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Narumi is lying on his stomach, viciously punching the buttons of his BS5 controller—the third console he's purchased in a month thanks to Hasegawa—when his phone disrupts his gut-filled reverie.
Not taking his eyes off the game, Narumi blindly searches for the annoying device, which is hidden somewhere underneath all the mess on his bedroom floor. When his fingers brush against it, Narumi picks it up and averts his gaze from the TV screen for a second, expecting to see the name of one of his superiors.
However, the name on the screen prompts him to drop his controller and lose the strength of his arms, and he faceplants pathetically onto the floor.
Hoshina Soushirou.
For a brief moment, as he's attempting to regain his dignity, Narumi ponders whether he should answer the call or not, and he wonders why he even has Hoshina's number saved in the first place. Narumi is also lucid enough to realize that if Hoshina is calling him, he might have serious reasons to be doing so. He rubs his aching, probably red nose, and wills himself to pick up.
"Hoshina," Narumi says with vaguely concealed disdain as a greeting. "To what do I owe the dubious pleasure?"
"Captain Narumi," Hoshina greets in return. Although he's addressing him respectfully, there's mirth in his tone. "I'm calling you because I kinda need someone to spar with."
Narumi is unable to hide the surprise on his face at the strange request coming from his sworn enemy, and he's glad Hoshina isn't there to see his dumbfounded expression.
"You want to spar at," Narumi detaches his phone from his face to check the time, "nine in the evening? Why don't you train with your beloved Captain Ashiro? Isn't she more suitable to your level?"
Ignoring the jabs toward himself and Ashiro, Hoshina says, "Captain Ashiro is busy with her duties. You, on the other hand, have probably been playing videogames on the floor of your room all day long."
Narumi winces slightly, not liking the fact that Hoshina seems to know him very well. They're a pebble in each other's shoes; Hoshina shouldn't be asking him to spar as if they were on friendly terms.
"Isn't there anyone else who can spar with you?" Narumi asks, hoping his reticence will make Hoshina give up.
"No. You're the only one that can help me right now," Hoshina's tone is earnest, which is rare considering who he's talking to. "I need to begin training harder in order to test my compatibility with Numbers Weapon 10."
Comprehension dawns on Narumi. So Hoshina thinks I'm the only one that can help him? Interesting, Narumi thinks, smirking smugly to himself.
"Alright," he accepts easily. "But if I don't deem you strong enough, I will advise you not to proceed with the merge."
"I would expect nothing less from you."
*
Hoshina is already waiting for him by the time Narumi steps into a derelict, deserted area that used to be a park. He's wearing the Defense Force tracksuit, except for the jacket. The thick muscles of his arms and chest are exposed due to the tight fabric of his undershirt.
The moonlight projects an oddly ethereal halo over Hoshina, making him look otherworldly. Narumi snorts to himself at the thought. Playing for too many hours is driving him mad.
What truly drives Narumi insane is that smile plastered perpetually on Hoshina's face along with those amused slits he has for eyes.
"You came," Hoshina says as though he didn't believe he would.
"I said I would, didn't I?"
Hoshina shrugs, his bothersome smile unaltered, "Fair point."
"I wanna go back to my videogames as soon as possible. Let's get this over with," Narumi commands, no longer interested in keeping up appearances.
No words are needed for what they came to do.
Hoshina adopts a defensive stance and beckons to Narumi with a flicker of his fingers. The confidence he exudes is what impels Narumi; the strange need to just put him in his place once and for all.
He charges toward Hoshina with blinding speed, but Hoshina's trained eye is capable of catching his movements. Narumi strikes with his fist and Hoshina dodges effortlessly, taking any openings Narumi leaves to counter his attacks.
Narumi loathes to admit that Hoshina has all the right qualities to become an outstanding leader one day. All Narumi cares about is power, after all, and Hoshina has plenty of that. Nevertheless, Narumi would rather die than tell anyone his real thoughts about his most hated rival.
