Work Text:
"Don't move, I'm almost done."
Kamonohashi obediently remained in one position, watching as his designer wrote down new measurements. His brown hair was slightly disheveled as he hovered around Ron. It looks like a hamster.
When Toto measured his waist, Ron smiled, plunged his hand into his soft hair and tousled it even more. Toto raised his head, pursing his lips sweetly.
“What?” Ron teased.
"Don't do that,” Toto sighed. "Amamiya-senpai won't like my inappropriate appearance."
“Sorry, Sorry, I'll fix it now.” He stifled a laugh and started stroking Toto's head, straightening his hair. Swatting away his hand, Toto straightened up.
He looked Ron up and down and ran his hand over different parts of his body several times, already coming up with a new design for some clothes. He was always extremely attentive to Ron's body and figure, noticing minor changes and evaluating them. He liked this perfect appearance, which helped Ron become popular in his modeling career.
But Ron himself didn’t believe that this was only due to his appearance — he was led to success by the incomparable Toto’s designs. Whether Toto wanted to or not, but after Kamonohashi's popularity grew, Toto also became popular.
“Yes, it will look good, you can try it on soon," Toto muttered, running his hands over Ron's shoulders again. “Hmm…”
“What are you working on now?” Ron asked.
"Because of your stubbornness, I'm not working on anything!" Toto punched him in the arm in exasperation. It was a weak blow, and Ron grunted. Ron refused to have anyone else create clothes for him. He rejected others so strongly that the director, Amamiya, gave up. Since then, Toto had to work on clothing designs exclusively for Ron.
"Then what can I try on?"
Toto didn't answer but continued to stare thoughtfully at his body. Ron seemed to have become an exhibit in a museum. Toto's behavior suggested that he was thinking of sewing something new, but Ron had no idea why.
"It will be a simple gift,” Toto finally said. “Since I'm not allowed to work with other models, I want to do something that you'll like. I'm almost done.” He smiled sheepishly, taking a step back.
"What kind of gift?"
“I won't tell you.” Toto crossed his arms over his chest. "It's a secret for now.”
Ron stepped forward, interested, leaning in Toto's face. Toto was alarmed when he saw the gentle smile on his face, but remained in place.
“Toto, tell me~”
"I told you, I'm almost done!" He looked away. “Tomorrow... no, rather the day after tomorrow, I'll give you a present. No, you won't be here the day after tomorrow…”
"How do you know my schedule?"
“...I found out by accident. Okay, Ron, I need to find Spitz, see you later, okay?”
Ron nodded understandingly. Toto gently stroked his head and hurriedly left, taking the measurements he had taken with him.
Ron watched him go and sighed. He didn't understand how Toto felt about him. He definitely cared about him, but what was it? Sincere affection, sympathy, or just professional admiration for a beautiful model?
Ron decided that he would first ask if Toto had ever been this close to his friends and colleagues. Toto was gentle and friendly by nature, so there should have been as many details as possible. But Toto never talked about his colleagues and friends from the past.
-
Ron stretched lazily on the couch. He hadn’t seen Toto for several days and hadn’t written to him. However, he managed to find out that Toto had never been close to anyone, meaning Ron was the only one who behaved so openly with him.
When he was thinking about it again and happily remembering how Toto stroked him or sat on his lap, the bell rang.
"Hmm? But I'm not expecting anyone,” Ron thought. He quickly slipped to the front door. On the other side, Spitz was holding the box. He didn't want to open it, but Spitz was carefully with box and tapping his foot worriedly. He rang again. After waiting a bit, Ron opened the door.
“Finally! I thought you aren’t at home!” Spitz let a sigh of relief. He gave Ron the box. “Here, Tototo asked me to give it to you. He looked worried. Here you go, Ron-kun, I'm in a hurry!”
Ron took the box, and Spitz ran away as if he had never been there. All he had to do was close the door and go back to the couch. "Tototo asked me to tell you"... Was this really the gift Toto was working on? Ron's hands trembled slightly with impatience. He opened the box.
Inside were bags of black syrup, a perfectly folded hoodie, and a note with a hamster's face painted on the bottom.
"I hope you enjoy it, my dear detective."
Ron was smiling stupidly as he reread "my dear detective." His detective… It seemed like it was a joke nickname due to the fact that Ron was studying people and their actions. He wondered why Toto called him that just now? Surely he couldn't have found out that Ron was interested in his acquaintances?
