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The first time Machimiya feels the tug on his shoulder, he doesn't think much of it, probably because he's half asleep. He's not sure what woke him up originally, but it's still dark outside, so he wants to sleep longer. Probably only been asleep for a few hours.
Another tug. Okay, definitely not imagining it this time. Groggily opening his eyes, Machimiya rolls his shoulder, sighing when a hand tightens around it more, keeping it in relatively the same place. “Ehh? Ibitani...”
Is something wrong? Does he need something? Is he asleep?
Ibitani pulls on his shoulder again. Ehhh, turning on the light. Machimiya pulls away from Ibitani enough to roll over, clicking on the small lamp that's beside the bed. Fuck, it's always just at the end of his reach. Really should move that closer or something so he doesn't have to lean so far.
Turning around to face Ibitani, Machimiya blinks a few times, rubbing his eyes. Needs a moment before he signs, [What's wrong?] He stares at a frustrated and concerned-looking Ibitani, his hair all over the place. Must have been rolling around. Can't sleep?
Machimiya struggles as Ibitani starts to sign rapidly. He might have been able to understand everything if he was wide awake, but in the faint bedroom light at three in the morning, he's lost. Pulling his flattened right hand over his left, he tries his best not to mumble as he repeats the sign, “Slow down.” He's always sure to speak and sign at the same time, so Ibitani can read his lips.
The frustration on Ibitani's face swells, and it makes Machimiya feel bad for asking him to slow down. But Ibitani would have been more frustrated with him if he hadn't asked, therefore missing some of what he had said. This was always hard.
When Ibitani starts to repeat himself, slower this time, Machimiya nods along. Ibitani signs that he's worried about later that day. They're supposed to be going to see Machimiya's parents and some of his extended family. Ibitani would be meeting them for the first time. It was some family gathering, a picnic or whatever, and Ibitani was worried it'd be a little overwhelming all at once. Machimiya sighs when Ibitani finishes signing. “They're going to love you.” He lifts his hands, adding on, “I'll stay with you.” [I – next to – you]
That seems to help Ibitani relax a little, a small sigh escaping his lips as they curl upwards into a faint smile, [Thanks, – Miya.]
Ah.
Machimiya loves the name sign Ibitani gave him, it makes him smile every time he sees it, even though it's been months since Ibitani first taught it to him...
[What? Repeat,] Machimiya signs, furrowing his brow as he leans forward to try and see Ibitani more clearly. He's immediately frustrated over the tiny request, he thought he had been getting better with his signing lately. He rarely needed to ask Ibitani to repeat anything, unless he was excited and signed too rapidly. Even then, Machimiya was much better than he used to be.
Rocking back and forth a little, a wide grin on his face, Ibitani repeats the sign: right hand pointing at the side of his head, quickly opening with fingers splayed as he shakes his hand gently. Afterwards, the sign for 'm.' Ibitani seems pretty proud of the display, and laughs at Machimiya's continued confusion.
Sucking in a deep breath, Machimiya huffs, “I don't know that sign.” [Don't know – that – sign] Emphasis on 'that.'
Slowly, Ibitani repeats the sign. Machimiya copies him, a habit he had picked up long ago. He does it a few more times after Ibitani shows him again, to make sure he gets it right. When he's confident he has it, he focuses on Ibitani, exhaustingly signing, [what?]
[You!] Ibitani laughs again, crawling forward on the bed to sit rather close to Machimiya.
“Me?” [Me?] Machimiya's eyebrows raise curiously as he points to his chest, then reaching forward to tuck a few strands of hair behind Ibitani's ear.
Ibitani separates the two signs. After the first—the shaking, open handed one—he stops, spelling out [n-o-i-s-y]. He imitates some loud booming, chuckling afterwards. Then the 'm' sign, he spells, [m-i-y-a]. He repeats the two signs together, adding on, [Your – name.]
