Chapter Text
"Seriously, why do I have to route with Iwatani?! How important is this anyway?" Motoyasu scoffed, throwing a nasty glare over at the raven who also had a deathly glare on his face. While they became moody- Ren and Itsuki just smirked, more than thrilled to go together.
One of the knights spoke up, slightly shrugging. "It's just the order that was sent out, and I can't change that. You two will just have to deal with one another."
Motoyasu let out a long, frustrated sigh. He pinched the brim of his nose, fed up with how orders operated- especially after the trial with malty. It seemed as if guards and even normal citizens craved to see their relationship grow- getting them near one another every opportunity they could grasp. It was annoying- and it still would have been even if they were close. Though, Motoyasu could never, not once, imagine them being more than acquaintances.
"Fine, but you better pay us the same. I know people are starting to respect me more, but bitch still gets respect too," Naofumi scoffed. "So if I don't receive the same amount of money as Kitamura- I won't be doing anything for the royal guard anymore," Naofumi scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest- his usually dull eyes filled with something satanic. The knight nodded hesitantly, ignoring the look he received.
~~~~
Naofumi let out a small sigh, his breath was rather heavy than it usually was when he fought. He pushed his bangs back for a moment, allowing a breeze to reach his forehead. Motoyasu approached Naofumi, stopping beside him.
"You think that's all? I haven't heard any movement or noise," Motoyasu hummed, a hand planted on his hip as he looked out into the distance, the sun hidden by thousands of trees that surrounded the ground.
"I think we should go a little further into the forest. I don't want to half-ass a job we're getting paid decent for," Naofumi replied, voice rather raspy between the constant movement and fighting, plus how tired he felt. Maybe it was just even having that blond near him- and how exhausted he made him feel. Especially with how gullible he was. Naofumi had to admit- that was probably his worst trait.
Motoyasu replied with a small hum and nod- exceeding into the forest. No noise was to be heard as they continued along, just the faint sounds of birds, and the occasional animal that shook a bush. Naofumi stopped, letting out a relieved sigh as the end of the forest lay ahead.
"Suppose you were right. There's nothing. We can either head back or see if we can get a ride back from a town just past here. I have a good reputation with them," Naofumi suggested, walking in front of the blond- to stop him before he headed forward.
"It feels rude to pitch a ride off them if they aren't part of the mission. We'll walk back. You have legs anyway- don't be lazy," Motoyasu scoffed, glaring at the raven- as if he had accomplished something.
"It was just an offer. Don't start getting moody now, you just set yourself up for a walk back. With me," Naofumi huffed, pacing past the blond, really not caring if he followed or not. Naofumi preferred he waited a moment, having no means to let more of his energy drain from such a dense ladies' man.
Motoyasu caught up with Naofumi, walking just behind the male. Motoyasu gently grabbed the raven's hand, making the raven jump back- hauling his hand to his chest.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Naofumi hissed, gritting his teeth- trying hard not to send a fist the blond's way. Naofumi already knew the blond was physically stronger and would easily block the attack- but it was pure anger that persuaded him to do so. Even with that, he kept his hand close to his chest, curled up into a tight fist.
"Relax, Iwatani. I noticed blood on your hand. I was just going to bandage it quickly," Motoyasu sighed. He then felt his face grow hot- and he looked over to the side with an awkward smile plastered on his face. "J-just because it's pretty bad- a-and if we're in battle I don't need you half-assing anything. I-it wasn't like I cared-"
"Ok, so you obviously cared. Fine, if you want you can. It is bleeding pretty bad and I don't have any medical equipment on me," Naofumi sighed, beginning to walk over to a tree. The raven gently pressed his back to the tree stump, his legs inching towards his chest.
Motoyasu kneeled before the raven, grabbing his bleeding wrist. Naofumi looked up, opening his mouth to speak, "So, do you even know how to aid someone? I'm not trying to insult you- I'm just asking."
Motoyasu nodded. "I was in medical school back in my own world. I was actually one of the top students," Motoyasu grinned.
"Oh, well look at you go."
Motoyasu dropped the bandages- merely choking. Naofumi rose an eyebrow. "Do I need to become a medic and perform CPR on you?" Naofuni teased.
Motoyasu ignored his words, looking at a mark on the raven's hand. Everyone was born with a different mark- except for two people. People just assumed your soulmate had the same one, and society went with it. Never in a million years would he of expected to see a duplicate of the mark he had on his wrist- none the less with one he saw as an enemy not long ago. Though he still found him to be quite a pain. Especially with his sarcasm.
"I-I'm fine... Sorry," Motoyasu apologized, letting his quaky hand pick up the roll of bandages. Naofumi rose an eyebrow- skeptical.
"Is it that weird mark on my wrist? I don't know what it is, I was just born with it. I guess just ignore it," Naofumi sighed- his cheeks becoming rosy, embarrassed.
"C-can I ask something about that...?" Motoyasu smiled- the smile being awkward once more, making Naofumi narrow his eyes, almost afraid for what Motoyasu had to say. You really couldn't blame him.
"Yep. Go ahead."
"Uh, was there any sort of stories you heard according to these marks?" Motoyasu grinned. Even though he never even considered dating the raven before- not that he would've either way, now all he could imagine was them together. And he had to admit, in his head, they were a pretty cute couple.
"No? I mean I heard some stupid myth relating to soulmates- but I don't believe in that shit," Naofumi hummed. "No offense if you do...Or something."
Motoyasu stayed quiet, letting the bandages tightly hug the bleeding wound, taking his time to make sure it wasn't uncomfortable against the raven- or too tight.
