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Now, let me tell you about a time when the moon was in the sky, and the sound of rain covered Yokohoma. And when two young men who spoke about many things that night.
It’s 2:30 AM when Tetcho returns to the base, drenched, cape slipped off of his shoulders and draped atop his head in a pitiful attempt to shield himself from the rain.
The door creaks open silently, and as he steps in there’s a clap of thunder and the room is colored in bright shades of white. Not long before returning to the original dim tones of the room. Tetcho takes a breath, slipping his cape off of his head as rain falls from his body and onto the floors.
Tetcho carries his cape in his hands as he locks the door, tiredly trudging himself over to the bathroom. Careful to not make a noise, for fear of dealing with the others complaining about being woken up at this time.
He slips into the bathroom and carefully flicks on the light switch, his eyes shut closed momentarily. Taking a breath of some of the familiar smells of the bathroom and his eyes peel open.
They stare at his reflection in the mirror, battered and bruised. Blood stains his cheeks but is nearly washed away by the outside, aside from the portion that has dried. Which is still evident on his face.
His hair is wet and matted, strands fray and others stick to his head. The two longer strands have decided to stick to his clothing and there’s a little bit of sand left in his head.
He places his cape on the sink and looks down at it, it’s wet, he’ll probably have to get it cleaned. His hand reaches down and tugs at his uniform, and he lifts it up slightly and stares at the stab wound through the mirror.
He takes a shaky breath. His eyes dart from the wound to his own face and back down to the wound. And for a second, just a second, it gets worse. And he presses his hand up against where its bleeding and his head hangs down and it takes him a second to recollect what he was going to do here…Right, patch up and get dry, that’s what he was going to do.
Admittedly, it takes him longer to dry himself; since having a stab wound that keeps randomly deciding it wants to unleash all hell upon the poor lad wouldn’t make it easier now would it?
Eventually he manages to get himself semi dry, he changed into something else. A loose black shirt with a single white stripe across the chest area, and some white shorts. His hair is semi dry, not really, but it’s close. His uniform is left abandoned in the sink, he’ll go wash it soon. But first…
His eyes cast down to the first aid kit taken out of it’s spot in the very back of the drawer, where it had been collecting dust. And he opens it. He knows that it’s probably gonna keep hurting for the rest of the night- because it’s likely going to heal by the next day, but what does he know? He’s never had one this big yet, or this bloody painful.
And so, with a prepared mental state, he treats the wound. Ocassionally letting out a small grunt and his breath sharpening and becoming shaky for just a few moments. Eventually, he manages to get it finished. Staring at the patched up wound and pulling his shirt back down, and grabbing his clothes and unlocking the bathroom door-
And when his eyes cast up he’s greeted by a familiar lock of white and red hair, and he stares in surprise for a second. Thinking that he had woken Jono up, before the latter huffs and crosses his arms. “For the record you did not wake me up, I was awake the entire time.” Jono states, before raising a brow. “Now what are you doing? Coming back to the base so late and- …why do you smell like blood and rain?!” Jono says, pinching his nose shut.
His eyebrows furrow in disgust. “You smell horrid.” Jono says, and Tetcho sighs. “Well then my apologies, but I could not take a bath since as you know, the majority of us should be asleep.” He says, and Jono’s hand leaves his face and he stares at Tetcho. “…what?” Tetcho speaks up, as Jono continues to look at him with closed eyes. Tetcho can feel Jono’s intense gaze and it’s weird that Jono is doing this when all of a sudden- two hands slap against Tetcho’s cheeks and his eyes are shutting closed.
“You’re hurt, more than one wound I’m assuming. Did you not treat one of your wounds? One of them still smells fresh.” Jono mumbles out. And Tetcho’s eyes open slightly to stare at him. “…No, I treated all my-“ Jono squeezes his face tighter, and frowns. “Yeah, mhm, yeah. Can’t lie to me, something is left untreated and you’re not leaving that bathroom until you treat it.” Says Jono.
Tetcho stares, brown eyes blinking in surprise. “But-“ Before he’s immediately shoved back into the bathroom and the door is shut. Tetcho stares at the closed door, blinking once or twice and sighs. He really did treat all of his wounds already…Did he miss one? Tetcho isn’t sure.
