Work Text:
Mitsuya didn't bother to turn the lamp on to know that someone was sitting in the dark.
Probably was also the reason his coffee machine was warm, and its smell filled his apartment.
Mitsuya hadn't used the machine that much ever since he tried to cut back some hours at the firm. He would like to be able to sleep at night, thank you very much.
But, just because he didn't use the coffee maker, didn't mean he didn't stock up the coffee beans. Someone might use them. There was a reason why Mitsuya kept everything so visible, despite the lack of lighting.
And while, he tried to get less workload and more rest time, at certain times of the night, he always knew when to wake up.
"I was told that Sumatran tasted better," Mitsuya went to his fridge to fetch a bottle of cold water. He chugged it down in one go, sighing in relief at the refreshing aftertaste.
"So, I've heard," the answer was followed by a loud sip of the strong smell of coffee. "But, this is sufficient for me, already."
For a moment, Mitsuya wondered if he should just leave the conversation and the room. He knew the late-night visitation was never for any social purpose.
"Sit with me," the rare invitation landed on his hand like Mitsuya had been too obvious.
Mitsuya pulled out another bottle of water and put the empty one on the kitchen counter. He'd refill it later.
"To what do I owe this honor?" Mitsuya took the kitchen stool, instead of joining the shadow who occupied his dinner table. Putting the necessary distance as a precaution because he knew what would happen if he got too close.
"We never chat anymore, Mitsuya," the other person huffed in disappointment. "I miss you, you know."
"You're missing me enough to break into my apartment for three weeks in a row?" Mitsuya responded dryly. "I don't know if you're familiar with it, but there's this thing called 'politely knocking on the door,' instead of jimmying the locks."
A burst of laughter echoed in the quiet of the room.
Mitsuya didn't find anything remotely funny with his words, but he hid his smile behind his water bottle, upon hearing the expression of joy.
"I thought you like surprises." Even if he couldn't properly see it, Mitsuya was sure, someone was grinning, all teeth-showing, the kind that crinkled the corner of your eyes.
"I do," Mitsuya nodded. "You're an exception."
Mitsuya wondered if he could convey the meaning of that through his words.
Always having faith, always being so trustful, always welcoming with open arms, always ignoring the obvious, despite everything.
Mitsuya knew what he did was so close to favoritism.
Then, again, there was nobody he had always put first, except the very person before him.
"It's an honor, truly, Mitsuya," the words sounded genuine, and Mitsuya wondered if the feelings it might contain were also real.
What's real, anyway?
In another world, in another lifetime, would it be possible for them to sit across each other under the light?
Without the curtain of darkness, separating them like they were on different sides of reality?
Is that real enough for you?
"If you have nothing to do for tonight," Mitsuya mentally laughed at himself while saying that, and yet, he continued anyway. "why don't you stay for a while? I've got a comfy couch, action movies, and I can pop some corn in the microwave."
Mitsuya knew it was impossible, but it wouldn't hurt to try.
After all, he said it himself, he missed him.
"Tempting," Mitsuya could hear the 'but' from miles away and he was right. "Sadly, I can't."
After emptying his second water bottle, Mitsuya turned his back to fill the one he finished and the next one too.
The sound of water filled the awkward silence that befell them, giving Mitsuya the illusion of additional time for conversation after he had done the activity.
"Wash the mug you use, then," Mitsuya put the refilled water bottles back into the fridge. "I don't like the smell of coffee lingering for too long."
He didn't mean to display his heartache, but it was hard when that was everything he knew once it came to this particular someone.
His wish was fulfilled in an instant. The water ran for a while, before the mug dropped on the dish rack, with a soft thump.
The dish soap didn't neutralize the coffee as much as Mitsuya hoped.
Maybe he should wash the countertop as well, cleaning the coffee machine.
And maybe if he rubbed the kitchen enough, he would get rid of everything—
"Mitsuya," the voice interrupted his frantic thoughts.
Mitsuya rested his forehead on his fridge instead. It was comforting to feel the cold surface against his hot skin. It helped him clear his foggy brain.
"What?" Mitsuya didn't bother to turn.
But he didn't need to when something warm dropped over his shoulder, restricting him from moving.
Heavy, either with regrets or all the sins that had been committed.
"Thank you," Mitsuya heard, when he expected to hear 'sorry.'
Then again, sorry wouldn't fix anything, sorry wouldn't magically mend everything.
Better be thankful, than sorry.
Mitsuya leaned his head, the touch of their temples felt so comforting it was almost too alluring.
The dragons met, conversing in silence.
Mitsuya wondered, if they could talk, what would they say?
What would they say when their other half had strayed so far, yet never really left? What would they say when fate had been so ever cruel to keep them apart?
What would they say, if by some divine machination, the mystic force always helped them to meet in the middle?
"You don't have to thank me, idiot," Mitsuya tried to appear annoyed, but his tone betrayed the means, and it only came out rather fondly than he intended to.
They stayed like that for a while, like they had all the time in the world.
Within the imaginary forever, Mitsuya could feel the arms slowly sneak themselves around his waist, keeping him in place.
And he let him.
It was not a couch, movie, and popcorn.
But it was as close as they could ever have.
Their breathing synchronized themselves, matching their heartbeats, lowering the tension.
Mitsuya closed his eyes, savoring the moment.
As brief as it was, as rare as it was.
In another world, in another lifetime, would it be possible for them to be like this, drowning in each other's embrace like there was no place they would rather be?
"I have to go," the whisper against his shoulder was enough of an answer.
Mitsuya lifted his head, slightly turning to align himself against the person behind.
"Lock the door on your way out," Mitsuya breathed out. And yet, despite the presented opportunity, he chose to not seize it. It would feel like a goodbye, and he knew, he couldn't stand it.
"Okay," the brush against his neck seemed intentional, almost too intimate to be a coincidence.
Mitsuya didn't complain, didn't ask for more. He was thankful for the moment of closeness, he didn't want to be greedy.
It was strange how Mitsuya missed the warmness around him so soon.
How long would it take until he could live without it? The faint smell of cigarettes and the trace of coffee in the air. How much would he mourn it if he could no longer be able to drown in it?
Against his own judgment, Mitsuya decided.
"Draken?"
The steps faltered, before completely halting to a stop. "Yeah?"
Mitsuya pretended, it was just another regular day, another normal occurrence in someone's life.
"See you, next week."
Even if he couldn't properly see it, Mitsuya was sure, someone was grinning, all teeth-showing, the kind that crinkled the corner of your eyes.
"Sure," was said so lightly, like a promise Mitsuya could keep.
And because Mitsuya was hopeless, he added hastily, "I'll get the Sumatran for you."
Draken's voice softened.
"Looking forward to it."
Even if it would eventually end up as lies, for a moment, Mitsuya wanted to believe it. Despite every sign of the universe telling him to get cautious, telling him to not wish for more. Mitsuya would still do it.
Hoping.
Because it's Draken, you know.
And Draken is always gonna be an exception to him.