Work Text:
“Alright time to switch books” you slap the book ahead of you closed.
“This one was good can't wait for you to see my notes” you staple your report together looking between the two sets of papers you had. Not getting an answer from the purple haired man you leaned in near him to poke him.
“Hoshina…did you fall asleep?” you ask in surprise. His head was down so you only just noticed his eyes were closed. His breathing was even and deep: completely relaxed, so cute!
Taking out your phone you swipe to take a photo.
“Blergh!” Just as the camera flashed Hoshina's tongue stuck out and he tilted out his head.
“Oh come on, I almost got a limited edition Vice Captain photo”
“Yeah well you shouldn't be going around taking people's photos without their permission officer y/n ” he yawned with a cheeky smile and stretched putting aside the book he had on his lap.
“But…” you had nothing to say.
You look away and rub your neck. Gosh was being around him a roller-coaster for your heart.
Glancing at the table with books and papers you pick up the one in front and push it towards him.
“You finished your report a while ago right, I finally got finished with yours. Sorry, I had another book I had to finish for my friend, oh look that's her there”
Recognizing a face searching through the library nooks your friend runs over. She gives a knowing eye to you before greeting the vice captain.
“Gotta run, my shift is starting soon but I needed to get this book with your review of it. I know I recommended it but I wanted you to read it first-” she leans in “-to see if it's any way accurate you know” she winks and your eyes widened.
“Uh it was…interesting” you glance at Hoshina before you pick up a book and papers and shove it into your friend's hands.
“get going, don't you have work” you narrow your eyes knowing this girl will spill all the beans if left any longer. Hoshina leans back and watches the interaction with a raised eyebrow.
Now that you were alone again he cracks a smile.
“When you're hiding something you really are hilarious” his eyes follow you as you sit in the sofa adjacent to him. Unable to meet his eyes you pick up his finished book report and the book.
“Yeah well you see…ah it's a book I don't usually read and she roped me into reading it…” your voice trailed off.
“I won't pry its alright. But why are you all the way over there huh?” He leans out of his seat and pulls your chair across the carpet till the armrests touched and his smiling face was mere inches away from yours.
Hiding your yelp you flinched away as his face neared you. Now leaning curled up on the other side of the chair you eye him warily.
“How are you so strong” you murmur.
“Hey I won't bite…” his voice seemed to trail off with his smile implying ‘yet’. You shiver.
“knock it off Hoshina, you're always teasing me”
He laughed lightly as he leaned back in his seat.
“You're too much fun to mess with. Alright, alright I'll get to reading your book report” his smile widened but he held his hand up in remorse when he felt your glare.
“What did you pick for me this time huh?”
He skimmed through the book with a lazy flip.
“A New study on the regenerative properties in Kaiju blood” you pipe up with a smile finally relaxing again.
“Oh riveting stuff” he paused on the title page but turned to her with a sarcastic smile.
“Well this is our mutual study session, I can't monopolize your free time with frivolous stuff. Plus this paper is fascinating.” He leaned his head on his hands while watching you speak.
“Only you would call this fascinating. I wouldn't mind doing a report exchange with a ‘frivolous’ book, like what you and your other friend are doing” he looked a little sad here and your eyebrows knitted.
“but our whole agreement was to hang out and trade reports so we can stay up to date on all the newest kaiju data, for work”
He sighed heavily but nodded and sat back in his chair.
“Yea righty. I'm glad to have a reading buddy, it gets boring reading alone. And the notes help” he flips open the book.
“and I always make the best notes. Since I am super smart” you winked with a overly proud smile. It was just an extension of work but you did love spending time with him, any excuse would work.
“Yeah you are, and your notes are always funny” he said simply with a smile.
Your eyes flashed over to him in surprise at the compliment.
“Oh uh…thanks”
The quiet settles as you both go over your books and reports.
“What the..” He looked over at you but he went back to reading.
You chuckled proudly knowing your notes must be just that good.
“Gosh hearing your reactions I can't wait for us to discuss it” you hum while flipping through the book.
His handwriting was always so neat and beautiful. Unconsciously you smiled when you see his little character doodles reacting to certain points of information.
