Gift Fic For thoroughlynerdy
To: thoroughlynerdy
From: isaofdoom
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Happy Birthday! Arashi's miracle boy <3
Title: Between Bookends
Pairing/Group: Arashi, Aiba/Jun
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None. Flagrant ignorance of running businesses?
Notes: This is my first time writing this pairing so I really hope this is up to expectations. Please enjoy! ;;
Summary: A new bookstore opens next to Junnosuke.
When Sho drops by with news of the new bookstore finally filling the empty lot beside his, Jun is thrown into uproar. It had been abandoned a good two months of the year he's been in business here - the Tokio liquor store had moved away to conquer the Australian outback while drunk - and Jun had been storing his extra stock there to clear out the backroom. Also, another bookstore would definitely be competition. While he'd at least been spared what would have been a futile struggle against one of those giant chain stores, Jun still considers it a threat.
There is also something disturbing in the name, Aibaland.
It's too cheery for Jun's idea of bookstores. While his own is named Junnosuke, a decision he never quite understood looking back to his teenage years before he'd known the papers his uncle had asked him to fill up to take over this shop space was serious, it was dim lit and mysterious as bookstores ought to be. This doesn't seem to be the case for Aibaland, so there had to be some sort of catch. A ploy. A dastardly scheme. Worse come to worst, it might even sell those awful, vapid best sellers. Jun shudders at the thought. It is enough to spur him into action the month before this supposed 'Aiba' even arrives to move in.
"Isn't this a little dramatic?" Sho laughs, leaning against his counter. His tie is loosened and his cheeks bulge with fresh baked pastry. The paper box of his breakfast sits on Jun's counter, encroaching on his workspace.
Jun clicks his tongue impatiently, more focused on the poster he's making out of purple ply card. Handmade stencils, that's the way to go, sincerity always attracts customers. That and the fifty percent off second purchases it suavely announcing in Helvetica. Yesterday he'd caught sight of a lanky young man painting the walls of Aibaland an eye catching green; it is time to bring out the big guns. "If you're not going to be useful," he says absently, "please go away."
Sho clutches his chest as if mortally injured. "If you insist!" he stumbles his way to the door, just managing to sweep his briefcase off the counter. "I retreat to the refuge of Ohno's bakery! I shall return when you're not starring in your own drama!"
"And bring me a scone on your way back!" He frowns at Sho's little wave of acquiesce and then at the breakfast leftovers abandoned on his counter: a shiny glazed fruit tart stares innocently back at him. It's his favourite. Huffing, Jun shouts at Sho's disappearing back, "Thank you!!" and can't help but smile when Sho salutes at him in response.
Time passes in this sort of frenzy. His posters work, sort of, attracts crowds of broody students from the nearby university who lurk but rarely purchase. It's luck that he knows how to charm the old retirees into buying short novellas from themselves, and children's books for their grandchildren. His sales by the end of the week are sufficiently bolstered against any attack. Jun feels good, he feels confident, there is nothing that can threaten his place in this small shopping street now!
There is still commotion next door when Jun locks up his store but this time, he isn't worried at all.
* *
It comes as a complete let down then, when Aibaland opens for the first. He stares up at the promotional window displays in disbelief, grimace twisting his lips as he notices the best sellers lined up front and centre. Those shallow wastes of paper aren't the worst part, however, because behind them are shelves and posters boasting products that are decidedly not books.
Before his actions register, Jun is already stomping through the store, doorbell yelping behind him as books clack against the hardwood floor. It’s a good thing, he thinks, that it's still early and none of his customers can see him like this.
It doesn't stop him from slapping his hand down against the counter. His rings make the sound satisfyingly loud. The man behind the counter startles but Sho - halfway through his welcome spiel - continues to smile.
"What is this?" Jun hisses.
The man chimes in nervously, "This is Aiba Masaki!" He pulls a hand out of his green overalls and sticks it out in welcome. "I'm new here, nice to meet you!"
Jun takes the hand and shakes it on instinct, then remembers himself and bows. "Matsumoto Jun," he mumbles sheepishly, "from next door, Junnosuke. It's nice to meet you too." Formalities done with and Aiba's confused smile returned, he whirls back to Sho, who is doubled over and shaking with silent laughter.
"Good job keeping your cool, Jun-kun!"
Which is more obnoxious, Sho's smirk or his thumbs up, Jun doesn't know. Eyes narrowed, he demands, "What the hell is this?!"
"A bookstore!" chimes Aiba and Sho together. They have the audacity to look pleased with themselves and share smiles.
"This is not a bookstore!" Jun nearly yells.
There are gasps, one sincere and one probably not. Aiba hurries to defend his honour. "I do sell books!"
"But most of them are notebooks!" Waving an agitated hand at their surroundings, Jun insists, "You're not a bookstore, you sell stationery!"
Aiba tilts his head and blinks at him through his light brown fringe. It makes Jun feel like he's bullying an oversized woodland creature. "Bookstores sell stationery!" insists Aiba.
Jun can feel defeat creeping up on him as the indignation drains out of him. He mutters half heartedly, "Bookstores sell books."
"Technically you are both not wrong!" Sho aims his grin back and forth between the two of them. "You're both listed in the directory as such! It's a good thing you weren't the same type of bookstore, right?" He nods sagely and adds, "Even if there isn't any competition, I hope you two will work hard, okay?"
Though he can see Aiba panicked and confused in the corner of his eye, Jun grinds out angrily, "Was this all a trap?"
"It was… a good opportunity to increase productivity of the shopping street?" Sho puffs up his chest and the pin of the shopping street manager gleams.
A montage plays in Jun's head, of all his hard work and anxious nights wasted. Jaw clenched, he storms out of the store.
* *
It isn't until he's back in his own bookstore that his behaviour sinks in, rude and uncouth and… Jun sinks down onto his counter and buries his face into the cradle of his arms. It is one thing to wage a pretend war upon the new bookstore that as it turns out, wouldn't rival his anyway, and another to crash his store and ignore him in favour of slandering it to Sho. At the thought of Aiba's stunned features, Jun feels his own cheeks heat up. He'll have to go over and apologise later, coolly, suavely, maybe with an offering of Ohno's great pastries, yes, that would fix that terrible first impression, he won't have the relationship with his neighbour ruined so easily.
While the rest of his day passes quietly enough, there is a commotion next door with the opening of the new store. It's the most excitement this shopping street has seen in ages, so although on lunch break Jun catches glimpse of Aiba flailing around his store and showering everyone in optimistic greetings, he doesn't get a chance to talk to him.
There is a knock. Jun looks up to Nino's impish grinning and has no problem scowling back. Then - Aiba peeks over Nino's shoulder and flinches, tries to fold his lanky frame behind Nino's stout one. When this doesn't work, he waves hesitantly with both hands. In return, Jun flicks the hair out of his face and waves back.
The door chimes as Nino sticks his head in. "MatsuJun!"
Jun raises an eyebrow when Aiba leans against Nino's back to peek in as well. They're too touchy with each other to be strangers; he asks, "You two know each other?"
"Friends since childhood," Aiba confirms.
"Could you do me a favour and grab lunch for him? Opening day rush won't let him go." Nino grins. "I've got work to attend to."
Jun squint at him. "Like what?" he demands, because the case of Nino's livelihood is one of the great wonders of their shopping street. Each stall had spent months assuming he was another's assistant, and then Sho's colleague for all that he pops up to interfere with shopping street matters, but that is denied by Sho himself too. No one knows what exactly he does, and even though he has enough free time to frequent their stores for hours at a time, any part of the day, Nino always has income enough to buy the latest video games and consoles.
