Natsuno Yuuki despised his first name. He always had, ever since he was little. It was girly. It was stupid. It didn't suit him.

He loathed the way it sounded. He hated how it described him. It was his name after all. He hated not being able to leave it behind, like he would the small town he'd just moved into. He didn't want to be here. He wanted more than anything to be rid of this place, and his name. But it was here that he realized just how wonderful both things could be.

And it all started with a flat tire and a certain blonde named Toru.

"I asked your parents, Natsuno."

Just the way he said it, the way it rolled off his tongue, it made Natsuno's mind go blank. It had a certain ring to it that Natsuno did his best to deny.

It was from that day forward Natsuno began to dislike his name a little less. 'Toru-chan', a nickname Natsuno felt was as equally degrading as his own, made it sound bearable. While he wasn't exactly pleased at first that Toru insisted on calling him by his first name, Natsuno knew that if it was anyone else, he wouldn't allow it. Toru was different. His cheery demeanor, good attitude, and undeniable charisma made it so Natsuno couldn't help but like him. He found himself growing fonder of Toru the more they were around each other.

Toru made living in the small town tolerable. He enjoyed the other's company. He enjoyed watching the other play his video games or chat idly about nothing in particular. He even found himself enjoying Toru calling him by his first name.

"Nat-su-no." He enunciated each syllable present in the other's name, a smile on his face. Natsuno found himself fighting the urge to smile back.

"I thought I told you not to call me that," he'd say, not meaning it. Toru would just laugh and throw an arm around his shoulder.

"Like I'm gonna listen."

And for once, Natsuno was almost glad he didn't. He couldn't picture it any other way. If Toru ever called him Yuuki or anything of the sort, Natsuno would assume he was ill. The more he thought about it, the more he came to terms with it. He actually liked being called Natsuno when it was Toru.

He liked to hear Toru call his name. He liked it when they hung out and Toru would say his name while laughing. He liked it when, in the middle of the night, Toru would roll over half asleep and wrap an arm around him. He liked it when the blonde whispered his name softly into his ear. Of course, he'd push the other away and roll farther away directly after, but that didn't mean he didn't like it. Not that it mattered. Toru would insist on falling asleep with Natsuno right beside him, and wouldn't until it happened. Natsuno even found himself fond of those moments, the ones where it wasn't just a blanket that kept him warm.

When he thought about it, Toru changed him a lot, in the short time they'd met. While he wouldn't openly admit it, Natsuno was glad he'd befriended Toru, despite his plans when he first moved here.

"Natsuno."

It sounded so nice.

And always said with a smile, Natsuno noticed.

"Natsuno..."

That smile... that voice... Natsuno found himself wanting to hear it over and over again.

A/N: YAY SHIKI FIC! Thanks to Kyndyl for helping me figure out how to end this thing XD I couldn't think of anything witty to say. AT ALL. So, thanks to her :D yay

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