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Smile Like You're Supposed To (Super Sentai fic)

Sumary:

Zox has travelled to hundreds of worlds in his life, it makes sense that he would end up at ones not too far off from Kikaitopia once things settled out there. Likewise, it makes sense that some worlds were closer or farther from similar to each other. And so when this world so close to what he found a home in proved to be missing what was most important, he takes to the company of a strange stranger to pass the time. He couldn't have expected just how interesting a decision that would prove.

Written as a gift for @muzzleofnemesis

To read on AO3, follow the link below. To read here, continue past the read more!

Not every world had one, something Zox was incredibly thankful for. Across the thousands of worlds out there both old and new to him, many people seemed to have equivalents of themselves across them. The more important to the world they started in, the less common of a repeat however was one rule he had noticed. And following such a rule meant there were very few Kaito’s across the worlds. He had only met 3 Kaito across hundreds of worlds in his life so far, and he was a bit loathe at the idea of finding any others as he knew there was only one he wanted or needed in his life. He knew who his friend was, any sham of a copy wasn’t worth his time, though even still that didn’t stop him from morbid fascination when his Kaito was out of reach.

There was one world that was so eerily close to the world his Kaito was from, but even without the right people being entirely missing it felt off. It wasn't as bright, people weren't as warm and full of love here. Not that it was something dreary by contrast, but the vibrancy and hub of life and casual warmth that Kaito’s hometown and world brought with it just weren't present. People were similar enough but he didn't feel welcome inherently here like he did in Zenkaitopia. Was it because the home of all that vibrancy and color and Kaito was not present, Café Candy Colorful being replaced by the much more subdued Cafe Donbura? Zox couldn't be certain, but it all felt so wrong. Yet, here he was once again stepping past the low short curtains over the entrance into the café painted in drab whites and browns instead of the splashes of a rainbow palette on every wall and surface that he would instinctively always look for.

He scanned the café upon entering, finding it almost empty today and not even the server girl who he had seen last time was there to greet him. Even so, as always, this world’s “Kaito” was seated behind the counter and looked up with a dispassionate expression. Their eyes met and Zox had to fight the urge of challenge that threatened to rise in him, breaking eye contact first on purpose by looking at the tables out on the floor to decide on his own seating. “Kaito” never interrupted him, waiting patiently for whatever the pirate had to say or offer. Their first interaction had been one of false expectations and a bit too heated a tone as Zox sneered the entire time, unimpressed. Zox simply wanted what this café had to offer even if its owner was all wrong and so he tried to come off as casual and calm as he could.

He made to settle at a corner table that was open before his hazel gaze was drawn to the one across it, occupied by the only other patron in the establishment. The table was littered with a huge stack of books, their spines facing away from him so he couldn't speculate on what they were. Otherwise there was a small coffee cup in front of them as they seemed engrossed in the book currently in their hands. In fact, he hadn’t moved at all to indicate he noticed anyone else entering the quiet of this place, his keeping still keeping him from Zox’s initial notice as well. Taking in the other person, their black hair hung just past their shoulders, their clothes all the same shade of brown with clasps and pockets sewn into them almost as decoration over any real function. Their jawline very sharp and defined from a side profile, though Zox couldn't help from humming aloud in interest as his gaze settled on the ornate cuff on the other patron’s ear.

“I’ll take the other seat here, if it’s free?” 

He called out his question, though he stared at his potential table-mate pointedly waiting for some kind of response. A few beats of silence went on, Zox’s easy smile twitching at the corners a bit in slight impatience at being seemingly ignored. He blinked a few times, making to repeat himself before “Kaito” beat him to it, calling out in a soft tone.

“Sonoza.”

“Ha?”

The reply from the other, Sonoza as it were, was a harsh shout more than it was a real answer. Even so, Kaito merely calmly waited until strikingly copper almost golden eyes flicked up finally in attention. Zox noted how almost otherworldly they made his face seem, his high cheekbones and narrow face only drawing more attention to them.

“This patron would like to know if you would share your table with him.”

Zox fought a frown at how monotone the man’s tone was, nothing like the energy it should have. Though he was quickly distracted from those thoughts as molten eyes swiveled to regard him in appraisal, as if their warmth and intensity could set him aflame right here. Zox tilted his head to the side slightly, gesturing to the open chair once more.

“Would that be a problem? Sonoza was it? Just thought I'd enjoy some company while I was here and that does seem to point me in your direction.”

He let a playful smile return to his lips, hoping that would coax the other. In response, Sonoza cocked his head, almost a twitch really, in a notably inhuman way and he never broke away from looking the pirate over. If anything, he scrutinized him harder and it made Zox wonder if this simple stop by would end up an altercation after all. After a few more beats, as if he had been on some kind of timer, Sonoza suddenly kicked his leg forward into the edge of the empty chair, sending it aggressively skidding a couple feet away from the table. 

“You smile like Sonoi and Sononi do.” 

He spoke with a finality, as if with that he had cast some sort of judgment. But with a rough and audible exhale through his nose, his features seemed to jump quickly to one of light confusion.

“The seat’s open, didn't you want it?”

Zox, reeling a little from the quickly changing actions over the last moments, blinked at him a few times before it clicked that the aggressive move was this person’s own version of an invitation. He moved over and dragged the chair back to the table, sliding into it with his legs to the side crossed loosely for space as he let himself twist a bit to face his odd companion for the time being. He didn't bother voicing an order, knowing that “Kaito” had already been made clear of the only thing he would order from this establishment from his previous visits. He was always well stocked and prepared for anything it seemed, and it saved Zox words with him so despite the initial discomfort of being studied and known by a stranger wearing a friend's face, this was ultimately the lesser evil.

