Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ryuuichi was already closing his clinic when Kotarou texted him.

'Nii-chan, are you still at the clinic? There's an emergency.'

'What's wrong? Are you ok? Do you need me to pick you up? Where are you?'

When Kotarou didn't reply anymore, Ryuuichi started worrying and he fought the blinding panic rising in him.

'He's fine. He's fine. He's fine.' Ryuuichi reassured himself repeatedly.

He paced around his clinic in worry, almost forgetting to say his good bye to his secretary when she took her leave, fiddling with the stethoscope around his neck uneasily. When he heard the familiar squeak of Kotarou's bike, he quickly rushed outside.

"Kotarou, what's wro-"

"Nii-cha," Kotarou greeted, standing over his brother calmly, completely unhurt and unscathed. He was supporting a male teenager in his arm who was about his age, slightly taller than him and badly bleeding in the head.

"-ng...?" Ryuuichi finished quietly, gaping at the injured boy bleeding in front of him. "Oh my goodness, is he ok?"

"Tch, Kotarou, I told you I'm fine! Really!" The teenager whined, not showing any sign of pain or discomfort at all. In fact, he was even grinning mischievously.

"No, you're not." Kotarou scolded lightly. "You're bleeding in the head, that's not ok."

"Please, let me check your injury. It looks really bad," Ryuuichi said in a worried tone, walking over to his new patient.

"Fine, fine. If it makes you both happy." The teenager allowed Ryuuichi to take his other arm before letting them lead him inside the clinic.

"So you're Kotarou's older brother? Haha, you're tiny."

Ryuuichi flushed at the comment. "Um, yes, I'm his older brother. Unfortunately, I did not inherit our father's height like he did."

"Nii-cha, this is Taka by the way." Kotarou introduced. "He's a really nice guy even though he runs his mouth a lot." He finished with a teasing smile.

"Hey!"

Ryuuichi laughed softly. "Oh, so you’re the famous Taka. My brother has told me a lot of interesting stories about you."

Taka perked up. "Really? I mean, of course he will. I'm like a cool guy at school you know. But you should meet my older brother, he's like cooler." 

'Oh, he has a brother.’

The brothers gently deposited Taka in a comfy chair before Ryuuichi retrieved a small first aid kit from one of his shelves.

Taka swept his eyes around Ryuuichi small clinic while waiting. "Wow... There's a lot of toys here."

"They're for my patients." Ryuuichi explained.

"Nii-cha is a pediatrician." Kotarou added.

"Oooh, I should bring my cousin here then. He's such a brat and loves toys too much."

"Um, this might hurt a little." Ryuuichi sat in front of Taka, holding a cotton drenched in antiseptic. "Do you want a stress ball?"

Taka snorted. "Nah, I bet it won't even hurt."

Ryuuichi looked at him worriedly. "I'm going to clean your wounds now, ok?"

"I told you. It won't hurt- ow, ow, ow!" Unbidden tears appeared in the corner of Taka's eyes and he shifted away from Ryuuichi's hands.

"It's ok. It's ok. You're doing a good job, see?" Ryuuichi reassured him in a gentle voice, unknowingly slipping into his doctor voice. "We're almost done, ok? See? Almost there. You're such a good boy."

Behind him, Kotarou stifled a laugh.

"Hey, Kotarou! I can hear you!"

"Taka, please don't move too much." Ryuuichi turned to his younger brother. "Kotarou, please get more cotton for me and bring the gauze as well. It's on the top shelf."

“Ok.”

When Taka's wound had been cleaned and properly dressed, tears still glistened in the corner of his eyes.

"I-I can't believe having my wound cleaned hurts more than getting it."

"I'm sorry, Taka." Ryuuichi sounded genuinely apologetic. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you get yourself hurt?"

"He did a skateboard trick for the first time, slipped and hit his head." Kotarou answered for his friend.

Ryuuichi turned to his younger brother with huge horrified eyes. "What?"