"Oh, you know," he says and to Jun's pointed "No," he laughs and waves his hand dismissively. "I'll lose part of my charm if I tell you. So will you accompany him or not?"
"Of course, I owe him for last time anyway." Jun hesitates. "I'll buy my share back too and we can have lunch together here? Two distracted storekeepers are better than one right?"
"Oh!" Aiba lights up. "Sure, of course, thank you!"
"Great," Jun replies. He starts down the street with a spring in his step. There, all settled. In hindsight, he doesn't even blame Sho for not mentioning it, because he could've peeked in on next door any time, but never bothered, too caught up in promotions. Aiba seems nice, and things are working out nicely; Jun feels better already.
* *
It is a week later that Aibaland's new opening excitement dies down, and by then Jun feels familiar enough to ask him out for proper lunch.
There aren't many eateries along their tiny shopping street. In quick succession, Jun lists through them for Aiba's sake, pointing out the KFC and then Takki's stall of super sweet cheesecaked crepes run by an assortment of boys from the high school nearby. There's the café with sweet drinks and toast as thick as bricks for the college students, but the quality has been shaky ever since one of the founding members left. Aiba hesitates in the middle of the street, a little overwhelmed.
Jun catches sight of his confusion and raises a teasing eyebrow. He asks, "Where do you normally eat in the evenings?"
"Just wherever's nearest, it's been so busy and all." Aiba scratches his head sheepishly."so, the fast food place, or crepes."
"Those aren't nutritious at all." Jun wrinkles his nose. "C'mon, I'll show you a street secret."
Ohno's bakery is only a couple of stalls down, at the sharp turn into the wide alley beyond. The tables in his patio are clustered with mothers and their children as they approach. This time, even the alley is busy. A school girl in high school basketball uniform snags a folding table and sets it in the alley for her teammates. Jun keeps a running commentary; it's only polite to the newcomer. "It's not exactly legal to take up the alley like that but Sho-chan turns a blind eye as long as Ohno-kun keeps it by the end of the day."
The door jingle-clatters, a handmade door chime of bells and strange clay figurines. There is a chubby cheeked man at the counter, pencil lethargically drifting across his sketchbook, but his eyelids droop so deep that Aiba isn't sure if he's awake. "That's the owner, Ohno," he says, turns, "Hey Ohno-kun."
Slowly, the man blinks to life, stares a little blankly even as he smile and then finally mumbles, "Jun-chan, hi."
Jun gives him a thumbs up and slow to follow, Aiba raises his hand and only manages an awkward wave. Introductions are had before Jun gives Aiba a mini tour.
The bakery has an assortment of strange shaped pastries and buns, flowers and swirls and oddly realistic animals. "Here, he has cold sandwiches here, lots of meat, very filling, but…!" When Jun idles up to the counter and throws Ohno a wink, Ohno finally comes to life, rummaging under the counter and comes up with an entire pot in his mitten hands. "Ohno's special seafood stew!"
"Oh!" The aroma draws Aiba closer. He asks, "What type of seafood?"
"Food, you know, from the sea." Instead of an actual answer, Ohno sticks his chin out, proud. "I caught them all myself."
The stew is as delicious as it is mysterious. Aiba eats with gusto, guessing at the chunks of anonymous meats as Ohno only sniggers in response. By the time they're done with their food, Aiba's made friends with him over a love for unusual food concoctions and risk taking experimentation.
"You're going to poison yourselves," Jun tells him, watching Ohno leave with a twinkle in his eye. The last conversation had been over fried curry and coffee and fish bones. The curry makes sense he supposes, in a logic defying sort of way, but Jun feels like he should've cut in somewhere no matter how much fun they were having.
"No way, it'll be a success! A brand new item menu!" laughs Aiba in reply. As they leave the store, he falls in step with Jun and bumps their shoulders together. Suddenly soft, he says, "I really like it here."
Jun bumps back. "Good. I have a feeling you'll fit right in."
"I hope so!" Nibbling on his peach tart dessert nervously, Aiba confesses, "It's really nice here so I hope I'm allowed to stay on."
Jun raises an eyebrow and tilts his head at him. "Was there any doubt?"
"Ah, Sakurai-kun wouldn't have told you right?" Aiba fiddles with the hem of his shirt, lower lip caught between his teeth as he frowns. Jun tries hard not to stare. "New shops have to hit a certain profit margin in the first month before they're allowed to stay on for good."
This, Jun hadn't known. Thinking back on his early months here, he winces. Speciality stores never do well. If his uncle hadn't passed on this shop to him he never would've made the cut. Even now that Junnosuke is known for his rare books and collection of gorgeous vintage hard covers, he still relies a good deal on university textbook orders. Jun furrows his eyebrows together. "If you ever need any help, let me know and I'd be happy to."
Aiba's smile lights up the street. "Ahh, thank you!"
"Anyway I don't think you'd have any problem. Aibaland don't even have competition in this street," Jun sends him a sly sideways glance, "Aibaland's not a bookstore after all."
"Is too!" Aiba cries, punching his arm lightly. Jun only laughs, and walks closer.
* *
From his storefront Jun spies Nino shuffling by in an increased frequency, nose buried in his PSP. It isn't suspicious in itself - Nino once spent two weeks curled up in a back corner in Jun's store because the radiator's warmth there had particularly agreed with him - but Nino is dressed in what Jun calls Nino's date clothes. Nino's that one time Sho took them to a recital and forbid sneakers clothes. Nino's might actually have a proper job clothes. So. He shuffles by in this slow sort of flurry of layered cardigans and scarfs and actually styled hair. Once, there is even a guitar case slung over his shoulder.
Curiosity peak and by lunch, Jun's leaning against the doorway sipping his smoothie until he catches Nino and his mustard scarf in the distance. Jun raises his hand in greeting and calls out a pointedly chirpy, hey. Before he can start some sort of conversation as an excuse to follow him however, Nino heys back, turns a sharp left and pushes into Aibaland. Wait, what? Jun frowns, and follows anyway. Aiba greets them cheerfully, Jun with some surprise.
"Is there something I can help you with?" he asks, even as Nino leans his head back to smirk at him.
"All this time you were coming here?" he demands.
"Just to help with the lunch break," Nino replies smoothly, grinning. He seats himself behind the counter and hides his PSP behind the cash register, with all the fluidity of a seasoned employee. "Sorry Jun-kun, I don't need your toasty warm corner anymore. I have a high chair here. I have a throne."
Nino's PSP chirps a taunting song of victory despite Jun's look of suspicion. Satisfied, Nino pulls out a pad of music composition paper and pen, the same cutesy motif all over the stationery that is only sold here. Lastly and with flourish, he pulls on a pair of glasses, black rimmed frame that sits neatly atop his nose bridge.
Eyes narrowed further, Jun questions, "Since when have you needed glasses?"
Before he receives a reply, there is a chime and a group of school girls stream in all at once, Nino slips like a switch, touching fingers to the edge of the frame and curls his mouth in a kitten smile. "You don't like them? I think they suit me."
The sudden chorus of giggling agreement catches him off guard and he has to dodge to one side as they beeline to the counter. One student snags a composition book and slaps it down onto the counter. Heated discussion heavy with musical jargon occurs, but Nino manages charming smiles anyway to the rest as they pick out their stationery.
Jun watches him deftly dole out attention to each customer with deft efficiency. "Is he…?"
"He's a good friend," Aiba says as he grins like the sun. "When I told him about Aibaland's conditions, he came in and started this all by himself."
