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Narumi Gen is, without a doubt, a wild card.
It's a common misconception that Narumi Gen is predictable, and Soshiro can see why people would think that. His bratty behavior is known, not only in the entirety of the First Division, but among those in the Third as well. He's loud in his arrogance, unable to let anyone forget just how great a weapon he believes himself to be.
The outer personality of Narumi Gen is so well known and talked about that Soshiro can see why anyone would think that Narumi is about as predictable as flipping a coin. To the public, Narumi Gen is one way or the other, no in between. To Soshiro, Narumi is about as predictable as the weather. It's true that, for the most part, Soshiro is rarely surprised by Narumi, but just like the skies above them, Narumi has the ability to take him by surprise. Sometimes, just like a sudden sun shower in the summer, Narumi hides something shocking behind his predictable behavior.
For the most part, Soshiro has been able to gather the idea that Narumi was at least partial to the color pink. The painstakingly careful upkeep of his pink dyed fringe proved was at least fond of the color itself, or the way it looked in his hair. Truthfully, some part of Soshiro simply assumed that Narumi chose the color to compliment his cosmic pink eyes. He remembers, faintly, that Narumi originally only kept his bangs bleached a soft blonde, but after the surgery and the implementation of Kaiju no. 1's retinas, he returned to the field with his bangs hiding his eyes behind a layer of pastel pink strands. The color change had caused Narumi to almost camouflage the bright color of the retinas behind the sakura hue of his bangs.
(As time goes on, a little part of Soshiro starts to think that perhaps Narumi chose to color his bangs the same as his inhuman eyes, so that no one will have to see the way he's forced himself to be a monster to beat monsters.)
Soshiro isn't totally sure how it happened or when it began, but at some point, he made it a habit to visit Ariake on his days off. Rare as they are, he knows he could be doing anything better or more productive with his valuable free time, yet, he always manages to find himself at Narumi's office door. These days, he doesn't even knock, simply letting himself in, a shit-eating grin growing on his face just at the thought of seeing Narumi hiss and snarl at the sight of him.
Soshiro always delights in seeing how vibrantly expressive Narumi is, even with something like simple irritation. Today, he expects to see Narumi whip his head up and start shouting when Soshiro opens the door to his office, he isn't expecting Narumi to panic.
Soshiro can only blink as Narumi yelps in surprise, scrambling with something in his hands and spitting out curses. Whatever was in Narumi's hands goes flying across his desk and to the floor, sliding almost comically to Soshiro's feet. Soshiro blinks down at it, crouching to pick it up as Narumi rushes to his feet with a vicious snarl of, "Learn to fucking knock, you bowl-cut asshole!"
Soshiro huffs out an amused laugh at the predictable venom spat his way, however the phone case he picks up from the floor is just a reminder how unpredictable to his core Narumi Gen is. Soshiro is used to seeing a plain black case on the phone Narumi carries in his pocket to pull out and idly tap at when he decides he's bored. This is not the phone case Soshiro is used to seeing. It's sparkly and pink, with clusters of cute charms and a character he vaguely recognizes. The phone charm hanging from the corner swings and hits his knuckles when Narumi almost violently rips it from his grip, the little bell under the bow on it tinkling. The sound is jarringly cheerful compared to the snarl on Narumi's pretty face.
Soshiro watches the other man clutch his phone to his chest almost protectively, hiding it from view with both his hands, though Soshiro can see the sequins peeking from behind his fingers.
Soshiro is, in all honesty, not quite sure what to think about the phone case in Narumi's hands. Actually that's a bit of a lie, if he's honest with himself. Soshiro thinks the phone case with the cute little pink hearts on it suits Narumi almost stupidly well.
"What do you want, you bowl-cut bastard?" Narumi spits, and Soshiro recognizes the way Narumi snarls at him this time is a lot more defensive than it usually is.
He paints a smile on his face and almost thoughtlessly teases, "That's quite a cute case there, Narumi-chan."
Soshiro is expecting Narumi to fight back, to argue heatlessly with him the way Soshiro has come to be fond of. He's not prepared for Narumi to flinch back for a second, body tensing with true anger pulling his mouth into a pissed off frown. Soshiro, in all honesty, isn't quite sure what to make of the expression on Narumi's face, the visible emotions written all over it being ones Soshiro doesn't think he's seen from Narumi before.
