#narumi fluff

you're on the edge of temptation to sneak a look at your watch─subtly, of course, you don't want to risk getting scolded even more by your vice-captain. it's clear that he wants to get his point across too, his red eyes absolutely drilled into your head like there's nothing better to look at.

"like i said, ya need to hold the blade differently to make ya faster."

the concentration you were barely clinging onto is now out the window. hoshina could be saying the most bizarre thing and you're sure that because you haven't been focusing at all, you'd nod like an idiot, agreeing without knowing.

yet your mind isn't trained on some boring topic like food or sleep, nothing like that. you couldn't care less whether you're put back to training or given extra press-ups for not paying attention to your superior.

all you can think about right now is what hoshina's lips feel like.

it's not like you've never kissed him before. you have, many times, either in the secrecy of an empty office or the rare public eye when he feels daring, but you're more curious about it now more than ever. especially when he's blabbering so much, you wonder what it's like to simply interrupt him with a kiss.

hoshina has his back facing you as he demonstrates a blade technique.

"so, with the way ya have it, it's gonna be too slow, so i recommend holdin' it this─"

when he turns back around to check if you're following, the last thing he expects is to feel you on him, your lips on his, your bodies perfectly aligned as if this moment is a chance.

he makes no noise, but his hands find their way around your waist almost like he's been waiting for this, too. to you, it feels long, but to him, it's way too short.

suddenly, embarrassment floods through your brain as it hits you that you just kissed hoshina mid-talk, you kissed him during a private training session, which you had personally requested.

"shit," you say. "i'm... so sorry, i just... oh, my god."

but he laughs, a real one that you haven't heard him make in a while. he covers his eyes with his the back of his hand as his body trembles from keeping it in, so you pause. should you make a run for it or stay and face your consequences head on?

hoshina lets out a deep breath and runs a hand through his hair. "if ya really wanted to kiss me, ya should've said."

your face flushes the brightest red as he hooks one arm around your back like you're someone so small to him, and that only seems more true when he cages you against a wall. everything else blurs away as though hoshina is all you can see, smell and feel in this moment.

"but," he suddenly pulls back and your body feels horribly cold from the loss of his touch, "i'll give ya that later, gonna have to wait for it."

and he throws you a wink before picking up the blades to resume the lesson you really want to end now.

─ narumi gen

"hah?! and then, he had the nerve to say that he beat me in small kaiju drills during the training exercise!"

you watch narumi rip his hair out, words spitting out his mouth faster than you can even comprehend. your eyelids threaten to shut and they only feel heavier with everything second he spends ranting about god knows what.

"yeah?" he argues to no one in particular. well, you're in the room with him, but at this point, you're pretty sure he doesn't care if you're listening or not. "well, they're small kaiju! small, which means, he can only deal with the baby ones, which means i'm clearly better!"

"yeah, you're so right," you yawn, but you immediately slap a hand to your face as narumi's head whips around. "sorry. i'm listening."

he scowls, his face morphed into pure disgust as if you're waving a flag with hoshina's face all over it. "huh... so even you're not on my side now."

"gen, i've been listening to you shit on hoshina for the past half an hour. i think i can recite all the words back to you."

"THEN, YOU AGREE THAT I'M BETTER! RIGHT? RIGHT?"

he lets out a howl and you can only massage your temples to soothe this growing ache away. he continues rambling─yelling insult after insult, filling his room up with curse words that you're sure he picked off the streets.

sighing, you rise to your feet and walk over to where he's sat in front of the tv. he doesn't seem to notice you at all, especially with the way his body breaks into an enraged frenzy. his arms flail here and there and his volume grows more unbearable by the minute.

"do you know what he said after that as well?" he growls, pounding his fist into his knee. "he brought up ashiro! that dumb STUPID third division! i swear!"

you crouch down behind him and tap his shoulder but not after dodging an elbow that he throws back.

"gen."

he swivels around, a deep frown stuck on his face.

"hruh?!"

he jerks back in surprise when he sees you a hair's-width away. "what the hell?! when did─"

you seize the front of his shirt and with one harsh pull, your lips are on his, shutting up his complaints and cramming them back down his throat. you ignore the screech he instinctively makes as you ball your fist even more, tugging him closer until he's leaning on you.

his body goes completely rigid, but before he can regain his conscience and figure out what the hell's going on, he finds himself kissing thin air as you've already moved away.

he blinks, and blinks again, until he screams.

"AARGGGH!" he starts sputtering like a piping hot kettle and when he realises he can't restore his now empty brain, he holds up a shaking finger in front of your face.

you snicker as you watch him try form sentences.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" he shrieks, voice jumping up and down. "WHAT─WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

"well, you wouldn't shut up," you say, sitting cross-legged, his utterly gobsmacked face making it difficult for you to hold in your laugh. "i thought maybe that could make you stop talking."

