#himuriko

How do they fall asleep? Wake up? Any daily rituals?

Honestly, Himuro and Riko are probably both night owls with Riko being the worse of the two. Usually when they fall asleep it's sudden and when they allow themselves to feel very comfortable. Usually, Himuro drags Riko to bed because it'll be 2am and they both need to get up in the morning. He doesn't really manhandle Riko but it's a gentle insistence that Riko can't resist. Usually the way they fall asleep is separate from each other but then when they wake up either Himuro is holding Riko or Riko is holding him. As for waking up, Riko is usually the first one up and the first one to hit the bathroom. But I think in general their mornings are very quiet and subdued, with like some casual small talk like real domestic shit. Usually all their mornings are is quiet time with each other before they go about their normal business.

How’s their team work? Do they share well?

Honestly, Himuro and Riko would be one of the best duos out there. I'd like to think of it as a calm before the storm sort of deal. Where Himuro is the calm and Riko is the storm behind him. They're both similarly minded in the sense that like they can be prideful. And like they can learn from each other like Himuro can teach Riko how to chill the fuck out sometimes and Riko can teach Himuro how not to let your feelings get toxic for yourself. (There are better ways to put it but that's basically what it boils down to.) Plus, I've always felt that like Riko would have more fun training someone Himuro over any of the other Miracles with the exception of Kagami. (Although Kagami doesn't count in the first place.) Like it'll be weird for him because despite it all, she'll still see his potential for the future and wouldn't give up on him and wow can you imagine what that could mean?

Outside of that, I think they would share pretty well. Probably a little difficult at first because essentially they're both only children who sort of only had themselves and friends that ended up disappointing them growing up but in the end they're a really good team.

Are they open about their relationship? How do they feel about public displays of affection?

They would be a lowkey kind of couple to be honest. Like they wouldn't keep it a secret or anything but they wouldn't announce it on rooftops and stuff. I highly doubt anyone would even know until one day, Himuro slips up and calls Riko his girlfriend or Riko kisses him on the cheek in public without thinking and everyone flips the fuck out. (I would be Alex would be the only one to know because she would encourage Riko.) So I wouldn't say they aren't open about it, they just wouldn't be talkative about. Riko would probably be more active about keeping it quiet at least for Himuro being that he is quite popular with the ladies and she has had dreams about running from fangirls before. (Himuro thinks she's silly though.) 

As for public displays of affection, I imagine it's kind of rare for them. Riko would outright say that it's gross but that's not to say that they hate it altogether. I feel like they mainly enjoy each other's presence and don't really feel the need to have to show it. Like they're just really comfortable with each other and then in private, it feels safer to really say it and do it out loud because it'll just be them and no one else. Occasionally holding hands will be a thing or giving each other a hug or even small kisses but they are very low key.

First impression of each other? Was it love at first sight?

I don't think it was love at first sight at all and mainly because I don't think either one would believe in that in the first place? Their first love is both basketball I mean come on. 

But anyways, I feel like Himuro's first impression of Riko would be that she's kind of different when she isn't coaching. (Note: I'm not counting him seeing her as Seirin's coach that doesn't really count as a first meeting? Or at least I don't think they've directly talked to each other canonically.) He'll probably get the impression that she's spunky and kind of really weird and really remind him of either Alex or Masako. 

Riko on the other hand probably was really impressed by Himuro and thought that he was her type of guy. I mean Riko tends to lean towards really passionate men (as I believe she noted as her type anyways) and like knowing a little bit of what went down with Kagami, I feel like she would understand him. Still call him a big baby for wanting to throw away their friendship for something actually trivial in the grand scheme of things but she would feel sort of kindred with him. But for both, they definitely just saw each other as friends only.

Nicknames? Pet names? Any in-jokes?

Again, neither are really the type to be cutesy with each other but Riko is especially bad with nicknames. She'll probably call him Pretty Boy a lot or some pun that works with his name. (She learned it from her father honestly.)  I'd like to imagine Himuro calls her Firecracker or Princess just to get on her nerves lol. Honestly they're both low key pieces  of shit lbr. 

Honestly this is mainly coming from this one drabble I wrote but like I'd like to imagine that a running joke would be dog/mutt references when they're talking about Himuro versus the Miracles? Like it's sort of horrible but it's also so many good dog jokes to come out of that. 

Any tasks that are always left to one person?

After one incident, Riko had to promise to let Himuro mainly do the cooking (if Kagami isn't forced to come over and cook/they don't just order something). She complains about it because how else is she going to learn but Himuro insists that he enjoys cooking for her more. 

Riko also tends to be the one to clean up because she likes things a certain way and Himuro just isn't as good at cleaning as she is. But Himuro usually takes out the trash because Riko has a habit of just burning it. 

