Chapter Text
Sako Kota/Togame Jo | Rarepair
He was not one to start a conversation, or come up to someone and ask questions. Sako could figure things out by himself. Never really needed anyone else's help. Showed no weakness, no fragility that could make someone think he could be broken.
Everyone saw that and that made it easy for him to deal with others. His sharp eyes helped with that, and that his responses were always pointed and somewhat cold.
Sako didn't care as much to conform to others or their rules. His group mates in Shishtoren saw that, especially Togame. If it was anyone who observed others well, it was Togame.
He knew that from the beginning, when he and Choji recruited him for their gang. Saw what great potential he had when he was fighting and using his skills to take down his opponents.
There was no thinking twice when they asked Sako to be in their group and it didn't take much persuading to accept.
It took some months for Sako to feel comfortable in their group, but like a growing bud, he got accustomed to their manners and no one was ever tied to something but themselves.
He had wanted to get into fights with others in the group but Togame or Wanijima would stop him before it even started. Sako had conversations with Wanijima in the beginning, asked where he was from, why he accepted their offer and so on.
With Togame, he had a harder time. Not because Togame was difficult to talk to, but there were times he didn't know what the taller boy was thinking. They were only a year apart, both had great skills in fighting and they were the quieter ones out of the group.
Sako couldn't really figure him out,
Togame was quiet in that he would be something like the never-ending evening sky, with all its colors. Like the large puddles of rain after a storm, the strong smell of wet concrete and soil.
He took time in talking, laying his eyes on anyone. Made it seem like he knew every part of someone with just a glance, he walked with such leisure and in no rush to get anywhere. Sako was a bit annoyed when he was getting to know them, Togame would let Choji do anything he wanted as long as it made the other boy happy.
Didn't know how their relationship worked, didn't know how any relationship worked until much later.
It was a challenge for him when they had brought in a new member some months later. The boy was much taller than him, much friendlier, and knew very little of personal space.
Inugami had become too attached to him, he always asked to go with Sako on errands and whatnot. A loud talker, that at times had no filter and took everything as an invitation. It made a lot of work for Sako, he had no good excuse to tell the other boy off.
It had happened after a few days of being put with Inugami on some tasks. that Sako could no longer tolerate him and Togame could tell right away. Before anyone could regret doing anything, Togame had called Sako over in private.
Sako was confused but went without much thought. "How 'bout you help me with some things later today?" Togame started.
"I'll send others to do the job and have Inugami do something else," Togame looked up from where he was sitting.
Sako nods his head and looks behind him, almost feeling relief for not being partnered up with Inugami. He leaves to finish off something and comes back some hours later to meet up with Togame.
Togame waits for him at the end of the street near the old theater, hands in his pockets. Sako makes his way towards him and anticipates him to start talking.
But he says nothing and starts walking, Sako follows and stays quiet all the way. Until he sees that they have arrived at Togame's place. This was the first time Sako has ever been invited to someone's home, a friend if that is what he could call it.
"I have junk I need to get rid of, thought you wouldn't mind helping," Togame said as he opened the door.
"Ah, sure," Sako responded. Having no idea why Togame chose him exactly.
They went inside and Sako wasn't surprised to see how Togame lived. It was simple but lived in, with a small kitchen and half a living room, a coffee table, some pillows and a plant or two. Not much wall decoration or anything but a rug near the entrance.
Leaving their shoes at the door, Sako awkwardly stood and waited for Togame's instructions. "I'll make some tea," Togame said after some time.
Sako hummed back and walked to the living room, looking around.
The sliding doors to the back of the place showed the sparse yard, a small porch and other apartment complex. Sako spotted a few windchimes on the porch but not much else. The smell of tea leaves filled the space as Togame poured hot water in the tea pot and brought it over to the coffee table. Setting the pot down with two small tea cups, he left to get the rest of what he had prepared for them.
The young boy had finally gotten comfortable enough to sit on one side of the table and waited. He felt out of place, like he was a piece of trinket not meant for a place so calm and clean.
"I have everything in boxes, there's a couple in my room and the rest in the closet right out here," motioning with his head in the direction of the closet.
"Here," as Togame pushed the plate closer to Sako. Dorayaki that he was saving for a better occasion and a few random butter crackers were placed nicely in front of the other boy. Being given on such a simple day, nothing exciting was going on other than helping out a friend.
Someone that could become a friend, Sako thought to himself.
"Have as much as you want, Sako-san," Togame continued, as he poured their tea into the small cups. He picked his up and blew on the rising steam, taking a small sip. The older boy sat on the other side of the table, staring out to his backyard, waiting for the right moment.
Sako took his cup into his hand and just held it there. The smoothness of the ceramic cup, hand feeling the too warm tea as it waited to be drinked. Sako knew what this was, a way to find out what was troubling him.
It wasn't the first time someone was trying to make their way into his head. Figure out what could be done to fix him, won't be the last time.
"I'll do better," Sako began. His eyes searched for Togame's.
On any other occasion, he would have pulled away. Spit out with fear and rejection that he doesn't need anyone, that it was on them for making the stupid mistake of choosing him.
This was different, he had nowhere else to go after this.
"If you think I'm being difficult.. I'm not," he kept going, eyes steady.
The young boy was going to start again, but Togame finally turned his face towards him. "You're not," Togame finally spoke.
"I know you're trying," he held his own cup in his hand, twice as big as Sako's.
Togame had taken off his jacket prior to sitting down with the other boy. Gave him a softer look, like the position of being second in command weight heavily on his shoulders.
The rigidness of his face washed away along with his glasses. He sipped on his hot tea and held their silence.
The older boy talked about his past, of his eagerness to grow up, Was always getting scolded by his grandfather, had troubles in school and even out of school.
He learned the hard way, felt he was unstoppable. Until he couldn't handle the fights, but he kept going and going. Broke a few bones and learned a few things here and there, yet his grandfather pulled him out of trouble.
He was drawn back into the beatings and punches. Couldn't make sense of it all.
But he found a home.
Sako listened with so much intent, found the control of Togame's voice much more engaging. He could sway to the older boy's voice, felt he was rooted like ferns on a cool day.
He left after he helped Togame move some boxes around his place. The sun had already set and Togame hadn't mind walking Sako home, but he declined kindly.
The boy came back again and again.
Wedging himself into Togame's home and life. Asking for his opinions, his guidance, the urge to receive as much information as he could. They had even potted some plants together, left them on the edge of Togame's porch.
Their feelings sprouted slowly but strong. Just as the wildflowers and dandelions Togame picked out, he'd come back with them in hand. A little wilted with their stems coming off, that's how the older boy handed them to Sako one morning.
Before anyone showed up to their worn-out theater building. They were the first ones there, a powder blue sky swept over their heads. Not even the roaring sound of the train passing by could distract them from each other.
It happened that some months passed by and Togame was the same he was since Sako first met him. This time, as Sako held his gift so delicately in his hand.
He couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face as he took Togame's callus hand and pulled him down for a quiet kiss. The ones that always melted away his worries, his composure, felt he was enough for Togame.
Togame enveloped him in his arms, and could taste mint and fondness on his lips.