Title: stupid, oblivious (you and me)
Rating: G
Fandom: Akiba's Beat
Relationship: Aihara Mizuki/Tachibana Asahi
Wordcount: 836
Short summary: When Mizuki finally learns why Asahi had been going out so often recently, he feels rather silly for his worries.
“You’re not going out today?”
Mizuki had waited a few minutes after Asahi had emerged from the bathroom before asking the question, because instead of heading to the door to put on his shoes, Asahi had instead sat down on the couch with his phone. Mizuki thought he might have been double-checking his messages and where to go but when Asahi didn’t move, Mizuki became curious.
“Nah, I’m tired. It’s rough trying to shake off the NEET lifestyle. I need a break.” Asahi’s words are accompanied by a large yawn. Afterwards he looks over at Mizuki. “You aren’t going to scold me?”
Mizuki frowns. “You’ve been going out for that reason?”
“Yeah?” Asahi chuckles but then frowns when Mizuki’s expression doesn’t lift. “What’s wrong, Mizuki?”
Mizuki sighs. “I thought… Never mind. It’s silly.”
He internally scolds himself for all his negative thoughts these past few weeks. He had been afraid. Jealous, and afraid to say that out loud. He had used his own insecurities to make assumptions about Asahi’s motives, to blame him for the distance that Mizuki felt was building between them. But in reality it seems that Asahi was oblivious to all of this, and instead was actually trying to move forward in a positive manner. Mizuki feels shame; he should have believed more in his boyfriend.
“Tell me anyway.” Asahi gets up from the couch and walks over to where Mizuki is seated, half-heartedly working on a report on his laptop. He puts his hands on Mizuki’s shoulders. “Come on, Mizuki.”
Mizuki looks down at the keyboard. He already knows what kind of expression Asahi is making and he doesn’t want to see it. Quietly he responds to Asahi’s query. “I thought you were trying to leave me behind again.”
“Huh? Mizuki?” The fingers on Mizuki’s shoulders squeeze reflexively before they release and Asahi steps back. He hears Asahi sigh. “Why do you think that? I come back here every night.”
“But we don’t…” When Asahi interrupts Mizuki’s protest with a fake cough, Mizuki gives in and looks at Asahi’s face. The confusion is obvious and likely covers any other expression. It makes Mizuki feel guilty once more. “Actually hang out that much together?” he adds weakly.
Asahi laughs sheepishly. “Oh, well, you’ve been so busy with school so I didn’t want to bother you too much. And you turned me down multiple times when it came to going out for food so…”
Mizuki realizes what this all might look like from Asahi’s point of view and feels embarrassed. His stupid oblivious boyfriend! Mizuki knows this about Asahi already; he could have prevented all this. Well, at least he should fix this now. Since the topic’s been opened after all…
“That’s with Saki and others. Which is fine, I guess, but…”
“Mizuki, you wanted us to hang out alone?” It seems a lightbulb has turned on in Asahi’s brain. Although it’s embarrassing to hear it said so plainly like that.
“Yeah…” Mizuki trails off with a blush coming to his cheeks.
“You wanted me…for yourself?” Asahi says, making Mizuki blush even harder.
“Yeah…” It really sounded petty, like he’s a grade-schooler demanding a toy. Asahi is Mizuki’s boyfriend, but Mizuki doesn’t own him. Asahi should be allowed to go out and hang out with other people without having to think about Mizuki. Just because Asahi is Mizuki’s main focus outside of school and work it doesn’t mean Mizuki has to be the same for… It’s enough that Asahi is his boyfriend, that he cares for Mizuki. Mizuki needs to trust that more.
“Mizuki, I’m sorry.” Asahi looks apologetic. It really belies how seriously Asahi feels about this situation as well, because he does not take the free opportunity to tease Mizuki for being flustered. “I normally pick up on things like this, but I guess when it comes to myself and you, I’m a little slow…”
“That’s alright.” Mizuki shakes his head. Asahi should not be the one feeling guilty right now. “I should have told you earlier.”
“Well, we’re both at fault. So we’re even.” Asahi’s insistent that Mizuki decides not to protest that. “More importantly, I’m going to stay right here with you so you don’t get lonely again!”
Asahi adds that second part with a wide grin. All things are forgiven so now he feels free to tease Mizuki. Which means Mizuki is free to tease Asahi back.
“You just want an excuse to revert back to NEET habits…” he retorts but he gets out of his chair, takes Asahi by the hand, and settles them both on the couch. Well, if Asahi is going to stay right here and keep him from being lonely, Mizuki isn’t going to pass this opportunity up. He leans against Asahi and rests his head against Asahi’s shoulder. Yes, Asahi is to be his headrest while he does whatever with his handheld. The sounds of battle music are fine. Mizuki closes his eyes and relishes the warmth of Asahi’s body. This is good…real good…