Chapter 5 - Healing
Shinji walked out of the bathroom with a red towel around his waist. He was still wet from the shower he just took but Reggie didn't mind the fact that he was dripping on the carpet, he was more concerned about all the bruises covering the body he wished to claim. He watched him from his spot in a lounge chair next to the master bedroom window, he pointed towards the bed, "There's some clothes you can sleep in, I apologize that they are too big for you."
Shinji looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Sleep? So does that mean you're letting me stay here tonight?"
Reggie looked at him appalled by his question then clarified, "Do you not live with Kengo? The man who almost killed you tonight?"
Shinji's cheeks turned red as he looked down at the floor, "Ah, right." He walked over to the bed and picked up the clothing, there was a pair of black bicycle shorts and a large sky blue shirt with the picture of an anime character on it. Shinji maneuvered the shorts on under the towel then held the shirt up in front of him to examine the picture more closely. Shinji looked back and smiled brightly at Reggie, "It's Tariel, the Guardian Shadow!" Reggie smiled to himself as he watched Shinji turn into a kid on Christmas as he wiggled into the shirt that was far too large for him. Reggie chuckled as Shinji went to admire the shirt in the mirror, "This shirt is awesome! Wish I had something like it." Shinji tried to spread the shirt flat so he could see the manga hero better.
Reggie stood and walked up behind him to look in the mirror as well, "If you like it that much I'll try to find one for you in your size."
Shinji smiled at the thought then frowned slightly, "I can't afford it. I don't have any money and because of Kengo's... habits... I don't have a job..."
"Well you can stay here till you find a job, you can use anything you want, I'll only have one rule I ask of you." Reggie's tone had gone serious.
Shinji replied hurriedly, "I can take care of the chores! I'm good at housework, that's how Kengo had me pay rent..."
Reggie's eyes narrowed, "I take it back, I have two rules. The first is never talk about Kengo again, put him in the past and don't waste any of your time on him." Shinji nodded solemnly, " I don't mind if you want to help around the home but my second rule is that you not enter the study, that is my work area and is private." Shinji nodded again and didn't ask why, which is something that pleased Reggie greatly, people that asked too many questions about answers that didn't concern them was a pet peeve of his. "Thank you. Now I leave you to get some sleep." Reggie turned and headed towards the bedroom door.
Shinji reached out and grabbed his arm, "Wait a minute, are you telling me to sleep in your bed? Where are you going to sleep?"
Reggie gave him a blank look, "The couch, obviously."
Shinji blushed furiously, "You don't need to do that for me, this is your room, you should sleep in your bed."
Reggie smirked, "Are you really being picky about the sleeping arrangements?" Reggie shook his head and explained, "You're the injured one so you can have the bed," Reggie's smile vanished, "Also, I wouldn't put it past your ex to try something stupid so I'd feel better sleeping between you and the door. Good night." and with that Reggie turned and left the room shutting the door behind him.
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Reggie heard a soft knock on his study door, "Yes?" he asked loudly.
"Dinner's ready, Reggie," Shinji spoke happily through the door.
Reggie smiled as he heard Shinji go back to the kitchen and stood up from his desk and stretched. He grabbed a bag off the floor by the door as he headed out into the living area and towards the small dining area in the corner between the kitchen and open living room. It had been almost a month since Shinji had started staying there and they had fallen into a comfortable routine with one another. Reggie usually had errands to run in the morning and Shinji would have coffee ready for him as he walked out the door, he came back around lunch time, which Shinji had ready for him, and then he would work and eat in his study until it was time for them to eat dinner together. The evenings they usually spent together getting to know each other, playing video games, or watching movies. Reggie continued to spend his nights on the couch which was super comfy so he didn't have any complaints, he was keeping true to his promise to Shinji.
Shinji sat at the table waiting patiently for Reggie to sit across from him at the little table. Reggie set the bag on the floor next to Shinji's chair and sat down in his own. Reggie began to start eating the delicious sushi dinner his housemate had made, he felt so lucky that Shinji was such a good chef and could create his favorite dishes. Shinji stared down at the bag instead of touching his plate, "What is this?" he asked curiously.
