Work Text:
It wasn’t until recently that Toya discovered Akito’s habit.
Toya had always known Akito to be somewhat clingy, throwing his arm around his shoulder, fist bumping and high-fiving him constantly, walking side by side with his arm tucked into Toya’s. Toya never thought much of it, assuming that’s just how Akito was. To Akito it was just a bro thing between friends, and Toya never questioned it.
But this new habit, that he learned of, was a little different.
Before, Akito had always tried his best to show only strength and confidence, never weakness. Whenever he felt down about himself, he would keep it to himself, not wanting to be a burden or make anyone worry. To not show any weakness. These are things that Toya was only able to piece together by his own observant and concerned self. Akito hated vulnerability.
Which is why Akito falling asleep on his shoulder surprised him the first time it happened.
There had been no special reason, it was not an out of the ordinary day. They had been practicing like usual, and once they were finished he seated in a booth opposite of An and Kohane, on his right side, sat Akito.
He had been sipping his coffee, listening to three fill the silence with conversation of their next live, when he heard the noise go quieter and quieter until eventually, he felt a weight on his side. Turning his head carefully, there laid his partner, eyes weakly open. He was still awake, though barely, based on the quiet mumbles he let out to finish what was left of their conversation. Toya looked over to the two girls, who were watching him, amused little smiles on their faces. A smirk on An’s.
“Too tired today Akito?”
He could only bite back with what little energy he had left.
“Shut it An.”
And that was that, he felt Akito nuzzle more into Toya’s side until the smaller’s body relaxed and gave into sleep.
As peaceful as Akito was, Toya could not stop the racing in his heart. Was it normal to feel this way?
That was only the first of many more times to come.
Ever since the incident with Arata, Akito had started practicing even harder, which led to him spending hours after practice ended singing and dancing even more. Akito had always been the team member to push himself more then anyone else, but it had gotten worrying, and the effect it had on his body was even more concerning.
In a way, that could’ve been an excuse for Akitos new behavior.
And it was a good enough excuse for Toya to keep letting Akito fall asleep on him.
He brushed it off as helping his partner out, and if Akito wouldn’t listen to the rest of their team when they told him to not overwork himself, at least Toya could offer his support as Akito’s personal pillow.
Neither of them intended to put a stop to this routine they had going, to the point multiple people have started to take notice of this exchange.
Falling asleep on Toya during lunch, after practice, when they would hang out. When Toya would try and wake him he would just snuggle closer and mumble out a string of ‘Shut up’s and ‘Just a minute’. Each time that Akitos sleeping face and soft hair would fall messily on his head fell asleep on Toya, he worried his heart might explode from the way it was beating.
Tonight the feelings in his chest had multiplied.
“Jeez, he’s already dozing off again,” An had turned off the music halfway through the song, annoyed but also worried at the way Akito was wobbling and singing more softly then usual.
“Akito! You need to get it together what are you doing? Our next live is in a week.”
Akito scrunched up his face, eyes glaring at his feet, frustration written all over him.
“Shit,” He mumbled under his breath. His fists were clenched at his sides. He took a deep breath, trying to recollect himself.
“I’m fine, let’s keep going.”
“Obviously you aren’t!”
An let out a frustrated sigh, refraining herself from massaging her temples.
“Alright let’s cut practice short again guys. We can’t keep going like this.”
Akito groaned and wobbled on his feet, he looked like he was about to pass out at any second, which made Toya instinictaly run to his side, throwing his arm around his waist to support him. Akito looked off to the side, facial expression unreadable.
As Kohane and An cleaned up, he heard a shout from the two girls that were making their way to the other side of the Cafe.
“Toya can you take him home tonight? I doubt he’ll be able to manage walking there by himself without falling asleep standing up.” Akito mumbled out of annoyance into his side.
“Yeah. Sorry for leaving without cleaning up Shiraishi, Azusawa.”
He waved them goodbye before making his way out the door, Akito holding himself up weakly into Toya’s side.
They walked for what seemed like an hour, but was only a few minutes. The silence between them was comfortable, but made Toya more concerned every passing second. After a little the silence was interrupted by a mumble into his side.
“Carry me.”
Maybe sleep was getting to him too, because now Toya was convinced he was hearing things.
“What?”
“I said carry me.”
