Work Text:
There was only one thing that really got Sampo Koski out of bed in the morning— something that he never really expected— and honestly, it was a little silly.
The first time it had happened was the day after the landlord informed him of someone moving in next door. At the time, he really hadn't thought much about it, since he had just gotten home from his job— but oh boy had he been thinking about it when he had been trudging out of his apartment and ran smack into said new neighbor and nearly falling flat on his ass if he hadn't gotten caught.
That was the first time Sampo had met his new neighbor, halfway back into his own apartment with his arms haphazardly grabbed to make sure he didn't hit the ground.
"Sir— sir, are you ok? Im so sorry, I just got back from my shift—" By the time he had gotten his bearings back, he had been steadied back on his feet, Sampo managing to snap himself out of his sleepiness in order to properly take in the sight. Blond hair, blue eyes— light freckles, to— wait, the guy was probably waiting for him to respond—
"Nah, dun worry about it." Managing to shake himself together, Sampo tugged a grin to his face, one that quickly got wiped away by a yawn. Almost immediately, the blondie yawned as well, blinking a bit as he covered his mouth. Seems like he hadn't been expecting that one. "Your ole pal here is just uh— bit sleepy, yknow— mornings aint my thing."
The Neighbor(TM) seemed to laugh at that, a soft closed-lip smile as he got out of Sampo's doorway, letting him out of his own apartment.
"I can see that— you look like your about to keel over." Huh, his voice was nice to listen to. Sampo just waved him off, rolling his eyes rather lazily. His brain still wasn't working to full capacity.
"Oh good, I meet the dress code then." Had been his rather sarcastic response— It took Mr. Neighbor a few seconds to react, but the sharp exhale got Sampo to grin anyway. A wins a win!
"Ill let you go then— I really should get ready to sleep soon."
"Ohh, a night shift? Brutal." Sampo chuckled, swinging his bag over his shoulder with another yawn. "Ill let ya get to it then. Seeya around, newbie."
He nodded, sending Sampo off with a wave before his door shut behind him. It wasn't until Sampo had gotten into the elevator that he realized he had forgotten to get the guys name— and also that his cheeks were red.
—
The second time around was a week or so later— and this time Sampo was determined to get the blondies name.
Maybe he had been occupying his mind for the week. Maybe not. Sampo wasn't going to tell. Certainly not about the ease in which the Neighbor had managed to catch him, absolutely not. He just wanted to get to know his new neighbor!
For the first time in a while, Sampo had been excited to, well, get up. Wake up. He even got breakfast that morning, despite the groggy sleep fog that half occupied his mind. Sure, it was a half burnt piece of toast with some cheese on it but he still ate breakfast and it wasn't coffee!!
Like he had for the past week, he eagerly looked out the door, curiously trying to spot blond hair and blue eyes— only for nothing to turn up again and disappointment got to him again. Did it have to be this difficult to get a guys name? Geez, what a world! So with a slight scowl on his face and another yawn, Sampo headed towards the stairs, resigning himself to another day of work—
"Oh, its you. The sleepy neighbor."
His head shot up. Right at the foot of the stairs stood the blondie, black polo shirt with SECURITY embroidered on the shoulder and all. He still had bags under his eyes, but he looked virtually the same as he had when they first met— only now he had rough stubble across his chin.
Sampo smacked the thoughts of how that would feel against his fingers away before he blurted them out in his sleepy state of mind.
"Jeez, don't tell me thats my permanent name now." The neighbor blinked, before red flushed his cheeks in sheepish embarressment.
"Oh I didn't mean to say that outloud— Im sorry, that was rather rude of me." He rubbed the back of his neck, blue eyes darting away from Sampo's before he got himself to Sampo's step. Now that Sampo was slightly more awake, he got to take in more of the subtle details his Neighbor had, like the gentle scent from whatever he used on his clothes, or the fact that his ears got red when he blushed as well, or that he was slightly taller and much broader then him— stop it, Sampo, get a grip on yourself before he gets away again!
"Nah, all good! Mornin's ain't my thing, so I get kinda-" He looped his finger by his head, getting a small chuckle out of the guy. "Kinda wanted to apologize for running into ya, isn't the best personal introduction!"
