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Come on, Shun, He tells himself, This isn't how the Jet Black Wings would handle this,
He takes a deep breath, and opens his contacts. A trembling finger hovering over Aren’s name, he reassures himself–knowing no one else will. Friends hang out all the time, this is no big deal! It’s not as if I’m asking him on a date!
Before he can stall himself any longer, he presses the phone icon, knowing there's no going back if the ringing tone is any indication. Scenarios are running through his head about how this conversation could go, overthinking anything and everything that could go wrong. He knows he shouldn't worry–it's his best friend after all–but he can't help being anxious.
Aren picks up almost immediately, the sound startling Shun out of his head.
“Hello? Shun?”
His face visibly lights up at the sound of Aren’s voice. He really shouldn't have been worried at all.
“Hey! Aren! You free? Wanna hang out today?”
“Yeah, I’m free,” He responds with no hesitation. “Did you have a place in mind?”
Shun pauses, realizing he didn't think this through. After trying and failing to think of something on a whim, he responds in a high pitched voice, “Well, I didn't really think about that… Do you have anything?”
“There's a walk-in arcade that just opened up recently, near where I live,” He suggests. “How about that?”
“Sounds fun!” Shun is practically glowing with excitement, just happy to hang out with Aren at all. “Just wait ‘till I crush you in every game they have; such is the power of the Jet Black Wings!!”
This leads to playful banter between the two, which has become a comfortable constant for Shun. He’s glad it's like this, and would be fine if this friendship never becomes anything more than that–but the pain he’s long suppressed still hurts.
They don't spend very much longer on the phone before Aren texts him the address and they set when to meet up–an hour from now.
[...]
Aren, leaning back on the wall of the arcade, sees Shun steadily walking towards him. He’s dressed up relatively nicely, wearing a button up shirt with a thin plaid jacket draped over his shoulders–of course he didn't fully put it on, Aren thinks fondly–and dark brown dress pants; closer to black than brown. And of course, he wouldn’t feel himself without his red bandages wrapping his arms and hands. Aren feels very underdressed after seeing him, wearing a plain T-shirt and baggy jeans.
Shun has a slight blush dusting his cheeks, almost embarrassed to have dressed in such a way for a casual hang out. He can't help but smile though, when his eyes meet his best friend’s.
Aren has a small smile of his own, not fully looking up but still meeting the shorter one’s gaze. It isn't long before they both shy away from staring at each other while Shun makes his way over, but the taller’s eyes are still softened as they move down to the contrasting hard concrete. Good for keeping himself grounded, he supposes.
After what feels like years for both of them, he finally reaches where Aren is now fully standing.
“Aren!” He stands just a few feet away from the other–so, so close, but still so far. He doesn't want to think about that right now. “Hope you weren't waiting too long. Ready to be incinerated by the Jet Black Wings!?”
Aren scoffs lightheartedly. “I’d like to see you try,”
They continue their playful bickering on the way in, Aren holding the door for them. It’s pretty crowded, people dispersed everywhere–makes sense, it is a Saturday. Shun’s eyes immediately catch on a claw machine filled with plushies. He decides he’ll come back to it after destroying Aren in a fighting game–before changing his mind since, well, in his experience, he's either really bad at those games or every claw machine he's ever played is rigged.
The two wander around the arcade looking at the collection of games, taking in what all this place has to offer. There’s the popular games you see in most arcades–even some mainstream mobile games put into arcade-machine-format. Then, of course there's older games that have lost popularity, but that a handful of people still appreciate.
Aren sees a two-player 1v1 arcade machine, featuring a popular fighting game; however before he gets the chance to point it out, Shun pulls him over to it himself–they must've spotted it at the same time–saying something about how he will finally have his victory. Aren isn't listening to him, still catching up to his senses as he processes Shun dragging him across the arcade, his hand warm around his wrist. He’s infinitely thankful that Shun can't see his face with the way he's dragging him; he can't even begin to imagine what his face might look like–it’s burning up and he’s still shocked from the sudden touch. It hasn't been this bad before, losing his composure over something as simple and frankly insignificant as a single touch.