Getting lost in his musings in the middle of a fight, no matter that it's only a training session, is never a good idea. Hoshina is too damn perceptive and he notices Narumi isn't as focused on the sparring as he should be, so he becomes serious, his crimson eyes now wide open. He manages to give Narumi a hard blow to the stomach, not hard enough to break a bone, but hard enough to leave an ugly bruise for days.
Narumi puts some distance between them and lets out a shaky breath. The hit definitely has helped to sober him up. He keeps his guard up, expecting Hoshina to strike at any moment.
But Hoshina stays still, assessing him quietly.
"Are you ready to take me seriously, Captain?" The last word sounds mocking. Narumi narrows his eyes.
"I would if you weren't such a pain in the ass," Narumi shoots back. Not his best comeback, but the skin of his belly is pounding lightly and he's annoyed at himself for letting Hoshina land the first blow.
He decides to attack again, this time fully focused on the task at hand. His speed increases, and though Hoshina is able to keep up at first, Narumi ends up overpowering him, throwing him to the ground.
"Is this all you got?" Narumi asks, hovering over Hoshina with his forearm pressed against Hoshina's chest to keep him still.
Hoshina looks up at him with heated cheeks from the exertion of the fight. Narumi feels a weird twinge in his stomach that has probably nothing to do with Hoshina's hit.
Suddenly, Narumi feels Hoshina's calves locked tight around his knees, and in a swift movement, he finds himself in Hoshina's position, on his back on the dirty ground, Hoshina hovering above him with a triumphant smirk. "What were you saying?"
Narumi lets his head fall back heavily with a dull thud. Admitting defeat against Hoshina is never easy.
"Get off me."
Hoshina complies, dropping all contact with Narumi's body. Narumi bends his knees and does a kip-up to get on his feet.
"Show off. You looked better lying underneath me." Hoshina complains playfully. Narumi decides to ignore his flirty words and flips him off with the little dignity he has left.
"Jokes aside," Hoshina starts, taking a step closer to Narumi. "Do you think I can pull it off?"
Yes, of course you can, Narumi thinks instinctively. If there's anyone who can be compatible with a weapon of that caliber, it's Hoshina. Instead of voicing his true thoughts, he says, "It's not up to me whether you're compatible or not. It all depends on the test results."
"You're right," Hoshina agrees. "But that's not what you truly think."
"Are you a mind reader or what?"
Hoshina's smile is eerie. Narumi feels a shiver run down his spine.
"What do you want me to say, huh? That I think you're more than capable? That you are a formidable member of the Defense Force?" Narumi inquires, feeling worked up all of a sudden. Hoshina has a way of getting on his nerves that no one else does. Narumi hates him; hates that he's better at most things they compete over. What he hates most of all, however, is the power that Hoshina has over him. "Alright, Hoshina. You win. I think you will have no problem forming a bond with Numbers Weapon 10."
Hoshina seems to have lost his ability to speak. Narumi's smugness returns. Bet you didn't think I would be this truthful.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Hoshina says, "That was... a lot more honesty than I expected to hear from you."
"Well, there you have it. May I go now, oh Hoshina the Incredible? My platinum rank won't reach itself."
Hoshina snorts as if Narumi's antics are the stupidest thing he's ever had to put up with. "Sure thing, Captain."
"Perfect. Bye," Narumi says and turns around to leave hastily, eager to feed his addiction a little more.
"Wait," Hoshina calls out. Narumi winces but stops walking. This night can't get any worse, he thinks.
"What?" he asks, looking back over his shoulder.
"Thank you," the earnest tone catches him by surprise. Those ruby eyes are openly staring at him, unwavering. "For your help and your honesty."
Narumi waves a hand dismissively. "You know damn well you didn't need my help at all, Hoshina."
"That's not true," Hoshina insists. "Could we maybe spar again tomorrow? Same time?"
Sighing, Narumi scratches his chin. "I will sleep on it. Don't get your hopes up though."
"With you? I would never," Hoshina says jokingly, which for some incomprehensible reason bothers Narumi. Still, he doesn't refute it.
