Work Text:
Safe.
That's what Sakura feels.
Safe, he's safe.
It's warm, there isn't a single draft of cold air blowing against his body. The blanket around him feels a little worn and well used, but it's a lot warmer than his own futon. The mattress underneath similarly feels like it's been through years of use, but despite that it's a nice change of pace from sleeping on the floor with nothing but a thin futon to cushion his back. He sighs and lets the last inklings of tension bleed out out of his body, leaning forward into the warm body that was currently holding onto him.
The body that's holding onto him is warm. He moves closer to it on instinct, craving any and all kinds of warmth to stave off the morning chill that he suspected was waiting for him the moment he left the sanctuary of the blanket. So he willingly leans into the arms that pull him closer towards that warm body, listening to it sigh as well before loosening up. Almost as though it were mirroring his actions.
Sakura vaguely recalls how he ended up in this situation. Togame had invited him over to spend the night as part of their regular date nights every month. There wasn't much planned for the night, just some dinner and watching television together before they both went to bed. To some it felt boring and dull, but to Sakura there was something about it that he couldn't quite place. The feeling of warmth that wasn't as superficial as the blush that spread when Togame draped an arm over his shoulder and pulled him close. It was something far deeper and intimate than that. It was the feeling of domesticity, of being together.
The night began winding down once Sakura and Togame both started yawning a bit too much, a clear indicator that it was time for them to prepare for bed. As much as Togame wanted to share a bath with Sakura before bed, he was more than willing to take it slow and let Sakura dictate the pace at which they moved. If Sakura wasn't comfortable with bathing together without passing out from sheer embarrassment and the romantic nature of the act, then they wouldn't bathe together. Simple as that. In the end they settled with Sakura taking a shower in Togame's bathroom, while Togame would go out to the bath houses for a bit.
While Togame was out, Sakura took the chance to get a good look at Togame's room.
As expected, his bed was big. Sakura had always wondered if Togame would end up curling up to try and fit himself into bed like a baby. But judging by the size of the bed, it looked like Togame had more than enough space to lay down flat. That is to say that to Sakura, the bed was massive. He could lie down and still there'd be a decent amount of space between him and the edges of the bed. The bedding and pillows were a little worn and lacking in fluff, it was clear that Togame had been using them for a good few years now. Yet when Sakura laid down on them, it didn't feel old or ratty. Instead it felt as though the bed was lived in and well used, a witness to many good nights of sleep.
Other than that the rest of the room was relatively plain and simple. There was a desk underneath the window that faced out into the mainstreet, next to it a bookshelf filled with what Sakura can only assume to be various novels and literature. He picked up one and tried to read it, only to put it back down once it was clear that he was way out of his depth. The margins of each page were filled with lines of small writing, small notes and ideas that Togame had left in them while he was reading.
As he looks through the bookshelves, he finds a jar filled with marbles of various colours. He gently picks it up, careful not to drop it as he lifts it up to the light. Observing the way it shines and how the light refracts with each gentle movement, the clacking of marbles filling the room as he shifts it about like a makeshift kaleidoscope.
"That's a jar of Ramune marbles, do you like it?"
Sakura almost drops the jar in his surprise, fingers scrambling to get a solid grip on it after the initial shock wears of. He turns around to see Togame standing in the doorway. His hair was still wet and he had an empty bottle of ramune in his hands. Walking over, he gently took the jar from Sakura's hands before placing it on his desk as he took a seat.
"It's quite easy to get one out actually. Watch."
Sakura watches as Togame reaches for a pair of pliers on the table, sticking it into the top of the bottle before gently prying the cap off. As he rolls the marble out into the palm of his hand, he looks at it with satisfaction before placing it into the jar with the rest of the marbles. Togame lifts it up towards the ceiling light to get a good look at the kaleidoscopic effect, before placing it back onto the bookshelf. After which he proceeds to make himself comfortable in his bed, crashing straight into it and getting under the sheets. With Sakura following shortly after once he turns off the lights and closes the door.
