Chapter Text
Michael put down his last box, and looked around his new apartment. It was cozy, and not necessarily large, but it still felt like there was so much space compared to his last place with roommates. He’d have to get some new furniture, and probably some new kitchen utensils. He didn’t cook enough to know for sure, but he was probably missing something or other. He did know he’d need a new broom, and to figure out the wires for his TV, and send his parents his new address.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a knock at his door. He opened it to see a tall man with dark, short hair, and a square jaw.
“Hi! I’m David, I live down the hall.” The man said, sticking his hand out. He had a thick Scottish accent, but not so thick Michael couldn’t understand him.
“Oh! Hello.” Michael shook his hand, matching his smile. “I’m Michael.”
“Welcome to the building! You just moved in today, right?”
“Yeah.” Michael rubbed the back of his neck, and glanced behind him at the mess of boxes. When he turned around, David was giving him a thoughtful look.
“German?”
“Yes!”
“Ah, you’ll fit right in here. We have people from all over. Aryton and Rubens are from Brazil, and Alain is French. Gerhard is from Austria. They all live on different floors though. Mika and JJ are from Finland; they live right here.” David jabbed a finger behind him at the door across the hall from Michael’s. “There’s more, obviously. I’m sure you’ll meet them all soon.”
Michael tried not to be intimidated by all the names. It wasn’t like he didn’t like people, or that he didn’t like making new friends, but it just sounded like a lot. Hopefully, David was the type of man who just knew everything and everyone, and Michael wouldn’t be the new, odd man out in a building of friends.
“But enough of that. I’m sure you have a lot to do; I just wanted to introduce myself.” David said.
“Thank you!” Michael plastered on a smile. “It was good to meet you, David.”
Once he left, Michael closed his door and sighed. Apparently, he forgot to add socializing with his whole building to his list.
The first time Michael met Mika, he was walking out of the elevator and Mika’s door was wide open. He didn’t notice at first, too busy trying not to scratch the walls with the box of his new bookshelf, but as he got closer to their doors he heard someone muttering in a language he didn’t recognize. He glanced up, and saw that the door across from his was open. Maybe if he was quick, he could sneak past and get into his apartment before anyone noticed. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to meet his neighbor. He just wasn’t in the mood. He was tired, probably sweaty, he had been on his feet and busy all day, and he just wanted to lay down and not have to deal with anything else.
Of course, the universe decided against him.
Michael had just gotten his box over the threshold of his apartment when he heard a soft ‘oh!’ and felt someone’s eyes on him. He manhandled the box out of the doorway and leaned it against the nearest wall, and reluctantly turned around.
Oh, of course.
Of course he was in a bad mood, he was probably disheveled and messy, and his new neighbor was apparently the most gorgeous man in the world.
He was about the same height as Michael, but his hair was so blond, and looked so soft. The light from the apartment behind him made it look like a halo around his head. His eyes were big and light blue, and he had a strong jawline but soft lines everywhere else. His cheeks and his nose and his lips and even his eyebrows were all soft. He looked like he belonged in a renaissance painting, like he was more of a romantic idea of a man than a real person.
“Hello.” Michael forced out. He wasn’t sure what the etiquette was, when talking to angels. “I’m Michael, I just moved in.”
“I’m Mika.” The angel grinned at him, all bright and lopsided. It was painfully charming.
“Are you alright? Your door was open and I heard, uh, muttering.”
“Oh.” Mika rolled his eyes. “Yes, I am just looking for…”
He trailed off, and suddenly plucked something from a table or stand that must have been just next to the doorway. He held up a simple leather wallet in victory.
“My wallet!” He chuckled. “I have been looking for ages. You must be my lucky charm, no?”
As he spoke, he stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind him. He was still facing Michael, though, and when he got closer Michael could see how his eyes sparkled when he smiled.
“I’m glad to help.” Michael smiled back weakly.
“Mika!” Someone shouted down the hallway. Mika turned his head, but Michael didn’t bother. He was too busy watching the way Mika’s hair fluttered when he moved his head. “Meidän täytyy mennä!”
“Kyllä! Löysin sen!” Mika called back, in what must have been Finnish. He turned back to Michael with a shy, awkward smile. “It was nice to meet you, Michael.”
“You too.” Michael said, but Mika was already walking away. He closed his door and leaned against it heavily. Okay, so it was only his second day, and he had already met two of his neighbors. That was good! And even better, one of his neighbors had pretty eyes and a crooked smile that lit up his whole face. Michael could only hope that he was single.
It wasn’t until later that he remembered David had said two people lived across the hall.