Peeking over at Hoshina during a particularly drawn out passage of the book, you pause in confusion.
'Maybe he was cold? His ears were a little red now, well the library was a bit chilly'
His eyes skipped between the book and the report papers with laser focus.
‘He must really like my notes and the new science.'
Proud of your work you continued going over his report not knowing the extent of the trouble you had caused.
He took out his phone and was now taking photos of the notes. Feeling conscious, she leans in hoping to see what he's doing. Now it was his turn to lean away hiding the book with him.
“What are you doing?”
“You'll find out soon rice cake”
Your eyes narrowed, he always started the food based nicknames when he was in a good mood, or about to tease you a lot which was usually one in the same.
Finally closing the book, you turned to face him.
“Ok spill, why have you been giggling so much. I love the science but even I wasn't laughing when reading that dry research paper.”
“So you agree these papers are boring” he folded the book closed and left the review covered on top. You scrunched your nose at the lack of answers and chose to ignore him, he'd tell you sooner or later.
“Fine what did you think of the content then?”
“Oh well….the book content was wildly inaccurate but your notes were cute”
“What do you mean inaccurate, I would never choose something non peer reviewed for us to cover”
“Oh I know that cupcake. I'd never doubt your academic rigor. I'm just more interested in what you had to say”
“I don't think I put much extra for this paper? Just some analysis and references to recent cases?” You rack your brain for what he could be teasing you about. The wider his smile grew the more uneasy you felt.
“I guess, I like the way you see things. I just didn't realise you had such deep feelings about everything”
“Ok fine, tell me one of the notes you liked then“ exasperated you rubbed your temple and sighed. He flipped through the review and you narrowed your eyes preparing yourself for whatever sort of embarrassment he found in your reporting skills.
“Ah this is my favourite; ‘Hoshina would definitely do this, gosh and he would look good doing it’-
-the uniform really does make anyone look good just so skin tight-
This one is good too.
-'It's really cute scene but the fact that the main character acts like Hoshina is driving me crazy,’ you said about a kissing scene”
“-'This is absolutely inaccurate to protocols. That said just the thought of Hoshina doing that makes my heart race so I get the appeal' and then there is...”
“OK ok stop!” Finally catching up with breathing you jumped forward to cover his mouth.
“How did you get this, those are the notes for that book with my friend…” your eyes scanned the book and notes in his hands and realized the problem.
“I never thought you were into romance novels, and imagine my surprise when I read it's set in a Defense Force base…” he slipped your hands from his mouth and using his grip made you falter into falling into his chest.
“I did say I wouldn't bite you but I even read you had a fascination with prominent canines” he whispered against your ear with a chuckle. You shivered and pulled away but it was too late, you were trapped. He was one of the top officers after all.
“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. You weren't supposed to read that…I…I.. “ tears welled up from frustration and you changed tactics to hide your face in his chest. Mortifying was just the beginning. The book was a romantic drama about a defense force officer and civilian, there were multiple kiss scenes, steamy scenes, and your notes were filled with lighthearted commentary and tons of crude jokes your friend wouldn't mind.
Noticing your tears he patted your back softly and lowered his voice.
“Hey hey, that's nothing to be sorry for. Its stinking cute is what it is" he loosened his iron grip on her as his laughter couldn't be contained anymore. You stiffened and pushed away.
“I…I have to go. I'm sorry.” He paused but seeing you panic he let go.
You hurriedly picked up your bag and stepped away with your head down. You pulled at the notes in question in his hands and he let it go easily.
“I am so sorry for writing those things about you.” your voice wavered with emotion before you turned and fled the scene.
Alone, Sochiro watched you practically run away and his eyes followed until there was just emptiness. In the silence of the room he leaned forward with his head in his hands.
“What a hilarious woman” he murmured with a sad smile.
Hours later Y/n's tears were exhausted. You sat on the floor of the room with the papers stained with tears. You felt raw, not only from exhausting tears but you felt exposed. More than anything you were mortified.
To a man you respected and cared for deeply to see those dirty little feelings of affection and attraction was the worst feeling.
