Dissonance

[Tetsu]

THE PLOT

 

 

 

 

"An unstable tone combination is a dissonance; its tension demands an onward motion to a stable chord. Thus dissonant chords are 'active'; traditionally they have been considered harsh and have expressed pain, grief, and conflict." - Roger Kamien

 

This is not simply a coming out story. This is a the story how love changed two people who's been living in two different sides of the same world. One is popular and outgoing while the other is shy and finds it hard to express his emotion through means other than music. However, destiny played tricked with them together. One has been left behind. The other has developed some sort of anxiety from the burning of his apartment. What will happen to the two when they cohabit? Much more, what could happen when the two fall in love?

 

 

THE CHARACTERS

 

SqueezeBabe - Levi Christensen

 

 

Name: Levi Christensen

 

Age:19

 

Seme/Uke: Uke

 

Orientation: Possibly Bi

 

Personality: Deeply devoted to music, can often only express his emotions through music. Quiet, shy, often frustrated because he can't express himself properly.

 

Bio:Levi lived with his now ex-boyfriend who has gone overseas to study music. Levi is deeply hurt that he wasn't asked to go with him, and whilst he may be only in his first year of study, he's extremely gifted. Levi is left to pay the rent on a large house (the only place big enough to house his pride and joy, his piano) and as a result is forced to take on a flatmate.

 

Levi wants to become a successful concert pianist so that he can get back with his ex boyfriend, but deep down inside knows it's just a dream.

 

 

Satou - Travis Anderson

 

Photo:

 

Name:

Travis Anderson

 

Age:

20

 

Orientation:

Straight (formerly)

 

Seme/Uke:

Seme

 

Personality:

Friendly, easy and fun to talk with and charsimatic. Because of these traits and him being the ace player of the university's soccer team, Travis has been very much popular with both boys and girls.

 

Bio:

Travis is your not-so-regular popular soccer jock at the Campbridge University. He's nice and fun to talk with plus, he's the ace player of the soccer team he's in. He's so popular that a girls and guys alike looks up to him; Girls want him to be their boyfriend while guys wanted to someone like him. There's no doubt that his university life is the peak of pleasure. Almost every week, he'd attend parties here and there... of course, with a great sex included. He's straight and could never be any straighter.

 

However, an incident occurred. He rejected a confession of a girl - an ugly girl - which was probably hoping to get laid that very day, when she walked to him in a supposed seductive but in reality a creepy manner. That earned him his apartment burning in flames that very night which was lucky enough that he was out with another party.

He's been staying with his friends with all the remaining possessions left as he looked at some cheap apartments he can stay in.

[Tetsu]

"Trav, you're going to look for an apartment again?", a girl asked him, hugging fro behind. The girl is a university friend who he's been staying...and fooled with for the past few days. The arson of his apartment happened almost two weeks ago and he had been staying with a friend for a couple of days before moving to another.

 

"Yeah. You know I can't always stay here sweets" he smiled charismatic. However, he remembered again the girl who confessed to him, the possible person behind the arson. He knew that he had developed some sort of trauma and he had been fighting it over ever since. Travis' smile faded as he opened the door but the girl behind him won't release him from her tight hug.

 

"You know you can always stay here. I don't mind. No one minds! Take me as your girlfriend and there'd be no trouble", the girl, looking serious and teary eyed said with much hope to receive a positive response that she unknowingly tightened her hugged.

 

"Hey sweets, you're hurting me", he complained in a way that didn't even look like a complain. He was grinning with a heavenly smile which took the girl's breath away and releasing her hug in an instant.

 

"I can't impose to you so much. You have your own life to worry about. Thank you for these few days, Sarah" kissing her in the forehead, he left the girl behind, standing still before the opened door with a lonely look in her face. Travis felt guilty but he knew he had to do this for the sake of them both. He wanted to settle with himself first. he wanted to escape somewhere he doesn't have to fear people, especially girls, for doing something horrible to him which he knew is just some lame problem of a worrywart like him.

 

He had left the unit the building Sarah lived in. He was already across the building, thinking where to start looking for a cheap place to live in. The past few weeks imposing to his friends helped him save a good sum of money. Add the one part-time job he added to his workload and he's as good as any kid ready to settle for any good apartment out there. However, he doesn't want to waste all of it. The experience of the arson made him think twice about matters. He needed to save some money in case his new apartment transformed into pile of charcoals and ashes again.