"Smart guy," he says instead. "See you around," Narumi waves his hand in farewell as he walks away.
"Good night, Captain," are Hoshina's parting words.
Looking up at the sky with his hands behind his head, Narumi thinks back to their strange encounter. He feels oddly out of his skin as if he weren't himself. He shivers; the breeze of the night engulfs him like a cool blanket.
Goddamn Hoshina, always getting the upper hand no matter what I do or say, Narumi's lips curl in distaste. He is aware that his animosity toward Hoshina may be a bit irrational, but Narumi doesn't want to change that. Not now, not ever.
Deciding to put those thoughts on hold for Future Narumi to deal with, he focuses on a strategy to earn platinum rank on the current game he's playing as quickly as possible.
*
His eyes sting and his head hurts like hell, but Narumi is proud of himself. His speedrun to reach platinum rank went very well. Luckily, all those Hoshina-infested thoughts from the night before are nowhere in sight.
Narumi turns off his BS5 and collapses heavily on the bed, not even bothering to change into his pajamas. He closes his eyes and falls into slumber soon after.
He's dreaming of virtual war and blood when he's yanked awake abruptly by the shrill sound of his ringtone. Narumi feels like murdering someone, more specifically the person on the other side of the line for disturbing his precious sleeping hours, but the sight of Hoshina's name on the screen once again makes every thought fade away magically.
"I hate you," Narumi croaks out, voice thick with sleep.
"Oops, did I wake you?" Hoshina doesn't sound regretful in the slightest.
"No, I was just having a makeout session with my pillow," Narumi answers, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
"Are you practicing how to kiss with your pillow? Cute."
Narumi groans, not nearly awake enough to deal with a quick-witted Hoshina. "What d'ya want, Hoshina?"
"What I told you last night."
"I said I would sleep on it, didn't I? That's what I was doing when you chose to interrupt me."
"Come on, Captain. It's not that hard to say yes when one of your subordinates asks for help, is it? Your infinite knowledge is too valuable." Hoshina attempts to sweet-talk him. Narumi doesn't understand why he's so keen on training with him. It makes no sense. They aren't friends and if it depends on Narumi, they will never be.
"Fine," he relents, albeit reluctantly. A bit of sparring with a decent opponent can't do him any harm. "But you gotta post nice things about me online. Like how cool I am for helping you, for example."
"Aye, aye, Captain," Hoshina sing-songs impishly.
"And let me give you a fair warning," Narumi continues, not willing to bear with Hoshina's existence any longer. "Wake me up again and it won't be just training. I will murder you in your sleep. Bye," Narumi hangs up before Hoshina can say anything else. He can picture him perfectly though; snickering at his expense for making him yield to his wishes so effortlessly.
"Ugh, I despise you, Hoshina," he drops his phone beside him on the bed and turns to lie sideways. He shuts his eyes hoping this time no one will disrupt his much-needed sleep.
*
The next time Narumi wakes up, his phone is blowing up with notifications. He smirks; apparently, Hoshina kept his end of the bargain. Smart boy.
His complacency doesn't last long because, the moment Narumi unlocks his phone to check Hoshina's handywork, the vein in his temple starts to throb. He grinds his teeth before sucking in a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself.
Hoshina's post consists in a caption that reads: 'Captain Narumi Gen is such a nice and cool leader that he accepted to lend some help to his favorite subordinate a.k.a me.' That's not even the worst part. The worst part, the reason why Narumi wants to grab Hoshina by the neck and bring him to his death, is a picture of Narumi sitting on the floor after falling on his ass ridiculously, his face displaying an embarrassing expression of pain.
Narumi tightens his hold on his phone but releases it before applying too much pressure on it. He doesn't want to bother buying a new phone just because he can't control his anger issues. He's broke enough as he is.
Instead, Narumi taps on Hoshina's name and presses the call button.
