Chapter Text
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. I shot my arm out from under the duvet and smacked it down on the top of my alarm clock.
Just five more minutes. Pulling my arm back into my duvet cocoon of warmth I rolled back onto my side, not opening my eyes once.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. I repeated the almost painful arm slam to silence the irritating alarm clock Haru had given me for my birthday and opened my eyes. My blackout curtains stopped the light coming in and blinding me. I am not a morning person. I risked a glance over to the clock, secretly hoping for another five minutes of peace and warmth.
9:30am. I stretched my legs, feeling my knees and thighs click after almost seven hours of snuggly warmth. This is usually the point where I am greeted by two furry bundles of joy sitting on my face, licking my toes as they stick out the end of the duvet for ventilation or just making a racket. But for some reason my kitties were not in my room. I had left the door open for them like I usually do.
I had worked the night shift last night, getting home around 1am and falling straight into bed. I hadn’t eaten and as a consequence was starving. I wasn’t working again until this evening. Shoving the duvet off, I sat up and swung my legs off the bed, making contact with the carpet. I stretched my arms up and cracked my back. I should really go for a jog or a swim. It was then that I was greeted by Jaws. Yes, my tabby cat is called Jaws. She has really sharp teeth and claws, but is also a big baby. She jumped up my back and over my shoulder, then fell into my lap, clawing at the air above her.
“Are you hungry? Is that why you are here?” I asked, rubbing behind her left ear, eliciting a gleeful purr. “Let me have a shower, then we can eat.” I picked her off my lap and placed her into the bundle of duvet. I was still covered in grime from work, being a firefighter isn’t the cleanest job in the world. Leaving Jaws to play around in my room, I jumped in the shower. I had an en-suite wet room, the steam filled the room quickly, relaxing my muscles, washing the soot from my hair. I had recently brought the wrong shampoo, and being too embarrassed to take it back simply because it smelt like flowers, I had just gotten used to it. No matter how awkward it was at the station.
I got out of the shower and tied my towel around my waist. Jaws was meowing at the bathroom door, her impatience growing by the second. I opened the door and nudged her out of the bedroom with my foot. “Yes, yes. Lets get you some breakfast.” I grabbed the glass of stale water off the side and made my way down stairs, leaving a trail of wet footprints in the beige carpet as I walked.
I almost skipped off the last step and rounded the corner into the living room but stopped in the doorway. Both my kitties came over, Jaws running to meet Finny, my other cat, playfully.
“Oi, Nitori.” There is a man on my sofa. Half naked, trousers undone, hair mussed up from sleep. My eyes widened. The man sat up on his elbows and continued, “Oh, I uh, didn’t realise he had guests, Sorry.”
I dropped the glass in my hand at the sight before me, water splashing into the carpet, scaring both my cats. Thankfully the glass didn’t smash, but that wasn’t important. I quickly ran my eyes over his prone form. He definitely worked out, his abs tensing as he noticed me in the doorway. Attractive. I was suddenly aware of my lack of attire. I could feel each drop of water sliding down from my hair and down my bare body as I stared at the stranger on my couch.
“Um, sorry. Who.. what… uh” I scratched the back of my head, looking awkwardly around the room, anything to prevent making eye contact. Why were his clothes everywhere? I mean, I was glad that they weren’t covering his torso, but also slightly mortified that he was here in the first place.
“Oh wow, apologies. Rin. Nitori’s friend from school, I uh, got locked out and had no where else to crash.” The man swung his legs off the couch and sat up while explaining why he was on my couch. Who on earth is Nitori?
“Nitori?” I asked. I hadn’t lived in the neighbourhood long, and had only met a couple of the neighbours. “I think you may have the wrong house.”
“Wrong house?” He dropped his vest on the floor, while his jaw dropped in utter shock. Cute.
“Nitori? Short nervous guy? He lives opposite.” I pointed my thumb over my shoulder, towards the other side of the street, a small grin on my face at his misfortune, and this crazy situation.
