Work Text
The car hummed steadily along the road, the sound of the engine filling the otherwise quiet space. Sakamoto was at the wheel, his hands relaxed but precise, guiding the vehicle with a steadiness that Shishiba found… odd.The last time Shishiba had been in the car with Sakamoto, they’d been barreling through winding streets, taking shortcuts that could barely be called roads, and barely missing collisions by centimeters. He remembered gripping the door handle so hard his knuckles turned white, and he wasn’t someone who scared easily.But today, Sakamoto was driving almost leisurely, sticking to the main road and even slowing at corners.“Hey,” Shishiba finally said, glancing from the back seat. “What’s with the careful driving? I thought you were a maniac behind the wheel.”Sakamoto, eyes still fixed on the road, gave a small shrug.“Last time I was in a car with you, you were doing 90 through a construction zone and taking shortcuts over sidewalks. What’s the deal?”Nagumo, lounging in the passenger seat with his feet up on the dash, tilted his head to look at Shishiba. “Oh, that? It’s because of me,” he said with a lazy grin, his tone dripping with faux arrogance. “Sakamoto doesn’t want me to get carsick.”Shishiba frowned, unsure if Nagumo was joking. “You get carsick?”Nagumo shrugged, playing with the sleeve of his jacket. “Occasionally. If the driver’s terrible enough.” He shot Sakamoto a pointed look.Sakamoto glanced sideways at Nagumo. “You’re the one who complained last time. Said you couldn’t focus after throwing up.”Nagumo’s smirk faltered, and he straightened slightly in his seat. “I said I couldn’t focus because you drive like a lunatic, not—”“You threw up,” Sakamoto interrupted, his voice calm but laced with amusement.Nagumo shot him a look. “It wasn’t that bad.”“You barely got out of the car before it happened,” Sakamoto added, as if he hadn’t heard him.Shishiba raised an eyebrow. “You’re really taking it easy just for him?”“Can’t have him whining the whole mission,” Sakamoto said casually, though the amusement in his voice betrayed him.Nagumo straightened up, feigning offense. “Whining? You make it sound like I’d be anything but charming.”Sakamoto glanced at him. “If you’re so charming, maybe you can clean up your own mess next time.”Nagumo scoffed. “Oh, so now you’re funny? Is this a new thing, or have I just been too busy carrying you all these years to notice?”Sakamoto chuckled under his breath, the sound rare and so subtle that Shishiba almost missed it. “You must’ve been too busy puking.”Nagumo’s mouth opened to retort, but nothing came out. Instead, he slouched in his seat, crossing his arms and muttering something unintelligible.Shishiba, watching the exchange from the back, sighed and leaned back against the seat. “You know, I signed up for this mission expecting professionalism. Not… whatever this is.”Neither of them acknowledged him.Nagumo shifted in his seat, glancing sideways at Sakamoto. “You’re awfully attentive for someone who claims not to care.”Sakamoto’s didn’t answer immediately, letting the silence stretch just long enough for Nagumo to start squirming. Finally, he said, “I pay attention when it matters.”Nagumo blinked again, momentarily stunned into silence. He cleared his throat and looked out the window, trying to regain his composure. “Well, aren’t you thoughtful,” he muttered, his voice quieter this time.Sakamoto glanced at him, his expression unreadable but his tone slightly amused. “I don’t want you throwing up in my car. Cleaning that up would be annoying.”The corner of Nagumo’s mouth twitched. “Wow, how considerate of you.”Shishiba rolled his eyes. “Right. Totally about the car. Nothing else.”“Exactly,” Sakamoto replied smoothly.Nagumo narrowed his eyes at him, leaning closer. “You’re starting to sound suspiciously like you care, Sakamoto. Should I be flattered?”Sakamoto didn’t miss a beat. “Maybe you should.”For a moment, Nagumo faltered, caught off guard by the rare teasing tone in Sakamoto’s voice. His cheeks flushed the faintest shade of pink, but he quickly turned away, brushing it off with a chuckle. “You’ve been spending too much time with me. You’re learning bad habits.”Shishiba, meanwhile, groaned and slumped back in his seat. “I’m not being paid enough to third-wheel this nonsense.”Before Nagumo could fire back, Sakamoto’s sharp eyes caught sight of their target in the distance, a sleek black car parked in an alley, surrounded by armed guards. “We’re here.”The car’s pace shifted instantly. Sakamoto’s foot hit the gas, and they shot forward, weaving through traffic like a bullet. The abrupt acceleration sent Nagumo gripping the door handle, though he managed to keep his composure.“Hold on,” Sakamoto warned, his voice steady as he swerved into a narrow alleyway.Nagumo and Shishiba didn’t need to be told twice. As soon as the car skidded to a halt, they were out of their seats, weapons drawn.
