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“Dog park! Dog! Park!” Jin sighs, but goes to put on his shoes anyways as Toga cheers. “Hell yeah!”
“Fine, we’ll go. No more than 30 minutes, or fucking else .” He holds the door open for her to skip out, grabbing a hat before closing the door behind them.
It’s nice out, although a bit sunny for his taste. He grumbles, and Toga pulls out two massive pairs of sunglasses, offering one to him. After a moment, he puts it on.
She beams, “You look great! Like a model, or grandma.”
“ Why would you say that? Thanks?”
“A fashionable grandma, don’t worry.” She pats his head.
Before long, the dog park looms into view as a spread of grass framed by a few small trees. “Well isn’t this… something. Pathetic. ” Toga speeds up as her eyes lock on a small dog. She pulls a thin needle out of her pocket with a toothy smile.
Jin decides to go sit down on a bench near the road, in case he needs a quick escape. “ I wish she wouldn’t cause so many scenes, ” he mutters, “Get over yourself.” He reaches into his pocket, hoping for a cigarette but coming up empty. Right. Odds are he wouldn’t be allowed to smoke here anyways.
At least he has the warm air to keep him company. Toga is now going from dog to dog, petting some, drawing blood from others. That should keep her occupied for a while, and then they could go home for some peace and quiet. Jin’s so busy watching the park that he doesn’t notice the man approaching until he sits down next to him.
He’s tall, to say the least. “ Damn. ” Jin exhales, before looking away. Now was really not the time.
“Is it alright if I sit?”
“ No! Who the fuck are you, anyways? Sure, I don’t mind.” The man sits with a shrug, running a hand through short gray hair. He looks up towards the sun, closing his eyes with a peaceful smile. He seems like a cloud almost, something gentle and beautiful that just so happens to grace this sunny day. Can it with the cheesy shit. Fortunately, the internal argument is interrupted when, out of nowhere, the man pulls out a massive bulldog.
“ Wow. That’s the ug- ” He clamps a hand over his mouth, and for once in his sorry life decides to not say what he’s thinking. “Nice dog.” She’s currently snorting around the yard, maybe a foot away. She really is kind of ugly.
Still, the man lights up at the mention of his dog, “Thanks! She’s the love of my life. Just turned ten yesterday.”
Said dog walks over again, snorting every other step. He scoops her up into his strong arms, and her stumpy tail wags.
“She doesn’t like to go outside much, but I’m trying to convince her to be more social.” He smiles at the dog, and then looks back at Jin. “I’m Kan Sekijiro, by the way.” He looks embarrassed, “Probably should have introduced myself before the dog…”
He lapses back into silence, so Jin decides to fill it, “Call me Jin. Is this your first time here?”
“This is my second time visiting. I don’t get many free weekends, but I try to take her out whenever I can.”
“ Handsome and considerate. Score!” Jin’s eyes widen. Oh fuck, what did he just say?
Kan seems to be blushing, “Ha. Um.” He coughs, and looks down on the ground. His eyes widen, so Jin looks down too. Just in time to see the bulldog squat on his shoe. Then the gentle sound of dog piss hitting fabric starts. “Oh no! Please don’t pee on him.” Kan gently takes the dog by her collar to guide her away, and Jin grimaces.
“ Gross. What a personable young lady.” Honestly, he isn’t all that grossed out. His shoes have seen worse, but Kan looks a bit upset. His face is largely stoic, but there’s something sad pulling down the corner of his mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. I get how dogs are. With their piss. ”
“Oh, of course!” His face brightens a bit, “Where’s your dog?”
Jin scans the park, just in time to see Toga is chasing a group of pigeons. “Over that way.” He points in the opposite direction.
Kan squints in that direction, but shrugs. “I’ll have to meet her some other time.” Jin pictures him and Toga in the same room, and winces.
“Oh uh, it’s not mine. Just baby- uh, dog sitting?”
Kan smiles at him, “That’s sweet of you.” Jin feels his stomach flip.
