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Jouno had already suspected that this would be proven to be a really bad decision.
The bar is hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with the rock music that dominates the atmosphere. The crowd is young, students from the university for the most part. Jouno winds his way through the warm bodies to order another drink - everything is distracting and overwhelming, so many people, so many heartbeats, he can’t concentrate. He doesn’t like it here.
Before the drink is poured he feels someone melting their body to his from behind. Normally, he would have pushed them away, he doesn’t do it though, since he knows who that is already. Tecchou is here.
“Tecchou-san, you’re drunk.” The sigh that escapes Jouno’s dry lips is slow, as if his brain needs time to process the situation. “Where did you disappear off to again? If something happens to you then I will have to be the one to explain this to the commander, I really don't wish to do that! And for fucks sake, take your hands off me!”
“‘m fine. I was at the-” his partner pauses, as if even forming an actual sentence is difficult for him now. “How is it called, oh yeah . The bathroom.” There isn’t anything funny about this statement yet Tecchou immediately bursts into such boisterous laughter that certainly turns a few heads, Jouno is sure of that.
He isn’t surprised Tecchou is drunk. In fact, he had been expecting after the other man had started mixing drinks which had the same colour, a part of Jouno hadn’t wanted to stop him, silently wondering how his partner would behave while being drunk.
Well, here is his answer.
“I need another drink.” Tecchou mutters, standing beside him this time.
“There is no way in hell I am letting you drink more.” he crosses his arms, “I told you, you’re drunk and my patience is wearing thin.” Jouno pulls his mouth to one side, like a lopsided pout.
His partner doesn’t seem to understand how serious he sounds because he bursts into unrestrained laughter once again. “Jouno-san, you’re being… ridicu-lush… ’m not that drunk…” he slurs, leaning against the counter.
“Fine. Go ahead and poison yourself, see if I care.” he decides to find a different sound to focus on, it has been Tecchou’s heart so far, only because he wanted to make sure that he would remain in the good state he was always in. At least, that was his excuse this time.
The other man does just that, he orders another drink, and another, and another; occasionally mumbling to himself and mixing them together. Jouno cannot understand the appeal, he enjoys drinking alcohol, but being drunk is a completely different situation. It has happened only once for him, and he had felt unbelievably vulnerable, it had been proven to be extremely unbearable.
They don’t converse, both of them lost in their own thoughts, though Jouno is not sure if Tecchou is able to actually even think at all any more.
“Hey, can I buy you a drink?”
The unknown voice startles Jouno, he doesn’t sense anyone standing near him, so the person must not be talking to him, his attention must be on-
“Huh?” Tecchou sounds confused but he doesn’t seem to care that much. “A drink? You wanna buy me one?”
“Yes, I saw you across the bar, and you’re very attractive. So I said, why not?”
How embarrassing. Jouno finds this situation outright hilarious, he will have to hold back his laughter when Tecchou tells this man to politely fuck off. The utter humiliation this person will feel will grant him a great deal of satisfaction. He starts tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the moment to come. But… it never does.
“Sure. I won’t say no to a free drink.”
Jouno can’t help but gasp in surprise. What the hell is Tecchou thinking? Does he not understand that the stranger is openly flirting with him? He crosses his arms and turns away, swallowing his anger. He doesn’t even understand why he is angry in the first place. Dating is out of the question while having this job, that is for sure, but no-one has forbidden them to flirt with people or even have a few hook-ups every once in a while. His partner can do that as much as he wishes, he has no say in it.
Yet, the seething fury building up inside him said otherwise.
He almost leaps off the barstool, ready to travel the short distance and interrupt their conversation. He is certain that he will find a suitable excuse, another option is to scare the man away; something he craves to do so at this point. He wants to humiliate him, to terrify him to the point that he will not only get out of their sight but also never set his foot inside this bar ever again.
The way this stranger is talking to his partner, the tone of his voice, every single detail is stirring his jealousy to such a degree that he can’t even think properly. Jouno is furious. He keeps lying to himself, thinking that he is only feeling this way because this conversation is simply too embarrassing to listen to. Deep down, he knows the true reason, his defensive and hypervigilant state says it all.
“And Tecchou, was it? You don’t need anyone to join you tonight?” That is the last straw. Jouno slams his fist on the table so loudly that the barman immediately turns to him to ask if he is alright. He ignores him completely, turning on his heel, making a beeline towards Tecchou and the other person, the smile on his face certainly doesn’t mean well. His drink remains untouched on the counter, long forgotten.
Sensing how close to his partner the man is standing makes his blood boil.
