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Ibara’s vice of working late into the night had improved somewhat since he had moved in with Nagisa, but some habits were hard to break. Nagisa had tried his best to lure him to bed at a reasonable hour, but Ibara had kept working for several hours after Nagisa went to sleep. Ibara slunk into bed in the wee hours of the morning, attempting to move carefully enough to avoid waking Nagisa, but Nagisa was too attuned to his presence for that to work. He awoke just enough to pull Ibara’s back against his chest and wrap his arms around him. As soon as he felt that Ibara had dozed off, Nagisa drifted back to sleep as well.
Nagisa expected to wake up to find Ibara working at his desk again, or at least in the kitchen making breakfast. Even when he had the day off, it was common for Ibara to wake up earlier than Nagisa after going to bed later. Nagisa opened his eyes and drew in a breath of surprise when he saw Ibara still in bed next to him. Ibara had turned over in his sleep and was now facing Nagisa, still sound asleep.
Ibara’s hand was curled up on the pillow next to his face. His lips were slightly parted, breathing slowly. His face bore a relaxed expression that rarely appeared when he was awake. Seeing him this tranquil and unburdened in sleep was a rare treasure.
Nagisa wanted to preserve everything about this moment, the stillness and silence, the sunlight shining on Ibara’s hair. He wanted to stop time so that he could memorize it and give Ibara as much time to rest as he needed.
At first, Nagisa was content to remain an observer. He didn’t want to move in case that would break the spell. Ibara was a sensitive sleeper and would likely wake up to the slightest touch, and Nagisa wanted to protect his rest. At the same time, he looked so dream-like that Nagisa felt compelled to touch him to connect himself back to reality. He reached out his hand and stroked his fingers along Ibara’s cheek.
Ibara’s eyes opened, just a sliver at first. His half-lidded eyes didn’t have their usual bright sparkle, but more of a soft, hazy glow. It occurred to Nagisa that Ibara’s glasses were on the nightstand. Nagisa could turn around and grab the glasses for him, but he was selfish, and wanted to continue to admire how cute Ibara looked with his eyes unfocused. Ibara looked confused and sleep-addled, but not at all guarded; he could tell by the scent and warmth around him that he was with Nagisa, and that was the safest place for him to be. Nagisa’s greatest desire was to provide that feeling of safety to Ibara, who had survived so much and still didn’t know when to stop fighting.
Keeping his eyes open without his glasses had to be tiring, so after a few moments, Ibara gave up on it and closed them again. He nuzzled closer to Nagisa, resting his head against Nagisa’s chest. His fingers clutched Nagisa’s pajama shirt, and he made a small contented noise once he had settled into his new position.
Nagisa was so overwhelmed with affection that he almost couldn’t breathe. To feel Ibara seek comfort and rest by his side so instinctively was everything he ever wanted. He rested his chin against Ibara’s head and wrapped his arms tightly around him. He tilted his face down to give Ibara a kiss on top of his hair.
He wanted Ibara to fall back asleep like this. He wanted Ibara to sleep in all morning, so that Nagisa could hold him until the afternoon, and they could spend the day basking in each other’s presence…
Then, Nagisa’s stomach growled.
Ibara blinked his eyes open, more abruptly than earlier. He propped himself up on his arm and reached over Nagisa to the nightstand to grab his glasses and then his phone. His eyes widened when he put on his glasses and looked at the clock on his phone screen.
“My apologies, Your Excellency! How irresponsible of me to sleep in so late that I missed your breakfast time.” All traces of the sleepy creature from earlier had vanished, as if he transformed into ‘typical Ibara’ by putting on his glasses.
“…It’s okay. I’m glad you got to sleep in,” Nagisa said. He placed his hand on Ibara’s thigh. “Did you enjoy it?”
Ibara seemed caught off guard by that and hesitated. “Yes. I did,” he admitted. A smile and a slight blush crept onto his face before his usual upbeat demeanor snapped back into place. “Now I’m well rested and ready to take on the day, starting with making you breakfast. What would you like? I could make us a traditional Japanese breakfast, or maybe you’d prefer something sweeter?”
“…I want pancakes,” Nagisa said.
“Can do,” said Ibara. He hopped out of bed and walked to the closet to put on his robe over his pajamas.
Nagisa also sat up and pushed himself to the edge of the bed, preparing to get up as well, but he felt a twinge of dissatisfaction. He felt guilty about disturbing Ibara’s rest, even if it was because of something that he couldn’t control.
Ibara walked around to Nagisa’s side of the bed and leaned down in front of him, tilting Nagisa’s chin up with his fingers. “You’re coming with me, right? Unless you want me to make you breakfast in bed? I can do that.” Ibara’s old habit of serving Nagisa had evolved into outright spoiling him since they started living together. Nagisa didn’t mind, although he would appreciate it if Ibara gave him the chance to return the favor more often.
“…Yes, I’m coming,” Nagisa said. He held out his hand. Ibara took it and helped him up from the bed, intertwining their fingers as they walked to the kitchen.
Now that they were starting the day together, Nagisa felt a little better. He couldn’t fault himself for his need for food interrupting Ibara’s rest, any more than he would fault Ibara for his need for rest delaying breakfast. Besides, he was hungry.
Nagisa sat down at the table while he watched Ibara bustle around the kitchen. Even though he missed sleepy Ibara, how could he say that he loved Ibara if he didn’t love every facet of him? Ibara as his usual self was familiar in a way that felt like coming home. Ibara was a creature of constant movement, and it wouldn’t be good for him to keep him captive in bed, as much as Nagisa wanted to sometimes. Those moments when Ibara did indulge himself in rest were as rare and precious as gemstones, and Nagisa would cherish every one of them as such.