Work Text:
Begin!
~Normal POV
Kanji had brought Naoto over to hang out today. Ever since they started dating, it became very common for her to simply go home with him after school. And neither of them were complaining. They were happily getting comfortable with their relationship, and that involved spending lots of time together. Whether it was dates around town, or simply hanging out in Kanji’s room. There were some exceptions now and then, like if Kanji needed to work at the shop, but so far it had been a routine thing.
Today, Naoto wanted to introduce him to one of her detective shows. So they were watching it together while she sat comfortably in his lap.
“I’d say this was always one of my favorite episodes.” She commented, “I remember figuring out the killer all by myself.”
“Seriously,” Kanji asked, smiling. “How old were you?”
“About nine, I think… Maybe a little younger. Hah, I was so excited when I told grandpa. He was very proud of me for getting it right.”
Kanji laughed. “That’s awesome. I would have loved to see it.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Naoto blushed, but seemed happy to hear him say that.
“Well- I did kinda see it already when you caught Adachi.”
“That was a team effort and you know it. You were there!”
“I know, but it was your case.” He replied simply. “I ain’t wrong for thinking that.” He then smirked and added. “And I’m not gonna forget what you said to him during the fight.”
She blushed an even darker shade of red and avoided looking at him.
“I think your exact words were, ‘Get your fucking hands off my man.’”
“I- I just said what I was thinking…” Naoto replied, looking very embarrassed. “Besides, you were in danger, of course I would do something to save you.” Even if it had come with the other price of everyone else on the team hearing it too.
“I know- I liked it though,” Kanji said, chuckling.
Naoto huffed and went to pull her hat down over her face, only to realize she wasn’t wearing it. (She had developed a habit of taking her hat off when she was being… close with Kanji, because of how much he liked how she looked.) He really enjoyed making her flustered. Probably as payback for all the ways she could make him flustered. Sometimes while barely trying.
“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?”
“Nope, never.”
Naoto continued avoiding eye contact with him. Kanji gently grabbed her chin to get her to look at him again. They stared at each other warmly for a moment before he leaned in to kiss her. She kissed him back softly. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying their little moment.
Until a knock on the open door interrupted them.
Kanji and Naoto quickly pulled apart and saw Mrs. Tatsumi standing in the doorway. The two teens blushed and Naoto moved off of Kanji out of embarrassment.
Thankfully, Mrs. Tatsumi seemed to take it rather well and smiled. “Sorry for interrupting, I came to let you know that dinner is almost ready.”
Naoto checked the time. “Oh, I didn’t realize how late it was.” She stood up. “I should probably go home-”
“Nonsense, Naoto-chan,” Mrs. Tatsumi said, “You’re welcome to stay and eat with us. I always make more than enough. Kanji can take you home later.”
Kanji got a bit concerned from hearing that. His mom liked Naoto and was happy for their relationship, but they hadn’t gotten to spend considerable time together. He didn’t know if she was going to tease them… Or worse, embarrass him in front of Naoto. Maybe both.
Naoto thought it over and smiled. “Sure, ma’am, I can stay.”
“Wonderful! Come down when you’re ready.” Mrs. Tatsumi left the two alone once more.
“You sure you wanna do this? Um, it might get kinda embarrassing…” Kanji said.
“I think it sounds nice,” Naoto replied, happily. “Let me call Yakushiji-san and let him know I’ll be home late.”
She stepped out into the hall to use her phone. Kanji sighed to himself. He was happy to spend more time around Naoto, but he had a feeling this was going to be a long dinner.
~...
“Being a detective sounds like tough work.”
“It can be, sometimes.” Naoto replied, smiling, “But I enjoy a good challenge. And really, I just can’t help myself when confronted with a mystery. My brain always gets to work trying to find the answer. Mysteries intrigue me, and I can help people by solving them.”
Kanji smiled at Naoto’s passionate response. He loved hearing her get excited about her dream. So far, dinner had been going ok. He and Naoto were seated beside each other across from his mother at the table. The food was delicious as usual. (Ma was a great cook.) For the most part, it seemed his mother was just trying to get to know Naoto better. It was nice to see.
“That’s a good way to look at it. You’re striving for a job that you’ll really enjoy doing. It’s a very admirable decision.”
“Thank you.”
“I can see why Kanji likes you much,” Mrs. Tatsumi continued, slyly. “You’re a strong, smart girl. And very pretty too.”
Kanji turned bright red. “Ma!”
Naoto gave him a small, but noticeable smirk.
“Oh damn it… that’s why she’s doing this. To get back at me for teasing her! Should have seen that coming.”
“Well, Kanji has been nothing but wonderful to me for a long time now,” Naoto said, happily.
“Good, I know he’s a sweet boy. You know, this one time, he-”
Kanji had been afraid of this happening. He could do nothing except watch as his mom started telling stories about him. To be fair, they weren’t really embarrassing on their own, it was just making him blush a lot. Naoto liked them though, she listened to every one eagerly and even asked for details sometimes. Some of them she found funny too.
As it went on though, Kanji could tell how much Naoto was enjoying learning these things. She seemed to genuinely like hearing these stories. It actually made him worry less about it. She was happy, and he loved seeing her happy. He loved her, and if she was enjoying herself, then he didn’t have anything to complain about. He simply sat there, red-faced and listening while his girlfriend and his mom chatted about him while they finished their meal.
~...
As Kanji was walking Naoto home later that night, he had his arm around her to keep her warm. The whole time she was very pleased with herself for what happened.
“I hope you aren’t too upset with me for doing that?” She asked.
Kanji smiled at her. “Well- I was, a little. But then I saw how happy you were and I thought… eh, I can live with it.”
Naoto returned his smile. “I’m glad to hear that. At first, I was just doing it to tease you, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. Especially seeing how red you were.”
He squeezed her to his side playfully. “It wasn’t that bad, after a while at least. I’m glad ma likes you.”
“I am too. She’s very kind. Like a certain someone else I know.” Naoto said, leaning into his side.
Kanji had a thought cross his mind. “Hey, um…”
“What is it?”
“Do you… think your gramps will like me?”
Naoto gave him a reassuring smile. “Kanji, I’ve told grandpa about us already. He says he’d be happy to meet you sometime in the future.”
“You’re sure?”
“I told him plenty about you, and he sounded impressed. He is not an easy man to impress. Shiroganes have very high standards. And you fit every one of them. I promise, when the time comes, he’ll approve of you.”
Kanji felt a weight lift off his shoulders. If Naoto was that sure of it, he knew he could trust her. Besides, it’s not like he had to worry about it right now anyway. The two reached Naoto’s house.
“I had a great time,” Naoto said warmly.
“Me too…”
Naoto looked at her door for a second. She then stood up on her toes and gave Kanji a kiss. Kanji wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss and pulling her close. They stayed like that until they had to come up for air, and stared at each other with big smiles.
“Good night, Kanji, I love you.”
“Good night, I love you too, Naoto.”
Kanji waited until Naoto had gone inside before walking home. All the while, eagerly wondering what they could do for their next date. Hopefully one where they could be alone the whole time though.
~The End!