Every Day - Friday Morning
Author's note: I'm posting this now, today, so that I can say I've updated. The rest of this has given me fits for ever, but I'm getting closer to posting more. Sorry for the horrendous delay between updates.
*****
The pattern of sleeping had been set on the previous two times Ken had spent the night. They would, somehow, end up sleeping together, and Daisuke would wake up first the following morning. Friday saw a rather interesting change in Daisuke's response. Two times before, Daisuke had gotten up and been out of bed long before Ken's mind re-approached the land of the living. Third time through, he decided he could think of nothing better than being exactly where he was when Ken woke up: firmly pressed against his friend, their arms around each other and Ken's each exhalation brushing hot moisture across the skin of Daisuke's neck.
//He's sleeping on me,// Daisuke noted mentally. He smiled sleepily and gave Ken a gentle squeeze. He was still in the drowsy stages of waking up, when the world was a beautiful place and actually getting up seemed like a waste of a perfectly good, warm bed. Not to mention a waste of a good, first-morning-together cuddle. It was the first Daisuke had ever had and he was determined not to miss out on it.
Ken slowly began to rouse some time after the seven o'clock hour. They were both early morning risers, by some odd coincidence. Even on vacation, neither of them had slept past nine o'clock. Admittedly, Daisuke had tried.
Good morning, Daisuke whispered, waiting with tense anticipation while Ken stiffened in surprise at waking to find himself in someone's embrace.
the genius's voice inquired softly, even as Ken tried to push away to see the boy beneath him. Daisuke loosened his hold and let Ken get only far enough that they could meet each other's eyes. Ken looked slightly puzzled for a moment, and then he blushed and ducked his head again, hair coming forward to finish obscuring his face from Daisuke's gaze. he finally said.
Daisuke waited a few more moments, but Ken made no effort to break the contact between them, so he took that as encouragement and used his arms to tug Ken back down to him, so Ken was once again laying partially overtop Daisuke's body. Sleep well? Daisuke asked, reaching up with the arm not wrapped around and under Ken to play with the other boy's hair.
I... yes, I did, Ken answered. He pressed a little closer and rested his head on Daisuke's shoulder, his body relaxing fully in Daisuke's grip. And you?
I slept great, Daisuke said enthusiastically. Experimentally, he tapped his foot against Ken's careful not to dislodge the blanket over the lower half of their bodies. I need a you-size pillow for when you're not around, because that's the best sleep I've gotten in a while.
Daisuke felt Ken's laughter, where the boy's chest was pressed up against his side, and he grinned proudly. //I can do this. I'm funny, and I'm cute, and I'm smart. I can make Ken happy and be a great boyfriend.//
The house was silent as they lay there, neither one speaking for a moment. Jun had left a short while ago, before Ken had woken up. Normally not liking long pauses of quiet, Daisuke was strangely at peace as he continued to comb his fingers through Ken's hair, hands working through the locks and brushing them down along the side of Ken's head.
I feel like I should purr, Ken said suddenly. To Daisuke, he sounded amused.
he tried to shift a little to get a better look at Ken, but he couldn't manage it without tilting his head at an awkward and almost painful angle.
Because you're petting me. There was definite laughter now.
Daisuke felt his cheeks flush a little, and he hazarded a guess Ken would be blushing, too. Are you blushing? he teased.
In answer, Ken turned his face more into Daisuke's shoulder, so even if Daisuke could have seen Ken's face before, it was hidden now. No. Of course not. Of course he was. He was just hiding it.
The feeling of being on top of the world made Daisuke restless, and he pushed Ken away a little so he could turn onto his side facing the genius. There was indeed a pink glow to Ken's cheeks that couldn't be attributed to anything but embarrassment. Ken met Daisuke's gaze squarely, if questioningly, and waited.
Daisuke wasn't in a hurry to break the silence between them, and he waited for Ken to speak up first. How are your hands?
The brunet raised one hand between them and wiggled his fingers. They're okay. He offered Ken a sheepish grin. They weren't really that badly hurt, you know?
Hurt enough, Ken contradicted him gently. He smiled and reached out to press his palm against Daisuke's, the action hesitant.
