picked up his plate, and grabbing the hand with blood, rushing over to the sink to wash his plate along with the Americans bloody hand and shoulder, taking the blonde's hand and intertwined it into his as he went and lead them to their room
-
Eiji scrambled through his bag, looking for his medical bag he told Ash as he sat him down on his bed. A small smile tugged at his lips as he watched the other boy rummaging through his belongings. Looking out the window in an attempt to hide his staring as the Japanese found what he was looking for and rushed over to the American, drying the cut on his shoulder with a towel, patting it, furrowing his eyebrows at the sight, it wasn't deep, nor large, yet the blonde made him worried. Feeling a little bit guilty, he apologized sheepishly.
“Don't be, you helped me.” then grabbing a gauze to wrap it around the cut, eyes furrowing from his focus, probably trying not to make it too tight. Jade eyes looked at him in awe, before averting his gaze to the hand that was once bloody, nevermind, it was always bloody.
“But that.. It was too far.”
“You helped me anyways.”
Eiji reassured, lips turning into a smile when he finished wrapping up the gauze of Ash's upper arm. Then stared at the blonde's eyes that were filled with worry and fear. Fearing that maybe the brunette will leave him, fearing that maybe he's scared of the Lynx.
“Aren't you scared of me?”
“Never will.”
Confirmed, this guy right here is an angel for the blonde. Eiji leaned back onto the wall, probably feeling proud of himself from his grin that he gave Ash when he looked over. The blonde got shy and pressed his knees and chest together, resting his arms and head on his knees.
“I don't deserve a friend like you.” Ash murmured, barely above a whisper. The Japanese hummed as he didn't hear what the American said. Instead of answering, he shrugged it off. Expecting another lecture that will make his chest ache again. Comfortable silence settled between them, before the Japanese tore it, asking if he wanted to go out shopping for a bit as he almost used up all the flour, eggs, sugar, and berries in the kitchen. Since maybe they won't be able to spend much time at school, the American agreed and went out to take a shower.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
They walked through the sidewalks, Eiji taking a sip of his matcha latte he found in a cafe while he ordered Ash to carry the groceries. Dark brown eyes scattering the buildings till some handpainted mugs that were on display in a decoration shop caught his eyes.
“Hey Ash, look at these mugs, aren't they cute?! I can't believe they're only a dollar!” Eiji slightly yelled out and stood in front of the window where the mugs were displayed, eyes sparkling at the matching mugs he found cute.
“Little black and yellow cats?” Ash responded with a rather curious tone.
“No good?” his voice shifting from an enthusiastic tone to a sulking one.
“if you want em, buy em.” the blonde said.
“nah, I won't." waving his hands at the blonde. About to walk away.
“Why not?”
“Cause if you don't like them I don't want them! There's no point in me buying them unless we're both gonna use them..”
“I don't really care what we use.. Let's just get the shopping done.”
“But you don't like the two little cats!” The Japanese pouted at the American, earning a slight blush from him,
“No, I like the two little cats… To pet.”
“Then let's get them!” Eiji decided as he ran into the shop and bought the two cute little matching black and yellow cat mugs along with a banana and fish keychain he saw hanging, giving the banana one to the Blonde and the fish one to himself. He then offered Ash a sip of his matcha latte, he surprisingly liked it and ended up finishing the brunettes drink which he didn't mind, there was only a little bit left so he shrugged it off.
-
Ah, finally the practice of his sports were over, it's been weeks since the first day of school, he's mentally and physically exhausted. Eiji shrugged off the shoes he was wearing and sat them next to the red converse who were unmistakably Ash’s. Setting down his bag on his desk and grabbing his laptop out to start making a short essay for his boring literature class, he asked the bratty Yut-Lung (who was his seatmate, now friend despite their differences in personality) if he could help doing his assignment as he didn't read any books.
Moonboy:
Busy with Sing, sorry Eiji, ask the Lynx instead.
The Japanese groaned in frustration, his best friend was always with his other friend, Sing, hell even he thought they were dating by how attached they were to each other like glue. He asked Shorter as well, but his answer was pretty much the same, ‘Ask your boyfriend instead’. ugh , what boyfriend? Ash is definitely not his boyfriend! He sighed, these assumptions really pissed him off. He looked over to the fish keychain attached to his bag. He wanted to ask for the blonde's help but he still wasn't back at the dormitories. He decided to pass the time by going out to the communal kitchen and making himself tea with the yellow mug and a black cat painted on it. He smiled when he remembered that moment with Ash.
His thoughts abruptly stopped when he heard the kettle stop boiling, rushing over to the electric kettle and slowly pouring it into his cute mug with his tea bag. Mixing it once the tea bag dissolved and squeezed it out before adding milk. The Japanese sat down at their usual table and enjoyed the busy streets of New York. He also liked the fact that almost no one cooks in the communal kitchen so he was almost always alone here when his roommate wasn't around.
