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“Huh?” Togame raised a brow, his head titled to the side as he watched Choji bounce his knees up and down, a pair of scissors in his hand.
It some ways, watching Choji holding scissors—or any sharp object in general made Togame nervous. It was like giving candy to a child who didn’t have any self control.
“I want to cut your hair for you!” Choji repeated, flaring his nostrils in excitement, chocolate brown eyes sparkling with persistence.
Togame’s hand began to reach towards his hair, raking through his thick raven black hair, which surprisingly has reached to his shoulders.
“It has gotten long… hasn’t it?” Togame chuckled wryly, his fingers slipping off his hair, clenching it into a fist.
The weight and thickness of his hair never bothered him, the ponderous pressure that rested on his shoulders was something he became familiar with, numb to, he couldn’t be bothered by it.
He usually tied it up, twisting it in a single braid or a ponytail. That way, he could pretend that it felt less heavy, to carry a burden that consumed him, a guilt that never left.
“That’s why…” Choji took a step closer, lifting his face up, raising his toes to reach Togame’s chin. “I want to cut it for you, it’s time to for you to be free.”
Togame’s breath hitched, his eyes couldn’t help but delve into the pool of Choji’s warm ember eyes, his heart a wild stallion as he was overwhelmed with just how captivating he was, how Choji’s always been.
Togame swallowed, his throat parched as his fist uncurled and began to reach for Choji wavy beige hair, entangling his fingers into it.
His fingers began to move on its own, the soft waves of Choji’s hair felt like a cloud, so delicate to touch yet sturdy as his waves bounced back to its original shape every time. Suddenly, his fingers moved from keratin to flesh, his thumb swiping against Choji cheek.
“Kame-chan..?” Choji asked, eyes reflecting back emerald green.
Togame froze, his hand stuck on Choji’s face, eyes not daring to move away from Choji’s—brown orbs burning his irises.
It was as if directly staring at the sun, a forbidden act as it would only torch him. Yet, he couldn’t look away, it was too beautiful to not stare at.
A strained smile forced onto Togame’s face, “Your hair… has gotten long too..” He released his hand from Choji, the warmth he longed for dissipated.
Something in Togame chest ached as he wished to touch Choji again, to swaddle into Choji warmth and crawl into his skin as being near him wasn’t enough anymore.
He wanted–no, needed Choji, he always did. Being his friend, his second in command wasn’t enough anymore, he wanted something more.
“Hm?” Choji blinked, reaching for his hair, pulling his fingers through it. “You’re right.., then, let’s both get a haircut!”
“How will that work out?” Togame let out a chuckle, half-lid eyes tainted with affection as a lazy smile curve onto his face.
“I’ll cut yours and you can cut mine!” Choji declared, quickly snatching Togame’s wrist, dragging him to the rooftop.
Before Togame could speak, Choji’s hand grapple onto his wrist, leaving no room to escape as he was pulled to the rooftop. Choji’s hand was smaller than his, yet he held so much strength in it.
Such power, such grip, yet no pain was ever inflicted. In fact, Togame felt his body burn, skin fluttering due to the fact Choji was touching him, holding him.
It made his stomach tumble, his eyes focused on the hand that grabbed him as he wouldn’t dare look up as Togame knew his face was a raging shade of red.
A throbbing ache of desire spread through Togame’s body, his lips pressed thinly together as he was afraid the confession he bottled up for years would spill out.
The words I love you plagued Togame’s mind ever since he met the short boy who’s infected his heart and soul with this devastating thing called a crush.
No, it was belittling to call it a crush. It was beyond that, Togame’s feelings was like a crashing wave, a roaring thunder that overtook his mind, body, and soul.
It was love.
Togame was so deeply, madly in love with Choji… it was bad, really bad.
As the door to the rooftop swung open, a gush of wind torpedoed their faces, Choji ashy curls riding the breeze, making a giggle sneak past his lips.
Ah, that sound.
Choji’s voice, his laugh was enough to drive Togame insane. Choji turned to Togame, eyes squinted as a bright grin embarked on his face, the glow of the sun illuminating his back, enchanting him.
Togame’s ribs shook and rumbled, his heart crashing onto them in a rapid succession as Togame couldn’t take his eyes off of Choji.
He was so bright… so alluring, so beautiful that Togame felt breathless.
Choji eventually released Togame’s wrist, and the small calloused hand that once held him vanished. Only the crisp chilling air lingered, making it known to Togame that it was only temporary.
Choji’s affection towards him was only temporary, only friendship and nothing more.
“Come on,” Choji cried out, pointing to the brown wooden chair and styling tray full of hair clippers, shears, comb, and a cape that hung on the chair. “I got all the supplies ready!”
