We fell in love in autumn

So eventually I decided to stay over.

We come inside and clean up the dirty dishes after our dinner. Hoshi washes the plates, and I help him dry them and put them in their place. Hoshi must navigate me through his kitchen, so I put everything on the right shelf. It's calming how it's quiet, only his voice is talking to me, and his giggles fill the air.

"Nikko?" Hoshi says.

"Yeah?"

"I only have one bed tho…" He admits shyly, his cheeks catching a slightly pink colour. "I mean, it's a big one. But are you okay with sleeping beside me?" He laughs nervously.

His shyness honestly just melts my heart.

The thought of sleeping beside Hoshi is more than comfortable. I can feel the warmness of having him beside me, and the safe space he'd provide me with his presence. Why would I ever deny being closer to him?

"I don't mind at all. At least we can talk longer!" My cheerful way of saying this sentence makes Hoshi laugh, and the sort of uncertainty he was seemingly feeling while asking me lefts him. He looks relieved that I'm not uncomfortable, and I feel happy for the trust that's building between us. Already sleeping in one bed, knowing that we aren't a menace for each other.

Hoshi leans against the white counter, while my eyes are glued on his quiescent face. And maybe I'm staring too much, but he stares back. His eyes relaxed, and his lips smiling slightly. I sense immense heat accumulating in my face, yet I don't look away from his face this time. Instead I let this moment, and his beauty, eat me up.

If it's silent or not, I'm sure he can hear my little heart fighting to slow down. I am just embarrassed, but in a good way. I don't feel awkward anymore while admiring his tender features. Yet it feels funny. I hold the counter, and start laughing, holding my tummy.

"I'm sorry. " I say, while I can't stop smiling. "Shall we just go to bed?" I suggest. But Hoshi remembers my suggestion to pick a movie the next time we have the chance, and suggests this instead. "What about we watch a movie? You pick this time."

"Sounds great! But prepare, because I actually watch good movies unlike someone." I let out a snarky giggle as I refer to the horrible movie I had to watch with him the last time, when he was the one in charge of picking the movie. Hoshi just rolls his eyes jokingly, as if I was overexaggerating. He apparently thinks the movie was indeed great…

"Yeah right." He laughs ironically. But then his voice turns somehow different, unshy, or relaxed-like. "I'll be right back, Nikko. I'll bring you something to sleep in." Hoshi looks at me, with his eyes smiling. It's the first time I see him like this. His expression is always relaxed, or cheerful, but dreamy like. Always calm, and warm, and controlled. But at this moment it's weirdly different. As if it was a pure expression of his, as pure as ocean water, just something clear, unaffected, and honest. Everyday-like. The face where he doesn't control his face muscles consciously, he doesn't try to, he doesn't feel like he needs to. He feels comfortable sharing his authentic self. And this expression of his reminds me of the brightest star. The one that stays by the moon every night. It's just what it is, nothing more, nothing less. No lies, no act, just a shiny star shining in the sky.

Just a thing being.

Hoshi lends me some grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt as the clothes to sleep in. I thank him, and make my way to the bathroom, so I can change.

The yellow lamps turn on, and they create a fancy atmosphere in this dark themed bathroom. There's a bath, and a glassed corner shower. The tiles are black, and wooden equipement makes the interior a little lighter, affable. The whole theme is fancy, wooden and black, and I kind of love it. Above the bath, there's a window with a view of the distant city lights. I think Hoshi and his roommate must truly cherish late night showers, and a sense of some sort of luxury.

Trampling on one place on the cold floor, I start putting on his clothes. It smells fresh and kind of soft, just like him. A wave of safety fills my mind. I smile at the thought of having his clothes on. It makes me feel even closer to him, if it's even possible.

I have to tie the string of his pants tight, really tight, so they do not fall off my skinny waist. His t-shirt is kind of oversized on me too. I put my light blue hoodie over it, so I'm not cold. When I see myself in the mirror, I notice I look pettier than usual. Not that his clothes were that big, but it makes me feel adorable to wear his size bigger clothing. But I just still hope the pants will hold on me…

When I walk out of the bathroom, Hoshi is also already changed into his pajamas. He's got some black, long sleeve t-shirt, and dark blue pants with white stripes on it. And he's sockless? My head almost blows.

"Hoshi, how aren't you cold, walking barefoot around here?! The floor is very cold!" I say.

"I'm okay. I'm used to it." Hoshi answers nonchalantly, his feet just happily sticking to the floor.

"I hate to be sockless. I don't understand you." I let out a surprised laugh. His feet touching the cold floor almost make me shiver just from seeing it. It makes me imagine myself walking here barefoot - I'd hate it. I don't even realise it, but I'm giving him some sort of a side eye, watching him like this.

"What~ You have a problem with that?" Hoshi gives me a smirk.

"Well, I feel uncomfortable just seeing you. It makes me imagine having to walk without socks."

"You really hate it that much?"

"Yeah."

Suddenly, the microwave makes a sound, initiating that the food inside is done. Hoshi just cheerfully opens the microwave, and takes popcorn out.

"You made popcorn?" I ask him while he puts it into a bowl.

"Yeah, I figured it would be nice to have something to snack on while watching the movie."

"But why popcorn? It tastes like polystyrene." I let out an awkward chuckle.

"You don't seem to like anything I like, huh? Movies, being sockless, popcorn…" Hoshi giggles. I must agree, although it isn't true. I mean, there is something we both like. Nelson!...

"I guess we're just really different. But I guess I kind of like it." I chuckle again, but this time in a lovely way.