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There weren’t many people out there that would dare to break into the private quarters of Okita Sougo, he was after all the 1st division captain of the Shinsengumi. Kamui, however, was an exception to this.
The day he realized Sougo did not lock the doors to his quarters, he began routinely breaking in and waiting for the Shinsengumi patrols to end. Kamui knew that if Sougo did not want him breaking in, he could simply lock the doors. Doors normally would not stop him, but if Sougo did in fact lock his door any particular day, the surprisingly observant redhead knew that Sougo wanted to be alone, and respect his wishes.
Kamui’s thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sliding of the door, Sougo absentmindedly opened the door and leaned against the doorframe, letting out a sigh upon seeing the pirate sitting casually on his kotatsu yet again.
“Again? Why do you keep breaking into my room? What are you, an obsessed ex girlfriend?” Sougo mocked dryly, as he made his way to sit across from him. He was tired after a long day of work with the Shinsengumi and was hoping to relax under the warm kotatsu.
“Oink oink, that's all I hear. Sorry I don't spear piggy. Piggy left his pen unlocked again” Kamui teased with a big grin.
“Don’t flatter yourself, I only leave my door unlocked because anyone stupid enough to break in is just asking to get killed.”Sougo rolled his eyes.
“Yet I’m sitting here, still alive.”
“You’re a special type of stupid. Now what do you want?”
Kamui stared at Sougo, flashing him his signature smile. The smile meant kamui was going to murder you if it was directed towards others – as he believed in sending the dead off with a smile as a symbol of respect. However, for Sougo it just meant that Kamui wanted to compete against him yet again.
“Give me your hand.” Kamui stated, as though it was a natural request and reached across the table to grasp Sougo's hand. Kamui propped his elbow up, resting them on the familiar kotatsu.
Sougo grasped Kamui’s hand, noticing the natural warmth the Yato gave off. Kamui had explained once to him that Yato tend to have higher body temperatures due to their regenerative blood, as well as fast metabolism. He was caught off guard the last time they had an arm wrestle as Sougo’s hand was naturally cold, but it almost felt nice. Almost.
Kamui stared at their hands that were clasped together in a battle of their own, the way Sougo’s fingers were curled up against his, his firm grip, the way his hands were smaller than Kamui’s own, the way the direct contact made him feel as though electricity was being sent throughout his body. He could easily slam Sougo's hand down, whenever he wanted to. He was using the minimal amount of strength necessary to keep their hands at a stalemate. Kamui didn’t know why he wanted to have this close contact with Sougo. He didn’t understand fully why he noticed the way Sougo kept up his smirk, even as his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He could tell that the brunette had gotten stronger since their last arm wrestling match. Kamui could even tell that Sougo was exerting all of the force his body could muster in trying to make Kamui’s hand budge, even slightly.
Kamui had gotten stronger too, he was determined to drag out the game as long as he had to – without it getting suspicious. He told himself that he was just messing with him, that he just wanted to have an excuse to inevitably slam Sougo's hand on the table, claim victory, and force him to pay for dinner. Kamui tried convincing himself that he didn’t notice the way Sougo’s hand felt perfect clasped against his, the same hands that gripped his sword when they engage in sparring matches, the same hand that pulls the trigger on his bazooka, the same one that his own was locked together with.
As his azure eyes met Sougo's vermillion, Kamui realized Sougo was straining to hold his ground. Sougo interrupted Kamui from his thoughts, “Do I have something on my face.”
“I just want to see what sort of expression you’d have when getting beaten by a criminal.”
Kamui slammed Sougo’s hand down on the table, followed by a loud thud. Kamui loosened his grip, yet didn’t let go. He didn’t want to let go. Kamui liked the way Sougo’s hand felt against his; compared to his own, Sougo’s was surprisingly softer. Kamui had callouses from years of hand to hand combat. He knew he couldn’t keep holding his hand forever, nor did he want to be questioned by the samurai as to why he was still grasping onto his hand. Frankly, Kamui didn’t know the answer either, he just knew that he liked the way Sougo’s hands felt.
“Oi, let go boar. The match is over.” The familiar nickname brought Kamui back from his trance, he looked up at Sougo and smiled as he always did. He wasn’t sure if that was his imagination, but Sougo almost seemed embarrassed.
“You have surprisingly soft hands for a policeman. Guess I’m the stronger one since mine are more worn out.” Kamui squeezed Sougo’s hands in a teasing manner, “They’re small too.”
“They’re normal sized you idiot. It’s not my fault you Yato freaks injure your hands a lot.” Sougo retorted, despite Kamui loosening his grip, he didn’t let go of his rival’s hand either.
“You’ll just have to keep fighting me to make your hands stronger then, I’ll roughen them up for you.” Kamui smirked at Sougo, “Now, didn’t we agree that the loser buys the winner dinner?”
“I never agreed to such things, you broke into my room.”
“Usually when people break and enter into places, they leave with something don’t they? I guess I should just leave with your wallet on my own then.” Kamui let go of Sougo’s hands, as he stood up and made his way to the door, merrily tossing the stolen wallet in the air, as if to further antagonize the other.
