Work Text:
The rain is sudden and violent in its arrival.
All at once, it shatters the quiet, peaceful atmosphere that had settled over Haruka's small room. Him and Suo are sitting at the fold-up table together, Suo teaching him a card game Haruka has just begun getting the hang of, when the sky breaks open without forewarning.
"Huh", Suo comments idly, "The weather report didn't mention this."
They've been hanging out for a few hours by now, relaxing and playing games. Nirei had been there too but he had to leave early to help his mom with some errands, so it's just the two of them left.
Not that Haruka minds it, he rarely gets to spend time with only Suo and as much as the other boy tends to piss him off, Haruka likes having him around. He's insightful and smart and funny in an irritating way, always ready to offer sound advice and kind words. Not awful company, all things considered.
It's become more frequent for Haruka's friends to show up at his place on weekends or afternoons where their team doesn't have patrol, not really demanding anything of him other than his presence. It's strange, a weird crawling sensation under his skin when he thinks about the fact that he can't offer them anything, but it's also nice. Fun. Even doing nothing of note with the people he now considers friends is oddly comforting, much more enjoyable than sitting around by himself at least.
"'s probably just a shower", Haruka shrugs but gets up to close the window anyway. The windows in his apartment are already faulty and let moisture in even when fully closed, he doesn't need a puddle on his floor. "Let's play another round."
Humming, Suo shifts a little and lays the cards out again. "You just want to win."
It's true, he hasn't won once yet. But Suo's been playing this game for ages, and Haruka only learned it today!
"Duh", he rolls his eyes and picks up what Suo deals him, studying the images on the cards intensely.
Despite Haruka's prediction, the rain fails to lessen even after he loses another four rounds. Concerned, the two of them consider the thick, heavy rain drops splashing against Haruka's rattling window panes, the wind howling in their ears and cooling down the room. It's getting dark out faster than it normally would, and Haruka thinks he hears thunder in the distance.
"I should leave before it gets even worse", Suo says. He's dignified as always, dusting off his loose pants when he stands up, his eye trained on the brewing storm. Haruka scoffs.
"Ya can't go out in that, idiot", he flops onto his back, "Yer not wearin' a jacket, and ya don't have an umbrella either."
Suo chuckles and despite his best efforts, discomfort creeps into his tone. Haruka's ears perk up. Suddenly, he remembers Suo's refusal to enter the water when they all went to the beach together, his bullshit about how he'll "shrivel up and die". Did he not like water? Then why would he force himself out into this rain and risk catching a cold? How far away does Suo live anyway? Even five minutes in this downpour would soak him and his fancy clothes to the bone.
"Sakura-kun wouldn't lend me an umbrella?", Suo does his best impression of a kicked puppy, "And here I thought we were friends."
Haruka rolls his eyes and sits back up.
"I don't own a fuckin' umbrella."
What did Suo expect, really? Haruka doesn't even own a third pair of pants, of course he doesn't have an umbrella. If it rains, he just gets wet, whatever. Somehow, he doesn't want the same for Suo though.
"Well then", Suo sighs and steps towards the door, "It seems I will have to swim home."
It's a split-second decision, not even a fully formed thought, but Haruka opens his big mouth anyway.
"Just stay here."
If it were any of his other friends, they would already have invited themselves to a sleepover. It's never happened before but he can imagine it clear as day.
However, Suo is always different. He is a part of their group like all the others, helping them out and patting their shoulders after jobs well done, teasing them and offering gentle encouragements in the same breath, reading Haruka's mind and pushing him in the right direction when he feels aimless — yet he consistently keeps himself at a distance, one foot always out the door.
Selfishly, Haruka wants to make him stay. It's less about Suo not getting sick — the other boy is old enough to make his own decisions —, it's about smashing through his evasive, avoidant little spiels and getting him to let himself act like a normal boy for once. What's so scary about a sleepover? Haruka's not gonna stay up all night staring at him or trying to catch a glimpse of what's under his eye patch, Suo should know that.
"Ah, but it's really about time I get back", Suo smiles, "I can't stay any longer."
Oh, c'mon.
"Ya know damn well what I mean", Haruka gets up to block the exit. Fine, if Suo wants to leave so badly, he better have a good reason. How strict can his guardians be? No way would they want him to go out into a thunderstorm just to make curfew. "Stay the night."
