We don't talk about Jouno

You could use some practice

Just as Jouno was trying to fall asleep, he heard someone in the doorway. Tetchou. "I wanted to say I'm sorry." Tetchou said. "I was too hard on you earlier. You were trying to protect me, and I was mad at myself that you got hurt because of that." Immediately, Jouno's heart started to beat faster. This was the kind, noble Tetchou he knew.

"It's okay." Jouno said. "Do you not want to be my partner anymore?" Tetchou sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. "I'll give it a trial basis." He finally said. "We'll see how it goes." That was about as good as Jouno could expect, at this point. "Thank you." Jouno said. "I'm sorry I made you upset."

Tetchou walked forwards, to sit down on the side of Jouno's bed. Jouno was glad the lights were out, because he was sure he was blushing at how close they were. "Just please don't do something like that again." Tetchou said. "I don't think I could live with myself if another person I care about gets hurt because of me."

Jouno frowned. He knew what Tetchou was talking about. Tetchou's best friend and first potential partner had died on the job, slain by an enemy of Tetchou's. Tetchou had never forgiven himself for the death, even though it wasn't his fault. Jouno wanted to hug Tetchou and comfort him, but he wasn't supposed to know about what had happened to the unfortunate young woman. Her first name was Choe, but Jouno couldn't remember her last name. That was probably for the best. A sixteen year old Jouno wasn't supposed to know who she was at all.

"I won't get hurt because of you." Jouno said. "If anything, I'll get hurt because of me." Jouno slowly reached out to take Tetchou's hand. "You don't need to worry about me." Tetchou didn't move at first, but gradually reached out to touch Jouno back. "Why did you call me by my first name earlier?" Tetchou asked. "And why did you jump in front of that bullet?" Jouno smiled. He didn't have to worry. His relationship with Tetchou would always exist, and it would always be a happy one. "Why do you think?" Jouno asked.

Tetchou cupped Jouno's cheek, and moved a bit closer to him on the bed. All the agony of losing Tetchou slowly faded away. The world had reset itself. Jouno was never going to be separated from Tetchou again. Just the feeling of Tetchou being so close to him...it made Jouno feel safe again.

"Do you like me, Jouno?" Tetchou asked, clearly amazed at the fact that someone might have a crush on him. "I have since the moment I met you." Jouno said, and really meant it. "Huh," Tetchou finally said. "I've never had anyone who liked me like that before." Jouno doubted that very much. "Do you like me?" Jouno asked.

"I don't know." Tetchou said, and Jouno's heart started to pound. "But I think I might very well." Tetchou pulled Jouno closer to him, and Jouno put a hand on the side of Tetchou's face. "Even if you do have the strangest approach to a mission I've ever seen." And with that, Jouno leaned in for the kiss.

Tetchou pressed his lips against Jouno, and pulled Jouno's small body against his. Jouno had his hands wound through Tetchou's hair, and felt the warmth of his very muscular body. That was something that never changed about Tetchou. He was always warm.

"I guess you two do want to be partners, eh?" Tetchou and Jouno immediately separated upon hearing Fukuchi in the doorway. Jouno cursed internally. Tetchou hadn't closed the door, and Jouno had been too distracted by Tetchou to remember to listen for anyone walking by.

"It's okay." Fukuchi said, clearly highly amused by the whole situation. "Continue on. I'm on my way. Forget I was even here." Jouno said nothing as he listened to Fukuchi walk away. It was Tetchou who started laughing first. Once he started, Jouno joined in, and it was at least five minutes before they could stop again.

Tetchou leaned back against the pillows, and Jouno rolled over to lie on his chest. "That could have gone better." Jouno finally said. He was beyond embarrassed. "Hey, Jouno? Have you ever kissed anyone before?" Tetchou asked. Jouno shook his head. "No." He said. "Huh." Tetchou said. "You're pretty good at it."

"Have you ever kissed anyone?" Jouno asked. "No." Tetchou said. "Eh, you're okay. But you could use some practice." Jouno said mischievously. "Really?" Tetchou asked, rolling over in one fluid movement so he was on top of Jouno. "You think I'm not a good kisser?" He asked, and Jouno could practically hear his smile.

"I never said that." Jouno said. "I think you're a very good kisser. I just think you could use some practice." It took Tetchou a minute to get it. "Oh." He said. "You want me to kiss you again." Finally. Jouno wrapped his legs around Tetchou's waist, and let his chin rest in the crook of his neck. "Yes." Jouno said. Tetchou kissed him again.

The door flew open hard enough it slammed against the wall on the other side. "Oh my God!" Teruko yelled excitedly. "Fukuchi, they're making out!" Immediately, Tetchou sat up, taking Jouno with him. Fukuchi's footsteps returned. "Teruko, I told you to keep an eye on them stealthily." Fukuchi said. "Yes, but surprising them together was more fun."

"As nice as it is you see you two getting along, as the adult here, I have to set some ground rules." Fukuchi said. Jouno really wanted to be anywhere else right now. "Tetchou, please head back to your room, and stay there, when I'm done talking to you." Jouno really didn't want to be here.

"If you two are a couple, that's great. Better than the tsundere antics you've been pulling for the past month. But, keep the door open, keep it PG, and please nothing beyond making out before you're both eighteen." Jouno could feel his ears burning.

"Okay, Tetchou, you can go." Fukuchi said. Tetchou didn't make any moves to leave. "Tetchou, you should go." Fukuchi said, more forcefully this time. Tetchou got up to leave. "This was nice." He said. "I like liking you." With that, he planted a small kiss on the top of Jouno's head. Jouno's cheeks were still on fire long after Tetchou left.

"I really don't feel like I want to say anything else." Fukuchi said, and turned around to leave. "Just please don't do anything to make this any more awkward than it already is." With that, Fukuchi left, leaving only Teruko standing in the doorway. "Not a word out of you." Jouno said. Teruko left then, her laughter echoing down the hallway as she went.