Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I lightly shove the door to his study, sending books and papers spilling everywhere. “Takamasa Saeki! What on earth happened in here? I just cleaned this this morning!”

He at least has the grace to blush at my exasperation as he glances at me, and turns back to the book in his hand. “It’s just research.” My eyes survey the disaster and notice a panoply of topics amidst the chaos. One article on jet propulsion, another on ikebana right next to it. One book on sake brewing, another on the Shinsengumi, a third on travel through Europe.

“What are you researching? Library intake?” I pick my way through, careful not to disturb any of the piles so I can place his fresh nightly coffee on his desk.

Soon I’m close and it’s placed, but I’m spun onto his lap with his arms cradling me, the chair rotating gently with our momentum. His lips already trace their way up my neck, punctuating, “A little… of this… a little … of that…” The blush blooms on my face as he presses himself closer.

“T-Taka-m-masa… come on, you’re supposed to be working…” I squirm trying to escape his grip, but it seems to have the opposite effect as he holds me more firmly. “A-and I need to start getting ready for bed.”

That was the wrong phrase. The low chuckle in his chest is the only warning I have before his hot breath brushes past my ear, “Mmmmm…. Bed? Squirming? Is my naughty little muse trying to seduce me?”

I am so very challenged to get away from him when he’s like this. I know he loves the chase almost as much as the capture, though. “Come on, your coffee is getting cold.”

His nips travel down the other side of my neck. “We can just warm it with our love again.” Damn, those are going to bruise. I better have some concealer left or he’s going to be complaining to me about turtlenecks and scarves.

Wait.

I start giggling. “That line was cheesy as hell, honey.”

The mood broken, he sighs dejectedly and releases me to pick up a book on car industry innovations. “Yeah, not my best work.” He never gives up that quickly though. Gingerly, I stand up in a little spot of clear space to fret at him.

“I-is everything okay?”Already he’s distracted though and doesn’t answer. “Takamasa?”

He glances at me over the top of his reading glasses and flashes a brief smile. “Oh? Um, yeah. Just looking for inspiration at the moment. Muro wants a proposal for the next series by next week. I’m given free range.”

No parameters at all. No wonder, he’s sifting through all these materials for a fresh angle. “Have you ruled anything out? I can straighten up what you know you won’t need.”

“Sure, everything that is not on my desk,” he mutters.

I sigh and quietly start returning books to the shelves. Please inspiration hit soon.

Chapter Text

I am practically sitting in his lap, he has me sitting so close beside him on the bench in the cafe. He wanted to get away from our typical one which is how we ended up in Edogawa. One arm around my waist, he holds his coffee and breathes deep. “Still not as good as your coffee, honey,” he whispers.

I chuckle and grab another forkful of cake and hold it just to the side of his face. His eyes are actually focused on the bustle of people wafting in and out of the storefront. Just when I’m about to give up his gaze drifts my direction and he notices it there and gives a start, “Oh sweetie, for me? And unprompted?” His lips wrap around the morsel before I can even say anything and a smile blooms across his face.

“You can’t live just on coffee, after all,” I chide and grab a bite for myself. The look in his eyes is a little devilish, and it puts me on guard just a bit. A laugh erupts from him, and he kisses me chastely on the temple.

“No, I guess you’re right.” Gesturing with his coffee occupied hand, “What do you think brought those two here today?” He’s pointing to a couple several tables down; the female is dressed in a power suit, up-do perfectly sprayed in place. Some sort of professional. The gentleman however is dressed more casually. Polo shirt, jeans, hair a bit of a mess from the wind I assume.

“Huh? I… I don’t know, why are you asking?”

“I think she’s a private investigator. He’s hiring her to investigate what has been going on with his wife. See, he has a ring on, she does not.” This man is amazing at details; how did he catch that all from a glance?

I watch a little longer. “I don’t know, she looks kind of angry.”

“He doesn’t want to pay her the amount she’s asking and she’s already done the work?” My right eye squints closed with uncertainty. “Eh, you’re probably right.”

A frown passes across his face before he sees his next target couple. “Those two are clearly childhood sweethearts. There’s a casual intimacy with them that comes from being together a long time, but they are so young…”

The whispered stories continue, couple after couple, but in the end he discards each one.

Chapter Text

Thump.

