Chapter Text
It was undeniable that Captain Narumi and Vice-captain Hoshina had something unspoken between them recently. Between the childish bickering, and their not-so-subtle tense sparring sessions. Anyone who paid close enough attention could see they had a certain “spark” about them. If you could even call it that. Although it wasn’t always that way. With the clear rivalry between their divisions, it was clear the third division’s vice captain and first division Captain weren’t going to be seeing eye to eye anytime soon.
Though beyond the prying eyes of their higher-ups, they had formed their own private connection. That truly was their own safe place, that left them both defenceless and unable to hide from inevitable feelings that would fill their hearts before they were even aware of it. For the short moments they would spend with each other, they allowed themselves to sink into a routine that could allow them to forget the messed up world they lived in.
Becoming aware of the spark between them, wasn’t anything shocking. They just chose not to act nor speak upon it. From Gen’s burning cheeks and red-tinted ears, storming off from their sparring session after the vice-captain would teasingly whisper sexual innuendos into the taller man's ear. To Hoshina’s consistent teasing, and playful jabs at Gen’s inability to beat Hoshina in any of the games the taller male had challenged him. Neither seemed to try to change their seemingly unique behaviour between them. Hoshina never grew tired of making Gen’s flustered, pissed off and or just bruising the man’s overly large (but fragile ego). Feeling a strong sense of gratification seeing the Captain storm off in a huff without any bite from him.
Recently, with the defeat of Kaiju no.9, things weren’t the same. The death of Isao Shinomiya remained a heavy burden, alongside the destruction that had been recently brought to different areas of Japan. Most of the cadets, vice-captains and captain's, alongside all the higher ups had been working day and night to fix this mess. Meetings had become a blur, and every so often, you'd find moments where you'd had officers falling asleep on their desks.
These plans had been slow and agonising to deal with. Even Gen, who’d usually have some kind of remark during these meetings. Now sat there without a word to be said. Only speaking if addressed, and then would leave without another word. He especially looked extremely overwhelmed and tired, which you would probably expect. After the death of Kikoru Shinomiya's father, people seemed to look to him to eventually rise up to the stakes. Take the position of the new director of the defence force.
It wasn't a pretty sight to say the least, and now that winter had hit after months of heavy labour. It was just too cold and miserable to most, even despite the festive coming through. Despite things quieting down, it was cold and thankfully with the decrease of Kaiju popping up became less and less due to the defeat of Monster 9. Yet, it still left this uneasy feeling in many of the cadets' guts, all collectively thinking ‘what next?’
__________
It was a cold night in the defence forces headquarters.The vice-captains body felt heavy, even after the recovery period post-battle. Eventually going back to regularly training with Kafka, who'd steadily recovered from the overuse in his Kaiju form. Though usually finding their sparring sessions enjoyable, and leaving him in an increasingly better mood. Tonight was different, his movements slightly sloppier than usual and his energy low. He knew he would have to call it a day. Which seemed to worry Kafka, but Hoshina dismissed it and just told the older male he had nothing to worry about.
It wasn’t rare for Hoshina to be overly analytical. But this time, instead of finding the answers to all these questions floating in his head. It was like they were taunting him. Quite frankly, his head was hurting from it all. As he sent Kafka back to his room, he ‘jokingly’ threatened to make him do a hundred laps around the facility if he ignored his command. Which seemingly worked, since said man left with a terrified shriek, muttering “so cruel vice-captain”.
As the vice-captain walked through the hallways of the facility, he realised just how long it had been since he had last visited Gen’s room. Both of them had been swarmed with taking care of matters in their own regions and attending those seemingly endless meetings. Now those late night adventures to each other's rooms had become far and few between. The vice-captain recalled the last time they had been together alone. Gen had sauntered into his room at some ungodly hour, muttering something about being overworked and passed out next to Hoshina without another word.
In the past, they both had found themselves in Gen’s terribly messy room for a number of reasons. Many of those times including both of them stripped to their bare skin, tongues tangled against each other and their bodies pressed desperately against each other. Tonight though, Hoshina found himself at the door of said captain for a different reason. Whilst never growing tired of their sexual intimacy, he found himself craving just the sheer warmth of the taller male's body in the most innocent form.
