Work Text:
It was a break from their usual duties as JAKDF officers. At least for the moment training, preparation as well as reports and budgets were off their radar. Instead they took part in a marketing charity campaign. ‚They‘ were some selected active duty as well as male corps members popular with the public.
Bright lights illuminated the stage from three sides, a camera shutter as well as the humming of a suffering mobile climate unity completed the background noice of several people chatting.
Okonogi Konomi stood in her oversized uniform next to the screen in order to have a look at the pictures being taken.
At least her sweat stains would not be easily visible compared to the suits and more form fitting clothes everybody else were wearing.
Let’s be honest, looking good in a suit wasn’t anybody’s weak trait.
Itakura-kun was posing in his suit in the manner of older rock music bands.
An unusual casual behaviour of his but at least some of use are having some fun with this.
A commotion at the corner of here vision was catching her attention.
An assistant was taking away the bucket of spider lilies. Priorly next to the bucket her vice captain was sitting with an unusual disinterested demeanour. One lost flower stem was passed between his hands and at his shoes there was a big amount of petals scattered. That wasn’t the first flower to be attacked by him in this demeanour.
Even at his earlier photos he seemed upset, maybe almost brooding which gave him more of a bad boy vibe compared to his usual public appearances. When he looked up from the flower and returned her gaze she noticed that he already had changed back into his JAKDF suit. With a little smile on his face he stood up and it seemed like he was planning on coming over.
That smile was definitely a mask to hide his previous thoughts.
Simultaneously her phone’s ringtone cut through the rhythm of the steady background noice of the photo studio.
“Yes, Okonogi speaking.”
“Okonogi-san, Kurusu here.”
The voice of the first division’s operations leader seamed a little bit agitated.
“I am just calling to inform you that Captain Narumi left the premises with two squad leaders. Somehow he got wind that your division is scheduled before him and ‘he needs to set some things right and earn more for the charity.‘“
At the end his voice seemed a little strained which was always a sign that he needed his captain to be somewhere else.
How often had they set together yapping about the minds of their own superiors. But wait, this time it could be a blessing in disguise.
“Thank you for informing me, captain Ashiro. I will do my best to get the vice captain there on time.”
“Okonogi-san, are you again using me for a fake alibi?”
She started looking around for the vice captain, who was only a meter away but had to wait for a lamp to be rearranged.
“No, Ashiro-san, this is no trouble at all. He was just finished and in a minute we will already be in the car. No reason to worry at all.”
Hoshina-san arrived next to her. His head tilted slightly with a questioning expression.
She turned away from him.
“In order to be there on time, I have to hang up. I will make sure to inform you upon our arrival, captain Ashiro.”
“You owe me a coffee, big size, Okonogi-san, do you hear me?’
“Yes, yes, everything will be taken care of. Thank you for informing me. Take care.’
While hanging up she turned to the assistant sitting in front of the control screen who wasn’t paying any attention to her.
A hand was softly pulling at her suit.
“Eh, excuse me, Honda-san. Hoshina-san and I have to leave due to an urgent matter. Could you kindly inform the others that we left earlier if they are finished with their second set?”
The woman made some notes and nodded.
“Yes, we will pass the message on. Thank you for making time in order for vice captain Hoshina to attend.”
Several bows and apologies were exchanged before somebody was successful at pulling her away away from the group. Hoshina-san found a way out of the studio and she hurried along behind him before someone else could jump in the way on purpose or use the limited space to move somewhere else.
When the door closed behind her she embraced the cool air and sighted.
“So, Okonogi-chan, what’s the matter at headquarters?”
In his usual practical manner, the vice captain hurried to one of their two cars simultaneously using the time to get his briefing.
She unlocked the car.
“Nothing urgent, we just need to pick something up on our way back.”
“…”
As to be expected silence.
“You have my complete trust, my dear, but that sounded differently earlier on the phone. The captain is usually not using you for errands.”
“It’s no errand.”
She got in the drivers seat, while Hoshina-san moved to the back compartment. Normally it’s used to transport equipment or a complete group to a subjugation zone and Hoshina-san hat no problem sitting next to her in the drivers cabinet.
“I just thought, there are several places you might prefer to that cramped space.”
She sighted, before inputting their goal location into the navigation system.
“You’re sure I don’t need to suit up while you’re driving? We only have the normal emergency weaponry in the back?”