Daisuke grinned and accepted the gesture, taking it one step further as he laced his fingers through Ken's and then dropped their hands between them. But see, I had the lovely Nurse Ken to take care of me. He laughed at his own joke.
Ken laughed as well, though his laughter was softer and short-lived. Why Nurse Ken, and not Doctor Ichijouji?
The answer to that wasn't what Ken expected. His eyes widened as Daisuke suddenly pressed closer, face intent, and asked, You want to play doctor' with me?
The genius gaped for a moment, brain freezing as he tried to think of a response. His confusion was enough that Daisuke was able to slide closer, one arm going to rest over top Ken's, his arms tightening ever so slightly over the genius's sides. Ken's vocalization was too soft to be protest, too uncertain to be anything but a question, or possibly a plea. Either way, Daisuke answered it the best he could, lips seeking for and finding Ken's mouth in the seconds before he closed his eyes.
*****
Daisuke grinned at Ken when they parted a few short moments later. You're cute, you know that? Daisuke teased, a warmth emanating from his eyes to match the heat of his body.
If I say I don't know, will you tell me again? Ken responded half-jokingly. He shifted slightly under Daisuke, his hands, clasped, coming to rest against the small of Daisuke's back.
Why, Nurse Ken, I think you're flirting with me. Daisuke followed the line with a giggle and buried his face against Ken's chest, his upper body shaking with giddy laughter. Ken joined in the laughter and shifted his arms again, wrapping them more firmly around Daisuke and hugging the auburn-haired boy. They laughed until they were breathless and Daisuke slumped boneless on top of Ken, his head turned into the curve of the genius' neck so each panting breath brushed across pale skin.
the boy on top said after a moment, the syllables coming out soft but certain. Ken blinked for a moment and tried to remember what the sounds meant. The language of Japanese was one he had never learned. His heritage had been left behind by his second-generation parents in their rush to be Americanized and accepted. On his own, Ken had studied the language briefly, but until Daisuke, he'd never been friendly enough with a person who spoke the language naturally to learn from them.
What does that mean? Ken finally gave in and asked, the search of his mental memory bank coming up unsuccessful.
It means you're cute and you can't resist me, Daisuke answered, snickering quietly. Ken smiled, and reached up and tugged at a lock of Daisuke's hair. Hey! Pull my hair again and I'll have to kiss you, Daisuke warned. Ken was tempted to repeat his action, but then decided that was what Daisuke wanted, so he didn't even though he wanted to. After a few minutes of waiting, Daisuke made a displeased noise and pushed up until he was hovering over Ken, arms braced on either side of the genius's head. He looked hurt and offended. You don't want me to kiss you?
The combination of emotions made Ken smile gently. I do want you to kiss me, he corrected. The grin he received in answer of that admission sent shiver through him, one that left his toes nearly tingling as the fire returned to Daisuke's eyes.
He found himself being kissed again, Daisuke's weight settling — fitting — against his body comfortably. Thinking, Ken decided fuzzily, could wait until he managed to get out of Daisuke's bed.
*****
Waking up didn't officially happen until after eight. Daisuke emerged from the bedroom first, grinning rather smugly and strutting as he walked to the kitchen. Ken followed behind him shortly and walked into the bathroom. He looked just as pleased, even if he wasn't smiling quite so widely.
While Ken went through his morning routine, Daisuke set to making food for the two of them. The fridge was still almost bare, so he'd have to come up with something creative, or something from the cupboards. After a moment, he decided creativity was a waste of time and turned to the cupboard to the left of the sink in search of something quick and easy to microwave. What he found was canned pasta, which while not the most delicious meal on the face of the planet, would more than suffice for them.
//Let's see. Ken should like... that one.// He pulled out two cans of the same pasta, something tomato-based and appetizing. He heard the toilet flush and then the hum of water through the pipes shortly after turning the can opener off. Ken would be nearly finished, then.
Jun was gone for the day. On Saturday, she would still be around, no matter what time they woke up. Daisuke would make sure they left kind of early, so he wouldn't have to share Ken with his sister. It was nice she approved of their relationship, in her own way. //A little odd she was okay with it before it happened. But she's Jun so that's not too unusual.//
What are you making? The question heralded Ken's entrance to the kitchen and Daisuke turned with a grin. There was an unfamiliar excitement winding through his veins and, unable to contain it, he shot across the kitchen and tackled Ken into the kitchen well. His arms wrapped around Ken before they made impact with the wall and Daisuke laughed as Ken's surprised exclamation cut off.
