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long day.
virel knew they should sleep tonight before they sleep for the entire tomorrow. they wouldn't want to miss it for the whole world. their schedule had been packed lately, and now that they've had a shitty morning, their lunch was spoiled, the lights were doomed during rehearsal, they wonder if it could go any more worse than it is.
they laid flat on their bed, letting out the most audible sigh they could into their pillow. they were too exhausted to even close the lights. too exhaused to even close the windows. they're just too exhausted.
but even during their half asleep state, they still thought about their life situations.
'is it sunday tomorrow? should i get lunch somewhere else tomorrow? will anyone even show up on the d-day? are they gonna fix the lights in time? should i go to sleep? i should. good night to myself. or anyone.'
they blinked their eyes shut slowly, only to get interrupted by a click of the lights turning off, the sound of the windows closing, and the weight of someone sitting 5 inches away from them.
they blinked their eyes back open just for a peek on who it is. they could tell it may be their roommate, but who knows? it could be a random stranger who broke in and decided to be sweet with them and eventually betray them and kill them-
oh, it's just maneki.
maneki laid down facing them, that stupidly adorable smile beaming the entire atmosphere. virel couldn't smile back for the life of them.
with the softest, and dumbest mumbled whisper, they ask: "what are you doing?"
"what do you think." ve replied with the same softness, despite the sarcasm.
"going to sleep?" he answers like a clueless toddler.
"yes."
they really didn't want to put up with this person's shit, especially after a rough day. they buried their face into the pillow once again before maneki could continue,
"with me?"
virel stifles a tired laugh, and even that made maneki feel proud of herself for getting a reaction from his exhausted roommate. they inch closer, a hand resting carefully at just by the side of their waist.
"what do you want?" virel turned their head back to the other. maneki didn't reply, their hand slowly crawling towards the small of their back. virel felt a shiver run down their spine, but their pride refuses to let him know.
maneki gets bolder, wrapping their arms around them, and rotating them a little so she could cuddle them a little more easier. virel froze in confusion.
clueless of what to do, they stayed stiff in the other's arms. they didn't exactly need a hug, but the warmth from maneki was already aiding their stress. they must admit, he's a pretty great cuddler.
they finally give in, leaning their face into the crook of his neck and relaxed their arms. she caressed their back gently, helping them soothe all the tension in their body.
"i'm here." he whispered.
"you had a rough day, didn't you?" another whisper.
"take a breather. you'll try again tomorrow." and that was the final whisper.
virel didn't know whether they should be comforted or not. it is pretty foreign for maneki to talk this much considering their slightly healed thyroid injury. their words made their knees weak, but this might mean that maneki wanted something from them.
"ahem, what do you want?" they questioned again, cupping the other's waist with one hand.
"nothing." they werent convinced. they could feel a faint kiss to their jaw.
"are you sure?" they received a nod.
"really." another nod.
"tell me the truth, maneki." they pinched her waist, earning a jump from the cat- human. human in their arms.
they let out silent laughter, holding their roommate the tightest they could in their arms. they earned a groan of suffocation and eventually lets them go.
"maybe... i want tickets to your next show." maneki finally admits.
"you could've just told me that. here you are, teasing me like a kid." they rolled their eyes. maneki could feel it, even if they don't see it. they continued, "don't you already have a ticket?"
"fuyu wants to come with. and sketch. and-"
"okay, okay. and 50 other people as well. i'm giving 3 tickets max." they abruptly cut them off.
"but maurice and lav-"
"3 tickets. max."
"..."
maneki surrenders, burying their face on the other's neck. virel wasn't satisfied on how she surrendered so easily.
they pulled away for a moment, and just wanted to see their face. maneki looked sad, but they could tell it was just for a little bit of pity. they never fall for these façades so easily.
but this is maneki.
they gently ran their thumb across their chin and bottom lip, before they finally decided to say:
"...let me think about it."
the other smiles with their eyes as virel sighed. now they have even more things to worry about.
"but it Will be limited to only a few people. i don't want you feeling bad for everyone and completely forgetting that these tickets actually have value. i'm not a ticket machine, you know?" they ranted. their words kept going as long as they wanted.
maneki didn't say anything, or do anything. virel barely even noticed, but it felt like they were talking to a wall.
a wall that... really likes staring at them like he wants them.
they knew how often maneki stared at them lovingly and was willing to listen to them no matter what topic it would be. they're just... made like that. they could never get a read of them sometimes, albeit they've been together for a while now. they continued the rambling whilst maneki stared.
they tried to ignore it. keyword: tried. they kept on chatting despite their exhaustion, and maneki's just glad that virel's being the person they are and not just the silly mask they put on every day. it feels like a breath of fresh air to see them not forget who they truly are.
he knew he loved them for being virel.
"...able to please all your friends- are you even listening?" they pinched her waist once again, a quick shock ran through their entire body. he giggles silently, shaking his head. at least they're telling the truth. virel could only look at them with an unamused expression.
"i'm sleepy now. put me to sleep before i kick you off the bed." they threatened. maneki is never provoked, anyway. she just kisses their forehead and caresses their head to get rid of potential headaches from thinking too much.
virel's eyes felt heavy immediately. they yawned, slightly tightening their arms around the other and gave in to sleep. maneki let out a satisfied huff, following them into exhaustion.
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