 

Travis thought of visiting estate and property agencies but knowing that they charge way bigger than every apartment's reservation fee, he declined the idea before even deciding to do it. He walked across the streets, wandering here and there with no direction to go. He thought he would leave it to fate. He did it for several more minutes and when he felt the lactic acid rebelling from his legs, he sat in a nearby bench as he breathe in oxygen and breathe out tiredness. A strong wind blew which annoyed Travis to no end with fallen leaves scattering over him. But something other than leaves swayed in the air. A piece of paper was dancing in front of him, which was almost yelling loudly "pick me up!" in his mind.

 

Grabbing the paper, he read what was written inside.

 

[Looking for a roommate. £600 for a month. Apartment fully furnished. Food, electric and water bill can be discussed. If you're interested, call xxxxxxxxx or check out the apartment at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ]

 

"Wow. This didn't just happen!!", smirking, Travis stood up and looked for the apartment, noticing that it was actually pretty close.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi sat on the floor of what he thought of as his "music" room. It was the room that he'd shared with Simon, the room that contained all their music. It wasn't as full as what it once was, Simon having taken most of his music with him, but there was one box that he'd left behind. Levi had the box open and was reverently thumbing through the folders of sheet music, pausing to hear the music inside his head before turning to the next page.

 

Music wasn't the only thing that Simon had left behind, he'd also left behind the massive rent on the house they shared. Levi struggled to pay the rent on his own, even doing piano tuition, but it still wasn't enough. He couldn't give up the house, no where else was big enough for his piano. His piano was everything to him, much the same way Simon was… Levi sighed. Simon wasn't here anymore. All he had left was his piano, the only thing he refused to give up. So he'd made flyers, advertising Simon's room for rent. The thought of other people possibly damaging his piano horrified him, but he had no choice. "Maybe" he thought, "Maybe i'll get lucky…"]

 

But that was weeks ago… people had come expressing an interest, but he'd turned down every one of them, his piano was far too precious! He sighed again and lowered his head into his hands and hot tears leaked through his fingers and dripped onto the floor.. "Just one more person…" He promised himself, "I'll accept the next person…"

[Tetsu]

A turn to the left, two blocks straight and now a turn to the right before Travis finally arrived at a meager two storey apartment. He was dead tired and a nap would be a luxury. But, he's fully aware he's not granted with it. The apartment area was near and so was the the apartment. The thing is, the address was too hard to find. It took him another forty-five minutes before he found it, panting and sweating as he leaned both his hands to his knees for support.

 

When he had enough rest and caught enough breath, he stood straight and checked the exterior of the place. Though it won't bother much since the interior is much more important, there's nothing wrong with checking out how the exterior looks. He could at least boast it to his friends when he move in. The place was passable. Nothing shabby, nothing lavish. Well, what earned the wide grin in Travis' face was that it's a two storey apartment... a two-f*cking-story apartment which he never once lived in before except for one time last week Travis stayed at his friend Aaron's house which was a four storey one, if imposing into that house is considered living.

 

Once again, the face of the arsonist girl came into his mind once again and his face went blue once more. The reason he wanted to leave alone was to control this demon in his head, and that demon is his growing fear of women. He's slowly fearing that each of them might do something horrible to him something akin to kidnapping or rape. Though he knew that's arrogant of him to think that way, he just can't help himself.

 

He gave up on the idea of boasting his new place. It would probably be for the best of none of his friends knew where he's living. This way, there'd be no arsonist coming for his live if ever he rejected one. He's starting to lose his interest to girls.

 

"No way!" he made an awkward smile.

 

He walked closer to the apartment. He was about to push the doorbell when he realized he did not double checked the address. The least thing he need now is to get into trouble so as soon as he reconfirmed it, he slowly pushed the doorbell once, then twice and thrice.

 

"Errrrr....Is this the apartment looking for a new roommate?" he nervously asked loud enough to be heard.

[SqueezeBabe]

Bell? The doorbell... the doorbell was ringing... ringing?

 

Levi hurriedly wiped his face. Why was the doorbell ringing? Levi could hear someone calling out. He heard the word "roommate" and his heart skipped a beat. A roommate? Someone was answering his flyer? His heart then sank. He'd just "promised" himself that he'd take the next person who answered the flyer. He swallowed hard.