“You got all of this… for me?” Togame questioned, taking slow steps the chair, examining everything on the tray.
Choji nodded enthusiastically, grinning. “Yep, so sit down and I’ll get started.”
Togame complied and took a seat, still in disbelief that Choji would do something like this for him.
The cape then wrapped around Togame, snugly Velcro around his neck. Realizing now that it was very much real and Choji was actually going through with this.
“Do… you know how to cut hair..?” Togame asked, gulping as he realized he just blindly allowed Choji to cut his hair.
“I watched lots of YouTube videos about it!” Choji confirmed, throwing a thumbs up.
That did not make Togame feel better, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say no. He couldn’t say no to Choji, he just couldn’t.
“Kame-chan, I want to do this for you.” Choji began, one hand spraying water into Togame’s hair, the one combing through it. “I think it’s time for a change… for you to finally let go…”
“Let… go…?” Togame echoed, voice low and soft as he dropped his head. Am I allowed to do that..?”
“Humph,” Choji responded, “You are… and you should. You don’t have to be burdened anymore… you don’t have to be burden by me anymore..”
Togame eyes widened, his lips tugged downward into a frown. “You… a burden?” A dry laugh escaped his lips, leaning his head back until he was face to face with Choji. “You could never be a burden, you are… my paragon..”
Choji stared down at Togame, big brown eyes lost into a sea of forest green, a soft smile plastered on his face. This smile was different from the ones Togame saw, this smile was so pained, so hurt that it made Togame wanted to grabbed Choji’s face and kiss that bitter smile off his face.
He didn’t, of course. Togame had self control, he’s had it ever since he met the boy. He wouldn’t dare cross the line, he wouldn’t allow himself to.
“Alright, enough of that. Face forward, I’m gonna start.” Choji pushed Togame head up, his fingers played into Togame’s hair. Goosebumps enveloped his body, a chill climbing down his spine. With the spritz of the water and Choji fingers running through his hair, Togame couldn’t help but lean into it.
It felt good, so damn good.
To have Choji massage him like this, his fingers dragging through the knots at his ends and each time he wetted his hair along with the motion of his fingers running through them, a moan rattled his throat, unable to be released.
“I’m going to start cutting now,” Choji announced, his fingers leaving his hair and grabbing the scissors. “You trust me, right?”
Togame pried open his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh. “Choji… I’ve always trusted you… I’m always by your side no matter the circumstances. I really–…” Togame can’t say it, he couldn’t say the words that hung on his tongue. “I really care about you.”
That was good enough, it was enough to not cross the line Togame drew for himself.
Choji didn’t say anything for a moment, it was utter silence until laugher burst out from him.
Shocked, Togame’s face erupted bright red, his arms pinned to his side.
Why was he laughing?!
Did he say something wrong?
“Kame-chan,” Choji squealed, “I really care about you too.” he empathized, “That’s why I promise I won’t ever make you sad again, I promise to make sure your face is always smiling.”
Snip Snip Snip
“Choji…” Togame breathed out, tears welled in his eyes.
"I won't make the same mistake I did before," Choji replied, his hand gently guiding Togame's hair as he snipped away at the ends. "I'll make sure you never make that face again. Because… Kame-chan… I-… you’re really important to me.”
Hearing that from Choji brought something out in Togame… was it hope or just delusion? Whatever it was it made Togame say it, he finally said it. The words he so desperately wanted to say the moment he met Choji.
"I love you..." Togame blurted, his heart running a thousand miles, praying he didn’t just make the biggest mistake of his life.
The snipping stopped, Choji paused, and the world suddenly fell silent.
It was deafening, and Togame's heart was the only thing he could hear, feel, and it was overwhelming his senses.
THUMP THUMP THUMP
Fuck! He screwed up, didn’t he?
“I-.. I’m sorry… f-forget it!” Togame shot out from his seat, ripping the cape off. “Just for–“
Suddenly, a pair of lips crashed onto his own. His eyes widened as he saw Choji's face so close, felt the lips he had dreamed of touching his now a reality.
The kiss was initially a forceful collision, but it quickly softened into a slow, tentative exploration as Togame deepened it, wrapping his arm around Choji's neck and pulling him closer.
They were like this for a while until Choji pulled back, taking in a breath, a wide grin enchanting his face. "I love you too..." His hazel eyes sparkled like stars under the sun, making Choji seem almost ethereal.
Togame let out a breathless laugh, leaning his forehead against Choji, a smile holding a million promises to him.
A silent promise to another as they stay there in tranquil silence, hearts pounding in unison.