Archive of Our Own

It started as a mere drizzle, light drops falling from the sky that felt pleasant against his sweaty skin as he dashed through Fukuoka’s alleyways. The feeling was short-lived, however; in no time, the drizzle turned into pouring rain that made Kazuki regret choosing this day to carry out the mission. Through the dense rain, he chases after the blond man running ahead of him, needing to get a bit closer. Kazuki’s clothes are getting more and more drenched with each step he takes. Predictably, his thin jacket doesn’t offer much cover; the shirt Kazuki is wearing underneath is clinging to his skin uncomfortably. 

His grip on the gun doesn’t falter, though. He needs to finish the job soon.

Any moment now, Shimizu-san will call him to pick Miri up from Hina-chan’s place. He needs to stop by the grocery store before that, or he and Miri will be going to bed with only cereal in their stomachs, and Kazuki absolutely refuses to get take-out. He didn’t think this particular job was going to take this long. If Shimizu-san decided to call now, he can only imagine how that conversation would go… ‘Good evening, Shimizu-san! I know I have to pick Miri up, but you see, I haven’t killed the guy I was hired to! I need to get rid of this man, or Kyu-chan will be getting rid of me! Sorry for the inconvenience!’

He snorts. 

Kazuki blinks raindrops away from his eyes, barely managing to avoid the pile of empty boxes the man sends his way, working perfectly to distract him. Kazuki promptly fires, wanting to finish this already, but misses. He curses under his breath and follows the man, his feet taking him to a seemingly abandoned warehouse. He comes to a halt, gun raised as he surveys the inside of the building, his chest rising and falling as he struggles to catch his breath. 

The heavy thud of the rain hitting the rooftop and his own steps are the only noises echoing inside. He knows the target is not armed because he saw him ditch his pistol as soon as he ran out of bullets.

Kazuki is suddenly yanked from behind, groaning when his back connects with the metal of the rack structures lined up by the wall. Amidst the shock of being caught off-guard, his own gun is snatched from his hands. Hayashi seizes his neck, fingers squeezing painfully around his throat. If he didn’t have the barrel of his own gun pressed to his head, Kazuki could easily take him on in a hand-to-hand confrontation. 

“Who sent you?” The man hisses, pressing the firearm further into his forehead.

Kazuki smirks or at least that’s what he intends; it probably came off more as a grimace. He needs to gain time. For what, he has no idea.

“You’re killing me using my own gun? That’s foul, man.”

“Answer the fucking question.” 

Kazuki’s brain is kicked into overdrive, trying to come up with something that will give him more time, but it’s hard to focus when Hayashi’s iron grip is blocking his airway. The man’s expression changes, growing enraged with Kazuki’s lack of cooperation. Stomach dropping to his feet, Kazuki sees his finger start to move over the trigger–

No, he can’t die here. He can’t die— Miri.

The sharp crack of a gunshot cuts through the air, and the man plummets to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut, the pressure on Kazuki’s neck abruptly gone.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Who else is here? Kazuki coughs harshly as his lungs start receiving oxygen again. Adrenaline and fear make him quick to recover his gun, still in Hayashi’s hold. He sways a little on his feet, barely avoiding the blood that has already begun to pool around the body.

He points the firearm in various directions, but he doesn’t see anyone, can’t hear anyone. He can’t even tell where the bullet came from. Focus. Beads of sweat collect at his temple, heart beating wildly inside his chest, pounding loudly in his ears.

Quick steps approach, but he’s too slow. His gun is kicked out of his hold as his back connects with the ground. This time his head makes contact, and he grunts loudly in pain, dizziness threatening to take over him as spots dance across his vision, but he makes the effort to blink back into focus, especially when he feels the cold metal of a gun pressed to his forehead. Seriously? Again?

Cold blue eyes stare into his own. A guy he’s never seen before is hovering above him. Wet, dark hair is pulled back into a ponytail, revealing an undercut; a single strand falls over his forehead. Kazuki gets a whiff of cigarette smoke and rain.

“Who are you?” 

The low timbre of his voice sends a shiver down Kazuki’s spine. 

“I could ask the same,” he responds with a grin, masking his fear.

Kazuki swiftly considers his options. He could use either his legs or arms to shove him and retrieve his gun from the floor, but he doesn’t know exactly how quick this guy is. Considering that Kazuki had no time to react when he attacked him, he’d say his chances are close to zero. He’s about to give him a fake name when they’re interrupted by Kazuki’s phone inside his jacket. He knows who it is without even looking at the screen. Why the hell is Kyutaro calling now?! Without taking his eyes off Kazuki’s face, the guy searches for the device in his clothes.

A flicker of recognition passes through the stranger’s eyes as he glances at the screen of Kazuki’s phone— and it’s now or never. Kazuki clasps the gloved hand holding the gun against his head, and with all the strength he can muster, he surges forward, pinning the guy against the ground. Kazuki’s fingers close around both his wrists with a steely grip, keeping them above his head.

He can’t even enjoy the surprise and irritation on the stranger’s face because he’s immediately kicked in the stomach, knocking the air out of him. Surprise rises above the pain momentarily; this man was way stronger than he looked— and flexible too. Kazuki growls but doesn’t let go. He definitely has a bigger build than whoever is under him, but he bets the second he gets distracted, the guy will easily break out of his hold. 

Kazuki’s phone in the man’s hand goes off again, and this time, he recognizes the ringtone he’s set for the daycare’s moms. He groans internally. He really wanted to go to the grocery store before picking up Miri; the little girl sure was an expert in convincing Kazuki to get all that junk food she loves. It can’t be helped. He’ll go anyway. There’s no way he’ll miss the last day the pork cutlets are on sale.

“Look, I have no idea who you are or why you’re here,” Kazuki grumbles. There’s nothing that irritates him more than making changes to his plans. “And to be perfectly honest with you, I don’t care. I had a job to do, and okay, I kind of fucked up, and you finished the job for me. And you kind of saved my life in the process, I guess. I have no intention of killing you. I just want to get out of here. If I let you go, can I be sure you won’t shoot me?”

The man’s expression doesn’t change at all. If anything, his frown turns slightly deeper. He’s easily one of the hottest guys he’s ever seen, but he’s equally as intimidating. Waves of tension run through Kazuki’s body as seconds tick by without an answer. He readies himself to fight for his life.

Unexpectedly, a faint smirk pulls at the stranger’s lips as Kazuki feels the hands in his hold go limp. He risks glancing up. The man let go of both his gun and Kazuki’s phone. 

Kazuki hesitates. This should mean they have no intentions of killing each other, right? He looks back at the man’s eyes to discover his true intentions, but his gaze reveals nothing.

That single second of hesitance is all the man needed. He flips their positions in a quick, graceful movement. Cold, sharp metal is now firmly pressed against Kazuki’s throat. He doesn’t even dare to take a breath. A knife? What the–

“Here’s a piece of advice,” he purrs, and it feels strangely intimate. He could get killed, but Kazuki is way too conscious of the stranger’s thighs pressed snugly on either side of him. Not now, you horny bastard. “You don’t trust anyone in this business. And next time, keep your phone on silent. Unless you wanna get yourself killed.” They stare at each other long enough for a raindrop to gather at the tip of the man’s dark strand, inevitably falling onto Kazuki’s cheek. He tracks its path on Kazuki’s skin with his eyes before he brushes it away with a sweep of his thumb, finger lingering for a second. 

Kazuki swallows thickly.

The weight on him vanishes as the man stands up. Kazuki props himself up on his elbows, taking a good look at him. He is dressed from head to toe impeccably in a suit, all pale skin and dark clothes, with a contrast of dark red in his tie. On a closer look, he actually looks younger than Kazuki’s twenty-five, despite the prominent dark circles under his eyes.

The man also studies Kazuki with an unreadable face before he jerks his chin in the bloody body’s direction a few meters from them. “Get rid of that.” His eyes slide over to Kazuki one last time before he walks away. 

Kazuki sits up leisurely, wincing at the soreness that shoots through his body. He watches the man until he disappears, feeling completely stupefied. He doesn’t know what confuses him more; the guy’s nonchalance —after all, Kazuki could’ve easily grabbed his gun and shot his unguarded back— or the events from the last twenty minutes.

Either way, he needs to hurry up. He has a body to dispose of before picking up his kid.

*

Kazuki doesn’t tell Kyutaro about the incident. 

He often finds himself thinking about the dark-haired stranger. Arrogant bastard or not, the truth is that he did save Kazuki’s life. It was impossible he was a newbie in the business, considering the way he talked and his top-notch skills. It’s embarrassing how he actually made Kazuki seem like the newbie despite being in the business for years. Whatever, it’s not like he’ll see him again. Kazuki ignores the fact that the thought bothers him slightly. Just slightly. 

“Miri! Breakfast is ready,” he calls over the noise of the TV. Miri is in front of the screen, following the dance moves of those cartoon veggies she loves so much. He smiles at the endearing sight.

Miri perks up at the words and rushes excitedly to the table. He can’t believe it’s been a whole year since the little girl came into his life. After Yuzuko’s and their unborn child’s deaths three years ago, Kazuki wallowed in his misery for months, unable to escape his grief. It really was fate that he happened to run into Miri during a mission. Without him realizing it, Miri became a beam of light in his life, filling his too-quiet apartment with bright laughter and daily antics, making it feel truly like home.

It still gets really bad from time to time, especially during the rainy season, but Miri’s presence slowly reawakened a feeling of genuine happiness in him, an emotion he’d once taken for granted. Sometimes, he wonders if he deserves it, though.

*

Kyutaro tosses a file onto the counter in front of Kazuki. 

“A new job,” the man announces.

Kazuki grins over his coffee. “So soon?” It was far from a complaint. With this money, he will have more than enough to buy Miri new clothes. She really was outgrowing her current clothes fast, faster than Kazuki’s budget. “Sure, Kyu-chan. I’ll have this ready in less than–

“You’re not doing this job alone.”

That catches Kazuki’s attention. It’s the first time he’s assigned a partner. Frankly speaking, most of Kazuki’s jobs were focused on gathering data, infiltrating systems, and doing investigations— Like his latest work barely a week ago. The means to complete a job ranged from breaking into the right place to make use of his abilities as a hacker to having some fun in the sheets with the right person to get the information. There were a couple that actually involved taking care of someone. If this job required two people to complete it successfully, then it must be a big deal. Right now, however, he’s far more curious about this supposed partner.

“Who?”

Kyutaro crosses his arms over his chest, a serious look on his face. Kazuki frowns at the man’s demeanor. After what seems like forever, Kyutaro finally says, “You and Suwa Rei are working together on this job.”

The name doesn’t ring any bells in Kazuki’s head. Except… Wait. Did he say Suwa? Wasn’t that–

“Suwa Shigeki’s son,” Kyutaro goes on.

Kazuki shoots up from the stool as though a bolt of lightning had struck him. “Hold on. You’re telling me I’m working with the boss’s son?!” 

The term boss was actually an understatement of everything that Suwa Shigeki represented. He was the head of one of the most important mafia organizations in Japan. Cruel, merciless, and cold-blooded. He’d heard others talking about it. Kazuki didn’t know the man personally —nor he wanted to, thank you— or his son. 

“Why–

“Orders from the higher-ups.”

Kazuki wasn’t getting any more than that. He had no idea how this happened. He was nearly a nobody in this business. Yeah, his abilities were remarkable, good enough to be given jobs regularly, but skilled enough to work with someone as important as the heir of the organization? His skin prickles with discomfort. 

Heart sinking, he realizes he has no other option. 

“How do I contact him?” 

“All the information is in there.” Kyutaro points at the file. 

“Come on, Kyu-chan, I’m sure you know more than what you’re telling,” he whines pathetically, letting his head drop onto the wooden counter.

“I don’t.”

Kazuki takes a peek at him from the counter, and to his building frustration, the man actually looks like he isn’t lying. He sighs, long and heavy, and takes the file. 

“Good luck,” Kyutaro says quietly as Kazuki steps out of Yadorigi.

*

Kazuki doesn’t contact him that day.

He can’t pinpoint exactly why he’s stalling, but he understands less how the hell he is working with Suwa Rei. Deep down, though, he knows why he feels apprehensive. He completely expects this man to be a younger version of his ruthless father. One wrong step or doing something that doesn’t please him and Kazuki will surely kiss his life goodbye— Tough luck.

The file contained all the information about the target and a flash drive; a middle-aged man, the leader of some criminal gang. Kazuki went through the information once, storing all the important bits in his brain, but he’s been burning holes into the single scrap of paper containing Suwa’s phone number for the last twenty minutes.

He decides he’ll call him first thing in the morning. He really can’t delay this any longer. Kazuki distracts himself by cooking dinner before heading to Miri’s daycare. He does the laundry, vacuums the floor, and puts away Miri’s things. Their apartment was small, but it had everything they needed to live comfortably. 

