Hi all it's Pandora :) After we watched The Love Punch together a while ago, Holly requested this fic with Haru and Daisuke following a similar story but also working on the case. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as she did!
The television in the corner flickers, the news reporter's face sliding up and down the screen until Haru slams a fist down on top of it. With a brief flash, the image rights itself and the reporter continues speaking.
"The Eye of the Rainbow has been missing since last week," he explains. "It is valued at just over a billion yen and investigators are working hard to return it to the museum where it is usually housed, on loan from the personal collection of the anonymous owner."
On the screen, the image shows a fat diamond in a display case, the light catching on it in dazzling rays—Haru can see how it got its name. He chews on his bland zosui, watching the images of the diamond, the exterior of the museum where it was displayed, various annoyed looking men talking to investigators. As the report ends and the next story—about a famous actress' upcoming nuptials—begins, Haru's phone vibrates in his pocket. Pulling it out, he checks the screen to see a message from Mr Kiyomizu:
[08:02] Kiyomizu: Briefing in room 12 when you arrive, mission for you.
When Haru arrives at work he heads straight to briefing room 12, watery coffee from the vending machine at the entrance in hand. As soon as the enters the room, however, he bristles.
"What are you doing here?" he demands, the words startled out of him before he can consider his tone.
From where he sits at the table, Daisuke looks up and gives Haru a smooth smile. "Good morning to you too."
"Morning," Haru says shortly, his heart beginning to race.
"I could have brought you nicer coffee," Daisuke says.
"I don't want it."
"You don't have to be difficult you know—it's just coffee."
"I'm fine with this," insists Haru.
"Well in answer to your question," adds Daisuke, "I'm here for a briefing with Mr Kiyomizu."
Haru's grip tightens on his paper coffee cup—no way. For a moment he considers turning around and leaving, insisting that Kiyomizu choose someone else for the mission, but then thinks better of it—he can't disrespect his boss' decision like that after all. With a grumble of resignation, he takes a seat at the opposite corner of the long table, fully aware that his refusal to look at Daisuke is likely coming across as petulant. Whatever: just because he has to work with his (hopefully) soon to be ex-husband doesn't mean he has to like it, especially given that the mission hasn't begun yet.
"So how have you been?" asks Daisuke airily, clearly undeterred by Haru's stony silence.
"Fine," Haru replies, resolutely staring at his coffee.
"How is your little flat?" Daisuke asks.
"It's fine."
"I could still get you somewhere nicer if you want."
"I don't."
"It could be closer to work."
"Not interested."
"I could pay for it completely—no mortgage or anything."
"No thanks."
"Haru—"
"Don't."
"You're being stubborn."
Finally Haru looks up. "If you don't like it then stop it."
"Stop what?" asks Daisuke.
"Trying to buy me back or whatever it is you're doing," scowls Haru. "It's not going to work."
"It's not like that," Daisuke insists. "I just want to make sure you're comfortable."
Haru almost laughs—what a load of shit! "I'm much more comfortable without you around, don't concern yourself."
"Haru, I—"
"Good morning gentlemen," says Kiyomizu as he enters the room. Thankful for the interruption, Haru gets to his feet to greet him with a bow and sees Daisuke do the same in his peripheral vision.
"Good morning sir," they say in unison, taking their seats again as he sits down.
"Thank you both for coming," Kiyomizu says, laying a folder on the table in front of him. "This has... Katou come sit closer so you can see."
"Yes sir." Heat creeps up the back of Haru's neck as he moves to a closer seat, now opposite Daisuke.
"Thank you," Kiyomizu says, his attention returning to the folder. "This case has come to us from the NPA so it's probably best we get right to it."
As he opens the folder, Haru catches sight of a few of the pictures inside and his eyebrows rise.
"Is that the Eye of the Rainbow?" he asks curiously.
Kiyomizu nods. "Did you see the news reports?"
"I saw one this morning," says Haru. "It was stolen from a museum right?"
"It was," says Kiyomizu, "and the NPA and PSIA are confident they know who by." He lays out photos across the surface of the table that show a man with bleached hair in a Hawaiian shirt and sporting orange sunglasses in every photo. "This is Takashi Yamagi, also known as 'Junior'," Kiyomizu explains. "His father owns a chain of hospitals in the Tokyo prefecture so Junior is rather used to the finer things in life. He moved into a penthouse in Shibuya last year that costs over half a million yen per month and has a collection of sports cars."
Haru fights the urge to make a snide dig at Daisuke—something about it sounding familiar—and instead asks, "So this is the thief?"
"We're fairly certain he is," Kiyomizu nods. "The current theory is that he hired people to take the diamond for him and we have sources that suggest he may be planning to gift it to his fiancée." He pulls another photo out of the file of a slim woman in a sleek evening dress.
"Is that Chiyako Fukumoto?" asks Daisuke.
Kiyomizu looks up. "Do you know her?"
"Only in passing," replies Daisuke. "We went to the same prep school but she was a few years below me."
"What is she, an heiress or something?" Haru asks, unable to keep a scoff entirely out of his voice.
"Her father owns a software company that provides support to businesses," explains Kiyomizu. "His company and Yamaji's are planning a merger whereby Fukumoto would be the sole software developer for Yamaji's hospitals."
"And Junior is going to give the diamond to her?" asks Haru.
"That's what intelligence would suggest," replies Kiyomizu.
"So what do you need from us?" Daisuke asks.
Kiyomizu pulls more documents from the folder: what looks like an itinerary and booking information. "We've been able to find out that the happy couple are going on a romantic break to a spa resort in Yakushima. This is likely where Junior is planning to gift her the diamond and I need the two of you there to tail them."
Haru's stomach turns over—just the two of them?
"So you want us to go to this resort and watch him?" Daisuke asks.
"Yes we'll have you both go there and see if you can catch him red-handed," explains Kiyomizu. "I know I can trust you to get the job done discreetly."
Half an hour later, after going over more details of the mission, Haru's stomach is still reeling at the thought of doing the mission with Daisuke. He can't be that close to him for so long—they'll kill each other and break their cover!
"Okay gentlemen," Kiyomizu eventually says, getting to his feet and gathering his things. "I have another meeting to attend but feel free to remain here and discuss whatever you need to. I'll see you later."
Haru and Daisuke rise, both giving a little bow as he leaves the room. As his footsteps echo down the corridor, Haru reluctantly glances at Daisuke, who gives him a smile.
"Sounds like it's just you and me," he says.
Haru's heart lurches and he can't keep from leaving the room, following Kiyomizu at half a jog.
"Sir!" he calls, pulling up beside Kiyomizu as the other man stops and turns to look at him.
"Katou, is everything okay?" Kiyomizu asks. "All the information you need should be in the file but if you need any more support please let me—"
"I can't work with him," Haru says, too frazzled to be tactful. "Surely I could go with someone else?"
A sympathetic grimace crosses Kiyomizu's face and he says, "Katou, I appreciate this is a difficult situation, really I do, but you and Kambe are my best agents and my best hope of resolving this situation quickly."
