FINALLY BACK! Its so good to be home. Did you all miss me? No? Get over it. CAUSE I'M FREEEEEEEE
"So Onodera, what is it that you do? You work in Marukawa as well I presume?" the smile seemed painfully forced and stretched but it was maintained nevertheless.
Onodera was in a very very similar state, less maintained however. His smile twitched as did his clenched eyes. Takano was in a separate room on the phone, using this as an excuse to escape from the two typhoons inside of his living room. In Onodera's hands lay a manuscript he had brought a long with the proposal. watched with such intensity up until now that the younger man couldn't possibly avoid him.
"Indeed. I am one of the editors in Emerald. I still have quite a bit to learn." the manuscript he had was gently placed on the table as he continued with his painfully pleasant expression. His nature didn't really allow him to be rude to anyone whom he first met and he was playing nice if only for Takano's sake. Saga's taut smile disappeared.
"I see. So the nature of this relationship, is indeed what I thought. I won't intervene since Takano is a big boy but don't you think that is a bit cruel? Sleeping with your boss. Smart in a sense I suppose but it's cheating. Shouldn't you do things the right way, young man?"
Onodera sneered in disgust. What was up with this man? He could seriously see the source of Takano's family problems standing right before him.
"I really believe you have misunderstood me and my intentions. I can do just fine without him in the work field. Personal and work life never mix and he makes a very clear point of that with the way he works us like dogs. Also, I've known Takano long before we started working there, therefore our relationship has nothing to do with Marukawa or Emerald. Please don't insinuate such absurdities again." Onodera wasn't aware of it but his voice had raised in the middle of his small rant and Takano came rushing into the room his phone long forgotten. Green flaring eyes met Takano's concerned golden ones, silently questioning his lover.
Saga seemed unperturbed by the outburst but he was a bit curious. How long is 'long before'? An awkward hush fell over them. It was a heavy, muted and thick silence. Takano was the first to slice it with a knife.
"I'll take a look at the proposal and manuscript now, Onodera. Why don't you head on home and I'll call you or knock on your door if there are any issues that need to be addressed."
"I'm fine here, thanks." Onodera was being unnervingly stubborn and while that may have seemed in character, it wasn't quite the Onodera stubbornness he was very well used to. He was offering his lover a way out of this highly awkward and tense situation but the younger wasn't taking the bait. Earlier he seemed rather eager to get back in the room with Takano and his father. What was his goal?
Saga scoffed at the slight challenge he knew Onodera was throwing his way, where does the brat get off? He accepted it much in the same way Onodera had initiated it, silently but in now way less cool and intimidating. Takano sighed and wondered how this was ever going to work, if this is how it was with a man that wasn't even his father...then how awkward would it be if it were his biological father standing before him. Still...he yearned to see him. His flesh and blood. What does he look like? Where does he work? Many questions of the like floated about in his head. He had the hair of his mother, but what of the way his face was structured and his odd eyes?
Takano snapped back into attention at the faint scratching noises of the red pen Onodera held. He held a tense conversation with Saga as they both tried their damnedest not to crack under the heavy weight of rage. Takano noted that they were both rather good, it was their own sophisticated way of warfare.
"Are you still a doctor? Or did you retire?"
Saga pulled his attention from Onodera to answer his son's question. He hadn't expected him to talk at all so both men on the couch abruptly stopped at the voice.
"I'm still working. Still a surgeon. Still just as busy, which is why I would like to spend time with you at this time. Preferably alone. You understand, right Onodera? Father and son bonding and all that jazz."
It was Onodera's turn to scoff and despite himself he lost his calm facade. His eyes darkening a swamp green and making darkness play on his face a bit. It was a trait that belonged to his loving and protective family should anyone of their own be threatened. Takano didn't have that. So he'll take responsibility of that himself. He felt the obligation to. Or maybe it was just that he wanted to, at this point in their relationship he couldn't pretend that he wasn't interested in Takano's safety and wellbeing.
