Chapter Text
When no response came after knocking on the door, a sense of unease came sweeping into the quiet corridor, he could see the light poking in under the door, and from the fact the message he had sent Mine’s way only half an hour ago, he could piece together that he was still inside his office. He could always count upon Mine answering the door straight away, somehow always acutely aware that Daigo had come to visit in a way that could almost be unnerving.
But he had stood here for a minute and still no response had echoed from behind the door, he had even tried calling him but it had been sent straight to voicemail; if Daigo didn’t know Mine as well as he had, he would assume he was merely lost in his work, too enraptured by his duties to be aware of the world around them. But he knew Mine, so the only conclusion he could arrive upon was that he was either being ignored or he wanted to be left alone.
Both answers turned his stomach. He considered himself Mine’s friend, he enjoyed his presence and he was a rock he could steady himself on, to even think there was something disturbing him, or that he had done something to disturb him was a hurtful thought. So, against his better judgment, he reached for the key he had been given to Mine’s office.
Within a few seconds, the dark oak door was unlocked and he quietly pushed it open and walked inside as carefully as he could. If Mine was walking on knives, he didn’t want to scare him by trodding in as if this was his home.
Mine wasn’t walking on knives.
Instantly the sight he was greeted with snatched his breath away, replacing it was bone-deep awe.
Mine stood in the middle of his room shirtless, his back turned to the door of-course, so blissfully unaware of the sudden onlooker he had upon him. A white towel thrown over his shoulder, it was obvious that he must’ve been working out. Even from this far he could see the way his skin was shimmering as the soft sunlight streamed in through the windows and basked him in a warm glow that surrounded him like a halo.
He shone like he was a legend from the myths themselves. Mine’s body was heavenly, no other word could begin to describe him, his body was sculpted as if he been created to be displayed in the finest of museums; he would belong there, amongst the art and the sculptures, none of them contained the same beauty, the same perfect edges as he did. Daigo could always tell Mine was built, his shoulders were broad and he carried himself with the confidence that told him he had earned his place not simply by being a handsome face, but to see his body free from his tailored jackets was another thing entirely.
His back muscles glistened in the sun, and also from a layer of sweat that fell against the ridges of his body so perfectly it was as if he was crafted by a master and he wanted to trace each of his muscles with his own hand, to feel his skin beneath his own, and to allow his warmth to sink into his own. He wanted to bear witness to his full strength, Daigo was strong himself, he had to be to get where he was but Mine was something else. He wished to feel him beneath him, to know that he could fall back on him, both in inevitable fights and in nights more intimate and quiet.
Daigo couldn’t pry his eyes away from him, and he had yet to even consider the tattoo marking his skin, it was the prettiest sight his eyes had ever seen, perhaps Mine really was a myth crafted from stories. His tattoo, a kirin, or so Daigo believed, was the greatest work in a lifetime, and while his knowledge of tattoos and their meanings were quite limited, he knew that truth.
He was frozen in his awe and not an inch of himself could hope to complain about his predicament.
Then, time unfroze as Mine turned around and undoubtedly saw Daigo standing there, watching him with his mouth agape like a foolish school-child. A flash of embarrassment gripped him in an instant at being caught and he had half a thought to turn around and jolt away, but before he could even look away, Mine opened his mouth to speak.
“Sixth Chairman, how long have you been here?” The question didn’t sound accusatory from Mine’s voice, for that Daigo was eternally grateful; if it had been anyone else he was caught staring, he was certain he would be greeted by daggers for eyes. But then, Daigo wouldn’t have been awestruck by anyone else.
He took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs calmed him down ever so slightly but sweat still clung to the back of his neck, “No more than a minute,” He confessed quietly, shame gripped him tightly, he was admitting he had used his own unawareness to merely stare at him. It was an entirely selfish act and to be caught engaging in it made him want to flee.
"My apologies then, for not responding nor noticing your presence at my door, it won’t happen again.”
His response nearly made Daigo stumble in shock, why on earth he was apologizing was beyond him.
“That’s nothing to apologize for, Mine, I’m the one who came in unannounced, how were you to know?”
Mine gave him a look, he didn’t believe his words but he didn’t stress the matter.
“What brought you here, Sixth Chair-”
“Daigo, remember?” He interrupted, he hated hearing that title most days but especially from the other man’s tongue, he was a friend and he wished for someone to be warm to him.
“Of-course, Daigo-san.” Mine dipped his head and then he began walking closer, his upper-half still bare, Daigo averted his gaze or else he’d lose himself staring again, “Why are you here? Last I checked, our scheduled outing is still two days away.”
Suddenly, Daigo realized he had been so caught up in watching him that the reason he had even come here had slipped his mind; he was certain it had to do with work, it always was, but it had slipped out of his hands and he couldn’t hope to catch it. Why had he come here?