-------------------------
The next time they meet, Jin is at a bar. Not the villains’ place, just a normal spot. It’s kind of shitty, with cheap beer, but they allow smoking and nobody he knows would be here. And then, like some miracle, or curse , Kan appears.
Jin freezes, cigarette halfway to his lips. He elects to turn away, and pray that Kan won’t decide to take a seat.
“One whiskey, please.” Of course . He’s only two seats away, and there’s only a few other people here. Jin pulls his beanie down lower. If he could just finish his beer and then leave, there would be no problem. Kan belongs in some sunny day, with his stupid old dog and squinty eyed smiles, rather than some dingy spot like this.
“ Kan. ” Jin winces. Shut up, he thinks, please.
“Jin?” Kan turns to face him, and there’s a smile on the corner of his lips.
“Hi.”
“How’re you holding up?”
“I’m alright.” They’re quiet, and Jin sips at his beer slowly. Staying here with Kan is starting to seem pretty appealing. At least, if he could avoid scaring him off. So naturally, he has to get nosy. “ What brings you here? ”
“Honestly?” Kan looks into his drink, genuinely considering the question. “I’m tired. Lots of long nights grading, long nights working… well, I figured this was the sort of place to go for some quiet.”
So he’s here to mope too. And then a hopeful voice whispers, keep talking . “You teach?”
“Yeah.” He pauses like trying to decide on something, “I love my kids, but they tend to get into trouble.” He sighs. “It’s a lot of worrying, you know? I want the best for them, but the world’s a scary place, especially in their position.”
“I kind of get that.” He thinks of Toga, and the rest of the League. The way he would fight to keep this place he belongs. “Can’t say I do anything like teaching. But I do have family. It can be scary.”
“Yeah, exactly! It’s a dangerous world.” He drinks more, and Jin thinks he ought to change the subject. So of course, he says the first thing that comes to mind.
“Well, you certainly seem like you can handle yourself.” Kan smiles and looks down. He’s blushing again, Jin realizes. Maybe he has a condition.
“I do try to keep fit.” He looks back up, and his eyes aren’t the brown Jin thought at first, but a dark red. He can’t look away. “You aren’t half bad yourself, you know.”
“ Ha, sure .”
“I’m serious,” he leans over to pat Jin’s arm once. Marry me. “Those are a fighter’s arms, Jin.”
“ And that’s flattery .”
“Nah.” He leans on one arm, using it to prop up his chin. His face seems a bit less tired, less drawn in than when he first sat, “I mean it.”
Jin laughs and leans away, hating himself for it. His cigarette is still burning in his hand, but he can’t find it in himself to bring it to his lips, to put the smoke between them. When Kan drinks again, Jin takes the moment to look at him. He has bags under his eyes, which are only emphasised by the orange overhead lights. When he puts down the whiskey glass, it's empty. Jin finishes his beer as well, so they order another.
When they finish the second drink Jin orders another, but Kan seems content enough to just sit and talk. They don’t say anything of particular importance, and Jin is sure to not give away too much about his life, but something about Kan feels significant. Even him pulling out his wallet to show dog pictures is interesting, in its own way.
It doesn’t feel right, of course. To stay and talk with a stranger far too nice to be real. The options of cursing him out, kissing him, running away, or just getting drunk enough to stop thinking are quite hard to choose between. Jin doesn’t want to fuck this up.
And the only way to do that is to turn and run. “It’s getting late,” he says. It is late, but that hasn’t stopped them yet.
“Oh, so it is.” Jin stands up, but Kan stands with him. Damn it. “I may as well head out too.” He puts on a jacket, then stops to write something on a piece of paper. He hands it to Jin, with one of those half smiles. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but I could use a non work friend. Text me if you want.”
Jin takes the paper, holding it gently. HIs mind loops around the word friend. This couldn’t possibly be real. “ Wow . Thanks. I uh, I will.” Kan smiles fully now, the sort where it reaches his eyes, and Jin feels breathless as they walk to the door. Once outside, Kan turns one way and Jin takes the other.
“Goodnight Jin.”
“‘Night Kan.”