“Yes, ehm no, that is not needed. You can relax. It wasn’t the captain on the phone. There has been no emergency. We can take our time.”
“Okay, if that’s the case I’ll be taking a nap. If anything else is coming up, just honk.”
The thought of her driving through Tokyo wildly honking only to gain his attention was bewildering. That would be some embarassing evening news to watch.
“Yes, everything is fine … But I want to stop somewhere before heading back. Would that be acceptable for you?”
“Yeah, whatever you want m’dear. You’re the boss deciding.”
Should she have explained it in more details? No there is no reason to mind his behaviour or to be worried about his mood as long as he is not mentioning it by himself. Most likely she’s overly protective of him. But alas there is this weird gut feeling that back on the base he will be heading straight for one of the training rooms and if there is no good reasoning he won’t be seen until dinner.
She carefully got out of the parking lot and once again was glad about the labelled JAKDF vehicle. More often than not his meant that other drivers allowed her to drive first. While following the navigation system she glanced a few times into the back of the car. But Hoshina-san was sitting there with the head leaned agains the wall almost if he was sleeping. Arms crossed and a wrinkle between his eyebrows he seemed far less relaxed compared to his naps in the office or the archive.
You’re not fooling me or at least you should put more effort into that. Something is definitely on the mind of this one.
Before the navigation could announce their immediate arrival she turned it of and started to look for a parking space.
“It will only take a moment and I will be back as soon as possible. The key is in the car in case something should be happening or should I toss it back to you.”
His only answer was a thumbs up.
You cannot answer a ‚yes or no' questions with a ‚good.‘. Brood as much as you want while I am out.
~~~~
He had only considered ten times to follow her to whatever she needed to be doing. But based on the diverse voices around the car they seemed to be near a shopping area or at least a lot of civilians were present.
At the moment he could not stomach to be around them. Not if they expected a good mannered and nice defense force officer. On the other hand he felt bad for Okonogi. That woman definitely had a hunch that something was up and he had not been to nice to her. Not unfriendly but he could definitely be a better companion if she found a reason for them to leave earlier.
When there were some noises at the bag door of the truck he considered if someone might have the bad idea to rob a JAKDF vehicle. But alas the door was opened to Okonogi scurrying inside. Her movements a bit awkward due to a tray of drinks and a big take away bag.
He stood up to take the bag out of her hand and shut the door behind her.
“Thank you, Hoshina san.”
“You’re welcome …“
He hurried after her to the front part of the compartment and set down next to her.
The light from the connection window illuminated her bag enough for him to understand that she had frequented a small pastry shop, which he himself had shown her.
“Would you like tea or coffee?”
“‘xcuses me?”
“Tea or coffee for you? I couldn’t decide so you have to make the decision for me.”
But there are only two cups in her tray. If she preferred tea over coffee she never stopped at just one drink. So she must not be in the mood for leaf flavored hot water.
“Tea please …”
“Here …” She passed one of the cups to him.
“Be careful it’s hot. Also greentea if that would change your decision?”
Your being to considered of other people.
„Nah, it’s fine. More importantly what it’s in the bag? Did I forget somebody’s birthday?“
„No I thought a little pick me up wasn’t bad after.“
She passed the bag to him.
„You can choose whatever and how many you want for yourself. Treat yourself as the young would be saying.“
Glancing into the bag he had to chuckle.
It was obvious which one would be for whom.
One donut - Okonogi preferred them - two mount blancs with his face on an oblade and several cream puffs an oblade with her face on top.
„What’s up with the cream puffs, eh,’ he asked while passing the donut to her,
‘ fancied something new?“
„No that’s not it … it’s embarrassing so please forget about it. It’s just the first time I saw someone trying to include to me … It’s stupid I know but I had the feeling at least I should buy some …“
„But you don’t like cream puffs - or at least I have never seen you eating one.“
„Please ignore it, Hoshina-san. I‘m well aware that I‘m lacking in a lot of departments but I wanted to appreciate his work.“
Glancing at her he saw one hand tighten and loosen up.
„If somebody deserves to be admired for her work it’s you. Always backin’ everybody up and without you we wouldn’t even have the weapons or the cars to go up against the kaiju.“
She held with one hand the sweet treat but the other was waving away his compliment.
