Work Text:
By the time John took the elevator to the upper floors of the twin towers, he was surrounded by dead silence. This was his habitat, his work area. There he thought over all his plans and strategies, spending time in splendid solitude, admiring from the window beautiful view of city below.
Sakurami is his kingdom. A beautiful, prosperous area. A place where no one dares to contradict him, where he feels absolute power, knowing all his colleagues and competitors by sight, as well as the methods of persuasion and intimidation. He thoroughly enjoys his power, his skill, as if he was born only for this role. To be like God himself, to be a stern ruler, to rise and be one step higher, to achieve the impossible and go towards the goal, no matter what the cost, and also to read people if they were books.
Even if he pays for this with complete loneliness, overshadowing his real self. It didn’t scare him, and it still doesn’t scare him. He considers this a reasonable price. And for all the power, for the place to which he reached, the old man is ready to go to the next world, knowing that there will not be a person left in the world who would remember Bacchus with a good word, who would wish with all his heart to keep the mayor in the world of the living for at least one more minute to enjoy his company... Unfortunately, this is his fate.
"Good morning, sir. Shall we get to work?"
While John walked along the corridor, hearing only the pleasant sound of the soles of his expensive, shiny shoes touching the parquet floor, past the silent guards placed throughout the floor, he wanted to quickly get to his office, because that’s where he would be greeted with warm words. This young man, despite all his formality, put something... Sincere into every greeting and farewell. It didn’t look like false facial expressions, he never wavered, lowered or raised his voice while pronouncing phrases or answering questions.... He always wished “have a good day”, “good night”, “good work” , “bon appetit” and as if he was never afraid to be alone with this formidable man.
John may be old, but he is still strongly built, only five centimeters separated him from height of two meters, his face, old, but stern, and the absence of any hair... He is not handsome, not ugly, but some children they still started crying in his presence, and adults could quickly become uncomfortable if a hint of irritation appeared in the old man’s voice.
“Don’t be too upset about this, sir. Do other things for now, and I’ll take care of this problem. I’m here to make your work easier? Rest assured, before you can blink an eye, the task will already will be solved. Just trust me. I've never let you down, have I?"
His secretary was among the few who did not fear his wrath.
It was as if Ryuuji could always count when John was angry or what would set him off, when he was lying or implying something.
This man... A red-haired guy, not inferior to John in physique and height, handsome and slender, always accompanying him, smiling with that malicious smile of his. And when he spoke... His drawling, slightly flirtatious voice. He calmly followed John's every command, waited for the mayor to finish speaking before he spoke, listened to every sentence he said, caught it on the fly and executed every command perfectly.
Involuntarily, Ryuji was associated with a polite, obedient wife...
Which was unexpected for John. He could not imagine himself as a “family man.” And he also could not imagine that he would get along with someone for a long time, and would consolidate this union with marriage. It seemed to him that he could only “spend short evenings” with some of... Girlfriends... But Ryuji suddenly revived the long-forgotten “faithful husband”.
He would like to have the status of "Ryuji's husband"... "Ryuuji's owner"... But this is impossible.
John stopped in front of the closed doors to his office, adjusting his glasses on his nose. He returned from heaven to earth.
Yes, was he really thinking about Ryuuji today? His secretary?
But what else should he do?
He chose his path. He is the boss, and Ryuji is his employee. Servant.
If he opened up a little more... Let him get too close... And John would lose all his awards, position, what he achieved with sweat and blood, without stinting on going over his head.
Dreams are the only place where he could be happy with his lover....
Where he can, without fear and shame, tangle his fingers in that red, soft hair, bury his nose in the crown and inhale the pleasant smell of shampoo, kiss that face until he turns blue, explore the young body up and down, without seeing disgust in Kurosaki’s eyes... Only reciprocal passion and love.
He wished with all his heart that Ryuji would be with him not only in the office, but also in his house, in his room, on the bed next to him, in a warm embrace... So that they could slowly fall asleep under each other's even breathing.
These dreams were sweet and joyful, but they gave off a bitter feeling. John found himself expressing sadness on his face for the first time in many years... He can't bring this to life. He will never be able to let someone this close to him...
After all, he didn’t even know whether Kurosaki would reciprocate. A person like John will seem too harsh, rude... He is not suitable as a partner.
«Leave it in your dreams. He will never be yours.»
All this is just childish pranks. If reincarnation really exists, you may hope that in your second life you will be able to be with the one you loved and so desperately desired...
And with this thought, heart became heavier, but hands still rose to push the door to the office.
«I wonder if Ryuji will like holding on to these dry, soft and warm old hands? Still, I use the most expensive perfumes and cosmetics.»
For a second, the sunlight blinded his eyes, but John still heard how he was sincerely and warmly greeted by the secretary, who was already in the room, waiting for him to begin his work, with the same pleasure...
«Please stay with me always... In this office... Work for me... Don't leave me.»
«Because I love you. And I want you to be only mine.»