safeword

two

You're not surprised that when you come back home, there's a large brown box at your doorstep. 

Something from Keigo, you presume, as you push it into the door with your foot, flicking on the lights and kneeling. There's no postage, so it was most likely dropped off - and cumbersome. You had to strain to push it in your door, and strain to pull the tape to open it. You get halfway through the binding before your phone rings and you abandon the project in favor of answering, not even checking the caller. 

"Hello?" 

'Hey, baby.' Touya's drawl is piercing over the other line, deep and stilling. You crack a smile as you kneel back down, forcing the tape back to get into your package. 

"Hi." You grunt as you tug the tape from the box, eager to pull it open finally. You pull the cardboard back, digging into the box to pull out another box, smaller than the last. You're unamused as you kick the larger box back, struggling with the tape on the smaller one. 

'The fuck are you doing?'

"Keigo sent me something, I think." You respond, finally pulling something out of the box. It's heavy - expensive heavy. It's definitely from Keigo. 

y/n
hope you got the roses I sent to your office. hope this accompanies it well. 

love u always, miss u forever

keigo x

It's a solid-cut crystal vase, impossibly heavy in your hands as you place the note down, slowly unwrapping the gift. It's beautiful, obviously picked with your taste in mind. The crystal is absolutely clear, the artistry obviously custom and obviously insanely expensive. 

'Really? What'd he get you this time?' 

"A vase..." You stand, holding the vase in both hands before lowering it onto the countertop. You loved it, it was easily one of the most heartfelt gifts you've ever received, and you'd be insane not to keep it, no matter how much you tried to distance yourself from Keigo's fruitless attempts at winning your affection. 

'Yeah, I saw that 23 thousand charge a few days ago. You don't take him back, he'll spend my next paycheck on a new car for you.' 

"23 thou- You know what? I don't care. Tell Keigo I love it, I really, really appreciate it." 

'He's right here, tell him yourself.' 

"Kiss my ass, Touya." 

He chuckles, mumbling something intelligible to someone in the room - someone who you assume is Keigo. Kicking the box to the side for later handling, you pick up your phone, taking it off of speaker to hear Touya's voice closer - more real. 

"What's up? Why'd you call?" 

'Babe, this Theodore dude is an absolute freak.' 

"You know I don't like that word." 

'Forget it. The guy is from, like, Alabama... whatever. Anyways, he cheated on his wife on four separate occasions - and that's just the confirmed relationships. He has two professional misconduct charges that have been pending for months. Apparently, he likes his assistants too much...'

"Where did you hear all of this, it's not in the case file." 

'Why the fuck does it matter, Y/N, I need you to heed this, okay? This is not me being jealous - hell, I'd watch you fuck someone else, but this guy is a snake. One wrong move and he'll strike. I don't want to think about what could happen.' 

"You're so sweet... warning me like this." 

Back home, feet kicked up on Keigo's desk, Touya flips through the case file, your voice loud in the room. Keigo stands by the windows, closing the curtains for the night, but just interested in hearing what you two were talking about. Hearing your voice is so bittersweet to him - you sound happy talking to Touya, at ease. Ease in which he couldn't bring you.