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"I'm just... happy that everyone's looking a lot better than before."
He had Sakura's attention on him. Two different colored eyes stared at him attentively, impatiently waiting for the following words to come out of his mouth. Togame let out a soft smile as his green eyes redirected to Choji, who was beaming with happiness while passing drinks to the rest of their teammates. As the rest of their teammates looked for a place in the shade and relaxed around the cooler, everyone's forehead glistened with a light layer of sweat, but Choji positively glowed. It was as though he were a vessel for the sun itself, his curls catching the golden rays and his eyes radiating warmth. On that perfect summer day, he seemed utterly at home, as if the sun's light and energy were meant just for him. Togame played with the ramune bottle he was holding, passing it around between his fingers and enjoying the sound of the marble rolling around in the container. He leaned his cheek on his palm, still marveling at the way his partner looked so carefree and joyful.
His thoughts wandered back to Sakura's request: helping Bofurin during Endo's invasion. That seemed risky, and maybe months before, he would've laughed in the kid's face; after all, it wasn't their fight, and he had no business risking their men or their dignity, for another gang nonetheless. However, looking at Choji and their team, each of them happier than before and spending time together instead of cowering away under his forest gaze, he decided that none of that would've been possible if it wasn't for the Bufurin guys and their unrelenting urge to improve themselves and everyone around them. As sickeningly sweet as it sounded, Togame knew it was an incredibly noble goal, and joining their fight meant his gang could contribute to their cause. Besides, there was no guarantee that Endo wouldn't come after them once he was done with Furin.
Sakura made a noise. Something between an annoyed grunt and acknowledgment made Togame return his attention to him. He sighed, recognizing that it took Sakura a lot of guts to show up and admit he needed help from another leader and wouldn't leave without a clear answer from the second in command. He was proud and curious about what led Sakura to come to them, specifically. He wondered what had happened the months after their fight and what had drastically changed his perspective of receiving help. Undoubtedly, Umemiya had something to do with said change, but he felt good knowing that maybe, just maybe, their fight had changed Sakura as much as it changed him. Half-lidded green eyes turned back to bicolor ones, and his signature lazy grin spread around his face. He extended his hand towards Sakura.
"You got yourself an ally, kid," he finally uttered, waiting for Sakura to shake his hand. The younger teenager did as expected, and this time, Togame received a genuinely grateful smile that took him aback. However, just as he was about to point it out and maybe tease him a little, Sakura's face returned to the familiar frown.
"Don't ya dare say nothin' about that," he spat, looking to the side and doing his best to hide the pink blush that dusted his cheeks. Togame raised an eyebrow but did his best to bite his tongue and keep quiet. "But... Thanks, I really mean it."
"Don't sweat it, Ying-Yang, it's the least I could do for gettin' Choji back, y'know?" Togame replied, offering the kid some mercy by not teasing him too much. Sakura looked like he was ready to give him a snarky remark for the nickname but said nothing. Togame watched him finish his Ramune bottle and put it in his pocket instead of throwing it away.
"I think it's time for me to leave," announced Sakura, pointing at Choji with his head. It seemed like he had completed his chore of giving out refreshments for his teammates. Now, he was heading in their direction, undoubtedly ready to bombard Sakura with his one million questions and drag him into a playful spar. Togame made a sound of acknowledgment and stopped Choji in his tracks, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket and pulling the smaller teen to his chest even as the brunette kept persuading him to let go.
"Sakura's leaving now, Choji," he explained just as the last 'but, Kame-chan, I need to test out my strength with him' came out of the shorter's mouth. The aforementioned just kept quiet, watching their interaction with interest but without interrupting. Togame didn't blame him; more often than not, Choji could be a lot for any person, and knowing how skittish Sakura could be, it was best to keep their interactions to a minimum.
