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“I suppose I don’t have any other choice.” Jouno’s voice is barely above a whisper as he lays down next to Tecchou. Their tent is small and rather uncomfortable; Tecchou knows that he would have preferred a warm bed, perhaps a nice meal beforehand, but Jouno won’t truly complain unless it is necessary, this is not a camping trip after all, they are in the middle of a mission.
Their target is, surprisingly, an old man who lives in the woods. At first, it was difficult for Tecchou to understand the reason they were hunting down someone who wanted to be left alone by the rest of the world. In fact, he was certain that one day, he was bound to follow this lifestyle. Perhaps when he was older and weaker. Fukuchi didn’t explain much, but he did mention that this man was not who he seemed to be, he was in fact, an extremely dangerous person with the ability to manipulate gamma radiation.
Jouno had explained to him that such ability could be proven extremely useful but, in the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic. He had never doubted his partner’s words, and had always put justice over anything else so there were no more questions asked. Tecchou is going to complete his mission.
It’s been raining nonstop for hours now but he doesn’t really find it peculiar. After so much summer heat the heavens break to release a torrent of rain. The parched soil wickes it away to the distant water table below, puddles are forming outside but, thankfully, the tent is durable enough even for a heavy downpour. This a gift to the dehydrated flora and the animals who grieved over the dry stream beds. Tecchou watches the rain fall and he can’t help but smile. Fall has arrived at last.
“Tecchou-san, your heartbeat, are you alright?” Jouno asks, not the slightest hint of concern in his voice, but his smile only widens as he turns his attention to him. “Not that I am concerned. I am simply asking since it is rather annoying.”
“I am sorry, I can’t stop my heartbeat.” he has to hold back a chuckle as he says that, it’s entertaining to see Jouno like this, it’s even funnier when Jouno believes that he is mocking him, even though, Tecchou knows that if it was possible, he would find a way to do even that. It would please Jouno, wouldn’t it?
His hypersensitive hearing can be painful and overwhelming sometimes, he knows that, he has been his partner for quite a while now.
“Are you mocking me? You’re so annoying. To think that sleeping in the same tent with you would be a peaceful situation, how wrong I was.” he turns away, clearly annoyed because of this conversation. Tecchou almost regrets saying that now, he didn’t want it to be over so soon.
“I am almost disappointed it’s raining… I wanted to try stargazing.” he whispers, hoping that it’s better for his partner if he speaks in such way. “Who knows when we might have the chance to go camping during a mission again?” Tecchou had always been fascinated by space, especially by the stars in the sky and all these different constellations. He didn’t actually remember how most of them were called but that didn’t really bother him.
There was a faint memory, one of when he was merely a child. He didn’t remember much, but he could clearly recall his younger self staring up at the night sky; smiling, feeling the wind blow his hair into a tousled mane. Imagining that he was out there in space, riding the limits of the known universe. How the stars would move, how the galaxies would tumble and dart, all of it turning into a choreographed blizzard.
“Stargazing…” Jouno mutters beside him, he sounds curious, perhaps amused? He can’t really tell. “I’ve read books about the stars and about constellations, some of them form shapes and objects, correct?” he turns to face him, an unreadable expression on his face. Tecchou doesn’t mind the questions, in fact, he is excited Jouno is asking him about this, of all people.
“Yes.” he turns to face Jouno as well, trying not to distract himself by how naturally beautiful his partner is, the freckles on his face, his long, white eyelashes, his lips, every single thing . Tecchou has always tried to deny the effect it had on him, being attracted to Jouno is an intoxication, it feels so deep, as if it is the start of a song that plays on and on, something so soothing to his soul.
“Tecchou-san… your hearbeat.”
“Right. Sorry. Yes, they form shapes and objects. The 'Canes Venatici' for example. It means hunting dogs in latin.” a soft chuckle escapes his lips, knowing that this is a small joke only the two of them can understand.
Surprisingly, the corner of Jouno’s mouth twitches into his cheek. He can’t remember the last time he has seen this expression on his face, it saddens him that he is only able to experience it for a few seconds, his smirk fades almost instantly. “Interesting. I wish I was able to see it too.”
Tecchou inhales sharply, there is no emotion behind Jouno’s words. But he knows that even if he doesn’t express it, it’s still there. Melancholy . He has felt it as well, for entirely different reasons. It’s like a cloak, one can't simply let fall to the floor, it clings into our souls and it stays there. He doesn’t think as he reaches to hold Jouno’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“What are you doing?! Stop touching me!” his partner demands, trying to pull his hand away.
“Wait… Jouno-san, I want to show you something. You said you wished you were able to see it too right?”
Jouno goes silent, it takes him a minute to respond, he doesn’t try to pull his hand away this time. “Yes, but how could you possibly achieve that by holding my hand?” he tilts his head to the side in confusion. “I don’t understand Tecchou-san, you are starting to annoy me again.”
Tecchou chuckles as he scoots a bit closer to the other man, guiding his hand with his own, placing them both on the space between them. His palm is soft as he is gently caressing it with his fingers. “Well, you can’t see the constellations, but I can draw them on the ground for you. I… remember some of them.”
His partner only nods, his face is glowing red but Tecchou doesn’t understand the reason. The tent is not that warm. He doesn’t really focus on that detail, trying to guide his arm as he is pretending to draw on the blanket, still holding his hand.
