#vash.fic

Makochi is deep in the clutches of winter, and it's still dark outside the bedroom window. He watches as fat flakes of snow land and gather in fluffy clumps against the spiderwebs of frost on the aged panes, further sealing them off from the world.

He cranes his head toward the nightstand. The green numbers on the clock blur into a halo he can just about read if he squints at it.

4:37 A.M.

Sakae lets his head drop back down onto his pillow with a quiet sigh.

He keeps his alarm set even on days when he doesn't have anywhere pressing to be, just to keep the habit. Fifty-three minutes. Fifty-three minutes he's got to laze around before he has to force himself up and deal with all the responsibilities and trials of adult life like his university courses, and that month's budget, and if he returned the cookbook he'd borrowed to the library on time, and what exactly made the apartment's front door so appealing to the neighbour's corgi that it kept pissing directly in front of it every time it managed to escape.

Maybe he could ask to switch units? Ashida-san from the next floor up was set to move into her grandson's house in a few months once he had finished making the accommodations for her, a fact Sakae had learned just last week when he helped her up their building's steep, creaking stairs after they'd become too hard on her knees.

"Your family must be very proud of having such a dutiful son." She had told him when he dropped her off at the door.

15 year old Sakae would not have been able to respond to that.

25 year old Sakae managed a simple, "Thank you. I hope so." with only the faintest lurch of his heart before turning toward the stairs and heading home.

Wind rattled the window panes and sent the gathered snow flying, only to be quickly replaced with more. Sakae is very glad he doesn't have classes today.

He blinks back to the clock.

4:50 A.M.

Fourty minutes to go until his alarm. Fourty minutes he can just enjoy being bundled up, surrounded on all sides by warmth and comfort and lulled by the steady sound of breathing.

If Sakae closes his eyes and tries hard enough maybe he'll actually be able to go back to sleep. It's never happened before but there's a first time for everything. What else was there to do on a morning like this?

4:53 A.M.

He becomes aware of a stiffness in his limbs from staying in one position too long, groans as he tries to stretch out.

The bundle of heat tucked against his chest stirs.

"Wh'r y'g'in?"

Haruka's voice is so slurred that Sakae isn't even sure he's conscious, reacting solely on instinct. His breath is damp and hot against Sakae's pulse, lips dragging across the tender skin and Sakae shivers at the sensation.

"Nowhere." He says even though he doesn't think Haruka can actually hear him.

Contrary to Sakae's belief there's an affirming huff against his neck and Haruka's body squeezes tight around him with every ounce of dead sleep strength it possesses.

One of his arms is curled under Sakae's pillow while the other clings to his waist and he's got one of Sakae's legs trapped between both of his. Every muscle he's built up from those stupidly strong kicks of his over the years is now focused solely on keeping Sakae locked in place whether he likes it or not.

4:57 A.M.

It's not like Sakae has anywhere to be. And he's still got thirty-three minutes left before his alarm anyway.

“I know, but…” Aether starts but Xiao cuts him off.

“Are you not the one who always chastises me for not resting?” he demands, brows furrowed and eyes flinty, “and yet you now tell me you worked yourself to the point of losing consciousness?”

“Xiao, I -”

Xiao just sighs. He's obviously angry, and beneath that he's worried, “If you need help, you need only speak my name. You know this.”

Aether averts his eyes. He'd been prepared for this, but it still stung, “Xiao, really it wasn't as bad as you think. It was just a lot of running around, not anything I'd want to bother you with anyway. And it's not like I was the only one either! Besides, it wasn't like I was totally defenceless, I had someone looking after me.”

Xiao just huffs, and Aether feels a little bad for finding the expression he makes cute. He takes the opportunity to press their foreheads together, resting a hand on Xiao's cheek.

“Xiao, really, I'm fine now. I promise. If I'm ever in any real danger you know I'll call for you,” he says, hoping Xiao can feel his sincerity.

Xiao holds his gaze for a few seconds longer, then shuts his eyes and leans into Aether's touch. 

“Thank you, for looking out for me,” Aether lowers his voice, and with his free hand he takes one of Xiao's and brings it up to his chest, laying it over the strong, steady beat of his heart.

They stay like that for a time, just breathing together.

“Someone must, since you won't do it yourself,” Xiao says eventually, opening his eyes again.

Ouch, “Wow, tell me how you really feel,” Aether laughs.

Xiao goes quiet again for a moment, “You're reckless,” he says finally.

Oh, is he…?

“And?” Aether prompts.

“Foolish,” 

“Hm, sometimes. What else?”

“You often let people take advantage of your kindness,”

“...Maybe. Anything else?”

“Your swordplay when last we fought together was sloppy,”

Hey! “I can't help but get distracted sometimes when you're there! Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

Xiao falters whatever he was going to say next, and this close Aether can feel the blooming warmth as redness spreads across his face.

