Prompt: Romance Movie AU...or is it?
The rain was pouring down in sheets, and a trickle of water cascaded from the roof over Akane's head. The late afternoon air was heavy with moisture, yet the scent of petrichor was invigorating. Footsteps approached, and she glanced over at Kougami, in his familiar fur-lined jacket.
"Forgot your umbrella, Tsunemori?" He was doing his best to suppress a smile.
Ignoring a flash of insecurity, she cleared her throat before smoothly answering. "I was rushing this morning, and it slipped my mind. What about you?"
"Coincidentally, I'm in the same situation."
An uneasy silence crept up between them.
"By the way, good work today." He was giving her a lazy, half-lidded look.
"You too. I'm glad we solved that case together."
"Yeah. It was a tough one. Who could have guessed that the culprit enjoyed blindfolding her victims?"
She spluttered. "Kougami-san!"
He clicked his tongue. "Ah, come on, why don't we just cut right to the-" A rumble of thunder made them pause, return to the reality of the downpour.
"Should we make a run for it?" She ventured. "My place is close by."
"Is that an invitation?"
"I wouldn't want you to get sick, since we have more cases to investigate. Partners look out for each other."
"Ah, so your motive is purely professional." He was closing off, daring her to push against his resistance.
Heat rose to her face. "…Not totally. I wouldn't mind if you stayed longer. As long as you want, not for detective work."
His eyes darkened. Her stomach fluttered as he stepped closer, not quite touching but as always, his proximity alone was captivating. "Remind me again. The office doesn't ban romance."
"No, but there aren't many in the first place. They tend not to work out."
"Sounds like a challenge."
"And we like those."
"Mm, that's why we're partners." He removed his jacket, draping it over her, before taking her hand. "Lead the way."
It was a short walk, though she slipped in the foyer. He steadied her with a mere touch, that glided over her shoulder and down her front, unbuttoning with growing impatience.
"This is very bold of you, Kougami-san." She wryly said.
"But you don't mind. You often stare at my fingers." His hand pressed upon her lower belly, and she arched.
"It's hard not to, when you smoke." She turned for a kiss, and his lips met hers. Craving more contact, her fingertips landed on his collarbone…and she abruptly broke away. "You're drenched. Here, we can jump into the shower."
"Who's being bold now?" He caught her slip-up, smirking, but he loosened his tie and started to undress.
Quickly, Akane freed herself of her skirt, blouse, and underwear, before striding into the shower. She had just turned on the water, when he joined her. His appraisal of her was deliberate, flattering, hungry. "We should have done this earlier."
"I know." Giggling, she threw a leg around his waist and he lifted her.
The entire chain of events seemed like the climax of a romance film, expedient and hotly passionate, the resolution of tension in a dreamy setting. All things considered, their story wasn't close to a stereotypical romance film, but they could indulge in such a fantasy for the moment.
The tiled wall had been uncomfortably cold behind her back, but it was soon forgotten. His movements inside her, the slick water between their bodies, the sheer intimacy of what they had. Everything built to a fever pitch; it was easy to let go.
The shower grew cold, forcing them to shut it off. Kougami set her down, while still keeping close for warmth. "Glad neither of us had umbrellas."
"Almost like we planned it." She smiled into his chest, vibrating with laughter as he carried her to bed.
Kougami propped his head on one hand, watching her recover her breath. "Well, that was fun."
She huffed, amused. Her eyebrows drew together in concern. "It wasn't too weird?"
"Maybe a little, at first." He admitted.
"I noticed you were almost laughing at the beginning."
"That's because you took the roleplaying so seriously." Akane's expression had been adorable, and the blush returned to her face now.
"Well, it was something I've thought about. Working together as equals."
He stroked her hair. "Did this change your mind?"
"It wouldn't have been bad."
"No. Not bad." He agreed and kissed her forehead. Although their little scenario had been unlikely, it was enjoyable to pretend they were coworkers caught in the rain together. Who knew when they could do something like that again? He pulled the blanket over them, and she cuddled closer when an intense crack of thunder threatened to shake the ceiling. Outside, the rain continued relentlessly.