Work Text:
„So Mikazuki's not coming today?“
Ookurikara didn't look up from his computer screen at his question and simply shook his head. Not that Tsurumaru expected anything else from him. Unperturbed, he continued doodling on a post-it he found in the chaotic mess that was his desk.
"He's sick?"
"Hmm."
"Sad." He crumbled up his rather tragic drawing of a bunny hopping over a disproportionally huge fence and tossed it across the room but missed the trash can narrowly. Sighing, he lay his head on his desk. It wasn't like working in a law firm was the most exciting job in the whole world but usually he had at least something to do to keep himself entertained over the day. Not today though. He already finished reading through all the files - twice actually, just for the heck of it -, no clients were scheduled for consultations and his favorite "victim" for his infamous surprises – Mikazuki Munechika – was absent.
"Can someone break the law already, I'm bored."
Midare Toushirou, who just came back from getting himself a coffee, snorted into his drink.
"You're the worst lawyer in the history of lawyers, man."
“Says you, the worst secretary in the history of secretaries,” he sulked.
Midare shrugged and dropped a stack of papers next to his head before casually leaning against Tsurumaru’s desk and taking a sip from his coffee.
“For you. Ichi-nii told me to tell you to stop moping and get back to work already.”
Tsurumaru sighed as he clumsily sat up again, only to slump back in his chair, stubbornly looking at the wall instead of the documents. Maybe he could pretend they didn’t exist if he simply didn’t acknowledge their existence. Out of sight, out of mind. He was just about to speak again when Midare cut him off.
“Also to answer your previous question: your boyfriend called in sick earlier today, he’s got food poisoning I think.”
Tsurumaru stared at him for a few seconds, not knowing who on earth this “boyfriend” of his could be, when he remembered again- right. Mikazuki. He asked Ookurikara about him just 5 minutes ago. How did Midare even pick up on that all the way from the office kitchen…
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
Midare snorted once again and gave him A Look. Of course he wouldn’t believe him.
“Your heart eyes say otherwise but you do you I guess.”
Tsurumaru rolled his eyes and let out an exaggerated groan, spinning around in his swivel chair for some extra dramatic effect. Yes, he might have a thing for his colleague and yes, he might have had a thing for him for quite a long time. But no, it wasn't any of Midare's business.
“Y'know your brother Ichigo is my boss, your other brother Yagen is the HR guy … who am I supposed to approach to get your ass fired for workplace bullying? Or am I just supposed to keep suffering in silence?”
Midare snorted again.
“I think you’re the last person in this law firm to suffer silently .”
______________________________
Mikazuki ended up coming back four days later. It was once again a rather slow morning as Ichigo had a hearing to attend with Midare accompanying him, Kanesada was meeting up with a client somewhere and Ookurikara had to look after some interns, much to his chagrin. That only left Yasusada, Kiyomitsu and him to look after “the headquarters” as the team (him mainly) had lovingly named their office. Kiyomitsu was busy chatting with a client on the phone while Yasusada was doing god knows what in his fancy single office but judging from what he could see through the glass wall, it probably had nothing to do with work.
But right, back to Mikazuki. As soon as he saw his face, he had absolutely no doubt that that guy really had been sick the past week. Not even his ever-present smile could cover up the fact that his face still looked a little green. One wrong move and he’d be probably sprinting down the hall to the next bathroom.
Mikazuki and Yasusada were the only ones with individual offices so Tsurumaru expected him to straight up disappear in his office until 6 in the evening and then go home; but to his surprise he actually sat down next to him, letting out a deep, exhausted sigh. Tsurumaru looked at him for a few seconds but after he saw that he probably wouldn’t initiate a conversation any time soon he spoke up himself.
“So … heard you almost died from food poisoning.”
Mikazuki smiled tiredly at that and leaned back in his chair while running his hand through his hair. Tsurumaru thought he looked a little like an actor in a shampoo advertisement.
“Close enough. I mean, I certainly wished I died a few times over the past few days, not gonna lie.”
“Well ... I'm glad you’re feeling better.”
They once again sat in silence after that, both not knowing how to further carry on the conversation which really was a new experience for Tsurumaru. Usually, he never knew how to ever shut up but talking to Mikazuki always turned out being quite difficult for him. But forced conversations were even worse than no conversations at all so he settled for silence. Even if it was a little awkward. It could be worse.
