The sun is lightly shining through the shitty curtains and Nezumi wakes up to a barricade.
He expects to roll over and see Shion, but he's greeted with a face full of white pillows. Brain still not quite at full processing speed, Nezumi stares at them dumbly. They form a soft wall between them, splitting the bed straight down the middle. A pillow at the top of the stack seems precariously close to falling off.
Curiously, Nezumi prods at it with his finger- it tumbles over. A wrathful growl is unleashed from the other side of the bed. Shion sits up sharply and adjusts the fluffy blockade with disturbing intensity.
"Shion, what the hell?"
Nezumi knew last night was awkward but Shion shouldn't need a literal wall to keep from jumping his bones. He hopes.
Unwillingly, Nezumi recalls the slow, hesitant way Shion had crawled under the covers last night- as if trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. He now knows exactly how Shion likes to curl up only using one pillow, and that he barely moves at all in his sleep save for his steady soft breaths. He knows how Shion's breath felt on his neck—light and gentle. It was disturbing how easy it was to fall asleep beside him, even though he was uncertain of his feelings.
Maybe he needed the wall more than Shion.
Nezumi swallows at the thought and Shion thumps him with a pillow.
"I'd ask how you slept but I know the answer to that." Shion looks downright unhinged, white hair disheveled and tangled miserably. There are bags under his eyes. Nezumi stares.
"I'd ask the same, but you're doing a pretty good job of making that clear with the pillow wall. Not to mention your…" Nezumi trails off, gesturing to Shion's face in general.
"It was a shield. For my protection." Shion glares, smoothing his hair as best he can.
"You know…" Nezumi smiles playfully. "You could have just used the shower, the water's cold enough." Shion's ears redden again. Nezumi pats his shoulder pityingly and Shion halfheartedly pushes his hand away, glaring.
"A shower wouldn't help that situation- that doesn't even make sense." Shion corrects him, slowly sitting up. Nezumi laughs, shaking his head.
"Well it would be a quick way to keep yourself clean and your socks safe."
Shion stares at him for a few seconds, gaping. "That's…not what happened."
"It would have let you get some sleep."
"It wasn't like that—Hey!" Shion tries to hit him with the pillow again and Nezumi laughs harder, catching it easily.
"Shion, relax." Nezumi taunts, grin spreading. Why is he provoking him like this? He was planning on letting the subject drop but Shion's face is only getting redder and that only serves to egg him on further. The desire to continue teasing him until that blush spreads down his neck is almost overwhelming, but why? Something vague in Nezumi's mind warns him to stop now before things can escalate.
Nezumi drops the pillow quickly and stands up. He has to put some space between them. It's better this way. Shion looks at the fallen pillow for a moment before turning away to reach under the bed. He pulls out his bag and roots though the clothes inside. "You could have warned me about your kicking, you know."
Nezumi stretches lazily, catching a glimpse at the clock: 4:40 AM. After an all-nighter like theirs, it's not surprising. "What?"
"Your kicking. In the middle of the night." Shion gathers up a plain grey t-shirt and jeans. He folds them in his arms before clarifying. "Repeatedly."
Nezumi almost winces but forces a smile instead. "Ah, and the true reason behind the pillow wall is revealed." Nezumi climbs out of bed, reaching for a shirt and pants.
"It was necessary." Shion says firmly, but softens. "Did you have a nightmare?"
"No." Nezumi quickly answers struggling to keep his voice neutral. "I just kick in my sleep sometimes. I'm an active guy. Sorry about that." He can't remember if he had a dream last night and has no intention of remembering. Shion frowns slightly, walking over to the bathroom.
"It's fine. " He shuts the door behind him, once again keeping true to his word and not pressing. Nezumi hears the sound of an electric toothbrush.
With Shion gone, Nezumi takes the opportunity to change clothes. He's not ashamed of his scars, but he's in no mood to explain them. It's none of Shion's business, after all. None of it is.
He spots Shion's beanie sitting on the table and hesitantly picks it up. It's itchy. He's surprised to find it's actually been knit meticulously. He kind of wants to throw it out the window.
"Safu knit it for me for my 17th birthday." Shion's behind him. Nezumi jumps, almost dropping it.
"Safu? Girlfriend of yours?"
"My best friend. I was self-conscious about my hair, so she made it so I could cover it up if I wanted. Of course, she's always telling me I need to stop relying on it." Shion scratches his neck, smile simultaneously guilty and affectionate.
"Sounds like she's got the right idea." Nezumi spins the beanie on his finger. "You really need to stop hiding behind it."
Shion looks away, moving across the room to repack his toothbrush. "I need to stop hiding in general," he mumbles cryptically.
Nezumi raises an eyebrow, but Shion isn't looking at him.
"You should brush your teeth, Nezumi. We've got to get on the road."
Nezumi nods, still holding the beanie. "Are you going to wear this today?"
"Yes, of course."
Nezumi spins it on his finger again, thoughtfully. "I don't think you should."
To his surprise, Shion laughs. "I knew you would say that." He scratches his head. "Can I have a little time to think about it?"
"Do what you want, Shion, don't ask my permission. I'm just sharing my opinion."
Shion seems a little startled but nods. "Right." He sits on the bed and shuts his eyes, thinking. Nezumi sets the beanie beside him, and heads to the bathroom.
He hasn't moved by the time Nezumi's finished brushing his teeth and hair.
"Well, Shion?"
Shion pauses before opening his eyes. "I'll wear it as we leave the hotel, but I'll take it off in the car, later when it's just us."
Nezumi rolls his eyes. "All that thinking for that answer?"
Shion's quiet, he stares at his socks. Nezumi sits beside him on the bed and squeezes his shoulder gently. "Well, it's a start at least."
Shion slips his beanie back on and Nezumi can't help but feel a little proud in the fact that it's only temporary.