Gulping, Haru asks, "Do I need him with me? Can't I do it alone?"
"You know I can't let you go alone," says Kiyomizu.
"I could handle it on my own," says Haru, desperation colouring his voice. "I'll do it faster alone—I swear."
"I'm sorry," Kiyomizu replies. "I can't take him off the case. This is exactly the kind of case where Kambe's expertise will really aid the investigation—you know that."
His heart plummeting in his chest, Haru sighs. "Okay—sorry."
With a nod, Kiyomizu leaves and Haru turns again to return to the briefing room. He'll have to just hope that the mission is over quickly.
Three days later, Haru and Daisuke walk through the front doors of the Path of Joy Hotel and Spa in Yakushima. The lobby is grand, all dark wood and low lighting, and full of people in visibly expensive clothes talking or lounging on long sofas. Haru's skin tingles but beside him Daisuke looks predictably at home as they approach the vast reception desk and the woman there greets them with a polite bow.
"Welcome to Path of Joy," she says with a warm smile. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes," says Haru. "I made it the other day."
"Okay—please can I take your name sir?" asks the woman.
Haru feels the back of his neck prickle. "Uh... it's Haru Kambe."
He can feel Daisuke's gaze on him as the woman checks the computer for the booking and then says, "Yes here it is. Can I take a credit card to have on file please?"
"You can take mine," says Daisuke, lifting a finger to his earring. "HEUSC, connect."
The woman's gaze returns to the screen where the details seem to be appearing. "Well that's rather handy!"
"It is," agrees Daisuke.
"That all seems to be in order Mr... oh, also Kambe!" The woman looks between the two of them. "Are you two married?"
"Separated," Haru puts in before Daisuke can respond.
"Oh that's a shame," says the woman, but seconds later her bright smile returns. "Unless... this is a trip to rekindle the spark?"
"No—"
"Yes that's it exactly," Daisuke says over Haru, a smooth smile on his face. "We just can't seem to connect anymore—the counsellor suggested a trip together might help."
Though Haru's insides squirm at the total lie (well, at one point Daisuke did float the idea of a trip away but he refused to entertain it), he knows there's no point in protesting: the woman has already accepted Daisuke's story and they're under strict orders not to draw attention to themselves. Arguing in the lobby in front of all the people gathered here would almost certainly draw attention. Instead he swallows his discomfort and simply nods as the woman gives them a free upgrade to a luxury suite 'to help with a blissful reconciliation' and hands them each a keycard. When they leave the desk and head towards the lifts, Haru lowers his head closer to Daisuke.
"Why did you tell her all that?" he hisses. "You didn't need to go into it all!"
"You're the one who brought up the separation," Daisuke reminds him, "and what's more notable: a separated couple on a trip to try and work things out or one determined to divorce but on a trip to a place like this for undisclosed 'reasons'?"
He presses the button for the lift and Haru gives a begrudging sigh. "I guess."
"Also I was able to get into the resort booking system just before we arrived," adds Daisuke. "Junior and his fiancée are staying in a luxury suite on the fourth floor—with this upgrade we're now on the same floor as them and can keep an easier eye on their movements."
The lift arrives with a chime and the doors slide open; as they step in Haru catches sight of a sullen pout on his face in the mirror and flushes. "Okay, fine."
"Anyway," says Daisuke as the doors slide closed, leaving them alone. When Haru glances at him, Daisuke's blue-grey eyes are fixed unrelentingly on him. "I notice you're still using my name."
Heat springs to life in Haru's cheeks. "I didn't legally change it back yet."
"But you already told everyone at work to call you Katou again," points out Daisuke. "And you can make a hotel reservation under whatever name you want."
Unable to think of anything to say, Haru instead checks his watch. "I'll let Mr Kiyomizu know we're here when we get into the room."
The room—or rather suite—presents its own problem however. Despite the size of it, the vast ensuite bathroom with hot tub and sauna, the wide balcony and sprawling seating area...
"There's only one bed."
"Yeah I noticed," Haru grumbles, staring at the offending piece of furniture. "Seems ridiculous for so big a room..."
"It's a couples' suite," Daisuke reminds him. "The assumption is generally that only one bed is necessary."
Biting back a sarcastic retort, Haru looks over his shoulder. "I'll sleep on the sofa."
"You don't have t—"
"Yes I do." To keep from having to look at Daisuke, Haru pulls out his phone. "Let's get set up for the investigation."
It comes as no surprise to Haru that working with Daisuke is not easy. Within a few hours of arriving at the resort his skin is crawling and he knows the next few days are going to be impossible. Though Daisuke acts professionally enough, simply being stuck in the suite with him while they set up (and touch base with Kiyomizu) is enough to get Haru's back all the way up. Having to be so close to his husband now is uncomfortable at best—and god, even the sound of Daisuke breathing is already driving him crazy! By the time they get ready to go downstairs for dinner Haru feels wound tight but getting out of the suite at least gives him some room to breathe.
The dining room (decorated in dark wood like the lobby) overlooks the vast swimming pool outside—despite being here for work Haru takes a moment to admire the view as he and Daisuke are seated at their table.
"It's lovely isn't it?" Daisuke asks; when Haru looks back at him across the table there's a little smile playing about his lips.
Haru looks down, opening the menu on the table in front of him. "Yeah, it's nice."
The prices listed beside each dish are dizzying to him. For a while—when he and Daisuke were together and happy—he was trying to get used to seeing things like this and eating in this kind of restaurant, but since moving out and going back to eating the normal diet a police detective can afford he's found he balks at the prices again. In the end, when the waiter comes to take their order he settles for unagi with rice (that still manages to cost the same as several nights' worth of dinner at home) and an inexpensive glass of wine before scanning the room around them.
"They should be here soon right?" he asks Daisuke, who checks his watch.
"Their reservation started twenty minutes ago," he says. "It seems Junior considers punctuality beneath him."
Haru swallows a chuckle, not wanting to give Daisuke the satisfaction of it. Outside, a bird passes by the window and he follows its path with his gaze. If Junior doesn't show they have no other information about where he might be instead—they'll have no choice but to stay here until he does.
Seeming almost to read Haru's mind, Daisuke says, "We may have to eat slowly."
Haru nods. "I think so."
"We can manage that though," says Daisuke. "Remember the Hayate case?"
"When we had to stake out that pachinko parlour across the street?" asks Haru, unable to keep half a smile from his face at the memory.
"And we managed to spin out a three course meal into four hours," adds Daisuke, not hiding his own smile.
"And had to run back and pay after we chased down the suspects..." A fond feeling tugs invitingly on Haru's heart and he swallows, a nervous tingle going through him. What is this feeling? He's been dreading this trip with Daisuke and being in the suite with him was painful but now his stomach has butterflies like when they first started dating. Is it the setting? If so he's in for plenty more of this: most of their meals are to be in the resort restaurants so they can watch Junior. Thankfully, he's saved from dwelling on the ridiculous feeling in his stomach by the return of the waiter, now bearing their drinks, and then a sound from the entrance to the restaurant.
