Archive of Our Own

Lin had no idea how he'd agreed to this situation. Walking toward the lobby of a hotel with his hand resting on the crook of Banba’s elbow, ring finger adorned with a fake silver band, a matching one on Banba's own hand. His rosy pink sundress suddenly feeling a little too warm, and the heeled sandals a bit too tight. His hair had been tied back in a bun and a decorative hairpin clipped to the base, which had definitely not been his idea. He thought it was overboard, Banba insisted it'd make it more realistic.

Banba was carrying a small duffel that Lin could only assume held important items for this job. What they could be, he had no idea, but he didn't bother to ask. 

He sighed heavily, “This is stupid. How the hell am I supposed to act like I'm married to you? Disgusting.”

Banba didn't shift his head. “It's not so bad, Lin-chan. It's just for a couple hours.”

“It'll feel like forever, I just know it.” He scoffed.

Banba chuckled. “That's not cute, Lin-chan.”

Lin deepened his frown. Though he was used to the nickname, he wasn't entirely fond of it. It seemed so childish. 

“Wasn't supposed to be,” he said, looking away.

The resort they were walking to was huge. Which was a bit of a problem. Lin wasn't sure how this job could be fulfilled and then go undetected, but he brushed off the worry with certainty that he could figure it out. Maybe Banba already had an idea, but they hadn't discussed further plans other than their fake marriage. It was strange to dive into a situation like this without a plan. 

The target was a newly married couple on their honeymoon, as Lin and Banba were also pretending to be. There was a special event going on that day for any honeymoon couples to win prizes and mingle and other boring as shit things. Beyond meeting with the couple at the event, there was nothing Lin knew of. It frustrated him.

“Hey,” Lin said, not exactly wanting to engage a conversation, but figuring it was something that needed to happen. It was embarrassing enough to be waltzing up to a hotel while hanging on Banba's arm. It was worse that he was going to make small talk.

“Yes?”

“Do you have even a little bit of a plan for this? Or are we going in blind like idiots?”

Banba's lips quirked at the corners. “You underestimate me, Lin-chan.”

“Would you shut up about that name and answer the damn question?”

“That hurts, Lin-chan,” Banba gasped, feigning shock by placing a hand on his chest. The gold-colored band glinted in the burning sun. When Lin rolled his eyes, he continued, “We'll make nice with the couple and invite them out for dinner tomorrow. Then-”

He was cut off by Lin digging nails into his arm and shouting, “Tomorrow? I thought this was an easy, short job! You said ‘only a couple hours,’ you liar!”

“Oh. I did, didn't I?” He stopped walking and lifted a hand. “Tell you what, I'll cut your debt by a week if you stay with me. Deal, Lin-chan?”

Lin gritted his teeth. This dumbass. And his stupid spciy pollock roe supply. But he couldn't argue, really. This job was a well-paying one. He should've expected a catch.

“Fine. You better stay true to your word, Banbaka.”

---

Lin almost screamed when he saw the room they were staying in. He was upset in the fact they even had to get a room for this mission. But this. This just made it nearly unbearable.

He was used to living with Banba, but it was different when he had a couch to himself and there weren’t fucking rose petals all over the damn place. In the room there was a king-size bed, a desk, a dresser, a TV, a bathroom, and a trail of roses leading to a stand with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. There were petals on the bed and on the floor, just everywhere that they possibly could be strewn about.

“We didn't have to actually get the honeymoon suite, you know,” Lin said, throwing his sandals in the corner and growling through gritted teeth.

Banba held hands up in an innocent gesture. “I didn't book the room. Enokida had control of that.”

“That mushroom shithead,” Lin muttered. He sat on the edge of the bed, sweeping the petals to the floor. “You can't possibly be okay with this,” he said.

Banba shrugged and tugged the band from his finger to put it on the desk. “I think it's fine. It's only pretend, right?”

Lin looked at his now bare feet. His toes sunk into the thick carpet and red flowers framed his feet.