"That's… really like him," Jun admits, because he's always suspected there was a reason for Nino claiming a corner in his store every time his sales dipped. Still, it feels vaguely like he's lost some sort of competition. He frowns, shakes off the feeling, and redirects his attention to lunch with Aiba. It is quickly becoming the favourite part of his day.
When they come back, Nino's chatting animatedly with a boy about some video game based card game. As the boy dashes out with his purchase packet of cards, he shouts over his shoulder, "I'll see you next week!"
"My charm extends across all ages," Nino tells their looks of surprise. "It's hard for old men like you but…" As he passes Jun by to the exit, he pats him on the arm.
"I'm your age." Jun snaps. He can feel his competitive edge kicking him and while he normally swallows it down, this time he doesn't mind indulging. "Hey," he says, spinning around to face Aiba, "I'll come over in the evening, we should work some sort of battle strategy out."
When Aiba stutters an enthusiastic agreement, Jun catches glimpse of Nino watching them through the glass display with this unfathomable smile playing on his lips. It doesn't quite feel like a triumph yet, but Jun is determined that it will.
* *
True to his promise, Jun devotes his evenings to helping Aiba as they close shop, and then at Ohno's bakery for late dinners before heading home. More often than not, Aiba comes over to sit in what was once Nino's corner as Jun stays late - he is meticulous as he catalogues his inventory and records his sales and arranges everything is perfect order - to talk strategy.
Aiba has little concern with what bookstores are supposed to be, Jun discovers. While his own shop had operated tightly under strict supervision of quality, Aiba has no such inhibitions. He wants capsule toy machines for the little kids, he declares, and then obnoxiously decorated notebooks and pencils for when they go to school.
"School was tough when I was growing up," he tells Jun, eyes bright, "so if I can make it more interesting for the kids now, even just with super cool notebooks, wouldn't that be great?"
"Of course," Jun replies, burying his nose into his account books. It's hard to look up when Aiba is in his store, he discovers, because everything is brighter than he'd intended for atmospheric lighting. So he ends up agreeing to more than he normally would, carts in the capsule machine even though he thinks it costs more than it is going to make him in a month, surfs the net for all the latest children's anime that Aiba would want to order on the notebooks and stationery next, fixes up the store's speakers as Aiba plays peppy idol music throughout the store.
It still a far cry from what he knows book stores to be like, Jun thinks, but when Aiba loops an arm around him at the end of the day, chatting about the children who promise to come by again, so at home with his green walls and rainbow coloured merchandise and repetitive strains of sugar happy pop, Jun can't help thinking this is the only type that fits him.
Other times Aiba will come to lean against his counter, head pillowed on his paperwork. As bright and flighty as he usually is, Jun grows familiar with this part of Aiba too, and comfortably. A certain amount of anxiety can't be helped when dealing with business, he decides, and contents himself with humming encouragement as Aiba frets, splaying his fingers out on the counter for Aiba to play distractedly with his rings.
"Sometimes I think I should've just taken over my parents' Chinese restaurant," Aiba mumbles, staring down at the numbers for his worst week yet. "They didn't want to give up but they'd have to in a decade or so right? Then they'd be able to retire early and I wouldn't be running a business into the ground before it even starts."
In response, Jun only wrinkles his brow. "There isn't anything you can't do," he tells him and it's unlike him to speak of sentimentality in such frank terms, but he believes every word.
It must show on his face because Aiba looks up and beams. He abandons his rings to thread their fingers together and it's strange but Aiba is strange and sweet and smiling as though Jun is gold so he doesn't pull away.
* *
As the month draws to an end, it becomes more difficult for Aiba to leave the store for jittery nerves and a reluctance to lose even a single minute of business. Jun starts buying food back for them, then convincing Aiba to have a short half hour in the back room, squashed on his small couching knocking knees together as they wolf down their buns.
At the end of the day as well, Aiba gets this look in his eyes and for a moment Jun fears he is going to do something dramatic like tie himself to the counter overnight and it become his job to take him in hand and drag him over to Ohno's for dinner and to cool down, even if it means having to return to the store later to pack up.
The evening Aiba submits his last weekly record of sales to Sho, Jun swallows a pang of wistfulness. It isn't that he has any doubt that Aibaland is going to stay - and he should know too, having spent the last month peering over Aiba's sales numbers and nagging them to perfection - but he'll miss all the time they spent scheming together. There isn't any doubt Jun will continue to have breakfast with him, open and close stores with him, all those little ways Aiba has managed to worm his way into his life in so little time but. Jun sighs at his own records and runs a hand through his hair. It wouldn't be the same anymore, Jun supposes, but he'll just have to deal with it.
On the eve of judgement day, Jun finds Aiba waiting for him even though they'd said goodbye at Ohno's an hour ago. He's had a new delivery of rarer books come in that he's neglected to label, had waited until now to catch up with all the backlog of work. It comes as a surprise to find Aiba sitting on the steps of his own shop, staring up at the sky. He bounces up to his feet though, as he spots him.
"Aiba-chan?" Jun tilts his head in question. "Did you leave something behind or…?"
"I just want you to know!" Aiba half shouts, he flinches at his own abruptness, he giggles at himself down at his feet. Softer this time, more timid, Aiba tells him with his head ducked low, "No matter how tomorrow turns out, I'm really glad I got to be here with you, okay? So," he raises his head, "for the past month, thank you very much!"
And in a frenzied move, Aiba digs his fingers into Jun's collar, dragging him closer. Their mouths collide in a painful crash but - Aiba tilts his head, Jun parts his lips in surprise, suddenly they've slotted neatly together, kissing furiously on Junnosuke's door step. Hot and slick, Jun doesn't know what to think, only knows that he's sliding his tongue deeper and pushing closer, wanting more. The lack of oxygen prevents this and suddenly the heat is gone, Aiba stumbling back and tripping off his step.
Before Jun can fathom a reply, Aiba giggles again behind his hand, high pitched and hysteric. He knocks the keys out of Jun's hand, yells a sorry over his shoulder and flees down the street.
Jun is left standing by his front door, stunned. In slow movements he bends down, picks his key up, and inserts it into the keyhole. He pauses, leans his forehead against the cool glass and tries to slow the hammering of his heart.
* *
They spend the next day, judgement day, playing cat and mouse.
At first Jun thinks he's imagining things because it's quite normal for Aiba to oversleep and miss their breakfasts at Ohno's. It must be nerves that have Aiba extra attentive to his customers so it can't be helped that he doesn't have time for lunch. And then later in the quieter evening, it's the first time he's ever since Aiba vacuum the place so all that loud, conversation drowning must be necessary.
Through all of this, Jun is patient, Jun can wait, Jun is not the slightest bit worried, nor has he spent the entire day twisting his fingers and shaking his leg anxiously. There is a half hour before closing time is always extra quiet as the day winds down. He'll have no excuse then, Jun thinks confidently, and distracts himself with hustling customers until the time comes.
Nino falls in step with him as he heads over. When the questioning quirk of his mouth is ignored, Jun focuses on the more important task at hand. He pushes open the door to Aibaland
"Oh, Nino!" Aiba cries high pitched as he enters the store, "help me close up the store, just switch off everything and lock the door!" The keys to his precious store, he almost flings at Nino. "I have to go uhm! Get the results of my contract! From Sakurai-kun, right now." With this, he is rushing down the shopping street before Jun can get a single word in. He and Nino are left staring after Aiba's retreating form.
"So," says Nino and it's amazing how loaded he can make a single word sound, "what did you do?"
Slowly, Jun turns to him. "So it is obvious he's avoiding me? It's not just me?"
Nino smiles winningly. "Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Jun-kun?"
