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Hand
"Nito, Nito, wait for me please-" Shu's voice comes out clearly from behind his apartment door as he opens it, expression as close to visibly frazzled as it gets on a normal day. Nazuna's fist pauses in mid-air, neither shocked nor surprised that all it took was half a knock for Shu to immediately rush over to let him in.
He had been in Paris for a couple days now, staying in a hotel nearby as mandated by the school trip he had signed up for. It was pure luck already that his college decided to organize a trip to Paris for the summer semester, a short-term exchange program of sorts that Nazuna had eagerly applied for as soon as he heard of it. It was equally as lucky that it had lined up with Shu's own schedule. He doesn't want to think of the fact that the hotel was a mere twenty minute walk from his Paris apartment and what meant for his luck the rest of the year.
This meant he'd been spending a decent amount of his free time with Shu, when he wasn't exploring the city or hanging out with his friends that were also on the trip. His boyfriend had also insisted he'd eat dinner with him as much as possible as well. Not that he quite understands how he got the idea that the food they provided was 'subpar' considering it was basically the same things Shu would make to show off for him.
It was cute, in a pathetic way, he guesses. He tries not to let himself think of it any more fondly than that.
"You didn't have to rush over to the door, you know." Nazuna huffs as he enters the apartment, immediately heading over to the kitchen as the smell of food was replacing all his better judgment to make fun of Shu a little bit more. He hadn't eaten lunch today, getting caught up in a tour his friends dragged him to at the last minute, causing him to leave his wallet behind in the hotel room. He hoped Shu made enough for him to have seconds tonight.
He doesn’t waste any time making his way towards the dining table, hand hovering over the back of the chair to pull it out before there’s another hand on top of it. Nazuna looks at Shu, unimpressed.
“Do you not want me to sit down?” His tone is dry, and maybe a bit baffled, but Shu seems to take it in stride as he shakes his head and pries his hand off.
“Non! Simply just… Allow me to be a gentleman for once, my beloved Nito.”
He doesn’t spare any flourish by pulling out his chair for him. Gesturing for him to take a seat, and even pushing him in. Nazuna can feel himself getting a little flustered at it all. Even if it is something he would expect from Shu.
“...You can get the food now.” Nazuna huffs as Shu looks at him far too proudly once he’s settled in. He’ll have to balance out letting him get his way eventually, but it feels nice to see him so overjoyed over doing something so little. Even if it makes Nazuna’s stomach twist in a way that's not entirely unpleasant.
“Of course. It shall be just a moment-” Shu leans over Nazuna for a second, grasping his hand gently from beneath, before lifting it to his mouth to kiss his knuckles briefly. The twisting in his stomach intensifies, and a blush explodes on his face. Seriously? What, were they in some romance novel? Not that it's entirely impossible that’s where he got the idea to do whatever this is.
Shu doesn’t get to finish whatever he was going to say though, Nazuna flustered shaking off his grip and hitting him square in the chest, making him stumble back a bit. He felt like he was going to burst into flames if he continued touching him any longer. Or worse, get sappy himself.
He really would hate that.
Head
The crowd at tonight's stage is beyond loud. If he didn't know better, Nazuna would assume they were rioting in the way they kept cheering and screaming after each group performed.
Each group so far besides Ra*bits, who were still waiting backstage. Nazuna sat quietly as he tried to bring himself into a performing mindset as he always did.
Deep breaths. Calm body. The crowd doesn't exist quite yet, and when they do they are merely there in the background.
He appreciates the way his kids give him space to do this, even now. He knows it's probably not his coolest habit, and he also has no doubt it might have made them wary way back when.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss the days where they would all hold hands, sometimes… Maybe that would have cleared his head a bit easier, having to be overly-dependable. Having to be the rock that keeps them steady when they’re weak-kneed and close to tears.
But now they all have their own pre-show rituals, in a way. It's easier for them all to prepare with their own routines, only coming together again right before the stage to avoid disrupting anything.
Yet it doesn't quite work today.
There's nowhere quieter for him to move at this point, and Crazy:B's audience reaction is by far the loudest out of all of them so far. Every time he gets close to the state he needs to be, he finds himself interrupted with a particularly loud burst of cheering or screaming. He doesn't blame them. Nazuna wouldn't have the heart to do that. But his agitation is rising, and he finds himself starting to believe he might just be off-kilter for this performance.
Which is a terrible thought. He has to give his best for his kids, especially as they become more and more skilled. His kids... he wishes they were here right now, like in the early days. It'd be easier to meditate when all he would have to blur in the background was their excited murmuring. But he still wants them to foster their own preparation on their own still. Not to mention it's not uncommon for one or two of them to press the time before they absolutely have to be back.
Nazuna swears under his breath, before opening his eyes, determined to just give up at this point and hope for the best.
