[Fic] Mint
Summary: Naoto seeks help. Takes place after Eglantine
Characters: Naoto, Naoki, Matsu
Rating: T
A/N: You're confused, you idiot.
Tetsuya was already gone by the time he woke up, leaving a pot of freshly brewed coffee and a hastily scribbled note on his counter.
I’m sorry.
- Tetsuya
Snarling in frustration, Naoto crumpled the note and tossed it into the bin without a second glance. Damn Tetsuya. Damn himself for being so weak, for holding on to that string of hope. They could never go back to what they once were. He contemplated pouring the coffee down the sink, but it would be a waste of good coffee and he needed the perks to last the day. The semi-finals of VBA2 would be taxing.
Wordlessly, he picked up his phone and dialed the first number in his call log.
=====
Naoto grimaced under Matsu's I-told-you-so expression when they met for dinner at a quaint ramen shop.
"Anyone would think Hiro didn't warn you guys earlier," said Matsu, calmly sipping his beer. "Hiro had an unspoken rule about relationships between colleagues - no relationships. Yet all he said about you and Tetsuya was 'I hope they do not let their personal matters interfere with their professionalism.' Sound like he predicted this would happen."
"I was young and stupid." Naoto shook his head, poking glumly at the edamame they had ordered. "I still am." Did he miss the warning signs? Was he blissfully ignorant or in denial of the differences between romance in real life and in manga? If only someone was there to advise him on matters of the heart.
"Nope, you're just inexperienced. You haven't seen the world yet, you wouldn't know." Matsu crowed with delight when the shop owner delivered hot, steaming bowls of ramen to their table. "Let's dig in. I'm famished."
=====
“Do you know why Hiro chose you and Naoki to lead Sandaime?” said Matsu. Naoto squirmed in his seat. “That’s because he firmly believes the two of you have the best capabilities to carry on the spirit of Exile and J Soul Brothers. Not only were you the youngest in Nidaime, he believed you have the potential to go very far.”
The older man snickered. “Come to think of it, the lie detector machine used on Exile Tamashii was pretty accurate to a certain extent. You didn’t leave Exile and formed your own group with some of the members - Hiro-san ‘gave’ you Sandaime and Naoki.”
“Please don’t remind me, Matsu-san,” Naoto grimaced, though he secretly agreed with the older man's assessment. “And don’t make it sound like Naoki is property.”
“Of course not,” said Matsu fondly, chugging down the remaining beer in his mug. “He’s more valuable than that. One day, Naoto-kun, you’ll understand what Hiro has planned for the both of you.”
=====
"Matsu-san?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Matsu smiled softly. "You're welcome."
=====
Close to midnight, the doorbell chimed.
“Naoto-san?” Naoki was momentarily caught by surprise at his visitor, especially when Naoto brushed past him, holding a duffel bag.
“Let me stay here for awhile. Your presence is more comforting than the emptiness in my apartment.” He fixed Naoki with a level look. “Also, may I borrow your shower?”
=====
Naoki’s shampoo and soap smelt good. The light citrus and honey was soothing. Combined with the spray of hot water on his fatigued body, it felt like paradise.
Naoto emerged from the bathroom in the clean sweats and t-shirt Naoki gave him (because he had forgotten to pack sleepwear), lightly flushed and smelling like Naoki’s body wash, towel-dry hair hanging soft and fluffy about his face.
“Happy?” he asked. His tone was flat, with a hint of wryness and defeat. It made Naoki want to cross the room and throw his arms around Naoto’s hunched shoulders and hold him forever.
“Not really,” he said, and dropped his head to hide his wistful smile. It didn’t bear thinking how Naoto would react if Naoki tried to hug him. “At least you look more decent now, Naoto-san.”
“What are you, my babysitter? Or a nosy parker?” said Naoto as the younger man disappeared into the kitchen. He made his way to the couch and sank down among the cushions, tilting his head backwards and closing his eyes.
