Goro Takemura x Reader

Thirty-Three

"Niisan.", you sat up straight in your bed, no longer interested in playing card games with your brother. "I must ask you for a favour."

With a lazy gaze he eyed you from across the brim of his glasses. The topic of Saburo overtaking his body had died down a few times now.

But you still refused to fully let go of it. You couldn't. You didn't want to.

"I spoiled you too much.", he sighed a put down his cards. You were cute back then, when you had demands things from me. "And now look at you. Spoiled rotten."

"I'm not demanding.", you corrected him, serious but also amused that he still remembered. "I'm asking for a favour."

He sighed and reached out for a clay cup in which tea steamed. Takemura had returned with a full kettle of traditionally prepared tea. And some sweets.

He had excused himself since he hadn't been sure if you liked sweet candy or cookies of some sorts. You did and it didn't surprise you that he had made the right decision by bringing you a tray filled with them.

After that he had excused himself once more, not being specific about why or with he he'd leave. You had a feeling that it was Hanako. But you couldn't say why since he didn't seem to be informed about the save your soul program.

"Maybe could get him over on our side...", you thought out loud.

Yorinobu swallowed audibly and placed his cup back on your nightstand.

"You cannot convince a loyal dog to bite his master.", he said as he he had read your mind. "Takemura is so loyal, he'd commit war crimes for him. In fact... I think he did once or twice before."

His eyes narrowed as he tried to recall if his memories deceived him. Yet he appeared to be rather confident about that statement.

"Maybe you are right."

He smiled.

"This wasn't the favour you wanted to ask me for.", it surprised you time and time again just how well your brother knew you.

"You're right. Allow me to ask you for a laptop."

He frowned.

"Why would you need one?"

"I want to work.", you let your fingers dance through the air, to make yourself remember how it felt to use them without stiffness corrupting the joints. "I'm already behind on schedule. And now that I took the relic. Mikoshi will soon send a message that it is unable to restore itself. I need to keep Otōsan from finding out."

"I know you are a great mind.", he leaned back to let his eyes wander out the window. "But I couldn't imagine how you want to manage to do this."

A smug smirk appeared on your lips. It was the kind that only a child with an evil plan could have, spoiled and slick.

"I will lie to Mikoshi.", you simply said. "But I don't need to burden your mind with the details. Just get me a laptop. I am begging you."

For a brief moment his eyes wandered up and down on you. It felt like he tried to figure out what your true intentions were. Quite smart of him, although you had always been pretty good at wrapping your big brother around your finger.

He was suspicious but failed to say no. Just as expected.

"Very well.", he emptied the last bit of his cut, rose from his seat and patted your head in a goodbye. "I will see what I can get. Something that still connects without a port is hard to find."

"I'm sure you'll be successful, Niisan.", you smiled at him. "And please. Don't give up yet."

He huffed.

"Loosing a battle does not mean loosing the war."

"Otōsan's teaching.", you sighed.

"I told you. I am his son. And he is my father."

A sad expression mixed with a fond smile on your face.

"I'm not sure how I'd own that.", you admitted and let your head fall back into the pillows while the steam of your tea gently caressed your face. "I... don't know anything anymore."

A deep breath escaped him.

"We only know what others want us to know. Not what we believe we know.", once more he patted your head, just like he had done when you had been a child and made his way to the elevator. "I will see what I can do regarding your request. But please. Rest now."

Before he managed to press a button to call for service, a soft ding filled the room and the doors swung open.

Takemura looked back at him from the inside. His face was as stern as ever, with his eyebrows knitted together and the corners of his mouth sunken.

He only appeared grimmer as he pushed past your brother and headed straight for your bed. With one hand placed on his stomach he bowed.

"Forgive me my interference, Arasaka-sama.", he said in a low voice. "But I must ask for a portion of your time."

From the corners of his eyes Yorinobu tried to spy on the conversation for a moment before he noticed that you looked at him.

With a serious expression, you shook your head and told him to leave in silence.

Yes, Takemura was the bodyguard of your father. But it was unfair to push him away before he had done something that was more specific than just suspicious.

If you were honest with yourself, you hadn't even noticed him doing something wrong. Or maybe you were just too comfortable in his presence.

Slightly grumpy, Yorinobu curled his nose, sucked in a sharp breath and said his last goodbye before he vanished.

Satisfied, you allowed yourself to breath out a relax.

"What can I do for you?", you asked and took a sip from your tea.

Takemura's eyes watched as the liquid formed small waves that shattered at the brim of the cup.

"I disagree with the decision.", it sounded like he needed to justify himself. "But in order to terminate the mercenaries that kidnapped you, Hanako-sama believes that a trap would be of advantage."

Your face relaxed.

"Wakarimashita.", you nodded. "Yes, she never shied away from a great risk if it served an even better cause. I'll do it. But... will you be by my side... Goro?"