Work Text:
a small sliver of light pouring through the partially closed blinds is enough to make Kou stir, heavy lids fighting to stay locked in place as he tries to blink awake. he feels his phone vibrate under his pillow, recognizing the alarm he slept through.
Kou rarely sleeps in. sure, he wakes up slowly, sluggishly putting on his work uniform and getting his siblings bentos packed up for school, but he is surprisingly good at time management. hes lived in tokyo long enough to know the foot traffic in the early mornings, knowing what roads to take to get his siblings to school and then head to work with time to spare.
but today, as he rubs the sleepiness from his eyes and is met with a face full of unruly, soft red hair, his lovers back firmly pressed against his chest, he cant even imagine being anywhere else.
Bonibonis unblinking stare burn holes in the back of his head as he pulls Mahiru closer, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep. he leans his forehead against the red heads shoulder and lets out a satisfied hum.
Kou has to admit, he was feeling quite lonely the night prior. the blank ceiling of his room staring back down at him made his hands itch for a smoke, but hed promised to quit for Fuus and Hiis sake. so he did the only, and stupidest thing he could’ve thought of and texted Mahiru Hiruma.
admittedly, Mahiru is an even worse thing to get addicted to than nicotine, and the cringy pickup lines he throws his way take as many years off his life as a single puff of a cigarette probably does. but the man in his arms was a hard drug to lean off of, the withdrawal symptoms being lonely nights and, embarrassingly, hes noticed he gets grouchier when he hasnt seen the man in a while.
its pathetic, really, being this dependent on a relationship that doesn’t even have a label, but he cant help the feeling of wanting him all to himself. especially not after seeing his face scrunch up adorably when Kou bites him, who wouldn’t get a little possessive after seeing something so cute.
Kou sighs, the memories of last night making his insides feel like they were stuffed with cotton. it wasnt the heated, fervent lust he held for the man. it was a soft, caring warmth that spread down his chest and made his head spin. it was a dizzying feeling that left a sweet taste in his mouth and made him want more. something deeper.
flipping over onto his back, his arm still firmly stuck under his lover, he accepts his fate. hed have to get up eventually, anyways. and staying here wont help stop his rapidly beating heart especially since the cause of it is right next to him.
sharp, sudden pain on his stomach pulls Kou out of his thoughts, a pained grunt escaping him. he looks up to find both his and his siblings zingai, boniboni and egggg, have taken it upon themselves to wake Kou up…by jumping on him. they arent the heaviest, but both of them jumping at once definitely made it worse.
with another groan, he pushes them away and sits up, a hand carding through messy blue hair before slipping down his face. “what the hell….” he mumbles, rubbing his eyes only to see boniboni and egggg staring back at him unashamedly, sharing a look between each other before jumping off the bed and chasing each other in circles.
‘whats got them so excited this morning…’
Kou stretches his arms above his head and yawns, flipping the blankets off of himself to get out of the very comfortable and warm bed. he immediately regrets that decision as the cold air of his room hits his bare legs making a shiver run through him.
resisting the urge to immediately get back into bed, he makes the trek over to his door and opens it, allowing light to more consistently brighten the room. hes met with the familiar sight of a lively morning, Fuu and Hii excitedly packing their lunches.
once they see him Hii is the first to tackle him, followed by a more hesitant Fuu. “good morning big bro!!” he cheers, hugging Kou tightly. he gently pats both his siblings heads with a tired smile. “are you not going to work today?” Fuu, ever the observer despite her closed eyes, questions. “you look tired” she adds, rubbing salt into the wound.
“i didnt get the best err…sleep…last night and ended up sleeping through my alarm” Kou explains, gently pushing Hii away who was still crushing his torso. “would you two mind taking the bus today? if you show your student IDs you wont need to pay”
they nod in unison, but not before sharing a skeptical look - much like how their zingai did earlier, Kou notes - “are you sure youre okay?” Hii asks, pulling at the hem of Kous oversized pj shirt “and arent you cold? youre the one who’s always telling us to dress warm!” its true, in the colder months he always insists they dress extra warm even inside, it isnt always a guarantee he can pay for heat that month so he wants to make it a habit. but now its being used against him. how the turns table, or whatever.
he sighed, ruffling the top of both their heads. “im okaaaay” he drags out the word. “but neither of you will be if you miss the bus” turning them around by the shoulder and giving a small push to their backs seemed to mark the end of their interrogation, fully focusing on getting ready.
after exchanging goodbyes and sending his siblings off, Kou drags himself back to his room wanting nothing more than to sink into the blankets. he opens the door to find a sleepy Mahiru stretching his arms and yawning. ah right, hes still here.