"Captain Narumi!" Hoshina picks up almost immediately, greeting him happily. He probably has a feeling of his impending doom, but his usually careless attitude is still present. Narumi can't stand Hoshina's lack of regard for him. "I can imagine why you're calling."
"You little shit," Narumi snarls with murderous intent.
Hoshina lets out an airy laugh, a soft sound that penetrates Narumi's sleep-induced hazy head like an arrow. Narumi shivers uncomfortably.
"I followed your orders, Captain," says Hoshina, an amused lilt to his voice. "So I expect you to do as you promised."
"I didn't promise shit," Narumi grumbles. His throat feels scratchy from how much he's been growling. "Consider yourself dead meat."
"You act like a lion but you're just a feral kitten in my eyes," Hoshina says casually, as if he's thinking out loud.
Apparently, calling Hoshina first thing in the... morning(?) isn't the best idea. Narumi's whole day has been ruined just by listening to his stupid voice. He feels mentally exhausted and annoyed beyond words.
"Nine pm. Same place. I won't be lenient with you today," says Narumi before hanging up. He loves making dramatic exits after all.
His phone dings a short while later, and Hoshina's name greets him. Narumi lets out an exhausted sigh but reads the text anyway.
Thank you, Cap! Give me all you got, I like it rough.
Narumi shuts his eyes tightly and fights down the dumb blush creeping up his neck. Hoshina will be the death of him.
*
As promised, Narumi gets to the old park at nine o'clock sharp in the evening, and Hoshina is already there waiting for him, always on time. The prick.
"Good evening, Cap. What a nice night, isn't it?" Hoshina says, gazing up at the starry sky.
"A nice night to get wrecked, don't you think?" Narumi threatens half-heartedly.
"Who would've thought you had a comedic side?" Hoshina teases back, his unsettling smile an ever-present signature.
Narumi smirks at the joke, feeling oddly in a good mood. Hoshina can certainly be a pain in the ass, but he's quite funny from time to time. "Who says I'm kidding?"
"You want to get on my bad side, Captain?" The condescending tone is back and Narumi feels compelled to shut his mouth... with his fists.
"Enough chatting. Get ready for the beating of your life."
"You sound like a school bully. Such a cliché," says Hoshina, getting into a defensive stance regardless.
They begin a staring contest, studying each other cautiously. Narumi thinks that with Hoshina you can never be too careful; he doesn't want to make the same mistakes as yesterday.
Hoshina's demeanor doesn't give away anything. His face is the perfect mask of mockery, his fox eyes and lip smile taunting Narumi.
Hoshina jumps a step forward playfully, as if he's a kid chasing away a flock of doves. Narumi frowns and his muscles tense up; he has no idea what Hoshina is up to, but Narumi won't let him catch him off guard. Not this time.
"You're no fun, Captain," Hoshina tuts, shaking his head. "You told me you wanted to crush me yet you're standing there, still as a rock."
Narumi snorts, rolling his eyes. "You're asking for it, aren't you? You want me to rough you up a little, huh?"
"You know me so well."
Narumi moves swiftly, practically materializing in front of Hoshina. He throws a punch to Hoshina's face, which he blocks with his forearm effortlessly. Narumi, having anticipated this, reacts with haste, landing a kick to Hoshina's side that sends him flying backward a few feet.
Hoshina lands on his feet, like a cat jumping down a window of its own accord, his smirk wider than before. He feels his side, grimacing faintly in pain, but his expression displays excitement rather than vexation.
"That's more like it, Cap."
Narumi lunges forward, relentlessly attacking Hoshina's openings. Hoshina ducks and sweep-kicks, attempting to throw him off balance, but Narumi sees right through him, jumping to avoid his leg.
Narumi lets out a sigh of fake disappointment. "You're slow, Hoshina. Numbers Weapon 10 is gonna destroy you."
Hoshina simply lets out a laugh. "You surely know how to make people feel good about themselves."
"I'm just being honest."
"Honest, my ass." Hoshina decides to close the distance first this time around, focusing all his energy on making contact with Narumi's weak spots.
