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Summer needs no introduction; it was the season of sunny skies, tropical winds and relaxation. For many, it was a joyous time to be alive: family and friends merrily cheering over a festive barbecue, children happily rushing out school gates as the bell marks the end of their imprisonment, adventurous strangers making a daring dive into the sparkling waters of distant lands—just a picture perfect image of bliss.
Kou halfheartedly scrubs the countertops with a rag before slumping over the bathroom sink in defeat.
For one exorcist though, summer just meant afterschool bathroom cleanings with his ghost just became way more insufferable.
"God fuckin’ DAMN, it's hot as hell in here!" Kou complains as he wipes the sweat off his forehead. He turns to look at Hanako, expecting a similar clammy mess, but all he sees is Hanako sitting on the window sill happily fiddling with his playing cards as if the world isn't burning around him. Kou seethes. "You seriously don't feel anything, Hanako?"
"Hm? Nope, feels pretty cool to me!" He reassures, shooting a smile his way before going right back to his cards.
Kou groans, mulling the unfairness of it all. First, he felt like peeling his skin off to escape the death grip the summer sun had on him; Second, he was stuck cleaning a stuffy bathroom alone as the only company he had played uno and remained blissfully unaware of the blazing heat tearing Kou apart. He slumps over his arms, cursing himself for offering to take over Nene’s cleaning duties on such a sweaty day. He didn’t mind the cleaning itself—in fact, Kou usually looked forward to it on regular days—however, the mind-melting heat waves and lack of proper ventilation in the old building made any normal task unbearable—let alone any cleaning. He bangs his fist against the countertop. Kou would wage war against the sun for dooming him to such a fate. For now though, he can do nothing except wallow in his stupidity.
He takes a peek at Hanako, observing the way the sunlight filters through the stained glass window and creates a beautiful mosaic of dancing colors around his figure. Call it envy, call it resentment, call it plain curiosity, as despite the pretty sight, Kou could only focus on one burning question: Why couldn't Hanako feel the rays slowly cooking him alive like Kou did? It has to have something to do with him being a ghost, right? Regular humans have functioning systems that detect temperatures to regulate internal organs but since ghosts don't need those to stay alive, they're as cold as ice. In other words, Hanako was basically a walking ice pac—
A realization strikes Kou like an anvil to the skull.
He instantly ditches his cleaning supplies and rushes to Hanako with a new sense of purpose. Hanako remains oblivious to Kou’s determination, still preoccupied with slamming a killer combo on the mokke. He only awakens from his daze when something hot and sticky touches him. Hanako’s attention snaps to the source as Kou slots his arm with his and practically melts into Hanako’s side.
“What’s gotten you so cuddly?”
After a long beat of silence, Kou defeatedly sighs, “Just cooling off.” and that's all the explanation Hanako really needs. He knows the summer heat can be brutal but to see it wrecking its havoc on his boyfriend like this was enlightening. Hanako watches as Kou’s pained expression softens, his furrowed brows relaxing and lips curling into a small smile as the tension leaves his frame. Something about the sight tugs at Hanako’s non-existent heartstrings.
Despite Kou’s weak insistence that he just go back to his game, Hanako struggles to peel his eyes away from the boy. The mokke voiced their complaints as they impatiently waited for Hanako's turn but he couldn't just ignore Kou’s presence when he clearly needed him. In a decision that takes no longer than a second, Hanako tentatively sets his cards down and quietly shoos the mokke away. They mumble something about his downfall as they scurry away, yet he pays no mind.
When Hanako lightly pushes Kou off of him, Kou prepares to hurl a slew of complaints at the potty poltergeist (something to the effect of “So it's okay if you're clingy but when I do it-" but the words die on his tongue the moment he turns to find Hanako holding his arms wide open with a dopey grin. He scoffs at Hanako's dorky face before he gratefully takes the invitation.
The two embrace and the cold of Hanako’s body envelops Kou in a wave of sweet, sweet bliss. The feverish burn that once set his senses ablaze was remedied by an addictingly cool touch Kou couldn't get enough of. Hanako’s hold wasn't too loose, nor too constricting either, just exactly right. It felt secure; comforting. Loving. Hanako's arms squeeze him as if to reaffirm the notion and Kou swears that if Hanako wasn’t holding him up, he would've crumbled on the spot. A sigh of relief escapes his lips once more as he tucks his head in the crook of Hanako’s neck, relishing the safety in the faint scent of sea salt.
