Work Text:
As the man with unlimited wealth, literally, the concept of exhaustive products seemed very fickle to Daisuke Kanbe. His favorite perfume bottle empties? He would just buy a new one. His shoes’ soles withered out? He had a new pair made. Such was the Life. And on the very opposite of this spectrum was Haru Katou, economic and rational about where the funds go. He was so strict on spending money, the man had been using the same green tie for the last 12 years. Of course, it had a sentimental value, seeing it was gifted to him by his father on the day of his graduation from school, his present for becoming a man. Almost. Okay maybe this wasn’t the best example let’s take his Brown, heavy jacket. Huge and comfortable, the man had nothing more than that to call a “coat” and he wore it to everything. And this was known to anyone who knew him. His sisters often suggested taking him shopping but he refused. He just didn’t want to spend money on things as fickle as clothes.
As every day, Daisuke rose early, did his set of morning health routine, Suzue nagging him on overdoing things. And as usual, he ignored it with no remorse. Yes he cared for her on some level but majority of the time he’d rather she leave him alone. He’s no longer a child who needs to be looked after. Or puppy as his grandmother likes to him, for that matter.
His faded wine shirt sat upon the narrow yet strong shoulders, collar braces in place to keep it from fraying. Straight ironed pants, so form fitting yet formal. The extra little bits like the sock suspenders and extra padded insoles were something he found to be tedious. Not necessarily enjoying them. Mostly the sock suspenders since they clamped onto his calves for dear life almost. Some days it was even painful. The clothes he wore were made so perfect to his size, and even if one was to borrow from him, they would never be able to get the full advantage of it. Daisuke almost indulged in his morning routine, loving how from a whiny, groggy, little brat, he could transform to a handsome, confident, Well rounded man. A perfect candidate for someone who is of his stature. But what he enjoyed most was working on his hair. Longer than standard strands of hair matter so much to him.
**imagine Daisuke’s Anger playing in the background of this scenario**
The raven tresses straight and falling over his forehead, practically obstructing Daisuke’s view. They smelt of a luxurious woody scent which a common nose would not be able to put a finger on. Silky, reflective, the black locks were a close trademark of the Kanbe specimens. This is the most at peace and himself Daisuke ever is during the day. As someone who is particular about hair, one would expect him to be quite experienced in trying new hairstyles. And he was, however that was guilty pleasure of sorts to him. Never letting anyone know of it. Not even Suzue. He would only ever style it if he knew he was alone and there was no indication of disturbance. Currently he sat at his vanity, well his mother’s which he now used as the only object of her memory. Combing his hair back, leaving his forehead clad, an unveiling process if you will. He reached to the familiar glass bottle full of hair gel. A formula he had a predilection for, quite early on and was singlehandedly keeping the manufacturer in business. The lid came off with a deep, heavy “plop” sound, the type that would be ASMR worthy. The ravenette dunked two of his fingers into the expensive bottle, expecting the gel to coat his fingers but nothing happens. He looks down into the opening of the bottle to see that the bottle was empty. His eyebrows arch in surprise.
“HEUSC call in for a shipment of my hair gel” he commanded to the AI butler, which swiftly responded “Unable to execute the command.”
Daisuke is now confused so he looks for an alternative “Call xxxxxx (CEO of the company)” was what he commanded since that was his go to command. And yet again, the robotic voice mimicked its previous statement “Unable to execute request as the recipient’s number no longer exists” and now Daisuke was officially pissed. His eyebrows knitted together in frustration. He was furious enough to slam his fists on a surface but he refrained from it. Well now he would spend his time trying to track down his hair gel. It doesn’t matter if he misses work, and a day of seeing Haru. No. His hair just was too precious to him.
Clip clop clip clop... the sound of heels hitting the well polished floors of the manor increased as Suzue made her way to the familiar room. Daisuke’s room of course. She knocks on the door, waits of the usual hum of Daisuke’s tone of approval before letting herself in. As she enters the faint smell of Honeysuckle and camellias mix in with the more... dense scents.