He rested his elbows on the table, threading his fingers to make his hands into a cradle for his chin to rest upon as he took further stock of Sonoza. Sonoza seemed to be staring right on back, but it wasn't with any particular emotion outside of mild interest and that seemingly inherent intensity set to his features. It came off aggressive certainly, but Zox was starting to see it as more one not realizing his own effects on those around him instead of anything intentional.

“What you said about my smile, what did you mean?” 

Without missing a beat, Sonoza responded in a tone that though not particularly deep had a bit of a gritty forced out texture to it.

“Your smile is too seductive, it’s to make people give you what you want not because you want to smile. My nakama both do the same thing, they want things of humans so they do that. I copy humans instead though.”

Zox “hmmm” ‘ed in acknowledgement, letting the information thrown at him sit for a minute as he took it in. In just one answer, he had learned this person was not human, he was not alone, and he found his smile to be “seductive.” This was certainly shaping up to be an interesting visit after all.

“Seductive, hm? You’re not the first to say something like that to me.”

 He let his words roll off his tongue like a purr, trying to get some kind of reaction out of the man across from him. Sonoza just nodded in acceptance, merely taking it as being told a fact; he didn't take the bait in the slightest, that was no fun. Still, he had the other’s attention so he figured it wasn't a dismissal and tried for something else.

“You’re not human.”

“Cerebran.”

Well, that was a new one. And that was an oddity to be something new in a place he had already visited. “Ah?”

“We live off human brainwaves and emotions, but humans don’t usually know we exist. Me and my nakama live here with humans though since we betrayed the Cerebrans in our dimension.”

Zox fiddled with the rings on his hands absently with his thumb without moving from his position. Sonoza and whoever the others were must have either been in hiding before now, or they had only just recently started living amongst humans. Sonoza seemed comfortable enough to just blurt out such information, but whether that meant he knew more than he looked like he did or if he simply was that comfortable amongst humans was hard to say. All his answers felt genuine enough so far, and he didn't seem the type to hide things with how blunt he spoke.

“Does that mean you side with humans then?” He threw out the next line with a wink, a smirk pulling on the corners of his mouth. “Do I need to be worried?”

Sonoza once more jerked his head into a tilt the far other way now, a bit too fast and sharp a movement to be normal for a human or comfortable for that matter. He took a moment to answer, seeming to think on his response this time around. Zox waited with interest, not quite patient but he was fascinated enough to feign it.

“Humans make wonderful things, and they tell stories that move your heart in ways not even your own story can. So if I get to have those things by keeping them safe, that’s okay,” he never paused in speaking, though his next words seemed almost an unrelated thought to the blonde and it almost sent him reeling once again. “I learned about the human heart from ‘First Love Hero’. The vibrant and wide range of emotions the heroine experiences as she navigates highschool and hero work alongside all the romantic advances on top of it taught me a lot.”

Zox chuckled, not able or caring enough to stop himself. This imposing man with the intensity of magma in his eyes learned about the human heart from…shoujo manga? Zox would have called bullshit were it not for the open expression the other wore, his tone once more only stating a fact more than denoting any kind of distinct stance. The sincerity Sonoza offered only served to make him laugh even more, shaking his head in slight disbelief that such a person would be behind that aggressive persona. As he started to calm himself back down, he almost jerked away on reflex as Sonoza stood suddenly and lurched across the table and jabbed a finger to his cheek just barely missing the edge of his mouth.

“That laughter, can you do it again? You smiled normally too, like you’re supposed to when you mean it. And you had one of those…those..,” He paused, a slight pout pushing onto his lips as he struggled for the word he wanted. Seeming to give up after a few beats, he moved to now use both hands to poke at matching points on Zox’s face. Zox blinked at him, his brows scrunching in befuddlement at the sudden handling, but before he could say anything or pull away, he once more overheard “Kaito” cut in.

“Dimples?”

Sonoza’s eyes lit up and he nodded very seriously, never looking away from Zox’s face.

“Those, you had them! ‘Dimples.’ “ he said the word again, as much as an assertion to the pirate as feeling the word on his own lips to remember it.

 Zox lightly bat at the prodding fingers, moving to grab the others wrists and physically push Sonoza back partially into his seat and back across the table. Zox felt his irritation flare a bit, but he gave pause at how calmly Sonoza was still looking at him and how willingly he let himself be grabbed, rather firmly, in honesty. Zox gave an experimental squeeze to tighten further his grip and Sonoza looked at where their contact was held but more with curiosity than any sense of offense or concern and he still made no attempt to pull away or squirm. He sighed, shaking his head again and practically guiding Sonoza back to sitting in his chair again, he released his wrists and let himself drop back into his seat, crossing his arms across his chest. It was definitely not to prevent himself from rubbing at his face where he had been prodded, not at all.

“Most people can’t just...laugh on command, you know. And don't go poking at me whenever you like, you don’t even know my name.”

“So tell me who you are, then I’ll know.”

Zox huffed a laugh, exasperated but not unamused by the odd person he had found himself seated with. He stood up with an exaggerated flourish, stepping to the side of his chair so he would have enough room for his next actions. He’d hate to try and make a show out of himself just to kick a table leg or something and look like an idiot. He began softly, rising in volume as he went and a grin split his face in earnest as his body fell into step with oh so familiar twists and turns.

“Yo-ho-hoy, yo-ho-hoy, yo-ho-hoy-hoy~ I'm a world pirate, in search of treasure, I sail from sea to sea~ I'm a world pirate, in search of freedom, I sail from world to world~ No matter what I always get what I want, and when I do I always feel good!”