"I have to agree with you there. I— should also apologize, as well— Ive been getting home at nearly 1 AM almost every day and I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Oh, so thats why Sampo couldn't find him! He had already been home, made sense.
"Nope, didn't even know. Sleep like a rock- drives my sister nuts." Sampo just grinned back at him, before feeling another yawn coming on and having to physically attempted to fight it off before just giving up with a slight groan. "Dun worry bout me, I ain't gonna know shit until eleven or somethin—"
"Its almost 7 am. Thats a few hours from now." Amusement colored the guys face as he turned around, beginning to go back down the stairs. Sampo blinked before quickly catching up, matching his step down the stairs.
"Believe me, I know. Can't wait to get a coffee before I—" He was broken up with a yawn again, the two of them reaching the elevator. Sampo practically punched the call button, listening to the humm of the elevator as it began to make its way to their floor. "—I get to the counter to deal with kids all day."
"Where do you work, if I can ask?" He seemed genuinely curious as they waited, loosely folding his arms. Sampo had to look away from how his shirt tightened up around his shoulders.
"Oh, just some arcade chain downtown. Been tryna leave for a while but ain't nothin hiring." He shrugged, the doors of the elevator sliding open as it arrived. Something tugged in his heart— he was enjoying the short conversation, he didn't want it to end just yet.
But just as he was about to step into the elevator, a hand landed on his shoulder, pausing him as his head snapped up to look at his neighbor.
"Wait, before you go— I didn't get your name, last time—" His words were rushed, tumbling over each other before he jolted back and let go. "Sorry, I shouldn't hold you up—"
"Hey, names a trade, here~!" Sampo grinned, quickly cutting him off. He turned around, offering a hand that the neighbor glanced to in surprise. "Names Sampo. Sampo Koski."
He blinked for a moment before smiling, taking Sampo's hand in his own and firmly shaking it. Sampo had to admit he was surprised— his grip was strong.
"Gepard Landau. I hope we'll be good neighbors." He chuckled, before his face suddenly switched to panic and he let go of Sampo's hand, quickly reaching out and putting his hand on the door to stop it from closing. Sampo yelped at the sudden movement, before realizing and darting into the elevator. Gepard dropped his hand, the door resuming.
"I got a good feelin we will be, Geppie!" Immediately, Gepard's face dropped in shock, before immediately being shut on as Sampo paused and then burst out laughing as the elevator dropped to the floors lower. Gepard. That was a nice name.
—
From then on, it seemed to just settle into a routine. Whenever they crossed paths in the morning, Sampo and Gepard would just get into some sort of casual conversation— sometimes loitering outside of their apartments, sometimes Gepard would walk him to the elevator, sometimes theyd just get in the stairwell and talk for those precious 15 minutes.
And Sampo found that trying to get out of bed had gotten easier, now that he had something to look forward to. Gepard was nice conversation! He was refreshingly honest and blunt, almost absurdly straightforward. Apparently he had thought that Sampo had known his older sister because he made a split second decision to call him Geppie— he hadn't he'd just gone for the quickest nickname he could think of. But it was still amusing enough that Sampo had burst out laughing for nearly five minutes when Gepard nervously asked him about it.
This time had been one of the door meets. In fact, Sampo had just barely unlocked his door when he heard jangling next door— Gepard was at his own door. Instead, as soon as Sampo opened the door, his face had lit up, immediately putting his keys back in his pocket.
"Good morning."
"Mornin." He chuckled, fixing his hair a bit with a sideways grin. "Didja catch your sisters show?"
Gepards face fell— a palm immediately smacking itself across his forehead.
"Fuck— no, I didn't. I gotta text her an apology.." Sampo snickered at his grumbles, something that got him a small pout. Honestly the look just make Sampo's laughter harder to keep quiet, resorting to biting on the inside of his cheek to keep himself from cackling.
"She'll probably understand—and tease you until the end of time." Sampo gave him a cheeky look, Gepard groaning audibly as they began their leisure stroll down the hallway to the stairwell.
"Thats what I'm worried about. I promised her I'd make it this time, but I must have forgotten to schedule work off.." He groaned, adjusting his collar. Sampo had noticed that he did that whenever he got stressed or nervous— must be a habit. "And her next show isn't nearby, either.."
