Disclaimer: I do not own Hamatora or any of the characters.
Author's note: This is pre Re:_Hamatora episode 7 as I have watched nothing beyond those episodes.
Habit (Part 1)
Ratio sighs softly as he inserts his key into their shared apartment's lock. Upon hearing the click, he pushes the door open and quietly announces his return. There is no response, though at this hour Ratio wasn't expecting one. The lights have been shut off save for the hallway light. Turning off the hallway light on his way to his bedroom, Ratio looks across the hall at the slightly ajar door and pauses. The lights from his own bedroom now illuminated the identically decorated door of Birthday's room, beckoning.
The night is quiet and the time is late. Ratio shrugs off his white coat and loosens his tie. It is the time for rest, but there would be no rest for him until he finished his ritual. Making as little noise as possible, Ratio prepares for sleep. Once clean and clad in his night garments Ratio makes his way towards the mirrored door of Birthday's room. He cracks it open just a tad bit more. He's done this enough times to know exactly where to stop so that the light will land just below the sleeping man's face. Then, he watches. The darkness can bring illusions, especially illusions of things that one desperately wants to see. So, he sees it. The steady rise and fall of Birthday's breathing and his peaceful face as he sleeps; even if the only thing illuminated in the room was a shimmer of Birthday's neck and upper shoulder. But he needs to be sure, so he calls out.
"Birthday?"
Silence, followed by a rustling of sheets, then a "hmm? Yeah, Ratio-chan?".
"Nothing," Ratio answers as he returns the door to its original state, "good night."
A mumbled "good night, Ratio-chan" softly flows from Birthday's bedroom as he drifts back to sleep.
Ratio, tension he both was and wasn't aware of is released as he sighs again with a smile.
-End of Part 1-
Author's note: Was going for short and sweet, not sure if I managed to pull it off? Please drop a review to let me know how I did! Part 2 for this will be posted soon! (It's kind of like Birthday's response).