Work Text:
Ibara stared at his watch. He made sure he freed his schedule today so he can go for Nagisa's first day performance with Dramatica. They didn't get to meet for over the two weeks given the trope training started in a ranch where Ibara unfortunately couldn't oversee given all his schedule that just piling up more and more everyday. Just like today...
His eyes staring back at that man standing infront of him, trying so hard to explain stuff and make things that are not an emergency— emergency just so Ibara would be obliged to be glued to his seat and actually help them when technically they should try to use that small brain of theirs to think about it themself. He was supposed to have no more schedule but they insisted that He must help them or they will drown in their stupidity and the project would 100% fail if it left with their no braincells head so unfortunately. He is most likely gonna be late.
He smiled when those executives stared at him apologetically.
'If I'm late to His Excellency's first day performance, I will make them suffer this entire season' Ibara thought, finally standing up realizing they just finished "presenting" their material. "Alright. I'll be quick so please prepare your notes everyone. From now on we will make preparations to brace the impact of that person's arrival…"
…
Being fashionably late is truly something Ibara hates but with all these circumstances he ends up facing now because of his position he can only bear the guilt that Eden has to be the one taking the impact. Their presence is truly a sin to his whole prefect schedule as they always told him to rest more and never worry about being late if he did need rest. But hell. Most of time he was late because of those morons. Well at least now he is in the car, restlessly waiting as the car brings him to the theater.
For sure Ibara is aware that this isn't like the very first stage play work Nagisa has but each and every part of his growth has always been important for Ibara. Besides, this will be the first work where Nagisa will be properly involved in the production too. All those tiring complaints he keeps hearing today really just disappear when Ibara thought about how excited Nagisa was when he talked about this production.
'They even went to a ranch, didn't they? Pretty sure Tenma-shi kept complaining about how his leader left the ranch and had fun with everyone' Ibara opened his phone and checked the holdhands. Unusually Nagisa sent them some pictures taken from that training. Seems like that Ra*bits leader was the one taking pictures of Nagisa when he was with the horse. Thinking about it, Ibara didn't even know that Nagisa could do that. 'heh… it's Ran Nagisa we are talking about' he rolled his eyes and chuckled 'of course he can do anything.' Ibara scrolled more and saw more pictures of Nagisa with the other dramatica members.
He seems really happy.
And free.
'......'
"Saegusa-san. We have arrived."
Ibara locked his phone and put it in his pocket. Given the time he was definitely already quite late from the start of the show. "I will call when we get back, but probably in 4 hours or something. Please stay around the area in case of emergency" he said before he left the car.
Unlike his usual business trip, Ibara always uses his private driver for private business like this. After all, even if ES transportation is very convenient, he would rather not have other eyes bothering his private life. When he checked the theater, it's already too quiet outside, which meant most of the people had already gotten in. Since its night performance there are not many people who would stay outside to wait for the next performance. If he should take the positivity of being late, at least there is not much people would recognise him. Not that he was not sure given his disguise is pretty perfect, he thinks. A mask, a bit darker glasses, tied hair and a simple hat are always good enough to hide his identity.
…
Ibara didn't get to check throughout the script, although Nagisa often made him observe to check if he did it right, the whole performance itself was mostly a surprise for Ibara. Part of him can only smile proudly. Surely Jun was lucky that Ibara didn't drag him to watch this time because that whole scene really will end up in some domestic abuse to Jun just because he is sitting beside him. Watching it alone made Ibara more self aware not to disturb anyone but if anything he was really proud and satisfied.
Following the other audience, he made his way through the exit but later slips into the backstage with his can-be-used-anywhere pass. He took the things he prepared from the locker and waited for the driver to bring him the food and drinks he ordered.
"Ibara-kun…? Outright parent waiting for his son's first performance, don't YOU— oh what is that for ME?"
Ibara just stared when Natsume made his way to steal one cup of coffee in Ibara's hand. "Ahahaha, yeah, I brought some for everyone. My driver will bring more for the staff too… kappa-kun " Ibara smiled, making his way deeper into the backstage. His eyes are looking everywhere for the sight of that silver hair until a fine knock landed on his head by one no other than the kappa-kun himself "I would appreciate it if you don't do violence on me Kapp—I mean Natsume-kun." The awkward laugh escaped as Ibara put the snacks and drinks in the main cast's resting room.
"Tch. If you are looking for that horse, he was leaving to rest ro—"
"... I'm not Horse, I'm dragon"
"!?" Natsume looked back and realized Nagisa was already behind him. "Geez. Senpai. I've been saying this but you really do need to stop appearing suddenly"
"I mean, aren't you the same Sakasaki" Hokuto, who just happened to finish removing his make-up was lured by the smell of food. He looked at Ibara, finally realizing that one person who doesn't belong in this company "Ah. You came, Saegusa" he greeted him only to get his foot stepped on by Natsume as Natsume walked out.
"Yes, good work for today Hidaka-san. Seems like the audience really enjoyed the show, they kept talking about you sweating a lot being so sexy on the way out" Ibara made his way to bring the drink to Nagisa when Nagisa finally took a seat and got ready to remove his make-up. "Ah, Your Excellency, may I?" Ibara asked and took the make up remover from Nagisa's hand when Nagisa nodded at him, replacing it with the hot choco milk he prepared before.
