Expand My Domain | Oneshots | JJk

Nanami Kento | A Bitter Aftertaste

*Spoiler alert in manga*

"Darling?" Nanami's husky voice graced your ears. "Sweety?" He tried again, though no matter how sweet his voice sounded, it was not enough to lure you out of bed. The intense drowsiness refusing to let you go. You nuzzled deeper into the comfort of your pillow, practically nailed to the bed. Nanami shook you gingerly, only for you to lift a drowsy eyelid. "Come on, darling." Nanami coaxed, tugging gently on the fluffy blanket. "Five more minutes..." you whined softly, half pleading and half threatening. You have always stood your ground when it came to your sleep. "Breakfast is going cold. C'mon..." Nanami was just as persistant. "You can have a lie-in after you have breakfast, alright?" But one thing Nanami had that differed from you, was a bottomless pit of patience he had. Just for you. That was something you always lost to. You shuffled silently away from him only to bump into his large arms. Then rolling the other way, only to find yourself caged within his embrace.

Finally you gave in. "Deal?" Nanami waited for your answer patiently. "Fine." You huffed as you reluctantly opened your eyes. A figure hovered just above you. You blinked away the haze building up in your vision until the man in front of you became clear. You gazed at the man just above you, face just inches away, and you realise that maybe losing a bit of sleep was hell of a good deal when you can wake up to such a gorgeous man. Even after consecutively waking up to him for a whole three years, you still can't fully comprehend how perfect this man was. You loved everything about this man. His beautiful slicked back hair, his razor sharp jawline, his tired but gentle eyes that were always so passionate when he'd look at you.

Your eyes slowly trailed down, admiring everything about him. Little did you know, he was doing the same, admiring you in every way possible, treasuring you like the most precious thing to ever exist in this world.

His eyes trailed down to your luscious lips that he found to be always a little flushed in the morning - which he grew rather fond of. You looked at him, and he looked at you. Tension was present. You took the initiative to pull him close, closing the gap between your lips as you closed your eyes, anticipating the soft touch of his lips, before he stopped you.

"After breakfast." He said a little sternly.

You pouted at his words, disappointed. But it was Nanami after all. You got up promptly before pulling a look. "Fine. I'll save it for after breakfast." You said as you shuffled into your slippers. "Count that as my dessert." You smiled. However only for Nanami to pour the cold waters on you. "Who has dessert after breakfast?"

You sighed lightly. "Romantic killer." You catch the tiniest shift in his expression, the corner of his lips curving upwards ever so slightly, so subtle that it would have been imperceptible if you weren't used to his subtle expressions.

He wrapped his large hands around yours before dragging you out of your shared bedroom. You sneaked a grin, you knew Nanami was just messing with you, this was Nanami's way of being playful.

The scent of breakfast caught up to you before you could even make it to the table. And there it was, grilled cheese sitting on top of a plate, paired with a couple of button mushrooms. It was still steaming hot. Nanami sat opposite to you, a mug of freshly brewed black coffee at hand. He smiled as you beamed at the food in front you. You dig in without further hesitation, eyes sparkling at how delicious it was. You don't miss the satisfied smile hanging off of Nanami's face. You plunged your fork into the mushrooms while you took a glance at the clock in the corner of the kitchen. "Quater past nine?!" You exclaimed. "Kento, don't you have work today?"

Nanami took a sip of his coffee. "A bit later, there aren't much curses lately. So I can stay when I'm not needed."

You nodded, wolfing down the rest of the grilled cheese.

"About that bread shop you work at... I've been thinking lately that maybe you would like to quit?" He began. "I heard that the hours are increasing but the pay isn't. Are you handling well?"

"Yeah, I'm all good Kento, it keeps me productive and gets me up in the morning." You reassured with a sheepish smile. "Don't worry Kento, you know I'll tell you if it ever gets too much."

"Alright, just tell me. You know I'm more than happy for you to stay at home. Alright?"

The phone on the table buzzed and was followed by the default ring tone iPhone comes with. Nanami peered at the caller before declining it without hesitation.

"Who was it?" You asked, despite already guessing the answer.

"Gojo." Nanami replied, not to your surprise.

"He could've had something important."

"Impossible." He blurted a little too readily.

You laugh. "Just how much do you hate this guy."

"A lot." He responded rather quickly. He leaned in towards the table. "And I don't see what you like about him so much."

"Oh come on he makes a good friend. He's funny." You justified. "And he brings us food." You added. "And most importantly, he doesn't drink coffee."

Nanami pulled his mug of black coffee towards him protectively. "What's the matter with coffee?" Even when questioning, his voice is low and smooth.

"Just about everything. It's just bitter."

"That's a strong opinion."

"But a right one." You said. "And plus, I hate the aftertaste it gives you. It's disgusting."

Nanami chuckled. "You just haven't tasted proper good coffee. Here, have a sip of this."

You eyed him but considered the offer. But just to prove your dislike for coffee and not because of cheap coffee, you took a sip. You cringed at the flavour coating your mouth. The bitterness overwhelming your taste buds.

"Yup I hate coffee." You shook your head violently, as if trying to shake off the taste. "I knew it, it's gonna stay for a while, the bitterness."

And before you know it, Nanami's lips were on yours.

"Better?"

You didn't say a word.

"Thought you wanted dessert afterwards?"

—

A smile with a tear wasn't the most common combination. The smile was for the fragments of a forever sweet memory and the tear was for the acceptance that it could never be recreated.

You set down the flowers in front of the well-kept gravestone.

It had been a while since you've visited Nanami.

You stared in a daze, distant memories haunting you.

You held the cup of coffee in your right hand.

Recently, you've grown rather fond of the bitterness of the drink. It never dawned on you, that coffee would taste so differently. You remember it tasting a lot more bitter.

Even weirder you began tasting the sweetness mingling within the flavour. The sweetness that you remember Kento passionately talked about whenever you'd get into the debate of coffee.

And now, you've grown to like it.

Although there was one thing about coffee you could never tolerate, never understand, and will never enjoy.

The bitter aftertaste.

After enjoying a cup of coffee, while you relished in the bittersweet of the coffee, you despised the aftertaste that would linger in your mouth. So unexpected and never-ending, ruthlessly destroying any sweetness that you previously indulged yourself in.

And you also hated how sudden it all was.

After all, it's only a matter of seconds when sweet would turn to bitter, and then only leaving you with a never-ending aftertaste.