Aren knows that what they have–this ‘alliance,’ this friendship–has no chance at turning romantic; Aren doesn't deserve Shun, in his mind. He's too good for me, he deserves so much better than me.
He shoves his thoughts aside, collecting himself as they reach the game; as Shun lets go of his wrist.
Shun inserts coins into the slot, speaking in that voice he always does. “Finally, my chance to shine,” He says, “Watch me as I unleash my true power–the power of the Jet Black WIngs!!”
They stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the machine–the closeness not going unnoticed by either of them–getting ready, focusing intently on the screen and controls. Shun presses the start button.
It’s an intense game for sure, both doing impossible combinations, throwing spirited remarks back and forth. Shun almost wins, but only almost, much to his dismay–especially after all that big talk about obliterating Aren. He could’ve won if he had only been able to dodge that last flurry of hits a milisecond sooner and thrown some of his own.
“Tsk, tsk,” Aren starts satirically, and Shun prepares himself for the boasting that is surely about to ensue. “What was that about destroying me, Shun? I thought the Jet Black Wings was powerful enough to destroy the entire world,” He teases.
Shun takes the easy way out, using that voice he did to stage confidence. “Heh. Of course I’d be bested by the likes of you–my greatest ally–on my off day, and these seals on my arms aren’t helping… Though it’s much too dangerous to risk taking them off.”
They continue to wander around, weaving through the crowd, playing other games–Shun does eventually get his revenge in another two-player game. Then, at last they wind up at a few claw machines. Shun had been eyeing the one he saw when they first entered, but he was actively avoiding it with the knowledge that it’ll just frustrate him and take his money. He finally gave in to his temptations, though–still restricting himself to only one or two tries–and led him and Aren over to them.
He inserts some coins, hearing them clattering together, and starts working the joystick with focus and poorly hidden excitement. Aren is crouching to the right of him, a step behind, looking up at him, eyes mellow. He doubts that his friend would notice his staring; there’s so much going on, so many people and noises–that and the blue-haired one’s acute concentration. Unaware of what he’s doing, he slowly blinks, a single blink which turns into several slow blinks.
By now, Shun is trying for a second time, putting more coins in the slot–it seems he’s aiming for a purple cat plush–and he catches sight of Aren’s staring in his peripheral, unable now to focus on anything else, and thinks he sees Aren blinking oddly slow in a way that makes it hard to ignore. He moves to hit the button to start it before sees him do it again. Shun furrows his brows in confusion, trying to control the growing fluster on his face from the staring alone, and he realizes the blinking reminds him of something. He finally turns his head to look at Aren, who’s eyes slightly widen in surprise when Shun’s meet his; caught staring, he flushes a bit, though it’s hardly perceptible.
“Are you… slow blinking at me, like a cat?” He cautiously decides to ask.
Aren takes on a confused look as well, blinking normally and looking away, blush growing ever so slightly more visible. “If I was, I’m not anymore.”
They both seem to find something very interesting to stare at on the ground, neither of them able to bring themselves to look back up; not in this situation.
Shun awkwardly goes back to trying to win the purple cat plush, still only on his second attempt. “What does it mean?” He presses the button on the machine that had been waiting for him and starts moving the claw towards the plush. “...When a cat slow blinks,” His voice is faint, and he doesn't look away from the machine. He comes oh-so close to winning–he’s able to grab it, but it falls from the claw at the last possible second.
He almost thinks Aren didn't hear him over the noise, until– “It’s like… a sign of trust, affection.” Aren’s voice is equally as soft as the latter’s, though he seems a bit hesitant. “I must've picked it up from the stray cat I took care of. I intentionally started reciprocating it's slow blinks, but I didn't realize it’s become a habit..” His voice trails off, clearly embarrassed.
