[Fic] Bubbles and Big Feelings

[usononikki]

Kokichi couldn't remember the last time he'd bothered soaking in the bath of his own accord.

It just seemed like a waste of time—more mindless dead air in his day that would only serve to spoil his mood dwelling on the rot and the drudgery and the off-kilter sense of soul-sucking ennui. He had enough on that on his daily commute, all through class, laying in bed in the middle of the night. He didn't need one more place to stew, so he simply didn't. Not on his own, anyway.

Saihara had given him a bath once. He didn't enjoy it very much.

Now here he was, watching with mild unease as Amami adjusted the settings for the bath—how fancy for him to have the type of bath that had temperature settings. Even so, he tested the water as it filled the tub. Kokichi fidgeted in the doorway, squeezing Puppy to his chest, unsure what was expected of him. Was Amami going to join him in the bath or was this just for him? Did Amami want him to undress himself? Did he want to undress Kokichi? Kokichi wasn't sure how he felt about that.

The silence and uncertainty was starting to take him out of it. He was thinking too much, trying to think big boy thoughts.

As if sensing his unease, Amami finally glanced back and smiled warmly, waving Kokichi closer. He padded over obediently, his thumb wandering its way to his mouth to nibble at the pad.

"There's my sweet little angel," Amami cooed. Kokichi's heart couldn't help but flutter in both giddiness and apprehension. "You looked a little nervous, so I've got an extra special surprise to help make bath time a little more fun."

Amami reached behind him and held up a bottle, but kept the label out of sight so Kokichi couldn't tell at first glance what it was. A scented body wash, perhaps? The guess went out the window when Amami abruptly unscrewed the cap and tipped some of the contents into the bath as it filled. Kokichi's eyes widened as the water began to froth and foam, building up mountains of—

"Bubbles?"

Amami smiled brightly, as if delighted in Kokichi's simple response. "That's right, baby! You're so clever, aren't you?"

Kokichi's stomach did flips at the gushy condescension. It was so excessive, but different from the way Saihara had done it. Warmer. More encouraging. Kokichi felt himself slip a little more under the force of Amami's enthusiastic babying, humming idly as he watched the bubbles rise.

That's right, Mimi was the grownup here. All Kokichi had to do was listen and do as he was told and everything would be fine.