Work Text:
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
There you go. Giggling and surrounded by your "favorite" unit, Trickstar and their producer, Anzu. Tapping his foot quietly, Ibara Saegusa looked on from a couple meters back, leaning on a wall and holding a few folders in his arms. You were supposed to be at a meeting, but it seems you was a little late. It would be.. inconvenient for him if you were late. That's why he went to get you. Personally. Yes of course that's the reason.
Arguing with himself really is counterproductive..
As if sensing his presence, you suddenly looked up and your own eyes met his blue ones. With a gasp and a few inaudible words to the young unit, you dashed towards him. The many folders in your hands almost fell out of your hands, and his hands jolted forward for a split second. Either you didn't notice or you didn't react. He hoped it was the former.
While the rest of Trickstar talked amongst themselves, Ibara could see Anzu staring directly at him. If he squinted, he could see Anzu making a strange face expression at him..
Why is she wiggling her eyebrows. Is she..?!
Resisting the urge to flash his middle finger at her, Ibara just resorted to angrily sticking his tongue out for a second. Unprofessional but he was allowed to treat himself from time to time
Anzu knows.. goddamn..
Jogging towards him, you laughed, the sound making his heart jump. His cheeks felt a little warm. He ignored it.
You bowed frantically, apologizing for making him wait.
Ibara quickly replied, words spilling out of his mouth before he realized it. "No, I just came. Really, I should be the one apologizing!!!"
..That was a lie.
You grinned sheepishly, your hair falling in front of your face and your eyes warm and bright.
His cheeks grew warmer, and hastily he turned away, sure that his face was an embarrassing shade of pink.
"Come on, we're going to be late at this rate." Ibara mutters, not knowing that you could see his ears turning very, very red.
If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
The duo had just barely walked out of the meeting room before you burst into chatter.
"Aah!! You're so cool! Suggesting ideas with so much authority!! Like-" you put your fingers to the top of your nose, mimicking the action of pushing up a pair of glasses. "We should accept this proposal becau- pftahaha-!" The last sentence was spoken in a deeper, louder voice than your own, mimicking Ibara, but it was cut off by your own laughs, going back to its regular pitch.
Usually if someone had impersonated him, in this.. teasing way, he definitely would have scolded them, especially if it had been His Highness Hiyori or Jun. But for you.. he felt no anger or negative feelings at all. He scrunched his eyebrows together slightly, trying to somehow summon his annoyance to you. But all he felt was a tinge of embarrassment and the familiar warmth on his cheeks as he looked at your blinding smile.
Ugh..
You bumped his shoulders subconsciously and your eyes widened a little, suddenly remembering the fact that he didn't like to be touched. The apology on the tip of your tongue vanished as your eyes met for the second time this day. The eye contact held for a bit too long to be professional, and your lips parted slightly.
You missed the way Ibara's eyes shot down to your lips for the tiniest moment.
A beat of silence.
"Well. I'm sure we have things to do. Let's go!!" Ibara said, a bit too loudly than what was probably normal.
If I could begin to do
Something that does right by you
I would do about anything
I would even learn how to love
The second Thursday of each month. It was a really random date, but that was the exact reason it was chosen to be the monthly Manager and Producers Meetup. It was an unoriginal name, yes but the trio agreed on it when sleep deprived at 2 am, and nobody bothered to change it. You, Anzu and Ibara were the only members in the group.
Speaking of which.. he was late.
Ibara walked quicker to the cafe they all agreed to meet at, the familiar faces growing closer. They were talking animatedly, and cups of coffee, pastries and little goodies were already littering the booth.
He slowed, almost a few meters away before he heard his own name in the conversation. Hurriedly, he hid around the corner, curiosity getting the better of him. Honestly, he was reverting back to old habits, but he couldn't help it.
Especially with you.
"Ibara-san is so cool, and I know that he won't feel the same as I do. But.. I just can't help.."
He didn't hear the rest as a waiter bumped into him and he stumbled, pushing him out of his hiding spot. The waiter quickly apologized and briskly walked away, leaving Ibara pissed off and with a ruffled jacket. Usually he'd be far more careful about what was around him, but..
What were they going to say about me..?!
"Saegusa-san!! You're usually not late, what happened?" Anzu blurted out loudly, eyes darting anywhere but his face. She subconsciously fiddled with a muffin wrapper, fingers running across the creases. Anzu was.. undoubtedly horrible at lying, and the three of them knew that.
