Archive of Our Own ^beta

Itaru is at the brink of insanity.

A little push and he feels like toppling over into the void.

"It won't fucking end…"

Ah, the hardships of a white-collared salaryman.

This month has been a very unforgiving timespace for Itaru work-wise. Projects piled up, meetings back to back, overtime on constant. He had to cut short his gaming time, giving up the SSR Gwen event with such a heavy heart (he promised himself when the event rerun comes, he would pay for this unforgivable Best Girl Negligence by doing double of what the current first rank did). His theater routine also took a hit. He had to miss some of Spring Troupe daily practices, held back on street acts, and abstained from participating in Mankai's events. Luckily there weren't any major performances scheduled so he didn't feel as bad. Though it was very hard, having to temporarily suspend the source of his daily happiness and partake in this…this… whatever this is. The burden of functional adult life.

He's stressed. And that's an understatement.

When was the last time he came home to the usual dorm chatter? It's really weird to come home to cold walls and empty halls. The occupants who gave the dorm its rowdy life were fast asleep, tucked safely under their blanket. He didn't even get many chances to meet his husband. And they share a room!

He misses Chikage despite sharing living space with said person. If that's saying something about how swamped he is with work.

No game, no theater, no spring family (and husband).

He's manifesting Tsuzuru's 'dried fish' nickname. Itaru is not enjoying this one bit.

This document should be his last endeavor before he could finally be free of the Torture Train. The final hurdle before he could come back to his usual routine but the thing just won't end. He is sure he has the last data input but he still has to recheck the entire thing. It’s almost midnight and he’s left with his superior in this dingy office room slaving himself away into capitalism. Very miserable. The only silver lining is he could rack more gacha funds from the bonus he was sure to get from this.

"Chigasaki?"

He straightens his back, automatically plastering his princely smile at his coworker. Honestly he doesn't know if he can pull his persona off as good as he usually does with his current condition. "Yes, Mrs. Sato, may I help you?"

The almost pitying stare from his supervisor proves that yes, he's currently losing his touch.

"How is the report going?"

"I just finished the final data input. All that's left is the final check…"

"You can go home, Chigasaki," she stops Itaru's words with a smile.

Itaru's finger on the keyboard twitches.

"Eh?"

"Tomorrow is weekend and this time the client won’t pester us at least until Monday. Especially after that very good deal you pulled off with them, they’d been on our back a lot less. And besides, final check is the last part anyway. It can wait until you perk up a bit. Take this weekend properly off. You’ve been working overtime too much.”

The sudden infodump and what it implies halt any response from Itaru, his pink eyes gaze at his superior full of doubt.

"Is it really okay…?" Itaru feels like bolting out of the door already but he has to know if this very tempting bait dangling in front of him has any catch.

"Of course it is! In fact, this is a direct order from your boss! Good work today!" the older woman chuckles, her hand gives a slight wave, dismissing him.

Itaru holds himself back from hugging her out of gratitude. He settles by giving her a very appreciative, if not genuine, smile.

“I’m locking up the place. Are you okay with the transport home? If I’m not wrong you commute by car right?” she dangles the keys.

“Ah, today Senpai took the car home. I plan to take a taxi tonight.”

“Senpai… oh, Utsuki-san… I mean, your husband? You should ask him to pick you up once in a while!” she chuckles, obviously trying to lighten the atmosphere. She stops there, thankfully. Not digging further into Itaru's private life unlike some other coworkers of his, especially after he bagged the office's Most Eligible Bachelor while being one himself. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Itaru nods, cleaning after himself (bye work) and following Mrs. Sato as she shuts off the light. Out from the dark room into the dim corridor. His fingers itches for his phone and his poor, neglected games, yet he can’t break the normie character. Not until they’re out of this sullen, gray building and into Itaru’s small sanctuary before the last push next Monday. Anything to give his body (and mind) rest.

He remembers he hadn't replied to Chikage’s message earlier that night. Itaru might as well try and push his (nonexistent) luck by taking up Sato’s advice. Despite said advice has nothing to do with her.

There’s a small pause before his phone dings again. Of course Chikage is still awake at this hour.

Itaru never knows seeing Chikage steps out of a car (Itaru's car, mind you) can bring forth so many emotions. Itaru purses his lips, jamming his hands inside his dress pants' pockets. His light footsteps bring him closer to his ride home, and his personal chauffeur for the night.

"Hey," the green haired man gives a small smile.

Itaru is once again reminded how much he misses his other half. He smiles back. "Hey."

"Done for the day? Or done forever?"

Itaru snorts. "I wish. We're at the last sprint tho. Shouldn't be too long before I'm free."

"Great. Citron already picked a BBQ place to celebrate your return."

That brings a small smile to Itaru's face. Another thing to look forward to. "Can't wait."

"Those eyebags are horrible. Do something about them or you won't hear the end from Azami."

"Azami can file a direct complaint to my boss or he can shut it," Itaru sighs heavily. His shoulders sag and he allows himself to lean on Chikage, tucking his head on that familiar crook of Chikage's neck. He allows this moment of vulnerability, the practiced mask slips away and reveals the tired small soul underneath.

Confiding to others has been an easier thing to do around his found family after he shredded his 'admirable adult' mask years ago. Having his loved ones beside him without tall walls blocking his heart really does wonders. Now that Itaru has tasted what it's like, he never wants to let go.