It was great, really! Seeing everyone smiling and happy, laughing together under the sun. Sea water sparkling as it dripped from Haruka's brilliant hair, glinting as it ran down his broadening shoulders and the sharp lines of his back. Hayato curled serenely in the shade of their beach umbrella with that truly soft, unguarded smile on his face, the one so rare and precious that Akihiko made sure to carefully catalogue and treasure every instance of. Their gentle hands ready to catch him when he staggered — exhausted — through the sand after competing in whichever game Anzai and the others had cooked up.

It's already early afternoon as the three of them lounge in Haruka's apartment. As the only one with both air conditioning and at least some measure of privacy, it wasn't surprising that it became their go to hangout spot. Akihiko really does love all of their friends but Haruka just gets so embarrassed when they kiss in front of anyone else and Hayato simply does not let it happen on any terms but his own.

Warm sunlight filters through the hand-me-down curtains Akihiko gave Haruka during their first year (it makes Akihiko's heart do the weirdest little flutters in his chest no matter how many times he sees them), and that combined with the soft buzz of conversation is starting to make his eyes droop as he lets his imagination run wild.

A beach trip. A beach trip with just the three of them…..Yeah. That would be nice. Having his boyfriends all to himself. The things they could do together. Would Haruka taste like the ocean when they kissed? Would Hayato's hand slide just a little too far under the waistband of Akihiko's swim shorts when he helped apply sunscreen?

The last train runs pretty late. Maybe, maybe…

Something floats into his view from the side, and his tired eyes cross as he tries to follow it. He startles as a cool finger carefully pokes his nose.

"You're awfully quiet, Aki-kun. Were you napping?"

There's something warm and solid underneath his head. It shifts slightly as he turns onto his side to look up at Hayato, who is withdrawing his hand. Akihiko feels his face redden.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, guess I kinda was…"

Hayato's hand curls over his mouth. "Haruka-kun does make a good pillow, doesn't he?"

Whatever his head is resting on starts to quiver, and Akihiko turns his head up to see Haruka's blushing face, his mouth set in a determined line as he tries not to move. It's extremely cute even upside down.

Akihiko jolts up from Hakura's lap where he had apparently laid down without realizing it. "Sorry, Hakura!"

"And your face was all red too," Hayato continues, both hands now folded in his lap, "What could you possibly have been thinking about?"

I was thinking about how I'd like to push you down in the sand and kiss that smile off your face Akihiko thinks, and then his face gets even hotter, "Uh, I was thinking! We should go to the beach!"

Haruka's arm settles over his chest, wordlessly easing Akihiko back down to lay in his lap again. He does it so easy these days that it's almost impossible to imagine the time before where he wouldn’t even think of initiating this sort of gentle touch.

"Weren't we just there?" he asks as Akihiko makes himself comfortable again, "You don't wanna do somethin' else?"

It's really sweet how Haruka always tries to go out of his comfort zone for them, but, "Well I —"

"Summer's only just arrived and you want to see us burnt to a crisp already?" Hayato chimes in, and Akihiko really, really wants to kiss his dumb, pretty face. Later though. "I mean —" "How can you burn if you stay in the shade the whole time?" "I —" "Well you see, I'm actually allergic to the sun." "Wa—" "Even I know that's bullshit!" Enough already! Akihiko shoots up, knocking Haruka's arm aside and almost colliding with his chin on the way, "Ahhhh!! I want us to go together!!" Twin quizzical expressions meet each other, then look to him. "I want us to go together," Akihiko repeats, panting after his outburst, "Just the three of us."

Hayato and Haruka stare at each other again.

Haruka's face goes beet red and Hayato turns his head and raises his hand to hide his expression, but not before Akihiko spots his mouth pinch like he's trying to hold in a laugh.

Hayato quickly gets himself under control, "Oh, Aki-kun, I didn't know you were such a romantic." he drops his hand, a sly gleam in his eye, "Or maybe you have some ulterior motives?"

"Of course I don't?!" Akihiko lies.

Caught already, but it can still be salvaged! Akihiko will just have to try a different approach.

"What do you think Haruka-kun?"

Of course! Haruka will agree to go! And then Hayato will have no choice but to come with them!

Akihiko turns hopeful eyes toward him.

Haruka jerks back from their sudden attention. His face cycles through several different emotions in the span of seconds. His mouth trembles. Finally, he settles on resolute.

"Let’s go then."

Yes!!

He squawks as Akihiko throws his arms around his neck and they tumble backward in a tangle of limbs.

Akihiko can taste traces of strawberry left over from the drinks they'd had earlier as he peppers tiny kisses across Haruka's mouth and face. He's so shy about overt public affection so Akihiko will take every opportunity he can to give it while they're in private, and the way he squirms like he isn't enjoying every second of it just makes him so much cuter.

