Work Text:
Daisuke is grinning triumphantly like a child as his blue eyes traced Haru’s features. How could he not, when his partner is the most adorable and amusing person he’s ever met? Okay, okay, let’s not jump the gun here. Some explanations are clearly needed.
The current context is that Haru is absolutely adorable and no one can convince Daisuke otherwise.
...That’s not really explanatory but it makes perfect sense for Daisuke.
It is currently 8 PM sharp, several hours after Haru fell asleep during work (but not before dumping incoherent random knowledge on Daisuke). Right now, Haru is slumped over his cluttered desk, sleeping peacefully.
Daisuke had been staring at the sleeping boy the past few hours, not to sound creepy or anything. Don’t look at him like that. Except for the two of them, the chief is the only other person in the room. The chief is quietly tapping on his computer, engrossed in whatever is on his screen.
Now, understand that, before he actually was out cold, Haru had seriously messed up his sleeping, eating, drinking (water, no alcohol for him), and pretty much everything schedules for a particular case. It was concerning and endearing at the same time.
Daisuke learned that Haru rambles when sleep-deprived. He also likes sour candy a lot, and Daisuke had managed to bribe Haru into a date. And then Haru slumped over and snored away.
No one in the office had the heart to wake him up, because everyone knew how much of a workaholic Haru is-- and that he seriously needs to sleep and eat soon. Also, may Daisuke add how beautifully serene Haru looked as he sleeps. His harshness melted away, the bags underneath his eyes seem to make him softer, his features aren’t snarling like they always are.
He looked so peaceful , like a cursed sleeping princess, or a fallen angel.
Daisuke is absolutely amazed by how much Haru surprises him. First was Haru’s clear rejection of Daisuke’s wealth. It was intriguing to see someone, for the first time in life, refuse money from Daisuke.
Then Haru’s sense of justice and morality showed themselves. Once again, Daisuke was surprised by how money didn’t affect said sense. Not even a tiny bit of motivating.
As the two partners know each other and trade banters, become friends basically, Daisuke learns more things. Haru likes eating ramen. He doesn’t like 5-star meals. He cares about his job too much. He’s a self-sacrificing idiot. His favorite animal is the duck. Little things like that.
Daisuke finds himself growing less interested in breaking Haru’s character down and seeing where Haru’s limits are. He thought, in the beginning, that surely even Haru would draw a line in refusing money. Maybe he’s waiting for Daisuke to offer him trillions. But that’s clearly not it anymore, so Daisuke finds himself interested in other parts of Haru.
Like Haru’s favorites things, his favorite food, why he cares so much about his job, why he cares so little about money, why he frowns all the time when his smile is so pretty, why he lives like he doesn’t care about himself and his well being, and why he won’t smile at Daisuke with the same sweet smile he smiles at others.
Before Daisuke goes on a rant--and he has, to Suzue and HEUSC,-- Haru is starting to shift in his sleep.
Daisuke frowned. Haru had only slept four or five hours--meaning he slept about eight hours total this entire week. That’s what’s recommended in a fucking day, not an entire week.
Go back to sleep, Daisuke said in his head, because Haru seriously needs his sleep. After all this, Daisuke is going to knock Haru out for the rest of the week somehow.
But Haru is married to his work, and probably definitely cares about the cases more than he cares about himself, so of course, he woke up.
Daisuke would never admit how his heartbeat picked up at the sight of Haru, who had slowly opened a single eye, which is now shifting around. Haru yawned. He got up, slow like a lazy god, and stretched while yawning loudly.
Haru’s head moved around the practically empty office with confusion clear in his eyes. “Chief?” He asked in a groggy voice.
Chief Kiyomizu looked up from his screen and gave Haru a friendly smile. “Ah, you’re finally up!”
“Finally?” Haru repeated. He cleared his throat. “How long was I asleep?”
He paused and then added almost bashfully, “Uh, and sorry.”
“For what?” Chief Kiyomizu laughed, choosing to purposely ignore Haru’s first question. “It was clear you needed that.”
“But I fell asleep,” Haru said with a disappointed-looking frown, “during work. That’s… seriously unprofessional…”
“Don’t be silly, Katou. You ignored sleeping and eating in favor of this case. Which, I won’t allow next time,” the chief said, “so take care of yourself. You need to understand that once you leave this office, it’s time to go to sleep or eat. Not work on the case at home. Otherwise, you end up sleeping during work.”
Haru looked like he wanted to argue but kept his mouth closed. He nodded jerkily. “Sorry.”
“I said it’s okay,” the chief laughed, “just don’t do it again,= and we’re clear. I’ll let you off the hook--only because you’re my most hard-working man, but I won’t let you off easy next time!”
Next time? Daisuke repeated in his head with a frown. You’re implying it’s okay to do this again…?
“Alright, thanks, chief!” Haru bowed, then looked up with another frown. “Did… did you stay here for me?”
“Don’t look so mad with yourself,” chief Kiyomizu scolded lightly, “of course I would care about my workers. Besides, I need to finish my game so it all works out!”
