Chapter Text
Closing the dorm's door behind him, slinking into the shared bathroom after today's choreography practice, leaving HiMERU practically yearning for a nice, cold shower. He wanted to ditch practice today, but that's unfit for an idol like HiMERU, so he sucked it up, and went. However, the rest of the bees could tell HiMERU's small slip-ups- putting down his foot a second too late, or getting to his position, subtly concealing a trip, but having not gone unnoticed, unfortunately. Better not to dwell on that, it is not worth HiMERU's brain power.
His dorm-mates away on their own idol duties, the girl and her unit overseas, the boy together with his unit mates at one of their dorms. HiMERU turns the knob, unwinding under the water..
Steam pours from behind him as HiMERU steps out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, drying his wet hair. Humming to himself, sitting down before a flashing light catches HiMERU's eyes, and picking it up- he instantly regrets what he sees.
[17:01]AMAGI: yoo~ hangout at niki's~
[17:01]AMAGI : or I'll drag your ass over here, MERUMERU~♪
HiMERU scoffs lightly, gripping his phone tighter as if the screen would miraculously explode before sighing, standing up, and getting dressed, collecting the bare minimum, including his morning routine makeup into a small duffle bag, as ..., 'someone' apparently planned a 'sleepover', at Shiina's apartment without no before notice- apparently Shiina eagerly agreeing to it the moment the idea of serving up meals to the rest of the Bees was brought up, and having new recipes he wanted feedback on. Oukawa, for once, is free from his Double Face schedule, and HiMERU has nothing in store early tomorrow. Amagi planned this well, unfortunately. The idea of a sleepover is incredibly childish. Moreover, HiMERU is more concerned about something else.
Unlike Shiina, the very thought of ingesting food sparks discomfort in HiMERU. Yes, he does 'indulge' from time to time, but he immediately compensates with a lower intake, and sometimes fasts if the eating was egregious enough. HiMERU has formed a habit of turning down Shiina's meal offers for HiMERU to take with him, viewing them as unnecessary and... unworthy of that sort of effort, trying to redirect Shiina's attention to his own interest in food.
Oukawa is incredibly perceptive, to HiMERU's chagrin, as the younger boy eyes HiMERU during Sweet Fan Club meetings, noting how HiMERU picks at his food, rotating it around the plate and mostly drinking coffee with very few bites in-between. The boy confronted HiMERU once. All HiMERU said at the time was 'HiMERU is fine. Do not worry, Oukawa.', and both left it at that...
Amagi, however. Amagi is unnerving to HiMERU. From the way Amagi's noisy attitude hides sharp eyes. HiMERU has been scrutinized and 'teased' for his portions, merely responding back with an exasperated deflection. HiMERU avoids drawing Amagi's keen gaze as much as possible for multiple reasons. HiMERU does not need his prying ways to claw into him, after all.
One of the reasons being the fact that 'HiMERU' is an Omega, but HiMERU was a Beta, a heavily known fact about the original. The current HiMERU is luckily resourceful. His connections ensure HiMERU can have his heat suppressants without raising any suspicion, coming disguised in vitamin bottles. They do wonders at suppressing secreted scents, both from HiMERU and from being affected by others' scents. No heats at all. That would only hinder HiMERU.
The other reason, is that HiMERU's unit mates are starting to catch onto something.. about him, unsure if it is about his status or as 'HiMERU'. Being in the same unit with two Alphas and a Beta as hidden Omega.. HiMERU shakes his head, best not to dwell on that, turning on his phone again, and is met by the messages from before, still unanswered.
HiMERU debates for a bit whether to even reply to confirm the invitation, sighing heavily, realizing Amagi could not be bluffing, and to spare Oukawa from Shiina's and Amagi's quarrels, he relents, and puts on his outerwear.
[17:27]HiMERU: HiMERU will be there shortly.
[17:27]AMAGI: knew ya couldn't say no, do ya love lil' old Rinne?~~♪
[17:30]HiMERU: Don't push it.
[17:31]AMAGI: what r ya, a fuckin' buzzkill?
[17:33]AMAGI: ?????? merumeru wow
HiMERU groans loudly, locking his phone in dismay before turning around to glance at the room. With a nod to himself, and shuffling out of the door with hands deep into his jacket, and onto the snowy darkening streets outside.
