Chapter Text
The streets of Seasoning City were slowing down by this time, at least the small street Shigeo walked down as he made his way toward a local grocery store was.
Pinks and yellows had started to swirl in the sky as sunset slowly approached, the soft laughs of passing families warming the air despite the chilly weather.
Autumn had always been Shigeo's favorite season. Not that he disliked any of the other seasons necessarily, but the crisp weather and the red leaves that crunched beneath his feet always had a special place in his heart. Taking in a deep inhale, the cool air filled his lungs before a small puff of steam plumed from his lips.
Shigeo stuffed his hands further into the pockets of his trousers in an attempt to warm his fingers, the yen his mom had given him rubbing against his skin. His mother had been making dinner when she realized she was missing a few ingredients which led to Shigeo making an evening grocery store run for her. Of course, Shigeo didn't mind, in fact he rather enjoyed going grocery shopping. The calm of their local grocery store at this time, the mundane domesticity of it all, it was therapeutic for him almost.
That is until he hears a loud voice.
"Hey! Kageyama, wait up!"
A familiar hand landed on his shoulder, making Shigeo turn his head.
"Hanazawa! Hey."
The blond grinned widely, his hair styled with a few colorful clips as it curled at his shoulders. Hanazawa always dressed in bright colors anytime he wasn't in his school uniform so the fact that he looked like a rainbow barfed all over him was completely ordinary for him. A pink and green crop top with a fur lined bomber jacket paired with skinny jeans and combat boots certainly was a look for 5 pm on a school night.
"Whatcha doin' out, Kags?" Teruki hummed as he assumed the same stride as Shigeo, his hands stuffed into his pockets as well.
"Some last minute shopping. My mom needs some more cabbage for the yamitsuki cabbage we're having with dinner," Shigeo explained with a small smile, his eyes flicking down to how Hanazawa subconsciously mirrored his own body language.
The mention of the Kageyama family and their dinner made a flicker of something briefly pass over Teruki's face. Longing, perhaps? But as soon as it appeared it was gone, fading like morning mist.
"Hah, imagine forgetting to buy the main ingredient in a dish!" Teruki snorted in amusement. "Sounds pretty good though, I haven't had yamitsuki cabbage in years. That's got sesame in it, right?"
Shigeo eyes looked over at Teruki through his long eyelashes, his gaze analyzing the faint changes in his best friend's expressions as he rambled on. The way his nose scrunched just a bit too hard, his smile the tiniest bit too strained to seem genuine. Not to mention the way his blond bangs fell slightly over his eye and yet he didn't bother to fix it.
'Something's bothering him… do I say anything? Ask him what's wrong? This is hard, I've never seen that look on his face before. He's always so happy, I don't even know how he'd react if I mentioned anything,' Shigeo's mind raced as he tried to figure out Teruki's feelings.
Unbeknownst to Shigeo, Teruki had finished talking and had been waiting for him to respond. However, the black haired boy was too occupied in Teruki's expressions to realize.
"Uh… Kags? Kageyaaaama?" Teruki waved a hand in front of Shigeo's face to snap him out of his thoughts, a crooked grin tugging on his lips. "You good, dude?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm fine, sorry. I was just wondering… why are you heading this way too?" Shigeo mentally cursed himself as he looked ahead, though the little white lie wouldn't hurt anyone. Besides, he was a bit curious about what Teruki was doing out anyways so it wasn't a full lie.
"Oh! I'm also going to the grocery store. Ran out of rice," Teruki explained as the two turned the corner to stand in front of the small local grocery store. "Though I don't really have anything planned for dinner…"
"Huh," Shigeo hummed quietly in thought before turning to look at Teruki once more. "Well, how about we get our stuff together?" A sweet smile tugged on his thin lips as the pair walked into the store together.
Something stirred in Teruki's chest at that offer, and that smile. 'Whoa,' his heart clenched slightly at the gentle expression on his best friend's face. 'I still remember when he always had that blank look on his face, he's come so far. I'm proud of him.'
Nodding, the two grabbed hand baskets and made their way down the aisles. The domesticity of the whole scenario was overwhelming, Teruki proudly explained which rice brands were better than the others and Shigeo soaked in every word like there was going to be a test afterwards. Turns out Teruki always cooked for himself, something that Shigeo always did as a group with his family.
'He cooks all on his own, huh? It sorta feels like he's showing off to me… he's so weird,' Shigeo thought as a smile spread across his lips.
Standing in the vegetable aisle, Shigeo poured himself over every cabbage there was, examining each one with the determination and seriousness of someone trying to figure out which wire to clip on a bomb.
"Dude, it's a cabbage! Just pick one, it's not the end of the world," Teruki snickered at the sight, leaning his weight onto one of his hips.