 

He quickly headed towards the stairs, grabbing the a towel on the way past the bathroom. If they noticed his face, he'd make something up about being in the shower. He paused. He took his shirt off and threw it into the bathroom. He mentally shrugged to himself. If he was going to lie about it, then he'd better make it believable!

 

He started down the stairs and called out "C-coming!" He winced at himself stuttering. A lightning quick check in the hallway mirror and cursed inwardly, his eyes were red and a touch swollen... Soap, he told himself, I got soap in my eye...

 

He opened the door, towel artfully draped around his head, and opened his mouth to say hello... but all that came out was a strangled cough.

[Tetsu]

"C-coming", Travis heard a male's voice not too long after he yelled out. It was a guy's voice which earned another grin in his face. What he needed now was a place far from women he's starting to be afraid of. Being roommates with a guy means that he can feel safe inside this apartment. He had not checked out what's in the inside, however he knew he's going to like it here. He can already imagine himself jogging early morning in the neighborhood.

 

The door opened. The man was probably the one who yelled out before appeared before him, shirtless, with a towel over his head. He appeared to be fresh from bath, but when he noticed the redness of his eyes, Travis started to think that the guy might had been crying. He's not going to pry about it. Well, no one pries another person's personal stuff when meeting for the first time. And he did't want the other guy to have a bad impression about him. If he had to live with someone else, he had to be sure that the're cool and that there's nothing awkward going on.

 

The man seemed he was going to say something, but what came from his mouth was a strangled cough. He didn't knew why it happened, possibly from nervousness or from crying or from both. Breaking the split second silence, Travis started the conversation.

 

"Hey, you got a nice pack over there", he said, smiling as he continued, "I'm Travis Anderson. Is this apartment still looking for a roommate?",

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi's mouth refused to work, it opened and closed a few times and in the end he just gave up. He pulled the towel over his mouth and nodded... Yes... he was still looking for a roommate... He turned away from Travis just slightly, a blush starting to colour his neck. Levi was mortified. Blushing? Which only made the blush worse, spreading down over his chest and up to his ears. His brain then caught up with what his ears had heard and then that was it, Levi experienced one of his full body blushes.

 

Levi turned away from Travis quickly. "I-inside!" he stuttered, without looking to see if Travis had heard or was following. Levi had written down a "contract" of sorts for just this occasion. He was hopeless at talking to people, and often found it much easier to have things written down in advance, which cut down on his chances of sounding stupid. The contract was in the kitchen, he was sure of it, and Levi was practically running for it... and away from Travis...

[Tetsu]

Travis noticed the visible redness in the other guy's cheeks which he quickly covered with a towel. However, the towel failed its supposed purpose when the redness covered his ears and body as well. He was blushing. Travis was sure of it. Well, the other guy must had been embarrassed about the earlier failed attempt to talk.

 

And the weird thing is, Travis himself started blushing too. Well, he was not sure himself why, but seeing the other guy blush made him blush as well. Was blushing infectious? If not, then Travis is out of logic to understand why. He nodded down for the other guy not to notice his blushing. Well, it would be awkward for them both.

 

"I-inside" the guy said in a stammering manner. He followed the guy towards the kitchen. When he was sure that the guy was not looking at him, he lifted his face up as checked out the place. It was good and wide and fully furnished. The place was like a home, even the ambiance of the apartment seemed to be brighter. There was probably another person before him who lived in the place. He was probably the replacement. Well who cares? He's cool with it. And if the other guy is cool with him, then it's all okay.

 

"Nice place you got here", he said as continued following the guy.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi turned to look at Travis, and nodded in agreement. Yes, the place was nice... Simon had helped him find it as it was still the only place big enough for his piano. He instinctively looked in the direction of his beloved instrument. Would this guy respect his piano? That's all Levi was really worried about, being able to look after his precious piano.

 

Levi got to the kitchen and pulled the contract from the drawer it was in and waved it Travis.

 

"Here."

 

Levi shifted from one foot to the other, waiting for Travis to take the contract.

[Tetsu]

As Travis followed the other guy, alternatively checking the place out, as they reached the kitchen area. The other guy, who has not even introduced himself the whole time, opened a drawer and took it. Travis doesn't know what it was but when the other guy offered him the paper, Travis gladly took it and read its content.

