MINIMAL [s.hitoshi & k.denki]

seven

"You're welcome to come over anytime Shinsou!" Kaminari had told him, gentle as he had walked him towards the door. "My number is.. . ..."

Hitoshi had faintly remembered the digits, tired body slamming into an open telephone box, one eye squinted and a shaky, scratched-up hand sliding in a couple yen coins before his thumbs pressed against the buttons labeled with numbers. His backpack filled with clothes and whatever he could shove in weighed down on his back, and at that moment— Hitoshi has never felt so selfish.

It was an ungodly hour, even demons wouldn't dare wander the dark streets of Saitama.

The insomniac's sneakers rubbed against each other, nervousness flooding his senses as he pressed the phone against his ear, cringing at the dirtiness of the public device. All that seemed to run through Hitoshi's brain was.. please just pick up, you're the only person that's remotely given me an ounce of attention and care that I need you the most, despite being complete strangers.

.... .. . ... "Yeah," a soft yawn. "Kaminari here."

"Kam.. Kaminari..?" He murmurs, almost shocked, holding back tears of joy.

"..Shinsou? Oh hey, what's up!"

The blonde sounds joyous even as it's probably four in the morning, but Hitoshi can't find it in himself to care— gripping the phone with two hands now. His breaths must sound labored to Kaminari, because the insomniac is so proud of himself and god, his voice is the most comforting thing he's heard this week.

"Oh fuck— I didn't think you'd— fuck.." he lets go of the breath he didn't realize he was holding, breath fogging from the cold air as he released a wet chuckle. "This.. I'm so sorry— I can't."

His throat feels tight again, ears filled with the sounds of what could be his heart pumping, teeth clattering.

Water fills his senses.. until he snaps out of it when a lone car skids in the distance, followed by the loud yowl of a feline.

"Hey hey, breath with me!" Kaminari's voice has never felt so melodic, gentle and almost coaxing. "Imagine a bowl of hot soup in front of you Shinsou.. now just blow, in and out. Yeah, just like that!"

It sounds childish, but Hitoshi does it and he continues, preening when the person on the other side congratulates him softly and with an odd experience.

"Yeah.. you're doing so well.

Just keep at it!

Breathe slowly, pick up a pattern."

"Yeah you've got it.." the blonde sounds like he's smiling. "You alright now, Shinsou?"

It takes him a couple minutes, but all that comes out his lips is a soft huff. It sounds like a door is closing on Kaminari's side of the call, to which— Kaminari lets out a harmonious laugh that sounds so..

"Y-you're crazy you know that..?" The insomniac gives up another wet chuckle, "helping out a random guy at ungodly hours of night, you're absolutely insane."

Hitoshi recognizes the fluttering in his finger tips, though he excuses it as anxiety.

"It's decided then, I guess I am insane."

Kaminari has his phone down, hanging up as Hitoshi turns around; and there he is. Ruffled hair and some random American band on his shirt, a loose jacket on as if he had left in a rush.

"Hey Shinsou." His eyes are wide with surprise, and the taller man doesn't blame him, because the large bruise around his eyes is insane and the scratches on his cheeks aren't any better.

"H.. hey Kaminari.." it's been a while, but Hitoshi finds himself smiling when he finally passes out; eyes rolling back and collapsing in exhaustion.

He feels comfortable for the first time in a long while, despite Kaminari's concerned shrieks and shakes for him to be "okay", and the eventual moment when the other man tugs the insomniac up and beginning to take him somewhere safe.

Safer.