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Midorima Shintaro was a very complicated man, everybody who’d heard of him knew that. The people that knew him personally knew that best of all. He was a logical, intelligent man, who was also beyond superstitious. Kise himself wasn’t above superstition – sometimes his face would break out and he’d know that was a bad luck omen, or he’d sneeze and think someone must’ve been talking about him. Sometimes he’d get scared of a ghost story, too – you know, like a normal person. Midorimacchi was something else, though. He took everything seriously, which meant he took superstition very seriously as well. Kise was certain that Midorimacchi didn’t even actually believe in bad or good luck, but that *just in case* it was real he wanted to do “everything humanly possible” to guarantee good luck for himself. And wasn’t that just adorable?
Now that Kise’d been dating Midorimacchi for some time – spending some mornings together, sharing some meals together, going to sleep together sometimes – he was privy to the lengths Midorimacchi went to in his search for certainty. He was a perfectionist, and Kise found that very attractive. It was one of the things he’d always found attractive about his now-boyfriend, even before he could put a word on that feeling. His long hands always moved with precision and assurance, rarely wavering or deciding against something mid-motion. Midorimacchi took his time before he committed to something, but once he did he saw it through as best he could.
Kise, he wasn’t like that. Some might even say he had a problem committing to things. Sometimes he wore a sleeping mask to sleep, and other times he didn’t. He picked which deodorant to use on a whim, and the time he spent brushing his teeth varied widely from morning to morning. Sometimes he loaded on calories before he left the house, and other times he only had coffee or nothing at all. He only decided on what to wear right before whatever event he needed to attend. When invited somewhere with only an hour’s notice, he often agreed despite already having plans that might clash with it. His favorite food or drink changed every day of the week. It was true that he had a skin care routine, but which steps of that routine he committed to any day had no rhyme or reason to it – sometimes he felt like going through the whole thing, other times he did the bare minimum. So, you know, a regular human experience.
Despite his easy-going nature – or at least that was how Kise always chose to view his habits, or lack thereof – he was still presumed to be high-maintenance by some. Sure, okay, he was picky about what kind of food to eat, spent a close to unreasonable amount of time on his hair, and could never decide on what movie to watch when presented with more than two options, but he really didn’t think it was all that hard to “maintain” him. Just give him a basketball, a mirror, and high-speed internet and there would be no complaints.
Midorimacchi… That guy needed a lot more than that. It was amusement that danced on Kise’s face when he started to witness the myriad of his boyfriend’s routines first hand, the kind of routines that were hidden from anyone but the model now. Amusement turned to irritation for a while after that as Kise saw no point in taking as long as Midorimacchi did with certain things. But, soon enough, it was just accepting fondness that overtook his face and heart as he observed these routines, finding that his boyfriend’s rigidity and stability were the calm harbor he always needed in this ever-changing world of theirs.
There were downsides too, of course. For example, Kise knew that if he was hoping to enjoy a morning cuddle or even some invigorating cardio – if you know what he means – he had to make his move before Midorimacchi’s head left the pillow. As soon as his boyfriend sat up on the edge of the bed, it meant that his morning started and there was no getting back into bed at that point. Midorimacchi knew exactly what his morning was going to be like before he even fell asleep the previous night, and no amount of whining pleas or seductive purrs were enough to make him change his mind. So his boyfriend would ignore him, and sit there on the bed looking up multiple horoscopes and predictions to determine what he needed to do to give himself the best luck possible. Kise figured it was to find out what colors of clothing to wear, what metal the accessories needed to be, even what to have for breakfast. Midorimacchi was just the type of man who needed to know all that before he even stood up for the first time in the day.
When Midorimacchi’s phone would be put back on the bedside table, Kise would prop himself up on an elbow, his cheek held in his hand, and look fondly at his boyfriend’s tall figure start his day. Midorimacchi was a shower-in-the-morning type of person, and the type of person to close the bathroom door whenever he used it. Left no choice by to use audio cues, Kise made sure to note the time as he scrolled on his phone waiting for Midorimacchi to emerge from the bathroom. The shower usually took no longer than fifteen minutes, then it was almost exactly five minutes before he started brushing his teeth which took about two and a half minutes, then it was another pause… And then, finally, Midorimacchi would step out of the bathroom wrapped in a white bathrobe to make his way towards his wardrobe.