“Ah, my apologies Daisuke sama, I wasn’t aware you were not re-“ she was cut off mid way.
“I can’t find my hair gel. And it’s over” came Daisuke’s flat, underwhelmed voice, annoyed that he can’t find the one thing that has brought him peace for so long.
“Ah. I’ll call for a sh-“ she tried to make whatever little solution for it only to be cut off by:
“I tried. I can’t get it anywhere” Daisuke responded, straight and sharp almost in a defensive manner.
“Oh... should I try to recreate it...? It would be easier.” Finally Suzue speaks up, and Daisuke isn’t exactly against it either.
“Yes.. and I won’t leave the house without it” at this point Daisuke’s tantrums felt like something a middle school girl would say, some might even call him vain for this but honestly who are they to judge someone such as Daisuke Kanbe.
Suzue let out an internal sigh of worry as she continued “I’ll tell Katou Sama that you won’t be coming into work then.”
“No. You won’t contact anyone from MCPTF” came a rather lightning quick reply from Daisuke who was almost on his tips from the very mention of Haru.
“... but.. Very well” The woman tried to contradict him but chose not to, only because the faster she finishes this the quicker this tantrum ends.
*MEANWHILE IN MCPTF*
It’s 10:30am, Haru is busy preparing reports on his work on a recent case he solved with Daisuke. as he hears the door to the office open, the brunette whips his head up expecting a certain shorty to be at the frame, but he droops down when he sees it’s just Kamei, with snacks. He sighed and leans back in the old wheely chair that has been in the office longer than Haru had been on this earth. It creaked under the weight of the brunette who sighed in an exasperated manner.
“You know, sighing won’t bring your partner to the office” Kamei joked, trying to sound more like Haru in this situation. “It’s not about him being here it’s about him dumping his part of the reports on me. I have tried calling him but it’s either busy or it’s switched off. Stupid rich boy” he huffed. He’s not one to complain about work because Daisuke has done this even in the past but back then he had given him a reason, however bizarre it was, there was something coming from the ravenette which let Haru work as he wanted. His chain of thought gets cut by Kamei’s snide remark “what if he’s actually just partying in some part of the world right now?” A chuckle added, Haru looks at Kamei with “are you for real?” Look as he continues on to say “he’s not you. I’m sure it must be something with his family.” He tried to take Daisuke’s side on this one even though as of now he was getting on his nerves, he was a better partner than Kamei would ever be.
~~~~1 week later~~~~
There’s still no sign of the Rich boy at the MCPTF and Teppei and Cho San have bet that he has quit because it wasn’t what he expected this division to be. Saeki is still positive and thinks that he must’ve gone into a sugar crash after eating all the candy she had given him (which btw are still intact in the pantry of Daisuke’s kitchen). Kamei was bummed because he wanted to get Daisuke to give him HEUSC for some... questionable things. And then there was Haru, he was on the fence with this one but mostly sanguine about it. While he wanted to believe Saeki in the fact that he probably just took a longer time off, he couldn’t shake the fact that perhaps he had actually left without saying anything, after all that’s what rich folks do don’t they? They show you their golden rosy world and then they leave you. He really hoped it was former though his mind was telling him it was the latter. So what does he do? He can’t shake this feeling and it’s coming in the way of his work. It’s mid day, and Haru hates being this distracted in life. So he stands up, shoulders broad, back straight, hands on the desk, eyebrows furrowed from the determined look he had. “Kamei cover for me I’ll be back” he declared to the blonde who just waved his hand in agreement since he was... watching something... engrossing. He told the Chief too, that he was going out for a bit.
He made his way down to the parking lot, getting into his car, driving through a familiar road to the Kanbe estate. He dials the number of none other than Suzue.
“Hello?”