"Bullshit!" a voice exclaims. "What do you mean I'm late for my reservation? Who's the one paying to eat here?!"
Haru exchanges a look with Daisuke across the table and a faint grimace crosses the waiter's face. As the waiter leaves again Haru looks over his shoulder to see Junior, his fiancée by his side as he berates the staff. Turning back to Daisuke, Haru raises his eyebrows.
"I guess the sunglasses don't come off for anything," he observes.
"His poor fiancée," says Daisuke.
Trying not to laugh and draw attention, Haru asks," What do you want to do if they don't get seated?"
"They will," replies Daisuke.
"You sound very sure," Haru says.
Daisuke takes a sip of wine. "They'll find a way to accommodate. You and I weren't always on time for reservations and still always got a table."
Sure enough, Junior and his fiancée are soon shown to a table (thankfully close enough to where Haru and Daisuke sit) and Junior demands a bottle of the most expensive champagne on the drinks list. As he starts to go through what he wants from the menu, Haru exchanges another look with Daisuke: if this guy's speaking volume is always like this the investigation will be a breeze. Daisuke pulls what looks like a pen from his pocket and presses a button on the side to record Junior's voice before setting it on the table.
"We never got a table like that though right?" Haru asks.
Daisuke's nose wrinkles. "Absolutely not."
"Okay good." Haru sips his wine, listening to Junior's fiancée ordering her own dinner. "I'd hate to think you yelled at or bribed anyone."
"Oh I absolutely did bribe people to get us seated."
Haru holds back a sigh of frustration. "Of course you did."
By the time Daisuke and Haru return to their suite, it's late. Junior didn't give Fukumoto the diamond but he did spend a long time sending dishes back to the kitchen and then criticising the service—the wait staff did remarkably well not to react badly to him at any point but in places like this they're likely used to dealing with demanding people. Much like with the Hayate case they were talking about, Daisuke and Haru had to eke out their own meal for longer in an attempt to stay in the restaurant as long as possible, including drinking a little more wine than either normally would. As they enter the suite, Daisuke puts an arm around Haru's waist to keep him from swerving into a large ornamental vase.
"Watch out," Daisuke says, but Haru grumbles.
"I'm fine," he insists, swatting at Daisuke's arm. "Let go." Daisuke does so, but keeps an eye on Haru as the latter wanders over to the sofa and flops onto it with a deep sigh. "I really hope he doesn't do that every single night."
"I wouldn't hold out too much hope," says Daisuke, loosening and removing his tie as he comes to sit on the sofa too. "In his mind he's entitled to a certain level of service and anyone who refuses him that is wrong."
Haru groans softly. "Great."
"Well it's not all bad," says Daisuke. "It's nice to actually spend some time with you."
It's too much, Daisuke knows, but still he says it. Instead of the usual snap in response, Haru simply frowns at him.
"Why do you say things like that?" he asks.
Daisuke shrugs. "Because it's true—I've missed you."
A flush rises in Haru's cheeks and he grabs a cushion from the sofa, burrowing his face into it. "You're such a dick," says his muffled voice.
Instead of responding, Daisuke gets up. "I'm going to go take a shower."
He takes his time in the shower, aware that their time could be cut shorter over the next few days as they get more entrenched in their investigation. As he shampoos his hair, he gazes up at the ceiling, contemplating his words to Haru. They were true—Daisuke is not in the habit of lying to Haru and the last few months of separation have been hard—but he knows just saying things like that won't bring Haru back to him. When he found out from Kiyomizu that they'd be working together on this case he couldn't help but get excited at the opportunity to spend some time with Haru (well... time that Haru wouldn't be able to get out of) but now he's here he can't think how to approach the situation. In the past he's gotten his way with money but that's not going to get him back his husband and if he keeps saying things like that he may lose him completely. The idea makes his stomach ache. Even the sight of Haru hasn't helped: Daisuke couldn't help but notice the sweater Haru wore to dinner is one he got him early on in their marriage and it made his heart skip a beat to see Haru wearing it. It hardly seems fair of him to do this to Daisuke.
Once Daisuke finishes rinsing off and drying himself he heads back out to the main room.
"Shower's free if you..."
His words trail away as his gaze falls upon the sofa. Haru is still clutching the pillow but is now lying asleep on the sofa, still in his smart angora sweater and grey trousers he wore to dinner. His chest rises and falls slowly, his breath and face entirely relaxed; Daisuke's heart skips a beat at the sight. Moving quickly but silently, Daisuke retrieves a throw blanket from one of the armchairs and lays it over Haru, tucking it gently in around his shoulders. Haru doesn't stir and Daisuke takes a moment to gaze down at him. Before they separated, watching Haru sleep always relaxed him and he finds his pulse slowing now, lulled into relaxation by the sight. Soon, however, with a little sigh, Daisuke heads to bed. Maybe all is not lost.
When Haru wakes the following morning and finds himself still in his clothes from last night, he feels his cheeks flush in surprise and embarrassment. As he sits up the blanket slides off him and he glances over to the bed, where Daisuke sleeps. Presumably Daisuke put the blanket over him—it's unlikely that he would have thought to do it himself, especially given he doesn't remember doing it. His pulse quickens at the thought, his stomach fluttering like last night even as he inwardly chastises it for doing so.
It doesn't mean anything. Daisuke clearly wants some kind of reconciliation but just because he was nice doesn't mean Haru has to entertain anything about it. Even if his treacherous heart seems to warm to the idea, it doesn't mean anything.
After Haru has showered and changed into fresh clothes, the two of them check in with Kiyomizu, who advises that he wants them to keep their eyes on Junior and Fukumoto as much as possible: it's the best chance they have of spotting the gifting of the stolen diamond and getting the evidence they need to send in a team to arrest Junior. The schedule they have says the couple have booked out the resort's flower garden for a romantic picnic today—after last night however, both Haru and Daisuke know that they may not be on time for it anyway.
Nevertheless, the two of them head down to the garden before the picnic is due to begin. Tall hedges border the garden, offering privacy to those inside: normally it would be full of various resort guests enjoying the flowers and trees, but now it's quiet. After some quick surveillance, they find a way in through a little gate hidden in one corner that seems to have no cameras or staff near it and sneak inside. As Haru quietly closes the gate behind them, he hears Daisuke give a little hiss.
"Uh oh."
"What?"
Haru turns around and feels his heart sink. As far as the eye can see, the garden is full of rhododendrons, the bell shaped flowers in various shades from white to pink to purple on what seems to be every other shrub.
"Will you be okay?" Daisuke asks.
Haru shakes his head to dispel the itch already starting in his nose. "I'll be fine," he says. "We've got a job to do."
He leads the way farther into the garden, peering about to check there's no one around. Paths criss cross through the shrubs and trees, neat flowerbeds bordering each one, and all over there are rhododendron bushes, the sight of them making Haru's eyes water. As he goes to turn a corner, he suddenly feels Daisuke's hand on his wrist.