“Gettin’ comfy, kid?”
“Shut up.”
“Whattt? It's not like I'm complaining~” Hanako sings. He doesn’t have to see Kou’s face to know that he rolled his eyes (lovingly, of course).
The room falls to a comfortable silence, a quiet lull washing over them the longer they embrace. It's a delicate thing encapsulated by the steady strokes of Hanako’s hand against Kou’s sweaty back, encouraging him to take further asylum in his deliciously cold arms. Kou tries not to go completely slack lest his full weight fall on an unsuspecting Hanako but with a touch like that, he was seriously asking for it. Kou just settles on tightening his hold and closing his eyes. There, all he can focus on is the sound of his own heartbeat, a slow and steady pattering. It seems so loud in comparison to everything else, a beat strong enough to bleed through his skin, bringing Kou to wonder if Hanako could hear, feel his heartbeat due to the absence of his own. It’s a bittersweet thought, one he doesn’t let ruminate for too long but if anything, Kou hopes with every fiber of his being he can feel how his heart beats for him, pulse mending into the spot where their hearts met.
Contrary to popular belief, Hanako can feel heat just fine—just not to the intensity that humans experience it. As a ghost, his body emits a frigid aura, heightening the severity of his dull sense of touch. He despises it, heavy thoughts lingering around the outskirts of his mind every time he's reminded, but he tries not to dwell in it for too long because for whatever Hanako lacked in tactile perception, he made sure to compensate by being as hands on as possible with his boyfriend. While Hanako couldn’t say he was too fond of Kou’s sweat sticking to him, he was more than willing to sacrifice comfortability if it meant he could be closer to his beloved. After all, the proximity allowed Hanako to fully lose himself in Kou: His warmth draped over him like a cozy blanket on a snowy winter’s day, his charming scent made of fresh linen with hidden undertones of citrus made Hanako’s head swimmy, his breath ghosting Hanako’s neck felt so gentle, so soothing like the rustles of trees in the wind, whispering all the secrets the conscious world didn't deserve. Each and every one of these details surrounded his senses and by God, did it make Hanako weak.
He softly combs through Kou’s hair, enjoying the way his strands felt between his fingers. His hair is fluffy and soft, making it easy to get lost exploring it. Occasionally, Hanako would pick a tuft of hair and examine it more closely, admiring the way the sunlight made Kou’s golden locks glitter like thousands of stars condensed into each strand. It makes Hanako wistful of the moon, the sun and the stars of his distant past. In Kou’s hair, he could see, he could feel, he could reach out and touch the sparkling constellations he had once so desperately sought. Hanako lets go of the tuft as a pensive pang hits his chest. His hand hovers and for a second, he's stuck in the bittersweet nostalgia. He wades in the murky waters of abandoned dreams, dusty emotions and forgotten memories until—
A bump against his hand snaps him out of the trance. It takes a moment as Hanako’s hand finds its place in Kou’s hair and he slowly resumes pace. The repetitive motion eases him almost like petting a service dog of sorts. He takes a look at his hand as it strokes his fluffy hair. Again, he finds the stars as they glitter and shine bright, guiding him back to the shore with its sanative light. Hanako sits on the proverbial sand and watches as the waves crash against his feet. His clothes are wet and stick to his skin but for now, he can gaze at the stars, dig into the sand and remind himself that despite forfeiting his childish visions of exploring the universe, it won’t ever stop him from finding comfort in his new one: Kou.
The equilibrium between them is unlike any other. If he were to describe it, he could say it was nothing less than healing in every sense of the word. Hanako has been struck with bolts of lightning from a piercing blade that vowed to erase him from existence, but in all honesty, nothing could truly purify him the way Kou’s warmth could.
Hanako smiles to himself as he gently rakes his nails against Kou’s scalp. The exorcist nuzzles deeper into the crook of Hanako’s neck, making a sound somewhere between a satisfied purr and a drowsy mumble. The sound resonates deep within Hanako’s chest and he has to stop himself from melting on the spot.