He straightened the fabric with anticipation. Hoodie had a picture of a platypus, the kind Ron always drew on lattes. It seemed Ron mentioned once that he would like a similar hoodie, but couldn't find it.… "Ron Kamonohashi" was neatly embroidered on the inside of the collar.
Ron broke into a smile and hurried to put on a hoodie. Looking in the mirror, he thought that he had become a latte cup himself — the transition of colors and some patterns around the platypus suggested this idea. He picked up his phone and took some photos, stretched out on the couch again. Ron really wanted to show off Toto's work to the fans. He quickly chose the best photo and, signing "Latte for my designer is ready!" with a happy platypus emoji, posted it.
As expected, likes and comments started appearing on the post almost immediately. People were asking where Ron bought this hoodie, talking about Kamonohashi's beauty. After Chikori's comment, there were even more messages, and people started asking if these were the first clothes Isshiki had made for Kamonohashi outside of work or not.
Chikory Monki | "Weekly Lime"
Is this Isshiki-san's new work!? He creates an amazing wardrobe for Kamonohashi-san!!! It's a gift, not your order, right?!
With a smile, he replied curtly:
Ron Kamonohashi 🦆
Of course, it's a gift from Toto, he wouldn't charge me for anything~
He received a notification that Toto had forwarded the photo to himself. The comments there weren’t much different from what was written to Ron.
Finally, Ron noticed a comment from... Dr. Hirsch? He repeated the question to both Ron and Toto. You wouldn't even know if he was genuinely interested or mocking.
Dr. Hirsch
So, are you lovers or not?
“Ha... haha…” Ron chuckled into his pillow. What a pity that he couldn't give a positive answer, not because of the reaction of society, but because they really weren't lovers. Although Ron wouldn't mind fixing it.
As he continued to scroll through the comments, there was a call on his phone. It was Toto who called. Ron answered immediately and picked up the phone in his ear.
“Hi, Toto, did you miss me?”
Toto hummed.
"Only in your dreams. How do you like my present? Is it convenient?”
"It's amazing, Toto! I really like it, thank you. And thanks for the syrup too!” Ron finally remembered the note. "Oh, and you called me your detective."
“…”
“…”
“…”
"Toto?"
“Yeah?”
"You ignored me?"
"When I was putting the syrup in, I thought it would be funny if I wrote notes and called you that, “Toto confessed quietly. “I enjoyed making a collection of your detective characters.”
“Heh. Will you call me that again?” Ron slid off the couch and onto the futon covered floor. Toto was silent, rustling something.
"...Why?" Toto finally sighed.
“I want to hear it live.”
The silence dragged on. Ron was about to say that he was joking, but Toto sighed again.
"My dear detective?" It was half a question, half an affirmation, Toto's voice was soft and gentle. It seemed to Ron that they were sitting very close. Ron froze, clutching his hoodie.
“My dear detective,” Toto repeated more confidently. And it was quiet again. Ron buried his face in the futons. He shouldn't have asked Toto for this… Now that soft voice would haunt him. "Ron? Is something wrong?”
“N-no, Toto, it's okay.”
“Oh, see you later, then," Toto said casually. "Only my dear detective Ronny~”
Ron didn't have time to react, Toto had already dropped the call. Ron jumped up from the floor. What the hell!?
...but in the end, he decided to stubbornly pretend that nothing had happened…
-
Many employees were having lunch and relaxing in the hall, but no one was paying attention to this couple. Toto, as usual, was sitting on Ron's lap. He was flipping through the latest magazines and newspapers with one hand, and with the other he was putting food with chopsticks into his mouth and Ron’s. This has long been commonplace — they both made sure that each of them did not forget to eat.
Ron wrapped his arms around Toto's waist, resting his head on his shoulder. They didn't discuss anything. Ron opened his mouth only to eat the food that was handed to him.
Their peaceful pastime was disrupted by Spitz. He leaned on the table with one hand and read out the message that came to his phone.
"Fire-san. Notify Kamonohashi-san and Isshiki that I'm waiting for them in my office. If they don't show up at my place in the next half hour, I'll consider it a violation of the rules and give them a fine. It's for work. Chikori-kun is here too. Let them hurry up!" Spitz put the phone in his pocket, giggling nervously.
“A fine?.. A violation of the rules?..” Toto tilted his head uncomprehendingly. “Are we really violating something?”
Spitz gave them a meaningful look. Ron smiled slyly, but Toto remained silent, waiting for an answer.
“You're not actually violating anything, but I think she's hinting at your closeness.”
“Oh... okay…” Toto ate the remaining piece of meat and got up from Ron's lap. "We're on our way. Thanks for telling us, Spitz!”