“Suzue San, I’m coming over, where’s Kanbe”
“Ah.. please do. At the gate please tell them that you’re the one with the ramen prototypes” Suzue said and cut the call, not wanting to answer Haru’s question of Daisuke’s whereabouts.
“Ah okay? I- hello? Hello!?” Haru tried to answer but faces a dead end. He has no other choice but to go with Suzue’s commands. So he does what he’s been told to do. He drives to the foyer-like entrance. And there she stands, awaiting his arrival. “Ah you finally made it Katou sama” she said almost relieved. She was getting rather annoyed by the constant whining of a certain heir.
“Oh is Kanbe alright? Did something happen to him?” Haru’s Caring (?) Instincts spoke immediately.
“I’ll brief you about the situation” she said as she took him into the manor and told him of what had happened. Haru noticed the shape the younger woman was in, her skin less radiant than the first time he saw her, bags forming under her eyes, possibly due to lack of sleep. This was worrying for Haru. Not because his friend was in such a state but what caused her to be in this state, was Kanbe okay? Did he do something? Did something medically worrying happen? All of these infelicitous thoughts ran through the brunette’s brain so much so he didn’t even listen to what the younger Kanbe spoke of, her voice blending into the greater silence, and merely sounding like white noise to Haru.
“.... understood Katou Sama?” Suzue spoke, emphasizing on his name, perhaps she realized he wasn’t necessarily listening. “U-uh yeah... thank you Suzue san” he bowed at her. He wasn’t even sure where he was. After all the male had only ever been in the underground research facility, the dining hall and the tea room outside. This place was farther into the house, almost hidden away from those who would ever visit it. The two were currently standing in front of a dark bocote door. “Please go in” the polite yet sweet voice of Suzue came, it was whisper like and by the time he turned to thank her she was already at the end of the corridor. My what a speed. He sighed and knocked on the door.
“Come in” Came the small voice of the Kanbe heir, expecting no one but either his butler or Suzue. The man in question was currently on his bed, legs crisscrossed, going over what looked like an ingredient list. “Suzue can’t you find out what kind of formula this uses already?” He mumbled absentmindedly almost to himself and looked up to see who actually walked in.
The brunette who had entered was in complete shock, there he was, the supposedly most intimidating man in the office, hair down, in his silk blue pajamas, muttering away to himself. In that moment, Haru found Daisuke to be the most endearing, more endearing than he did when the billionaire came to his apartment. Because it meant that back at Haru’s apartment, he wasn’t lying about who he was. He was how he was at home and that was because, to Daisuke, Haru’s home was like a home he had yearned for, his entire life. The older man was exhilarated to know that Daisuke was indeed in his element even with a change in lifestyle back at The studio apartment, he called his home. He was so mesmerized by the aloof looking ravenette, he was so... domestic? Homely? Welcoming? The man didn’t have the right words to actually describe it. His head was running a million scenarios of them together. How Daisuke would wake up like this, probably snuggled up close to him, but then further snuggling into his chest and Haru could just chuckle about Daisuke being ever so clingy but then showering him with kisses. He could watch the younger man being all embarrassed and the like, all he wanted. Oh he could watch Daisuke all day long. It was like his little treat to himself that no one knew about. As his thoughts ran wild, he realized where he was. He shook his head lightly to get himself back to reality.
“Ah Kanbe, thank god you’re okay, you almost killed me out of worry, can’t you text that you were going to take a leave?” Haru spoke in a reprimanding tone no less, regardless of how warming he felt in that moment, he was his senior and it was important for the young millionaire brat to know that. And the said millionaire brat on the other hand... well he wasn’t feeling as reprimanded as he was feeling embarrassed when he realized that it was his partner Haru Katou. Haru Katou was in his bedroom, his BEDROOM, a place no one except family and help has seen. He got up from his spot instantaneously, walking towards Haru. “Why are you here? Who let you in?” Now this is not something one, who knew daisuke on the surface would expect his reaction to be. But right now, Daisuke Kanbe is not Daisuke Kanbe, heir and scion of the Kanbe group, no, he’s just Daisuke Kanbe, a living and breathing human being, a rather traumatized one at that.
