nighthawkstars

☆quiet follow

DOODLE

Amidst the Bells of Battle. Established relationship HifuGen. A moment during the 2nd DRB.

The gravity of life weighs heavily upon him for someone titled "Phantom," and the audience that will be watching him duel in this farce adds to the pressure that he shoulders. One would think that having gone through this before would ease his nerves as he awaits Fling Posse's turn to take the stage, that having two of the most important people at his side would alleviate his worries, but his previous defeat stews in the back of his mind — a reminder that there is only more he will lose should he fail once more.

Try as he might to distract himself in conversation with Ramuda and Dice, the chatter that hides their own struggles signifies what's at risk. On one hand, he holds the steadily fading starlight of a dear friend; on the other, his beloved brother's barely beating heart. Both of these, Gentaro clings onto tightly, fiercely, desperately in a desire that has become his meaning.

Gentaro excuses himself. A quick run to the restroom, he tells Ramuda and Dice, and run quickly he does to the corridor outside.

Leaning onto the wall, the rumble of the crowds reverberate against him. It swells, surging like a caged animal ready to pounce, and were he a weaker man, he would have drowned in its merciless energy. But Gentaro is calm, cool and collected — no fear can touch a being who dares embody a spirit long gone.

(Though, that's another falsehood he's fabricated throughout this endeavor.)

"Gentaro-kun."

His eyes snap open and there stands an adversary by the Party of Word's design, suited in his coat of armor — his partner despite all that they have been through. A light in the darkness.

Closing the distance between them, Hifumi asks, "What are you doing out here"

This is where Gentaro would step back, play coy and hard to get, but he lets Hifumi slip his hand into his. Maybe he even entwines their fingers together.

"I'm merely practicing a few meditation techniques, as was taught to me by an oshō of the temple I visited often in my youth," Gentaro tells him, a hint of his true feelings disguised as a silly tall tale. "One must be at their most focused in order to yield the best results, after all."

A pair of golden irises probe him; observing, not scrutinizing like they would’ve been not too long ago. "You're nervous."

"Of course not."

"But that's a lie," Hifumi says, filling his line in for him.

Gentaro won't admit it, just as he refuses to admit so many other things to Hifumi. Instead, he says, "You're nervous as well."

Hifumi breathes a laugh, squeezes his hand. This, too, Gentaro clings onto — a warmth that grounds him in these shadows.

"It's only natural, no" Underneath the layers of Hifumi's perfect persona, Gentaro hears the strain laced within his sonorous voice. "We have a lot at stake today."

"We" he says, the author in Gentaro noting the ambiguity in it. "We" could mean Matenrou, and the throne that they seek to maintain; "we" could mean them, and the burdens that they are both carrying into the fray; and "we" as in them could even mean the bond that they share, and the way it will be tested by the upcoming trials. They have a lot at stake, indeed.

Gentaro opens his mouth to speak, yet nothing comes out. Speechlessness happens more often than he would like around Hifumi, a consequence of their contrasting personalities, but this silence is filled with the bells of battle ringing around them. He thumbs the sleeve of Hifumi's jacket, wishing he could listen to his endless rambling instead.

A foolish wish it is, at least within these walls. They're surrounded by enemies everywhere here, but to Hifumi, they're more terror than aggravation — and perhaps Hifumi is another life he is responsible for.

He discovered it amongst the whispers, that one of the higher ups in the Party bears the same name as the woman who confined Hifumi to his suit jacket, and Gentaro knows well that Hifumi is too kind to enact retribution against her. With his friends and his brother on the line, what more is his beau

Then again, there is a reason that Hifumi keeps fighting too.

"Do you remember our last battle" Gentaro finds himself asking.

"What about it"

This side of Hifumi has the tact to refrain from rubbing in his victory, but a part of Gentaro expects that "You mean how lame your verses were Yeah, totes". Rile him up it would, but that is the fire that pulled him towards Hifumi — a fire that burns alongside his cause.

"Fling Posse nearly won," Gentaro says. He turns to Hifumi, mustering up a smirk as the memory of Ramuda collapsing flashes in his mind, "It seemed that the gods decided to have mercy on you lot at the last minute."

Fortunately, though, this Hifumi has his own style of combat. He matches him, holds himself high, and says, "I'll admit you were a formidable opponent, but Matenrou doesn't need gods when we're powerful enough already."

"Heavens, what an audacious claim," Gentaro drawls. "We'll see how that stands up against that godless monk, then."

"Believe me, Matenrou's strength comes from within, and we'll use that to face Fling Posse in the finals," Hifumi says, as if they have already won their respective rounds — as if so sure that they will prevail.