The model always found it really funny that Midorimacchi only put on this bathrobe to make the short trek towards the rest of his clothes. In total, his boyfriend only ever wore the robe for less than a minute every single time, and if at first Kise wondered if it was for his benefit that Midorimacchi felt the need to be somewhat dressed after his shower, he later stopped wondering. He was certain Midorimacchi used the robe for less than a minute every morning whether he was here or not. It was probably just something Midorimacchi decided he should do, something he was supposed to do, and so he just… did it without thinking about it anymore.
Kise would then pretend to be busy scrolling on his phone, still in bed, but his eyes would actually peek from above the device to study the way his boyfriend got dressed for the day. He always put on his underwear and socks first, always choosing the top item of their allocated drawers – the blond was sure there was a meticulous and very specific rotation of the undies that happened every time laundry was done. It was also interesting to the model to note the absolute lack of discomfort at the fact that Midorimacchi was studied by him like that. He could pretend that his boyfriend just didn’t notice it or didn’t think about it, but he chose to think Midorimacchi didn’t mind it and, perhaps, even enjoyed the fond, appreciative gaze traveling up and down his tall, lanky figure as he got dressed.
Then the bathrobe would get hung over the door of the wardrobe in the exact same manner it did every morning, and then Midorimacchi would put on an undershirt – sometimes white, and sometimes black. Inexplicably there was also a grey one in there, but Kise’d never seen Midorimacchi select that one – perhaps there was no space for a third color in this step of the routine.
When it was the pants’ turn next, Kise would try to flap his unflappable boyfriend just as the latter would put one foot through a leg of the selected pants. He would say something about the weather they were going to have today, or a piece of news he found out about during his social media scroll, or just something silly like “I love it when you bend over!” No matter what it was, Midorimacchi’s reply was collected and calm without fail – sometimes with a small smile just for him.
Then came Kise’s favorite part – the slot in the routine allocated just for him. Midorimacchi would present him two choices to select from, and it was always something different. Sometimes Midorimacchi would affirmatively nod to his choice, other times he would raise a skeptical brow but go along with it anyway – Kise was sure that this step here was just for his benefit, and he appreciated the inclusion. It was also his cue to get up from the bed, leaving his phone behind, and step up to his boyfriend to help him put on the item carefully selected by Kise.
It felt exciting and forbidden to walk up to his dressed, clean, ready for the day boyfriend while Kise himself looked like a chaotic scruffy kitten found in a bush. His hair unbrushed, his teeth unbrushed, with sleep in the corners of his eyes, only wearing a t-shirt and underwear he slept in – if that. Sometimes Midorimacchi pressed his hand against Kise’s cheek to help him clean the corner of his eye with a thumb, other times that long hand would brush through his cowlicks, and sometimes it wouldn’t touch him at all. Either way, Midorimacchi would always look at him, right at his face, attentive and eager to be close.
If it was a watch Kise helped select, he would help fasten it around his boyfriend’s right wrist before leading said wrist down so that the right hand could come find his buttock. If it was a tie, Kise would tie his favorite kind of knot under Midorimacchi’s collar before carefully tugging on the tie’s length to bring his boyfriend’s face down closer to his own. If it was a button-down shirt, Kise would blindly start at the lowest button and continue going up as his eyes stared right into those deep green ones that looked right at him, finding satisfaction in Midorimacchi’s quickening with each button breath. He would always keep the last two buttons undone, too – it just looked so much better that way.
His favorite item to pick was the belt, though. Kise would look into Midorimacchi’s eyes as a smirk danced on his lips while his hands expertly lead the belt through every loop, until finally culminating in working on the buckle until it was nice and secure. Then he always smirked deeper and took hold of the top of Midorimacchi’s pants to bring them closer until their lower stomachs touched.
Whatever was the part of his boyfriend’s outfit that Kise helped select, it always ended in a kiss. Not just a peck, no – the kind of invigorating kiss that was better than any coffee to start the day with. The kind that woke goosebumps all over you, made your muscles twitch and shudder and your thick with sleep throat produce the most pleasant of grunts and hums into your beloved’s lips.
