Work Text:
The addition of new member to Natsume's team wasn't noteworthy usually. Any job within technology, including video game production, is highly competitive and so it was a semi common occurrence for workers who are offered better opportunities to leave. Whether it was for better a position, location, hours, whatever it may be, workers cycled in and out of project or the company altogether. With the addition of Y/N it was no different.
Initially the process began as usual, completing all the tasks required before the new member came in, which included the mundane task of clearing off the desk that had became a catchall for the Natsume's team after its previous occupant left the company. Then the first day for the new member came.
It would be a lie to say Y/N didn't catch his eye. However, as quickly as the interest came Natsume disregard it. Work was no place to entertain thoughts of the heart—or other particular organs, if he were like a certain co-worker of his—on top of her being younger, she was freshly out of college while he was a few years removed, that only made it a further priority to not engage in such activities. He proceeded accordingly, for the time being. With the assistance of some other team members, he helped Y/N integrate into the team and Eden Games as a whole. Everything was going how it should be. They were on good terms. Y/N was pulling her weight and even going beyond expectations in times where the team would otherwise plateau.
Everything was fine. Normal. How it should be. And then it rained.
"Ahh! The one day..." Y/N cried to herself, hands digging deep within her purse desperately for any signs of the umbrella she normally kept inside for such occasion.
The dim light of the mostly abandoned office helped none as her hands continued to rummage through her purse, the light only faintly illuminating the edge of the dark leather before fading into nothingness, leaving the insides pitch black. Rain dripped down the glass encompassing the entranceway, almost tauntingly as the clock behind her ticked away, and the faint moonlight grew higher behind the cloud coated night sky.
"L/N?"
Her head whipped around at the call of her name. The sound of Natsume's heels clacking against the floor could be heard before he could be seen, emerging from the darkness of the mostly empty office, long umbrella in hand.
Natsume wore a frown.
"I thought you left already to catch the train?"
Color and warmth painted Y/N’s cheeks.
"I was meaning too, but..."
Awkwardly, her gaze fell back to her bag that was practically spilling over as her hand rested against the very bottom. All hope of magically finding her umbrella—gone.
"Did you forget your umbrella, Miss?" Natsume asked, breaking the brief silence that settled between them.
If it weren't for Natsume standing before her, her new boss and an conventionally attractive man, Y/N could've cried. Barely managing to hold back her overwhelming emotions, she nodded.
"Would you like for me to drive you home?" He offered, awkwardly bringing his spare hand up to rub his neck. "I would offer the station, but the last train might be gone before we arrive."
"Thank you, Mr. Asahina, but I couldn't. You're my boss and—"
Natsume’s head tilted with a slightly raised brow.
"Even if it means remaining dry?"
"I..."
Nervously she played with the strap of her bag, visibly unsure of what to do with the current predicament.
“I can lend you my umbrella if you think you can still make it to the station.” Natsume tried.
Her gaze flickered to the clock behind him.
"If you wouldn't mind, Mr. Asahina." She finally said after a moment, resigning to her fate.
"I don't mind at all."
He offered her a small but comforting smile before stepping forward to pass by her. The scent of her perfume prickled his nose as he moved by her and opened the doors. It's so sweet, he thought to himself, opening his umbrella with a single press of the button. The device popped open with a swift 'swoosh' and the sound of rain grew louder as it hit the black nylon.
Natsume's lips opened to speak, the offer of pulling the car around to the front dying on his tongue as she quickly joined him outside, and underneath the expanse of the umbrella.
"Did you park in the garage?"
Any and all thoughts he may have had disappeared from his mind, all his focus going to the warm brush against his arm and the sweet scent from early that now was stronger than before. Violet eyes slowly panned over and down, meeting those damned doe eyes gazing up at him, innocently blinking with long lashes kissing the top of her cheeks.
Was it always this hot?
Awkwardly he cleared his throat.
"Y-Yes. Do you want to wait here while I go grab the car?"
Y/N shook her head.
"It'll be quicker to go with you."
"Right."
There was a pause as he shifted, adjusting the umbrella to cover her more, ignoring the droplets soaking the shoulder of his old black blazer. His muscles stiffened as her arms wrapped around his own which closed the distance between them even further. He coughed, heat rising up his neck, all too aware of the contours of her body that pressed against his own.
Focus. Not on her. Anything but her.
"Shall we go?" He managed out, just barely.
She nodded.
The walk to his car was only a minute or two walk, but by the time they made it to his car and later her place, any and all willpower he may have had slowly crumbled. The ability to deny his attraction to her was harder than ever before, only growing worse with each day after, falling slowly into what he deemed his personal hell.
I shouldn't, he repeated to himself like a personal mantra, completely unaware that the cute girl from work just may feel the same.