“S-Suzue san got me here, I was worried and she called me-“ Haru tried to explain his current position only for Daisuke to clench his teeth inwardly and closing his eyes, trying to keep back whatever was coming to him and to go back into the former phase that the brunette was more accustomed to. “That’s enough. I’m taking an indefinite leave from work, you can tell that in the office” he spoke, his voice back to its, low, flat self.
“Indefinite lea-“ Haru started but cut himself off to start something different altogether. “HEY! I’m not your damn butler! I’m not gonna take orders from you, even thought that’s what you’re used to! I came all the way to check up on you and you order me around like you own me or something?! Shut up and tell me what’s up! I know something is because it’s unlike you Kanbe!” This mini rant was so moving to Daisuke or perhaps he felt bad? No one knows. But he sighed to himself. But there’s silence.
....
......
More silence...
....
“I don’t have my hair gel... and I can’t step out of the house without it” Daisuke’s voice was soft, almost meek and defeated. There was no going around Haru Katou was there, maybe that’s why he admired him so much. Of course he would never agree to that.
Haru who was feeling exasperated with every passing minute felt himself wanting to laugh at the reason given by the bratty billionaire. But he controlled himself. “You rich folk are so fickle” he muttered. “You can’t leave the house without your hair gel? I suppose I should’ve seen this coming after having you stay over because you hated natto.” There came a sound of disagreement from Daisuke who felt rather embarrassed, like a child who had peed itself. (yes itself. Deal with it) “it gets in the way of my vision” Daisuke spoke, trying to reason it more maturely, though it was only partially true since his hair was not entirely covering his eyes.
“Yeah sure Young Master” Katou joked, and broke into a fit of laughter. Daisuke felt his heart flutter when he heard the sound, it was comforting and welcoming like the crackling of fire in the fireplace on a cold winter night. The ravenette looked at the man peculiarly and smiled so little it was unnoticeable.
“Look, hair up or down you gotta come to work. You’re in the MCPTF now and you’re my coworker, we don’t give exception to rich brats. You gotta do what you gotta do.” He said while extending his hand for Daisuke to take “now get ready and come to work, I can’t take more of Kamei’s and Saeki san’s whining over you” he said in an almost broodish manner.
“But my hair gel...” daisuke whined further, in more of a proving his point sort of way than actual whining. With how Haru was speaking, Daisuke realized that the friends he had made, yes friends not acquaintances, at the MCPTF didn’t care if he was the Kanbe scion but cared about Daisuke. Well if not anyone, Haru did and that was enough for Daisuke. “Oh hair gel and all that, this is cuter anyway, because you look like those popular idols” Haru further continued. And that resulted in a dust of pink over Haru’s cheeks. He liked him this way. Daisuke looked away from the man for a brief moment only to take his hand right after. “Alright.. let me get dressed and then we can go”
“I’ll wait out then”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The car ride was quiet, Daisuke drove more... sensibly, and this was shocking even to Haru who was used to his antics by now. The older man couldn’t help but look at Daisuke, he seemed so... natural, so human, almost approachable. He liked this version of Daisuke way more than he did the smug one.
They reach and Daisuke parks his car. “So I just.. go out.. with my hair down. Right?” He asked almost unsure. “Pffff no you shave it and walk around the car first” Haru joked and got out of the car, going over to the driver’s side, opening the door and pulling daisuke into him, a hand over his waist. “Of course you are! Come now let’s go” he said. Daisuke almost flinches, but it’s not a bad flinch more like an excited flinch. Haru was holding him, by his waist. Like a boyfriend would. And it’s like his heart is doing gymnastics inside him. He can hear his heartbeat in his ears and only hoped that Haru didnt hear it. They walk into the office, and Haru still hasn’t removed his arm from its place, so the only way to do things was to cherish it.
