For: Anonymous
Prompt: Federica/Junko, modern-day AU
Blood ran cold on the floor. Takei could practically see the temperature drain from the red liquid as it slipped from the body, warmth lost on the concrete. Distantly, she could hear her phone ring, feel it vibrate in her pocket, and she reached for it numbly.
"Takei here."
"You know the party's in an hour right? The mistress is expecting you, so you better get cleaned up and ready."
Takei sighed, staring at the red stain on the floor. "I'll be ready in time," she responded. "Just send someone over here to clean up."
If the person on the other side said anything else, it fell on deaf ears. Takei hung up, straightened her tie, and turned to leave.
Parties were always stressful occasions for Takei. She was never sure who she could trust, and Federica was never close enough to keep a good eye on.
It only figured that Takei, the most serious of the Libau Trio, would end up working as a bodyguard for Romagna's most laid-back mafia princess.
Hands instantly finding her tie and fixing it, a nervous habit she developed around the time she had to wear ties on a regular basis, Takei searched the room for anything suspicious. Her suit felt stiffer than usual, something she attributed to the setting.
"Takei!" a sudden shout came from behind her, making her jump. "Are you enjoying the party?"
Turning to meet her employer, Takei gave a strained smile, her face fully revealing what she felt about the party.
Federica laughed. "Can't even lighten up for my birthday? I swear the only time I've seen you relaxed is with a teacup in your hands."
Hearing her mistress laugh so cheerfully, Takei found herself smiling genuinely.
"I'll try, but it wouldn't hurt for you to be more careful, you know."
With another chuckle and a nod, Federica wrapped an arm around Takei. "How does an even trade sound? I'll try to be more careful, and you'll try to have some fun."
Takei couldn't do anything but share Federica's mood, and, sighing heavily as was expected of her, she agreed. "Alright, ma'am."
All it took was a loud crash and a shout of pain, and Takei was nearly breaking the door down, gun ready, safety off.
Federica looked at her innocently from where she sat on the floor beside her bed, the way the sheets and blankets were her both trapped under her and trapping her more than enough indication that she'd slipped.
Takei sighed heavily, the sudden departure of adrenaline making her exhausted. "Bad dream, ma'am?"
"I can't remember?" Federica responded, confused. She chuckled lightly at the situation and rubbed the back of her head. "Must have been something, though, to knock me from a bed that big."
Shaking her head, Takei walked over to her and offered her a hand. "Only you," she muttered under her breath.
If Federica heard her, she gave no indication and graciously accepted the help. Now standing, she flashed Takei an apologetic smile. "Sorry to disrupt you sleep. I know you need it."
"Why do you think I drink chamomile?" Takei joked, watching as Federica settled herself in her bed before taking a seat on the edge. "Of course I wouldn't mind if you started taking midafternoon naps…"
Federica swatted her playfully on the arm. "You would be wide awake with worry that someone would slip through the window and slit my throat."
Takei nodded in agreement, sagely, with her eyes closed. "Ah, but if I slept in here, any potential assassin would be too scared to even try to kill you. And I would get twice the back support in this giant," she patted the bed affectionately like one would a pet, "than I do in that cot I normally sleep in."
"A genius plan, Takei," Federica agreed. "So why don't you start now?"
Blinking a little in surprise, Takei looked at Federica confused. "M-ma'am?"
"Oh c'mon!" Federica laughed, pulled Takei onto the bed beside her. "Now if I roll off the bed, I'll have something soft to land on."
Takei just smiled and let Federica wrap and arm around her.
It was always late when Takei came back from assignments, though that was the least of her reasons for hating her job.
She snuck in Federica and her join bedroom and inched toward the bathroom, trying her best not to wake her mistress. The second she got inside, she made her way to the sink without bothering to turn the light on. She could feel the blood on her hands, even though they were completely spotless.
"Bad night?" a tired voice rang from the bathroom doorway. Takei didn't need to look to know who it was.
"You could say that," she muttered, splashing water on her face with little regard to the prim suit she wore.