"Come back soon, Sakura, then maybe we can have our 1v1!" shouted Choji, smiling widely even though Sakura visibly recoiled at the thought of having to go against the brunette any time soon. Togame shook his head, amused by the reaction, and waved goodbye with his free hand while the other still held Choji to his chest. One last wave was thrown Togame and Choji's way, then Sakura went down the stairs of the Ori, not trusting himself to do the necessary parkour to get down through the exterior, and left the building. Once again, he turned his gaze to the rooftop where Shishitoren's first and second in command were located and felt the color leaving his body just to come back in an aggressive shade of pink as he watched Togame lean down to plant a kiss on Choji's lips, effectively containing him on the spot for a moment to reciprocate the kiss. If Suo were there, he would laugh at Sakura's astounded expression, and with good reason, he looked like he was ready to run, hide, cuss, and punch something simultaneously but was unable to do so due to his shock. After all, he had always been incredibly sensitive to other people being so openly... mushy with each other, even though those two didn't even intend it that way. He stormed out of Shishitoren territory and returned to Pothos Café to try and forget about what he had just seen over a good cup of coffee.
Back to the roof, Togame left another peck on Choji's forehead and finally let him go for good. He enjoyed the blush creeping up those pale cheeks and the dopey smile he pulled out of the brunette.
"We should go join the others, Cho," he muttered, throwing his now-empty ramune bottle to the trash and guiding the smaller teen to the same stairs Sakura had used to leave. The mention of his name flipped a switch in Choji and got him out of the brief trance he was in to start going in circles around Togame.
"Why was Sakura here? Did he need help? Was he wanting to fight?"
"Well-"
"Oh, what if Ume-chan wants to do a rematch? I'm sure I can beat him this time! I'll even dedicate my victory to you!!"
"Cho, let's get the others, and then-"
"Kame-chan, c'mon, you gotta tell meeeee."
Togame rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance, and let Choji talk to his heart's content. He knew he would have to explain the motive of Sakura's visit to the first in command at some point and that seeing a Furin student in their territory would spark questions in Choji's and the rest of his teammates' minds that could only be satiated with an explanation. After all, it wasn't an everyday thing for a student from Furin to show up alone in Shishitoren territory despite the truce. Naturally, when the rest of the guys saw them outside, they crowded around the pair, asking their own questions, all wondering what had happened on the rooftop. Togame explained the situation, including the details of the rumors that surrounded Endo and his gang.
Everyone listened expectantly, and when Togame made the call to action —asking them to help the Furin students to protect their town not only because they were allies now but also due to the risk of Endo wanting to take control over Shishitoren too— most, if not everyone, were excited to join the fight and protect their territory. Choji enthusiastically joined their cheering, rallying everyone's spirits and promising to support each other, train together, and ensure that no one would be left behind, even if they chose not to participate in the fight. His partner's speech seemed enough to dissipate some doubts, and they spent the rest of the day, until the sun went down and the air got a little breezier than expected, planning their strategies.
Despite the notice of the war coming to the town, Togame felt it appropriate to follow the little tradition they started when they moved into their small apartment and organize a movie night to relax after such a long day of drafting their plans. Choji had been eager to comply and help, jumping around and pulling Togame along to buy groceries and sleepover supplies even though it wasn't really a sleepover since they lived in the same place. That's what Choji liked to call them, and the term stuck.
Three horror movies and five bowls of popcorn later, there was soda spilling from an open bottle on the wooden floor of their shared apartment, a bunch of the aforementioned popcorn thrown around the couch, and a failed attempt at a fort of pillows as if to complete the look for the messiest living room Togame had seen. Nevertheless, he couldn't complain when the mess had been created by him and Choji, who was sleeping soundly by his side at that moment. The T.V. cast a soft blue light on Choji's face, illuminating his soft features and creating shadows on his face. Togame smiled softly when a slight snore came out of the boy, and he positioned the brunette's head to lie on his lap instead of his shoulder. He wasn't worried that the smaller boy would wake up; after all, Choji had always been one of the heavier sleepers he knew, and it would take a whole natural disaster to cause him even to stir. In any case, Togame was there most of the time to ensure no one would try to mess with Choji's sleep.
