"I burn, I pine, I perish."
He quietly recited the words with a content little smile on his face, turning another page of The Taming of the Shrew. Earlier that day, the book had fallen onto his head and gave him quite a bump, but he was very glad it did. Once he pried it open and flitted through the 1st Act, he was instantly enamored with the story and its interesting cast of characters. Every day, there was always the chance that he would stumble upon a new novel he hadn't noticed before in Nezumi's literary fortress. This recent discovery kept him entranced for a long while, until he finished it by noon.
All the mice had gathered at his shoulders, pawing at his neck and chirruping to get his attention, almost as if they were urging him to speak up. He glanced at the faithful and furry trio, letting out a chuckle. Closing the book, he returned it to its proper place, before taking a look around the cluttered room.
Their underground haven was organized chaos. Truth be told, that was one of the many reasons why he enjoyed living here so much. It wasn't so sterilized and perfect, like his childhood home in Chronos. The small dwelling he shared with his mother in Lost Town was even larger than this abode, but they both had a certain quality that made him feel at ease.
In the quaint condominium at Lost Town, the ambrosial scent of freshly baked pastries and bread greeted him daily, along with Mom's carefree smile. At night, he would sit on the back patio to stargaze and daydream his troubles away. While the conditions of West Block had much to be desired, he didn't mind it. He never really had a complaint, because there was something he would forever look forward to.
Saying 'Welcome home!' each day when Nezumi walked through the door after work, preparing meals together, reading books together underneath a warm blanket. Laying down for bed, yet spending hours wide awake in deep conversation, despite how sleepy they both would claim to be. Every morning while he was still in slumber, he felt the gentle touch of Nezumi's lips on his forehead, though that could just be his imagination. If he got up first, he would be the one to press a kiss to Nezumi's temple.
The prospect of leaving this nook made his heart ache, but he tried not to think about it. Instead, he focused on mending Nezumi's elegant Eve dress, sewing up a tiny torn edge. He smiled approvingly at his work, smoothing out the creases of the beautiful blue gown. Without even realizing it, he began to hum the requiem of the wind. Elyurias' song.
He sighed in contentment, hanging the dress up in the closet. His smile faded when he caught himself peering at the entryway expectantly, waiting for Nezumi to step through that threshold. Wandering over to the only bed in the clustered room, he collapsed into bundle of sheets, taking a breath. Closing his eyes, he nuzzled against a pillow, capturing Nezumi's distinct scent.
Honestly, he didn't do this very often, but the temptation this evening overtook him. He missed Nezumi. Foolishly, he did, even when they weren't apart for very long. He acknowledged this bittersweet yearning, but couldn't fully comprehend it. He mused that it was probably because his roommate had been busy as of late.
Burying himself into the pillow, he softly murmured the song.
"Shelter within all your embrace...To live in your embrace..."
He knew he would never be able to sing as well as Nezumi, but felt like singing anyway. Somehow, the song was stuck with him. Just like his heart was stuck on a certain rat, who really wasn't a rat at all. His heart was perpetually stitched to a beautiful, graceful boy who only bore such a name.
Home 