Mahiru was in a similar state of undressed, his pants lost in a pile of clothes. he is wearing one of Kous shirts, though. Kou remembers helping a tired Mahiru slip it on after hed cleaned them both up.
with a soft smile Kou makes him way towards his lovers side of the bed. “hey” he almost whispers, fixing up some out of place strands of hair behind Mahirus ear. he gives Kou a sleepy smile and yawns again, reaching for the bedside table to grab his headband. “morniiiing~” he drags out the ‘i’ as he pushes his hair back.
climbing over Mahiru and settling down on his lap, Kou places his hands on his lovers hips and snuggles into his bruised and marked chest that leaves a trail up his neck. “im not going to work today…” he mumbled against his shirt, nuzzling up closer to his throat and leaving a quick open mouthed kiss over the mole Mahiru has there. “stay with me? please?”
Mahiru pauses for a moment, making Kou doubt every decision hes ever made in his life, but gets reassured by the soft touch of the red heads hands on his cheeks, forcing his head up to meet Mahirus. “ahh~ Kou-kuns so cute begging like that~” he squishes the blue haired mans cheeks and kisses his forehead before patting down his hair. “ill text Fuchi saying i wont be home today, then. wouldn’t want to make him worry”
having the weight of rejection slip off his shoulders, Kou sinks further and lays his head on the others lap. “thats your new roommate, right?”
“yeah, kinda? im more of his legal guardian now. poor kid didnt have any other family whod take him in” Mahiru explains while reaching for his phone “i didnt even wanna take him in either, but after seeing him i just couldn’t leave him like that, you know?”
Kou nods absentmindedly, reaching up to grab one of Mahirus hands. he tugs it down, making the man above him almost drop his phone, but he laughs it off and intertwines their fingers. “whats got you so needy, Kou-kun?~” he gives Kous hand a soft squeeze.
with a grumble, Kou pulls his lovers hand up to his face and over his lips. he hummed contently into it before mumbling something incoherent. “what was that?” Mahiru questions, putting his phone down after seemingly having texted this Fuchi person. he looks down at Kou with an adorable confused expression, almost like a curious dog. Kou swoons even harder.
Mahiru tangled his other hand in soft blue hair, showering the overworked and exhausted man on his lap with affection. “speak up, hun” the nickname just rolled off the red heads tongue, making Kous insides twist and turn. he didnt really like how hard Mahirus words effect him.
“i think i love you” comes the mumbled response from the flustered Kou, turning to his side and pressing his cheek against Mahirus thigh. “but i know asking you, of all people, to commit to one relationship is like asking a dog to meow. so i wont bother” the words came muffled, but the heat of Kous cheek against Mahirus thigh, skin to skin, was driving the red head crazy.
its true, Kou knew it better than anyone. Mahiru sleeps around and he was always okay with that, this was just a transaction. until it wasnt, and they spent nights just talking nonsense into pillows and cuddling while fully unclothed. that felt more intimate than anything theyd shared before, and every new experience, getting to know the man who plagues his mind during grueling work hours, sends sparks through Kous body.
Kou knows hes just another body for the others use, and he’d gladly be that, but he cant help but wish he was something deeper. cant help but think of what itd be like to take Mahiru out, show him places hed always wanted to go but would never dare spend the money going alone. cant help but melt at the mental image of Mahirus eyes blinking open next to him, tangled together in comfortable silence as they wake together.
he expected disgust, expected to get rejected so hard it humbled Kou into never falling in love again. what he didnt expect, however, was for the melodically beautiful laugh to leave his lovers lips, for him to lean down and kiss his forehead so gently, for him to open his eyes and look at Kou so lovingly.
“a dog can learn to bark with enough positive reinforcement” he smirks as if hed said the smartest thing in the world. Kou rolls his eyes, pushing Mahirus face away with his hand. “gosh, youre so lame…i take it all back”
“heeeeeey~” the red head whines, pouting against Kous palm. he pulls Kous hand back from his face only to dive back down to kiss his cheek. “you like it lame, why else would ya confess to me in such a lame way?~” he teases, using his hands to brace himself on the bed. “not complaining, it was adorable~”
if Kou could wipe that smirk off Mahirus dumb stupid pretty face, hed do it in a heartbeat, but in their current position, its kinda hard to. “can you just shut up and kiss me right”
Mahiru laughs at his request, patting the spot next to Kous head on his lap. “cmon up then, cant kiss ya when you’re upside down like that” with a grumble Kou sits back up onto his lovers lap, making himself comfortable on his chest.
