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Another wet day. Fresh puddles in the divots of the streets from where people had gone their chosen paths over the decades, the rest of the road slick with days old rain water, unable to evaporate. Despite no precipitation for the last two days, the clouds stuck heavy in the sky above, threatening another bout of downpour at any moment.
Personally, Mine would have preferred the snow in these conditions. It may stick to his shoes and dampen his hair when it decided to fall, but it was a better alternative to this sickly grey aesthetic the rain gave instead.
He was only out in the city by himself because he had messed up and not been a perfect little guard dog for Daigo and when he tried to stick around to make up for his failings, Doctor Emoto had effectively kicked him to the curb to keep him from interfering with his work.
It wasn’t that serious, Daigo only needed a few stitches from the punch some punk had thrown his way and the subsequent fall to the pavement, but Mine should have been able to block it, redirect it, something. Daigo should have been able to block it, he had more experience in street fights, it wasn't as if he didn’t see it coming. It was a cheap shot by a cheap nobody in cheap clothing.
Mine hadn’t strayed too far from the clinic, just enough to not be loitering out front and drawing attention. He had paced up and down Theater Square Alley four times now. All cracks in the bricks and signs committed to memory. The time it took to go around that block at various speeds accounted for- only two minutes at walking speed including the snippet of West Taihei Boulevard the clinic was on. Currently, he was leaning against the wall next to the vending machines outside Mach Bowl, watching as civilians walked past. A man with a hoodie kept eyeing him, waiting for him to move too fast or come too close, how annoying.
With a sigh he turned to look at the drink selections, Boss Coffee, C.C Lemon, Green Dakara, all among other drinks that weren’t to his taste. Though, he didn’t want to return to Daigo empty handed. He already was ashamed for not catching that fist and didn’t need to tack anything else onto that feeling. It wasn’t fair to saddle Daigo with his misery.
He took a moment to slide coins into the slot and purchased two mineral waters, crouching down to take them in hand when his phone beeped.
He readjusted the bottles and searched through his pockets for the device, flipping it open when he found it and checking behind him to see if the man was still watching- He was. Fresh annoyance blooming at the fact. Just Mine’s luck that the way back to Daigo was blocked right as he was allowed back to him. Another sigh, more of a huff, and Mine snapped his phone shut again before heading down the alley, going the longer way to avoid a fight.
At the very least, he could move faster going that way, no people to bump into and the buildings and distance from the man allowing him to not be seen as he set a brisk pace. Exiting onto West Taihei Boulevard from the parking lot, Mine caught sight of the man looking in the direction he used to be and smiled to himself, how idiotic were the thugs in this city to not be aware of their target's whereabouts? With a head shake he continued on to the clinic.
Daigo was sitting on the bed, his overcoat folded up in his arms. He smiled at Mine, wincing slightly as the action moved the stitches. “You got back fast.”
“I didn’t go far.” Mine passed him one of the bottles after coming to a stop before him. He pointedly ignored Emoto’s presence, he could appreciate the man for taking care of Daigo’s wound, but he was admittedly still upset at being kicked out.
Daigo hummed and got to his feet. “Sorry you had to go in the first place.” As if it was his fault and not Mine’s for hovering. He twisted the cap of his water open and smiled again. “Though, I did get a drink out of it, so I suppose it was for the best, hm?”
“...Yes, it allowed me a moment to cool down as well.”
“Mmh, do you mean that or did you get in a fight as a cool down?”
“Daigo-san, I don’t go around getting into fights to let off steam.”
Daigo laughed, following it up with a sharp breath and a complaint of pain, touching at the stitches before dropping his hand after a gruff noise was made by Emoto from across the room. “Right, you stopped doing that after the last one, how long has it been since? An hour?”
“That was me defending you, it's not the same as going around purposefully getting into fights.” It had the same end result though, he had calmed down considerably after staining that punk's clothing with dingy water from the street and his own blood prior to the initial stop in here. Not any less immature for the action though, his fuse could stand to be longer.
“Right, right. You’re my loyal right hand, I’m aware.” His free hand clasped Mine’s shoulder to turn him as he started to walk. “Let’s go, the city makes you so touchy.” He ended off with a tsk before redirecting his voice and uttering his thanks to Emoto.
“No it doesn’t.” Mine fell in step easily, following Daigo back out into the streets.
