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“Hmm…” Makoto contemplated random thoughts to himself as he peeked around, staggering into a pink and throughly decorated bedroom, curtains draping down and around a large red bed with a heart headrest, lights stretching along the edge. Makoto immediately turned flustered as he gazed around the room, not even seeing someone sit on the end of the bed before him.
Byakuya sat with his legs crossed, murmuring quietly and arms crossed over his chest, tapping his impatient and fast foot onto the floor repeatedly. His face was stern and stiff, same with his body and posture. “Where could he be…” Makoto heard him mutter under his breath, tilting his head to himself and stepped inside, a small noise coming from under his shoes, suddenly alerting Byakuya almost immediately.
His head snapped up and he quickly pulled himself onto his feet, keeping his arms tightly crossed, a rather disgruntled expression written all over him. “Naegi, explain yourself.” He spit out, making Makoto almost regret coming in here to talk with Byakuya. “Why are you late?” His voice was stern and to the point, his eyes direct and cold, Makoto getting small but familiar goosebumps- the ones he normally got talking to Byakuya.
“Late..? Late for…what exactly?” He had an unsure smile creep onto his lips as he looked away, trying to fend off Byakuya’s staring eyes. Pissing Byakuya off a little more, he scoffed and shook his head, the frustration mixing with disbelief. “You agreed to meet up with me after your interview- you keep this up and the Togami corporation will leave you behind. Tardiness is not easily forgiven here.”
Makoto slowly nodded, his thought process slow and overwhelmingly confused. Byakuya’s suite was Makoto working with him? That…was it? Being coworkers? Makoto pondered to himself as he straightened himself up, trying to act a little more formal and serious now. “R-right. I apologize Byakuya, I’ll make sure this won’t happen again.” He sputtered out, Byakuya keeping his face and stance but internally defusing himself.
“Good,” He spoke after forcing them into a little bit of silence, taking the time to think to himself also. “Asides, how did it go? The interview I mean- do you believe you’ll be kept on?” He asked, curious and a-lot more soothed now, Makoto picking that up and taking note of that.
“Well- I’d certainly hope so! I’ve been here for this long, I’d like to believe I’m worthy enough!” He spoke with unsure confidence, the small idiotic grin on his lips. A small pit of anxiousness began to flow in Makoto’s body as Byakuya chuckled at his words, nodding and finding it amusing how he worded that. A small genuine (?) smirk formed on Byakuya’s face, his expression in telling he was going to monologue.
“Whilst this is certainly a start, I think to work in this corporation you should gain more faith in yourself, Naegi. No need to ‘hope’ so much, we both understand your abilities now.” He lifted his head and held a hand out. “No need to act so shy around me. I’ve seen what you can do.”
Shy…? Makoto let out a nervous laugh and felt his body grow warm as he earned praise from THE Byakuya Togami, not necessarily knowing how to properly process that in his complicated brain. Though his compliments shaked Makoto up a little, it also oddly calmed him; a bunch of confusion and frustration crashing through Makoto like harsh waves.
“I appreciate that…the confidence you have in me,” He awkwardly thanked him, continuing. “But I mean, hope is my specialty after all, haha…” Once more, the tone and way he was phrasing his words made Byakuya laugh, finding Makoto typically amusing to watch. He was foolish to say the least but expected from someone like his kind. “Surely, but you’ve worked under me for so many years now. You just don’t allow yourself to show your true talents, is all.”
Wow…. Makoto thought to himself, really not grasping the fact Byakuya had understood him until now. Sure he’d known Byakuya for a while now but he acted like he fully knew what was going on throughout Makoto’s mind and it made him sweaty. “Well…if you think so then it has to mean something, yeah?” Makoto sheepishly asked, his mind subconsciously craving the praise Byakuya had gaven him earlier. Whether he knew it or not, Makoto liked and wanted to hear more of it- especially from Byakuya. Not because he liked the compliments, but because it was from Byakuya. Hearing him speak nicely was…different. It made Makoto warm.
