Disclaimer: Not mine
Even Ban thought he had acted like an idiot.
It was just… Hoji had nearly died. There had been a few, desperate moments when Ban had honestly thought Hoji was dead. And along with that desperation came the numbing knowledge that if he'd been there just a little earlier, maybe Hoji would still be…
Ban had kissed him without even realizing it.
And then others has shown up, and they'd taken Hoji back to Deka Base, and the medics told Ban that Hoji would be fine, really, he could go now, he was starting to annoy the other patients, and all that was left for Ban to do was think.
He'd known. He'd known that Hoji would never feel… the way he did for Hoji. Considering how long it was taking for Ban to get him to call him 'partner', how could even think of hoping for anything else? But when Band saw Hoji there, pale and still… all he could do was hope that Hoji didn't remember the kiss.
Oh, crap, what if Hoji did remember the kiss? The second he saw Ban, he'd probably get some crazy adrenaline rush and ignore his injuries and go straight for the jugular…
… Well, at least Hoji was still alive to go straight for his jugular, Ban reminded himself as he peeked through the med bay window. Hoji was there, sleeping. He was okay. Ban kept repeating that to himself as he took a seat next to Hoji-- and the screech the chairs legs made against the floor proved to be enough to wake Hoji up.
Hoji glared up at him groggily. "Hrn. Figures."
Ban gave Hoji the widest grin he could. "Of course it's me, partner! And I had to check up on you, right?"
Hoji flinched. "Don't call me partner-- and don't talk so loud."
"Oh, um, sorry." Ban's grin turned into a grimace as he tried to keep his voice down. Hoji must've noticed the effort it took in order to do so (it wasn't Ban's fault if he was naturally loud), since he was eying him critically.
"Ban. Are you all right?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Ban's noise level was back to normal, but Hoji didn't seem to notice-- much to Ban's dismay. "I wasn't the one, who y'know… got hurt…"
Hoji kept looking at him. "You're hiding something." He leaned in, voice dangerous. "Tell me-- now."
Ban spluttered, trying to think of anything that wasn't a lie, but also wouldn't get him punched. Each excuse seemed lamer than the last one, and finally Ban just gave up and decided to with what had always worked for him before: actions instead of words.
Hoji was safe. There was no Alienizers, no weapons lying nearby. And yet Ban kissed Hoji every bit as fervently as he had when he'd found him, drugged and wounded and half-dead.
When he finally pulled away Hoji looked… thoughtful. "Hunh. Well, that explains who it was before, then."
"Whaddya mean, partner?"
"I said don't call me partner," Hoji said… and then gave Ban a hesitant kiss on the cheek. "Can I back to sleep now?"
Ban nodded eagerly, and watched as Hoji settled back down. There were more things he wanted to try with Hoji, things that involved more than just kissing, but for now, he was content to watch him breathe.