“Oh.” He said, looking sheepishly around the room, and finally down at the cats. “I did wonder when he got cats” he mumbled then started to laugh. I smiled at that, they must have kept him company last night, instead of sleeping in my room. I started to laugh along with him, the awkwardness slowing dissipating.
“Don’t worry about it.” I flapped my hand casually and walked over to him, holding my hand out. “Makoto.”
He shook my hand in response, “Rin. Look, I am so sorry. I drink too much. Drank too much. I don’t usually break into hot guys houses. I mean, not hot. Well hot, but.. ugh.” I forced back a furious blush, managing to hide it in my ears, my wet bangs covering them. He called me hot.
“Its fine, really.” I managed to say, making sure to hide the embarrassment in my voice. I looked over the back of the sofa and noticed his shirt, crumpled on the floor. And a police badge. I walked over and picked them both up off the floor, inspecting the badge in my hands. So he is a cop?
“Oh god.” He groaned, leaning down to tie up his boots. I walked back over and stood next to him, dropping his shirt onto his head.
“Can I get you a coffee, Officer?” I asked, playfully passing the badge between my hands. A small grin on my face. He stood up, pulling the shirt off his hair, messing up the parting as he stepped over and took the badge from my hands. He was making eye contact all the time, and I swear he let his hands drag over mine more than was completely necessary.
“Coffee would be great.” He smiled at me, not breaking eye contact. I felt the flush move from my ears into my cheeks. He was definitely attractive, his wine coloured eyes drawing me in.
I leant forward slightly, unable to stop a small hint of huskiness entering my voice, “Just before I go into the kitchen, you are an actual cop, and not a stripper, right?”
I flicked my gaze down to the button on his trousers that was still undone, his eyes followed mine and he swallowed audibly. The elastic band on his boxers was showing, his hips tapering down below. His cheeks quickly turned to the same shade of red as his eyes and hair as he dropped his shirt and badge, hands fumbling to do his trousers up. It was only then that I remembered I was still in nothing but a small towel.
“Let me just put something more suitable on.” I lamely gestured at the towel and scurried off out of the room. I could feel his eyes on my back as I left, and I refrained from looking back. I wished I had worked out more this past fortnight.
This whole morning was weird. Like, so strange. Here I was, standing in front of the mirror, deciding what to wear for the guy who literally broke into my house and slept on my couch. Not wanting to keep him waiting, he didn’t really need to be here any longer than necessary, I chose a pair of tracksuit pants and my favourite two-tone orange t-shirt. Fully clothed, I darted back into the living room to see Rin inspecting the window frame.
He heard me come back down, and as I walked over to him he turned around and smiled, “Just checking I didn’t break it.” He didn’t make eye contact with me this time, instead his gaze just checked out my choice of clothing. I nodded and padded off into the kitchen, gesturing for him to follow.
My kitchen wasn’t particularly large, but there were two chairs at the table. Offering one to Rin, I filled the kettle and set it to boil. “How do you want this?” I asked, reaching into one of the cupboards for another mug.
“Hot.” Was all he said. I turned to look at him with a playful frown, to find him grinning back, “Black, one sugar.” I turned back and nodded.
“Same” I said, spooning the ground coffee into the mugs. Then adding a spoon of sugar to both. While waiting, I poured some cat food into the bowls by the back door, and replaced the water, much to the cats delight.
It was then that I noticed Rin was staring at me. A small smile on his face that didn’t look like admiration. It looked almost malicious. I looked at him and leant back on the counter. “What?”
“Your shirt is on inside out, and backwards.” He sniggered.
It was my turn to share a look of horror, as I looked down at my shirt. He was right. How embarrassing, a grown man can’t even dress himself. I quickly pulled it off, turned it around and put it back on. Rin was still staring at me, a small blush appeared on his cheeks, but as soon as I looked directly at him, he turned his attention elsewhere in the room.
Once the kettle had boiled, I took the mugs over to the table and sat down opposite him, he was busy tapping away on his mobile.
“Nitori?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh my god. I should probably text him,” the tapping of the screen continued while I sipped my coffee. “What is that?” He looked over at the pile of black dumped in the corner.
