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“Makoto, I’m home.”
Those words are music to Makoto’s ears, as always. He turns off the actual music playing through his headphones and pushes aside the documents he’d been working on. They’re definitely important, but he’ll always have time for Aigis.
“Hi, love,” Makoto greets her with as she walks into their bedroom. He’s feeling particularly well today, so he stands up from his desk without much issue to give her a more thorough welcoming. That ends up taking the form of a kiss to Aigis’ forehead, like usual, and she makes a contented noise.
“I’m sorry for being back so late. One of the Group’s board members was being obstinate, and Mitsuru-san’s last meeting for the day ran long…”
Her weary smile fades more and more into a grimace with each word, and Makoto feels sorry for Aigis. “Don’t worry, I get it,” he says to reassure her. “I’m just happy to see you.”
Aigis perks up a bit, though tiredness is still written all over her face. Her gaze wanders over to the desk where Makoto had just been working himself.
“Are you struggling at all with writing today?” Aigis asks, selfless as ever despite her fatigue. “I’d be more than happy to help if needed.”
“Nah, today’s been pretty okay. Thanks for offering, though.”
Working what’s essentially a desk job for the Kirijo Group isn’t exactly glamorous, but Makoto’s willing to put up with the monotony if it means he’s making himself useful. It doesn’t hurt that he can take care of the clerical duties Aigis would be expected to fulfill as Mitsuru’s on-paper “assistant”, either.
He’s especially glad Aigis isn’t burdened with any of that right now, given how worn out she is. “Why don’t you sit down and relax for a bit?” Makoto suggests, trying to guide Aigis in the general direction of their bed. “I’m almost done with the paperwork anyhow,” he says to further entice her.
“I’d love to,” Aigis begins, her tone telling Makoto there’s going to be some pushback, “but I do have to shower first.”
“…Why don’t we shower together, then?” Makoto says without really thinking about it. They’ve done that plenty of times before, but with how much of his energy the Seal demands, it’s usually Aigis helping him wash off and not the other way around. “I-If you want to,” he adds quickly, realizing he might’ve come on a bit strong.
Aigis looks surprised, but not displeased. “Are you sure, Makoto? I know you have a lot of work to do,” she answers with a sympathetic tilt of her head.
Knowing Aigis sometimes needs a gentle push to put her own wants first (he understands the impulse all too well himself), Makoto reaffirms that his job can wait, and how he’d love to spend some time with her.
Almost instantly, a hundred thousand pounds are taken off of Aigis’ back, and she sighs in relief. “Thank you.”
“Of course, love.”
After Aigis gives Makoto a quick peck on the cheek, they both head into the bathroom. It's cozy, just the right size for two people living together, and the small, narrow window stretched over the top of the shower lets some of the golden sunset stream in.
Makoto gets to work undressing himself, careful not to go too fast. He might be having a good day, but that could easily change if he overexerts himself or Erebus comes knocking.
Dismissing that second thought by kicking away the pile of discarded clothes left at his feet, Makoto returns his attention to Aigis, who's already disrobed and left her business suit hung on the towel rack. She yawns, both arms stretched above her head; it's good to see she's already unwinding.
Aigis is in just the right spot for the light from outside to shine on her like a beacon, too. She almost seems angelic.
Pretty, Makoto thinks to himself, and then realizes he actually said it aloud when Aigis glances his way.
Oops.
Aigis lets her arms go back down to her side. "Makoto, you look a bit red. Is the steam from the shower already getting to you?" she says playfully.
"...Must be," Makoto answers with a sheepish smile.
"I see. Then we'd better rinse off quickly."
Laughing a bit, Aigis enters the shower (a walk-in design, perfect for those days when Makoto doesn't have the strength to climb over a tub) and turns on the water. She motions for Makoto to join her, and he doesn't need to be told twice.
Warm water cascades down onto them both from the showerhead, and Makoto hums a little. Even though he doesn't consider himself a very good singer, Aigis loves hearing it, so he tries to indulge her whenever he can.
"Ah..." Aigis breathes out, all the tension in her body visibly melting away. She runs a hand through her hair, combing idly through it with her fingers. For his part, Makoto moves closer to Aigis, his chest nearly flat against her back.
At that moment, Makoto gets an idea. "Hey, hold still for a sec, okay Aigis?" he instructs, reaching for a bottle of shampoo.
"Hm? Oh, of course."
With Aigis staying in place, Makoto squeezes some shampoo into his palm. "I'm gonna wash your hair for you," he explains. "Just let me take care of everything."
Putting the shampoo bottle back where he found it, Makoto then rubs the shampoo onto both of his hands. Closing the distance between himself and Aigis completely, he puts both hands on the back of her head and starts working his way through her hair. It's much curlier than his, but still around the same volume, so he knows to go slowly and gradually work out any knots.
Aigis leans into Makoto's touch, tilting her head back a bit as his fingers massage the area around her headband. "Keep going, please," Aigis murmurs. "I love having you so close to me."
There's a pang in Makoto's chest, and Aigis must've felt it, given how her body heats up and fans start to whir in response. "I love being with you, too, love." Makoto punctuates the sentiment by nuzzling against the back of Aigis' neck. Aigis, in turn, strokes his cheek tenderly.
They both keep up the affections a little longer than they should have, which Makoto realizes when the water starts to grow colder. Luckily, Aigis has the same idea as him and turns the shower knob a little further, getting things back to a comfortable temperature.
"We should probably hurry up, huh?" Aigis says, reluctance apparent in her voice.
"Yeah," Makoto replies.
Still being thorough while also minding that they're on a time limit, Makoto finishes with Aigis' hair. Aigis helps him get cleaned off as well, washing his body while he takes care of the mop that passes for his haircut when wet. She keeps the bar of soap well away from his chest scars, which Makoto appreciates more than he could ever put into words.
They finish just when they've exhausted all the hot water. It's not a good habit to fall into, but a long shower every now and then won't hurt, Makoto thinks. Besides, Aigis definitely benefited from the R&R, and that's what matters most here.
Now without any pressure to hurry, Makoto takes his time drying off, Aigis watching contentedly from her makeshift seat on the edge of the sink.
"Do you feel better now, Aigis?" Makoto asks after a while.
Aigis smiles, her face still a bit red. "Much better, yeah. I think that was exactly what I needed."
Makoto starts smiling too. "That's good." Hanging his towel up, he continues with, "Sorry I don't have the energy for this stuff often. I just really want you to know I—"
"—care? Of course I know that, Makoto," Aigis patiently interrupts. "You're always here for me, and I'll always be here for you. End of discussion."
Yeah, what the hell is he on about?
"...Got me dead to rights," is all Makoto can muster through the cloud of pure love that's settled over his mind. "Sorry. I'm getting in my own head again."
"Well, if you'd like to make it up to me," Aigis begins in a playful way, then approaching Makoto, "we could hold each other for a little longer." She opens up her towel, bringing it around Makoto's back to cocoon them both in it. With their chests connected, he can feel the pulsing of her Papillon Heart, the same way she can sense the beats of his own heart.
Warm hands curl around Makoto's back, and he returns the favor, keeping Aigis close and holding her tight.
Today was a good day for both of them, Makoto decides.