Page 69 of Psync
“Um . . .” The bridge of Eli’s nose began to turn a charming shade of pink.
“I just borrowed it. When I’m finished, I can give it to you,” Haruka said. It was the first words he’d spoken beyond a simple greeting.
The reason for the subtle questioning—that none of them were talking about—was due to the fact that shortly after everyone sat down on the grass, Eli began scooting over to Haruka. When he propped his head on Haruka’s thigh, both Alice and Nate’s eyebrows shot toward the sky.
Haruka had motioned for them not to say anything. It was better to just let the boy do his thing. He’d had a hard week after all.
And he was in a good mood right now.
Haruka could feel it like a sweet song, threading through every aspect of his mind. Every now and then, he would catch snatches of Eli’s thoughts.
Right now, he was wondering if he picked where they ate tonight, if he could get away with not being overstuffed like a turkey.
Haruka smiled. Eli could pick where they ate every night, but Haruka would continue to push food at him until he stopped looking like a strong wind could steal him away.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the tree propping up his back and let the sounds of the campus, and the chatter of Eli and his friends wash over him.
This was good.
???
“I should have made you carry me back here. I think I’m going to explode.” Eli leaned against the doorframe heavily while Haruka unlocked their door.
“Do you want me to carry you inside?”
“I think I can manage a few more feet.”
“Suit yourself.” Haruka pushed the door open and motioned for Eli to enter first.
The boy toed off his shoes, stumbled over to the bed, and dropped himself on it like a bag of rice, landing face down, groaning.
Okay, maybe Haruka had fed him a little too much.
Eli sat up and began to unzip his hoodie. “I think I’m going straight to bed.”
Haruka nodded and peeled off his shirt.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Going to bed,” Haruka said simply then went into the bathroom to brush his teeth.
When he came out, Eli stood outside with a small bundle of clothes hugged to his chest and darted past him, closing the door firmly behind.
Haruka changed into a pair of sweatpants and climbed into bed, making sure to leave room for Eli.
Then he waited.
And waited.
He took out his phone and scrolled through YouTube videos until Eli finally emerged, wearing an oversized gray T-shirt and black pajama pants with the Batman logo down one side. His eyes were large and uncertain.
“There’s only one bed.”
Haruka nodded and put his phone away. “Just like last night, and the night before.”
He’d been expecting this. In fact, when Haruka had been helping Eli pack, he’d fully intended to go out afterward and buy another bed. A plan he’d immediately scrapped when Eli told him to leave his comforter behind because Haruka already had one.
“Right.”