"Ya gotta take breaks more often, Gep, god." Sampo slung his hands back, resting them against the back of his head as they walked. "I thought I knew work ethic but yer on a whole other level, workaholic."
"My sister says that to— I just don't find rest.. relaxing." He hummed a bit, a hand resting on his chin as they got to the mouth of the stairwell. "I get to restless if I'm not doing something, and work just.. happens to be there."
"Eh, thats fair I guess. Can't say Im the same."
"Your telling me. Im afraid that at some point Im going to have to enter your apartment and get you up."
Sampo laughed at that, ignoring his heartrate slightly picking up. Just slightly.
"Oh, new alarm clock, count me in." He elbowed Gepard in the side, he barely flinched but he got a chuckle out of it nonetheless. "Been needin a new one, old ones startin to get to quiet."
"You don't use your phone?"
"To easy to turn off."
"Oh. I suppose that makes sense for you."
"Oi—! I can't even argue against that, c'mon!" He whined, but there wasn't a hint of seriousness to it, just some friendly ribbing that continued until the elevator arrived, both of them bidding the other farewell as Sampo got into the elevator.
As soon as the door closed, Sampo couldn't fight off the dorky smile across his face. A hand gently lifted to his cheeks, feeling the blood rush to tint his skin pink with his racing heart. Maybe they'd run into each other tomorrow as well? He found his skin buzzing slightly in anticipation, maybe—
Cold water splashed over his face as realization smacked him. What the hell was he thinking about, hold on— Sampo Koski, be excited to see someone?? His heart racing???? What, no— he was just a little guy, he was just trying to live through the year till the renewal of his lease, hold on. He had only known Gepard for a little over a month and a half now, he was just interesting to talk to, thats all.
Thats definitely all!!
He'd just.. figure things out as he went. Thats all.
—
Days off were a luxury. Sampo could spend the day napping and playing video games and getting grocerys and avoiding chores— they were the perfect kinda day.
So… why was he up at his usual 7 am, in his pajamas, leaning against his front door scrolling through his phone?
The ring of keys came down the hallway, Sampo glancing up with a grin as Gepard paused in surprise, blinking.
"I thought it was your day off?" He chuckled after a moment, walking up to where Sampo stood in a simple tank and shorts. "What are you doin up?"
"Don't worry about it. Was gonna make some coffee 'n breakfast, you want some?" Sampo jammed a thumb at his door, kicking off of it to open it up and let them in. Gepard hesitiated for only a moment before entering, kicking off his shoes in the foyer and neatly setting them aside.
"Sorry for the intrusion."
"Don't mind, cmon. Whatcha want, eggs, bacon— only got the precooked shit by the way— toast?" Sampo shuffled into the kitchen, a mug of coffee already sitting on the end of the counter. Gepard seemed interested as he looked around, nose wrinkling up slightly at the sight of Sampo's clothes strewn about everywhere, but otherwise unfazed as he joined Sampo in the small kitchenette.
"Ill take seconds for whatever you make?" His voice held a bit of apprehension, but he sat down on one of the mismatched chairs.
"Bacon, eggs and cheese on toast then~" Sampo wasn't bothered in the slighest as he popped two pieces of toast into a toaster on max, something Gepard took notice of and winced at, immediately getting up and popping the toast back out. "Eh?"
"You don't need it on max, just put it here to get it to golden." He quickly showed Sampo the settings, getting a curious huh from Sampo in return."
"Oh, never thought of that. Kinda just tried to time popping it out at the right time." He shrugged, turning back to the pan with a few strips of bacon.
"Thats why its always half burnt, then."
"Hey, never said that cookin was Sampo Koski's strongest skill! I just try and survive!" He turned on Gepard, playfully batting at him with a spatula that Gepard snagged before it actually hit him, laughing softly over Sampo's antics.
"Here, give this to me. Go sit down with your coffee, I can already see you swaying as you stand." Sampo couldn't resist Gepard's insistence, the blond ushering him to the chair and setting the coffee cup on a napkin in front of him before turning back to the bacon in the pan.
"I was the one who invited you over, yknow." Sampo grumbled, taking a drink. As soon as he had sat down, the excitement he had started out with drained away, leaving only sleepiness in its wake.