Gritting his teeth, Jun grinds out a "No." He turns back to Junnosuke. "Come on, we'll wait for him and Sho-kun at Ohno's."
When they retire to the bakery as usual, Jun beelines straight to Aiba - only to have Sho step into his path. His heavy briefcase is swung onto the table, and as everyone gathers around, he pops the lid off with glee.
"Behold!" he cries, taking out a thin stack of papers, "Aibaland's new, permanent contract!"
There is a pause.
"Oh!" Aiba gasps, and then a grin takes over so wide that it sets everyone else off. He has to fight off the hugging and the cheering and the handshakes to sign his contract, but eventually it is done, and with flourish. Aibaland is set to stay and no one could be happier.
Except maybe Jun.
In the midst of the commotion, Jun has sidled up to his side. He is the only one who hasn't hugged nor shaken his hand but if Aiba has been dodging him all day, it only seems right. Even if it hurts a bit. He smiles anyway, best he can, and quietly says, "Congratulations."
Aiba lets him have at least that, shuffling sheepishly. His eyes skitter all over the place, landing everywhere but on Jun. His "Thank you, Jun-kun" quivers.
It takes them a while to realise the bakery is quiet, and that three pairs of eyes are watching them curiously.
Suddenly, Aiba barks out awkward laughter. "Well, I guess this is it!" he rushes out, sneakily inching back, "Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it, I look forward to working with you!" By the end of it, he is already half way out the door.
For a moment he is stunned - Aiba is going that far, skipping his own celebration, just to avoid him - but a sudden jab in the side jerks him out of his daze. Without seeing who it was, Jun springs into action, dashing after him
Aiba manages to get as far as the second streetlight in the alley before Jun catches the tail of his jacket, yanking him backwards. Screeching, he flings his arms up between them, shielding himself for Jun.
With a cry of protest, Jun grabs at his arms, shakes him when Aiba squirms for escape. "Why are you avoiding me?" he demands. Aiba flinches so Jun knows he has his full attention. "You can't just kiss someone and run off without an explanation!"
The sky is already dark so under the lamp, he looks like a deer caught in headlights. When he tries to dart away, Jun corners him against the post, leaning in until he wriggles and cries out, "I can't help it!" He bites his lip, eyebrows slanted sadly. "I don't want to be rejected, I might. I might actually die."
"So what?" Jun presses, so nervous and painfully hopeful that he can hardly keep his voice steady, "So that was a confession?" This has Aiba widening his eyes, red faced and stuttering. It is so endearing that Jun feels his heart doing little somersaults. Before his courage fails him, he tilts his head, smiles in the most charming way he knows how, and tells him, "I suppose I'll have to reply the same way."
With that he kisses him, sweet and easy, one hand palming the small of his back as the other tangles into his hair. Aiba nips his bottom lip in surprise, and it sends ripples of warmth in Jun's chest. Better still when Aiba kisses back, so enthusiastic that now Jun finds himself pressed against the lamp post, fingers digging into his waist.
This time their parting isn't as harsh, is slow and tender and reluctant. The grin on Aiba's face looks painful, but Jun suspects it matches his own. He knocks their foreheads gently together and goes, "So."
"Oh. Oh. I wasn't rejected!!" Aiba punches the air with both fists and beams up at the starry sky. Flushed, Jun makes a grab at his hands. Aiba allows him one to thread their fingers together, but the other he pumps again and cheers, "I did it! I got Jun-chan! Thank the heavens!"
It is all so ridiculous - their alleyway situation, the backflipping of his heart - that Jun barks with laughter. "Is this really necessary?"
"Yes," Aiba tells him very seriously, and then smacks a kiss against his cheek as they stumble out of the alley to stop any protest.
It works; Jun can't think of a single thing he'd like to change in this very moment.
* *
Just before they turn the corner to Ohno's bakery, under the same streetlight of dramatic love confessions, Jun freezes. His hand is tight around Aiba's so he has to stop too and for a moment he thinks they're reliving fond memories of last night. Aiba smiles than notices the look on Jun's face, caught between expectant and mortified.
"What is it?" asks Aiba, concerned. He hasn't yet noticed the suspicious shapes pressed up against Ohno's frosted windows.
Jun sweeps his fringe out of his eyes with one smooth flick of his head and Aiba is a bit distracted. This almost makes up for the impending sense of doom. "They are never going to let me live last night down."
Aiba laughs. "Neither am I," and after looking around, swoops in to kiss Jun on the cheek. It is a mark that Jun can feel spreading warmth and blush across the rest of his face. Aiba takes one look at him and laughs again.
"You're all going to be the death of me," Jun gripes, even as he grips Aiba's hand tighter and pulls them closer together.
True enough, before either can reach for the doorknob, the door is flung open. Jun ducks to avoid the door frame and nearly stumbles backwards but the hands grabbing at them and hauling them in prevents that, and his escape. All at once there are cheering and congratulating back pats. Nino swoons dramatically with one hand pressed to his cheek.
"Jun-chan you're back! Last night you were so -" he collapses over a table, arms reaching out in grabby hands "- so cool, just like a manga character! I never knew you had it in you!"
"Look at them, it's like they're on honeymoon!" Sho booms with laughter, claps his hands together, twinkles his eyes at them in a way that only he can, and announces, "As the one who got you two together, I get to name your eventual offspring right? I always wanted to be an uncle!"
It's hard to fend off diabolical friends when Aiba is dragging you over to them, but Jun tries anyway, leaning his chair far away from them as Aiba allows. "We're not married!"
"You don't have to be. Only love is needed," Ohno says, drifting over with a tray piled high with stuffed buns. They are frosted green and purple, and iced with anatomically accurate hearts. As he sits them onto the table they're gathered around, he reaches over and pats Aiba's stomach lazily.
Jun swats the hand away, face hot. "And no one's pregnant!" he snaps, "There are no offspring!!"
"I have a dog and two guinea pigs," Aiba volunteers, and Jun turns to him to accuse him of aiding the enemy but.
One day, he will be able to resist Aiba's grin and the spark in his eyes and the way his cheeks and ears stain red. Today is not the day. "There's a stray cat I feed occasionally," he contributes weakly, to more howls of laughter. Flushed, he tries to hide his face in his hands. "Why are we even talking about this?"
"Because you love us?" suggests Ohno.
Without missing a beat, Nino adds, "One of us in particular?"
Sho laughs so hard at Aiba's squawk that he chokes on his bun.
"Oh god." Jun hides his face into Aiba's shoulder this time, but whether from embarrassment or the grin that threatens to split it, no one can tell.
* *
Jun is careful with his store's aesthetics, knows exactly what potential customer would see looking through his windows from anywhere on the street, spent a month with shelving despite the dozens of paper cuts, and then another taking photographs of his storefront to make every minor adjustment needed. He is plenty armed with the knowledge that, with where Aiba is standing in front of his counter, beaming as he greets him good morning -
Jun moves two centimetres to the left, tangles a hand into Aiba's scarf and leans over to steal a kiss. He means to keep it a chaste greeting but when Aiba slides his mouth open enthusiastically, it is all he can do to stop himself from climbing over the counter. When they break apart, they are panting.
Cheeks flushed, Jun just manages to keep his voice steady. "Hey so, welcome to your new shopping street, I hope you like it here." It would be a customary greeting, except Jun is stroking fingertips along Aiba's neck, and his smile is something quiet and dear.
"It’s not the only think I like," Aiba replies brightly, tongue flicking over swollen lips. "Like a lot. Super like, really like, really really really -!" He is cut off by Jun's laughter, and then by another stolen kiss.