Looking up, there is a slightly grey, slightly dented section of the ceiling. He never misses a catch however. My heart breaks just a little to see him like this.

Thump.

“Honey, can you…”

Thump.

“Takamasa, we have neighbors…”

Thump.

He is not paying the least attention to me. I can only lay down next to him, my legs parallel his along the wall.

Thump.

I reach over and catch the ball before he can. That’s enough to get his attention at least. I cradle the baseball to my chest, and his smile is so gentle. The kiss that follows is fragile in a way Takamasa rarely shows. I could drown in the sorrowful beauty of the moment.

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“ONLY on the condition that you NEVER mention this to ANY. ONE. EVER. Not the guys, not a stranger, NOT A SOUL.” My heart is beating a mile a minute, my face already flush as I stand there in the kitchen. I can’t believe I’m entertaining his request. But it’s three days, and I know he’s struggling. I just want to help, but I didn’t expect him to ask for this.

“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, honey. Especially about the fun he has with his beautiful wife.” His eyes are playful but serious.

“Not Yuta.” He nods. “Not… Takao, especially to get him to blush.” He smirks. “Definitely not Yamato.” His hand goes to his heart like he’s swearing. “And for ALL that is holy in the universe, NEVER Kuni!”

With that he barks a short laugh, “I would like to keep the use of my hands, my love.”

I give him the sternest look I can manage from half a foot below. I’m sure my height makes it lose a bit of its effect, but I do it anyway. And he just as placidly pleads with his smile.

I swipe the apron off the peg in the kitchen and stomp off to the bedroom to peel off my clothes as my beloved husband has requested. At least as best I can.

Padding back into the kitchen to continue my dinner prep, my face is a vivid scarlet. My hands clench the bottom of my apron. Takamasa stands there with his arms extended. I glance up to see the most beaming smile shining upon his face before I study the floor I’m rooted to.

His arms are gentle around my waist, a contented sigh escaping his lips, a nuzzle to the top of my head. Noticing his hands drifting down, I freeze.

Immediately, his fingers grace the top edge of my panties. Busted. Cold comes between us as he pulls back still holding me. I glimpse through my lashes a devilish grin cut across his beautiful face. He scans me until I’m almost squirming. Quietly then, he laughs, “I’ll give you a C for effort,” and kisses the top of my head before releasing me.

I quickly turn to resume chopping for the meal. “Ok, you skipped the bra after all, I’ll be generous and give you a B instead.”

Do not rise to the bait. Do not rise to the bait. Do not rise to the bait. Just. Keep. Chopping.

Soon, there is the sound of gas from the stove, oil on the pan, meat browning. What I haven’t heard is footsteps leaving the kitchen. I furtively glance to the side and see that he is in fact still in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, arms folded, and happily watching. I keep working, but he stays there watching. My hands are shaking on the pan handle.

“D-don’t y-you have work you could be doing, honey?”

“I am.”

I look over at him more fully, disbelief written all over my face.

“I told you I needed some inspiration. I’m… being inspired.”

I gather the rest of the meal to put in the oven for the next half hour. Right as I get my hands clean and dried, he sweeps me up into his arms princess style with a less than dainty yelp from me.

“Takamasa, I have to finish dinner!”

My eyes drift closed, heat wafting from his lips across my ear. “We have a little time. I’m going to show you how inspired you’ve made me, honey.”

Inspired indeed. I hope it helps his work.

Chapter Text

Two plates of omu-rice sit on the table. My husband’s chopsticks are poised and still. His stormy eyes focus on a spot beyond any item or person in the house.

Cocona curls at his feet, nervously wagging her tail. I attempt asking, “Are you not hun…?”

His stare snaps over, capturing my eyes momentarily. He jumps up and bustles away, the leash jingle calling our pet to the door, “I’m going for a walk,” he announces slipping on his coat, “I’ll eat when I get back.”

These moods are wearing on me. The door clicks quietly as it closes.

Chapter Text

“Has it ever gone on this long before?” I whisper to Kuni in the kitchen at the Long Island. I know while I may know my husband the deepest, there’s a long history prior to me that it may take a lifetime to learn. He hands me the next plate to dry.

“How long has it been?” Kuni’s voice is casual, but in the way I’ve learned is how he sounds when he’s checking up on his friends. His hands never stop moving int he soapy water.