"I just want to make sure I get the perfect one. I don't want to waste the money my mom gave me on a cabbage she won't even like!" Shigeo insisted with wide eyes, the earnest look on his face was enough to make Teruki's cheeks warm ever so slightly in surprise.
As the two struggled to pick a cabbage to buy, a woman in her fifties made her way up to the two boys.
"Kageyama Shigeo? Is that you? I hardly recognized you! You're so tall now, I remember when you barely reached my hip," the sweet woman beamed as Shigeo quickly faced her, a flustered grin settling on his face. "You're a third year now, right?"
"Ah, Mrs Kobayashi! Yes, at Peppercorn High School. And am I really getting that tall?" A small blush tinted his cheeks as Shigeo bashfully rubbed the back of his neck.
Teruki watched the interaction, his gaze drawn to Shigeo at the comment on his height. His dark blue eyes looked the black haired boy up and down. When the two had met, Shigeo was only 5'2, but now he was pushing 5'9, his round baby features having sharpened more.
'He does look a lot older than he used to, girls never used to look at him and now he's getting love confessions every month… I don't blame those girls for finding him handsome though, it's understandable- wait, what am I thinking? Is that weird, to say that Kageyama is handsome? No, pshh, it's just me being supportive of him. Definitely not weird to find him handsome,' Teruki's tan cheeks warmed as his mind raced, his eyes still locked on Shigeo as he turned around to face Teruki once more.
"That was my childhood babysitter, she watched me before I met Reigen- hey, Hanazawa? You good?" Shigeo looked down at Teruki and tilted his head to the side slightly so his bangs didn't obstruct his view, his lips parted slightly.
What once was a gentle pink rapidly brightened to a bright red on Teruki's cheeks as he realized he'd been caught staring.
"Haha! Yeah, I'm totally fine! Anyways, uh, you settle for which cabbage you want or not, man?" Teruki flailed for an out, quickly whipping his head to the cabbages in front of him like they were a million times more interesting than Shigeo's parted lips.
After a few more minutes, the two of them had finished their grocery shopping and walked out of the store. The sun had set while they were inside and the air had gotten colder. A crisp breeze whipped across their faces as the two made their way down the dim street, grocery bags in hand.
"Yeesh, it's cold. I should've worn my scarf…" Shigeo shivered deeply as he rubbed one of his arms, the simple white button down-sweater vest combo and corduroy pants he wore wasn't enough to keep him warm apparently
Teruki moved without thinking, shrugging off his fur lined coat and draping it over the taller boy's shoulders. The chilly night air nipped at his arms and the sliver of stomach he left exposed from his cropped shirt, but he hardly noticed.
"There. That'll keep you warm, even if it doesn't really fit your vibe… or you…" his voice trailed off as he realized how his jacket was almost cropped on Shigeo, making him blush.
Shigeo's eyes widened in surprise at the gesture but he didn't protest, quickly slipping his arms into the slightly-too-short sleeves. The scent of citrus cologne wafted off the fur of the coat and into his nostrils, taking over his senses. Shigeo had never been close enough to Teruki to really notice the smell of his cologne, but it certainly fit him. It was… nice. Without even realizing it, Shigeo took an inhale of the sweet scent clinging to the jacket, exhaling softly as he reveled in the sweet aroma. Once he realized what he did, he sheepishly cleared his throat and turned to look over at Teruki.
"You sure it's alright that I borrow it? Won't you get cold?" He asked worriedly, his head tilted to the side.
Even if Teruki had been cold before, he most certainly wasn't anymore. The sight of Shigeo intentionally smelling the cologne on his jacket was enough to have him sweating even in the cold weather.
"O-oh, yeah, definitely. I'm totally fine, I didn't even notice that it was cold. Guess I'm just tougher than you, Kageyama," Teruki boasted cockily to mask the fact that he was only warm because of the fact that Shigeo's behavior had him combusting.
A small chuckle escaped Shigeo's lips as he watched his best friend walk around in a crop top in October and not shiver at all.
"Guess so~ I'll just have to get stronger too."
"Just let me have this, you're already better than me at everything."
The two of them bantered as they walked and before they knew it, they stood in front of the Kageyama household. Turning to look at Teruki, Shigeo hesitated for a few moments before speaking up.
"Hey, Hanazawa? Would you want to stay over for dinner? Since you're already here…" Shigeo's voice trailed off almost nervously as he tucked a strand of his black hair behind his ear, the tip of his ear growing a little pink.
For a few moments Teruki just stood there in awe at the question. The way Shigeo's voice hung expectantly in the air, the tiny warmth growing on his ears, the way he looked between him and the grocery bag in his hand.