Jin folds up the paper and puts it away, realizing that he might be in too deep. We are not texting him. He pulls out his phone, typing out “hi”
-------------------------
Next time, they decide to meet up for a hike. Kan had told Jin that he needs to stay fit for his side job. Jin could use the exercise, but he knows he only said yes so he could talk to Kan in person. That morning, Jin puts on his largest and warmest beanie. He can already feel a headache coming on.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this. Tired of him already?” His face in the mirror sneers. “Fuck you. I’m going to tell him who I am. He may as well know about you assholes if he’s going to stick around.” There’s a sharp split on the scar, the memory of an axe making it sting, “ I am you. Your thoughts, your true feelings. I’m the bits you like to shove away, clone.”
Jin runs down the hall to lean against the wall of his bedroom, sliding onto the floor. “Stop it.” His hands shake, so he reaches for his pack of cigarettes. He lights one, focusing more on keeping the lighter lit than anything else. After a few inhales, the voices seem to be further away. The nicotine and shit seem to be doing their thing. He coughs out smoke and rests his head on one hand.
Once the cigarette reaches the filter he pulls out another, this time opening up the window. Why are you like this, he thinks, looking at the stained bricks across the alleyway. Gray smoke drifts away in the wind. Then, his phone rings.
He picks up before he can think better of it, “Hello?”
“Jin?”
“Kan?” He almost drops the cigarette, “ Piss off. How do you have my number?”
“I- What? I’m just calling to make sure you’re alright. You said you’d be here ten minutes ago.”
“Shit. Yeah, sorry. I lost track of time.”
“Don’t worry about it. I was just nervous that something had happened.” He’s quiet, and Jin doesn’t know what to say. “Should I wait up for you?”
“ Of course not! Sure. The trail isn’t far from me. Give me ten minutes.”
He can almost hear Kan’s smile, “Okay. Take care Jin.” He hangs up, and Jin looks at the cigarette in his hand before extinguishing it to go put on his shoes
“You too.”
It’s been fifteen minutes since the call when Jin finally arrives at the trail, but luckily Kan is sitting on a rock reading. He looks up at Jin’s approach and smiles.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” Jin can feel shame coloring his ears red, “Look, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, really.” He pauses, “Would it be overstepping to say that today seems like a tough day for you?” Jin huffs out a laugh, so he adds, “Tougher than usual?”
“Yeah. Something like that.”
They start to walk, and Jin’s considering another cigarette when Kan looks over at him, seeming a bit more hesitant than usual. “Want to talk about it?”
“ Ha! Um.”
“It might help, but you really don’t have to. I can change the subject.” He does that smile, and Jin swallows down a no.
“Well. It’s kind of like. Uh…” He winces. Eloquent much? “Mind if I smoke? It makes it easier.”
“Like having something to do?” Jin nods, “Go for it.”
He fumbles for the pack and lighter, so Kan kindly looks away, focusing on the trail ahead. “A few years ago I was homeless, so I used m- a quirk to clone myself. And it ended fucking badly. ” He sighs, trying to not exhale smoke into Kan’s face. “The clones all fought until I was the only one left. It’s how I got this scar,” He pulls up the beanie, and Kan simply nods, face not betraying any of the disgust he must be feeling, “and it’s why I act strange, sometimes. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
They walk in silence again. Jin can almost feel Kan thinking.
The cigarette is almost out when Kan stops, and turns to look him in the eyes. “I can’t begin to understand how tough that must have been, but I want you to know I’m here for you. We’re friends, and I won’t let your past get between us. Please tell me if there's anything you need me to do.”
“ Gee thanks.” Jin looks down, not ready for how steady Kan’s eyes are. He takes a drag of the dying cigarette, almost embarrassed. “I appreciate that.”
They start walking again, and Jin tries to think of a way to word it better. Luckily for him, Kan takes it upon himself to break the silence.
“If you don’t mind me asking, is that why you sometimes say things different? Like contradictions and stuff?”
“ Whaddaya mean? ” Jin claps a hand over his mouth, and Kan smiles.
“Speak of the devil?”