It's the hottest day of the year, bar none, record breaking temperatures driving everyone to the beach, or the shade, or the air conditioned indoors. It's fortunate that the streets of Makochi are more or less deserted because that meant there was no one around to witness Jo's truly apocalyptic levels of thirst.

Jo doesn't even really remember why they had originally met up to start with, his brain already fried by the sheer force of the sun beaming down on their heads. It's too hot to spar, every store and cafe was packed, even a beach trip seemed too much effort. It was too hot to even hold hands, which was probably the worst part. Even now — years later — Haruka's face still went that adorable rosy shade whenever Jo slid their hands together, either to lead him somewhere or just to keep him close. He never could resist the way Haruka's hand fit in his, scarred knuckles and bent fingers curled around each other; easy. Right.

An annoyed growl peels Jo's attention back from where it had started to melt into the pavement. He risks fully turning his head to look at Haruka next to him and —

Haruka clearly isn't eating fast enough. Syrup trails down his hand and wrist in slow, inviting rivulets, dripping to sizzle on the sidewalk. Jo breaths in sharp through his nose. Haruka doesn't seem to notice. He's too fixated on…transferring his ice pop into his other hand so he can —

Lick.

His arm.

Haruka's soft lips part, red tongue flat against sun baked skin as he concentrates on not wasting a single drop of sticky, sweet fruit syrup. Brows furrowed, cupped hand held to his mouth to catch the stray droplets that pool in the creases of his palm and Jo.

Bites clean through the flimsy stick left behind from his own treat.

He had been swirling it around in his mouth to get the last traces of syrup out of it (and to stop himself from making comments), having finished his in barely two bites after watching Haruka practically fucking deepthroat his. Praying to whoever or whatever would listen that the immediate brain freeze would drag his thoughts kicking and screaming from the gutter and keep them out.

Not that it's doing much now.

He must make some kind of noise because now Haruka is looking back at him, lips wrapped innocently around two of his fingers as he sucks off more syrup. His eyebrows raise in question.

"Somethin' on my face?" His fingers shine with pearly saliva as he withdraws them from his mouth.

"Nah, you're good." Jo's voice is hoarse as he fishes the broken piece of wood from his mouth before it can splinter, tucking it into the palm of his hand and letting the bite of damp wood ground him.

Haruka's brows furrow.

"If you've got something t'say then say it."

They've stopped walking, have somehow made it all the way to Haruka's building and were now standing on the sidewalk just before the stairs that led up to his floor without Jo even noticing. There's no sound except for the rustle of leaves from the old tree as a breeze attempts to stir the stagnant air.

Jo watches as more liquid forms and drips from the, the head of Haruka's ice pop, falling between them to instantly vaporize on the sidewalk. Watches, enraptured, as Haruka lifts it to his mouth and sucks it into his mouth.

Jo's mouth goes dry.

Haruka is absolutely doing this on purpose.

"Uhhhh."

Jo's attempt at coherent thought fizzles out as what's left of the ice pop breaks in half, as Haruka makes a little noise of surprise and hurriedly swallows the piece that was still in his mouth, as his throat works and his tongue darts out to swipe up the sweet remains. Red, red, red.

Haruka always makes the prettiest sounds when Jo kisses him. His lips are soft, chilled, a welcome relief from the blistering heat that surrounds them.

There's a wet splat and a faint clatter of something hitting the ground. The palm of one of Haruka's hands comes to rest on Jo's chest, fingers bunching in the fabric of his shirt for just a split second before he shoves.

Jo lets himself be moved, reluctantly.

"What the — I dropped my —"

It's hard to tell if it's the heat or the unexpected kiss that has Haruka so flustered, unsure of where to direct his annoyance. His hands are empty now, though the fingers on one are still stained with fresh fruit juice, and his mouth is twisted in that crooked, quivering shape Jo has learned always signals an oncoming blush.

Indeed, even the tips of Haruka's ears are now aflame as his sputtering finally settled on, "Pervert!"

Oh. Right. They are just sort of standing in the open. Just about anyone could see them, see how hard Haruka is blushing and the lust rolling off Jo is potent waves.

He also isn't wrong per se. However.

There's no one else in the vicinity. It's too damn hot to just be hanging around doing nothing and Haruka's neighbourhood is always a ghost town on a normal day, but Jo still leans in close until his mouth is right by Haruka's ear and drops his voice low as he says, "And you sticking your fingers in your own mouth was so innocent."

This close, Haruka's breath is cool and quick on his skin. This close, the sticky heat that pools between their bodies is more inviting than torturous. This close, and Jo feels the very first vibrations of Haruka's body as the shiver runs from his shoulders all the way down to his legs.