Chapter Text
[ bubble kisses ]
“keiji?”
“hmm?”
“do you ever wish you continued to play volleyball like Bo?”
the water sloshes as you lift up a pile of bubbles and jiggle it. his fingers stop rubbing circles into your hip as he ponders your question.
“no.” he says slowly, leaning back against the porcelain tub. “if i had continued to pursue it, we probably wouldn’t have connected like we did. we only really started getting to know each other after graduation.”
you blow your pile of bubbles into the air and watch them fall limply to the waters surface. “that’s true… well, what would you have done if i had moved away to hokkaido like i originally planned?”
he picks at his thumb in the water, the skin slightly more pliant now that it had soaked for a little bit. “i’m not sure. i don’t think i would’ve reached out, if i were honest.” not because he didn’t care about you—he did, sincerely—but he knew himself well enough to know that he would’ve kept to himself no matter what kind of feelings he harbored from high school.
“we would’ve gone our separate ways and that would’ve been that, right?” you look back at him, eyes steady as you bore into his soul. you had a talent for being able to understand people on a deeper level. its why he’s always been so attracted to you. “you would’ve followed your path, i would’ve followed mine. were both too goal-focused, even now.”
that was the reason the two of you were sharing a bath. his week has been stressful and yours blew up suddenly on your first day back after your days off. frustrated and upset at the worsening events, the two of you decided to spend the night in close proximity as you were each others stress relievers.
you didn’t want to talk about work, and neither did he.
“even so, i hope things calm down soon.”
“i hope so too. and if it doesn’t, i guess we’ll be taking baths together more often, huh?” you scoop up another handful of bubbles and turn around fully to face him.
he watches you as you stare at the pile silently, and then…
“ phew !”
you blow it right at him. he closes his eyes and accepts his fate; the suds clinging to his mouth like facial hair. he hears you laugh, thumbing away a space so he can talk.
“wow, keiji! that’s a good look on you. you’re giving me santa vibes right now.”
he smiles and rolls his eyes. “if i’m santa claus then that makes you mrs. claus. but you’re missing one thing.” he gathers up a bunch of bubbles and spreads it out over the top of your hair. you gasp, feigning offence, and when his hands drop back into the water and he stares at your new bubble wig, he snickers. “now that is a very sexy look on you. can’t believe i’m lucky enough to witness such a sight.”
“you are the absolute worst.”
“i can’t be that bad if you’re dating me.” he tilts your head up towards him, smiling. “how about an apology kiss?”
“not with that on your face!”
even though you push against him, shrieking with laughter as he slowly inches forward, you dont resist him when he presses his lips to yours. when he pulls away, you’re splashing water on your face childishly. “gross.”
“you’re right. kissing santa is pretty gross.”
in moments like these, he was thankful for your childish nature. it helps remind him that there’s no need to be serious all the time. at least not with you. he would always be grateful he could feel so comfortable with you.