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It was a cold night, the fire they gathered around to rest had already gone out. Sugimoto turned over on his side as sleep failed to get a hold of him. He, Asirpa, Shiraishi and Ushiyama all laid close together, with Ogata being as far from their camp as possible. Sugimoto’s eyes drifted over that direction, gazing at the cloaked figure turned away from the rest of the group.
Sugimoto has taken the habit of observing the other man, studying his movements, the subtle shifts of his expression. The wildcat never failed to piss him off, get under his skin with that self-satisfied smirk on his face while never showing weakness himself. Ogata was an enigma. Sugimoto desperately wanted to figure out just what goes on behind that detached mask. Part of it was caution, he didn’t trust the other man at all, considering the reason he joined their party. His gaze followed him everywhere, like an animal stalking his target - but not quite.
A predator wouldn’t feel sympathy upon seeing his prey shiver in the dark. If he wasn’t looking so intently at the shadowy figure he wouldn’t have noticed, but Ogata was definitely shaking under his cape. Sugimoto felt a pang in his chest he couldn’t quite explain - was it pity? Empathy? Something else entirely? -, then against his better judgement he got up and carefully made his way over to the far end of the camp.
Ogata cursed himself for not wearing enough layers, he was freezing, and pulling his cape tighter around himself didn’t help either. The cold air has seeped through his clothes, under his skin, he couldn’t stop himself from trembling. He was so busy with his thoughts he didn’t notice someone creeping up on him until he felt the heat of a body against his own. He jumped instinctively, moving his arm to reach his bayonet which was never too far from him, along with his rifle.
“Hey, it’s just me.” he heard a lazy voice behind him.
Huh? Did Sugimoto Saichi finally come to kill him in his sleep before Ogata could put a bullet through his skull? That didn’t explain the hand resting on his side now.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked after a pause with unmasked irritation in his voice.
“Can’t have you freeze to death out here. Now sleep.” came the casual answer from behind. Way too casual for the situation that was unfolding here.
“I don’t mind the cold” he bit back, even though ke could barely keep his teeth from chattering.
He didn't know what to make of this turn of events, why Sugimoto would come to his aid, why he would leave the company of Asirpa and the rest to seek him out for a reason that didn't involve violence. Oh. Was he lonely? He wanted to embrace someone like a lover would? It didn’t have to be him, huh? He brushed away the sudden emptiness that came over him. He felt the steady heat of the man's body warming his own, the hand on his side radiating warmth. How can someone like Sugimoto store that much heat in his body? Does he have fire flowing through his veins?
He decided to make the most of these unlikely events; if Sugimoto offered himself as a personal heater, why would he refuse him? However, he was starting to get very uncomfortable with the position they were in. He felt small and vulnerable and there was nothing he needed more than being in control, so he turned over, facing the the man. This way, with their faces inches from each other, Sugimoto can’t pretend he’s someone else. He could also punch him in the guts if needed. Ogata couldn't win against the immortal in close combat but that didn't matter, riling him up to the point of no control would be satisfying. That beast then, would rip him apart and tear his heart out- He stopped his train of thought to look at the man before him.
Contrary to the calm voice he used before, Sugimoto's cheeks were so flushed, Ogata could make them out even in the dark. Cute. Cute? The sleep deprivation must be affecting him.
“Aww, is Sugimoto the Immortal lonely? Is that why you came here to fondle me?” he felt a grin tugging his mouth at indulging in his favorite pastime: annoying the fool in front of him.
“Wha- No! I’m not-” the redness on his face even reached his ears now. “I’m trying to be nice so can you just shut up?”
“No.”
Sugimoto groaned. He didn’t know what to expect but Ogata was being a pain in the ass. Why couldn’t he just stay with his back facing him? The intensity of that dark gaze boring into his skull exposing all of him, unraveling him was overwhelming. He was too tired for this. He pointedly pulled Ogata closer which earned a soft gasp escaping from his throat. Adorable. The way their bodies fitted together made Sugimoto’s heart swell but he wouldn’t admit it out loud. He tangled their legs together and started rubbing slow circles into the smaller man’s back (strictly for warming him up, he lied to himself), effectively trapping him. He expected the wildcat to struggle or headbutt him, or at least put up some sort of resistance, but instead he relaxed into his touch, letting out a low, almost obscene purr. Fuck .
Ogata will be the end of him, one way or another.
"Let me guess: you're not doing this because you like me…" Ogata mused with a hint of sarcasm and a smirk on his face.
But Sugimoto wasn't paying attention to what he was saying anymore. From this close he could see his eyelashes that softened his feline features. He was captivated by the way the man's lips moved, curling around whatever words he was saying, probably an insult from the way the corners quirked up. Oh how he wanted to wipe that smug look off his face. Preferably with his own mouth. His breath hitched. Was he really about to do something he could never take back? He wasn’t ready to face the consequences of the revelation that came upon him.
"Sugimoto." he loved how his name sounded coming from the sniper’s lips. He felt a finger poking his chest. "My eyes are up here."