"What?" he asks, turning to look at him.
Daisuke puts a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture; as Haru closes his mouth and listens, he hears the sound of voices coming from nearby—the itch and streaming in his eyes and nose must have distracted him from noticing it before. He gives Daisuke a silent nod and the two of them walk the opposite way along the hedge to get a measure of where the couple might be. When they reach the other end of the hedge and peek out past it, they see Junior and Fukumoto on a large picnic rug, clinking glasses of champagne together. As they watch, Fukumoto pulls her phone out of her handbag and start to shoot a number of selfies with her fiancé.
Using the cover of other hedges and shrubs, Haru and Daisuke manage to pick their way around the garden to get a better view of the pair, watching them through a gap in a tall rose bush. From an inside pocket, Daisuke produces a small camera, poising it to take photographs of the couple as Kiyomizu asked them to.
"Do you think he'll do it here?" Haru asks softly; even to his own ears he sounds congested already.
"She's certainly expecting something something like it," Daisuke comments, snapping a few photos. "This set up is very much like their proposal."
"How do you know that?" asks Haru.
"I had a look at both of their social media feeds before we came here," explains Daisuke, still taking photos. "The wisteria trees here are similar to when they got engaged."
Haru holds back begrudging praise, watching as Fukumoto gets Junior to take some photos of her with the wisteria trees and other flowers as a background. Kiyomizu's words from the office come back to him—he understands why Daisuke couldn't be removed from the case now. Checking social media feeds isn't something Haru would necessarily do without it being suggested to him but Daisuke clearly thought of it himself, having a greater understanding of the people they're surveilling and the information they'd need to know to follow them. His stomach twists and he swallows down a sense of shame.
Junior and Fukumoto get up from the picnic rug to get better angles and Haru and Daisuke do their best to remain out of view. A breeze picks up and Haru stiffens as rhododendron pollen drifts towards him on the air, his nose suddenly full of it. His breath catches in his throat and he claps a hand over his nose to keep from sneezing.
"Are you okay?" Daisuke asks.
Haru nods, opening his mouth to reply, but another sneeze threatens and he has to keep it in once more. His eyes stream with the effort not to make a sound: if he were to do so their cover would absolutely be blown but the feeling of Daisuke's gaze on him makes his cheeks burn. He half turns away from Daisuke, but the urge to sneeze won't go. Just as he's starting to wonder if he should turn tail and run, the sneeze he's been fighting back suddenly opens his mouth, ready to escape, but before the sound can leave him, he feels a pair of lips on his own.
Daisuke's kiss takes Haru so aback that he can't pull away, instead gasping softly and granting Daisuke's tongue access to his own. His sneeze totally vanishes in the surprise of the kiss and Haru can't help but cling to Daisuke. In the months of separation, he forgot how good it used to feel to kiss Daisuke, the way Daisuke knew just how to make him crave more and turn his spine to jelly. Now is no exception: Haru has to swallow a moan at the way Daisuke's tongue swipes against his own and the promise the kiss holds. All too soon, the kiss ends and Haru stands swaying slightly before Daisuke as the latter peeks through the rose bush again.
"They're on the move," Daisuke says. "We should follow."
He leads the way around more hedges and Haru follows in a daze. Where did that come from? Daisuke gave no preamble to it, just kissed him, and he seems unlikely to offer any explanation now. Mute and confused, Haru follows.
By the time they get back to their room a little after lunchtime, Haru's confusion has turned to annoyance. Though he and Daisuke continued to follow Junior and Fukumoto around (and got footage on the camera of Junior gifting the stolen diamond to her), Daisuke has offered no explanation for his actions or even an apology. As Daisuke closes the suite door behind himself and goes to the computers they have set up in an alcove to report back to Kiyomizu and send the footage to him, Haru takes a seat on the sofa, frowning down at the rug beneath his feet.
"Kiyomizu said he can be free for a video call in about twenty minutes or so," Daisuke says, typing at his laptop. "Do you think they could get a team out here tonight to arrest him?"
Haru says nothing, the words only half registering to him as he continues to stare down at the rug, a line between his eyebrows.
"Haru?" When Haru still doesn't respond, Daisuke comes over to stand in front of him. "Are you okay?"
Finally, Haru looks up, glowering at Daisuke. "Are you serious?"
"What do you mean?" Daisuke asks.
"You kissed me," says Haru, his tone clipped. "You didn't offer any warning or explanation or anything, and then you acted like that was totally normal and carried on like... like you were allowed to do it! And you haven't said a word about it since! Why would you do that when you know we're separated?"
Daisuke half shrugs. "It was all I could think of to keep you from sneezing and blowing our cover."
"Really?" Haru asks. "Is that the best you can do?"
"What do you mean?" asks Daisuke.
A glare crosses Haru's face and he stands, crossing his arms as he looks down at Daisuke. "I mean that's a really shitty excuse for crossing a boundary that I made extremely clear to you when I told you I wanted a divorce."
"Would you have preferred to sneeze and expose the whole operation?" Daisuke asks.
"That's not the point and you know it," Haru says, his heart racing. "You didn't even apologise or anything!"
"Was it so bad a kiss I need to apologise?"
Haru suppresses a growl of frustration, throwing his hands up. "I give up! Just forget about it and don't even think about touching me again this week!"
He storms off to the bathroom, slamming the door behind himself so that he can collect his thoughts and calm down before they speak to Kiyomizu. The mirror over the sink shows him his own face, an angry pink flush high in his cheeks and his eyes bright. Sitting on the edge of the immense bath, Haru takes a few slow breaths, trying to get his pulse under control. What a dick! How did Haru ever see enough in him to marry him?! As soon as he gets home he's going to try and expedite the divorce proceedings—he can't stand being tied to Daisuke any longer!
Despite himself, even as he thinks it, something in him aches. He'd be lying if he said it wasn't a good kiss (as begrudgingly as he admits it to himself) but he can't let that cloud his judgement of the wider picture. What Daisuke did in the garden—even if it was to help the investigation and help them keep their cover that they've worked so hard on and get the stupid diamond back to the museum—was unprofessional and unnecessary. Really, Haru ought to speak to Kiyomizu privately and disclose this to him, but with the footage of the diamond now in their possession it's likely the investigation will be over very soon. He can hold out for another day, two at a push, and then they'll all go home and he can finally—finally—divorce Daisuke.
Thankfully, just as Haru expected, Kiyomizu tells them that they'll be sending in a team to arrest Junior and retake possession of the diamond that very evening. In the meantime, Haru and Daisuke are ordered to continue keeping an eye on Junior and so spend the afternoon by the pool, watching the couple from behind their sunglasses. The picnic in the garden appears to have worn the pair out: they lounge in the sun, letting its rays tan their skin. Around her neck, Fukumoto has the diamond on a chain and it glints dazzlingly. Haru, meanwhile, pulls out a bottle of sun cream and starts applying it to his arms and shoulders.