“These are supposed to be the two hunting dogs.” he whispers, staring right at Jouno, wanting to see his reaction. He finds himself drawn to him, attraction swirls between them as invisible ropes. “Do you want me to do it again?”
“No… I... understand.” Jouno whispers back, he seems more relaxed now. “They do have the shape of dogs, I will admit, briefly, but I can understand the reason someone would give this constellation that specific name.” He doesn’t seem to notice that they are still holding hands or he is simply still processing all of that new information.
Tecchou stares down at their joined hands, he doesn’t want to let go.
Falling in love is the easiest part, it has always been; it's admitting to himself that it happened that's hard. What’s even worse is the fact that he keeps falling in love, and each time is harder than the last. Every time the feeling gets deeper, more complete, more bewitching. He wants to protect Jouno, he wants to be there for him, even if the other doesn’t want him to do so. There isn't a thing he wouldn't do to keep him safe. He wishes he could tell him all of that, he wishes there was a way he could express himself without ruining everything.
He feels him in the air, longs for his touch, recalls him in a way that sends electricity to spark his mind, body and soul. This is getting unbearable but in the most beautiful and painful way at the same time.
“What are you thinking about?” Jouno’s voice interrupts his thoughts, he doesn’t sound angry, though he does sound confused.
He shakes his head, “Nothing… I… I was thinking of that one time I stabbed you in the middle of an interrogation.” Tecchou blurts the first thing that comes into his mind and he immediately regrets it when Jouno harshly pulls his hand away, clearly angered by that statement.
“I am so stupid, thinking I could have a normal conversation with you! Here you are thinking about stabbing me in the…” his partner clears his throat, frowning. “I can’t believe you Tecchou-san. I can’t wait for this to be over.”
Tecchou is holding back his laughter as he reaches for the sword next to him, it’s covered with the scabbard this time, so there won’t be any actual stabbing. He pokes his sides with it ever so slightly.
Jouno twitches and he tries to move away, his face going completely red.
“Are you ticklish?” Tecchou asks. Unbelievable. Jouno, of all people, ticklish. How did he not know about this?
“I am not.” he says, but he is already trying to shield himself.
“Then why’d you twitch away?”
Jouno doesn’t say anything. This means that he doesn’t want to lie, but really doesn’t want to tell the truth either, and the only thing that makes sense is that he’s ticklish. He scowls but it’s obvious that he is not angry, even that expression makes him look absolutely adorable. Or at least, it does in Tecchou’s eyes.
This time, he pokes his stomach, trying to get an actual reaction out of him. Even if he is not entirely successful, he is certain that Jouno is now holding back a smile, forced or not, it proves that he is in fact, very ticklish.
“I can’t believe it, Jouno-san, you’re lying?”
“I told you I am not tickl-”
Without a word, Tecchou scoots even closer to the other man, placing the sword away. This time, he starts tickling Jouno himself, “Tecchou-san hah- I, I told you to s-stop! Hahah-” his partner cries, writhing to escape. They wrestle with each other. Jouno almost escapes at some point, but Tecchou manages to flip them over once again, tickling him mercilessly.
Jouno’s upper uniform rubs awkwardly around his skin and it rides up on his belly as he twitches violently with high and near-painful giggles. Tecchou doesn’t understand the reason he hasn’t used his ability yet but he is not complaining. He stares down at his partner in complete daze, he is too mesmerized by how beautiful his laughter is.
It feels like it is directly speaking to his soul, his giggles, his soft expressions of joy, they are truly a gift to him. Tecchou silently wishes there was a way to capture such a beautiful moment, he doesn’t even know if he will get to experience it ever again.
When he senses that Jouno is almost out of breath he immediately stops, pulling his hands away. They lay there, still close to each other, both panting loudly.
“Unbelievable…” he whispers, waiting for Jouno to say something, to react, he is surprised he hasn’t said anything yet. He is more surprised that he is not lying dead on their small tent right now.
His partner doesn’t move away, he has gone completely still, Tecchou assumes that he has just realized what they have been truly doing for the past three minutes. He doesn’t manage to analyze this any further because Jouno’s hand reaches for his collar and the man pulls him unbelievably close to his face.
“Consider yourself lucky.” he whispers right into his ear. “You would be dead, I spared your life just now, Tecchou-san, you better not try to do this again.”
He cannot understand if he is simply trying to intimidate him or not but the hot breath against his skin sends shivers down his spine. Their closeness is not helping the slightest. Does Jouno realize the effect he truly has on him? Nothing can truly mask the multiple emotions he is feeling right now.
Tecchou nods, he opens his mouth to say something but he is incapable of doing so. Jouno moves away shortly after, turning around so that he won’t be facing him any more. “Now, it’s time to sleep. We have to take care of something tomorrow, If you cannot remember.”
“Yes…” he swallows, “The mission.” his face grows unbelievably hot as he recalls what has happened seconds ago. “Goodnight, Jouno-san.”
“Night.”
That is the end of it, he thinks. Jouno utterly despises him now, he is convinced. But then, when his breath grows steady, a hand brushes against his own and links their fingers together. He doesn’t dare to say a word, nor move even an inch, fearing that this might ruin everything. Jouno must have thought that he has fallen asleep already. A wide smile appears on his face and it never leaves, even when he’s finally fast asleep.
None of them notices but the rain has finally stopped, only the rustling of leaves in the trees can be heard and, the constellations, who'd witnessed centuries and millennia just the same, are the only ones watching over this tiny moment.