“That? Uniform.” I replied.
“Uniform? What do you do?”
“Fireman.” His eyes widened again, and he glanced back over at the pile of clothes in the corner, my jacket and trouser bands reflecting a little of the sunlight from the window.
“Figures.” He mumbled.
“Hm?”
“It’s uh.. you.. I mean, you look like someone who does something like that.” He winced slightly as he spoke, a slight look of frustration knitting his brows.
“Hah, thanks. I actually swim a lot in my spare time.”
“Yeah? Me too.”
We both smiled, finding a common topic to talk about was a start. I took another gulp of coffee and looked at the clock. Time was slowly passing, but passing all the same.
“I would offer you breakfast but I only have cereal. I need to go shopping.” I looked around at the kitchen, there was normally food littered on the surfaces, cupboard space was sparse.
“No problem, I should probably leave you to the rest of your day. Not that I was invited here or anything.” He looked down at the dark coloured liquid in his mug.
“It’s fine, honestly.” He looked up at me and smiled, then pulled out his phone, tapping something in.
“Here.” He handed his phone over to me. Confused at first I looked between him and the phone a couple of times until I noticed ‘Makoto’ typed in at the top, the space below for a number was empty.
“You could just ask for my number,” I winked, “Is this so you can call ahead next time, rather than climb in through a window?”
“Shut up.” He finished the rest of his coffee, placing the cup back on the table.
I tapped in my number and passed the phone back. He tapped the save button.
“Well, thanks Makoto.” He said standing up, I stood up with him. “I guess I’ll see you around?” I nodded and he started walking towards the front door.
“Door is that way.” I pointed at the window in the living room.
“Why do you love this so much?” He asked, taking a step closer to me, making eye contact once again. We were only a small distance apart. I could smell the aftershave from the night before on his clothes.
“No one has ever broken into my house before.” I said innocently, “Especially not a policeman.” My voice lowered on its own accord again, as we stood there staring at each other. I thought I saw his eyes flick to my lips as I held his gaze, but he quickly straightened up and continued towards the door.
We were standing on the porch, the day was going to be another hot one, the sun already warming the air through the morning mist.
“Cya.” Rin smiled, and started to walk off down the road. Something stirred in my brain and I called out to him. Much to his, and my own surprise.
“Rin!” He turned around, and took a couple of steps back towards my house. “Want to catch a movie this weekend?” I asked, still not thinking about what I was doing.
“Sure, I’ll call you.” He waved once then continued walking.
I went back into the house, and one I shut the door I silently beat myself up. The guy was damn gorgeous. I managed to quickly convince myself that he wouldn’t call when my phone buzzed on the kitchen floor from inside my trouser pocket.
I burrowed through the pile of clothing, finding my phone. I had a new message from an unknown number. I felt a familiar heat rise in my cheeks as I pressed the read button.
From: Unknown
Saturday night, cinema and dinner, my treat
I wasn’t sure what to say, apart from yes. Then another message come in.
From: Unknown
There is a new horror film out, lets see that. I will pick you up at 7. ‘) x
Forget the winky face and kiss on the end that made me feel weak at the knees. He was into horror films. The feeling of sheer dread that overcame me was more than enough to push any images of him and I kissing out of my head. I wanted to see him again though. I quickly saved his number and replied.
To: Rin
Sounds great! See you at 7!
I pressed send before I had the chance to decide if I should add a kiss or not. Yes or no? I didn’t really know him. Less than twelve hours ago he had broken into my living room, and now we were going on a date? Was it a date? Yes.
I retyped the message.
To: Rin
Sounds great! See you at 7! x
I hit send. Standing up from my pile of dirty clothes I moved over to the calendar and made a note. I would be seeing him again in 4 days. I made my way back into the living room to check on my kitties. Both of them were sleeping on the sofa. I sat down next to them and sighed, when something caught my eye under the table. I reached down and picked it up.
He had left his police badge behind. I turned it over in my hands, the metal was cool to touch.
Perhaps I would be seeing him sooner than Saturday, I smiled to myself.