Work Text:
Seishu woke up to the sound of footsteps echoing on a concrete floor.
He’d been reading an old mechanic’s magazine, left over in a pile of boxes from the days where their makeshift hideout was actually a bike shop, when he'd been lulled to sleep by the sunshine poking through the boarded up windows. By the time he’d been startled awake, the sun had already set, and he had woken up to darkness, and a shadow standing over him.
Eyes flying wide, he let out a choked exclamation. He sat up abruptly and lost his balance from his spot on the edge of the couch, ending up on his ass on the hard concrete floor. He looked up in a panic at the figure looming over him, before hearing an all too familiar snicker.
“Koko?!” Seishu choked out, hand pressed to his chest, trying to calm his racing heart. “For fucks sake— You scared the shit out of me!” At his angry tone, Koko let out a bark of laughter, flicking on the light beside him. Squinting, Seishu brought up his arm on instinct to shield his eyes.
“Aha— your face !” Koko laughed as he shrugged off his jacket, flinging it on the chair opposite from Seishu.
“What—” Seishu rubbed his eyes, yawning. “—What took you so long? I thought you were coming right here after your meeting?” He gazed up at Koko from where he was still sprawled on the cold concrete floor.
“Hmm? I took a quick detour~” Koko said, flopping down on the couch behind him, swinging a plastic shopping bag on the table in front of him with a thump. “But… Check this out!” Rifling through his pockets, he pulled out one, two, three stacks of cash, flinging them on the table as well.
Seishu’s eyes widened. “Whoa. Looks like negotiations went well…” He glanced at the bag curiously. “What's in the bag?”
Koko leaned forwards, pulling out a six pack of beer, dangling it over Seishu’s head. “For us to share— Don't say I never do anything for you.” One of the cans in the six pack was missing, the plastic ring where it would have been torn. Upon closer inspection of Koko’s face, he noticed a light flush dusting his cheeks. Seishu had a sneaking suspicion about where the can had gone. Koko grinned, showing teeth. “Feel free to say thank you.”
Seishu rolled his eyes. “Seems you already helped yourself—” He began to say, but was interrupted by the loud sound of Koko cracking open and slurping another beer. Sighing, Seishu finally stood up from where he was seated on the floor, grabbing a beer for himself off the table, and flopping down beside Koko on the couch.
It was shitty beer, he could feel it burn the back of his throat as it went down. He must have been pulling a face because Koko shot him a look before snickering, “It’s not that bad— You baby.”
“Shut up, or I throw this can at your head.” Seishu shot back, taking another swig of beer, making sure to keep his face as neutral as possible under Koko's observation, to avoid being poked fun at again. Koko just stuck his tongue out at him. Asshole. “What exactly happened at the meeting… Other than you getting paid?”
“Well—” At that, Koko launched into a lengthy explanation of exactly how he secured the money in front of them while he downed his beer, slamming it down on the table, quickly grabbing another one.
Seishu just tuned him out. He’d always found Koko’s money talk to be mind-numbingly boring. Although it was interesting to see the way his eyes would sparkle and his face would light up as he explained some of his more complex money making strategies to Seishu, looking like a kid in a candy shop. Seishu took another drink, his insides beginning to warm pleasantly.
Koko was still talking, motioning wildly with drink in hand, a little spilling on the already dirty couch. “ —And that asshole thought that he could short change me 2500 yen! ‘That's chump change ’ he says! I told him— 2500 yen can go far, if you know how to invest it, you absolute clown. Only someone stupid enough to—”
Seishu interrupted, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “ Please don't tell me you managed to piss them off…”
“Hey, I told Taiju that I was securing the funds— Not making friends.” Koko shrugged. “He can deal with them for me.” Bottoms up, he finished his beer, tossing the empty can beside him.
“As long as I’m not the one stuck dealing with them.” Seishu mumbled into his drink.
Koko’s special talent was managing to piss anyone off within 5 minutes of meeting them. It was a surprise Taiju didn't keep him on a shorter leash.
“Anyways, look what I managed to swipe.” Koko said, changing the subject. He dug around in his pocket, pulling out a deck of cards. Not just any cards, professional grade playing cards, likely stolen from the Casino that Koko had been meeting their clients at.
Seishu didn't like where this was going. He has a sneaking suspicion about what Koko was planning. “Ok? So what? You wanna play go fish or something?”
“Fuck off. I’m gonna read your fortune!”
Fortune telling. Of course.