Jin huffs, refusing to meet Kan’s eyes. When he does look up, they’re sparkling with humor. He stubs out the cigarette against a rock, and just before he throws it on the ground, Kan holds out a hand. Jin raises an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Put it in my hand. There’s no need to litter.” If only you knew what else we did.
“This was just on fire, I’m not gonna do that.”
“I’m tough.” He offers a broad hand to Jin, “Look.”
Jin slowly raises a finger to Kan’s extended hand. He trails a finger along the lines of calluses and scars. Jin’s suddenly aware of how sweaty his own hands are, now that he’s touched Kan’s warm ones. He looks back up at Kan’s face, only to see that he’s only inches away.
“I’ll just hold it ‘til a trash can, alright?” He tries to not pull away too fast, or lean in any closer, but the only thing that registers are the streaks of amber in Kan’s eyes. “ You’re gorgeous.”
This time, Kan pulls back. Both eyebrows rise, and compared to their normally low set, he looks almost comical. Jin could almost laugh if he wasn’t about to have a heart attack. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. Of course, Kan comes to his rescue.
“Don’t worry about it, I know you don’t mean it.” His voice is gentle, and Jin wants to scream. Damn that cigarette, damn his chatty voice, damn this overly kind man.
“Let’s just keep walking.” Jin hopes his voice doesn’t sound as strained as he feels.
---------
Kan looks sad, staring out at the city. He always has this guarded look in his eyes, like he’s watching for something, but today seems different. More contemplative, so Jin bumps a shoulder against Kan’s much broader one.
“Ouch. What are you, made of rock?” Kan gives him a half smile. “C’mon, somethings bugging you , so spit it out already.”
Kan winces, “Am I that obvious?”
“Only to me.” They pause, and Jin squirms, realizing just how much he means that. “If you want to talk…”
“Well, I have this second job, besides teaching. It’s kind of dangerous, and we recently ran into some trouble. I try to not think of it, but,” He sighs. “Doesn’t death sometimes seem too close? One wrong move, and everything you’ve ever known is just gone.”
Jin pats a hand on his shoulder, scooting just a bit closer. “I really get that. All the work to build up a world, a place for yourself, and yet sometimes everything else just seems intent on knocking you down.”
“Yeah. Yeah, you get this. It’s hard to talk about with my colleagues.”
“ So they’re all as emotionally constipated as you. Are you close with any of them?”
“A few… But at work I have an image. And I have to maintain it for the kids.” Jin often heard him talk about the kids. It was clear he would do anything for them, and sometimes he wondered just what Kan already had done for them. He was always expending the extra effort to help, always so noble.
Before he can really think about it, Jin places his hand on Kan’s, where it's fidgeting on his knee. At the touch, Kan stills and flips his hand so they’re resting palm to palm. He doesn’t say anything, but his shoulders just barely relax.
“You do so much Kan, but are you paying enough attention to the toll it takes? You’re so fucking stupid.”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
“When was the last time you took a vacation?”
He opens his mouth, and then closes it. “On the weekends I go to the dog park… And sometimes there’s a field trip.”
“I have a sister of sorts, and I can promise you that time around teenagers is not a vacation.”
“Ha! That’s true. Maybe I do need a break.”
“Do you have any weekend plans?”
“This weekend? No.”
“How do you feel about museums?”
At this, he finally breaks into one of those wide grins, “Jin, I’m a teacher. Is that not answer enough?”
“Would you like to hear more?”
“If this is you offering to do that infodump thing, then by all means.”
“Well!” Jin feels himself smiling as well, “It’s about 16th century crafting, and they have stuff like pottery and woodwork. I think you’d like it because it has hands on stuff. Also, there’s tea and restaurants nearby, which is good since it’s a bit out of the way.” He looks over at Kan to see red eyes locked on him. Jin falters, “Uh, so... I figured it’d be a nice trip.”
“That sounds great. You’re right, I really do need a break.” He shifts slightly, and Jin realizes their hands are still on top of each other. When he begins to pull back, Kan gently catches his fingers, silently asking him to stay. Jin flushes pink, and looks back out over the city, but puts his hand back.
