Disclaimer: Dekaranger is not mine

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For the first time in his life, Ban had no idea what he should do next.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, it was the direct result of what was easily the most predictable part of his day: it couldn't have been more than one, maybe two hours after they'd deleted the Alienizer when Hoji came barging into his room, demanding to know what he was thinking taking that risk, and didn't he realize how close he came to getting himself killed?! And like always, he hadn't meant to start another fight, but found himself demanding right back how they were supposed to get anything accomplished if somebody didn't take a risk, and then they would fight until either one of their teammates worked up the courage to step between them or they were too tired to go any further.

But this time was different than the others. Ban should have noticed it earlier, but underneath the predictability of Hoji's behavior there was something... almost desperate. There was a little more passion in his voice than usual; his eyes a little wilder. Now that he thought about it, it was the first time he had even mentioned the possibility of dying on duty, before he had seemed more concerned with the bureaucracy. But he was so busy filling out his part of their post-battle tradition it never occurred to him, at least, not until Hoji pushed him against the wall and kissed him.

And he'd been just standing there like an moron ever since! In a way, he was almost relieved: this explained why his partner was always on his ass, and it was... nice to know that the feelings he'd been keeping (mostly) secret for so long were returned at least to some degree. But it was hard to stay relieved when judging by the look on Hoji's face, their kiss had come as a surprise to him as well.

"Partner?"

"Don't call me partner." Hoji didn't look at him as he spoke. "This was a mistake. I should go--"

"No!" Ban grabbed him by the arms. He was not going to let him get away, not until he got his answer. "How can you be so sure it's a mistake when it was just one stupid kiss! You can't just decide if--"

"Shut up!" Hoji pulled away with enough force and surprise to get away from Ban. "Since when do you know about me, anyway?!" Suddenly, all the strength in him seemed to drain away as he sagged against the wall. "You... you don't know anything..."

Ban watched helplessly as his partner began to lose himself in his own misery. Why did he keep doing this to himself? Even if had been his first, last, and only impulsive action ever, he wouldn't have kissed him if he planned to stay safely in the realm of denial. So why was he trying to retreat back if...

"You're afraid, aren't you?"

"What do you mean by that?" There was still enough pride left in Hoji to rile up at that.

It would probably just make things worse, but leaning in close to his partner was better than nothing. "Don't be afraid."

When Hoji had kissed Ban, it had been rough and demanding, as if he was still arguing with him. When Ban kissed Hoji, it was still demanding, but slower, easier. A promise.

Hoji didn't speak when he finally pulled away, but he didn't try to leave or smack him, either. That had to be a good sign.

Ban smiled cheekily. "See? That wasn't so scary, was it?"

His partner rolled his eyes and murmured something about him still being an idiot.

But it didn't stop him from kissing him again.