“...No.”
“You're no fun, Inupi.” Koko huffed, running fingers through his hair, pushing dark strands out of his eyes. Despite Seishu’s outright refusal, Koko began opening the pack of cards. Ripping off the plastic sleeve, sliding the cards out of their box, he began to shuffle them on the table. They made a satisfying noise as they slid against each other.
Koko glanced over at Seishu, making sure he was paying attention. He then attempted a fancy shuffling method with one hand, which only succeeded in scattering the cards everywhere. “Ah. Shit.”
Seishu let out a snort of laughter. What a show off. Although, watching Koko embarrass himself for Seishu’s entertainment was strangely endearing. After picking up the cards scattered on the floor, Koko turned to him, cards in hand and a gleam in his eye.
“I’d much rather play go fish.” Seishu said, staring at the cards apprehensively.
“What are you, ten?” Koko scoffed. “Just accept your fate.”
It was useless trying to avoid it. Koko always got his way, eventually, and Seishu found he didn't mind.
Back when they were in elementary school, Koko had had a phase where he was very interested in astrology and fortune telling, inspired by some book he’d found in the library. He’d carry around the damn thing everywhere, constantly pestering a disinterested Seishu to let Koko practice palm reading on him. Seishu had always ended up agreeing eventually, secretly happy to have Koko paying so much attention to him.
Koko would sit cross legged in front of him, holding Seishu’s palm in his hands, gaze focused as he traced the lines on his skin. Seishu would squirm uncomfortably, skin heating up at the contact, Koko too distracted to notice. Koko frequently checked back to the open book next to him, humming to himself, as Seishu watched him.
“Stop staring, Inupi. It's creepy.” Koko had said, one time, after catching Seishu watching him as he read his palm. Seishu’s face flushed at the accusation, moving to grab his hand back from Koko but the other boy just gripped it tighter, holding it in place. “Stop— Wait! Let me finish—”
“Are you actually gonna tell me my fortune at some point today?” Seishu grumbled, relaxing his hand against Koko's grip. It looked like they were holding hands.
“So impatient . Here.” He flipped Seishu’s hand over, spreading his fingers apart. “Wow. Your hand is sweaty—” Seishu’s death glare shut him up. He pressed his thumbs against Seishu’s palm lightly, inspecting it. “Anyways— It says here you’re gonna live a long life, with ‘a lot of misfortune in your youth’ but you’ll be happy later in life.” Koko looked at his hand again, and then back at the book. He fixed Seishu with a mischievous look. “It also says I’m gonna marry your sister.”
Seishu kicked Koko in the shin, causing him to drop Seishu’s hand. “You suck! Why the hell would my hand say you’re gonna marry my sister? And the only ‘misfortune in my youth’ was meeting you, probably.”
“Ouch! Why’d you kick me?” Koko whined, putting on his best betrayed face, although Seishu could tell he wasn't serious based on the small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“You deserved it.” Seishu huffed, crossing his arms. “Akane is too old for you, anyways!”
“The palm never lies, Inupi!” Koko cackled, dodging another kick Seishu had aimed at his shin, sticking his tongue out teasingly.
Now, Seishu stared at the slightly-drunk Koko in front of him, who was attempting to do another shuffling trick with the cards in his hands, with greater success than last time.
He turned to face Seishu, chain earring clinking slightly at the movement. Crossing his legs underneath him, he spread the cards across the couch cushions between them. Seishu used this opportunity to grab himself another beer, throwing the other, now empty, can to the side. By then there was only one beer left. Seishu figured he’d leave it for Koko.
Koko then began to put down cards side by side, expression far too focused. “Alright. Now close your eyes.”
Seishu let out a long-suffering sigh. He complied, eyes fluttering shut. Koko’s favourite part of his fortune telling act had always been the dramatics of it all. Seishu was sure if they were at his house he would be putting on the spiritual music CD Seishu had bought him a few years back, possibly scattering some crystals, burning incense. Luckily , they had nothing like that in the hideout.
“I am sensing your spiritual energies.” Koko said, in his loftiest voice.
Seishu let out a quiet snort. Cracking an eye, he saw Koko staring at him in annoyance, and quickly shut it again. He groped around beside him for his beer can, hiding a laugh behind it as he took a drink, face pleasantly warm.
“...Are you done?” Koko asked, annoyed. Just imagining the pinched look on his face made Seishu feel as though he was about to burst out into laughter again.