"Uh, y-yeah! Totally! If that's alright with your family! Thanks, Kageyama," Teruki responded maybe a bit too eagerly, jogging up to the front door to stand beside Shigeo.
'Normally when I hang out with friends, it's out at karaoke or to get burgers, honestly my mom will probably be overjoyed to see I actually brought someone home- not home like a couple but like- as friends!' Shigeo thought as he walked inside with Teruki in tow, the two of them slipping their shoes off beside the front door.
At the sound of the door opening, Shigeo's mother and younger brother, Ritsu hurried to the foyer.
"Finally, Shige! I'm starving-"
"You certainly took your time- oh… is that one of your friends, Shige? Also, where'd you get that jacket?" Mrs Kageyama stares in shock as her son came home with a rebelliously short jacket and an even more rebellious looking boy.
Shigeo's cheeks warmed slightly as he realized he was still wearing Teruki's jacket and quickly shrugged it off before hanging it on the coat rack.
"A-ah, this is Hanazawa Teruki, I've told you about him before. And he was just letting me borrow his jacket, I was cold."
Ritsu stared at the pair, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as he saw the tint of pink on his brother's cheeks and the way Teruki shifted his weight between each leg. 'I know what you are,' Ritsu thought, his lips curled into a small scowl.
"Oh, well, it's wonderful to finally meet you, Hanazawa! Come, come, thanks to Shige we can finish making dinner and you can have some too!" Mrs Kageyama beamed as she took the grocery bag from Shigeo's hands before hurrying to the kitchen.
Teruki shifted awkwardly under Ritsu's gaze as the three boys followed the older woman into the kitchen. Shigeo turned to look down at Teruki before holding a hand out in his direction.
Teruki's mind raced at that, 'Huh?! What's he trying to do, why's he holding his hand out like that?! Does he want to hold my hand or something? Why would he do that, that's so weird! I mean- I'm sure his cold hands would feel nice but my hand's all sweaty and gross and-'
"Your grocery bag, Hanazawa. I was going to put it in the fridge till you have to leave…" Shigeo clarified as he raised an eyebrow at the blonde's horrified face.
"O-oh! Yeah, of course, here. Thanks…" Teruki exhaled deeply as he handed the grocery bag to the black haired boy, their fingers barely brushing against one another.
A brief electrical current bolted through them but Shigeo quickly dismissed it as static before taking the bag and stashing it in the refrigerator.
"I'm onto you, Teru," Ritsu whispered with furrowed brows, watching as Teruki quickly stiffened defensively.
"You're onto nothing, Kageyama 2.0," Teruki scoffed behind his hand to disguise the fact that something had struck a cord within him.
"Mrs Kageyama! Please, let me help you all make dinner," he quickly changed the subject as he inserted himself between Shigeo and his mother.
"Oh, please. You're our guest, I couldn't ask you to help cook-" she began.
"Let him help! Hanazawa knows a lot about cooking, actually," Shigeo smiled softly as he invited the blond into the kitchen as well by passing him a spare apron.
Teruki's cheeks burned as he chuckled, quickly tying the apron around his waist as he prepared to help cook dinner.
Mrs Kageyama's eyes narrowed slightly at the two boys, a brow raised in suspicion. That woman could read her son like an open book, and the way he was acting and looking at Teruki was something she hadn't quite seen before. However, she didn't dare say anything about it.
The three of them got to work cooking dinner, Mrs Kageyama often interrogating Teruki with personal questions to which would earn embarrassed groans from Shigeo. Despite that, laughter filled the kitchen, a sense of domesticity once again filling Shigeo chest.
Finally, the three of them along with Ritsu and Mr Kageyama settled down at the kitchen table to begin chowing down on the meal. Tonjiru (pork and veggie miso soup) paired with yamatsuki cabbage, it was a much more elaborate meal than what Teruki had planned to cook for himself that night.
Drooling, Teruki quickly picked up a slice of pork from his soup and began to devour it, quickly followed by some cabbage. Shigeo chuckled softly as he nudged a glass of water toward the blond.
"Slow down, and drink some water too. Can't have you choking and spitting everywhere," he laughed softly, earning an appreciative smile from Teruki.
"God, you two are making me sick," Ritsu groaned under his breath as he struggled to even look at the sappy sight that his own brother was oblivious to.
After dinner, Shigeo and Teruki made their way upstairs to his bedroom, sitting down on the floor across from each other.
"Oof, man, I'm stuffed, your mom is probably the best chef I've ever met!" Teruki grinned as he slumped back against the wall, patting his full gut to emphasize how good he found the meal.