"WH─YOU! DON'T DO THAT!" he screams, but from the way his cheeks are pink, you think that maybe, he secretly liked it.

─ ichikawa reno

reno's footsteps are loud behind yours, heavier and faster as he tries to catch up.

"(name)! wait!"

you're about to turn the corner when suddenly, you come to an abrupt stop as he spins you around, his hand firm on your wrist. he has one hand clutching a gun to his chest

"reno," you sigh, trying to wriggle out his grip. "i told you, i really will be fine. i'm going with the captain."

"i know, i know", he catches his breath before ducking his head. you watch how his fingers dig into the gun clutched against his chest. "please just promise me you'll be safe out there."

your shoulders relax as you replace your frown with a soft smile. he has his gaze fixed on the floor still, so he doesn't see you walk over.

"this is our first mission away from each other," he says, quietly. he furrows his brows and slowly shakes his head as if the nightmares of never seeing you again will become true. "i'm just... worried."

his eyes widen by a fraction when he feels your warm hands on his face. he looks up, but he lets out an inaudible gasp when he realises how close you are.

he gulps, visibly nervous. "(name)─"

but before he can say anything, you push yourself forward, sealing his next words silent. you run a thumb along his cheekbone and let your other hand slide down his neck to his shoulder until you're pressing him to you securely, just how he always likes it.

reno finds himself chasing after your lips, dipping into your hold like it's his haven, but to his disappointment, you pull away. it's one of the sweetest kisses you've ever shared, but still, it feels like a violent thrust back into reality─the reality of watching you disappear down the hallway and out onto a mission where he can't guarantee that you'll be back.

yet when his eyes flutter open, he sees you in a clearer light. your eyes are lit with a burning fire, the smell of strength radiating from your body like the fierce soldier you are and it dawns on him that really, he has nothing to worry about.

his hands move on their own, but soon, they're trailing up your arms to your face until they stop there, like he's too afraid to leave. this time, though, his previously knitted brows are gone and all you're looking at is the sharp look of faith you've come to love more than anything.

"do you trust me now?" you chuckle, reaching up to hold his hand. "you're staring at me differently."

reno nods, slowly. the corner of his lips curl upwards as he starts to gently push you away.

+ "gen," you speak, but of course, it gets lost in the angry outbursts your captain shouts every second. it's been twenty minutes and you're starting to get a migraine. "gen, it's a game, please."

+ "tell me," he seethes, finally sitting up on his knees. he pushes your phone into your face. your character's relationships data is on the screen. in first place, there's narumi at the maximum level the game allows you to have and those who you don't know right at the bottom. to you, you can't . . . really make out the issue.

+ he starts prodding your face with the corner of your phone. "why do you have a level 1 relationship with hoshina?!"

+ you scowl and swat his hand away before crouching down to pinch narumi's nose as hard as possible. he screams and doubles down, cradling his face with a series of swear words streaming out his mouth.

+ "agh! you! woman! what the hell was that for?!"

+ "it's a level 1 relationship, gen," you sigh. "i'm literally level 30 with you."

+ "but you still talked to him!" narumi yells, rubbing his nose furiously until it grew pink. "you don't need to talk to anyone let alone him!"

+ "do you know how long it took me to get to that level with you?! your character is such an ass!"

+ "take that back, TAKE─"

+ "gen, i needed to speak to him to complete one mission. you know what that mission was?"

+ "no mission requires you to talk to that bowl-cut of a─"

+ you snatch your phone out of narumi's hand and shove him back with a huge grin on your face. he goes hurtling onto the floor and immediately, you sit on him, doing your best to balance your weight on top of a man who possibly has the same energy level of a 9.0 fortitude daikaiju. you throw one leg over the other and rest your chin on your palm, idly scrolling through your character's profile as narumi thrashes from underneath.

+ "get off of me, woman!" he yells. "ugh, get off! you'll break my back!"

+ half of you wants to believe that you're genuinely winning by beating him down, but the other realistic half of you knows that narumi must also be playing along because there's no way he's unable to make you go flying. i guess . . . you're grateful about his thoughtfulness?

+ "gen, let's go through this together," you say calmly as though you're talking to a child. "you and i are level 30 in this game."

+ "i'll contact the developers to make more levels because 30 isn't enough."

+ "ok, what level are you with me?"

+ narumi gawks at you.

+ you shift your position, your eyes turning dark. "narumi gen, give me your phone."

