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It became an unspoken agreement between the five of them that they would all civilly hang out at Aoba’s house every now and again. Lately it had become a weekly thing, with everyone relaxing back after their various weeks working, or whatever else it was that they did with their days. Noiz found himself smooshed up against Aoba with his holo-screens up all around him as he continued his work. For him, work never really stopped, and Aoba never commented on it, apparently just happy to have him around. Aoba had Ren on his lap and he and Clear were fussing over how fluffy he was, Ren seemingly eating up the attention. Koujaku and Mink were out on the balcony smoking, something they had come to do together a lot lately. Noiz leaned back against the bed and took a breath, giving his eyes and fingers a break from all the typing and staring at the bright screens. He didn’t dare move, because that would jostle Aoba and he might not be able to settle back down next to him this close again if he shifted even in the slightest. Noiz instead closed his eyes and rested his head on the soft mattress behind him, just enjoying the environment and Aoba’s warmth next to him. Things continued like that for a few more minutes until Mink and Koujaku came back inside the room and Aoba spoke up to address them all.
“You know, I’ve been thinking, but you guys always come out to hang around here, but we never go to anyone else’s house. Even if it’s not to someone’s place, maybe we could go out somewhere like, I don’t know, maybe go see a movie? Or go eat ramen? Something like that? What do you guys think?” Aoba looked around the room and was met with the blank stares of everyone around him. Clear was the first to pipe up and respond to the request.
“I’d love to have Aoba-san and everyone to come to my house, but I’m afraid it’s not big enough for everyone.” He looked like a kicked puppy as he explained, but perked up in an instant as he continued, “But going out places with everyone would be very fun! I think it’s a great idea!” Aoba broke into a relieved smile as he got at least one positive response. Mink looked disinterested but Koujaku spoke up, too, coming to sit on the opposite side of Aoba’s little table.
“Yeah, that sounds good. We could even go visit Mizuki at Black Needle sometimes, too. Maybe even make it a regular thing.” Aoba’s smile beamed even brighter as he got another positive response, and turned to Noiz, obviously thinking that Mink would probably go along with the crowd at that point.
“What do you think, Noiz? Maybe you could take a real break from work every once in a while?” Aoba joked, pushing his shoulder against Noiz’s. Noiz sat back up straight and looked to face Aoba. Thanks to modern technology he could literally work everywhere, even in that crowded, noisy bar of Aoba’s friend’s.
“Sure,” was all he said in response, but Aoba’s face kept its broad grin, apparently taking it as a positive confirmation. Noiz kept his face expressionless, but he couldn’t hide the slight acceleration of his heartbeat as Aoba looked at him with such a happy expression. He returned to his work immediately as everyone else started to chat about what kind of activities they could do in the future.