"This sucks. Why can't I just do nothing and earn shit ton of money?" The blond almost whines.

The younger man feels Chikage's arms circling Itaru's waist, hoisting him up into a warm hug. Itaru melts into the touch, molding himself into Chikage's sturdy, warm frame. Itaru is usually reserved on PDA but late at night with no one in sight, combined with his peaking stress level, he will allow this one.

"I can be the sole breadwinner, how about it? You can be the… what was that thing Kazunari said, a malewife?" Chikage rubs circles on Itaru's back. A rather familiar affectionate gesture Itaru found Chikage likes doing (after unlocking the romance route, so to speak).

Itaru stifles a chuckle at hearing the term, though his traitorous tired mind is precariously weighing that option.

"Oh my, hubby is so dependable," it amazes Itaru how Citron can do this at their family etudes without physically cringing. He circles his finger on Chikage's chest, adding to the effect of a clingy, pouty partner. "Will you fund my… technology-inclined necessities as well?"

Chikage's voice is silky smooth when he whispers to Itaru.

"No."

Itaru groans aloud as Chikage chuckles. "Unromantic."

"Come on, Chigasaki. You must be tired, let's get you home." Itaru feels a small kiss being dropped on his forehead.

"Can I have a sidequest?" Itaru tugs at Chikage's sweater sleeve as the older man pulls away. "A stop at konbini? I want to buy chips."

"Sure. But if you're tired you shouldn't play games after."

"Busted."

Chikage pauses his movement to send Itaru a side eye. Very well practiced snark that only comes into fruition after years being in Itaru's close proximity. That or Chikage is a natural at sniffing out people's bullshit. Probably a mix of both. "You said you were tired."

"I didn't."

"Itaru."

"Ugh, fine," Itaru huffs in defeat and enters the car after Chikage. The green haired man on the driver seat is swift to buckle up and starts the engine even as Itaru grumbles on. "I thought I could let off some steam, you know. Kick some virtual ass. I'm pent up here."

Chikage glances over to make sure his husband is all set. He puts the car in reverse, smoothly swiveling the car out of the park and into the road. His sharp gaze is not addressing Itaru when he responds. "How about a blowjob instead?"

Itaru perks up. "Now?"

"That would be inconvenient and highly dangerous, not to mention dirty. I mean when we're back to our room."

Itaru looks visibly disappointed at the swift denial. There goes his fantasy of wild sexual escapades. He shrugs it off rather fast though, there's always next time to try and rope Chikage into more unconventional plays.

He has forever with Chikage.

"Fair. I'll take the offer."

The glint on Chikage's eyes and a slight upturn of lips hold promises for Itaru.

“Chigasaki?”

“Hm?”

“You’re smiling at your phone.”

The smile is still intact as Itaru raises his head to look at his husband’s side profile. Chikage’s eyes are still fixed on the road and how he manages to pick up Itaru’s small gestures, Itaru would never know.

“I’m just thinking I’m so fucking glad to have you all with me.”

Chikage doesn’t probe further, but a small smile of his own blooms to match Itaru’s. A sentiment they share and hold close together.

"That was fucking incredible…"

Itaru is a mush in their bed. Incapable of moving even a single muscle. He's too sated, he almost can feel tension seeping out of his form. The pent up stress slowly melts away leaving him in a very comfortable, dazed buzz. The extra physical exertion (okay he didn’t actually do anything aside from climaxing but anyway) catches up to him, with sleepiness threatening to overtake him any moment.

"Well, that was quite fast. Faster than usual, at least."

And Chikage. Ever so doting even with that sharp tongue of his. The green haired knows where to touch, the right amount of push needed to topple Itaru over from the brink into Chikage's waiting arms. He even did all the clean ups, taking care of Itaru ever so gently, all the while having the light banter between them.

"Shut. I'm tired and you're good," Itaru doesn't elaborate further, opting to curl up under the cover. His head peeking out and his ruby eyes follows Chikage around as the man moves about in their room, throwing used tissues and changing his (and Itaru’s) clothes.

“Why, thank you,” it sounds more teasing than genuine gratitude but that’s nothing new from Chikage. “Move over, will you?”

Itaru raises the cover so Chikage can slip into bed beside him with ease. The warm body beside Itaru serves as a familiar soothing presence. "You sure I don't need to do anything for you?"

"This is fine," Chikage adjust his position a bit, patting Itaru's thigh. The blond almost automatically scoots closer, hugging the taller man and hopes the touch would relay his affection as much as straightforward words can. It seems to work, with Chikage relaxing under Itaru's weight.

"This is fine," Chikage's voice drops into a gentle whisper, dripping with returned affection. Itaru feels his heart might burst. Fingers carding into Itaru's milk tea colored hair, the touch is gentle and Itaru’s heart is so full.

"...'m so tired…" Itaru closes his eyes.

"I know," the fingers gently massage Itaru's scalp.

"... the work won't fucking end…"

"It will soon…"

"... Ueda is a bitch…"

"Who?"

"That annoying manager from Okinawa branch."

"Oh."

There's a lull between them. The comfortable weight of Chikage beside him and the calming silence drift Itaru in and out of consciousness.

"...missed you… and everyone," his husky voice a mere mumble now, Itaru vaguely registering Chikage's words before the younger man gives up trying to stay awake.

"We'll always be here, Itaru."

Itaru succumbs into a dreamless, calm sleep. He is home.