„Always making sure we’re okay and everything is prepared before we could think of it.“
„Ehh? No, Hoshina-san, you have to high of an opinion of me!“
He fished his phone out of his pocket and made some pictures of the Okonogi cream puffs.
„Please, you promised no jokes …“
He put his phone next to him.
„I ain’t promised anything m’dear and I also want to appreciate the work.“
Maybe someone was up to something with these ones. And also maybe he needed to go back there to make sure they weren’t the least popular item on the menu.
From one of them he picked up her picture and put it on her donut. She turned it around in her hand.
„Vice captain, is that cannibalism?“
And once again on purpose or not she had known exactly what to say.
This serious tone and her staring intently at a pastry made him burst into laughter.
„Okonogi-chan, if that would be the case I am also guilty as charged, definitely a repeat offender.“
He almost spilled some of the tea next to him.
„I can already see the headline ‘Captain Ashiro has to bail out her two top employees due to cannibalism.’ And in the signature. ‘If that are the people protecting us, are we better than kaiju?‘“
She looked up to him and he had to meet their gaze. Like a co-conspirator she leaned closer to him.
„You remember how you brought in autumn some of the limited chestnut editions into the office?“
„Yes …“
And then it clicked and both of them said in unison.
„She’s guilty, too!“
Laughter filled the van and they toasted with their desserts.
„We will be fine.“
„Bon appetite!“
They both indulged their own thoughts briefly interrupted by comments regarding the fillings and the taste. She was the one who broke the silence.
„Hoshina-san, I don’t want to cross any boundaries and if it’s a stupid idea, please forget about it, but could you - I mean if you want - erm need? I don’t know ...“
This strained voice alone showed that she was fighting with herself to raise this topic.
„No beating around the bushes here, Okonogi-chan ~ spill the beans and we will see how to handle it.“
She was fixating on her coffee and keeping a very close eye on the cup.
„You know, I am not saying that it needs to be me - or that I am qualified for this …“
Her hands turning the cup around and around betrayed a certain nervousness.
Around him, why? There’s no need for that.
„But if you need somebody to talk to I am willing to listen.“
Finally everything that was on her mind spilled out.
„You are always taking care of everybody, protecting so many civilians as well as troop members. If you need a break I will do everything in my power and if you need someone to listen - well I am willing to sit with you, Hoshina-san.“
What just had happened?
He blinked in confusion and his Okonogi started sniffling, tears following her cheek and landing on her overal. He tucked some hair strands behind her ear.
Please don’t cry because of me.
„Please don’t feel like you need to hide your feelings in front of me, Hoshina-san. As you see, I am most likely the worst member to judge you for being human … and I am not sad, but mad that you always want to tackle everything alone!“
He removed his glove and wiped away a tear.
„Thank you Okonogi-chan.“
As if she didn’t trust her voice she just nodded.
These tears weren’t happy tears, she might neither wear a numbers weapon nor a fighting suit but she would defend everybody – especially the third division - her way. With witt, precise judgement and her empathy. No matter if it’s the captain, a troop member, operator or background staff, she would make sure that no one felt unvalued.
„Could I give you erm a hug?“
She nodded again but didn’t make any attempts at getting up. So he made sure, nothing would fall down when standing up and pulled her into his embrace. She quietly accepted this and nestled her face against his chest.
„You’re alright there?”
She nodded again and he rested his head on top of hers. Opposite to the words she had earlier it seems there was nothing left for her to say.
„I am sorry m’dear … you are worried about earlier today?“
Again a nod against his chest.
„Only if you want to talk about it.“
„I would be honoured if you were to listen to this old man’s rambling.“
„You are not old!“
„At least not as old as Kafka … You know, don’t ya laugh if it’s weird …“
„I would never!“
„The pictures they were taking, they chose spider lilies …while I might understand that this is merly for the aesthetic, they are also connected with death ...“
Fingers were digging into his back.
„And that made me think about some stuff I’d normally try to avoid …“
He didn’t know how to convey what hat being going through his mind, sitting in this buzzing room but at the next call to action the members would be alone again. No guarantee for everybody‘s return. If an extraordinary kaiju were to appear than it would be the captain or him having to fight a way out. Always with the task to minimize damage. Minimizing but never being able to keep it at zero and protecting everybody. No matter what they did, there always would be people under their watch who still had to suffer.