Later, after he’s tucked Miri under the covers and unable to fall asleep, Kazuki spends a good part of the night at his desk researching and analyzing the information to devise the most perfect plan that won’t put his life at risk.

The next morning, he feels like crap, but at least he managed to finish and be satisfied enough with his work. In a zombie-like state, he wakes Miri up, prepares an easy breakfast, and drops her off at the daycare. 

When he returns to the apartment, he hops in the shower, feeling a tad better and definitely more awake afterward. Once dressed, he snatches the paper from his nightstand. 

Let’s get this done already.

Kazuki dials the number without hesitation. He presses the phone to his ear, but the call goes and goes unanswered. Just when he thinks it will go straight to voicemail, the call finally connects.

The line stays silent. 

“Hey! This is Kurusu Kazuki calling. Is this–

“Why are you calling so early?” The man’s voice is laced with irritation and sleep. But it also sounds… vaguely familiar.

Kazuki‘s gaze sweeps over the digital clock on his desk— 10:23 am. 

He’s about to answer but closes his mouth shut at the male voice he hears in the background. He can’t make out the words the man is saying, but he clearly hears when Suwa says in a bored tone, “Why are you still here?”

The man replies something, and that’s the start of some heated exchange that Kazuki can’t quite catch because the voices suddenly sound muffled and far away. There’s a loud noise, and then Suwa’s voice comes through clearly.

“Get the fuck out of here before I put a bullet through your head.” His tone makes goosebumps rise on Kazuki’s skin. Oh, he is so fucked. A door slams moments later, and then Suwa’s voice sounds much closer.

“So?”

Kazuki briefly wondered if Suwa Shigeki knew his son was out there sleeping with men. He clears his throat, steeling himself. “We’ve got a mission. We need to discuss the plan.”

“Why would we need a plan? Let’s just charge in the front and kill them all.”

Jesus. How this man has survived all these years was beyond him.

“Absolutely not. We need to follow a plan. I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer not to die.”

The man huffs out a sigh. “Fine.” 

“When can we meet?”

“Just pick a day.”

“Today.” 

“Where?”

Kazuki hesitates; that’s something he didn’t consider. They couldn’t meet in public for obvious reasons, and he wasn’t about to bring an assassin —other than himself, that is— to where he and Miri lived.

“Just meet me at my hotel,” Suwa reluctantly offers, sounding like he’s already dreading the prospect of discussing boring information. Kazuki jots down the name of the hotel. “Room 505. What time? ”

“I can be there in two hours.”

“Three,” the man states, and the call disconnects.

*

Kazuki takes his time; he cooks tonight’s dinner and prepares all the documents and data he needs. He doesn’t know what to expect from having Suwa Rei as his partner. He didn’t sound too bad over the phone, but Kazuki isn’t letting his guard down. 

He gets in his car, and a fifteen-minute drive later, he’s parking a few streets from Variant Hotel. When he gets there, he takes in the immense building. Shit. Everything about it screams luxury. Kazuki feels immediately out of place.

Should he let Suwa know he’s there? He doesn’t. He simply steps into the elevator, thankful that nobody questioned him, and punches the button that will take him to the fifth floor. A couple of minutes later, he’s standing outside the room labeled 505.

He takes a deep breath, and he’s about to knock, fist raised against the door when a voice on the other side beats his intentions.

“Door’s open.”

Kazuki’s brows shoot up in surprise. How the hell did Suwa know he was already there? Until that moment, Kazuki didn’t notice the door was actually slightly ajar. What if this was a trap or something? He pushes the door open, and as soon as it shuts behind him, he reaches for his gun in the hidden pocket inside his jacket, just in case. He doesn’t see anyone until he steps further into the room. 

Kazuki clearly had no idea of what to expect, but it most definitely wasn’t this.

A dark-haired guy, who appears to be in his early twenties, is lying on his stomach on the only bed in the room, holding some video game device, fingers pressing rapidly on the buttons. He’s dressed in a white shirt and black sweatpants, and his messy hair is slightly damp as if he’d taken a shower not long ago. 

Was this really the successor of one of the deadliest criminal organizations in Japan?

He doesn’t even glance at Kazuki. His gaze is fixed on the screen, absorbed in whatever game he’s playing. Kazuki shifts his weight from one leg to another, resisting the urge to put a hand on his hip and start tapping his foot against the carpeted floor. 

A minute later, some cheery song fills the room, and Suwa Rei drops the device on the bed, finally looking up at Kazuki.

Blue eyes meet his own, and Kazuki sucks in a breath. He’s met this man before. His gaze is completely different, though. That day, his eyes were cold and sharp, the complete opposite of the man in front of him, who looks terribly bored. The difference is so stark he can’t be sure.

“So, what’s the plan?” Suwa cocks his head to the side, waiting.

“Such a pleasant and welcoming greeting,” Kazuki grumbles.

It appears the sarcastic comment flies completely over the man’s head as his expression doesn’t change. He merely blinks at him.

Kazuki lets out a sigh. He sets his bag on the table next to the window and takes out his laptop. He tries so hard not to look at Suwa but ultimately fails when he rolls onto his back on the bed and stretches like a cat, shirt riding up, exposing pale skin and the tiniest waist Kazuki has ever seen on a man. Holy shit.

Kazuki swallows, quickly averting his eyes. He focuses on opening the pictures of the target and the location Kyutaro included in the flash drive. His eyes are fixed on the laptop screen, but he knows when Suwa leaves the bed to sit on the chair across from Kazuki.

Once he’s opened everything he needs to, he looks at the man before him, but the words die in his throat. His hair is now up, held by a hair tie in a messy ponytail that leaves some of his bangs out but still reveals the undercut his hair would normally hide. 

Kazuki doesn’t mean to, but he jolts up from the chair.

“You– You’re the one from that day!” 

“I thought that was clear,” Suwa says nonchalantly as he lights a cigarette. 

“Why were you there?” Kazuki asks, forcing himself to sit down again.

Suwa shrugs. “Guess we were assigned the same target.” He breathes in and exhales a cloud of smoke.

Kazuki makes a face. He was never fond of the smell of cigarettes. 

“Are you even allowed to smoke in here?”

Suwa takes another mouthful in lieu of an answer. Kazuki watches him for a few more seconds before he gives up. It was a stupid question. Got it. 

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but this is the plan I came up with.” He turns the laptop so the other man can see the screen too. Kazuki ignored the full extent of Suwa’s abilities, but as he explained his ideas, he didn’t react whatsoever. 

Kazuki hasn’t even finished speaking when Suwa puts out his cigarette on the ashtray Kazuki hadn’t even noticed and leaves the table without a word. Annoyance washes over him at the other’s attitude.

He reaches out to grab his arm. “Hey, Suwa–

That finally gets Kazuki a reaction. The man stops short, turning sideways to gift Kazuki the coldest stare he’s ever seen someone capable of making. “Don’t call me that.”

That’s your name, Kazuki wants to say, but his deadly tone tells him to keep his mouth wisely shut.

He pulls his hand away as if the contact had burned him. “Rei, then? Isn’t it too soon to get on a first-name basis?” He adds to lighten the mood with a grin, but it seems his efforts are not appreciated.

Rei doesn’t reply as he makes his way toward the bathroom. He keeps the door open so Kazuki clearly hears when he says, “I’m listening.”

That wanes Kazuki’s anger a little bit. Maybe this will work after all. He carries on with his explanation, and while Rei doesn’t offer any comments, Kazuki somehow knows he is listening. As he wraps up his talking, Rei re-emerges from the bathroom, and gone is the lazy gamer he encountered today, replaced by the hitman he met a month ago.

“Is that all?” Rei asks, pulling his black gloves over his hands.

Kazuki can’t help but follow the motion with his eyes. He focuses on the matter at hand. “For now, yeah. Can you have everything ready by Friday night?”

“That won’t be an issue.”

Kazuki nods and starts to collect his things. As he does, he feels the heavy weight of the other’s gaze on him. He looks back at Rei, who doesn’t even try to pretend he isn’t blatantly staring at him. His expression is completely unreadable as he studies Kazuki. Fuck, he really was attractive. The suit did wonders to highlight his defined waist and long legs, long legs that surely would feel nice wrapped around Kazuki. Not now, he chastises himself. Seeing him standing by the unmade bed doesn’t help Kazuki’s attempts in trying to stop his horny imagination from running wild or ignore the kind of activities Rei engaged in the night before. The cold air inside the room turns suffocating as Rei’s impassiveness subtly morphs into something that has familiar heat stirring in Kazuki’s gut.

“I’m leaving then,” Rei announces abruptly, bursting their little bubble of whatever the fuck that was. He grabs his bag and leaves the room without waiting for a response. 

Kazuki is unsure of how long he stares at the closed door.

This is bad. 

*

Kazuki puts most of the things they’ll need in the trunk of his car. For night missions like this, he ensured Miri either stayed with Kyutaro or at a friend’s place. He never knew how much time a job could take. 

He contacted Rei earlier to arrange a meeting point, a non-transited area not too far from his apartment. Kazuki ignored where Rei lived, but he had no objections. 

Dusk is already falling by the time Kazuki gets to the agreed place. He’s surprised to spot Rei a few stores away since he arrived nearly half an hour earlier. He’s standing against the wall of a closed store, unaware of Kazuki’s presence. He must be deep in thought for him not to notice his car right away— A fatal mistake for a hitman. His gaze is lost as he brings a cigarette to his lips. 

He should get his attention so they can leave, but he can’t help but watch him for a moment, resting his chin on the steering wheel. His attraction to him is undeniable, and while that’s something he could deal with, what turns this into a completely different matter is that he knows it’s mutual. As someone who completes honeypot missions quite often, Kazuki has learned to identify those indications, no matter how subtle they may be, that they are about to fall into his trap. Sometimes, the interest is so clear in their eyes right from the very beginning that the success of the job is given to Kazuki on a silver platter. However, this was no job, and this wasn’t just someone. He definitely wouldn’t mind having a little fun with Rei, but nothing good can come out of getting involved with someone who held that much power over him or who could jeopardize the only job he knows how to do. He needed to stop thinking with his dick. 

From the corner of his eye, he spots a small animal making its way toward Rei, a cat. It’s not a stray because it has a collar around its chubby neck. Nonetheless, Kazuki holds his breath, ready to intervene and save the cat if Rei tries to do something. What happens next is so unexpected Kazuki has trouble connecting this Rei with the Rei he met in that warehouse.

Rei looks down at the cat as it approaches him. He stares at it for a few seconds before he drops the butt of his cigarette to the ground, stomping on it— He’s lucky there’s no one around to frown disapprovingly at him for littering the streets. He crouches down, extending the hand he wasn’t holding the cigarette with to let the cat sniff it. Carefully, as if to not scare the cat away, he removes his glove to touch the cat's head directly. Rei’s motions are a bit clumsy, but the more he pets the cat, the more he grows comfortable. The cat seems to be enjoying every touch Rei gives it as it keeps rubbing its face against his hand, and Kazuki can’t obviously hear it, but he bets the cat is purring. Rei’s expression gradually relaxes, and if Kazuki’s eyes aren’t deceiving him, he even notices his lips begin to curl upward. The situation is so bizarre Kazuki doesn’t dare to interrupt. 

A noise nearby does it for him, though. The cat runs away, disappearing into the nearest alleyway, and Kazuki finds it hard to believe, but Rei actually looks disappointed. That’s when he looks up and finally notices Kazuki. Taken aback and a bit ashamed at being caught staring, Kazuki gives him a pathetic little wave.

Rei gets in the car moments later. Neither men say anything.

“So… You like cats?” Kazuki cringes internally at his own question.

Kazuki doesn’t blame Rei for not answering.

He decides to change the topic. “Where’s your stuff?” 

“I have everything I need with me,” Rei says as he retrieves his gun, checking it’s loaded.

Kazuki narrows his eyes. According to the information, they will be dealing with at least fifteen men. If he could, Kazuki would avoid involving other people but the target was hardly ever alone. They’d agreed Kazuki’s role would be creating a distraction inside the hideout for Rei to focus on the target— and anyone that gets in his way. He knew Rei was good, really good; he had to be, as someone who has been trained for this kind of life, but Kazuki was still apprehensive. His own life was at stake here. 

“Just drive, Kazuki,” Rei mutters, sliding his gun into the holster at his back.

Kazuki is honestly surprised. He almost thought Rei hadn’t even bothered to learn his name. Resigned and vaguely optimistic, Kazuki starts the engine and prays for the best.

*

Kazuki gives Rei one of the two earpieces. “Remember, at the signal, you go in.”

Kazuki eyes the alleyway, ensuring it’s deserted before he gets out of the car and takes the things he’ll need from the trunk. The hideout is across the street, but his car is perfectly hidden by the shadows, so it’s hard to spot. Kazuki peeks out from the alleyway, glancing down at his phone to look at the time. The first step of the plan should be here soon.