He doesn't expect to see Shu standing a mere foot away from him, arms crossed as he glares in the direction of the stage, his own unit outfit and equipment already properly put on. Nazuna remembers Valkyrie is heading on after them today, an occurrence that hadn't happened in a while.
Violet eyes look over towards him, his expression visibly softening as he gives him a nod of acknowledgment. He wonders for a second why he hadn't already begun talking to him, as eager as he is nowadays.
Oh. His meditation.
It's funny how he forgot it was a practice instilled in him by Shu in the first place. One of the few things he taught him that he persistently kept up, that he found useful no matter how much more time passed since he was taught it. Of course he wouldn't interrupt it, knowing how well it managed to keep Nazuna calm and professional.
But there's also no doubt in his mind that he definitely noticed it wasn't going well. Was that why he was glaring? Because of some sort of weird protectiveness? It would be almost sweet if it wasn't completely useless of an action. Nazuna laughs at the idea of it anyways, causing Shu to look over at him curiously.
"It's okay Itsuki, you can talk to me. I'm not going to be able to do anything at this point." He shrugs his shoulders, resigned to his failure for the day. He would survive. It wasn’t the first time he managed to perform while not in his best state of mind.
"Are you sure? Your unit is meant to go on soon. I wouldn't want to interrupt you as much as those mockeries on stage." His words are deriding and cautious all the same, and Nazuna rolls his eyes. He knows what will set him off, and sparing a couple seconds to talk to someone relatively normally wouldn't do any more harm.
"It's fine. Although, I should go look for the rest of them..." He starts standing up as he considers who to check in on first, deep in thought as he looks at the path further downstage.
"Of course. I won't keep you." Shu nods in understanding, before pausing and looking at Nazuna closely. He steps forward until he's right next to him, voice going a bit quieter. "But, Nito?"
"Yeah, what is it?" Nazuna looks up at him hesitantly, an eyebrow raised as he feels a bit of apprehension. It's not like he thinks Shu is going to do anything to upset him, not at this point in their relationship, but his heart beats a little faster at the closed distance between them. It's annoying, and definitely distracting.
Shu rests his hands on his shoulders carefully, just the tiniest bit of pressure that causes the tension Nazuna's didn't even know he was holding in them to disappear, his back instinctually going straight, like a dancer hearing their cue amongst the music. He leans down and presses a brief kiss to his forehead, and all the swirling thoughts from earlier turn to dust and the once overwhelming sounds of the audience become nothing more than a whisper.
"Relax. You'll do just as wonderful as always." Shu's voice is as warm as it is stern, meant to be comforting as much as it was meant to kick Nazuna out of the funk he was slowly going down into. "I'll be watching."
He leaves him with those words, heading towards somewhere else himself. Nazuna can feel himself take a couple moments to reground his mind. Well… he can't exactly mess up now. He's sure to hear about it later if he does.
(He's sure he won't, though, mind made almost clearer than it usually is after his normal pre-live routine.)
Eyes
Nazuna is tired, eyes heavy as he forces them to stay open, sitting down in one of the chairs in Cospro’s waiting rooms. It’s far after hours, and if he knew exactly what meeting room Shu had been wrangled into for two whole hours after he was supposed to meet up with him, he would have already marched over there himself and dragged him out. He wanted to go home, and he knew Shu would be fine and understand if he went on without him. But a stubborn part of him wanted to keep to his word. He wanted to walk back to the dorms with Shu. He had a whole plan on how to cajole him into staying the night in his room, with two roommates conveniently away for a couple of days, and it was the perfect opportunity.
He would look at him the way he knew drove Shu crazy. Maybe tug a little at his shirt, give him a cheeky smile and tease him a bit when he gets embarrassed at the suggestion. Bump his head against his shoulder, and make him not want to be physically apart from him for the rest of the night. If Nazuna was really lucky, he could probably convince him to actually share his bed tonight, instead of retreating to Natsume’s bed or the couch as he had done the last few times he had slept over.
The thought of it is sweet, and there’s a smile on Nazuna's face as his eyelids finally slip close, slightly humming under his breath as his mind continues to conjure up the image of the night he had been planning for a week now. It turns out to be a mistake, as his thoughts and consciousness slips away from him within minutes, not even the hum of office computers and the bright ceiling lights being enough of a deterrent to stop it from happening.
It's how Shu finds him, aggravated after too many questions and a much longer day than he expected, stepping out into the main office to hopefully begin his trek back to the dorms immediately. He stops in his tracks when he sees the top of Nazuna's head resting on the shoulder of one of the couches.
"Nito? You're still here?" His words aren't answered, and it's clear why when he finally makes it all the way over to the couch, his own breath stilling for a moment. Nazuna's curled up on the side of it, phone still clutched in his hand, face relaxed and breathing even.
He finds all his anger and tension disappears immediately, soothed by the sight.
