Work Text:
Their first encounter doesn’t work in a good way like most peoples do. Kanbe Daisuke, an arrogant man with his foxy grin and have an infinite amount of money in his bank account, and Katou Haru, an irritable aggressive man and with his unusual justice idealism. As time goes by and they began to tolerate each other attitude and behavior. Haru began to soften his idealistic attitude about ‘How To Complete The Cases Properly Without Wasting Amount of Money’ and Daisuke began to understand Haru’s unusual justice idealism and do what his work partner wants him to complete their cases without wasting amount of money. As long as the case is resolved and without any public shortcomings or losses, I think there isn’t any problem if I soften my work idealism, they thought.
Slowly but surely, their interactions began to change, it’s no longer tense and looks like they’re in a Cold War. Occasionally without being asked, Haru will help Daisuke to complete the case report they’ve carried out and in return, Daisuke bought a can of coffee from a vending machine in their office. Sometimes, when Haru’s oversleep and didn’t have time to eat breakfast, he will pack a lunch for two servings, one for him and another for Daisuke, and after that, Daisuke will repay him with sending Haru his favorite foods and beverages straightly to his address with HEUSC’s help.
Their new interactions have certainly pleased their colleagues, and especially Suzue, who unexpectedly sent a message to Haru: “Finally, dear brother mine has a new friend since moving here. Please keep in touch with him, Mr. Katou, I give my blessing to you, as always.” Like a dear sister who is happy with her siblings and their long life partner in bonds of marriage and sacred promises.
Haru’s gawked and confused and when he replays with “What do you mean, Suzue?”
The named-woman just give him “Ask Daisuke and you will understand what I mean.” statement as to their last messages.
And so, when Haru exactly does ask Daisuke, the man just fell silent, then sipped his red wine elegantly after saying, “Let her be. I would say, if you respond to her, it’s the same as allowing her to interfere in your personal affairs.”
Sounds a bit harsh, but Haru didn’t want to ruin their mood in long-awaited dinner and decided to follow Daisuke’s advice. After all, whatever happens in his life (and especially when it comes to his interactions with Daisuke Kanbe) and vice versa, it’s enough for only the two of them who knows.
As long as time goes by, their interactions became more intimate than before. Haru no longer think “How To Resolve The Case?” instead “What Should I and Daisuke Do To Resolve The Case As Soon As Possible?”, and also with Daisuke no longer think “How Much Amount of Money To Resolve The Case?” instead “What Should I and Haru Do To Resolve The Case As Soon As Possible?”
Or when Haru no longer grumbles when Daisuke pampering him with his expensive gifts and Daisuke won’t hesitate to spend the night in Haru’s apartment for days. Or when Haru invited Daisuke to visited his hometown and introduce him to the Katou Family, and Daisuke willing to accompany Haru to shop for midnight discounts groceries at the downtown shopping center.
Or when Haru invited him to do a small adventure from one city to another with his car, and Daisuke who gave Haru’s permission to access HEUSC personally, including giving the man a magnetics black earring. Or when Daisuke with his daring physical contact and throwing sexual jokes at Haru, and Haru didn’t hesitate to respond more recklessly.
Or when Daisuke will always hum Haru’s favorite songs and sometimes play the instrument with his violin, and Haru won’t forget to serve a pair of houseware in his apartment. Or when Haru’s willing to use his savings to giving Daisuke a surprise of pair of a Scottish Fold, and Daisuke’s willing to help Haru tidy up his apartment and do some house chores without any help from cleaning services.
Or when Daisuke accompanied Haru overwhelmed in his grief because of his father’s death due to prolonged illness, making him an orphan with his young sibling; and when Haru soothed Daisuke in his depressed due to internal feud with other family members. Or when Haru accompanied Daisuke in his mourning by the death of one of their cats, and Daisuke accompanied Haru’s young sibling to attend the Parent’s Meeting at their school, replacing Haru who was assigned to attend a seminar outside the city.
Surprisingly, their intimate interactions seem that simple. As natural as that. And apparently, they also didn’t mind it because they already admitted that they were comfortable with each other existence.
Increasingly, their intimate encounters are no longer visible. Almost all employees in The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Departement know and believe that their interactions are no longer limited to work colleague’s relationships. The glints in his eyes looked different, like someone in love, they thought. Suzue even gave a meaningful look to the two when they met or when Haru visited Daisuke in Kanbe Mansion, while Daisuke always (pretending) with his uncaring look and Haru (also pretending to) not understand about it.
Even so, it doesn’t mean they are not aware of it. The awareness of how intimate their interactions arise when both of them thirst for touch with one another. Like when they’re sitting next to each other and their shoulder touch while enjoying the night with their colleagues, they will realize the warmth. Or when they make light physical contact with each other while sparring, they will notice unusual tickling sensations. Or when they hug and fondle in the cold, night rain after shopping for midnight discount, they will realize that it’s not bad and they like it—they very much fond of it that they do it again and again and again, making their lips swell, and laughing at each other with a wet, blushing face. Or when Haru brought Daisuke to the peak of pleasure, making the beautiful man sob and helpless in his arms; and so, they realize that they don’t need a ridiculous word to describe how much they’re devoting in love with the beloved one.
“Apparently, my college’s friend that I was close to back then already married and had a child.” One day, Daisuke does not usually complain after waking up. “And I’m starting to think that maybe I’m the only one who still doesn’t marry or have a family on their own?”
Behind, Behcca the black Scottish Fold’s meowing from the bathroom, then Haru’s laughter coming from the kitchen of his apartment and saying, “Daisuke, before you whining and complain about it, just look at me? Two years older than you and do I give a shit about my friends who already married or about their marriage life with two or more children? Indeed I feel joyous and hoping for their long-lasting marriage life, but if you mean about do I want to marry someone as soon as possible just because I don’t want to feel like I’m being left behind? No, of course not. I won’t be easily affected just because of it.” Daisuke feels silent, pondered when he received such an unexpected reply from the man. But his eyes seem won’t separate from happy photos of his college’s friend on his phone.
Even when Haru opened the door while carrying their and Behcca’s breakfast in a tray, the man still glued to the phone with his sad eyes. Haru who saw that didn’t want to disturb his melancholy moment, only stood still holding the tray, and let Behcca who returned from the bathroom to go jumping to the bed and ask for spoiled attention from Daisuke. Daisuke slightly gasped, and it remained like that when Haru put the tray between them, and the man pretends not to notice.
“Haru.”
“Mhm?”
“Do you really not want to get married?”
“It’s not about I don’t want to.” He said. “It’s about I don’t have any interest in thinking about marriage yet. You know clearly that I still have the responsibility to finance my young sibling’s life until they can be independent, don’t you?” Daisuke couldn’t interrupt further when it came to financial matters, because for them, that was not something appealing to be debated at this time.
While delivering Behcca’s bowl on the other side of their bed, Haru continued, “Daisuke, you must know that people have their respective phases in their lives, such as between you and your college’s friends. You don’t need to feel left behind or anything, all you have to do is enjoy the time in each phase, and at that moment you will realize how precious the phase you are going through, even in a good or bad way.” Haru brushed aside his man’s charcoal black hair, revealing his furious greyish-blue eyes. “And I’m enjoying time in each of my phases with you, Daisuke. I enjoy it every second, and it’s precious to me.”
Daisuke was touched to hear that. He tried to replay with a smile, even in a slight curve. The smile looked sincere and Haru realized that. It felt like the weight that was clogging up in his heart began to disappear slowly but surely, and Haru graciously not even spared to realize that.[]