 

It was a contract paper. Well, of course they needed to have a contract paper if they plan to live together from now on. Wait...

 

"...does that mean, I'm accepted??", it earned him another smile, now showing his perfectly aligned teeth which had a pointed canine tooth in the upper right part. Travis continued reading the content of the contract, which then made him know the name of the guy. Levi Christensen. It was a good name, unlike his which is often compared to rabies. He was expecting a lengthy contract but he was proved wrong when the content of the contract only stated about not touching a piano.

 

Travis was amused about it. Levi could have included no bringing girls, no stealing and other stuff and only forbidding him not to touch the piano is just nuts. Well, it's more convenient for him if he had freedom. But the idea of the other guy looking for a roommate with this single rule in the contract is a bit worrying.

 

"I'm cool with not touching your contract... errr.. Levi. But you could have added some more. You're too trusting!" he said in a gentle and worried manner

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi looked at Travis, still shifting from one foot to the other. "M-more?" he stuttered. What did he mean "more"? Nothing else mattered to Levi. Nothing.

 

Levi didn't like the way Travis was looking at him. He could feel himself blushing again. He really needed to sit down at his piano. He really needed to play something to calm himself down. The whole thing was getting too much for him to cope with... First Simon left, then this... this... guy making fun of him?

 

Levi looked over to the piano again.. except Travis was in the way. Levi could feel himself starting to get a bit desperate, he could feel his face getting hot, and the pricking in his eyes that meant that he was about to start crying... He clenched a fist... Simon should never have left him, not like this!

 

"Uh... Um..." Levi stammered... the first tear escaped from the corner of his eye...

[Tetsu]

"Yeah... Errr... like, no stealing, no bringing over girls, no drinking party and stuff.. you know" Travis said. It seemed the guy only cared for the piano. It was also proven when he caught Levi staring glimpses over the piano behind him, now that he noticed it's actually at his back. He smiled again when their eyes connected.

 

"It doesn't really matter to me. But I'm worrying that I may abuse my stay here and make you uncomfortable" he further explained. He truly didn't want to be an annoyance to the guy and he wanted to prove the guy that he made the correct choice of choosing him. In all previous places he tried, they had loads of crap to ask about his personal life. Seriously, that was much of an annoyance plus the never ending list of rules which made his head hurt just by thinking at it.

 

But here, in Levi's place, he was instantly handed with the contract. The other guy did not even ask for his name as it was him who introduced himself. The guy was really too trusting.

 

Suddenly the other guy looked like he was about to cry. Travis didn't know what to do. He didn't even know why he looked like that or whether Travis was involved with it or not. The guy was about to talk something when he stammered as a single tear flow over his cheek.

 

"H-hey... are you okay? Did I do so-something wrong?!?" Travis panicked. He didn't know how to console him. He never consoled a guy before. It was always girls who came running to him asking to be consoled. Before Travis can even think about what to do, his body responded in a lightning flash by suddenly hugging the guy. He was surprised with what he did, but since he's at it already, he patted the other guy's back as well.

 

"Shh... it's okay... it's okay.. sweets. Did I do something wrong?" He asked. He then noticed that he just called the other guy "sweets" like how he does to girls. Travis blushed hard which was good since the guy can't see his head. He's feeling something weird.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi's eyes widened in shock as Travis' arms went around him. No one had hugged him since... since Simon left. Levi's arms slowly traveled up Travis' back, his hands gripping Travis' shoulders. He wasn't listening to what Travis was saying, he was slowly getting lost in the moment of warm, human contact.

 

Levi squeezed, not wishing to let go, not wanting to be let go. Travis smelled good. Travis smelled like.... Simon

 

Levi squeezed his eyes shut. "Si-" he opened his mouth, but couldn't finish saying his name... he hadn't been able to say it since he left... His hands tightened, fingers pulling slightly at Travis' shirt, and he opened his mouth to say it again... "S-Si"... Levi couldn't get past it, his voice would pop strangely as the sound was cut off.

 

Levi's hands slid from Travis' shoulders, to rest on his hips, fingers clutching at the fabric once more. He pulled back slightly from Travis, shaking his head very slowly, a dazed look on his face. His face crumpled and another tear rolled down his cheek...

