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"Did you like the sights of the town?" I ask Aizawa, sinking into my plush bed on the opposite side of the room, watching Aizawa unpack slightly. He looks at me, a soft glow in his eyes and swarming right above his pigment as he gives me a cocky grin.

"I actually enjoyed it." He says, unfolding a white t-shirt and tossing it on his bed. "I wish we weren't leaving tomorrow, there were so many historical sights I wanted to sketch, not to mention the food I wanted to try...you stayed in Japan to give up this?" He cocked a tired brow, stray strands of midnight colored locks grazing his cheek. I shrugged, staring out the window, allowing me to gaze upon the river; twinkling street lights reflecting on the calm shudders of the water.

"When you've lived here your entire life, the scenery isn't as exciting..." I muttered, but my heart seemed to pound at the half-lie. I was used to the scenery, growing up here and all, but being here with Aizawa made the stars shine brighter, the water dance wilder, and the air felt crisper as if I were experiencing something new. I pull at the hairs on the back of my neck, twirling my fingers in the tight coils.

"How were you able to get a place on such short notice? There were a lot of tourists." Aizawa said, plopping onto his bed, elbows resting on his knees. I smile sheepishly.

"As long as you know one person here, you know everybody." I smile, looking at the comfy room. "Connections are key around these parts." Aizawa chuckles at my animosity, his stomach rumbling. He looks at me, giving an uneasy laugh. I tilt my head to the side, examining the man.

"You really wanted to try that food, huh?" I tease.

"...Yeah..." He says sheepishly. I laugh, leaning back on my hands, the comforter soft to the touch. "Not gonna lie, as much as I..." I pause for a second, choosing my words carefully. "Disagree with my mother, she made a mean shrimp and grits. Perfect for this type of weather." I sigh, looking out of the frosted window yet again. Even if the comfort surrounding the house was often an act, sometimes if I closed my eyes tight enough, the act became so believable I could enter a state of genuine happiness.

"You could make some, for the both of us?" He says.

I turn to look at him, laying flat on his stomach with his face slightly tucked into his elbow. I couldn't read his expression fully as his face was engulfed in those black, weighted locks of hair. I skewer my mouth to the side, a slight scowl residing between my brows as I glance to the small kitchenette.

"And who'd clean all that up?" I taunt, earning a light chuckle from Aizawa.

"I'll do it, it evens the jobs out don't you think?"

His request didn't sit right with me.

Not because he asked me to cook, but because I would be delighted too. I truly wouldn't mind, and that feeling scared me. To my knowledge, this man is in a relationship. Even if he were making a harmless request, if I fed into my delusions and interpretations, I'd never be able to balance my professionalism with this man in case things went awry. There had to be some sort of boundaries, some sense of pride that I needed to grasp onto.

My phone buzzes, Alex's name followed by a plethora of emojis flashing across my screen. I picked it up, simultaneously answering Aizawa.

"That's a bit domestic, don't you think?" I murmur. Aizawa answers with a slight "ah", a wave of awkwardness threatening to flood the room, but I ignore it as I reply to Alex's messages.

I miss you.

I miss you too...am I allowed to miss you while with someone else?