Chapter Text
Now there’s a lot of things Rindou is not. In fact, he could probably list them off in quick fire succession if asked. That’s not to say he’s insecure, far from it. If anything, he may be considered overconfident by some. Not to name names, of course, but if there is one that comes to mind; it’s very likely correct.
The point is, Rindou is a man with pride, confidence and enough snark to steer away audiences he doesn’t care for. He is a man with a mean streak that hasn’t fully faded since his teen years but mellowed out ever so slightly, a passion for what he enjoys, and maturity that has aged with him but doesn’t hold him back.
If slightly means drastically and confidence is something that wavers dramatically whenever he’s under the eyes of a certain blue haired twin. But that’s beside the point.
Rindou is not lame, nor pathetic. He doesn’t lack composure and everything he feels inside is completely, one hundred percent, unequivocally in check and below the surface as they should be. There is no lie in this statement, so do not second guess those words.
Rindou is totally not second guessing those words.
Either the rays of Lady Luck are shining down on him or the universe itself has decided it’s on his side for once, because Rindou did not think he would be graced with the opportunity to see a certain blue haired twin so soon. Sure, it has been a good few weeks since their last spontaneous meeting and yes ‘weeks’ is likely not considered ‘soon’ by normal standards, but when you’re walking around eggshells to not be hunted down by what could only be described as protective and/or pure hatred personified – weeks in place of months does become the new ‘soon’ measurement.
Truth be told, Rindou had only just gotten over their somehow successful escape room escapade. It’s a miracle that grinning devil didn’t figure out his whereabouts during the day and that every part of him is still intact. Bar his sanity, but is that really such a bad thing?
The answer is yes. Yes, it is.
Because now he’s standing outside a door with the lingering debris of his clarity clinging for dear life. And to make matters worse, his troll of an older brother is stood beside him taking photos that could very well be an incriminating factor in getting him locked up depending on what he chooses to do with them.
The horror element of the escape room may not have been the best and trying to appear normal whilst stealing moments with the blue haired twin amongst watchful eyes may have been a trial and a half, but boy was it a breath of fresh air to spend so long with him without their brother’s ruining the moment.
Lady luck may have been generous in granting him the chance to see Souya today, but Rindou is starting to wonder if that’s as far as she’ll go for him as Ran snickers beside him.
Rindou didn’t quite know what to expect upon opening his messages earlier. ‘I spy with my little eye something you would love to see ~’ Could mean…anything coming from Ran, if he’s honest. Part of him is angry that there is indeed something he would love to see on the other side of the door, with the obvious reason being he’s apparently gotten to the point of being easy to read now if Ran can clock him this hard.
That or the fact it’s no longer such a secret the engrossment he has with the twin. If he could even call it much of a secret in the first place given the way he hasn’t shut up about it. Maybe he’s more pissed with himself than Ran.
[‘this is not a hate crime smiley’]
Ran: [sent a photo]
Ran: i didn’t know the twins have sisters😯
No, he’s definitely annoyed with Ran.
“Why would you send that in the group chat!?” Rindou hisses, sharply dragging his brother away from the door lest they get caught immediately.
Ran simply smiles innocently, if ‘innocently’ was tainting the very meaning of the word. It’s more a smirk that Rindou knows like the back of his hand, a smirk he’s worn so much himself it’s become more of a default smile. It says more than his words ever could have.
There are many things that Ran Haitani is. Petty and vindictive to name a few. And unfortunately, the creature that is Nahoya Kawata has started a war that will not be ending any time soon as far as Ran is involved. Rindou may have had his fair share of enjoyment messing with the older Kawata, in the beginning, but Ran? Rindou isn’t so sure he can classify this as just enjoyment anymore. Honestly, he would worry his brother is becoming a ‘M’ if his phone wasn’t currently going crazy with notifications from the chat.
His head is falling into his awaiting open palms faster than his brain can come up with words to curse his brother or the terror that is about to let loose.
☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆
‘So much for keeping this lowkey’
Mitsuya sighs, slumping back in his chair. They’ve only been at this around two hours, and usually that would be enough for him to get everything completed. Except this time, he had more people to account for, designs for skirts, flairs and length to conjure and body types to consider. He’d have to take what he gets from the guys and transfer it to fit the girls better. It would have been fine if he wasn’t almost essentially starting from scratch.