He was playing a game this entire time? Daisuke knew that the boss is rather childish and cheerfully playful, but that was pretty ridiculous.
“Oh,” Haru said, then abruptly turned around and started to clean his desk up. “I guess I’ll get going now. See you tomorrow!”
“Leave your papers here for tonight,” the chief piped up without looking up from his screen.
Haru grimaced again and Daisuke couldn’t help the snort from escaping his mouth. Haru glared at him and Daisuke’s eyes locked on the dried line of drool at the corner of Haru’s lips. Cute.
“What are you still doing here?” Haru snarled, ruining the picture, and Daisuke almost smiled fondly.
“Waiting for you, obviously,” Daisuke replied.
“I can see that,” Haru rolled his eyes, “but why?”
Because you’re adorable but I can’t trust you to take care of yourself. I know you probably saved those papers as files to use electronically.
“We have a date after work.” Daisuke opted to say instead, following Haru out of the room.
“A what?!” Haru spluttered, and his cheeks immediately reddened as he halted in his steps. “Have you finally gone mad!? Don’t say such things, fucking weirdass! Argh— t-tell me I misheard or something! It’s because I just woke up, isn’t it?”
Daisuke raised an eyebrow at the mildly panicking investigator before him.
“Why are you so— so stupid!?” Haru pointed a finger accusingly at Daisuke. “Just leave me alone, for fuck’s sake.”
“I’ve said six words total and you freaked out completely,” Daisuke noted dryly.
“You said we had a date, how could I not?” Haru quipped back.
“Why, is the concept of a date so surprising to you. Have you never gone on one?” Daisuke raised another eyebrow and he could feel himself smirking at Haru’s non-fading red face. “Too married to your work?”
“Shut up!” Haru snarled. “I- I don’t have time for dates. I’ve gone on some befo— argh, why am I even —?? J-just shut up already, stupid Kanbe!”
Daisuke’s smirk grew at the other man growing more frantic. How wonderfully amusing it is to push Haru’s buttons.
“We won’t go to a fancy five-star restaurant,” Daisuke promised with a slightly disgusted grimace at the thought. “You can pick.”
“Wha—?!” Haru’s eyes grew as big as his disbelief. “Are you even listening to me!?”
“You promised.” Daisuke accused. “Don’t tell me you’re an oath-breaker.”
“When did I promise that!?” Haru gaped. “The fuck you on?!”
Daisuke smirked and pulled out his phone. He tapped on several things before a recording started.
“Thursday, April 16, 2020. Time: three forty-seven PM.” A robotic voice said.
Before Haru could open his mouth and call Daisuke a dumbass, another voice came up.
“Katou,” Daisuke’s unmistakable voice rang from the device, “let’s talk more about this at a restaurant, over food.”
There was a pause before a growling stomach noise picked up. Then Haru’s voice spoke up, “Well-“
“I’ll buy you some sour candy too.”
“Deal.”
Another pause. Some shuffling noises were next, and then Haru”s voice was back. “Maybe later though, Dai—“
Daisuke cut off the video.
Haru stared at Daisuke in shocked disbelief while the other man simply gave him a knowing smirk, which Haru desperately wanted to punch.
“You recorded that when!?”
“Right before you fell asleep.”
Haru remained silent. With the way his eyes were squinting in concentration, then suddenly widened, before his entire face reddens, it’s clear he remembered that.
“W-well,” Haru said, clearly flustered but still trying to maintain his usual anger, “I was… like, drunk basically. Except, from lack of sleep. My brain wasn’t functioning at all!”
Daisuke smirked in amusement. “Drunk from lack of sleep?”
“You know what I meant!” Haru snapped, gripping his hair from sheer anger.
“But I insist on my offer,” Daisuke said stubbornly, “you haven’t eaten in a while. Nor have you taken care of yourself at all. I’ll buy you extra candy if you come with me.”
“What am I, a literal child?” Haru grumbled. “But… I-I haven’t been eating so I’ll take advantage of you! Don’t think I’m in it because of the candy! I’m not that into sour candy, okay? So don’t get any ideas about bribing me with candy in the future, cause it’ll never work.”
Daisuke never even mentioned what Haru had suggested. With the way Haru’s yellow-brown eyes sparkled at every mention of candy, it’s clear what Haru is actually after. And that is absolutely adorable.
“Hey, say something!” Haru glared at Daisuke. “I’m not in it for the candy!”
“You're not in it for the candy,” Daisuke decided to play along for now. “Follow me to my car.”
Haru grumbled the entire way. He commented on Daisuke’s nice, clearly expensive car and Daisuke is ashamed to admit that the compliment made him feel awfully proud of himself. He doesn’t even know why.
They sat together in the car for a few minutes in comfortable silence.
“McDonald's.”
Daisuke turned to Haru with a questioning gaze. “What?”
“Let’s go to McDonald’s,” Haru said and his eyes are sparkling once again.
On one hand, Daisuke would rather fall off a bridge than step inside such a restaurant. On the other, Haru looks absolutely excited and it feels plain wrong to reject Haru in this state.