The training session lasts for what feels like hours. They're almost perfectly in sync, except that Narumi clearly has the upper hand. He's stronger and faster than Hoshina, though he would be performing in even better conditions if Hoshina were a large kaiju.
By the time Narumi has Hoshina pinned against the ground, panting and sweating after reaching his limit, the moon is high up in the cloudless sky.
"Okay, you win, Your Majesty," Hoshina huffs out, trying to catch his breath.
Narumi releases him immediately after he yields, breathing shallowly as well.
"I told you I wouldn't be lenient. I keep my word, unlike you."
"Aw, come on," Hoshina whines, getting to his feet and dusting his uniform. "Are you still mad about that innocent little prank?"
Narumi ignores him completely, walking toward a low wall to sit down and rest his legs. Hoshina imitates him, following him like a lost (yet mischievous) puppy, and collapses next to Narumi's spread shape.
"Not so bad, was it?" Hoshina asks, his voice echoing loudly in the dark empty space. "Training is so refreshing."
Narumi hums, head tilted back as his eyes roam over the vast expanse of the night sky. He feels like he could get lost there; no kaiju, no responsibilities. And definitely no chatty, bright Hoshina either.
His expression must have displayed his dreamy thoughts, because Hoshina's face is suddenly in his line of sight, looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Serious question. Why do you even hate me?" He asks, a glint of curiosity coating his fox eyes. "Is it because I'm better than you at subjugating small-sized kaiju? Or perhaps because I beat you at a videogame that one time you asked me to compete against you?" Each word feels like a stab to Narumi's overinflated ego.
"No," Narumi lies, gritting his teeth.
"Then why?" Hoshina repeats. "You're not my favorite person either but I don't despise you."
"You're infuriating. That's it." Narumi knows his hatred for Hoshina is a teeny bit unreasonable, but he'd rather hate him than anything else. Just thinking about the other options to their 'relationship' leaves him deeply disturbed.
"Wait…" Hoshina says after a pregnant pause, as if he's just been hit by a truck. "Wait, wait, wait, wait..." he repeats frantically, getting to his feet to stand in front of Narumi, towering over him. "Do you..." the words seem to get stuck in his throat as though what he's about to say is the hardest thing he's ever uttered. "Do you maybe, like… like me?"
Narumi's wide eyes convey his shell-shocked horror perfectly. "What the fuck?!" He hollers, springing to his feet to stand face to face with Hoshina. "Are you out of your goddamn mind?" That's what he says aloud, but in his mind, his life is flashing before his eyes as the realization he has been avoiding for so long finally sinks in.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK. Not only is it completely humiliating to have Hoshina beat him at yet another thing, but the fact that he somehow reached a conclusion Narumi hasn't even considered about himself is even more mortifying.
"Oh my god," Hoshina continues, covering his mouth with his hand. "This makes so much sense. Are you even an adult? You're like a little kid in kindergarten, pulling the hair of the person you like!" He laughs deliriously.
"Shut your trap before I make you," Narumi growls darkly, using their slight height difference in an attempt to intimidate Hoshina. Obviously, he fails miserably.
Hoshina, instead of cowering in fear, does something unimaginable: he takes a step closer to Narumi, leaving their faces mere inches from each other. His narrowed eyes are half opened, staring into Narumi's sultrily. His smirk widens, but this time it doesn't look mocking. It looks tempting, inviting. Seductive even. Narumi feels like dying.
"Maybe I should be the one that shuts you up once and for all," Hoshina whispers, his breath a caress against Narumi's suddenly parched lips.
Narumi swallows dryly, rooted to the spot without knowing how to proceed. He's stuck looking between Hoshina's crimson eyes and his pink lips wildly. His heart jumps to his throat when Hoshina closes his eyes and leans an inch forward, and Narumi panics.
In a split second, he ponders the pros and cons of what's most likely about to occur. If I let this happen, everything will change forever. I don't know if I'm ready to look at the individual named Hoshina Soushirou in a different way. In that way, specifically. I've always despised him. I must have gone fucking insane!