"And I'm offering to make sure you don't burn down your apartment. Mine goes down with yours, yknow." Gepard plainly responded, barely offering him even a glance as he got completely consumed by making them both a neat breakfast. And Sampo found himself zoning out on Gepard's back, that same dorky smile peeking up on his lips. Honestly, he needed to know if the guy had a partner at this rate— if he didn't the world had something wrong with it.
"What'd you say?" Gepard looked over his shoulder, red tinting his cheeks as he looked at Sampo with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Hah? Whaddya mean?" Sampo blinked, rather slowly, his eyelids felt heavy. He took his time to get another gulp of coffee, almost languidly setting it back down as Gepard shook his head and looked back towards the pan, setting the bacon aside to crack eggs in the same pan.
"Nevermind, must have misheard."
—
Now Sampo was a deep sleeper. When he was out, he was practically a dead weight— which is why he was struggling to blearily open his eyes at god knows what time in the morning. He didn't even know what had woken him up when he rolled over to see his alarm clock reading nearly 2 AM. God fucking hell it was way to early…
Just as he was about to roll over and go back to sleep though, another sharp rap echoed through his apartment. Wait, yeah, thats what woke him up.. huh? Who in the fuck was up this early??
Begrudgingly, Sampo rolled out of bed, not even bothering to put on a shirt as he slowly dragged himself to the front door. He was rubbing at his eyes when he fumbled with the latch and the two locks, finally managing to undo them and open the door— and coming face to face with bright blue eyes that seemed to glow in the dark.
"Mnh…? Gepard, that ya?" His words slurred together slightly, swaying in spot as he tried to get himself together. "Whazz goin on..?"
"Sorry.. I lost the key to my own apartment, could I crash here until the sun comes up..?" Gepard's voice was hushed. Even in the dim light, he could see the way Gepard was fidgetting, clearly embarressed about the whole situation. "I'm really sorry, its—"
"Nah, dun- dun worry about it." He chuckled, opening his door enough to let Gepard all the way in. "Mind.. yer step. I ain't cleaned yet and I ain't turnin on the lights."
Careful Gepard was, apologizing again and again as he took of his shoes. The only real lighting was the soft glow from his oven, softly illuminating the combined living and kitchen. Sampo just waved him off again with another yawn, shuffling to the nearest closet to rifle through his stuff for more blankets.
"Couch big enough for ya? I kin figure sumthin else out." Sampo tossed Gepard a comforter, something the man caught with ease. Slowly, surely, Sampo was beginning to wake up, but he was still rather far gone with his lazy throw barely even making it half way to where Gepard was standing.
"Its perfect, thank you. I'm really sorry to be a bother, Ill be gone when—"
Sampo lazily waved him off, shuffling closer to even put a finger on Gepard's lips to truly shut him up.
"I said, dun worry 'bout it, Gep. Consider it—" He yawned again, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "Consider it a favor for the pretty boy next door."
Gepard paused at that, something twinkling in blue eyes as his head fell to the side, looking almost like a cat.
"..Pretty boy next door?"
"Mm, yeah, think yer pretty. Handsome. Have for a while." Sampo snickered, jaw popping. "Must be tired, huh?"
"I'd say." Gepard hesitated for a second, clutching the blanket a bit tighter before he took a deep breath. "I.. uh.. well, we should probably sleep. I know you have work in the morning."
"Awe, wait, I won't- won't be able to talk to ya tomorrow, huh. Ya got home… now, I guess?" Sampo pouted, blowing out his lips as he pushed the hair out of his face. Man, talk about a shitty mornin already. "Damnit.."
"You like our conversations that much?"
"Only reason I get up early as I do. Makes the mornin easier." Pink flushed Sampo's cheeks a bit more, awareness slowly creeping in through the cotton of sleep. He rubbed at the back of his neck, white and blue hair between his fingers. "Just like talkin to ya— find ya interesting and easy to chat with, yknow? Feel awkward askin ya to hang out cause ya gotta sleep from night shift n everything so—"
Sampo was cut off, fingers gracing by his cheek, near his sideburns. Almost immediately, he leaned into the warmth, sleepiness tugging at him as Gepard's thumb brushed under his eye tenderly.
