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Meeting her for the first time, Hanae doesn't think much of it; she's a human client, rare but not unheard of, and is apparently dealing with some sort of haunting. Seems like a pretty typical case: noises, things being knocked off of shelves.
She's polite. Maybe a bit… smiley. They do indeed encounter a youkai when they meet her two days later at her home and are able to exorcize it without trouble.
When she thanks them, she grabs Abeno-san's hands. Hanae notices, but he and Abeno-san head back to the Mononokean, and Hanae forgets it.
A week later, she's back. At first, he and Abeno-san are distressed; had they fumbled the exorcism somehow? But she's all smiles, claiming she was thrilled with their work, and could they take a look at a friend's place? There's been a strange smell…
It isn't until the fourth week in a row that Hanae really locks on. The woman will not stop touching Abeno-san. A hand on his arm. A brush of their shoulders. Sitting far closer than necessary on the couch of yet another 'friend' (where is she even finding all these people haunted by youkai?). While she is unfailingly polite to Hanae, she is effusive with Abeno-san.
"You seem upset," Abeno-san says as they head back.
He does? What would he have to be upset about? "Not at all," Hanae says, forcing a smile to his face. It's strangely difficult. "I'm always happy to be able to send another youkai off safely."
"Then why have you looked angry for the last hour?"
The answer is immediate, and startles Hanae with its clarity. He bites his lip to stop himself from speaking.
Because she wouldn't keep her hands off of you.
That is… bizarre. Why would it bother Hanae? They're not kids anymore; isn't it natural to think Abeno-san might find someone to be interested in? Some of their old high school friends are already married, after all.
"She seems to really like you," he mutters, and it sounds petulant even to him. Abeno-san blinks, his brows furrowing.
"I'm sure she appreciates our work."
"She appreciates something, that's for sure," Hanae says under his breath, speeding up. His cheeks are suddenly hot; he doesn't want Abeno-san to notice.
"I couldn't hear you," Abeno-san says behind him. Hanae can almost hear the man's eyeroll. "You're normally like a bullhorn; why are you mumbling and running off?"
"I'm not!" Hanae hollers. Oh god, I totally am! He's almost jogging, at this point. "I just think she should keep her hands to herself!"
"What? Keep wh—"
"I'm heading out first!" Hanae bleats, and breaks into a literal run. "See you tomorrow!" He knows he's a coward, but the reality of the situation—and his own reaction—is quickly settling in, and he'd rather ride out his epiphany in the solitude of his own home.
He spends a tortured night flopping in bed, getting virtually no sleep, his mind racing. When did I start to feel… possessive of him? Why would it bother me if a woman takes interest in him? He's objectively beautiful; he deserves admirers.
And maybe Hanae is one of them. Maybe he has been for a long time.
Naturally, this is information Hanae will take to his grave. He intends to remain by Abeno-san's side for as long as he can; he will not make his inconvenient desires and jealousy Abeno-san's problem.
The next morning, Abeno-san behaves no differently. Hanae rejoices. It seems he was able to escape without hinting at his thoughts. If Abeno-san had heard what he'd said, he'd have at least asked about it. God, Hanae can even picture his exasperated scowl. 'Who are you to tell someone where they can and cannot put their hands?'
But it never comes up. They work together as well as they always have, they bicker as they always have. Hanae loves him, as he always has. Other than Hanae finally understanding how he feels, nothing changes.
Though to be truthful… Abeno-san seems a little quieter, when they are alone. A bit more thoughtful. Preoccupied, maybe. After catching Abeno-san staring for the third time in an evening, Hanae asks if there's anything wrong, but Abeno-san claims to be thinking about their next job.
Seems reasonable. Maybe Hanae is simply paying more attention now, and this is how Abeno-san has always been. At any rate, Hanae proceeds with his plan. It's easy enough to set his emotions aside. He's been doing it for years, whether consciously or not.
It isn't until the woman arrives in their tearoom yet again, a week to the day later, that Hanae begins to wonder if he can really play this off. His teeth grit immediately, and while he makes tea, his hands shake. Abeno-san steps out when she arrives, claiming he needs to retrieve something from his room, so Hanae is forced to chit-chat while they settle and wait for him to return.
