Ash tapped his foot, eyeing the selection in the cooler. He’d agreed to meet with his commander after he’d dropped Masako off after school. It made him anxious that Isao was being so vague with him. When he’d asked what the meeting would be about, all he offered was that it related to his parents’ placement. His mind raced, spiraling through every scenario he could come up with that could force Isao to call him in.

Leaving his parents’ apartment the previous night, his back aching and heart low, he’d promised himself that he’d go talk to him anyway, but getting the call that morning left a sick taste in his mouth.

The glass door opened with a hiss. He plucked out one of his favorite teas, a mildly bitter variety that he’d been drinking for years, from the shelf. Thoughts of his parents resurfaced, his throat going tight. It was hard not to worry about them, especially as they continued to stay in the field despite being well past the time agents of their caliber would have been promoted to lieutenants, or even higher.

His mother could own the organization if she wished, considering their history, yet she continued to throw herself into the line of fire alongside his father. Ash understood why, of course. He wouldn’t do any differently, given the chance, but it made for some sleepless nights when he knew his parents were out on a mission. Or when they were whisked away by the agency to god-knows-where, with no more warning than a knock on the door.

The bell rang at the front door and light footsteps started making their way down an aisle, a pleasantly deep voice greeting the cashier. Ash cocked his head, turning toward the source. While he didn’t mind tourists, he purposely went to that store because it was more secluded, cloistered in a residential area. Generally, he’d only run into his neighbors at it, so hearing someone speak in vaguely accented Japanese caught his attention. It’d been a long time since he’d been in the store, but even after his longer stints out of the country, he could recognize anyone that came in, yet he couldn’t remember ever seeing him before.

He spun back around when the man approached. Ash tightened his grip around the bottle he held when he stopped only a few feet away to peer into another refrigerator. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he subtly turned his head. His eyes snapped up to openly stare until the fair headed man turned his face more toward him.

Who are you?! The only blonde he knew was Tenya, and even hers was bleached to the dirty variety she favored over her natural brown and her roots always showed her true color, as did her brow. Yet, watching him stand with his clean-shaven chin cupped in a hand as he stared intently at the refrigerated foods, Ash shifted on his feet to get a closer look. All he could see was a golden hue. He’s actually blond. Holy shit.

“…huh. They’re out of her onigiri….”

Scrambling back in front of the tea display, Ash bowed his head when he glanced in his direction. Trying desperately to look like he was reading the back of the bottle in his hands, Ash swallowed. He had to keep his eyes down, the temptation to watch growing as he physically felt the other man step behind him.

Ash turned, watching his back until he disappeared down one of the aisles. Furtively looking around, he hastened to peek around the corner of the display, ducking his head back when the other man started heading in his direction. Hiding in a different aisle, he squatted down in front of the shelves of chips. There was no hesitation in the footsteps Ash could hear. Despite it being unlikely he was from the neighborhood, he seemed to move with familiarity through the store. Ash grabbed a bag of chips, barely having to even look to find the ones he wanted. He hid his face behind them, looking over the top of the bag when the steps approached his aisle.

He waited until the blond reappeared and disappeared again, the soft trill of a ring tone filling the air. Ash popped back up when the man answered, peering around the the end cap to see him standing at the head of yet another row, phone held to his head.

“Yes, I’m on my way, Jess…”

Ash plastered himself against the shelf when he turned around, holding his breath. I’m being ridiculous. It wasn’t like it was the first time he’d seen a stranger around. He worked with plenty of them, yet something about the one wandering the store kept him trailing to catch another glimpse of him. Following the subdued conversation taking place, Ash found the blond crouched in front of a display of various instant ramen, phone held between his ear and shoulder as he weighed two of the noodle cups in his hands.

Realizing the refrigerator of sandwiches was behind the chatty man, Ash took a soothing breath. He was fine. There wasn’t anything odd going on. He was only on edge because the other man was an unfamiliar face in a place that he usually could recognize everyone he saw. Nothing more, nothing less. There was absolutely no reason to question why he kept approaching him, even if he’d normally sooner gauge his own eyes out than get that close to someone when he’d just gotten home.

Straightening up, Ash forced himself to step behind him. A twitchy sort of jumpiness seemed to take over as he heard a muffled laugh, the sound stifled as he hid his mouth in his elbow. He skittered to get around the—much taller, Ash realized with a complicated lurch in his gut—man as he stood. His attention was forcefully brought to a halt when he banged his knee against the cold shelf, his head blanking out. The pain was enough to clear his head, his focus turning back to looking for his lunch. Picking out an egg sandwich, he lifted his head when the conversation behind him changed.

The soft words had turned into even quieter sounds of agreement. Hearing the cups tapping together, Ash looked over as the other man turned toward him, head still tilted. He thought about shying away, heat brewing under his skin at being caught under that curious gaze, but before he could move a single foot, the stranger did instead.

Stepping toward him, the blond raised both cups with an embarrassed look on his face. Ash gaped. Eyes sliding from one cup to the other, he wordlessly pointed to the one on the left. Trying to avoid lingering on the toned arms exposed by the rolled-up sleeves of his white button-up shirt, Ash froze up at the sight of the smile he received.

That smile had no right to be as kind or handsome as it was. He found himself staring, only coming out of his stupor once he was alone. He scowled, pressing the tea bottle to his forehead. Get a fucking hold of yourself! Ash looked down at his lunch, frowning; he needed to get checked out and start heading toward the agency. Closing his eyes, he listened to the soft hum of the refrigerators and the sound of the cashier answering a phone call. The other man’s voice had gone quiet, only his soft footsteps able to tell him where he’d wandered to. If I only go two aisles down, I can avoid him… wait, what the fuck am I doing? Ash shook himself, huffing. He was acting like he was trying to bypass an armed enemy, a prospect that he’d likely laugh at eventually with how absurd it was. What the hell’s wrong with you?! Calm down! He’s just a guy!