Work Text:
One of Hajime Hinata's favorite things to do was to simply drive around. There was a strange safety in his car that he could bask in under the streetlights.
Often, after a bad day, he’d decide to hop in his car, with no real destination in mind, just knowing that he has to get away. That’s why, when Kazuichi texted him at 11 o’clock at night, asking if they could go out somewhere with a somber tone, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
Currently, they’re about 15 minutes into the ride, and Kazuichi is in his front seat, looking at the other man with an eyebrow raised in confusion, just after Hajime admitted that he had no clue where he was going.
“What do you mean you don't know?” He asked, mildly baffled.
Hajime shrugged in response, “I don’t know, I was thinking we could just wander for a bit. It’s something I like doing, so I thought I could share it with you, or something like that.” he explained with a slightly strained laugh.
Kazuichi hummed, looking out the window. Hajime wouldn't notice it, and Kazuichi would never admit it, but his stomach flipped a bit at the thought of Hajime sharing some of his most personal hobbies with him.
“So, what do you usually do, while driving?” Kazuichi asked
“Well.. I drive?” It was Hajimes turn to raise an eyebrow
“You know that’s not what I meant”
“What else is there to mean? Driving isn’t something you can multitask. This is why you don't have a license yet.”
Kazuichi rolled his eyes at the teasing “No, I don't have my license because I hate being in cars. They make me nauseous, remember.”
“That and you’d be an absolute menace on the road-” Hajime cut himself off with laughter, and Kazuichi lightly punched him on the shoulder. “I can see it now, you in a car… you tried to upgrade yourself, going 90 in the suburbs, while trying to text some girl-” Hajime described, the laughs mixing with his words.
Kazuichi tried to interject with a “stop it”, but his words were muddled with laughter. He eventually composed himself, and shouted “You are so MEAN!”
“Yeah, Yeah, I know.” Hajime said, grinning widely. “Jokes aside, are you alright? I, uh, completely forgot about your motion sickness when I thought about doing this.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I have some pills for it now.”
Hajime nodded in understanding and focused back on the road.
~ ~ ~
After driving around for a bit, the idle conversation began to lull. Hajime pulled over into the parking lot of a convenience store, sensing that both of them needed a change of scenery from his car's interior.
The two of them got out of the vehicle, being bathed in the neon lights of the various flashy signs littering around the store, there to beg upcoming drivers to pull over and do business with the location. If Kazuichi’s heart skipped a beat when he looked up at Hajime’s face - neon red and blue lights reflecting on his facial features, making him look strangely handsome in an otherworldly kind of way - he’d never admit it.
They both entered the small store, and wandered around, grabbing various snacks that they would probably regret buying once the inevitable, ever-looming sugar high wears off. It took them about 15 minutes to leave the store, waving goodbye to the cashier (once they were out of earshot, Kazuichi would whisper to Hajime about how the worker looked exactly like a short Keanu Reeves, making them both snicker), with plastic bags in their hands.
They settled on the sidewalk curb, looking out at the street. Kazuichi cracked open the can of an energy drink that was the exact same color as his hair, and Hajime opened a bag of chips. They stayed quiet for a period of time, just gazing up at the night sky, wondering what stars would be out if not for the light pollution.
The thing is with extended periods of quiet, they allow for thoughts to creep in. And when you're Kazuichi Souda, it’s not hard for thoughts to become negative quickly. “Hey, man, can I ask you something?” he eventually asked.
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“Why did you do this? It’s so late and I know you don’t like staying out, and I bet there’s other things you’d rather be doing than going on impromptu trips with me.” Kazuichi’s voice was laced with insecurity and doubt
Hajime turned so he could better see the other man's face and replied, “I agreed to do this because I care about you, you’re, like, my best friend - you know that, right? Plus, I love the time we spend together, and I...” his voice trailed off, as he decided to not finish the thought midway through verbalizing it.
