Every night now, Suoh does Nokoru's paperwork at the kitchen table. Nokoru drinks tea and keeps him company until his bedtime which, depending on the tea he chooses, varies from night to night.
Every night now, Suoh asks Nokoru to turn off the air conditioning before he goes to bed. Nokoru smiles and agrees. He showers and brushes his teeth before hurrying to bed, in order to get the better side before Suoh can beat him to it, even though he knows Suoh would give it to him if he asked.
Hours later, Suoh comes to bed. Despite the length of time it has taken him to complete a task that wasn't his own, he isn't upset. Putting his arms around a sleeping Nokoru's waist as he slides beneath the blankets, he knows that he is gaining something from this bargain.
Every morning, Suoh finds that he can't get out of bed. The air outside the blankets is like ice.
"Nokoru."
The waking man beside him puts his arms around his, only beginning to come to life. "You forgot. Again."
Nokoru hides a smile in Suoh's hair and tightens his arms around him.
"I know. I apologize."
It's been a year and a half since Nokoru said this last, and Suoh knows that he didn't really forget.
"One of these days, I'm going to just start doing it myself."
It's been a year and a half since Suoh said this last, and Nokoru knows that he isn't serious.