It's the perfect moment for lightning to strike, and it does. The dim room lights up with it, bright and sudden, making Haruka jump. Suo, of course, remains perfectly still.
"A sleepover with Sakura-kun?" Suo chuckles but it sounds hollow, enough so to make Haruka cringe. "What an honor!"
It sounds like acceptance, but Haruka can see the way Suo forces his feet not to shift, the tense line of his shoulders and his gaze not meeting Haruka's own, eye focused on the dark corridor behind him instead. He's so flighty, this guy.
"Call whoever ya needa call", Haruka glares at Suo, daring him to make a run for it. Suo's responding smile is made of plastic. "Yer stayin'."
It's only when Haruka rifles through his wall closet to find — well, anything, does he realize he's not exactly equipped for a sleepover. Still, he's not backing down now. He grabs one of his spare shirts and a pair of sweatpants Kiryu had bought for him and throws them at Suo, who is staring down at his phone.
Oh, Haruka thinks, he's never actually seen Suo use that thing. But there he is, seemingly actually texting someone. It's an interesting tidbit that would be mundane if he was anyone else but with someone as closed-off and secretive as Suo, any information is valuable. Honestly, until just now, Haruka hadn't been sure Suo even had a family of any sort, he kind of expected him to just walk into the forest after school and stare at the trees until morning came.
With his ninja-like reflexes, Suo easily catches the items even while engrossed in his phone. Haruka rolls his eyes. Maybe he'll manage to catch him off guard at some point, he could make it into a game.
"That's all I got, don't complain", Haruka says and moves into the kitchen. Silent, Suo follows behind him. He can feel his gaze as he begins to boil some water in the kettle Suo himself had given him, grabbing a packet of instant noodles from his cabinet. "If ya wanna take a shower, feel free."
It's not bedtime yet, but it's become late enough that getting ready for bed isn't strange. So, with Suo off in the bathroom, Haruka dresses in his own pajamas — a t-shirt and shorts —, quickly scarfing down his noodles as he waits. Should he offer Suo some dinner? He knows the other boy won't eat it but maybe he should still try.
"Do you have a second toothbrush, Sakura-kun?", Suo asks him when he reenters the room. The clothes don't fit quite right, too short on his taller body and a little too tight around the shoulders, but they'll do. He looks a little funny like this, his ankles showing and a towel wrapped around his shoulders, so normal. Haruka kind of likes it, a slight blush blooming on his cheeks.
"Eh?", Haruka stretches and puts aside the empty bowl, "Lemme check."
Suo follows him back to the bathroom, where Haruka thankfully finds a spare toothbrush under the sink. One of the others must have brought it by sometime, the thing still in its original packaging. He hands it to his vice captain before asking: "D'ya want dinner?"
It's expected when Suo just shakes his head.
"I'll take some tea", he says.
They sit side by side as Suo sips from his chipped cup, quiet as they watch their city be devoured by the storm. It's really coming down now, the water making it hard to see anything at all, thunder and lightning periodically interrupting the gloom. It doesn't look like it'll calm down anytime soon, Haruka just hopes it'll be done by morning.
There's little left to do for them but go to bed, Haruka's eyes drooping even though it's still early, all things considered. They chat a little as they move around the apartment, Suo cleaning up what few dishes there are in the kitchen while Haruka prepares his futon and plugs in his phone.
Wait.
Futon. Singular. Haruka wants to smash his head into the wall as he stares at the thing, realizing too late that he does not, in fact, own a second one.
He's still staring at it when Suo returns, the ratty towel slung around his shoulders. Is he going to sleep with that?
"What is it, Sakura-kun?"
Cringing, Haruka slowly turns around. This is fine, he tells himself, I can sleep on the floor.
"I, uh -", he clears his throat, "I don't have a spare futon."
He tracks Suo's gaze as the other raises an eyebrow and looks at the lone futon on the ground — flat and tattered and small — and back at Haruka. To his relief, Suo seems more amused than anything else.
"So eager for a sleepover yet not prepared at all, huh?", Suo smirks and sets his phone and earrings down on the fold-up table. He's still wearing his eye patch, which Haruka expected, but it can't be comfortable to sleep in. "That's fine, we can share."
Haruka blinks.