"You here to just be a dick or did you want something, asshole?" Narumi snaps, throwing himself back in his desk chair with his phone still clutched to his chest.
Something in Soshiro recognizes that he needs to be careful with his next words. He thinks that if he playfully teases Narumi for the cute little case in his hands, he won't hear from the other man for about a week at minimum. If he teases Narumi about something else, giving Narumi an out, the man will accept it, and they'll never talk about this or the cheerful looking phone case ever again. However, Soshiro thinks that both of those options won't truly be the best choice so instead, he chooses another.
With the smile on his face softening just a touch, Soshiro walks around Narumi's desk to lean directly into the man's face. He can't see his eyes from beneath his pink bangs, but Soshiro can at least get a glimpse of a sweet little color gracing Narumi's surprisingly squishy cheeks. He doesn't pry Narumi's hands from his phone and instead, simply gently pokes it with his index finger. He keeps his voice as teasing but still as genuine as possible as he croons directly into the breath they're sharing.
"It really is a cute case, Narumi," He murmurs, "a pretty little pink thing, to match a pretty little pink thing like yourself."
Soshiro delights in hearing Narumi's breath catch and watching his mouth part in genuine surprise. Truly, Soshiro might be teasing the other man, but he's being honest in that the phone case made of pink sparkling gems matches Narumi, suits him in a way anyone outside this office would never understand.
He thinks at least a little bit of his genuineness got across to Narumi because the younger man is steadily turning from a soft blushing pink to a bright red. He's suddenly shrieking and sputtering, calling Hoshina every name and curse word he can under the sun. Soshiro grins in delight, laughing brightly and eagerly as Narumi places his phone on the desk, case facing up so that he can shove Soshiro away from him by the chest, remaining red all the while.
Ah, but he really is too cute.
For Soshiro, that cute pink phone case has somehow been more of an eye-opener than any flashing light ever could be. Soshiro has always been unable to not look at Narumi, but now, it's like he can't even look away. Now, Soshiro notices almost every little thing there is to notice about Narumi. He didn't ever think that he could miss anything with how vibrant the younger man is, and yet, Soshiro is finding that there are things he simply never noticed. Soshiro can't help but stare closely at Narumi's face when they see each other now, as if it will help him catch all the little things he's missed in all their years of knowing each other. He catches little pieces of Narumi Gen that make him feel like he's learning about the man all over again.
Soshiro knows that, due to the close proximity the people of Japan have had over the decades and centuries near kaiju, that there have been mutations in the common colorings of hair and eyes. Soshiro is a perfect example of that. He knows that while Narumi dyes his bangs, that his eyes are naturally a stunning red. Something closer to a brighter fuchsia compared to Soshiro's own wine violet-red eyes. Now that he's looking closer though every time he catches a glimpse of Narumi, he sees even more than just those pretty eyes.
He sees the way that Narumi's teeth are more similar to his own than he thought. He notices the way that when Narumi grins, all of his teeth end in borderline knife sharp points. Soshiro notices that when Narumi is deep in thought, he tends to let his mouth part, running his tongue in an almost hypnotizing manner over the fangs that fill his entire mouth.
Soshiro sees the way that Narumi, just like the phone case covered in charms and sparkles kept in his desk drawer, can't help himself from surrounding himself with little bits of the color pink. He sees little pink stickers in a tiny cluster on the corner of Narumi's desk, usually hidden beneath piles of paperwork where no one will see. Soshiro notices when it's just the two of them hidden away in Narumi's office or a training room, Narumi will roll back the long sleeves of his uniform to reveal pink beads and charms wrapped around his wrist. Soshiro can never seem to tear his eyes away when the younger man reveals the bracelets he hides beneath his sleeves that always seem to somehow be just a tad too long, brushing against his bony knuckles.
He notices that Narumi has a strong dislike for more powerful scents. It's not uncommon for Soshiro to tease Narumi for his eating habits but, now, after watching how Narumi physically cringes away from the overpowering scent of unagi or the perfumes of some operations directors, Soshiro thinks that perhaps Narumi is simply more sensitive to smells that most people are. Or, maybe, perhaps Narumi is simply more sensitive to certain things than most people are overall. He scrunches his nose in the cutest way when he catches a particularly strong smell he's not a fan of, he fidgets and pulls at the rougher fabric of their dress uniforms, flinches when his ears catch a hint of even the slightest unpleasant noise.