"..Lets get you to bed." Gepard's voice was a low timbre still, Sampo nodding into his palm as he felt himself begin to drift. Before he realized it, he was shuffling through his hallway, practically collapsing on top of the covers with Gepard chuckling above him. Blankets were tugged over his body, barely registering his hair being brushed from his face before he let out a muffled goodnight, promptly passing out.
—
It had been a few days since Sampo had woken up with a flushed face, sitting straight up in bed before burying his face in his hands and groaning loudly as the memories of that night woke him up.
By the time he had gotten up though, Gepard had been long gone, no where to be seen over the next few days— a little seed of anxiety building in Sampo's heart over them. It wasn't unusual for them to miss each other for a few days at a time, but this time tension held him ransom, teasing and taunting him as the worlds played in repeat over his head.
He could just groan as he walked down the hallway, dragging a hand down his face. It had been a long shift, and the sun was setting by the time he had managed to trudge himself into his apartment building. He just wanted the day to end, to tired to do anything else as he slowly climbed the steps to his floor, elevator shutting behind him.
Nothing could keep him from the instant coffee packets this time. He still had some paperwork to do and applications to fill out— ugh, it was gonna be a long night. At least the hallway smelled vaguly floral, was the cleaner tryin out a new scent?
Blearily rubbing at his tired eyes, Sampo trudged down the hallway half awake, closing his eyes to blink at the wrong time before he ran into something, bouncing back with a startled expression.
"Shit, sorry, I was- Gepard?"
Gepard straightened up suddenly, turning around in surprise as they came face to face. Red had flushed his face, hands behind hs back as a wavering smile was on his face.
"Sampo-! I, er, thought you were already home..?"
"Nah, just.. had a long shift. Haven't seen you in a while, got busy?" Sampo chuckled, curiously peering at Gepard's arms. What was he doin, in front of his house nonetheless? In the evening, to?
"You could say that. Got caught up in some things." He chuckled, a nervous and forced sound. Sampo's eyes narrowed, that was unusual. He, uh.. he wasn't thinking about that night, was he?
"Whatcha got there, then?" Attempting to look around behind Gepard's back, Sampo found himself chasing Gepard in a circle almost, the man quickly turning to make sure Sampo couldn't see it. His brows furrowed, trying to dodge in the opposite direction but Gepard reacted just to fast— Sampo not even getting a glance, only hearing the crinkling of wrapping. "C'mon, we're friends, aint we?? Show me!"
"Ok, ok—! Calm down!" Gepard backpedalled for a split second before he took a deep breath, freckles prominant against red skin. From behind his back he pulled out a small bundle of flowers, a few red roses tied neatly with a ribbon.
"Woah— ya got flowers? What they for?" Sampo tried to ignore the pang in his heart, instead leaning forward to take a good look at them. They were rather pretty.
"Uhm.. well, here. Their uh— their for you."
Sampo blinked, head snapping up to look at Gepard.
"…eh?"
"Their for you— I, well, I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime?" He held the flowers out to Sampo again, this time a little more presentable. He managed to meet Sampo's eyes, blue blazing with a bright determination. "I know our schedules don't line up well, but I was thinking that if you could tell me your next day off, I could get that same day off as well and we could go somewhere?"
Sampo stared at him, silently dumbfounded. Wait, wait wait wait— reverse the train for a second, he lost track of his thoughts.
"..with. Me. You want to go out with me?" Sampo's voice cracked, unsurity and surprise woven into every word. It wasn't until Gepard nodded that his face flushed bright pink, green eyes standing out starkly against his blue hair. Lips were slightly apart, shock overriding every single other emotion on his face as he gingerly took the flowers from Gepard, holding them like they'd shatter at one wrong move.
A few more seconds of tense silence passed before Sampo started to laugh, his mind catching up as a playful smile split across his face.
"Damn, ya beat me to it, huh?" Sampo cackled, Gepard's eyes flashing in surprise before a smile reached his own face.
"Is that a yes?"
Sampo just grinned, dropping the flowers by his feet before he reached up to tug Gepard's face down, waiting for a moment to let Gepard realize what he was planning on doing before going in, Gepard meeting him halfway with smiling lips pressed against each other.
"…hell yeah, it is." He chuckled against Gepard's lips, before twinining his fingers in blond hair and tugging him back against his own in another kiss.