I'm making food for the most wonderful boyfriend in the world, Daisuke said loudly into the soft shell of Ken's ear. He missed the genius's wince as he pulled back and waited with anticipation for Ken's reaction to that announcement.
Um, Daisuke, Ken started, voice hesitant and his smile strained. Daisuke frowned, sensing before Ken went on that he wasn't going to completely like whatever Ken was going to say. There was a certain tone people used when they told you things they knew you'd react badly to, and Ken was using it at the moment. I like you, I do, but I think-
You think too much, Daisuke interjected. He framed Ken's face with his hands and looked deep into violet eyes. Daisuki, Ichijouji.
The use of Japanese managed to divert Ken's attention for a moment, and Daisuke took that moment to wonder if Ken had allowed it purposely or just gotten lost for a moment. The former was most likely. Daisuke had avoided a serious answer the first time, and it seemed Ken knew that and was unwilling to let it go a second time. What does that mean?
Daisuke grinned and leaned forward until his forehead rested against Ken's. I like you. He grinned slightly. I like you lots, Ken.
Ken's lips curved up, becoming a genuine smile instead of the forced one he'd been wearing moments before. he said in return. He tilted his head a little and rubbed the tip of his nose against the tip of Daisuke's. We're not going to have a serious discussion about this, are we?
Caught as he was, Daisuke missed the amusement in Ken's voice. His own smile dimmed for a brief second, but he refused to worry over it. He leaned in and kissed Ken quickly, then backed up. As if on cue, the microwave beeped, and he moved to take the food out, handling the bowls carefully.
Ken pulled a chair out from the table and sat down, looking comfortable. Daisuke sat down in the chair nearest him, just kitty-corner. He paused after setting the bowls on the table and he scooted his chair over without getting up, hands on the underside of the seat as he bounced it over the tiles. Once in place, he put his feet up on the top-most support, making his knees jut out in either direction, his left knee touching Ken's.
They ate in relative silence, the food in Daisuke's bowl disappearing at a rate twice the speed of Ken's. When the auburn-haired boy was finished, he pushed his bowl to the center of the table, rested his elbow on the edge, and stared.
For a few minutes, Ken ignored him, somewhat oblivious to the look. Then he happened to look up for a moment, eyes meeting Daisuke's gaze for a moment before looking back down at his food. After that, he sporadically looked at Daisuke out of the corner of his eye. He said nothing, until he was done. He pushed his bowl to the center of the table, next to Daisuke's, and leaned his elbow on the table about a foot from Daisuke's arm. That position brought him closer to Daisuke and he smiled slightly as he searched Daisuke's face.
Daisuke grinned, feeling smug and excited.
Ken raised an eyebrow, but let it go. Okay. What do you want to do today?
Daisuke thought about it for all of two seconds before shrugging. I don't care. What do you want to do today?
Ken shrugged as well. I'm happy doing whatever you want to do. Play video games? Play with the dogs? Go for a walk? Go to the park and play soccer?
Ah, dude. Why don't you pick something? Please? Daisuke widened his eyes a little and gave Ken a hopeful, pleading look.
It seemed to work, as Ken nodded and reached his hand out, tentatively closing it over Daisuke's hand. We could walk over to the skate rink. It's been a while since I've done that, and it's probably not that busy right now. We could have most of the place to ourselves.
Daisuke grinned and turned his hand, winding his fingers through Ken's. Or we could stay here and watch movies and have the place to ourselves.
The genius shook his head and laughed. I thought you wanted me to choose?
Fine, fine, we'll go skating. Daisuke tried to pout, but he couldn't help the grin that spread over his face as he tugged on Ken's hand to bring him close enough for a kiss. Whatever you want, Ken.
Isn't that my line? Ken asked, reaching a hand up to cup the back of Daisuke's head, holding the other boy's face close as he kissed him. Daisuke pressed into the kiss, forgetting the question as Ken's lips opened under his.