L-elf looked around the small apartment that would become his residence. At least until he could support himself and live on his own. This wasn't going exactly as he planned but he would find a way to work around it. Originally, L-elf had wanted to be adopted by someone more influential. Ideally, if he was taken in by a politician, he could use their power in order to affect Dorssia.
Instead he was taken in by an elementary teacher. And this man looked just as useless as the woman who facilitated the adoption. But under his guardianship, L-elf was now a citizen of JIOR. And in a few months time, he would be a legal adult. His plan had been modified since the situation wasn't as he wanted it to be. Without an official education, there weren't many jobs available.
But he wouldn't need much. Just something to start saving money with. Q-vier had really hit the jackpot with his guardian. It would be useful in the future. But for now L-elf was going to do as much as he could on his end. His ultimate goal would be to liberate Dorssia from the grip of the military and allow his friends to cease fighting. Every night that he slept in the peaceful country that was JIOR, he thought about X-eins, A-drei, and H-neun, risking their lives for someone who didn't even care about them.
As far as JIORans went, Tokishima Haruto was even more oblivious than most. Not that it mattered. This man was just a stepping stone. As soon as he could stand on his own, L-elf would leave and never turn back. He had already begun to look for some part time work. There was a limit to what he could do just sitting in the apartment all day while Tokishima went to his job.
He used the free time to come up with a budget and research the market. Tokishima was not eating well which meant neither was he, since he didn't have a penny to his name at the moment. L-elf came up with a solution that would keep him healthy and in shape. When he finally brought it up, Tokishima had accepted it without any argument.
L-elf had expected as much from him. From the way Tokishima ate, it was a wonder that he wasn't overweight or underweight. Perhaps chasing after children all day maintained the balance somehow, or possibly it was genetic. But considering his nutrition intake had L-elf wondering if Tokishima was taking shortcuts in other areas. Was he being conscious of his health.
With that in mind, he opened the door to the bathroom as Tokishima was showering. After getting over his initial flustering, the man gathered himself and was sure to keep his body hidden by the curtain.
"L-elf, what are you doing in here? Do you need something?"
"From now on, I will be making sure that you take proper care of yourself." The younger began to undress as he spoke, prompting more flusters from the other. L-elf let himself into the shower and Tokishima now had the curtain wrapped around his lower half.
"I-I don't know how they do things in Dorssia, but this isn't normal. I'm an adult! I can bathe myself."
"You've done well to survive this long. But now, I am here." For a moment, they both stared at one another, trying to see who would surrender to the other's will. With a sigh and a bit of maneuvering, Tokishima Haruto found himself having his hair washed by an ex-soldier.
"Um, L-elf, you don't really have to do this."
"You are unbelievably incompetent when it comes to your own well being, so yes, I must."
"Eh? You really care about me that much?"
"Why do JIORans have to everything sound so sentimental. You are my source of food and shelter. It is in my best interests to keep you in good condition."
"Even so...is something like this really necessary?"
L-elf sighed and rolled his eyes. Why was he still resisting when it had already been decided? He rinsed his hair and made Tokishima look at him. "You put a roof over my head, keep me fed. You look after my well being. It is only fair that I do the same for you."
That was how L-elf defended his actions anyway. Both to Tokishima and himself. But when he was alone, he couldn't help but question it more. All he had to do was the minimum to keep him alive and well until L-elf no longer needed him. Why was he washing his hair and helping him cook meals? Perhaps a better question was, why did it feel so nice to run his fingers through that soft brunet hair and why did he feel warm whenever his food was enjoyed?
L-elf didn't like where that line of thought was going so he chose to ignore it. Overthinking would get him nowhere. It didn't come to the front of his mind again until Q-vier's birthday party. Inuzuka had taken Tokishima abruptly for some sort of private conversation and Q-vier was looking at him as if he knew something L-elf didn't. Whatever it was, he preferred to talk about it without prying ears so he had to distract the woman.
"Sashinami, I believe the chefs have brought out more food", L-elf said.
"Really? I'll get some plates for the rest of us", she offered. Shoko left and they were alone.
"So what is it that you wanted to s-"
"You and that JIORan are dating?!", Q-vier exclaimed.
"We are not."
"But you were actin' a lovey-dovey with him before. You didn't even do that with A-drei."
"A-drei has nothing to do with this. I was not treating Tokishima in any particular way."
"Liiiiiaaaaar~", Q-vier sang.
It was true that L-elf was probably closest to A-drei back in Dorssia. However that had been because the ex-prince was his second in command. And they held similar views about their government. What he felt for A-drei and what he felt for Tokishima were different.
'Then what do I feel for Tokishima?'
L-elf tried to ignore that voice again. Even so, his eyes went to the man, speaking with his old schoolmate. What did he think of him? L-elf left Q-vier's side and prompted Tokishima to leave. Being here was making him think strange things. He had to go back to the apartment. Of course, Tokishima obeyed him and soon they were back at their residence.
Upon arriving, L-elf went into the bathroom to take a shower. Showers helped a person think. He should be able to figure out some things in there. He was in such a rush that he missed Tokishima asking if he wanted to watch a movie. About ten minutes later, L-elf's mind was even more jumbled and he was greeted with the smell of butter.
Dressed in his pajamas, Tokishima was sitting on the couch, about to play a film. He looked up when he noticed his charge entering the room.
"You're just in time if you want to watch", he said.
L-elf had already gotten dressed in his own bed clothes. He had wanted to put this day behind him and sleep but perhaps something like this would work better. He sat down on the other side of the couch and Haruto started the movie.
"Shoko told me about this one. She wouldn't stop talking about it", he smiled.
The other didn't respond and just took a handful of popcorn to snack on. L-elf and Haruto had begun on opposite sides of the couch but somehow, a third of the way in they ended up right against each other. They continued to watch but at a certain point, L-elf sighed.
"All of the conflict of this movie would not exist if the characters communicated more appropriately."
"Well, yeah, but that's where the drama comes in. It's not always easy to express yourself."
"Are all JIORans that way?"
"People are that way. Weren't they like that back home?"
"Dorssia is not my home."
Dorssia was the place where he had been born, raised, and used. Home was where you felt safe. It was where you could left your guard down and trust those around you. The closest he had to that was his squad. Wherever they were, was home. But Q-vier was across town in a mansion and the rest where across the seas in another country.
Where was home for him now? Did he even have one? Did he want one? Feeling Tokishima's gaze on him, L-elf looked him in the eye, only to have the other turn away as if caught in some scandalous act. He eventually returned L-elf's look with a slightly nervous expression.
"Um, what is it?", he asked.
L-elf moved away from him, putting some space in between them. "There's something on your mind. But you're not saying anything. Like the movie."
"I-I...You don't know that."
"I am not a mind reader. If you want me to know, say it out loud. But do not be upset when I do not understand what you are thinking. Good night."
The movie had lost its appeal and so had sitting with Tokishima. The man clearly had something he wanted to say but didn't trust L-elf with the words. He didn't trust L-elf. Wherever home was, he was certain it could not be here.