-
When they entered the office, they heard Chicory's soft laughter. The door closed behind them, and Chicory jumped up from her chair to bow slightly. She has already become a familiar guest here. Amamiya stayed in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest and nodding at Ron in greeting.
“I want to use you as models for the new publication of "Weekly Lime". I think you two are the best variant!!” Chicory began to explain. She was almost glowing with enthusiasm.
Toto looked at Amamiya in surprise.
"But I'm not a model…”
Amamiya hummed.
“Firstly, Kamonohashi-san will definitely refuse if his partner isn’t you. Secondly, the idea of Chikory-kun needs you. Thirdly, you..." she almost ground her teeth in anger, "are perfect for him.”
"Why should I refuse?" Ron asked. Before that, as he knew, there were no proposals about which his personal opinion was asked.
Amamiya and Chikory fell silent in embarrassment. Toto and Ron exchanged glances. Chicory coughed and explained.
“Well... Kamonohashi-san, do you mind if we put a collar on you that Isshiki-san will hold you by?" The model and his designer were speechless. "I just thought that Isshiki-san's soft beauty would contrast perfectly with Kamonohashi-san's cold beauty. That way, the atmosphere will become very mesmerizing... I think Isshiki-san understands what I'm talking about?”
Toto nodded.
"I don't mind, but it's up to Toto,” Ron said casually. In fact, the idea seemed more than attractive to him.
"Then I don't mind either."
Chicory beamed.
“Oh, thank you! This is going to be the best publication I've ever done! Isshiki-san, can we discuss your costumes? I have only rough ideas, and you are a professional.”
“With pleasure. Ron, are you interested? You can make your own changes.”
Ron smiled at him gently.
"I trust your taste, Toto. If you tell me to put a collar on, I'll put it on," Ron teased, and Toto coughed. Chikory watched them with burning eyes, while Amamiya pointedly turned away on a spinning chair. Toto thought again that he should apologize to his boss, Ron was paying a lot more attention to Toto than to her.
-
There was more or less silence in the studio, there was semi-darkness around and from time to time the light changed colour. There were flashes from the cameras and instructions from Chicory on which pose she wanted to see. There were only photographers in the room, Spitz as a makeup artist, Chicory, Ron and Toto.
The clothes of these two looked ordinary at first glance, but in such a situation they emphasized the contrast. Toto knew Ron's figure well, and according to Chicory's explanations, he chose such clothes that made the journalist look at him with even greater delight.
Toto found these scenes incredibly awkward and enjoyable at the same time. Moreover, Ron was definitely only pretending that he couldn't fasten the collar. With an apologetic smile, he handed the collar to Toto, asking for help. But there wasn't a drop of apology in his eyes, there was... pleasure in them and a request for some other subtext?? Toto chose to put it out of his mind.
Toto clutched the thin leash, trying to defocus his vision and not look at Ron, who was kneeling in front of him, resting his head on his lap.
Chicory, though a little bashfully, guided their movements.
"Kamonohashi-san, can you sit between Isshiki-san's spread legs and hug his waist?”
They obeyed in silence. Toto felt his warm arms around him. He got a little nervous.
“Yes, that's it… Isshiki-san, tilt your head back a little and wrap the leash around your fist. Yes! A cold look, awkward humility… The publication will quickly sell out just for the sake of it…”
Another camera flash.
"Kamonohashi-san, sit on Isshiki-san's lap, facing him."
Toto still couldn't relax. They had never been so close before. But the agreement had already been given, it was too late to retreat. Toto felt Ron's body weight on his lap.
"Give Isshiki-san a possessive hug, please."
“Isn't it hard?” Ron whispered, following Chicory's words. He sat up a little when he didn't hear an answer.
“No, it isn’t hard…” muttered Toto at last, and Ron sank back into his lap. Before, it seemed to him that Ron was relaxed, but now he could clearly hear how fast the model's heart was pounding. Ron was nervous too.
“Isshiki-san, put your hands just below his waist.”
Toto hesitantly obeyed. He felt Ron tense up even more.
At that moment, Spitz couldn't stand the tension and stormed out of the studio. It seemed to Toto that he heard his desperate cry: "It's like I'm watching their private lives!! Disgusting, Ron-kun is going to kill me!!!"
Flash.
“Kamonohashi-san, stand behind the back of the chair and lean towards Isshiki-san. Isshiki-san, pull on the leash, please.”