Their stores don't open for a while longer.
From: isaofdoom
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Happy Birthday! Arashi's miracle boy <3
Title: Between Bookends
Pairing/Group: Arashi, Aiba/Jun
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None. Flagrant ignorance of running businesses?
Notes: This is my first time writing this pairing so I really hope this is up to expectations. Please enjoy! ;;
Summary: A new bookstore opens next to Junnosuke.
When Sho drops by with news of the new bookstore finally filling the empty lot beside his, Jun is thrown into uproar. It had been abandoned a good two months of the year he's been in business here - the Tokio liquor store had moved away to conquer the Australian outback while drunk - and Jun had been storing his extra stock there to clear out the backroom. Also, another bookstore would definitely be competition. While he'd at least been spared what would have been a futile struggle against one of those giant chain stores, Jun still considers it a threat.
There is also something disturbing in the name, Aibaland.
It's too cheery for Jun's idea of bookstores. While his own is named Junnosuke, a decision he never quite understood looking back to his teenage years before he'd known the papers his uncle had asked him to fill up to take over this shop space was serious, it was dim lit and mysterious as bookstores ought to be. This doesn't seem to be the case for Aibaland, so there had to be some sort of catch. A ploy. A dastardly scheme. Worse come to worst, it might even sell those awful, vapid best sellers. Jun shudders at the thought. It is enough to spur him into action the month before this supposed 'Aiba' even arrives to move in.
"Isn't this a little dramatic?" Sho laughs, leaning against his counter. His tie is loosened and his cheeks bulge with fresh baked pastry. The paper box of his breakfast sits on Jun's counter, encroaching on his workspace.
Jun clicks his tongue impatiently, more focused on the poster he's making out of purple ply card. Handmade stencils, that's the way to go, sincerity always attracts customers. That and the fifty percent off second purchases it suavely announcing in Helvetica. Yesterday he'd caught sight of a lanky young man painting the walls of Aibaland an eye catching green; it is time to bring out the big guns. "If you're not going to be useful," he says absently, "please go away."
Sho clutches his chest as if mortally injured. "If you insist!" he stumbles his way to the door, just managing to sweep his briefcase off the counter. "I retreat to the refuge of Ohno's bakery! I shall return when you're not starring in your own drama!"
"And bring me a scone on your way back!" He frowns at Sho's little wave of acquiesce and then at the breakfast leftovers abandoned on his counter: a shiny glazed fruit tart stares innocently back at him. It's his favourite. Huffing, Jun shouts at Sho's disappearing back, "Thank you!!" and can't help but smile when Sho salutes at him in response.
Time passes in this sort of frenzy. His posters work, sort of, attracts crowds of broody students from the nearby university who lurk but rarely purchase. It's luck that he knows how to charm the old retirees into buying short novellas from themselves, and children's books for their grandchildren. His sales by the end of the week are sufficiently bolstered against any attack. Jun feels good, he feels confident, there is nothing that can threaten his place in this small shopping street now!
There is still commotion next door when Jun locks up his store but this time, he isn't worried at all.
* *
It comes as a complete let down then, when Aibaland opens for the first. He stares up at the promotional window displays in disbelief, grimace twisting his lips as he notices the best sellers lined up front and centre. Those shallow wastes of paper aren't the worst part, however, because behind them are shelves and posters boasting products that are decidedly not books.
Before his actions register, Jun is already stomping through the store, doorbell yelping behind him as books clack against the hardwood floor. It’s a good thing, he thinks, that it's still early and none of his customers can see him like this.
It doesn't stop him from slapping his hand down against the counter. His rings make the sound satisfyingly loud. The man behind the counter startles but Sho - halfway through his welcome spiel - continues to smile.
"What is this?" Jun hisses.
The man chimes in nervously, "This is Aiba Masaki!" He pulls a hand out of his green overalls and sticks it out in welcome. "I'm new here, nice to meet you!"
Jun takes the hand and shakes it on instinct, then remembers himself and bows. "Matsumoto Jun," he mumbles sheepishly, "from next door, Junnosuke. It's nice to meet you too." Formalities done with and Aiba's confused smile returned, he whirls back to Sho, who is doubled over and shaking with silent laughter.
"Good job keeping your cool, Jun-kun!"
Which is more obnoxious, Sho's smirk or his thumbs up, Jun doesn't know. Eyes narrowed, he demands, "What the hell is this?!"
"A bookstore!" chimes Aiba and Sho together. They have the audacity to look pleased with themselves and share smiles.
"This is not a bookstore!" Jun nearly yells.
There are gasps, one sincere and one probably not. Aiba hurries to defend his honour. "I do sell books!"
"But most of them are notebooks!" Waving an agitated hand at their surroundings, Jun insists, "You're not a bookstore, you sell stationery!"
Aiba tilts his head and blinks at him through his light brown fringe. It makes Jun feel like he's bullying an oversized woodland creature. "Bookstores sell stationery!" insists Aiba.
Jun can feel defeat creeping up on him as the indignation drains out of him. He mutters half heartedly, "Bookstores sell books."
"Technically you are both not wrong!" Sho aims his grin back and forth between the two of them. "You're both listed in the directory as such! It's a good thing you weren't the same type of bookstore, right?" He nods sagely and adds, "Even if there isn't any competition, I hope you two will work hard, okay?"
Though he can see Aiba panicked and confused in the corner of his eye, Jun grinds out angrily, "Was this all a trap?"
"It was… a good opportunity to increase productivity of the shopping street?" Sho puffs up his chest and the pin of the shopping street manager gleams.
A montage plays in Jun's head, of all his hard work and anxious nights wasted. Jaw clenched, he storms out of the store.
* *
It isn't until he's back in his own bookstore that his behaviour sinks in, rude and uncouth and… Jun sinks down onto his counter and buries his face into the cradle of his arms. It is one thing to wage a pretend war upon the new bookstore that as it turns out, wouldn't rival his anyway, and another to crash his store and ignore him in favour of slandering it to Sho. At the thought of Aiba's stunned features, Jun feels his own cheeks heat up. He'll have to go over and apologise later, coolly, suavely, maybe with an offering of Ohno's great pastries, yes, that would fix that terrible first impression, he won't have the relationship with his neighbour ruined so easily.
While the rest of his day passes quietly enough, there is a commotion next door with the opening of the new store. It's the most excitement this shopping street has seen in ages, so although on lunch break Jun catches glimpse of Aiba flailing around his store and showering everyone in optimistic greetings, he doesn't get a chance to talk to him.
There is a knock. Jun looks up to Nino's impish grinning and has no problem scowling back. Then - Aiba peeks over Nino's shoulder and flinches, tries to fold his lanky frame behind Nino's stout one. When this doesn't work, he waves hesitantly with both hands. In return, Jun flicks the hair out of his face and waves back.
The door chimes as Nino sticks his head in. "MatsuJun!"
Jun raises an eyebrow when Aiba leans against Nino's back to peek in as well. They're too touchy with each other to be strangers; he asks, "You two know each other?"
"Friends since childhood," Aiba confirms.
"Could you do me a favour and grab lunch for him? Opening day rush won't let him go." Nino grins. "I've got work to attend to."
Jun squint at him. "Like what?" he demands, because the case of Nino's livelihood is one of the great wonders of their shopping street. Each stall had spent months assuming he was another's assistant, and then Sho's colleague for all that he pops up to interfere with shopping street matters, but that is denied by Sho himself too. No one knows what exactly he does, and even though he has enough free time to frequent their stores for hours at a time, any part of the day, Nino always has income enough to buy the latest video games and consoles.