It’s moments like these that make Kazuki truly appreciate punctuality. Fujiwara, one of the gang members, is approaching the abandoned office building right on time. When Kazuki went through his research, he wondered how such a weakling could be part of a supposedly important gang. He also noticed some similarities in their appearances, and the plan started to take shape in his head. They were both blond, albeit Fujiwara’s hair was bleached, and had a similar build. Fujiwara was shorter, though, but it shouldn’t really make a difference.

Fujiwara is standing before the door, fumbling with something in his hands. With his bag well-secured to his front and slipping the mask over his face, Kazuki makes his move. Silent as a cat, he approaches the unaware man, pulling out his gun to press it against the back of his head. Fujiwara turns his head slightly; an unlit cigarette dangles on his lips, falling to the ground when he speaks.

“Who the fuck–

“Quiet. If you don’t want to die, you’ll do as I say. Hands up.”

Fujiwara grits his teeth but complies, glaring at Kazuki with a mix of rage and fear. Kazuki uses the threat of the gun to guide him into the alleyway between the offices and another building.

“What the fuck do you want?” The man hisses.

“How many people are in there?” Kazuki asks, pointing to the building with a jerk of his head, voice muffled by the mask.

“I–I don’t know.”

“Let me rephrase the question, how many people should be in there?”

Fujiwara’s face glistens with sweat. “Around thirteen.”

More or less what Kazuki was expecting. 

“Do you have any weapons with you?”

The man shakes his head. 

Kazuki was skeptical. “If you’re lying to me…”

“I swear I don’t have anything with me!”

“Lower your voice,” Kazuki snaps. “Now, give me your jacket, your keys, and your phone. Try something funny, and I’ll kill you.”

Kazuki ensured to wear a neutral type of clothing tonight; dark pants and a dark shirt. He just needed Fujiwara's jacket that identified him as part of the gang. 

The man scowls at Kazuki as he slowly reaches into his jacket pocket. He starts pulling his hand back, and Kazuki has barely caught a glimpse of bright metal when a muffled gunshot echoes in the alleyway, startling him. The expression on Fujiwara’s face freezes, and Kazuki has only enough time to step aside as he drops forward, body hitting the filthy ground.

Rei stands there with his arm raised, holding a gun. 

Oh, you have to be kidding me.

“Rei,” Kazuki hisses, sliding the mask over his head. “What the hell are you doing here?! What if they heard us?” 

More importantly, what if the bullet had exited Fujiwara’s skull?! He can’t be sure if Rei aimed with accurate precision upon considering that possibility or if he simply didn’t give a fuck and Kazuki got lucky. 

“You were taking so long,” Rei replies, removing the silencer from his gun. “I was bored.”

Kazuki is going to kill him. This wasn’t part of the plan. He didn’t even intend to kill Fujiwara because he didn’t want to alert the men inside. At least Rei was mindful and used a silencer. Kazuki waits with bated breath, almost expecting the whole gang to appear around the corner with every kind of weapon imaginable, but nothing happens.

“Don’t do that again,” Kazuki berates him, hastily removing the jacket from Fujiwara’s body before it gets stained with blood. 

Kazuki throws away the mask; there was no point now. He pulls on Fujiwara’s jacket, adjusting it to his shoulders, and looks back at Rei.

“Can you please stick to the plan and actually wait for the signal this time?” He tries not to sound as annoyed as he actually feels. 

He leaves before hearing Rei’s response, if any.

Kazuki slides his hand carefully into one of the pockets of the jacket, and sure enough, his fingers come in touch with the sharp blade of a knife. Using the keys he finds in the other pocket and pulling up a surgical mask to cover his mouth and nose, Kazuki lets himself inside the building, leaving the door unlocked. 

The first room, what once was a reception, is empty. It’s mostly dark inside, but there’s a light ahead, and according to the floor plan, that’s a hallway that should lead to the biggest room in the building. He heads in that direction, poking his head around the corner when he reaches the corridor. No one in sight. Okay, good. As he walks, he starts to hear distant voices. 

“Oi, Fujiwara,” someone barks behind him, making Kazuki stop in his tracks. “Where the hell were you?”

“Well, you see, I got caught up in some stuff,” Kazuki says, looking straight ahead. “Sorry about that!” He chuckles.

“Sorry? What the–

He never finishes his sentence. Kazuki whirls around and closes the gap between them in a flash, taking advantage of the man’s bewilderment to press his taser to his side, body crashing to the floor. That should leave him incapacitated for a while. Well, it doesn’t hurt to be extra cautious, Kazuki thinks, as he quickly secures the rope he pretended to use with Fujiwara tightly around the man’s wrists and ankles and drags the body into the nearest room he finds. 

Kazuki keeps walking, the voices becoming louder and louder with each step. He comes to a sudden stop. There’s a doorless room to his left ahead. That’s where the voices are coming from.

“Path is clear,” he mumbles as quietly as possible for Rei to hear through the earpiece. 

Kazuki presses himself against the wall, crouching down to pull down the zipper of his bag. He takes out the smoke grenades. He moves quietly, but he doesn’t worry too much because the men are talking so incredibly loud they will drown out any possible noise Kazuki makes. He waits long enough for Rei to join him. They exchange a meaningful gaze.

Grenades ready in the pockets of the jacket, Kazuki enters the room. Every single head —twelve, he quickly counts— snaps toward him. Kazuki spots the target sitting on the top of a desk.

Kazuki grins widely. “Good to see you, guys.” 

Before the men can react, Kazuki hurls the smoke grenades, sending the room into chaos. 

Pulling out guns and knives, most of them go after Kazuki, but Rei is quicker. He runs past Kazuki so fast that Kazuki can’t even get a glimpse of him. He only knows he’s there because gunshots start echoing inside the room right away.

Through the heavy smoke filling the space, lifeless bodies collapse to the ground one by one. It seems Kazuki worried over nothing. Rei clearly knew what he was doing. 

Sliding out his own gun, he guards Rei’s back, or that’s what he pretends to do, at least. Kazuki scans the room as the smoke gradually dissipates, realizing he can’t see anyone standing. He blinks in astonishment. Did Rei seriously finish off the whole gang in less than a single minute? 

He’s too floored to sense the presence behind him, and when he does, it’s way too late. An arm hooks around his neck at the same time a hand closes around his wrist in a vice-like grip. 

“Not so fast, blondie,” the man growls. Kazuki lets out a choked groan, using his free hand to try to peel the meaty arm off his neck, and when that doesn’t work, he throws his elbow back, but his efforts are futile; it’s like hitting a wall of concrete. With an incredibly painful grip, the man directs the hand holding the gun to Kazuki’s own head, pressing the firearm to his temple. “You and your buddy there are so fucked. I’ll let you live long enough for you to watch the exact moment we send your little friend to fucking hell. You’re in deep shit.”

Far ahead, he spots Rei and the target facing each other, using whatever object they can find in the room as a shield. The target actually manages to avoid the bullets coming his way, moving surprisingly gracefully. No wonder that man was actually the leader. He’s on a whole different level than the rest. 

But Rei was better.

Kazuki wants to laugh at the man’s words. With great effort, he pulls down his mask. “Are you blind?” He scoffs hoarsely. “You’re all already dead.”

As if on cue, Rei finds Kazuki’s eyes across the room in a wordless exchange before he abandons his cover, sliding across the ground, dodging the spray of bullets by a hair’s breadth, and finally getting a clear shot at the target in between two desks. Rei fires at the same time Kazuki produces Fujiwara’s knife from the jacket and drives the blade into the man’s thigh as hard as he can. The man lets out an ear-shattering howl, releasing him instantly. Kazuki ducks just in time for Rei to send a bullet between the man’s eyes.

Kazuki falls to his knees; his entire body shakes as he coughs non-stop, trying to regain his breath. “Th-That wasn’t so bad,” he muses, seeing Rei saunter over to him through the sea of bodies. With a grunt, Kazuki pushes himself to his feet and ditches the jacket. “Let’s get out of here.”

*

Kazuki parks the car on a deserted street, adrenaline still running fresh through his veins. Even if Rei looks like he just came back from a walk in the park instead of killing a dozen of people, Kazuki does need a bit of time to collect himself. They sit in the car in complete silence. Rei slips a cigarette stick in between his lips, flicking at his lighter. Seriously, how many cigarettes did this guy smoke a day? Kazuki was starting to get worried about his lungs.

The windows are rolled down, so he simply turns away from Kazuki and blows out the smoke into the warm night.

Of its own volition, Kazuki’s gaze falls on Rei. Illuminated by the dim light of the street lamps, he can’t tear his eyes away from him, from the defined line of his jaw leading to the slender column of his pale neck; it was perfection begging to be ruined. Rei chooses that moment to turn back again, meeting Kazuki’s stare.

Rei’s lips quirk upwards slightly. “Why don’t you take me home?”

Kazuki is instantly filled with relief at the fact that Rei has spared him from the awkwardness. “I can do that. Where do you–

“I’m not talking about my place.”

Heat shoots through Kazuki’s body at the implication of Rei’s words. “I’m not– I’m not interested,” he’s quick to say, but the lie is so obvious it’s honestly laughable. 

“I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

Wow. Okay. Zero filters. Kazuki’s face is burning.

He’s about to say I don’t know what you’re talking about, but even he recognizes the ridiculousness of the words as if Kazuki hasn’t been eye-fucking him ever since they met. It’s evident Rei can see right through his bullshit, too.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Kazuki finally says.

Rei doesn’t reply. He brings the cigarette to his mouth once again and exhales the smoke through the window. Kazuki has no idea whether to be relieved or disappointed that Rei apparently dropped this conversation. 

He’s so, so wrong.

In a swift move, Rei slides over the center console and onto the driver’s seat, finding a place in Kazuki’s lap. Kazuki is momentarily shocked at Rei’s brazenness, but he recovers fast, hands snaking up his firm thighs.

“Is it not?” Rei whispers against his lips.

Kazuki is too stunned to speak. He can’t even remember what he said. Rei’s proximity, his warmth, and how perfectly he fits in Kazuki’s lap; all of it is fucking up his brain to an astronomical and, quite frankly, embarrassing degree. 

If there’s something he’s come to learn about Rei is that he isn’t a patient man. 

“Open,” Rei instructs him in a low voice, running his thumb across Kazuki’s bottom lip before coaxing his mouth open gently with his finger. 

He takes a long drag of his cigarette and shifts closer until their lips are mere centimeters apart, exhaling the smoke into Kazuki’s pliant mouth. Kazuki doesn’t dare to look away from Rei’s eyes as the smoke is pushed past his lips, throat burning with the intrusion, but the desire in those blue eyes makes him eager to receive anything he has to give. His grip on Rei’s thighs tightens as blood rushes to his groin, cock stirring inside his pants.

One of Rei’s hands comes to rest against the base of Kazuki’s neck, traveling upward until he’s grasping the golden hair at the back of his head in between his fingers. He gives it a firm tug, forcing Kazuki’s head to tilt up. Rei repeats the action, inhaling deeply to fill Kazuki’s mouth with more bitter smoke. Kazuki gazes at Rei with half-lidded eyes, wanting nothing more than to close the gap between them. Rei leans temptingly in until Kazuki feels his warm breath caressing his mouth, lips not quite touching.

Kazuki waits for a kiss that never comes. 

It’s gone far too soon. All the sensations abandon him at once; Rei’s hand, Rei’s body, Rei’s intoxicating warmth. Chill seeps deep into Kazuki’s bones, making him yearn for something he didn’t know he was missing. 

“Good night, Kazuki,” Rei says from the passenger seat, reaching for the door handle.

Good night? Kazuki knew the truth behind those words. This was probably the last time they’d see each other. They weren’t partners. They weren’t acquaintances. They were nothing to each other. They had no reason whatsoever to meet again.

Kazuki’s body is faster than his mind. His fingers close around Rei’s arm before he steps out of the car. In the following second, he’s leaning over the center console to clutch the front of Rei’s suit jacket with a hand and crushes their mouths together. Kazuki has no time for hesitation or decency, and neither does Rei. He willingly parts his lips to welcome Kazuki’s tongue, and the first slide of their tongues together sends a thrill up Kazuki’s spine. He licks at Rei’s lips, sucking his bottom lip in between his; soft, warm, and so, so perfect. Rei hums, sounding beyond pleased, arms going around Kazuki’s neck to bring him closer as they explore each other’s mouths with full intention. It’s wet, it’s dirty, and it’s not enough. 

Kazuki breaks the kiss, leaving both of them panting against the other’s lips.

“Is the offer still up?” Kazuki asks, breathless.

Rei pulls the door shut. “What do you think?”

And Kazuki has never driven so fast, sure that he breaks a few traffic laws along the way. 

*

Kazuki is tremendously conscious of the heat radiating off of Rei’s body behind him as he steps closer; a clear message: Hurry the fuck up.