"That's a good thing to hear." Hokuto was quite sure that it's probably just nothing but Ibara's usual small talk given the person himself was already too absorbed in taking care of his… senpai(?)— so he just ended up staring at them, even though they technically have met quite a lot, it is still strange for him to see someone other than yuzuru and tori acting like this. He almost wanted to point out that similarity if he didn't remember how they both seem to hate being referred to as close at all. "I'm.. going to Sakasaki place first" Hokuto suddenly said just feeling oddly awkward.
When the door closed, Ibara just finished taking off the make up, applying some skin care for Nagisa, only the just enough steps to keep it clean. As he stared at him, he smiled "I was surprised... Your Excellency. You didn't tell me about that "
Nagisa finally opened his eyes, "... I'm sorry?" He said, quite unsure himself if he has to say sorry or not. "... The producer said to not tell anyone about that. So, Ibara too, I didn't tell. Was that a bad one?" He tilted his head, confused.
Ibara laughed a bit. He stood up as he finished his work, leaning in a bit to pat Nagisa's head so he could also fix his hair. "I personally think you did really great there? I wonder if that's also the result of our special training?"
Nagisa felt his cheek a bit warm, Ibara's presence, his touch, his voice always enough to just erase that exhaustion he felt. A strange phenomenon if he may say, but Nagisa believed that it's one that he will never complain about. He leaned on that hand wishing more than that obviously but he knew Ibara would get angry if they did more. Even if this is a closed space, he would rather not give more trouble to Ibara after so much trouble he caused, especially when it will only bring disaster. "... Maybe? Ibara always said for me to start thinking more by myself, so I applied the things you've teached, of course after the study of characters… I've created the character by mixing all the elements presented. It's quite complicated. But.." he looked up to Ibara and stared at those blue eyes, smiling "... It's very challenging. More than usual"
As much as Ibara is always unnecessarily worried about Nagisa's work outside his sight, if he gets to see this happy and excited face all the time he guesses, everything is worth the pain. "Yeah, I've watched it. If I may say, I was really proud of you, Your Excellency" he checked a bit of his phone before looking at Nagisa again. "Let's go back? Our car is ready" caressing Nagisa's check softly, that lean finger moves to lift Nagisa's chin a bit "If possible, I'd love to give you the reward as fast as possible"
"... More choco?" Nagisa asked, Ibara almost sure that he asked that innocently but Nagisa suddenly snuggled his face to Ibara's stomach and hugged him like that.
"Hmm? Your Excellency?"
" … Give me 5 minutes"
Ibara was confused by that request, "but you can sleep in the car you know..?"
"... Ibara noisy, I'm recharging" Nagisa refused to move and just kept that hug tighter. Ibara rested his hand on Nagisa's hair and just let Nagisa do what he wanted. Well he is thinking about various reasons to say if someone suddenly opens that door but "... We didn't meet for two weeks. And there are two performances back to back today, So let me just… have a bit of my Ibara time"
Ibara laughed a bit, his hand kept caressing that hair, looking at him "here I thought you had so much fun in the ranch and lesson that you didn't contact me at all, everytime I call, It's always Hibiki-shi who took the call?"
"... He took my phone, and.. everyone's phone. So we focus on the lesson. But … hm, right.. the books and horse.. and the piglet… was cute.." the words just lost in the small defeat as Nagisa realized he did have fun in that training. But every night he felt like he missed Ibara yet he knew Ibara would need sleep at night so he refrained from contacting him so late in the night. "... No Ibara though so, not fun"
'that's a lie' Ibara knew it. He understood what Nagisa actually felt too but hey, he couldn't help but tease him when he could. "Is that rea—"
Just when Ibara was about to say something again, suddenly the door is opened by Wataru who just happened to waltz in the room with Shu who followed from behind, still continue talking about what must be discussed with Wayaru before they enter the room. Nagisa immediately let go of the hug and pretended he didn't just feel spoiled and his facial expressions so easily slid back into his expressionless one, only to smile at Wataru and Shu when their eyes met. "... I'm leaving first since Ibara already picked me up. Good work for today"
"Oya~ does that mean you won't be eating with us then?" Wataru asked, smile appeared on his face when he noticed Ibara there "Ah, I see~ well then see you tomorrow Nagisa-kun~"
Ibara bowed slightly to both of them as his small greeting "right, Itsuki-shi, the car from the agency, was already prepared. Of Course if you want to drop off Hibiki-shi, Hidaka-san and Natsume-kun too, its free to use as long as you give the address properly"
"There is no need to explain more, Saegusa. But thank you for the arrangement, there are quite a ton of luggages to carry so that's very convenient"
"I'm very glad to help! Well then, good work everyone!" Ibara took the lead to leave the venue.
Nagisa immediately follow as he catch that hand, purposely intertwined their hand only to slips Ibara's hand into his pocket. Nagisa smiled satisfiedly when he saw Ibara a bit flustered only to put up his business smile again when some staff greeted them.
"... Mine~" he sings happily since Ibara didn't protest at all.
The younger can only smile at that attitude. He didn't hate that— he missed it. Just a small moment of Nagisa's happy face also felt like a battery for him.