„I am sorry, Hoshina-san. I didn’t now that. Next time I will make sure to request more detailed information and do a check on details like this.“
For a moment he had forgotten that she was there.
„Nah, that’s not your fault, Okonogi-chan.“
His strong willed team mate. While not officially in his unit or physical on location with them, she made sure to handle him during deployments. When she had a day off separate from him not having her around was always weird. A different voice answering his check ins with the communication room and most of all a way different mood than them being aligned without seeing each other.
„How do you know that?“
„How do I know what?“
„The meaning of flowers. I didn’t expect you to be a big fan.“
„My mother loves traditional flower arrangements.“
„Somehow that checks out.“
„How do you mean that?“
„Err, sorry no ill intention. Just a family with your history it makes sense to find masters of so many arts.“
A small chuckle rose up from his throat.
„I never said she is a master, Okonogi-chan. But you are right, she is quite good.“
„Your father wasn’t big on giving her flowers?“
„Is that to be expected?“
She turned her head to the side.
„More that it‘s easy to make noticable mistakes before a master and being called out for. Similar to when you were advising me with my fighting technic.“
A long, long time this has been ago.
„You mean the ‘Stay away from the pointy and sharpe sides’?“
„I wasn’t THAT bad.“
Slowly, not to scare her, he rested his chin on top of her crown.
This felt intimate, almost to intimate for a normal relationship - for their very normal work relationship.
Instead he aligned his cheek with her temple and lips close to her ear.
Not really less intimate but comforting.
His voice was almost a murmur but not a comment from her, that she wasn’t able to understand him.
„He knew her favourite flowers and how she liked them, so she always received the same arrangment. A simple gesture but always reliable. But she made sure that I knew enough ‚not to embarrass her‘. Also my older brother.“
This prompted a little chuckle from her.
„Why is it easy to imagine the captain of the sixth division ignoring this and going all out?“
„Why are you thinking of that man?“
„I don’t know. I cannot imagine you trying to embarrass someone on purpose. From your other stories your brother seems like someone that would try to annoy your mom even if she would never hear about this.“
That made him laugh shortly.
You really are thinking about a different man the one currently huggin you? I guess all hope then is lost for me.
„Okonogi-chan, what is your favourite flower?“
„Uh … that might be a bit embarrassing. But do you know crocuses?“
„No I cannot remember having heard of them. What are they?“
He made a mental note to look them up as soon as possible.
„They are spring flowers and I think they only occur in nature or it is difficult to grow them indoors. Their season is after the snow has just melted and there are three different types. White, purple and a yellow kind of orangy tone. Personally I like the purple ones the most.“
„And why is that?“
„They have something magical. This colour when most of their surrounding is still greyish and just the first rays of sun are enjoyable. It’s so whimsical to see them!“
„Next year I will make sure to look out for them.“
„I can give you a heads up when I find them?“
„We could also go together.“
„Yes, that would be nice.“
Followed by a small break where no one said something.
„Urrm, Okonogi-chan - lets s say you had a suitor, what kind of flower would you want to receive by him if he‘s not living in the wild Tokyo nature with natural crocuses?“
She giggled.
„A suitor and me? I am sorry Hoshina-san but that is quite unimaginable.“
He opened his mouth to deny that but she was faster.
„But my second favorites are tulips. I sometimes buy them myself when I have some days off or we are on standby.“
Tulips? Wait.
„Isn’t that the pink flowers we have sometimes in the office?“
„Um, yes. Sometimes as a small pick me up also in the office. I hope that is not a nuisance?“
„No, not at all. They are nice to look at. Just never realised you brought them in.“
Even outside her duty and without him realizing she was thinking about the division. What additional things might be unbeknownst to him?
„Okonogi-chan?“
„Mhm?“
„Y’know, when we were deciding who will be the best fit for your position, I wasn’t 100% sure about you.“
He could feel her tense and move in his arms. But he tried to gently keep up the embrace.
„What? Why would you -“
„It was meant in a positive way.I had a feeling that you bring so many things to the table and how should I say it. I wasn‘t sure about the best way to protect you - seating you at the table or keep you separate from all the trauma …“
I’m more and more glad that I didn’t sent ya away.
He started to stroke her back.