He stopped on the beat with a dramatic extension of his hand and a wink, his grin still firmly on his face at getting to show his routine to yet another new person.

“The name is Zox Goldtweaker, captain and leader of the Goldtweaker family.”

Sonoza offered him the same intense neutral expression he had for most of their interaction so far, and he was a bit disappointed he hadn't garnered any real reaction when just as suddenly as everything else he did, Sonoza smiled so wide it seemed his face would split from it. It scrunched his eyes near closed from how his cheekbones sharply pushed up into his eyes and his teeth were in full display, his unnaturally sharp canine teeth poking past his lips and then some. Zox “ho?” ‘ed in interest, making to drop his stance and put a hand to his hip as he looked at the other. It was earnest and a bit endearing admittedly, though the sudden shift in the other’s expression did take him off guard a bit. Acting on impulse despite his own earlier words, he stepped forward and leaned down to lightly pinch at Sonoza’s cheek, tutting as he spoke in a teasing tone.

“Where was this hiding, hm? You’ve been eagle eying me since you saw me, now you can smile like this?”

Sonoza let his smile drop a little so he could properly look at Zox, vibrant eyes sliding up to meet darker ones. Just like earlier, he didn't pull away from the contact or even acknowledge it really and he pushed forward like it was the most natural thing in the world for a stranger to do.

“Your song was fun and refreshing, it made my heart feel warm and I got to see you smile again. So I smiled back. When humans enjoy things together, I've seen them often smile or laugh together. I'm the best at smiling of the three of us, smiling and laughing, since I've watched so many humans do it.”

Zox hummed, letting go of the other’s cheek and plopping himself once again back into his seat. As he did, Sonoza took a sip of the by now probably cooled coffee in his cup, having been left forgotten on the table in the wake of Zox’s presence. Sonoza made no reaction though, unbothered by if it was cold or overly bitter by this point.

“Did your nakama not also watch humans smile and laugh?”

Sonoza hummed into his drink, swallowing almost exaggeratedly with a flick of his head that showed off his throat much more than was necessary.

“Sononi wanted to learn about love, so she would keep going on dates and try to get people to confess to her so she could ask them what their love was like. Sonoi preferred beauty though, so he tended to look at the things people made and why more than he spoke to people. He thinks people are beautiful in their own way so he helps them out a lot, but he doesn't talk to them really unless they make an impression on him.” he scrunched his nose, the first real emotion outside his base tone really showing through in his voice as he continued.

“I think they took way too round about methods of figuring out humans though.”

Zox felt himself fond of petulant expression crossing the man’s face, pressing to see what else he could see on those distinct features.

“And you’re the best at understanding us then?”

Sonoza paused, another sip of coffee passing his lips. Was he stalling now? Interesting.

“I think they eventually found what they were looking for, and Sononi seems pretty happy these days. She smiles like she is supposed to when she means it a lot now. I found what I was looking for a lot faster than they did, but that’s because I found a teacher. Her manga was what taught me a lot about the human heart and emotions.”

“First Love Hero, right? Your teacher was Kitou Haruka?” He had the grace enough not to acknowledge he had skipped over the third member of Sonoza’s group, taking the omission as hint enough. 

“I’m her chief editor. She gets into slumps a lot, but if you encourage her right, she can overcome them and write the best stories in the world I think.”

Zox finally let himself glance at the book Sonoza had since closed and set down on the table between them, noting the cover was of the fourth volume in the series he had mentioned a couple times now. Zox had given it a read through as far as it went when he had last visited, only to volume 2 if he recalled correctly. It was certainly cliched at points, but in a charming  and endearing way that seemed to be setting up a lot of genuine and fresh character arcs in its cast. He had wanted to pick up anything else out while he was here actually, he didn't think he would have found such a close to the source staff member in this coffee shop of all places. For once, his masochism proved to be something other than a slough through a grating interaction just to get a taste of his home away from home. 

“I don’t come by this world too often, so I haven't read the newer volumes but I enjoyed its beginning premise. The characters were pretty lively and I thought the humor was a bit old school in a charming way.”

Sonoza’s face lit up, not changing much in expression but it felt more open and his rapt attention became as intense as his features almost. He nodded quickly in agreement, reaching out and with practiced ease and almost not even a glance to his hands, he pulled out volume 3 and held it out across the table.

“This is where it picked up once she began publication again after the false charges finally dropped for her plagiarism allegations. She never gave up working on it, and through that time she drew about 4 volumes of it and mass published them across 2 months after her contract with a publisher was reinstated.”

Zox took the book with a nod, but he felt resistance when he tried to pull it out of Sonoza’s grip. He quirked an eyebrow in silent question, and he was met with what was probably the first actual aggressive expression he had gotten. It was more guarded than anything, a stern set of the brows and a slightly exaggerated frown on his lips.

“Borrow, just for here.”

“What do you take me for?”

“You’re a pirate and you take what you want, and you can smile so people give you what you want.” He leaned in a bit closer, making sure he had Zox’s attention. “You can only borrow it.”

Zox chuckled, giving a small salute and nodding, his shoulders relaxing a bit as he was now able to lean back in his seat fully once more with his temporary prize in hand once Sonoza’s grip loosened.

“I was already going to go pick up copies of her new releases anyways, I have no reason to take yours if I'm getting them somewhere else. I'm a pirate, but I'm not a liar.”