I think for a little bit, “I really only learned about it five days ago, but he turned in his last script a week and a half before that, and he hadn’t said anything about his latest script before that. There were a couple of interviews in that time so I didn’t notice at first. But yeah, probably about 2 weeks so far.” I gingerly put the plate down on the pile and take the next from him.

“A couple of times, but honestly he tends to be in a worse mood than he seems to be tonight.” Like punctuation, we hear the roar of laughter from the guys bantering out at the bar. “Doesn’t seem like a baseball game will fix this one. It’s a bit chilly for that anyway. You probably know why he’s…” Kuni’s teasing gets cut off by a rather loud voice.

“HONEY! Can you bring up another bottle of that red for me? This one seems to be broken! There’s no wine left!”

“Saeki, you can’t just yell for her like that,” Yamato sharply chides him.

“Right!” Yuta chimes in, “It needs to be more ‘Oi! Barmaid!’ ”

“I better go check on them,” I mumble tossing my dishtowel to the counter and scurrying out there.

“Damn, it worked,” Takao mutters as I step behind the bar.

I lob back at them, “Only because the customers are getting too rowdy.”

“HONEY! You came back! You always come back.” His eyes are a little unfocused and his grin is wide. I can see that he still has the stress lines around there, but he is putting on a decent show of being in a good mood. “And doesn’t she just look adorable in an apron? My adorable honey…”

My lips thin to a line as he is treading where angels fear. “She looks pissed, Saeki.” Ren warns.

“Yeah,” I remove my bar apron and hang it up. “Takamasa, I think it’s time to go.” His face falls a little but his eyes are twinkling. Such the actor sometimes, I can never tell what he’s really feeling sometimes. “Uncle,” I yell back, “I have to take my husband home. I’ll be by again soon.”

“You’ll take me home, and then I’ll take you, right?” he beams, hands a little grabby.

“Something along those lines. Come on, get your coat on.” He’s a little less smooth getting it on, and I am certain it’s the right call getting him out of here.

Takao does whisper to me as I’m hustling him together, “He did seem to blow off some steam tonight. So at least there’s that. Good luck.”

I smile at Takao, “Thanks. It’ll be fine.”

“Noooo flirting with the guys. You know that’s not okay, honey…”

The guys back away a little as I grab his hand. He rambles on a little more, but I’ll be honest, I don’t bother to listen. Kuni comes back out to wave. “Give us a call if you need help getting him home.”

“Will do, Uncle. Thanks.” I turn back to my pouting husband. “Come on,” I tug, “The walk will do you good.”

The moment we’re down the block though, he is quiet again. His thumb softly strokes the back of my hand. I peer up at his pensive face in the street lights.

“So did the guys have news?”

Takamasa gives a small head shake. “Not really. Yamato’s girls are typical teens. Takao and Ren have occasional comments, but not much about themselves. Yuta’s heading on tour shortly. I think they need sweeties as awesome as mine.” His smile is so dazzling, I blush and smile back. His eyes close briefly and he squeezes my hand. “But I was ready to leave anyway.”

“Then why did you call for me to bring more wine?” My lips purse, frustrated.

His grin turns mischievous, “Because I wanted to see your cute reaction.” I scowl at him but that only provokes a melodic laugh from him. “Yes, like that!”

Hrumph. “Do you have to work tonight?”

“I’m thinking I should take tonight off and spend it with you instead.” Unusual, even quiet, but his steps don’t slow at all.

If it means he might sleep a normal schedule tonight, “Do you think you can take a little more time tomorrow?”

“Maybe… Why?” He looks like he really can’t, but wants to hear what I’m thinking.

“Just, maybe, you need a complete change of scenery. It can’t hurt, can it?”

Hand to chest, he gasps, “Are you asking me out on a date? You can be more direct about that if you want, honey.” He pauses to pull me in for a quick kiss.

“M-maybe…” I blush. “Yes. Yes I am.”

“My bold sweetie! Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” I pull him towards home, smiling at my idea. His eyebrow raises, but he follows.

Chapter Text

I insisted this was a dress down occasion, that I wanted him all to myself all day and that he needed to be less recognizable. It was the best I could do to convince him to trade in his white dress shirt for a white long sleeve t-shirt. I dug out the sole pair of jeans he owned from the back of the closet too. Anything to get him in something that was less like his well known uniform. A baseball cap completed his disguise.

