Inspired by/written for this fanart piece. [ scarletsunshine DOT tumblr DOT com / post / 48212427426 ]

Sometimes Natsuki got clingy. It was just one of those moods that would envelop him occasionally, usually right after he'd been unnaturally, for Natsuki, quiet for a while. Sometimes it meant Syo had to let him accompany him wherever he was going, regardless of how mundane or how awkward having a tag-a-long might me. There had been a late-night practice recording session for class once and he had given up trying to explain to Ryuuga why his roommate was there, co-opting the closest chair to the sound booth entrance about two sentences in. Why he put up with the intrusion. Why his roommate had to be reminded he couldn't just sit inside the sound booth.

It's just Natsuki. Natsuki is Natsuki.

Most times though, Syo didn't really have to be anywhere else. Natsuki would just flop against him wherever he was at the moment, and he had learned over months to not jump at the sudden contact. Natsuki had been quietly moping for a few hours now, and had kept sentences short when Syo tried to inquire about it. He'd been more of less expecting the thump and added weight of the larger and older boy flopping suddenly against his back, chin resting to peer over one of Syo's shoulders.

"Hey Natsuki."

There was a mumbled response, and he flicked his eyes over briefly. Glasses check. So long as it was Natsuki. The half-lidded green eyes tracked the action on the screen of his handheld, and Syo sighed. He pulled his feet up onto the couch and used the leverage to push both himself and Natsuki further onto the furniture. Natsuki's legs draped from the couch to the floor in in a way that looked uncomfortable, but more of his weight was settled on the cushions instead of Syo's back now. He'd re-adjust if he needed to.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, Syo never bothered to keep track of the time, before his stomach bothered him.

"Can you pass me the pocky?"

The weight and warmth against Syo's back retreated briefly, making the room suddenly seem cold by comparison. Maybe he should change the thermostat later, but Natsuki leaned back against him quickly, and a long arm snaked underneath his to pass him the box. Syo removed one from the open pack, popping it in his mouth before balancing the rest of the box in the V between his legs and chest. He resumed his game without comment as Natsuki shifted, making himself comfortable again.

"I'm sorry."

Syo paused the game and met Natsuki's downcast eyes, they were still watching the unmoving screen of the hand-held device balanced on his knees. "For what?" Green eyes flicked up to meet his, and Syo raised a questioning eyebrow. "You eat my pudding or something?"

Natsuki moved then, burying his forehead against Syo's shoulder. "I just need you sometimes."

"I know that."

"I'm sorry."

Syo started his game back up, determinedly focusing on it and not the way Natsuki apologizing for needing him had sent a little dagger into his heart. "For what?" he repeated.

Natsuki seemed to adjust himself again, and this time both arms made it around Syo's waist and stayed there. There were mumbled words into his back that he couldn't make out.

"Nothing to apologize for. It's okay too need people. Everyone does."

There was a muffled "you" into his shoulder blade and he tilted his head back to bump against Nastuki's. He smiled and returned to his game. They would sit that way for a long time, and eventually Syo would make him get up and go to bed. But he'd beat the level first. Not long later, he felt the gentle rise and fall of Nastuki breathing deeply in his sleep. Maybe he'd wait until the next level. He had been over halfway through this one already when Natsuki had come over.

Natsuki is Natsuki. He just needs me sometimes.