She asks a few questions, casual and conversational, and Hanae somehow manages to respond. Leaving the space across from her for Abeno-san, he sits adjacent, and is relieved they are meeting in the Mononokean. At least here, there are no couches. She would have to go out of her way to get close to him.
"I apologize for the wait," Abeno-san says when he comes back, inclining his head. The lady's musical little laugh makes Hanae want to punch a wall. Abeno-san, in two strides, crosses the room and seats himself.
Right next to Hanae.
Right next to Hanae. Their knees are touching. Hanae has no idea what sort of face he is making, but he wouldn't be surprised if it were much like hers; jaw slack, eyebrows fit to lift off her face, and blinking in wide-eyed confusion.
"You've become a steady source of income," Abeno-san says, staring at her with a single eyebrow raised. Tilting his head, he leans forward and puts his hand on Hanae's leg. "One might think you are seeking out youkai simply to visit us."
Abeno-san's cheeks color a lovely pink, but Hanae has to hand it to him; his posture doesn't waver. His voice doesn't shake. Hanae has no idea what Abeno-san is doing, but he is clearly determined to see it through. Personally, having forgotten how to breathe, Hanae can do little but stare at Abeno-san's strong, sturdy hand. Which is now squeezing just above his knee.
"I hope there are no misunderstandings," Abeno-san continues. Well. Hanae can't speak for everyone, but he would have to understand something in the first place for there to be a mis-understanding, no? He finally tears his eyes away from Abeno-san's long, gorgeous fingers to meet the woman's startled gaze.
Silence falls; Hanae can tell she's trying to make sense of the situation, and holy hell can he sympathize. When he glances to Abeno-san, he is wearing that typical 'customer service' half-smile he uses around pretty much every client, despite his obvious embarrassment.
His fingers relax, but do not leave Hanae's leg. It occurs to Hanae that his own face feels like it is on fire.
"I'm not sure I—" she starts, but Abeno-san cuts in.
"My partner was actually the one to point out you were flirting with me; I hadn't noticed."
Hanae flinches. So he hadn't gotten off as cleanly as he'd assumed. But seriously; partner? Why did Abeno-san choose such an easy word to misunderstand? At this rate, she's going to think they're lov—
"Oh my goodness," she cries out, shaking her head. "I didn't realize; I'm so sorry!" She directs this last bit at Hanae, but before he is forced to come up with a response, Abeno-san hums.
"Well, as long as everything is cleared up." Hanae's leg gets another squeeze. "We're always happy to help with exorcisms, but he would appreciate you maintaining a professional distance with me."
Why is he dragging me into this?! What is he even doing?
"O-of course, yes," she sputters, her own face reddening. "I'll just. Perhaps I'll return another day; I just remembered I… have another engagement." Idly, Hanae wonders if the Mononokean can feel embarrassment. There's definitely enough here to go around.
"Certainly; visit us anytime," Abeno-san says. While the words 'partner' and 'we' and 'us' loop in Hanae's head, he and Abeno-san watch the woman beat a hasty retreat. It isn't until the door is closed that Abeno-san removes his hand from Hanae's leg.
No one says a word. The quiet is oppressive, but Hanae refuses to be the one to break it. What in the hell was all that?! How is Hanae meant to react? Abeno-san, for his part, is turned away, staring at the tatami with his fists clenched on his lap, color high in his cheeks.
The chime rings out, startling them. They both lift their eyes to the scroll.
Are you finally going to tell him, Itsuki? (≧◡≦) ♡
"That's enough from you," Abeno-san mutters. Standing, he steps to the wall and a small door appears. "Ashiya. Follow me."
"Okay?" Hanae squeaks, clambering to his feet. "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere we can talk without being overheard." Abeno-san slides the door open, and Hanae sees the roof of their old high school beyond.
"That's… nostalgic."
"It seemed appropriate," Abeno-san replies. He glances back, and Hanae catches the slightest curl to his lips. "Where it all began."
Hanae doesn't even try to hide his smile, following Abeno-san through the door. "Where it all began," he echoes, and admires how the setting sun colors Abeno-san's hair.