 

"Si-...."

[Tetsu]

Travis was sure to be sent flying that moment with a punch on his face. No man enjoys to be consoled like a girl. However, when Levi fought back not with a fist on his face but with a tight hug locked up to his shoulders, Travis felt immense pleasure. His cock twitched as he felt the pleasure of hugging another man. He knew he was feeling something weird but somehow he can't stop it.

 

It was as if he was adventuring something new. The pleasure and excitement alike are making him lose into ecstasy. He tighten his hug and so was the other. No one was letting go in this game of pleasure. Levi was about to say something, in a stuttering manner, and yet he was not able to finish anything at all. All he could say was "Si" which just made no sense to him.

 

Levi released his tight hug, which made Travis felt disappointed. And yet, when Levi clenched on his shirt tightly, with a dazed look, Travis' cock twitched again, as he locked eyes with the other guy. He was feeling something different, something he used to feel with girls...

 

... It was attraction.

 

Another teardrop feel over Levi's check. Travis was in no mood to console the guy anymore. He was attracted to the guy, pulled into another world where there's only Levi and him. Travis gently and passionately kissed Levi in the cheeks where the trail of his tears are still evident. Then he pulled back his head now looking at Levi once more. Lust enveloped Travis' entirety as he smiled and kissed Levi in the lips.

 

"I don't know why I'm feeling like this sweets. But you're making me different and I love it" he said as he gently pressed his lips to Levi's, his lips rubbing passionately into the other.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi felt lips on his face. He was still too dazed to comprehend what Travis was doing. Part of his mind was screaming for Simon, and the other part... wanted Travis...

 

He felt lips on his own, warm, soft, and impossibly gentle. It was instinctive, Levi tilted his head into the kiss, his hands tightening on Travis' shirt. The warmth of that single kiss spread through Levi, and for a single moment Simon became a distant memory...

 

After what felt like an eternity, the kiss stopped. Levi looked at Travis properly for the first time. Red hair falling over his eyes, light brown, almost gold looking... that looked at Levi like he was something desirable...

 

Levi's mouth closed... "-mon"

[Tetsu]

Travis knew that kissing him was absurd. He knew that he would probably get a beating afterwards. However, he just can't stop himself from wanting to kiss those attractive lips. His feeling of wanting the person before him surpasses any other desires in the world. At first it was him kissing the guy who was still dazed, probably shocked at what he was doing as he tried to understand what truly was going on. Travis knew that once Levi snapped into reality, he would be pushed back and there wouldn't be any other time to do this anymore. And with those thought in mind, he kissed the guy with much passion. If he was going to kiss another guy, then he would rather kiss him and enjoy it to the fullest.

 

Travis was surprised when the other guy tilted his head, kissing him back. Two mouths indulged in a passionate dance, both feeling the lust behind every stroke of each kiss. The kiss lasted like forever. Travis pulled his face away and so was Levi as a wet thread of spit connected the two, before it broke apart. Levi looked at him as Travis did the same. He had a black hair hair and a black eye color, no, if you look at it closely, its actually a dark brown eye color. Those eyes were looking at him with such intensity that Travis felt like he was losing himself.

 

Travis hugged the guy again as he cuddled Levi's head with both arms, kissing his forehead and smelling his hair. He realized he did something unimaginable. He was straight. He never felt attracted to any other guy. He always had sex with girls and he just had the night before. Travis just can't understand why. Does this feeling has to do with his growing fear of women? If so, is this the correct way for him?

 

Travis has too many questions to himself. But he regretted nothing. He kissed a guy and he loved it. And since he will be living in this apartment from now on, it can't be avoided that the two will do something more intimate. Just the thought of it made his cock twitch again in happiness and excitement.

 

"Hey sweets, I think I still have a contract to sign" he said now that he remembered he did not sign the contract yet.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi blinked a few times. It was like rising to the surface after being deep underwater and reality came back with a rush.

 

"Contract!" Levi's hands twitched, still resting on Travis' hips. He looked about for the contract, not seeing it on the bench. Levi looked down...

 

"Oh..."

 

Levi swallowed. Hard. He could feel his cheeks start to burn, then his ears, and then the blush bloomed all over his body. Levi shuddered. "Aaahhhhh....." Levi swallowed again. He could see the outline of Travis' cock through his boardshorts, and although the shorts themselves didn't look overly tight, it looked like his cock was fast running out of room to move.

