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It was a lazy Friday afternoon, one that Rui was spending lounged on the Tenma household’s living room couch. One of many Friday afternoons, to put it simply. Rui Kamishiro had been a frequent visitor to the Tenma house as of late, where what were once monthly visits turned to weekly, and then eventually he would be there every few days. But Fridays were always a guarantee.
On Fridays, Rui was allowed to choose what to have for dinner. So Friday was strictly ‘No-Vegetables’ night for the Tenma household, despite Tsukasa’s pointless protest.
Tsukasa Tenma had quickly become accustomed to his frequent visitor. He was thrilled to have him. Tsukasa had no problem making it known just how much he adored Rui, how much he truly valued his presence. Everyone and their Mothers were well aware of how close the two were, how easily they’d fallen into the same rhythm still thrumming strongly with each passing day.
This particular afternoon was supposed to be spent brainstorming some ideas for a future show, but they didn’t even manage to get started on that. Earlier, as the two of them settled on the couch, Rui was adjusting a cushion behind his back when in his peripherals he noticed Tsukasa trying, and failing, to suppress a deep yawn.
“Tired, Tsukasa-kun?” Rui tilted his head with a curious smile, much too similar to the behaviour of a puppy.
Tsukasa simply tried to deny the accusation, but it was difficult for Rui to ignore the obvious dullness behind his usual beautiful bright eyes, overwhelmed with a certain kind of tiredness Rui was all too familiar with. It seemed Tsukasa might be a little burnt out.
Ah well, no better way to rekindle the creative flame than seek inspiration. Rui offered Tsukasa one end of his earbuds, opening a random playlist of music on his phone. Tsukasa stared dumbly in response, eyes widening slightly in surprise. And if Rui weren’t delusional, he would think that he looked quite flustered about it too, a light blush dusting his pinchable cheeks.
Tsukasa snapped out of the daze when he recognised the teasing look on Rui’s face, quickly focusing his gaze anywhere else but the boy beside him as he took the offered earbud, embarrassment churning deep in his gut.
“I recently discovered some songs you might like. Tell me what you think of them, will you?” He hit play.
“Of course! You know me better than anyone Rui,” Tsukasa grinned at him, shining with genuine confidence in Rui’s taste. Rui stared at him for a moment, unsure how to reply to such a statement. Even though Tsukasa was prone to saying such things to him regularly, for some reason it caught him off guard this time, the back of his neck prickling with a strange warmth.
He quickly shook off the strange feeling and discreetly shuffled closer to Tsukasa so the wiring of his earbuds wouldn’t strain too much. And perhaps just for the opportunity to be physically closer to his dear friend.
He hugged a couch cushion to his stomach as the upbeat musical notes drifted through his ears, a regal melody, one that would be well suited to a show with a medieval theme. Rui absentmindedly tapped his chin as a performance to match this song played in his mind, sometimes starting over with minor alterations and extra pizazz.
But just when he’d decided he was going to reach over to his bag to retrieve his notebook, a warm, heavy weight suddenly settled itself on Rui’s shoulder.
Rui froze, remaining as still as a statue as he processed what was happening. He glanced down, his heart squeezing with fondness when he realised Tsukasa had fallen asleep. On him! Tsukasa had gone and passed out on his shoulder, snoring softly as he buried his cheek near Rui’s collarbone.
He could feel Tsukasa’s breath blowing against his neck in a steady rhythm. His impossibly soft hair tickled beneath his chin. Rui had no idea what to do. Such an unpredictable situation left him stumped, his mind usually filled to the brim with ideas had completely blanked.
The weight grew heavier as Tsukasa slowly pushed further into him, possibly seeking the warmth radiating off of Rui, and warmth is definitely what he was getting, as the top of Rui’s head was practically steaming. He didn’t need a mirror to know his face was currently as red as a fruit he oh so despises.
To counter the increasing weight of the limp body pressed against him, Rui carefully turned to face his sleeping friend, lowering himself down so that he was sprawled across the length of the couch, Tsukasa following suit on top of him. He didn’t know what his plan was, nor why he was doing this, but it was as if his brain switched off and allowed his body to follow his heart instead.