"Haha, it was fun though. I'll try it again-"

"No, you will not." Ryuuichi interrupted. "What you need to do is schedule a MRI and an EEG."

"Uh, oh. There's no need for those, Ryuu-niichan. I have a hard head anyway." Taka knocked on his head twice with his knuckles to prove his point. "Really."

"Absolutely not. You should tell your parents about it. Kotarou and I will take you home as well. Where do you live?" Ryuuichi stood up to take his car key on his desk.

"Ryuu-nii, there's really no need. I'm fine. I can take a bus."

"I'm not letting you commute on your own." Ryuuichi insisted. “You might have a concussion.”

“No, it’s fine. I get my head hit a lot anyway.”

“I’m sorry, Taka.” Ryuuichi said, surprisingly stubborn all of a sudden. “But I can’t let you go home on your own.”

Taka deflated before releasing a defeated sigh. "I-I'll contact my older brother. I don't want to bother you both enough already."

Kotarou walked over to his friend and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Taka said in a very soft quiet voice. "He's going to kill me."

'What...?'

-

It took only a few minutes for Taka's brother to arrive and when he did, Ryuuichi didn't expect a luxurious Lexus car to park in front of his humble clinic.

Ryuuichi must have been gawking because his brother nudged him gently on his arm. "Taka's brother is a professional baseball player. Do you want to meet him?"

"Uhm... I don't really know anything about baseball and I feel so underdress just looking at his car." Ryuuichi said, embarrassed all of a sudden. Taka's brother might give him one look and deem him unworthy.

Kotarou smiled at him gently. "Don't worry. He's actually nice."

"Nii-chan!" Taka shouted, knocking on one of the car's windows. "Get out of there and come greet my savior!"

The driver door opened and a tall, handsome man with short hair got out of the car. He leaned his arm on the roof of his car and glared angrily at Taka.

Ryuuichi's eyes widened and he took an involuntary step back.

'Oh no.'

"Taka," a voice growled.

Ryuuichi shivered at hearing his voice. It was the voice he could never forget, no matter how much he wants to. The same deep voice that whispered into his ears the night he lost his virginity.

"Haya-nii, stop pouting. You don't look cute and you're going to scare them." Taka said flippantly.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Taka’s brother asked angrily. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

"Yeah, yeah." Taka waved him off before turning around and grabbing Ryuuichi on the arm. He pushed the red-head forward so Ryuuichi was standing in front of Taka's older brother, the luxurious car the only thing between them. "You've met Kotarou already. This is Ryuu-nii, his older brother."

They locked eyes and Ryuuichi felt himself melt under the sharp brown eyes of Taka's brother, the same way he melted under him when they shared a night together. His knees buckled under him and he reached out a steady hand on the car to stop himself from falling over.

"Uhm, h-hello." He said softly, bowing his head politely to get away from the piercing gaze of Taka's brother. But even then, Ryuuichi could feel his stare on his nape.

When Ryuuichi looked up, Taka's brother was still intently staring at him. Ryuuichi fought the deep blush rising from his face.

'Please don't remember me.'

Taka's brother cocked his head to the side. "You look familiar."

'It was a drunken night. One drunken night when Usokawa dragged me to a bar.'

"Uhm... I-I don't-"

"Haya-nii, don't scare him!" Taka interrupted. "He's nice!"

Taka's older brother looked away to glare at his brother. "You," he said pointedly. "Get in the car. Mom will skin your ass when you get home. You have no idea how you made us worry."

"Yeah, yeah." Taka said childishly. "Ryuu-nii, thanks for cleaning and dressing my wound. Bye, Kotarou! Thanks for bringing me here!" He gave Kotarou a playful salute before climbing in the car.

Taka's brother sighed. "I'm sorry about my brother. I hope he didn't give you a hard time."

"It's fine. He's a really good kid.” Ryuuichi said, fiddling with the sleeve of his coat like he always does when he gets nervous. “Um, you should schedule a MRI and an EEG for him though since he hit his head."

