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Akito’s an extremely light sleeper.
He remembers being awoken from the soft footsteps of his mother or his sister, or the distant echoes of his father’s booming voice when he got too drunk. It didn’t take much to wake him, even though he wished he could be a heavy sleeper. It would be a lot easier for him if he were.
But being a light sleeper has its perks sometimes.
“...Touya?”
Akito isn’t really sleeping to begin with; he’s essentially dozing while thinking of new melodies, when he hears a rustle of blankets and unsteady breathing. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why, since Touya’s staying at Akito’s for the weekend.
Akito shifts to his side and faces Touya, who isn’t looking at Akito. Rather, Touya’s clutching the blanket like a lifeline and has it covering his face. He’s breathing heavily, occasionally sniffling, like he’s doing his damn best not to cry but is too overwhelmed.
A part of Akito’s heart breaks.
He shuffles closer, keeping his voice low. “Touya, hey man, what’s up?”
An answer takes a few seconds to come. “Nightmare.” Even when whispering Touya’s voice cracks.
In all honesty, Akito already guessed Touya had a nightmare. Didn’t make him any more prepared for it though. So he pushes himself up, feeling the blanket crease under his palms, and brings a hand to Touya’s hair. The other flinches, but leans into it ever so slightly, and Akito finds himself grinning. “Come downstairs when you’re ready.”
Touya makes a questioning sound, but Akito’s already moving out of the bed.
He winces as the cold floor meets his feet, but doesn’t let it stop him from padding down the hallway softly. He descends down the stairs, avoiding that one creaky step that would surely awaken Ena (assuming she wasn’t pulling another all-nighter), and enters the kitchen.
Akito’s never had to handle nightmares before; but he’s had some experience being cared for as a child, and he knows that hot chocolate can do wonders for somebody’s mental state.
It takes a few minutes for Touya to join him in the kitchen. By that time, Akito’s got the milk boiling and he’s fetched the hot chocolate powder. He finishes putting in the last spoonful before turning to greet his boyfriend.
Touya’s wrapped in a blanket, which is understandable given that the house temperature is absurdly cold. The Shinonomes have a penchant for loving cold temperatures, so their house feels subzero to anybody else. Touya’s face is now uncovered, and Akito can see the redness of his cheeks and the puffiness and exhaustion in his eyes.
“Any better?” Akito asks gently, absently stirring the pot.
Touya shakes his head after a moment. Akito nods. “Well, you can have a seat at the dining table. I’m making hot chocolate.”
That makes Touya blink in interest, and he slowly walks to the table. The dining room is directly connected to the (rather small) kitchen, so Touya can relax on a chair while keeping an eye on Akito.
The chairs are made of wood though, and they are cold if Touya's shaking is anything to go by. Akito hopes the hot chocolate will help.
Touya speaks after a minute of comfortable silence, his voice unusually rough. “Why?”
“Hm?” Akito looks questioningly at Touya before remembering that talking must take a lot of effort. “Why I’m making hot chocolate? Um, that’s just because I want to help but like, I’ve never had to before?” Akito cringes at his own words. “No, forget I said that. I mean, when I was little my mom made me hot chocolate when I couldn’t sleep. It helped a lot. Have you ever had hot chocolate?”
Akito assumes not, considering Touya’s dad was an absolute dick, and his fears are confirmed when Touya shakes his head. “Well, I guess better late than never.”
“...Thank you.”
“Nah man, don’t mention it.”
Akito turns off the heat, grabbing the wooden handle of the pot and bringing it over to the counter. He had already prepared two mugs there, and he pours in the drink as equally as he could.
He smiles, bringing one to Touya. “Here ya go.”
Touya murmurs a thanks before taking the mug with trembling hands. He looks at it curiously before taking a cautious sip. His eyes light up and Akito internally breathes a sigh of relief. “It’s sweet.”
“Mhm.” Akito leans against the table, taking a sip of the drink himself. Its sweet, like Touya said, and is honestly his best attempt yet.
“...Hey, Akito.”
Akito hums questioningly, looking down at Touya. Touya’s not looking at Akito, instead staring into his half-empty mug. “...is this normal?”
“...Normal?”
“Like. Having a mother or a father that does this for you.”
Akito’s heart breaks all over again.
“...I don't know. I think so?”
Touya looks at Akito questioningly. “But you said your mom did that for you. And Ken-san would do that for An. But, for me…”
Akito sighs, realizing where this is going, and realizing he doesn’t know how to answer. So he does what he does best.
He wings it.
“...My mom left, you know?”
Touya’s eyes widen. “What?”
Akito just lets the words spill. “She left because she found another man. Ena and I weren’t enough for her to stay. She loved us, but she still left, which I don’t think is normal. I heard she died in an accident a few years ago.”
“...I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Actually, its sorta my fault for dumping this on you.” Akito shakes his head. He pauses for a moment, taking a breath as the memories replay in his mind.
And he continues. “But that’s not the point. The point is sometimes your parents are assholes. And they can act like they love you, like my mom, or they can shut you out, like my dad, or they can force their ideals on you, like your dad. I don’t think there's a normal parent, per say, I think people just focus on the good ones and ignore the bad ones.”
“Wise words.”
“Are they? I’m just saying what I think.”
“You’re amazing.”
If Akito was drinking his hot chocolate, he would have done a spit take. As it is, he makes a strangled sound and blushes furiously. “I- uh, I mean, thanks?”
Touya hums in thought, oblivious to the internal crisis he caused Akito. Then again, his honesty was one of the things Akito loved about Touya.
They stay like that for a few minutes, sipping their hot chocolate. The drink warms their bodies against the cold of the house. They don’t talk, but they don’t need to. Touya’s most likely processing and calming down, and Akito’s just content staying like this.
He thanks all the gods above Ena didn’t wake up.
At some point, Touya sets down his mug and goes to stand up, swaying on his feet. Akito immediately steadies him with an arm around his shoulders. Touya hums again, and it's obvious that drowsiness is taking its toll on the boy. Akito chuckles. “Feeling better?”
“Much,” Touya answers quietly. “Sleepy.”
“I can tell.” Akito shifts so he can plant a kiss on Touya’s forehead. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“M’kay.”