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So...would you want us to live together?
The question fell from Jaskier's lips casually, almost innocent, as he stirred his Chinese food with chopsticks, sitting on the floor in front of the small living room table. He didn't look at him directly, as if the question weren't a big deal.
But it was.
Radovid, who until then had been focused on choosing which bite to take from the shared plate, looked up in a mixture of surprise and bewilderment.
The question hung in the air for a few seconds longer than usual, as if it needed permission to exist.
Moving in together? It wasn't that she thought it was a bad idea. In fact, she liked it.
Although she hadn't expected this conversation to happen so soon. Not because she didn't want to, but because it simply hadn't occurred to her that something so big could happen so easily. She was still learning to imagine a future with someone. And now Jaskier had said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
And maybe it was.
radovid can't help but smile.
—Yes!— he said, almost before he could think about it.
He leaned toward him, putting his arms around him, and Jaskier, happy, hugged him back with the same energy.
Two days later, the "experiment" began.
Radovid moved into Jaskier's small but cozy apartment. The idea was simple: live together for a while, testing how they functioned as a couple sharing the same space.
Radovid brought only the essentials: his favorite books, a few clothes he wore frequently, and a couple of boxes of personal belongings. Luckily, Jaskier's closet, which seemed larger than humanly necessary, had plenty of space. Between shoes, colorful suits, and an absurdly extensive collection of scarves, Radovid's clothes fit in. Sooner rather than later, everything found its place as if the apartment had been waiting for it.
The initial harmony was almost miraculous. On the first day, they cooked together and made a list of tasks sharing them and they went shopping.
But, when night fell, they ran into a problem:
They both discovered it at the same time, standing in front of Jaskier's single bed.
On nights when they both want to spend time together, they usually go out on dates, maybe to restaurants or theme parks, boat trips, among other activities. If they wanted something more private, they usually went to Radovid's apartment. If they happened to stay in Jaskier's apartment, well, they both didn't sleep... so he never noticed, There was also no guest room to use.
How did this slip past him?
—Well... I guess we can settle in— the singer said, tugging at the sheets with a nervous smile.
They tried. First Dandelion climbed in, then Radovid, and in less than five minutes, a leg was dangling over the side, an elbow was pressing against a rib, a pillow fell to the floor, and the promise of cuddling turned into a turf war.
Radovid burst out laughing.
—that was interesting...—
—I'll order a new bed tomorrow.—
Because no, two adults couldn't sleep in that!
...
The next morning, while Jaskier was preparing breakfast— only wearing pants and his hair disheveled —Radovid was already on his cell phone, browsing options for beds, mattresses, and backrest.
Jaskier poured him orange juice and sat down next to him, with an amused smile.
—So? What are you looking for?—
—Something big, of course.—
—Yeah... I know how much you like big things.—
Radovid looked at him, half embarrassed and half resigned.
—Very funny.—
—I know.—
—I want something comfortable, soft... maybe with swivel legs, or a wooden frame. I don't know, what would you like?— he asked, turning the screen toward him.
—I'm fine with whatever you decide —, Dandelion replied, taking the cereal.
—No, no. I want us to choose it together.—
And so they spent an hour comparing models, colors, prices, and reviews from strangers writing about the firmness of the mattresses. In the end, they chose a light-wood king-size bed with a cream-colored split backrest. Modern, elegant, and enormous.
It would fit perfectly in the room.
The problem was that shipping would take almost a month.
—So... do we buy another temporary one? —Radovid asked skeptically.
—No. You know we shouldn't waste money.—
—And what's the solution? You on the bottom, me on top?—
—You'd love that,— Dandelion replied with a raised eyebrow.
—Enough!—
—Let's try—
That night, Dandelion lay back on the bed and stretched his arms out toward him.
—Come here.—
Radovid settled on top of him, resting his head on his chest with his arms hanging off the bed.
—How about this? —Dandelion whispered.
—I won't be able to watch TV...—
—You'll survive.—
And, surprisingly, that's how they slept. That's how they began to sleep every night. One on top of the other. At first it was uncomfortable, but the body learns. And soon, Radovid got used to sleeping with his ear right over Dandelion's heart.
—I can hear it...— he whispered one night.
—What?— Dandelion asked, half asleep.
—Your heartbeat. It's rhythmic. I like it.—
Jaskier smiled, his eyes closed.
Coexistence, to both of their surprises, was much easier than they imagined.
...
Finally, the bed arrived.
The assembly was an odyssey. Screws were misplaced, parts were mislabeled, and arguments about how to maintain the structure. But it was also fun. It was their first project together. One of those little things that made them feel even closer.
By nightfall, the bed was ready. And it was… colossal.
It could fit five people comfortably. Radovid, like an excited child, threw himself onto it, bouncing between the new sheets.
—How's it?—asked Dandelion, leaning against the door.
—Perfect. This was the right choice.—
Already in their pajamas and tucked in, they turned off the lights.
—Good night.—
—Sweet dreams.—
The room fell into darkness and silence filled the air.
...
Dandelion opened his eyes. Something didn't feel right.
The bed was...so cold.
—Radovid... Radovid?— He seemed to be sleeping peacefully
—Hmm?—
—Is the window open?—
—No...—whisper turning between the sheets
—Should we turn on the heat?—
—If you want...—
Dandelion took the control from the dresser and turned on the heat. Warm air began to circulate. But the emptiness remained. Something didn't fit.
—Dandelion?—
— Am sorry ,did I wake you?— Jaskier asked, somewhat embarrassed.
—No. I was already awake... Can I hug you?—
Jaskier blinked, surprised. Radovid usually did so without asking.
—Sure, baby.—
Radovid moved quickly, settling into the same position as always: on his chest, with his arms stretched out and breathing calmly.
Then Jaskier understood.
It wasn't the bed. It was the lack of Radovid on top of him.
—I really like listening to your heartbeat... it relaxes me—Radovid murmured.
—I love you too, Radovid. I like it when you sleep cuddled up to me— Jaskier whispered, kissing his forehead.
Radovid laughed softly against his chest, squeezing even closer.
Moving in together... it had been so much better than he'd imagined.