Swallowing slowly, he tried to think up an excuse that seemed reasonable because he could never admit the truth, the embarrassment already was twisting him inside-out and it would only worsen if he confessed that he had been so distracted by his wonderful, handsome body to remember his duty.
“I wanted to see how you were doing, you’re my friend after all and we haven’t seen each-other since the last meeting.” He saw the way Mine’s eyes widened ever so slightly when Daigo stressed the word friend.
“I appreciate your concern, but everything has been fine.”
He couldn’t stop from smiling ever so softly at Mine, his words were truthful, he could tell by the way he spoke; there was no bitterness at the edge of his words that normally wormed its way into his voice. “That’s good to hear."
Daigo then strode over until they stood barely a foot apart, he wanted to move in closer, to place a hand on his shoulder, to linger in the warmth radiating off his body that was shining in the heat, but he refrained; he had to refrain.
Yet, he couldn’t leave now, not after seeing Mine like that, if he didn’t spend time with him he was certain he would be unable to stop thinking about him, and he wasn’t sure if after seeing him in the intimate way he had that his thoughts would be innocent. He wanted nothing more than to feel the other man beneath him, and if he was deprived of his presence any longer, his dreams would certainly center entirely around him.
And that would only make things awkward. So he had to scramble for some imperfect solution.
“I was wondering, are you free later?”
“I am. Why?” Mine gave him a curious look that made his stomach squirm, his gaze was intense and firm, radiating strength and confidence beyond measure.
He attempted to match his intensity, “You often talk about your favorite pieces of art, both those in and out of your collection, and while my knowledge of art… leaves a lot to be desired,” It was an understatement, Mine taught him all he knew, “I enjoy listening to whatever you have to tell me about them-” Daigo paused as he saw Mine’s eyebrows narrow, it was clear his words were confusing him, the point eluding him, “What I’m getting at is if you’d like to accompany me to one of those art galas around the city tonight.”
Realization painted his face, and if he didn’t know him any better he swore a hint of joy passed through his dark brown eyes that were often cloudy like a storm; he hoped perhaps it was joy he saw sparking through him, “I didn’t know art interested you that much.”
The truth of it was that it absolutely did not interest him, he remembered when his mother had dragged him around the city to galleries as a kid and he was bored out of his mind he half believed he’d wither away from his sheer amount of disinterest. Yet, something about the way Mine spoke about the art brought it to life, he held such reverence for everything he saw that it sparked a newfound, unknown interest inside him.
And, he’d do just about anything to remain in the other man’s orbit today; his gaze still averting his glimmering torso because otherwise his thoughts would turn far more carnal then he wished them to.
“You’ve shown me just how enthralling art and its history can be.” He finally answered.
Mine took a few steps away from Daigo now, turning his back away from him again, or so he heard, his eyes still wouldn’t watch him and he saw the faint movement of the towel; Mine was tidying himself up. “I’d be delighted to accompany you, then.”
He refrained from grinning like a foolish child, especially when Mine couldn’t even see him, “I’ll email you the details as soon as I’m able.” Daigo explained, suddenly glad he had paid enough attention to Mine’s passionate lectures to be somewhat educated in whichever events interested him the most.
“That would be appreciated,” Mine answered, then turned back around, “Now, I hate to dismiss you but I still must prepare myself and there’s some work left to do that’d I wish to get done today.”
Mine’s words would’ve been sharp tongued around anyone else, but they sounded borderline apologetic on his tongue, it shouldn’t have, he understood; their lives never stopped moving.
“Would the evening work then?” Daigo asked, since it was still early in the morning that he had the whole day left in front of him.
“That seems wise.”
“It’s a date then,” Daigo said without thinking and he only took in what he had said when Mine’s eyes widened so slightly; shock gripping his face, it looked almost cute to see him unnerved. He watched as Mine thought over what he said, he had spoken foolishly, but to take it back would be just as unwise, and he didn’t want to.
After a few seconds passed, the intensity returned to his gaze, “Then I must certainly dress for the occasion.”
Daigo gave him a soft smile, Mine’s eyes were watching his every movement and suddenly a different type of heat joined his embarrassment, “As long as you don’t overshine me, I’m still your Chairman after all.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Daigo-san.”
He understood he meant his words with all of his being, his promises were as strong as blazing fires, he would burn down a forest if he had to in order to fulfill his vow.
“Then I look forward to seeing you later.” It was a horrible understatement, Mine would be at the forefront of his mind as the minutes ticked by so slowly until their date. It wasn’t a proper one, but he couldn’t get that word out of his mind, it counted as one in his own mind.
“As do I.”