Ah, he was supposed to walk back to the dorms with him today, and Nazuna must have been too stubborn to leave when he told him too. There's an indulgent smile on his face as he leans down. Well, he can't leave him here, obviously. It takes little effort on his part to pick up and support Nazuna in his arms, and he thinks fondly of how securely he fits in his hold. It's hard not to get distracted staring at him and every shift he makes as he walks them out of the office back towards the dorms, mind desperately trying to devote every second to memory.
The moonlight looks wonderful shining upon his hair, after all.
It's a relief when Shu enters Nazuna's dorm room that no one else seems to be here. He knew Natsume was out, but to be able to avoid Leo and his incessant teasing was a welcome respite as well. It's also... tempting, to say the least, as he lays Nazuna down onto his bed, carefully taking his shoes and outwear off before moving to tuck him in quietly.
Perhaps it's selfish. But Shu can't help but to lean down, and press a light kiss to each eyelid, sappy feelings storming in his chest and causing his lungs to stutter so slightly. He likes to believe the small smile that starts to appear on Nazuna's face after the fact is merely coincidental. Until he feels his hand grasping awkwardly at his shirt when he turns around, ready to leave for the night.
" 'Shi-san, you're juwst gunna leave...?" His voice is drowsy, and very cute, and it's clear he's not fully awake yet. On the cusp of falling back asleep. "Sleep with me tonighyt."
Shu feels like he's going to faint.
He dutifully lets himself be tugged down towards the bed though, taking off his own shoes while trying not to get even more flustered from Nazuna's sleepy complaints about him taking far too long. When he finally manages to tuck himself in right besides the other, Nazuna curls forward, pressing his head against his chest with a distinctly pleased sigh.
Nazuna rests well that night. Shu, not as much.
Cheeks
The airport is loud, and noisy. Nazuna tries to drown out the sounds with music, his thumb resting on his phone ready to pause it as soon as a certain person was near enough to see. Not that seeing through this crowd was easy. He was starting to doubt his choice to volunteer to pick up Itsuki from the airport this time. Mika could have easily done it, and the clingy bastard could also have easily gone back to ES on his own too. But it had been so long, nearly a year at this point with crucial deals and exams weighing Shu down far too long, and Nazuna missed him. Mika tearing up about no one else being open to greet him back to Japan was also enough to give in.
Amidst the buzz and flow of the environment, Nazuna finds himself getting completely lost in thought. Feelings of sadness, of loneliness, of slight bitterness threaten to consume him under the din of the upbeat Ra*bits music flowing through his earbuds. Of course they had to be physically separated for long, especially after Nazuna was just getting enough courage to confess, to start pushing Shu towards what he knew they both fantasized about.
There’s a tap on his head, and Nazuna jumps, yelping in surprise.
He got so caught up in his thinking, he completely missed the very person he was waiting for approaching him. His cheeks flush red as he hurriedly takes out his earbuds, shoving them into his pocket as he tries to ignore his embarrassment and the amused look on Shu’s face at his reaction.
“Sorry Itsuki, I waited so long I kinda dazed out.” Nazuna tilts his head slightly in apology, standing up a bit straighter from his previous leaning on the wall. Shu shakes his head, a smile and a look in his eyes that always seemed to shine just a bit brighter when Nazuna started to properly talk to him.
“No need to apologize, Nito. The wonderful reaction I got when I surprised you was enough in the way of such sentiments.” Shu doesn’t let the opportunity to tease him slip by, even if the smile on his face is entirely genuine, and Nazuna knows he seriously means what he says. It doesn’t stop him from pouting, and elbowing Shu in the side. There’s a bit of pained laughter in return, and Nazuna can’t help but smile at it. He’s missed this. Even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud.
“Still, it is wonderful to see you again.” The pleasantries, he expects, but Shu grabbing his hands in his isn’t exactly within his expectations. Perhaps Shu has just become a bit more comfortable over the time he’s spent away? Not that Nazuna ever got used to the shyer, more cautious approach Shu took towards affection these past two years.
Red eyes look up at violet ones in surprise as he then leans forwards, hands still gently holding his- One kiss to one cheek, and one to another.
While Nazuna was certainly red before, he’s downright aflame after that. Some distant part of his brain reminds him it was probably something he picked up overseas, got used to doing after so many months submerged in a different culture. The other, louder, more present part of his brain was promptly melting down.
Shu just kissed him. Twice. In public. Around a ton of people, a ton of security cameras, no hesitance or caution in the action. And he himself doesn’t seem to process the strangeness of it at all. Just dropping his hold on Nazuna’s hand, grabbing his luggage instead, and re-adjusting Mademoiselle's resting spot on his arm. He looks at his companion expectantly, raising an eyebrow at his shock.
