Work Text:
Leave it to the universe to allow Momose to experience the exact same situation for a second time as if it were playing a cruel joke on him.
It was a Wednesday afternoon, and fortunately because of the workload being split between him and his manager, they were able to leave work on time once more. It was always going to be a pleasant surprise to him when they're able to leave work on time, despite the fact that by this point in his work experience with Minette, it's a daily occurrence. Momose and Shirosaki complete their tasks for the day, they gather their belongings, then they make their way home together. The commute home always felt more pleasant ever since he moved in with his manager.
That was, until this very day.
Momose and Shirosaki managed to find seats for themselves as there were a few people on board. Once the train was in motion, they were only talking about what they would be having for dinner. So as soon as it had been decided, they simply sat in comfortable silence. Everything was perfectly fine until the train stopped to let people aboard at the next stop when it hit Momose all at once.
The businessman that decided to take a seat right next to him was wearing the same cologne that his abusive ex-boss used to wear.
The smell was bringing back memories of hell... again! This time around he can't even come up with an excuse to give to Shirosaki in order for him to get off of the train when they just barely got on and they're headed to the same stop. The brunette brings a hand up to cover his nose and mouth, but it does little as the smell is already registered and the scent of the cologne was overpowering all of his senses.
So it seems like unfortunately Momose was going to have to grit his teeth and stomach the rest of the ride home in silence. Which seems easier on paper, but when the scent of his ex-boss's cologne is so potent to the point that it's twisting and turning his stomach, it's making this train ride feel like it's been going on for hours on end.
Here he thought he would be able to kick away any remaining thoughts about his abusive ex-boss, but any minimal reminder is always enough to send his mind over the edge. That no matter where he went, Mr. Kurono would be a couple of steps behind him always following his every move waiting to get him back in his grasp and throw him back down that miserable lifestyle and make his life a living hell and—
"Momose? Are you tired, perchance?"
Ah.
Before he realized it, Momose was leaning his head and nearly his entire upper body against Shirosaki's side.
He pulls away from Shirosaki as if he just got shocked.
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry, Manager!" Momose waves his hands around in a panic as he straightens himself out in his seat. "I was probably crushing you. I'm sorry!"
He only succeeds in embarrassing himself and getting his senses assaulted by the cologne once more. He brings his hands up to cover his entire face as if it will change anything, only to have them promptly removed by Shirosaki grabbing them and pulling them away from his face.
"If you're tired, you can fall asleep on my shoulder like last time. Really, I don't mind." The blonde frees a hand of his in order to pat at his own shoulder. "I'm personally not tired, so I'll even stay awake this time around so we don't miss our stop. I promise."
The brunette genuinely ponders on the offer for a moment.
On one hand, he really shouldn't be overstepping his place. The last time was genuinely just an accident, and Momose wouldn't want to be forcing his manager to carry his weight for an entire train ride. He wouldn't want to be taking advantage of Shirosaki's kindness...
But, on the other hand, the scent was making him absolutely miserable. Every second he breathes he feels like he's back to being suffocated by Mr. Kurono's overwhelming presence in that drabby office building. It's only further worsening his mood and the state of his stomach.
At the very least, Shirosaki's shirt did smell nice and comforting the last time he remembers this happening. Plus, he swears he saw him use FurPur again when they were doing laundry together this past Sunday...
Screw it. Momose's allowing himself to be selfish, just this once! For the sake of his own health!
(That's what he's telling himself over and over in his head to make himself feel better about this.)
"Well, if you're sure, Manager," the businessman mumbles as he feels his cheeks heat up. "Thank you, and again, I'm sorry."
With slow movements as if he's still mentally trying to talk himself out of even doing this, Momose eases himself to lower his head down to rest on Shirosaki's shoulder.
Never in a million years did he ever think that he would be in this situation with his boss of all people.
He always thought that he would be living day-to-day with the constant torment that Mr. Kurono brought to his life. That he wouldn't be able to escape that hell on Earth and would practically die glued to his seat in his office space as result of his abusive ex-boss. With his newly developed stomach ulcers and his night terrors that constantly left him in a state of unease in the middle of the night. Momose never that thought he would find a light at the end of the tunnel.
He must've still physically felt tense, or his thoughts might've been loud enough for the entire train car to hear, because the brunette didn't register the fact that they were technically still holding hands until the feeling of Shirosaki's thumb rubbing small circles on top of his hand practically put a screeching halt to every train of thought he was currently having.
Oh.
Of course; the light at the end of the tunnel was so, so much closer than he ever thought it would've been.
With a small smile finally gracing his features, Momose closes his eyes, letting his entire body finally relax for the first time in a while as he lets himself lean fully against Shirosaki's side. The blonde promised him that he would wake him up when they reached their stop after all, and he never would doubt his boss. His kind, considerate, caring boss that helped him realize that he still has so much potential to fight to pave the way for his own future.
Unbeknownst to the businessman, Shirosaki was gazing at him with a small smile of his own as he continued to rub comforting circles over their intertwined hands.
They can stay like this for just a little while longer. At least, while they're still together.