soulmate au where people don't receive their marks until they're individually ready for their soulmates (some people never get them at all).
azami receives his mark when you're all teenagers, knows it's you, but decides to wait rather than try to force you into a life or role you don't want or aren't ready for, not like his family. for a long while, he's content with your friendship, with the chance to be by your side where he can be.
(it's something he keeps to himself, even as you date around a bit. you don't flaunt it, annoyed or embarrassed by the teasing you'll endure from them all, but he'll catch snippets here and there, like the couple months that you and shiba try dating half a year before the talks. shiba only learns afterward, equal parts apologetic and frustrated because he never would've done that if he knew.)
he's there for you, constantly, and you feel bad for always needing him. only once or twice does he talk soulmates with you, but never does he mention anything to you (now that he's older, he wants to see the moment you start looking at him the way he looks at you).
one night when the three of you are getting drinks together, shiba asks why in all your dates, you never asked azami.
"that's easy. it's obvious that he already has his soulmark."
his smile is involuntary, the knowledge that it's obvious to you, even if you're otherwise blind to it. "yeah, but it's not like they're ready for me." it only hurts a little when there isn't even a sliver of a reaction from you, no hint of guilt or apology, anything to suggest that you know. the second the thought comes, the second the words slip past his loosened lips, his heart picks up in his chest. "maybe i just want a kiss like shiba got one."
shiba takes his cue, excusing himself to go smoke with a laugh, all while you watch azami with a surprised, if not pleased, smile. you raise a brow as you shift subconsciously, bringing yourself just a little closer.
"yeah? you'd want what shiba got? the kisses and the fucking and all the petty arguments that nearly destroyed our friendship?"
he just needs a taste, just a little something to sustain him for the long haul.
"you know me. we don't argue all that much."
(a continuation)