“Yeah, yeah— Go ahead.” Seishu said, fighting to keep his face neutral.
“Okay— Open your eyes.”
There were three cards in front of him, face down. Koko looked up at him, gaze more intense than usual, flush still visible on his cheeks. Seishu shivered slightly.
“Three cards. One for your past, one for the present, and one for the future.” He flipped over the first card, revealing the Nine of Spades.
“Hmmm. It basically shows you experienced some illness or injury in your past, which…“ He shot a pointed look at the scar covering Seishu’s left eye. “Yeah. No shit.”
Seishu rolled his eyes at that. In his opinion, fortune telling was a load of bullshit, especially when the one telling his fortune was someone as dramatic and prone to twisting the truth as one Hajime Kokonoi.
Turning over the second card, Koko’s eyes widened in interest.
“ 3 of hearts . Hm.” Koko said, scratching the back of his head, lips pursed.
“Is it bad? I’m gonna get hit by a car or something?” Seishu asked, tone neutral, taking another sip of beer. “Struck by lightning?”
“Huh? Oh. Uh, no. I actually forgot what this one means. Haha...”
“Damn, drunk off three beers, you lightweight?”
“Shut up, Inupi—“ Koko quickly flipped the final card, the Eight of Diamonds. “Oh! This one. It means a new job in your future, or some change in your current job— Interesting…”
Seishu let out a yawn. “I wanna know what the other one meant.”
Koko just looked away, avoiding eye contact. Was he… Blushing? “How about I do another reading? A different spread this time.” He gathered up the cards, shuffling them back into the deck. “I've been meaning to practice these anyways, I’m a little rusty…”
Seishu squinted at him skeptically. “... Practice what?”
“ Love fortunes .” Holding a handful of cards between his lean fingers, he flashed them at Seishu with a smirk.
“Pass.”
“Aww man, c'mon… Please?” Koko whined, pouting at Seishu, hiding the bottom of his face behind the cards in his hand, pleading eyes visible.
With Koko looking at him like that, he couldn't say no. “Fine.” Seishu chugged the rest of his beer. “I’m not nearly drunk enough for this shit…” He mumbled to himself, tossing the empty can at Koko’s head. Koko dodged it easily, glaring at him. The can made a hollow clang as it hit the wall, then the floor.
Koko grabbed the last can of beer, cracking it open and taking a drink before placing it on the couch beside him. Seishu tried not to stare at the long line of his throat, exposed, the way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank.
Koko smirked at him, “Who knows, maybe my expert predictions will land you a girlfriend— ”
Seishu interrupted him with a scoff.
Looking him up and down, Koko leaned forward, continuing. “—or a boyfriend .” He winked. “I don’t judge.”
Oh.
“A boyfr—” Seishu choked out, face burning, almost losing his grip on the can in his hands. “Koko— Please .” The room suddenly felt far too hot.
“Hm. A partner then?” Koko asked, voice far too casual, eyebrows raised, gazing at Seishu with… Interest?
Seishu hid his burning face in his hands. “Partner. Sure. Let's go with that.”
They had never spoken about their… Preferences with each other before. Koko had always been very interested in girls, constantly talking Seishu's ear off about all the pretty ones in their class, following around Seishu’s sister like a lost puppy.
While Seishu, on the other hand, had never taken any interest in those things. He just hummed along, bored every time Koko would mention a girl he liked. He often found himself too preoccupied to listen, trying not to linger too long on the way his best friend’s eyes sparkled when he laughed, the way he brushed his hair out of his face. He thought Koko hadn't noticed his lack of interest in women, too oblivious to care. Although, in hindsight, it was probably pretty obvious.
Koko scooted closer to him on the couch. Again, three cards were placed face down. Seishu squirmed uncomfortably under Koko’s evaluating gaze, face still warm; from a blush or from the booze, he wasn't sure. Koko grinned at him like he intended to devour Seishu whole. Reaching out slowly, he flipped the first card.
“Jack of clubs— A secret admirer…” Koko waggled his eyebrows. “Someone likes you~”
Seishu rolled his eyes.
“9 of Hearts. This secret admirer is someone you’ve been admiring for a long time too, it seems.”
Someone he’s been admiring for a while…
He must have shown some recognition on his face, because Koko leaned forwards, towards him, an evil smirk on his face.
“Ohhhh? Looks like you have someone in mind…” Koko murmured, closing in.
“Koko—” Seishu stuttered, scrambling backwards, back hitting the armrest of the couch behind him with a dull thump.
