A Single Footprint in the Snow (09)
EIGHT
NINE: CONTEMPLATION
Nino had been furious and still fuming he climbs into bed later that night. He left Aiba on the couch, where he belongs. Nino had cleaned up after the man, but he isn't kind enough to offer him the bed too. He twists himself around his bedsheets, tired but unable to fall asleep.
As the night deepens and his anger leaves him, he thinks about Aiba's earlier words. Guilt catches up to him. Aiba must love this other him greatly. But it is specifically because Aiba's love is so great that it uneases Nino. His gut wrenches and he curls into a tight ball on his bed. He realizes that Aiba's feelings for the person that he isn't unsettles him.
Just as he falls asleep, he admits he wishes Aiba loves him almost as much as Aiba loves the Nino that he isn't.
The dream that comes to him that night feels surreal. As he sleeps, Aiba opens his bedroom door and shuffles into the room. Aiba crouches on the floor by the bedside and his face levels with Nino who is still wrapped in his deep sleep. Aiba reaches out a hand and caresses Nino's cheek.
"I miss you," Aiba croaks out. "Kazu, where did you run off to?"
Nino wakes with a start. His alarm blares in his ears. Blue-gray skies glare at him through the gap in his window blinds and curtains. Nino sits up, still tired, and wrap the bedsheets around himself hoping to keep out the morning chill. The alarm continues to ring and he lets it. He stares at the closed bedroom door where Aiba had walked through in his dreams. He can clearly recall Aiba's soft fingers on his cheeks as if it had really happened.
Although he has tried to remain aloof and indifferent he knows, realizes about himself, that he wishes he could be the Nino that Aiba loves. But that person with their memories is gone.
* *
TEN
NINE: CONTEMPLATION
Nino had been furious and still fuming he climbs into bed later that night. He left Aiba on the couch, where he belongs. Nino had cleaned up after the man, but he isn't kind enough to offer him the bed too. He twists himself around his bedsheets, tired but unable to fall asleep.
As the night deepens and his anger leaves him, he thinks about Aiba's earlier words. Guilt catches up to him. Aiba must love this other him greatly. But it is specifically because Aiba's love is so great that it uneases Nino. His gut wrenches and he curls into a tight ball on his bed. He realizes that Aiba's feelings for the person that he isn't unsettles him.
Just as he falls asleep, he admits he wishes Aiba loves him almost as much as Aiba loves the Nino that he isn't.
The dream that comes to him that night feels surreal. As he sleeps, Aiba opens his bedroom door and shuffles into the room. Aiba crouches on the floor by the bedside and his face levels with Nino who is still wrapped in his deep sleep. Aiba reaches out a hand and caresses Nino's cheek.
"I miss you," Aiba croaks out. "Kazu, where did you run off to?"
Nino wakes with a start. His alarm blares in his ears. Blue-gray skies glare at him through the gap in his window blinds and curtains. Nino sits up, still tired, and wrap the bedsheets around himself hoping to keep out the morning chill. The alarm continues to ring and he lets it. He stares at the closed bedroom door where Aiba had walked through in his dreams. He can clearly recall Aiba's soft fingers on his cheeks as if it had really happened.
Although he has tried to remain aloof and indifferent he knows, realizes about himself, that he wishes he could be the Nino that Aiba loves. But that person with their memories is gone.
* *
TEN