“I’ll try to stick to your words and become more confident, just like how I did with my hope.”
“Don’t rely on me to spoon-feed it to you though, Makoto.” And as soon as the genuine sincerity appeared, it was gone, in a flash. It gave Makoto whiplash almost but he really should have saw it coming. Again- it was Byakuya he was talking to. There’s not surprise to be expected from him.
“You need to learn on your own and deal with that personally. Working under us- the Togami family- should help you with that anyways.” Byakuya pushed his glasses up and stiffened himself, seemingly noticing himself acting rather “loose”. Unlike him but still arrogant. But truly, was the arrogance intentional? He did really want the best for Makoto, and he’d quite literally do anything to achieve that for him.
“Well I knew that…” Makoto pressed his lips together and scrunched his face, internally knowing he shouldn’t get used to nice Byakuya. “But asides..I want to thank you Byakuya. For having my back- that is.” Makoto’s words were sincere if they werent already, but it especially was towards Byakuya. “I’m glad to be able to work under someone like you.”
Makoto couldn’t tell but after thanking him, his cheeks began to blush, turning his head and placing a hand over his mouth. He cleared his throat and avoided eye contact with Makoto, upholding a bashful expression. “Of course, I’m glad to have you working for me, Makoto. You’re…one of my best workers, I couldn’t just let them get rid of you so quickly- I had to intervene.” He admitted, immediately catching Makoto’s attention for multiple reasons.
One- he thought he was one of his best workers? Was that because he knew Makoto- no, he wouldn’t care for his personal feelings in his workplace.
Two- inter….vene? What could he have possibly said to intervene between the deciding factors on who stayed or not in the corporation?
“Of course…anything for a friend!” Makoto nodded, the itch growing. He had to ask what was wrong, Byakuya was just…acting off. He wasn’t snappy or anything like that towards Makoto. “But…Byakuya if you don’t mind me asking- is everything…alright? You just seem..a little different.”
“I’m fine.” He then snapped, responding quick and harsh unconsciously. Seeing how it made Makoto’s face fall, he immediately regretted his tone. “I…didn’t mean to say it like that, but yes. I am fine, I suppose I’m in my own head at the moment.” In his terms, that was a sorry because his pride and ego would be damned if he ever said sorry. Especially to Makoto.
Again, Makoto wasn’t too offended by the snap back, but the more they talked he seemed to get weirdly concerned over Byakuya. “Ah, okay. I just wanted to make sure I guess…” He huffed out, shrugging his shoulders slightly. “We can talk about something else if you want to get your mind off of what’s bothering you…?” He suggested, feeling a creep of regret fill him once he mustered that out, already knowing Byakuya was going to scold him. He winced in preparation and swallowed the lump in his throat. Makoto meant the best, he just didn’t know how to comfort others very well.
The second Makoto said that, Byakuya’s face grew firm, seemingly forming a bit of rude and unpleasant words in his mind. “We don’t need to change the topic, Makoto- I’m not a child you have to people-please. Remember what I said about your confidence.”
“What I said remains consistent, now stand up for yourself. Do not try to please or sympathize with me because you think something is wrong.” Makoto asking just seemed to irk Byakuya and rub him the wrong way, did he not think he was capable of his own emotions?
Makoto frowned as he sat through his scolding, realizing he messed up. It was his fault for asking, he really should’ve just moved on with the conversation. But typical Makoto, wanting to help and please everyone as usual.
Makoto held his hands out and shook his head, sputtering out “I didn’t mean to belittle you- I swear!” He made a weak attempt at explaining himself, awfully failing and making himself look a little more dumber. “I’m sorry we don’t have to change the topic, I just-…I don’t know what you wont get mad at me about.” He admitted, looking away and feeling embarrassment flush over him. So much for “standing up” for himself….
“I don’t really know what you wont get mad at me about.” Is that how Makoto really thought? Is that how Byakuya presented himself- people having to watch their words around him? He hadn’t thought much about this up until now- up until Makoto brought it up to him. Was it because Makoto said it? Or was it because something else?
