AN: Happy late Valentine's day, lol! So I wrote this as a birthday gift for tumblr user akihitoh, whose art is super cute! She turned 21 today and I knew that she liked Naru/Mai, and since that's the only thing I can write, here's a little gift fic. I promise to update OTGOWP soon, so bare with me! Happy birthday, Taylor!
XXX
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
Dammit!
Mai had been standing outside of Naru's office, a small bag in her hands. The office was abnormally quiet, the irregulars not showing up to chat. That was why she had decided that this was the most opportune moment for her to deliver the package she was holding. Normally, she had no qualms about entering the room, but this time was different. She couldn't bring herself to turn the knob, instead preferring to stand nearly motionless, aside from fidgeting, for the past five minutes. The smooth white of the door seemed to mock her. Maybe she should just try again tomorrow...
No! Absolutely not!
Frustrated, Mai ran her fingers through her chestnut hair, and quickly went through a breathing exercise to steel her nerves.
In... and out...
In... and out...
Clutching the paper bag tightly, she placed her hand on the knob and turned it. She bit her lip, and quietly opened the wooden door to let herself into the room. The room was silent, absent of the usual scratching of pen against paper, or the rhythmic tapping of computer keys. Mai frowned- this wasn't normal for her young boss. She said Naru's name in a small, questioning voice, wondering what was going on. However, when no snarky comment came from the dark haired narcissist, her eyes darted to the desk.
His arms formed a cushion against the wood of the desk, and his hair fell across his face gracefully. His breathing was even and smooth, though his expression seemed painful, and filled with grief. There was no doubt about it- Naru was sleeping, albeit fitfully.
Mai stifled a giggle- despite the obvious turmoil on his features, he just looked so adorable! She had always wondered what he looked like while he was asleep, as he never seemed to rest on cases. But as she was gazing on his form, he started to shift in his seat. Fearing that he was waking, Mai turned to hurry back into the lobby, deciding that her gift could wait.
She stopped in her tracks when he began to whisper.
It was difficult to hear at first, and it took the young psychic a moment to realize that he was speaking in English. After a few seconds, she noticed that he was saying only one word, over and over again. His shifting continued, and he was trembling, his eyebrows furrowed and tears escaping his closed lids. Realizing that he was sleeptalking, she slowly walked to him, hoping to hear what he was saying.
"Gene..."
Mai stumbled back in shock. He was having a nightmare about his brother! She dropped the paper bag on the ground, having forgotten all about it at this point. She glanced around her, looking for of what to do. If she woke him up, he might get suspicious about why she was in his office. But if she left him alone, he might start thrashing, and cause himself to get hurt. His ragged and uneven breathing grew louder. Quickly making up her mind, she put her hand tentatively on his shoulder.
Incredibly, just that small action had remarkable effects on the young man. His breathing slowed, his eyebrows unfurrowed. Seeing the changes that took place, Mai's courage grew, and she wrapped her arms around her boss, embracing him firmly, yet lovingly.
In... and out...
In... and out...
His breathing returned to a normal pattern, and his shoulders relaxed. Smiling warmly, Mai released her hold on the man, and stepped back.
Unfortunately, she forgot about the bag laying on the ground. And without realizing what was happening, her foot collided with it, and she fell backwards.
She never hit the ground. Instead, a pale arm grabbed her tanned one, preventing her from getting hurt. Looking up in shock, Mai found herself staring into Naru's sapphire eyes, which seemed to hold just as much surprise as her own. They stared at each other for a few seconds, until he turned away, breaking the moment.
"Maybe you should be more careful, dummy." He let go of his grip, causing Mai to drop the remaining few inches to the carpeted floor.
Forgetting about the nightmare that he just had, Mai became irritated with her attractive boss. "Ugh! You're so unbelievably rude! I cannot believe you!" Grumbling, she stood up and stormed her way back into the lobby, making sure to slam his office door the way he hated it. But as soon as she did, she leaned against the door, her heart beating unsteadily, seeming to fill her ears with its incessant rhythm. That was when she remembered the bag.
Naru stared at her retreating figure until the door closed with a bang. Glancing down at the object which caused her to fall in the first place, he noticed a tag attached to the corner of it. Hesitant and still in shock from the events that had just transpired, he shakingly picked up the bag, and brought the tag closer to his face, so he could read what was written there. Heart pounding, he took a few deep breaths to calm down.
In... and out...
In... and out...
Naru read the tag that contained his assistants familiar handwriting, and couldn't help but smile.
Dear Naru,
Happy Valentine's Day!
XXX