The door to the office flew open and as one would expect, no one has looked up from their work or their so-called work anyway. “We’re back” Haru said kind of annoyed. He wanted to see everyone’s reaction to Daisuke’s appearance but at the same time he felt jealous that someone except him gets to see it too.
“Ah good, I was getting tired of doing all of this work” Kamei lamented dramatically. Stretching on his chair, and turning his head to see Haru he is surprised to see an unfamiliar figure. However, the height gives it away and he realizes that it is indeed Daisuke.
“That’s your share of the work Kamei” Haru answered back.
“Dai-chan! Your hair!” An over-excited and possibly sugar high Saeki exclaimed as she rushed over to the couple. “Uhm.. yes.. I couldn’t find my hair gel” Daisuke spoke flatly and almost as if he was embarrassed by it, if it wasn’t for it being Saeki, and Haru’s speech from earlier the man would’ve been like a deer in headlights and probably would’ve ran out like an embarrassed schoolgirl.
“Woahhh Kanbe san, you look hella cool! Very trendy too” Kamei said, his voice laced with envy. “Man Handsome guys have it easy” Kamei mimicked himself from a previous version of him. Honestly he was envious of the millionaire who looked so... effortlessly charming, having any women wrapped around his pinky if he wanted. At least that was Kamei’s perception of the male.
“Ah kids and their hairstyles. How is that supposed to be practical” the muffled voice of Chosuke slithered into the conversation. He was currently shaking his head in disapproval as anyone his age would.
Haru seemed to have guessed everyone’s reactions correctly except for Daisuke.. who was looking more and more confused and... afraid? Overwhelmed?
“Excuse me a moment.” The blue eyed man said as he made a dash for the office door.
“Kanbe- wait-!” Haru sighed and ran behind him, he didn’t expect him to be so... sensitive. It was the complete opposite of what Haru had ever seen of Daisuke. It was so organic and real, Haru was taken aback from it.
Two pairs of fast paced footsteps was all that echoed in the men’s room. Daisuke was currently hiding himself in a toilet stall, breathing deep. No one has seen him like this. Not since his mother passed away anyway. He was truly a shy child. And this particular aspect of Daisuke was never let out in public. Ever. And to have his most vulnerable part of him out, exposed to some coworkers was too much for Daisuke.
Knock knock knock. “I know you’re in there Kanbe. What happened?” Erupted Haru’s voice. It was laced with worry, what if he has driven Daisuke too far, or pushed him away from him. That was the last thing Haru ever wanted. Daisuke was far too precious to be lost.
“.....” silence was all thy answered Haru.
“Come on please. Was it something they Said? Because they never mean for anything bad to happen. Come on Kanbe, come out, let’s talk it out” he offered, his body leaning against the door of the stall.
Daisuke was in a rather emotional space right now. Embarrassment clouding his judgment. He knew he could trust Haru but could he trust them? What if they were like every other person who has ever been close to him in the past? “Can you give me a 100% guarantee that they do not mean ill?” The shorter male’s voice came from behind the bathroom stall.
“Come on. You know them. It’s the MCPTF. What harm could they possibly do. For all you know they love you even more now. I’m almost jealous” The blonde said with his all. He trusted them. Not with work of course but with everything else. He knew he could count on them and if it took whatever it took for Haru to convince Daisuke of that then he shall do it.
....
.......
The door creaks open as the young Kanbe makes his way out, his eyes glassy, almost on the verge of tears, he was. The sight shatters Haru’s heart into dust. It’s the last thing he ever wanted to see on that beautiful face. He felt as if it was all his fault. If he hadn’t dragged him here he would’ve never caused Daisuke to go into such a spiral. But as his life coach Haru knew that he could make things better. “Now, Kanbe, it’s totally fine... really.. we will-“ he gets broken off by Daisuke’s next words “it’s not about my hair but what it represents. I don’t know how I can make you understand it properly. Apart from my family it is only you who has ever seen me like this.” He mumbled.