It doesn't take long for them to immediately move into their natural cuddling position. With Sakura resting firmly against Togame's chest, while Togame has his arms wrapped around Sakura. It took a long time for them to hit this stage of their relationship, and Togame was going to cherish every waking moment he had with Sakura in his arms. Unfortunately his last waking moments for the night were short-lived, as the warmth of the sheets and Sakura himself dragged Togame into a deep sleep faster than he could've expected. Sakura was faring no better either, already snoring 5 minutes after lying down and getting into position.
As Sakura continues to enjoy his warm morning sleeping in, he's interrupted by the harsh sounds of his phone ringing. Grumbling out a few curses, he turns around as much as he can to palm around for his phone. Bringing it to his ear once he's finally gotten a hold of it.
"Sakura-san! Where are you!"
"Nirei? What's wrong..."
"Sakura-san are you sick today? It's almost the end of first period and no one's heard from you!"
That immediately wakes Sakura up. He pushes Togame's arm aside, with some reluctance in his heart, and sits up as he checks the time. Nirei was right, he slept in late. So fucking late in fact that school had already started!
On one hand, Sakura wanted to call in sick and say that he wouldn't be coming today. But on the other, he was scheduled for a patrol today and he really didn't want to sit through another lecture by Umemiya about keeping himself healthy if he called in sick. Nor did he want another lecture from both Hiragi and Kaji about having to be responsible as class captain.
"Sakura-san? Are you there?"
"Y-Yeah. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Alright! I'll help you take notes if class starts before you're here, but get here safe!"
With that, Nirei hangs up and Sakura rushes to get ready.
Luckily he made the smart choice of wearing his uniform when he came over, so all he had to do was throw on his pants and jacket before rushing down to Furin. If he ran, he should be able to make it there in 10 minutes or so.
"Sakura? What are you doing, come back to bed."
"I'm late for school! I'll call you later!" Sakura blurts out, grabbing the first thing that he sees remotely resembling a jacket from a hanger as he rushes out. Leaving Togame behind dumbfounded, as he looks towards the neatly folded Furin jacket on the floor in front of his wardrobe. Togame looks up, and sees that his Shishitoren jacket is missing from its usual resting spot. Leaving only an empty hanger hanging off a hook next to his door.
Oh well, that was a problem for Sakura to handle. For him, it was back to bed till someone needed him.
One way or another, Sakura somehow manages to make it just before second period starts, slamming the classroom door open. He's out of breath, his legs sting a little, and he's soaked in sweat, but one way or another he's made it here.
When he looks up, he finds everyone staring at him intently. Even Sugishita and Kiryu are looking at him from the back of the class, and Tsugeura stopped mid rep to look over.
"What? Is there something on my face?"
"Sakura-san," Suo is the first one to break the silence, and this is the first time Sakura has seen the one eyed boy try to stifle a laugh. ",your uniform."
Sakura stands there confused for a moment, before looking down and realizing what was going on.
Instead of the dark green of Furin's jacket, he saw the bright orange of Shishitoren and the two lions on either side of the front.
"Sakura, are you betraying us?!"
"Our own class captain!"
"Oh, but orange does look good on him..."
Sakura feels his face heat up, blush reaching from the tip of his ears now spreading to the base of his neck as he tries to find an explanation. He must've taken Togame's jacket instead of his in the morning in the rush to get here! As he stands there stuttering trying to explain himself, Suo is again the first to break him out of his stupor, patting his shoulder and gently leading him to his seat.
"Now now, there's no need to be shy Sakura-san, things like these do happen." Sakura knows that Suo for once isn't coming from a place of sarcasm or backhanded comfort. After all, it was only a few weeks ago that Nirei was late for class and ended up wearing a jacket that was one size too large for him but just the right size for Suo. The subsequent week of teasing would forever live on in their collective memories.
"Suo-san's right Sakura-san! Besides, I think the jacket complements your eyes."
"S-Shut up! I just took it by accident today, that's all!"
"If you insist, Sakura-san."
The rest of the day passes by in a bit of blur. The Shishitoren jacket is carefully folded and placed under his table, grateful that the weather is warm enough to leave him in just his white top. Unfortunately it doesn't help that he has patrols today, and since he's going home immediately after, he has no choice but to wear the jacket along. He couldn't just carry it in his arms after all, that'd be too cumbersome if he ever got into a fight. (He would never admit it to anyone, but he did enjoy the fact that it smelled like Togame and was a tad bit too large for him. The sleeves had to be rolled up lest he was left with sweater paws.)