Now Mitsuya would give credit where its due, Chifuyu and Souya are not the problem here. Far from it. Out of everyone, Mitsuya thinks they’re probably the best choice to ask this favour. Away from the group they’re (relatively) calm and happy to help. Nahoya was a bonus addition, one that also worked in his favour up until now.
No one can really account for when the Haitanis will show up. Mitsuya just didn’t think they would show up here of all places.
He watches as Smiley furiously types away on his phone, so fast it’s almost impressive. Every so often he’ll look around as if he’ll suddenly spot wherever it is the duo are currently staking out. Mitsuya feels it for Angry, the second he read the message in the chat Mitsuya could sense the dread that washed over him.
And Chifuyu…
Honestly the same could be said there too. There’s a slight pinkness to his cheeks as he outs Mitsuya’s downlow project in his embarrassment, and Mitsuya can’t blame him. But as he sees sudden spam of notifications come from Hakkai, the moment it’s said that they’re helping him, Mitsuya finds himself wishing he could have someone to blame.
Sadly, this one is on him.
Mitsuya could have told his boyfriend that he’s working on a little something for his sisters and potentially the girls. It would have easily dispelled his upset for not being able to help, if not remind him of a matter he’s been glum over for the past week or so. Which is exactly why Mitsuya kept it vague.
He loves Hakkai, he really does, but he can only hear the man moan over a potential marriage - that no one actually knows will ever take place – so much.
Now he’s got Smiley trying to lure out the two people he would happily push in a deep ditch, Chifuyu very pointedly not responding to Kazutora and Baji’s messages, and his own boyfriend trying to gain his attention. Great.
At the sound of a gag, Mitsuya looks up. In fact, all of them look up to catch Smiley’s very obvious distaste to Ran’s response in the chat. A gag so loud, and emphasised, that Mitsuya’s brows shoot up in pre-alarm. He actually looks around for a nearby trashcan, not at all willing to help clean up more than fabric scraps today.
“Big bro?” Angry asks, in genuine concern. Smiley doesn’t answer, doesn’t spare any of them a glance. Too immersed in the pure offence he’s taken from Ran’s…. let’s be real: general existence. He goes back to typing, the chat continues and Mitsuya can feel his motivation dwindling away as the seconds go by.
Mitsuya: so much for my project…
It’ll be a miracle if anything gets completed today after all.
☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆
“You.”
The word rings out through the room as soon as the door opens, so full of disgust and anger. If a room could change temperature based on intensity alone: a gush of freezing air would have hit Ran immediately.
Said man blinks, then blinks again as to process the newfound attention. He raises his eyebrows, a lazy smile spreading across his face as he meets Nahoya’s eyes. “Me?” He drawls, pointing a finger at himself.
Nahoya seethes, his usual grin straining and eye twitching. Ran finds it rather impressive how the guy can smile regardless the situation or person he faces. Most have resting bitch faces. He has….
Huh…what would be the opposite of that?
“What are you doing here?” Nahoya all but spits, oblivious to the ridiculous musings going on in the other’s head.
Ran shifts his attention back to the twin, letting his gaze drift across the room briefly. He’s used to getting stares, used to attention and glares, awkwardness or deafening silences. He’s had it all. The looks from the other three occupying the room do nothing to him.
Ran shrugs, leaning against a nearby wall. “Like I said. We just happened to pass by.” He repeats. The way the twin seems to scowl has him tilting his head in amusement, waiting for more.
Nahoya steps closer, “As if I’m gonna believe that. You damn stalker.” He’s pointing fingers now, getting closer with each breath. Ran simply stands there, watching with (sick) mirth in his eyes daring him to do anything. Nahoya could punch him in the face right now.
“What type of tracking device did you put on me?” He asks, looking up at the man with an aura that would scream danger to…any normal person. Mitsuya glances over at them briefly, hands still holding his fabric against the sewing machine in front of him. Neither of the other two make a move to step in, but Souya does stand on guard.
“What makes you think I’d go so far?” Ran replies, smile twitching to widen.
Nahoya rolls his eyes, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “I don’t know. Maybe the fact you keep showing up everywhere I go!?”