One thing Soshiro is surprised he never caught on to, is Narumi's fondness for oversized clothing. He's never noticed that Narumi, contrary to popular belief, actually can dress himself, and can dress himself quite well actually. He shouldn't be surprised when he finds out that Narumi allows his fiercely guarded love of soft pinks to carry over into his rarely used fashion sense.
He finds himself blinking when he opens Narumi's barracks room and finds the other man sitting on the floor, putting on a pair of pink shoes Soshiro isn't even sure he'd be able to walk in. From behind his messy bangs that are decorated with pastel hair clips (that don't even hold his hair back), Narumi squints up at him. Soshiro can see the moment Narumi registers just who's blinking down at him and prepares to let out the vilest swears that he knows. Soshiro, who is damn well aware of how creative Narumi can get, steps into the little room and closes the door behind him so when the inevitable yelling starts, at least it will be muffled a little bit.
Truthfully, when Narumi stands up to begin letting loose the stream of curses that would make even the oldest sailor turn red, Soshiro finds that he isn't even really listening. Actually, he finds it a bit hard to really hear what Narumi is saying when he can't seem to tear his eyes away from what Narumi is wearing.
Really, he shouldn't be surprised to see Narumi wearing pink, and yet, he can't help but stare at the soft pink jacket made of what looks like the world's fluffiest material, halfway zipped up. Soshiro feels like his eyes are stuck on where he can see Narumi's sharp collarbones from the white tank top. He had known, just the tiniest inkling from the phone case in Narumi's hand, that the other was fond of shining gems, but the glittery stars on the white fabric of his shirt make something in Soshiro feel stupidly soft.
Soshiro isn't stupid, nor is he blind. In fact, his eyes work quite well, which is how he knows that Narumi, for all his faults and arrogance, is actually an attractive man. It's actually one of the many reasons that Soshiro finds himself unable to sleep at night. Too many nights have been spent in his bed staring at the ceiling for fear that knowing when he closes his eyes he'll recall the glow of Narumi's rare smiles and the warmth they bring to him. The way they make something behind his ribs flutter and thump, and oh, actually, that's Narumi's fist in his sternum!
Soshiro grunts and bends over, coughing a bit as he rubs where Narumi's knuckles just rammed into what feels like his very bones. When he peeks up, he feels like the very breath from his lungs has been punched out again at the sight of Narumi's beautifully red cheeks. The other man won't look at him, but his face beneath his bangs has been painted a flushed red from embarrassment.
Soshiro, despite still being slightly struck dumb by the very fetching picture Narumi makes, knows that just like when that phone case slid across the floor to his feet, Soshiro has managed to stumble on a tiny little part of Narumi that the other buried deep to keep out other's eyes. Once again, Soshiro has encroached upon a vulnerability of Narumi's, simply on account of the fact that Narumi allows him into his space.
Soshiro, once more, has managed to step right into the mine field that is Narumi Gen, because he can't help but greedily chase after every piece of himself that Narumi allows him to see.
Standing straight, and rubbing where Narumi nailed him with the force of a truck, Soshiro gives a playful pout that has the other man scowling. He keeps his voice teasing but friendly as he complains, "Is that how ya greet all yer guests, Narumi-chan? Such a disgraceful host…"
"People who barge in without asking can get greeted with my fist in their face, dickhead!" Narumi snaps and when he crosses his arms over his chest, Soshiro can't help but think he makes the prettiest picture, bratty pout on his face included.
"It's not my fault ya forgot yer the one who invited me over," Soshiro argues back, smile back on his face as he delights in watching the realization hit Narumi. In reality, it wasn't really like Narumi invited Soshiro over. It was more like Narumi screamed at him over the phone about beating his high score without Narumi knowing, and demanding he come over the next time he was free so that Narumi could "Put him back in his place!"
(Soshiro also might not have informed him when he was free, because surprising Narumi was always something he took stupid amounts of pleasure in.)
Narumi, who seems to have caught onto this fact, points a finger in Soshiro's face and all but shouts, "You didn't even tell me, you stupid bowl-cut bastard! You just wanted to catch me off guard because you're a dick!"
And really, Soshiro doesn't actually have any arguments for that.