“There’s a better restaurant just a bit ahead.” Daisuke protested instead.
Haru pouted at him.
“McDonald’s it is,” Daisuke decided. Fuck, I can’t say no.
Haru gave him a beam and Daisuke knew he did the right thing. However amusing angry-Haru might be, smiling Haru is so much more beautiful and less annoying.
Daisuke ended up buying two Big Macs, two large fries, a 6-piece, and a large chocolate shake. He could’ve bought the entire menu. Fuck, he could buy the entire Mcdonald's franchise if he wants. But Haru hates it whenever he blatantly shows off his wealth, so Daisuke remained calm and only bought what Haru suggested.
Instead of eating inside, surrounded by screaming children and overlapping conversations, the two men agreed on eating inside Daisuke’s car. The concept of drive-thru’s had truly shocked Daisuke, which made Haru roll his eyes.
When they got their food, Haru had immediately dug in, clearly enjoying the rather sloppy and greasy looking burger that looked nothing like the advertised pictures. Daisuke was more reluctant to try his share.
Haru noticed Daisuke’s hesitance and rolled his eyes, giving him an exasperated smile. “Go ahead--it’s better than it looks,” Haru said with a mouth full of food.
Daisuke is torn between finding that cute or disgusting.
“I… I think I’ll try the fries,” Daisuke said and picked up a fry skeptically.
“It won’t poison you, rich asshat,” Haru snorted grumpily.
“Sorry, sorry.” Daisuke dismissively said, not sorry at all. “I’m just not used to such food.”
“This is what most kids and adults considered a luxury,” Haru deadpanned, “stop being so picky, Mr. I-Only-Eat-Five-Stars.”
“Really?” Daisuke questioned, genuinely surprised.
Haru nodded.
“Also, that’s not true. I’m eating McDonald’s right now.”
“This doesn’t count, stupid.” Haru protested. "This is today. I'm talking about previously."
“I ate ramen with you and that one photographer. And your coworker offered me gummies once. I ate it.” Daisuke finished recounting with a smug smirk.
Haru gave him a long, judging look that screams ‘that’s nothing to be proud of, ass’. Haru then promptly turned to his burger and bit down hard, clearly upset.
“What?” Daisuke grunted. “What did I say to make you upset?”
Haru didn’t reply, and Daisuke suddenly feared he said the wrong thing. Then Haru spoke up in a soft but determined tone, “We’re going to Burger King tomorrow. And we’re gonna try Casey’s pizza. And some random store no one’s heard of.”
“What?” Daisuke raised an eyebrow.
“You ate the ramen and gummy around the same time, too long ago. After that, you probably ate nothing but fine million-yen full courses, haven’t you?” Haru accused. “You’re gonna experience us peasants and what we eat.”
So he's implying there would be more dates? Daisuke's heart definitely picked up speed.
“This looks greasy enough.” Daisuke teased, holding up his burger to prove his point.
Haru could only offer to roll his eyes. “This is McDonald’s though.”
“So?”
“Wha--you’re impossible!” Haru spluttered before bursting into laughter.
Daisuke honestly had no idea what he did or said to make Haru laugh. He was confused the moment Haru started naming restaurants, and is understanding less of what Haru’s saying. But Haru’s laughing and it’s the most beautiful sound to ever grace his ears.
Daisuke smiled and it’s not the teasing smirk he wears so easily. It’s a soft, fond smile only Haru and Suzue seem to receive.
“Eat your greasy burger, stupid.” Haru snorted through fits of giggles. “I wanna see your face.”
Daisuke pulled a face, frown deepening at the grease-covered falling-apart burger. “This is a multi-billion company…?”
Haru nodded with cheeks full of food, like some sort of squirrel. How absolutely adorable.
The next few minutes were spent in comfortable silence, with the peaceful sound of traffic in the background as the two ate their food.
Daisuke’s thoughts are running. He wondered what’s going through Haru’s head, what he should say next, what he should do next, when to start talking again, wondering what’s appropriate and not appropriate to say, and all the little things.
It’s infuriating how much power Haru has over Daisuke--and the bastard has no clue about it. If Haru requested something, Daisuke knew he would immediately buy whatever it is, from cars to the latest tech to an entire mansion. Daisuke never felt that strongly about another person, and it’s quite terrifying how wrapped around Haru’s pinky he is.
“Are we still getting your sour candy?”
But the smile on Haru’s face is so worth it. Usually, the other man is always growling and snapping at others. Usually, he cares about his job and only his job, and seems to always be angry with Daisuke’s money decisions.
But when he lets go of all that anger and smile? Goddamn, Haru. He would be a great model with a smile like that. And Daisuke has seen enough models in his lifetime. Daisuke wants nothing more than to be the reason Haru smiles like that, all the time.
Daisuke wants to learn everything there is to learn about Haru. He knew that Haru has a soft spot for candy, especially sour candy. Daisuke was more than pleased to learn that Haru's favorite candies were Warheads, even if Haru tricked him into eating some which made him pull the most unflattering face you could imagine.
Haru's loud barks of laughter from his successful prank was more than enough payback.