"Oh, you know," he says and to Jun's pointed "No," he laughs and waves his hand dismissively. "I'll lose part of my charm if I tell you. So will you accompany him or not?"
"Of course, I owe him for last time anyway." Jun hesitates. "I'll buy my share back too and we can have lunch together here? Two distracted storekeepers are better than one right?"
"Oh!" Aiba lights up. "Sure, of course, thank you!"
"Great," Jun replies. He starts down the street with a spring in his step. There, all settled. In hindsight, he doesn't even blame Sho for not mentioning it, because he could've peeked in on next door any time, but never bothered, too caught up in promotions. Aiba seems nice, and things are working out nicely; Jun feels better already.
* *
It is a week later that Aibaland's new opening excitement dies down, and by then Jun feels familiar enough to ask him out for proper lunch.
There aren't many eateries along their tiny shopping street. In quick succession, Jun lists through them for Aiba's sake, pointing out the KFC and then Takki's stall of super sweet cheesecaked crepes run by an assortment of boys from the high school nearby. There's the café with sweet drinks and toast as thick as bricks for the college students, but the quality has been shaky ever since one of the founding members left. Aiba hesitates in the middle of the street, a little overwhelmed.
Jun catches sight of his confusion and raises a teasing eyebrow. He asks, "Where do you normally eat in the evenings?"
"Just wherever's nearest, it's been so busy and all." Aiba scratches his head sheepishly."so, the fast food place, or crepes."
"Those aren't nutritious at all." Jun wrinkles his nose. "C'mon, I'll show you a street secret."
Ohno's bakery is only a couple of stalls down, at the sharp turn into the wide alley beyond. The tables in his patio are clustered with mothers and their children as they approach. This time, even the alley is busy. A school girl in high school basketball uniform snags a folding table and sets it in the alley for her teammates. Jun keeps a running commentary; it's only polite to the newcomer. "It's not exactly legal to take up the alley like that but Sho-chan turns a blind eye as long as Ohno-kun keeps it by the end of the day."
The door jingle-clatters, a handmade door chime of bells and strange clay figurines. There is a chubby cheeked man at the counter, pencil lethargically drifting across his sketchbook, but his eyelids droop so deep that Aiba isn't sure if he's awake. "That's the owner, Ohno," he says, turns, "Hey Ohno-kun."
Slowly, the man blinks to life, stares a little blankly even as he smile and then finally mumbles, "Jun-chan, hi."
Jun gives him a thumbs up and slow to follow, Aiba raises his hand and only manages an awkward wave. Introductions are had before Jun gives Aiba a mini tour.
The bakery has an assortment of strange shaped pastries and buns, flowers and swirls and oddly realistic animals. "Here, he has cold sandwiches here, lots of meat, very filling, but…!" When Jun idles up to the counter and throws Ohno a wink, Ohno finally comes to life, rummaging under the counter and comes up with an entire pot in his mitten hands. "Ohno's special seafood stew!"
"Oh!" The aroma draws Aiba closer. He asks, "What type of seafood?"
"Food, you know, from the sea." Instead of an actual answer, Ohno sticks his chin out, proud. "I caught them all myself."
The stew is as delicious as it is mysterious. Aiba eats with gusto, guessing at the chunks of anonymous meats as Ohno only sniggers in response. By the time they're done with their food, Aiba's made friends with him over a love for unusual food concoctions and risk taking experimentation.
"You're going to poison yourselves," Jun tells him, watching Ohno leave with a twinkle in his eye. The last conversation had been over fried curry and coffee and fish bones. The curry makes sense he supposes, in a logic defying sort of way, but Jun feels like he should've cut in somewhere no matter how much fun they were having.
"No way, it'll be a success! A brand new item menu!" laughs Aiba in reply. As they leave the store, he falls in step with Jun and bumps their shoulders together. Suddenly soft, he says, "I really like it here."
Jun bumps back. "Good. I have a feeling you'll fit right in."
"I hope so!" Nibbling on his peach tart dessert nervously, Aiba confesses, "It's really nice here so I hope I'm allowed to stay on."
Jun raises an eyebrow and tilts his head at him. "Was there any doubt?"
"Ah, Sakurai-kun wouldn't have told you right?" Aiba fiddles with the hem of his shirt, lower lip caught between his teeth as he frowns. Jun tries hard not to stare. "New shops have to hit a certain profit margin in the first month before they're allowed to stay on for good."
This, Jun hadn't known. Thinking back on his early months here, he winces. Speciality stores never do well. If his uncle hadn't passed on this shop to him he never would've made the cut. Even now that Junnosuke is known for his rare books and collection of gorgeous vintage hard covers, he still relies a good deal on university textbook orders. Jun furrows his eyebrows together. "If you ever need any help, let me know and I'd be happy to."
Aiba's smile lights up the street. "Ahh, thank you!"
"Anyway I don't think you'd have any problem. Aibaland don't even have competition in this street," Jun sends him a sly sideways glance, "Aibaland's not a bookstore after all."
"Is too!" Aiba cries, punching his arm lightly. Jun only laughs, and walks closer.
* *
From his storefront Jun spies Nino shuffling by in an increased frequency, nose buried in his PSP. It isn't suspicious in itself - Nino once spent two weeks curled up in a back corner in Jun's store because the radiator's warmth there had particularly agreed with him - but Nino is dressed in what Jun calls Nino's date clothes. Nino's that one time Sho took them to a recital and forbid sneakers clothes. Nino's might actually have a proper job clothes. So. He shuffles by in this slow sort of flurry of layered cardigans and scarfs and actually styled hair. Once, there is even a guitar case slung over his shoulder.
Curiosity peak and by lunch, Jun's leaning against the doorway sipping his smoothie until he catches Nino and his mustard scarf in the distance. Jun raises his hand in greeting and calls out a pointedly chirpy, hey. Before he can start some sort of conversation as an excuse to follow him however, Nino heys back, turns a sharp left and pushes into Aibaland. Wait, what? Jun frowns, and follows anyway. Aiba greets them cheerfully, Jun with some surprise.
"Is there something I can help you with?" he asks, even as Nino leans his head back to smirk at him.
"All this time you were coming here?" he demands.
"Just to help with the lunch break," Nino replies smoothly, grinning. He seats himself behind the counter and hides his PSP behind the cash register, with all the fluidity of a seasoned employee. "Sorry Jun-kun, I don't need your toasty warm corner anymore. I have a high chair here. I have a throne."
Nino's PSP chirps a taunting song of victory despite Jun's look of suspicion. Satisfied, Nino pulls out a pad of music composition paper and pen, the same cutesy motif all over the stationery that is only sold here. Lastly and with flourish, he pulls on a pair of glasses, black rimmed frame that sits neatly atop his nose bridge.
Eyes narrowed further, Jun questions, "Since when have you needed glasses?"
Before he receives a reply, there is a chime and a group of school girls stream in all at once, Nino slips like a switch, touching fingers to the edge of the frame and curls his mouth in a kitten smile. "You don't like them? I think they suit me."
The sudden chorus of giggling agreement catches him off guard and he has to dodge to one side as they beeline to the counter. One student snags a composition book and slaps it down onto the counter. Heated discussion heavy with musical jargon occurs, but Nino manages charming smiles anyway to the rest as they pick out their stationery.
Jun watches him deftly dole out attention to each customer with deft efficiency. "Is he…?"
"He's a good friend," Aiba says as he grins like the sun. "When I told him about Aibaland's conditions, he came in and started this all by himself."