A blush rapidly spreads from his chest to the tips of his ears, face indignant as he stares at his friend. Suo is such an idiot, always giving Haruka whiplash. First, he's all cagey and weird about the idea of a sleepover, clearly reluctant to agree, and now he wants to share Haruka's tiny futon? Make it make sense.
"W-what?", Haruka shrieks, "N-no! 's way too small, just take it!"
It wouldn't be the first time Haruka slept in less than ideal conditions, and it's his fault they're in this situation in the first place. He has enough sense not to force his friend to stay the night and then make him sleep on the unforgiving floor, as much of a shithead as said friend may be.
"Don't be difficult, Sakura-kun", Suo smiles at him, all teasing, "Friends share beds all the time!"
Haruka wasn't doubting that, it's just that — well, he's never done it. And it seems like a very intimate thing, especially with how small this futon is, so excuse him for having inhibitions.
Still, he won't let himself be bested. What, Suo thinks he's afraid to share a bed with him? Haruka will fucking show him.
"Fuckin' whatever, fine", he grumbles and sits down demonstratively. Knowing Suo, he's going to want to sleep on the side closer to the door, so Haruka scoots over until his shoulder hits the wall, dragging the blanket over his legs as he stares up at Suo, daring him to join him.
With a chuckle, Suo does just that. He's more measured, more graceful in his movements than Haruka has ever been in his life, kneeling down with care and precision as he gets into Haruka's futon as if it's a king-sized hotel bed. What a weirdo.
Once they're both under the covers, it becomes even more apparent that the futon is decidedly not made for two teenage boys to share. They're still sitting up but are already pressed shoulder to shoulder, the mild warmth of Suo's body radiating off of him and causing Haruka's blush to deepen even further. He feels awkward, his ankle touching Suo's calf under the covers as the other boy gets comfortable. Suo seems unbothered, as usual.
"Hey." Haruka turns his head to finally look at him, only to find that Suo must have been watching him this whole time. "What about your, uh, the -"
Awkwardly, Haruka points at his own right eye.
Suo giggles as he lies down, the damn towel still around his neck. Whatever, Haruka knows how to pick his battles and if Suo wants to sleep in a towel so badly, who is he to stop him?
"It will be fine for one night", is the reply he gets. He knows Suo won't elaborate, though Haruka admits he burns with curiosity, so he lets it be. At home, wherever that may be, does Suo take the eye patch off to sleep or does he just replace it with one of those medical ones Haruka has seen people use before? Granted it's even a medical thing — for all Haruka knows, Suo could just be wearing it for fun.
Haruka realizes with a start that neither of them has turned off the light, so he shuffles out of the futon again and quickly does just that. The storm clouds make his room darker than it would be on a moonlit night, but the street lamps outside still make it so that Haruka can see just enough to pad back over and slip under the covers, head finally meeting the pillow.
His nose scrunches up when one of Suo's hairs tickles his face, the other boy so close to him, Haruka barely dares to breathe. They're both lying on their backs, one of Haruka's arms and legs each more on the floor than on the futon. He's sure Suo is faring about the same. Still, they remain silent as they adjust to the strange, new situation they've found themselves in, breaths even in the dark.
When he turns his head ever so slightly, Haruka can't make out most of Suo's features, only his eye gleaming a little, and the vague shape of his nose and lips. He appears to be staring straight up at the ceiling, mouth pressed into a thin line. For all the comfort he plays at, it's evident that this is unfamiliar territory for Suo too.
"G'night", Haruka mumbles and quickly turns his face back to look at the ceiling too, vague shapes moving in the darkness.
Suo lets out a little sigh next to him and Haruka feels him shift. "Sleep well, Sakura-kun."
Thankfully, Haruka falls asleep quickly.
He was quite tired, after all, and as aforementioned, he's slept in worse conditions. He trusts Suo enough to know the other won't try to attack him in his sleep, so once he gets used to another body so close to his own, and the unusual position he has to lie in to avoid them touching too much, he drifts off into dream land without further ado.
It's still dark when Haruka wakes.
The rain pounding against the window has lessened to light tapping, the wind calmer. So time must have passed, but how much? It can't be morning yet, he still feels too tired for that.