If he was being honest, he didn't actually mind the notion of staying here with Banba. The part that bothered him was that they were still only partners in business. They could possibly be considered friends, but nothing close to something where they could pass of as being romantically interested. He also didn't like that in this fake relationship he would serve as a decoration on Banba's arm more than anything. He was basically playing a trophy wife, and the thought sickened him. He had a high respect for women, and didn't think they should be treated as any less than their partner. That was what happened to Qianming, and look where she'd ended up.

“Yeah, I guess,” Lin muttered.

There was only a little bit of time before the event they had to attend. Just enough time to settle the few belongings they'd brought. Lin wasn't planning for overnight, but Banba had brought a bag. So that was why he brought it. He should've asked about it before. 

“Did you bring any extra clothes for me? Since it just so happened to slip your mind that we're staying for a night,” Lin asked, picking at a loose hair poking out from his bun.

Banba laughed, “I knew you wouldn't agree if it was for too long. So yes, I brought something.” He brought out a ¾ sleeved midnight blue dress that fell just above the knees.

“Shoes too?”

Banba quirked an eyebrow. “Aren't those sandals good enough?”

“They have pink trim, you idiot. It clashes,” Lin informed him, not so much angry as annoyed. Of course Banba would have awful fashion preference, he always wore that boring sweater.

Banba nodded, “Right.”

Lin’s annoyance increased. “So, did you bring extra or not? You didn't answer the question, idiot.”

“No, I didn't. We can buy new ones, though. You always want new shoes,” Banba suggested, waving the cross expression of Lin’s face away.

“Yeah, fine.”

---

After two hours, Lin had convinced Banba to not buy just one pair of shoes for him, but three.

“Thanks!” Lin said with a grin, snatching the bags from Banba's hands. “I forgive you for forgetting to tell me, by the way.”

“Lin-chan…” Bamba whined, “we're going to be late now.”

“Oh, shit, I left the ring in the hotel room,” Lin muttered.

They were at a store in the resort, but it was at the furthest part from their room. Luckily, the event lasted for a couple hours. But Banba was determined to get there on time for some stupid reason.

When they arrived at the room, the event was already started. Lin threw the bags on the bed and rushed to the desk where both rings had been discarded. He handed the simple gold one to Banba and slipped the silver one on his own finger.

“Lin-chan, your hair is undone.”

“Can't I just leave it down?” he complained.

But Banba was already behind him and undoing the messed up bun. He gently brushed through with his fingers and twisted it back up with surprising fluidity. He stuck in the ornate hairpin and clapped. “Done!”

“How did you learn to do this?” Lin asked, picking up the magenta purse and slinging it over his chest.

Banba shrugged. “I'll tell you later.” The way he looked away made Lin even more curious.

---

The event was painfully awkward. Lin was smiling so falsely that his cheeks hurt. He wanted to stab every single last one of these idiots. He could tell they were all faking their excitement. None of them actually wanted to be there, they just wanted to win things for their own selfish desires. People like this were foreign to him. 

“It's almost over, don't worry,” Banba whispered when nobody was by them. Lin released his hand from its grasp on Banba's arm to push a stray piece of hair behind his ear.

“Right." He nodded sharply. "You still haven't told me who our target is.”

“Oh, over there.” Lin followed his finger to a couple in their early 20s. “Kimura Riku and Kanade. They run an underground drug ring.”

“Great. So, we invite them to dinner and then what?”

Banba wrapped an arm around Lin’s back to lean in closer to whisper. “Bring them through a ‘shortcut.’ But to do that they have to trust us. We'll have to tell them a story. If I need you to fill in pieces, be prepared.”

“Right.”

---

The first meeting with the couple went alright. They certainly seemed guilty as Lin was talking to them. Their eyes would shift to anything but Lin’s eyes.

“We were wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner tomorrow,” Banba asked, giving the most kind-hearted smile.

The woman looked to her husband in question. “I don't know if we should…” she said.

Lin’s heart jumped. If this didn't work, he didn't know what else would. This job was much different from the others. Much more difficult. It required lies, disguises, time, and patience. 

“If you need to go somewhere afterwards, we can work around your schedule,” Lin suggested.

The man nodded, “Okay, we'll come. You seem like a kind couple.” Though the way he eyed Lin was unsettling. Like he knew something.

“Good! When do you want to meet?” Banba asked.

The woman, Kanade, spoke, “Five is good.”

