Setting: Post-Game

PoV: Sho

Ties weren't something Sho ever grew accustomed to wearing.

He wore one when asked, of course, but they always felt tight around his neck. In his opinion, ties were stifling and difficult to knot properly; they were always a little too tight or a little too awkward. The fault really lay in his lack of technique, but even when Toya lent a practised hand and fixed his ties for him they still felt wrong. Ties were formal, and though Sho thought of himself as well-mannered he was never quite deserving of a tie. So he never grew fond of wearing one, no matter how often he wore them.

—

He woke up late for work one morning.

Too much in a rush to get out of the house, he pulled on the closest shirt he could find and quickly knotted the accursed tie, his attempt more clumsy than usual. When he hurried out of the bedroom, Toya glanced over from the kitchen counter and lifted an eyebrow.

"Late, I see." He smiled down at Sho's clothes as he offered his half-finished coffee to him, and Sho gratefully accepted.

"I'll fix my tie later." He gulped down the hot drink, wincing a little at the bitter taste. Toya liked his coffee straight, and the taste was stronger than what Sho was used to. "You know I can't tie these blasted things."

"Well yes, that is indeed hideous. But that's not what I'm talking about." Toya reached out and straightened Sho's collar, an amused smile on his face. "You're just wearing my shirt."

Sho balked, nearly dropping the mug as he pulled back to look at his shirt in dismay. It was indeed Toya's—one of his favourites, at that.

"I'm sorry. I didn't—"

Toya waved his apology away with a laugh. "There's no need. It's interesting to see you wear my things." His fingers ghosted down Sho's collar, tips lightly brushing against his tie. "Let me help."

He worked the knot loose before Sho could object, his fingers coaxing the fabric apart. Sho stood still and allowed Toya to handle him; the only upside to ties, he thought, was the excuse to stand this close to Toya and allow himself to be taken care of. Almost as if hearing his thoughts, Toya glanced up. There was an intense heat in his gaze that captured Sho utterly, and when Toya leaned down to kiss him Sho closed his eyes and let himself forget about work for a moment.

"On second thought, it's only fair that I get something of yours to wear too, no?" Toya murmured against his lips, and Sho could feel his tie slipping off.

In a few moments his tie was around Toya's neck, knotted with a skill that Sho could never hope to possess. Seeing Toya wear his tie sent a strange thrill of pleasure up his spine; it felt almost like a mark of ownership, a private claim on Toya that only the two of them would know.

He didn't mind that thought at all, even if it did mean he had to fetch his second tie.