Alfred was, needless to say, nervous. He hadn't visited Kiku for quite some time, and he always ended up doing something relatively silly that freaked him out.
But he had decided that today would be different.
As he approached the small house, He made sure to walk only on the stepping-stones, not on the gravel- he had learned that on his very first visit. He waited to knock on the door, in case Kiku had heard the Taxi door open and close. From the inside, he heard his friend singing a song…
"MERUTO tokete shimaisou suki da nante zettai ni ienai... dakedo MERUTO me mo awaserarenai koi ni koi nante shinai wa watashi" Alfred knocked. "datte kimi no koto ga" The door opened. "…suki nano- Ah! Hello, Alfred-kun!" He seemed a little embarrassed by the fact that Alfred had heard him singing such a girly song.
He doesn't need to know that I know what that meant. Alfred chuckled to himself as he walked in, placing his shoes carefully to the side.
Alfred stopped in front of the kotatsu. Kiku pressed a few buttons and settled under the blanket.
"It's really warm, Kiku!" Alfred said happily as he ate the miso soup his friend had prepared.
"I'm glad. It's a lot colder outside than I had thought it would be."
After the soup was finished, the duo sat awkwardly in silence.
"So, how are you lately?" Alfred finally asked.
"Fine. How have you been?"
"Better. Things are looking up."
Without either of them really intending to, they were sitting nearby each other, talking about TV shows and funny songs and animals. Before they knew it, the sun was setting outside.
"So… Sleepover?" Alfred asked. "I brought a scary movie!"
"Sounds fun." He smiled as he got up to put the popcorn in the microwave.