"He gets his head hit all the time." Taka's brother murmured. He returned his gaze back to Ryuuichi and studied him intently.

Ryuuichi fidgeted under his hard stare. It felt like he was being undressed again. "Uhmm. Is there something else you need?"

Taka's brother blinked. "No, sorry. Thank you for taking care of my brother. And..." He picked a small card from his wallet and slid it across the car's roof to Ryuuichi.  "In case my brother bothers you again. You can contact me on this number."

Ryuuichi took it. 'I can't believe I slept with him first before getting his number.'

"Of course. Thank you."

"Thanks again. Kotarou, see you around!" Taka's brother lifted a hand to wave at Kotarou, his eyes though flittered briefly one more time to Ryuuichi before he climbed in the car.

When the Lexus car pulled out of the clinic, Kotarou approached him. "Do you want me to help you close the clinic?"

Ryuuichi blinked and tore his gaze away from the departing car. "Yes, thank you."

Kotarou stared at him for a few seconds, almost worriedly, before nodding his head and going back inside the clinic.

When he was sure he was alone, Ryuuichi turned the call card in his hand.

Kamitani Hayato

XXX-XXX

'I finally know your name.'

Chapter Text

Hayato prided himself on having good long memory. Or at least he did, when he was still practicing his Chemistry degree as an intern. Maybe pursuing professional baseball had tainted his once prized ability. It definitely had to do with those errant baseballs that would hit him out of nowhere on the head during training.

Those hurt a lot.

But not as painful as watching this so-called reporter make an embarrassment of himself by prattling on and sucking up to his teammates. 

He looked familiar though, but Hayato couldn't quite catch why, which is frustrating because this was the second time this month he met someone he doesn't know, looked familiar. The first incident though was more pleasant than this, albeit awkward. 

Kotarou's older brother. The flustered doctor with his frightened doe eyes. 

Hayato knew Kotarou through his younger brother, but he was certain he had never met the doctor before. Hell, he didn't even know Kotarou had an older brother. But just like this chatty reporter, why does he look so awfully familiar?

Hayato studied the reporter intently. There was NO WAY they were even remotely similar to each other - appearance and disposition. The doctor was endearingly timid and mousy with his beautiful red hair. This guy was as loud and as flashy as his blond hair and thick glasses. Polar opposite. Hayato couldn't imagine they knew each other but not impossible…?

"Oh, man! This is such a dream come true! I've been a huge fan of the baseball national team since University. It's an honor to finally meet all of you. I've watched all your games, listened to all your interviews, bought all your merchs! Amazing! Oh hey, can you all sign your signatures on my stomach so I can post it online?" He prattled on while vigorously shaking all the hands he could reach.

A senior teammate chuckled beside Hayato. "Who is this guy? And where did we pick him up?"

"A reporter," Hayato answered. "He was loitering outside the training ground and wouldn't leave no matter how many times coach tried to kick him out."

"And he's here to cover?"

"Next year's World Baseball Classic tournament."

His senior teammate whistled. "Well, he's earlier than the others."

Hayato shrugged. "He wouldn't shut up about that saying, what was it again? The early bird catches the juiciest worm, I think."

As if on cue, the reporter stopped all of a sudden and looked around. "Oh, is Kamitani around? I would like to interview him first." 

The silence was abrupt and Hayato felt his entire teammates' subtle gazes on him. He almost burst out laughing. He was notoriously known for avoiding interviews as much as possible, only saying a few words after a game when he's surrounded by reporters. He didn't particularly hate them but he didn't care for them either. Their manager frequently had to encourage him to speak up more during interviews as he was the rising star of the team and a young MVP to boot. 

And with that advice in mind and a motive to fulfill…

"Sure," he said without hesitation. The unheard gasp and shocked expression on his teammates' faces felt rewarding. He couldn't help the smirk on his face.