“Okay, that sounds like a plan,” Banba said, holding a hand out for the man and woman to shake. Lin nodded at them and gave a small smile.

When the targets finally left, Lin sighed. “It was painful. The guy kept glaring at me, and they didn't want to cooperate.”

“It's just because you look so beautiful, Lin-chan.”

Lin couldn't help the heat that rose to his face as he narrowed his eyes. “Shut up, Banbaka.”

---

Lin was used to living with Banba. He had been for a year. But even with all that time, he still slept on the couch in the living room. Banba's bed was big enough for both of them, and was definitely far more comfortable than the couch. It would do Lin’s back good to sleep on something not so stiff. But he couldn't bring himself to ask.

Now, he didn't have a choice. The room didn't have another option other than the king size bed in the center of the room.

“You didn't happen to bring my sleeping clothes, did you?” Lin asked as he undid his hair and slid the ring off his finger. He pulled makeup wipes out of the purse he'd brought and swiped the eye makeup off his face.

“I did.”

As Lin turned, the raglan shirt hit him in the face. He grumbled, “Don't you dare throw those pants too.”

Banba laughed, “Here,” he handed the lounge pants over. He turned to shuffle through his bag for his own clothes and started, “There's no futon or couch in here.”

“I know. What kind of hotel room doesn’t have a couch?”

Banba shrugged, pulling his clothes out of the bag and making his way to the small bathroom. “This one, apparently.”

Lin hummed at that. With Banba in the other room, he quickly changed into the clothes he’d be sleeping in. He ran his fingers through his hair and reluctantly sat on the bed.

He fiddled with the strings on his pants as he waited. There’d definitely need to be conversation. There was just no avoiding that. And it made Lin feel sick to his stomach. He’d seen the most terrifying, scarring shit, but a discussion with Banba about something as stupid as this was what scared him most. And for that, he felt disgusted with himself.

He was becoming more aware every day that there would be a point he'd no longer be able to keep up his hotheaded facade. It wasn't always a lie, but there were many times that he forced himself to act more angry than he was. It was to avoid what he'd become aware of in recent months. It couldn't have been good for his health to bottle everything.

“Are you almost done?” Lin called, standing to knock on the door if he had to. It shouldn’t have taken more than five minutes to change.

“Don’t you have patience, Lin-chan? I just got in here.”

Lin groaned. Impatience had always been one of his faults. It was one reason why this act was becoming unbearable.

He sat back on the bed, kicking at Banba’s bag on the ground. How had he totally missed Banba packing one for this stupid trip? Or at least, how could he have not connected the dots that Banba wouldn’t need a bag for a day trip.

He knew there was something off the minute Banba gave him a new dress. From there, the explanation of Lin playing as his wife and the matching fake bands. He’d dressed for jobs before, but it was too elaborate for a normal job. And it paid too well. Whoever assigned it must have known how stubborn the targets were.

Banba joined him in sitting on the edge of the bed as he was deep in thought.

“Are you okay? You sounded urgent.”

Lin nodded, clenching his fists. “Yeah, just fine. It’s...this is weird.”

“What is?”

Lin flailed his arms around the room, “Everything about this. I have to pretend to be married to you. I’ve never even thought about getting married. And now we’re stuck sharing a bed, and I have to pretend to be this cute little trophy wife tomorrow. It’s just not something I’m really...comfortable with. And you should’ve asked me before taking the job.” He was surprised with his own honesty. But after everything he and Banba had been through, he owed Banba honesty and trust. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

There wasn’t a response at first. Just the air conditioner and the pipes running through other rooms. It put Lin on edge.

“No, you're right. I should have.” The tone Banba’s voice took was rare. It was hard and honest and serious. There was no singsong or tease to it. He really meant it.

Lin’s chest tightened. “Really? No jokes?”

“No, why would I joke about it? If you’re uncomfortable, then I shouldn’t make you do these things. I’ll sleep on the floor if you want. And I can call the client back and tell them we can’t do it,” Banba offered, turning to make sure Lin knew he wasn’t kidding.

Lin shook his head, “No, it’s fine. Just...know for next time to run it by me.”

