Goro Takemura x Reader

Thirty-Six

The food was good. But it wasn't enough.

Even as the familiar spice of wasabi burned on the tip of your tongue you still felt disappointed how close yet far you were from the place that you called him.

The only thing that could soothe this craving was the face of Takemura, stern but also somewhat relaxed in this moment. He enjoyed the foot a lot more than you did and it was written all over his eyes.

"Finally some real food.", he hummed and picked up another piece of onigiri to take a bite.

The filling was generous, tuna, or at least what could pass as it, mixed with mayo and some spicy sauces. Seaweed wrapping crunched as he took a big bite and almost devoured the rice triangle in one bite.

You chuckled and took another sip of your broth.

"Did Hanako choose this place?", you asked.

He froze. His shoulder tensed.

It made you narrow your eyes in suspicion.

Taking a deep breath, Takemura chewed the last bit of his foot before swallowing. His eyes closed as if he needed to think for a brief moment before his gaze locked with yours.

Spotless, perfectly created white burned into the (E/C) of your eyes. Perfection, created by humans. And yet you felt unsatisfied with how they made him appear.

If only you could have read his mind. It would have told you just how much he was in love with those imperfect irises of yours, with their many chaotic strings of (E/C), mixed with dots of different shades and the white light reflections.

It didn't make his heart beat faster. The sight healed his soul in its core.

"I must confess something.", his eyes left you and for a moment he seemed embarrassed. "This mission. It wasn't Hanako-sama's idea. Nor did she agree to it."

Your eyelids flinched. A shadow crossed your face only to reveal amusement.

"She doesn't even know we're here, isn't it?", you asked and had to hold a hand in front of your mouth to hide a smirk.

It struck you by surprise to see that he was able to he a two faced bastard who went behind Arasaka's back. But it was a welcome shift in your image of him. It made him appear more human.

Like someone who chose to fight instead of being forced to do it. He did it because of something, morals or principles, it did not matter.

But there was a reason.

"Arasaka-sama betrothed me with your protection.", the usual sense for discipline returned to his eyes. "And I figured that the safest place for you is by my side."

Teasing, you popped your elbow onto the table and let your cheek rest in your palm.

Strands of your (H/C) hair fell to the side and dangled in the soft breeze that the air filters provided. The gentle movement caught his attention and for a second his base followed them.

"You mistrust my brother more than you could ever mistrust these mercenaries.", it wasn't a question because both of you knew the answer.

"I have my reasons.", his voice sounded like he needed to justify himself.

You shrugged.

"Reasons are reasons. I am the last to blame you but I might not agree."

Confused, he frowned. It was obvious that he wasn't used to this peaceful agreement.

Agreeing to disagree.

That wasn't a concept that the Japanese commonly practiced. Especially not amongst structures of power.

"You are... not angry with me?", his eyes wandered over your face.

"No.", you took a sip from your gin, the high percentage of alcohol burning a trail from your lips all the way over your tongue and down into the pot of your stomach. "But Goro?"

"Hm?"

"I will never be able to give him up.", you smiled, both sad and loving. "He is my brother. I love him how I love Hanako."

"He did wrong."

"I know.", you sighed. "But can you say about yourself that you never did? Do you believe Hanako never did either? Or that I never did wrong? Ever?"

His hands clenched into fists. It was audible how he sucked in a sharp breath.

"There are no clean hands. But it is important how they become dirty. He dirties his hands out of spite. I - in the name of principles.", he said.

How amusing it was to hear the conviction in his words. He truly believed what he said. And he'd die for it too.

Mesmerising.

But not enough for you to justify the sacrifice of your brother.

And yet. There was something that pushed you towards him time and time again. He wasn't shy about telling you how he felt straight to the face. And you two seemed to disagree on a few things.

Despite all that he still struck you as a gentleman. A suitable option for commitment. But you had other things to think about in this situation.

"Goro.", you grabbed his face with both your hands, bathing in the feeling that his metal jaw, combined with the natural feeling of his beard, caused inside your palms.

It felt like a treasure you did not want to let go. Not ever.

His eyes widened visibly. A hint of surprise crossed his face. And even though he was clearly overwhelmed, he did not push you away nor denied you the warmth of his body.

He even leaned forwards you, his eyes wandering over your face until they came to a rest on your lips for a while.

You missed it. His eyes mesmerised you too much.

"I know you're samurai. Born to serve.", you breathed a gentle kiss to the tip of his nose. "I am quite curious, samurai. Allow me to ask you a question."

He swallowed hard, his attention returned to your eyes.

"Nani?", his eyebrows rose in expectation.

You couldn't help but smile. How natural he acted despite all this metal that he had been given by human hands.

"If you weren't ordered to, would you even waste a second thought on him?", you asked. "Or would you simply... leave?"