Motoyasu stood up, brushing the thin layer of dirt off of his knees. Naofumi stood up a moment after, using the tree for support. "Alright," Motoyasu spoke, catching the raven's attention. "We should quickly get back... Ren and Itsuki got an easier area to clear and well... We went further than we had to."
Naofumi grumbled. "I thought there would be more that way. Alright?"
Motoyasu raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't blaming you." He then lightly brushed the back of his head. "Though I suppose it came off that way."
Naofumi paced beside the blond, kicking a few fallen leaves as they walked by. "May I ask. How come you've been weird ever since you saw that stupid mark on my wrist?" Naofumi quested, eyes narrowing at the blond as his chest stopped the rhythm of moving up and down.
"I-uh-i-It's nothing much," Motoyasu stammered, his face becoming red. He reached his hand to the back of his head, lightly rubbing it. Naofumi let out a fed-up sigh.
"And you seem to rub the back of your head every time you're anxious. Have you seen this mark before or something?" Naofumi replied. "As long as it's not Bitch- Though that would eliminate soulmates- but just tell me if you've seen it before."
Motoyasu groaned. "Yes, I have."
"Where?"
"Nowhere. None of your business," Motoyasu sneered, crossing his arms, and looking the opposing way of the raven. The blond couldn't tell what had gotten into him. Just before this, they complained about being in the simple presence of another, and now they were walking side by side- the blond, who was used to flirting and making the ladies blush- had a face more than one-thousand shades of fiery red.
Naofumi stayed quiet for a moment, deciding whether he'd bother to ask more or not, but he kept his blooming thoughts hauled. "Okay. I'm done annoying you then."
~~~~
Months passed- Motoyasu now having the audacity to constantly annoy Naofumi- right up until he received dirty glares. The raven let out a small sigh, Motoyasu once again wanting to have some odd private conversation- that would usually leave one of them confused.
"What did you want to talk about?" Naofumi sighed, sitting down on a bench with Motoyasu. Regular people that Naofumi barely recognized passed, them smiling as they saw him- as if they wouldn't glare with hate before his name was cleared. He couldn't blame them, but he could blame them for being so gullible.
Naofumi let his gaze fall upon the blond, who had a slight awkward smirk on his face. It was usual more recently, and Naofumi had grown used to seeing him so awkward. He wasn't sure why- but he wouldn't bother to ask, knowing he'd get a reply full of endless stammers and lies.
"So, you wanted to show me something? Just get it over with. I only gave Raphtalia and Filo so much money and I'm sure they'll be over here in a matter of minutes," Naofumi huffed, crossing his legs, and allowing his head to rest in his hands.
He could see Motoyasu's face becoming more sweaty- even though the air was cool that day- and the sun was hidden behind thick white clouds. There was no reason to be sweating on a day like this. But, per usual, Naofumi kept his mouth shut.
Motoyasu rose his sleeve up, a fingerless glove covering part of his wrist and palm. Scars outlined his wrists and upper arm from previous fights, some still having stitches in them. Motoyasu let his thumb glide over the edge, and he slowly pulled the leather down, and let his glove fall onto the bench.
Motoyasu brought his wrist up, revealing dark marks that trailed on the tan skin. Motoyasu felt his heart skipping in his chest- pounding as Naofumi's face became a mix of confusion and heavily flustered. Naofumi cleared his throat- hands resting between his legs- his whole body tensed.
"Okay... I-I see why you're awkward around me now-"
Motoyasu gently let his hand caress Naofumi's chin, turning the raven's head so he'd look into his eyes. Naofumi let his lips string into a thin line- green emerald eyes meeting with red-orange ones that were filled with...Something new.
They seemed so, lifeful- filled with true empathy. Motoyasu let an awkward smile rise upon his face, his hand still resting on Naofumi's chin, and one hand slowly inching towards Naofumi's waist.
"M-may I kiss you?" Motoyasu asked. "I-it's obviously fine if you don't want to-"
Naofumi leaned forward, connecting the space between their lips. Motoyasu was hesitant for a moment but melted into the kiss, letting their lips mold together. No one flashed them a weird look- seeing them as another ordinary couple that were new to the dating life. Even though Motoyasu was used to dating.
Motoyasu pulled Naofumi closer, connected a hand to his hip. Naofumi placed his hands on Motoyasu's cheeks, letting them slowly trail to his chin. Both felt their hearts pounding in their chest; butterflies that fluttered in their stomach. All thoughts of them ever hating each other faded- far too melted into the moment they shared now.
Naofumi slowly pulled away, his breath rather heavy. It was heavier than it should've been, but from pure shock- it was hard to regulate his breathing.
"Naofumi-Sama, Filo and I-"
All four went quiet- the two males staring at the other two, Motoyasu's hands still planted on Naofumi's waist. Raphtalia was quick to turn Filo around- now facing a struggling Filo- who complained about the situation- wanting to know what happened.
Naofumi was quick to stand up, allowing his body to wither away from the blond's compassionate grasp. "O-okay! Why don't we go finish our task?" He coughed- pretending as if the situation had never occurred.
Raphtalia was quick to narrow her eyes and glare at not only Motoyasu (for once) but didn't say anything, except give a slight nod.
Naofumi pulled Raphtalia into the crowd, the girl still having a tight grip on Filo, who luckily still hadn't seen the situation. Naofumi took one quick glance back- meeting eyes with Motoyasu- and the blond was quick to give a wave goodbye and for the first time in forever a genuine, confident smirk.