Before taking a sip of his tea, he heard the elevator door open, he took a peek and saw the blonde he was looking forward to seeing. Ash glanced over, his once glaring eyes softened at the sight of the brunette and gave him a small smile before making his way to their room. Eiji rushed to finish his tea; he almost choked on it. Then washing it before also making his way to where Ash was also headed to.
They immediately greeted each other once the Japanese entered the room, he immediately asked for help in the essay he was supposed to write. Ash turned his eyes from his phone to Eiji, a slight smirk tugging at his lips before boldly asking..
“Give me a kiss then i’ll do it for you”
“What?!” The one who shouted turned red and covered his mouth and swore in Japanese. How could anyone ask for a kiss in return so boldly?! He thought. Ash lightly chuckled with a bit of shakiness, then teased Eiji for reacting like that as if his face weren't tinted pink. Then asked Eiji about the topic he was supposed to write, and surprisingly, it was to summarize the book, Catcher in the Rye. He widened his eyes before saying it was a piece of cake. Eiji asked if he should bring a cup of coffee for Ash, he nodded before sitting on the Japanese’s desk and opening his laptop to start writing his essay. He didn't ask for anything in return; since his roommate didn't ask for any as well. Ash took out his reading glasses before typing the first few words in the document. prompting Eiji to go and make the blonde his beloved, bitter coffee.
-
Grabbing the matching mug. This time with a black background and a yellow cat with green eyes that looked just like the blonde, he chuckled and shook his head before placing the mug under the coffee machine and placing the pod in it. Leaning onto the counter with his elbows, looked around the kitchen till his eyes locked onto the refrigerator. Straightening his back then walking over to the refrigerator, opening the door. There was shrimp, avocado, cilantro, celery and shallot. Perfect! It's the Americans' favorite. He started to prepare the salad and was done by the time the coffee machine stopped pouring and made his way back to their shared room.
Once he returned, Ash had his foot up his desk while leaning back onto his chair. Eiji immediately scolds him for doing so, slapping his foot away and settles the plates down next to his laptop, overly decorated with stickers of his likings, if Ash had a sticker he would definitely put one on his. Ash rolled his eyes before thanking him and told him he didn't need to do this as it was an easy task for him, Eiji insisted and just told Ash to eat up. Laying back on his bed before drifting off to an afternoon nap.
Not long after he fell asleep, he felt weight dipping in his bed and it was not his, and felt someone curling into him, spooning his body. Rousing awake to face the boy spooning him. He was about to speak but the American spoke first.
“Shh… Just sleep, I know you're tired from practice.”
“I didn't tell you I had practice, how'd you know..?” He asked with a husky and throaty voice, blinking a few times before returning the blonde's gaze. The American ignored the Japanese’s question and closed his eyes with a small smile tugging at his lips. Eiji knitted his brows together before snuggling closer to Ash’s chest, enjoying the feeling of someone holding him, a grin spread on his face, eventually descending into a comfortable sleep.
-
Groaning awake, he blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the newfound lighting. The sun was already settling down. His stomach growled out loud, clutching at his belly, damn was he hungry.. He was about to turn over to get up from his position but the one caging him had strong arms, albeit Eiji was an athlete, he can't get out of Ash’s grip. He can't even slap him awake since his arms were stuck under his. Rolling his eyes, the only good thing about this situation was that he liked the American’s body against him, spooning him like he’s something precious. As if! Eiji was just an average looking ‘cute’ guy, at least he was good at his sports and photography, that's a plus point.
“Ash. Get up! My stomach is growling.” the latter mumbling something in his sleep before reluctantly letting go of Eiji’s waist. Squinting his eyes before looking to his side, greeted with a heartwarming smile that made him blush. Eiji quickly got up, asking if Ash wanted to eat as well, he answered by shaking his head as a no. eiji sighed and went outside their room to cook some dinner for himself, and Ash, he can just reheat it in the microwave anyways. He looked inside the pantry for any interesting ingredients he can work with, most of the foods stored were unhealthy and can't eat as an athlete. He sighed, he decided to go out and buy ingredients in the Asian market, but it would take a long time to get to the store if he walked. And he was too hungry to do that. He ran back to his room where his roommate was writing something on his desk, tapping his cheeks with the pen he was holding. He was handsome doing so, Eiji thought, nevermind he was always good looking.. Wait, what is he thinking? Shaking the thoughts off, he asked the blonde if he could drop him off at the store. Ash nodded and got appropriate clothes to put on as he was only wearing boxers. He grabbed his keys and gun from his desk. Grabbing Eiji’s waist on the way to the elevator. Eiji tensed up feeling the arms wrapping around him. The blonde's palm fitted perfectly on his waist. Clicking the button to the basement parking they stand in peaceful silence, then Eiji spoke up about his curiosity.
“What would you like for dinner?”
“Anything except natto. Please don't feed me that ever again..”
“It's healthy!”
Ash shrugged in response, he gave up arguing about that Japanese food. Both their eyes focused on the door when they heard a ‘ding!’ and walked out, making their steps towards Ash’s bike. Ash gave him the helmet, but Eiji denied, he wanted to feel the air wooshing through his face. The blonde smirked and put away the helmet.