And with a satisfied nod of acceptance from the odd man, they both up-took their respective volumes of manga and let themselves lapse into relative quiet for the moment, losing themselves in the story at their fingertips. Relative was the key word, as Zox was quick to find out Sonoza was very deeply and easily moved by this manga in particular it seemed: he laughed raucously as he found certain jokes funny and when he was lost in the emotions and struggles of the characters, he cried openly though not loudly. Zox found it endearing more than annoying for the moment, and by the time they both finished the current volumes they had been working on, “Kaito” had finally come back around front to drop off the original intent of Zox’s visit.

Set down without a word in front of him, Zox smiled despite himself at the many layered dessert. It was a tall glass containing all kinds of pastel colored ice cream and yogurt layered with various creams and syrups, the top barely keeping from spilling over with candies poked into the top wherever they could be balanced, the wafer cookie against the glass’ rim not helping at all with keeping the treat inside its container. He unwrapped the napkin holding his silverware he had let sit to the side of the table, pulling out a spoon and without event he dug into the cold creaminess of the Colourful Parfait. It was the right mix of overwhelming and refreshing as it always was, as he expected it to be. It was the only thing that was right about this place, and he would relish it gladly. He could have choked on how the syrups and yogurt stuck to his mouth, strawberry and caramel mixing with marshmallow consistency and pieces of fruit candy, but with gusto he managed to swallow it down every bite through.

Distracted more than he would normally allow around strangers, Zox hadn’t noticed at first the laser focused stare he was being given across the table until he was halfway down the glass. Sonoza has taken to resting his arms on the table, pillowing his head as he watched Zox eat in silence, his head turned to the side to watch from an odd angle. His expression seemed to soften into something Zox had yet to see on him so far, his mouth closed but jaw slack and his eyes taking an odd light to them Zox wasn't sure he liked. It wasn't pitying, but to say it was without some kind of pitying look wouldn't be right either.

“If you want some, you can always order your own. I have no plans on sharing in the slightest.” He kept his voice playful, practically a singsong by the end but Sonoza’s expression stayed the same.

“You’re the other one the parfait is for…” It was a question as much as a statement, his tone a bit hard to pin down. Zox almost choked, his eyes widening in surprise and alarm as he had to tilt his head back and take a deep breath so he swallowed properly. He coughed reflexively after he did anyways, the sudden air blockage followed by ice cold food in his chest not doing him any favors. He rubbed at his sternum as if it would warm the ache of chill in his body as he looked at Sonoza with a scrutinizing squint, almost a glare.

“Wh-..What is that supposed to mean?”

Sonoza glanced behind him, looking to what could only be “Kaito” for the first time since Zox had gotten there before he heard footsteps shuffle behind them. Zox turned in his seat only to see the flaps of the back area shift as they had presumably just been pushed by someone walking past. He then shifted back, now a bit wary, and fixed an only growing scowl in frustration.

“The owner refuses to serve those to almost everyone except for that guy in purple and now you. Neither of you actually said your orders out loud now that i think about it, he must know they’re for you. The other guy seemed really sad about the place, it wasn't what he expected or something though he was still pretty polite i think.” He paused, gauging Zox’s expression, “Ah, I was on wait-staff that day, I work here too. But yeah, I asked what he wanted and the owner just waved me off saying he would handle that customer. They didn't say much to each other i don't think, but after he ate one of those he just up and left. I'm not sure what he paid instead of money or if it was on the house or what, but he never ended up coming back. Jus’ looked really sad.”

Zox bit the inside of his cheek, trying to place the implications of what he had just been told. Mundanity of Sonoza apparently being a waiter here aside, he zeroed in on the fact that he had been expected here. He had been judged and expected to come here and to be upset by “Kaito” by the man himself and it was always prepared just for him that he would have the one item this place had that reminded him of Colourful? No, not him, there was also…well, there was really only one possibility wasn't there?

‘Stacey came here… he saw that faker and this sham of a replacement and no ya-chan in sight…’

Why would he come to this world of all places? No, that wasn't something he could guess, he wasn't close enough to judge the guy’s motives and it wasn't like they hung out often enough to just ask. They weren’t on bad terms by any means, but they definitely shared friends and spaces more than they shared each other's company with any sort of purpose. There in a pinch if either needed the other and reached out to ask, but not exactly old buddies who would chat over coffee. Though he wouldn't mind playing against him in a few matches of tennis from time to time…No, that was besides the point here!

“You’re sad.”

Zox scowled deeper. “I’m not sad, Sonoza.”

“Upset then.”

He grit his teeth. “I’m not upset.”

“... You lie like Sonoi too.”

Zox let himself break composure outright, leveling a pointed glare and when he spoke he frowned enough for his teeth to almost bare at the man across him.

“And how exactly does Sonoi lie, hm? What are you accusing me of now?”

Sonoza didn't balk in the slightest at the heat, and he didn't look away just as he hasn't since they first met each other's gaze.

“He says he doesn’t miss Momoi Taro and then he tells us not to come with him when he goes to their favorite Oden cart. He says he isn't lonely and won't bother Momoi Taro in his new life, but then he follows him around town on his deliveries until he goes home at night. He says that he doesn't recall what Momoi Taro’s last request was, but then he runs through our lunch with Momoi Taro over and over like a script when he thinks nobody can hear him pacing on the roof and saying it.”

Zox found his mouth absurdly dry despite having just had creamy semi-melted sweets in it only minutes ago. He wasn't even being spoken about but he felt all but mortified in front of a man he met no more than an hour and some ago. 

“Is the person you and that other guy came here looking for still around?”

Zox nodded stiffly, pausing to rest his lower face into his hand as his gaze fell to the table between them.

