Work Text:
"So deep, Taka"-
Toru-san’s voice was low, hoarse, and to be honest—if anyone overheard without context, they’d definitely assume the worst.
Taka let out a soft groan.
“You think I don’t know that? I’m the one holding it, Toru-san. Of course I know how deep this goes…”
The two of them were sitting cross-legged on the floor, slightly hunched over, foreheads nearly touching, faces deadly serious.
Their hands overlapped over something... hidden from view.
Toru bit his lower lip. “Careful. Don’t push it in too hard.”
Taka shot him a sharp glare. “I know what I’m doing. If you force it, it’ll break.”
Their breathing was slow, but tense. Taka pulled the thing back slightly, then eased it forward again—his movements controlled, cautious.
“Ahh… slowly. Don’t pull yet,” Toru-san murmured, voice slightly shaky.
Taka paused. He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Toru.
“You sure this is the best position?”
Toru nodded. “Positive. I’ve tried loads of different angles... this one feels the nicest.”
Silence.
The tension grew thicker.
A bead of sweat slid down Taka’s temple.
Toru rolled up his sleeves. “Let me hold the bottom bit.”
“W–why?” Taka asked quickly, a little breathless.
“To stabilise it. If it’s at the wrong angle, it might flip itself over and—”
THUD.
They both froze.
“…Taka.”
“…Don’t tell me—”
CREEEAK.
“I TOLD YOU NOT TO FLIP IT OVER!!”
Taka flopped onto his back, staring at the ceiling with the most defeated look on his face.
“Great. The bottom gave way.”
Toru was cradling the side of the object with both hands, like he was comforting a fragile baby bird.
“This is your fault! You got too eager!”
Taka glared. “Me?! You’re the one who kept saying ‘push it deeper, Toru-san! Just a bit more!’”
“IT WAS IN THE CONTEXT OF STRUCTURAL BALANCE, FOR GOD’S SAKE!”
“IT’S A BLOODY IKEA SIX-TIER SHELF, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?! AND WHO EVEN BUILDS THIS STUFF WITHOUT A MANUAL?!”
The two of them finally slumped back on the floor, staring blankly at the half-built shelf.
Its legs were crooked. A screw had vanished to Narnia.
Silence.
Only the sound of crushed pride and spiritual defeat remained.
“…Do you have wood glue?” Toru asked quietly.
Taka shook his head. “Only eyelash glue.”
“…You genuinely need help.”
“And you made building an IKEA shelf sound like a bloody porno.”
Toru chuckled softly. “Still... you were really focused just now. I like that face when you’re serious.”
Taka turned to him slowly. His expression was blank.
“Please leave before I launch this star screwdriver at your head.”
---
𝙀𝙉𝘿