"That's… really like him," Jun admits, because he's always suspected there was a reason for Nino claiming a corner in his store every time his sales dipped. Still, it feels vaguely like he's lost some sort of competition. He frowns, shakes off the feeling, and redirects his attention to lunch with Aiba. It is quickly becoming the favourite part of his day.
When they come back, Nino's chatting animatedly with a boy about some video game based card game. As the boy dashes out with his purchase packet of cards, he shouts over his shoulder, "I'll see you next week!"
"My charm extends across all ages," Nino tells their looks of surprise. "It's hard for old men like you but…" As he passes Jun by to the exit, he pats him on the arm.
"I'm your age." Jun snaps. He can feel his competitive edge kicking him and while he normally swallows it down, this time he doesn't mind indulging. "Hey," he says, spinning around to face Aiba, "I'll come over in the evening, we should work some sort of battle strategy out."
When Aiba stutters an enthusiastic agreement, Jun catches glimpse of Nino watching them through the glass display with this unfathomable smile playing on his lips. It doesn't quite feel like a triumph yet, but Jun is determined that it will.
* *
True to his promise, Jun devotes his evenings to helping Aiba as they close shop, and then at Ohno's bakery for late dinners before heading home. More often than not, Aiba comes over to sit in what was once Nino's corner as Jun stays late - he is meticulous as he catalogues his inventory and records his sales and arranges everything is perfect order - to talk strategy.
Aiba has little concern with what bookstores are supposed to be, Jun discovers. While his own shop had operated tightly under strict supervision of quality, Aiba has no such inhibitions. He wants capsule toy machines for the little kids, he declares, and then obnoxiously decorated notebooks and pencils for when they go to school.
"School was tough when I was growing up," he tells Jun, eyes bright, "so if I can make it more interesting for the kids now, even just with super cool notebooks, wouldn't that be great?"
"Of course," Jun replies, burying his nose into his account books. It's hard to look up when Aiba is in his store, he discovers, because everything is brighter than he'd intended for atmospheric lighting. So he ends up agreeing to more than he normally would, carts in the capsule machine even though he thinks it costs more than it is going to make him in a month, surfs the net for all the latest children's anime that Aiba would want to order on the notebooks and stationery next, fixes up the store's speakers as Aiba plays peppy idol music throughout the store.
It still a far cry from what he knows book stores to be like, Jun thinks, but when Aiba loops an arm around him at the end of the day, chatting about the children who promise to come by again, so at home with his green walls and rainbow coloured merchandise and repetitive strains of sugar happy pop, Jun can't help thinking this is the only type that fits him.
Other times Aiba will come to lean against his counter, head pillowed on his paperwork. As bright and flighty as he usually is, Jun grows familiar with this part of Aiba too, and comfortably. A certain amount of anxiety can't be helped when dealing with business, he decides, and contents himself with humming encouragement as Aiba frets, splaying his fingers out on the counter for Aiba to play distractedly with his rings.
"Sometimes I think I should've just taken over my parents' Chinese restaurant," Aiba mumbles, staring down at the numbers for his worst week yet. "They didn't want to give up but they'd have to in a decade or so right? Then they'd be able to retire early and I wouldn't be running a business into the ground before it even starts."
In response, Jun only wrinkles his brow. "There isn't anything you can't do," he tells him and it's unlike him to speak of sentimentality in such frank terms, but he believes every word.
It must show on his face because Aiba looks up and beams. He abandons his rings to thread their fingers together and it's strange but Aiba is strange and sweet and smiling as though Jun is gold so he doesn't pull away.
* *
As the month draws to an end, it becomes more difficult for Aiba to leave the store for jittery nerves and a reluctance to lose even a single minute of business. Jun starts buying food back for them, then convincing Aiba to have a short half hour in the back room, squashed on his small couching knocking knees together as they wolf down their buns.
At the end of the day as well, Aiba gets this look in his eyes and for a moment Jun fears he is going to do something dramatic like tie himself to the counter overnight and it become his job to take him in hand and drag him over to Ohno's for dinner and to cool down, even if it means having to return to the store later to pack up.
The evening Aiba submits his last weekly record of sales to Sho, Jun swallows a pang of wistfulness. It isn't that he has any doubt that Aibaland is going to stay - and he should know too, having spent the last month peering over Aiba's sales numbers and nagging them to perfection - but he'll miss all the time they spent scheming together. There isn't any doubt Jun will continue to have breakfast with him, open and close stores with him, all those little ways Aiba has managed to worm his way into his life in so little time but. Jun sighs at his own records and runs a hand through his hair. It wouldn't be the same anymore, Jun supposes, but he'll just have to deal with it.
On the eve of judgement day, Jun finds Aiba waiting for him even though they'd said goodbye at Ohno's an hour ago. He's had a new delivery of rarer books come in that he's neglected to label, had waited until now to catch up with all the backlog of work. It comes as a surprise to find Aiba sitting on the steps of his own shop, staring up at the sky. He bounces up to his feet though, as he spots him.
"Aiba-chan?" Jun tilts his head in question. "Did you leave something behind or…?"
"I just want you to know!" Aiba half shouts, he flinches at his own abruptness, he giggles at himself down at his feet. Softer this time, more timid, Aiba tells him with his head ducked low, "No matter how tomorrow turns out, I'm really glad I got to be here with you, okay? So," he raises his head, "for the past month, thank you very much!"
And in a frenzied move, Aiba digs his fingers into Jun's collar, dragging him closer. Their mouths collide in a painful crash but - Aiba tilts his head, Jun parts his lips in surprise, suddenly they've slotted neatly together, kissing furiously on Junnosuke's door step. Hot and slick, Jun doesn't know what to think, only knows that he's sliding his tongue deeper and pushing closer, wanting more. The lack of oxygen prevents this and suddenly the heat is gone, Aiba stumbling back and tripping off his step.
Before Jun can fathom a reply, Aiba giggles again behind his hand, high pitched and hysteric. He knocks the keys out of Jun's hand, yells a sorry over his shoulder and flees down the street.
Jun is left standing by his front door, stunned. In slow movements he bends down, picks his key up, and inserts it into the keyhole. He pauses, leans his forehead against the cool glass and tries to slow the hammering of his heart.
* *
They spend the next day, judgement day, playing cat and mouse.
At first Jun thinks he's imagining things because it's quite normal for Aiba to oversleep and miss their breakfasts at Ohno's. It must be nerves that have Aiba extra attentive to his customers so it can't be helped that he doesn't have time for lunch. And then later in the quieter evening, it's the first time he's ever since Aiba vacuum the place so all that loud, conversation drowning must be necessary.
Through all of this, Jun is patient, Jun can wait, Jun is not the slightest bit worried, nor has he spent the entire day twisting his fingers and shaking his leg anxiously. There is a half hour before closing time is always extra quiet as the day winds down. He'll have no excuse then, Jun thinks confidently, and distracts himself with hustling customers until the time comes.
Nino falls in step with him as he heads over. When the questioning quirk of his mouth is ignored, Jun focuses on the more important task at hand. He pushes open the door to Aibaland
"Oh, Nino!" Aiba cries high pitched as he enters the store, "help me close up the store, just switch off everything and lock the door!" The keys to his precious store, he almost flings at Nino. "I have to go uhm! Get the results of my contract! From Sakurai-kun, right now." With this, he is rushing down the shopping street before Jun can get a single word in. He and Nino are left staring after Aiba's retreating form.
"So," says Nino and it's amazing how loaded he can make a single word sound, "what did you do?"
Slowly, Jun turns to him. "So it is obvious he's avoiding me? It's not just me?"
Nino smiles winningly. "Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Jun-kun?"