Nuzzling deeper into his pillow, Haruka startles. That's not what pillows feel like. Suddenly very awake, his eyes shoot open and only when he sees someone else's throat staring back at him does he remember he's not alone.
Face heating up in embarrassment, Haruka takes a calming breath and attempts to analyze the situation. It seems, mortifying as it is, that he cuddled up to Suo during the night. To his relief, the other boy seems to be sleeping soundly, perfectly still on his back like a corpse, the only sign of life the steady rise and fall of his chest. A chest Haruka is unfortunately attached to.
He really should have seen this coming, considering he usually ends up sleeping curled into a ball on his side. Of course, once he's asleep, his body will try to get back into the position it prefers, and Suo seems to have been no obstacle to that.
Which is how he's ended up with his arm wrapped around Suo's waist and a leg thrown over his thighs, face pressed into the crook of his neck. It's horrifically embarrassing, and Haruka seriously considers running away to another town in the middle of the night lest anyone find out about this.
That's a bit dramatic though, even he knows that.
Really, it's not that big of a deal. They're friends and Haruka didn't even do this consciously. Plus, Suo's still asleep, Haruka just has to detach himself carefully and it'll be like this whole thing never happened.
When he shifts to do just that, Suo's breathing stops for a second, causing Haruka to freeze. Did he wake him? The other boy sighs lowly but his body remains still, breaths continuing deeply and evenly. Good, so he didn't wake up.
Maybe he should just stay where he is. Clearly, Suo is a light sleeper and he doesn't want to rob his friend of any rest. It'll be fine, maybe if he just goes back to sleep, he'll roll over and they'll wake up separated.
If they don't, and Haruka's still cuddling Suo like he's a big teddy bear when they wake up, he'll just play it off. Sure, it'll be immensely embarrassing and Suo will tease him about it 'til kingdom come, but that's a fate he wouldn't evade if he woke him up now either. It seems he will have to suffer no matter what, so he might as well get a bit more shut eye.
Also, if he's completely honest — not that he'd ever tell anyone —, he is kind of comfortable. It's…nice, being this close to someone. Suo is warm, his body both firm and soft, his even breaths oddly relaxing as Haruka's head is lifted with every inhale.
Having made his choice, Haruka readjusts a little before allowing himself to drift back off to sleep and just deal with this tomorrow. Unfortunately, he moves a little too quickly, his elbow digging into Suo's stomach harder than he'd intended.
Immediately, the body against his tenses. A quiet groan leaves Suo's mouth as he wakes. Haruka stays as still as he can, trying to even out his breathing, hoping that Suo will just fall right back asleep.
It seems Haruka's luck has run out, as a second later, Suo's body shifts. Haruka feels a low hum reverberate through his chest and squeezes his eyes shut. God, this is humiliating.
"Sakura-kun?", a hushed whisper leaves Suo mouth. It's so loud in the silence of the room. Haruka doesn't reply, not yet, as it seems Suo hasn't figured out he's awake.
What is he doing? He's painfully aware of how irrational he's acting, how weird, but he can't help it. Something in him is clenching painfully, and part of him doesn't want to have to let go. Haruka's never considered himself a clingy person before, the thought bringing even more heat to his face. He hopes against hope that Suo can't feel it.
Another quiet hum, and suddenly there's a hand in his hair. Slowly, carefully, Suo cards his fingers through the unruly strands, the touch like pinpricks on Haruka's scalp. He barely stops himself from yelping in surprise, the tensing of his body a dead giveaway as goosebumps break out on his arms. Still, Suo says nothing — though he must surely know Haruka is awake by now —, just continues to stroke his hair so sweetly.
It's uncharacteristic for both of them, this fragile tenderness, but perhaps the dark makes them braver. That thought in mind, Haruka dares to nuzzle further into Suo's neck, the skin warm and smelling faintly of jasmine. The damn towel is still wrapped around his neck, the texture a bit grating against his skin, but Haruka barely notices.
Suo's breath quickens ever so slightly and Haruka observes his throat as he swallows, the motions of his hand not ceasing. They stay in this limbo, Haruka almost drifting back off to sleep with how good the ministrations feel, but then Suo accidentally scrapes him with his nail; it's not painful, barely noticeable, but Haruka lets out an involuntary gasp anyway.
The bubble should burst now, but somehow it doesn't.