 

Levi snapped his head back up and squeezed his eyes shut tightly, taking a deep breath before opening them again. His face was still burning as was the rest of his body. He could even feel himself start to rise in response and prayed that Travis wasn't going to notice.

 

"Floor" he whispered.

[Tetsu]

The two of them had forgotten about the contract. He was proved correct when Levi's hand twitched when he mentioned it. They needed to get the contract done sooner. Afterall, the two of them are in a somewhat awkward situation. He noticed Levi gazed down, probably to look for the contract he let loose from his grip while kissing.

 

Seconds later, Levi was blushing as hard again, the blush reaching to his ears and body and as his nipple grew harder. Travis looked down to see what Levi was looking at but when he noticed it was his own cock outlined over his broadshorts, Levi grinned naughtily, proud of his manhood.

 

"Levi, do you want to feel it?" he asked. ALthough he asked, he didn't wait for any response as he grabbed the hand holding unto his shirt and made it touch his cock. Levi know he shouldn't have done that. But he really feels weird right now.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi blinked. His hand on Travis' cock twitched.

 

"GAH!"

 

Levi quickly pulled back and stepped away like he'd been burned. "S-sorry!" he stammered. He took a step backward, a hand rising to cover his mouth, to hide his shame, to hide his embarrassment, to hide his... lust. His eyes widened slightly at the realisation that he really did want Travis.

 

Levi quickly moved way from Travis and headed towards his piano. As soon as he sat on the comfort of the leather stool, he could feel himself becoming calmer. The blush slowly faded and he placed his fingers lightly on the keys, a private smile pulling at the corner of his lips. He looked at Travis over the top of the piano and cleared his throat. "Travis, I-if you could please s-sign the contract? And... uh... Welcome!" and with that, Levi smiled at him.

[Tetsu]

Travis felt Levi's hand twitched when it touched his cock as his cock twitch in unison. He was hoping there would be more, but he soon felt disappointment when Levi walked away, covering his face with one hand. The other guy seemed to be blushing again, embarrassed from what just had happened. Travis felt it was cute as he started to blush himself. It was good that Levi went to where the piano stood still. That way, he wouldn't see Travis' blushing.

 

"Yeah. I'll gladly sign this", He took a pen from his pocket, well, he always had one from some reason, as he signed the contract. He looked at the guy, stared to be precise, as he examined his physique and complexion. The guy was cute - handsome which a pale light skin a black hair. His muscles were firm and he had packs over his chest. He was sexy.

 

Definitely not!!

 

How could Travis think he was sexy? and cute? He's seemed to be enamored by Levi, but he's straight. And yet, that doesn't justify to what he had been doing the last few minutes. It seemed he's not as straight as he thought. He had no issues with other gays and bisexuals. But with him being involved with it seemed like a mess. And yet, he can't even try to stop himself from getting attracted to Levi.

 

"Am I in love with him?" he asked himself as he continued "No way!"

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi stood up and leaned over the piano. The cool touch of the wood helped to calm him further. He was only ever "normal" when he was touching his piano.

 

"Travis? Are you... ok?" Levi was watching Travis' face which seemed to be a mixture of lust, confusion and happiness all rolled into one strange expression... with just a hint of colour, like a blush almost but not quite. Levi grinned at Travis, he wasn't sure what was going through Travis' head, but Levi was just happy that the first person who knocked on the door after he'd made his self-promise turned out to be... nice.

 

Levi ducked his head, letting his hair fall forward to "hide" his face just a little. Yeah... "Nice"... That kiss was more than a little bit "nice"... Levi closed his eyes and slowly bit his bottom lip letting the memory of that kiss flow through him again. He smiled a little to himself and hoped that there would be more "nice" things to come...

 

"Uh... Do you have to go and get your stuff?" Levi asked. "I could... help or... something..." he trailed off. "I uh... could give you a tour of the house?" Levi was slightly reluctant to leave the piano until he felt comfortable, it was like recharging his batteries or something. He didn't feel as if he could be "normal" enough around Travis quite just yet.

