After a long cuddle session which Daichi thought Itsuki fell asleep during, Daichi slipped out of bed and snuck out of the room so he could go bring Minki up since she never entered the room.
When Daichi came back however he found Itsuki sat up in bed frowning and no matter how cute Itsuki's pout was it couldn't help but raise concerns.
Daichi quietly asked
"itsukie, what's wrong?"
As he put Minki down on her bed near the door of Itsuki's room before turning his full attention to Itsuki who was sat there rubbing at eyes.
Quietly Itsuki whispered
"Daichwie left Itsukie."
Which Daichi miraculously heard in the practically silent room.
It was in that moment he realised how Itsuki was talking as well as his behaviour differing to before with how extra shy he was being, as well as being sleepy, and after knowing the latter for as long as he did and as well as he did he placed a pretty educated guess he was probably in little space.
But still not wanting to offend the smaller he wanted to check before following up on his assumption, so asked
"Oh are you in little space bud?"
Not very graceful or soft due to his voice not being used for hours but Itsuki didn't comment nonetheless.
Instead Itsuki's frown grew as he quickly confirmed and apologised saying
"Y-yuhuh. M' sowwy."
As Daichi made his way back over to the bed, climbing up and lying next to Itsuki before whispering
"It's okay sweetie. Don't be sorry. And I'm sorry that I left, I just wanted to bring Minki up to bed."
He didn't want Itsuki to start crying knowing how the other got scared and somehow was even more fragile when tired so he was trying to offer as much comfort as he sleepily could.
Itsuki shakily asked
"W-why you no tell Itsukie?"
Quickly getting a gentle
"Because I didn't want to wake you up Itsukie angel. You looked so soft and pretty I didn't want to disturb you. I'm sorry."
As a response from Daichi.
Itsuki shuffled closer burying his face slightly into Daichi's neck as he whispered
"Itsukie pweferrr if you wake him up cos' then if he wakes up he won't be as sad and lonely."
Getting quieter towards the end as he snuggled into the cosy gap more.
Daichi wasn't sure due to the muffled sound of his voice so repeated
"Lonely?"
To make sure he was right getting his confirmation from Itsuki who admitted
"Mhm. When Daichwie no with Itsuki he gets vewy sad and lonely."
Daichi's heart hurt.
Again.
He just wanted to hug Itsuki and stay with him forever so he didn't feel lonely and he wanted to cuddle him and be his protective blanket from the world.
But he couldn't yet because life was still in that messy school period before finding full time employment and an actual house of their own as well as helping Itsuki grow more independent for when he couldn't be around.
They both still had a long way to come and even though Daichi knew he could probably handle it, he wasn't going to be selfish and sweep him away when he knew the other was still a work in progress and being where he was was best for now until that messy period came on it's own - no stress of rushing or unorganised chaos.
So all Daichi could do was make a promise.
"I'm sorry that I can't stay more but I promise one day we'll have a big house together. Just me and you. Then you won't be lonely yeah? And we can cuddle all day long without a care in the world."
Itsuki smiled slightly at the thought and optimistically asked
"Cuddles and kissies?"
Getting a hum and a kiss on his head as Daichi carried on
"Mhm. Just Itsuki, Minki and Daichi."
Itsuki chuckled light then yawned before saying
"Then Itsukie can stop buggin Gwannie." Quickly Getting a
"I'm sure you didn't bug her pet."
From Daichi.
If anything he made her life better.
She loved him so much.
Itsuki giggle as he cheekily replied
"Itsuki can be a pain but he twies to be a good boy fo' Gwannie. But it okay if I bugs Daichwie because he is itsukie's Da- cawe giverrr."
Earning a chuckle from Daichi himself.
Daichi then remembered something they'd been meaning to do for a while.
"Speaking of which we still have to right a list don't we my little prince."
Itsuki thought before humming
"Mhm."
Remembering they hadn't done a proper one yet like they had planned a while ago.
Itsuki also only hummed because he was scared of how high his voice would be because of how flustered he was from the name which Daichi picked up on.
He asked
"Do you like that nickname?"
To Itsuki originally only getting a nod in response until Daichi said
"It's too dark to see a nod."
Getting confirmation via
"Y-Yuhuh."
Taking advantage of the lack of logic because of their sleepy states.
Daichi decided to lazily tease Itsuki a little and asked
"Do you like another one moreee?"
Already knowing the answer.
And so did Itsuki but he still played innocent and dumb.
He asked
"L-like w-whats?" Quickly Getting
"Like baby~"
sung to him by Daichi who nuzzled into Itsuki's neck causing the other to squeak "EEK."
And squirm slightly from being so flustered.
Daichi smiled smugly as he said
"I'm taking that as a yes. My cute little baby boy. My own personal Prince. The smol cutiee who made me soft."
Kissing Itsuki's head lightly before saying
"Let's go to sleep baby. We'll do that list after the others have gone back . I promise. Good night my sleepy prince."
Itsuki nodded and snuggled closer to Daichi saying
"Pwomise... Night night..."
before they both drifted off to sleep.