Work Text:
After a very, very long day, all Nanami wanted to do was stay at home, alone with some peace and quiet. Even if he wanted to do anything, the raging storm outside made it difficult. He would get soaked within seconds of going outside, umbrella or not. Staring out into the dark night, watching the city light glimmer between raindrops, he accepted he would be spending yet another birthday alone. Gojo had offered, threatened, to make time for them to go out. That suggestion was shut down. The last thing he needed was a migraine.
Some missions came up during the day. They weren’t hard, just a lot of smaller curses taking up his time. He clocked out later than he wanted. By the time he was finished, a down pour already started. He started to debate what to do for dinner. Order in, or cook? Feeling lazy, he looked at what was still open and nearby.
A call came in as he held his phone. Frowning, a dread this was work-related pooled in his stomach. Finger hovering over the decline button, he eventually answered.
“Is this important?” he asked, a sharpness in his tone.
“Ah, well, no. Not really.” Ijichi stumbled over his words on the other end. It sounded like he was outside in the rain. “Are you at home? Busy maybe?”
That was odd of him to ask. What could Ijichi want after work hours?
“I’m at home, and no, I’m not busy.” He admitted. If it were anyone else, he would have lied.
“May I drop off something? It will only take a few moments.”
Again, this was a strange request. They would see each other in the morning at the office. What could be so important to come over now?
“I suppose.” Nanami said, very curious instead of annoyed.
“Oh, good. I’m outside now. Could you ring me in?”
Hurrying to do so, Nanami quickly gathered a towel and then waited a few minutes until Ijichi got to his door. This was all strange to him. Did Gojo put him up to some sort of prank? Why did the manager brave a storm to simply drop off a package?
A knock at the door was cut short when Nanami instantly opened it. Ijichi stood on the other side, a broken umbrella in one hand and a small box wrapped in plastic in the other. He was drenched, dripping streams of water outside the doorway. His glasses slipped down his nose, fogged up, making him half blind. His face was red from the cold, and his fingers trembled. He looked like an abandoned dog, eyes full as if he was about to cry from stress.
“Here, I made sure it didn’t get damp. I’ll-” Holding out the box, Nanami ignored it.
He took the man by the arm, dragging him inside. A towel was tossed over his head. With some protest, Ijichi used it to fail to dry himself off. Thin body slightly shaking from the dampness that soaked him right through. The door was closed behind him, showing Nanami refused to let Ijichi go back out into the storm.
“Why didn’t you wait until tomorrow?” Nanami started to huff.
“Because it’s not your birthday tomorrow.” Ijichi answered, peeking from under the towel over his head, his glasses in his hands.
Nanami had taken the box. It suddenly felt heavy in his hands. Ijichi went this far to deliver a present to him? He’d known the manager liked to do things properly, yet he still felt as if this could have waited, considering the weather.
“I...” He started at a loss for words for a moment. “I’ll get you some dry clothes. I'm sure something of mine will fit. Go have a bath and warm up.” He ordered.
“Oh no, I’ll leave! They may close the stations in this weather, so I'd better-”
“You took the subway?”
No wonder Ijichi was soaked.
“The car is in for some maintenance today.”
Ijichi did take good care of his company car. But he also put a lot of miles on it. He had terrible luck. The one day he needed it was the day it went in for some work. Frowning, Nanami didn’t approve of any of this. With a few more stern words, he was able to get Ijichi further into the apartment. He promised he would open the gift, but only after his friend was dry and warm.
There was a chance of a power outage. He felt a bit bad ordering food in such bad weather, but there was a place very close by. Ijichi earned a nice hot meal after all of this. Nanami only really had enough food in his fridge for one person that night. While Ijichi took his time in the bath, dinner arrived. If he waited to order it, Ijichi would have protested more and refused to stay unless the food was already there by the time he was dressed.
After a while, Nanami started to get worried that Ijichi had fallen asleep in the tub. He pulled more overtime hours than most of them. Softly knocking on the door, he heard a startled splash of water.
“Sorry! I’ll be out soon!”
