A raindrop for icecreamsuki!
Nov. 12th, 2021 02:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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stormyexchangeTitle: Waiting Game
Pairing(s): Sho/Nino
Genres: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Nino’s been a bachelor far too long. How will he get along with the House Husband he accidentally-on-purpose marries after just one matchmaking event.
Warning(s): Some language, lots of talk about sex.
Author's notes: I started a bunch of different stories, and this is the one that stuck. I went with the arranged marriage prompt. Hope you enjoy it!
Nino had circled around the room once, an elegant ballroom made over in ostentatious cream and gold for the Matching Event, and gave each potential Husband a brief once over from a distance. It wasn't fair that Jun was once again tugging him out of his seat in a non-descript corner to force him into actual conversation. He had only agreed to send in an application as a Suitor for the express purpose of stopping his mother and Jun from nagging about his future romantic prospects. Not to actually meet anyone.
"I'm in the middle of a quest, you know," he grumbled, shoving his phone into a pocket.
"It's a game, Ninomiya," Jun sighed. "This is real life."
"I agreed to come, didn't I? There was nothing in our negotiations that said I had to participate."
Jun rolled his eyes, looking twice as elegant as any other man in the room even when he did so. "You're an idiot, Kazu. I'm not going to bring you here just so you can sit on the sidelines with your nose buried in a damn game. That's why you're here in the first place - because your mother doesn't think you'll be able to look after yourself since all you do is play that damn game."
"Puzzle and Dragons," he supplied.
"Huh?"
"That Damn Game is called Puzzle and Dragons."
"What. Ever." Jun tightened his grip on Nino's elbow and towed him along.
"I already told you. You can just pick one out for me."
"I'm not picking out your Husband, Nino. Unless you'd like me to get one who's exactly like me."
"Ew. No. You don’t really think one of these guys is going to suit me, do you? They’re practically robots."
"All I care about is finding one who's going to make sure you shower at least once a week and eat more than instant ramen."
"I love instant ramen," he pouted.
"Yes, which is why you look like a victim of the superflu half the time."
"I do not! I sparkle.”
"Shut up. Now for heaven's sake, don't embarrass me. And don't even think of embarrassing your mother."
Nino's mother was his weakness. "How long will this take?"
"It depends on how picky you are," Jun hissed as they passed a small group of men and women, chatting softly with glasses of champagne in hand. A Husband and three Suitors, Nino appraised through the corner of his eye, all of them painfully formal.
"Okay, good then," He smiled, figuring he'd pick the first one that looked even a little nice. “Easy.”
Jun sighed audibly. Again.
"How may I help you, sirs?" A well-dressed hostess of middling age approached the pair, her eyes large behind thick glasses and a leather bound portfolio clasped in her manicured hands.
"We're here to find a competent,mannerly House Husband to make sure this idiot doesn't forget basic hygiene," Jun answered blandly. “Ninomiya Kazunari and guest.”
Nino thought maybe he should have been insulted, but he just didn't care enough.
"Of course, sirs.” She opened her portfolio and made a note. “A drink while you mingle?”
“Yes, please,” Nino gave her a winsome smile. Alcohol would surely make this whole experience less awkward.
The hostess led them through a variety of attractive young men that were milling around with other Suitors. "Have you met anyone you'd like to interview further, sirs?"
Jun looked expectantly at Nino, brow arched.
Nino cast his gaze around the room, "Um, I'll talk to whoever you recommend."
The hostess smiled politely, “You were issued a special invitation to this event. All of the House Husbands in attendance fit the criteria of your perfect match.”
“All of them?” Nino said skeptically.
"Oh for fucks--That one.” Jun pointed to a young man who was sitting quietly on a sofa between two bookcases, reading a leatherbound novel.
Nino followed his gaze and unconsciously wet his lips. The man wore a pensive look in his eyes, completely ignoring the dozen guests milling around. "Looks quiet," he said approvingly, hoping that would buy him some good will from Jun.
