hatesthefood

"It isn't how I feel now. I never stopped feeling this way."

He paused and looked back at Mamoru but seeing him mirror Persia made him sigh and look away again.

"... I've been wanting to ask you this for a few days now but I couldn't. I honestly didn't think I'd be able to ask tonight."

"Why?" Mamoru wasn't moving, barely breathing. He was waiting for Ken's response.

"... I thought you'd say no. I guess I still think you will."

Ken had stopped his pacing now, head tipped down as he tried to steel his expression into something calm and blank. He couldn't let Mamoru see him with his face so open. Not when he said no.

"The only thing good about this city is having you around. Well, Umi and my friends, too, but I know that I couldn't be around you back home. Well, now that's not an issue since I'm stuck here and there's no one I'd rather be with."

Mamoru watched him closely. He knew Ken too well not to see that he was hiding behind a wall.

"I mean why, Ken. Why do you want me to stay?"

He still wasn't looking at Mamoru, but he knew he was being watched.

"Because I love you."

He knew it wouldn't be enough for the other man, but at least he was being honest.

Mamoru bit his lip, looking up to him, and then he nodded.

"I'm keeping my apartment. At least until things are more stable. But I'll stay here."

He finally dared a glance at the other man, any other arguements he had dying before he could utter them.

"... really?"

"Yes."

A slow smile bloomed across Ken's face.

"... wow. That's great. I really thought you'd say no."

"Well, I'm saying yes."

Mamoru was still watching him over his fingers, his lips pressed together.

".. you don't seem all that thrilled, Mamoru."

The smile faltered a little but it didn't completely fade.

"Neither do you," he pointed out quietly. It seemed more like this was a chore for Ken, and he wasn't coming near Mamoru. It had the younger man on edge -- after all, he knew just how easily words could mislead. He was waiting for actions.

"... sorry. I am but I was pretty nervous. Still am, I guess."

He walked back to the couch and settled next to Mamoru, close enough that his leg brushed the younger man's.

"Will you do me a favor?"

Mamoru turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you need, Ken?"

"Promise me you'll tell me when I'm being a bonehead?"

He smiled over at Mamoru, leaning against him for a moment.

Mamoru gave a slight chuckle, raising an eyebrow. "Don't I usually?"

"Can you be nice about it?"

The smile quirked up a little more as he turned a little to face Mamoru.

Mamoru paused to consider it.

"I'll try, but it goes against my better nature," he teased.

Ken snorted softly, his hand moving to brush some of the hair from Mamou's forehead.

"I can handle you trying."

Mamoru smiled a little at the touch, leaning in a tiny bit.

"I missed you, Ken."

The smile softened as he let his fingers drift to stroke along Mamoru's cheek.

"I've missed you, too."

Mamoru glanced up at him, then settled for the touch, leaning back against the couch.

Ken didn't move away. In fact, he leaned a little closer.

"... sorry I missed your birthday."

With a deep breath, Mamoru looked up at him. "Wasn't my birthday."

"Until I know what it is, then I'm calling it that."

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