Silence and even more silence.
Haru looks down at the make as he explained how he was attached to his hair and how it changed his own perception of himself. He is astonished to see such a humanized figure in Daisuke. And before even he knows it, he has the shorter and more slender male in his grasp and he pulls him in for a loving kiss. The ravenette was about to say more but he feels a light grasp over his waist, his eyes shining as they widened in surprise. And before he can even say anything, he feels slightly chapped yet soft lips on his own. He holds onto the male, he felt as if everything in his body left him, weakness and warmth spreading through his body. The kiss was so soft, loving yet passionate, however not intense. He felt his knees becoming weaker, he could melt into his touch. He wanted to be as close as he could to Haru. He
Before Daisuke could continue Haru had taken him by surprise, pushing all doubts, anxiousness and fear out of his mind. He was at peace but at the same time excited. It was an invigorating experience. Daisuke had always wondered how the older male would feel against his body. And he got the answer to it. It was comforting. The most comforting thing he’d ever felt. Was it the ideal place for him to have his daydreams realize? No. But it soon came to Daisuke that it’s not the place but the person. And with Haru anything felt exciting.
He soon moved his lips against the other’s to kiss him back, he tries to maintain the same tenderness that Haru has put into the kiss because the last thing Daisuke wants to do is to ruin the moment.
The taupe haired male pulls away from the kiss as he feels himself run out of breath. “Ka-Kanbe... you...” to say that Haru was taken by surprise is an understatement. He initiated the kiss expecting Daisuke to push him away but instead he has had him kiss him back and be just as he was with him. He stares at the younger male who was blushing profusely, looking away in an attempt to save face.
“Yes... I like you... a lot... and I liked it... a lot too” Daisuke mumbled, placing his fingers on his lips.
“Really?!” Haru asked almost thinking he heard him wrong.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” He asked in a matter-of-fact tone.
“I mean.... I always-“ Haru cuts himself off because he knows better than to let his insecurities get in the way. Daisuke liked him and liked his kiss.
“Always.... huh...?” The ravenette mumbled and remembered a line he had seen Kamei use on.. he wants to say Sacchan? “You are always on my mind” He finally spoke.
“O-oi! Don’t say such things!” A flustered Haru roared. To which the millionaire just smirked and pulled him by his tie to meet him eye level “I. Love. You. Haru.” He whispered every word, leaning slightly closer with each word that passed his lips until he met his. Maybe that kiss gave Daisuke a sudden boost of confidence.
Haru’s lips quivered but he kissed him back, mouthing a “I love you too” against the other’s lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The couple walked back into the office after their little yet precious moment. At first everyone seems normal but on a closer look one can see that they all have their hair down too. Daisuke looks at everyone a little surprised, Saeki picking it up pretty quick says “We wanted to match you! You can’t be the only one looking cute can you?”
“So so! Can’t have you taking all the pretty girls” Teppei tried to joke only to make Kamei groan out, all cringed.
Haru let out a chuckle and ruffled Daisuke’s to which Daisuke just blushed and looked down. “Thank you everyone...” he mumbled.
“Oh shush. It’s more for us hah. We are thinking we will keep 25th of every month as Hair Down Day just for funsies! We asked the captain too!” Saeki chimed to which everyone nodded in agreement. It took a lot of begging to Kiyomizu to get it done but it happened.
“Oi! It’s still the workplace!” Haru tried to deny but he liked the idea of Daisuke being all cutesy like this.
“It’s okay Inspector Katou. I support it.” Daisuke’s calm voice echoed.
“Yay! Happy Hair Down Day!” Kamei and Saeki almost sang.
Daisuke and Haru shared a knowing smile between each other.