So, he double checks.
And low and behold- he actually did miss one.
So that’s why his back was acting up. There’s something wrong with it, apparently a large gash wound on his back. And it stings and it seems that when he changed it had apparently opened back up. He frowns, Jono was right. Tetcho sighs, and patches it up along with his other wound.
And then, he leaves the bathroom, Jono waits by the door with his arms crossed and back against the wall.
Tetcho stares. “Okay, yeah, there was another wound I missed.” Tetcho says, and Jono smiles. “See? I’m always right.” Jono mumbles out, and Tetcho rolls his eyes. “Not always,” he corrects. And Jono huffs out. “Excuse you? I am always right, I haven’t gotten a single thing wrong.” Jono says, and Tetcho fumbles through his memories.
“What about the dog bet?” Tetcho asks, and Jono scoffs. “Oh please, Teruko-san obviously cheated. She scared away the dog on purpose! Had she not interfered, I would’ve been right.” He says. And Tetcho has to restrain a laugh, as he drapes himself across the couch. “Move over.” He can hear from Jono. And Tetcho has to let out a muffled ‘no’ as he closes his eyes. “Couch hogger,” Jono bites back and Tetcho opens one eye. “If you’d like a spot just make room for yourself.” Tetcho responds, and Jono laughs. “I’m not sitting on an injured man, now make space before I change my mind and decide to sit on your wounds.”
Tetcho sighs, and sits up straight. Jono takes a seat at the very end of the couch, and Tetcho takes the other side. There’s a clap of thunder and Jono jumps for a second, and Tetcho’s gaze drifts back to Jono.
“Did you just..” Tetcho holds back a smile, not yet, he thinks. Wait for confirmation, his brain supplies.“Don’t you dare continue that statement.” Jono says, and Tetcho smiles. “Your scared of thunder.” Tetcho says in a slightly shocked yet amused tone. And Jono huffs. “I am not! It had just caught me of guard!” Jono says, before there’s another clap of thunder and he jumps once more.
“You are, definitely, scared of thunder.” Says Tetcho, and Jono scowls. “And? There’s nothing wrong with being scared of thunder! Many are.” He continues, and Tetcho smiles. “Like a kid,” he mumbles out pleased. And Jono throws one of the couch cushions at his face. “Shut up before I give you an injury you can’t heal from!”
Tetcho laughs, though they come out more muffled because of the pillow on his face. And Jono quickly shuffles over to push the pillow onto Tetcho’s face. “Stop laughing!” Jono says, and Tetcho continues to laugh.
“It’s not funny!” He says, annoyance in his tone. And through the pillow Tetcho smiles. “I’m-“ he’s cut off by his own laughter, “it’s not a bad thing to be scared of thunder.” Tetcho muses, and Jono huffs moving off of Tetcho and back to his side of the couch. “Well it is to me,” Jono mumbles as Tetcho removes the pillow from his face and his laughter dies down, his gaze casts upwards towards Jono. And thunder claps once more, Jono jumps, but for the time where there’s a bright light. Tetcho can make out the slightly pinkish tint on the latter’s face.
It spreads across from his face to his ears from what Tetcho can see in that small moment, and he takes a breath. And under his breath he mutters the words “Your pretty,” without realizing it. And Jono turns to Tetcho. His brows raised and his mouth slightly opened. “What- what did you say?” Jono asks and Tetcho blinks.
“What- I didn’t say anything?” Tetcho says, and Jono moves over. “No, I heard it. What did you say?” Jono asks once more. And Tetcho’s brows furrow flat. “I didn’t say any-“ But before Tetcho can finish Jono’s hand is pressing down on Tetcho’s stab wound and it starts to hurt again. All of his other thoughts are blurred out by a sharp throbbing feeling in his side, and his breath hitches. “I’m politely asking you, what did you say?” Jono asks.
Tetcho grits his teeth and he sinks farther into the bed. His brain’s clogged up by the feeling of pain that he doesn’t realize Jono’s atop of him, and their too close for comfort. “Politely?” Tetcho says. “Yeah sure, I don’t think you’re being all too polite right now- ow!” Tetcho winces when Jono’s hand pushes down harder.