It’s so terribly distracting that Kazuki is actually struggling to insert the key correctly in the doorknob, something he has done daily in the last three years. Unbelievable. When he finally gets the damn door open, he flips on the lights, kicks the door closed, and pins Rei against the wall, capturing that sinful mouth with his.

Now, Rei is a highly skilled hitman. If he wished, he could easily reverse their positions, but he lets Kazuki manhandle him, and that single thought is turning Kazuki on more than it should.

Rei’s soft sigh at the contact of their lips again spurs Kazuki on to press himself closer, feeling the searing heat of Rei’s body through the annoying layers of his suit. Rei’s hands are busy in his hair, tugging and grasping the locks hard. Kazuki encircles an arm around his waist as he starts pressing kisses down Rei’s mouth and along the sharp line of his jaw before moving down to his neck.

Rei tips his head back, giving Kazuki perfect access to that blank canvas. Kazuki kisses and sucks at the tender skin there, prompting a low groan from the other man, encouraging him to apply more pressure. He licks and nibbles at the sensitive skin of his neck, and he’s immediately rewarded with Rei’s breathless moans. Who knew he could be so vocal? Kazuki is only at his neck, but Rei is already falling apart under his touch. He absolutely loves it; he can’t wait to hear what other sounds he draws out from that pretty mouth.

“I thought you said you weren’t interested.” Rei threads his fingers through his blond locks. Kazuki can hear the smile in his voice.

“And I thought you said you didn’t trust anyone,” Kazuki shoots back, lips curling at the corners.

He bites down harder on Rei’s skin, making the man in his arms gasp and arch his back off the wall. Kazuki laps at the red marks, the hold in his hair becoming almost painful.

“Who says I trust you?” Rei replies breathlessly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I could easily kill you if I wanted.”

“But you won’t.” Satisfied with the marks he’s left on Rei’s skin, Kazuki finds his gaze, eyes dropping to his mouth. “Not when you’re this desperate to be fucked.” He runs a finger across his lower lip, much like Rei did in the car.

Rei's eyes gleam with feverish lust as he pulls him into a bruising kiss. His hands are cold when he sneaks them under Kazuki’s shirt; he didn’t even notice Rei wasn’t wearing his gloves anymore. His fingers roam across the hard lines of his abdomen, raising shivers in their wake, and then he’s switching their positions so Kazuki’s back is now pressed against the wall. 

Rei flashes him a heated look as he drops to his knees and starts working on opening the button of Kazuki’s pants with impatient fingers. He pulls them down along with his underwear, just enough to free his half-hard cock. 

Rei takes him in his hand, cold fingers feeling heavenly against the hotness of his skin. Kazuki hisses as Rei pumps the length until it’s fully hard and throbbing, the tip red and oozing precum. 

Kazuki doesn’t miss the hungry look that settles on Rei’s face, and it’s a shame he can’t appreciate it for long because, without a warning, Rei swallows him whole. Kazuki curses out loud, placing his hand on Rei’s head before taking hold of his tied hair to bring him closer. 

“Let me look at you,” Kazuki breathes out.

He brushes his fingers across the soft skin of Rei’s cheek, gripping his jaw to force his head up. Rei’s brows are slightly pulled together as he locks eyes with Kazuki. He doesn’t break eye contact when he lets Kazuki’s cock fall from his mouth, holding him to drag his tongue along his hard length, from base to tip, where he sweeps the wet muscle over and closes his lips, sucking hard. Kazuki groans embarrassingly loud, head dropping back, resisting the urge to fuck into Rei’s perfect mouth.

“Rei,” he gasps. “Rei. You’re so good. You’re so good to me.”

Rei moans at the praise, and Kazuki has to do a monumental effort not to shoot his load down his throat at the delicious vibrations he feels on his cock. Kazuki peers down again only to see that Rei’s eyes are closed, taking Kazuki’s cock to the back of his throat, one, two, three times, stroking him each time he pulls back. It’s honestly impressive how fucking good Rei is at deepthroating because Kazuki was objectively bigger than average. Rei seems to be thoroughly enjoying having Kazuki’s cock in his mouth, stretching his lips wide, and it’s the hottest thing he’s ever seen. 

Rei’s eyes flutter open, meeting Kazuki’s again. He pulls away to drop a kiss on Kazuki’s tip before nuzzling the head, purposefully smearing precum on his cheek. 

“You can fuck my mouth, you know.” His voice is hoarse from the self-abuse to his throat, and he doesn’t even wait for Kazuki’s answer as he opens his mouth for him.

Fucking hell.

He grips Rei’s hair again and shoves his cock into that inviting heat in one go. Rei takes it all with evident delight at having his mouth stuffed full again. He fists his hands into the fabric of Kazuki’s pants to not lose balance when Kazuki begins rocking his hips with urgency, completely fucking that perfect mouth. Kazuki’s sense of space and time has been reduced to the sight of Rei’s lips stretched to accommodate his length and the filthy noises that resound in the room each time he slips nearly out and slams back in, hitting the back of Rei’s throat. Rei hums around his cock, sending more glorious vibrations. Kazuki begins to feel that familiar tingle in his groin, and he knows he’s close. As much as he’d like to fill Rei’s mouth with his cum, he has other plans for tonight.

“R-Rei,” he calls the other man in between moans. “Wait.”

Rei ignores him. He continues sucking and licking around his cock even when Kazuki has stopped moving.

“Rei,” he tries again. “Stop. Or this will be over –

That does the trick. Rei releases his cock with an obscene pop. His face is flushed, and his lips are delectably wet and swollen. Kazuki drags him up and licks off the stripe of precum from his cheek before shoving his tongue inside Rei’s waiting mouth. He’s so turned on and desperate to get inside him that he doesn’t even mind his own taste. 

Kazuki tucks himself in and pushes Rei against the opposite wall, who lets out a small gasp of surprise when Kazuki takes hold of the back of his thighs and hoists him up, pressing him against the wall. 

Rei wraps his legs around Kazuki, and then they’re kissing again. Kazuki doesn’t think he’ll ever get tired of kissing him. He pushes his hips into Rei, and the moan he’s rewarded with sets his insides on fire. He does it again, and Rei’s death grip on his hair tightens as he grows more and more vocal. 

He carries Rei to the couch, placing him on his lap, never breaking the kiss. Rei captures Kazuki’s bottom lip with his teeth, lightly tugging at it. Kazuki’s response is to pull him closer, hands flying up to Rei’s tie to undo it quickly. He tosses it away.

Rei’s warm breath caresses his ear. “You’re fucking me on the couch?” 

Kazuki leans back to look at him. “I’ll fuck you wherever you want. On the couch, against the wall, over the kitchen counter, on the bed. All fucking four if you want.”

Every trace of amusement leaves Rei’s face as lust and need take over. He connects their mouths again and starts stripping off his clothes— guns dropped with a heavy thud on the floor along the way. Rei keeps his dress shirt on, and Kazuki wraps his arms around his waist, the thin fabric doing nothing to conceal the maddening warmth of his body. He fits so perfectly in his arms it’s unreal. 

“Kazuki.” Rei’s voice is so utterly needy is destroying every bit of Kazuki’s self-control. “Fuck me already.” He rubs his ass against Kazuki’s clothed cock. 

Kazuki thrusts up in response, making both of them groan. “Condoms and lube are in the bedroom.”

“Take me to the bedroom then.” Rei slips his hand in between their bodies to give Kazuki’s cock a firm squeeze through his clothes.

Kazuki jerks his hips up, seeking the contact of Rei’s hand. 

The truth is he wanted the foreplay to last for as long as possible, but pleasing Rei more than anything is moving up fairly quickly in his priority list.

It’s difficult to get them to his bedroom when Rei is so keen on kissing and sucking at the skin of Kazuki’s neck, but when he finally does, he turns on the lights. As this will be a one-time thing, he wants to fully appreciate it when he has Rei moaning and trembling beneath him. 

Kazuki lays him down in the middle of the bed, sitting back to yank off his shirt. Rei watches him with unmistakable desire, drinking him in as he unbuttons his dress shirt with deft fingers. It isn’t long before all their clothes are discarded on the floor, along with Rei’s last hidden weapon— a knife. 

Rei lies completely naked under him. Lean muscle is covered by blemished pale skin— his torso, his arms, and even his legs are marred here and there with scars of past wounds; a permanent reminder of his life as a hitman. Kazuki thinks they make him even hotter. That glimpse of skin he caught before is nothing compared to seeing his small waist in full display. He can’t wait to paint it with bruises as he fucks Rei hard.

Desperate to feel him, Kazuki reaches for the drawer next to his bed, tossing what they need onto the covers. Rei’s eyes shine with arousal, spreading those long legs for him. Kazuki snatches the bottle of lube, coats his fingers with the slippery liquid, and circles Rei’s entrance tentatively before inserting the first finger.

Rei whimpers at the intrusion.

Kazuki pushes his finger in and out of the tight hole, imagining it’s his cock instead. Soon enough, he has three fingers inside Rei, moving and searching, stretching him wide open for his cock. Little noises of pleasure escape past Rei’s parted lips. He holds Kazuki’s gaze as the latter fucks him with his fingers. When he crooks his fingers and finds that spot inside him, a loud moan is punched out of Rei’s throat, back arching off the bed.

“That’s it, baby,” Kazuki groans, the pet name falling out of his mouth, but Rei is too drunk in pleasure to care. Or perhaps he’s into that. “Fuck yourself on my fingers.”

Obediently, Rei meets each push of Kazuki’s fingers inside, writhing against the covers and growing increasingly desperate until he can’t take it anymore and curls his fingers around Kazuki’s wrist to stop him.

“Enough.” 

Rei grabs the condom, rips open the wrapper, and slides it over Kazuki’s cock, covering the length with a thick layer of lube. Everything happens so quickly the next thing Kazuki knows is that Rei has rolled over on his stomach and arched his back, raising his ass high in the air.

Kazuki’s brain short-circuits. He takes a moment to enjoy the view; a collection of scars also cover Rei’s back, and he fights the urge to trace them with his tongue. He has slept with a good number of people in the last two years, but Rei has to be the most enticing little thing he’s had the pleasure of fooling around with.

“Kazuki.” Rei glances back at him over his shoulder. “Hurry up.”

More than a demand, it sounds like a threat. Kazuki is reminded once again of who he’s dealing with here, so he doesn’t take the words lightly. 

Latching a hand onto Rei’s waist, Kazuki lines himself up to his hole and pushes inside, feeling that tight entrance sucking him in. Rei’s insides swallow him with ease until Kazuki bottoms out, hips pressed to his ass. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s been a month since he last got laid, and his senses are heightened, but Rei feels incredible. He can’t help the sharp gasp that is elicited out of his mouth at the feeling of his cock being surrounded by his delicious heat.

“Fuck, baby, you’re so tight. You’re gripping me so well.” 

Kazuki stays still, rubbing circles over Rei’s skin with his thumb, giving him time to adjust to the intrusion, but Rei isn’t happy with this decision.

A single order leaves his lips. “Move.” 

Rei doesn’t need to tell him twice. Kazuki pushes his head down to the bed, freeing his hair to get a better grip, and starts pistoning his hips. Rei quickly becomes a mess under him, panting harshly against the covers, knuckles turning white as he clutches the fabric tightly in his fingers.

“Harder,” Rei breathes out. “Fuck me harder.”

“Well, aren’t you greedy?” Kazuki grins down at him even though his back is facing him. “As you wish.”

After all, who is he to deny an order from the heir of the organization himself? Kazuki uses both hands to get an unyielding hold of Rei’s waist, fingers digging into his flesh, as he pulls nearly completely out and sinks back inside in one smooth thrust. Snapping his hips forward, he starts fucking him harder and faster against the bed, mattress creaking with each punishing thrust. Rei moans with sheer pleasure, shoving his ass back to meet each slide of Kazuki’s cock inside him.

“You’re doing so good, Rei, so perfect to me. You’re taking my cock so well.”

Rei’s tight muscles squeeze around his cock at the words. Interesting. Kazuki glances down, enthralled by the way his cock slips in and out of him, disappearing between those ass cheeks. Ah, Kazuki doesn’t want this to end. He hasn’t even come yet, but he already knows this can’t be the last time he gets to have Rei like this.

He leans forward, pressing his chest flush to Rei’s back. He shifts his hips, reaching even deeper inside Rei. Kazuki resumes his thrusts, and this new angle earns him the sweetest sound from Rei’s mouth. Found it. Kazuki aims for that spot, hitting Rei’s prostate with the head of his cock. Rei’s needy moans spill prettily from his lips every time Kazuki stimulates that place inside him that makes him see stars. 

Kazuki brushes his lips across Rei’s feverish skin, feeling compelled to place a few kisses on his shoulder, lips lingering with full intent, and it’s probably his imagination, but Rei seems to falter slightly in his motions. Kazuki snakes an arm around his middle and straightens up, lifting Rei’s upper body from the bed. Kazuki grabs his jaw, turning his head to look at his face.

