The idea to post a drabble for every time I use my "I need to FabFam this" tag has been wandering around my brain for a while, but after I saw the scans today (link below) it kinda... escalated. Enjoy!
Set a few years in the future from current events.
Original Scans by @kumoriyami-xiuzhen
Title: Mirror, Mirror
Rating: T
Characters: Harada Sanosuke, Nagakura Shinpachi
Length: Drabble
Word Count: 567
The gel smelled of fresh water and spice as Sano ran his slick fingers one last time through his unruly hair. They still refused to stick, a few of the strands falling right back into his eyes. He blew at them with agitation and gave his mirror self a pout. He could - he had locked the door, there were no dumbasses there to see him.
Speaking of dumbasses, "Sano!!!"
He glanced at the door as it shook slightly under the force of the banging against it. Usually it made him feel mischievous but today he was not in a good mood. His hair wasn't cooperating, it didn't provide the effect he had hoped for, which made all the effort he had put into it feel wasted. He had wanted to look good for his kids, and now he had to resign himself to the prospect of Heisuke laughing himself sick at the sight of him. Sorta his own fault, for wanting to grow his hair out again.
"Sano!!!" The banging outside intensified, now joined by the rattle of the door as Shinpachi undoubtedly tried the doorknob only to find it locked. "It's been an hour already! You'll make us late! And I need to pee."
With a sigh Sano turned the lock back to open and put away his baker's dozen of cosmetic products, idly wondering when the years of modelling habits are finally going to wear off. He looked up to give himself a final once over just in time to see the reflection of Shinpachi's brisk gait come to an abrupt halt at the sight of him.
"I know, I know," he said without waiting for the inevitable commentary. "I look like a yakuza scion's bodyguard."
He turned around to be greeted by an impish smirk, but even that didn't provide a sufficient distraction from the image that presented itself.
It should have bordered a miracle how Shinpachi managed to keep himself in shape despite the amount of calories he consumed on a daily basis, but then Sano knew his partner-in-all-things-holy-and-unholy might as well create his own diet with all the knowledge he possessed. The form fitting viridian suit helped nothing.
"It's fine." Sano looked up at the chuckle in his voice only to be caught by the valleys of his laugh lines at the corners of his lips. "Undo two more buttons, that should provide sufficient distraction."
Sano could feel his eyebrow twitch, even as he managed to school the rest of his face. Why ever did he bother...
"Didn't you need to pee?" It was a blatant change of topic and it made Shinpachi grin.
"I do," he said but didn't move from where he was leaning on the door frame.
Somehow, Sano didn't roll his eyes. Barely.
It might have been utter spite that made him grab the plastic jar he'd been using earlier and toss it at Shinpachi.
"It needs more gel," he said by way of explanation and all but marched out. It was definitely out of sheer pettiness when he added, "Don't take too long. You'll make us late."
He ignored the indignant sputtering as he walked back into their room, not surprised the least that there was a small smile on his face. And if he undid just one more button on his shirt just before he put the jacket over it, no one would be the wiser.