Gritting his teeth, Jun grinds out a "No." He turns back to Junnosuke. "Come on, we'll wait for him and Sho-kun at Ohno's."
When they retire to the bakery as usual, Jun beelines straight to Aiba - only to have Sho step into his path. His heavy briefcase is swung onto the table, and as everyone gathers around, he pops the lid off with glee.
"Behold!" he cries, taking out a thin stack of papers, "Aibaland's new, permanent contract!"
There is a pause.
"Oh!" Aiba gasps, and then a grin takes over so wide that it sets everyone else off. He has to fight off the hugging and the cheering and the handshakes to sign his contract, but eventually it is done, and with flourish. Aibaland is set to stay and no one could be happier.
Except maybe Jun.
In the midst of the commotion, Jun has sidled up to his side. He is the only one who hasn't hugged nor shaken his hand but if Aiba has been dodging him all day, it only seems right. Even if it hurts a bit. He smiles anyway, best he can, and quietly says, "Congratulations."
Aiba lets him have at least that, shuffling sheepishly. His eyes skitter all over the place, landing everywhere but on Jun. His "Thank you, Jun-kun" quivers.
It takes them a while to realise the bakery is quiet, and that three pairs of eyes are watching them curiously.
Suddenly, Aiba barks out awkward laughter. "Well, I guess this is it!" he rushes out, sneakily inching back, "Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it, I look forward to working with you!" By the end of it, he is already half way out the door.
For a moment he is stunned - Aiba is going that far, skipping his own celebration, just to avoid him - but a sudden jab in the side jerks him out of his daze. Without seeing who it was, Jun springs into action, dashing after him
Aiba manages to get as far as the second streetlight in the alley before Jun catches the tail of his jacket, yanking him backwards. Screeching, he flings his arms up between them, shielding himself for Jun.
With a cry of protest, Jun grabs at his arms, shakes him when Aiba squirms for escape. "Why are you avoiding me?" he demands. Aiba flinches so Jun knows he has his full attention. "You can't just kiss someone and run off without an explanation!"
The sky is already dark so under the lamp, he looks like a deer caught in headlights. When he tries to dart away, Jun corners him against the post, leaning in until he wriggles and cries out, "I can't help it!" He bites his lip, eyebrows slanted sadly. "I don't want to be rejected, I might. I might actually die."
"So what?" Jun presses, so nervous and painfully hopeful that he can hardly keep his voice steady, "So that was a confession?" This has Aiba widening his eyes, red faced and stuttering. It is so endearing that Jun feels his heart doing little somersaults. Before his courage fails him, he tilts his head, smiles in the most charming way he knows how, and tells him, "I suppose I'll have to reply the same way."
With that he kisses him, sweet and easy, one hand palming the small of his back as the other tangles into his hair. Aiba nips his bottom lip in surprise, and it sends ripples of warmth in Jun's chest. Better still when Aiba kisses back, so enthusiastic that now Jun finds himself pressed against the lamp post, fingers digging into his waist.
This time their parting isn't as harsh, is slow and tender and reluctant. The grin on Aiba's face looks painful, but Jun suspects it matches his own. He knocks their foreheads gently together and goes, "So."
"Oh. Oh. I wasn't rejected!!" Aiba punches the air with both fists and beams up at the starry sky. Flushed, Jun makes a grab at his hands. Aiba allows him one to thread their fingers together, but the other he pumps again and cheers, "I did it! I got Jun-chan! Thank the heavens!"
It is all so ridiculous - their alleyway situation, the backflipping of his heart - that Jun barks with laughter. "Is this really necessary?"
"Yes," Aiba tells him very seriously, and then smacks a kiss against his cheek as they stumble out of the alley to stop any protest.
It works; Jun can't think of a single thing he'd like to change in this very moment.
* *
Just before they turn the corner to Ohno's bakery, under the same streetlight of dramatic love confessions, Jun freezes. His hand is tight around Aiba's so he has to stop too and for a moment he thinks they're reliving fond memories of last night. Aiba smiles than notices the look on Jun's face, caught between expectant and mortified.
"What is it?" asks Aiba, concerned. He hasn't yet noticed the suspicious shapes pressed up against Ohno's frosted windows.
Jun sweeps his fringe out of his eyes with one smooth flick of his head and Aiba is a bit distracted. This almost makes up for the impending sense of doom. "They are never going to let me live last night down."
Aiba laughs. "Neither am I," and after looking around, swoops in to kiss Jun on the cheek. It is a mark that Jun can feel spreading warmth and blush across the rest of his face. Aiba takes one look at him and laughs again.
"You're all going to be the death of me," Jun gripes, even as he grips Aiba's hand tighter and pulls them closer together.
True enough, before either can reach for the doorknob, the door is flung open. Jun ducks to avoid the door frame and nearly stumbles backwards but the hands grabbing at them and hauling them in prevents that, and his escape. All at once there are cheering and congratulating back pats. Nino swoons dramatically with one hand pressed to his cheek.
"Jun-chan you're back! Last night you were so -" he collapses over a table, arms reaching out in grabby hands "- so cool, just like a manga character! I never knew you had it in you!"
"Look at them, it's like they're on honeymoon!" Sho booms with laughter, claps his hands together, twinkles his eyes at them in a way that only he can, and announces, "As the one who got you two together, I get to name your eventual offspring right? I always wanted to be an uncle!"
It's hard to fend off diabolical friends when Aiba is dragging you over to them, but Jun tries anyway, leaning his chair far away from them as Aiba allows. "We're not married!"
"You don't have to be. Only love is needed," Ohno says, drifting over with a tray piled high with stuffed buns. They are frosted green and purple, and iced with anatomically accurate hearts. As he sits them onto the table they're gathered around, he reaches over and pats Aiba's stomach lazily.
Jun swats the hand away, face hot. "And no one's pregnant!" he snaps, "There are no offspring!!"
"I have a dog and two guinea pigs," Aiba volunteers, and Jun turns to him to accuse him of aiding the enemy but.
One day, he will be able to resist Aiba's grin and the spark in his eyes and the way his cheeks and ears stain red. Today is not the day. "There's a stray cat I feed occasionally," he contributes weakly, to more howls of laughter. Flushed, he tries to hide his face in his hands. "Why are we even talking about this?"
"Because you love us?" suggests Ohno.
Without missing a beat, Nino adds, "One of us in particular?"
Sho laughs so hard at Aiba's squawk that he chokes on his bun.
"Oh god." Jun hides his face into Aiba's shoulder this time, but whether from embarrassment or the grin that threatens to split it, no one can tell.
* *
Jun is careful with his store's aesthetics, knows exactly what potential customer would see looking through his windows from anywhere on the street, spent a month with shelving despite the dozens of paper cuts, and then another taking photographs of his storefront to make every minor adjustment needed. He is plenty armed with the knowledge that, with where Aiba is standing in front of his counter, beaming as he greets him good morning -
Jun moves two centimetres to the left, tangles a hand into Aiba's scarf and leans over to steal a kiss. He means to keep it a chaste greeting but when Aiba slides his mouth open enthusiastically, it is all he can do to stop himself from climbing over the counter. When they break apart, they are panting.
Cheeks flushed, Jun just manages to keep his voice steady. "Hey so, welcome to your new shopping street, I hope you like it here." It would be a customary greeting, except Jun is stroking fingertips along Aiba's neck, and his smile is something quiet and dear.
"It’s not the only think I like," Aiba replies brightly, tongue flicking over swollen lips. "Like a lot. Super like, really like, really really really -!" He is cut off by Jun's laughter, and then by another stolen kiss.
Their stores don't open for a while longer.