What annoys them the most about their partner? Would they change it if they could?

Riko hates how Himuro's pokerface which is kind of terrible if you think about it since that's a really defining character trait. But it's mainly because she'll understand that there's something deeper than what he's showing and she gets so goddamn curious like she honestly just wants to pick him apart and he doesn't always let her. Again, Riko loves passion and she appreciates how calm Himuro is but she likes him best when he's fighting for something and she wants to see more of that. For him to be more open because like she could handle his whole thing about holding grudges sometimes if he was more expressive about it. It's really mainly because Riko grew up around expressive people and he's a whole other case. Riko actively tries to prod him out of it or at least be more vocal with her but it would always be difficult.

Himuro on the other hand, probably hates how aloof Riko can be. Which is weird because he can be just as bad if not worse but in this case, for someone to be as expressive as Riko, it doesn't make sense that she holds off on sharing how she really feels romantically (or hell platonically sometimes.) It's then increased by the fact that she'll willingly praise other people behind their back to him, like for example, praising how well Kagami has grown because of her. He honestly just wants to hear her genuinely praise him and not say it to someone else. But I don't think Himuro would bring it up to her directly because he knows if he says it out loud, it'll sound ridiculous. Most likely he'll say something sort of passive aggressive and Riko would cue in on it and then they'll argue about it before Riko actually gets it.

What do the like best about their partner?

For Riko, passion and dedication is something she loves dearly and Himuro clearly shows that. But I think what she would love most about him is that his passion is like a cold heat and that's something she's never experienced before. Boys tend to be the same way around her or at leas the boys she takes care of but Himuro is so ridiculously calm and makes her feel calm as well. Really his presence is a lot for Riko to take in but in a good way. It's much like how she feels comfortable talking to Hyuuga and Teppei but different in that sometimes silence is okay too. 

Himuro on the other hand, loves Riko's eyes. Not just in a physical sense either, he loves the way she looks at him and the way she looks at the world. Like she's optimistic but so much so of a realist that it doesn't blind her. Sometimes it feels like she can see right through him and the mask he sometimes puts on but even more so that she looks at him with acceptance like he could in fact be her number one, her ace. She doesn't make him feel like second best when she looks at him and she never looks at him with pity. (Plus Himuro's type is apparently strong women and honestly just look at Riko.) 

Do they discuss big issues? Religion? Marriage? Children? Death?

Not at first. In the beginning stages of their relationship, it's mainly about small talk and basketball and not really much else. But eventually, Riko will get curious to see how he thinks and how much she either agrees or disagrees with him. And honestly, it's a surprise because they tend to agree on a lot of issues. Neither one really seems like they care too much about religion but they will discuss it. Marriage and children would be saved for later on in life and if years down the road they still feel the same way as they do now. 

Death however is an issue that they probably wouldn't want to talk about really. I mean they both have their mother and father in their lives and they're both only children so it's likely that if they experienced death in their lives it was through grandparents and that's kind of a distance away. It would be a delicate topic to talk about but they would take care not to ever make it sound like they wouldn't know what to do if the other died. Riko would probably only share her fear of like miscarriage or something with Himuro but that's the extent that I can see. 

Who drives? Cooks? Does the handiwork? Cleans? Pays the bills? Handles the public?

I've already mentioned that mainly Himuro cooks and Riko cleans but generally they even out the work amongst each other. Sometimes Himuro drives, sometimes Riko drives. They work together when it comes to bills and taxes. Himuro deals with the landlord but Riko is always the backup in case he tries to pull some shit. They are both pretty good with handling the public so they usually trade off in that regard. Honestly a common theme with them would be equality in work.  

Do they celebrate holidays? Anniversaries?

They do celebrate holidays and it's probably around those times that they really crank up the PDA. Himuro being used to America, is probably a little shaky when it comes to more traditional Japanese holidays so that's where Riko would usually take charge but otherwise I imagine that's when they really show how cheesy the two actually are. 

Anniversaries are trickier because Riko remembers anniversaries and important dates but doesn't try to bring them up just in case he actually forgot. But here comes Himuro, being the gentleman that he is and always showing up with flowers and a present even for the littlest of things. She starts to assume that he's really doing that to catch her off guard which isn't entirely wrong.

Is there a wedding? What was the proposal like? Any kind of honeymoon?