The reporter perked up and approached him eagerly with a handshake. "Ah, there you are, Kamitani! I'm so so honored to finally meet the new star of this team and a MVP at such a young age too! I'm Usokawa by the way. Oh, I believe we're the same age. That's amazing! It feels like meeting a god!"

Hayato stared at him unsurely. This guy talked a lot… and was still shaking his hand. "I wouldn't consider myself a value player yet since I still have a lot to learn from my seniors."

"Wow, and so humble! No wonder you are so famous with the young and the ladies! Not to mention you have the looks too!"

This guy was officially a sycophant who didn't hold back with his words… and handshaking.

Hayato looked down at their clasp hands. "Do you mind-" and stopped short when he caught a luxurious watch on the other man's wrist. 

Those practice balls must have really hit a vital part of his head because a Rolex watch was starting to look familiar to him too. God, he hoped he wasn't going crazy. He must have gotten a model of it from a sponsor but gave the gift instead to Taka. He wasn't quite sure.

The reporter pulled his hand back immediately. "Oopps, my bad! Sorry, I was really excited to meet you!"

"Nice watch," Hayato mumbled numbly, even when he never liked flashy accessories.

Usokawa perked up instantly, relishing in the approval of his fashion style. "Thanks! It's an expensive gift-"

"...I got from a rich girlfriend who I met at this bar…" Hayato muttered mechanically.

Strike One!

"Huh? Excuse me?" Usokawa asked confusedly. 

As if a light switch had been turned on in Hayato's head, snippets of memories came rushing back at him. 

"Kamitani?" A hand waved in front of his face.

Hayato blinked his eyes several times and focused on Usokawa's worried face.

He knew he had seen that face at a club somewhere.

"Nothing, sorry. I just… finally remembered something." He waved the reporter's worry away. "Let's go on with the interview." 

Usokawa lit up. "Ah perfect! So…"

-

"Thank you so much for the interview, Kamitani! I knew you were a great guy." Usokawa reached out to shake his hand eagerly again. 

"Uh, sure. No worries." Hayato wasn't used to this kind of treatment. He treated Usokawa the same way he treated the other reports - he answered the questions in a straight-forward, clipped manner. Most reporters found him reclusive, some understood that being in the spotlight wasn't his comfort zone. This guy treated every word he said like gold. He was revoltingly optimistic. Or a suck up.

Hayato didn't particularly hate or dislike him but he was someone Hayato could tolerate for a short period of time. Either way, he was certain who this guy was now. 

"Any last words for your fans?"

"Thank you for your support. Please support our charities and outreach programs as well." Hayato said.

"Amazing! And you're such a cool guy too!"

"Um, so…" Hayato started, already regretting this decision. He could already feel the gaze of his teammates on him again. He never did small talks with interviewers at all, so this was an interesting sight to behold. He was bound to get a lot of teasing from his seniors later in the locker room. "What do you do in your freetime?"

Usokawa looked pleasantly surprised. It seemed like no one cared enough to ask him this question before. "Me? Oh, well. I travel a lot and do photography!"

"And after work?" Hayato urged on.

"Oh, uhm, clubbing. I usually go with friends to unwind at-"

"Ginza?"

"YEAH!" Usokawa cried excitedly. "How'd you guess?"

Strike Two!

Hayato shrugged, "You look like someone with great taste."

The reporter's eyes danced in delight. Hook, line, and sinker.

"I know a lot of people there! Would you like to come along with us next time?"

"Nah," Hayato replied. "Clubs aren't my thing, but I do have a favor to ask you after you interview the rest, if you don't mind."

Usokawa was practically bursting with excitement at this point. "Not at all!"

-

When Usowaka had interviewed the rest and had surprisingly convinced everyone in the team including their coach to write their signatures on his stomach, he sauntered over to Hayato with a spring in his steps and a triumphant smile. 

"Truly, your team is the best, Kamitani! And now, how can I help you?"

"You mentioned you know a lot of people."

"Yes, the life of a reporter!" Usokawa said proudly.

