Midnight Outing

(rating: t)

Eiji woke to the sound of a soft tapping as if a branch was being blown into the window. He scowled at the window as if it were its fault he was now awake, that's when he noticed that there was no wind and the tree wasn't close enough to reach the window. The tapping came again and he thought he saw something hit the glass pane in the darkness. Curious he slipped out of bed and quietly made his way over. He wasn't sure what he was expecting but it certainly wasn't his dark-haired doubles partner tossing pebbles.

Yet there Oishi was with a handful of pebbles in the dark of the night. The other boy motioned for him to come down, putting a finger to his lips to indicate that he should be quiet about it. Eiji nodded while rolling his eyes. He lived in a house full of people he knew very well that if you wanted to sneak out you had to be stealthy. He grabbed a sweatshirt and pulled it on over his head before heading back to the window, shoes and socks in hand. Quietly he slid it open just enough to slip through, once he was out on the roof it was simply a quick jump over to the branch of the tree and then an easy trip down the trunk.

"Ne, what's up Oishi?" he asked once he was on solid ground.

"Come with me." The raven-haired boy replied simply.

Eiji just shrugged and loped off after his partner, it might be unusual and completely out of character for the boy to show up like this but that didn't change the fact that he had total faith in him. Oishi moved easily in the near darkness, sure of his way and leading Eiji with ease. The taller boy's hand found Eiji's their fingers interlocking naturally as if it were meant to be that way. Somehow this night, with Oishi it simply seemed right and Eiji let a smile curve his lips. He was curious as to where they were headed but knew Oishi had a stubbornness when he wished and all it took was one look at the boy to know he wasn't going to tell.

"This is my favourite place." Oishi said softly as they reached their destination.

Eiji considered mentioning the electric box but somehow knew this was different. The box was their spot, something they shared. This was Oishi's own personal spot and Eiji was touched that he was sharing it with him. It wasn't something Eiji would have figured for his friend and partner.

"Come on." Oishi tugged him forward gently.

Eiji easily followed Oishi to the swings. They were in a small park that Eiji recognized as being near Oishi's house. Dropping his hand the taller boy sat on the swing a smile on his lips and there was a sparkle in his emerald eyes. He looked almost care-free, something that was new for Oishi. Ever since Eiji had met the other boy he had been worrying about something or another.

"Swings are great." Eiji said, pushing off from the ground.

"There's something about them that always just calms me down. It reminds me of being a kid and I would close my eyes and just imagine I could fly."

"It lets you be innocent."

Eiji understood exactly where Oishi was coming from and what he was trying to say. Oishi smiled at him, grateful that he was understood. The pair fell silent, just swinging beside each other in the dark. Safe in each other's presence.