+ "I'M NOT─"

+ with hard work, blood, sweat and tears . . . you manage to wrestle narumi's phone out of his pocket and with a few quick swipes, the game screen loads, revealing narumi's awful character design. you tap on the profile and hastily mash the relationship button. the sight makes you want to hurl.

+ "you're mad that i'm on level 1 with hoshina," you grit your teeth, "but you're only on level 27 with me?!"

+ at this, narumi shoots up, his hair a mess from rolling around. he has one palm resting on the floor and the other hand pointing with extreme accusation at your flabbergasted state. "YOU'RE THE ONE AT FAULT FOR THAT!"

+ you cannot believe your eyes and ears.

+ narumi continues, his mouth opening and closing so wide his entire face is just mouth. "I WAS ON LEVEL 30, BUT YOUR STUPID ASS KEPT BEATING ME AND GROWING BORED, SO THE LEVEL DROPPED! YOU DROPPED IT, NOT ME!"

+ it's . . . hard to keep a straight face whenever narumi talks. especially right now. all you know about this man is that his pride in his abilities soars above all, but still, it really is hilarious.

+ "aww . . . my poor little snookie wookie pookie dookie," you sing, putting your phone down and sliding down so that your body aligns with his. "did the level drop make you that sad?"

+ narumi huffs. "get away from me. whatever you're doing right now, it's absolutely disgusting."

+ ignoring him, you thread your hands through his hair, the tips of your fingers giving him a massage so good that practically has him buzzing. in the moments where he's calm, it's almost like he purrs under your spell, but at the same time, you use this manipulation to make him shut up. it works. always.

+ "i'm right here, though," you grin, resting your forehead against his. "you don't need a silly game to know that."

+ "game you is better than real you," he says and as though all that previous anger just dissipated into the air, he leans closer, his nose tickling yours, his lips a breath away.

+ you snort. "well, i don't think you get to do this with game me."

+ "shut up," narumi retorts, but before you can say anything back, he seals the gap between you in seconds, the both of you silent as you kiss the frustration away.

resting your head on his shoulder

he watches you stretch, looking away quickly as your shirt raises with your arms. you yawn and let out the cutest little sound before settling back on the couch next to him. you pull the blankets closer and curl up next to him. 

“‘m sleepy.” you rest your cheek on his shoulder. 

he freezes. game forgotten. breathing forgotten. heart about to jump out of his chest. 

“i..” he clears his throat. “do you wanna go to bed?” he stares down at his console.

“no.” you shake your head scooting closer. “just wanna watch you game.” you hum. 

“okay.” 

it takes him a couple seconds to start playing his game again. fingers moving slower, thoughts keep drifting back to you, draped across him, your breath fanning across his neck. he tries his hardest not to disturb your comfort, wanting you to stay exactly where you are. 

“you can nap if you want.” he mumbles. “my beds free.” 

“mm.” you respond sleepily. “dunno if i can walk right now.” you wrap your hands around his arm. “an you’re s’warm, gen.” you scoot even closer. 

all he can do is nod. he doesn’t think he has the capacity to speak right now. or ever again. 

watching him train

he’s never this nervous. ever. especially when it’s just training. but you wanted to watch. it’s late. no one’s in the gym besides you two. 

after the first few minutes he zones out. this is his job. what he’s good at. excels at. 

he finishes a couple maneuvers and ends it facing you. finding you staring up at him with wide eyes. 

“you’re so fast so.. good.” you shake your head almost speechless. “dunno how you do it.” 

“it’s nothing.” he turns to start on a different set but he can feel your eyes watching him. 

“but..” you nibble your lip. “you’re so strong.” he’s been called this his whole life but it sounds so different coming from you.

his back straightens at your words. “yeah.” he mumbles. 

his heart is thundering for different reasons now. you work alongside him. you’ve seen him in battle. why are you.. he’s nothing special. 

“you’re so cool.” he turns to you with narrowed eyes. “i mean it!” you put your hands up in mock surrender, smile playing on your lips. “you are.” you nod. 

he turns back to his training. hoping you’ll think the flush on his cheeks is from endurance and not anything else. 

2 times he hesitated

reaching for you

you’re curled up next to him on the couch. horror movie on and you’ve been slowly inching the blanket higher up your face. 

for the last twenty minutes his only focus is on whether to pull you closer. all it would take is him wrapping his arm around you and scooting you a couple inches. 

he could keep you warm then. protect you from the scary scenes. giving you somewhere to hide when the movie gets too gory. 

but it’s not his place. 

he shouldn’t even be thinking like this. if you wanted to be close to him you would. you would’ve already been curled up next to him. you have before. he must’ve done something wrong last time. 

a frown forms on his face as his thoughts keep racing. he’s so stupid for thinking you want to be close to him. why would you? there’s plenty of other-

“can i come closer?” you look at him with a wobbling lip. 

