An overpacked car was no big deal for Ino. Sometimes, Ijichi would be shuttling one too many sorcerers for the same mission. It happened. It was no big deal.

But this time? This time was significantly different. Significantly difficult.

Nanami had calmly outlined the seating arrangements, stating without hesitation that you’d have to sit in Ino’s lap since the other seats were taken up. The moment the words came out of Nanami’s mouth, Ino’s face flushed and his eyes went wide. You’d think he’d been slapped.

So now here you were, perched on his lap with 15 minutes still displayed on the GPS screen upfront.

To make matters worse, the roads in this part of town were bumpier, unstable, potholes and all. Each jolt had you shifting against him, and with every bounce, Ino was internally spiraling, trying and failing to keep his composure

You felt his hand grip your waist for dear life, his legs tensing beneath you.

“Shit,” he muttered with his face practically buried in your back as the car rocked yet again. Warmth rushed to his cheeks…and other areas as he struggled to keep you steady.

You turned your head back to look at him, only to see the flush of his cheeks and the way his eyebrows knitted together in desperation. He silently prayed for this ride to end. He silently prayed you didn’t feel the evidence of just how bad this car ride was affecting him. How you were affecting him.

“T- Try not…to move so damn much,” he mumbled through gritted teeth, his voice a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation. His legs tensed beneath you as the car hit another bump in which he barely managed to say, “For fuck’s sake…”