He noticed. Of course he did. Sugimoto felt a surge of panic rising within him which only escalated when Ogata's hands went up to his face, caressing him, tracing his scar, seemingly searching for something within his golden eyes. His touch was gentle, unlike how the man usually behaved. The sniper’s hands were cool against his flushed skin but the sudden closeness made him heat up even more. Ogata seemed to have found whatever he was looking for because he slowly wet his lips and before Sugimoto could react, he closed the distance between them and Sugimoto’s own, pressing their lips together.
Sugimoto’s brain short-circuited. His world was shattered and put back together in an instant. Despite their circumstances, their clashing personalities, everything felt right in this moment. The man before him, this insufferable bastard of all people, was who he fell for. He couldn’t deny it anymore, he was in love with the sniper. What must’ve been a few seconds seemed a lot longer but Ogata finally pulled back with a satisfied hum, hands still cupping Sugimoto’s face.
“Did that live up to your imagination?” he asked coyly, his signature smirk in place.
It was so much better - he wanted to say but the tone of Ogata’s voice made him think he was being toyed with.
“Are you messing with me?” he snapped, grabbing one of Ogata’s wrists.
“Do I look like I’m messing with you?” Ogata’s brow furrowed.
“Yes you do?!”
Sugimoto wanted to scream in frustration. This was stupid. He let go of Ogata’s wrist and moved to get up and go back to his place by the remains of the campfire and sulk the night away, hopefully forgetting everything that happened this night. But now it was Ogata’s turn to pull him closer, holding onto the lapels of his coat, hiding his face in Sugimoto’s scarf. His anger quickly dissipated seeing the other man cling to him like this. He hated himself for being so easy to please.
“I’m still cold.”
“Huh? Didn’t you say something about the cold not bothering you earlier?” Sugimoto congratulated himself for having the brain capacity to remember that in this situation.
“Just stop thinking. You’re usually so good at it.” Ogata sighed.
“Wh-”
Sugimoto wanted to protest but he was silenced by Ogata placing a second kiss on his lips. Then another. And another. His hands started to massage Sugimoto’s scalp, ruffling his hair. He melted into the sensation which gave Ogata the opening he needed to slide his tongue into Sugimoto’s mouth, earning a gasp from him. It felt foreign at first but as Ogata thoroughly explored his mouth it seemed more like a missing piece that has always belonged there. The wet hotness of their open-mouthed kisses left him heady.
At some point he noticed they switched positions, with Ogata panting softly under him, one knee between his legs, the sniper's hands grabbing onto his back tightly. There was a rosy color tinting those permanently pale cheeks. They were less dressed than he remembered, his scarf discarded, Ogata's jacket open, shirt half buttoned. He took a moment to etch that view in his memory then leaned down to press wet kisses to Ogata’s jaw, tracing the lines of his scars - the scars he gave him. He continued down the line of his neck and collarbone, leaving bruises that would take more than a few days to fade, until the sniper grabbed a fistful of his hair to pull him into another searing kiss.
“Someone's eager.” he breathed, teeth biting into Sugimoto’s lower lip, hard enough to draw blood.
The feeling of pain and pleasure went straight to the pit of his stomach. Ogata let go only to admire his handiwork then went back to smear the blood between both of their lips. He looked stunning with disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, a mixture of blood and saliva all over the lower half of his face and it seemed like he felt the same judging by the amused look he gave him while licking his own lips. He bit down hard into the side of Sugimoto's neck. It took all his willpower not to let out a groan. Ogata lavished that sore spot with his tongue before travelling up to nip at his earlobe.
"Thank you for your service" he whispered before pulling back.
"W-what?"
“You did your job, I’m thoroughly warmed up.” he said nonchalantly, ignoring Sugimoto’s confused look.
Sugimoto was dumbstruck. Is he seriously going to leave him like this? It didn’t seem unlikely at all considering the man’s penchant for making his life more difficult. Still, this was beyond cruel.
“What the hell? What am I supposed to do now? Take responsibility you bastard!” much to his dismay, his voice sounded more pleading than threatening.
"Take care of it yourself. You know how to do that don't you?" if his tone didn’t convey his message, Ogata patting his cheek with a patronizing look did the job. “Do I need to remind you who came here to snuggle up to me in the first place?"
“Fuck you.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
He felt anger rising and grabbed Ogata by the collar, only to be met with a firm push on his chest.
“You leave me no choice…” he said with a dramatic sigh.
He flashed an innocent smile that looked way too unsettling, then started moaning loudly until Sugimoto clasped a hand on his mouth, a mix of sheer panic, embarrassment and something else on his face. He was suddenly keenly aware of his surroundings. He felt rather than heard Ogata chuckle beneath him. It took him more than a few moments to calm his rapidly beating heart down. Only after confirming that none of their companions woke up did he dare to remove his hand and speak.
"You're a piece of shit, you know that?" he sputtered.
"You wound me." his tone of voice suggested he wasn't offended at all.
Sugimoto fell back defeated.
"Don't be so sad, Sugimoto, there are more cold nights coming" he smiled as he pushed back the messy strands of hair covering his face. I'll be in your care then." his affectionate voice sounded almost sincere.
He placed a last quick kiss on the side of Sugimoto's lips, where his scar was. Then he positioned himself curled up by Sugimoto, head resting on his chest, as if he always belonged there and closed his eyes. Sugimoto brought his hand up to his face and screamed silently.
The rest of the night would be sleepless for an entirely different reason.