“Don’t pretend it doesn’t, I’ve seen firsthand how moody you get when you come here.”
Mine took his coat from him, holding it up for Daigo to slip his arms into before they continued on, Daigo leading them back toward the parking lot. “It isn’t that Kamurocho makes me moody, the people here are just too self absorbed to stay out of my way, the businesses are too set on gaining customers that they try to refuse my refusals and the main streets have trash on them- Where are we going?”
Daigo was a few steps ahead sipping his water as he rounded a bike that was hardly a foot away from the rack, yet remained an obstacle and tripping hazard, not actually parked in it when there were countless free spots. “Back to your car, you hate the streets so we’re sticking to the outside sidewalks, no one’s ever on these ones unless they’re leaving or entering the district.”
“Hmph, you don't need to take detours just for me. There’s no risk of me dying if I walk among other people.”
Daigo made a sound of doubt and kept walking, urging Mine to pick up his pace and also round the bike to walk in step with him again. Yes, it was nice there were no people this way for the moment, and he supposes that he should be gracious that Daigo cares for him this way, but he would have gone along the streets no matter what. He would have followed Daigo into whatever shop he deigned to visit, like they had planned to when first arriving. Like they had been on their way to do before Daigo got hit.
Instead, they were leaving. Passing through the underground mall to the parking garage before Daigo had even had the chance to convince Mine into purchasing items he didn’t need nor want.
Instead, Mine was starting up his car and waiting for Daigo to adjust the seat again since he hadn’t done it well enough the first time.
Instead, Mine tuned everything out on the drive to Minato, lost in his head. Daigo deciding to leave after a small injury wasn’t in his character, he toughs it out no matter the gravity of the wound. Mine has seen it countless times. The only reason left for their departure was clearly himself, his mood, his inability to mask his displeasure after long enough had passed. Was he the reason? He couldn’t help not being fond of going out, but he was sure he was better able to enjoy it when Daigo was involved.
Though, Daigo had said he could see his mood change, so his face must not relay the enjoyment he garners from being in Daigo’s company.
He had ended up picking at his steering wheel, somehow managing to dig out flecks of the rubber. Daigo had pointed it out, making him tune back in to find they were at his apartment, Daigo’s hand half popping the handle to his door as he looked at him, waiting for him to kill the engine. Idiotic, he hadn’t been aware of his surroundings the whole drive, he easily could have caused a crash.
Mine apologized, stated he was fine and properly parked the car, following Daigo again when they were both out and it was locked. Ha, following the man he adored up into the apartment he owned, comedies truly write themselves. It should be him in front, if it were any other person that would be the case, but he was himself and Daigo was his leader in every meaning. Following him was only a natural course of action.
Into the building, ignore the other residents, step to the other side of Daigo to obscure his wound from them. Pass by the gaudy room number plates after exiting the elevator, they only lack taste because the building manager is kind enough to let custom ones be put up. Six doors down to the right, keys in the lock, let Daigo in first. Home.
Mine took Daigo’s coat from him, hanging it up on a hook before removing his own and placing it on the accompanying one.
His apartment wasn’t anything special, not the top floor, not the biggest unit; It wasn’t necessary, the majority of his things were at his office. There were his more treasured pieces of certain collections here, ones he didn’t want to risk being broken by someone bumping into them. Of course, he would rather none be ruined, these were simply higher priority for him.
“Mine, are you going to be stuck in your head all day, or can we go sit down?” The lilt in Daigo’s voice was certainly becoming one of Mine’s more favoured sounds. It easily was able to pinpoint areas inside him that needed to loosen up and spread a pang of warmth, usually it was best used when Mine was going off on a tangent.
“...My apologies for my slow response times, Daigo-san. I’ll be my usual self once again in just a moment.” Just as soon as he could stop having the punch and their departure right at the front of his mind, they were thoughts meant to stew over at night, not when he was still with Daigo.
“You’re far too formal in your own home.”
“Formality is a must with you.”
Daigo sighed, beckoned him closer then stepped away once he’d gotten out of the entryway before repeating the action again, and again. Mine felt like some stray cat being led.
He went along with it, of course he would to entertain Daigo, finally taking a seat on one of his arm chairs and watching as Daigo took his time choosing a seat. Not like there were many options, he was aware of how much Daigo enjoyed teasing him though, this was most likely one of those moments.