There was silence after that. Lin stared at his hands, still clenched into fists. How come he had the strength to kill people, yet couldn’t handle telling his emotions to the one person he trusted the most?

“We should go to sleep, then. What’s okay with you?” Banba asked.

“Just don’t kick me.”

Banba nodded, “Alright, that’s easy.”

---

Lin had decided on lying at the very edge of the bed for good measure. There was plenty of room, so he didn’t have to worry about getting too close.

What he didn’t take into account was how nice it was to actually have room to move. And how willing he was to take advantage of that.

He ended up pressing his leg against Banba’s, but was too comfortable to bother moving it. He mentally crossed his fingers that Banba would keep his mouth shut and let him fall asleep like that.

Of course, he was never that lucky.

“Lin-chan, do you want me to move?” Banba asked, voice muffled by the blankets and pillow.

Lin grumbled, “Just stay there. And don't talk about it.” His ears heated, and he mumbled a “shit” under his breath.

“Hmm, are you sure? We're married now, after all,” he said in a mocking tone.

“Shut up, no we aren't!” Lin snarled, sitting up to smack Banba's arm.

Banba held his hands up, “I'm just joking.” He smiled up at Lin. “I’m serious about my offer, though. It’s whatever you’re comfortable with.”

There wasn’t a response to that. Lin just sunk back into the bed and pulled the covers up to his chin. He shifted until he was comfortable, ankle hooked on Banba’s, but that was all. He drifted off not long after.

---

Lin woke up and messy brown hair was splayed across the pillow next to him. Banba was facing away from him, but was close enough that Lin could feel the heat radiating off him.

He’d slept well, despite his displeasure in that fact. Sleeping in a real bed for once did wonders for his back, and he felt rested. On that crummy couch back at Banba’s he woke with a crick in his neck and a tight feeling in his spine. He had to do stretches as soon as he got up to prevent immense pain from staying with him throughout the day.

Maybe he should consider taking the bed when they got back.

But the pang in his chest prevented that thought from remaining with him. He needed to have a serious talk with Banba about whatever this tension was. Why he’d let Lin sleep in a bed with him without thinking twice, and why it bothered Lin so much. Also why Banba had felt so bad about not telling Lin things. Lin wasn’t exactly one to talk, he’d left so much hidden from Banba. It was a wonder that Banba hadn’t given up on him a long time ago.

He was glad he spoke up, though. It felt good to hear the genuine words come out of his own mouth, and the sincere apology from Banba’s. It helped him realize that trusting Banba was definitely a good decision.

Lin sighed and ran a hand through his hair, which had gotten oily and tangled overnight. He made to pull the covers away, and Banba stirred.

“...n-chan. Where’re you goin?” he said in a slurred, sleep-ridden state.

“Shower. Just go back to sleep,” Lin responded, sitting on the edge of the bed and craning his neck to listen to Banba’s mumbling.

The blankets shifted with the shake of Banba’s head. “It’s cold. Come here.” Though it was mid-summer, the hotel’s AC unit was cranked up.

He opened the covers, eyes still mostly shut. Didn’t he go to sleep at the same time as Lin?

Lin obliged. He didn’t really want to leave the warmth of the covers anyway. A shower could wait. They didn’t even need to go anywhere until five. It was seven in the morning.

He curled into the warmth of the bed, fabric closing around him, along with an arm. He was pressed up to Banba’s chest now, gentle breathing drifting above his head. His arm bent awkwardly between them, and he decided to settle it open-palmed against the chest he’d been squished against.

Lin was confused, and angered with the fact that this was actually nice. And comforting. And safe. He didn’t realize how much he’d longed for someone to look after him. For someone to open their arms to him. And he definitely never would have imagined it to be Banba Zenji, the man he came to in a last ditch effort to save his sister. He’d figured, back then, that he’d use Banba for what he needed, then leave him. He intended to find someplace else to stay, not to live with the guy. And there was no way in hell he’d ever considered going on these little missions with him, or to maybe possibly have a deep connection with him. That could lead to a different relationship.

He grit his teeth, “Why’d it have to be you?” he muttered as he clenched Banba’s shirt in his fists.

---

Lin had drifted back to sleep, and when he woke up, Banba wasn't in bed anymore. The indent next to him was still warm, he couldn't have been up more than five minutes.