“I’m your friend and fellow performer,” Naoki deadpanned, carrying a tray of tea to the coffee table. His lips formed a pout when Naoto cracked open an eye and leaned forward, smacking him lightly. He whined, “That hurts, Naoto-san.”
All of a sudden, Naoto had an indescribable urge to capture those lips between his teeth, to wrench a moan from the younger man. Mentally, he shook himself. He must be really deprived after the horrible separation from Tetsuya, so much that he would latch on to anyone who showed him care and concern. He had to stop fantasizing about the romance he could not have. It was unhealthy. He couldn't do this to Naoki, not when Naoki had been his punching bag and pillar of support for the past few months.
He loved Naoki. Yes, friendship love. Brotherly love. Bromance love. Something like that. But was it enough to justify his sudden urge to kiss him?
Those lips looked rather tempting and biteable and perhaps he could ask for a taste…
“Don’t think too much, Naoto-san,” said Naoki, cutting through his thoughts. "Do what you think is right."
Naoto blushed. If only Naoki knew what he was thinking of. It could potentially destroy their friendship, the easy camaraderie they shared, and that was the last thing Naoto wanted.
He thanked Naoki, and they fell into a comfortable silence, sipping warm tea. Naoto felt relatively calmer. Tea was soothing. He was grateful for Naoki's decision not to offer him beer - Naoto was taking no chances of doing something he would regret, especially under the influence of alcohol.
“You know what’s going on with Tetsuya and Kenchi, don’t you?” said Naoto quietly, placing his half-empty mug on the coffee table. Naoki stiffened, refused to meet his inquiring, almost pleading gaze. “Tell me, Naoki. I want to know, I need to know.” He shuddered, hugging his legs to himself. “Tell me before it eats me out from inside. Tell me so that I can move on for real.”
Naoki shook his head. “Naoto-san, will you really move on?”
“I can’t do it myself, but if-” he swallowed, “- if you help me, I might just be able to get over him.”
Then Naoki smiled, and Naoto felt a spread of warmth across his chest. It was the moment where he sincerely believed everything would be alright.
Characters: Naoto, Naoki, Matsu
Rating: T
A/N: You're confused, you idiot.
Tetsuya was already gone by the time he woke up, leaving a pot of freshly brewed coffee and a hastily scribbled note on his counter.
I’m sorry.
- Tetsuya
Snarling in frustration, Naoto crumpled the note and tossed it into the bin without a second glance. Damn Tetsuya. Damn himself for being so weak, for holding on to that string of hope. They could never go back to what they once were. He contemplated pouring the coffee down the sink, but it would be a waste of good coffee and he needed the perks to last the day. The semi-finals of VBA2 would be taxing.
Wordlessly, he picked up his phone and dialed the first number in his call log.
=====
Naoto grimaced under Matsu's I-told-you-so expression when they met for dinner at a quaint ramen shop.
"Anyone would think Hiro didn't warn you guys earlier," said Matsu, calmly sipping his beer. "Hiro had an unspoken rule about relationships between colleagues - no relationships. Yet all he said about you and Tetsuya was 'I hope they do not let their personal matters interfere with their professionalism.' Sound like he predicted this would happen."
"I was young and stupid." Naoto shook his head, poking glumly at the edamame they had ordered. "I still am." Did he miss the warning signs? Was he blissfully ignorant or in denial of the differences between romance in real life and in manga? If only someone was there to advise him on matters of the heart.
"Nope, you're just inexperienced. You haven't seen the world yet, you wouldn't know." Matsu crowed with delight when the shop owner delivered hot, steaming bowls of ramen to their table. "Let's dig in. I'm famished."
=====
“Do you know why Hiro chose you and Naoki to lead Sandaime?” said Matsu. Naoto squirmed in his seat. “That’s because he firmly believes the two of you have the best capabilities to carry on the spirit of Exile and J Soul Brothers. Not only were you the youngest in Nidaime, he believed you have the potential to go very far.”