Ran hums, twirling his hair between two fingers. Not at all fazed by the theatrics in front of him. “Call it coincidence.”
“Call it BS.” Nahoya deadpans. “You have 5 seconds to leave and delete whatever perverted pics you took of us.”
“Or what?” Ran challenges, pushing himself up and off the wall.
There’s silence in response, but the way Nahoya winds his shoulder in a circular motion speaks volumes. A preparation, a wordless warning.
Ran puffs out a laugh, letting his fingers fall from his hair. “So quick for aggression.” He tuts, dodging the punch that’s thrown his way. Or perhaps it was an intended miss, as the way the twin turns his fist against the wall beside him would indicate it knew its real target. Ran hums.
“Get out.” Nahoya demands, growls almost. It has a chuckle building up the Haitani’s throat, a twisted sense of amusement tingling within. In front of him is a beast bearing its fangs and all he wants to do is poke it again, prod a little further, see how far it will snap.
And Smiley is falling straight into his trap.
“I didn’t know you own this place.” He says, looking around once more. He keeps his peripheral vision on the twin, however, just in case he throws another punch.
“I’ll call the cops.” Nahoya threatens. Whether it holds true or is just for show is purely for him to know. Mitsuya has a pretty good feeling he wouldn’t, yet Smiley is one of the most unpredictable characters within their group. Chifuyu shares a glance with Souya, the question there but unanswered.
Would he?
Souya would love to say no. He highly doubts his brother would want anything to do with the cops, but Nahoya is so spiteful that he may just do it to prove a point. Whether it gets the desired outcome or not. So, he can only hope it’s a bluff. He would rather not be interrogated whilst they’re all in skirts of some kind.
“For what?” Ran asks, going along with his ‘threat’. He can’t control the snicker of surprise that escapes his mouth at the words that follow.
“Sexual harassment.”
It’s said so flat, almost dead serious. There’s no way to tell with this guy. At times he says things just to say them. Other times? He will one hundred percent follow through on whatever crazy thing he brings forward. The catch? You don’t know when it’ll be.
He’ll have to play it careful here. Ran raises an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes slightly. His expression wouldn’t give it away, so he’d have to be tactical.
“Define sexual harassment.”
For a few seconds, they simply stare at one another. Reading, calculating, daring one another. Nahoya looks him up and down.
“What’s your name again?”
This time Ran can’t stop the hearty chuckle that escapes him from the sheer audacity and ridiculousness of it all. “Pffft! I walked straight into that one.” He laughs, waving his hand.
“You know what other one you’ll walk into?” Nahoya asks, and for a second Ran could almost swear his grin darkens ever so slightly as he looks on for clarification.
“This one,” Nahoya promptly raises a tightly clenched fist.
“Your five seconds are up.”
☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆
“Tora move your head out of my fucking face.”
Baji huffs in annoyance, finally lifting a hand to push dual coloured hair out of the way of the phone screen he’s been trying to look at properly for the past 5 minutes. The owner of said hair squawks as he stumbles to the side, as intended, out of the way.
Kazutora looks up with a weak glare as he attempts to smoothen out his, no doubt now tousled, hair. “That’s not how you find locations.” He says, crossing his arms.
Baji only rolls his eyes, “What do you know about finding locations?” He asks.
Kazutora returns the gesture, waving his hand in a ‘duh’ motion. “It’s common knowledge.” He states, as thought it is indeed a known fact. The blank look he receives in response is enough to say it’s not something that should be common knowledge.
From their other side, a chuckle is heard.
“Careful there Kazutora, you’re starting to sound like that Haitani guy.”
Ryusei teases, a look of clear amusement on his face as his friends turn to look over at him. They’ve probably only just remembered his presence ever since it’s been made known that their fourth is out there somewhere in a skirt. Well, fourth would imply he’s part of … their waiting game. Really, he’s just there for the fun of it, the friend that has knowledge from all sides and the ball in his hand.
And right now, the fun of it is watching these two scramble to try and find out the location of where Chifuyu could be. Since Chifuyu stopped responding, their efforts doubled down. Thinking about it now, the urgency in which they’re trying to find their… ‘crush’ in a skirt is…something. The whole Hanma thing was somewhat valid, even if it had happened years ago. This? This is probably the closest thing to acting on shameless desire of some sort.