The moment Daigo was sat, Mine got back up again and briskly made his way to a closet, grabbing a first-aid kit then returning. Doctor Emoto had done a fine job on the two stitches, though something nagged at Mine’s gut… He should have been the one to clean Daigo up, if the so called attack had happened any closer to the entrance of Tenkaichi Street, he would have turned them back around and taken Daigo back here in the first place to patch him up.
But it hadn’t happened that way, so now he was making up for lost time. Tending to an already tended wound.
Without so much as a word, Mine sat next to Daigo and wet a gauze pad with antiseptic, wiping at the stitches surrounding area, careful to not brush against the thread or press too hard. The bruising was still quite red, only just beginning to meld into a deeper tone, bits of mauve speckling in with the red.
“Ah, Mine… You don’t have to do this. I’m alright.”
Mine glanced down at the gauze, noting the flakes of dried blood against it. “I do have to, Daigo-san. This shouldn’t have happened in the first place, now it’s my duty to ensure it stays clean.”
“Honestly, I think that's my job. I shouldn’t be having you take care of every scrape or bruise I get.”
Mine tsked and went back to wiping, keeping an eye out for any discomfort. He knew that, he just needed to be able to do something positive to combat the negatives that kept piling up. The two of them should be out having hirame and shima-aji, not sitting in the apartment Mine hardly spent time in. He moved the gauze in circles, watching each sweep cause Daigo’s skin to glisten anew. The bruise was going to be a nasty one, everyone who had regular meetings with Daigo would notice it, they’d talk about it and figure out it wasn’t anyone special who had managed to get a good one on him. They’d know it was some small time nothing punk, Daigo’s reputation would go down the drain.
He only stopped at the feeling of Daigo’s hand on his wrist, pulling it down and away. “Are you alright?” Concern in his voice and eyes, Mine had to not look directly into them. “This is the third time you've got this… Vacant, almost pained look on your face.” Daigo’s hand slid to take the gauze from his fingers, setting the dried out pad down.
“It isn’t anything to worry about, Daigo-san. Would you like to eat anything?” He moved to stand and got stopped by Daigo tightening his hold on him.
“I’m just fine, what are you thinking about?”
“Are you not upset?”
“Why would I be? What exactly is going on with you, it can’t still be about getting kicked out of the clinic.”
Mine internally cursed at himself, he’s only going to continue ruining Daigo’s day like this. “I’ve ruined your entire day, haven’t I?”
Confusion, then revelation. Daigo let go of him and sighed. “My entire day? I’d say that’s a stretch. It may not have been a preferred moment, but getting punched didn’t ruin my day.”
“Not that, I mean by having you come here.”
“Hm? I wanted to, I’m the one who suggested it.”
“...Only because I bring down the mood when we go do the things you like.”
Daigo’s expression shifted again to confusion. “That isn’t true, your company makes me enjoy them more. Without you I don’t think I’d go anywhere outside of business meetings.”
“Be that as it may, you would much rather be out in the city than stuck here, I know you.”
“Ah…” Daigo turned, folding his legs underneath himself. “Is that what you think? That I don’t want to be here and only suggested it so you wouldn’t cause our outing to be a disaster?”
“I wouldn’t say it in those words, but yes.”
“Mine, I suggested we come back here because I could see you were going to be on edge the whole time. I wanted to give you time to properly relax, I know you said you had calmed down while I was getting my stitches, but I had a feeling that me being back out in public was going to cause you to… Get overly vigilant again.”
“Again?”
“Like our first time out, I still appreciate you coming after me that time, but I don’t want to constantly worry you and I figured it was going to happen.”
He clicked the first-aid kit shut. Gaze drifting away again and focusing on the clasps. “I don’t think you need to stress about that… As you said, I’ve calmed down.”
“I can stress if I want to because I care for you.” Daigo’s hand came into view, pushing the kit away. “Complain all you want about your needs not being superior to mine, but that doesn’t make them inferior either. I don’t want you feeling ashamed for me figuring you out.” Mine looked back up, catching the sincerity in Daigo’s expression. He cared too much when he didn’t need to. Mine was used to dealing with these things himself, he didn’t need the support that Daigo seemed to be offering him. “...And I don’t want to see you repenting for whatever it is your mind deems you should or shouldn’t have done.”
