Work Text:
Hioki stared at the whiteboard, the last minute announcement still fresh in his mind. “Pairs for tomorrow’s project..” His eyes skimmed the list of names, and his stomach did a small flip when it landed on the name next to his. Watarai and Hioki.
He couldn’t help the faint, nervous smile tugging at his lips. It wasn’t that he disliked pairing with Watarai, it was far from it. After the school trip, after everything that had happened between them, the idea of spending time together outside of school made Hioki’s heart beat quicker. “Looks like it’s us..” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. From the corner of his eye, Watarai leaned casually against a random desk, smiling. “Yep,” Watarai said softly. “I thought we could work at my place, way less chaos than staying here.”
Hioki blinked. “At your house?”
“Yeah, trust me.” Watarai replied, his tone easy, not pushy. “We can finish faster there. And, uh...” He hesitated, letting the words hang. “It’ll be quieter... for us.” Hioki nodded, forcing a casual smile. “Okay, I guess that works..”
The walk to Watarai’s house was quiet, the late afternoon sun shining across the streets. When they arrived, Hioki’s attention was immediately caught off guard by a small pile of toys near the entrance.
“Your little brother and parents?” Hioki asked, curiosity edging his voice.
Watarai chuckled softly, brushing past him with the ease he always seemed to carry. “He’s at a sleepover tonight, and my parents are going out for dinner.” He said.
“So.. It’s just us.”
Hioki’s heart did another little flip. Just us, that was different. It made the house feel warmer, and more private. They stepped inside, Watarai moved around, gathering stuff they could use for the project from a high shelf and placing it all carefully on the living room table. “Sit here,” Watarai said, gesturing to a spot beside him. He arranged the papers and markers. “Is this good?” Watarai asked lightly, leaning over just a little to straighten a page. His hand brushed against Hioki’s, deliberately. “Yeah! Good materials..” Hioki muttered, adjusting slightly closer without thinking. Watarai’s lips curved into a small, soft smile. “Mhm, don’t want you getting distracted.”
Hioki’s lips twitched upwards into a smile. “You’re... different,” he said after a moment, glancing at him. “Here at home... You have a different vibe!” Watarai tilted his head. “Different?”
“Closer...” Hioki admitted softly. “Like... you don’t want me to go anywhere.” Watarai didn’t move away. Instead, he reached just a little closer, brushing Hioki’s hair back with his fingers. “Of course I don’t.. I love you, remember?” Hioki shyly nodded. “I know!”
They started organizing the project across the table. Watarai leaned in just slightly to look over his shoulder, their arms brushing more than once as they passed supplies.
“You think this goes here?” Hioki asked, pointing. Watarai reached over, guiding his hand lightly. “Right there..” He said quietly. Their fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary. Hours passed, the room filled with occasional shared laughs, and small conversations about school, friends, and memories.
“Don’t get too distracted.” Watarai murmured, leaning closer to point at a section of the chart. His shoulder brushed against Hioki’s, a soft and comforting contact. “I need you focused for this part.” Hioki laughed softly. “You don’t have to be so attentive.”
“I want to be,” Watarai replied quietly, his gaze gentle. “Just with you.”
By the time the sun dipped below, they had made significant progress on the project. Watarai suggested they move to the floor to finish more details, arranging pillows and blankets so they could sit more comfortably. Hioki hesitated for a moment, glancing at the cozy setup, but the way Watarai’s gaze lingered on him, made him nod.
“You can sit close..” Watarai said gently, guiding him to the spot beside him. Hioki found himself faintly grinning, settling in beside Watarai. They continued working in comfortable silence, and laughing softly when one of them made a small mistake. Suddenly Watarai slightly glanced at him, eyes meeting Hioki’s. “You’re really good at this!” he said, while grinning ear to ear.
Hioki’s stomach fluttered, and he smiled softly. “Thank you..!”
