Let's enter the world of Nachos together ;)

Easy laughter bubbled forth without protest, strained smile relaxing and growing more natural as the seconds passed. It was comforting, how just staying near his dear friend (partner now, how did this happen, again?) was more than enough to drive away his unpleasant thoughts; even if for a little while.

“I’ll have to take your word for it, then.” willingly following him a step closer, his eyes closed with a mellow sigh.

Moments like these were enough for now; small as they were, listening to the rapid thumping of his heart and burrowing deep into the tender warmth that made him feel happy.

Happy and just a little more sure of the choice he made, to give life another try. Happy to be awake, even if the names and dates of what he once knew where blurred, a little too hazy to recall up to a point. Happy to be here, by his side.

“Well,” Breathing in, a pair of bright eyes stared back at him; intent and just as lively as back then.

“Since you’re back early… How about we go out, today?”

Snicker joined laughter, only to be followed by a comfortable silence.

He was getting better at this, simply being alongside his partner, relishing in the fact that they were in the here and now, together, hand in hand, brown pools adoring cyan eyes, and that soft smile Reiji was grew to love was one of the highlights of his day.

“You want to take me out today?” Reiji’s eyes growing wide were becoming a habit whenever a genuine lovely surprise were initiated by his partner. However, the idol’s composure was regained, a wink was sent, and that teasing in his voice came around once more. “Ai-chan, just what are you planning, hm?”

Greeting frozen on his lips, a pleasant warmth spread across his chest all the way to his face; the tips of his ears, across his cheeks and coloring his nose.

It was such a small thing, but it nevertheless managed to steal his breath away-

(Almost made his heart skip a beat and make his words stumble. Almost, almost. He doesn’t want to fall, not again, just in case what they have is left to crash and burn)

Aine’s smile faltered for a momennt, but he raised a hand to hide it, along with his blush as if embarrassed. “Welcome back,” the reply was a tad quieter than imagined. He pushed on regardless.

“Just as always.” At least he isn’t lying this time. is he?

Uneasy to let his thoughts linger, Aine let his hand fall next to his (best friend? lover?) partner’s, hesitating only for a fraction before pulling him closer. “Aren’t you supposed to be working, still? You were complaining just how packed today was in the morning.”

“Unless of course, you were exaggerating.” This time the laughter in his eyes was real, even if his smile didn’t quite catch up.

Eyes half lit with a soft smile, heart pounded harder against his chest. Affection for his boyfriend being at a high, called for their pressing foreheads and a gentle tug at Aine’s hands.  

“What? Of course not!” 

Since when did Reiji get here?!

Sheer mortification made his ears tip red, expression slowly gaining a rosier color. “It’s completely different, okay!” Otoya made a noise that could have been frustration at some level, but was cut short a moment too soon by the results screen that proclaimed him the loser.. Again.

“Argh!” He really wanted to throw the controller right now. …Actually.

Eyes shining with anticipation, a playful grin replaced the scowl from a second go “Here, Rei-chan!” cue shoving the controller onto his senior’s hands “Give a try! I bet you are great at his game, right?” Show me how it’s done.

Recognizing his kouhai’s frustrated noises, Reiji leaned in a little more as a chuckle escaped his lips. Apparently the other hadn’t noticed his presence and was quick to give excuses.

As far as Reiji knew, Otoya had never been one to win these sorts of challenges with the rest of the group, especially their seniors. Although Camus and RanRan wouldn’t waste a second glance at these activities, Reiji only came second to Ai, who did his share of gaming with his fellow rocker’s kouhai. For a minute Reiji wondered what would come of AiAi going against Otoyan. Criticism from him would simply dishearten the guitarist.. poor kouhai wouldn’t know what’s coming to him.

The title screen proclaimed Ren as the victor, and another grumble came from the defeated. Instead of a demanding a rematch as he expected, Reiji was faced - quite literally- with the electronic controller Otoya had thrusted to him.

“Wha-?" Jolting up with wide eyes, the senior had no choice but to accept the device, and the challenge. He had a reputation to maintain after all, and under no circumstances was he at least not going to try in front of his younger peers. 

His cheerful demeanor returned with a wink.

!!

“-oh.” Surprise surprise. As soon as he turned around the corner, the pair of shoes barely poking from a corner suddenly grew a body. A body which threw itself at the poor, completely unsuspecting Aine.

That’s honestly how it happened.

“Good evening”

“Don’t tell me you’re out of bed already?” He pouted, disappointed that his boyfriend wouldn’t be waiting in bed for Reiji to return so they could continue their... ahem

Reiji gave another tight squeeze and tenderly kissed Aine’s temple, voice suddenly getting low, husky and direct. “I was hoping to come back and finish up what we started earlier.”

Without much of a warning, Reiji kissed him on the cheek.

Dundun... Dundun.... Dundun dundun dunununNNNNNN DUNNN!!!