Exactly 11 minutes later, having arrived at the foot of Shiina's door covered in snow, head to toe. HiMERU rings the doorbell, and softly knocks at 2 intervals before a loud crash emerges inside, followed by shrill laughter, and the door swings open to reveal the culprit.
"RINNE-KUN, WHAT DID YOU BREAK-", Shiina shrieks from within the abode, drawing closer to the front as Amagi props himself against the doorway, grinning wide, staring at HiMERU's twitching face.
"MeruMeru~☆! ya actually came ♪ Couldn't resist me, couldn't ya~? Kyahahaha!", being loud as ever, Amagi slings his arm around HiMERU, and drags him into the apartment before HiMERU can regret it and leave at once.
"Amagi. HiMERU came to spare Oukawa from your and Shiina's antics. He has decided to indulge in group activities, and can you for once control yourself?" HiMERU exhales through his nose, schooling his expression as Amagi draws HiMERU's body closer to him, inadvertently burning him, a body akin to a furnace.
HiMERU nudges his arm against Amagi's chest, and shoves him off HiMERU, making Amagi grunt before snickering- tucking a strand of hair behind his ear before starting to take off his shoes, and hangs up his jacket on an available hook.
"Rinne-kun~~! Don't ambush HiMERU-kun like that.. HiMERU-kun, come in! You haven't been here at all, ah~", Niki appeared out of nowhere behind Amagi, and dragged him by the elbow into the living area. "Oi- Niki, I wasn't done!!"
"Ah, HiMERU-han. Those idiots won't shut it. 'm glad you're here." Oukawa took out an earbud, looking up from his phone, presumably scrolling mindlessly. "Niki-han threw him out of the kitchen, so he kept buggin' me."
Nodding at the boy, and setting his bag aside next to the sofa, HiMERU sat down in the corner with a slim book in his hand. Unknowingly to HiMERU, Oukawa tensed, twitched his nose, and glanced at him, slightly confused- opening his mouth to ask something as Amagi came barreling into the room with a cackle, hurling himself onto the couch, bumping into HiMERU- causing him to grunt.
"MeruMeru~ whatcha readin'? Some detective schmuck, eh?", Somehow invading more into HiMERU's personal space, using him as a coat hanger, and shuffling his chin onto HiMERU's shoulder as leverage. HiMERU stops, tensing up at Amagi's hair tickling his neck, before sharply glaring at the man.
"Amagi, get off of HiMERU.", HiMERU huffs under his breath, closing his barely read book. "Actually, what do you want from HiMERU? He has not done anything to gain your attention this much. Did Shiina finally get tired of you?"
"Niki-han should whip ya for smooching off this much. Is the kitchen ban gettin' ta ya?", Oukawa says, not even looking up from his phone.
"Nah, he could never. Mister Mystery here needs to fess up! What was that back there at practice?", Amagi's cheerful disposition shifting, his eyes narrowing at the man beneath him.
"HiMERU does not know what you are talking about.", gritting his teeth, floundering as the two others gazed at him, Oukawa having put down his phone in curiosity.
"Ya know what I'm gettin' at, HiMERU." Amagi says with a scowl, leaning back from HiMERU. "Also...you smell weird."
"HiMERU needs to use the restroom, get off him.", HiMERU abruptly stands up, harshly pushing Amagi away from him, causing Amagi to fall back onto his butt with an annoyed huff. "Don't bother HiMERU.", And with that, he quickly walks into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
"Amagi-han..ya didn't have ta do that. Ya know how private he is!", Oukawa's voice booms in the background, followed by more voices speaking over each other.
Turning on the tap, HiMERU spares a glance at his reflection- met with blank eyes, and firmly pressed lips. His hair is out of place, which is unacceptable. Dark eye bags are visible on his face, a reminder that he messed up on another thing he barely remembers. HiMERU grips the bathroom sink hard, he cannot afford any imperfections- especially now. The others have gotten too close, know too much, and won't let go.
He glanced up again. He hates what stares back. He wants it gone. He needs it gone. HiMERU cannot afford ■■ to break the mask, the effort will be all for naught. However, this time, the reflection rattles him. All the mistakes and imperfections on display. It makes him sick. He feels sick, body heating up, sweaty hair clinging to his pale face. He needs to purge all of it, get rid of the sludge clogging his throat, but he does not. He simply releases his grip, steps back, and slides down next to the door, face hidden in-between his closed knees.
Away from all of it, away from the present, away from others, and away from himself.