Calm and collected, despite the fact that Haruka can feel his heart pounding, Suo just hums in acknowledgement, his hand never once stilling.
"Did I wake you?", Suo asks. It's barely a whisper, the atmosphere between them too vulnerable for anything louder.
Haruka shakes his head as well as he can, tensing his shoulders a bit to fight against the embarrassment building in his body, urging him to move away and forget about all of this. He can't believe he's still in this position, curled around Suo like some kind of baby, now that they both know the other is awake.
"Nah", Haruka replies, volume matching Suo's with some effort.
Another thick swallow, Haruka watches the way Suo's Adam's apple moves with it. He's nervous, clearly, but it wouldn't be noticeable if Haruka wasn't this close to him, couldn't feel the way his body betrays him. It makes him wonder how often Suo's emotions go unnoticed, everyone simply assuming he's unshakeable.
There's a tension between them Haruka reckons he could cut with a knife, its presence so physical it's almost suffocating. Strange, because it's not like they're doing anything wrong. If this was Nirei or Kiryu, Haruka might still feel awkward, but he can't imagine it would be this, well, tense. He doesn't get it, they're cozy and warm and while they're both emotionally stunted to hell and back, it shouldn't create such an oppressive atmosphere, their hearts racing in tandem with their quickened breaths.
Could it be…?
Curious, Haruka nudges his head up a little in an attempt to see more of Suo's face. In doing so, his nose and lips bump into the skin of Suo's neck, the other boy unable to suppress the shiver that overcomes him in response. Interesting.
Haruka doesn't think he's ever had this kind of effect on someone and he's oddly fascinated by it. In a way, it makes him feel powerful, that someone as aloof as Suo loses some of his composure because — why, exactly? Because Haruka is touching him, cuddling with him? The word makes him cringe even to think, but it's not inaccurate.
In a moment of what must be either courage or stupidity, Haruka decides he wants to know exactly what this means, what he can get away with. So, not thinking twice about it lest he chicken out, he carefully brushes his lips against Suo's pulse point once more. Ignoring his own racing heart, he purses his lips ever so slightly, leaving a featherlight kiss on the soft skin.
Suo tenses like a snake coiled to strike, but says nothing. His hand in Haruka's hair tightens perceptibly.
"Sakura-kun", he says. His voice is still too steady for Haruka's liking. He's embarrassing himself here, Suo could at least have the decency to match him in vulnerability, if not in honesty.
"Suo", he responds mockingly. The other can't see him roll his eyes, but hopes he can ascertain it from his tone. A little frustrated, he allows himself to press another kiss to Suo's neck, this time with more force. I could bite him, he thinks. Then startles a little. What the fuck is wrong with him?
As much as he might not want to admit it, he's not just doing this to mess with Suo. No, Haruka finds he kind of likes this, as weird and overwhelming as it is.
Suo lets out a strangled noise, clearly trying hard to maintain his cool but not succeeding in the slightest. From the way his voice comes out, it sounds like he's biting his lip. Haruka kind of wants to see, so he shuffles up higher, resting his chin on Suo's chest to glimpse at his face.
It's not a great angle, and it's still very dark, but Haruka is satisfied with what he can see, namely the way Suo's eyebrows are slightly furrowed, his lips pressed tightly together.
"Sakura-kun", Suo tries again, not looking him in the eyes, "What are you doing?"
Haruka doesn't have an answer for him. Honestly, he's feeling a little manic, over-tired and high on adrenaline as he acts in ways he normally never would. Suo brings out the worst in him sometimes.
"Sorry", he mumbles after a short pause. It's the only thing he can think to say, realizing he might have overstepped. Maybe he made Suo uncomfortable, the other too polite to say anything. Maybe Suo has no such…feelings for Haruka and doesn't know how to tell him.
Oh, Haruka has to move countries after all.
He begins to pull away, embarrassment hot and painful as it courses through his veins, skin red-hot. Has he gone insane?
Once the two boys are only attached by merit of their shoulders again, Suo huffs in what sounds like amusement. Haruka hears him turn over to look at him, feels his gaze on his own face, but refuses to move his eyes from where he's looking at the ceiling. Ugh, he feels so embarrassed. What must Suo think of him now?
Why does he even care?