So, all he does is smile wider, much too wide to plausibly fake deniability, holding back laughter when Narumi lets loose a nonsensical shriek of rage. Narumi opens his mouth wide enough that Soshiro can see his sharp little teeth, no doubt about to curse him and his entire family in one very, very, very loud breath. Before he can get to it though, Soshiro takes the opportunity to lean in, fingers reaching out to trail along enticing collarbones to hook onto the jingling chains around Narumi's slim neck. The other man freezes, breath caught in his throat, as he peeks at Soshiro from under his hair, cheeks such a cute shade of flustered red.
"Where did ya plan on goin', dressed up all pretty like this?" He asks, part genuine curiosity, and part teasing. And perhaps, maybe a tiny little part of him is fishing for information on possible competition.
The scowl is back on Narumi's face and Soshiro fights back a truly feral grin when the other man doesn't push him out of his space and instead simply huffs in annoyance. He sounds almost petulant and pouty as he demands, "What do you care, bowl-cut?"
Soshiro tilts his head a little, something in the way Narumi asks that question, throwing him off a little bit. Nonetheless however, he keeps up the smile, easy and inviting as he answers, "Cuz it'd be a shame to keep ya here when ya look so damn nice."
Narumi's nose scrunches a bit, and there's blush on his cheeks Soshiro wants to bite as he shakes his head. His red eyes are averted, firmly looking away from Soshiro and his voice an almost inaudible mumble as he says, "There's a new bakery nearby I wanted to try…"
Soshiro lights up with this information. A chance to see even more of Narumi? To see even more of the little pieces that make up the creature that he is? While he's dressed like that? What better way to spend his day off?
"Well let's go then," He says, laughing when Narumi sputters, immediately shouting disagreements and swearing. Soshiro leans back in again, practically tasting the very air Narumi breathes and tells him, "We really shouldn't let such pretty clothes be wasted."
Soshiro might want to tear out a few eyes, but if it means he gets to see more of Narumi dressed up all soft and sweet, he's sure he'll survive.
In all the little things that Soshiro has learned about Narumi, he can't quite deny that none of them have been a weakness. Soshiro has seen his little vulnerabilities, the things that affirm to him that, while Narumi calls himself a monster, he's really just a man. Soshiro notices his little extra features and quirks, the things that paint Narumi in the shades of pink that he's come to hold close to heart.
Soshiro has seen Narumi reveal (however unintentionally) pieces of himself that he keeps buried because maybe in Narumi's own eyes, he doesn't deserve those soft little parts. However, in all of this, there's been nothing that he can truly call a weakness, despite what Narumi would think. Nothing that could be used to bring Narumi to his knees and force him to bare his throat. For all his teasing and poking, Soshiro almost falls for the misconception that Narumi Gen is the invincible monster people say he is.
The first time Soshiro notices it, it's something that could honestly be brushed off, or perhaps chalked up to something else. Soshiro just happens to notice the way that Narumi does his paperwork is a bit odd. Of course, what initially makes it odd to Soshiro is that Narumi is doing paperwork in the first place. When he stops by Narumi's office after a brief meeting with Hasegawa, he expects to find Narumi with a console in hand and ignoring the piles of paper on his desk. Soshiro has seen Narumi sit on the floor of his office just so that he doesn't have to look at the piles of folders and papers that cover the wooden surface. Which is why he's not exactly prepared to see Narumi with a pen in his hand and papers in front of him without Hasegawa breathing down his neck.
Soshiro is sure that, without a doubt, Narumi knows he's there, no matter how quietly he opens the door and enters the room. However, he doesn't look up from where he's bent over his desk, so Soshiro takes a moment to just look at and observe the other man, something he finds himself doing a lot more often lately.
He looks at the way Narumi's hair falls in his face, obscuring his eyes from Soshiro's view, taking in the stupidly pretty way that he pouts his lips while he works. Looking at Narumi has become one of Soshiro's favorite pastimes, which is why he's able to notice the way that Narumi does his paperwork is slightly odd.
It's not as if there's anything wrong with the way he's doing it, but Soshiro can't help but think his posture is bad, even by Narumi standards. He's slouched almost painfully over his desk, face almost touching his papers, and Soshiro can hear him mutter slowly to himself as he writes just as slowly. In Soshiro's eyes however, it's just another little Narumi behavior, so he marks it down as odd and moves on. He'll tease the other man for his bad posture just to see Narumi's cheeks go red with anger, but to Soshiro, this is just another small piece of Narumi.