“Take your time. Just don’t drown.”
Their dinner could be kept hot. That wasn’t an issue. Going back into the kitchen, Nanami stared at the slightly damp wrapped box sitting on the counter. He wanted to open it and see what the fuss was about. But he needed to wait. Ijichi put this much effort into bringing it here. He should see his reaction to what’s inside.
Dark hair still damp from the bath, Ijichi poked his head around the corner, wearing a borrowed sweater and loose grey pants. The new outfit was enough to make Nanami do a double-take. He’d only seen Ijichi in his suit or school uniform. Dressed down, fresh from the bath, made him look almost... normal. Not like a co-worker. It was as if a different person was looking at him.
“I used some of your shampoo.” He admitted to breaking the silence.
“It’s what it’s there for. Come on, have something to eat.”
“I shouldn't-” Ijichi started.
A sharp look shut him up and got him to the table. He also thought Nanami looked vastly different. His hair was down, glasses replaced with reading ones. A loose grey sweater matched the one he lent Ijichi over top of dark pants. The sleeves were rolled up to show just how much the man had been training lately. Killing curses for a few years had put him back into shape after spending time behind a computer screen. Ijichi found himself glancing down at his own thin, pale arms, feeling slightly jealous. Even if he did train, he would never fill out the same way.
Unaware of the fact that he was being studied, Nanami started to make up a plate of food. The table was covered with different dishes. Ijichi was a bit overwhelmed, wondering if he could even finish a single plate. While Nanami wondered if he had ordered enough. The reason why Ijichi came over was forgotten during dinner. They talked about work, and how Gojo had annoyed them that week. Nanami made sure Ijichi’s plate was always full, telling him what to try next and what paired well with the other dishes. Halfway through, he got up to take some beer from the fridge. Since Ijichi wasn’t driving, he could have a drink.
A single one was enough to make his face flush. Nanami was a heavy drinker, yet he stopped at two, so Ijichi wasn’t pressured to keep up with him. When they finished dinner, Ijichi was adamant about helping clean up. He may be a guest, but it didn’t feel right sitting watching someone else do chores.
When they were finally settled, Nanami picked up the box off the counter, causing Ijichi to nervously look around.
“It’s not much.” He said, feeling guilty, he took advantage of a friend for dinner over such a simple gift.
Surely Nanami would want to be alone on his birthday. And somehow Ijichi managed to gain enough pity for him to be treated as if it were his special day instead. His chest tightened as the wrapping came off. Narrow eyes looked at the box with intense interest, mind racing over what it could be.
The cover was removed to show a set of ties, all the same color and pattern. For a long moment, they stood in silence. Ijichi was unable to read the expression, fearing the gift was hated.
“I heard you didn’t like the company standard ties, and this matched your weapon so...” He started, fingers fidgeting at the hems of his long sweater.
He wished the ties would come in a different color other than the mustard orange. The spots matched the wrapping that Nanami used on the blade he owned since he was a student. When Ijichi saw the set, he bought it without any hesitation, regardless of the color.
“You remembered something like that?” Nanami asked, looking up, with a softer expression on his face.
He planned on getting new ties, but he found it hard to pick a set. Nothing had caught his interest. Somehow Ijichi stumbled on buying perfect ones for him.
“Well, yes. I suppose. I hope they’re alright.”
More fidgeting. Being so dressed down, so informal with a person he respected a great deal was almost too much for him. He almost doubted that this was all happening. He assumed he would just drop off the gift, then flee the scene and deal with the embarrassment the next day.
A rumble of thunder shook the building. Carefully replacing the lid, Nanami tucked the box under one arm to look out at the raging storm.
“Thank you for the gift, it was very thoughtful. It looks awful outside. I don’t feel right sending you home. I’ll make some tea, then we can go to bed early.”
A squeak came from Ijichi. Staying the night would stress him out. He could barely handle getting any sort of praise let alone spending more time together. Flustered, he didn’t have the strength to protest against being guided to the couch. He sat listening to Nanami work in the kitchen, the news playing on the TV he couldn’t focus on.