“Oi, why didn't you just get me up?” Lin called out in no particular direction. He struggled to keep his eyelids open. It hadn't been this hard to get up the first time…

“You just looked so peaceful,” Banba said, and Lin could hear him running water in the bathroom. Lin sat up, rubbing at his eyes. They burned from the air they were now exposed to.

He grumbled. “What time is it, then?”

“Almost noon.”

Shit, really? They hadn’t gone to bed late last night. No later than they usually did. Maybe eleven or so. Did they really sleep for almost twelve hours? It was probably to make up for the sleep they lost from early appointments and jobs.

Lin pulled himself up and his feet hit the carpet. It was so cold in this hotel that even the plush carpet was cold on his feet. He shivered, but stood up.

“You didn’t happen to bring a jacket, did you?” Lin asked, kneeling next to the bag Banba had brought.

“Just my suit jacket and sweater. Are you really cold?” The words said were mumbled, due to the toothbrush in Banba’s mouth.

Lin shrugged. “A little. Is your sweater clean?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m taking it then.”

Banba didn’t argue, and Lin pulled Banba’s favorite clothing article over his head. It was way too big. The sleeves hung off Lin’s arms, and the hem fell halfway down Lin’s thighs. The shoulders could hardly stay up. It sat cockeyed, and it looked ridiculous with Lin’s shirt on underneath.

But he didn’t care. It was warm, and the scent of the detergent from home was comforting.

“What are we doing before going to dinner?” Lin asked, rolling up the cuffs of the sleeves.

Banba spit into the sink and rinsed his toothbrush. He exited the bathroom and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “We can go to breakfast if you want. Or, I guess it’s lunch now.”

Lin nodded, “That sounds good. But we’re not eating ramen, got it? There are a lot of restaurants to try, we should go for something different.”

“Aw, dammit.” Banba pouted, but he didn’t look all that upset. “So, is this like a date, then?” he asked, completely ignoring the ‘no ramen’ terms.

Lin scowled. But he couldn’t really say yes or no. He wasn’t sure if he wanted it to be one or not.

“I take that as a yes!” Banba beamed, and looked at Lin. “You look really cute, Lin-chan.”

He lifted a hand to his face to hide the annoying heat rising to his cheeks. “Shut up, it’s not my fault you’re a giant.”

---

Before leaving, they had to don their disguises again. There was no point in returning to the hotel room before going for dinner if they were going to be walking around. On a supposed-date.

Banba volunteered to do Lin’s hair again, after it had been all washed and dried.

“You said you would tell me how you learned to do this yesterday, and you never answered,” Lin commented as Banba braided thin braids on both sides of Lin’s head, to be swirled into the rest of his hair in a bun.

There was silence as the braiding continued, rhythmic to the point it was almost therapeutic.

Banba sighed, “I wanted to do your hair for you, so I watched videos on how. And practiced on this wig I found.”

“Oh, shit, I thought it was because of Sayuri.” Lin ducked his head, palm to his head. That was not expected. And it made his stomach churn. And it was disgustingly cute.

Banba continued with braiding until the two small braids were equal, and then he pulled the rest of Lin’s hair into a loose bun. He clipped the hairpin in.

“No, her hair was never long enough. And she wouldn’t have wanted me to anyway.”

Lin was still processing the information. “So, you took time to learn this for me?” Though it was done, he stayed turned away from Banba.

“Yeah.” He picked a piece of Lin’s hair from the sweater. “I should just give you this, you look better in it than me.”

“Idiot, I don’t wear stuff like this. I’ve thought about getting a sweater, but I haven’t had the money to. If you want me to wear one so bad, just buy it for me,” Lin said, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could comprehend them.

Banba cleared his throat. “Okay. I will.” Lin was still faced away from him, knees brought to his chest. “Because I love you, Lin-chan.”

Lin’s blood ran cold. Then it heated up too quickly. His fingers started shaking. “Quit joking. I’m an asshole. Nobody wants to deal with me.”

“I’m not.”

Lin’s eyes started watering. There was no fucking way. And why now, when they’re sitting in a honeymoon suite , pretending to be married ? He was simultaneously ecstatic, terrified, and angry.

