“don’t act like i haven’t been either,” kotetsu combats with a wave of his finger, “though, your line of work seems a bit more…dignified, hah. i spend eight hours under the hood of a car, usually.” kotetsu did work a lot, but he didn’t mind it. it actually helped keep him busy, occupied. the more time he had to himself the more obsessed he’d feel over not doing anything after graduating.
well, no he’s done something.
“what made you get into that line of work anyway? i know you talked about sports medicine and stuff but…seems like a hard thing to get into.”
“ah, i never said you weren’t!” izumo shoots back, though it’s with a grin. taking a moment, he surveys their surroundings, before flicking his gaze back to kotetsu. “i don’t go to this place often, and it’s a little bit of a walk, but i think we’ll be okay. it’s a nice night.” and it is: cool, though not enough for extra layers. a spring evening.
“dignified, huh? i have to contort myself into various positions in front of a room of strangers. not really sure that’s dignified.” a moment of thought. “in yoga pants, no less. still, there’s dignity in what you do, too. everyone needs a good mechanic.”
another roll of his shoulders, coming to halt as the pedestrian light in front o them flashes an orange hand. “y’know, i was pretty weak in high school, so i started working out… one thing led to another, i guess. and now i teach yoga.” he laughs, gently. “what about you? what led you to pursue a career in sugar?”
“man, what have you been doing here without me, then?” he walks backwards, thick arms raising behind his head to hook behind his neck. the cheeky smile is there on his lips, before he almost trips over his own feet. he rights himself before a fall, straightening his shirt, “shut up.” before izumo can even say anything.
once outside, he looks to his friend like a dog looks toward it’s food bowl, “if i ever say no to that question, ask me again in five minutes. i could always eat. that sounds really good, a beer and hot food.” he motions forward, elegant hand motion and everything for izumo to step in front of him, “lead the way.”
“working.” izumo nudges kotetsu’s shoulder pointedly. “being a personal trainer’s not easy, you know.” he bites back a snicker when kotetsu stumbles, paying no heed to his words. you haven’t changed, he thinks, fond.
shoving his hands into his pockets, he slants a smile at his friend, turning a right onto the sidewalk and tilting his head for kotetsu to follow. “beer garden it is. if you still have an appetite like i remember, then i’m glad you’re paying.”
kotetsu claps his hands together, “that’s what i’m talking about, alright!” he gets up as well, heading toward his new room to grab for his own belongings (just his wallet and his copy of the key, just in case) before meeting izumo back out by the door.
“i don’t know, what do you suggest? your the local, izu. as long as it’s got some music and good whiskey, i’m pretty sure i’ll like it.” kotetsu opens the door for his friend, closing it and locking it behind them on his way out.
he trails behind kotetsu, casting a final glance at the door behind them as it closes. this is familiar, somehow– he falls into step alongside his friend like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “well, you know me,” he clicks his tongue, dry. “i still don’t get out much, but. i know a few places.”
izumo pushes open the front door of the building once they’ve made their way down the stairs and through the lobby, lip held between his teeth in thought. “are you hungry? there’s a bar that serves up a wicked shepherd’s pie.”
maybe she’s testing them, to see if they can do stuff on their own. kotetsu knows he can, he just doesn’t want to. he pouts, “–you saying i’ve got a taffy belly?” kotetsu glances down between them to look at the hand there, “you’re lying. it goes all to my ass and you know it.”
izumo’s more than confident in his and kotetsu’s ability, but– good things never came from their separation. he pushes another kiss to kotetsu’s cheek, under the curve of the bandage. “is that so?” that same hand shifts, coming to gently pat kotetsu’s butt. fondly. “everything seems fine on this end to me.”
“nah man, i’m too pumped! i’ve always wanted to do this, you know?” it just took him a lot longer than others. izumo left their small town right after school. kotetsu stayed behind. now, hes out, ready to start a new chapter in his life. one that involved his yoga instructor best friend and delicate pastries.
brows furrow in slightly confusion, “i don’t want to really pick up anyone…i was thinking more along the lines of the best places to get a good drink. it’s the city! you gotta show me around.” the last thing he needs right now is a girl coming back to his unpacked room and futon.
the pout is persistent. kotetsu even takes on of izumo’s hands and gives it a gentle tug, “c’moooon, i’m buying.”
“well, that’s generally how the term wingman is used.” izumo points out, but there’s no heat behind the words. “alright, alright, i’m coming.” he relents, allowing kotetsu to pull him to a standing position, rolling his shoulders back in a stretch.
“generous as ever.” he deadpans, reaching to nab his wallet and keys from their precarious perch on the cluttered table. “i suppose i’ll take pity on you. what’re you in the mood for?”
he likes it that way, being so close it’s hard to tell the difference between the two of them. “tsunade-sama does it on purpose.” he thinks he might be because she lost a bet on them at one point (because apparently all of konoha had bets on when the two would become ‘official’.) “…you think i’d fit?” glances up at his partner, a lazy smile on his face.
“she does.” it’s grumbled, but izumo smiles against kotetsu’s skin at the question. he contemplates with a hum, before his hand slides down, lazy, coming to pat kotetsu’s waist. “maybe if you laid off the taffy.”
“c’mon, lets go out! get a few drinks!” kotetsu rolls his roommates shoulders, gentle a little though considering they’ve only just finished moving the rest of his things in. tired he may be, tonight calls for celebration.
“i got into pastry school, nothing broke in the move, and we’re reunited!” he rounds the chair izumo sits in, dropping to a knee in front of him. the giant smile on his face falls to a pout, full-fledged and puppy-dog-esque.
“i need my wing man in the big city.”
izumo oofs at the contact, though it’s more for show than anything. kotetsu’s smile is contagious– it’s hard to not mirror him, and izumo offers a gentle laugh in response. “what, already eager to see the city scene, ‘tetsu? you’re not tired?”
his gaze drops to where kotetsu drops in front of him, and his laugh changes to a snort. “oh, is that all i’m good for? it’ll be just like old times.”
it’s hard to say no to that pout. curses. izumo moves to stand with a tiny shake of his head, though the smile remains. “if you get rejected, you’re not allowed to come crying to me.”
“mmmmnn, i hate when you get missions without me,” comments idly as he’s being showered in affection. he’s the only person who can still pout while wrapped up in his partner, “it’s cruel and unusual.”
“mmn.“ a noise of assent, and he moves to tuck his head comfortably under kotetsu’s chin. ”i tried to tell hokage-sama that, and she just smirked at me.“ they’re tangled so tightly it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. “next time, i’ll just sneak you into my bag.”