"We're planning to host another baseball workshop for kids this year. Our usual doctor can't be around to tend to those who might get into an accident. Do you know anyone who may be able to help us out?"  

"Hhmmm… a doctor." Usokawa rubbed his chin in contemplation. "Ah! Kids you say? Well, I know just the right person! It so happens, he's a pediatrician too. His name is Kashima Ryuuichi. Here, I'll give you his number so you can work it out with him."

Strike Three!

Kashima Kotarou. Kashima Ryuuichi.

"Thanks." Hayato's smile was a little less grateful and a little more victorious.

"Anything for Japan's national team!" Usokawa said smugly. "He's a nice guy so I'm sure he'll say yes."

Pushing his luck further, Hayato asked, "do you happen to have a picture of him? Just so I know what he looks like when we have to meet."

"I think so. Give me a minute." Usokawa scrolled through his phone. "Oh, here! Here you go. My dear friend Ryuuichi."

And You're Out! 

The face that peered up at him in the photo was the same face that he saw when he picked up Taka from that small clinic. It was also the same face that he saw when his teammates dragged him to the Ginza club for a victorious celebration.

Hayato couldn't help the grin on his face.

"Thanks," he clapped Usokawa on the shoulder. "You've been a great help."

Chapter Text

“I know this isn’t your type of environment but try to enjoy the night, Kamitani. You deserve it after all,” his coach said as he led the national baseball team to a night of celebration at the Ginza bar.

Hayato shrugged, “I don’t mind. I might not stay long. I have to drop off my brother to school tomorrow.”

“Oooohhhh, look at you being a good big brother,” a senior teased, messing up his hair. “You closed with him?”

Hayato smiled a little at that. “He’s a pain in the ass.”

The senior chuckled. “Well, let ‘im be a pain in the ass tomorrow, because tonight, we’re celebrating!”

He pushed a bottle of beer from god knows where into Hayato's hand before running off to the dance floor, cackling excitedly.

Their manager sighed and followed suit, muttering to himself. His other teammates had spread out on their own as well. The others joined the dance floor while the rest went to the bar. Hayato decided to choose a different route - the bar at the other end of the club where it was quiet and there were fewer people. 

He sipped on the bottle of beer as he sat on the bar stool, wrinkling his face at the taste. He really wasn’t a beer guy at all. He decided to get a glass whisky instead from the bartender. 

Occasionally, a teammate would approach him and ask if he wanted to join them on the dance floor, but he would politely reject them. Another senior teased him about a group of women openly ogling at him. He shifted his attention to the group and tried to remember the last time he slept with someone. 

It had been a while, and one of them actually looked really cute, then he remembered that his mom and Taka were staying the night.

"Nah, not tonight." He said to his senior, who pouted.

"Aw, they really wanted to know your name and number too." Hayato broke into a crooked smile before returning to his drink.

He was on his last glass of whisky when someone bumped into him.

"Oh, sorry!" A worried voice cried behind him.

Hayato swivelled around in his seat and a man with messy blond hair, thick glasses and ruddy cheeks popped in front of his face.

"Whoops, sorry, my bad, buddy. You see, my friend here is trying to make me sit down because he thinks I'm "drunk"," he used his fingers to quote the word drunk, "BUT! I'm not drunk! I'm tipsy! Not drunk! There's a difference!"

The friend in question was a small red-haired man struggling to get his friend to stand up properly. Just one look at him and Hayato could tell he was someone who didn't belong here. In a way, just like him. He was still in his business attire. Doe eyes, a timid worried expression and surprisingly endearing for a guy. 

Red-head turned to look at him and bowed his head. "I'm so sorry about that."

"All good," Hayato said. "Uh, do you need help with him?"

"Help?!" The drunk guy cried, wriggling out of his friend's grasp. "I can take a seat on my own, thank you very much!" 

He stumbled a few times until his friend couldn't help it anymore and gently directed him to the high stool beside Hayato’s.