Kou doesnt know why hes letting himself be this…clingy. its not his thing, if anything, Mahiru is the one clinging to him the whole night. maybe its the exhaustion of the week finally getting to him, or the warmth blooming in his chest at the sight of Mahirus smile. maybe its the way Mahiru holds him, his touch so gentle he cant help but melt into it. maybe its the way his scent clings to his lover and he cant get enough.
he hates to admit it but hes truly smitten
for the red haired man, if the way he places soft kisses to his face isnt enough to tell. Mahirus laugh is like music to Kous ears, wanting to hear it again, and again, and again. leaving a trail of gentle kisses from his jaw to his lips, Kous hand slides up the others body and cups his cheek, tilting his head back to get some leverage.
“what does ‘positive reinforcement’ entail, exactly?” he whispers, his face so close to his lovers he can feel each breath he takes. his thumb slowly slides over Mahirus bottom lip, stopping right at the middle. he knows how suggestive this feels, but he would be lying if he didnt want to feel him again. they have the whole day alone, after all.
leaning down and pressing their foreheads together, Kou closes his eyes, his eyelashes tickling the red heads skin. “or, better question. will you really try? for me?” he all but whispers, voice so gentle he himself cant even recognize it.
he hears his lover take a deep breath, feeling his gentle touch as his hands travel up Kous back and holds the back of his head, fingers tangled in messy blue hair. “yeah, i think i will” is all he hears before Mahiru pulls him into a slow, deliberate kiss. not a desperate one like the ones hed steal the night prior, not quick pecks like the ones hed leave on the others neck. it was a kiss dripping with passion that coated his mouth with honey.
this feels different, every touch and breath against his skin makes his stomach twist. he isn’t exactly sure why that is, though. maybe its the way Mahiru holds him so gently, or the way he fervently explores such a familiar place as if he’d find anything new. okay, maybe he does know why that is. the sounds his lover makes drives him crazy, and he knows its on purpose. giving him a gentle push against the headboard and hearing the way he gasps is enough payback, he supposes. for now, at least.
the red head whines quietly, reminding Kou that they are unfortunately both humans and need to breathe. Kou pulls away just far enough that he could close the short length between them in a moments notice. “ya know…” Mahiru starts, catching his breath while playing with the hairs on the back of his lovers neck. “being lonely isnt as fun as i make it seem in my videos” the admission is genuine, Kou can tell from the doughy eyes staring up at him.
“going out every night and drinkin is fun n all…but its not really living, is it? just like working your ass off isnt living~” he pokes the others chest teasingly, trying to make the situation a bit more lighthearted. Kou can tell he had no intention of admitting all this. “and…after a recent..uhm…incident, ive realized ive been livin my life for someone whos been long gone”
Kous hand travels from Mahirus cheek to his hair, gently scratching at the others scalp. he leans into the touch -like a dog, Kou notes. he wishes he was less observant when it came to the cute habits of his loved ones- and smiles, his eyes fluttering shut. “i know how that feels. living for someone else, i mean” he starts, letting his eyes fall closed too. “i lived solely for Hii and Fuu before they showed me what life really feels like”
with a hum of acknowledgment, he takes it as his queue to keep going. “and if youll let me, i hope to make both our sad lives worth living” he finishes it off with a gentle peck to his lovers lips, who greedily chases it once he pulls away.
“yea, i think id really like that…” Mahiru whispers before burying his face in Kous chest. “but not right now…some blue haired asshole woke me up from my beauty sleep and i dont think my eyes can stay open for much longer~” he all but whines, fisting some of the fabric of the oversized pijama shirt Kou wore. “Kou-kuuuuun~ cuddle with meeee~”
he rolls his eyes before lowering them both into bed, wrapping his arms around the others waist as he gets comfortable in the new position. he presses a kiss to the soft, still messy red hair on the top of his lovers head, pulling him impossibly closer. “sleep well, Mahi” he whispers, not missing the way Mahirus breath catches at the nickname. he only ever really called him ‘Mahi’ when he was too out of breath to finish it off with the ‘ru’, the man really knows how to knock the air out of his lungs.
“mmh…you too…’ love you~”
“love you too, Mahiru”