“Tecchou-san” Jouno smiles, turning his head towards him. It is evident he is thoroughly pissed, the expression on his face giving it away if the pungent smell of alcohol on his breath doesn’t. “I think you have had enough.”
Unfortunately for both of them, Tecchou doesn’t really comply. He shakes his head, reaching for his glass of beer to take another sip. “But I’m not ready yet… I haven’t finished my drink.” he mutters, not really paying attention to what’s truly happening in front of him.
At this point, Jouno is restraining himself from grabbing Tecchou, throwing him over his shoulder and leaving the bar just like that but, it’s late, he is tired, and he doesn’t wish to make a scene. He wants to go back to his apartment and pretend that everything is alright. Though the truth is that he will probably spend the rest of the night thinking about his reaction to this obscure situation.
“I think it’s time to go home.” It’s not a suggestion but merely a demand, Jouno comfortingly trails his own hand up Tecchou’s back. This is a warning.
Before Tecchou has any time to respond, the easily forgotten stranger obnoxiously clears his throat, obviously upset at the intrusion. “We were in the middle of something, weren’t we, sweetheart?” The nickname makes Jouno feel sick to his stomach and without even noticing, he wraps his arms around his partner’s hip, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Were you?” he laughs, his own response sending him into a fit of giggles that only he finds funny. “Well, and here I am wondering why the hell you are still here?” Jouno tilts his head to the side and his smile only widens, the sight is plain creepy, that is for sure. “I thought it has been made obvious that you are only but a nuisance to us so I would watch my words if I were you. You wouldn’t want to find yourself begging for your life, would you sir?”
The man doesn’t respond, he simply turns around and leaves. Jouno can sense his heart beating faster than before, he is afraid, no, terrified and that pleases him more than anything else. It's truly a shame though, he would have loved to see him suffer, to see him completely crumble, begging for mercy. He brushes that aside, there is always a time and a place.
He can feel Tecchou’s hard muscles beneath his shirt, Jouno should have expected that after all the training he goes through. “It’s time to go, sweetheart. ” he mocks, pulling his arm away, like he has been burned. “You owe me for this, Tecchou-san. This man was planning to take advantage of you.”
It takes Tecchou some time to respond, it might be the alcohol, or the fact that he is still speechless because of what had happened mere seconds ago.
“I wouldn’t go with him.” he mutters, scooting a bit closer to Jouno like he has been missing his touch already.
That certainly catches Jouno’s attention, he wouldn’t have expected that reply, especially since Tecchou had seemed eager enough to talk to that stranger.
“How come? Are you not into men?” He is not able to hide his curiosity.
“Oh no, no.” Tecchou shakes his head and chuckles rather loudly, “I am definitely into men. I wasn’t interested in him though.” he hiccups and to Jouno’s ears, that sounds rather adorable.
The pair are walking hip-to-hip through the bar, Jouno barely realising that his previous conversation has ended. Tecchou looks at the other man with a frown, as they reach the door, the cool autumn air chilling their heated skin as they step outside. “When did we get on the pavement? I wanted to stay inside.”
“Why?” Jouno clicks his tongue, obviously irritated by the fact that Tecchou is still in his own little world.
“It was entertaining to see your reaction earlier.” it’s his turn to smile wide, and even if Jouno cannot see it, he can certainly sense it. The other man leans his head on his shoulder without even processing what he is doing. “You don’t have to worry about me flirting with other people because-”
“I don’t worry. This man was simply trying to take advantage of you.”
“ Jouno-san… ” Tecchou’s breath is tickling his neck and sending shivers down his spine. The man is still pretty drunk. “You’re the only one I want.” he whispers against his neck.
Jouno’s brain stutters for a moment, every part of him goes on pause while his thoughts catch up. He shakes his head, “You’re drunk and you are talking nonsense.” he whispers.
“Don’t say that, I know what I feel.” his partner almost trips as they make their way back to Tecchou’s apartment, “You’re the prettiest man I have laid my eyes upon.” he slurs and to Jouno’s surprise that is the moment he decides to pass out.
Having his mind occupied with all these distracting thoughts while he is also carrying Tecchou is certainly a difficult task.
His heart aches. Is this only a game for his partner or an outright drunk confession?
In this life falling in love can be the worst of crimes, or so it seems. They exchange only glances, the lightest of touches - no more. Yet for this there is no forgiveness. Were this a different time and place perhaps things would have gone differently; instead they’re colleagues, partners. In their line of work, developing feelings would be proven catastrophic.
Jouno is doomed to fall.