Well, this was an interesting pair. Hayato thought to himself. A guy who would definitely get himself into trouble and another guy who’s helpless to stop it from happening. Hayato watched them curiously from the corner of his eyes.

“Usokawa, are you sure you’re ok?” Asked the red-head, looking lost and out of place.

"God, Kashima, how many times do I have to tell you I'm fine?"

"Maybe we should go home already." The red-head, apparently called Kashima, suggested.

"WHAT?" The drunk guy exclaimed incredulously. “Already? Kashima, you just got here. I told you, you need to relax and let loose once in a while. Your brother will be fine. And, hey! Who knows maybe you'll finally meet a guy here?"

Even under the dim lighting of the club, Hayato saw Kashima’s entire face burn red, almost looking like a bride before her wedding night.

“I-I don’t-”

“You see this watch?" The drunk guy punched his arm up to the air, almost toppling over in the process. Hayato caught the golden glint of a Rolex watch on the guy's wrist. "It's an expensive gift I got from a rich girlfriend who I met at this bar. So if I can get a girl, you can get your guy."

“I-it’s not like that-”

“Hey, bartender!” The drunk guy swiveled away from Kashima to face the bartender behind the bar. “Give him the strongest you got. It’s on me!”

"I don't drink strong alcohol, Usokawa." The red head's eyes were wide as a plate. 

"Tonight you will!" The drunk guy insisted. "Trust me, it only tastes bad the first time but once you get used to it, you'll keep coming back for more. Here!"

He pushed a glass of liquid that looked innocuously fruity to the other man's reluctant hand.

"Uhm…" Kashima looked up hesitantly.

"Oh, come on. A glass or two and we can go." 

Releasing a resigned sigh, the red head squeezed his eyes shut as he knocked back the glass. 

He came back for air, face redder than his hair, coughing hard and profusely. Hayato couldn't help but feel a little bad for him. His friend patted him proudly on the shoulder though.

"See? Not so bad, huh?" 

"I need water," the red head coughed miserably.

"Bartender, a cup of water and another one of the drink you gave him please!"

"What?!" This time the red head's expression looked absolutely frightened.

"Aw, Kashima, let me dance one more time before we goooo. Please!" The drunk guy placed the new glass in front of his friend. "And while you wait, why not enjoy one more? Slowly this time, ok?" 

At this point, Hayato was sure this Kashima was a pushover because he just sighed deeply before saying 'alright'. 

The drunk guy immediately ran towards the dance floor with a loud excited whoop. Kashima resigned himself to his drink, this time sipping slowly and surely. His face was getting redder in the process. 

And maybe it's the alcohol talking in Hayato's head but the red head actually has a cute face and a soft, gentle appearance that seems to captivate Hayato. A small face, long lashes, red plush lips that are delectable…

Hayato shook his head. Yeah, it's the alcohol talking. Time to go home. 

He called the bartender for his bill and was about to stand up to leave when someone sat on the stool beside him.

"Oh, you're so cute~ What's your name?" A female voice purred beside him. 

Hayato turned towards the voice, but the question wasn't for him though. It was for Kashima, who was at this point completely drunk. 

The woman was leaning towards the red head, and Hayato couldn't deny that she looked sexually appealing in her red shimmery dress and high heels. Pretty but also dangerous. 

Kashima swiveled in his seat to face the woman. "H-huh? S...orry?" He tilted his head to the side in a manner that reminded Hayato of a small puppy.

The woman giggled. "I said what's your name, you cutie." She reached out a hand to pinch his cheek, making the redhead freeze in his seat. This seemed to sober him up a little though because he blinked a few times and started to look around.

"Oh, I just realized - where's my friend?" He started to stand up from his seat but tripped clumsily on his feet. The woman caught him on his arm and steadied him, a catty smile on her red lips.

"Nevermind about your friend. You can look for him later. Why don't you come with me and my friends to have some… fun?" The way she purred the word fun sent a shiver along Hayato's spine.

Hayato knew exactly where this was going. Stranger or not, he knew he had to stop it from happening, especially when the poor guy was dragged here in the first place by his friend.

