Work Text:
Behind every hardworking and successful idol group is an equally unrelenting and determined team behind the curtains ensuring they are able to perform for their fans. Organizing their appearances, song and merchandise releases, connecting them with professionals in the industry for the next project. An idol's work was much more than what fans see with how many hours are spent in the recording booth, in the studio practicing for their next appearance, photo shoots for various promotional materials. Although a significant portion of an idol's work is never seen, it is acknowledged and widely appreciated by the fans.
What wasn't as acknowledged, however, was the work the staff behind the idols did. Sure, there were the rare acknowledgements, but overall the work was mostly unrecognized by the idols, higher ups in the company, and even co-workers within the same department.
For Y/N, this was fine because seeing the excitement on the fans' faces after pulling weeks worth of sleepless nights for their enjoyment — there was nothing better. Their happiness was thanks enough. However, not everyone shared the same opinion.
“Good morning.” Keito yawned, lazily pushing his glasses further up on the bridge of his nose as his slippers shuffled along the flooring.
“Hey.”
Keito’s lips moved to speak but closed upon more clearly laying eyes on his assistant manager and girlfriend. The exact one who said she’d follow him to bed shortly after.
Yet there she was. Exactly where he left her eight hours ago.
Her eyes never stray from the blue light of the old work laptop, fingers continuing to rapidly type away at yet another email. Dark circles that painted her under eyes were darker than previously, the whites of her eyes slightly red, and paler skin. If it weren’t for him offering his clothes the night before she’d surely still be wearing her work clothes as the exact blazer she wore yesterday laid in her lap while the other pieces hung on the back of the dining chair next to her.
“...Have you moved at all since last night?”
“I’ve gotta finish this.”
Keito scoffed.
The sound of slippers shuffling across the room grew closer until they were right behind Y/N and the room fell into silence. That silence did not last as her laptop was slammed shut and the feet of her chair dragged across the floor.
"Keito!?!" She screeched. "What the hell?!"
The idol's muscular arms wrapped underneath her legs and around her back before she was hoisted into the air and her side pressed against his chest. Instinctively her arms wrapped around his neck drawing her even closer to him. Keito's piercing green eyes glared harshly behind the glint of his glasses.
"Go to bed woman. You're no use to F/ACE if you continuously don't sleep." Keito growled. "I didn't bring you into my home to work. I told you to sleep here since you missed the last train and what did you do?"
"I was going to! But—"
"There is no one in the studios working when all of Japan is asleep! Skipping sleep in favor of working only drags down your health and causes problems for F/ACE. Did you forget that, huh? You are more likely to make mistakes while you are sleep deprived."
Keito continued on and on with the lecture Y/N had heard more times than she'd care to admit. All in the meanwhile, the idol carried her in his arms and navigated through the small apartment he was given by the label. He pushed the door open to his room with his foot and slipped inside, lowering her gently onto his mattress, continuing to rip into her verbally.
"Whenever you are out of work, you lower the daily efficiency which in return lowers profitability. When you lower the profitability—”
"Is F/ACE's profit really what you are worried about right now?" She asked innocently, interrupting his monologue.
Was it maybe the smartest idea to tease him when he’s like this? Maybe not. That still wasn’t going to stop her. He looked too adorable getting worked up over her.
Keito’s glare hardened. She giggled.
"Silence is an answer too."
"Shut up." He huffed, flicking her forehead.
The mattress dipped beneath his added weight, the old frame creaking as he moved closer to her, snaking an arm underneath her head and wrapping the other around her waist before pulling her against his chest. A sigh left his lips as he pressed a kiss to her hairline, muttering unintelligible words underneath his breath in between.
She looked and meet his mixed gaze. The corners of her lips turned down ever so slightly.
Perhaps she should take heed of his words. For now while she can afford to do so, at the very least. He wasn’t necessarily wrong and with work soon to be ramping up with this next album release… It would be best to not only be in her best for her health but for his too—for F/ACE.
"I love you." She murmured, burying her face into the soft fabric of his shirt.
"Go to sleep." Keito merely responded, however, his voice eased into something gentler than before, a hint of affection leaking between the gentler bite. "You’re annoying.”
Y/N smiled and closed her eyes.
Settling into the comfort of his embrace and mattress, the fatigue she’d been fighting quickly took over, lulling her into a much needed slumber. Comfortable, warm, and content, she was at the edge of sleep when the familiar sensation of lips pressing to her forehead and then nose briefly caught her attention along with the quietest “I love you too” before fully getting engulfed in sleep.