“We were…our people are different people, but we met them both in a place that used to be here just…in another world. My… person looks and sounds just like your manager here, except mine is much brighter. Always smiling and cheering and constantly trying to help people, even when people don't want him to. He’s away adventuring the worlds with some of his other friends right now, has been for a few years on and off now. We meet up from time to time, but it’s a bit hard to keep up with him since he doesn't have a ship I can track or anything.” 

He sighed wistfully, letting his weight sink more onto the hand holding his face.

“The other guy who was here? His person is my person’s grandma, she’s..she’s really something too. I see where Kaito gets it from, she’s helping everyone in her own way. Told the guy he could always rest when she was around, offered him a place to live and all the old lady hugs and sweets he could want, the grandma works haha. He declined, but he always shows up at some point or other at her place with one of those parfaits they got here, they’re his favorite I think. I think if I wasn't as comfortable as I was, she would have tried to get me too maybe, now that I think about it. She’s an old thing, but she’s strong. I think though maybe…well…I think he doesn't wanna see her get any older, see her not be so strong. Guy doesn’t really have anyone else aside from our people, so…”

He lapsed into silence, unsure if he even had any steam to keep going. What was he doing, practically confessing his personal matters and Stacey’s too to this person he met today. Then again, maybe that’s why, a different world and a new person with an odd perceptiveness that his usual attitude didn't deter. Maybe that’s exactly why he said it, like a note he could write and leave somewhere out of sight in this world he rarely visited with a stranger he might not see again.

“That’s good, that your person is just traveling. It means you can still smile like you’re supposed to.”

As if to show what he meant, he turned his head upright now, snaking his arms out from under his head to let his chin drop to the table. Then, with his eyes looking up to meet Zox’s, he used his pointer fingers to force the corners of his mouth into a weak mimicry of a smile before smiling in earnest like earlier a moment after. Zox chuckled, miffed at this stranger who kicked chairs and snarled over shoujo manga and who drank cold coffee while saying he was lonely. He could have waved this whole thing off, leaning into a faux suave attitude or pulling attention to something more fun and interesting, less personal, but Sonoza had been direct and honest, painfully so, this entire time. Zox decided he would repay it, treat it as a debt in this case, and humored him. 

He sighed dramatically and after a moment’s hesitation, he rolled his eyes before using his own pointer fingers to push at his own mouth, his fingertips slotting into place where his dimples poked inwards. He blinked in surprise, pulling his fingers away to stare at them in an exaggerated awe.

“Huh….I do have some…”

Sonoza looked like he could have shot across the table and was trying comically hard not to when he slammed his hands palms down onto his thighs to accentuate his next exclamation.

“I told you!”

He sounded like a little kid who had won some kind of argument, which only made Zox ease into laughter at the comparison between the image he had now of Sonoza versus when he first noticed him. He was glad in the end, that he had decided on a whim to find some company in the usually quiet and sterile coffee shop. As his laughter threatened to die down, he was struck anew with a much harder laughing fit now brought on by his table-mate in question; Sonoza had, after a moment of intense staring, decided to join him it seemed like a choice and not an involuntary reaction, and he raucously loud and gritty pushed a yell of a laugh past sharp teeth and plump lips.

“WAHAHA!”

He sounded maniacal almost if you didn't know he learned to laugh through repetition and not natural ability, but knowing he did and with all his boasting earlier, it had broken Zox down into a fit of cackling. He held his stomach, faintly worried he would get sick from laughing so hard with cold sweets on his stomach and nothing else. But he couldn't stop, and he didn't try to either and just enjoyed the burning in his gut and the prickling at his eyes. Yes, he was glad he had decided to play chance on a whim here indeed, for he had certainly found a treasure in this place after all.

Gnashing Silver, Warm Gold (Donbrothers fanfic)

Summary:

When a regular battle between Sonoi and Momoi goes wrong, the cerebran is very surprised to find a certain tiger running to step in and help their shared rival.

To read on AO3, follow the link below. To read here, continue past the read more!

It shouldn’t have happened, it had never happened before, why would something so happenstance occur now? Momoi and Sonoi alike were both top class warriors, practically unmatched aside from each other and when on even footing, both were almost perfectly even in skill and strength. In their fights they tended to isolate away a bit, every squirmish and struggle a private duel that their comrades respected and left to its own conclusion without interference usually. They had done away with declaring it as such, for if so they’d have the pomp and circumstance almost every day and that would be too ostentatious for even Sonoi’s tastes, though Momoi might have enjoyed it. Regardless, they were equals and fought fairly with all they had, they’d never slipped up in that regard ever since Sonoi had righted his wrong early on in their ritual of combat. So then how did it come to this?

It was a fluke really, something that could happen to anyone, not that Momoi Taro was anyone though. They were fighting in the rocky quarry a bit past the city limits, an abandoned construction site from years ago that lent itself almost too perfectly to their fights with little damage people would notice. For today it was just them, the other’s having finished their group battle already and taking their leaves as they had grown accustomed to their leaders going late into the evening if given the chance. They had let themselves as always get lost in the ebb and flow of each other's routine of strikes and punches and flips that they'd come to expect of each other.

Sonoi had defended a sword strike to his side, cleanly sidestepping in the next movement to flow into a jab at Momoi’s center. Momoi without hesitation threw himself down and back, his spine arching as he made to duck beneath it like some game of limbo. Sonoi expected he’d either allow himself to fully fall just to push himself up in a surge of movement to kick out at him or flip himself with the momentum and land back onto his feet ready for the next exchange. So when Momoi’s foot shoved out beneath him, sending him onto his back, he thought nothing of it at first, until the next moments were not following the rest of his expectations.

