[Fic] Baby's Breath
Author's note: Based on this tumblr ask. Because why not? Everything can be used as fanfic inspiration.
Summary: The starry sky is filled with the hopes and dreams of people.
Pairings: Naoto/Naoki
Rating: G
Baby's breath - Everlasting, undying love
The sky tonight is matte charcoal black uncontrollably freckled in millions of bright specks. There are lighter patches, clusters of faint and bold light, the constellations altered according to the time of year. These are the same stars that greeted the ancients, the same ones that would be there in millions of years.
Naoki stands a little away from the ramen stall's entrance, having exited before his companion. The cold breeze ruffles through his hair, teasing at the short strands. He tugs his scarf close. Shortly after, his companion joins him, chattering about the satisfactory bowls of ramen they just had.
"Everything tastes delicious when you're hungry."
"Indeed, Naoto-san. Today's rehearsal was tiring but we accomplished many things." Naoki's answer is polite, almost conversational, but Naoto has known him for years and he can detect Naoki's behavioural changes no matter how much he hides it. Right now, Naoki is distracted by something, his words absent.
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking of the upcoming live tour-"
Naoto smacks his arm irritably. "Don't lie to me."
"You caught me." Naoki chuckles softly. "I'm thinking of how old the stars are." He casts his eyes skyward, absently massaging the spot where Naoto hit him. "The universe is full of mysteries. And we are insignificant speckles of life among the age of time."
"Being poetic again, Naoki? That's so you." Raising an eyebrow, Naoto grins, nudging him with an elbow. Thankfully, it is nothing too serious. "In our terms, we simply call this a beautiful night. A starry sky filled with the hopes and dreams of people."
Naoki smiles in response. "Indeed, Naoto-san. It is a beautiful night." He turns towards Naoto, and Naoto is struck by the childlike brightness in Naoki's eyes, full of wonder and love and words he cannot explain.
"See? You can be normal too," he teases, grinning at Naoki's protests, feeling a warm rush of affection spreading through him. He reaches up and tugs at Naoki's scarf.
"But this is why, in our industry, we strive to make a difference in everything we do. For the people supporting us, for ourselves, for our future."
Naoki is silent, his gaze unfathomable. "You're right."
"Of course I am."
"I'm humouring you."
"Shut up."
Naoto jerks him down, bringing him to face level. He has every intention of messing up Naoki’s perfectly waxed hair, but the proximity of their faces is giving him second thoughts. Their faces are close, a mere hair's breadth away, and Naoki's eyes squeeze shut. Under the streetlight glow, the flush spreading across his cheeks makes Naoto's heart beat just a little faster. All the affection and love he has for him surge through his veins, wave after wave, growing stronger as time passes, and he knows they are in turn reciprocated in many ways that are purely Kobayashi Naoki.
Then Naoki sneezes, two little squeaks in succession, and the magical moment is broken by Naoto's startled laughter.
"Let's go back before you get a chill."
There is an ageless wonder to the untold reams of time hidden within the far depths of the universe. Here, painted across a vast black canvas, the constellations who'd witnessed centuries and millennia just the same, watch over this tiny moment.