Soshiro can admit (to himself at least) that when he catches Narumi in the glasses, he thinks about how pretty he would look flushed and crying in them before he registers the fact that Narumi is wearing them is odd. Soshiro, by this point, can recognize that while Narumi has never said it out loud, he has an unspoken invitation to Narumi's private dorm whenever he is at Ariake Base. He knows that every time he opens the door, Narumi hears him come in, yet, that never stops Soshiro from taking a brief moment to admire the younger man in whatever he's doing.
This time, when Soshiro finds himself at Narumi's door on a day off (as he does so frequently now), he opens it to a familiar sight of Narumi curled up in a hoodie too big for his body, a controller in his hands. What is new is that when Narumi whips his head around to look at him, there's a pair of glasses perched on his nose. They're a cute pair, at least. Made of round, silver frames with dangling charms that jingle when he turns to face Soshiro. The lenses however, look more like tinted sunglasses. Like everything about Narumi, they're a pretty pink that compliments his messy bangs and the flush that steadily rises to his cheeks.
It's safe to say that Soshiro has found himself steadily becoming fonder and fonder of the color pink. The way it surrounds Narumi has slowly bled into his life and now, Soshiro can't stop himself from thinking of the First Division's Captain when he catches sight of soft shades of pink. The same pink that stains Narumi's face as he yanks the glasses off of his face, sputtering and spitting excuses of "blue light glasses" and "sensitive eyes".
Soshiro would listen and tease him, but at that moment, he was too busy thinking of what Narumi would look like wearing those glasses and nothing else. Would they slide down his nose? Get pushed up onto the top of his head? Would the lenses hide the redness of his face?
Soshiro is only launched from those thoughts when Narumi launches the controller in his hands at the other man's face. With the impact of the plastic to his forehead, Soshiro is thrown from his thoughts and straight into an argument with the younger, completely forgetting to even ask about the glasses that get hidden away in Narumi's hoodie.
It's true, there were probably a few other signs, but it's only when Narumi asks him to drive him somewhere that Soshiro gets the tiniest bit suspicious he's missed something.
Narumi stands in front of him, red in the face and pouting while Soshiro blinks several times.
"Are you gonna make me ask again, you bowl-cut bastard?!" Narumi snaps, and Soshiro hears him, but he's too busy trying to recall if there's ever been an instance where he's seen Narumi driving and he's realizing that oh, he can't actually think of one. Soshiro is usually the one to come to Ariake base, and the few times that Narumi comes to Tachikawa, he usually arrives in the passenger seat next to Hasegawa. Soshiro doesn't think he's ever seen Narumi behind the wheel.
"Narumi-chan," Soshiro starts, ignoring the way Narumi puffs up like a cat. "Do you not have a license?"
Narumi doesn't even have to say anything for Soshiro to get his answer. The way that Narumi stiffens and tilts his head further down to hide fully behind his bangs is all Soshiro really needs to see. He's betting that if he pushed the strands of hair away from the younger man's face, it would be painted in that color Soshiro is becoming so fond of seeing him in.
He waits, uncharacteristically patient with a smile on his face that he knows pissed Narumi off. It doesn't take long for Narumi to break as he begins shouting, "So what if I don't drive?! What does it even matter? It's not like I really need to anyway!"
There's that same defensive tone that Soshiro first heard in Narumi's voice what feels like ages ago, when that pink phone case hit his foot. This time, he can't quite figure out why Narumi is so defensive. He's right, when Soshiro really thinks about it. Narumi doesn't have much of a need to learn or know how to drive, even at his adult age of 25. However, even knowing that, Soshiro gets the feeling that there's something more to this that he's not picking up on.
Soshiro knows Narumi to an almost stupid degree at this point, and with all his knowledge of the fascinating creature that is Narumi Gen in mind, is deliberate when he asks, "Are ya sayin' ya can't drive, Narumi-chan?"
"Ha?! Are you tryna' pick a fight, you prick?! You got an issue we need to sort out?!" Narumi starts to shout and while that's not a surprise to him Soshiro can say his words somewhat are. Soshiro, in all his years of knowing Narumi (and becoming disgustingly fond of him), has learned that when Narumi is challenged on something he reacts one of two ways. If it's something the younger man simply had no motivation to do originally, then he gets defensive and throws himself into doing it with reckless energy. Always full of the desire to prove someone wrong. However, Soshiro has learned that if Narumi genuinely cannot do something, he deflects drawing attention away from it with aggressiveness and harsh words. Which means it's not that Narumi doesn't want to learn how to drive, it's that for some reason, he can't.