“I didn’t mean to get angry. I…-“ Again, no apology was given, but his eyes sort of said it all. “I don’t get mad at you specifically Makoto, I tend to get angry at your behavior. You showcase your insecurities on your sleeve and let yourself appear weak. I know that you’re truly not- so how is anyone else supposed to?”
Byakuya explaining himself in a gentle way was making Makoto’s face grow tense, staying silent and trying to understand. Sure his words were hurtful and harsh, but it seemed like he was only throwing out random insults and lashing out here and there because something really was bothering him. Whether or not it was Makoto’s place to know, he wished to peek into Byakuya’s mind every now and then and really see his weird thought process.
“Ahh…I see.” Makoto was conflicted to say the least, breaking down Byakuya’s words internally. “I’m insecure but hold potential….” He murmured to himself and stayed silent, sitting in the heated bit of tension they normally found themselves in together. Byakuya would scold and tell Makoto what he was doing wrong and Makoto would silently accept it, not say a word back but nervously tremble inside.
Seeing this, Byakuya scanned over Makoto stand in odd discomfort, feeling the need to also ask. Which….was not his business either.
“Since we seem to be taking turns asking questions- I’ll ask you. What’s wrong with you?” More confrontational and straightforward, Makoto let out a small huff, tilting his head in confusion as Byakuya switched up the topic. Becoming more timid, he answered rather pathetically.
“O-oh well, I’m fine. Nothings wrong.” Sounding not too sure of himself, he winced and internally cringed, Byakuya scoffing and shaking his head.
Makoto had slowly come to a realization the reason why they both had been off this entire interaction is because they wanted to figure each other out. Of course they weren’t going to flat out say that nor communicate that- because why would they?
“Tch, I’d expect you to try to mask it a little more than that, Makoto.” He had a smirk on his lips, lifting his head up as if he was superior to Makoto. “I can tell when you’re lying a mile off. Now tell me the truth. What’s bothering you.” He demanded this time, Makoto physically reacting in his face and looking away once he realized he was so blantly caught.
“Really?…You can..?” Makoto weakly spoke, lightly putting down the “fine” act. “I am fine though Byakuya,” His hand reached for his own zipper jacket and began to fiddle with it as he talked. “It’s just..I know you said you were fine earlier, but it- you feel a little…different. You’re being almost…nicer if that makes sense…haha…” A small line of blush crossed over Makoto’s features, finally making eye-contact again.
Not knowing what to take from Makoto’s words, he raised and eyebrow at him. “Do you not want me to be nicer? If not, I have no problem with going back to how I was beforehand-“
“No-no! I didn’t mean it like that!” Makoto shook his head and held his hands out in an exaggerated manner, quickly trying to explain himself without making him look like an idiot. “You’re just..not normally this nice to me- like you don’t often give me compliments or anything….like…that…” He trailed off, rambling unsurely to himself at this point.
“It’s also not like I didn’t like you before either-“ Once again, he let out an exhausted sigh, lightly brushing his fingers through his bangs. “What I’m trying to say is I enjoy you being nice overall it’s just odd to see…especially towards me.” A pathetic expression was obvious on Makoto’s soft features, stunning Byakuya for a short while.
“I see.”
Was all Byakuya said. Seemingly, Makoto’s rambling was heard, and took into thought- consideration. Hearing Makoto admit Byakuya wasn’t…the nicest he could be didn’t make him regret his words - of course not - it made him wonder how Makoto saw him instead. He didn’t flat out say Byakuya was rude- but rather explained how he had been nicer. The term nicer being loosely used.
“Y-yeah…” Makoto nodded, an uncomfortable feeling of guilt seeping into his skin. He had no reason to feel guilt, but the look on Byakuya’s face and the silence they grown to know making Makoto sweat everywhere. “If…you want me to leave so you can think I can..or-“
“No-!!” Byakuya immediately reached out after hearing that, snapping his hand forward even though Makoto…didn’t move. A trace of sudden panic rushed onto Byakuya’s pale face, soon realizing his own concern apparent in front of Makoto. A..weak spot if you will.