The boy in his side mumbled once more, hiding his face away from Toya with a blush so red that he could see it even in the dark of the night. Toya felt the corners of his mouth smile slightly in adoration.
In an instant he had Akito in his arms, carrying him bridal style. He was a little heavy, but Toya’s raw strength and muscles built up from the little exercise he had done with Akito to build up stamina made the task not so difficult. He could feel Akito blush even harder, embarrassingly clinging to Toya’s shirt.
He was adorable.
“Not like— I meant—“
“Did you say something, Akito?”
He had pretended not to hear his quiet mumbles, but the way Akito was reacting made Toya want to tease him more.
Not having the energy to protest, Toya had won this round.
“Nevermind.” His cheeks were burning.
Toya felt Akito relax, his face was tucked into his chest, and was unable to see whether he had his eyes closed and was sleeping or not. Assuming that he was, he quietly carried the boy home not wanting to wake him.
Toya knocked on the door. “Ena-san?” He tried to say loud enough to get her to hear him, but not loud enough to wake Akito in his arms. After about a minute of silence, the door opened.
“Toya? What are you—“
She looked down at the person he was holding, then looked away, like she was trying not to laugh hysterically.
“Oh boy this is great. I never thought this is a sight I’d see,”
She opened the door some more, allowing entry for the two.
“Come on in.”
Knowing where Akito’s room was by heart, he tried his best to carry him up the stairs, strength by now about to give out. He could’ve sworn he heard some pictures being snapped on his way up, but decided not to say anything.
Finally laying the boy down on his bed, he could relax.
As a reward for carrying him all the way home he took a minute to observe Akito’s sleeping form now that he could see it better. His hair was messily covering his face, mouth set in a small pout, cheeks still bright red and a little squishy looking. Not wanting to embarrass Akito any more, he forced himself to get up and go towards the door to leave. Right before he opened it he heard a small voice call out his name.
“Toya.” He turned around in surprise, was sure that Akito had been asleep. He was met with a flushed face and shy eyes avoiding his gaze.
Had he noticed Toya staring at him?
“Yes?”
“Come here.”
He blinked, unsure what he wanted Toya close for. When he was next to Akito on his bed he felt the one below him pull him in.
“Akito!?” He gasped, heart racing. His cheeks felt like they were burning up at the sudden closeness.
“Stay here with me.”
How could Toya say no? He was lying next to Akito, awkwardly not knowing where to put his hands, where to place his body. His worries disappeared when he felt Akito turn to face him, arms clinging to his shirt and resting his head on Toyas chest.
Out of all the times Akito had fallen asleep next to or on Toya, this time was different.
Toya hesitantly wrapped his arms around Akito, unsure if he was holding him right, if this is what Akito wanted. But when he felt Akitos body relax and stop moving, now asleep, he assumed it was okay.
Akito, who never was one to open up and show vulnerability to anyone, someone who was strong and intimidating on stage, now asleep in his arms.
And Toya couldn’t be happier.
He looked down and was met with tussles of orange hair on his chest. He always wanted to know if it felt as soft as it looked.
Carefully he removed one arm and brought it to the top of the smaller’s head, brushing his fingers through his hair.
His assumptions were true.
When Toya opened his eyes, he noticed immediately something was missing.
Looking down, he saw a lack of the boy he had fallen asleep next to last night. He wondered if he had just imagined that night, if it were all just a dream until he heard a noise from the other side of the room.
“Finally up?”
Raising his body to sit up, his eyes met olive ones.
“Oh, Good morning Akito.”
Although he had said nothing unusual, knowing that he had embarrassingly fallen asleep in Toya’s arms just a few hours ago made Akitos cheeks redden so slightly and made his heart beat a little faster. After a beat of silence, he spoke up.
“Never tell anyone about this, you hear?“ his eyes averted Toyas, too embarrassed to look at him.
So it wasn’t a dream.
“It was very soft.” Toya smiled softly looking at the boy before him.
“What was?”
“Your hair.”
He felt something hit his shoulder, a toothbrush was thrown at him.
“Don‘t just say stuff like that man.” Akito raised his voice slightly, mortified even more.
Toya couldn’t find it in himself to be mad. He just giggled to himself.
“Sorry, you’re just so cute.”
“Shut up.”