“I’m not a stalker!” Kazutora exclaims, a little too loud for being in public. “We are not doing this again.” He says, with a huff and a near pout. Ryusei has half a mind to question the ‘again’ part to his declaration before Kazutora is turning back to Baji and attempting to take over his phone. “Just let me do it.”
Baji pushes back, holding his phone up and out of reach. “No. I can figure it out.”
Kazutora doesn’t relent, going as far as pushing up on the tips of his toes and pulling at Baji’s clothing. “Baji!”
“Use your own damn phone!” Baji snaps.
“He probably doesn’t have his location turned on for me!” Kazutora retorts. Baji looks over at him with an expression that says, ‘that’s stupid’ or ‘you’re stupid’. There’s an in between somewhere.
Brown eyes look the man up and down before he responds, “Why would he have his location on for anybody?”
It’s a valid response, one that almost makes more sense than this entire scene playing out. Kazutora doesn’t grace him with an answer, instead taking his moment of confusion to try and grab his phone once again. “Let me do it!” He insists, resorting to grabby hands. “They’re probably really close and you’re making us take forever!”
Baji huffs yet again, turning his back to him. “If you let me think for one damn second-”
“You can do that?” Kazutora interrupts, with mock surprise. It immediately earns him a whack upside the head. “Ow!” He ducks down a little too late, holding his head with another glare up at Baji. “You’re such a brute.” He pouts, entirely put on and emphasised for dramatics. “I should just find him by myself. I’d probably get there before you anyway-”
Ryusei can see the annoyance building up within the black-haired man as Kazutora continues his complaints. The way his brows furrow and a scowl begins to form the longer Kazutora goes on. His mouth moves as though he’s clenching his jaw or finding some kind of insult.
“and have less bruises- “
“Babe.”
Kazutora’s monologue pauses as Baji speaks up. “Shut the fuck up.”
And kudos to him because Kazutora well and truly ‘shut’s the fuck up’ promptly. Even Ryusei sits in a silent stun. For the same reason no doubt.
For a moment, it seems as though Baji’s mind is catching up to the words that came out of his mouth. Wondering whether to take them back or not, he ultimately decides against it, turning back to his phone.
Ryusei sees the hints of redness on the tips of his ears, and the pink flush building high on the cheeks of Kazutora who swallows. He blinks, surprise no doubt evident on his own face before he curls his lips inwards to bite back a knowing smile.
At that moment, a notification comes through and Baji seems to perk up. “I got it.” He says, waving his phone with a smug smile. “Told ya it would be fine.”
Kazutora, too, lights up. Their earlier moment seemingly forgotten in favour of achieving their goal. Clearly too happy about gaining this valuable piece of information that he doesn’t question the fact Keisuke did not say it would be fine, but a win is a win, right?
Before Ryusei can even say those words aloud, the pair have taken off in the direction of their missing blondie.
Well then.
If they won’t think about this change in interaction, Ryusei certainly would.
And he’s definitely making it known in the betting GC.
☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆
He should probably step in and break it up.
They’ve been at it for…quite a while now. He’s almost impressed by how long ‘Prototype Ran’ has been holding his own for. The keyword being almost. It’s hard to forget the leader of the fierce duo that did damage to his brother. It’s even harder to comprehend that said man is simply letting his brother try and land hits on him without fighting back.
Souya has heard of what went down in their escape room a few weeks ago, he’s seen how Nahoya has literally chased down Rindou and thrown a whole exercise ball at his head. He knows his brother is likely very capable of doing a lot worse should he stop holding back. But that doesn’t change the fact Ran could easily turn the tides if he wanted to.
Which is why he should probably step in…Ran would surely stop thinking this is incredibly amusing at some point…surely.
Nahoya lifts his leg, ready to take yet another swing. “Throwing so many kicks in a skirt…” Ran muses, with a shake of his head and poorly masked smirk. “So unlady like~”
That sets Nahoya off.
The simple kick that would have been turns a move they’ve seen Mikey do many a time in their delinquent days. Souya looks away before he can see whether it lands or not.
His phone buzzes in his pocket, a much-appreciated scapegoat.