Rei’s skin is flushed brightly, dark lashes wet with tears, and half-lidded eyes hazy with pleasure. Kazuki takes a moment to marvel at the sight, but Rei is having none of that. He clenches around Kazuki, faintly smirking at the reaction he gets, before starting to fuck himself on his cock, hips moving up and down with expertise as Kazuki holds him firmly against his front. 

“Kazuki. Ah– Kazuki.”

The sound of his name on Rei’s lips in such a wrecked voice is making him lose his mind.

“Yes, yes, baby. Like that,” Kazuki urges him on. 

Kazuki brings their mouths together, hand sliding down, where Rei’s cock is neglected and painfully hard, but Rei captures his hand before it reaches its goal, taking it to his chest instead.

Message clear, Kazuki pinches a hard nipple with two fingers, rolling it between his digits, making Rei gasp into his mouth. “You really love my cock, don’t you. Tell me, Rei, do you like it when I fuck you this good? Do you like feeling me this deep inside you?” 

A broken sob makes its way past Rei’s throat. Even then, his lips curve up with weary insolence. “Is this the best you can do? Come on, Kazuki, fuck me like you mean it.”

Kazuki growls, an animalistic-like sound that rumbles in his chest. Gripping Rei’s dark locks to yank his head to the side, he sinks his teeth into the curve of his shoulder as powerful thrusts jerk his body forward. Kazuki’s arm prevents him from falling onto the bed, keeping him in place. He slams his cock relentlessly, abusing Rei’s prostate at a pace that has the man in his arms drooling, a thin line of saliva dripping down his parted mouth. His eyes are closed shut, brows knitted together with rapture. 

“I wish you could look at yourself right now.” Kazuki’s lips brush against the lobe of his ear. “You really are made for this. You are made for my cock.”

Rei shudders against him violently, burying one of his hands in Kazuki’s hair. 

“K-Kazuki,” he sobs again, and it sounds like a prayer.

“Say my name again,” Kazuki half-groans, half-pleads.

“Kazu—

Kazuki changes the position abruptly, letting go of Rei and coaxing him into lying flat on his back. He holds his legs apart, sheathing himself back into him, relishing the blissed-out wail Rei lets out. Kazuki’s hands move up his thighs until they settle on his hips. He lifts his lower half from the bed and plunges into him, Rei’s head being pushed repeatedly against the pillows. 

Rei is a beautiful mess against the covers; face wet with tears and drool, bottom lip quivering, and eyes glazed over with heady exhilaration, he’s truly a sight to behold. 

“You’re so fucking pretty.”

Kazuki finally takes Rei’s hard cock in his hand, stroking him in tandem with his thrusts. He rubs his thumb over Rei’s slit, and that’s what pushes him over the edge. He throws his head back as his voice breaks into a euphoric moan, shaking uncontrollably as he spills over Kazuki’s hand and his stomach.

Kazuki permanently engraves in his memory the sight of Rei coming undone at his hands.

Not wanting to overwhelm him, Kazuki starts pulling out, figuring he’ll need to finish using his hand. However, Rei is quick to lock his shaky legs around Kazuki, shoving his cock back inside.

“Use me.”

Kazuki inhales sharply in response to these two short, simple words that shouldn’t be affecting him the way they are. He hovers over Rei, placing his hands on each side of his head until they are at the same eye level. For a moment, Kazuki loses himself in those blue eyes.

“Fuck me,” Rei demands, snapping Kazuki out of his daze.

Kazuki gladly accepts the invitation, promptly pounding into Rei, setting a pace that has the bed creaking once more, gazes never leaving each other’s faces as he uses Rei’s body to reach his orgasm, which doesn’t take long.

Kazuki doesn’t remember ever coming this hard, and as he fills the condom with a lingering moan, he fervently wishes he was emptying himself inside Rei instead. When the high of his orgasm subsides, he pulls his softening cock out of Rei. He removes the condom in a practiced motion, tying it up to toss it into the waste bin. He finally collapses face down into the bed beside Rei, blissfully spent.

Rei is quiet next to him as he brushes away a few locks of sweaty hair from his forehead. Kazuki peers up at him, gaze transfixed on the hickeys that have already started to bloom on his neck. His eyes travel down Rei’s body, stopping on the mess on his stomach. Kazuki snatches the closest shirt he finds, but when he presses it to his skin, Rei visibly flinches.

“Sorry,” Kazuki says, a little embarrassed. “Do you want to do it yourself?” He offers the garment to Rei.

Rei doesn’t take it. Taking his silence as permission to continue, Kazuki cleans him up as best as he can, throwing the shirt somewhere on the floor when he’s done.

A long stretch of silence follows, but somehow, it isn’t uncomfortable in the slightest. He waits to see what Rei will do. Will he collect his clothes and leave? It’s not like Kazuki wants them to cuddle after such mind-blowing sex, but he also doesn’t want to make Rei feel like he needs to go. 

“You should stay. I can give you a ride in the morning,” Kazuki offers. He could definitely do that before picking up Miri from Kotori-chan’s. 

“And you’ll drive me where exactly?” Rei finally speaks, sounding genuinely curious. “Step anywhere near the headquarters and you’ll be questioned. Hesitate and say goodbye to your life.”

Kazuki figured that much. If Rei would inherit the organization one day, he needed to learn and immerse himself in the business. He wonders how Rei can get away with his little encounters, though. He doubted Suwa Shigeki was the kind of man who would turn a blind eye to Rei’s habits. 

“You could just tell them we worked together on a job.”

“You overestimate the weight of my words in that place,” Rei mutters tiredly. He presses his lips into a thin line as though he’d said too much.

That certainly grabs Kazuki’s interest, and almost wishes Rei would elaborate. 

Rei sits up. While his naked back is truly a tempting view, Kazuki can’t look away from the red marks on his waist where his fingers pressed a little too hard. He feels his cock stir again. Too soon.  

An emotion Kazuki can only identify as disappointment washes over him when he sees Rei start to get dressed again. He can’t even take some satisfaction from seeing Rei walking around the room in slow, measured movements. Once dressed and without so much as a goodbye, Rei slips out of the room.

Kazuki doesn’t dwell on the feeling that pushes its way through the disappointment. Whatever, it’s not like he expected anything different. This was just a quick fuck. He’s thankful for the deep exhaustion that suddenly takes over him. He flips off the switch next to his bed and closes his eyes, drifting away to sleep.

*

The next time Kazuki regains consciousness, the room is still dark. His throat feels so disgustingly dry falling asleep again will be an impossible task if he doesn’t drink water any time soon. He rubs a hand down his face and rolls off the bed, pulling a clean shirt over his head and slipping his legs into the sweatpants he uses to sleep. He drags himself to the kitchen in slow, drowsy steps, nearly failing to stifle a curse when he sees Rei sleeping soundly on the couch, fully clothed. 

A million thoughts run through Kazuki’s mind at once. Was his pride really that big to admit he changed his mind about staying over? He didn’t need to say anything or give any explanations to Kazuki. Kazuki wouldn’t have asked.

Heaving a sigh, Kazuki returns to his room and rummages through his closet as quietly as possible. When he finds what he wants, he returns to the living room but makes the mistake of bumping his hip against one of the chairs; a tiny, little noise like that would go completely unnoticed to most people, but not to Rei.

In a split second, Rei is up and pointing his gun at Kazuki’s head. 

“Hey,” Kazuki says nervously as he puts his hands up, letting go of the blanket. “It’s me.”

Rei lowers the gun, tension fading from Kazuki’s body.

He picks up the blanket from the floor. “I was just bringing you this. Not that you actually needed it, but…” He trails off.

Rei silently looks at Kazuki. He almost forgot how quiet Rei could be out of the bedroom. 

“You can go back to sleep.” Kazuki fills the silence for him. “I’m just gonna make some tea.”

Kazuki leaves the blanket on the arm of the couch before heading to the small kitchen. He flips on the light above the stove and empties a glass of water, feeling immediate relief in his parched throat. He gets the tea box from one of the cabinets and fills the kettle with water. He only looks toward the couch when the kettle is on the stove. 

Rei isn’t there anymore. 

Kazuki doesn’t pay it any mind; he probably went to the bathroom. Ten minutes later, he is pouring the steaming liquid into two mugs. Kazuki hoped Rei liked oolong tea. It was the only kind he had at the moment. 

From the corner of his eye, he sees Rei approaching as Kazuki is putting the kettle away.

“I made you some tea.”

Rei ignores him, tossing something over the counter. Kazuki is rendered speechless, having to do a double-take at the foil wrapper in front of him. He turns to Rei, mouth going dry again at the sight of him standing there nearly naked. He’s only wearing his white dress shirt. 

“I’m ready,” Rei tells him. “Just put it in.”

True to his word, when Rei bends over the counter, Kazuki spots the glistening liquid dribbling down the inside of his thighs. The mental image of Rei fingering himself open for Kazuki’s cock in the bathroom has him infinitely more awake than if someone had thrown a bucket of icy water over him.

Tea completely forgotten, Kazuki kneads that perfect ass before pulling his cock free from the confines of his sweats, pumping himself until he’s stiff and leaking. He quickly rolls the condom down his cock and gathers as much lube as possible from Rei’s legs to coat his aching length. 

“You’re amazing,” Kazuki says, enraptured, lining up and sliding inside with no resistance. He thanks whatever stars above aligned, allowing him to cross paths with this man.

He slips his hands under Rei’s shirt to clutch his bare waist and fucks him hard. Rei moans delightfully under him as he receives each deep thrust eagerly, letting Kazuki use his ass as he pleases. Wanting to see his face, Kazuki withdraws. He turns Rei around, hoists him over the counter, and fills him up again. Rei gasps, closing his legs around Kazuki to pull him in. 

Eyes locked, they lose themselves in the pleasure until the tea goes long cold.

*

“Papa! I want this one!”

Kazuki peers down at Miri, who is watching him with pleading eyes over a box of that chocolate cereal she has obsessed over lately. 

“Miri,” he says, rubbing his neck. “We got a box just last week.”

She pouts. “But it’s almost over!”

“Already?!” Kazuki’s voice comes out high-pitched. No wonder Miri has been a little ball of endless energy, more than usual. He always made sure to put all the junk stuff on higher shelves, far from Miri’s reach. Clearly, he’d need to change his strategy. 

“Pleaseeee?” She gives Kazuki that brilliant smile that wins him over every time. 

Kazuki sighs. “Fine, but this is the last time in a while, alright?” 

Miri nods eagerly. “Pinky promise!” She exclaims, holding her pinky finger out. 

Kazuki gives her a warm smile, intertwining their pinkies together, and Miri gives them a firm shake. 

Kazuki scans his grocery list to make sure he’s got everything they’ll need to survive the following week. 

For the nth time, Kazuki’s mind helplessly wanders over to dark hair and blue eyes. It’s mid-October now, which means two months have passed since he woke up alone in his bed after that third round in his room. He hasn’t heard from Rei whatsoever. He almost wants to ask Kyutaro, the question ready on the tip of his tongue each time he drops by Yadorigi, but he doesn’t. He doubts the man will know anything, anyway. 

It’s already bad that Kazuki thinks about Rei and the night they shared constantly, which was unusual for him. He’s never seriously considered repeating a night with anyone he slept with. In the heat of the moment, the thought might have crossed his mind, but he knows he’s fucked when he has been in his five senses for so long, and the thought still persists. Yeah, the sex was absolutely incredible, and he definitely wouldn’t be opposed to sleeping with Rei again, but it was better this way. He said it himself, nothing good can come from getting involved with him— Reason why Kazuki hasn’t attempted to contact him, despite having his number saved in his phone. 

He should just forget him. 

Easier said than done when Rei will eventually become Kazuki’s boss once he takes over the organization. That’s an odd thought. As much as he doesn’t want to acknowledge it, their lives are already intertwined in one way or another, even before they met. The worst moments were at night when Kazuki got off to memories of scars and pale skin, the sweetest moans, and the most perfect waist… He always regretted it afterward. 

(Some stupid part of his brain still hoped Rei thought about him, too).

(So stupid).

Kazuki shoves any Rei-related thoughts to the back of his mind. It was all pointless. He should focus on raising Miri and not fucking up any job he receives to ensure the bills are paid and there’s always food on their table. 

It actually works for a while Kazuki is proud of himself— Until Kyutaro breaks the news to him three weeks later: He and Rei are working together on another mission.

Then, it becomes worse. 

*

Kazuki is arranging Miri’s lunchbox when he receives a call the next day, startled by the name that flashes across his phone screen. He was planning to contact him that afternoon; he totally was. Oh God, he’s completely unprepared for this conversation. Get your shit together. This is about work. Heart in his throat, Kazuki answers the call. 

“Kazuki.” 

A shiver runs down his spine as soon as he hears his voice. Memories of messy sheets, passionate kisses, and unrestrained pleasure resurface in his head. This time, he doesn’t suppress them. 