Before Jono’s hand lifts off, and he backs away, Tetcho’s hand retreats to his side. And he stares at Jono, a confused expression covers his face.
“…” He stares, mouth slightly opened and Tetcho frowns.
“I didn’t say anything okay- Nothing worth of interest either way, are you sure you’re not hearing things?” Tetcho suggests, and Jono frowns. “No, I heard it. Did you not hear it?” Jono asks, and Tetcho frowns. “No? I didn’t even say anything.”Jono’s mouth opens and he stares. “But- what- then-“ He cuts himself off. Leaving unfinished sentences out of his mouth, when Tetcho winces. The stinging is back and it hurts even worse now.
Jono stares, and sucks in a breath. “Sorry,” he mumbles. “I guess,” Before turning to the side. “You guess?” Tetcho asks, and Jono lets out an annoyed groan. “Okay listen! That’s the best I can do right, alright?” Jono says.
Tetcho stares, before sighing. “Alright.” Tetcho mumbles out, and only then does he realized Jono’s on top of him, and Jono is keeping him pinned down to the couch. “Can you get off please? I want to head to my room.” Tetcho asks, and Jono shuffles away from the latter.
Tetcho sits up, and he rests his hand near his injury. There’s a bead of sweat that falls down his face, and he stands up. “Are you going to your room?” Tetcho asks Jono, who remains firmly planted atop the couch. “No, I’m sleeping later.” Jono mumbles, and Tetcho shrugs. “Alright.” He mumbles out, and there’s another clap of thunder as Tetcho slips into his room. The lights still off, and he sighs.
Did he forget to do anything? No, he probably didn’t. (He very much did, do your laundry kids.)
Tetcho stretches his arms behind his back, and shuffles into bed. Draping the blanket over himself, and tucking his head into the bed. Closing his eyes, and drifting off to sleep where no one can wake him.
Except,
Someone does wake him.
And his eyes crack open to see a figure in the corner of his room, standing there and not doing anything. “What the..” He mumbles, before there’s a strike of thunder once more, and light fills the room. Revealing Jono standing there in the corner, watching Tetcho sleep.
Okay, creepy, but it’s Jono, what else could he expect.
“Jono?” Tetcho mumbles out, and Jono frowns. “I woke you up?” Jono asks, and Tetcho nods. Sighing. “Mhm yeah, you did, what time is it?” Tetcho asks, and Jono hums. “Three thirty, I think.” Jono mumbles, and Tetcho sighs. “Did you need something?” Tetcho asks, and Jono stares. “No.” Tetcho huffs, and closes his eyes. “So why are you here?” Tetcho says, and Jono frowns.
“No reason,” Jono says. And Tetcho opens a eye. “No reason? Or do you just not want to tell me the reason?” Tetcho asks, and Jono lets out an annoyed groan.
“Okay, I’ll say it,” Jono sucks in a deep breath and he stares dead forward at Tetcho. “Can I, sleep, here.” Jono mumbles, and Tetcho takes a minute to recollect his thought and hold in his laughter.
Jono scowls. “Fine! I’ll just go back to my room-“ Tetcho lets out a small giggle and covers his eyes. “Alright, you can sleep here- the room’s big enough either way.” Tetcho says, and there’s a moment of silence between the two.
“No I-“ He lets out a groan. “-In, your, bed.” Jono says, and Tetcho blinks his eyes. “Like in my bed? With me?” Okay, that was unexpected.
Jono lets out a sigh, and nods. “Yes.” He says, gritting his teeth. “In your bed. With you.” Jono mumbles out, and Tetcho smiles. Jono is acting like a little kid, first with the thunder, and now with his bed. “Alright, Jono can sleep with me in my bed.” Tetcho mumbles out, shuffling over to the side, and Jono quickly moves over to the bed and makes space.
Tetcho watches Jono get comfy, and he sighs, shuffling onto his side and facing away from Jono. And his eyes shut closed. He’s just about ready to sleep, but it takes a little longer, with a new presence by his side it’s a little different, not a whole lot different. But just enough to feel weird.