Until he sees who it’s from.
💜: hey
💜: can u slip away or are u busy
Souya looks up from his phone, first glancing at his brother who seems to be getting faster with his offense but in turn sloppier. Then, to Chifuyu whose arms are out as Mitsuya attempts to make a jacket more form fitting. It’s clear everyone in the room is occupied to some degree.
Souya turns the question in his brain a few more times, wondering if he should really leave his brother be when he’s very obviously pissed off that Ran won’t leave him alone. One more look at Mitsuya and Chifuyu makes up his mind.
If they can continue like nothing is happening, then they must have faith it won’t progress further than this scuffle.
With a sigh, Souya types back a response.
i guess I can spare a few minutes whilst my brother is out for blood –
The reply comes back almost immediately.
💜: great
💜: meet me here ?
This is all too familiar.
Could he still call it déjà vu when it’s the reality he has to live now? Messages to confirm whether he’s alone or busy, finding places to sneak away to have a few minutes together without the impending fear of having to stop a murder.
It’s become a routine; one they seem to steadily be getting better at as the days go by. This is as modern as Romeo and Juliet gets.
Souya can’t help the tiny smile formed from his own joke, fingers dancing across the keys of his phone about to agree. Because being invited to weird places isn’t so…weird or creepy anymore.
Until he remembers one very important fact.
He’s still in a skirt.
He was really just about to sneak out and go meet Rindou in a skirt. As if he needed another reason for the man to tease him.
i’d need to get changed –
💜: NO
Souya blinks, surprised by both the instant response and the response itself. He barely has anytime to unpack it before he gets a few more messages in quick succession.
💜: i mean it’s okay
💜: it’s only the next room over
💜: no one will see
💜: promise
He supposes that’s a fair point. It would probably make more sense to…accept his fate and wear the skirt out than to find a way to get changed without alerting Mitsuya or his brother. Especially if he wants to sneak back in afterwards. The last thing he wants is for his resolve to crumble under their scrutiny.
With another sigh, Souya types back a response.
okay –
💜: you’re coming?
yeah omw –
He can only hope that no one notices his disappearance.
And if they do, he hopes that Chifuyu still has his back.
☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆
“Okay well…”
Mitsuya puts his phone down on the desk beside him, taking a seat. “Mikey’s on his way.” He says, tapping the boy in front of him to let him know he can relax for a moment.
Chifuyu hums, putting his arms down. Attention still seemingly focused on his phone. Mitsuya glances over at the fighting duo in the corner. How they haven’t run out of energy yet is beyond him. How Nahoya hasn’t truly snapped is an even greater mystery, considering some of the comments he’s heard Ran throw his way during it all. He gets the feeling the active fighting is the only thing stopping him from genuinely planning a murder.
And if that’s the case, Mitsuya would much rather let them be if it means stopping a worser fate. Besides, Ran seems to be holding his own quite well. Unsurprising for man that had them both hospitalised.
“I’m not even gonna get involved with Smiley and Ran over there.” He says, shaking his head. Chifuyu glances up at this, looking over in their direction as Mitsuya writes down his newly acquired measurements. “And…”
He pauses, looking around one more time. “…Where’s Angry?”
It’s been a hot minute since he’s last heard anything from the younger twin. Be it in the group chat or verbally. Mitsuya didn’t think too much into it considering Angry is one of the quietest, if not the quietest of Toman. If he didn’t include Sanzu in this statement.
He figured the twin would be sat in the same place he had last seen him in, Angry did seem to be the one most on guard about the situation playing out after all. How long has it been since he left?
Chifuyu, too, looks around; eyes scanning the room for any sight of blue. Until something seems to hit him. “Oh!” He turns back to Mitsuya. “I think he said he was going to the bathroom…or something.” There’s a smile on his face that doesn’t scream genuine, but Mitsuya doesn’t question him.
He gives one last glance at the entrances and exits to the room, something forming in his mind. He doesn’t ponder it for long.
“Right.” He drawls in something of an agreement. “Well, you’re the only one I can continue on if that’s alright with you.”
Chifuyu seems to relax at his words, body deflating ever so slightly before he nods and puts his phone down. It continues to ding on the table beside them. “Yeah. We should probably continue or you won’t get done.”
