Mizuki yawned, sitting up in bed. The room wasn’t cold, but compared to the comfort of his duvet, it felt chilly.

He looked down at the guest sleeping on the futon by the bed. Settia.

Even for a nickname, it sounds strange, he mused. Then again, he was the one who’d thought of it. As strange as the situation was, having a name to refer to him by made things at least a little more familiar.

Still though.

“This is my home.” That was what the man had said. Surely he couldn’t be referring to Mizuki’s home? Maybe there was a chance he belonged in the building. Or at least in the neighborhood, but in that case why—

“Good morning Mizuki.”

He came to his senses, acknowledging Settia’s presence once more. “Yeah, morning.”

“Did you sleep well?” the red haired man sat up, brushing some hair out of his eyes.

“I guess so. Uh, did you?”

“I did!” the man beamed. “Thanks for the mattress. It’s real soft.”

“It’s a futon,” Mizuki replied. “My parents made me ship it here when I moved.”

“I’m glad they did!” Settia grinned at him. “I prefer it to sleeping on the floor.”

Mizuki shook his head, thinking that this guy shouldn’t have been sleeping there in the first place. But here he was, two nights later.

“Oh sorry,” Settia drew his feet up underneath himself, pulling up his blanket. “Am I in the way?”

“Huh?”

Mizuki realized his feet were dangling over the edge of the bed. “No, I could’ve stepped over you. Do you want to use the bathroom first?”

“I’m good.” Settia shook his head. “I’ll rest some more I think.”

Nodding, Mizuki stood, making sure not to step on the futon in the process. “I’m taking a shower. If you want some coffee or tea or something, feel free to use the kitchen.”

He heard Settia thanking for the offer as he closed the door to the bathroom.

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The other man still hadn’t gotten up when he returned, still toweling his hair.

“Uhm,” he started. “There’s a spare toothbrush for you in the bathroom. And... Here, I guess.”

Settia curiously eyed the bundle Mizuki was hesitantly reaching towards him across the table.

“What are these?”

“Just some clothes.”

“You already gave me some before,” Settia replied, tugging at the sweatshirt he was wearing.

“Well, you slept in those, I figured it’d be nice to have a change. You can throw the others in the laundry.”

He urged the other man to accept the clothes. Just another set of sweats, and a pair of flannel pajamas he never wore anyway.

“They’re probably a bit small on you since you’re taller than me, but I guess it’s better than no clothes at all,” he glanced away, remembering the sight he had come home to. As much as he wondered where Settia had come from, and why he’d been naked, he preferred not to dwell on it.

“Mizuki? Are you okay? Your face is red.”

“It’s nothing. Still flushed from the shower.” he stuttered.

Settia finally took the bundle from him. “Thank you Mizuki. You’re always so kind to me.”

“Uh, sure… You want some coffee?”

The redhead shook his head. “I’m okay.”

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“I’m off then,” Mizuki stood up. “Feel free to watch TV or something. Spare key’s on the table in case you leave.”

“Leave?” Settia looked quizzically at him. He proceeded to elegantly duck the topic;

“Why do you keep going to university? You’re there every day, even on the weekends.”

Mizuki picked up his book bag, throwing it over his shoulder.

“Yeah well, I’m a student?”

“Yes, but it’s Christmas break, isn’t it?”

“Uni’s still open,” Misuki answered. “We don’t have exams, but we have a load of essays and a project due in January. I work on stuff with my course mates. It’s easier to get stuff done on campus.”

He narrowed his eyes. “How do you know that by the way? Have you been watching me?”

Settia had only been here two days. Maybe he was a student after all. Or…a stalker.

“Of course.” Settia smiled warmly at him.
“Before. After you brought me home—“

This again. He frowned.

“I miss you when you’re not here.” The other man said it without batting an eyelash.

Mizuki felt himself going scarlet. Again.

“Ookay, cut that out, it’s…weird.” he sputtered. “How can you—“

“You’re all flustered,” Settia let out a trilling chuckle.

“Well yeah,” Mizuki averted his gaze. Anyone would be startled by such words, especially from a stranger, and especially an eccentric like Settia. His good looks definitely didn’t make it any less startling. “Wouldn’t you be, if a stranger said it to you?”

“Hm, I wonder?” Settia pursed his lips, tapping his finger against his chin. “It’s better now though.”

“What is?”

“I don’t miss you as much now that I know you’ll be back after a while.” Settia smiled happily.

Mizuki turned on his heel. “I’m off.”

“Have a good day!” that velvet voice followed him out into the hallway.

What is with this guy?