Soshiro lets Narumi shout at him and stomp his feet, and for a moment he just thinks. He recalls that moment ages ago, where Narumi bent so close to his paperwork that it had to hurt his neck. He thinks about the pink frames he knows are in Narumi's pocket, that he only wears in the safety of his room. Soshiro remembers all the times Hasegawa has read Narumi's paperwork for him, the way the other vice-captain takes the paperwork before Narumi can, and thinks.
"Narumi," He cuts in, watching as the other man pauses his angry tirade at Soshiro's tone. He waits until he can see Narumi's eyes through his bangs, opening his own even further and asks, "Gen, what color are my eyes?"
You would think someone stabbed Narumi with the way his breath hitches in his throat. His pretty eyes go wide in downright panic, and he stares at Soshiro with his mouth parted as he struggles to come up with an answer. Soshiro has never seen such genuine fear on Narumi's face and he decides, right away, he hates the sight of it. When Narumi's breath starts to pick up, Soshiro smiles, something soft and full of fondness. Soshiro doesn't say it but he knows, and he knows Narumi is aware of that. He won't make Narumi admit, not yet at least, for now all he needs is the silence as Narumi's confirmation of a weakness he hides close to his chest. Soshiro, as far gone for Narumi as he is, will hide the vulnerability behind his ribs where he hides every other piece of Narumi.
The tease is back in his tone, and his ribs throb with soft emotions at the way Narumi relaxes when he asks, "Well, where did ya need to go?"
Narumi is surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, once Soshiro really thinks about it, a fairly decent passenger to drive with. He yanks the aux cord before Soshiro has any chance to argue, throwing on a playlist of music Soshiro doesn't think he's ever really listened to. Then, he curls up in his seat belt with his phone and taps away at it.
Soshiro is shocked by how not awkward the drive is. Narumi is silent, and Soshiro thinks it's most likely because he's still feeling vulnerable from that moment in his room, but there's nothing tense or uncomfortable about the silence they find themselves in on the drive. Instead, Soshiro simply enjoys having Narumi next to him, taking the opportunity at every stop light to look at the man next to him, that awfully warm feeling bubbling in his chest every time he looks over.
The address Narumi gives him is to a bookstore of all places. Soshiro, with what he now knows of Narumi's eyes, is shocked, until Narumi actually opens the door, leading him in. The place is full of bright colors and manga lining the shelves, figurines on shelves that Soshiro only recognizes because he's seen them lining Narumi's walls. Soshiro, truthfully, has little interest in any of these things, but when he peeks at Narumi and sees the tiny smile that graces his face, he finds himself caring a little too much about it all.
Soshiro finds himself grinning when Narumi, with an excitement that almost feels pure in some way, suddenly starts bouncing on his toes. The older man feels his stomach twist as Narumi, probably without really thinking about it, grips his wrist and leads him further into the store.
He's chattering about something Soshiro has no knowledge of, going on about new volumes, and digital chapters. He leads Soshiro by the wrist and he revels in the feeling of the younger man's warm palm on his skin. Soshiro, who is so used to leading and clearing a path in life or death, is so very pleased to find himself following behind Narumi in this moment of mundane safety.
Soshiro finds that he is simply content to watch Narumi peruse the shelves, fingers dragging along the spines of the books lining them, eyes squinting as he leans in to try and read their titles. Occasionally, he takes a book off, looks at the cover and either puts it back, or holds it close to his chest in a stack that is beginning to grow so big Soshiro is worried he'll drop it.
He knows he has that stupid smile on his face when Narumi finally looks at him after what feels like ages of just silently watching him, to snap, "What's with that stupid look on your face?"
Soshiro, needing something to quickly deflect with, peers above their heads for a second and his grin widens at the words he reads on the sign. When he looks back at Narumi, the other is watching him warily from beneath his bangs, so Soshiro croons, all teasing fondness, "I didn't know you liked shoujo so much, Narumi-chan."
"Fuck off, you stupid prick!" Narumi hisses, puffed up like an angry cat, "So what if I do?! You got something against it?!"