Sougo sighed, as he stood up and stretched his arms, “Fine, you pick the place. I picked yesterday.” He snatched his wallet out of the air, briskly placing it in the pocket farthest away from Kamui’s thieving hands.
“When did you even get this. I have to say, I’m almost impressed. Not many would dare steal from me.” Sougo walked with his hands in his pockets, keeping up with Kamui’s enthusiastic pace.
The sun had already set, and it was starting to get darker. It was a little past dinner time, but most shops were still open in Kabukicho. Sougo eyed the buildings around them, realizing that they were walking towards none other than his own favorite ramen shop.
“While Juliet was too busy getting lost in my eyes and holding my stronger hands, I swiped it from under the table.” Kamui smirked condescendingly, “I am a criminal that you failed to arrest after all.”
“I could have you arrested anytime I want to, but we don’t have the finances to keep an appetite of your size fed if we locked you up.” The pair made their way into the empty ramen shop, it was a hole in the wall location run by a friendly old man. The two had become regulars with how often they ate at the establishment; Kamui knew it was Sougo’s favorite from the slight change in his attitude whenever they ate there. Sougo always looked visibly relaxed at this restaurant in particular.
“Welcome back! Michiko, show our customers to the biggest table.”
The old man waved the two in, as he began preparing the usual. Kamui always ordered five random items from the menu, while Sougo always got a large cold Soba. This had almost become a routine for them, to sit at the largest table at the back, at least once a week as Kamui wanted to try everything on the menu eventually.
“Is she a new hire, boss?” Kamui asked the owner, as he made his way to sit next to Sougo – despite there being plenty of open space on the other side of the booth. Sougo had once asked why he chose to sit next to him of all places, which was only replied by the criminal stealing a piece of Sougo’s pork from his bowl.
“Michiko’s my daughter. Winter vacation is starting, so she wanted to start helping out at the shop. Gotta pass my recipes over before I pass.” The owner laughed at his own morbid joke, as he motioned for his daughter to help him carry the six plates to the table.
“You could always share your recipes with me, I know my way around a kitchen. Besides, my grumpy friend over here would probably cry if he couldn’t have your soba ever again.”
“Dad still has at least 10 years, so please come to our shop as much as possible until then.” The younger girl set down the last bowl of food, then began filling the empty glasses with water.
“Excellent business model, Michiko. You have to convince the customers to keep coming back.” He patted his daughter on her head and smiled at the pair, “I’ll give you two the usual discount as well since you’re our last customers for the night.”
Kamui and Sougo thanked him for the food, and the family left to give the two some privacy. Sougo was staring at his bowl of soba, thinking about what Kamui had just implied. He didn’t know if it was just a joke, but Kamui made it seem as though he wanted to cook for him. His train of thought was interrupted by a certain pirate plunging his chopsticks into Sougo’s bowl and stealing a large piece of pork. Sougo quickly grabbed the pork on Kamui’s chopsticks with his own, stopping him in his tracks.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Stealing.” Kamui simply used his superior strength to pull both his chopsticks, and Sougo’s own into his mouth – happily devouring the stolen pork. Sougo rolled his eyes and went back to eating his own bowl. He knew arguing with a hungry Yato was futile. If he had to, he could always steal some of Kamui’s food from the four untouched bowls. He suddenly stopped eating and stared at his chopsticks, realizing that Kamui had put them in his mouth; the realization of the indirect kiss sending an electric feeling through Sougo’s body. He chose to ignore the way his chest almost started beating faster. He knew better than to bring attention to the fact, as Kamui would just tease him.
“You don’t want that egg or something, you’ve been staring intently at it for a bit now.” Kamui leaned dangerously close to Sougo, eating the piece of egg directly from his rival’s chopsticks. Sougo quickly shoved Kamui’s head away, praying that the idiot Yato could not hear his heart beating faster due to the sudden proximity.
“I should arrest you right here for stealing all my food.” Sougo declared, reaching into his pockets to bring out a pair of handcuffs. He almost had a dark aura surrounding him and a demonic smile adorning his face.
Kamui shoved two pieces of beef using his own chopsticks into Sougo’s mouth, “There! We’re even. Happy?”
“I think I need more compensation, I charge interest you know.” Sougo responded, still holding the handcuffs out.
Kamui grabbed a piece of tempura from the other bowl and began waving it around, “This Harusame spaceship is looking for a place to land~ Open wide.”
“What are you doing, I’m not a damn ki–” Kamui shoved the whole piece in Sougo’s mouth, interrupting him. “Make sure you chew properly, Sougo.” He purposefully drew out the last syllable, as if addressing a kid.
The implications of this situation began dawning on Sougo. Kamui was feeding him– with his own chopsticks. He felt his mind slightly fog up, as the thought of sharing an indirect kiss with Kamui made him feel an emotion he could not pinpoint. He knew his heart was beating faster, but he didn’t understand why. He just hoped Kamui didn’t notice, or that if he did, he wouldn't point it out.