Ron slowly slid off Toto's lap and went behind the armchair. Toto felt his breath on his cheek. Ron put one hand on his shoulder as Toto tugged on the leash a little.
“And now... if you don't mind…” Chicory hesitated. Now she couldn't ask Spitz about the limits of decency. Sighing, she went up to a photographer she knew and whispered something in his ear. The photographer replied softly.
“He said, ‘I think they won't mind. They've already tried other samples, so it's okay,’” Ron explained in a whisper in Toto's ear. Toto started. "I'm sorry. I should be more restrained.”
“No, it's fine…”
Chicory's voice was heard, “Take the last few photos and I won't take up your time anymore! Isshiki-san, now sit on Kamonohashi-san's lap.”
Toto quickly got to his feet, making way for Ron in the chair. As soon as Ron sat down, Toto knelt on his lap, and Ron hugged him, slightly squeezing the fabric of Toto's shirt. Without understanding the reason himself, Toto blushed and rested his forehead on Ron's shoulder, hiding his embarrassment. Chicory didn't say anything, but the camera flashed. Apparently, she was waiting for this pose.
“Now Kamonohashi-san should put his feet on one arm of the chair and lean on the other, and Isshiki-san should sit on him and, bending down slightly, pull on the leash. Can you?”
Sighing nervously, Toto stood up again and soon found himself sitting on Ron again. He leaned down slightly and pulled on the leash. Ron let out a short sigh and said nothing. Toto tried to unfocus his eyes again, but nothing worked.
A few more flashes.
After that, they both hurried to get up and disperse. Toto took his things and approached Chicory as Ron was already leaving the studio.
"Send me all the photos later," Toto whispered. The girl nodded.
“Yes, of course! Thank you for your hard work, Isshiki-san! You and Kamonohashi-san look beautiful together… We're unlikely to use even half of the photos, but we'll send them all to you! Thanks again and sorry for the inconvenience!”
She bowed several times, apologizing and thanking. Toto came out of the studio and came across Ron drinking brown sugar syrup. He was still wearing the collar.
"Did you ask Chicory something?"
"I asked for photos,” Toto replied, checking the contents of his bag. He glanced at Ron, who wasn't even trying to remove the collar. "Why are you still with him?"
"I can't take it off,” Ron said carelessly, but once again Toto couldn't see the regret in his eyes.
Once they were alone, the tension between them dissipated. They both relaxed and leisurely walked down the stairs.
"Can't you really take it off?" Toto chuckled.
"I can't. I couldn't put it on either.”
Toto stopped, quickly grabbing the leash and wrapping it around his arm, after which Toto pulled the leash down and towards himself. Ron coughed and leaned down a little, taking a step towards Toto. There wasn't much left between their faces.
"You're lying, my dear detective Ronny,” Toto whispered softly. He abruptly released the leash and hurried down the stairs. Ron's face flushed right after Toto's. He ran after his designer like a dog.
“Hey, hey, Toto…”
"You didn't hear anything!..” Toto muttered, quickening his pace. He couldn't get away from Ron anyway. Kamonohashi grabbed his arm. Toto thought they were going to have a difficult conversation, but... Ron just put the leash in his hand and looked at him expectantly. Toto squeezed the leash and slowly walked on. Ron grunted with satisfaction and followed him.
-
A few days later, Ron was watching TV when Toto sent him the photos. Ron held his breath, looking at them. They were amazing . He had been working as a model for a long time, trying on various looks, but he looked best next to Toto.
Cutie Toto:
Chicory just sent them. These are all photos taken, but there won't be many in the “Weekly Lime”.
You:
*An admiring platypus sticker*
What do you think, Toto, can we post some?
Cutie Toto:
I think there's nothing wrong with that, as long as we're not afraid that Dr. Hirsch will ask about lovers again.
You:
I want to answer him yes.
Ron waited for Toto's answer with a smile. He clutched the hoodie Toto had given him and stared impatiently at the screen. Toto won't reject him for sure, but will he want to give fans a reason to guesses?
Cutie Toto:
No. You can ruin your career if you bluntly say that we are lovers. But you can still post the photo. Which one do you want?
You:
*Thoughtful platypus sticker*
Where are you on my lap, resting your head on my shoulder, Toto!
Cutie Toto:
…………..
You:
Your dear detective Ronny~
Cutie Toto:
Shut up, Kamonohashi. Post what you want! I won't send it to my page!
Ron chuckled. No matter how much Toto swears, he won't stay angry or offended for long. In the end, Ron posted the desired photo. As he thought, a few moments later Toto forwarded it to his page.