Hayato rushed towards them and pushed the woman aside, gripping the smaller man on this shoulder and pulling the red head towards him.

"What the hell-" She shrieked but stopped when she caught Hayato's tall frame. She crossed her arms and raised a well-groomed eyebrow instead.

"Sorry, he's with me." Hayato leveled her with a sharp look. And much to his surprise and even the woman's, Kashima wrapped his arms around him and buried his face in his chest. 

What the hell?

"Oh, I see. Ok. " The woman wrinkled her nose before whipping her head around and strutting off. 

Hayato thought the smaller man would let go of him once the woman was gone but instead the red head clung to him tighter.

"Alright, she's gone. You can let go now." He tapped the redhead on the back but he didn't move at all or respond.

"Uhm, I need to go." Hayato tried to push him away but he didn't budge an inch. 

Eventually, the red head slowly looked up at Hayato with wide teary eyes.

"Mister, I don't feel good."

Oh, fuck.

"Wait, don't throw up here. I'm bringing you to the restroom." 

"No, no, no! Not there please!" He cried, clinging to Hayato even more. "It's cramped and tight there and I just want some fresh air."

Hayato sighed deeply. "Alright, I'm bringing you outside but you need to let go of me first." 

The smaller man nodded his head before slowly unwrapping his arm. He was strangely compliant and obedient as Hayato led him out of the club by the elbow, but that’s most likely the alcohol in his head.

Once they were outside, the refreshing night breeze must have reinvigorated the redhead’s strength because he immediately dashed towards the road. Hayato quickly followed to stop him from getting run over.

“Hey, are you stupid? Where are you going?” Hayato held him by the arm.

The smaller man turned to look at him with an endearingly confused expression. “Home.”

Hayato sighed, “Let’s go back inside so your friend can bring you home.”

His eyes started tearing up again and his lips wobbled. He looked seconds away from crying his heart out. “B-But that means we have to go back inside and it’s noisy and cramped in there.”

Hayato resisted the urge to rub his temple. It was like taking care of Taka all over again. Except this one actually had a cute face, and to be fair, he was drunk. 

“Ok, I’m calling you a cab. Are you sober enough to remember your address? What’s your name again - Kajima?”

The redhead giggled. “Ka...Shi...Ma.”

Hayato pulled out his phone and opened a Taxi app. “And your address?”

“Hey, mister. I just realized under the streetlight you look really handsome.”

Hayato snapped his head up, “what-”

Before Hayato could finish, a pair of arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Soft, plush lips that tasted strongly of alcohol and a warm body pressed wonderfully against him. It ended quickly though and before he could react, the redhead passed out and slumped against him. Hayato quickly caught him before he could fall on the pavement.

In his arms, Kashima was fast asleep. Hayato released a deep breath. “Goddammit.”

---

It was already too late to regret this. Hayato already dug himself deep in this mess anyway, so he might as well test the length of his own kindness and patience. His mother always complained that he was too impatient and unkind, especially to his little brother, so this could be a golden opportunity to prove her wrong and that he could actually be a good samaritan. 

With the small redhead dozing off soundly on his back, Hayato quickly unlocked the door of his condo before toeing off his shoes. He sat Kashima on a nearby chair before taking off his shoes as well.

The extra rooms in his condo were currently occupied by his mom and Taka, so this meant that this guy would be sleeping in his room and Hayato had to crash on the couch. Guess it’s for the best. At least, he would know if the other man was up to something, but at this point, Hayato really doubted it. From what he had seen and experienced tonight, Kashima was most likely as innocent and as sweet as he looked.

Hayato picked him up again and quietly walked over to his room. In hindsight, if Taka and the old hag were not around, he would be bringing that cute girl from that group he saw at the club. Now that you look at it, Kashima looked a little bit like that girl. And to put it into perspective, had he met the redhead in a normal situation at the club, he might be bringing him back here but in a different… context. 

