He couldn't quite call it longing; his pride wouldn't let him. If there was one thing Kazahaya would never, ever in a million years acknowledge, it was that he had any sort of emotional attatchment to that hulking lump of pervert he shared a room with. However, living and working together for a year had inevitably allowed Rikuo to worm his way into a special place in Kazahaya's stubborn heart and, to Kazahaya's dismay, incite a very peculiar emotion in his absence.
No, it couldn't be longing.
Longing, akin to craving, would imply an unsatisfied desire, constantly pulling at Kazahaya's heart and lingering in the back of his mind when otherwise preoccupied, which most certainly did not occur.
The quiet sighs and lonely, fleeting glances at the vacant bed across from his were caused by work and work alone, because Rikuo's share had to be finished as well and it would make perfect sense for him to be contemptuous of the extra responsibility, thank you very much.
Mopping the storeroom on his own wasn't lonely, he thought, it was inconvenient, and taking his lunch break on his own only meant that he would have to spend more time awkwardly conversing with Kakei in leui of eating alone.
If he wanted Rikuo back, it was because it made perfect sense rationally.
His constant anticipation of Rikuo's return had no significance beyond an easier day at work, he had almost managed to convince himself.
He emphatically did not miss Rikuo's company.
The pang he felt in his stomach was not longing; it was irritation, contempt, annoyance, love.
/an: Hi, this is my first fic-type-thing ever so I don't expect it to be anything special, but if you have any tips or feedback or criticism please review so I can improve and contribute more to this fandom! :)/