"Do you need some help?" Daisuke asks as Haru reaches his back, doing his best to cover his skin with the cream.
"No," Haru replies through gritted teeth; without a mirror he can't see whether he's getting all his skin. "I'm fine."
Daisuke hums thoughtfully; Haru can feel his eyes on him.
"You missed a bit."
Biting back a retort, Haru glowers across the pool and continues applying the sun cream.
"I don't mind helping."
"I don't need your help."
"You'll get streaky burns on your back."
"Don't care."
"You should take care of your skin though."
"Get lost," Haru tells him. "I don't want you touching me."
"Fair enough," says Daisuke airily. "It's only your back though."
Haru rolls his eyes. "I still don't want you touching me." He carries on trying to get his back with the sun cream, still feeling Daisuke's eyes on him.
"I mean," says Daisuke eventually. "I am your husband—it's a bit strange if people see me not helping you."
Haru's stomach twinges.
"Also I've definitely touched you in more intimate places," Daisuke continues. "Like your face or your chest or your a—"
"Fine," Haru snaps, turning around and handing the sun cream to Daisuke. "Put it on me then, just shut up."
He turns away again, trying not to cringe from Daisuke's touch as Daisuke begins rubbing the sun cream into his skin. The pool is quiet today—everyone here seems content to lie on the sun loungers or swim lengths in the water. Perhaps Haru should go for a swim and let Daisuke watch their marks instead of sitting here grumbling? It would help to put some distance between them and it's not like they're waiting to get footage anymore.
"Do you need any other bits done?" Daisuke asks.
Haru shakes his head, turning to take the sun cream back from him and trying to ignore the tingle that stays in his skin in the wake of Daisuke's touch. "No, it's fine."
He finishes applying the sun cream to his legs and chest before sitting back, watching as Junior, still in the orange sunglasses they've seen him in at every encounter, barks orders for food to a passing staff member.
"I'm sorry," Daisuke says.
Despite himself, Haru looks over at him, meeting Daisuke's steady gaze.
"I shouldn't have kissed you before," Daisuke continues. "Or at least I should have asked or warned you or something."
The look in Daisuke's eyes makes Haru's chest hurt; he looks away. "Apology accepted."
"I sort of panicked," adds Daisuke. "I wasn't thinking straight and just—"
"It's fine," Haru puts in, still staring down at his own knees. "It's over now."
A woman across the pool climbs up the ladder and out, going over to her sun lounger and picking up her towel to wrap around herself. At the neighbouring lounger, a man—presumably her partner—smiles up at her, clearly admiring her. Haru's heart gives a heavy thump: he knows he used to look at Daisuke like that, and Daisuke at him. Only a year ago they were inseparable, overjoyed to be in each other's presence, and working together was the best part of Haru's job, but now...
Haru can't even remember the fight that made him end it. There were so many in the last few months of their marriage. Was it a fight about money? Too many of them were. Was it about Daisuke's chronic laziness, born out of a life of never really having to do anything for himself? Did Daisuke tease him about something and Haru simply took it badly? All Haru can remember now is that the fight escalated and escalated and he couldn't take it anymore. He left and never looked back, waiting for when he could get the divorce finalised. But even he can't deny that this trip, despite being for work, has been chipping away at his resolve.
He gets up from his sun lounger, stretching to try and dispel the way his thoughts have tangled around themselves like thread. It'll all be over soon—then he can go back to ignoring Daisuke and get some distance to forget about everything that's happened here.
"I'm going for a swim," he tells Daisuke, only half looking over his shoulder before approaching the pool's edge and diving in.
The water is a little cooler than he expected, refreshing after the heat of the sun, and makes Haru's thoughts scatter as if chased away. He resurfaces, tossing his head back to whip the water from his hair as he takes a breath and begins to swim up and down the pool. The Daisuke problem isn't going away just yet, much as he wants it to, but knowing that Daisuke will be gone soon makes him feel better. Soon he won't have to be in the same hotel suite as Daisuke, won't have to be on this ridiculous case with him, won't even have to think of him if he doesn't want to (and he certainly doesn't). His life can return to being entirely Daisuke free.
A weight comes to bear in Haru's throat at the thought. He kicks a little harder, trying to dispel the feeling. The sooner this case ends the sooner he can put all this behind him. In time he'll get over the anger of Daisuke kissing him in the gardens and move past the fact that he can't stop thinking about it. Everything will be better, he tells himself, even if his heart protests.
"Haru!"
The sound of his name shouted makes him pull up short, treading water as he turns to see Daisuke on his feet and dashing down the poolside. Looking the other way, he spots Junior and Fukumoto also running, away from Daisuke and a few agents Haru might recognise were they not running away from him.
"Shit!" He strikes out for the nearest pool ladder, scrambling up it when he gets there and heading after the group in hot pursuit. Either the squad came early or Junior realised what was going on too fast—either way, Haru is now in what is effectively a police chase in his swimming trunks. Fantastic.
Junior runs through the resort, apparently trying to evade his trackers by taking the route with the most obstacles possible. He dodges and weaves around sun loungers, clinging to his fiancée's hand as the cries of other holidaymakers follow them along with the police agents. Haru, bringing up the rear, shouts hurried apologies to them all, aware that he'd normally be able to show them a badge at least and now all he has is a pair of swimming trunks. Still, he grits his teeth, trying to keep pace with the group ahead of him.
At the edge of the pool area the sun loungers give way to tables and chairs, an outdoor seating area for one of the buffet restaurants. Junior and Fukumoto dart between the tables and chairs, upsetting more patrons of the resort as they knock over their drinks and plates. As Daisuke, Haru and the other agents keep chasing them, the area becomes even more of a mess of dropped food and angry people, and Haru continues calling apologies as he runs, starting to catch up more. A waiter jumps out of Junior and Fukumoto's way as they reach the long buffet table but, apparently unable to agree on a direction, the two of them run in separate directions, trying to get around the table. The agents split up too, some pursuing Fukumoto and others Junior. Without Junior pulling her along, Fukumoto soon lets out a screech as some of the agents catch her, pinning her against the buffet table. Haru spares them a quick glance before continuing to tear after Junior, Daisuke and the other agents.
Judging by his trajectory across the resort, Junior appears to be heading to the underground car park—presumably to get to his car and make his getaway. If Haru had any more presence of mind he would be at least a little shocked at Junior leaving his fiancée behind but then his bare feet make contact with a sun-baked gravel path and instead he bites back loud expletives. He's not far behind his colleagues now, nor Junior: as Junior finally runs through the pedestrian entrance to the car park, the agents follow closely behind.
The smooth concrete flooring in the car park is a welcome change to the scorching ground of outside and Haru hisses softly as he dashes over it. As his eyes adjust to the gloomy low lighting, he spots the agents and Daisuke heading down a slope and follows, listening to the sound of everyone's footsteps.
"Takashi Yamagi!" one of the agents calls. "You are under arrest—do not try to evade capture!"
Junior's voice rings out of the darkness: "You can't prove anything! I'm not going down for shit!"