There is a wedding although it isn't really a huge wedding. Just enough for close friends and family and that's about it. They would probably have a nice quiet wedding outside although Riko would joke about having the wedding on a basketball court. The proposal was oddly enough, perfect. One day, the two of them are taking refuge from a sudden storm in a little empty cafe, trying to keep warm and stuff. Riko makes a joke about it would suck if someone was trying to plan a huge romantic proposal and it rains. (Read as: she was hoping for something really romantic.) Himuro comments that the idea would be silly because who would plan something like that when anything could go wrong. Riko retorts that "Well, jeez sometimes a girl could use more romance in her life." Himuro adds that "I always thought she liked more honest surprises." and when Riko says that she does, he kisses her as a distraction so he can place the ring on her hand and softly whispers to her "If you let me marry you, I can make rainy days romantic surprises too." And she quietly says yes and no one else in the cafe has any idea what happened. As for a honeymoon, Himuro would probably take her to LA and show her around because Riko would honestly get a kick out of it. Plus she can show off that she's actually pretty good at speaking English. 

What do they do for fun? Do they have a favorite activity or do they like to switch things up?

....They like training together. Honestly, Riko could never stop being a coach so often they spend their time together by Riko having Himuro doing training menus and what not. If Himuro were to give up basketball, it's still likely she would just have him workout with her like physical fitness would still be a staple in their relationship. Outside of that, Riko and Himuro are both the type to try new things a lot, looking out for new hobbies to try. In the end. it usually ends up being either playing video games together or Riko teaching Himuro how to knit/Himuro teaching Riko billiards. 

Anything they both dread?

Only Riko's cooking. Just joking though, but there isn't really something they truly truly dread. If anything, it's probably just dealing with people that they both really can't stand. Like Himuro has more tact and Riko is respectful but don't be fooled into thinking they don't talk shit. It's probably the fear that one day someone will catch them talking shit. Outside of trivial matters, they're probably really insecure about each other and the other's feelings. It's usually a source anxiety and also arguments. 

How adventurous are they?

As I mentioned before, Riko and Himuro both seem like the type to enjoy doing new things so I would say they can be pretty adventurous. However, Riko wouldn't want him doing things that could potentially hurt him so riskier pursuits can be debatable. Himuro doesn't want Riko getting hurt either but he would probably still want to do dangerous stuff. 

Do they keep secrets? Lie? Cheat?

Riko doesn't like keeping secrets so she is immensely more honest with Himuro except for maybe her own feelings. (But in that case, she's usually lying to herself rather than lying to Himuro.) Himuro on the other hand does keep secrets especially to protect himself which is a source of concern and anger. I don't think he directly lies to Riko but I do feel like he would be the type to word things a certain way. I mean he's a little manipulative in my eyes and it'll take a while for him to be at a point where he realizes he doesn't need to be that way with Riko. But above all, I don't think they would ever cheat like that's the worst taboo for both of them. 

What would make them break up? Would it be permanent?

As I mentioned before, a lot of the problem with these two is that they struggle with expressing their feelings with one another. But there's a disconnect in that Himuro actively holds back while Riko is more so unaware that she should share how she actually feels. A break up with them probably wouldn't even sound like a break up but more so an end to things. Riko wouldn't want to have to push him like he was a child and Himuro would agree that he didn't want that either and then they'll just stop being with each other. I don't think it would be permanent though depending on how long they stayed together. If this was a year long+ relationship, it wouldn't be a permanent break up because at that point they'll know that they do mean a lot to each other and would eventually want to be back together. But a two month long thing is more debatable like it's still entirely possible they'll get back together but there wouldn't be the total effect of their experience with each other weighing on them.

In comparison to those younger and more gifted than him, Himuro might have well been a mutt. He could be a good dog despite being a mutt. Amongst other mutts like him, he was of the highest quality. But he wasn’t like the purebreds and he never would be. The stars didn’t set it that way. He wasn’t born that way. Even though he could be praised highly and trained by some of the best, the simple fact remained that he could never be a purebred. He was simply a mutt through and through. 

He didn’t hate purebreds. They were dogs, just like him. But it hurt the most when your best friend, your little brother turns out to be a purebred as well. Skilled in a sport that started as something that was his and his alone, something he had shared so graciously with him. Anger burned a hole in his stomach and he learned that basketball wasn’t a home. It was just a pound where some dogs get picked up and others get forgotten. 

He had moved on to high school and for a year, he was special there. There wasn’t anyone else like him or as good as him there. For a while, he had thought that maybe he was special. Maybe he did find a home in basketball once again. But he was wrong. Once again, he was face to face with another purebred, one of the Generation of Miracles. He wished he could hate him. But he was a good dog and held the feelings of inadequacy in. It slipped out at times but in the end he was okay just playing basketball. A good mutt in the pound like he was born. 

But there was one girl that was different. At first, she reminded him of his mentor, Alex, full of passion and a bit silly but more importantly brilliant. But she was Kagami’s coach and would clearly want nothing to do with a mutt like him. Or so he thought. But she had caught him alone one day, expressing her desire to train him as well. The way her eyes scanned him felt different, like she was appraising him as a purebred should be. Her words encouraged him like her focus was all on him. Spending the days with her in father’s gym made him feel more comfortable than he had felt in a while.