“U-Um, am I interrupting, I just was wondering if it was one check or two.” Michiko stammered, looked as if she had been standing there for a while–not wanting to interrupt the two engrossed in their banter.
Kamui flashed his signature, annoying smile and exclaimed to the empty restaurant “Everyone’s dinner’s on me tonight!”
“Sir, you two are the only ones here.” She began gathering the empty bowls of food that Kamui had swallowed at record speed.
“Exactly. Poor Sougo’s wallet here can only pay for so much.” Kamui handed the girl the stolen wallet, as she walked off of the counter.
It suddenly dawned upon Sougo what had just occurred, the bastard had stolen his wallet under the guise of feeding him. He didn’t question why the Yato was sitting too close to him–too preoccupied with his own thoughts.
He was just trying to take his wallet. Th all it was. It was nothing more, right? Kamui being Kamui and antagonizing him. It was their usual routine now, so why did Sougo feel his heart beat faster during it? It had happened during the arm wrestle too – when Kamui refused to let go of his hand. Back then too, it was just an excuse to steal his wallet, right? So why did Sougo not hate it? He shrugged, too exhausted to continue entertaining his thoughts.
Realizing he had fiat’snished his meal, Sougo turned to stand up and leave the booth, however a boar sat in his way. Sougo raised an eyebrow at him, “Why are you still sitting there, you already finished your food.”
Michiko came back and handed Sougo his wallet, as she took the last of the dishes away. Kamui showed no indication that he was going to move. He had an expression on his face that Sougo could not place ; but it almost looked kind of cute . He seemed to be deep in thought about something, when suddenly Sougo felt his hand being grabbed with a brutish strength; then his body was pulled back down onto the booth.
“Maybe after eating and growing big and strong, you can defeat me in an arm wrestling match.” Kamui stated, with a matter of fact tone. As though an arm wrestle was the natural course of action after sharing dinner together.
“I’m tired, but I guess I’ll entertain you. As long as we agree this is just a friendly match ; No money at stake.”
Sougo relaxed, wrapping his fingers across the back of Kamui’s calloused hands. He reflected on the comment made by the Yato earlier–His hands were smaller, and Kamui’s felt rougher. Sougo didn’t hate the feeling of Kamui’s hands entangled with his own; although he would never admit it, he almost liked the feeling. The way he had to exert almost all of his strength to counter Kamui’s strong grip. He knew there was no way he would ever win an arm wrestling match against a Yato–especially while playing fair–but he didn’t care. The uncertainty of the combat made it all the better; he knew Kamui was definitely holding back, letting him last a little longer each time, but he did not know why.
If he just wanted something to beat him in, Kamui could immediately win. However, he deliberately chooses to grasp his hand a little longer each time. It didn’t make any sense to the samurai, he remained oblivious to the pirate’s motives.
“Do I have food on my teeth or something, you keep staring at me.” Kamui’s familiar voice brought him back to the present, as Sougo quickly used all of his remaining energy to push back against the stronger arm.
“I just wanted to see what sort of expression you’d have when you win.” Sougo mirrored Kamui’s words from before, as he gave him an almost genuine smile.
Kamui stuck his tongue out at Sougo, slamming his hand down on the table for the second time that day. “Hey~ You’re stealing my lines. Get your own, you tax thief.”
“You don’t even pay taxes in Edo.” Sougo rolled his eyes, shifting his attention towards the clock instead. “45 seconds this time, I’m getting better at least.”
“Looks like my feeding worked, and it did make you grow a little stronger.” Kamui returned his smile, noticing the way it appeared softer than before. It sent a warm feeling through his chest, but maybe that was heartburn from eating too much.
The two continued sitting at their booth in the corner, hands intertwined. Kamui tried looking at anything but Sougo, but his eyes almost felt drawn to him. Sougo could feel his heart beating faster yet again, but tried ignoring Kamui’s gaze by staring out the window instead. It had begun snowing, yet Sougo didn’t feel that cold. The two were interrupted by the familiar old man’s voice.
“Shops closing for the night. If you two are ready to head out, we can lock up and leave as well.”
The raspy voice brought the pair back to the present, both quickly letting go and moving apart from each other.
“Thank you for the food, stay warm out there.” Sougo politely bid farewell. He may be more reserved than Kamui, but he definitely had the better manners.
“If you come here ten more times, I’ll even share the recipe with you for his noodles.” The shop-owner smiled as he locked the door behind them.
“We’ll definitely be stopping by more then.” Kamui waved at the father and daughter pair as he followed Sougo towards the Shinsengumi headquarters.
The pair walked in comfortable silence, with Kamui walking with a spring in his step. Suddenly, Sougo stopped, as he turned his head and stared at the sky. It had stopped snowing, it was a fleeting flurry, as fleeting as the touches the two shared when they clashed. However, the moon following was even more beautiful.
“The moon looks pretty tonight.” Sougo commented, as the moonlight seemed to soften his harsh features, drawing out especially how beautiful his vermillion eyes could be.
Kamui turned to the sky, then to Sougo, “It sure does.”