“Why? Was this all a plan to mess with me or something? Bring me to this romantic place and woo me and then it all turns out to be a joke?” Lin asks, words dripping with anger, and confusion. His tongue felt heavy and his head was spinning.

Banba wrapped an arm around Lin’s middle. “No, I’m not joking. Why would you think I’d be so cruel?” he reassured Lin, voice calm and soothing.

Lin bit his lip. His hand moved to cover Banba’s. “Okay.” Fingers threaded through his.

“So, it is a date, then?”

---

On this impromptu date, Lin had the blue dress on, along with shiny, new black pumps. The silver ring didn’t feel as strange on his finger, though it was still a little weird. He wasn’t sure if he and Banba were even really dating.

After lunch, Banba brought him to a clothing store, and picked out a lavender ribbed sweater for Lin. It had a similar wide collar, but it was slimmer.

“Make sure you wear this on our next date,” Banba said with a smile as he paid for the sweater.

“ Next ?”

Banba raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, we’re dating, right? Or did I misread that?”

Lin clenched his fists. “You never said that, but yeah, okay, we are.” Red bloomed on his face, again. That was getting really annoying. But, his question from before had been answered.

“Good! I look forward to a bunch of dates, then, Lin-chan,” Banba exclaimed, patting Lin’s head.

The cashier stared at them as she held up the plastic bag with the sweater in it. “Um, I’m sorry, here’s your bag.”

Lin snatched it from her hand. “Thanks.” He grabbed Banba’s wrist and dragged him out of the store. “Why do you have to say embarrassing things in public?”

Banba shrugged, “Sorry, at least this will make dinner easier?”

Lin scowled, but sighed. “Just, don’t go overboard, okay? I’m certain they already hate us, and if you’re all gushy and gross, they’re just going to hate us even more.”

“Aww, that’s no fun.” He slipped a hand into Lin’s. “This is okay, right?”

“Pfft, you’re going to act like you don’t care and then act all worried about this?” Lin chuckled. “It’s fine, you idiot.”

---

Though it was easier now to act like a married couple, dinner was still horribly awkward. The man, Riku, stared at Lin. He wasn’t sure if it was because he knew what they were paid to do, or if he was angry with Lin’s appearance.

“How long have you two been together?” the woman, Kanade, asked.

Banba responded, “A year. We got married two weeks ago.”

“Ah. Not long, then. What made you decide to tie the knot?” Riku asked, eyebrows raised, skeptical.

“We were already living together, it just seemed like the right next step,” Banba answered.

Riku nodded. “Thinking about having kids?”

Lin choked on his drink. He coughed, trying to get the liquid out of his windpipe. “No. No way, I don’t really like kids,” he said after he’d gotten most of his throat cleared. Were these people trying to kill him ?

Kanade hummed, “What about your husband? What does he think?” She turned a sharp eye to Banba.

“Oh, no. I don’t either. Maybe we’ll get a cat?” he held his hands up in gesture.

Riku sighed, “That’s a shame. Your wife is so beautiful, you would make fine children.”

Lin had to bite back a snarky remark. He was supposed to be a woman in this situation. It just made things easier for both him and his victims. If he’d decided to be Banba’s husband rather than wife , there’d be too much confusion and explanation. Neither he nor Banba was fond of it, but they both knew it was for the better.

“I don’t want kids. Rather, I don’t even want sex. Did you consider that?” Lin said, keeping his voice as high and sweet as he possibly could, though inside he was boiling. As a man, even, he was annoyed that this ignorant bastard would assume a woman would need to have children just because of her appearance.

Kanade chuckled, perfectly manicured hand covering her mouth. “How could you not, though? Ever tried it?”

Banba placed a hand on Lin’s thigh as reassurance. “No, and I don’t plan on it. It’s not appealing to me.”

Riku raised an eyebrow at Banba, and not-so-discreetly whispered, “And you’re okay with this?”

“Yes, of course I am.” Banba looked pissed now too. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Riku scoffed and muttered, “Sorry bastard.”

Lin grit his teeth and fingered the knife strapped to his upper thigh. If this weren’t a crowded restaurant, he’d have slit this man’s throat right then. Instead, he faked a smile and asked, “How about we just change the subject?”