“I’m happy to help.”
-----------
“So where have you been?” Toga is leaning against Jin’s doorframe, so he extinguishes his cigarette.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bruh. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“ Kan Sekijiro, thank you very much. Ignore that.”
She’s already pulled out her phone, “So what’s his instagram?”
Jin scoffs, “I don’t even have an instagram.”
Toga rolls her eyes, “Grandpa. Give me a minute.” She pulls out her phone, typing intensely. It's not long when she stops suddenly. “Oh shit. Is he buff, silver hair, x shaped scar on his cheek?”
“Yeah?”
“Dude. Dude, he’s a hero!” Her eyes are wide.
“ Awesome! ” Jin holds out his hand and she places her phone in it, still talking a mile a minute. He ignores her, but when he looks at the screen, there it is. The official instagram of Vlad King, pro hero and UA teacher. He doesn’t post often, but there’s a picture of his dog, and of a few books. Jin can feel the floor drop out from under him.
“Woah there, need your mask or something?” Toga’s already holding out a hat. He sits on the floor, leaning against his bed. She fits it onto his head and joins him on the floor. “Damn. You didn’t know that you were boning a pro?”
He coughs out a laugh, “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard. And we weren’t boning, we're nemesis!”
“Hm. He doesn’t know you’re in the League?”
“I guess not. Can’t imagine he’d want anything to do with me if he did recognize me.”
“You could still stay his friend! Just be extra extra careful when talking about your job. And home. And friends. Maybe not, actually.”
“Very helpful Toga.”
“Well I’m not the one who went for a UA teacher! You’ve probably fought him!”
“No,” Jin looks at the instagram again. There’s a picture of him in his pro costume, “I think I would remember him.”
“Pass me back the phone, I want to do some research.”
“ Tell me everything you find. No, don’t. Ugh.”
Toga opens up google, and Jin leans his head back, pulling the hat over his eyes. It’s quiet except for her typing and his uneven breathing.
Toga whistles, “Have you seen his hero costume? Tits out! You’d definitely remember that!” More typing, “He looks kinda old though. Didn’t know you were into the silver fox thing.”
“ He’s like eight months younger than me! “
“So he is. Weird.”
“What are you even doing?”
“Just research! I want to know more about your beau. Also because he teaches the same year as 1-A and there could be good info in here.” He doesn’t have to look to know that she’s probably doing her manacial grin especially reserved for that class. “Oh cool, a blood quirk!”
He lifts the hat up from one eye. “Fuck, Toga. He talks about his kids all the time… Oh god what have I done. I can never see him again.”
“I dunno, you’ve made it work so far. Maybe just play it by ear? He is kinda hot, and you’re very single.”
“Not really helping.”
“Just think about it.” She stands up, “How long have you been talking with him anyways?”
“Two months.” he says, miserable.
“Oh dude,” she pats his head, “you’re in deep.”
“I know.” When the door closes behind her, he reaches for a cigarette.
----------
Jin’s at the bar again, the one where they first hung out. He tells himself it’s just because the bar’s out of the way, but as he slowly sips his whiskey, he keeps finding himself glazing at the door. Nothing quite like a villain smoking into his drink while pining over a hero.
“What a mess.” he says, hoping the bartender will continue to ignore him. His phone lights up with a text. It’s Kan, of course
Kan 9:33 <Hey, when are you free next? Work’s been light lately>
Jin winces, remembering what work it is that he does. HIs finger hovers over the block button.
Jin 9:34 <Actually, I’m free now!>
Jin 9:35 <Not really. Sorry.>
Kan 9:35 <If that is an offer, I’m also free now>
Kan 9:36 <It is a friday, after all>
Jin sighs, taking another sip. “Why are you being so difficult? This won’t end well for either of us. I want to see him. ” Before he can stop himself, he’s already sent off his location. “Shit. Time to go.”
He figures ghosting will send enough of a message, so he downs the rest of his drink, pulls on his jacket, and tries to head to the door. Except he won’t stand up.
