#watarei

Tenshouin likes to pretend he’s good at hiding his emotions. He’s atrocious at hiding the flash of jealousy that crosses his face before he turns to put away his bag and jacket. “If Aira had come back instead of me–”

“Why must you always underestimate me, Eichi?”, Wataru overplays their whine as they lean their head back against the couch. “Of course I am able to tell the sound of your footsteps apart. We would have conducted ourselves much more appropriately if young Love-san had entered the dorm room instead!”

“And he does knock, if he’s not sure who’s in here,” Rei interjects helpfully. It’s a timid habit of Aira’s, probably because the boy is still starstruck.

Eichi sighs before coming over to the two of them, leaning over and giving Wataru a gentle kiss to the cheek. “Wataru.”

“Eichi.”

How those two manage to make each other's names sound like the world’s sappiest pet names, Rei will never understand. Held in place by Wataru (and, truthfully, not willing to move just yet), all he does is roll his eyes.

The sparkle in Wataru’s eyes when Tenshouin moves away from them spells danger. “Now you two kiss.” They’re in director-mode, suddenly, telling their two stars what to do, but Rei and Tenshouin both freeze.

The balance they’ve managed to strike is still delicate, their relationship a tightrope walk Rei was willing to attempt for Wataru. In many ways it had been a return to his second year, Wataru all too willing to reawaken the youthfulness in him he’d felt back then, but they’ve both changed much since then, and Wataru had made it clear from the start that their commitments towards Tenshouin, both emotional and professional, would not waver.

That alone had been hard to grasp, that even after graduation Wataru would remain with fine, and with Eichi specifically.

Begrudgingly, Rei does see it. Eichi had been perhaps the only person within Yumenosaki who had been perpetually delighted by any and all tricks Wataru performed, even when he voiced concerns for their situational appropriateness. Graduation hasn't changed that, even if something else has shifted between the two of them since then. Wataru had managed to be the first person officially banned from Summit meetings, something both they and Tenshouin had absolutely delighted in, even if nobody else had.

Wataru is… lighter, is perhaps the best word for it. No longer weighed down invisibly but always perched like a bird ready to take flight, at least in the moments when they aren’t metaphorically buzzing around like a hyperactive hummingbird with not-at-all-restrained excitement.

So, for the joy he clearly seems to bring Wataru, Rei has been… finding his own ways to enjoy the presence of Eichi Tenshouin. Or to tolerate him at least. Sharing a dorm room and a partner will lead one to compromising in the strangest ways.

In the present, he’s staring at Tenshouin, who seems just as surprised by Wataru’s sudden demand as he is. “Is that what you were doing?”, Tenshouin asks, turning to address Wataru, continuing a conversation that Rei had not been privy to.

Wataru, in turn, puts on an air of mock offense. “May I not wish that my two boyfriends greet each other with the same love and affection they show me? Just because plotting is something you enjoy doesn’t mean everyone else is the same, Eichi.” It's a very blatant lie, and all three of them know it.

“I just wanted to make you jealous,” Rei admits, referring to the pose the two of them are still sitting in. Perhaps that is what Tenshouin meant.

“That’s not very loving of you, Sakuma,” he retorts, one eyebrow raised, but looking more amused than upset.

Rei shrugs. “You’re possessive. It’s funny.”

“And I got a very loving kiss out of it!” Wataru grins. “And now it is both of your turn, don’t you think? Rei has received plenty of kisses from me, and I have received plenty of kisses from Eichi, think of the dramatic symmetry!”

Their eyes meet again and Rei recognizes something in Tenshouin’s expression. Eagerness may not be quite the right word. Determination. “If it would make you happy, Wataru, I’d do anything,” he promises, with the same kind of fervent spirit he is capable of applying to almost anything.

Of course Tenshouin would phrase it like that, would make the challenge to Rei’s willingness to compromise explicit. It’s a little bit infuriating.

Rei sighs, beleaguered. “Fine. If it is to make you happy.”

Wataru nods, quickly, an excited smile on their face, and leaps off Rei’s lap, newly re-energized. Oh, they have been planning this for a while.

Tenshouin rounds the sofa, and Rei finds himself pulled to his feet by Wataru, who remains close next to him, holding his hand and reaching for Tenshouin once the two of them are face to face.

“Now this would be a fantasy scene for Shiratori-kun to walk in on,” Rei comments dryly. “We look like we’re about to get married.”

“Ohoho! I didn’t know those were your intentions with my boyfriend!” Wataru exclaims, as Eichi simply stands there, shoulders shaking in laughter.

All three of them need a moment to recover, because laughter is, of course, infectious, and soon Rei finds himself laughing as well. Perhaps it’s nerves, at the strangeness of it all, that has him on edge. He doesn’t even particularly want to kiss Tenshouin, not after everything else, but–

Wataru squeezes his hand, and must have done the same to Tenshouin, because they both turn to look at them. Wataru beams. “You promised you’d kiss. For me?” They flutter their eyelashes.

“Fine.” Tenshouin is the first one to lean forward, and Rei feels some sensation of competitiveness at the motion. It’s not a particularly romantic spark, but the kind that makes one twirl Tenshouin on stage in front of most of the school, one year ago. Frustration, admiration, competitiveness and the desire to put on a good show, this time not for an auditorium of fellow students but one person in particular.

Rei closes his eyes to stop seeing Wataru bouncing with excitement in the corner of them, to be able to better ignore the striking blue of Eichi’s eyes.

It must be a good kiss, because when they part, Wataru’s “Amazing,” sounds genuinely astonished, and Eichi is noticeably flushed.

“You shouldn’t be drinking coffee, Tenshouin, I’m sure Keito wouldn’t like to hear about that.” Rei sits back down on the couch, feeling appropriately smug for how long it takes Tenshouin to regain his ability to respond.

“I expected you to be worse, but I’m glad to have been proven wrong. For Wataru’s sake.”