Haru follows the other agents farther into the car park, casting his gaze about. Where is Daisuke? A sound comes from around a corner and Haru and the other agents hurry to follow it. As he rounds a large grey range rover, Haru catches sight of Daisuke up ahead and follows him.
"Do not resist arrest!" one of the agents calls to Junior, who Haru can see hurriedly approaching a lime green sports car parked on a slant across two spaces at the end of the row. He expects him to jump into the driver's seat and start to drive away, but instead Junior opens the passenger side, reaching into the glove compartment...
"He has a firearm!" Daisuke calls into the darkness.
Immediately everyone dives for cover: Haru behind the red car he just walked up to and Daisuke behind a sleek black convertible a few spaces ahead. Junior emerges from his car, waving the handgun he just retrieved.
"Don't think you can touch me!" he shouts, stepping out into the open of the car park. "Do you know who my father is? You can't do shit to me!"
"Mr Yamagi," an agent calls to him. "Drop the firearm. We are licensed to use reasonable force to prevent you from escaping and—"
"No!" Junior shouts back. "I'm not going down—if you try my father will sue you for everything you've got!"
He waves the handgun more; out of his peripheral vision Haru sees the agents ducking behind cars and darting around in the dark to try and surround him. Up ahead, however, he sees Daisuke creeping closer, his body coiled and ready to spring, despite his scant attire and lack of equipment. Haru's heart thuds in his throat—he wants to tell Daisuke to stop and let the other agents handle Junior but between the continuing shouts of both he knows Daisuke is unlikely to hear him. Plus... well, he would absolutely be about to do the same were he in Daisuke's position. The best he can do is get closer so he can help.
Before he can move closer to Daisuke, however, everything changes very quickly. Daisuke goes to move forward, causing the other agents to call out to him to stand down, and Junior turns on the spot to see Daisuke coming towards him. Quick as a flash, Junior grabs hold of Daisuke and gets him in a hold, pressing the muzzle of the gun into Daisuke's temple.
"No!" Haru cries, unable to stay behind the car any longer. He steps towards the two, but Junior glares at him warningly.
"Don't come any closer!" Junior snaps, pressing the gun harder against Daisuke's head. "I'll blow his head off, I swear!"
Haru pauses, meeting Daisuke's gaze with wide eyes; Daisuke looks back, gulping as Junior squeezes his arm harder. Clearly he didn't expect Junior to be able to get the better of him like this.
"Mr Yamagi!" an agent shouts. "You are under arrest and this will only increase the charges against you!"
"I don't care!" Junior replies. "You can't prove shit!"
"We can see clear evidence of unlawful possession of a firearm right now," the agent explains, "and we have footage of you handing the stolen diamond to Miss Fukumoto earlier today."
Junior lets out what Haru can only describe as a screech at that, clearly frustrated. "If you don't let me go I'll shoot him!" He glares around the car park at the agents, his orange sunglasses sliding down his nose to reveal his wide eyes.
Haru's heart races as he watches Junior tightening his grip on the gun, leaving a dent in Daisuke's temple where he continues to press it into Daisuke's skin. He can't take his eyes from the spot, remembering a morning, not long before they separated, when he woke up before Daisuke and left a light kiss to that same temple before going to make them both coffee. He thought little of it at the time—Daisuke's skin was warm and soft as always and smelled like sleep—but now his throat fills to remember it. How many other times did he kiss that temple, not knowing that one day he'd be watching someone press a gun to it?
"Daisuke," he says softly, aware suddenly of how cold it is down here in the car park. Daisuke's gaze finds his own once more, blue-grey and steady as always. Unable to help himself, Haru steps closer.
"You stay right there!" Junior snaps, glaring at Haru. "Or your partner here is dead meat!"
"He's not my partner," Haru says. "He's my husband."
Without thought, he dashes forward.
"I said don't come any closer!" Junior shouts, turning the gun on Haru and squeezing the trigger.
Kiyomizu arrives shortly after Junior's arrest and—after berating the two of them for acting so recklessly—praises Haru and Daisuke for their quick work on the case, while also marvelling at Haru's good luck.
"For the gun to jam right at that moment..." Kiyomizu says, looking between them both. "You really did luck out Katou."
"Yes sir," Haru agrees, arms folded across his chest to try and stave off the cold of the car park. Having been unable to go and change, he's still in his damp swimming trunks and now that the adrenaline is wearing off he's getting more uncomfortable as time goes on.
"Do you need us for anything else sir?" asks Daisuke.
Kiyomizu casts a look over to the other agents, ushering Junior out of the car park to put him in the back of a police car, and shakes his head. "No, you've both given your statements and we can always finish everything else off back at the office next week. You're both free to go."
"Don't you want us back in the office tomorrow sir?" asks Haru.
With a chuckle, Kiyomizu shakes his head again. "Enjoy some time off—you have a couple more days booked here don't you Katou?"
"Well, yes," Haru replies, "but I'm happy to—"
"Stay here and enjoy," Kiyomizu repeats. "Both of you deserve a break."
Sensing that Kiyomizu isn't likely to accept either of them coming into work for the rest of the week, Haru and Daisuke thank him and finally take their leave, getting their things from poolside before heading back upstairs to their suite. Neither says a word—Haru can't read Daisuke's silence but his own is strained. What could he even say to him? He wasn't thinking earlier when he ran at Junior (clearly because who in their right mind would run at someone with a gun?!) and he's fairly sure he knows why he did it but how can he tell him why? After all his antagonism towards Daisuke how can he suddenly tell him that he wants to halt divorce proceedings because he's just realised that he still loves him?
Back in the suite, Haru puts his things down on the sofa, the blanket from where he slept on it still crumpled to one side, and takes a steadying breath, looking down at his hands resting on the back of the sofa.
"Do you want to shower?"
Haru looks up; Daisuke has put his own things in an armchair and is looking at him as steadily as ever. "Huh?"
"Do you want to shower?" Daisuke repeats. "You looked cold downstairs."
"Oh..." Haru glances down his own chest to his trunks. "I can, yeah..." He moves towards the bathroom, his steps slow, but as he reaches the door he hesitates, turning back to Daisuke. "Can we... I feel like we should talk."
Daisuke raises a curious eyebrow at him. "Because you charged headlong at someone with a loaded gun to save me you mean?"
Warmth floods Haru's cheeks; though he wants nothing more than to turn tail and run he knows he needs to have this conversation. "Yes."
"Okay."
Daisuke takes a seat on the sofa, looking expectantly at Haru, who pulls on a robe from a hook on the bathroom door to cover his still slightly damp trunks and comes to sit down too. Though his stomach squirms at the thought of it, Haru does his best to find the words to explain himself and drops his gaze to the floor so that he doesn't have to look at Daisuke..
"I..." He swallows, his mouth suddenly dry. "I don't know why I did it."
"You don't?"