Banba nodded, “How about...how did you meet?”

Riku narrowed his eyes. “Fine. In college. We were in the same program. And you?”

“A party. Ah, she looked so lonely, so I decided to talk to her.” Banba flinched at the pronoun.

Lin nodded. He didn’t want to use his voice, in fear that it would break and he’d be revealed. At the beginning of this meeting, Lin was relatively calm, but now his nerves were riled up.

“Ah, that’s sweet. You seem like a good couple. Which is exactly why…” Kanade began, but stopped when her husband held his hand up and shook his head. “Sorry.” She looked pissed that she’d been silenced.

Riku smiled at Banba, “That’s nice of you. Which makes me wonder, where do you and your wife work?”

“I run a business, and, er, she helps me. It’s a stationery business, a small one,” Banba answered, nodding as he spoke.

Kanade grinned, “So, how long has this been going on?”

“A few months. She’s been a great help, and our relationship has been strengthened in our cooperation.”

Banba continued with an explanation about fake wife Lin joined him in his fake stationery company and did the paperwork and took calls. Lin just nodded along, confident in Banba’s lie. He didn’t want to interject just to screw it all up.

It seemed like the man was ignoring Lin now, enjoying the company of Banba instead. The woman had been looking back and forth from Lin to Banba, but ended up giving up when Lin wasn’t giving any interesting reactions.

Banba had saved this mission with his on the spot lie, and Lin was grateful.

---

The next step of the plan went as follows: talk to the couple until they seem comfortable, invite them to go on a walk, bring them through an alleyway, kill them. Seemed simple, and it was. Banba led the conversation, which meant Lin would probably take the job of actually killing them.

It was perfect. Something Lin was comfortable with. And that seemed to be all Banba wanted at this point. And there wasn’t any discussion on who would take which piece of the plan, it just worked itself out.

That gave Lin a sense of peace going forward in this new territory. He’d never been in a relationship. The thought of it had scared him before. Especially after seeing what happened to Qianming. He was worried that he’d fall for someone who would treat him poorly and ignore his feelings.

Banba was aware of them, when he was willing to tell him. There was something about their interactions that felt natural and comforting that allowed Lin to slowly open up. He didn’t think that was possible before. After taking care of Fei-Lan, he’d realized that it was the right decision to trust Banba. He’d risked his life to protect Lin, and the way he’d greeted him after Lin had killed Fei-Lan made him feel welcome.

Lin smiled a little at the memory.

“Huh, why does your wife look so happy? She’s not even in the conversation,” Kanade commented, as though Lin wasn’t there. Granted, this couple didn’t even know their names, bizarre how it hadn’t come up in conversation yet.

“Can’t I just look happy if I want to?” Lin snapped. He still hated this couple. No amount of small talk could heal what insensitive things they’d said to him. He was becoming more and more okay with this job.

Kanade shrugged. “You’ve been acting like a bitch this whole time, I didn’t think you could even do that.”

Lin snarled. “What the hell,” he growled a little too deep. Banba grabbed onto his arm.

“Hey, calm down,” he said gently. Banba dipped his head next to Lin’s ear. “Don’t blow our cover. We should leave now.” Lin nodded.

Banba grinned at the confused couple. “If we’re done eating, how about we go on a walk to the rooms? I know a shortcut that’ll get us there faster.”

Riku wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded. “Yes, we were needing to leave soon anyway. Just--keep your wife in check.”

God, these people were insufferable. Lin despised them. But he kept his mouth shut and pulled his purse over his shoulder.

---

The couple walked a few paces ahead, Banba just in front of Lin to allow discussion between him and the two. As he walked, Lin carefully unsheathed the knife and held it level with the man's head. One shot, a groan, and a spurt of blood and he was dead. His wife gasped and called out for him. She frantically slapped at his face to wake him up.

Banba stood to the side as Lin lunged with his knife raised at the woman. He stabbed her just to the right of the heart, and he whispered, “Maybe you should pay a little more attention before you start throwing out sexist comments and calling people a bitch.” His voice was back to its natural depth. “And it's a bit of a bitch move to complain to someone about his boyfriend’s sexuality being a nuisance. That's just wrong.” Lin tightened his grip on the handle and shifted the blade, quickening her death.