Mitsuya appreciates the sentiment, sure, but part of him has long let go of the hope he’ll finish everything today.
☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆
Rindou takes back everything he said before.
He is lame, pathetic and any confidence he had flew out the window the moment he practically begged the blue haired twin to come meet him.
This is it.
He’s hit rock bottom.
Fallen so far from grace.
Gone is the cool, collected, somewhat (totally) arrogant man he was before. And with it goes his ability to play hard to get, the man who could get anything he wanted, who thrived on the reactions he caused. Okay well, that last two still reigns true but the rest of it is embarrassing to say the least.
He’s not sure what has taken the bigger hit: his reputation or his perception of his reputation.
Yet he’s known this much since their last (first?) date, when the last semblance of control slipped through his fingers and every part of that moment would play on repeat in his head. He’s grieved this much since hearing the nickname ‘Rin’ leave Souya’s mouth for the first time.
He is completely, one hundred percent, unequivocally, whipped for Souya Kawata.
And it happened so fast that he didn’t even get the chance to be angry about it first.
It feels as though he’s skipped several stages of ‘liking’ and ‘crushing’ and gone straight to wanting him to be his so badly he fears he might do something stupid just to make it happen. Almost like his brother who is purposely provoking the demon spawn in the next room over. Except, he’s still not sure what his brother’s deal is and would rather not compare this to whatever that is.
It's been months, months, and this feeling is still as strong as ever. If not stronger and growing so each time they secretly meet up like this or spare a phone call. This shit feels straight out of some kind of romance anime, that he still refuses to even glance upon because if he relates to a single one of them Rindou thinks he might just lose some respect for himself. Whether they’re decent or not.
He spent his entire childhood being a fearsome delinquent, sadistic and unbothered. Hell, he’s spent some of his early adulthood feeling no different. Just what kind of power does lo-…. Souya Kawata hold? Something greater than the strength he showed at 16, something Rindou can’t escape even if he wanted to.
And fuck, Rindou really doesn’t want to.
Even if it means standing here trying his dammed hardest not to let all the emotions swirling through him reflect on his face. Because even if his composure is near enough non-existent, there’s no way he’s going to let Souya know that now.
“Are you…okay?”
Rindou looks down, torn from his internal grief, self-pity and pining. Blue eyes look back at him, concern evident in them and Rindou becomes all too aware that he’s been silent this whole time. Great start.
Where’s the Rindou from the escape room that could stand to be beside him without having a thousand thoughts per second? Didn’t he already agree that whatever he’s doing is working well? Roll out the charm dammit! This isn’t like their date where he stepped up his game; this is purely casual like they have been ever since.
“Hm?”
Yeah, that was so causal.
Not.
Rindou clears his throat, standing up straighter. He pretends the way Souya’s head cranes further up, ever so slightly, doesn’t do anything to him as he answers: “Yeah, I’m all good. Why?”
Those blue eyes scan over him, it would be hard to tell if you didn’t know when to look. His movements brief, easy to miss. There’s something other than concern in them.
Souya looks away, gaze shifting just a few inches from Rindou to the wall behind him. He’s silent for a few seconds, likely trying to decide on the right way to word his thoughts. Rindou waits.
“You’ve been really quiet since I got here.”
Souya finally settles on, stare now fixed on his shoes. He picks at the sleeve of his jacket. The Toman jacket, Rindou notes, unbuttoned fully revealing the branded shirt he wears underneath stupidly tucked into the skirt. It dawns on Rindou just how long it’s been since he’s seen that uniform.
Back when they would be fighting for different ideals, different goals. When the thought of peace and love was a foreign concept when you’re breaking bones for fun.
They’ve come a long way.
Such a long way it almost feels like two different timelines. Historians would surely get whiplash seeing them now. Maybe it would give them hope for their futures to get better.
Maybe he should stop thinking about sappy shit like this.
Yeah, Rindou immediately shakes those thoughts free from his head. Instead focusing on the way the skirt fits Souya’s frame, pleats that he usually wouldn’t give a second glance now transfix his mind. The skirt itself is nothing special, really it is just a black standard skirt as far as he knows. The person wearing it however…
There are many words he could say, that he wants to say if he could trust his brain to mouth filter to work correctly. Knowing him some kind of mocking comment would come out first, if not something incredible ‘out of character’ and embarrassing.