Hours passed as they worked. The project was taking shape, a combination of both their ideas, drawn diagrams, and explanations. Occasionally, Hioki would glance up, and Watarai’s eyes would notice his. “You’re a pro!.” Hioki said after a while, tilting his head to look at Watarai. “I like doing things properly,” Watarai replied softly. Then, after a pause, he added, “Especially when I’m working with you.” Hioki felt his heart stutter. The words weren’t bold, but the gentle tone made them land heavier than he expected. “Well, uh.. You make everything feel less stressful...” Hioki admitted, looking down at the table.
“Even school work.” Watarai’s lips curved into a small smile. “That’s part of my job, since I'm your boyfriend, making sure you’re okay.” Hioki’s chest warmed at the words, subtly blushing.
As the sky darkened outside, Watarai glanced toward the window. “It’s getting late..” he said, casually. “Do you want to stay over? We can finish the project more comfortably in my room.” Hioki blinked, slightly surprised. “Stay over?” Watarai nodded, his expression soft and easy. “Yeah. It’ll be simpler. We don’t have to rush, and... it’s just easier to focus without distractions, plus,” he added, a faint teasing tone in his voice. “You won’t have to get back home in the dark.”
Hioki felt his stomach flutter, as he nodded slowly. “Alright, I guess that makes sense.” Watarai’s smile widened at the response. “Alright, Let’s move the work to my room then.” They carried the materials up to Watarai’s room. As soon as the bedroom door opened, it caused Hioki to notice the details of the clean space, neatly stacked manga, and a comfortable looking bed that was just big enough for one person.
By now, it turned into nighttime. The lamp was gently casting shadows, and the quiet rustle of papers and blankets filled the room. Hioki yawned, stretching slightly, and Watarai tilted his head, observing him. “Tired?” he said softly, tilting his head. “You should relax for a bit, since you’re staying over anyway.” Hioki nodded, smiling softly. “Yeah, I think I will.” Watarai adjusted the blankets one last time, making sure Hioki was comfortable. “There..” He whispered. Hioki was sat on the bed, back resting against the wall, legs stretched out in front of him. He rubbed at his eyes without realising it, but Watarai noticed immediately.
“You should sleep..” Watarai commented quietly, closing his notebook and setting it aside. His voice was genuine. Hioki blinked, then laughed softly. “I didn’t mean to get that tired.” Then Watarai paused, as if thinking. “Actually... Wait.”
He walked across the room and opened one of his drawers, pulling out a folded set of pajamas. “You’ll be more comfortable if you change into these!” Watarai grinned. “They’re clean.” Hioki stared at the clothes for a moment. “Eh?! Oh- Yeah, I didn’t bring anything..”
“I know,” Watarai replied calmly. “That’s why I’m lending you mine.”
Hioki hesitated, cheeks warming. “What if it doesn’t fit..” Watarai shrugged and then chuckled lightly. “It will, It’s not like I’m a body builder!” He gestured towards the bathroom outside the bedroom door. “You can change in the bathroom, I’ll wait.”
Hioki took the pajamas, fingers curling around the soft fabric. “... Okay.” A few minutes later, Hioki came back, sleeves slightly too long, the hem brushing his hands. “Uh- The sleeves..” Watarai looked him up and down, then stopped. “They suit you..” he spoke quietly, ears turning red. Hioki’s face heated instantly. “D-Don’t say it like that!”
Watarai chuckled. Then he stood up and moved around the bed, tugging the blankets and fluffing the pillows. Hioki watched quietly. “You can lay down now,” Watarai said, glancing back over his shoulder. “We’re basically done anyway.”
Hioki hesitated. “But where will you-” Watarai interrupted, as if the answer was obvious. “Here.” He sat down on the bed, close enough that their knees almost touched. The mattress dipped slightly under his weight. Hioki swallowed. “There’s enough space,” Watarai continued calmly, adjusting the blanket. “And it’s late.. I don’t want you sleeping on the floor.”
“Ohh.” Hioki murmured. “O-Okay!”
He shifted, lying down stiffly at first, staring up at the ceiling. The bed smelled faintly like Watarai. A moment later, the mattress moved again as Watarai laid down beside him. Hioki could feel the warmth of him, their shoulders almost touching. He tried to relax, hands folded awkwardly over his stomach. “... Is this okay with you?” Hioki asked quietly.