Stay the night? He had never stayed over at another person's place before. Feeling the cushions under him, he was pleased with how comfy it felt. Way better than the one in his office, he slept from time to time. Or the cots at the school. He wouldn’t mind sleeping on the couch for a night. His suit should be dry enough in the morning. A backup one was always at his office. This wouldn’t be too bad...
Accepting a hot mug of tea, he sipped on it as Nanami sat next to him. The power flickered for a second. Depending on how bad the storm got, they may end up going to bed earlier than expected.
Finding the remote, he flipped through the channels, finding the one he was looking for. It took Ijichi a moment to realize what they were watching.
“Rakugo?” he asked, eyes darting between the performer on the screen and to his friend.
Since when did Nanami watch something like this? He was well-read so he was the type to enjoy storytelling. Yet he’d never shown any interest in such an old-fashioned hobby.
“You like it, right? I don’t mind watching some.” Nanami said, eyes still on the screen.
Ijichi’s face flushed again. Had he ever told anyone that he watched these programs on Sunday nights? There was an event going on he thought he was going to miss out on seeing. Having someone care enough to know his interests, and to see a program he thought he would miss out on, made his stomach flutter.
They silently watched, only small, pleased sounds coming from Ijichi when the punch lines landed. Nanami found himself interested in some stories. It depended on the performers as well. Some clearly had more experience than others knowing when to pause and how to lead the audience on. Overall, he was glad they were watching that instead of the news or a boring talk show.
“I heard in school that Gojo bullied you into putting on a show like this for our talent contest. I was on a mission that day.” Nanami started to explain why he knew Ijichi was into Rakugo. “It’s a shame I missed it,. I think you would be good at it.”
Seeing his friend's face grow red, he wondered if he was starting to get sick from being outside in the rain.
“Did you ever consider it?” Nanami asked to Ijichi’s confusion.
“Consider what? Doing Rakugo for a living? Or on the side? I would like a hobby, but this job takes up too much time.” He nodded.
“You never wanted to do anything else?”
Most people knew Ijichi wanted to be a sorcerer. He had the knowledge for it, just not the strength. It made him a very good manager, one of the best. The only job he ever wanted to do was out of reach, causing him to settle. Nanami hadn’t considered how his friend felt about such a thing. Was it frustrating? Did he hate watching on the sidelines seeing people do the job he wanted? Or did he regret his choice of work? A normal life was possible for him instead of dealing with the horrors of curses every day.
“No, I’m happy. I’m doing something I’m suited for. Aside from some parts of the job, like Gojo... mostly Gojo, I feel fulfilled that I’m able to help as much as I do.” Ijichi said, a tired expression on his face.
Under all the weariness, he did look happy. Worn down to the bone, and he wouldn’t change a thing. He took a sip of tea, his face changing to a slightly startled expression.
“Sorry, it’s almost like I'm bragging a little because I like my job. Everyone knows how much you hate working, but you still show up. It’s the reason why so many people care about you.”
‘Care about you.’
It was an odd choice of words. Nanami would have expected Ijichi to say people respected his work ethic. Deciding not to comment on it, he turned his eyes back to the TV, suddenly unable to keep them on the person sharing his couch.
Silence came between them again. Feeling awkward, Ijichi wondered what else to say.
“Since you missed out on my performance in school, I promise to read a report in a serious, traditional storytelling way the next time I get a chance.” He joked, not expecting to be taken seriously.
“Please do.”
A smile cracked the normal stern expression. It was such a surprise that Ijichi wasn’t certain if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Somehow, he ended up not only making the person he respected the most smile, but he was lucky enough for them to act as if they were friends again. After Nanami started working again, they hadn’t connected in the same way. A wall had been placed between them that Ijichi didn’t know how to approach. In the morning, he knew they would be back to being co-workers. Almost strangers. One night and a dinner spent together was more than what he could have ever asked for.
The lights flickered again, which made them call it a night. Handing over his empty mug, Ijichi was directed to the spare room. He’d forgotten how much Nanami made per mission. Of course, he could afford a two-bedroom apartment in the middle of the city. His expression still gave away his shock.