Kazuichi picked up where Hajime left off, “You deserve so much better though. You’re such a nice, funny, good guy, you could have anyone else be a close friend, someone that’s less of an emotional mess, so I just don’t understand-”
“Kazuichi, stop.” Hajime cut him off. “I just told you, I don’t want anyone else to be my close friend. Plus, if anyone should be worried about not deserving the other, it should be me. I don't see what you see in someone that’s completely talentless, there’s nothing special or interesting about me, I'm completely replaceable...” Hajime stopped himself and took a deep breath. His voice was raw.
Kazuichi knew that Hajime didn’t like talking about his insecurities. That's how he knew just how deeply upset Hajime must be to be able to spill all that at once like that.
“...Plus you’re not the only one that's an emotional mess, it seems.” Hajime eventually said, voice still hurt, but he forced a crooked smile regardless.
Kazuichi lightly laughed, “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
Kazuichi looked at Hajime, once again taking note of the way the lights graced his facial features. He was glowing, the scene looked like one out of a movie, but not so much so that he was unrecognizable. Kazuichi could still pick out every freckle splayed upon the others cheekbones, the heavy eyebags, the shimmering piece of jewelry along his eyebrow, all the things that made Hajime Hajime.
“Hey, I’m going to try something, let me know if you want me to stop,” Kazuichi said. He took a moment to ponder whether or not this was really a good idea.
“Um.. Okay?” Hajimes eyebrows knitted into confusion.
For maybe the first time in his life, Kazuichi decided to not cower out of a bold move - because how could he, Hajime was there, looking as handsome as ever, and the emotions were there, and the night was beautiful - and lean in for a kiss.
As far as first kisses go, it was pretty typical. Hajime was shocked at first, but leaned into it. Neither of them really knew what to do in the confusion of the moment, so the kiss didn’t go past just two pairs of lips pressed together for an awkwardly long amount of time.
Hajime was the one that eventually pulled back, eyes wide, and Kazuichi could practically hear the gears in the other's head working overtime as he thought a million things. Kazuichi took it upon himself to say something, because when left in this state, It’d probably take Hajime 2 to 3 business days to give a response.
“So.. was that alright? Or did I make things weird?”
Hajime hummed, “maybe a bit of both? I mean-” he stood up from his seat on the curb and began to pace, pressing a finger to his chin. “- it was a decent kiss, and I would be lying if I said I didn't like you at least a little bit, but you’re like, my best bud, and I don't even know if I’m ready for a new romantic involvement-” he stopped himself with a deep breath. “Now I'm the one making this weird, aren’t I?”
Kazuichi giggled, “Yeah, kind of, it’s very you though.”
Hajime groaned and pulled himself back next to Kazuichi, “Yeah, I’m sure you see why Chiaki broke things off with me.” he huffed “I’m not very good at the whole ‘processing feelings’ thing.”
“Don’t worry about it, man.”
A beat of quiet passed. “Can we try again, though?” Hajime eventually asked.
“Hm?”
“Well, you know, maybe kissing you again might help me magically understand everything,” he smirked, “and there's no way knowing if it will or not if we don’t try”
Kazuichi rolled his eyes at the ridiculous proposal, “well, I don't see why not, plus, if I can help you figure out your emotions, who am I to refuse?”
This time, when the two of them leaned in, each had more of an idea what to do. Hajime brought his hand up to the others face, cupping his cheek, and Kazuichi found Hajime's free hand to hold. After a bit Hajime opened his eyes and broke the kiss, but instead of pulling away completely he lingered, resting his forehead on the others, lightly laughing.
“So, did it work?” Kazuichi asked.
“Not at all. It was nice though.”
Kazuichi angled his face forward, stealing another peck. “It’s okay, you don't have to know yet. Can I tell you something, though?”
“Yeah, of course.” Hajime rubbed his thumb in a circular pattern across the others face
“For the record, you’re not replaceable, and you never were. Did.. did I ever tell you why I texted you in the first place?”
“No, and I didn't want to pry so I didn't ask.”
“Well, do you mind if I tell you?”
“Of course not”
Kazuichi sighed, his throat swelling. “I got in a fight with my dad, earlier this evening. He said a lot of things, and while I was in my room thinking about how he’s right, and I’m never going to be good enough, and no one is ever going to care about me, you know who I thought to text?”
Hajime didn’t respond.