Momoi did not make to flip himself around nor did he kick out or laugh off the attack as usual. He had no witty banter or remarks and he had nothing to retaliate with. He was just…laying there, suddenly still. Sonoi stood there a few moments, not quite processing what had happened or if this was some new factor into their exchange. Another beat and it finally clicked that the other was not going to and maybe unable to rise on his own, and Sonoi was quick to ‘power down’ letting blue light flash and as it faded it took blue and silver armor away to leave human-like flesh and satin clothing behind. By the time his knees hit the ground next to Momoi, the man in question had also let his armor fade to his civilian clothes and lightly tanned skin. 

Momoi’s eyes were closed, lips slightly parted to allow a bit of reddened spit to drool out of the corner of his mouth at a crawl. That was enough to get him going and he moved to trail his fingers along the red ranger’s chest, checking for any noticeable injuries and moving his way up to check at the back of his neck and head. Before he could properly lift the other’s head to check however, he felt more than saw something running full speed directly at him. He jerked his head up and over to gauge his assailant but all he saw was a flash of white and gold before he felt himself get roughly body checked to the side, the force enough to make his body skid a couple feet into the grit below them to his displeasure. He scrambled to pick himself up, moving to hold himself up on his palms only to pause, the sight he was greeted with not something he ever expected again.

Momotani Jiro was crouched overtop of Momoi, on all fours like an animal and with the fallen leader between his limbs, the long white robe of the other curtained to hide Momoi away it seemed. He was staring directly at Sonoi, his eyes flashing silver and his teeth bared in a snarl that rumbled in his chest unlike what any other human had ever made in Sonoi’s experience. The red markings beneath his eyes that continued to his temple only made the fierce expression all the more striking. Sonoi didn’t really know much about the other members of the don brothers, it wasn't what his attention was drawn to, and with his comrades serving to latch onto others themselves he felt it balanced out enough. 

Momotani Jiro though was one he had heard bits and pieces about though, giving it the extra attention ever since their first meeting with the gold ranger almost excitedly cutting into his battle unwanted those months back. From what he had gathered, Jiro was not one man but two; for reasons unknown to him, Jiro’s mind had split at some point before he ever came across the don brothers and resulted in two different people in the same body. One was the man, no, boy he had first met and saw in passing offer childishly bright smiles and excitement to his teammates fairly often when they were together. He was always bouncing around Momoi like an excited puppy, eager for praise or attention it felt like in some way. 

Then there was… this Jiro; dangerous, all but feral, quick to lash out and taking no sides in the conflict other than latching onto a target. He spoke with a rough rasp to his voice, distinct and deeper than the other one despite sharing the same organs with which to speak. Somehow having the same face did nothing to make the two recognizable as each other however with everything else about them so starkly different. The other aimed to help and please, this one aiming to claim dominance and show his aggression. Sonoi idly wondered which came first of the two as he continued his staring contest with the beast of a man just a ways from him.

Jiro never broke eye contact, but he lowered himself closer to Momoi’s prone form beneath him, letting his cheek all but press against the other’s lips. Sonoi’s brows furrowed but Jiro grunted in the back of his throat, having found whatever it was he wanted in that and moved to then press his ear to Momoi’s chest.

Ah, he must have been checking to feel his breath then…

It seemed Momoi’s untamed beast had come to his aid, he must have stayed behind to watch their fight from a distance. It was odd, Sonoi hadn't been able to sense anyone nearby or feel what would have certainly been an intense stare that should have made him alert quickly. Perhaps it had been the other Jiro who had stayed and only once Momoi fell, they had switched? He had seen their swaps before in battle, it wasn't quite seamless but it was fast and unpredictable usually.

Jiro, having been pacified at least somewhat with Momoi’s assured breathing and heartbeat, let himself finally look away from the cerebrum, his gaze now fixed on the red clad man. He held his hands the way one would if they were endowed with claws, but even so he slid those hands along Momoi’s face to his neck, checking the back of the other’s neck and head as Sonoi had intended to begin with. He pulled a hand back and up close to his face, his nose scrunching and another growl that was almost a huff through his teeth rumbled from him. From the short distance away, Sonoi caught the smear of red against Jiro’s hands, and he grimaced along with the beast-man.

The helmet of the don brother “uniform” was considerably tough, not cracking or breaking even after all these fights. Not even scratched really. However, as good a job it did of protecting the skull and face, it didn’t do much in the back as it ended at a slant following the jaw of the wearer; it left the base of the skull easily accessible and the neck entirely expose, the white collar a simple cloth not proper armor like most the rest of what he wore in combat. Must have finally gotten unlucky it seemed and hit some of the rocks that scattered themselves amongst the sand and grit of the area, knocking him out. It wasn’t too serious most likely, but it was still an unnecessary thing nonetheless and Sonoi hated the idea of Momoi getting injured by something so trivial and unworthy of him.

He had taken Jiro’s break in attention as trust, and had made to stand up once more to approach the two, however when he was no higher than a rising crouch, Jiro’s attention darted right back to him with renewed fire, his teeth bared and an outright hiss coming from him. Sonoi grit his teeth together behind closed lips, frustrated but not wanting to do anything too rash in case this Jiro was not as tame or loyal as he was seeming in the moment. From what he could recall, this one wanted Momoi defeated if not dead under him. So he lowered himself back to the ground, this time kneeling and leaning on his hands instead and keeping his eyes level with the other’s.

“I just want to help him, he wasn't supposed to get hurt so I want to help him and make sure it isn't too bad.”

Jiro, twitched his head, his neck cracking as if releasing stiff tension loudly in the quiet between them and he ghosted a “clawed” hand over his throat. His lips quirked into a sneer, looking down at Sonoi in disapproval.

