The sun hung high in the sky, its rays warm against Yasu’s face. He sat next to Hachin on the roof of the bento shop. They’d been working on the guitar sections of a new song, trying to find the way their instruments would sound the best together, but right now they were taking a break to let it simmer for a while.

 

Hachin dug around in his pockets, Yasu’s eyes drawn to him by the sound of clacking.

“What colour d’ya want?” Hachin asked, holding out his hands. They were full of little bottles of nail polish.

“I’m fine, just do yours.”

“Aw come on, please? I’ve got black if you want it.”

He stared Hachin in the face for a moment, before finally relenting. He did say please. “Fine. But just the left hand.”

Hachin whooped, almost dropping his bottles in his attempt to fist pump the air. “So, black or somethin’ else?”

“Black’s okay.”

He let Hachin take his hand, swiping the brush of the black nail polish down the centre of his thumb nail. As he continued his work, Yasu watched his expression, one of pure concentration, the tip of his tongue poking out between his sharp fangs, lips forming a smile.

Yasu averted his eyes as Hachin looked up, finished painting his nails. “How’s that?!”

Yasu inspected his hand. It looked pretty good. “Thanks.”

 

He watched Hachin rummage through his bottles, picking out a teal that would definitely clash with his clothes.

“Hey…”

Hachin looked up as Yasu spoke.

“...Want me to paint yours?”

 

The smile on Hachin’s face was blinding.

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