Work Text:
Akira's laughter paralyzes him at the entrance.
Since when does she laugh so happily? Takizawa wonders.
His feet frozen next to the door.
He had never heard her laugh out loud before.
"You're a fool, Amon," he hears her say.
Now it all makes sense.
Something in his chest bothers him (he'd rather die than admit it), denying it seems to make it worse, he'll probably feel irritated for the rest of the day.
Akira drives him crazy, she annoys him.
But at the same time, he feels a stupid tingling sensation every time she's around, ever since the academy.
How can Mr. Amon allow his subordinate to call him a fool?
Honestly, that's not what he's angry about. If only Akira really believed that Amon was a fool and he was, maybe he would find the joke funny too.
He sighs deeply before entering the office.
The view from inside isn't much more comforting.
Akira is reclining in her chair, facing Amon, who is leaning back in his chair as well.
They are both talking comfortably.
Since when?!! Seidou wonders in his head. Since when have they been such... 'friends'?
His stomach hurts. Amon is undoubtedly an irresistible guy. He's intelligent, imposing, strong, muscular, and at the same time, he's stupidly kind, seductive, honest, and understanding. Add more to the list.
He's the man every woman dreams of, and even though that blonde was ice cold as far as Takizawa knew, it seems that even she couldn't resist the investigator's charms.
Almost all the women at the CCG are after him (he doesn't blame them), but something hurts. He would like to get along with Akira like that, to be appreciated by her.
"Good morning, Takizawa. Are you feeling well?" Amon's deep voice pulls him out of his thoughts.
He almost forgot about it too, that man's voice, another seductive attribute.
"Good morning," says Akira, turning her chair toward him.
It's the first sweet "good morning" she's said to him since they met, but he knows that sweetness isn't for him; it's the rest of the sweetness she shares with Amon.
And he wonders again, since when?!
What did he miss? Why do they get along so well out of nowhere?
He greets them both quietly and reassures Amon that he just has a headache.
When he sits down at his desk in front of them, he can't help but let his gaze wander from the reports to Amon and Akira.
He feels like he's been punched in the stomach when she gets too close to Amon and whispers something too close to his jaw that he, completely frustrated, can't hear.
One of the sheets is crumpling in his hand before he realizes it.
After a few minutes, Akira gets up from her desk and again says something to Amon that he can't hear, then walks out the door.
His gaze follows her until she disappears down the hallway, then focuses on Amon in front of him.
He observes him and realizes
he could never compete with him.
With a heavy sigh, he resumes his task and makes a mental note to talk to Nagachika later.
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Who better to clear up his doubts than someone who worked with them and knows their dynamics
"Hey, Hide, what do you think happened between Akira and Amon?" he asks, crossing his arms and looking away.
"What do you mean?" says Hide as he sorts through some papers on the desk.
"They get along better..."
Nagachika looks at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean, they used to not get along, but I've noticed that lately they've been getting along much better. I'm just curious," he says too quickly, running his hand through his hair and pretending as best he can with a smile, or rather a grimace.
"I wouldn't say they didn't get along. Akira likes to tease him, and at first Amon wasn't used to it, I guess. Now he tolerates his jokes and teasing. Maybe that's it. He adapted to Akira or something. From my point of view, I don't think they ever got along badly."
The smile on Hide's face after his statement makes his stomach sink even more.
"You have no idea," he says more seriously. "At first, they got along terribly, but now..." Without realizing it, his tone is changing to indignation. "They get along too well. It's strange," he finishes, annoyed.
Nagachika realizes...
"They're a couple after all."
"What do you mean by that?!" Takizawa interrupts him, and Hide sighs. "I'm sorry."
"They must trust each other, they must learn to move... together."
Nagachika wonders if he should tell Takizawa what he witnessed the day before in the lab.
He doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but if he really wants to know...
"Although..." he begins hesitantly.
"Although what?" Takizawa asks automatically, a mixture of concern and anxiety on his face.
"I don't like to get involved in rumors, especially about those two," Hide says, gesturing with his hands. He's not going to expose them like that, but he's not going to leave Takizawa on the verge of an attack either.
"But lately I've seen them together more often. They arrive at work together and usually leave together too, not to mention that Amon visits Akira several times when she's in the lab with Chigyou, and sometimes they take long walks after leaving the lab as well." Nagachika scratches the back of his neck and smiles nervously. "Oh, it's getting late. I have to take these papers to Marude. Have a good day, Seidou," he says goodbye.
"Yeah... you too."
Before Seidou has time to digest his words, Hide has quickly left the office.
Takizawa remains thoughtful for a few moments, staring at the floor. That indication was answer enough. He is not foolish enough to deny the undeniable.
Even so, he allows himself to hope and quietly heads to the library to finish his reports.
Well, to try to finish his reports.
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