“You’re taking me for a romantic chilly walk by the ocean so we can snuggle inside my jacket and I can warm you with my love.”

“Nope.”

“We are going on a espionage adventure, which is why you needed me in this crazy outfit.”

It has been like this the whole train ride, with Takamasa trying to guess where it is that I’m taking him.

“Nope,” I grin.

The sun feels stronger and the weather is a little warmer than normal, perfect to drag him with me to the amusement park. It’s cool enough it probably won’t be a lot of people, but warm enough we won’t freeze on the rides. We get off at the station near the park, and his eyes widen, but there is no smile on his face.

“T-Takamasa? Are you ok?” My voice is smaller than I would prefer, but he looks more startled than I expected in reaction to my surprise.

“Huh? Oh, I just haven’t been here since I was in high school.” He collects himself and turns to look right at me, the twinkle returning to his eyes. “Sure, honey. I get to have you all snuggled up to me in haunted house, the sharing park foods with kisses, the quintessential making out at the top of the ferris wheel. We could ride until I have you…”

“STOP! Stop…” I pat my hands on his chest, and he looks at me mischievously if muted. “I get the idea. I just thought it would be fun to do something, you know, different for us. L-Let’s just get in the park and we can decide from there, ok? Oooh! How about the roller coaster!?”

His face freezes for a second before his lips curl in a smirk, “Oh, I don’t want to be that cruel to you, having you that terrified. ”

I’m almost bouncing. “Cruel? It’s not cruel at all! I LOVE roller coasters! Don’t you? Shakes out the cobwebs!”

He tugs on my arm, twirling me into his arms as he hugs me tight. I think he doesn’t want me looking him in the face. His hands do feel really nice as they stroke along my back at least. “Not particularly,” he whispers in my ear. I try to pull back to look at him and apologize, but he holds me fast there. “I’ll go if you really want though. Can we work up to it though?”

I feel his grip slacken a little. When I can finally look up at him, his smile is a little sad, and I feel my heart squeeze. “Nah, I don’t have to do that. I’m happy enough to spend time with you, honey. You prefer the haunted house?” His eyes regain their sparkle, and his smile looks a little more relaxed.

“If you insist then, darling.” He hooks my arm though his arm, and we head to the haunted house. Truly, they don’t scare me, but I’ll play the roll if he wants. He’s right, it is an excuse to snuggle, and I’ll get to snuggle him in public for a change.

******

We’ll take up a full bench as I place a giant teddy bear right next to me that he won at one of the booths. I’m not sure what possessed him to get that, but years of baseball made it easy for him to win the ball toss.

He jogs back with a drink and an ice cream. “I thought we were going to have two ice creams.”

“Oh you know how much I live to share, honey. It’s more efficient to get two ice creams in one!” And true enough, there were two flavors in the cone. I can’t help but chuckle at his blatant play for kisses. I take the coffee in my hand so he can sit with the ice cream. The ice cream even drips a little and he convinces me to lick his wrist to clean it.

After a brief interlude of play though, and as the ice cream is completed, I notice his eyes analytical and focused off in the distance behind me.

Turning, I see the guy across the way is teasing his female coworker, obvious just from the way he’s holding out the ice cream scoop towards her and she’s trying to get away without leaving the cramped booth.

Over to the side of that ride, the girl operator has a look of longing on the slightly older muscular man working on the engine. She’s hovering with his tools, clearly trying to find a way to be of help.

The haunted house there has someone calling for patrons’ attention to come inside, especially that gaggle of women. One of them is extra flirty, touching his shoulder.

I feel a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “Thank you, honey,” he whispers. I tilt my head upward inquisitively. “I know what my proposal is going to be. And I wouldn’t have unless you shook me out of my comfort zone. Let’s go.”

“No roller coaster?” I tease.

His eyes full on glitter with determination. “No, I don’t want to shake all the words out of my head, darling.”

He’s rapidly typing on his phone during the whole ride home about a drama, not a rom-com, set in an amusement park between two workers. Serious stories living behind the joy the patrons experience. I smile while cuddling my giant bear, and know life is thankfully back to normal.