Even if it was better than coffee, Midorimacchi still asked him if he’d like a cup as soon as their lips would separate next. Kise would always nod, say “please”, and kiss his boyfriend again, enjoying the slot of the routine given to him to the very last second. The question about coffee was always his cue to go and make himself presentable too, however. He would always regret leaving Midorimacchi’s arms, feeling strangely cold and lonely on his way to the bathroom – grabbing the bathrobe on his way to go put it back where it belongs so it’s ready for Midorimacchi tomorrow. Then the model would wash his face, brush his teeth, style his hair with wet fingers, and finally put on his clothes from yesterday. He would always think about bringing more of his clothes over in addition to the skincare products he already invaded the bathroom with, but the thought would always leave his mind by the time he got home later that day – if he even came home that day instead of just returning here.
Yes, the morning routine was definitely his favorite. It was fascinating to see Midorimacchi brew tea because that in itself was its own ten-step ritual, combined later with whatever breakfast the host decided to serve that day – or rather, whatever Oha Asa told him the breakfast should be. Then Midorimacchi would prepare his school supplies, always packed in the same order – laptop, textbooks, notes, then he’d open his pencil case and make sure he has three pens, three pencils, two erasers, and some other things Kise always didn’t have enough time to count since it only took his boyfriend a short evaluating glance at the contents to determine it was up to his standards. Then he’d put on his shoes – the left one first – and then season-appropriate outer clothes. At the door Midorimacchi would always bring Kise closer and kiss him again, less intense this time than earlier, and only then ask if he was ready to leave.
There were other routines, too. Midorimacchi would always turn the keys in both locks on his front door all the way, even if he only needed to step out for a few minutes.
He would also always unwrap ice-cream in the neatest way known to man, and Kise still had no idea how did Midorimacchi manage to successfully do it every single time.
Hilariously, Midorimacchi opened the packaging of condoms just as neatly, spending a comically long time tearing open each packet.
When counting change, he always counted starting with the lowest value coins, adding each individual value one by one.
There was a strict six-step ritual to cleaning his glasses.
There was an even more complex routine to folding laundry. Watching that man fold fitted sheets was probably the most mesmerizing sight Kise’d ever seen in his life.
Kise found comedic value in trying to disrupt the routines in small ways here and there for a time, but eventually grew to enjoy their inflexible nature. What was wrong with being dependable? Nothing, and that’s exactly what Midorimacchi showcased with all his eccentricities. He was utterly dependable, disciplined, and fascinating.
“Ryota?” Midorimacchi called him, he thought for the second time.
“Sorry, I was lost in thought,” Kise chuckled in response, sitting up on the bedding and letting his phone fall on the mattress. He looked over his almost-ready boyfriend and smiled. There he was, holding out two different ties for him to choose between. “Hmm… The red one,” the model eventually nodded, smiling in amusement at the way Midorimacchi raised a skeptical brow at his choice but put away the rejected tie anyway.
Then, just like every other time, Kise slipped off the bed. His bare feet made soft sounds as he stepped closer to Midorimacchi, carefully taking the tie out of his hands and sensually letting the silky fabric slip through the long fingers along its whole length. With his free hand he unfolded the collar of his boyfriend’s shirt, keeping his eyes focused on his task but noting with peripheral vision the attentive gaze of those beautiful green eyes directed right at him. He slipped the tie around the collar, stifling a sudden yawn and feeling a tear show up at the corner of his eye from the effort. Midorimacchi pressed a hand against his cheek and wiped that tear away with a thumb in a familiar gesture, and Kise couldn’t help but almost close his eyes and lean into the contact from just how pleasant it all was.
But he had something to do, which was to tie a neat, perfect knot right under his boyfriend’s neck, which he accomplished easily enough. Dreamy smile still on his lips, Kise finally looked up to meet Midorimacchi’s gaze while his hands folded the collar of the shirt back down. Then, just like he always liked to do, Kise wrapped a hand around the long tie to carefully pull it down and force his boyfriend to bend down the almost negligible distance he needed to for their lips to meet.
Yes, Kise thought as he closed his eyes and felt Midorimacchi’s hands find his waist to bring him closer. Routines weren’t so bad.