His tongue feels heavy in his mouth, itching to speak up but holding back. He’s already gone and practically begged the twin to meet him; he’s got to maintain some composure and trust that the confident flirtatious side to his brain will come forth at the right time.
“I know this is weird.”
He’s figured out that last emotion hidden in Souya’s eyes. That alone slaps him back into gear.
“No, it’s not.” Rindou says, far too quickly. “It’s…” Nice. Great even. Making him discover parts to himself he never thought he’d consider. Fits you shockingly well, too well actually. Kudos to that Mitsuya guy, he’s good with clothes.
It’s a goddamn skirt.
A skirt that he looks fucking adorable in.
“It’s not.” Rindou finishes, if you could even call that a conclusive ending to a sentence. So much for that composure huh?
Souya peers up once again, a questioning look that screams he obviously doesn’t believe him. He sighs. “If you wanna say a comment, just say it.”
Rindou blinks.
Right…he is that kind of guy, isn’t he? No wonder the twin seemed apprehensive about coming out in his attire. He’s been waiting for whatever belittling – teasing or not – comment would leave Rindou’s mouth. They may have come heaps and bounds since back then, but at the end of the day if Rindou saw any of the others in a skirt he would no doubt be snickering his ass off right now.
Yet, in spite of this, Rindou still finds himself asking: “What gave you that idea?”
Souya tilts his head, Rindou can’t tell if it’s a gesture asking, ‘are you serious?’ or if he’s confused by the question. “You look like you’re holding something back.” He answers.
Rindou can’t help the smirk tugging at his lips, “Heh, tryna read me huh?” Souya’s eyes narrow almost defensively. “Don’t worry I’m not gonna say anything like my brother has been doing in there.” He says, waving his hand in the general direction of the other room. He’s met with scepticism. Rindou lets the smirk break free. “Unless…you want me to be mean~?”
Souya holds his gaze for approximately 3 seconds, before turning his head to hide whatever expression graces his face. “I can leave right now.”
“But you won’t.” Rindou retorts, watching him, waiting.
Souya huffs, so quiet he almost misses it. “How do you know that?” He asks, eyes yet to return the gaze Rindou has on him.
It’s a good question, one that Rindou isn’t one hundred percent certain on; yet… “Because you always stay.” The words flow easily, like it’s something he believes to be true in his core.
There’s silence.
Rindou tries to catch his eye, catch sight of his face, see what effect this is having on him. Is he embarrassed? Annoyed? Caught?
Souya finally turns his head, scowl present, eyes once again narrowed but…there’s a flush to his cheekbones that tells Rindou all he needs to know. “Don’t let it get to you.” Souya mumbles, crossing his arms. “I can still go if I want to.”
Rindou hums, leaning forward slightly, “Do you want to go?”
For a moment Souya meets his eyes, for a beat they simply stare at one another. In a competition? A dare? A just because?
No words are spoken, neither of them moves an inch. Rindou smiles and Souya finally looks away.
“See~?” Rindou teases, a chuckle accompanying it.
Until Souya begins to turn away as though he truly is about to leave.
Rindou doesn’t think a smile has dropped from his fast so fast. Bar maybe the time he realized he did not have the upper hand in their fight.
He straightens up once again, prepared to reach forward and grab his arm before he leaves. “Wait. I’m just messing around.”
And Souya, that menace turns around with a smug smile of his own.
“So am I.”
At that moment, Rindou isn’t so sure how he feels. Embarrassed? Maybe. Annoyed? Probably?
Souya snorts quietly.
Beat at his own game and completely okay with it? Definitely.
Rindou rolls his eyes, pointedly turning his head to look anywhere else. “You’re a little shit.” He says. Another quiet giggle, Rindou has to clench his jaw and pray his face doesn’t reflect the way his heart is back to its gymnast roots.
“I didn’t force you to like me.” Souya answers, with a guise of innocence that Rindou knows not to fall for. It’s not said with malice, nor distaste, it’s a simple fact said lightly. Teasingly even. Biting back playfully. The way they did in the early stages.
And Rindou.
