They’re sitting side by side, shoulder to shoulder, slightly leaning against each other. They’re chatting, laughing, falling into silence, then chatting again. Hokuto has a drama script he’s trying to read, while Shintaro scrolls on his phone, rotating between social media feeds and their concert notes.
They’re slouching on the practice room sofa, both having arrived too early for their afternoon practice. Even the managers or staff people are not there yet.
They have the whole room, yet for some reason they’re huddled close together on the corner of the sofa. After a moment, Hokuto slides down on his back, resting his head on Shintaro’s thigh. He flips through the script and starts reading again. Shintaro keeps on scrolling his Instagram feed, looking at the posts but not actually seeing any, his concentration now fully on Hokuto’s head against his leg, and the other’s barely audible mumble as he reads his lines.
It’s familiar and soothing, because it’s Hokuto. At the same time, it’s something that tickles in his stomach and makes his heart speed up. Because it’s Hokuto.
Hokuto, who endlessly inspires and fascinates him, who pulls him closer like a magnet, whose smile and laugh he could watch and listen to forever. It’s been like that for years.
But lately, it’s Hokuto who’s been gravitating towards him more and more, partly because of work, but otherwise, too. Lately, it feels like they’re dancing around something, with long looks, fleeting touches, unsaid words. On the edge of flirting more often than not. It’s the way Hokuto’s always huddling close, all warm smiles and soft touches, and the way his face lights up when he laughs at Shintaro’s banter and jokes, over and over again. And Shintaro keeps on joking because he wants to see that smile.
It’s intriguing, confusing and tormenting. Shintaro wonders if Hokuto feels the same. Wonders if closeness like this also fills Hokuto’s stomach with butterflies and wakes up the urge to touch, to be even closer.
Now, Shintaro’s thoughts are cut when the phone is suddenly snatched out of his hand, and he looks down at Hokuto. The script lays idle on Hokuto’s stomach, and he drops Shintaro’s phone on the sofa out of his reach. He has a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
”What?” Shintaro asks with a laugh.
”I’m bored.”
”You read the script already?”
”Nope.” The tone suggests he’s not going to, for now.
“Well, wanna go grab a bite from the konbini?”
“Hmmm,” Hokuto purses his lips, thinking. “Maybe later?”
“Alright.”
He’s so pretty; his eyes, lips, freckles on his nose bridge, his hair… Shintaro’s fingers twitch when he looks at the shiny, soft locks falling on his thigh. After a second, on a whim, he reaches out and lightly combs his fingers through the strands on the side of Hokuto’s head. Hokuto turns his head slightly, looking up at him, but doesn’t say anything. In fact, he ever so slightly moves his head closer, leaning into the touch. Shintaro sinks his hand deeper, his fingertips stroking along Hokuto’s scalp. His heart is beating embarrassingly fast.
After a moment, Hokuto reaches for Shintaro’s hand that’s been resting by his shoulder on the sofa. He raises it on his chest, bringing his other hand up and entwining their fingers. He rubs Shintaro’s thumb with his own, and Shintaro gives his hand a little squeeze.
Then, his hammering heart skips a beat when Hokuto suddenly brings his hand to his mouth and presses a kiss on the back of it. It’s quick, the touch soft as a feather, yet it still sends shivers running down Shintaro’s spine. Is this really happening…?
“Hokuto…”
“Mmm?”
Hokuto glances up at him, a small smile on his lips. So pretty. Shintaro isn’t sure what he’d want to do, but he bends his leg slightly, and Hokuto gets the hint and sits up. He turns towards Shintaro, already so close, eyes dancing between his eyes and lips. Shintaro could count the freckles on his nose and cheeks.
He’ll never know which one of them would’ve leaned in, if either, as there’s a sudden rattle at the door and two of their managers walk in. In a split second, Hokuto’s dropped his hand and scooted farther. He picks up the fallen script while Shintaro fishes his phone back, and both of them greet the managers maybe a bit too loudly and perkily.
After that, the other members and staff arrive one by one, and soon the practice room is full of chatter and movement. Shintaro is thankful of the distraction and dives into the practice with all his might, though he soon notices how he can’t help being hyper aware of Hokuto’s presence, his actions and expressions.
Hokuto still scoots close during their breaks, or when they’re checking the choreo videos on the laptop, trying to spot mishaps or oddities. He still meets Shintaro’s eyes and smiles through the wall mirror or across the room when they’re sitting scattered around, sipping water and chatting.
So once they’re done with the practice for the night and everyone starts gathering their stuff and leaving one by one, Shintaro approaches Hokuto, who’s packing his bag.
“Want a ride home?”
Hokuto looks up, surprised. “It’d be a huge detour for you.”
“I don’t mind,” Shintaro shrugs.
Hokuto’s eyes are full of unsaid words, but he looks pleased, a smile tugging at lips. “Alright then. Thanks.”
“Good work today!”
“Good night, I’ll take my leave.”
“Bye, see you!”
The members and staff call out greetings as they leave, and Shintaro nods and waves them off. All the while, Hokuto’s still packing his bag, slowly, deliberately slowly, as Shintaro soon realizes. He feels an excited twist in his stomach.
Once the door closes after their last manager and they’re left alone, Hokuto finally zips up the bag and turns towards Shintaro.
“Ready to go?” Shintaro asks.
“Almost.”
Hokuto smiles and holds out his hand, which Shintaro takes without missing a beat. Hokuto pulls gently, making Shintaro step closer to him. The shivers are back, and his heart’s speeding up again.
“I hope no one barges in this time,” Hokuto says with a breathy laugh, words trembling just a bit, telling Shintaro he’s not the only one nervous. Somehow, it helps.
They both lean in, and Shintaro cups Hokuto’s cheek as their lips finally meet, soft and eager. Shintaro sneaks an arm around Hokuto’s waist and pulls the other flush against him. Hokuto’s deep, soft hums against his lips make a lovely warmth pool in Shintaro’s stomach. Oh, it’s so much better than he ever imagined.
When they finally pull back, reluctantly, Hokuto huffs a laugh and butts his head against Shintaro’s shoulder.
“Finally!” he exclaims, words slightly muffled against Shintaro’s jacket.
“Tell me about it,” Shintaro snorts. “I was planning on trying this in the car, but this works just fine, too.”
Hokuto lifts his head and looks at him with feigned shock. “Oh, sneaky!”
Grinning, Shintaro gives him a quick peck on the lips and watches Hokuto break into a smile again.
“Let’s go? Now we can continue in the car.”
“I like the sound of that.”