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Hyoma’s love language is words of affirmation, Rensuke comes to learn. This is…relatively a problem for him. Compliments are not something he’s ever been able to deal with. Rensuke and his talents and hard work just are . He doesn’t ever expect someone to praise them, not when to him they’re just things that exist.
Hyoma doesn’t often compliment people. He’s rather blunt with most other people, and he can even be blunt with Rensuke. But he also loves to offer Rensuke with a shower of compliments, his smile growing larger every time something he says makes Rensuke blush and look away, spluttering out some nonsense. Compliments are fired out for any kind of reason: a good play, a show of strength, how he’d dressed.
Hyoma has him utterly wrapped around his finger, and despite the consistent flustering, Rensuke doesn’t think he’d have it any other way.
It does become a bit of a problem when they’re with other people, though.
With all of them back in Japan for a bit, Bachira demanded they and Isagi all meet up. Rin joins too, his relationship with Isagi growing rather serious.
“Hmph, back to being not only a third wheel, but a fifth wheel!” Bachira pouts, sipping his much too sugary coffee drink.
“Aren’t you dating someone? That Spanish model guy,” Rin laments.
“Ah, yeah, yeah, didn’t want to drag him all the way to Tokyo for just one month. Besides, he’s got all his hot modeling gigs to do anyways,” Bachira laughs, sticking out his tongue. “Ugh, it’d be more fun to brag if you guys weren’t all already dating people.”
Hyoma snorts. “Hm, I dunno, I can still brag about how hot, handsome, and talented my hero is. Talented on the field, in the kitchen, and-”
Rensuke’s face burns, looking away pointedly. Hyoma smirks, but reaches out for his hand, intertwining their fingers.
“Chigiri, you know he’s bad with compliments,” Isagi scoffs, but Rensuke can tell he’s holding back a laugh.
Rensuke scowls at him and rolls his eyes, which makes Bachira burst into a fit of giggles.
“Oooo, Kunigami, you’re sooo strong,” Bachira coos.
Rensuke feels heat rising to his face, but it’s not the same as it is with Hyoma. Bachira is teasing, sure, but he knows there’s truth to him saying such a thing. But with Hyoma, god. It’s like there’s a whole different kind of passion and affection when he says such things. Yes, he likes to say them to get Rensuke to blush, but the praise is real. He wants to see the blush to know Rensuke knows how he feels, knows his love.
Of course I do .
“Chigiri is definitely better than him though,” Rin scoffs.
“Huh?” Bachira asks.
“I’m guessing he means Shidou,” Isagi laughs awkwardly.
“Yep. I can’t be around my brother without Shidou blabbing on praises and shit about how much he loovesss Sae.” Rin gags at that.
Hyoma seems to get a little awkward at that. “Well…it’s just how I show affection, I dunno.”
“Ah, no, um…didn’t mean it like that,” Rin replies awkwardly. “I just don’t like anything Shidou does.”
Bachira snorts and shakes his head. “I think that’s like your ‘love language’ Chigiri! There’s apparently five. Physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, and quality time!”
“Well, Rin’s is definitely quality time,” Isagi teases.
“Yours is gifts,” Rin replies simply. “You always bring me back some weird trinkets wherever you go somewhere, and you’re always remembering shit I mention offhandedly.”
“Sounds like Isagi alright!” Bachira giggles. “Mine is definitely physical touch.”
“We know,” Rensuke, Hyoma, and Isagi all chorus, making Bachira laugh again.
“I feel like I don’t really know what mine is,” Rensuke continues, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Well, I do.” Hyoma’s eyes narrow and he smirks.
“Why do you sound so smug about it?” Rensuke teases back, brushing a strand of Hyoma’s hair behind his ear.
“That!” Hyoma cheers, grabbing Rensuke’s wrist.
“Wha?”
“You’re so touchy, Rensuke,” Hyoma practically purrs, his face brightening immensely. “Your love language is touch, just like Bachira.”
Rensuke flushes. “Huh, well…I mean, I guess I do like to touch you affectionately. Is that…weird?”
“No, no, not at all,” Hyoma laughs, taking Rensuke’s hand to cup his cheek. “I like it. I’m not fond of most people touching me, but because you’re my boyfriend, I love how touchy you are, for some reason. I guess I just feel how loving and affectionate you are through it.”
“Hyoma…” Rensuke’s face softens, and he pulls Hyoma close to brush their foreheads against each other.
“Ugh, it’s just like when we were in Blue Lock,” Isagi groans loudly, and the two break apart, flushing and looking away. “I wasn’t stupid, yknow? I knew Chigiri was sneaking into your bed, Kunigami.”
“It’s not like we were doing anything weird!” Hyoma retorts.
“Nah, that was just when you were together in the Second Selection,” Isagi shoots back. “I’ve heard tales from Reo.”
“Hey, it wasn’t that bad. It was just making out. Pretty sure Aiku said Shidou and Sae actually-” Rensuke cuts himself off as he notices Rin’s face. “Um. Yeah, anyways.”
“Why don’t we go to that arcade?” Isagi quickly suggests. “Rin, you’ve never been, have you?”
“No. Are you going to win me more gifts?” Rin replies flatly, smirking a little.
“Hmph, maybe I am.”
“Shall we?” Rensuke asked, linking his fingers with Hyoma’s.
“Yes, let’s go, my handsome darling.”