⛨

karasu looked like he’d just survived a natural disaster. hair falling into his eyes, sticking out at weird angles, bangs tickling his nose every time he blinked. he was tearing through the apartment like a storm, rummaging through the bathroom cabinet like his life depended on it.

“it’s gone,” he announced, voice dripping with betrayal. “all my hair gel. gone. vanished. murdered in cold blood.”

you sipped your coffee, pretending to be concerned. “wow, that’s tragic. maybe the universe is telling you to let your hair breathe every once in a while.”

he whipped around, hair flopping dramatically. “my hair doesn’t need to breathe, it needs discipline.”

“discipline?” you snorted. “it’s hair, tabito, not a soldier.”

he narrowed his eyes, and in the next second, you were tackled onto the couch. “where is it, criminal?” he demanded, fingers already digging into your sides.

you shrieked, kicking and laughing, “i’m not telling you—!”

“confess!” he grinned wickedly, relentless in his attack.

“no!” you gasped, clutching at his arm. “just… let it breathe, okay? one day won’t kill you!”

he paused mid-tickle, messy hair falling forward and shadowing his face. honestly, he looked unfairly good like this. you softened, brushing strands out of his eyes. “see? you look gorgeous.”

he huffed like he wasn’t affected, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “fine. i’m giving up. i’ll live… without gel. for today.”

“you mean until i tell you where it is?” you teased.

“nah.” he flopped down beside you, throwing an arm over his eyes. “too much work. besides—” he peeked at you, “—if you like it, maybe i’ll keep it down more often.”

you grinned, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “smart choice, soldier.”

later, at the stadium, you walked beside him into the dugout, still smug about your little victory. karasu’s hands were stuffed into his jacket pockets, trying to act like nothing was different. but the moment he stepped in, hiori froze mid-stretch.

“...what the hell happened to you?” hiori blinked.

“nothing,” karasu said flatly.

“your hair’s down,” otoya chimed in from behind, leaning forward to get a better look. his grin spread immediately. “wait—are you trying to seduce the crowd today? bold.”

“shut up.”

“nah, man, don’t,” otoya teased, looping an arm over karasu’s shoulder. “you look like you just walked out of a romance drama.”

hiori chuckled. “i mean, he is walking in with his girlfriend right now.”

you smirked, giving karasu a sweet little wave before heading up to your seat. “good luck, pretty boy.”

his ears turned red instantly, and otoya caught it. “ohhh, so it’s her fault!”

karasu muttered something under his breath, pulling on his cap to hide his face. but the faint curve of his lips gave him away.

”can we sit down for a second? my feet hurt.”

“i think i got a better idea in mind.”