"Sorry for the wait, His Excellency got into a bit of trouble.." He muttered. Ibara took the nearest seat next to Anzu, staring at your unusually pink face.
Your words still on his mind, the trio just sat there, the chatter of the environment filling the otherwise silent table. Both yours and Anzu's embarrassment hung in the air, so thick it was almost tangible.
"Well, let's get on with the Eden and Trickstar joint live." Ibara finally broke the silence.
You huffed, shoving your embarrassment to the side and focusing on the task that you were actually here for. The task that made all of you stay up so late.. the task that wouldn't leave your mind, the way you remembered one night, when you were working on it, a sleep deprived Ibara kept laughing at your horrible puns..
If I could've stayed to be
Everything you've thought of me
Could've done about anything
But I think I've learned how to
love
Like you
By the time you were mostly done, the sky was a mix of purples and oranges, the sun setting, and Anzu yawning more than usual. The cheap cushioned chair felt more like a soft bed by the second, your drooping eyes feeling all warm. People were quieter, going home and leaving the waiters and waitresses to stare at your messy table more.
Maybe if I just put my head down for a second..
It was not just a second.
Feeling a poke on your head, you peered up, coming face to face with Ibara, looking from above you. A dim thought flashed in your head.
He looks.. breathtaking like this.. his hair looks amazing with the sunset on it..
He was facing away from the sun, casting a bright gold and orange halo of light onto his head. Even his glasses flashed slightly.
"Oh.. how long was I.. asleep?"
"About ten minutes actually, I just let you sleep, you.. looked like you needed it. Anzu's over there paying, it was her turn."
You tiredly grinned, your embarrassing thoughts suddenly not that embarrassing anymore through the warm haze of sleepiness.
Flopping your head again on the table, you sighed, poking his hand near your face.
"Well.. I wouldn't be so mad being woken up if I got to see you first thing.."
"Huh?"
Before Ibara could demand you clarify what you said, Anzu came back, speed walking.
"Sorry guys!! I have to be somewhere. My unit is demanding their attention.." Anzu interrupted, glancing at her phone with an affectionate look.
Giving a quick pat on your head, she ran off, and Ibara swore he heard a snicker from her.
What am I supposed to do with a half comatose manager here??
He was sure he had a grumpy look on his face, even after he practically dragged you out. Luckily you lived nearby, or else he might as well sleep in the cafe with you. It was a tempting offer but..
He blinked himself out of his thoughts as he was face to face with your door. Still slightly conscious, you fumbled for your keys, and pulling them out, Ibara suddenly was face to face with.. his own face.
What?
You had.. a little keychain of him?
It took a bit of time before you realized what Ibara was staring at, looking down then looking at him. Honestly, you don't think your face had ever switched from being relaxed to panicked, it was almost painful.
"I- I uh!! Trickstar isn't actually my favorite unit but I- listen, I got it from a..!!" You sputtered, meaningless excuses falling out of your mouth. The warmth of your face was turning unbearable quick.
The real Ibara was turning a bit red, but a small smirk made it's way onto his face. You were.. really endearing like this, all sleepy and.. genuine. It was kind of refreshing, he had to admit.
"Hm? What is it, come on~" Ibara teased, flicking the little chibi version of himself.
"..nn.. its.. I thought you- it was.. cute and I wanted to keep it with me.."
"..Oh."
Ibara couldn't help but gasp slightly, your pure and simple words were unexpected to say the least.
"...Sorry about that!! That was so so so weird I shou-"
Before you could run into your house and close the door, Ibara gently grabbed your wrist, his warm hands like fire against your skin.
"No.. I.." his grip loosened slightly, "Well, the real thing is right here, you don't need that cheap knockoff."
The scene probably looked straight out of a romance manga, the both of you blushing so hard your faces looked like the flaming skies above.
"Ibara.."
He held his breath unconsciously.
"..Ibara you're lucky you're cute because that was corny as hell."
He laughed, sounding slightly out of breath. Warmth left your wrist as he let go of it, but you instinctively chased it, your hand going for his cheek. Like it was natural, he put his hand on top of yours, completely covering it.
He made eye contact, his usually sharp eyes turning soft when they looked at you.
He lifted your hand and kissed your fingertips and you almost screamed.
"My face is too hot right now It's red isn't it? It is." you rambled out.
"I can see that…"