Federica hesitated. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I'd rather not," Takei sighed. "It's just a part of the job. The worst part, sure, but it's still a part."
"How does…" Federica started, her voice thick with worry, "how does it feel?"
Takei shook her head and sent drops of water across the sink. "Terrible. I used to throw up after every time, and sometimes I just couldn't do it. Wakamoto hated working with me because of that." Federica was completely quiet. "But I had good colleagues, so I eventually got used to it." Takei chuckled grimly and looked at her hands; she could wear she saw red.
The silence that followed was stifling. Federica looked like she was at a loss for words, and Takei kept her eyes on her hands, appearing as though throwing up was exactly what she needed.
"Not that used to it," Federica finally spoke, surprising both of them. "You should come bed."
Shaking her head again, Takei tried to decline. "Believe it or not, I'm not that tired."
"You don't have to sleep, just come to bed. I promise it'll make you feel better," Federica told her, offering Takei a small smile that Takei instantly knew she couldn't refuse.
Federica reached out her hand and, after Takei placed hers in the offered grip, led her out of the bathroom and onto Federica's king-sized bed. Without even bothering to get under the covers, Federica pulled Takei closer.
"Your hands don't look dirty to me," she murmured, playing with both of them before taking each to her lips and pressing light kisses to the fingers.
Takei's breath caught in her throat. "Y-you shouldn't do that. It's—"
Federica dropped Takei's hands, instead wrapping her arms around the other's waist. "It's comforting. Don't you feel better already?"
Nodding numbly, Takei hesitantly mimicked Federica's motion. She opened her mouth to speak, but she was already slipping into Federica's embrace and falling asleep.
Sitting in on family meetings was probably Takei's second least favorite part of her job.
Mr. Doglio was a stuffy old man who disapproved of nearly everything his daughter did with her time, and his wife did nothing more than sit and nod approvingly at everything he said. Federica took the criticisms stone-faced, but Takei could tell she was angry.
"The chauffer told me you were spotted in the garage again. What kind of woman spends more time under the hood of a car than considering her future? You should be meeting with suitors and learning about the family business. You are not a mechanic, Federica, you are the heir to the Doglio family syndicate."
Federica sat stock still, her breathing controlled but fire burning in her eyes. "I may enjoy spending time with cars, father," she started calmly, "but that doesn't mean I've been ignoring my duties. Yesterday I had lunch with your associates' daughters; the day before, I met with Maloney, who you praised so much for the way he runs the Britannian branch. Takei can confirm everything!"
Her father, though, was less than satisfied. Turning on Takei like a predator that just discovered new prey, he pointed an accusing finger. "Trust her? The bodyguard that recently moved into your bed? The worthless hitman who won't even clean up after herself? She's nothing more than a waste of money with a reputation!"
Takei didn't even blink at the accusations; she could tell that Mr. Doglio (she would never refer to him as "Don," not after the run-in she had with that Liberian couple) was just trying to get a rise out of any of them. Federica, however, took the bait and leapt out of her chair in anger.
"If she's such a terrible waste of money, you shouldn't have hired her!" she yelled, finally letting her irritation show.
"I wouldn't have, if I had known you were so interested in Fusoan food," her father spat back.
At that, Federica spun on her heel and yanked the door open, before grabbing Takei by the wrist and dragging her out of the room. She closed the door with a decisive slam.
"Why would you let him say those things about you? Aren't you even a little mad?" Federica questioned, still seething.
Takei smiled lightly, even though Federica had her back turned and couldn't see it. "I'm under contract, and if he really wanted to fire me, he would have." She slid her arm up so that she could hold Federica's hand properly. "I'm flattered that you stood up for me."
Federica, who quickly welcomed the intimacy of hand-holding, deflated almost immediately. "I'm used to him talking to me that way, but you're not even part of the family. I didn't want him chasing you away."
"I'm not going anywhere," Takei reassured. "Now, weren't you going to tell me about that pin-up calendar idea you had?"
Takei wasn't sure whose idea it was, only that it sure as hell wasn't hers.