“This place is cheaper than it looks. The owner thought it was haunted when it was just a curse. I took care of it and got a discount.” Nanami admitted something he’d never told a soul
Pausing, Ijichi took a second to imagine Nanami pretending to be a psychic, putting on a show to get cheaper rent. Did he dress up? The thought of it made him start to giggle, which turned into an unstoppable bout of laughter.
“Sorry.” He lied between giggles.
“I don’t think you are.”
He couldn't be too upset. Ijichi laughing was a rare sight. Tears were in his eyes by the time he finished. Rubbing them with the sleeves of his borrowed sweater, it took everything to settle down.
“If you’re done, I think it’s your bedtime. Come on.”
A hand was placed on his back to guide him down the hallway. Suddenly tense, the spot where the fingers touched left heat behind when they left. Unsure what to say, Ijichi hovered by the door, hand on the cool handle. After Nanami took a few steps, he gathered enough courage to start to say what he wanted to all night.
“Um..” he said, clearing his throat.
Looking over his shoulder, he watched Ijichi relax with an almost tender expression he’d never shown before.
“Happy birthday Kento.” His words were soft yet clear.
They lingered for a few seconds. Any sense of calm disappeared as his glasses fogged up from using his friend's first name. Darting inside, he said a quick good night, disappearing from sight.
Feet glued to the floor, Nanami wasn’t certain how to respond. Or what his heart was doing. His stomach tightened, then flipped, making him regret eating dinner. His hand went to the side of his face to feel the heat coming from it, shocked by the sudden flush. Ever so slowly, he started to turn to head back to his bedroom to process what just happened.
Just before he left, his eye caught a small detail.
Ijichi had left the door slightly open.
The floor started to give out from under him as a realization sank in.
Ijichi had always, always silently left the door open waiting for a certain someone to notice.
Every so carefully, he went over. Without knocking, he pushed it open the rest of the way, hovering by the door frame. Ijichi stood by the bed, his glasses on the side table, face as pink as his ears with tears glimmering in his eyes.
“Yes? Sorry, did I...” He started fearing he’d done something terribly wrong.
“I forgot to thank you properly.” Nanami said, crossing the distance with a new purpose.
“You don’t-”
Whatever he wanted to say was cut off. A hand went to the side of his face to lift it. In one swift motion, their lips met so softly Ijichi almost thought it didn’t happen. At first, he froze up, still as a statue in case moving would ruin everything. When Nanami pulled away, he waited for a startled expression that didn’t appear.
“What took you so long?” Ijichi asked, sounding as if he was dropping years of mental weight.
His hands came up, pulling them together again. After so long of dropping hints, and keeping his distance, he never wanted them to be apart again..
The storm cut off the power. Neither noticed. Anything happening outside didn't matter, at least for a few hours. Nanami had been stupid for waiting so long to spend his birthday with someone he cared about. He needed to do his best to make up for his mistake.
They were both late for work the next morning. The power outage was an easy thing to blame, and no one questioned the excuse. Or noticed the quick glances between them. The only thing Gojo noticed was a small change in Nanami’s outfit.
“Nice tie. Did your mom pick it out for you?” He asked, plucking the end of it between two fingers to look at it closer.
“It was a gift from someone that I love. Are you jealous of that?” He asked, arms crossed, daring Gojo to respond.
“That’s a heavy word. Since when are you a mama’s boy?”
Gojo wanted to pester his friend more, but his phone rang. Groaning, he added one last jab, then left the room for yet another job. Once he was gone. Nanami sighed. The brief interaction added some annoying stress to his day. Only one way to fix that.
Heading off towards Ijichi’s office, he checked his watch, calculating how much time he had. Sure, they arrived late that day, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t take an extra-long lunch break. He could steal the manager away for at least forty-five minutes before anyone noticed. And he knew of a storage room that no one had any reason to check.
Pausing outside the office door, he saw it had been left open a crack, as if waiting for the right person to come along to finally open it.