Mine scoffed, eyes flicking away to stare at the wall then coming back again to see Daigo still looking at him like he had one of the more important roles in society. “Don’t you think there is a limit to how much one can reassure his subordinate? If you continue to tell me these things I may never agree to go out again.”
“Well, I see that having you somewhere you’re comfortable has brought back your ability to snark.”
…That one had just slipped out.
“It’s simply that I know you prefer to be out and about, Daigo-san. I can’t help but think I’ve forced your hand for my selfish needs.”
“You know I enjoy relaxing as much as I like going out, I’m allowed to change my mind about being in the city, I’m allowed to think of your comfort as well as my own, something you would be keen to remember.” The concern hadn’t left, but it faded into the background of the sincerity and sternness. Masked over by the gleam of what he assumed to be affection, an affection that if he were more intune with that side of things, would probably measure up to be just as intense as his own for Daigo.
Mine felt his front melt away under it. He knew he was being stupid for assuming these things, but when you’ve gone your whole life with no trust… It was hard to not think you were the problem in all things when the options were so limited. “...I was being presumptuous.”
“Mn… You’re fine, I don’t mind that you worry about my enjoyment, but you’ve got to at least try to not continue spiralling after I’ve confirmed that I’m here because I want to be.”
Daigo’s words allowed for a reprieve in his thoughts. He was still bothered about tearing Daigo away from their predetermined plans, that feeling wouldn’t go away so easily. Though, now he could find as many ways to make it up to him in a way that didn’t involve stepping in dirty rainwater. He could improve collection numbers, encourage other Families to do the same. Daigo had told him some time ago to stop interfering with the others and taking business from them, but if he was only persuading them by non-violent means it would be fine…
He could try to get a hotel under their management, one of the big ones in the heart of Tokyo. That or he could always put more Hakuho money into the Clan, they’ve been needing to refurbish the garden- too many of the display pieces being broken in scuffles and the pond needed treatment, maybe new plants as well. Money wasn’t everything to Daigo though, he didn’t exactly need millions to be poured into the Clan for a simple, unneeded apology.
Mine sifted through the ideas, briefly stopping on just ordering Daigo’s favourite foods. It seemed appropriate, but they weren’t in Kamurocho anymore, he doubted that Minato shops would have the same taste. He had experience with restaurants in different wards not having their flavours exactly alike despite them being chain restaurants that use the same methods. Gindaco in Sumida somehow had a lighter tasting sauce than its Shinjuku counterparts.
He hadn’t realised he was so caught up in thinking of a way to atone until Daigo moved to sit cross legged and hummed.
“So, when are you kissing me better?” Daigo propped an elbow on the back of the couch, resting his cheek against his hand and wincing at the pressure put on the bruise. Almost as if he’d forgotten about it being there despite being aware enough to make that comment.
A sigh, and Mine was reopening the first-aid kit, searching for the bruise remedy cream. Applying this would have to do for now, he could think of food later. “You slip back into your usual demeanor far too easily, Daigo-san.” An admirable feature, but always a bit jarring no matter how often Mine has seen it happen.
He set about applying a small amount of the cream, touching the bruised skin as light as he could while rubbing it in. Small relaxed circles going clockwise along the diameter of the area before moving in tighter and tighter toward the centre, taking care to not aggravate the stitches there. Daigo sighed softly at the touch, leaning back to roll a sleeve up and revealing another, much smaller bruise. It must have come from the fall.
The ointment on his cheek lost its sheen the longer Mine kept massaging it in, and once it didn't look wet anymore, he put more on his finger and held Daigo’s arm with his free hand. He repeated the earlier motions, circling from the outside in and ensuring the entire bruise was covered.
“Hm… That’s nice…”
“I’m not pressing too hard?”
“No, you’re gentle about it. Almost makes me forget how strong you are, you have a really crazy range.”
Mine screwed the cap back onto the jar. “I’m glad.”
“And you’ve relaxed more after getting to take care of me, I could see the worry and guilt creeping away the longer you went on for.” Daigo smiled at him and rolled his sleeve back down, prodding at the bruise afterward and grumbling when the cream didn’t instantly heal the ache. Was he ever going to stop touching his wounds to gauge how bad they were? It was an incredibly bad habit of his that just brought more pain to him than necessary.