"Well... I... I think I maybe... do," Haru admits, his ears warming under Daisuke's scrutiny. The racing of his heart makes his voice tremble as he adds, "I-It made... Seeing him with the gun against your head made me suddenly remember all this stuff, like... really weird specific stuff and... and I realised I couldn't stand the idea of anything happening to you."
He pauses, biting his lip as he finally looks at Daisuke again. Daisuke's face is largely neutral, but Haru recognises a little twitch at the corner of his mouth that belies hope.
"So..." Haru clenches his fists on his knees. "I... wondered if we could try this again."
Daisuke's mouth twitches again. "You mean...?"
The feeling of his pulse picking up speed yet again almost makes Haru dizzy. "I mean can we try... putting a pause on the divorce?"
Finally, Daisuke's face splits in a wide grin. "I'd almost given up hope that you'd say that."
Apparently too excited to help himself, he moves closer to Haru on the sofa, pulling him close. Though he knows it's fast, Haru gives into the urge to lean into his embrace and soon finds himself kissing Daisuke, sinking into the familiar feeling of it like a warm bath. Daisuke's fingers slide up the back of Haru's neck, threading through his hair and gently massaging his scalp; Haru's lips part of their own accord, and Daisuke runs his tongue against Haru's. The rest of the world falls away, leaving the two of them alone, and Haru starts to feel like he's floating, especially when Daisuke nibbles more kisses along his jaw.
"Daisuke..." Haru murmurs breathlessly.
"You're so gorgeous," Daisuke tells him, his voice soft and edged with something Haru couldn't put into words but that he feels in the depths of his soul. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," says Haru.
Daisuke chuckles against his neck. "Really?"
"I mean... yeah, deep down."
Another laugh huffs out against Haru's skin but before he can say anything about Daisuke laughing at him, Daisuke's teeth graze over the shell of his ear and he can't hold back a little gasp instead.
"Still sensitive here then," Daisuke whispers as though he's sharing a secret.
"It hasn't been so long I wouldn't be," points out Haru.
"Felt like forever," says Daisuke. "I thought about you every single day."
"You did?" Haru can feel his face flushing once more as Daisuke pulls back to look at him, his expression holding no trace of irony.
"Yeah," Daisuke tells him, brushing their noses together, their lips centimetres apart. "I never stopped thinking about you."
Haru's heart gives a giddy flip flop in his chest and he tips his head to one side to capture Daisuke's lips with his own once again, relishing in the shiver that he feels run through Daisuke at the kiss. When Daisuke's hands gradually slide down his chest, Haru lets them, allowing Daisuke to open the robe he wrapped around himself and touch his skin. Goosebumps rise in the wake of Daisuke's touch, exhilaration shooting up Haru's spine and down to his fingers and toes. All of a sudden, the last few hours hit Haru like a freight train and he pulls back with a gasp, looking into Daisuke's face.
"Woah, are you okay?" Daisuke asks, cupping Haru's face in his hands. "Did I push it too much?"
Haru shakes his head, his throat suddenly aching. "No, I... I just... You could have died!"
Another smile comes to Daisuke's face and he half laughs again. "No I couldn't."
"Yes you could!" Haru says, his words starting to bubble up inside him. "He had you with a gun to your head and—"
"He wasn't going to kill me," Daisuke says firmly.
"But he—"
"I took steps to make sure he couldn't," says Daisuke.
"You..." Haru's thoughts, too fast, stumble around in confusion after coming to a screeching halt. "You what?"
Daisuke gives him another little smile. "I realised when we arrived that he was likely to have a gun in his car so I had Suzue come take a look."
"Su... Suzue?"
"She took the bullets out," Daisuke explains, "and returned the gun to the glove compartment. It didn't jam—it wasn't even loaded. I figured it would be better to be safe than sorry just in case something like today happened."
"You..." Haru stares at him, aware of how daft his face must look right now. "So I... when I ran at him..."
"He couldn't have hurt you," Daisuke finishes for him.
Haru blinks mutely, astonished at how much Daisuke was able to think about when all he could think of was how he didn't want to be here with him. "So... where is Suzue now?"
"She's been enjoying the spa," says Daisuke. "I asked her to be on hand just in case."
"Right." Haru gulps, all the adrenaline he just built up fizzling out like a damp match.
"Haru?"
"Hmm?"
"Stop overthinking and come here."
With a little encouragement, Haru lets Daisuke pull him close again, their lips rediscovering one another and hands starting to retread their steps more intentionally than before. Soon Haru finds himself letting out little moans at the feeling of Daisuke's hands on his skin, spurring him to move his own lower in turn. With very little clothing to speak of between them (and the robe he had on quickly discarded) Haru feels like he's on fast forward, the warmth of Daisuke's bare skin making him hungry for more. He lets Daisuke's hands drift down to his thighs, soon guiding him into Daisuke's lap.
"You're amazing," Daisuke says, mouthing down Haru's neck again as his hands squeeze his thighs.
"You think?" Haru asks, fingers finding the sensitive places he remembers on Daisuke's chest.
"Absolutely," Daisuke groans, shivering at Haru's touch. He tightens his grip on Haru's hips, grinding up, and Haru almost yelps at the feeling.
"Dai... suke..."
"What do you want?" Daisuke asks.
"I want... you."
The words are dizzying—or they would be if Haru wasn't immediately swept away by more kisses from Daisuke as the latter gathers him into his arms. With a soft grunt, Daisuke gets to his feet, lifting Haru and carrying him over to the bed. As he sets him down, Daisuke kisses him again, grinding their hips together and making Haru moan heatedly.
"Daisuke," he says, breaking the kiss, his fingers scrabbling down Daisuke's back. "Please..."
"Please what?" Daisuke asks with a little smirk, the one that he likes to give Haru when he teases him.
"I want you," Haru says again, voice tight as he gazes imploringly at Daisuke.
"Well then," Daisuke says, laying kisses down Haru's neck to his chest and then farther down, nipping lightly at Haru's skin on the way down. Haru sighs, enjoying the sensation of Daisuke's lips on his body, jolting a little as he feels Daisuke's fingers at the waistband of his swimming trunks. "This okay?"
Haru nods. "Take them off." He lifts his hips, hooking his own fingers into the waistband before letting Daisuke pull them off the rest of the way. Before he can say anything else, Daisuke lets his kisses trail lower still and Haru bites his lip on a moan as Daisuke's lips find his inner thighs. "M... more."
With a little chuckle against his thigh, Daisuke drags his tongue slowly up Haru's cock, making him shudder. Daisuke's hands come to rest on Haru's thighs, holding them tightly as he closes his lips around the head of Haru's cock, flicking his tongue over the tip. More soft moans escape Haru's lips, his fingers finding the throw blanket and curling in it. His grip tightens when Daisuke starts to bob his head, sucking and dragging his tongue up the underside.
"Oh my god," Haru whines, his body flooding with warmth. "F... fuck!"
Daisuke hums softly—probably in amusement—and it sends delicious tingles through Haru's body. Feelings left dormant for months in Daisuke's absence reawaken with every passing moment; Haru didn't realise how much he lost in the separation but now he knows it never would have stuck. No matter what, he and Daisuke would have found their way back to one another—and now he can't imagine anything better.
