Sorry for the delay. I had a rough night last night. Thanks, heartburn.
There was an old-fashioned alarm clock in Soma's room.
Takumi always wondered why the redhead had such a thing in his room, but it wasn't that big of a deal to officially ask about it. Surely he could just use the alarm on his phone like any other modern day student? And yet, there it was, the brass clock with the twin bells on the top. Takumi remembered picking it up a few times out of impulse. He could tell it was worn as the brass was losing its luster and the little hammer between the bells was slightly bent. But it still kept the time perfectly well. Takumi wasn't really bothered by the almost extinct object nor by the loud ticking that came from it. There were times he was really aware of it, though.
Especially when he was relaxing in bed with the clock's owner.
Soma was the epitome of loud and obnoxious. He would raise hell wherever he went just for fun or to make a point. But even someone as energetic as Soma took a break. Takumi couldn't help feeling a bit special that he gets to see the redhead's calmer sides firsthand.
He also gets to experience Soma's love for physical contact.
Takumi saw the signs before they even started dating. Soma was a bit more physical than their other friends, often grabbing them out of sheer excitement. However, he became much more handsy once they started dating. Soma would often try to hold his hand when they were walking around together, especially when girls tried to flirt with him. It was common for Takumi to sit between Soma's legs when they were relaxing as well, much to the blond's embarrassment when they got into that position in front of friends. Even now Soma had his arms around Takumi, clinging to him as he slept.
Takumi tried not to move too much. He relished these quiet moments because there were so many loud ones in between. Right now, it felt like there was a peaceful spell in the room, and he felt it might be broken if he woke up his partner. Instead, he entertained himself by gazing at the sleeping form flushed against him. It was easy because they were both on their sides facing each other. The afternoon sunlight was bleeding through the curtains, just enough to give the room a warm glow. Takumi thought the setting was perfect for someone who he thought held the sun in his soul.
The blond held back a laugh after that thought.
Many months ago, he hated Soma. He hated the annoying and cocky transfer student who thought he was better than everyone else. He had planned to defeat Soma and show him his place. But the bastard was elusive, and Takumi ended up chasing him instead. And, despite all the blond's work, Soma ended up defeating him by capturing his heart.
Takumi didn't mind the loss.
Just like he didn't mind the embraces that Soma frequently gave him, or the hand holding, or even the sound of the alarm clock as it ticked away the seconds that they spent together. His eyes drifted to the antique on the nightstand. Takumi had to say that he admired the thing. It still worked even after years and years.
He hoped that he and Soma could hold on to each other's hearts for years and years as well.