Koko just continued his approach. “Your face is red, Inupi—”
Seishu tried to bring up a socked foot to hold the approaching Koko at bay. However, his foot slipped, knocking the almost full can of beer sitting on the couch cushion between them on it’s side, spilling the contents everywhere.
“Ah! Shit!” Koko yelped, drawing back, narrowly avoiding getting his clothes soaked. The cards weren't so lucky. The beer had spilled directly on top of the deck, scattering the cards everywhere. Picking one up from the soggy pile, Koko pinched it between his fingers. Seishu caught a glimpse of the card, the Six of Diamonds. A drop of beer fell from his outstretched hand, hitting the couch. “Gross.” Koko said, sticking out his tongue, face wrinkled in disgust.
Seishu got up, quickly scanning the room around them for something to mop up the spilled drink, eyes landing on Koko’s uniform jacket draped over the back of the chair opposite him. A moment passed, and Koko seemed to read his mind, calling out, “Wait— Not the jacket—”
He was too late. Seishu had already grabbed the jacket, pressing it against the spreading puddle on the couch as he dropped down to sit again.
Koko let out a shriek, grabbing for the jacket in Seishu’s hand. “I literally just got it dry cleaned! Don’t use it as a fucking towel !”
“Oops?” Seishu said, as Koko managed to wrestle the jacket free from him.
Taking one look at the damage, Koko let out a loud whine, shoulders slumping. “Ughhh. It’s filthy!” The white fabric of the jacket was all bunched up in his hands, stains clearly visible. “My poor jacket…” He pouted.
One look at the pure despair on Koko’s face had Seishu wheezing with laughter, clutching his sides. He let himself fall backwards, his head hitting the couch with a quiet thump. “Please— Your face!” Only Koko would get this worked up over a fucking jacket .
Koko got closer, looming over him, expression thunderous, which just made Seishu laugh even harder. That laughter slowly died down as he suddenly became aware of just how close they were to each other. Koko’s arm slammed the cushion next to him, leaning in so close that his dark hair tickled against Seishu’s face.
A nervous giggle escaped Seishu’s throat, which he stifled with his hand. He felt dizzy with their proximity. He looked up at Koko, who was staring at the hand covering his mouth with an unreadable expression.
Uncovering his mouth, Seishu reached up, in an attempt to grab Koko’s face, bring it closer, but Koko quickly caught his hand, stopping it in its tracks. Thumbs circled against his palm, Seishu’s breath caught in his chest with anticipation as Koko gazed at their joined hands. “Inupi, you—” Koko grazed a finger over the pad of his thumb.
“You have a really long heart line.”
“You— You're reading my palm?” Seishu stammered, stunned. He’d thought Koko was making a move. Was about to kiss him . How stupid. Koko was still gazing at his hand, face concentrated. Seishu snatched his hand out of his grip in annoyance.
“Wait— Let me—“ Koko tried to grab his hand back, but Seishu was too quick, hand shooting out to grab Koko’s face instead. Koko looked at him, eyes wide, shocked silent.
Seishu had run out of patience. He surged forward, knocking Koko on his back, reversing their positions so that he was now the one towering over the other boy. Koko just stared, face bright red, mouth hanging slightly open.
“Koko... If you're gonna tease me...” Seishu squeezed his face slightly, threateningly, as he leaned in. “At least follow through.”
Koko breathed in sharply, as if to speak, and then Seishu felt something warm and wet against his hand. It was Koko's tongue, dragging against his palm.
He’d licked Seishu’s hand.
“Ew! What—“ Seishu stuttered, hand withdrawing from Koko's face in surprise. Koko used this as an opportunity to loop both arms around Seishu’s neck, pulling him down, smashing their lips together. Seishu gasped, into Koko’s already open mouth.
Long fingers pulled at Seishu’s hair, clutched at the back of his shirt, pulling him down until he and Koko were chest to chest, with Seishu propped up by his elbows on either side of Koko’s head.
Their noses bumped together as the kiss deepened. Koko kissed like everything he did; in the most aggravating possible way and using too much tongue.
Much too soon, Seishu was forced to break the kiss, gasping for air slightly. Koko's hands were still in his hair as they stared at each other, matching grins slowly growing on their faces.
Koko brushed the hair out of seishu’s face with a grin, and a question on his lips. “Staying here tonight?”
Seishu smiled, leaning down once more. “Of course.”