Work Text:
New Years Eve
Teruko, the little devil she is, has dragged Tachihara and Fukuchi through the crowd and left Jouno and Tetcho to look for them through the ocean of families. Jouno was grumbling, growling like a dog even, while Tetcho was just admiring the festival decorations. The crowded areas were torture for Jouno, with his heightened hearing making everything worse by tenfold.
Tetcho would stop and admire every little thing, as if he’d never seen a festival before. Actually, knowing Tetcho, this might be his first time at a festival. Tetcho’s mainly stoic or teasing face was calm for once, the lights of lanterns brightening his amber eyes. Jouno would’ve teased him for his bright look, but Jouno could not see, so that was out of the picture.
”Where’d that little rat scurry off to?” Jouno groaned, clenching his fists as they tried to waft through the swarm. Tetcho just hums in response, not looking towards the white haired man at all. “I swear, they leave me all alone in this massive crowd with that idiot..” Jouno mumbles under his breath.
Tetcho looks over at the bridge that was a little ways away, standing proud over the river. “Let’s go.” Tetcho grabs hold of Jouno’s pale hand, the warmth of Tetcho’s own hand mixing with the cold of Jouno’s. Tetcho pulls Jouno with him, curse his strength.
Jouno could use his ability, sure, but he didn’t feel like dispersing into microscopic particles in the middle of a crowd, let alone a crowd with lanterns and candles everywhere. He was also mildly curious to see where Tetcho was going to bring him, probably somewhere stupid, he thought.
Jouno felt the stones of the town’s path seep into concrete as they elevated, a bridge. “Why are we here?” Jouno asks gruffly, annoyed by Tetcho’s secrecy. Jouno could read people’s emotions well, but only people who HAVE emotions, people not like Tetcho.
On one hand, Tetcho didn’t have strong emotions that’d result in him bursting into tears or blowing up in anger after Jouno makes snarky remarks, but on the other.. Tetcho was basically a doll, a lifeless doll that just stared at nothing all day and only moved or reacted if someone else made it.
”It’s quieter here.” Tetcho stood near the bridge’s edge, staring at the calm water below them. “Fireworks will be happening soon,” Tetcho mumbles to Jouno, knowing they’ll be extra loud to Jouno.
Jouno nods and grunts. “I know that, idiot.” Jouno snaps at him, even though he did not know when fireworks were starting. Tetcho doesn’t respond again, leading Jouno to think he believes him. Jouno faces towards the water as well, even though he can’t see what’s in it.
Sure enough, the distant crowds quieted down in Jouno’s ears, and the first firework went off. Tetcho watched it in mild concern, even though he knew what it was. He instinctively reached for Jouno’s hand, but paused and pulled back again.
Jouno, on the other side, was too busy trying to block out the loud explosions. Nobody liked the noise of fireworks, but atleast everyone else could see the beauty of them. To him, fireworks were pointless since he couldn’t see them, and only heard the loud sounds that ring out everytime one is launched. Fireworks were some of the worst things in history, because they were so loud they muffled everything else.
Tetcho turned to Jouno, noting his tense expression and the way he flinched everytime one went off. Jouno couldn’t even predict some of the fireworks since he couldn’t see them rising in the air. Tetcho’s expression softened slightly as he turned fully to Jouno. They were around the same height, so Tetcho was practically face to face with Jouno.
Tetcho’s hands went up before he fully thought about it, covering Jouno’s ears as best as he could. The sounds were drowned out a bit, not as much as if Jouno didn’t have extraordinary hearing, but it was better. “Jouno, are you okay?” Tetcho asked, worry prominent in his voice.
So he did have the ability to feel emotions beyond the basic 4 you’re born with.
Jouno’s brows furrowed. “I’m fine, get your hands off me.” Jouno growled, more dog-like than human. Tetcho doesn’t move his hands, pressing them against his ears more firmly. Jouno doesn’t attempt to escape though, just making grumbles and complaints.
Tetcho glances over to the town, seeing the many couples kissing. “Have you ever had a New Years kiss?” Tetcho asks innocently. “Hah? Why do you ask? There’s no time for romance in our job.” Jouno says bluntly, trying to cover up the fact he did actually want to do something like that.
As a hunting dog, they were constantly on missions. If not missions, training or recovering time. There was no time for romance or friendship, especially when they live at the base. Tetcho was naive, and still seems to think there’s a chance they could make friends with people or get a date with their line of work. Jouno hates that about him.
”Do you want a New Years Kiss?” Tetcho asks, making Jouno pause. Why was he asking that? Was he going to offer? Would it be wrong if Jouno said he wouldn’t be opposed? “I don’t know, why?” Jouno tries to stop the blush seeping onto his cheeks. “I was going to say that maybe we could share one.” Tetcho says, not even trying to pretend he wasn’t implying that. The blush on Jouno’s cheeks worsened, but luckily Tetcho was too busy staring at his face to notice the obnoxious bright red on Jouno’s pale cheeks.
Jouno panicks first, resorting to defensive tactics. ”Why would I want that?! Are you crazy?! I’d rather die than-“ Jouno stops abruptly, cutting himself off mid sentence. “I mean… fine, you get ONE kiss. And it can’t be long.” Jouno says firmly, crossing his arms.
Tetcho nods even though Jouno couldn’t see. He kept his hands over Jouno’s ears, pulling him closer to him. Tetcho slowly leans forward, hesitating momentarily. Jouno growled in impatience, wrapping his arms around Tetcho and closing the distance between them fully.
Tetcho’s eyes widen for a brief moment before he slowly closes them. Jouno’s thin lips were soft but freezing cold, the winter air affecting him. Tetcho’s lips were fuller and somehow warmer, almost fitting perfectly against Jouno’s. The cold weather seemed nonexistent at the moment, the fireworks exploding sounds muffled and quiet.
After a few seconds, they broke apart, but not fully leaving each other’s personal space. “You’re blushing.” Tetcho says, pointing out the obvious red. “It’s just from the cold!” Jouno immediately becomes defensive, but slowly calms back down hearing the small laugh that escapes Tetcho.
”Happy New Year, Jouno.” Tetcho says softly, pressing his forehead against Jouno’s. “Happy New Year, idiot.” Jouno says back, a bit more content.
After awhile, they reunited with their lost comrades. Teruko was smirking knowingly. “Aww~ you two are holding hands! So cute!” She exclaims, Tschihara chuckling nervously while Fukuchi just groaned from all the money he owed Teruko.
Jouno immediately blushes and lets go, but Tetcho just shrugs and leans against Jouno.