It was a crush, one you had pushed into the back of her mind yet here it was, exposing that your friendship wasn't exactly pure.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Hey y/n you left the report you we're supposed to read. The one I finished. I thought you'd want to look over it?”
It was so…normal, his voice careful and friendly as usual. You get up and open the door slightly. He leaned his body against the corridor, harmlessly offering the book.
“I know you aren't feeling that well, so I'll leave you to it. And don't feel so bad about it. I liked what you said” he simply smiled a toothy grin after you accepted and turned around.
'Was it really that easy? And what did he mean by he liked it?'
Closing the door behind you, you looked at the book. This…didn't seem kaiju related? Yet there were notes in his handwriting. Sitting on your bed you flipped through the book and the notes your heart racing.
A historical romance novel. A Japanese soldier and the army nurse he fell in love with. It was a sweet slow romance. The soldiers heartfelt care and earnest hope that her kindness was really love sank into your heart.
In very neat and beautiful script, Hoshinas' notes covered the report pages. Little hearts and character drawings accompanying the larger notes.
“y/n would look great in a kimono”
“Was this character modeled after y/n that was such a cute reaction”
“if I said that y/n would full body laugh at me, it would be cute though”
“He says she's the most beautiful woman and I can only imagine y/n's face”
“y/n would probably cry after seeing them separate”
“If only y/n would kiss me like that 😔“
And it just continues, your name being brought up over and over. Comparing you to the female lead the male lead was head over heels for. Randomly off topic with ruminations about how pretty he thought you were. And begging the characters to kiss already.
Your mind was a flustered mess but one thing was for sure.
“Come in” Hoshina was at his desk doing paperwork when he looked up and saw you. An easy smile returned to his face as he got up to greet you.
“Feeling better already? I guess the research paper calmed your nerves…” he snickered.
You drop the book and the paper on the desk.
“You gave me the wrong book and review” you stared at him. He widened his eyes comically wide and looked between the paper and you.
“What? How did that happen? That was my private book review for a book I liked. I meant to give you the kaiju report damn it” he slapped a hand over his face in dramatic embarrassment.
“I should apologize-” you started and he frowned and turned to you.
“-what no! I was the one who made the mistake I didn't mean to-” you held up your hand and continued.
“-I was surprised earlier and deeply embarrassed about what I had written. I'm sorry I ran away crying without giving you an explanation” you state with an even tone.
He leaned against his desk still looking at you and nodded slowly.
“Sure. Apology accepted… and I'm sorry for laughing at you. So... what did you think of the book. It really is my favourite” he mused his smile lopsided.
“It was…great I really liked it. I didn't think you would like historical romance” you smile as you hear his apology.
“I like to read historical dramas,comedies or romances in my free time. It may sound cliche but I love samurai stories…oh and westerns.” he walked closer to you as he explains, casually leaning on his desk.
“Well I also liked your notes, they were…cute. The little drawings too” you took a step forward toward him.
His eyebrows raised before his smile widened.
“I guess we can call it even right. Since we both shared our ‘delicate thoughts’” his ears showed a red tinge as you looked at each other. “How did you feel about the confession scene? For a soldier he really was a coward in front of love.” He didn't move away but his eyes shakily looked at your hands after realising you had caught him staring at your lips.
“I feel the same way as the love interest” your hand rest on his face now so close you could feel warmth radiating off of him.
“What about you?” you asked with a nervous breath, you met with his dark eyes.
He leans forward capturing your lips in a kiss and you kiss him back. All those needlessly repressed feelings flowing out as they pushed against each other, hands holding on to each other as if the other would disappear. They separate panting, and he rest his head against your forehead.
“Hm you really are hilarious” he chuckled.
“Hey what's that supposed to mean” you laughed holding his hands as you kiss his cheeks.
“I guess I'll have to buy some more tight shirts later” he hummed contented. Flustered, you stammered.
“What why?”
“Cuz you said I looked hot in them”
“Well….I wouldn't be against it I suppose”
He leans forward and kisses you once more.
“Yeah, you really are a hilarious woman” he smiled, his cheeks a rosy red.