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Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection.
Giving it, that is. He’s more than fine with receiving it. So when you’d text him sweet affirmations in the morning only to do the same in person whenever you saw him at work, he’d grin widely, thank you, and go about his day.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection. So when you asked him for a hug after an operation that could’ve gone horribly wrong, you were giving a long, blank stare instead of a yes or no. Same for when you asked to hold his hand while walking to your favorite takeout spot after work and when you shyly asked to play with his hair.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection. So when you confessed you liked him, he so cluelessly replied, “I like you too!” and resumed eating the sandwich you so kindly bought for him. When you explained you liked him in a way that most would consider atypical for a friendship and wanted him to be your boyfriend, he didn’t really bat an eye to it. Instead, he asked if dating would mean you’d continue taking him out and paying for his meals and accepting when you said yes.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, so for the longest time, your relationship seemed stagnant. He never called you any nicknames of endearment or spent time with you much outside of work aside from the times you offered to take him places on your tab. Intimacy of any kind was nonexistent between you two as well, but you never made any complaints.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, so when your excitement got the better of you and you pulled him into a hug and pecked his cheek without word or warning, he froze, but didn’t pull away or reprimand you. When you apologized profusely, he brushed it off and didn’t think about the incident anymore after that.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but he grew fond of your ways of showing it. He grew to like your warm hugs and the small, folded notes he’d find on his desk wishing he had a good day. Grew to adore the petnames you’d murmur in his ear and the way you’d wrap your arm around his to lock hands with him. Even his heart started racing ever so softly when you took him off guard by laying kisses along his body stitches and rubbing his back leisurely whenever you sat beside him.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection nor does he expect it to last long. He likes you. You’re cool and are one of the only people who don’t give him sideways looks when he walks in a room, but you’re merely human. You’ll end up dying eventually — and in this line of duty, that fate may come sooner than later and that’s just the way things go. He won’t feel sad nor regretful. He won’t feel anything really. Death is a natural occurrence that happens everyday after all.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but when your body is tossed by the Owl, he — despite being down a leg — throws himself towards where you’d land to catch you and holds you close for the first time ever when you’re finally in his grasp.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but when you awaken in the hospital after the Owl Operation, his body moves on its own and he’s wrapping his arms around you for a second time, giving you the tightest hug he could that wouldn’t disturb your injuries. Tears he didn’t even realize he could shed anymore leaking from his eyesockets as he buried his face into the crook of your neck and left the smallest, lightest kiss on your pulse.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but with his new appearance came new changes and developments and cuddles became a new favorite of his.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but he starts becoming aware that you very well may be and tries his best to accommodate. Though it's small, he begins initiating more; locking pinkies, asking to ditch troublesome work with you, and leaning on your shoulder whenever he’s feeling drowsy.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but your lap eventually became his second home. Every chance he gets, he’s laying there. Eyes closed as you play in his hair, caress his face, and soothe him to sleep with your humming and rambles.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but he’s grown to love you lots and appreciate the bond you share. You’ve taught him many things about love and he’s forever grateful to have such a patient and considerate person to call his partner. Someone who didn’t run away or push at the first sign of rejection. Someone who allows him time to create boundaries for himself and actually have the pleasure of having them respected. Someone who yearns for so much of him yet restrains themselves from crossing any lines and takes things slow.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection and that didn’t change much when you two moved in together. For a while, you slept in the living room at night and suffered from back pain until he was comfortable enough to invite you to lie beside him.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but there are times he shows it through acts of service around the house. Washing the dishes after dinner, folding the basket of clothes you’ve let sit for two weeks, making you tea on occasion… He’s not the best at it, but the effort and thought behind it is there and it's more than enough to coax a smile out of you.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but when he realizes you’re in desperate need of some, he’s willing to take you into his arms, take you out somewhere for some fresh air, or lay in his lap for a change.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but when someone points out how one-sided the show of love and appreciation is, he grows a bit self-conscious.
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but he loves you lots and doesn’t want you to feel unloved or undervalued, so he takes a trick out of your book for once. When you arrive at work, he rushes out of the car to open the door for you like you tend to do for him. And, before you leave the parking lot, he turns you towards him, grabs you by the collar, and pulls you in for a slow, chaste kiss.
“Have a nice day,” He tells you, smiling coyly as he adds, “I love you.”
Your initial reaction of surprise lasts long enough for doubt to start creeping into his thoughts, but before he can take anything back, a large grin he’s never seen on your face before appears and you reply to him with your voice dripping in honey sweetness and sugary fondness.
“I love you too.”
Juuzou Suzuya is not one for affection, but he tries his best for you.