“Yeah, hi.” Kazuki wants to die. ‘Yeah, hi’?

“Is the plan ready?”

“Papa! I finished washing my hands!” Miri announces cheerily as she enters the kitchen, holding her hands out for Kazuki to inspect. She comes to a halt when she sees him with the phone pressed to his ear. “Is that Kyu-chan?! Kyu-chan, hi! It’s Miri!” She tries to grab Kazuki’s arm.

“Miri, wait.” Kazuki holds the phone away from her reach. “This is not Kyu-chan. Papa is on a very important call right now. Why don’t you go eat your breakfast before it turns cold?” 

“But Miri wants to eat with Papa!” She whines.

“I know, I know. I’ll be there in a second, okay?” He ushers Miri away from the kitchen.

“Sorry about that,” Kazuki tells Rei. The line stays silent. He goes on, “Yeah, the plan is ready. Where can we meet?” He’s about to suggest his place when Rei speaks up.

“Yadorigi. Today.”

Kazuki wants to bang his head against the nearest wall at the spike of disappointment he inevitably feels. Seriously, what the hell was he expecting? This was about the job and nothing else. They agree on a time, and Kazuki hangs up. 

Shortly after, he joins Miri at the table.

“Who was that, Papa?” Miri asks around a mouthful of omurice. 

“No one,” Kazuki mutters, and Miri tilts her head in confusion. He tries to inject as much enthusiasm into his voice as possible. “Are you excited about the field trip today?”

Miri nods joyfully, swallowing her food, and starts listing with her hand all the animals she’s excited to see at the aquarium.

*

He gets to Yadorigi before Rei.

Kyutaro quirks a brow at Kazuki’s pathetic form, whose head and arms are dropped onto the counter like a ragdoll that has seen better days.

“You don’t need to know,” he mumbles.

“I wasn’t going to ask.” Kyutaro continues drying glasses with a cloth.

The doorbell chimes and Kazuki’s body shoots upright, sitting straight on the stool, anticipation running through his veins.

There, by the door, clad in his black suit and hair flawlessly styled in a ponytail, stands Rei. He’s as achingly beautiful as the last time he saw him. 

“Good afternoon, Rei-san,” Kyutaro greets with an easy smile.

It’s Kazuki’s turn to raise an eyebrow at Kyutaro. San? He guesses it made sense, considering their statuses, but it’s still a bit strange hearing Kyutaro speaking so politely to people other than Yadorigi’s customers.

“Just Rei is fine.” 

The shadows under his eyes are impossibly dark, looking like he hasn't gotten a wink of sleep in weeks. It’s not even about the heavy exhaustion in his gaze, though; there’s some deeper emotion lurking underneath, something that Kazuki can’t identify. 

Rei fixes his eyes on him. “Let’s hear the plan.”

Right. The plan. 

Rei makes himself comfortable on a stool as Kyutaro flips the front door sign to Closed. Kazuki tries not to think too much about the fact that Rei didn’t sit next to him but preferred to leave an empty stool between them. 

Kyutaro places a glass of some orange drink in front of Rei as Kazuki pulls up the information about the targets on his laptop. This time they will be dealing with two people, brothers to be more exact, who are involved in human trafficking. Rei listens attentively to Kazuki’s explanation for the next twenty minutes, and when Kazuki’s finished, they decide they will make their move in two days, when the targets are usually together, holding a meeting at their mansion with their intimate circle.

During the last steps of Kazuki’s plan, Kyutaro disappeared through the back door, leaving them pointedly alone. Kazuki wants to say something, anything, but his mind is perfectly blank, or rather, there’s so much he wants to say, his mind has turned into a whirlwind of jumbled thoughts, so the result is the same. He stays silent. 

Next to him, Rei is drilling holes into the empty glass before him with his eyes. Something is troubling him, that much is evident on his face. Knowing that Rei will be leaving any second now, as there is nothing left to discuss about the mission, Kazuki summons the courage to shift closer, leaning over to place a hand against Rei’s nape, caressing the stray hairs that aren’t long enough to be held. Kazuki feels Rei freeze beneath his fingertips before he’s recoiling from his touch.

“Getting bold, aren’t you?” It’s not what but how Rei says the words that has Kazuki’s blood turning cold. It’s not amused, it certainly isn’t playful. It sounds like he’s mocking him. 

Like you’re one to talk, Kazuki could say to save himself from the embarrassment, but he’s so taken aback at Rei’s tone that the words are painfully stuck in his throat. 

He’s so incredibly stupid. Of course it was like this. To Rei, he was only another dick in his ass, moving on to the next opportunity available that wouldn't threaten his no strings attached way of living. Kazuki can’t believe he dared to think otherwise when he was fully aware that night meant absolutely nothing, to hope that Rei might have thought about him too during all this time when Kazuki himself treated his casual nights with other people exactly the same. There didn’t have to be any feelings involved, Kazuki wasn’t that naïve, and that wasn’t what he wanted from Rei, but it was clear Rei didn’t share the sentiment. He really was projecting his own selfish desires when reality told another story. With a sinking feeling, Kazuki realizes it was all in his head, wanting to see things when they weren’t there, and there was no one to blame but himself. 

Rei stands up, tossing a few bills over the counter. “Meet me the day after tomorrow at the same time and place as before.” 

Kazuki doesn’t see him leave, the bell above the door sounding far away.

“He left already?” 

Kazuki jumps. He didn’t even notice when Kyutaro came back. “Uh? Oh yeah. I have to go. Thanks for everything, Kyu-chan.”

Kazuki feels the other man’s scrutiny as he grabs his things.

“Kazuki,” Kyutaro calls before he’s out of Yadorigi. “Be careful.”

Something tells Kazuki he’s not precisely talking about the mission. 

* 

That night, once he’s tucked Miri in bed and confident she won’t wake up from her heavy slumber, Kazuki heads to a place he hasn’t stepped foot in so long. He greets Carol and Dorothy with his usual charm, gambling most of his night away and spending the remaining money from his last job on an absurd amount of alcohol. It was okay, he had another job in two days with the very reason behind his self-pity and bad decisions. Seriously, fuck that guy and his pretty waist. Fuck his pretty lips and his pretty legs and his pretty everything. Fuck him. 

(God, he sure wishes he could).

At some point during the night, one of the girls gives him a blowjob in one of the private rooms, but Kazuki wants to laugh so bad —and that would probably earn him a well-deserved slap— over how he can’t even enjoy it; the entire time wishing blue eyes were gazing up at him instead of green. He had gone to Fairy Lips with the intention of leaving with someone to spend a few hours with, but when the same girl invited him to her place, Kazuki couldn’t find it in him to say yes, not even with the shit-ton of alcohol circulating in his system. He went home instead.

It was probably too soon.

*

Against all odds, the mission is successful. 

Kazuki sucked it up and didn’t allow his state of mind to affect his role in this mission. Not many words were exchanged between him and Rei beforehand. Both of them knew what they had to do, and Rei eliminated the targets without much trouble. However, his demeanor was completely different from their first mission. Equally as focused but way more aggressive. 

Despite being long dead, Rei is still shooting at the target’s body, sprawled out awkwardly on the ground in a pool of blood, becoming more and more unrecognizable with each bullet. Kazuki can’t bring himself to look away.

“Rei,” he calls out loud, refusing to show his uneasiness. “You’re wasting your bullets on a corpse. Let’s get out of here.”

It’s like Kazuki didn’t speak at all. Rei keeps firing at the dead man until he runs out of bullets. That doesn’t stop him, though. He reaches inside his suit jacket and pulls out another gun. Something is wrong with him. They don’t know each other, not really, but Kazuki can tell. 

Kazuki shakes off his stupor and approaches Rei. Not his brightest idea when someone armed is clearly out of it, but he has to do something. Kazuki grabs his shoulder, giving him a hard shove. 

“Stop it already.”

Rei doesn’t turn to him, but he lowers his gun, arm falling limply to his side. Kazuki doesn’t like the lifeless look reflected in his sunken eyes. 

He stops that line of thought right there. He shouldn’t care. 

“Let’s go,” Kazuki tries again, tugging at Rei’s arm. 

Surprisingly, Rei lets Kazuki drag him out of the mansion and to the car. 

Kazuki doesn’t know what to do with Rei. He’s deadly silent in the passenger seat, completely zoned out. He doesn’t want to go anywhere close to the headquarters because one single look at Rei and they’ll surely think Kazuki did something to him. He hesitates bringing him to his apartment; Rei made it very clear he didn’t want anything to do with Kazuki. 

The reminder leaves a bitter taste on his tongue. What is he doing? Kazuki should kick him out of his car. They are only together because of work, and that’s been dealt with already. Rei wasn’t his problem nor his responsibility. He didn’t owe shit to him. Let him find his own way home. 

That’s what the part of him that it’s still sore over Rei’s rejection tells him.

Kazuki knows he’s being petty. The only one at fault here was himself for harboring delusional expectations. He and Rei never agreed on anything. Kazuki isn’t cruel, either— A little bit hypocritical considering his line of work. But he really can’t abandon Rei when it’s obvious he isn’t well. 

With a deep sigh, he turns the key in the ignition.

Kazuki can’t take him to those places, but there is one he can.

“I’m taking you to a hotel, alright? The same as before.”

Kazuki secures the seatbelt around Rei and rolls down the windows to let some chill night air inside, hoping to wake him up from his daze. He drives through the streets of Fukuoka until Variant Hotel comes into view ahead of them. 

“Kazuki.”

Kazuki jumps a little and looks over at Rei, relieved to hear that he sounds like his usual self. “Hey. Are you okay?” 

Silence.

Rei is rubbing at his eyes with the heel of his hands. 

“I’m taking you to Variant Hotel.”

More silence.

“We’ll need your card or something to book a room. I don’t have that kind of money with me.”

This time, Kazuki leaves the car in the hotel’s underground parking lot. In the reception, he requests a smoking room. He will only make sure Rei gets there safely, and that’s it. When the lady at the counter tells them the total price for a single night, Kazuki nearly chokes on his spit, but Rei easily slides a card across the counter.

Fucking rich boy. 

The woman gives them the key card with a polite smile.

“I’ll just make sure you get to the room in one piece, and then I’m leaving, alright?” Kazuki says as they step into the elevator.

He scans the card on the lock outside room 812, and the light flashes green. He pushes the door open and lets Rei go inside first, lights turning on automatically as they enter the room. 

Kazuki’s barely taken a couple of steps when Rei suddenly turns on his feet and clutches his jacket with both hands, pulling him down to claim his mouth in a searing kiss. Kazuki lets out a small noise of surprise against his lips. God, he missed this. He missed him. He almost allows himself to get lost in the feeling, but for once, he listens to his brain instead of his dick.

Kazuki pushes him away roughly. “Are you fucking with me?!”

Rei stumbles backward. He contemplates Kazuki’s face before he heads to the small table in the room, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on his way. He drops into one of the chairs, lighting the cigarette resting between his lips.

Kazuki remains in the same spot, shifting uncomfortably. He has no idea what to do. He should leave. After all, Rei looked much better than he did an hour ago, but his feet seem rooted to the ground.

He will probably regret it later, but he decides to take the bait. He walks further into the room and sits at the edge of the bed, facing Rei. Neither of them says anything as Rei finishes his cigarette with all the calm in the world. He puts it out on the ashtray over the table. 

Wordlessly, Rei rises from the chair, locking eyes with Kazuki as he straddles him on the bed. Kazuki’s hands naturally find their place on Rei’s waist. Rei takes his hands, and Kazuki braces from the upcoming rejection— Rei was as unpredictable as that. 

But it never comes.

Rei guides Kazuki’s hands from his waist to his ass, encouraging Kazuki to grab him. He leans forward until his lips are brushing Kazuki’s ear.

“If you won’t fuck me, leave.”

Kazuki shudders at the words, Rei’s hot breath fanning against the sensitive skin of his ear. Rei abandons Kazuki’s lap, and Kazuki hates himself for immediately mourning the loss of his warmth. 

Without sparing him a look, Rei walks toward the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Seconds later, Kazuki hears the shower running. 

Kazuki is grateful for the time Rei is unknowingly giving him. Time for what, though? For fuck’s sake, he should just leave. Rei had no qualms in making it clear he didn’t give a fuck about Kazuki and he was just playing with him. Kazuki was usually smarter than this. He should put distance between himself and Rei. If he’s assigned another job that requires working together, he should establish a strict work relationship. Nothing more. If he needs sex so badly, he can easily get it anywhere else.

But Kazuki doesn’t want anyone else. 

He wants him. He needs Rei so much every fiber of his being is screaming at him to kiss him, feel him, pleasure him, and find pleasure in his body. How many times did he fantasize about meeting Rei again? Of getting to feel him in his arms once more? Many. A lot. Countless. He’s in too deep now to pretend he can just walk away and forget everything. He decides he’ll take whatever Rei is willing to give him. He won’t have any expectations. 