The jar went back into the kit and then it was clicked shut once more and set out of the way on the coffee table. It could get put away later. “It has helped feeling your injuries for myself.” He may not have been able to prevent them, but tending to them even if it was after they’d already been tended to proved to get Mine’s mind off being bad at his job. The bruises could just as easily come from bumping into a desk corner and the cut was small, Daigo wouldn’t have bled out from it, it just would have taken some time to stop on its own.
Daigo smiled again and leaned back, tilting his head to look up at the ceiling with a sigh. He looked at ease, an overwhelmingly positive effect being cast on Mine at the sight. The overhead lighting bringing out the leftover shine of the cream, highlighting the bruise while still aiding in making Daigo look like he was made to relax, made to look stunning even when injured.
“Next time,” Daigo tilted his head slightly, eyes drifting over to meet Mine’s. “I’ll be the one to take care of your injuries, even if they’re only split knuckles from your sandbag. If you get a single papercut, let me be the one to clean it.”
Ah… Such simple words, but the weight of them carried more than enough feeling. This was a trust thing, trusting to be taken care of and trusting that one will come for the aid offered.
“...While I wouldn’t want to bother you while you’re busy, I know you won’t take that as a valid response. Though, a papercut seems like an excuse just to see me, Daigo-san.”
“I like seeing you, is that a crime?”
“No worse than what you already commit.” The smile came naturally with the phrase.
“Then it isn’t a problem. Don’t act as if you aren’t the same way.”
Mine sighed, he was right. Any excuse to see him was one he would take, but he at least used them in moderation. A papercut would already be closing by the time he made his way to Daigo’s office, it was no better than if he were to go on a whim. Selfishly though, he wondered if it meant Daigo would kiss the area like he had asked Mine to do.
…He would, wouldn’t he? A light kiss on raw skin from a papercut that had barely stung. A gentle hand holding his own as firm, kind kisses were pressed onto each knuckle, split and aching from not using proper gear while boxing. Both hands holding him steady as a prolonged kiss was pressed over bruised ribs.
Daigo would do that.
It was selfish, incredibly selfish. He shouldn’t, but he’s already been wrapped up in himself today over countless bad things, this one good thing could be another exception. “I’ll do the same. I’ll continue to tend to your wounds even if they’ve been taken care of already. I keep special attention to your existing scars, I’ll do the same to any new ones. I… Any instance of you getting hurt, I’ll kiss the area to ensure you feel safe.” Selfish, but Daigo would do the same.
Daigo’s gaze turned inquisitive, hearing him out. “Would you?”
He nodded, closing the space between them on the cushions. “Yes. Please don’t doubt me.”
“It isn’t doubt, I’m confirming.”
“Do you want me to?”
“I suggested it, didn't I?” Yes, but he was joking about it at the time. Most of Daigo’s suggestions came off that way.
Mine furrowed his brow briefly then raised a hand, reaching for Daigo. “Then I will.” Still, as confident as he was trying to make himself out to be, his hand hesitated before taking hold of Daigo's face, fingers grazing stubble before moving up and resting just below the bruise. Hand resting there, taking in the warmth generated from the cut, then moving back down to hold Daigo's face steady. "I'm going to..."
Daigo simply leaned into the touch as much as Mine would allow, content with just the solid touch.
Mine waited, watching for any and all signs that Daigo was in discomfort, but none came. More so, it was merely that Mine still got nervous interacting with Daigo in such an intimate way. As much time could pass as it would like, but there might never be a point where he wouldn't get nervous in some manner.
He inched closer, closing his eyes to gather himself, tilting his own head to not bump his nose into the bruise. Hovering for another handful of seconds, then gently placing his lips to Daigo's cheek. Hardly a kiss, what with zero pressure. Lips resting feather light against the heated skin, slow breaths replacing the concept of seconds.
Daigo didn't comment on it, didn't try to press himself into it. He let Mine take as long as he needed.
Then, once Mine was clear headed, relaxed to the point of nearly forgetting his purpose here, he pursed his lips, listened to the sound of them separating as they pressed into skin and then retreated. Eyes opening only after he sat straight again.
Daigo had his eyes closed, a faint smile resting on his face as he took the opportunity of Mine's guard being down to fully press into his hand, akin to a cat forcing someone to pet it. "Thank you, Mine. I feel as if I was never punched in the first place."