“You're a man?” Kanade choked out. She coughed blood.

“Yeah.” He removed the blade and stepped back wiping the blade with a cloth he had in the purse. “We knew you people would be too dense to acknowledge that.”

Kanade’s fiery eyes had burned out. She already looked dead. “My husband had nothing to do with this, you should have spared him.”

“Lies. We saw your file. You both are wanted for the same crime. And now you'll die for it. Goodbye.” Lin turned on his heel toward Banba and he nodded.

---

They were back home before it became too dark. It was nice to be back.

“Are you still going to sleep on the couch, or--?” Banba asked, question hanging in the air.

Lin rolled his ankles after he took his shoes off. “With you. It's warmer.” It may have been a bad idea to wear heels higher than an inch for this mission. Lin’s feet were sore.

Banba dropped the bag on the floor by the couch. When Lin was still standing and rubbing at his sore ankles, he'd walked in front of him.

“What?” Lin asked when he raised his head and had both feet planted on the floor.

Banba swiped a thumb across Lin's cheek. “There was some blood.” Though when Lin was sure he'd taken care of the blood, Banba left his hand as it was.

Lin chewed on the inside of his cheek. “So...you just gonna leave your hand there?” He tentatively brought his own hand over Banba's. “Um...I'm not used to this kind of thing. Kind of sad I'm in my twenties now and this is my first stab at an actual relationship…” He dipped his head.

“No, I don't think so. Everyone has a different preference and pace.” His finger looped around a stray strand of Lin's hair.

Lin hummed. “I'm glad.”

“About what?”

“You seemed okay with what I said in the restaurant. I was so scared to, uh, fall in love, and then get pressured into having sex. Like, it's just always been this fear I've had and it sounds so stupid. I never talk about it because dumbasses like those two just make fun of me.” Lin gritted his teeth.

Banba nodded, “That made me mad, too.”

“So, you're definitely okay with it? Even if I sleep with you?” Lin asked, eyes wide.

“Yeah, of course. I love you just as you are, Lin.”

Lin gave a wide smile. The lack of a nickname was comforting. It made Banba sound more serious.

His arms looped around Banba's neck. He muttered, “Can I kiss you?”

A brief nod and Lin was on his toes and pulling Banba's head down. The second Lin's lips brushed Banba's, he knew he'd made the right decision. This was his first kiss, and he'd always known he had to choose carefully.

When they parted, Lin didn't quite pull away. “I love you, Banba.”

Banba engaged the next one, one hand brushing at the side of Lin's head, the other around his waist. His grasp was firm, giving Lin the same sense of security he'd felt that morning. Lin was awful at this, but the sensation of being this close to someone without fear was exhilarating.

Lin laid his head on Banba's shoulder when they broke apart again.

Later, when they'd decided there was no point standing in the middle of the living room and it was just late enough to retire for the night to bed, Lin curled up against Banba's side. He watched those dumb baseball games Banba loved so much over his shoulder.

“Hey, I take back what I said yesterday about being disgusted with marrying you,” Lin said without much thought. The confession sprung to his lips before he could even comprehend what his mouth was doing.

Banba paused the video. “What?” He paused, then in his teasing voice said, “Are you saying we should get married, Lin-chan? It's a little early for that, don't you think?”

Lin scowled, “Of course not, Banbaka! I just felt bad for saying that!”

He may have loved this man, but he still was annoyed by his teasing.

Banba chuckled, “Alright. But, it would only make sense if we're living together anyway.” He brought back the lie they'd been telling to that couple.

“Shut up. I can still leave, you know?” He smacked Banba with a pillow. The static made his hair stand even more on end than it already did.

“You won't.” Then, his tone became more wistful, “We already have those rings, so maybe one day. If we can find other work, leave this life behind. I know you don't like killing. It's gotten a bit old to me too. We'll have to let the others know where we go.”

The idea was a bit ridiculous for now. They'd been dating less than 24 hours and they were already talking about this. But it made Lin feel a little hopeful. “Maybe. In a couple years.”

He quite liked the idea.