Chapter Text
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Phainon’s alarm went off. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Well, it's certainly bright out. And cold out.” He yawned and wrapped the blankets around him. He wore a Captain America T-shirt and black joggers. He sleepily hobbled to the bathroom, not yet awake. As he opened the door he was met by a wave of steam and… Mydei.
Water dripped down his toned muscles. All he had on was a towel loosely draped around his waist. His hair was wet and the air smelled strongly of cologne. Phainon had seen this multiple times already but could never get used to it.
“Morning.” Mydei smirked, unaware of the effect he had on Phainon.
Why should he be aware of the effect he has on him? As far as Mydei knew, Phainon was a gentleman who all the ladies adored, a model student, and his roommate. Not the guy who was surprisingly not a ladies top pick, attracted to Mydei, and definitely not the mystery person who put cheesy anonymous love letters on Mydei’s desk…
“Good morning, Mydeimos.” Phainon steadied his voice and walked into the bathroom.
He stood next to Mydei and pulled out his toothbrush. Mydei removed the towel from his waist and went about his after shower routine, drying his hair, exposing himself fully to Phainon. As he squeezed the water out of his hair with his towel, Phainon couldn't help but stare at Mydei’s arms. So close to his face. His heart was beating so fast he was surprised he didn't get a nosebleed.
“So, got that community service project after school again today?” Mydei asked.
“Yeah. I'm helping out with the food pantry.”
“I've got basketball practice late today. If we're both back late let's have instant noodles together.”
“Alright, I'll let you know. Make sure not to go too hard.”
Phainon was always telling Mydei not to go too hard at sports but he knew fully well that Mydei wouldn't stop practicing until he couldn't walk anymore. However, Mydei was always telling Phainon not to go too hard at studying but he knew fully well Phainon wouldn't stop studying until he fell asleep. Phainon began to brush his teeth and think over his day. He had organic chemistry today. Mydei is in that class.
Phainon spit out the toothpaste. “Did you study for the organic chem test today?”
“Heh, study? Never.” Mydei said confidently as he combed his hair.
“How did you even graduate?” Phainon's voice was heavy with exasperation.
“I get ok enough grades. They're passing. So why change up a perfectly good strategy? It gives me more time to focus on the actual important things.”
“Well, if you ever need help studying I'm right here.” Phainon waved his hands, secretly hopeful that Mydei would take him seriously on his suggestion.
“Student prez, the day I get less than a 60 I'll ask.” He tapped his finger on Phainon’s chest.
Phainon bit his tongue and tried not to think about the fact that his crush had just touched his chest. Was it bad that he hoped that now Mydei would fail the next test? He wanted to tutor him… He wanted to help his himbo crush. Maybe then he could get closer to him… What am I thinking? If being roommates isn't enough for me to be able to tell him how I feel, how would tutoring be enough? I suppose it is better to stay by his side as a friend than not at all. Or as his roommate and tutor and secret admirer.
“Well, I should be going. I'm going to go early and study.” Phainon put an emphasis on the word study, implying Mydei should go the same.
“Aren't you forgetting something?” Mydei crossed his arms, his chest flexing slightly.
Phainon tilted his head in confusion like a lost puppy. “And what is it that I'm forgetting?”
“Breakfast.”
“Alright, alright.” Phainon reluctantly agreed.
“Good.” Mydei’s large hand ruffled Phainon's hair as he smirked. “I made eggs and bacon. Don't let it go cold, student prez.”
Phainon's eyes widened and heart skyrocketed. Mydei made him breakfast. Oh my god. He took the time out of his early morning to make Phainon breakfast… It wasn't the first time he did it, in fact, he usually did it when Phainon had exams because sometimes Phainon’s mind would be too consumed with studying to remember to eat. Mydei knew he needed the extra energy, and always made sure to give him nutritious foods like eggs. However, it never grew old and never stopped giving him butterflies.
Phainon nodded and looked up at Mydei with big ocean blue eyes. “Thank you, Mydeimos. I appreciate it a lot.”
