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It was rare for Kuro to wake up before Mahiru. The low buzz of the television roused him from his sleep and he yawned briefly. He looked down at Mahiru who laid on his chest with his fingers tangled in the chain holding bell. They stayed up late to watch Licht’s live concert due to the time difference between Tokyo and New York. He could easily piece together what happened.
He had fallen asleep during the live concert. From the blanket over them, he knew Mahiru stayed awake a little longer than he did. He wasn’t strong enough to carry him to their bed so he decided to sleep on the couch with him. He laid on his chest so Kuro needed to stretch his neck to peer out the window. The sun hadn’t risen yet and he reasoned he could sleep a little longer.
Kuro picked up the remote control from the floor and he turned off the television so the noise wouldn’t wake Mahiru. He wrapped an arm around his waist so he wouldn’t slip off his chest as he moved. The slight movement caused Mahiru to mumble in his sleep and Kuro worried that he had woken him. He nestled into him more before he settled back into a deep sleep.
He tenderly ran his fingers through his soft hair and he listened to his even breathing. Kuro knew that their bed would be more comfortable but he couldn’t bring himself to move with him on his chest. He savoured his warmth and how he fit so well in his arms. Mahiru leaned into his touch and Kuro ran the back of his hand over his cheek. The small gesture made Mahiru smile in his sleep.
Mahiru rarely voiced the things he wanted yet Kuro was able to understand his feelings. He would casually lean on his arm or hold his hand. He didn’t mind because his warmth was a comfort to him after the years of guilt he experienced. Kuro wondered if Mahiru was similar. He was the strongest person he knew but there were moments he was vulnerable. Since he lost his mother at a young age, he would hold Kuro to reassure himself that he wouldn’t leave as well.
Kuro would do everything he could to support him whenever he became lonely. Mahiru had done so much for him and he wanted to repay him by giving him the simple life he deserved. He gently held him closer and he stretched his neck to kiss his hair. He closed his eyes to fall asleep again and he allowed the sound of Mahiru’s heartbeat to lull him.
As he was on the edge of sleep, he heard footsteps outside their front door. They lived in an apartment building and they would often hear their neighbours in the hall. He expected the footsteps to walk past their door but the doorknob began to turn. Kuro worried that the person could be a thief trying to break in or a vampire. He placed his hand on Mahiru’s head protectively.
He sat up and the movement didn’t wake Mahiru. Kuro slowly lowered him onto the couch cushions and debated what he should do. They could easily defeat the person if they fought together. On the other hand, he didn’t want to involve Mahiru in a pointless fight when he could protect him. He hoped the person was a common thief and they would run away once they saw that the house wasn’t empty.
Before he could decide, the door opened and his body tensed. The person in the doorway wasn’t a thief or a vampire. Toru entered the house and his eyes immediately fell onto Kuro sitting on the couch next to a napping Mahiru. Kuro couldn’t read Toru’s thoughts but he immediately stood and stepped away from Mahiru. While Toru was Mahiru’s uncle, he had raised him as if he were his father. He felt a little awkward and he unconsciously fiddled with the bell around his neck.
“We fell asleep on the couch. I was just going to carry him back to the bedroom.” He stumbled over an explanation. He knew how important his uncle was to Mahiru so Kuro wanted his uncle to approve their relationship. “I’ll wake him up and we’ll go to bed. Only to sleep.”
“I’m not going to attack you with my broom like the first time we met. Mahiru looks tired so don’t wake him up. He had a bad habit of overworking himself ever since he was a child.” Toru told him in a soft voice. “He told me that you two are dating but a part of me kept thinking that you slept in a cat bed. He’s like a son to me so it’s strange to think that so much had happened while I was away.”
“Most parents wouldn’t want their son to date a vampire. You’re a part of C3 so you know how dangerous a life with us could be.” Kuro spoke the worries he had buried within himself since they started dating. He knelt next to Mahiru and he carefully slipped his arms beneath his body. He lifted him into his arms to take him back to their room. “I know that so I’ll protect him with my life.”
Kuro didn’t know who he made that vow to: Toru, Mahiru or himself.
“Thinking simply, I’ll approve of your relationship as long as Mahiru is happy. That’s the most important thing to me.” His words surprised Kuro. He was a part of C3 and the organization had deemed creatures like him a danger to humans.
Toru had long ago learned that people were far from their first impression. Between everything Mahiru told him and the moments he watched Kuro protect his nephew, Toru knew they cherished each other. “I know the type of person you are and you wouldn’t hurt Mahiru. Actually, I think I should thank you. Seeing you guys reminds me of how Mahiru would sleep on the couch and wait for me to come home.”
“I can imagine Mahiru having a plate of food waiting for you when you get back from your job. That’s the type of person he is.” Kuro said and he pictured the scene.
“I had to stop telling him when I was about to come home because he would stay up waiting. Then, C3 would call me back and I hated to disappoint him. I wanted to say I did my best to raise him but I knew he was lonely sometimes.” Toru placed his hand on Kuro’s shoulder and smiled proudly. “Thank you for always being here for him. I’ve never seen him so happy.”
Kuro walked into the bedroom and he laid Mahiru on the bed. With his uncle home, he thought it would be best to sleep on the couch so there wouldn’t be another awkward encounter. He started to stand to pull the blanket on him but he couldn’t move with Mahiru’s arms wrapped tightly around him. His warm breath brushed over his ear. “I thought you told my uncle that would stay by my side. Come to bed.”
“You were awake?” Kuro said and he slipped into the bed next to Mahiru. They moved together until they were holding each other with Mahiru’s head on his chest. He tilted his head back to him and smiled at him through the darkness. He was certain that smile was brighter than the sun. Tenderly, he stroked his fingers over his cheek. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I was curious to see what you two would talk about when you thought I couldn’t hear you. Now, I regret it because Uncle Toru told you that embarrassing story about me.” Mahiru said and a small laugh escaped him. Growing up, the house would be empty and lonely. Kuro filled his home with warmth after they met and he couldn’t help but fall in love with him.
He closed his eyes and he was happy to have someone to say: “Goodnight, Mahiru.”