The vice captain stood there, contemplating whether it was worth either knocking or walking straight in. A few loud curse words were heard from the other side of the door. Causing the bowl-cut male to snicker in amusement, already feeling his mood lighten up slightly. After a couple seconds, he decided to just enter without a word of warning. Truly amused at the sight in front of him.
Captain Narumi, despite all the flaws this man held, was known for being a monster on the battlefield. Right now, compared to the things posted online, he looked polar opposite. His two-toned hair that is usually slicked back on the battlefield, is now covering his face, the taller male laid on his front. His futon covering his whole muscular body, his body hunched over his controller, his red eyes staring at whatever game he was playing. Right now, Hoshina didn’t give a shit what the captain was playing, he was too exhausted to care, so he just found himself walking over to the taller male quietly.
“If you’re trying to scare me, bowl-cut, I already know you’re there”, came a gruff, annoyed voice from Gen. Hoshina kneeled down next to the two-toned hair male, looking down at him with his usual taunting smirk. “Who said I was trying to scare you? Maybe I just came here for some entertainment, watching you lose always brightens my mood”, he taunts, as he crosses his legs and rests his head on his palm. Watching as an annoyed tick forms on the side of Gen’s head.
Quickly dodging a pillow that was thrown at him, from god knows where. An amused laugh escapes his lips, hearing the captain mutter under his breath angrily “go fuck yourself”. Grabbing the pillow previously thrown at him moments ago, he smacks the taller male with the pillow in return, smugly retorting “fuck me yourself coward”. Those words alone cause Gen’s face to bloom a gorgeous colour of red. It wasn’t unusual to see the captain lose composure. But rarely like this, with a genuine blush spread across Gen’s cheeks, a sense of satisfaction came over him that no one else could achieve from him.
“What do you even want?”
“Company”
Gen went silent after that, he seemed satisfied enough with that answer. Not questioning Hoshina any further. As time went by, all you could hear was the tapping of Gen’s fingers on the controller. His eyes hadn’t left the screen, which was no surprise. Gen currently had eye bags under his eyes that rivalled even the most severe cases of insomniac’s. Which did make Hoshina question whether or not he’d been sleeping properly.
The sound of the futon moving, and Gen’s body shifting to lift up the futon broke Hoshina from his thoughts. Violet eyes stared into deep red eyes, neither of them breaking the silence. In a way, Gen’s actions spoke enough for him. He was inviting Hoshina to lay with him. Which was strangely domestic of him to do, considering he’d usually just let the vice-captain sit next to him and enjoy the rare silence between them.
Before the captain could complain about the cold air seeping into the futon, Hoshina shrugged off his uniform jacket and snuck his way into Gen’s futon. Almost immediately, Hoshina felt the warmth of both Gen’s body underneath him and the futon above him surrounding him. Intertwining their legs together gently, resting his head between the crook of his neck and shoulder. His arms wrapped firmly around the taller male muscular torso.
He felt the warmth of the captain against him before, usually in much more intimate situations and way less clothing. Shutting his eyes, his body visibly relaxed, pressing most of his weight against Gen’s back. But received no complaint, instead he felt the taller man lean into his touch. Listening to Gen’s occasional curses under his breath, noticeably quieter than what they were before he entered the room. Gentle movements from the tapping on his controller. They fell into a comfortable silence.
Hoshina’s fingers trace over the captain's shirt, completely innocent and gentle, causing Gen to stop his game. “If you’re gonna feel me up, can you at least let me finish my game first?”, came a teasing voice from beneath Hoshina. The taller male was smirking up at him, amusement in his eyes. This causes the shorter male to gently bite the area between his shoulder and neck, causing Gen to jump slightly. The previous cocky expression on his face, quickly replaced with an unimpressed glare. “I share my futon, and you bite me in return. Asshole” the captain retorts, only receiving an amused laugh in response. “Shouldn’t have accused me of feeling you up then”, Hoshina responds, snickering softly, sliding his fingers underneath the baggy shirt Gen was currently wearing.
Immediately Gen is squirming, biting back the laughter threatening to leave his lips. “S-stop tickling me you fucker!” He exclaims, trapped underneath the weight of Hoshina. A mischievous grin plastered across the fox-eyed male. The captain’s words only gave him more fuel to continue the tickling for a few more seconds, before his hands wrapped themselves around Gen’s bare torso firmly.
“You call me all these names, but yet you can’t seem to separate yourself from me”
“Coming from the one who snuck into my futon! Also you’re lying your entire body weight on me!”