Revving the engine, signaling for the brunette to get on the bike with him. Unconsciously holding Ash by the waist, resting his head near the blonde hair, smelling their shared shampoo that smells of cherry blossoms.
-
“I feel like you do those sharp turns and speed up suddenly on purpose!”
“Maybe,”
“Why?” he turned to Ash while walking to the Asian market, staring at his blank face and noticing the blush creeping up the pale face of his.
“Maybe I like the way you hug me tighter?”
Ash whispered, hoping Eiji won't hear it. Luckily loud cars passed by, leaving the brunette curious on what the blonde had just said.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He pushed Eiji by the shoulder when they arrived at the doors of the market, making Eiji even more confused, giving him a look before walking into the store, immediately grabbing a basket and stuff he had listed in his mind. Humming some ‘la-la-la-la’s quietly while shopping, not noticing the blonde's presence, when he turned around he almost let out a yelp. The American giggled and it made his heart flutter till the one giggling teased him for not being aware of his presence.
The one getting teased just stuck out his tongue, and turning back to the shelves, his eyes lit up when he saw pocky’s, he hadn't tasted these in years! rushing over to them and grabbed 2 packs of them. Ash stared at the boxes, curiously raising a brow. Eiji’s eyes sparkled again when spotting the one and only…
Natto.
Ash grimaced when his roommate turned to him with a smug grin.
“Dont worry, this is for me!”
Ash sighed with relief hearing those words. He continued following Eiji like a shadow, fearing something would happen, but Eiji reassured him. The Japanese noticed that.. The Americans' tensed up body always softens when talking, seeing, feeling or hearing the Japanese. He can't deny it makes his heart melt when he knows he can make the american soften. Thoughts getting interrupted when the cashier called out his total rather rudely, the blonde immediately acted and scolded the cashier for not having manners, the woman trembled at the Lynx’s voice, shakily nodding before giving the change to Okumura.
The Japanese told the American that he didn't have to do that, but he insisted, the cashier had no proper manners, so he had to do that. He sighed, but smiled anyways, he liked the way how the Lynx treats him, as if he isn't even a gang leader. Suddenly, Skipper bumped into Eiji while running away from two other kids. Skip hugged Eiji by the thighs and mumbled something about the kids being racist. The Japanese furrowing his eyebrows, he's experienced that too, so he crouched down to look at Skip on eye level, advising him to ignore them and live your life while wiping the kids cheeks. He nodded at the elders words, a grin crept up his face, on the other hand, the blonde stared at the two in awe, his smile faded as he saw an annoying guy across the street.
The fuckass Shorter Wong.
Despite the traffic, Shorter crossed the road like he had 9 lives. Giving the three a grin like he had won a lottery. Immediately teasing them with.
“Is this a family reunion? I'm the cool uncle then!”
The duo groaned in unison, meanwhile the small one snickered and agreed with the ‘uncle’. Shorter picked up Ship and spun him around, Ash and Eiji chuckled at the sight, this really felt like a family reunion. All of them bantered playfully before coming to a stop in front of the little one's house.
The trio waved Skip bye as they dropped him off his house, his mother tried inviting them for dinner, they wanted to join, but they reluctantly insisted, busy with schoolworks. The mother understood. The trio promised next time and the woman sparkled with joy. Eventually, the two had to separate from the purple mohawk as they reached where they parked.
“Bye lovebirds!”
The Chinese yelled out walking away before catcalling a girl with no shame at all. The Japanese blushed while holding the groceries they had bought as the American was getting the bike out of its parking.
-
Eiji sat down on his bed, bouncing a bit under his weight. His stomach was stuffed after eating their dinner he cooked, which was japanese cream stew, surprisingly Ash liked it. How could he not? It was homey, creamy, comforting and seriously good, plus Eiji's cooking is the best, sometimes even helping out in Nadia's kitchen whenever visiting them. He always liked helping others, being useful.. Instead of being like a burden like his dad said. Still feeling a bit hungry, he pulled out the pocky he bought earlier.
He struggled to open the pack, then Ash teased him once again, opening the pack effortlessly, Eiji took a stick in his mouth, plopping down on his bed. Swallowing the stick, he took another. Ash glanced over at him from his desk, wearing his eyeglasses, the warm light illuminating from his reading lamp made him have the eyes of an angel. He stared at Eiji's lips that had a pocky in it.
“Good?”
Eiji nodded in reply, smiling. Suddenly, Ash's chair scraped against the floor, standing up and walking over to the Japanese then kneeling, at eye level with green eyes. The blonde parted his lips then took the pocky in his mouth. Taking small bites. His lips on his way to the brunettes, who were motionless. Quickly pulling away before their lips even met. And winked at the guy sitting before him, standing up and reading his book like nothing happened.
Eiji just sat there, processing what just happened, his feelings, what he felt in his chest, heart, body, the thoughts rushing through his minds when their lips almost met.
Oh.
shit.
He's in love with this stupid blonde American.