He headed to the kitchen and lo and behold, eggs and bacon on a plate. There was a smile made of ketchup next to the eggs. Phainon smiled and giggled at it. He sat down and took a bite. Delicious as always. Mydei really knew how to season food. It tasted so much better than the bland food he always made for himself, which was usually just salad or noodles. He took the time to appreciate the meal, giving himself an unusual luxury he didn’t usually give himself: a moment to pause. He knew it’s what Mydei would have wanted. He was more lax paced than Phainon was.
A moment later Mydei emerged, now wearing his school uniform. Well, wearing it as much as he usually did. Phainon has never seen Mydei wear the tie of their uniform, and he usually had the top few buttons unbuttoned. His appearance always looked like the cool bad boy type one might see in an anime. Like he was just too cool to button his shirt. When they had first become roommates as freshman Phainon had asked him about it, and Mydei had said his chest was too big for the shirt to handle. That imagery gave Phainon some… groundwork for his “alone time”. A year had gone by now and he had given up on his student council duty to enforce the dress code on Mydei, instead choosing to secretly revel in it. On days like today where Phainon was stressed it was an extra sweet treat.
“How’s the food?” Mydei asked Phainon as he sat down across from him at his own plate.
“Good. Really good.” Phainon sputtered out, nodding.
“Nervous about the exam?” Mydei teased slightly as he picked up his fork.
“I prepared well for it. I’m going to give it my all.” Phainon’s voice raised with confidence.
“That’s the spirit.” Mydei smirked. Phainon grinned in response and took a bite of the bacon. They ate in silence, Mydei doing his usual morning routine of eating and getting ready for the day as Phainon nervously munched on the remaining bacon. As Phainon finished eating the last bite he looked at Mydei, who was leisurely eating the eggs. Phainon envied Mydei’s nonchalance. Mydei always stepped up when it mattered and made everything look easy. Phainon lived in deadlines and nervousness.
“I’m heading out now. I’ll see you in the classroom.” Phainon brought his dishes to the sink and scurried to his room. He grabbed his backpack and headed to the door, Mydei waving goodbye as he continued to eat. Phainon began his walk to school, reviewing the material in his head. As he made his way to the classroom there was no one in sight. Phainon was always early. Especially on exam days. He would always go study. He was usually early anyways as he had student council duties usually. And another personal, more secretive, agenda.
He crept into the empty classroom and made his way to Mydei’s desk. He took a piece of paper from his bag and slid it into Mydei’s desk. His weekly love note to Mydei. He didn’t care if Mydei always just assumed it was a girl who was too cowardly to confess. Too cowardly was correct, but it was because Phainon was his roommate and also a boy. Mydei had never shown any indication of liking men, on the contrary, showed lots of indication of liking women, so Phainon knew his chances were slim. It was better to leave love notes for Mydei and have his love unanswered than to be rejected.
With a soft sigh Phainon made his way to his seat. He pulled out his study materials, aka his textbook and ridiculously long notes. As more people poured in he tried to lock in to the exam but he couldn’t take his mind off one thing: Mydei. He blinked in surprise and his heart skipped a beat as Mydei walked in. Time slowed as Mydei walked to his seat. He pulled out the chair, pulled out his books, and his eyes locked onto the love note with usual sincerity and flattery. Since their sophomore year had started, about 2 months ago, Phainon had left these cheesy handwritten notes every Tuesday. During Professor Aglaea’s class his mind had wandered to Mydei, therefore his poems for that class always ended up being about him, so… Why not put them to use?
Having seen Mydei’s reaction to the note, Phainon could put his mind to rest. The note wasn’t anything spectacular in Phainon’s opinion, but it was usable. And seeing Mydei’s face whenever he got the note made Phainon think perhaps the poems were something spectacular.
His eyes glow a golden orange like amber, a burning sun
I want to preserve it for eternity
His muscles chiseled like marble, so detailed
I want to preserve it for eternity
His hair glossy as silk, soft and shiny
I want to preserve it for eternity
He could only hope that these poems were able to light up Mydei’s day. He was shy to give them, but since it was anonymous anyway why not shoot his shot? After all, seeing Mydei’s smile was his favorite sight. Now Phainon was content with Mydei's reaction to the note therefore he was able to focus on the exam. As he looked between the clock and the board waiting for Professor Anaxa to arrive he had his fingers secretly crossed that Mydei would fail, and Phainon would get to tutor him.