He cleared his throat and contained himself, “Pardon me…I do not wish for you to leave. Stay. A-and that’s an order, Makoto.” He blurted out, keeping up the superior act against Makoto, the pink blush reminiscent on his cheeks meaning otherwise.
“A-an order..?” He was in disbelief to say the least, seeing how Byakuya internally panicked like never before. Makoto’s feet unconsciously stumbled back, pushing his arms out to keep himself balanced. Makoto wasn’t going to leave regardless, but that..was weird. He didn’t think he earned an explanation for why Byakuya suddenly snapped like that, so instead he just accepted it. Like usual.
“O…okay..if you want me to stay…I don’t mind.” Feeling the heat creep up his body and goosebumps make its way back onto his skin made him heavily uneasy, almost so hot to the point where he needed to sit down.
“Makoto.” Oh god. “I want you to be truthful with me.” He said firmly, the sheer bit of emotion let out earlier disappeared from the conversation. “What do you think of me? Do you like me?” A rather…bold question, Byakuya meant it. He was curious and wanted to know; this interaction had begged the question in his mind for a while now. Observing Makoto’s movements, behavior, tone, phrasing, everything about him. Was it different with others? Or was it the same nervous pitiful Makoto?
Being completely thrown off by such a forward question, Makoto took a second to think about said question. He wasn’t thinking he liked Byakuya- no he already knew the answer to that. He was more so wondering…why? Why was he asking such a random and personal question? Poor Makoto: numerous thoughts and feelings were all coursing through him at once.
“Of course I like you!” Being met with a weird question he answered quick, giving him his signature awkward and lopsided smile. “And no, not because you’re my boss or anything..” He let out a small hesitant giggle, scratching the back of his neck. “I..really do like you though, Byakuya. You’re a good…friend to me.” Rather intimidated under his gaze, he was truly sincere. He did enjoy Byakuya, whether it was more than just friendly demeanor.
“You view me as a good friend, Makoto?” He chuckled under his breath, finding that oddly intriguing. Unlike anyone working under the Togami family -Byakuya himself-, Makoto thought he was his friend. A good friend that is. Normally he was a up-his-own-ass-boss to everyone, someone you should watch your mouth around. So hearing this made his palms sweat.
“To be completely honest with you Naegi…I often feel different around you. Obviously you stand out in the sea of workers underneath me but- you also are a.. friend of mine.” He placed his hand over his mouth once more, covering majority of his lower face, the pink in his cheeks still vibrant and peeking through his slim fingers.
“I greatly appreciate your contribution to this company, alongside your contribution to me as a person. Whether or not more matters to me is none of your business more so..”
Once more, completely stunned by his words and left speechless, Makoto stood dumbfounded. He was thankful for Makoto. That sinked into Makoto’s chest, swallowing the many swirling thoughts down his throat. Sure he’s heard him monologue back and forth many numerous times but hearing an entire one thanking Makoto as a person after…everything made the tension in Makoto’s body rise.
“Of-of course Byakuya! A-anything for you.” Obviously flustered, he stumbled over his own words, coughing out small ramblings. Baffled out of his mind he added on, “Seriously, I’m glad to hear I’m someone…important to you. It’s actually pretty nice hearing that.” He haha’d himself, darting his eyes to the floor for a moment. “I really am grateful to be a good friend. Es-especially to you.”
Vulnerability wasn’t Byakuya’s strong suit. Neither was handling it. So hearing Makoto be truthful also felt nice. It gave Byakuya that little bit of life Makoto seemed to give him more often. Byakuya could be as harsh, rude, cold, stand off-ish as much as he wanted to, and surely Makoto would still be there for him. The faith Makoto held in him was almost dog-like. Maybe that’s why Byakuya enjoyed him so well- he was so faithful in others. And he’d remain faithful, Byakuya knew that for sure.
“Heh…Thank you, Makoto. It does mean a lot to hear the truth about how you feel. You’re a good person. I hope you understand that, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“That’s an order.”