“Who lifted the covers for me to join? I never heard a single complaint about it till now~”
“S-shut up! I was trying to be generous! And I’m not complaining, I’m stating a fact!”
“Ooo what a big word, did Hagesawa give you a dictionary for your birthday?”
“YOU FUCKER!”
Hoshina laughs as Gen wriggles himself free from underneath the shorter male. Falling back against the futon, an amused grin plastered across his face. As the captain turns around, his whole body now facing the vice-captain, he takes in the sight below him. Dark violet hair sprawled out over his futon, those gorgeous violet, but damn annoying fox eyes staring into him. Hoshina had that damn annoying smirk plastered across his lips. He knew the look, he spent enough time with him to know that the vice captain was challenging his next move.
Gen takes him up on that challenge, but not in the way Hoshina was thinking. The captain grabs the pillow he had been hit with prior, swinging back down at the male underneath. Hoshina quickly covers his face, before grasping a nearby pillow and smacking the captain with a firm THWACK.
“That hurt asshole!”
“You fight Kaiju, I doubt a pillow is gonna hurt more than that!”
“So do you!”
“I’m not complaining my dear Gen~ don’t tell me you’re going soft on me”
“YOU WISH!”
There it was, that familiar banter Hoshina weirdly missed. Both adults wrestled each other, occasionally a firm smack from the pillow could be heard from both of them. As they managed to get hits on each other, a mixture of laughter and curses could be heard. Both of them managed to wrestle the other to the ground occasionally. Just to get a hit in on the other. Truly if the rooms weren't sound proof, most people would’ve probably either storm in telling them to shut up or avoid it for how chaotic it sounded.
After a while, Gen managed to finally pin Hoshina against the floorboards of his room. Panting heavily from their lengthy pillow fight? Wrestling? Who cares, it was fun. Hoshina’s soft laughs escaping his lips, as he looks into Gen’s red eyes. His arms were pinned above his head, a firm but gentle grip on his wrists. Gen’s deep red staring into his violet eyes, a mix of amusement and pride in them. The captain truly found enjoyment in any kind of defeat he could take from the vice captain.
For the first time since the defeat of Kaiju no.9, there hadn’t been a single moment like this. No genuine laughter, banter, no small and soft intimate moments between them. Hoshina knew Gen had been on edge too. Everything about his behaviour recently told the vice-captain all he needed to know. Right now, for the first time in ages, Hoshina took notice of the soft expression in the captain's eyes. Which made him wonder, just for a second, how many people had seen the vulnerability Gen hid away so well.
The grip around the vice captain's wrists wasn’t firm, he knew could easily slip away. But he remained underneath Gen, even after he finally caught his breath. A big part of him hoping, almost praying no one walked in and interrupted them. Feeling their foreheads pressed together, their eyes never left each other. Speaking so many things, without actually saying a single thing. Hoshina tried not to think hard into their relationship, but at this moment. He knew there was absolutely nothing platonic about them. They were polar opposites, they could bicker and fight like cats and dogs, but it was like there was something pulling them together.
Three words… they had so much meaning to them, and at this moment. It could change everything, not just the mood of the room, but their relationship as a whole. But as Gen leant down and closed the gap between them, nothing else mattered. Gen’s rough calloused hands left Hoshina’s wrists, cupping the shorter male's cheeks. Tilting Hoshina’s head up, as he deepens the kiss. Their lips slotted together, like two puzzle pieces. Moving together in sync, soft gasps leaving their lips. Hoshina wound his arms firmly around the taller male's neck, pressing their chests together firmly.
In a world where Kaiju existed, they lived to fight and dispose of them. Risking their lives constantly, just to bring a moment of peace to not only their lives but society as a whole. They had found a small moment, where only they existed. Time has ceased, and the world felt like it had halted, just for them. The warmth radiating from each other's bodies, the gentle touches caressing each other. Gen’s hands lowered down to Hoshina’s hips, pulling him closer. Sitting up gently, their lips never breaking even for a moment.
With Hoshina’s legs trapping Gen against him, he sat comfortably in the taller male’s lap, his fingers tracing through his two-toned hair. Playing gently with the strands, before caressing and gently rubbing the scalp. Causing soft whimpers and slight groans coming from Gen’s lips. Letting out a soft gasp, he feels Gen squeeze his hips in return. A soft smile appears on the violet haired male's lips, as he deepens the kiss gently. Cupping the back of the captain's neck firmly, no space left between their bodies.
