Work Text:
blink blink
A slow, groggy blink…
Then another.
And then—
“…Oh wait, what time is it…? yawns ” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
Boombox didn’t mean to fall asleep.
He really didn’t.
He’d planned it perfectly.
Wake up early, clean the apartment, maybe make something for Coil so he’d seem like a functioning adult for once—
or at least give the illusion.
But then he sat down on the couch for “two seconds.”
And those two seconds turned into four hours.
“…uh-oh.”
The realization hit him like a truck.
Then he shot upright.
“OH SHIT. COIL. COIL’S COMING TODAY. OH NO NO NO NO—”
He stumbled out of the blankets, tripping over literally nothing, caught himself, then immediately stumbled again—this time into a mysterious pile of laundry that absolutely did not exist yesterday.
He pinwheeled his arms, tried to stabilize—
and slammed directly into the kitchen counter.
The apartment was… not terrible, but also not “my boyfriend is coming over” level.
Some crumbs on the coffee table.
A few clothes tossed near the bed.
One couch cushion on the floor like it gave up on life.
Boombox scrambled, sweeping things into place with frantic speed.
He wasn’t messy, just… occasionally overwhelmed by the concept of time.
And then—
knock knock
A familiar voice came through the door, soft and slightly concerned
“Boomie? You’re there?”
Boombox choked on his own breath.
“WAIT, COIL— I’M COMING!!”
He sprinted across the apartment, socks sliding dangerously on the floor.
He hit the doormat, skidded like he was drifting a turn in Mario Kart, nearly wiped out—
but managed to grab the doorknob in time.
He yanked it open
And Coil only had half a second to brace before Boombox launched himself forward, arms wrapping around Coil’s torso with the pure force of a missile made of sunshine and affection.
“Oof—! Woah, dude, that startled me,” Coil laughed, stumbling back half a step but catching Boombox with practiced ease.
His hands tightened around Boombox’s waist, steadying him automatically.
The movement was protective—smooth, instinctive, the way Coil always handled him without thinking.
“Hi, baby.”
Boombox immediately melted into him, burying his face into Coil’s chest, breath warming his shirt.
His hair brushed Coil’s chin as he lightly nuzzled in, clinging like someone who’d been starved of Coil’s presence for a week instead of a day.
“…You’re here,” Boombox mumbled, voice soft and sleepy.
“Of course. You missed me—” Coil paused, voice lowering, “(…I missed you too.)”
The confession was quiet, almost hidden, but genuine.
Coil lifted one hand and began gently patting Boombox’s head, brushing through his messy bangs with slow, warm strokes.
Every pass of Coil’s fingers sent Boombox’s heart fizzing, melting him further against that solid chest.
“You almost fell on me again,” Coil said, amused and fond all at once.
“’M excited…” Boombox admitted, laughing breathlessly as he gripped Coil even tighter—mostly from fluster, partly because he liked being in Coil’s arms more than anything.
“I can see that.”
Coil’s lips dipped down to Boombox’s temple, pressing a kiss there—warm, lingering.
Boombox practically glowed, cheeks hot and smile soft.
.
Coil rested his shoulder against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, watching Boombox do the last bits of tidying.
Not judging.
Just… amused.
“You don’t need to clean because of me,” Coil said, smirking lazily.
Boombox tossed a pillow onto the couch and flashed him a bright smile over his shoulder.
“I know. I just like when the place looks good when you’re here.”
Coil’s grin faded for a single heartbeat—
like he’d been stabbed in the chest with sincerity.
He cleared his throat sharply.
“Tch. Flirting already?” he muttered, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.
“You’re bold today.”
Boombox shrugged, sunlight in human form.
“Only because you like it.”
Coil clicked his tongue and pretended he wasn’t already walking closer.
Boombox plopped onto the couch and patted the spot beside him.
“C’mon. Sit with me.”
Coil sat with that relaxed, alpha-wolf posture—legs slightly open, one arm draped along the back of the couch like he owned the place.
Boombox immediately slid beside him.
Coil didn’t even hesitate—he lifted his arm and let Boombox lean directly into his side.
His hand fell naturally around Boombox’s waist, fingers splaying warm on his hip.
“You’re warm,” Boombox murmured, snuggling in.
“I run hot,” Coil replied casually. “Good for you, huh?”
“Very,” Boombox grinned, cheek pressing to Coil’s shoulder.
Coil’s fingers slid into his hair, brushing gently, stroking lazy circles against his scalp.
Boombox shivered happily.
“Mm. Your hair’s soft today.”
Boombox perked up.
“Noticed, huh?”
“I always notice,” Coil said—too fast, too honest.
Boombox blinked, stunned for a moment… then smiled even brighter.
“You’re cute when you’re sweet, Coil.”
“I’m not—” Coil stopped abruptly.
Boombox was giving him that look.
The sunshine-soft, heartwarming, “I love you so much it’s unfair” look.
Coil’s tough-guy persona dissolved into dust.
“…you’re impossible,” he muttered, pulling Boombox closer.
Boombox laughed softly, curling into his chest.
“You love it.”
Coil smirked.
“Maybe.”
Their laughter tangled together, soft and warm.
“Coil,” Boombox whispered, voice low and playful,
“What’s your favorite thing I do?”
Coil snorted.
“Straight to compliments? You fishing for praise?”
“Yes.”
Zero hesitation. Zero shame.
Coil huffed a laugh, turning his head to look at him.
His eyes softened in a way they never did for anyone else.
“…fine.”
He brushed a thumb across Boombox’s cheekbone, slow.
“I like when you smile at me.”
Boombox stared.
Then froze.
Then turned so red his ears burned.
He immediately shoved his face into Coil’s chest, muffling a strangled noise.
“You— that’s— shut up—”
Coil grinned, smug and wicked.
“Oh? Sunshine boy can’t handle it?”
Boombox smacked his shoulder gently.
“Coil, PLEASE.”
Coil wrapped his arm around him fully, pulling him in until their foreheads touched.
His voice dropped lower, softer, stripped of all cockiness
“But really… your smile makes me feel calm.
It’s annoying.”
Boombox squeaked.
Actually squeaked.
Then he grinned triumphantly and leaned in, kissing Coil—
quick at first, then a second kiss, slower, mouth lingering against Coil’s with quiet affection.
Boombox giggled into the kiss, warm and breathless.
“What’d you do today?” Boombox murmured.
“Got yelled at during training,” Coil said dryly.
“Apparently ‘rage-baiting’ my teammate was not constructive team bonding.”
Boombox snorted, trying not to laugh too loud.
“That sounds like you.”
Coil tapped Boombox’s nose with one finger.
“Yeah, well… I’m good now.”
“Because you’re here?”
Coil glared, ears pink.
“…Shut up.”
Boombox grinned, nestling his face into Coil’s chest.
They talked about everything.
Boombox’s head rested on Coil’s heartbeat.
Coil’s arm tightened around his waist protectively.
The couch creaked gently as they shifted closer, legs brushing, fingers intertwining lazily.
Boombox’s eyelids drooped.
Coil’s chin rested on his hair.
Their conversation dwindled to murmurs… then whispers… then silence—
until both of them drifted off, tangled together under the dim, gentle afternoon light.
Coil’s last conscious action
was pressing one more kiss onto Boombox’s forehead.
Boombox’s last was whispering something soft and sleepy
“…love you…”