Their new position was not lost on Rui. He desperately tried to calm his racing heart as he observed how disgustingly domestic this was. The music had long since been abandoned, replaced by the steady rhythm of Tsukasa’s breathing and Rui’s furiously erratic heartbeat.
Tsukasa now lay on top of Rui, between his long legs, torso to torso. His cheek rested on Rui’s chest, a hand resting limply near his heart. His brown eyelashes twitched with every rise and fall of Rui’s chest. It was movements like these that Rui found so endearing, small things that reminded him how full of life and energy his dear friend was, despite being fast asleep.
It dawned on him suddenly, that he was now trapped with an unconscious Tsukasa splayed on top of him, one that showed no signs of waking up any time soon. Rui was not tired at all, and his right leg was beginning to tingle from being pinned against the back of the couch. He hadn’t been thinking straight when he decided to switch their positions, and now he was at a loss for what to do next.
Rui silently cursed himself for making such impulsive decisions. How was Tsukasa going to react when he’d inevitably wake up and find himself in Rui’s embrace!? He absolutely did not think this through, he was pretty certain he was not thinking at all.
He stared at the ceiling, mentally calculating his next move. Tsukasa’s hand moved to grip the fabric of his school shirt, no doubt causing a crease. And he could’ve sworn he could feel the blond drooling as he slept, but Rui couldn’t find it in his heart to care all that much. The sleeping boy shifted suddenly, mumbling gibberish in his sleep as he slowly wrapped his arms around Rui’s torso.
Rui could hardly believe what was happening. And the worst part is, he kind of loved it. Tsukasa was very dear to him, and laying here with him pressed against his chest was unravelling an entire new thread of feelings and emotions. Feelings he wasn’t quite ready to unpack just yet.
For now, he was satisfied with holding his star close and letting him rest. Rui carefully lifted his arms, one snaking around Tsukasa’s back to hold him steady, and the other resting atop his nest of peach-blond hair. He did his best to ensure his touch was feather light as he brushed some stray hairs away from his face, his bangs had fallen over his eyes when he shifted earlier, and Rui really loved looking at his face, or as much as he could see of him right now. Tsukasa did not stir even a little. He must’ve been very tired.
And when he moved to stroke his fingers through the golden tufts, Tsukasa leaned into it unconsciously. Rui’s heart practically melted, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smirk as he continued to brush the star’s hair with his long fingers. Rui wondered how it must feel, if it was possible for the feeling to carry through into whatever it was Tsukasa was dreaming about.
Tsukasa’s hair was softer than he could’ve ever imagined, of course he’s touched it briefly before, but never as intimately as this. It felt amazing.
“Mnn,” Tsukasa mumbled into Rui’s shirt, likely reacting to the way Rui began to scratch his scalp. It was all way too adorable, he was certain his heart was going to burst right out of his chest.
He didn’t know how long they had been laying there together, tangled in the rhythm of each other’s beating hearts, but he was becoming acutely aware of how heavy his eyelids were becoming. How his own breathing had slowed in tandem with Tsukasa’s, and how the sunlight from a nearby window progressively dwindled as the sun set behind the horizon.
The room was dark now, save for the light in the hallway they’d forgotten to switch off, and suddenly Rui was struggling to fight back his own yawns. Hours had passed already, it seemed, and the exhaustion from laying idle for so long was settling deep within him.
Rui leaned down sluggishly, and kissed the top of Tsukasa’s head.
He didn’t quite know what compelled him to do such a thing, but it felt right at that moment. Being this affectionate with Tsukasa came to him as naturally as directing his stage performances. The realisation made him feel both heavy with warmth, and extremely lightheaded at the same time. He didn’t particularly hate the feeling nor truly understand what all of this meant, but he figured it was something he could evaluate later. Not now, when his full and unyielding attention was on the boy in his arms.
He murmured, “Goodnight, Tsukasa-kun.”
And fell asleep.