Hanako felt close to combustion, close to exploding into a supernova at the fullness of his heart. A flurry of desires fills his mind, all screaming at once: the urge to swing Kou around and kiss him senseless, then squeeze him so damn tight that even God himself couldn't pry him out of his hold—it was overwhelming, it was exciting, it was everything good in the world mixed into one. Hanako wants to let it all out before he bursts into flame and burns his boyfriend so instead, he whispers, “Can you look at me?” frail and wanting like a needy child attempting to hide their greed through feigned composure.
Groggily, Kou pulls away from his spot and for an instant, Hanako misses the warmth. However, when they finally meet eyes—amber on half lidded cerulean—there’s not an ounce of regret in Hanako’s mind. The bathroom windows casted a mesmerizing mosaic of colors upon Kou’s face, highlighting his tan skin and freckles dotted across his cheeks. His hair was messier thanks to Hanako’s work, sticking up in some places and matted in others—a cute sight that Hanako would cherish forever. His heart overflowed with adoration as he absorbed the endearing view of his exorcist soaking the rays.
Kou wanted to comment on his dopey grin but as soon as Hanako’s wintery hand slid to cradle his cheek, the words washed away and Kou simply melted into his hold. He wraps a clammy hand around Hanako’s wrist and relishes the chilly sensation, closing his eyes as he curls into the ghost's palm. Hanako’s thumb caresses Kou's soft skin, admiring the constellations speckling his universe. A sweet smile blooms on Kou’s face as he does and Hanako can't help but smile too.
“There’s my pretty boy.” Hanako breathes, earnest and true.
Kou’s eyes widened and his heart lurched in his chest. Hanako’s genuine compliments were far and few in between, always needing a special occasion with some excuse attached to them, never just because or spur of the moment. It caught him off guard to hear him admit something so sudden, so sincere, in a matter of seconds. Kou lets the words ruminate as he attempts to process it word by word—failing miserably as blood rushes to his ears and fills out his cheeks, igniting a rapidly growing fire faster than he could put out.
Only Hanako could make one of the easiest jobs backfire. All he had to do was just keep him cool and yet again, he fumbled the bag by being so stupidly sweet with his words. Kou glared at him as he had the nerve to gaze at him with the fondest amber eyes and the most smitten smile he ever did see, searing the sight straight into his heart.
A bunch of thoughts ran through his mind but all he manages is a belated “You suck.” as he hides his face in the palm of Hanako’s hand, simultaneously both grateful and resentful it could remedy his fire.
“Not my fault it’s true.”
“It will be your fault if I die of a damn heatstroke.”
Hanako chuckles, “Come on, kid. Don't be so dramatic...”
“You’re one to talk.” Kou huffs. Hanako objects with a ‘hey!’ and Kou glares daggers at him, daring him to challenge his words. While Hanako’s retort dies on his tongue, a plan is resurrected in his mind.
Hanako sighs, “If it really bothers you that much, I got a better way to cool off.” Kou raises a brow at his declaration, not trusting the devilish glint in Hanako’s eyes. His intuition orders him to break free from his hold, before he's ensnared in whatever the ghost's thinking but,
“Shoot.” Kou agrees. Hanako only smirks and plants an innocent kiss on Kou’s temple.
Then another on the side. Then another on the other side until he speedily peppers kisses everywhere his lips could reach: cheeks, eyelids, his nose—nothing could be spared from his wreckoning. Kiss by kiss, the color of Kou’s cheeks deepened and Hanako adored the sight with every fiber of his being, finding each shade even lovelier than the last. He could feel the heat radiating off of Kou in waves and as much as the exorcist tried to fight it, Hanako was merciless in his pursuit.
“Stop it, Hanako—you’re making it worse!” Kou exclaims between laughs. He attempts to push him away but his resistance is only met with more kisses.
“Oh, am I? I couldn’t tell,” Hanako grins as he pulls Kou closer with the hand on his back and continues smothering him with his lips.