"Sakura-kun", the other boy's lilting voice is quiet and amiable when he speaks but Haruka still doesn't reply. He really doesn't want to talk about it, and he wants to suffer Suo's teasing even less. Something about the idea of being made fun of right now, of his actions being taken in jest, causes his chest to hurt.
A sigh.
"Sakura-kun", Suo lifts a hand to poke him softly in the ribs. The blanket has moved down their bodies so that their torsos are uncovered.
Closing his eyes, Haruka shakes his head. He hopes against hope that Suo will let something go just once, just for now. They can talk about this tomorrow, if they must, when Haruka feels less raw and vulnerable. Right now, he just wants to go back to sleep, fade into sweet oblivion and pretend he never made such a fool of himself.
"Haruka."
Against his will, he tenses at the use of his first name. How dare Suo say it so softly, so fondly? He's such a goddamn bastard. Haruka keeps his eyes screwed shut, hard as is it.
Finally, he feels Suo move again. Haruka's stubbornness must have worked and he's rolling over, ready to let them both get some more sleep. A mixture of relief and disappointment churns in his stomach.
The sensation of lips against his cheek catches Haruka completely off guard.
He fumbles, eyes opening to stare at Suo, who hovers over him, leaned on his elbow as he smirks down at Haruka. His mouth opens but no words come out, confusion taking over his features as he tries to make sense of what just happened.
It seems Suo won't let him though, as he lowers his head and presses another kiss to Haruka's face — this one dangerously close to the corner of his mouth. Haruka gasps.
"Why did you stop, Haruka-kun?" Suo hums, so close to his skin Haruka can feel the impression of soft lips as he speaks. His face grows impossibly hotter.
"S-suo", he grits his teeth. This stupid bastard, always messing with him. Haruka can't read him, can't tell what Suo expects him to do now; but traitorously, he doesn't want him to stop.
"Mhm?", Suo grins. This close, there's just enough light for Haruka to make out Suo's features in gray scale. "What is it?"
Haruka doesn't know if he wants to strangle Suo or kiss him.
His body decides for him, hands shooting out to grab Suo by the borrowed shirt and yanking him the rest of the way down. It causes their faces to knock together, pain blooming in Haruka's nose, but he doesn't let it deter him. With one deep breath, he surges forward and plants his lips on Suo's, eyes screwed shut.
It seems his forwardness does surprise Suo, cocky as he may pretend to be. There's a gasp stifled against Haruka's lips, Suo freezing for just a second before he seems to regain some semblance of control over his body and returns the kiss with fervor.
It's more intense than Haruka would've expected from Suo — ever distant, polite, cheerful Suo —, his mouth hot and one of his hands quick to land on Haruka's chest, pressing down until Haruka fears he'll tear his heart right out of his chest. It certainly feels like it, the way their lips are moving against each other, Haruka's mouth opening in a gasp only for Suo to invade it with his tongue, saliva dripping down his chin as he tries to keep up.
It's weird, fast, confusing and utterly overwhelming but God, is it good. Haruka thinks he's found a new thing he likes to do.
Seems his brazenness paid off, he thinks when they part to breathe, foreheads pressed together still, he can't quite believe it.
Briefly, he wonders if this is a thing that belongs only to the night. If, come morning, they won't acknowledge this and just go on as usual. Haruka doesn't know how he would feel about that. It would certainly help not to overcomplicate things, would protect their friendship and class dynamics, so it seems like the objectively better option.
However, now that Haruka has discovered this, he doesn't think he wants to let it go again. For once, is it wrong for him to be selfish? Choose himself over his classmates, over Furin? Maybe he's being dramatic. Even if Suo and him…dated, or whatever, it wouldn't immediately fuck everything up. Suo's a mature guy, and Haruka is, well, better at dealing with people now. They could make it work, right?
All this thinking is going to give him a headache.
"Don't hurt yourself", Suo quips. His breath brushes against Haruka's swollen lips, making him shudder. "I can see those gears turning."
Too sleepy and satisfied to yell at him, Haruka only frowns at the dig. Whatever, he thinks, they can talk about this tomorrow.
"Fuck off", he mutters and takes it upon himself to push Suo back down into his weird dead pharaoh sleeping position, latching onto his body without inhibitions now. "Sleep."
Suo laughs, the rumble of his chest pleasant against Haruka's warm cheek.
"Anything you want."