I haven't been sleeping too well lately. It's been getting better, though, and the whole debacle kinda fueled this chapter. It was going in kind of a lame direction, but I like how it ultimately turned out.

If you have any ideas you'd like me to try out, let me know through PM or review. Or both, I like reading reviews.

Till then, enjoy a small addition to the collection.

DO NOT DISTURB

The three words were ones Akira had seen before, but not often did it come from a sign hanging on the door to Makoto's home office. This was the third time he had approached with the intention of asking her to eat, but something, despite the courage he had so carefully cultivated, something was keeping him from ultimately knocking on the door. He sighed and let his hand drop to his side rather than needlessly rest his knuckles on the wood.

Makoto hadn't left her office in the past hour; that was another red flag in Akira's book, and all the more reason to step in before she could lock herself away for the night. At this point, breaking out the old lockpicks could only end in disaster.

Let's go over options…

Akira looked down at the bento in his hand and frowned.

Leave it by the door?

...Nah, she might step on it.

Let her know by phone?

...No, that's just…

Hmm...suck it up and knock-

Before he could finish his thought, the door swung open, and he found himself face to face with Makoto. Well, give or take a few inches.

She looked up at him with an unreadable expression, then simply skirted around him with a barely audible, "...Excuse me."

"Oh-"

Makoto skirted past him and headed straight for the kitchen. Akira chanced a look into her office and sighed. Her laptop was open, so it didn't seem like she went for anything other than coffee.

This would not do.

The furrow in her brow and tired look in her eyes was enough for Akira to follow her in and place the bento down just loudly enough to catch her attention. "Makoto, enough."

Makoto stopped mid-step to turn and regard Akira, though he detected a hint of irritation in her normally calm crimson eyes. "Sorry?"

Akira walked around the countertop and gently took the jar of coffee beans she was holding. She wouldn't miss its company; he replaced the offending item with his own hand in a bid to get her to focus on him. He figured his chances were more solid than he felt they were five minutes ago when she didn't resist, even threading their fingers together as if it were second nature to her. She even seemed a little embarrassed by it, if the red in her cheeks was any indication. "I'm very busy, so if you could…"

"You know when you're working I will give you space, give you tea, all that. I'll be the most house husband-y doormat you've ever seen when you're in the zone."

"Then-"

"However, that doesn't mean I'm gonna sit there while you burn the midnight oil and go looking for another barrel."

"I feel like you're forgetting the metaphor here..."

Akira shook his head and raised their joined hands for her to see. "You need to sleep."

Makoto's shoulder slumped just a bit, but it was enough for Akira's keen eye to notice. Her breath seemed to flow out of her as she sighed in defeat. "...I would like to. But I should really-"

"Listen to my counter-offer?"

"What?"

"You should hear me out."

"Yeah, no, I got that. What am I supposed to be hearing here?"

"I'm glad you asked!"

It was then that Makoto knew she had fallen into his trap. He bounded out of the kitchen and waited for her to follow before he indicated their living room with a sweep of his arm. "You see, dear Makoto, you've given me at least ten lap pillows in the past six months, so you are eligible for one of your own! How lucky you are!"

The deadpan tone he delivered his offer with was the icing on the cake as Makoto watched her husband throw himself onto the couch and indicate his lap with an admittedly charming flourish. "Were you keeping track?"

"I have a stamp card."

He inexplicably produced a clean white card from his pocket and tossed it to her. Makoto caught in between her fingers, looked it over, and smiled at him. "This is your business card."

"It is my business card. The point here is that this...tantalizing offer is only available until I ask you again five minutes later if you say no."

The light blush on his face was indicative of the fact that the theatrics were rather embarrassing. On the other hand, his commitment to the act was commendable. Makoto smiled again, and a warm light danced in her eyes as she spoke. "I suppose I have to accept, then."

[- - -]

"Want me to clean your ears?"

"Akira…"

"I'm just kidding."

Makoto took a deep breath and let it out through her mouth as she rested her head on Akira's lap. Somehow, he knew she wouldn't just fall asleep so he offered conversation instead. "...Remember when I used to run around, all over the place? Stop in Untouchable for two minutes and rush out?"

"I don't know how you did it. It was dizzying to watch."

"Well, it helped me learn how to pace myself...eventually. So I get what you're doing."

"...Mm."

She had to give him that one. They really did understand each other in that odd way. She tried to distract herself from these thoughts by focusing on his lap.

It was comfortable, damn it.

"How is it?"

And he knew! Surely, he knew. "It's okay."

She sounded far too happy to have meant what she said, so Akira just smiled and brushed the back of his hand along her cheek. She nuzzled against his hand, not unlike a cat, as he did so. "I'll nap for an hour."

"You can sleep as long as you like."

Akira's fingers had started threading through Makoto's hair as soon as her head met his lap. Her shoulders, tense as they had been without a moment of respite, relaxed as she let out a soft sigh. "What would I do without you?"

Makoto rolled onto her back and smiled up at him, reaching over to take his other hand without interrupting his grooming. He leaned down and planted a light kiss on her forehead as a final push for her to sleep. "You'd be burying yourself under a mountain of paperwork and cheap coffee. Close those eyes, now."

It was odd. That sounded like a very good idea. She closed her eyes, turned back on her side and curled into herself slightly, as if nursing the warm feeling budding in her chest.

Makoto woke up nine hours later, to the smell of coffee and breakfast.