Rindou falls for that bit, mouth dropping open slightly, because this little shit just hit him with the truth and left him speechless. No matter how much his mouth moves to try and form words to defend himself, the words simply are not there to be said. And Rindou can’t even be mad about it because Souya is chuckling softly and it’s probably one of the nicest things he’s ever heard at his own demise.
Rindou turns away completely. “Never mind you can go do your modelling thing.” He says, almost childishly. He’s not pouting. It’s a frown.
He hears movement from behind him, but he refuses to turn around. Souya doesn’t reach out and Rindou definitely doesn’t wish that he would.
“Do you want me to go?”
Souya finally asks, after what felt like an embarrassingly awkward long stretch of quietness.
No.
No, he really doesn’t because who knows when the next time they’ll be able to be together like this again? Call him selfish but he’ll take up every second of this time they have until the very end of it.
Rindou slowly turns around, pausing when he sees just how much closer the twin has gotten. This time, the question is genuine. Souya legitimately searches his eyes for any indication that he should be taking his leave.
“And if I don’t?” Rindou asks in return, voice quiet. Not out of fear or sheepishness, but because the moment oddly feels for it.
Relief. Rindou near smiles once more. “Then I’ll stay.” Souya answers quietly.
What’s composure really if not a thing that holds you back?
And fuck, as Souya looks up at him like this, it’s clear in Rindou’s mind that holding back is the last thing he wants to do. His mind flashes back to the end of their date, the way Souya leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth under the premise of ‘being even’. It flashes back to every moment he’s wanted to lean down and just do it properly.
And he finds self-control is a much harder thing to manage than composure.
But he thinks he’s doing a pretty damn good job of it right now.
Rindou all but gasps when a hand reaches up and tugs lightly at the front strands of his hair. He stills, like when a cautious animal is finally choosing to approach you. Or maybe like an animal caught by its prey, again.
Souya’s gaze has shifted from his eyes to the hair between his fingertips. Rindou watches in silent questioning.
“Your hair has grown.”
Souya eventually murmurs. Rindou breathes a laugh, raising an eyebrow. He’s right, it has. There’s a style choice he has in mind which requires him to grow his hair some more, though keeping it out of his eyes has become something of a struggle.
Souya continues to play with his hair, completely unaware of the things its doing to Rindou. Rindou’s own fingers twitch by his side, the urge to reach forward and hold him in some way strong. “Is that good or bad?”
Souya hums, eyes flicking to meet Rindou’s briefly before returning to the hair in his hold. Rindou steps closer, bodies only a breath away from touching. That gains the twin’s attention once more, who seems to stop breathing at the movement. Only for a second.
“It has potential to be good.” Souya finally says, well whispers really. Rindou rolls his eyes, but inside his mind races yet again and his heart flies ahead. Still, he finds the courage he yearned for to reach forward and rest his hands on the younger twin’s hips.
For a moment, nothing else happens.
No words are spoken.
Hardly any breaths are taken.
They’re locked in a contest of staring that requires no winners but awaits the next course of action.
Rindou feels his glasses begin to slip down his nose.
He’s just about ready to curse everything and anything for ruining the moment he’s worked so hard for, when he feels a hand rest upon the crook of his arm and another reach forward and push his glasses up for him.
Rindou closes his eyes briefly, only opening them again once the fingers withdraw from his glasses.
And if that simple, tiny, little action just made him feel so tremendously mushy inside. That’s for only him to know.
Even if it totally shows in the way he breathes out, hands sliding up from the twin’s hips to his waist and drawing him into a tight hold. No, he doesn’t think about how much circumference his hands covered around his hips, yes, his neck slightly strains as he buries his face in the crook of Souya’s.
And yes, he is absolutely freaking out on the inside. What of it?
Souya stumbles at the sudden hug, but Rindou’s hold stables him just as quickly. Like last time, it seems to take the twin a few seconds to catch up to what’s happening before he wiggles his arms to return the gesture.
“R-Rin…?”
There it is, that nickname that flows so easily from his mouth yet causes such an eruption of emotions within him.
Rindou squeezes him tighter.
Whether it’s the words that follow next, or the vibration of them against his neck, which causes heat to paint Souya’s cheeks flaming red…
We may never know.