Kazuki buries his face in his hands. He truly is hopeless. 

“Why are you still here?”

Kazuki snaps his head in Rei’s direction. He didn’t even hear when he got out of the shower. With no clean clothes available, Rei chose to wear only his dress shirt, stirring memories of that August night.

Why are you still here? He heard those exact words from Rei’s mouth before. It’s funny how they are now directed at him.

Rei watches him impassively, no doubt waiting for Kazuki to make the first move. Decidedly, Kazuki gets up from the bed and strides over to Rei, grabbing his jaw to kiss him deeply, tasting peppermint instead of the smoke he was expecting. Rei kisses him back, starting to melt under his touch.

Reluctantly, Kazuki breaks the kiss. “I’ll be back.” 

They didn’t have any condoms or lube, so Kazuki figured he’d need to head to the nearest pharmacy. A quick search on his phone and he’s good to go. 

Once he has the stuff and a couple more things —he had to make a quick detour to get those— Kazuki returns to the room. 

He isn’t surprised to find Rei sleeping soundlessly over the covers. He sets the plastic bag on the nightstand and observes him quietly, studying his features. Long, delicate lashes rest against deep shadows that reveal a continuity of sleepless nights. He looks younger like this, without that frown that seems permanently etched on his face. 

Kazuki wants to take a shower so badly. He needs to wash off the death of those men that is insistently sticking to his skin. He wants to, but Rei will surely stir awake at the tiniest noise. It was already a miracle he didn’t wake up when Kazuki let himself into the room.

He also needs Rei to dress in the clothes he got for him. 

Kazuki has no idea what he’s doing, why he keeps doing all these little gestures for Rei when he hasn’t given him any motives whatsoever. Claiming not to know the reason is a lie, however. Taking care of others comes naturally to him, that much he’s aware of, but it’s different with Rei. Kazuki realizes he wants to know him, like really know him, because there’s so much more hiding under that indifferent, cold exterior. Kazuki deeply wishes to figure him out and unravel his thoughts, and to do that, he needs to gain his trust.

“Rei,” he calls softly. The single utterance of his name is enough to rouse the man from his sleep. “I got you some clean clothes for you to get changed into. I’m gonna take a shower.”

Rei glances at the shirt and sweatpants Kazuki has in his hands with their labels on, staring at them like they’re something alien to him. When he doesn’t take the clothes, Kazuki puts them on the bed. 

Under the hot stream of water, Kazuki wishes he could stay there longer, but he wants to return to Rei. Will he be waiting for Kazuki? Or maybe he fell asleep again, and… Kazuki finds that he wouldn’t mind. Sleep is what Rei actually needs the most right now. 

Done with his shower, he gets dressed in the clothes he got for himself. Now, Rei and he will be matching. He smiles involuntarily at the thought. There are two toothbrushes by the sink. The wrapping of one of them is already torn open, so Kazuki takes the other one to brush his teeth mechanically. 

Rei’s clothes are scattered across the floor, and unable to stand the mess, Kazuki folds them, leaving them on one of the shelves, along with his guns. He caresses the fabric of Rei’s suit jacket that sits atop the pile before bringing it to his nose, finding familiarity in the mix of scents that assault his senses; gunpowder, cigarette smoke, faint laundry detergent, and underneath that, a scent that is inherently Rei’s. He exhales a sigh, long and heavy.

Kazuki abandons the steamy room, not knowing what to expect. 

Rei is still awake, sitting cross-legged in the bed. The clothes Kazuki gave him are sitting ignored next to him. Either he still wants them to have sex tonight, or he truly doesn’t care about anything Kazuki does. 

Fed up with waiting, Rei decides to take the matter into his own hands. 

He leaves the bed and crosses the room in three quick strides, hooking a finger inside the collar of Kazuki’s shirt to bring their mouths together. It’s frantic and messy. It’s them tilting their heads to fit better, trying to find the best angle to feel each other deeper. They kiss with the kind of desperation that belongs to past-life lovers finding each other again. Kazuki’s hands slip under Rei’s shirt, rubbing his bare skin, and this time, there’s no need for Rei to guide his hands to his ass. Kazuki does it himself, heat pooling in his groin at the feel of that firm yet soft skin under his palms. He squeezes it, eliciting the sexiest moan from Rei’s throat. 

Pressing him against the opposite wall, Kazuki moves the collar of Rei’s half-opened shirt aside and falters when he zeroes in on the hickey that sits at the base of Rei’s throat. It’s already fading, but the sight of it provokes a fierce reaction. He sucks the pale skin in a rush of possessiveness. His head is flooded with unwanted images of someone else’s mouth and hands on Rei, making him more aggressive as he ravishes his neck with bites and kisses.

Rei gasps appreciatively above him, hand gripping the back of Kazuki’s head, encouraging him to continue his ministrations.

“Who did this?” The question is out before Kazuki can do anything to stop it.

“Huh?” Rei sounds confused.

“This hickey.”

There’s a brief pause. “Why do you care?”

Kazuki reprimands himself. Why the hell does he care, indeed? Rei wasn’t his. They weren’t together. This didn’t mean anything— certainly, not to Rei. Instead of responding, Kazuki closes his lips around the fading bruise and sucks hard, replacing the offensive mark with his own. 

Rei moans softly, but he still has the nerve to say, “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.” 

Kazuki’s breath hitches in his throat, but he doesn’t let the words or his tone get to him like that time at Yadorigi. He chooses a different approach. He chooses to tell the truth, letting Rei do whatever he wants with it. Kazuki lifts his head to look into his eyes.

“Yeah, I am.”

Rei’s gaze widens ever so slightly, an unnamed emotion flickering behind his eyes. His face is open and vulnerable for the first time before it shuts down completely. The look in his eyes abruptly shifts as something akin to rage flashes through them.

He pushes Kazuki into the bed harshly. Kazuki watches with confusion as Rei swings a leg over to straddle him, reaching inside Kazuki’s sweatpants to pull his half-hard cock out. Rei takes him inside his mouth once, then strokes him to full hardness. 

Raising his body, Rei guides Kazuki’s cock to his hole, but Kazuki’s hands fly up to his hips to stop him.

“Fuck, Rei,” he hisses. “Wait.”

“Don’t worry, I’m clean,” Rei assures easily, sounding like a complete stranger. “I got tested last week. The heir to the Suwa bloodline isn’t allowed to be sick, right?” The woeful smile that tugs at his lips is painful to see.

Kazuki is at a loss for words. Rei tries again, and that’s when Kazuki reacts. He rolls them over and presses Rei to the bed, closing his fingers around his wrists, keeping them on each side of his head.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?”

Was he seriously about to take Kazuki’s cock without protection or preparation? He said he was clean, but what if Kazuki wasn’t? This wasn’t about trust, not at all. This was about not giving a single fuck about his own life.

Rei’s chest is rising and falling at such an erratic pace Kazuki is fearing he’s actually hyperventilating. 

“Rei–

“Please, make it hurt,” he whispers, voice breaking.

In that moment, there’s nothing Kazuki wants more than to get a glimpse into Rei’s head because he’s honestly lost. He has no idea why he’s been on edge the whole night or why he keeps acting this way. He wants to say, talk to me, but he won’t get a response; actions are louder than words, anyway. 

He releases Rei’s wrists to envelop him in a hug.

Rei goes utterly still under him, and he doesn’t hug Kazuki back, but it doesn’t matter. Chests pressed together, Rei lets him hold him, and Kazuki keeps his arms around Rei until his breathing has returned to normal. Even then, he can feel Rei’s heart beating wildly inside his ribcage, like the flutter of a hummingbird yearning to be set free. Kazuki doesn’t think much of it. 

Kazuki loses sense of time, but time is truly an irrelevant thing when it feels like they are the only two people in the world. 

“If you want to continue, we’re doing it the right way,” Kazuki whispers. “If you don’t and want me to leave, I will.”

Kazuki moves away to lie next to Rei. He gives him time to mull over what he wants from Kazuki. He will let Rei take whatever he wants from him, even if that means having to go or disappearing from his life for good. The answer comes sooner than he thought. 

“You don’t have to go.”

Kazuki understands what he means right away.

Rei sits up and takes the clothes Kazuki got for him. Silently, he shrugs off his dress shirt and starts to get changed. When he’s finished, Kazuki spots the label on the shirt dangling at his back.

“Here. Let me,” Kazuki says, carefully taking it off with a quick tug of his hand. 

Rei pauses. Thinking that he wants to say something, Kazuki patiently waits, but the words never make it past his lips.

They slip under the covers, and Kazuki turns off the lights, sending the room into darkness. Kazuki peers over at Rei, barely making out the shape of his back. He sighs and rolls to his side, too. 

He closes his eyes and hopes sleep takes him soon.

*

Kazuki wakes up to soft lips covering every centimeter of his neck. The world around him is still dark. Not even when he realizes Kazuki’s awake does Rei hesitate. He continues kissing him, lips traveling upward until their mouths are moving together unhurriedly. 

They kiss for a long time. 

Rei finds one of Kazuki’s hands and guides it under his shirt in a silent implore to touch him. No more encouragement is needed. He splays his palm over Rei’s chest, fingers running into every bump and ragged line that covers his skin. His thumb rubs over his nipple, and Rei sighs against his lips. Another sweep of his finger, and Rei arches into his touch. His hand explores, touches, and feels everything Rei offers him.

The sensations disappear altogether, and then a soft orange hue is bathing the room. Kazuki blinks, adjusting his eyes to the sudden brightness. Rei is on his knees, studying Kazuki’s face closely. He isn’t wearing the sweats anymore. He grabs something from the nightstand beside the bed— the bottle of lube Kazuki purchased earlier. Rei squeezes a good amount of it onto his fingers and reaches behind himself, lips parting as he slides the first finger inside.

Rei makes sure not to look away from Kazuki’s face as he works his finger in and out with a steady rhythm. Kazuki settles against the pillows and frees his cock, stroking the length lazily as he watches Rei open himself for him. Somehow, this feels far more intimate and intrusive than anything they’ve done so far.

When Rei deems he’s prepared enough, he pulls his shirt over his head, doing the same with Kazuki’s. Kazuki gets rid of his sweatpants and reaches for the box of condoms on the small table next to the bed, but Rei stops him. Kazuki turns to him, and the intentions are clear in his eyes.

They really shouldn’t. 

This would be the epitome of irresponsibility. Kazuki was definitely smarter than this. After tonight, there would not be going back. Placing his trust in the wrong place could mess up his life. And yet…

He wants it so much.

“I’m clean too, but… Can I trust you?”

“You can.” Rei’s expression is open and sincere. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Long looks are exchanged, seeking and understanding. Kazuki finally falls back against the sheets, gazing at Rei expectantly.

Rei takes the lube again and applies a generous amount to Kazuki’s cock with a skillful hand. Kazuki sighs, relaxing against the bed, adoring the way Rei touches him. Rei slides a leg over Kazuki, positioning himself above him, and holds his throbbing cock in place. He lowers his hips, his well-stretched entrance making way for the hard length. Rei takes his time as he eases himself onto Kazuki’s cock, taking inch by inch until Kazuki is completely inside, engulfed by his searing, wet heat. Both of them moan in unison at the intoxicating sensation of being so intimately connected. He can’t believe how fucking good Rei feels. With no barriers between them, the excruciating feeling of those walls hugging his cock so incredibly tight is taking him to new heights of pleasure.

Rei places his palms over Kazuki’s chest for support and begins moving. He raises his hips until only the head remains inside and moves back down again. Kazuki’s name on Rei’s lips is a breathless sigh. He sets a steady pace; it’s not quick or impatient. It’s like he wants to savor every slide of Kazuki’s cock as it reaches deeper and deeper inside of him. 

Kazuki caresses his legs absentmindedly, entranced by the sight of Rei using his cock to satisfy himself. Rei’s cock is flushed red and dripping precum as it bobs with every motion of his hips. Kazuki wants to touch him, but he keeps his hands on Rei’s thighs. 

“What do you want me to do? Tell me.”

“Move.” Rei’s answer sounds like a plea. 

Kazuki complies, rocking his hips up to fuck into Rei at the same time he sinks back down. Rei tilts his head back, crying out his pleasure. Kazuki does it again and again, soon finding a pace that satisfies them both. Rei’s skin is glistening with sweat, despite the cold air in the room. His brows are pinched together, a soft blush covering his cheeks and neck, turning a deeper color where Kazuki sucked on his skin earlier.

“Do you want me to touch you?”

“No,” Rei says, panting. “I only need this.” He emphasizes his point by clenching around Kazuki’s cock.

Kazuki’s nails dig deeper into his flesh. Rei implying he’s coming from Kazuki’s cock alone is, quite honestly, hot as fuck. Rei gives him the ghost of a smile at his reaction, and they keep moving together until Rei can’t hold himself up any further, limbs growing tired and shaky by the exertion.