“You, I texted you, dumbass.” Kazuichi teased, lightly swatting Hajimes hand. “Anyway, I texted you because I know you’re the only person on this planet that I am comfortable around. I know you, even if I don't really understand why, will be here for me.”
Hajime still didn’t answer, rather he just continued calmly rubbing Kazuichi’s face. He secretly hoped and begged that Kazuichi wouldn't notice the tear rolling down his cheek because that was a heavy confession and all he could do at the moment was cry.
“Kazuichi?” Hajime eventually piped up
“Yeah?” Through the silence, Kazuichi was patient. He knew it’d take Hajime a moment to process his speech.
“I’m really sorry, and I don’t want to make this all about me, but,” Hajimes eyes fluttered closed “I think you’re one of the best things to ever happen to me.”
“Did you really not want to? Because you were quick to make it about you,” he teased non maliciously, voice sounding raw with emotion.
Hajime lightly laughed with a ‘hmph’ sound, “I guess I wanted to a little bit. It’s true though. Come on, let’s head back, I’m starting to get tired.”
~ ~ ~
“Hey, Hajime, I don’t..” Kazuichi said during their drive back, prompting Hajime to turn down the radio that was softly playing and look up at the other man. “I don’t really want to go home, can I crash at your place for the night?”
“Yeah, of course, man. It’s been a while since we had a sleepover” Hajime offered an exhausted smile and looked over at the clock on his car's dash, it was a little past 2 am.
The rest of the drive to the Hinata household was quiet, with the radio playing some classic rock bands quietly in the background. Hajime focused on the road while Kazuichi idly scrolled through his phone.
Eventually, they made it to the house, and Hajime was fiddling with the front lock. Before opening the door, he whispered to Kazuichi to be quiet, and that his parents were asleep.
The both of them snuck into the house, tip-toeing to Hajime’s bedroom.
Upon making it in the room, Hajime closed the door behind them and they both burst into laughter. Maybe they were just delirious, or maybe there was something inherently funny about sneaking around, or the laughter was a reflection of the entire ridiculous night they had shared. Whatever it may be, they spent a good minute just laughing, unsuccessfully trying to shush one another.
“Hey,” Kazuichi said once the laughs had subsided and he could speak coherently “Do you mind if I use your shower? It’s been a long night; I could use one.”
“Yeah yeah, of course. If you want fresh clothes, you know where they are.” Hajime gestured towards his dresser.
Kazuichi nodded, grabbed a few articles of Hajimes clothing, and left the room.
Hajime let out an exhausted sigh, the call of sleep tugging at his eyes while his brain insisted on working overtime. Reluctantly, he decided to take the opportunity to change - putting on some plaid pajama pants and an old gray hoodie, and taking a moment to appreciate how well he could breathe after finally taking off his binder. Next, he simply collapsed on to his bed, rubbing his eyes.
He stared up at the ceiling, his mind recapping the events of the night over and over again. He couldn't seem to shake the memory of the feeling of Kazuichi’s lips on his, and the way the others hands, rough and calloused from his job as a mechanic, felt wrapped around his own. Maybe he was a little bit in love with Kazuichi Souda. Maybe he wanted to share more romantic moments with him.
But, he also wanted to keep their friendship, the friendship that has kept him going for years now.
Hajime continued to think, when he was suddenly ripped out of his thoughts by Kazuichi, who jumped on the bed. He was wearing one of Hajime’s band tee-shirts and a pair of sweatpants, his hair was still damp from the shower. Kazuichi grabbed Hajimes arm, pulling the other into an awkward half hug.
“Hey,” Kazuichi whispered.
“Hey,” Hajime responded.
“So… what are we now?” Kazuichi asked softly
Hajime hummed. Adjusting a bit so he could make better eye contact with the other, he grabbed Kazuichi’s hand. “We’re just.. Us. I like you, but I want to take things slow.” He answered.
Kazuichi nodded in understanding, and took note of how exhausted his companion looked. “We can talk more in the morning. Let’s sleep.”
Hajime happily obliged, burying his face in the crook of Kazuichis neck, and letting his eyes flutter shut.