Shun thinks this over a bit–okay, maybe “a bit” is an understatement, but–a sign of affection? In an alliance like this, Shun thinks, trust is pretty much a given. But affection – ? Obviously it means platonically, He corrects himself, quite harshly. Don't go getting your hopes up. But he was staring, too, he allows. Shun may be pretty inept when it comes to social interaction, but he isn't completely dense.
Suddenly Aren is standing up next to him–Shun must really be out of it.
“Here, let me try,” He offers. “You’re trying to get the purple cat, right?” Their eyes finally meet again as Shun nods, but it doesn’t last long as the other inserts coins and starts moving the joystick around. He’s able to get the claw to grab the plush, though it isn’t a firm hold and it’s not a guaranteed win. And yet–it’s like Shun blinks and he’s being given the plush he’s been trying to win.
He’s at a loss for words for a moment, processing everything he missed. “W- ..How did you get it?” He looks down at the plush in his hands, the cat staring back obliviously.
The taller one, putting a hand on the back of his neck, also looks at the plush before turning his gaze elsewhere. “Well, you got it in a better spot, closer to the chute than at first. I.. kinda just relied on luck, mostly.”
Letting his arm fall back to his side, he meets Shun’s gaze, who is looking at him so brightly he practically has stars in his eyes. “Thanks, Aren.”
Aren on the other hand, looks taken aback by this. He wills himself to maintain eye contact though, despite his slight blush. “...Yeah, no problem.”
[...]
They left the arcade soon after–Shun carrying his purple cat plushie–and ended up going to Aren's place since it isn't too far, stopping by a convenience store to get this week's shounen jump. They returned to their normal conversation, discussing a series in it and their predictions for the next chapter.
Now they sit reading together on Aren’s bed, side by side, leaning against the wall. It isn't an unusual occurrence–they often sit reading the weekly shounen jump together, or studying together, or doing homework together – but even still, right now it felt oddly…intimate.
They both finish at about the same time, excitedly saying things back and fourth about an action series they like. Eventually, sitting across from Shun, Aren starts going on about a yakuza anime that it reminded him of, explaining it quite poorly, which isn't unlike him.
“-And then that guy’s brother betrays him to save that other guy I mentioned, who in in return saves his life, and then the betrayed brother vowed to eliminate both of them–killing the other guy is one thing, but his own brother, can you believe that– ” A slow blink. “-and then when it comes down to the fight–incredibly animated, by the way–the guy pretends to change his mind, joining up with his brother-” Another one. “before stabbing him in the back– literally, this time! ” Aren finally notices at the third slow blink, seeing his friend’s eyes looking up at him, softer than he’s ever seen them.
Shun had been around the cat that Aren took care of, but he didn't even know what slow blinking meant before he asked earlier. Why would he do this?
“Are you… doing that on purpose?” He says after a short pause that felt like an eternity.
Shun startles surprised (as if he didn't want Aren to see, otherwise, why would he do it in the first place?), and tried to play clueless, looking upwards to his right. He answers suspiciously quick, though his voice is pitched high. “Doing w-what?”
Aren just eyes him with an unreadable look, probably skepticism, and Shun can tell he knows he's lying. He sighs and looks up at the taller one, taking on a slightly anxious expression.
“O- ..okay, fine…” He looks back down, unable to hold Aren’s gaze. “Y- you said it's a sign of trust. And- …a- and, you know..” And affection. “So I thought I’d do it back,”
He shifts in his spot on the bed, hair falling over his eyes as his head bends forward, obscuring his vision. He’s got a slight blush on his cheeks, and he oh so desperately wants Aren to notice, but at the same time wants him to be completely oblivious. After not hearing a response for a few seconds, he reluctantly glances up, head tilting upwards.
What he sees isn't at all what he had expected–confusion, rejection, anything but this. This was on the very bottom of the list.