“what?” he turns to you quickly. 

“‘m scared.” your eyes are round and glassy.

“yeah.” he nods you over, staying perfectly still. 

you curl up next to him and he wants to put his arm around your shoulder so terribly but.. he clenches his jaw. 

he’s so stupid. 

lingering in your doorway

it was a perfect date. except it wasn’t a date. it was just a hangout. 

he took you to his favorite restaurant. showed you his favorite arcade. even took you shopping. bought you a figure you preened about. carried your bags. walked you back to base and back to your room. 

and now here he was standing in your doorway with scrunched brows and a loss of words. 

“i had so much fun today.” you smile up at him, swaying side to side.

“i’m glad.” he nods. 

“thank you for my figure.” you glance back in your room at the bag. “i dunno where i'll put her.” your words almost an invitation.

he wants to help you place her. come in and listen to you talk for hours. watch you float around your room and..

“i’m sure you’ll find the perfect place.” he offers you a small smile. 

“you’re so good with displays.” you nibble your lip. “you have so many figures.” 

“yeah, probably too many.” he scratches the back of his neck. 

“nooo.” you coo. “i think you could fit a couple more.” you lean against the doorframe. 

“yeah, you think?” he tries not to let his eyes linger on you too long. 

“mhm.” you nod. “‘s late.” you whisper. 

“sorry.” his back straightens. “i’ll let you get to bed.” he’s already turning on his heel. 

“oh! um, well thank you again.” you watch him with a small pout. 

“course.” he nods, not looking back at you or he’ll make a fool of himself. “see you tomorrow.” he walks down the hall. 

why can’t he just say what he wants to? he always acts like that around you. you’re so cute and perfect. why would you ever look at him different? he sulks the whole way back to his room, wishing he had said and done everything different. 

wishing he was different. 

1st time he actually does something

looking at the stars 

there’s a couple soft knocks on his door. he knows those knocks. but it’s late. his heart is pounding in his chest as he opens his door. 

“are you okay?” he looks you over immediately. 

“yeah.. i just..” you look away. “wanna look at the stars. it’s clear and i didn’t wanna go alone.” you finally look back up at him. 

“okay.” he nods, no hesitation. for you, anything. 

he steps out and follows you down the hall. the walk up to the roof is silent and when you finally push the door open he watches you shiver from the breeze. he should’ve offered you a hoodie. 

he looks down at his own. he still can. 

“do you.. want my hoodie?” you turn to him. “i should’ve offered you one and it’s cold and i don’t want you to miss out on the stars and- ”

“you don’t have to.” you whisper. 

“i wanna.” he nods. 

“okay.” he swears your cheeks get pinker but it has to just be from the breeze. 

he pulls his hoodie off, tugging it over your head and covering you in his warmth. you look up at him with the softest smile and his chest tightens. 

“smells like you.” you hum, hugging yourself. “c’mon.” you grab his hand and tug him over to the bench. 

every step you take he’s memorizing the way your hand fits in his. 

you pull him down on the bench and scoot in close next to him. he’s all too aware of your thigh touching his and the way he can smell your perfume when you lean into him with every whisper of wind. 

“thank you for always doing stuff with me.” you grab his hand again and squeeze it. 

“always.” he turns to look at you but you’re too busy looking at the stars. 

“i like spending time with you.” you send your confession into the sky. “like a lot.” your voice shakes ever so slightly. 

“really?” his gaze completely fixed on you. 

“mhm.” you nod, glancing at him before looking back up. “i um.. feel like i take up so much of your time.” 

“i don’t mind.” he squeezes your hand. “i like spending time with you.” he can’t believe he was able to get those words out. 

“even if i take you away from your games to do something stupid like look at the stars?” you turn to him. 

“it’s not stupid.” he glances at your lips. 

“you’re sure?” you tilt your head, wind blowing some of your hair across your face. 

“i’m sure.” he brushes your hair back. “i..” his hand lingers on your cheek. 

“gen.” you blink up at him. 

he closes the distance. his lips press to yours and it’s as if everything falls into place. 

but as fast as he kissed you he’s pulling back. 

“i’m sorry. i shouldn’t have- ”

you lean up and press your lips to his again. you pull him closer and sigh into his mouth. you slowly pull back and look up at him with the brightest smile. 

“finally.” you peck his lips once more. “been waiting forever.” 

you scoot closer and look back up at the stars.

                                      ♡  ♡  ♡

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