Chapter Text
Akito had only known Aoyagi for a week. And while he’d like to say the two connected immediately, that would be an extreme overstatement.
“Yo. Aoyagi.” Akito snapped. Aoyagi looked up at him with a blank face. Akito whacked the vending machine once—which caused the drink that was stuck to pop out of the bottom vent—and picked up the bottle, tossing it to him. With one hand, Aoyagi caught the bottle and spun the cap open. He didn’t say a word.
It was always like this, to be honest. The two would practice together for a while and then hang around in a heavy awkward silence. Akito would say something, yap around with it for a bit while Aoyagi watched with a mildly annoyed facial expression until Akito would notice said expression and quickly shut the fuck up. Aoyagi never stayed mad for long, though, which Akito was glad for.
“Shinonome.” Aoyagi’s voice cut through the air like a blade. Akito turned and tilted his head as if to ask him to continue. “What is your best subject in school?”
His voice was all too serious, which totally sent a shiver down Akito’s spine. “Ah, well.. I guess I’m good at Japanese class… And uh, arts.” Akito mumbled out the last words awkwardly.
“Arts? You’re good with the arts?” Aoyagi tilted his head, cocking a brow. Oh come on, is it really that surprising..? “That’s good. I need help, if you don’t mind.”
Not like Akito was going to refuse when Aoyagi was making such a serious face. “Sure. Yeah, of course I’ll help.”
“Relax your hand a bit, man.” Akito sighed, scratching his neck. Aoyagi, for his part, bore an incredibly concentrated expression… Which typically, Akito saw as him making a scary face again, but the way his brows quirked up slightly, the way he pinched his lower lip between his teeth lightly… Like he was confused. It was almost kind of cute, and made Akito huff out a small laugh.
“Is something funny?”
And just like that, Akito’s blood ran cold and his back straightened out completely. “No.”
Aoyagi just sort of gave him a weird look before putting his attention back to the charcoal portrait he was working on. Akito realized that he had been much too focused on Aoyagi’s face rather than his current art project, and quickly redirected his eyes down…
…And burst out laughing uncontrollably. “What the.. the hell is that..?!” He gripped onto the table hard, almost knocking over his glass. Aoyagi frowned.
“Is it really that bad..?” He murmured, looking almost… Embarrassed. It was such a stark contrast to his usual flat, cold expression that it almost made Akito laugh even more. “S-Shinonome, I’m serious..!”
God, even when he’s raising his voice he talks so softly it’s ridiculous..!
“I-It’s–” Akito coughed, gripping his forehead as he squeezed his eyes shut. “No, it’s… Uh, it’s great, Aoyagi.”
Aoyagi tilted his head. “Really?”
“Yes.” Akito answered within an instant.
“Then why do you refuse to look at it?”
Akito inhaled sharply, opening his eyes and directing them towards the charcoal portrait with an intense level of focus. Unfortunately, the corners of his lips quirked up again against his will.
“You’re laughing.” Aoyagi murmured, crossing his arms. “I’m failing art class and you’re laughing.”
“It’s— Come on, you’re not failing, it’s just one project…” Akito steeled his nerves and straightened his poture, staring at the piece of paper. Come on, Akito. You spent three weeks gathering your courage just to talk to this guy, you can’t just pussy out the moment the conversation actually goes both ways..! “And… Besides, I’m just bein’ snobby. Not like I do much better… Just uh, here.”
He wrapped his hand around Aoyagi’s. Aoyagi’s hands were larger than his own, but also far more pristine, elegant. Sure, Akito had long fingers, which could be considered elegant, but his hands were small and rough with scabs and nicks in them. Aoyagi’s are soft, warm… His hand is really warm. Is Aoyagi always this warm? If he pressed up against Aoyagi’s side, would his whole body feel that warmth? Would he finally not feel so cold? Would—
“What are you..?”
Akito nearly jumped out of his seat. What the hell was I just thinking about..?! “Bear with me, man.” Akito replied, feigning tranquility. Gently, he directed Aoyagi’s hand around the page, pressing down to guide him on where to push down the charcoal stick. With his other hand, he smeared certain parts of the artwork, smudging the black powder over his pale skin. Aoyagi’s breath hitched, which Akito did his best to ignore. You’re totally creeping him out, man..!
“...Your hand is shaking too, Shinonome…” Aoyagi murmured softly. Akito swore he could feel the heat rising in his face. Damn it all.
“A-Ah, yeah, it is…”
…
…Why the fuck did I say that?! Was he trying to look like as much of an idiot as possible?! “But, just… Trust me, alright?” Yeah, like that makes what you just said any less pathetic. Luckily, Aoyagi only nodded and let him keep going.
A few more strokes. Gentle directions…
“See? Doesn’t that look a lot better?” Akito grinned, evidently proud of his work, even if it didn’t make Toya’s… Er, project, any kind of masterpiece.
“Um… Yeah, thank you.” Aoyagi replied. He sounded genuine, but also…
Eh?
“Aoyagi, your face is red.” Akito blinked, leaning over him with inquisitive eyes.
“Ah, that’s–”
Akito quickly pressed his hand against Aoyagi’s head. He really is warm… Wait, is that why his hand felt so warm? “You’re so hot, man…”
“What?!” Aoyagi squeaked, flinching backwards with wide eyes. Akito pulled back immediately, to which Aoyagi tentatively brought his own hand to his head. “Oh, you mean…”
“Are you feelin’ okay?” Akito tilted his head. “Dude, you should’ve told me if you were feeling sick. I wouldn’t have dragged you out to practice with me.”
Aoyagi shook his head. “N-No! It’s not that I’m sick… It’s just that, when you’re coming so close to me…” He trailed off, averting his eyes.
“Hah?” Akito blinked again, clueless. “Oh, right, body heat, sorry. Maybe take off your sweater, though. Since you’re feelin’ hot.”
Aoyagi gave him a look like he was stupid. Maybe Akito was stupid, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why, so he just ignored it.
“Anyway… Thank you for your help, Shinonome.” Aoyagi awkwardly started again, bowing his head slightly. He checked the watch on his wrist and then looked back up at Akito with his usual flat expression. “I… Should probably head home, though. My parents surely already won’t be very happy with me.”
“Mm, got it. I don’t get why they care so much…” Akito murmured, sounding almost bored. “Careful with that project, though. Don’t smudge it... It's not like I'll be able to fix it again.”
“I know, right?” Aoyagi sighed. “And of course. Thank you again. I’ll see you tomorrow..?”
“Right. Tomorrow.”
Akito was half-way home when he suddenly realized why Aoyagi had gotten so red in the face. He had been all over the poor guy, holding over his hand and getting all touchy with him in a public cafe. Of course he was humiliated to be seen with another teenage boy draped over him like that..! Most guys aren’t that touchy-feely with their friends, so he must’ve made Aoyagi horrifically uncomfortable. What if the other people at the cafe were staring at them? Whispering? And Akito didn’t notice because he was too busy enjoying the feeling of Toya’s large, long, warm hand under his own—
Ew. Ew. Ew.
Face flushed bright red, Akito practically sprinted the rest of the way home.