The Border of Asakusa (Benimaru x Reader)

Festival

"What the hell is that?" Beni asked as he watched you pull up to your house with the bike cart you borrowed from Haru.

"It's an ice cream machine! Or well, it was. Apparently it doesn't work anymore- But! It was free! I'm going to try to get it up and running... I'd love to make vanilla and matcha ice cream for the summer harvest festival."

Hika and Hina popped out from behind Beni with stars in their eyes. "THE ICE CREAM STAND!" They'd had ice cream from the 4th district only once, but the memory was sweetly cherished by both girls.

"Yes ma'ams!" You unstrapped it from the cart.

Beni carried it inside for you. "How will you power it? With your bike generator?"

"If I have to, yes, but ideally...." You ran to your fireproof box upstairs and brought down schematic diagrams you stole from the archives. "... with these!"

He glanced over the documents. "What are they?" Hina and Hika had jumped back onto Beni's shoulders, pulling his kimono down.

"This is a design for power generation from the before times. These panels convert sunlight into electricity." While your description of how it worked scientifically went a bit over his head, the fact that you knew beyond a doubt how they worked was enough for him to be comfortable with the project.

"You can- read this?" He squinted at the unfamiliar characters.

"Engineering schematics?" You tilted your head.

"The language."

"Oh. Yes. It's English. My mother taught me to read and write in English when I was very young."

"I see. Are you intending to offer these to Asakusa?" His expression was completely neutral, giving no hint to whether he would approve as he pulled his kimono back up over his shoulders.

"Your people have been living pretty contently with no electricity. I'm not trying to change that. But. Should you find yourself in need of electricity here, I want to offer these as an alternative to Amaterasu. I will install them on my own home, but won't push them. I intend to use them primarily for food preservation through refrigeration to supplement the current root cellars."

Beni nodded in approval.

Please watch Season 1 Episode 18

Beni picked up the antique phone. "Yeah, what's up Konro? What? Why do I have to look after them??"

"You babysitting?" You teased from down the dim hall.

He hung up. "Apparently. Arthur and Shinra are on their way."

"Aww cheer up. They might surprise you! Maybe you'll even enjoy yourself." You nudged him. Despite the side eye from him, you did believe he would eventually enjoy training the boys. Their potential was vast, and Beni could use a challenge. "I'll take this as an opportunity to trade company members. I want to check out the 8th's new workshop." And find out if Mara is fucking Vulcan.

"What? Don't leave me alone to deal with the teenagers..."

You kissed his cheek. "You won't have time for me anyway. They'll have your attention, as they should." You slid out of your kimono for your private sparring lesson before you left for the 8th.

Beni caught the fabric as you tossed it, whipped it around you, and pulled you in with your back against his chest. "I'd make time." He assured you behind your ear.

Your arms were bound, but you could still reach the tie of your pants, which you pulled.

"What- are you doing-"