“Last time, you were the one who hurt him. Almost died, I couldn't help him so I had to leave him to someone else. I don't plan to do that twice.”

Sonoi blinked a few times, trying to hide his bewilderment at the accusation. It was…well, true, objectively. He hasn't quite been himself, but regardless it was still him who had left Momoi to die at the end of their last official duel. It had been this Jiro who had retrieved him though? 

“That was an honorable duel, we agreed on it and he lost then. This was an accident though, nothing more.”

Jiro snorted, clearly unconvinced and he scratched roughly at his neck, purposefully cut blunt nails still trying their best to dig into the skin of his own throat rather aggressively. Sonoi could have winced at it, feeling his own skin itch beneath his high feathered collar when he tried to imagine the sensation out of habit. 

“He’s my prey, and we’re not ready to have our fight yet. He can't die, not even when I win. I won't let anyone try to change that.”

“Not even when you win?” 

Jiro bared his teeth as he spoke. “I want him to see my victory, and see me be the best. I want him to see Jiro take his place and be a better leader than he is, stronger than him.”

Sonoi hadnt meant to let the question pass his lips out loud, but the response he was given all the same intrigued him. Perhaps it wasn't just the other Jiro who was looking for attention and recognition. He was interested, but now isn't the time so he would have to broach this conversation again later if he ever got the chance. This Jiro did not often come out when they weren’t in battle and certainly not when they were all gathered as a group. The other one seemed much more adept and eager for groups and friendships than this one was and they swapped out accordingly.

Sonoi was intent on inching closer, waiting for Jiro to release him from this staredown once more, but he almost threw caution to the wind as he saw Jiro release the hand from his own throat just to quick as a viper reach down and place it over Momoi’s exposed neck instead. Once again as Sonoi moved, Jiro snarled animalistically, his voice not unlike the gravel and grit they were no doubt coated by at this point. 

“He’s. Mine.”

Jiro lifted his chin even further, glaring down in challenge at Sonoi and scooching his position to now once more use his coat sleeve as a barrier between the cerebrum and his other half. Sonoi opened his mouth to retort back, but he stopped to notice an odd behavior he hadn't noticed in Jiro: the way he held himself currently exposed the dip of his adams apple clearly, the collar unzipped to his clothes beneath so it offered no cover. He expected there to be scratches or even from how often the habit of digging his nails into himself seemed, and yet there was almost nothing. He wanted to test a theory, and though it debased him in ways he would be embarrassed to acknowledge, Jiro wasn't exactly a talker here and it if helped him to help Momoi faster, than he would try it.

He reached to his own feather collar, smoothing down the feather and tucking them into the shirt they poked out of and then pulling that garment too down to rest lower than intended to reveal his throat underneath. He heard a soft rumbling from Jiro, but it wasn't loud or as full of intent as before and the tilt of his head in curiosity encouraged him further. He tilted his head back and to the side, exposing and emphasizing his throat to the man mere feet from him; this was foolish and probably objectively dangerous if Jiro saw him as an enemy, which he was but that was a complicated layer of labels and decorum he didn't have time to think on.

“I want to help him, not hurt him further. I just want to check and make sure it isn't too serious, the impact could have just knocked him out but if it cut deeper in it might be worse than we can deal with out here. I wont hurt him…I too want a fair proper duel with him, i won't take advantage of him like this.” He quashed the urge to sniff out how it would be unbecoming of a warrior like him, but he was trying to ease Jiro down to trusting him not to rile him further with challenge. This had drawn off long enough as it was.

At first he didn't get much of a response, watching Jiro’s gaze go between himself and Momoi below. However after a few moments, he groaned loudly and he moved himself down to sit overtop of Momoi’s abdomen and he moved his arm to lay more flat against the red ranger’s chest so the “barrier” of cloth was out of the way. He then jerked his head towards Momoi, and Sonoi took no time in obliging the permission as he definitely did not scuttle   crawled his way forward to now kneel beside Momoi’s head. He slid his hands behind Momoi’s head, lifting it carefully and probing along the back of his skull downwards to check for where he was hurt.

He could feel a slight bump at the base of his skull, right where the helmet’s lip would have ended, and the skin there was tender. He hummed to himself thoughtful and he wiped his palm down the back of the other neck, pulling away to have only a small amount of actual blood come away and more flakes of dried blood come off from where it had stuck to skin before.

“He’s not hurt too badly, he was just struck in an unlucky place. The cut is more superficial and isn't bleeding hardly anymore i dont think, so he’ll likely wake up on his own with a migraine. I don't even think he’ll have a concussion from this, not that one would stop him for long most likely. He’s stubborn, like a stone in the ocean standing strong against the waves at its sides.”

Jiro didn't make any move to respond or acknowledge him, but his intense gaze wasn't on him at this close so maybe that was the preferable option. He slid himself without moving from his kneeling position, dragging himself to the side until his lap could serve as a pillow for the other’s head. Once warm brown locks found themselves against silk blue pants, Sonoi let himself relax a bit and returned to studying the man now sitting vigil with him out here. He still hadn't removed his hand from Momoi’s throat, but at this close he could see it wasnt with any pressure or violent intent. Rather, it seemed more like he was caging his hand like a barrier; he was guarding his weak point while he was unable to himself.

“Is that why you do that then?” He was answered with a confused sound that was closer to one of Sonoza’s yell’s than a verbal cue, but all the same he continued. “You keep your neck covered often as long as you have a free hand, especially when you’re close to people. Is it to guard yourself?”

Jiro didn't look up at him but his eyes narrowed, a sharp tooth worrying into his lip as he hesitated to respond.