„You are way more than the head operator to the captain an’ me. Thank you for always lookin’ out for us.“
These words weren’t enough. One lousy hug in an military vehicles. She deserved so much more. Appreciation from the members, from the public, all the good things in life. Someone who would prioritize her, look at her the same way she did look at the world. Precise, open minded, full of wonder and love for the little things many people chose to ignore.
„M’dear, you‘re strong in your own way. In such a unique way given our work. Don’t underestimate yourself. For my part I am glad, that no other division understands your genius.“
Maybe he should-
„Communication room for vice captain Hoshina and operation lead Okonogi, please copy.“
Someone had opened a communication channel and they both immediately touched their earpieces.
„Hoshina here.“
„Okonogi listening.“
His heart was racing. Why did he feel like a child being caught by his parents?
„We have some strange reading from monitoring sector gamma. Captain Ashiro sent out Ikaruga-squad to keep an eye on the matter. She requests you coming back as soon as possible.“
„Roger that.“
Okonogi was leaving the last part of their embrace stepping back a bit. The mood between them was shifting.
„We will be back when exactly Okonogi-chan?“
Her gaze was focused and he could imagine the calculation going through her mind.
„Roughly twenty to twenty five minutes if we are -“
„You will be getting a free ride. Okonogi-san please share your location and we will take care of the traffic.“
„Copy that. Give me one minute.“
Their eyes met and he nodded to the door.
„Do your thing, I will pick up behind you …“
She went for the drivers cabinet and he picked up their meal as fast as possible before rejoining her. Okonogi had already set up her magic systems. While he was putting away the drinks she was reverse parking and back on the road. The traffic lights automatically changed to the kaiju signal allowing them to speed up and guiding them back to the base.
„Please make sure to use your seatbelt, Hoshina-san.“
„Aye aye, boss.“
A smile grew on his face and he leaned back into the seat.
They could handle this. They would handle this as always. He would let her shine and she would use him in the most efficient way possible.
Unbeknownst to him something between them had shifted. Their most of the time not so formal, friendly demeanor would allow for a softer tone when they were alone. He would seek out her closeness, being even less guarded when she was around. Standing maybe a little bit closer to her in the com room, putting his jacked around her shoulders when he - totally by chance of course - found her sleeping in the office exhausted by the day’s events. Starting to check out desserts shops and always encouraging her cannibalism – he himself would prefer them over the available mount blancs.
Her eyes would meet his more often and she would give him chances to steel away from campaigns earlier than other members. Building small pockets of time for him to rest and her to guard over him.
They would tell each other about their past experiences over shared meals sometimes again in the bag of vans. Safe from the public eyes they would start to be something closer than vice captain and aide or operation leader, closer than comrades, closer but not really defining what they were for each other.
~~~~
A few weeks later it was once again the start for their yearly reports as well as performance evaluation. The main office for all of the platoon leaders was quite busy with everybody attending and preparing.
Was it weird that she liked this? It was somehow refreshing to share the same working space with everybody else.
The clicking of the keyboards as well as the pens scratching on papers had their own rhythm and magic to them. Most of the others had their head held low and were focused on their work when she led her gaze wander through the room. When it came to her neighbour sitting at the head position he seemed busy cross referencing documents and checking if they aligned.
With the last sip of her coffee she returned to her own work. It was clearly visible that her pen run out and the ink turned lighter and lighter. Not too long until it would be barely visible.
No problem that’s why she had stocked up on everything needed the weeks prior.
She stood up to empty the cartridge and when she returned there was a new pen lying on her desk but none of the others seemed to have interrupted their work. She mustered the design. A small bear walking in a field with flowers. Not any flowers they were tulips and one was also in his hand.
How cute!
She wanted to squeal out of excitement but it would be better not to disturb the others.
But who was it?
When she looked up again, Hoshina-san was meeting her eye.
Remembering his speed and agility that would check out.
She lifted the pen and slowly mouthed “From you?”
He nodded and her stomach made somersaults.
“Thank you.”
He nodded again and returned to his work. She also returned to hers, now the proud owner of the cutest pen in the world.
She need him to spill the beans where he got it. Maybe he had found a new brand … If he did remember that she liked tulips or was it only a coincidence? Must have been a coincidence, definitely a coincidence … right?
Busy with denying this possibility she didn’t notice the grin on her vice captain’s face.
How cute she was!