"What about your mom, Hanazawa? Surely she's a good cook, too," Shigeo smiled, unaware of the bombshell he'd just dropped.
Teruki's smile faltered as his hands drooped to his sides, his mood deflating like a popped balloon.
"I- uh… wouldn't know. I don't remember her cooking," the blond muttered softly.
'Oh. That's why he cooks for himself. He lives all alone… I get it now…' Shigeo's mind raced as he saw the uncomfortable look on his best friend's face. He'd never seen that look on him before.
Suddenly, Shigeo stood up from where he sat and crossed to the opposite side of the room where Teruki sat. Back pressed against the wall, he slumped down beside him. Shigeo's fingers rubbed against the wood floor nervously as he settled beside Teruki, tilting his head down to try and make eye contact with him. Though with how Teruki lowered his head, it was proving to be difficult.
"Hanazawa? You don't have to tell me anything, but just know I'm here when you're ready, alright? I don't know much about losing family members but I can be a shoulder to lean on… i-if you need…" Shigeo's voice became impossibly softer as his thin lips pulled into a gentle smile.
Teruki slowly lifted his head up to meet Shigeo's gaze, flattered by the tenderness of his best friend's reaction. His chest clenched painfully, though if it was from painful memories or his best friend's sweetness he wasn't sure.
"Y-yeah, sure, ya big softie. Thanks…"
Silence settled between the two after that, not an uncomfortable one, but one of appreciation for each other. The two maintained eye contact, Teruki's lips pulling into a similar soft smile to that of Shigeo's, though it was a the tiniest bit strained.
Shigeo's mind raced at the sight, 'I'm glad he seems to be feeling a bit better, I was worried I had really upset him before. But he's smiling now so that's a good sign. Wow, his lips are pretty plump, almost like a girl's. Were they always like that?'
'He's still looking at me, does this guy even know the meaning of too much eye contact? Though, his eyes are pretty, his bottom lashes stick out so far. Jeez, why am I even looking at his eyelashes? Ugh, I'm weird,' Teruki groaned mentally, though made no effort to end the moment between them.
Shigeo's fingers twitched ever so slightly against the hardwood floor, scooting only by an inch or so. However, Teruki didn't miss the microscopic gesture, his heart leaping up to block his airway. Clearing his throat sheepishly, his blue eyes darted away for a moment before returning right to Shigeo's. Slowly, Teruki's painted fingers curled nervously against the flooring before stretching outward. Trembling, his warm fingers just barely grazed over the top of Shigeo's cold knuckles, sending shivers down their spines. Both of them flinched away almost imperceptibly from the shock, however Shigeo's frigid fingers slowly curled to rub against the side of Teruki's sweating palm.
Despite how Shigeo had reciprocated, the boy's gaze flicked down toward his lap instead of Teruki's face, though the pink spreading down from his ears to his cheeks gave the quiet boy's feelings away. Their hearts raced painfully, Shigeo had begun to feel a bit nauseated and Teruki's palms only perspired more. Hesitantly, Teruki's fingers slid closer to Shigeo once more, hovering over his fingers, inches from curling around them.
"Shige!! Is your friend still here? He should probably head home, you two have school tomorrow!" Mrs Kageyama's voice rang out from the bottom of the stairs.
Instantly, the two of them yanked their hands away from one another as Teruki flew to his feet.
"Y-yeah, time for me to leave!" Teruki's voice cracked nervously as he hurried toward the bedroom door.
Shigeo's cheeks burned slightly from the intensity between them moments ago, but also at the embarrassment at being interrupted. He followed suit and stood up, the pair walking down the stairs as their tried to mask their flustered expressions from Mrs Kageyama. After grabbing Teruki's grocery bag from the fridge for him, Shigeo met Teruki at the front door.
"Dinner was great, u-um, thank you so much for having me over, Kageyama," Teruki stammered sheepishly as he fastened his combat boots on his feet before shrugging his fur lined jacket on. Even though Shigeo had only worn it for maybe ten minutes, the woodsy scent of his cologne had already mixed with Teruki's citrus scent in the fabric.
"…w-walk home safe, Hanazawa. I'll see you at school tomorrow?" Shigeo muttered with a small smile as he handed the grocery bag to Teruki, doing everything within his power to avoid touching his fingers once again.
'Ahhhhh! Oh my god, telling me to walk home safe?! What's this guy doing to meeee?!' Teruki screeched in his mind.
Not trusting his voice, he simply gave an eager affirmative nod and bolted out the door and down the street, the warmth of his cheeks practically making him steam in the cold night air.
"Bring that boy over again, Shige. I like him," Mrs Kageyama grins, a knowing glint in her eye.
"Kay," Shigeo nodded with a soft smile.
'I like him too.'