Not knowing what to do with his hands, he picked up a pen from his desk and spun it on his fingers. A few feet away from them, Kiyomitsu still sat at the reception desk, talking on the phone. Seeing as Yasusada seemed to be talking to someone on the phone as well, Tsurumaru concluded that he probably wrapped up his previous call with the client and relayed the details to Yasusada now.
Kiyomitsu was their law firm’s head secretary and did a great job supporting all of them every day, yet lately he happened to mainly assist Yasusada, which surprised literally no one. Even though both of them kept denying it, not a single soul doubted that those two had a thing going on. One of their interns, Imanotsurugi, assumed they were dating the day he started working here.
Kiyomitsu absentmindedly played with his ponytail, occasionally agreeing to whatever Yasusada was saying on the other side of the phone. Tsurumaru never bothered to ask for all the details but apparently Yasusada’s current case involved some noisy dogs and exasperated neighbors.
“Yeah … I’ll research for similar cases later today …… Hmm … Got it.” He slowly garnered some of the files lying on his desk and nodded, not caring if Yasusada could see it or not.
“No, he didn’t mention anything else … yeah.” He nodded again, absently brushing a strand of hair behind his ear. “Alright, I love you, see you later...”
Tsurumaru dropped the pen he was holding and Mikazuki rarely ever got surprised but even his jaw fell a little after hearing that last sentence. Now that was a surprise.
Kiyomitsu however literally looked like he wanted the ground to open and swallow him up. Blushing hard enough to rival the deep red of his eyes, he shook his head in panic and stuttered into the receiver, practically talking a mile a minute.
“I mean NO!! I d-didn’t mean to say that, oh my god I-I absolutely do NOT love you …… ! I mean I do! L-like you?? I mean- I mean I like working with you!!!”
Kiyomitsu gave up and defeatedly slammed the receiver down, ending the probably most embarrassing phone call of his life. He groaned and slammed his head loudly onto the table, banging his head against his desk a few times for good measure.
And Tsurumaru really did his best to hold in his laughter, he honestly did. But he has never been very good at that in the first place so there was nothing he could do to stop his giggling. He would probably feel worse about laughing about his colleague’s misery if it wasn’t for the fact that Tsurumaru could clearly see Yasusada shaking of laughter through the glass wall separating their offices. Next to him, even Mikazuki’s shoulders trembled as he tried to hide his amusement.
“I’d say you nailed that love confession, Kiyomitsu, haha.”
Kiyomitsu’s head shot up at that and if looks could kill … Tsurumaru would’ve probably disintegrated into a thousand tiny pieces right there and then. He also obviously underestimated that guy’s pettiness.
Standing up abruptly, Kiyomitsu picked up his files and looked him straight in the eyes.
“Maybe confess your own ridiculous crush on Mikazuki before you comment on other people’s love confessions ,” he retorted petulantly and retreated into the kitchen to sulk.
Silence. Tsurumaru rarely ever got flustered but now he really didn’t know what to do with his hands or where to look. He could definitely feel Mikazuki staring at him though and he didn’t know if he should laugh at this whole situation or leave the room and hide somewhere, like the responsible adult he was. In the end, he awkwardly cleared his throat and slowly faced the man next to him. He was 27 years old, so he might as well start acting like a grown-up now. Before he could say anything though, Mikazuki curiously tilted his head and spoke up.
“Are you free friday evening?”
Tsurumaru was caught off-guard by that question and could only stare at him in confusion before he remembered that Mikazuki was actually waiting for him to answer.
“I, uh ... yes. Why...?”
Mikazuki smiled in amusement.
“I am asking you out obviously.”
Oh. He blinked a few times before his brain truly grasped Mikazuki’s words. Oh . Oh nice. He really needed to remind himself to thank Kiyomitsu later.
Mikazuki leaned forward, a mischievous expression on his face he didn’t think he’s seen on him so far.
“So ... yes or no?”
Oh, Tsurumaru definitely wants to say yes to going out but he just remembered a little something he had totally forgotten about until this moment.
“I’m definitely in but maybe … you should take a look at your office first and then we’ll see if your offer still stands.”
Mikazuki looked confused at first but then understanding settled on his features and he smirked knowingly.
“Ah … did you prepare one of your infamous surprises for me again?”
“Would you be surprised if I did?”
“Not at all.”