Aren’s eyes are no longer directed at him, looking away just as Shun had before. The former is blushing more than he cares to admit, covering his mouth and nose with his right arm as if he were sneezing. Not that Shun had directly stated his romantic attraction him, nor was that his intention–more so that they understand each other enough, that Aren understands his best friend enough to get the implications.
That isn't even the only thing. It’s that Shun was purposefully slow blinking at him in a show of affection and comfortablity. And the fact that he wanted to return the gesture– subconscious gesture - Aren’s brain is short-circuiting.
He never thought that anything would occur between him and Shun, that it would always stay like this. He wouldn't mind it staying like this, he never has; he can't ask for anything more. Still, things that go unasked can't be ignored forever, and it doesn't deny possiblity.
“Aren..?” Shun’s voice brought him back to his senses, out of his thoughts. It's hesitant, full of uncertainty, but also something else.
Aren hunches over, burying his face further into his arm and hiding his eyes. “Sorry, I- …” The words come out quieter than he intended, but he sits up straight and finally looks the other in the face, blushing no less than before. He soon realizes his flush is mutual–though not as visible as his–and turns his head away in embarrassment.
“Shun, I- …You- ….” Speechless–figures.
“Aren, I do… really like you…………..like that.” His voice gradually gets smaller and higher saying just this, hands covering his face. Though as flustered as he is, he isn't nearly as anxious as he has been.
Putting his face in his hand, Aren grows even more red, if that's even possible. “..Me too,”
They stay like that for a moment, before Shun breaks the silence. He looks up from his hands, peering at Aren’s mostly hidden face. “So, what are we..?”
At this, Aren looks up too, seeming to ponder on the question. He turns his head to look at the other, whom still has the lower half of his face in his hands, staring at Aren. The latter feels much less tense at the sight, wondering why they are in the first place. Feeling rather bold, he takes Shun's hands in his own, revealing a bright pink face and softly chuckling at how dorky they're acting.
“We’re best friends,” He starts. “Now we just get to… do.. romantic things,” Aren’s smile must be contagious, because a small smile tugs on the corner of Shun’s lips now, which soon turns into a giddy closed-mouth grin, causing him to look away with wide, excited eyes.
Seeing the look on his face causes Aren’s heart to skip a beat, and his eyes flicker down to Shun’s lips without thinking. He looks away, then meets his eyes again.
“I…” He swallows. “Can I kiss you?”
Shun looks stupified, not in a bad way–but this catches him off guard him for sure. The grin still apparent on his face, he nervously nods, but then pauses to say, “I’ve never kissed anyone before, though..”
Unbeknownst to him, though, neither has Aren; he wants to commit to a partner, and therefore has never actually kissed anyone.
“Neither have I.”
This, as one would imagine, shocks Shun, his mouth dropping open. “What?! No way!! Are you just saying that to make me feel better?!” Aren shakes his head, and the latter stares at him completely dumbfounded.
“We’ll be each other’s first, then,” Aren lets go of Shun's hand and cups his cheek instead, making his cheeks flush again. His eyes dart away as he looks to be contemplating something in his head, before gripping Aren’s shirt collar and pulling him right to him, pressing their lips together.
Now it's Aren's eyes that are widening, while the other’s are squeezed shut. Shun’s lips feel soft against Aren’s chapped ones.
They hardly even move before Shun pulls back, leaving Aren stunned and him equally as shocked at his own actions. They stare at each other for a moment, before breaking out into wide grins, fingers linked in front of them.
They'll be fine.
By the way, why wasn't there any panic over being in love with your best friend who happens to be the same gender? No internalized homophobia? No insecurities about that?
Hang on- Saiki, was this your doing?
They’ve liked each other for forever, and it was starting to get annoying. Getting rid of homophobia could at least make them be quiet about that.
And that's the only reason? You make yourself sound heartless.
Good grief. I still care about my friends, they're just so noisy.. And not to mention this entire fanf-
Okay, fine, fair enough.