Tetcho can tell exactly when Jono falls asleep, when Jono’s breaths become louder and when the weight behind him shifts and there’s a arm wrapping around his waist and Tetcho’s breathing speeds up.
Suddenly, he’s acutely aware of how close Jono is to him. And how small the bed is becoming, and how hot his face is starting to feel right now. Tetcho’s back is pressed up right against Jono’s chest, and his heart starts to race. And apparently even when Jono’s asleep he can hear heartbeats. Cause the arm around his waist tightens in protest. And Tetcho has to take a deep breath in. “Jono?” He calls out quietly, and thunder strikes again.
Jono simply holds Tetcho closer, pulling him closer to him and Tetcho can feel Jono’s breath on his neck and it’s taking all of his willpower to remain rational and not just toss around and gladly move into Jono’s arms.
“Jono,” Tetcho calls again, testing the waters once more, and Jono hums in response and simply snuggles closer to Tetcho’s neck. And Tetcho’s hand reaches up to cover his mouth. From shock, and from being flustered.
His face is heating up, and he is sure that if someone were to turn on the lights he’d be beet red. It’s also extremely hotter than before because Jono is so close and Tetcho can feel Jono’s heart beat. His back is pressed up against Jono’s chest, and they’re so fucking close together.
“Jono.” Tetcho calls again, and it’s quieter, more hushed. Because, Jono’s asleep, and if Tetcho wakes him this moment is over.
His heart skips a beat when he feels Jono’s other hand slink under his chest, and wrap around him. Now Jono’s got him stuck, and Tetcho just lies there. And shuts his eyes.
And suddenly, there’s an urge to move closer. Because Tetcho can’t get close enough, and Jono’s already so close. And just a little more-
“Fuck,” Tetcho curses, before stifling a laugh. Whether it’s directed at himself or Jono? He can’t tell. “Your- Your so close.” Tetcho mumbles, his breath shaky. “You’re really asleep right now, huh?” He whispers, and Tetcho slams his head into the pillow. “Your so close, and I don’t-“ Tetcho sighs into the pillow. “I don’t know if I want you closer or farther,” he mumbles out unknowingly. Not knowing that Jono’s actually awake and only noticing when he moves closer to Tetcho’s ear to whisper- “boo” in a quiet, breathy whisper and cause the latter to nearly jump out of his skin. “Oh my god-“
Tetcho takes a deep breath in. “Your- Your awake.” Tetcho mumbles, and his heart is leaping out of his chest and doing flips and Jono can tell, oh my god, Jono call tell. His breath speeds up until Jono presses his cheek against the back of Jono’s neck. “Kinda, I’m still tired.” He mumbles, before pulling Tetcho closer. “Sorry about hugging you all of a sudden, I don’t like thunder.” Jono says, and Tetcho nods. “It’s- It’s fine.” Tetcho says.
His face is still hot, and his body is shaky. Because Jono’s still close, and he’s still awake and-
Jono kisses the back of Tetcho’s neck and he brain threatens to die right then and there. “Calm down and go to sleep, or do you want me to leave?” Jono asks, and Tetcho shakes his head. “No. I don’t, stay, please.” Tetcho mumbles, and Jono smiles.
“Now look who’s begging like a little kid,” Jono remarks, and Tetcho grumbles. “I’m not-“ he says, letting out a breath when Jono pulls him only closer and closer. “Alright, let’s calm down, goodnight.” Jono says.
“Goodnight.” Tetcho responds, head sinking low, and taking a deep breath in. Calming himself down.
“Love you.” Jono says teasingly with a smile against Tetcho’s neck as he hums, and he can feel Tetcho’s hands shaking and his heart racing.
“Love you to- wait wait wait! What did you say?!” Tetcho asks, eyes wide as he turns around. And Jono pouts his lips and takes Tetcho’s hands into his. Because they’re warm and he likes how Tetcho’s hands feel in his palms. Tetcho feels like passing out right then and there because fuck- what did Jono just say?!
“We’ll talk about it in the morning,” and like that. The two fall asleep.