Security personnel, that she'd personally trained, stalked the grounds. She and Federica, who she was sure was one night out from being disowned, were crouched behind a bush, waiting for the right time to make a break for it.
"You know," Federica whispered harshly from beside her, "if you'd let me sneak out more, I'd be better at this."
Although she knew it wouldn't be seen, Takei rolled her eyes. "If I let you sneak out at all I'd be fired," she shot back, just as softly.
"Where's your sense of adventure? You're supposed to be the dashing mercenary that rescues the rebellious princess!" Federica enthused as loudly as was possible from where they were hiding.
"My sense of adventure died when I was hired by your family and had to start acting responsible," Takei deadpanned, ignoring Federica's next comment about "being no fun." She sighed. "Besides aren't princesses supposed to be saved by princes?"
Federica didn't miss a beat. "Who would want a prince when they have a dashing mercenary? I know I wouldn't."
Heat instantly flooded to Takei's face, and she was immediately glad that it was too dark to notice it.
"If you've got your dashing mercenary, why do you even want to go out?" she muttered, tempted to hide her face despite the darkness.
"Do you think you could amuse me all night?" Federica asked in response. Takei could practically see the smirk on her face.
That didn't stop her from flushing even more at the answer on her lips, though. "I can think of a few things that might," she trailed off.
"Now I'm all curious," Federica joked as she grabbed Takei by the hand and yanked her away from their hiding spot. Takei obediently followed, nervousness settling in the pit of her stomach.
"I hope you're not expecting too much."
"Takei, when does your contract end?" Federica asked, eyeing the sound proof screen that separated the front and the back of the car.
They were sitting in the backseat of Federica's personal car, on their way to events neither of them particularly wanted to go to. Though they sat with plenty of space between them, their hands were clasped and hidden from the chauffer.
Takei kept her gaze trained on the passing scenery, even as she answered. "In a few months. Why?"
"Do you plan on getting it renewed?"
"I'll try, but it's your father's decision, and I don't think he likes me very much," Takei explained, resisting the urge to look at Federica.
"I might be able to convince him," Federica said just as lightly, though she stared at the soundproof barrier warily.
Takei squeezed her hand a little in support. "I don't think he'll listen to you if he finds out about us."
"Then, we'll just have to be sure he doesn't find out. Though I suppose it's fine if he does."
"Why?" Takei spluttered in confusion, head whipping around.
"Because," Federica started, pressing a button that raised a black privacy screen, "then I would be able to do this," she grabbed Takei's tie and pulled her closer, "without worrying about getting caught."
Takei grinned. "I'd get fired, you know." Her eyes drifted down to Federica's lips and back up to meet her gaze.
Federica just returned the smile. "It'd be worth it," she said, before giving Takei's tie a final yank and crushing their lips together.
Half an hour later, they stepped out of the car, Takei's suit slightly ruffled and Federica's dress a little off-center. They stood close enough to hide their joined hands.
"See you after the party?" Federica asked, already knowing the answer.
"Of course," Takei responded simply. "In fact, I think I'll probably get done before you."
Federica laughed and used their intertwined hands to hit Takei on the thigh. "Then get going. The sooner you get done, the sooner you get back."
With one last tug at their hands, they separated and waved each other off, both turning to go in a different direction. As soon as her back was fully turned, Takei pulled out her cellphone.
"Where am I headed?" she asked once her call was picked up, ignoring any formality.
The voice on the other side chuckled. "Someone's eager for once."
Takei smiled to herself, thinking of the way her lips were still tingling.
"It's all part of the job," she explained. "Besides, I've got something to look forward to tonight."
A/N: In all honesty, Lucchini would be the most laid-back mafia princess; Federica might be a bit too responsible.
Another long one here, though I'm not exactly sure how it happened. This one was also pretty easy to write, and it was probably out of pure laziness that I didn't finish this sooner. I also made it a lot fluffier than I'd originally planned, but I think I'll blame that on reading too much angst recently.
And because I forgot last time, Happy 20th (and 21st) Chapter(s)! This is probably the longest I've been in any fandom.