"I'll leave as soon as his father arrives. Until then I will stay here if that's alright with you, Mr.Saga"
The name was used with the intent to harm Saga's pride and it did. Not only did it remind him of his unpleasant marriage with Takano's mother but Onodera was also making very clear what his standing was here. He had no authority or control over anything here. Oddly, he felt weary. Saga was really trying. In his own misguided ways but it was still something. Takano could clearly see this even if Onodera couldn't and he knew that this was a very big step if they ever hoped to mend the bond. Well...create a bond. Saga frowned and opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by his son.
"Excuse us a moment." Takano pulled the smaller man away and into the small kitchen that was just out of earshot. Green eyes burned for a few moments before softening and becoming a bit remorseful.
"Look-"
"I know...but what do you expect me to do? I will not leave you with him. He doesn't deserve it."
"Be that as it may I allowed him here. I need this. No matter what you might say. I do need this. I need to know the full story, from the eyes of an adult not from the depressed eyes of a high schooler who lost hope in a lot of things...especially when he lost a certain someone." at this he smirked and bopped Onodera on the nose. The past always made a delicate blush spread across Onodera's face. It's now been 12 years since then. 2 years of being reunited. As embarrassing as it was, Onodera counted the months they were together in high school and added them onto the year and a half together since their reunion.
"Takano...You don't need any of that proof. It's ridiculous. You raised yourself. Isn't that enough?..."
"Yeah yeah. But why? Why did I have to raise myself. I obviously did an even worse job of just that in college. I love you. I love you. I love you so much. I love that you were raised in a fantastic home. I love that you're loved. I even love how protective they are of you. But you...can't understand what it is to be alone."
Once again those words cut Onodera more deeply than Takano could ever know. The ways they were brought up were different. They were different. Different experiences. Different lifestyles (although their habits often merged). These things were to be expected in any type of relationship with any person. But to Onodera it made a gap he began to notice when they finally became a couple. As the gap got bigger the further he felt from his lover. '
'You can't understand.'
It sounded oddly like 'You don't know me.'
Green eyes widened a smidgen as the young editor found himself enveloped in a tight embrace. Warm hands stroked up his back and set the flame within him burn brighter. He couldn't ever lose this warmth. The sensations of a young love. The young love that had been presumedly forgotten for 10 years. Only to be brought back from the rear of their minds. It was such a beautiful feeling. Although a bit painful. Painfully beautiful in all that is was. No, things were not pure as they were and they both knew it never would be. There would be more than just one obstacle that obscures their views of bright futures.
"I love you..." it was meek and quiet but the emotion behind the word made Onodera tremble. Takano looked down in surprise to the boy in his arms, though he should consider him a man as he surely was. It wasn't often his prude lover showed signs of affection and words of love, that wasn't to say he didn't think Onodera didn't love him. He did believe it but any small bit of affection from his shy lover was surely a blessing from heaven.
"I love you too."
"I-I'll...go. This is important to you and I'm here ruining things."
"It's no-"
Takano was cut off by soft lips on his own and once again became frozen in shock. This lasted a few moments however as the kiss deepened and became increasingly; if a little dangerously passionate. Onodera pulled away in a fluster.
"It's fine. Just...keep me in the loop?"
Takano was a bit spaced out and distracted by the wickedly delightful kiss but nodded. Onodera walked head held low to his own home leaving a confused Takano behind.
He wandered back into the living room, nearly forgetting his guest. Takano snapped back into reality. No time to ponder the odd yet delicious way his lover was acting. It was time to take action and bear with the rest of the day.
"Anything wrong? Where did Onodera go?"
"H-he went home. I suppose he had some business to attend to." it was an obvious lie but it would have to suffice and Takano was pretty sure his father didn't give a damn about Onodera did.
"I see... shall we go get something to eat?"
"Why not?"