He almost stumbled on his feet at the thought and cursed himself internally. Eventually, he reached his own room and made his way towards his bed. 

At that moment, Kashima murmured something in his ear.

"What?" Hayato stopped in his tracks. 

"Thirsty… Kotarou…"

"Yeah, that's not my name." Hayato realized just now that he hadn't introduced himself yet to this guy. To be fair, both weren't able to introduce themselves properly considering the situation. "Let me put you in bed and I'll get you some water."

He received a soft snore as a reply.

Hayato gently laid him down in bed before walking back to the kitchen to get a glass of water. 

By the time he came back to his room, Kashima was standing in the middle of the room, in his boxer underwear and was in the process of unbuttoning his dress shirt.

Hayato stood frozen. "What the hell? Hey, what are you doing?"

"It's hot here..." Kashima whined, struggling with the last button on his shirt.

Hayato walked over to him and tried to button up his shirt again "I'll turn up the AC so stop taking off your clothes."

As much as Hayato enjoyed the view of pale skin, deliciously long legs and light freckles.

"Noooo!" Kashima shook his head like a child. "It's still hot."

He shrugged off his dress shirt, and to Hayato's horror, instantly started crying. Hayato watched him in shock and disbelief. The rapid switch in his emotions was giving Hayato a massive whiplash. 

"Shit, what now? Are you hurt?" Hayato stood dumbstruck. 

"I miss Kotarou." Kashima sniffed. "Where is he? Is he safe? I-I don't want to lose him too."

That name again. Who the hell is he? A boyfriend? 

"I have no idea who the hell he is or where he is but you need to go back to bed and get some sleep."

"Ugh…" Kashima groaned, slumping against the taller male. "Mister, I really don't feel good."

"What-"

Too late.

Hayato's eyes widened and before he could push the smaller man away, Kashima had already thrown up on his shirt. 

If only his mother could see him now… She would never accuse him again of being a heartless and unkind man. Too bad she wasn't around so Hayato could rub this entire scene on her face.

But Hayato's already stretched patience was thinning as well. Not to mention, he was getting really tired and sleepy. 

He counted to ten before leveling Kashima with a sharp look. "Ok, you're going to go back to bed and that's final." He picked up Kashima in his arms, who squawked as he was lifted up and deposited in the huge bed. 

"Wait, wait." Kashima grabbed his arm tightly before he could leave. "I-I'm staying here alone?"

"Yes," Hayato answered a little too sharply.

"B-But the room is big and Kotarou is not around a-and…" He looked up at Hayato with the biggest, saddest eyes Hayato has ever seen. "I-I'm scared."

Just like that, Hayato felt his anger slowly disappear. It's official, this drunk stranger, with his vulnerable and innocent expressions, was his kryptonite. Hayato hated himself for falling trap to it too quickly.

Hayato released a sigh. "It's fine. You'll be safe here."

"C-can't you stay here and sleep beside me, please?" Kashima had a look that reminded Hayato of a kicked puppy and boy, did that tug at his heartstrings.

And fuck it, he was also too tired to argue at this point. 

"Fine," Hayato released a resigned sigh. "Let me just get rid of this." He motioned on his clothes and the mess the redhead left.

Kashima beamed up at him before gently settling down in the bed and closing his eyes. "Thank you, mister."

Hayato couldn't help but roll his eyes. In just a few minutes, the redhead was fast asleep. He stripped off his clothes before throwing them in the cloth hamper. God, he could already hear the old hag nagging him about the mess. 

He tucked himself in his bed and watched the redhead sleep soundly beside him. Usually, when two people are naked or in their underwear in the same bed, it usually means they had sex. Sure, in a different context, Hayato doesn't mind a post coital cuddling session with Kashima.

In this case though, nothing happened between them, yet somehow, this feels even more awkward than one a night stand, and for sure, this whole situation would even be more awkward by tomorrow morning.

Hayato would just have to deal with it by then. 

Hopefully, he wakes up first before Kashima.