Kazuki gently guides him forward, naked chests now pressed together. He cards his fingers through Rei’s dark locks, feeling the shaved sides of his undercut before Kazuki continues fucking into him. Rei’s hands grip Kazuki’s shoulders, trying to meet his thrusts, but his movements are becoming clumsy. It’s clear he’s spent in more ways than one.

“Kazuki.” Rei’s voice is coated with frustration. “More.”

Kazuki trails his hands down Rei’s back, settling on his ass. He grabs a handful before taking a firm hold of his hips. He lifts Rei until he’s almost pulled out of him completely and slams him back onto his cock. Rei’s ragged breaths next to his ear make Kazuki shove his cock into him faster. Rei is trembling all over, his own cock trapped between them, oozing more and more precum.

“Th-there. Ah–Kazuki. Right there.”

Kazuki focuses on that spot as he moves Rei’s hips up and down, plowing him deep. The room fills with cries of pleasure and the lewd noise of skin slapping together. Rei can’t stop shivering in his arms. They’re both close, and Kazuki needs to see him. He needs to see Rei when he rides out his orgasm as Kazuki fills him inside for the first time. 

“Rei, look at me,” he pleads.

Rei leans away just enough for them to lock their hazy gazes. As much as he’d like this moment to last, Kazuki can’t hold back any longer, not with the way moan after moan is torn from Rei’s throat every time he hits his prostate. A few more unforgiving thrusts and it’s actually Rei who comes first. The violent force of his orgasm makes him lose his remaining strength, but Kazuki is quick to cup the side of his face to keep him upright. He watches as intense pleasure washes over Rei’s features, setting him off. 

The orgasm ripples through his body as he pushes his cock as deep as he can into Rei, coming hard inside him with a loud groan, filling his hole to the brim. Amidst the aftershocks of his orgasm, Kazuki catches the moment Rei feels it; his eyes flutter shut, heaving a pleased sigh through parted lips.

Rei finally collapses onto Kazuki. They stay like that for a while, catching their breaths, and Kazuki thinks he could fall asleep like this, but the mess in between their bodies is calling for attention. He starts to pull out but Rei grunts in annoyance.

“Not yet,” he mumbles.

It’s ridiculous, considering what just transpired between them, but Kazuki can’t help the fierce blush that spreads across his face. At least Rei isn’t looking at him.

“Rei,” he whispers. “I need to clean us both.” Not to mention Rei might want to clean himself too.

The other man ignores him, and they fall into a comfortable silence.

“Kazuki,” Rei murmurs softly after a while, voice heavy with sleep. “‘M sorry.”

Rei doesn’t need to say anything else. Kazuki understands. He peers down at him, carefully brushing his bangs aside, only to find that Rei’s eyes are closed, and his breathing has turned steady. He really did fall asleep with Kazuki’s cock still inside. As gently as he can, he slips out of him. Relieved to see that he didn’t wake up, Kazuki decides to clean up the mess in the morning. He wraps his arms around Rei, covering them both with the blankets.

Kazuki doesn’t even bother to flick off the lights. He’s uncertain of what the future looks like, but if this is the last time he can be with Rei like this or even at all, Kazuki wants to keep him close, if only for a night.

*

Kazuki takes Rei in his mouth in the shower the next morning. Moments later, when Kazuki is buried to the hilt inside him, despite the heated moans that fill the steamy room, there’s still an annoying voice in his head nagging at him, telling him this feels awfully like a goodbye.

They dress separately. Kazuki finishes first and doesn’t think twice about joining Rei in the bathroom with the pretense of forgetting something. He finds Rei standing in front of the mirror, brushing his hair with his fingers, hair tie held between his teeth. His eyes flicker over Kazuki before returning to his reflection. 

Kazuki collects the discarded damp towels from the floor to place them over the hanger whilst Rei secures the elastic around his hair, leaving that single strand to fall over his forehead. Kazuki moves closer, coming to stand behind him, locking gazes in the mirror, and Kazuki needs to know. 

Tentatively, he presses a hand to the side of Rei’s neck, thumb brushing over the soft skin of his nape, just above the collar of his shirt. He moves his finger in gentle, circular motions, messing up the stray hairs. Rei exhales a small sigh, goosebumps erupting over his skin as he lets his eyes fall closed, leaning back into Kazuki’s touch. 

Kazuki watches every subtle reaction with undivided attention. 

Rei turns around, and Kazuki holds his breath when he brushes a gloveless finger across his bottom lip, pressing gently. Rei’s gaze falls to his mouth before he looks up again, a faint smile tugging at his lips at the familiarity of the gesture.

“Goodbye, Kazuki.”

Seconds later, the room door closes, and Kazuki can breathe again.

*

The next time they meet each other is all passionate kisses and Kazuki whispering Fuck, I missed you against Rei’s skin as he undresses him and fucks him against the wall of his apartment.

They are assigned more missions together, but their encounters become more and more frequent in between. At first, it’s all about falling into bed and chasing pleasure with aggressive urgency. Eventually, it becomes something else; it becomes more about soft touches and gentle kisses, about taking the time to map and worship each other’s bodies without rushing to the outcome— and Kazuki will never forget the look in Rei’s eyes when he kissed every single one of the scars on his body. It becomes more about them keeping company with each other afterward, Kazuki making most of the talk, as expected, but Rei listens to everything Kazuki has to say. And it’s sharing casual, lazy kisses that didn’t have to lead to sex and Kazuki cooking for Rei when the latter’s stomach growls as the high of their orgasms wears off. 

And when Kazuki doesn’t have anything to offer to Rei besides Miri’s outrageously sugary cereal, he doesn’t miss the way Rei’s eyes light up at the first spoonful, ignoring the way his stomach flutters in response.

*

“Papa! You are so happy today!”

Kazuki stops chopping. “Huh? I am?” He looks down at Miri, who’s watching him with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Yes! You were smiling this big.” Miri spreads her arms wide. “You weren’t even looking at your hands.” She giggles.

“Oh, yeah,” Kazuki rushes to say, embarrassed at being caught daydreaming. “That was an example of what you shouldn’t do, alright, young lady?”

Miri nods before her attention is drawn to something else. “Papa, what’s that on your neck?” 

Kazuki’s hand flies up to his neck as if hiding the hickey Miri has already seen will make any difference.

“This? Uh…” He racks his brain to come up with a plausible explanation. “It’s a bug bite!” 

Miri believes him, of course. She simply widens her eyes as her mouth forms an “O” shape. “A big bug!”

Not for the first time, Kazuki wonders when he will introduce Rei to Miri.

*

It’s a blessing, Kazuki thinks, that Rei has become even more honest during sex. He’s lazily riding Kazuki, arms curled around his neck, playing with the hair at the back of his head. Early morning sunlight streams through the window, turning Rei into an ethereal sight.

His eyes glint with a knowing look.

“Who do you think requested to get missions together?” 

If Kazuki were standing, he’d have tumbled over. He never really questioned it. Kyutaro just said it was an order from the “higher-ups,” and he just rolled with it. Kazuki didn’t ask again. “Then meeting you at that warehouse wasn’t a coincidence? Were you following me?”

“I didn’t know you would be there, but you piqued my interest after that.”

Kazuki grins at his honesty, pulling him in for a kiss. He does wonder how Rei’s father is allowing this. The man surely knew about the true nature of their relationship and how far from professional it actually was. There has to be more than what Rei is letting on, and for a moment, worry churns in his gut.

Rei begins moving faster on his cock then, effectively shutting down all those thoughts. Kazuki uses his hold on Rei’s waist to fuck into him. He gently pushes Rei onto the bed, feeling those long legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer. The new position allows him to go deeper, and as he kisses Rei, there’s nothing more he wants than for the man beneath him to think of him when they’re not together, to think of how good Kazuki fucks him every time; for him to realize no one else can satisfy his needs and desires as well as Kazuki does. Rei’s nails scratch down his back, urging him to move faster.

“Rei,” he whispers against his lips. “I really want to ruin you for everybody else.”

Rei sighs blissfully, taken over by the pleasure he’s currently feeling. “You already did.”

Kazuki pauses, pulling away to get a better look at him. Rei has just dropped such a valuable piece of information, and he certainly can’t leave it like that. “What do you mean?”

It seems Rei didn’t mean to say that. He purposely looks away from Kazuki’s face, lips pressed into a stubborn line. 

Kazuki isn’t letting this go, though. “Tell me.” 

It also seems Rei has no intention of giving in any time soon, but Kazuki knows what will make him talk. He starts to slip out.

Rei snaps his head at him, looking personally offended, legs locking around his waist tightly to prevent him from moving away.

“I’m stronger than you,” he declares.

Kazuki lifts a brow. He seriously doubted that. 

A defiant look comes to his eyes, and Kazuki doesn’t even have the chance to blink before his back is hitting the bed. The most tempting smirk pulls at Rei’s lips as he straddles his hips again. Kazuki’s cock twitches inside him.

“I felt that.”

Kazuki blushes furiously. This is completely backfiring on him. “I was distracted!”

Rei seems to be taking great delight in seeing Kazuki squirm under him. Kazuki can’t even get mad over never knowing the details, not when Rei’s gaze is cast down as he caresses his chest with delicate fingers, skin burning with every touch. Those same delicate fingers have pulled the trigger countless times without a second thought. Kazuki takes one of his hands and intertwines their fingers, bringing their linked hands to his lips. Rei’s eyes go wide, and then he’s joining their mouths together, completely lying down on Kazuki.

Kazuki rolls them over without breaking the kiss. He sits up and places a pillow under Rei’s hips before he starts penetrating him with deep, hard thrusts, taking advantage of Rei’s flexibility to fold him in half. Rei’s ecstatic moans are all Kazuki can focus on, driving him to increase the speed. He encourages Rei to lift one of his legs over his shoulder and wrap the other one around his waist. Kazuki bites down and then presses a kiss to the inside of Rei’s leg, using it as leverage as he fills him over and over, fucking him deep against the mess of sheets. The angle certainly proves to be perfect when the loudest moan he’s heard from Rei yet is ripped from his throat. Kazuki watches him in awe. He’s so gone for this man. 

Contrary to Kazuki’s initial strategy, sex is actually what makes him talk. 

“I– After our first time, I couldn’t even enjoy sex. I tried. Many times, but– Ah, it wasn’t the same.”

It really isn’t the moment, but the revelation has Kazuki revisiting all their encounters in his head. After that faded hickey at Variant Hotel, he never saw any marks on Rei’s body besides his own. He remembered feeling pathetically hopeful, even though he had no right to be. They had grown closer over the last months, but they weren’t together. Rei was free to do whatever he wanted, and so was Kazuki, but it was pointless because Kazuki didn’t feel compelled to sleep with anyone other than Rei— Work was a whole different matter and one that Kazuki didn’t really want to think about, even though it had been a while since a job had required him to sleep with someone. They did start using condoms again as per Rei’s wishes, so Kazuki just assumed he was seeing other people.

Kazuki slows down. “You haven’t slept with anyone else in all these months?”

Rei shakes his head.

“Then why did you want us to use condoms again?”

“It’s too much of a hassle to clean myself when all I want to do is sleep.”

Kazuki can’t believe what he’s hearing. He can’t help the laugh that bubbles past his lips to the point his shoulders are shaking, much to Rei’s confusion.

He leans down to place a kiss on his cheek. “I could’ve done that for you. You just needed to ask.”

Kazuki watches as the words are registered inside Rei’s head, a blush blooming on his cheeks— Ha. Payback.

“Take it off.” Again, it wasn’t a request or a demand. It was a threat.

Kazuki blinks at Rei’s sudden change. “What if it’s me who’s sleeping with other people?”

“You are?”

“No.”

Rei’s answer is to move away, sneaking his hand between them to peel off the condom from Kazuki’s cock, finding the nearly empty bottle among the mess of sheets to lather his bare length with lube. He falls back onto the bed, the expression on his face telling Kazuki that if he doesn’t do anything soon, there will be consequences to deal with.

Kazuki smirks; Rei really wasn’t a patient man.

*

Rei is having a smoke on the small balcony. Freshly showered and clad in his suit, he’s leaving soon. They did spend some time in bed afterward until Rei fell asleep, pressed to Kazuki’s side. 

As Kazuki approaches, he notices Rei is holding something in his other hand: Miri’s bunny plushie. He already knows about Miri. Kazuki told him about that one mission almost two years ago and Miri stumbling into his life in an unplanned turn of events. They haven’t met as Rei’s visits are usually when Miri’s at the daycare or at a friend’s or when Kyutaro takes care of her during a mission. 

Kazuki has no doubt Miri will like Rei instantly. 

He wraps his arms around Rei, placing his chin on his shoulder, heart skipping a beat when Rei relaxes against him, welcoming his touch. Kazuki utters the words he’s been wanting to say for months.

“Do you want to meet her?”

*

Soon, Miri’s Papa becomes Papa Kazuki.