Kissing Gen was intoxicating, and Hoshina truly doubted that no drug could make him feel this way. His body and mind felt euphoric, and no matter how many times he felt the captain's lips against his, he craved more. Moving their lips together in a slightly faster rhythm, the vice-captain noticed the sound of Gen’s soft hums of pleasure slightly becoming louder. The grasp on his hips tightening, almost possessively.
’He’s like a cat’
The mere thought of that, causes Hoshina to chuckle softly against Gen’s lips. This causes Gen to pull away slightly, an unmistakable pout on his lips, his eyebrow raised in confusion. “Should I ask what’s so funny?” He asks, clearly unamused by Hoshina breaking their intimate moment. The violet haired male chuckles softly, shaking his head, squishing the pout on the captain's face. For a moment, he just admires Gen. Tracing his fingers along the soft skin on the taller male's cheeks. He may have not shown it much, he truly loved and cared for the man underneath him.
Making him the ultimate hypocrite. Because it was him who told Kafka that you should avoid getting close to people in this line of work. Avoid the heartbreak, avoid getting too close. Avoid everything that could rip your soul and heart apart. Just become a soldier dedicated to saving the world from the doom that awaits it.
But for this moment, all Hoshina could think about was the way Gen had kissed him like he was the most important thing in his life. How despite their constant bickering amongst their comrades, they could fall into bed together and make each other feel like it was only them who existed in this fucked up world. Gen frustrated Hoshina with his childish and self-centred ways, but despite the flaws, he couldn’t help it. He fell in love with him, because like Gen, Hoshina was just as flawed.
“You sound like a cat”, he eventually replies, chuckling softly. Moving his hands back around Gen’s neck. Watching in amusement as said male’s eyebrow raised in confusion, unsure of how to even take that kind of comment. “How the fuck do I sound like a cat?” The captain asks, clearly oblivious to what he was talking about.
“Well whenever I rub my fingers through your hair, you make noises that sound like a whiny cat”, Hoshina points out, an amused smile on his face. Gen’s puffs his in response, turning his head away pouting. “Fuck off, I’m not a damn cat”, he mutters, clear annoyance in his voice. This only sparks the flame for what the vice-captain does next.
“Maybe so, but you still act like one”
Before Gen could retort, Hoshina to press kisses down Gen’s jaw, trailing his lips down until he reached the sensitive parts of his neck. The grip on Hoshina’s hipa tightens, the captain biting his own lip firmly in an attempt to hide any noises he might make.
“Cheater, you’re holding them back”
“F-fuck off, I have no idea what you’re talking about”
“Suppress them all you want, I know how to break that facade”
Those words alone cause Gen’s cheeks to flush a deeper shade of red, cursing softly as Hoshina leaves a soft but firm bite on the front of Gen’s throat. Immediately pressing a kiss onto it, which causes Gen to let out a groan of pleasure. His head now tilted back, with his two toned hair falling out of his face.
“Fucking love teasing me don’t you shitty bowl-cut?”
“Mm~ maybe just a little”
A deep moan escapes Gen’s lips, as he allows Hoshina to continue his attack on his neck. They had left hickeys on each other, usually below the collar of their uniforms, away from prying eyes of anyone around them. But for once, Gen couldn’t give a shit. There was this strange sense of enjoyment at the thought of people knowing no one but him knew Hoshina was the one who left these marks.
“It’s not the only thing I love Captain”, murmured the violet haired male above him. Gen tilts his head back up, looking at Hoshina with a curious look in his eyes. To say that in this moment, Gen had gone from annoyed, curious, turned on and curious again within a short amount of time, was an understatement. But it wasn’t unusual, this is how a lot of their nights could end up.
“What might the other things be? I could possibly name a few things myself that I’ve come to learn about you”
For a moment, just for a moment. Hoshina hesitated, but he let himself succumb to the moment. Before murmuring softly against Gen's throat.
“You”
The words slipped from Hoshina’s lips before he could stop them. The teasing look in Gen’s eyes disappeared. His face was redder than it had been all night. Unlike the way he looked earlier, Gen was in pure shock. His eyes pierced into Hoshina. Searching for something, or maybe waiting for Hoshina to break into laughter and tell him he was joking. Only this time… he wasn’t.