An endless war waged between a relentless soldier and a rebellious hostage. The ambush of kisses sent the hostage reeling in his prison as each peck felt more and more like electrifying bullets piercing burning skin. His intuition was right: It was a trap, a cheeky ploy to overcome his defenses and rob him of his dignity! Kou’s hand pushes away Hanako’s face with adamant vigor but the soldier only doubles down as he captures Kou’s wrist and lays even more kisses against his palm—effectively setting siege to the hostage’s strategy. Assaulted by the array of pecks, smooches and smacks, Kou’s heart thundered in his ribs, each crack making it more clear he’d be a deadman if Hanako didn’t cease fire.
The exorcist instantly yanks his hand away, shouting, “Let go of me, jerk!” It's not as decisive as he wanted to be, riddled with laughter that undermines his whole message and Hanako takes notice, immediately coming to snuff his attempt at escape by imprisoning him in his arms again.
“Never!!”
Quickly, Kou uses his free hand to pry at the arms wrapped around his back. He claws and claws away until finally, a sliver of hope shines through the cold cell bars as Hanako’s grasp falters. Kou was on the brink of escape, freedom, salvation! He pries again and at last, Hanako loses his grip on the slippery hostage. Kou stumbles back, taking a step towards liberty, when all of a sudden Hanako instantly cages him back in with his legs, practically slamming the bars right back in his face.
“Hanako…!” Kou growls.
Hanako throws his arms back around Kou and tightens them. “You’re gonna have to try harder to get ridda me, kid!”
With his arms trapped to his side, Kou frantically tries to shake him off like a wet dog. He finds some success in the way Hanako slowly slips until he clings harder, constricting him more and more to the point where Kou could barely move at all. In one last attempt, Kou begins kicking around, swinging like a maniac until a fatal swing has them tip, tip, tipping past the point of return,
“Kid, KID WE’RE GONNA-”
…and crashing down the hardwood floor with a deafening thud.
They groan in unison. Kou writhes ever so slightly, feeling the weight of Hanako on top of him with excruciating punctuality. Slowly, Hanako untangles himself from the mess as Kou stays fixed to his place, eyes shut tight. He focuses on willing away the pain reverberating throughout his bones instead of the shadow looming over him.
"You okay?" Hanako tries.
Kou senses the question was born out of genuine concern but at the very moment, he couldn’t stop himself from snapping back. “Are you.”
A beat of silence passes by and Kou is grateful. It’s not often he has to deal with the pain in his ass and an aching injury so when the fault falls on the former, Kou thinks the least he owes him is some peace and quiet. When the exorcist hears a chuckle, he prepares himself for a snarky remark back but before he even knew it, something cold pressed against the corner of his lips. Immediately, Kou’s eyes shot open to meet a satisfied grin too close for comfort.
“I am now.” Hanako answers, not a hint of remorse behind those twinkling eyes.
Kou shoves Hanako’s face away, muttering a half-hearted “Bastard.” as he sits up. Hanako laughs, shuffling aside on his knees and reaching over to help steady his lovely victim.
“And you love ittt~”
Kou huffs humorlessly, sitting up on his hands, “In your dreams.”
“Come onnn, just admit it already.” Hanako gets right up in Kou’s personal space once more, a hand gripping the sides of his face, “You know you want to~”
This is the moment Kou would have usually slapped Hanako’s cap down on his cheeky little face but it seems like it got knocked off when they fell. So Kou instead makes a show of ignoring Hanako by pressing his lips into a thin line, refusing to meet his eye in the most obnoxious way possible and crossing his arms for good measure. A sour expression overtakes Hanako’s face for the split second Kou’s eyes flicker to him and he has to stifle a laugh. It seemed like some of his rebellion was working.
That is, until the ghost suddenly takes him by the shoulders and begins shaking him, chanting, “Admit it! Admit it! Admit–”
Kou wanted to hate it: The pain that ebbs from Hanako’s vice grip on his shoulders, the ridiculous pace he’s shaking him at and above all, Hanako’s laughter as it clumsily slips in between each chant but it’s hard to stay stubborn when the sound is just so damn infectious, echoing in the confines of his head like a dizzying song that he couldn’t resist no matter how much he tried. At last, Kou breaks character, laughing too as he taps Hanako’s arms like he’s calling timeout. “Okay, okay!” He chokes out. “I do.”