“For once, cooperate! Let’s just go. No. One last meeting sounds great! ” Jin huffs, but resigns himself to sitting. Taking a deep inhale of his cigarette, he decides to give Kan five minutes to show.
He arrives in four.
“Jin, hey.”
“Hi.” He tries to not look at Kan for longer than is strictly necessary.
“How are you doing?”
“ I’ve been well. We need to talk. I know what you do.”
Kan frowns slightly. “Oh.”
“Vlad King, right?” Jin sighs, “I’m sorry, but it won’t work between us.” He tries to sound as final as possible, but he makes the mistake of looking up, and Kan’s eyes are determined and gentle. He looks sad, but not resigned. The exact bits of him that Jin loves- loved, so much
“If it’s just because of that, then I’m sorry. I can’t stop being a hero. But I can promise that I won’t let you get hurt, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Jin shakes his head, “What is it? I do want to make this work.” He’s quiet, and finally looks away. “I wish you would tell me what’s really bugging you, because I don’t think it’s just that.”
Jin can feel his temper flare, and he tries to swallow it down, tries to keep this as quick as possible. “I just can’t see you fitting into my life.”
“I’d imagine it would be a lot like how I did before.” His voice is just a little sad, and Jin knows that behind it is a lot of hurt. He hates himself for being the cause.
“I have my own job, and you being a hero just complicates things too much.”
Kan’s quiet, “I can take care of myself, but I don’t think that’s what this is about.” Jin nods, hoping he’ll just give up. Then he keeps talking, “I have a feeling that your home life is tough. Has been tough, I imagine, for a while. So I get that me being a hero might make it harder. But, I think we could work, if you gave us more time. If you really want to say goodbye, I won’t push anymore. Just know that I am willing to be by your side, if you’ll have me.”
Jin’s been trying to focus on the grooves of the counter instead of the words Kan says, but right now every voice in his head is tuned into the man next to him. He sounds so honest, like he would be willing to do all he could just to keep Jin in his life. He’s too good to be true, just let me look at him one last time.
Jin stubs out his cigarette. “I’m afraid I have to go.” He stands up, at last. Kan nods, and closes his eyes tiredly. They seem extra shadowed, his hair rumpled. He must have been running his hands through it while he spoke. Jin’s overcome with a rush of something, and turns around.
He raised a hand, unsure of what it will do next, but it gently holds Kan by the jaw, cradling around the strong bone. Kan’s eyes fly open, his lips part slightly, shoulders tense up.
“Jin?” It’s barely a whisper.
“Can I just…” He leans down, and Kan leans up, and their lips touch. When Kan pulls him in closer, Jin doesn’t try to pull away, instead tilting his head to deepen the kiss. All he can focus on is the feel of Kan on his fingertips, on his tongue. When he runs his thumb across Kan’s cheek, it’s wet. Startled, he pulls back. “Oh. Are you crying?”
Kan sniffs, giving him a wobbly smile, “Maybe. Sorry I just thought I would never see you again, and now… Sorry. It’s stupid”
“No, it isn’t.” He presses another kiss, this one on Kan’s nose. “I’m sorry for scaring you. I- I’m scared too.”
“That’s okay. We’ll face this together.”
“ Marry me. ”
Kan just laughs, and takes his hand. “Will you give us a chance?”
“ We shouldn’t. But I’ll try.”
“I’ll try too. I really do like you Jin.”
“Why? Don’t you have other heroes? Better people?
“You’re certainly good enough for me! You’re open and friendly, even though I’m not exactly the warmest guy out there. And when you look at me,” He looks away, and Jin can’t help but soften, “I feel like I’m someone who’s also good enough.”
Jin could cry at this reassurance, but there’s something more pressing he’s noticed, “How could you not be good enough? You’re amazing, noble and gentle and kind. I feel safe around you. Plus, you’re pretty hot. How can you not see that? You took a chance on a sorry bastard like me.”
Kan smiles, “If I believe you, then you believe me. Okay?”
Jin squeezes the hand he hasn’t yet let go of. “Okay.”