He's not really sure how things ended up like this. Well, he should have gotten a hint when Mr. Ainosuke had sent him off to take his measurements two weeks ago. Though he had thought that was for something like a new suit. They did have some high-profile political parties coming up after all. This was not a new suit.

It was the lilac color he preferred to wear. He had always thought about it as a small act of rebellion. A chance to stand out when he was supposed to fade into the background. Of course, typically it was just an insignificant tie that he wore. Tadashi always faded into the background so the color of his tie wasn't of course going to matter. He hadn't thought that Mr. Ainosuke would ever notice it either.

Tadashi was learning, over the last month since Mr. Ainosuke lost at S, that his Master had seen a lot more than he had let on. Thinking about all the change that had happened made his head spin too. It wasn't like Mr. Ainosuke still didn't have a temper or an over-inflated ego. He did. The other man had stopped lashing out at Tadashi though. Which he still wasn't sure he deserved. That had always been a price he was willing to pay to be by his side, but now Mr. Ainosuke had promised to never let him go. That was the least of the things he had promised.

"Does it hurt?"

A thick blush burned against his cheeks as he jumped. Tadashi shook his head no and ran a hand up the ribbing and over the neckline. "Mr. Ainosuke?"

Big warm hands caressed his cheek and turned his face away from the mirror to meet red eyes. "Tadashi," he admonished.

It was a warning. He swallowed. "Ainsouke," he corrected himself.

That was one of the biggest challenges he had had with all of this. Losing all of their formality and keeping everything close to his sleeve. They hadn't been close like this since they were children. Since before Tadashi had failed to defend his friend when he was losing something so achingly important to him. Ainosuke smiled at him and it held no edges to it. "Yes, Puppy?"

He gave up trying to fight the blush on his cheeks and leaned into Ainosuke's touch. "What am I wearing?"

Ainosuke laughed deep and warm. "A corset," he purred, "a very expensive one at that."

Tadashi huffed lightly and turned his mouth to nip Ainosuke's thumb which earned him some more laughter. "I knew that much."

The room felt warm when it used to be so cold for so many years. "Do you like it?"

He took the question seriously. A month ago he would have told Ainosuke that he didn't have an opinion. Those words had annoyed his Master more than anything and Tadashi had used them to hide from all the pain he felt. Now he forced himself to actually consider his own opinion on the subject. If he didn't like it he could tell Ainosuke. The other man had spent the last month proving that he genuinely wanted to know. He had been patient with Tadashi as he figured out how to think about what he liked or didn't like and his opinions.

Tadashi ran his hands over the corset. He liked the color and he liked the soft accenting white roses that patterned the garment. The lining was soft and easy on his skin while the outer fabric was silky. It fit perfectly. The cut was not very feminine despite the traditional use of the object. Instead, it had a fairly masculine edge to the design. He bit his lip looking into the mirror. At himself. Ainosuke waited for his answer. Much more patient than Tadashi was used to. Two big hands slipping down to rest on Tadashi's waist. Holding him in his hands.

Oh. His breath hitched.

He liked that.

There was something comforting in being held like this by his Master. The idea that he could be both so owned and protected in this way made his shoulders drop and the tightness in his stomach relax. He did look nice. Especially next to Ainosuke.

"Yes," he agreed, a soft smile pushing up against his lips, "I do."

Ainosuke kissed the top of his head. "And you're not just saying that for me?"

There was a time that Tadashi would say anything for Ainosuke. He'd do anything to make his Master happy. Though now he was pretty sure Ainosuke needed his honesty. Needed him to be sincere in his words so that Ainosuke knew he wanted him. The idea that Ainosuke wanted him to want him and didn't just want praise made Tadashi lightheaded.

He shook his head, turning to face Ainosuke and treading his fingers around the back of his neck. Tadashi took a moment to consider his words. "You have excellent taste Ainosuke," he looked him in the eyes with some effort, it was an odd thing to do after so many years, "and I can tell you put a lot of thought into considering what I would enjoy."

He licked his bottom lip trying to get the words right. "It makes me feel safe."

"Safe?"

Those sharp red eyes turned confused. Tadashi felt a lump in his throat when Ainosuke started to frown. That wasn't what he wanted. "I don't think I have the right to make anyone feel that way."

Tadashi lets his hands drift down Ainosuke's shoulders, his chest, his arms, until their hands are pressed together. "I've feared nothing in my life more than losing you," he confessed, "and if I fit so easily into your hands, then how could I worry about you not being able to hold on?"

Ainosuke's nostrils flared for a second. The idea of losing each other is equally upsetting to both men. "You're mine."

"Yes," Tadashi agreed and leaned up for a kiss.

They stayed like that for a moment sharing breath with each other. Revealing in the feelings of getting to do this, of getting to be this with each other. When they broke apart Tadashi leaned his head against Ainosuke's chest, closing his eyes. "Okay, my turn!"

Tadashi pulled back. "What?"

Ainosuke let go and headed towards the closet pulling out a large red corset with black roses. "Did you think I would let you have all the fun?"

Laughter burst out of Tadashi's chest. He wasn't sure how they had gotten here. It had been a long dark road, but he was so excited to see where they were going. He stepped into the light and went to go help his Lover put on his corset.