Hanako pauses upon hearing the magic words. His face lights up, genuine delight beaming behind his eyes and the adorable sight almost makes up for the ache in Kou’s chest from laughing.
Almost.
Hanako smiles cheekily, tilting his head. "Oh, what was that? I didn't hear you—”
“You’re an asshole.” Kou coughs.
“Aw, c’mon! Say it again, kid.” Hanako pulls him in closer, arm snaking around Kou’s neck, “Pleaseee?”
“No, now get outta my face.” He tries, the message falling flat as his smile betrays him.
Hanako pouts with his big, dopey amber eyes boring into him. It's so cartoonishly stupid that it nearly forces another laugh out of Kou. To be victim to such a sight was to make Kou’s deathbed, truly. The admission was a trap, basically granting him permission to be more of a little shit than he already is. Kou wants to say it won't work on him, he wants to declare himself free from such a curse but…
“Please?” Hanako repeats, quieter this time and there's something so genuine in the way it falls from his lips.
And by then, it's too late because Kou knows Hanako put a spell on him. After all, how can Kou believe he’s the one in control when all it takes is a simple plea for him to cave to Hanako’s greed? Perhaps he did it slowly from the minute he began their skinship, his cool touch and patience healing something within Kou and allowing him to foolishly lower his guard, or perhaps Hanako did it all at once, unleashing a barrage of powerful hexes in the form of his kisses, drowning him in affection before Kou could even get the chance to fight back.
Or maybe, just maybe, Kou was weak all along.
Since when was he anything less than an idiot, a victim, a hostage hypnotized by his captor? Kou was always marred by his fascination, seeking Hanako for the most trivial things and regretting it when he predictably took the opportunity to fluster him. In theory, it's fully the ghost's fault. Fool him once; shame on Hanako, right? However, was Kou really any smarter, any stronger for returning to the enemy again and again? Fool him twice, thrice, quice–whatever, it's shame on Kou and honestly there's no good use in fighting it when he’s so far gone already.
Kou gazes into those alluring amber eyes, a shining hope hidden beneath his mischievous veneer. The pout that accompanies it is absolutely insufferable, though somehow Kou still manages to find it cute. He has a lingering suspicion that it’s another ruse, another trap, another charade to swindle him out of all he’s worth; Yet he can't help the fondness that seeps from his voice as he reluctantly admits, “I do.”
Hanako smiles, charmingly sweet, and it’s then that Kou decides that if Hanako was his deathbed, he would be happy to have his funeral. They lean in slowly, eyes fluttering closed as a cold hand tangles in Kou’s hair. Without further hassle, Kou lets Hanako’s lips seal his fate.
The kiss is nothing more than a simple press of the lips, yet there was such profound gentleness that enchanted him nonetheless as it fills Kou’s chest with a new kind of warmth. It was different from the sweltering summer heat or flustered daze he was caught in earlier: Less like a scorching disaster that wiped any semblance of his coherence and more like the kind rays of sunshine that embraced his senses with a radiance so contagious, he’s absolutely helpless against it—a flurry of giddiness flooding his system. If he was a destined deadman, Kou really wouldn’t mind being buried in those lips forevermore. He’s absolutely lost; surrendered to the way Hanako pulled him in, ever so close, like he couldn’t get enough of the exorcist. Perhaps this was how Hanako liked to work his magic; how else could his lips be so bewitching?
They pull apart gingerly—too soon for either of their liking but too late to stop Hanako from stealing his breath away yet again.
“There.” Kou suspires, “Happy now?”
“Hmmm,” Hanako pretends to be lost in thought before returning to him with a familiar smirk, “not quite. Maybe you should try again, kid.”
Kou scoffs. “You just always have to have the last word, don't you?”
“You betcha.” Hanako giggles, a sound that makes its home in Kou’s heart.