But if I follow my stupid instincs… Narumi's thoughts trail off. He doesn't dare to imagine what will happen if he lets Hoshina close the remaining gap between them. Time is running out faster than he would like, so he resigns himself, deciding to leave it to fate.
He lets his eyes fall shut and waits for his impending demise…
… only to be met by a badly contained snort that quickly turns into a fit of giggles. Narumi's eyes blink open as he tries to process what's going on. Hoshina is clutching his stomach as he laughs, now standing a few feet away from him, and Narumi's astonishment instantly morphs into pure, unadulterated vexation.
Without saying a single word, Narumi stomps toward Hoshina with long and decisive steps, grabs his still giggling silhouette by the front of the undershirt and slots their mouths together in a messy kiss.
Hoshina's laughter dies down instantly, and Narumi feels him go completely rigid, lips shut tight. But to Narumi's utmost surprise, the tension melts away as swiftly as it comes.
Hoshina moves his lips against Narumi's slowly and lets out a tiny sound from the back of his throat, a sound that ignites something primitive inside Narumi, a hunger he didn't know he had.
When their tongues brush tentatively, Narumi's brain turns to mush, and he feels the burning need to taste so much more, to hold onto this heavenly feeling and never let it go.
His grip on Hoshina's undershirt softens and his eager hands move until they reach the cool skin of Hoshina's cheeks, cradling his face, and he continues kissing him within an inch of his life, caressing Hoshina's tongue reverently, feeling that if he stops, he will never be able to kiss him again. Hoshina must be feeling the same way by how he's holding onto Narumi's back for dear life as he returns the kiss.
In a moment of lucidity, Narumi realizes that when the kiss ends, they will have to address it openly. To talk about it like two grown adults and not like the childish rivals they've always been. The thought displeases him, but the warmth of Hoshina's lips doesn't let him dwell on the downsides for long.
After what feels like hours, the kiss turns slow and so very soft before their lips eventually unseal.
The only sound that can be heard in the empty park is their heavy breathing. Narumi opens his eyes, feeling thankful that he's let his fringe grow longer, and finally dares to look at Hoshina. Despite the lack of illumination, he can see him clearly. Hoshina's cheeks are flushed as if he's just had another arduous training session, and his eyes are heavy-lidded and foggy as though he's still lost in the kiss. The sight makes Narumi want to ruin him.
Hoshina is the first to break the silence, letting out a shaky breath. "Where and when did you learn how to kiss like that?"
The question catches Narumi off guard, and he can't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. "Makeout sessions with my pillow, remember?"
Hoshina gives him a genuine smile that makes Narumi's heart rattle inside his ribcage, desperate to be freed.
"What now?" Hoshina asks after another moment of silence, as they both try to gather their thoughts.
"I don't know," Narumi replies truthfully, but then adds, "I still dislike you."
Instead of taking offense, Hoshina rolls his eyes and punches him lightly on the chest. "You're insufferable."
"Look who's talking," Narumi retorts playfully, exaggeratedly rubbing the spot Hoshina touched.
"I still can't believe you actually like me," Hoshina shakes his head in disbelief.
"Don't let it go to your head. I'm still better than you," Narumi says, puffing out his chest cockily.
"I must never forget why I can't stand you."
"You can stand me just fine."
"No can do."
"Yes, you can."
"No."
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes!" Narumi sing-songs. "You want me to kiss you again!"
"That doesn't mean I can stand you."
"Oh? You didn't deny it. You really want me to kiss you again, huh? I'm a great kisser, aren't I?"
"Oh my god, shut up" is all Hoshina says before crashing their lips together once again.
It isn't so bad, is it? Narumi thinks as he sinks his fingers into Hoshina's silky hair, sighing contentedly into the kiss. Hoshina may be a menace, but he's the perfect match for me. How could I have been so blind? It's crystal clear. His mind shuts down as Hoshina does something with his tongue that elicits a moan from Narumi.
Hell, yeah. Narumi could get used to this.