At a harder suck from Daisuke, Haru's grip on the blanket tightens again; if he were stronger he'd be worried about ripping it. "Da... Daisuke!"
Daisuke pulls off with a lewd sound that makes Haru's toes curl and gives him a searing look. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah," Haru nods. "I... Fuck me? I... I didn't bring anything with me so we don't have to but—"
"I did," Daisuke says quickly.
Haru's eyes narrow. "Did you seriously bring lube and condoms with you on a work—"
"Oh don't act like you're not happy I did."
"I just mean you were being awfully presumptuous bringing them with you," Haru says. "Like were you expecting this or am I just—"
Instead of saying anything more, Daisuke shuts Haru up by leaning forward and kissing him deeply, massaging Haru's tongue with his own. When he pulls back he smirks. "So?"
"Um..." Haru blinks at him, mind short circuiting at the intensity of the kiss. "Th... thank you for bringing them with you."
Daisuke laughs and gets up, going to his bag to retrieve lube and a condom.
"If it helps," he says as he returns to the bed, "I wasn't so presumptuous as to unpack them into the bedside cabinet."
"Well... yeah I guess," mutters Haru, nevertheless parting his legs to allow Daisuke to get between them. He watches as Daisuke opens the lube, starting to spread it over his fingers. "Um... Daisuke?"
"Hmm?" Daisuke looks up. "You okay? We can stop."
"No, I'm okay," Haru assures him. "I want this, just... you might have to go a little slow."
Daisuke gives him a smile and kisses him. "That's fine—I won't rush you."
With that reassurance, Haru sits back, letting Daisuke continue. Daisuke douses his fingers in more lube, soon moving his hand down to tease between Haru's ass cheeks, massaging the lube into his skin, and Haru lets the familiar feeling of it wash over him, fingers gripping the bedclothes as he watches the intense look on Daisuke's face. When Daisuke slides the first finger inside him, Haru swallows a whimper, his senses afire.
"You okay?" Daisuke asks.
"Yeah," breathes Haru, biting his lip as Daisuke slowly moves his fingers. "Fuck, just like that."
Daisuke smiles fondly and continues; when he adds a second finger to the first, sliding both back and forth, Haru feels his spine melt. Though he asked for Daisuke to go slow, he soon finds himself wanting more, deeper, faster, whining in the back of his throat as Daisuke keeps teasing his fingers in and out.
"How's that?" Daisuke asks, teasing a third finger alongside the other two.
"Good," Haru moans, his thighs trembling at the feeling. "Please don't stop."
"I won't."
As Daisuke slips the third finger in alongside the first two, Haru lets out a more satisfied moan, the slight stretch waking every nerve in his body. Per his request, Daisuke, though slow and careful, is relentless and steady, absolutely sure of his every movement, and Haru finds himself desperate for more. Even the months of separation haven't stopped Daisuke from knowing how to play Haru like an instrument, and fuck is Haru grateful for that now.
"Sh-shit!" Haru gasps when Daisuke's fingers curl, finding his prostate with ease and gently teasing it.
"There?" Daisuke asks with a knowing grin.
"There!" says Haru, unable to hold back a higher whine when Daisuke does it again. "Fuck, Daisuke, want you, please!"
"You want me?" Daisuke asks.
"Yes!" The word is almost a sob as Daisuke keeps slowly moving his fingers. "Please fuck me, I need it!"
Daisuke grins again, kissing Haru and withdrawing his fingers to a fresh moan. Pulling back, he strips out of his own trunks and slips on the condom, spreading more lube over his cock before grabbing Haru's thighs and pushing them farther apart, settling between them once again.
"You ready?" he asks, teasing the head of his cock against Haru, who nods.
"So ready."
The feeling of Daisuke sliding inside him makes Haru finally release the bedclothes and wrap his arms around his neck, pulling him close to kiss him. Daisuke swallows more moans, his hands massaging familiar soothing paths over Haru's skin as he bottoms out, their hips flush together. Even the smell of Daisuke's skin winds Haru tighter, makes him want Daisuke more and crave his touch. Part of him almost wants to cry at feeling Daisuke so close once again, thinking of all the time they spent apart when he could have just swallowed his pride. It's not like Daisuke didn't suggest therapy, counselling, any number of things to keep what they had alive...
"Are you okay?" Daisuke asks, cupping Haru's face with one hand. "You're awfully quiet."
"I'm fine," nods Haru, gazing up at him. "It's... I'm happy we're here."
Daisuke gives him a little smile and another kiss, slowly starting to roll his hips, and Haru hisses at the sensation, not realising just how much he's missed it until now. As Daisuke settles into a steady rhythm, Haru holds him close, running his hands over Daisuke's skin and threading his fingers in his hair, every movement and touch coming to him as naturally as breathing.
"Oh fuck," Daisuke groans into Haru's shoulder when Haru rolls his hips to meet his thrusts. "God you're incredible."
"So are you," says Haru, gasping when Daisuke gives a particularly hard thrust. He angles his hips a little, letting out a higher cry when it gets Daisuke's cock right where he wants it. "Holy shit!"
Daisuke smirks and does it again, soon turning Haru into a moaning mess underneath him. "Missed seeing you like this," he murmurs, clearly enjoying himself.
"I missed you too," Haru moans, his grip tightening on Daisuke's shoulders.
Holding himself up with one hand, Daisuke slides his free hand down between their bodies, wrapping it around Haru's cock where it lies on his stomach and starting to stroke it. Haru stiffens against him, his mouth dropping open wider on another soft cry.
"Fuck!" Haru gasps. "Please don't stop!"
"I won't," promises Daisuke. "Want to make you come for me."
It doesn't take much longer before Daisuke thrusts his hips harder and Haru comes with a cry, his body alight with electricity as his orgasm takes over. He trembles, feeling Daisuke's cock pulsing as he comes too and accepting more kisses as he rides out the high. As Daisuke's movements slow, Haru holds him close, panting to catch his breath in the wake of everything.
"Wow," he sighs, fingers tracing patterns on Daisuke's shoulder as Daisuke kisses his cheek.
"My thoughts exactly," Daisuke says. He pulls out and disposes of the condom, curling up under the duvet with Haru afterwards with a thoughtful pout.
"What are you thinking?" Haru asks.
Daisuke hums, clearly weighing up his words. "Is it too soon to tell you I love you?"
The words send a strange twinge through Haru's chest. "I... I think so."
"Okay—I won't tell you yet then," says Daisuke, kissing Haru on the forehead. Haru settles with his head on Daisuke's chest, listening to his heartbeat. "You okay?"
Haru nods. "Yeah, just... this feels so wild."
"Well we have a couple more days here to get used to it," Daisuke says, running a gentle finger along Haru's jaw. "Maybe it'll feel less wild soon."
"Maybe," replies Haru, his heart thudding a hopeful beat.