The words Hoshina couldn’t take back were haunting him. He could practically hear the ridiculing voice of no. 10 in the back of his head. The words that had escaped his lips were now leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. The emotions and feelings both had tried so desperately to hide were out in the open.
“What…?”
The sound of Gen’s voice was nothing like Hoshina had ever heard. There wasn’t a specific tone to it, just full of confusion and shock. His expression completely unreadable now, the grip that was previously held so firmly on Hoshina’s hips, had loosened slightly. Their faces still so close, and for once, the vice-captain felt him unable to play off anything he’d said. He couldn’t joke about this, because if for even a moment the captain felt the same. It would be utterly cruel.
“What do you mean Soshirou?”
Ah shit… Gen definitely wasn’t playing, not on a first name basis. Which wasn’t entirely unusual in other scenarios, but the captain loved making up nicknames for him. So to have him be addressed like that, for just a split moment, he lost the usual calm demeanour he’d radiate.
In the past, he was able to dismiss these feelings without a second thought. Keeping things professional, and sticking by the strict rules of the defence force. But he knew it was only a matter of time before something broke. How ironic that it was Gen Narumi who’d be that very person to break through him.
He was initially fine with the intimacy they’d gotten used to. At least that’s what he told himself, forgetting the sexual intimacy, they understood each other better than most did. Hoshina could honestly say that at this point. Gen Narumi probably knew things about him that not even Mina did. Gen was a passionate person, whether in private or in public. Voicing his thoughts, even if they weren’t warranted or asked for. You’d also think with his selfish and self-centred behaviour, it would show within his actions as a potential partner. But that was far from the truth.
“Soshirou”
Fucking hell, why couldn’t he talk?
“Just forget it Narumi”, his words barely above a whisper. His eyes drifted away from the captain, trying to push away the nagging thoughts already filling in his head. He used the strength he could muster, moving his body away from the captain. Enough was enough, right now Hoshina needed space to clear his head. He knew he should stay and talk, but found himself unable to do so. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“Don’t tell me what to do Hoshina, fucking answer me”
“I said forget it you stubborn-”
“That’s real rich coming from you, aren’t you the one to usually never lose your composure. So clearly you don’t-”
“ENOUGH!”
There it was, the insufferable silence once again. With the rising anxiety rising in Hoshina’s chest, and what felt like a bottomless pit of just guilt and fear for ruining the moment so abruptly. There was only so much he could handle. Even if his choice in potential partners was questionable. That wasn’t what was important. He needed to talk things out with Gen, tell him how he felt. But instead, he chose the most cowardly decision he could. Probably the stupidest thing too.
He left.
Hoshina didn’t know a moment where he wasn’t able to face things head on, he was logical, honest and straight to the point. Sure, he found enjoyment in teasing fellow comrades occasionally. He was never known to be an anxious person. At least not on the outside, sure he had moments of self-doubt. But, never would he find himself running away like he was now.
This wasn’t facing his family who’d been telling him to give up on his dream for years. Degrading his efforts, and belittling him. Nor in or death situation with a monstrous Kaiju. This was facing Gen Narumi, a man who he’d unexpectedly fallen in love with.
Hoshina didn’t know what was worse, leaving Gen to deal with his confession alone or the fact he had the chance to explain yet and instead he ran away. He couldn’t bear to look at whatever Gen’s expression was on his face. He just let his emotional state take over, despite every inch of him screaming at him to turn around and explain himself. Anything more than what he did. But he knew couldn’t return, nor face Gen and now Gen was left in his room, having to deal with the stupid confession.
It was unlike Hoshina to lose composure, and not just play it off. He wasn’t afraid of rejection, or so he thought. Before Mina gave him the position as her vice-captain. He had been rejected over and over again, but yet still fought for what he wanted. So why couldn’t he do it now?
Because what Hoshina realised was that he couldn’t bear to lose Gen. Death was already something he refused to think about right now, he knew the stakes. He wasn’t stupid. Yet the need and want to have Gen be his, was stronger than anything. Yet seeing that confused and almost angry expression on Gen’s face threw him off completely. The edges of his eyes sting from the forming tears, which he quickly wipes away. Crying wasn’t going to solve this. A frustrated groan left Hoshina’s lips, as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“What the fuck was I thinking?”