The credits from the movie began to roll, but Togame didn't attempt to get up to play the next film. Instead, his hand went for the head of brown curls resting on his lap, letting his fingers play with them, green eyes admiring how Choji's hair would return to its original shape no matter how much he messed with it. Togame had never seen his partner have a bad hair day or more than two hair products in their restroom, which was impressive considering that the curls always looked so shiny and soft, like an invitation to pull them gently and play with them. Togame had done just that hours before, once the second bowl of popcorn was emptied while Choji was sitting on his lap, looking up at him expectantly. The warmth of his eyes melted his resolve, and suddenly, the hand holding Choji's waist didn't feel as tight as before. However, Choji, taunting as always, was not relented by this and leaned towards him, pretending to aim for his lips but burying his head in the space of his neck instead. Togame felt the color rising to his ears; part of him was ashamed for letting Choji trick him once again, and the other was eager to let him know he wouldn't be fooled like that without consequences. Choji was putty between his hands when Togame lightly pulled him by the hair and kissed him, all proper and slow, making sure to leave Choji feeling as dizzy and warm as he felt whenever he was around. A smirk invaded his features when he saw the other's face, blushing and content, and he couldn't stop himself from delivering another peck on his lips. Choji was too adorable for his own good.
They didn't go further than that. Choji's energy had been mildly drained from their activities before going home, and Togame felt like cuddling and enjoying the weight of his boyfriend on his lap. He felt relaxed, like one of those cats hanging out around the Ori and basking under the sun, belly up and closed eyes. Surprisingly, the tranquillity lasted throughout the rest of the day, and that's how he found himself in the same position for so many hours. A little snore took him out of his train of thought, and his hand stopped caressing the other's brown hair, momentarily checking for any sign of discomfort in the soft features of Choji's face. There were none. Togame sighed and looked at the clock, which marked quarter to twelve.
Doing the impossible to avoid disturbing Choji's sleep, Togame got up from the couch and stretched, feeling his bones pop satisfactorily. Then, his attention went back to the sleeping form on the couch, and he crouched, moving a piece of hair away from Choji's forehead in order to kiss it. His cheek and the tip of his nose went next. He chuckled when the brunette frowned slightly and almost immediately went back to the pleasant expression he first had, almost like he knew it was Togame just by the touch of his lips on his skin. Finally, his arms moved under Choji to lift him effortlessly and with practiced movements. He embraced Choji, holding him close and feeling his steady breath against his chest. Slow and calm, easily the only time of the day when the fearless lion was reduced to a domestic cat and allowed Togame to pamper him as much as he wished. Jo made his way to his room, careful not to step on any popcorn and promising himself that they would clean their messy living room first thing in the morning. The bed wasn't in the best condition, and he cursed himself for allowing himself another hour of sleep instead of making the bed when it was his turn. in any case, he was too tired to care, so he carefully placed Choji on the bed and covered him with a blanket even though it would likely end up on the floor due to Choji's strange sleeping positions.
Togame took the other side of the bed, leaving his jacket on the chair near the nightstand and placing his orange glasses somewhere on it. Less than a minute had passed before he felt Choji curling up by his side, more than likely out of habit. Jo felt his heart rate increase ever so slightly, moved by the action, and was quick to comply. One heavy arm took its rightful place around Choji's waist; the other served as a pillow for the brown-eyed teen. Togame gave him one more look; his eyes were used to the room's darkness, and he placed his head on brown curls, feeling his own eyes threatening to close due to exhaustion and the steadiness of Choji's breathing lulling him to sleep. He thought of his promise to Sakura and all the risks it could pose for his team, his friends, and his leader. However, he felt strangely calm, knowing that whatever danger they had to face, they would do it together.