It wasn’t long before her smile and her laughter felt like home.

But Himuro was used to this deal. Pound mutts like him always went from pound to home to pound again. And even though her hands felt so warm against his face, even though he wanted to do so much more with her— No, he couldn’t bear it again. Not when the pain would be so much worse; to watch her, the one girl who didn’t pity him. The one girl who saw right through him and understood him, differently than his mentor did. (Her eyes bore into his heart and it scared him.) But she had other boys who meant so much to her and he couldn’t be a pound dog again. At least not against his own will.

So he would leave on his own with no turning back.

Her hands were cold when they slipped out if his fingers.

Her grip on his arm was much warmer though.

"I won’t let you be another boy who leaves me behind." She growled, "Did you not think I was a mutt too? Or am I not good enough to be like you and the other boys?"  

His heart sank. “No, that’s not it. You’re much better than any boy. Much better than any mutt.” Much better than a broken me.

XxxXxxXxxXxxXxxXxxXxx

The sun shines brightly through the thick forest, causing the leaves to cast a shadow across the forest floor. The smell is refreshing, which causes a single man to slump against a tree trunk.

"This should be enough time to take a short break," he breathes out, leaning forward slightly as he controls his heavy breathing. He is athletic, but even he cannot run for a long amount of time.

The poker-faced man actually lets out a small smile, giving off the feeling that he is actually very amused by this situation. "She's not going to give up, hm?"

Not long after he said that did an arrow come whizzing right past his cheek, lightly grazing the skin.

Himuro takes that as a signal to begin running again.

"Argh! Get the hell back here, you damn pig!"

The man chuckles lightly, managing a glance over his shoulder. "I highly doubt any other girl would agree with that statement."

Caramel orbs flare in anger and a scowl spreads across the chasing girl's face. "They're all blind to how ugly you can be!"

"I'm hurt, Riko."

"Don't call my first name so casually, you bastard!"

Himuro smiles lightly before bringing his attention back in front of him. He is always amused by her, no matter what. Ever since their two villages made enemies of each other, fighting between the two exchanged endlessly. These two teenagers are only part of the new generation, which was the generation that was raised to the hatred of the other village.

Himuro finds it silly; Riko takes it seriously.

How unfortunate that the first time they met, without knowledge of each other's origin, they got along. 

But as soon as she found out, she tried to kill him.

"Seven... that's all the arrows she has." Himuro counts the deadly weapons that fly by. His observation is confirmed true when the curses of Riko follow after, and Himuro takes his chance.

Turning around effortlessly, he catches Riko by surprise with his sudden halt, which causes the girl to run at him in full speed. Together, they tumble off onto a hill, with Himuro tightly grasping the petite girl, doing his best to shield her from the stray rocks and grass.

At the bottom he's on top of her and she's fighting to get out.

"Dammit, Himuro! Get off of me!" Riko snarls, kicking at his feet regardless of his efforts to keep her still.

"How can I, when I've finally gotten a hold of you?" Himuro says lightly, offering a cool smile to the girl. "Riko, stop this fighting. You've have many opportunities to kill me, but you've taken none of them."

"Th-That's because you dodge them, idiot!" She scoffs and averts her gaze. She stops struggling eventually, and the old pair of friends stay there in silence.

Himuro senses that she won't try to run, and therefore scoots off of her, moving to a sitting position in the spot opposite of her. Riko follows suite, heaving a sigh as she sits up.

"Riko, let's run away." Himuro suggests as he reaches for her hand. The girl flinches and pulls her hand away, hanging her head down.

"We... we can't do that. We're enemies."

"Our villages are. That doesn't mean we are." He insists, looking at the other with a pleading look in his visible eye.

Riko lifts her head, her eyes softening at the small wound on his cheek. "... I can't. I'll only hurt you more. It's better if we're enemies."

"And even better if we're not." He's persistent as he grabs her shoulders gently. "Please."

She whines in protest as he brings her into a hug, lightly pushing at his chest. "Stop it..." In the distance, there are the familiar yells of their respective villages, and her eyes widen. "S-Seriously, stop it! They're coming-"

"Let them come. I don't care." Himuro mutters, tightening his grip around Riko. "Better yet, now's the time to run." He pulls away and grabs her hand.

"N-No, I don't want to g-"

"I'll protect you." A set promise is shown on his face as he stares to Riko. She bites her lip and yells at herself to not waver. "I promise you, no one will ever hurt you."

She looks away, only to bring her gaze back. "Ugh, damn you! Fine, we're going!"

Grabbing her bow and stealing an arrow from Himuro, she nods to the other.

He smiles and grabs her arm gently, urging her into a run. She sprints after the other, sighing in her decision.