Watarai turned his head to look at him, in the dim lighting. “Mhm,” he whispered. “It is.” The house had gone quiet. Currently, most of the project papers were stacked neatly on Watarai's desk now. And the only light left on was the small lamp beside the bed. “You don’t have to be tense,” Watarai said quietly, turning his head slightly. “I won’t bite.” Hioki let out a small, embarrassed breath. “I’m not tense!..” Watarai hummed, unconvinced. He shifted just a little closer. “You always say that too.” The contact made Hioki’s breath hitch, but he didn’t move away.
Hioki shifted beneath the blanket, adjusting his legs. The movement was small, but the sound he made, a gasp, was enough for Watarai to notice. He turned slightly. Hioki froze. “.. Sorry.” Watarai’s arm slid around him then, resting at his back. “You don’t need to apologize..” Watarai chuckled. “You’re allowed to move.”
Hioki swallowed.
“I’m just... not used to this.. Couple stuff, and-”
“Being this close?” Watarai asked, and Hioki nodded.
Watarai’s forehead brushed lightly against Hioki’s hair. “Then we’ll go slow, hm?”
Watarai shifted again, this time guiding Hioki gently so they were facing each other. His hand rested near Hioki’s shoulder, thumb brushing absently over the fabric of his sleeve. “Do you want to.. Kiss?” he asked quietly. Hioki looked at him, admiring the way Watarai always seemed steady even when things felt overwhelming. “Y-Yeah!..” Hioki agreed.
Watarai leaned in, gently pressing a kiss to his lips. It was soft and over too soon, Hioki voiced his displeasure with a sigh. "So impatient.." Watarai smirked with amusement, and Hioki turned his head away to try to hide the blush crawling across his face. Watarai just chuckled, using his free hand to tilt Hioki’s head back to face him. Then leaned down again, capturing Hioki’s lips on his own. This kiss was way less gentle, Watarai nipping at Hioki’s bottom lip to elicit quiet whimpers. Hioki tipped his head back with a light exhale, letting Watarai trail more kisses down his jaw.
When Watarai pulled back, Hioki blinked, his breath unsteady. “That’s it?” Hioki questioned before he could stop himself. Watarai’s lips twitched. “For tonight.” Hioki turned his face away quickly, heat rushing to his cheeks. “I wasn’t- I didn’t mean-” Watarai reached out, gently guiding Hioki’s chin back toward him. “I know,” he said softly. “I just don’t want to rush you.”
Hioki hesitated, then nodded. “I.. I liked it, I’m just not sure about more right now.”
“That’s fine!” Watarai replied immediately, smiling.
He shifted back slightly, giving Hioki space without fully letting go. His arm still stayed around Hioki’s back. “We can just stay like this,” Watarai added. “If you want.” Hioki relaxed almost instantly, his body leaning closer without him realizing it. “Mhm.. You know, you’re very warm.” Watarai’s grip tightened, protectively. “Haha, really?”
He guided Hioki gently, until Hioki’s head rested against his chest. Watarai’s hand came up to cradle the back of his head, fingers threading lightly through his hair. The sound of Watarai’s heart beat was steady beneath Hioki’s ear. It was nice in a way Hioki hadn’t expected.
Hioki’s fingers curled slightly into the fabric of Watarai’s shirt. “.. You planned this, didn’t you?” Watarai didn’t deny it. “I thought about you staying over.” They fell quiet again. At some point, Hioki shifted, trying to get more comfortable. Watarai noticed this immediately, adjusting the blanket and pulling it higher around Hioki’s shoulders. “You’ll get cold.”
"Thanks.."
The lamp clicked off a little while later, plunging the room into darkness. Hioki shifted closer in his sleepiness, curling instinctively toward the warmth. Watarai responded immediately, tightening his arm around him. “Sleep well..” Watarai murmured near Hioki's ear.
Hioki’s eyes fluttered shut, he felt safe.