A New Normal

Kou smiled warmly at Mitsuba before turning to head into the kitchen, his movements fluid and relaxed as he began to prepare breakfast. The tension from the earlier moment had dissipated, replaced by a sense of normalcy that was both welcome and surprising. Mitsuba watched him go, still feeling a little dazed from the exchange with Teru. As Kou started cracking eggs into a bowl and gathering bread from the pantry, Mitsuba couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Teru. Despite his teasing, Teru's nonchalant reaction had been a relief, and it had allowed Kou and Mitsuba to share a tender moment without any major drama. Teru, still lounging on the couch, seemed to sense Mitsuba's gaze and looked up, his eyes squinting slightly as he met Mitsuba's stare. For a moment, they just looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. Then, Teru turned back to the TV, muttering under his breath as he changed the channel. Mitsuba chuckled softly, shaking his head as he walked over to Kou's side. He slid his arms around Kou's waist, resting his head against his back as he watched him cook. The kitchen was filled with the warm scent of bacon and freshly brewed coffee, and Mitsuba's stomach growled in anticipation. "Hey, do I need to help with anything?" Mitsuba asked, his voice muffled against Kou's back. Kou reached back, his hand brushing against Mitsuba's cheek as he smiled. "No, I've got this. Why don't you go sit down and get ready to eat?" Mitsuba nodded, reluctantly releasing his hold on Kou as he stepped back. He took a seat at the table, his eyes fixed on Kou as he expertly flipped pancakes and scrambled eggs. The kitchen was filled with the warm, comforting sounds of cooking, and Mitsuba felt a sense of peace wash over him. As they sat down to eat, Teru strolled over, his eyes scanning the spread before him. "Finally, breakfast," he said, his voice gruff as he plopped down in his seat. The three of them ate in comfortable silence, the only sound the clinking of utensils against plates and the occasional murmur of conversation. It was a quiet, intimate moment, one that felt like a new beginning for all of them. As they finished up, Kou reached out, his hand covering Mitsuba's as he smiled. "I'm glad we had this talk," he said, his voice low and sincere. Mitsuba's heart skipped a beat as he met Kou's gaze, his eyes shining with happiness. "Me too," he whispered, his voice barely audible. Teru, still eating, rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "You two are so gross," he said, his voice laced with affection. Mitsuba and Kou exchanged a laugh, the tension between them dissipating as they settled into their new normal.