Soshiro can do nothing but laugh, endlessly smitten with the way Narumi is so full of misconceptions and surprises. He reaches out, taking the volumes of manga from a stunned still Narumi into his own hands and simply says, "I'd never make fun of you for enjoying something, Gen."
Narumi turns that gorgeous shade of pink and turns away from him, huffing in embarrassment, muttering, "Whatever, stupid bowl-cut."
A thought hits Soshiro, sudden and persistent. So with the face of a man who knows his question might end in Narumi committing manslaughter, he asks, "Why is it you enjoy manga so much?"
Because Narumi does enjoy it quite a bit. He's seen the stacks of it in the corners of Narumi's barracks room, too many to fit on his small shelves. In the few times he's seen the inside of Narumi's rarely used apartment, Soshiro has caught glimpses of bookshelves covered in long titles and colorful front covers. Narumi, even with eyes that have to squint to read reports and can't even see Soshiro's iris color, somehow enjoys manga to the point where it fills two pairs of hands.
He can see the way the younger man even debates answering. He chews his lips until they turn a red that Soshiro can't look away from, his red eyes locked on the floor as he thinks about whether or not he's once again willing to be vulnerable in front of Soshiro. However, in the bubble they've for themselves among the bookshelves, Narumi seems to find it in himself to grace Soshiro with a weakness filled truth.
"Manga, it, well… it reminds me I can still read," Narumi murmurs, something uncharacteristically fragile in his voice. Soshiro's heart beats against his ribs, desperate to escape it's bony cage and find its rightful place in Narumi's hands. The place where it's belonged for years now.
They fall back into silence, something fuzzy and comfortable, as Soshiro contents himself with watching Narumi be himself in a way no one else gets to witness. Soshiro knows that he could be doing anything else on his day off, but truthfully, he thinks even if it was his last day on earth, he'd be satisfied with this.
Soshiro can think of nothing greater than seeing sides of Narumi that no one else ever will. Narumi Gen is, to the general public, a monster menace in human skin, full of rough words and sharp edges. Yet here, in this bookstore, with his bangs covered in pastel star clips, and hidden beneath the hood of his oversized jacket, Soshiro bares witness to a softness that makes the air catch in his lungs. He gets to watch the way a bright grin graces Narumi's face, missing the knife's edge to it that he shows kaiju and strangers. Soshiro is the only one who gets to hear Narumi ramble on about things only he knows Narumi likes, and the thought that anyone else might catch a glimpse of it, has a feral monster twisting in his gut.
"Gen," He calls out, voice stupidly soft. So much so that Narumi actually whips around to look at him. Crimson eyes blink at him beneath pink bangs and Soshiro, full of wicked greed, can't stop himself from leaning in and tasting the smile on Narumi's mouth.
Narumi tastes like the sharp energy drinks he chugs at early morning hours, and the vanilla lip balm he hides in his pockets from prying eyes. He freezes for a moment like a startled animal, and then falls into the press of their lips with a sweet sound that Soshiro greedily swallows down. He kisses back in a way that Soshiro completely expects and yet is fondly surprised by. The younger man is eager and clumsy, just like Soshiro thought he would be, but he's also yielding in a way Soshiro thought he'd have to fight for. He melts for Soshiro, letting the older man press him into the bookshelves, guiding Soshiro's push and pull of their connected mouths with sounds that he wants to burn into his very memory.
When he pulls away, they part with a sound that has Soshiro shivering. His own callous palm reaches up to cradle Narumi's round cheek, feeling the warmth of his flush beneath his touch. With eyes so crimson they're almost magenta peering out from bangs the color of sakura flowers, Soshiro thinks there's nothing in the world greater than the color pink, and no sight can come close to that of Narumi in those soft shades.
Narumi's voice is hoarse in a way that makes Soshiro preens when he demands shakily, "What the hell was that for?"
Soshiro, perpetually captivated and devoted to this man, can't stop himself from pressing a soft peck full of unspoken emotions to the space beneath Narumi's eye. When he pulls back Narumi looks as weak as Soshiro feels.
"Ya know," he muses, "I think pink might be my favorite color."
Perhaps he didn't say it out loud, but he knows the intent behind his words has reached Narumi when that same shade he's decided he adores paints Narumi's face down to his collarbones. In this bookstore, with only the two of them hidden in the bookshelves, Soshiro decides that he could write sonnets about the color pink.