This one is much more low-key than I usually write, but I really kinda like it. I have a soft spot for Togusa (he was the reason I ventured into GitS fandom writing! Awww!) and I wanted to write a nice, at home conversation.
"I hope I didn't keep you too long, I needed to ask the Chief something."
"No, no, it's alright, Miss Kusinagi and Mr. Batou kept me company."
Togusa eyed his wife, trying to gauge whether she was trying to make him feel better. It had been the first time the team had actually met his wife, and he hadn't been sure how it would go in the best of circumstances – much less once he was taken out of the picture.
"They're… interesting," she said airily, wiping off a plate and placing it on the drying rack.
"Interesting?"
She sighed, smiling at the nervous question in her voice. "I liked them," she said bluntly for his benefit. "Pazu and Saito are a little… stand offish, but Ishikawa and the Chief are very nice."
"And Batou, the Major?"
She wiped off another dish, face thoughtful. "They finished each other's thoughts at least twice while I was talking to them. Once he did it, then she did it."
"They've been working together long enough, probably know each other better than anyone else," Togusa said off handedly.
She smiled to herself. "Well, that explains more than it doesn't."
"Huh?"
She placed the last of the dishes on the rack and walked over to him, placing a kiss on the top of his head. "Nothing. Your coworkers are lovely people. They don't have wives to gossip with like the force did, but I think I'll get over it."
Breathing a sigh of relief, he caught her hand and planted a kiss on the still-damp skin. "I'm glad you approve. You've always had a better eye for character than I did."
"Funny," she said, eyes twinkling, "and who's the cop-turned-international-counterterrorist?"
He chuckled, standing up and kissing her. "You know what I mean. Come on, let's go to bed, I'm beat."
And for once, I'm going to say it, because reviews would make a most excellent Christmas present. Especially if you haven't reviewed before. I swear, I don't bite unless asked!