The older man snickered. “Come to think of it, the lie detector machine used on Exile Tamashii was pretty accurate to a certain extent. You didn’t leave Exile and formed your own group with some of the members - Hiro-san ‘gave’ you Sandaime and Naoki.”
“Please don’t remind me, Matsu-san,” Naoto grimaced, though he secretly agreed with the older man's assessment. “And don’t make it sound like Naoki is property.”
“Of course not,” said Matsu fondly, chugging down the remaining beer in his mug. “He’s more valuable than that. One day, Naoto-kun, you’ll understand what Hiro has planned for the both of you.”
=====
"Matsu-san?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Matsu smiled softly. "You're welcome."
=====
Close to midnight, the doorbell chimed.
“Naoto-san?” Naoki was momentarily caught by surprise at his visitor, especially when Naoto brushed past him, holding a duffel bag.
“Let me stay here for awhile. Your presence is more comforting than the emptiness in my apartment.” He fixed Naoki with a level look. “Also, may I borrow your shower?”
=====
Naoki’s shampoo and soap smelt good. The light citrus and honey was soothing. Combined with the spray of hot water on his fatigued body, it felt like paradise.
Naoto emerged from the bathroom in the clean sweats and t-shirt Naoki gave him (because he had forgotten to pack sleepwear), lightly flushed and smelling like Naoki’s body wash, towel-dry hair hanging soft and fluffy about his face.
“Happy?” he asked. His tone was flat, with a hint of wryness and defeat. It made Naoki want to cross the room and throw his arms around Naoto’s hunched shoulders and hold him forever.
“Not really,” he said, and dropped his head to hide his wistful smile. It didn’t bear thinking how Naoto would react if Naoki tried to hug him. “At least you look more decent now, Naoto-san.”
“What are you, my babysitter? Or a nosy parker?” said Naoto as the younger man disappeared into the kitchen. He made his way to the couch and sank down among the cushions, tilting his head backwards and closing his eyes.
“I’m your friend and fellow performer,” Naoki deadpanned, carrying a tray of tea to the coffee table. His lips formed a pout when Naoto cracked open an eye and leaned forward, smacking him lightly. He whined, “That hurts, Naoto-san.”
All of a sudden, Naoto had an indescribable urge to capture those lips between his teeth, to wrench a moan from the younger man. Mentally, he shook himself. He must be really deprived after the horrible separation from Tetsuya, so much that he would latch on to anyone who showed him care and concern. He had to stop fantasizing about the romance he could not have. It was unhealthy. He couldn't do this to Naoki, not when Naoki had been his punching bag and pillar of support for the past few months.
He loved Naoki. Yes, friendship love. Brotherly love. Bromance love. Something like that. But was it enough to justify his sudden urge to kiss him?
Those lips looked rather tempting and biteable and perhaps he could ask for a taste…
“Don’t think too much, Naoto-san,” said Naoki, cutting through his thoughts. "Do what you think is right."
Naoto blushed. If only Naoki knew what he was thinking of. It could potentially destroy their friendship, the easy camaraderie they shared, and that was the last thing Naoto wanted.
He thanked Naoki, and they fell into a comfortable silence, sipping warm tea. Naoto felt relatively calmer. Tea was soothing. He was grateful for Naoki's decision not to offer him beer - Naoto was taking no chances of doing something he would regret, especially under the influence of alcohol.
“You know what’s going on with Tetsuya and Kenchi, don’t you?” said Naoto quietly, placing his half-empty mug on the coffee table. Naoki stiffened, refused to meet his inquiring, almost pleading gaze. “Tell me, Naoki. I want to know, I need to know.” He shuddered, hugging his legs to himself. “Tell me before it eats me out from inside. Tell me so that I can move on for real.”
Naoki shook his head. “Naoto-san, will you really move on?”
“I can’t do it myself, but if-” he swallowed, “- if you help me, I might just be able to get over him.”
Then Naoki smiled, and Naoto felt a spread of warmth across his chest. It was the moment where he sincerely believed everything would be alright.