If this were a few months ago he'd be certain that everyone he passes would be giving him weird looks. A Furin boy, wearing a Shishitoren jacket? That was tantamount to treason in most people's eyes. Yet, everytime he passed a store and was greeted, they only had good things to say about the jacket.
"Oh if it isn't Sakura! Is that a new jacket? I have to say, it looks good on you!"
"My, if it isn't Sakura-chan. Oh, is that a new jacket? My, you look handsome in it!"
If that wasn't bad enough, he still wasn't spared the embarrassment of having the third years see him when they reported for their patrol routes. Hiragi only gave him a wry smile, before walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Sakura, I can't stop you if you want to join Shishitoren. But I just want you to know that I've enjoyed having you in Tamon squad for the past few months."
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!"
By the time he's done with patrols and said his goodbyes to Suo and Nirei, both walking in the same direction despite their houses being opposite of each other, Sakura could finally begin to make his way back. As much as he wanted to go home and lie down, he still had to make a detour over to Shishitoren's side of Makochi. And of course because he felt as though the world was playing a big joke on him today, he met the one person that he hoped to avoid on this side of the train crossing.
"SAKURA-CHAN!"
Hopping over like a hare on crack cocaine, Sakura suddenly finds himself cornered by Choji who's bouncing around him.
"Wow! You look cool in our jacket! Wait, have you finally decided to join our team? Yay! I'm so happy to have you with us! C'mon let's go to Ori right now and introduce you to everyone! Oh but it's late, so we'll need to call everyone first!"
"Choji, give Sakura some space to breathe, I don't think he can understand all that with how fast you're going."
"Kame-chan look! Sakura's part of Shishitoren now!"
"So he is. Well, we'd be happy to have you with us Sakura."
It takes all of Sakura's self control and love for Togame to not sock him in the gut right now, especially when he has that smirk plastered on his face as he approaches them from where Choji ran from. He looks Sakura up and down, a look of satisfaction written all over his face seeing Sakura not only wearing a Shishitoren jacket, but also the fact that it's his jacket.
"I'm only here to return this to you, it's an eyesore and too large for me." Sakura strips the jacket off, holding it out for Togame who sighs but reluctantly takes it back and puts it back on. Sakura can't help but feel as though it looks much better on Togame that it ever would on him, fitting and hugging his body like a second skin.
"What a shame, I was hoping you'd be with us for a few more days."
"Mmm, oh Kame-chan! We still have that pile of jackets at Ori right?" Choji turns over to face Togame, stars shining brightly in his eyes. So brightly in fact that Togame has to look away, pretending to scratch his chin in fake contemplation.
"That's true, but I think Sakura deserves a brand new jacket. After all, it's not everyday a Furin boy comes over to our side."
"Mhm! That's right! Kame-chan, I'm gonna go find uncle Koya and ask if we can get a new jacket right now!"
"It's a bit late for that isn't it? How about we call it a day here, and I'll ask uncle Koya about it tomorrow." Togame looks at his phone, grimacing slightly when he sees how late it is. If he leaves for the bathhouse now...it should be empty. Luckily, Choji seems to accept that excuse as easily as he does a backflip, nodding in agreement.
"Alright! See you tomorrow Kame-chan!" With that, Choji finally leaves, waving wildly into the air as he runs off towards God knows where.
"Sorry about that, Choji just gets excited and sometimes it's hard to keep up. Uncle Koya's the one who makes all our jackets for us. If you want, the offer still stands for you to get your own jacket. I think a size S would fit."
"Not a chance in Hell."
"Aw, what a shame. Green looks good on you, but I think orange is more your colour."
"Y-You-!"
Togame laughs when he sees how red Sakura gets at the sudden compliment, covering his entire head from the tip of his ears and spreading to the base of his neck.
"Well, your jacket is still over at my place, but it's a bit late isn't it? How about you stay the night again."
"Fine, but only because your place is closer!"
"Sure Sakura, whatever you say."
"Oi!"
Togame chuckles as he begins walking back towards the direction of his house, Sakura walking side by side with him.
Maybe he should give uncle Koya a call and see if he could get that jacket made.