"Ah, you mean to be defeated by me once and for all"

Hifumi chuckles. "I'd like to see you try."

"You'll be regretting those words once Fling Posse emerges victorious, Hifumi," says Gentaro, the tease in his tone reminiscent of the taunts they once shared.

Likewise, Hifumi falls into their familiar rhythm with ease. "Gentaro-kun, ours is a crown you can't rip out of our hands so easily."

"Good." Gentaro meets Hifumi's piercing gaze straight on. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

And though they may be lovers, that does not change the fact that they started as opponents — enemies — and the stage is the setting that will make or break them once again. What he and Hifumi have has always been a relationship built upon a rivalry where only one of them will ever triumph and so here in this arena that’s kill or be killed, they'll cast aside their ties and fight for their prides.

He fights unwavering for those near and dear to his heart. He fights unknowing of what the journey ahead has in store for his posse. He fights hoping that he'll be able to return to Hifumi's arms.

"Hifumi, where are you We’re up next" Doppo's voice cuts through, and reality settles in.

Conflict’s chime tolls. One either claims glory or bites the dust. Now or never begins with this.

"Hifumi," Gentaro says, holding onto him in a bout of selfishness. Rare is it that he initiates romantic gestures, let alone acts on impulse, but he hurries to press a kiss onto Hifumi's lips. "Good luck."

Before he can pull back, Hifumi captures him again — hands cupping his face and thumbs caressing his cheeks in a kiss that lasts a moment longer than necessary.

"Good luck to you too, Gentaro-kun," Hifumi murmurs against his lips.

With that, Gentaro watches Hifumi disappear into the corridor — an armor-clad prince off to defend the crown he'd earned through blood, sweat, and tears. He doesn't linger, not when his posse is waiting for him, and he returns to his rightful place beside Ramuda and Dice.

As the war between Matenrou and Bad Ass Temple wages on, as Hifumi shines amidst the strife, Gentaro steels his resolve. The future that lies ahead of him and his friends is a haze, blackened by the uncertainties that shroud their fates — but no matter whom he must challenge, he’ll battle with all his might to ensure an ending where he can smile with his loved ones.

Tap to full screen .Repost is prohibited

Let's send reactions!

freq popular snack others

Replies from the creator

nighthawkstars

DOODLE"I love you"s and other crisis inducing phrases. Established HifuGen. 3

nighthawkstars

DONEDisappearance of a Phantom. Established HifuGen. Sequel to https://poipiku.com/1492087/4138580.html (AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32351302/chapters/80201242) 10

nighthawkstars

DOODLE"memory tissues." inspired by my histology studies
1) areolar mesenchyme
2) pseudostratified elastic cartilage
3) dense regular epithelial muscle

*none of these are real 3

nighthawkstars

PASTOriginally posted 2021-2022 for Mermay. HifuGen Stella-verse/Little Mermaid AU. In which the little mermaid finds not a prince, but rather a thief... 5

nighthawkstars

DOODLEEstablished HifuGen. He/They Gentaro. Gentaro dealing with his baggage and what it means for him and Hifumi, but like. Poorly --

For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls“OMG, Gen-chan, look, look, look”

Hardly does Gentaro have time to question Hifumi before he shoves a phone into his face, a pair of unfamiliar figures dressed in black and white on the screen. Arm in arm, eyes only for each other, they descend the steps of the chapel in a cascade of blossoms and cheers — but even brighter than this idyllic image is Hifumi himself.

4898

nighthawkstars

DONEFashionably late Valentine's Day fic. HifuGen, FP's relationship can be read as romantic as well. Accompanying illustration here: https://twitter.com/rotkaiserin/status/1497721924578947078

EosGentaro awakens to Ramuda's arms wrapped around his waist, the rumble of Dice's snoring, and gentle fingers running through his hair. Tempting is it to keep his eyes shut, to nestle into that strangely familiar warmth caressing him, but the pounding in his head refuses to relent. Try as he might to return to the land of dreams, sleep has forsaken him.

9417

nighthawkstars

@nighthawkstars

nighthawkstar.neocities.org

nighthawkstars

DOODLE

Amidst the Bells of Battle. Established relationship HifuGen. A moment during the 2nd DRB.

nighthawkstars

nighthawkstars

nighthawkstars

nighthawkstars

nighthawkstars

nighthawkstars

recommended works

grass1jack

みずき

murasaki0w0

murasaki0w0

みずき

y_satori

みずき

みずき

リプトン