 

Levi slowly pushed himself up and sat back down, and played a quick arpeggio, letting the notes flow through him. Such a simple thing but made all the difference. Music was literally Levi's life, he honestly thought the he would die without it. The notes hung there in the air, ringing slightly. Levi smiled again, that's why his piano was in this part of the house, the acoustics just worked.

 

He looked at Travis again. "So.... what do you want to do?"

[Tetsu]

Levi must have caught Travis staring at him with a face too vague to describe. He asked if he was okay. Levi appeared to be quite different when he's next to a piano. He seemed more normal, compared to the shy personality he had a while ago. It seemed he was also opening up to him, when he's expression showed nothing but satisfaction.

 

Travis nodded, smiled again as he talked, "Me? Good. I'm all good. If not only you live in such a maze I had to look for this apartment close to an hour. It's quite cool. At least I won't have to worry about stalkers". He said it enough to pass as a sarcastic joke but he actually meant it. If he played his cards alright, none among the people he knew will ever find his new place.

 

"Well actually... I came rushing here when I first found the poster. I brought nothing with me, and all my things are in my friend's (sex friend's) apartment. And I really feel tired. Can I just, you know, if it's not shameful of me, can I check my room and stay for the day? I'll go get my stuff tomorrow.", he said, embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head. It would be easier for him to have his belongings delivered. It was not too many, enough to fit in someone's sports car. However, as anxious as his current self is, there'd be no way he'll have those delivered. There'd be no point in hiding if in the first day he already exposed his location.

 

"A tour would help me. And yeah, I want to check my room. And if it's not too much, can I also ask for a towel and a pair of clothes? I stink and I'm sticky, and you wouldn't want having a roommate that smells fouler than rotten egg, would you?" He joked and it was lame. As soon as he realized that, he had a faint blush as he turned around.

 

"Shall we?"

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi was still smiling as he stood up. He started to walk over to where Travis was, his fingers trailing along the wood of the piano like a lovers caress. When his fingers broke contact with the piano, the smile was already fading from Levi's face, til there was nothing but a ghost of it around his eyes.

 

Levi nodded at Travis and stood next to him. "Kitchen" he pointed to where they were standing. "Laundry" he pointed to another room off to the side of the kitchen. Levi pointed again to where the piano was, the longing already evident in his eyes. "Piano"

 

Levi mentioned for Travis to follow him... "Upstairs?"

[Tetsu]

When Travis turned back and walked, he noticed Levi did the same thing. It's like he finally belong here. It was a good feeling, the feeling of having something to look forward. Levi toured him around. First the kitchen, yeah, he had seen it, but having a closer look won't hurt. The utensils we're complete, making Travis guess that it's either Levi or the person he used to share the apartment with knew his cooking very well.

 

They then moved to the laundry room, clean and neat and spacious enough to for two people to hang their clothes on with no trouble. Well, that's no problem for Travis. He always pack his lump of used clothes together and send it to the laundry shop. He had minimal experience with household stuff which made him wish it wouldn't give him trouble. The laundry room is connected to the bathroom by one other door at the side. They went there next, and as Travis saw a tub and a shower, which he thinks can be heated, he grinned as he checked the place.

 

The toured the rest downstairs and when they got enough that Travis can even walk around with closed eyes, Levi offered to tour him upstairs. And that's another excitement on his part. He wanted to see what will he be sleeping in from now on. He had some furniture like table, chair and drawers with him kept safe inside Sarah's attic. It would be good if there's enough space for them to fit in the room.

 

"Sure. I'd love to see what kind of place I'll be sleeping for eight hours a day.... or more, if you know what I mean.", he said as he grinned, winking to Levi.

[SqueezeBabe]

Levi opened his mouth to reply but then shut it again just as quick. Did Travis mean that he slept for long periods of time? Or that he liked to sleep-in in the mornings, or was he referring to something.... else? Levi blushed. "No.."

 

Levi covered his mouth in shock. He looked mortified at Travis, he didn't mean to come across as prissy and was ashamed at himself. "S-sorry.." Levi shook his head hurriedly. "Upstairs!" he pointed.

 

Levi walked up the stairs two at a time until he was at the top, he motioned for Travis to follow him. He pointed to the end of the hallway to the door there. "My room." He pointed to a door on the right. "Your room." To the door on the left "Music room." and to the door just a few steps away from the top of the stairs "Shower. Toilet."

 

He turned back to face Travis. "Ok?" he asked.