communication — shiba hakkai x gn!reader (just a fluffy drabble for my fave shy guy ! no pronouns used)
imagine finding out that your best friend’s brother hakkai has a crush on you, despite the fact that he’s never said a single word to you.
until yuzuha explains that he’s tragically shy and can’t help that he freezes up when you talk to him.
so you decide to start communicating non-verbally in hopes of making hakkai more comfortable around you.
it starts with a simple silent wave every time you come over to the shiba house, and he doesn’t reciprocate the first few times because he’s so enthralled by your attention. but eventually, he manages to start waving back. granted he still looks like an adorable deer caught in a pair of headlights, but it’s progress.
yuzuha is kind enough to tell you what hakkai’s favorite kind of cookies are, so you bake an entire batch just for him. you present the container to him with a note that says “for you— ♡” and give him a smile. he takes them from you, but not before he nearly drops them because his hand brushes with yours.
with time, you’re able to stand/sit next to him without him accidentally forgetting how to breathe. his usually tense shoulders will slack, and he’ll even sneak a few quick looks in your direction. because god you’re so cute, but he can’t make direct eye contact or he might throw up.
you ache to hold his hand. when you’re invited over for movie night, hakkai let’s you gently snuggle up to him without getting too wound up. when you notice one of his normally pocketed hands are on his lap, you try something crazy— you slowly, oh so slowly, slide your hand into his, and intertwine your fingers. he doesn’t pull away, he barely moves a single muscle, and that was okay. but hakkai has absolutely no recollection of the movie because he was far too busy thinking about your hand that he desperately wished he could curl his fingers around and hoping you wouldn't comment about the deep shade of pink now adorning his face.
yuzuha suggested that he walk you home, and you were wondering if your friend was actually trying to help you, or make her little brother spontaneously combust. the walk was quiet, less the sound of cars or motorcycles around each corner. you stare at your feet wondering if you went too far or backpedaled all the progress you've made with hakkai, until you feel him freely take your hand in his by surprise. he's still staring straight ahead, but he's holding your hand properly, and you can't help but be the one that blushes this time.
when you reach your front door, you look up at the gentle giant who was staring at... something, anything but you. at risk of scaring him off for good, you acted on your ever growing affection for him and placed a small kiss on his cheek, and whispered a quiet "thanks, 'kai" and released his hand, heading inside. you closed the door quietly and took a deep breath. there was a chance you probably gave the poor boy a heart attack. you snuck a peek through the window, and watched as hakkai walked back down the street, his hand on his cheek... smiling like an idiot.
the next day, you knocked on the shiba's front door, and to your surprise, it was hakkai that answered, and he was looking right at you.
"hi," he said.
you were in disbelief. he actually spoke to you? he was looking at you? your face was so hot all of a sudden. it's not like you hadn't heard his voice before, but it was never directed at you before now.
"hey, 'kai," you tentatively replied with a smile.
he took a long pause, but you could tell he was trying to say something. you waited, so patiently, silently encouraging him to say what he wanted as he composed himself to the best of his abilities.
"w-will... you..." he was so red in the face, his pretty blue eyes contrasting the color of his cheeks.
hakkai squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply. "will you... go out with me?"
you gasped almost inaudibly. his eyes were still shut tight, and he was holding his breath, waiting for your response. it was then you realized everything you have done up until now actually got him to this point, to speak to you and ask if you would go out with him, his crush.
yuzuha was right, he really was hopeless on his own.
you took a step forward and wrapped your arms around him, giving him a gentle squeeze.
"i'm so proud of you, 'kai. yes, i'd love to go out with you." you rubbed his back a little to coax out the breath he was holding for far too long.
"that's great," he said upon release of the air he was holding onto, sounding relieved. you then felt his big heavy arms envelope your shoulders.
he was warm-- shaking a little, but pulling you into his chest nonetheless. you wanted to see his face so badly, but you decided that the embrace was enough for now.
from this point on, you looked forward to the blooming communication between you and your shy boyfriend.
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