Page 11 of Psync
Jace was the best roommate Eli could have ever hoped for. He was gone for most of the day, quiet when he was there, and relatively neat. And he was super cool about all of Eli’s little quirks. He was so great that Eli was officially terrified of meeting any new people, because the law of averages meant they were bound to be horrible.
A shiver went through him, causing goosebumps to race up his arms. Why the hell was he so cold?
He grabbed a towel and his bath accessories from the closet and made for the shower. He wasn’t getting back to sleep now, and it was a great way to warm up.
However, when he got to the shower room it was out of order. He worried at his bottom lip with his teeth. Maybe he could try a different floor?
The one under him was only for girls, so he tried the one below that.
Steam billowed out of the partially opened door.
Score.
He was so excited, he nearly ran head on into a wall of towel-wrapped muscle. His arms windmilled frantically as he fought not to plow face first into a very bare chest. Once he steadied himself, he was about to issue an apology when a drop of water caught his eye as it leisurely made its way down golden skin.
“I have eyes, you know,” a painfully familiar voice said.
Eli swallowed and looked up.
It was Haruka.
“Sorry! My shower’s broken, and I was just so happy to see this one wasn’t. I didn’t think—”
Haruka held up a hand to stall Eli’s apology. “I don’t need your life story. I need pants.”
Eli held his change of clothes tightly to his chest. “Well, you can’t have mine.”
“I don’t want your pants, they wouldn’t make it halfway up my legs, chibisuke.” Mahogany eyes glinted in amusement. “What I want is for you to get out of my way, so I can go get my own.”
Face burning, Eli realized he was blocking the doorway. He stepped aside, plastering himself against the wall so Haruka wouldn’t accidentally brush against him on his way by. “Bring your clothes with you next time then.”
Haruka paused, then turned to face Eli. “If it bothers you that much, then don’t look.”
“It-it doesn’t bother me!”
An elegant eyebrow rose. “So, you like looking then?”
A sad, strangled sound was the only thing Eli was able to produce in response. How badly would his no-touching thing punish him for kicking a mostly naked stranger?
“You wish!” He finally managed.
Haruka leaned into Eli’s personal space with an evil look in his eye.
Eli held his breath and did his very best to squish himself through the wall behind him. His heart was beating so hard Eli thought it was possible it might actually break through the wall all on its own.
Haruka laughed and pulled away. “You’re too easy.” He raised a hand to ruffle Eli’s hair but stopped when Eli jerked away.
“I’m not a pet.”
Haruka shrugged and turned to go. “Don’t use the first shower, chibisuke. It’s busted.”
“Thanks . . . I mean, I’m not short!”
The low rumble of Haruka’s laughter sounded down the hallway long after he was out of Eli’s sight.
???
Late late late! He was so late!