“My name? Ehh?” [My – name?] Machimiya snorts, lifting his eyebrows to indicate his question, “Am I annoying? Noisy?” He huffs playfully, signing it out before tilting his head to the side, clearly waiting for more of an explanation.
Ibitani goes on to sign about how Machimiya's annoyingggg, he's always talking and making loud noises. Machimiya interjects at this point, protesting that there's no way Ibitani knows just how noisy he really is, but Ibitani insists he has a pretty good idea. He mocks Machimiya's laugh, grinning as he bounces [e – h] repeatedly to the right of his mouth. Ibitani lets him in on a little secret—Higashimura used to be afraid of Eikichi-senpai's 'eh eh'ing' back in high school. Of course, that makes them both laugh, Machimiya's characteristic 'eh eh' echoing throughout the room, further proving Ibitani's point.
Settling down to a more serious expression, Ibitani nods thoughtfully, [Your – name, - understand?]
[Yes.]
Machimiya had learned about name signs shortly after he started learning sign language. Ibitani told him it wasn't something he should pick for himself; name signs were traditionally given to someone by a member of the deaf community. Up until this point, they had been finger spelling 'Miya.' It was easy enough.
Noisy Miya—it was, admittedly, appropriate.
[Thank you, Ibitani.]
Machimiya thinks Ibitani's name sign is pretty cute, and when he was first learning, he was thankful it was simple to remember. He didn't know back then that they were all simple. Oh well, he was learning.
Repeating the thank you, Machimiya's chest feels tight as he pulls Ibitani onto his lap, slipping an arm around his waist. Ibitani huffs and whines, and Machimiya knows he's not fond of sitting like this usually. Can't sign well if you can't see the other person's face. Pressing a kiss to Ibitani's head, Machimiya brings a hand out in front of Ibitani, “Yeah, I know...” [Yes – Yes]
He just wants a moment to think about his name sign, enjoy it some more in relative peace. Smiling, he places a few more kisses on Ibitani's head, wrapping his arms around him more tightly than before. He mutters something under his breath between kisses down Ibitani's neck, feeling especially enamored of him.
Feeling a tap on his arm, Machimiya sits up, and Ibitani quickly twists around to face him, signing with a sarcastically exhausted look on his face, [Noisy – Noisy – Noisy – Miya]
[Miya?]
Machimiya's pulled away from the memory. Rolling his head on his shoulders as he yawns, he gives Ibitani a wide grin, “Are you alright?” [Okay?]
Ibitani starts to lay back down, so Machimiya takes that as a 'yes.' He leaves the light on for now, knowing Ibitani has more to say. He always does—who's the noisy one now?
For a few minutes, Ibitani sleepily signs about their plans for the day. Before the family gathering, they were going to bike to the store to pick up a few things. Snacks, maybe something to drink. Ibitani wanted to bring something, even though Machimiya's mother said it wasn't necessary. After the store, Ibitani wanted to do some research online. His birthday was coming up, and Machimiya promised him they'd go somewhere for the weekend, take a break from biking and schoolwork.
Ibitani takes the time to remind Machimiya that he also promised they could eat more junk food since it was Ibitani's birthday, but no, that doesn't include chocolate. [Dogs – can't have – chocolate.] Machimiya groans, making a pitiful attempt to ask for maybe just a small piece after dinner or something pleeeease. All he gets is a firm [Fuck – no.]
“Enoughhh, Ibitani,” Machimiya groans, pulling Ibitani's hands down as he starts to sit up, intending to turn the light off. Ibitani's still snickering over the chocolate thing, so Machimiya taps his arm, wanting his full attention, “Hey.”
“Sleep well, my star.” [Goodnight – my – star.] Machimiya smiles lazily, enjoying the way Ibitani's face always lights up when he calls him that. He clicks the light off, slipping under the blankets with a sigh. Ibitani snakes an arm around him, and Machimiya does the same, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, closing his eyes. “Goodnight.”