The guards barely had time to react before Nagumo and Shishiba descended on them like a storm. Nagumo moved with his usual flair, spinning and slicing through enemies with precise, almost graceful movements. Shishiba, by contrast, was all efficiency, brutal and quick, wasting no time in dispatching his opponents.
Sakamoto stayed back, keeping the car idling and his eyes sharp, ready to step in if necessary.The fight was over in minutes. Nagumo and Shishiba returned to the car, both unharmed but slightly winded.“Easy,” Shishiba muttered, sliding into the backseat.Nagumo flopped into the passenger seat with a grin. “Piece of cake.”Sakamoto didn’t respond, but as they drove away, he glanced at Nagumo out of the corner of his eye. The man’s usual cocky demeanor seemed intact, but there was a faint pallor to his skin.“You look pale,” Sakamoto said calmly.Nagumo waved a hand dismissively. “I’m fine. Just a little—” He stopped abruptly as the car hit a small bump, his face tightening.He opened his mouth to crack a joke, but the nausea creeping up his throat cut him off. He leaned back, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing.
Sakamoto’s eyes narrowed. Without a word, he pulled the car to the side of the road and turned off the engine.“What are you doing?” Nagumo asked, though his voice lacked its usual bite.“Take some air,” Sakamoto said simply, stepping out of the car.“I said I’m fine,” Nagumo protested, but he didn’t stop Sakamoto from opening his door.Ignoring him, Sakamoto exited the car, walked around to Nagumo’s side, opened the door and extended his hand toward him.“Come on”Nagumo blinked, staring at the outstretched hand like it was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. For a moment, he considered brushing it off with another snarky comment, but something in Sakamoto’s calm, steady expression made him pause.With a resigned sigh, Nagumo took his hand. Sakamoto’s grip was firm but reassuring, grounding him as he stepped out of the car. The cool evening air hit Nagumo’s face, and he let out a shaky breath.“Better?” Sakamoto asked, his voice quiet but laced with concern.Nagumo straightened after a moment, swallowing hard. “I’m not gonna throw up, if that’s what you’re worried about.”“Good,” Sakamoto replied. Then, with a surprising amount of tenderness, he brushed a stray lock of hair away from Nagumo’s face.Nagumo froze, his eyes snapping to Sakamoto’s. The gesture was so casual, so natural, that it completely disarmed him. His cheeks flushed faintly, but he quickly turned his head, trying to play it cool.“You’re really laying it on thick today,” Nagumo muttered, though his voice was softer than usual.Sakamoto didn’t respond. Instead, he gave Nagumo’s hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go and stepping back toward the car.Shishiba, still in the backseat, groaned. “This is ridiculous. Can we just get back already?”“Sure you better?” Sakamoto asked as he leaned closer to him, his voice low and steady.Nagumo swallowed, his heart skipping a beat despite himself. “Yeah. Thanks.”Satisfied, Sakamoto stood and closed the door, returning to the driver’s seat.As the car pulled back onto the road, Shishiba muttered under his breath, “I’m never riding with you two again.”Nagumo smirked, leaning back in his seat. Despite his lingering nausea, he couldn’t help but feel… oddly at ease.“Jealous much, Shishiba?”“Not in the slightest,” Shishiba shot back.Sakamoto said nothing, his usual stoicism back in place as he started the car. But as they drove away, his gaze lingered on Nagumo for a moment longer than necessary, making sure he was truly okay.As the car rolled along the road, the tension in the air shifted. Nagumo leaned his elbow against the window, trying to act casual, but every once in a while, he caught himself glancing at Sakamoto. It wasn’t intentional, really…Shishiba muttered something under his breath about "ridiculous seniors," both Sakamoto and Nagumo glanced at each other, sharing a rare moment of understanding.“Don’t worry, Shishiba.If you ever get carsick,I’m sure Sakamoto will hold your hand too.” Nagumo quipped, his grin returning“I’ll pass,” Shishiba said flatly.The moment passed quickly, and soon the three of them were back in sync, ready for the chaos ahead.