“What is the matter? Did you-...” Shu trails off, realization slowly dawning on his face a pink tinge overtaking his cheeks. Amazing. Now both of them were standing there, flustered, and it was clearly someone’s fault.
“U-Uh. Anyways, I’ve got my Mom’s car today so, I can uh, drive you back to ES…” Nazuna looks away from Shu, feeling like he could explode any second, and certainly would if whatever that kiss was ended up becoming the conversation topic. Thankfully Shu seems the same, clearing his throat and beginning to walk towards the exit, apparently grateful for the prompting and now even more desperate to get out of the crowd.
“Of course. Then let’s make haste.”
Mouth
The crowd is loud in the continuing, but not as loud as the sound of blood rushing through his ears as his chest heaves as he smiles and ruffles the hair of his juniors as they smile up at him as they make their way towards the backstage. Lives with such a huge audience for them weren’t entirely impossible nowadays, but they were still a treat. Their fans were still tight-knit and smaller in scope than other units, after all…
But a pleasant burn takes over every muscle and he can feel his cheeks hurting from the way he hasn’t stopped smiling for the past few hours. He really has to thank Valkyrie for performing with them. He can’t even remember the last time they had done so. RepaymentFes? There was one live way back when too, back when Mika still refused to call him ‘Nazuna-nii’ again and Shu looked at him with a glint in his eye that made him feel strangely small, like a disobedient child.
Those lives were filled with strange tension, even if the former was more hopeful at the time. His kids tripped over themselves to prove their worth in front of what they viewed as their biggest rival, and those two barely even acknowledged they were sharing a stage. A stark contrast from the way they easily linked hands with each other now when singing to fans who surely at one time wouldn’t imagine any possibility of occupying the same venue.
Nazuna feels like he’s floating on air for once. It makes him feel impossibly light and giddy, a high he can’t quite explain but bursts with excitement in every inch of him. And then he catches sight of Shu again.
Shu, glowing in the satisfaction of a well-done performance. A barely perceptible smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he walks mere feet in front of him, pink hair unmistakable underneath the harsh glow of stage lights.
His feet take off running before he can even notice it, the strange sense of weightlessness lending a hand towards his speed.
“Itsuki! Wait! Before you head off.” Nazuna’s voice pitches awkwardly as he calls out, excitement and exhaustion making it hard to remember the difference between singing and yelling. Shu halts his path without question, turning to face him as he stops as well to catch his breath.
Maybe it’s the adrenaline from performing. Maybe it's the way Shu looks handsome even with his hair damp and sticking to his face. Or maybe he just really, really misses him.
Nazuna wants to kiss him.
“Yes, did you need something?” Shu sounds just as exhausted as he is, even as he indulges Nazuna taking more of his time, more of his energy. The smile that tugged on his lips early fully blooms now, a familiar soft look in his eyes as he looks at Nazuna.
It makes the excitement he’s been buzzing in move from his skin to his lungs to his heart, fully transforming the want into a need and he realizes he wouldn’t be lying if he told Shu in this very moment that he needed to kiss him.
Nazuna motions for him,his smile sunny and tempting, a game of chase that has never been won since the moment Shu started it when he jumped out of a window for him.
“Mhm. Come here. Closer.” He all but demands it, almost challenging Shu to deny him. Not that he would, not for this. His denials are always wrapped in easily removable layers anyways, letting Nazuna push them away in favor of what he wanted in the first place. He’ll get what he needs, and so will Shu.
Shu sighs and shakes his head, but starts moving towards Nazuna anyway. “Certainly you could have approached me yourself?”
He’s surely moving at a normal pace, maybe only the barest bit slower due to the post-live exhaustion. But Nazuna feels like he’ll die if he doesn’t feel his lips on his right at this moment, so even the tiniest amount of slack makes him feel like he’ll explode.
He’s a hypocrite, through and through.
Before Shu can even scold him, he meets him halfway, surprising him when he roughly grabs the collar of his unit outfit. He lets out a stutter, a garbled mess of syllables that sounds awfully like his name despite how intelligible it is. Nazuna laughs as he pulls him down further, tip toes stretched as far as they can go, compromising, compromising, compromising.
Nazuna kisses him and swallows every bit of praise he can get from him. Nazuna kisses him and he feels like he never wants to kiss anyone else, even if they were somehow more handsome or more smart or even more experienced with kissing.
“Too slow, Itsuki~” He’s breathless as he teases him, pulling back and purposefully leaving Shu’s collar askew so anyone that sees him will have their curiosity piqued. Shu definitely doesn’t notice so in the moment, face red and staring directly at Nazuna. “Thanks for today! It was a lot of fun!”
He leaves it at that, not wasting time to turn around and run in the direction he can still hear his kids yelling in, leaving Shu to process whatever just happened on his own time.
“N-Nito, what if someone… What if you… Ah… Nito, kissed me ?”
Maybe he’ll manage before the venue closes, at least.