They close in for another kiss. It’s just as sweet as the last; a loving charm to the softness of Hanako’s chapped lips against Kou’s. It’s reminiscent of their very first kiss, conjuring the same fluffy energy without the weight of amateur nervousness, and evolving past it. It’s taken a lot of practice on Kou’s part, whereas Hanako seemed to be a natural from the start, much to his dismay. Kou’s never doubted it for a second but on the off chance Hanako was inexperienced, he was great at hiding i–
Their teeth clash into one another as Hanako stumbles into him. They abruptly break, Kou’s hand instantly covering his mouth as Hanako scrambles to compose himself. Hanako was trying to deepen the kiss, coming off of his knees and leaning in more and more until he finally tipped over like a lovedrunken idiot. The ghost promptly sits back down on his legs, his hands gripping his knees. He hopes the kid will be merciful with him. Only God knows what ammunition this could be.
The two stare at each other, dumbfounded. Hanako struggles to fight the embarrassment crawling up his face. In his complexion, Kou realizes with striking clarity that no matter how much Hanako desperately tries to bury it underneath coy grins and flirty remarks, he was just as—if not more—spellbound as the exorcist was. A snicker bubbles to the surface of Kou’s throat. He tries to hold it in but once a huff of air pushes past his lips, it's not long before it crescendos into a full cackle.
“Come here.” Kou beckons through laughter and Hanako complies wordlessly, all too eager to wash away his sins. Kou’s hand snaked around his waist and guided him towards his lap. Hanako straddles the exorcist’s legs, his hands banking on Kou’s shoulders for balance. Kou’s eyes trail up to find Hanako’s face bashfully turned to the side, pointedly avoiding his gaze. It’s absolutely adorable, highlighted by how the sunlight hits his hair, turning it into a lovely shade of cinnamon, and grazes the edges of his pale skin, a dreamy liveliness to be had in the radiant color. Kou smiles, unable to resist the urge to plant a tender kiss on his cheek any longer.
Immediately, Hanako’s eyes widen before he shoots back an unimpressed glare, a flowering blush so apparent Kou couldn’t miss if he tried. The exorcist effortlessly fires back an adoring look, eyes sparkling with fragrant admiration like Hanako had hung the moon in the sky. Hanako glowers, not knowing what’s worse: the devoutful expression itself or how Hanako finds himself caving under such a loving gaze, resentment melting into fondness the longer he drank it in.
“Don't look at me like that, kid.” Hanako lightly smothers Kou with his hand.
“Like what?” Kou chuckles, undeterred and Hanako just rolls his eyes.
When the hand falls away, the exorcist has the privilege of seeing Hanako smile, really smile with those bright amber eyes crinkling at the corners and cheeks pink enough to rival the prettiest petunia. It's a precious sight that's enriched by the cutest discovery Kou has made thus far. Higher up on Hanako’s face, there’s a small crater that rests on the plains of his smooth cheeks. Awe is an understatement. Hanako has dimples! He has dimples that come out when he smiles!!
Kou lifts a hand to investigate the dimple further, putting his palm flush with his cheek. He wants to map out every last detail of his boyfriend's face: Uncover all the other treasures that he’s yet to find and worship them for the precious prizes they are. Kou hasn’t the faintest clue what else the beauty has in store for him but he knows exactly where he wants to explore first. The exorcist guides Hanako’s face closer, careful not to break the spell cast over them. Hanako readjusts his arms, caging Kou’s head between them as his hands entangle in golden locks. For what feels like forever, they hold each other's gaze, unmoving. Kou relishes every second of it, drowning in those gorgeous pools of honey.
“You know, when you’re not being such a jerk,” Kou’s voice is soft and gentle, his words brushing against Hanako’s lips as he sighs, “I think you’re pretty too.”
Time stops. At that moment, Hanako's expression was suspended. He scours his brain for a cheeky comeback—something, anything to get him back on his feet. Reaching a level of red that he didn’t even think was possible, he stumbled hard on his words. Hanako instinctually goes to hide under his cap but alas, when he reaches for it, he comes up with nothing. Spotting motion beyond Kou’s shoulder, he witnesses a mokke scurrying away with his last resort and Hanako dies inside.
Kou grins knowingly, “Not so cool now, are you?”
Hanako barely manages to parse a response, fighting the urge to disappear into the crook of the exorcist’s shoulder. “Just…shut up and kiss me already.”
Kou laughs—light and airy. It fills the room among Hanako's embarrassing silence and makes him feel impossibly warmer inside. Without further hassle, he brings their lips together once more and the world is alright again: A magic spell casted over their sweet summer stupor.