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Sleep has never come easily to Adachi for most of his life. But he’s noticed that ever since he started dating Yu and sharing a bed with him, he’s been drifting off much more quickly and sleeping much more soundly.
(Not that Yu ever really needs to know that, though. Telling him would only serve to fuel that brat’s ego, and even worse, give that bastard uncle of his more material to embarrass Adachi with. Nah, he’ll save that confession for his deathbed.)
So of course the first thing he takes note of when he wakes up during the night is the absence of warmth next to him. Adachi glances over his shoulder to see exactly what he had expected—Yu is missing from where he had been laying before.
His head falls back onto the pillow and he shuts his eyes as he lets out an exaggerated sigh. It’s not like Yu is aware he plays such an important role in Adachi getting a good night’s rest, but still, who does he think he is, inconveniencing him like this?
Well, whatever. It’s not a big deal. He’s probably just taking a piss or something, Adachi reasons to himself.
Not wanting to bother to move, Adachi stays in bed and listens to the sound of the rain falling outside as he waits for what he’s sure will only be a minute or so until Yu returns to him.
Eventually, he grows impatient. He hasn’t been checking the time, but it seems like more than a few minutes have passed by now. It’s been longer than anyone would need to go to the bathroom, at least.
Adachi begrudgingly gets out of bed to go search for Yu, looking at the clock on their bedside table as he does so.
It’s around midnight.
What the hell is he doing up so late anyways?
He receives his answer when he walks out into the living room to find Yu staring blankly at the screen of their turned-off TV. His heart sinks with guilt at the sight.
Come to think of it, this is the first time it’s rained since we began dating, huh?
It takes Yu a second to notice Adachi standing there.
“I’m sorry,” Yu says. “Did I wake you?”
“Yeah.”
“You can go back to bed if you’d like to. I’ll be there soon.”
For whatever reason—maybe because he might be partly responsible for why Yu still feels the need to check if the Midnight Channel will air—Adachi chooses to stay with Yu.
“It’s fine,” he replies with a shrug, taking a seat beside Yu on the couch. “I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep by then anyways.”
Yu doesn’t say anything in response. Instead, he smiles warmly at Adachi before directing his attention to the TV again. He looks tense—quite a rare sight when it comes to Yu. Adachi decides to rest his head on his shoulder, at which Yu seems to relax, if only a little. He reciprocates the touch by leaning his own head against Adachi’s.
The silence leaves room for his thoughts to race, nearly making Adachi wish he had never left the bedroom in the first place.
The Midnight Channel stopped airing years ago. How long has Yu been keeping this up in spite of that? How many times has Yu done this while they’ve lived in this apartment together without Adachi knowing? How long has Yu been up torturing himself—waiting in fear for the next rescue target that’ll never come—just tonight? Why does Yu stay up for the Midnight Channel even now? Does Yu blame Adachi for this too? Does Yu worry he’s going to hurt someone else? Does Yu not trust him—
Shut up. Shut up. Just shut up already.
The last thing Yu needs right now is more of his bitching and whining, and the last thing he wants right now is to be a burden to Yu. Besides, it’s stupid to even consider that Yu Narukami would think any of that shit. Hell, he’s always believed in him more than Adachi believes in himself—and Yu still does.
Adachi reminisces on all of the moments in which Yu has been there for him; embarrassingly enough, there’s far too many for him to keep track of. It’s his turn to support Yu now. Obviously, comforting people is not his talent—that’s Yu’s thing—and he doesn’t know what to say, but screw it. He owes it to Yu to at least make an effort.
He pulls away from Yu and turns to face him instead.
“Hey,” Adachi says awkwardly, gently cupping Yu’s cheek in the palm of his hand.
To his surprise, Yu tears up immediately at the touch, and for a second he panics that he’s already done something wrong in trying to help Yu.
“I’m sorry you have to see me like this,” Yu blurts out, his voice choky from the tears that are beginning to stream down his face. “I never wanted you to find me out here.”
“Don’t apologize, idiot. I’m glad that I did. Y’know this is just a waste of time, right?”
Yu shifts his gaze downwards, as if he’s too afraid to meet Adachi’s eyes any longer. “Maybe, but…” He trails off.
“So what are you worried about?”
He hesitates before speaking.
“If it aired and I missed it…and something happened to my friends, Uncle, Nanako, or—you—”
Yu is too choked up to continue now. Adachi moves his hands to place them on Yu’s shoulders. “Look at me.” He waits to talk until Yu does as he’s told.
“We’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. You don’t need to worry about that anymore.” Attempting to lighten the mood, he adds on, “After all, you beat that bitch yourself, didn’t you?”
He nods, and Adachi hopes that all of his words truly did get through to Yu. “I’m sorry again, Adachi-san. I know it’s an absurd thing to be scared of still…It became a habit for me to check the TV with that fear in mind, I guess, and I’ve just never bothered to break it.”
“Well, some habits are meant to be left in the past. I think I know that better than most people.”
Yu giggles softly. “That’s true.”
Adachi bites his lip, nervously preparing himself for the question he’s about to drop onto Yu.
“Promise me you won’t do this again, though?”
He pauses at that, seeming to be lost in thought. Adachi assumes he must be considering his answer.
“...Okay.”
Adachi stands up and reaches his hand out to Yu. “C’mon now, let’s head back to bed.”
Yu glances at the clock. It’s much closer to midnight than it was before, but it’s still not midnight quite yet. He takes the hand Adachi offers him despite.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Once they’ve crawled into bed together again, Yu wraps his arms around Adachi’s waist and holds him tightly, as if Adachi will be stolen away from him should he loosen his grip at all. Usually, Adachi would scold him for doing such a thing, but he figures he’ll let it slide this time, since he’s so gracious.
Warmth has returned to the bed along with Yu’s presence. Yu nuzzles his face into Adachi’s hair, and Adachi hopes Yu feels as safe as he does right now.
Unlike the moment just earlier tonight, the silence shared between them is comfortable now. Adachi senses himself on the verge of sleep when a hot breath tickles his neck, Yu whispering into his ear.
“I love you.”
He mutters something in response.
“Hmm, what was that?” Yu teases, “I couldn’t hear you.”
Little prick. You know exactly what I said.
Adachi decides he’ll humor him regardless.
“Love you too, dumbass.”