Chapter Text
You short circuited, not quite sure what to do with the information he had just given you. Sure, you had asked him how he felt about you, but ever the pessimist, you had braced yourself for rejection. If your mind was a lake your thoughts were drowning as you began to spiral. He liked you? I mean that’s what you had wanted, he was smart, witty, and despite the generally unapproachable facade he frequently utilizes to interact with strangers and acquaintances, you found he had a softer way of expressing his thoughtfulness that you really enjoyed.
“I would feel more reassured if you responded (YN),” Ieyasu sighed, “or breathed.”
At that you let out a shaky laugh “Am I dead? Did Masamune bring me up here and actually murder me? Is this real?”
“I hope so, though, that’s not really the response I was anticipating so who knows.” Ieyasu shrugged, “Maybe it’s my nightmare and you’re my new sleep paralysis demon, here to taunt me for my indecision.”
“Nightmare?” You puzzled aloud as you leaned in closer, fascinated as the color bloomed in splotches up his neck, ears, and cheeks.
“Oh, you know,” Ieyasu mumbled, “you finally get the chance to tell your person you have feelings for them only to find out you’re not wearing pants. Or that it’s an auditorium full of people and your personal admission turned into a hot mic moment so now they’re embarrassed you accidentally put them on the spot. Or they confess and you’re so surprised your soda shoots out your nose all everything, so you have to awkwardly blot it off while apologizing instead of looking cool or romantic, with the added bonus of being awkward and sticky the rest of the day.”
For the second time that evening your mind stalled as the gears ground to a halt shutting out most of Ieyasu’s nervous yet oddly specific ramble. Your voice shuddered as you breathed out, interrupting him “You think I’m your person?”
“I-I do.” His eyes met and held yours as he paused and answered with quiet certainty. “You are.”
The smile spread across your face uninhibited, a squeal leaving your lips as you pounced.
——
Ieyasu’s first thought was that your hands were cold against the seemingly permanent and unwelcome flush that had spread up from his chest. His heart hammered against his ribs at the taste of you, strawberries and cream, the dessert you had been sharing before this fateful conversation. He willed the moment to last forever before realizing he hadn’t moved, and his arms were hovering awkwardly at your sides like he was a scarecrow. Nobody wants to kiss an unresponsive mannequin, he scoffed at himself pushing away any further indecision before mirroring your movements.
He realized you must have noticed the shift because Ieyasu could feel your smile against his lips before he ventured to tease them apart. His whole body seemed to tingle with electricity at the huff of breath and hushed hum of content you exhaled from your nose all while offering the perfect counterpressure.
Your mouth was warm and inviting, in stark contrast with the chill of your skin that he now absentmindedly traced patterns against under the hem of your sweatshirt, and your soft hushed pleas for more had his mind melting. Time, Ieyasu mused, had managed to speed up and slow down all at once, and if he had his wits about him he’d have offered to study the phenomenon himself.
All the air and thoughts came rushing back into his mind all at once when you pulled away from him and flashed him a conspiratory smile. “Normally I’d mention you need to take me to dinner first but that’s sort of what this is isn’t it?”
“I can still take you to dinner another time? Or lunch?” Ieyasu noted the goosebumps that trailed his fingers on your back with unrestrained infatuation. “Though the cafeteria at work isn’t what I would consider gourmet dining.”
With a sigh you pulled away from him, despite his attempts to follow your warmth. He must have been making a face because you giggled and leaned in a final time to peck him on the cheek.
“Let’s call this paying it forward.” Smirking, you stood and brushed the dirt of your pants and straightened your hoodie. “As wonderful as this is, I’m not a fan of spectators or grass stains, what do you say to moving this party elsewhere?”
Before Ieyasu had the chance to ask about who could possibly be in the park this late at night, he was hauling himself off the ground and following you down the hill. The two of you were just past the tree line when you turned back from him and said, “Since you got a free show, and we’re currently trying to remain occupied I’ll leave the rest for you to clean.”
“Oh come on Lass! That’s not fair! I had to make sure neither of you had ended up in the reservoir.” To Ieyasu's horror, Masamune shouted and rounded towards the both of you from where he was hidden behind a thicket of trees.
“Sorry, somethings come up! Can’t stick around. Full five-star review for dinner and service though! See you later friend!” You offered a mock salute and hurried down the trail, pulling him along behind by the sleeve of his jacket.
And that’s how he ended up back at your place.
----
You wished you had cleaned up literally any part of your house before heading out tonight but pouting and wallowing didn’t bode well for your motivation. With a sheepish grin you slid off your shoes and invited Ieyasu in. You watched him take in every detail of the entryway, the shoes strewn about, the unclasped umbrella haphazardly hanging from the railing in the closet that seemed to be mostly devoid of your outdoor coats.
A silence you hoped was mostly nerves persisted as you lead him past the living room with your half-eaten bag of chips and empty soda cans. You just had to make it past the kitchen and book it towards the stairs as fast as possible then you'd be mostly in the clear. Finally resolved to do just that you picked up your pace, nearly slipping in your socks on the wood floor when you hear him break into a laugh.
“At least I know you have coats.” Ieyasu pointed to your kitchen table where each chair had a different jacket draped over the back of it.
With a blush you could feel behind your eyes you grunted, “I didn’t exactly expect company and my mind has been other places. Cleaning hasn’t really been a priority of late.”
“Do you plan on snuggling under a mountain of laundry?” Ieyaseu teased, a glint of humor in his eyes.
“Bold of you to assume it made it off of the line.” You gestured toward the patio door, where your laundry was visibly fluttering in the breeze.
He blinked at that, and you were wholly and completely sure he was ready to pack it up and leave. You were already working on the apology for the mess when the panic started to flutter up from your stomach. Just before it could take hold and seize your chest and the moment Ieyasu let out another peel of laughter and pat you on the head.
“This is the most you place I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing in my life. Sort of reminds me of your inventory shelf in the lab, just on a larger scale.” He motioned for you to continue onward and upward, without anything to add you did just that.
With a renewed pep in your step, you pulled Ieyasu up the stairs behind you. Haphazardly pointing out the single bathroom on the second floor before pulling him into your room for the rest of the night.