#tokimasa

After graduating from the academy, Tokiya and Masato started living together as roommates. They have always been exceptionally compatible with each other, and they communicate well, so they figured temporarily sharing an apartment would be the perfect idea. 

Tokiya used to think it was. 

Everything was okay in the beginning. They had contrasting schedules for a while; they’d usually be in the apartment at opposite times, but somehow they’d usually come together for dinner. Masato had always been particularly good at cooking and took up that task very often.Tokiya would always insist on helping him or paying to eat out, because he felt bad Masato was always doing it himself, but Masato told him not to worry. They were able to manage chores, and everything really, quite well.

Things started to go bad when their schedules aligned again, and they saw each other more often. Tokiya found himself always distracted. He paid way more attention to the small things Masato did-- the way he would drown himself in sewing work when he was angry, hands moving swiftly but somehow never pricking himself, how he would immediately fold his clothes very intricately after taking them out of the dryer, how peaceful he seemed when he focused on cooking for the both of them. 

Eventually, Tokiya caught himself thinking about Masato nearly everyday. His mind was overwhelmed by soft, nimble hands over piano keys, smiling eyes accentuated by a single beauty mark, and the rare actual smile, of which he’d always cherish. It was becoming difficult to bear with. If he weren’t already a bit of a night owl, this would probably keep him up at night. 

This time, he’s still awake because he was working late (what else is new for him, honestly). What was surprising to find, however, was Masato had also still been awake when he returned. They’re sitting at the dining table together, having just got done with Tokiya helping Masato go through lines for a new drama he’s auditioning for tomorrow, and Tokiya might be staring at him, watching him thumb through his script once more.

Masato had put on some classical piano for background music and to help calm his nerves; all it’s doing for Tokiya is making him feel more tired. He doesn’t want to leave Masato when he still can’t sleep, nervous about his audition. Maybe it’s the sleep deprivation, maybe it’s the fact that he had a couple drinks with coworkers before coming home, but without putting too much thought into it, Tokiya suddenly takes Masato’s hand.

“Dance with me.”

Masato looks at him questioningly, hesitating. After a pause, he lets Tokiya drag him into the spacious kitchen. He holds one of Masato’s hands in his own and guides the other to his waist. Following the music, he moves them into a slow dance. Masato goes along with it, cracking that small smile of his that makes Tokiya’s heart jump at the sight. 

After a few steps, Tokiya realizes how close they are. It becomes increasingly more difficult not to stare at Masato’s lips. He’s so tired that he’s basically relying on Masato to lead, and when the rhythm breaks, he’s caught off guard. Masato moves to twirl him around. He follows, however clumsily, and ends up landing up against Masato’s chest.  

Both of them stop moving. 

They look at each other with wide eyes, but Masato’s gaze is the first to soften. Tokiya doesn’t notice their faces growing closer and closer to each other until their lips are already connecting. His heart feels like it’s going a mile a minute, and he ignores it in favor of memorizing the feeling of Masato’s lips on his. It lasts all of five seconds, but he concludes that they are pleasantly soft. Just as he expected. 

Masato is first to pull away, and Tokiya quickly straightens himself out. 

“Sorry.” Tokiya clears his throat. “Was that...okay?”

“Yes.”

Tokiya stares at him, unable to wrap his head around the fact that this is happening. Never in his life did he expect Masato to be okay with kissing him. 

Masato adds. “I think...we should do it again-- just to be sure.”

That brings Tokiya right back to the present, again. A nervous, but excited giggle falls out of him when Masato leans closer. Tokiya has enough sense to pull him in for another kiss.