“....Jiro exists to laugh with the people behind and ahead of us. I’m stronger and keep us safe, Jiro isn't ready to be the hero we’re supposed to be... Sometimes he isn't strong enough to keep us safe or the people he laughs with, but I am.”

Sonoi was surprised by the upfront answer, not quite used to the humans he inquired of giving him what he sought out when it came to understanding them. It seemed he had bridged some sort of gap he didn't know he would ever want to before today.

“Which of you came first?”

Jiro paused once more, a sound catching in his throat somewhere between a growl and a sigh.

“You ask too many questions…”

Sonoi tilted his head, interested to see if his patience or the other’s aggression won out. It seemed neither would though as he felt movement against his thighs, his shockingly blue gaze darting down to see Momoi Taro’s features scrunch up as he neared wakefulness. Jiro was quick to release his hold on the man, sliding even further down and away from him. Sonoi didn't give him much thought in the moment as a soft groan came past full lips and dark eyes fluttered open to stare back up at him. Momoi’s brows scrunched together in confusion, but he thankfully wasn't too startled and didn't try to fling himself up too quickly and risk knocking into Sonoi’s face.

“What happened?”

Sonoi offered a practiced smirk of amusement as he spoke, a teasing tone on his lips as if he wasn't worried a few dozen minutes before.

“It seems the great Don Momoi Taro was felled by a rock in the dirt. You hit your head just under your helmet when you fell and it knocked you out.”

Momoi sighed, raising a hand to wipe down his face in what might have been tired irritation.

“That’s...not the best way I've been hurt in battle.”

Sonoi chuckled and got his hands beneath Momoi’s shoulders, helping him to sit up slowly and adjust himself into a cross legged position. When he was sure he wouldn't topple, Sonoi let go, sitting back on his haunches. He glanced over to try and gauge what Jiro had been up to with how quiet he was in the passing last minutes, he was surprised to see soft features and golden bright eyes dusted pink as tears threatened to spill. Seeing Momoi was upright and awake, he all but launched himself forward to cling to Momoi’s shoulders, resting his forehead against the other’s chest.

“Taro-san~! I’m so glad you’re okay, I was so worried!”

His voice, though a bit thick with building tears, was light, youthful, and clear with a slight lilt to them as an accent edged into his words. Momoi stared at him a bit dumbly, glancing at Sonoi briefly before he awkwardly patted Jiro’s back in a stiff mimicry of comfort. He didn't look uncomfortable so much as out of practice, but it seemed enough as Jiro cried a bit more in earnest now and tightened his grip. Momoi let him, rubbing small circles into the space between his shoulder blades with an exasperated sigh.

“Alright, alright, I'm fine. Something like that won't be the death of me, I have too much to do. Besides,” he let a bit of a pout reach his lips and tinge his voice, serving to make Sonoi stifle a fond smile, “that would be an embarrassing way to die in combat.”

Jiro nodded into his chest in agreement, but when he reluctantly peeled himself back he was smiling dazzlingly bright and wide even with tears and snot on his face still. Sonoi noticed the lack of the other Jiro’s signature robe and his eyes seemed red only by natural means and not the makeup from earlier. He wondered to himself how exactly that worked, did it appear and disappear like their uniforms did?

“I’m sorry, i just- I saw you and you just didn't get back up and i was-i didn't know what to do so i just ran over to help, but i…”

Momoi gave him a confident smile, indulging him and patting his head both in comfort and to get his attention.

“55 points.”

Jiro’s eyes widened, his mouth agape in shock that seemed so much it jolted him from crying. He quickly wiped at his face to get as much of the tear stain from his cheeks and snot from his upper lip as he could before looking back at Momoi.

“55!?”

He grinned wide, throwing his arms up above his head in a cheer of sorts. Momoi sat back and let him as he threw himself into a ramble on how he was glad he could help and something about cooking dinner, something Momoi nodded along to so Sonoi assumed the boy’s food must certainly be good in such a case. He tuned out the words and more took in the expressions, fascinated by how strikingly different the two Jiro’s were out of battle as much as he had gotten to see them within it. He thought back to his earlier unanswered question, letting it sit in his mind once more as he saw how bright Jiro seemed to be all on his own with just the smallest of encouragement from his leader.

‘Ah, so that’s how it is. This one is so they can both feed that desire for approval then.’

“This is the one that can smile at those in front of them…”

He had once again not caught himself mumbling his thoughts aloud, garnering attention on him suddenly from both the don brothers around him. Momoi quirked an eyebrow in curiosity but did not voice it, not having the chance as Jiro was quick to reach forward and pat Sonoi firmly on the shoulder with a warm grin. Sonoi glanced to the point of contact before meeting golden eyes, intense but in their sincerity and warmth so much unlike the fierce cold silver of the other one’s.

“Sonoi was a big help, he knew better than I did for what to do, so thank you! Would you like to join us for dinner then? You liked Oden like Taro-san, yes? I can assure you mine isn't as good as Rumi-chan’s but she taught me the same recipe so it’s at least half as good as hers!”

Sonoi glanced at Momoi for help, unsure what to do with the invitation leveled his way. His dancing around their enemy status with Momoi was one thing, but this was entirely too forward and from someone he didn't even have the most interest in. However the warm gaze Sonoi saw Momoi give made him pause, considering what he wanted to outright decline without hesitation.

“Just say yes, his cooking is decent enough and his house is warm. He doesn’t stop talking much, but it isn't all bad.”

As much as it was a backhanded one, the compliment still made Jiro practically beam under the praise and at the excitement of what was to come. Sonoi sighed dramatically, putting a hand in front of his face for added effect and he nodded resolutely.

“Alright…Oden it shall be.”

sorry