"Yes, he won't interrupt your gaming," He replied with another roll of his eyes. "Be polite," he added as the hostess, surely she’d given her name at some point, escorted the dark-haired young man back to them.
"Sirs, this is Sakurai," she introduced him. "He is very intelligent, well-bred, and extremely learned in the duties of a quality House Husband. Excuse me while I fetch your drinks." She bowed and swiftly made her exit.
The one named Sakurai bowed deeply. "Greetings, gentlemen."
Nino and Jun bowed and then there was a beat of silence while Nino stared at Sakurai's mouth. Jun elbowed him.
"Nino!" he blurted. "I mean, I’m Ninomiya. You're here for me. I mean, we're here for you--No, no, I mean--" he could feel his ears turn pink. "I mean, I'm here to pick a Husband."
Sakurai smiled kindly and dipped his head in assent. "Of course, sir. What duties would you wish performed?"
"Erh... Cleaning? Cooking?" he couldn't take his eyes off Sakurai's mouth. "Sex things?"
"Nino!" Jun hissed, smacking the smaller man on the arm.
"Hey! Ow!" Nino rubbed his arm. "That's...that's part of it, isn't it?"
"Didn't you read the book I gave you?" Jun demanded.
Sakurai nodded. "I am, of course, skilled in all manner of home arts, including those of a sexual nature."
"I'm sorry, Sakurai-san. My friend here is a rude little runt who doesn't know how to act in polite company," Jun apologized, bowing deeply and forcing Nino to follow suit with an iron grip behind his neck.
When Jun let him up again, Nino smiled at the man. "He's right, you know."
"I think your size is more than adequate, sir." Sakurai smiled.
Nino tipped his head, his lips curling into a smirk, "You have a response for everything, don't you?"
"It is one duty of being a House Husband, sir: always be prompt and polite with your responses."
"Sakurai is the ranking member on the Home Husbands Advisory Council," the hostess said with a beaming smile as she returned,proffering a tray of champagne flutes. "His knowledge of the Spousal Arts is unmatched."
“There are others just as skilled,” Sakurai replied smoothly, brushing off the compliment.
"Okay." Nino barely resisted a dismissive shrug.
"Shall I arrange a private interview suite, sirs?"
"Not necessary," Nino replied, not taking his eyes off Sakurai's face, looking for any hint of lost composure. "I pick him."
Jun blinked in surprise. "Nino, there are others you can talk to, too, you know. I know you don't want to be here, but still."
"No, it's not about that," he waved Jun off. "I pick him. He's perfect."
Sakurai's lips curled into a kind smile as he bowed his head. "I am honored that sir would say such a complimentary thing."
“You haven’t even talked yet!”
Nino ignored Jun's sputtering. "Now what happens?" he asked the hostess.
She looked between Jun and Nino for a moment, clearly wondering which man he should address, before settling on Nino. "If sir is quite certain he wishes to sign the Marriage contract with Sakurai, I can fetch the necessary paperwork. Um... Sakurai is... quite expensive, sirs."
"Not a problem," Nino waved a hand.
"Are you quite sure...?"
"This is Ninomiya Kazunari," Jun said with a sigh. "His mother is Ninomiya Tsubuki."
"Hey, I earn my own money too," Nino protested.
"Making wagers on how quickly you can beat a particular level of some stupid videogame is not 'earning money.'"
"I make music too. Video game music is still music."
"You are a composer, Ninomiya-sama?" Sakurai said with interest. "I am skilled on the piano, if you feel that may be of use to you."
"Look, see, he's already going to be helpful."
"Shouldn’t you at least..." Jun sighed, giving up. "He's fixated now."
"You should feel free to look around, J," Nino chimed. "Maybe someone will strike your fancy."
"I'm not here for me, idiot. We're here for y-"
"Sakurai-san!" A whip-thin young man with sandy hair that fell over his eyes came bounding toward them. "Are you being Matched?!"
"Aiba-san, remember what we have said about proper behavior in front of guests," Sakurai chastised, though without any venom.
The man blushed and gave them a flustered bow. "My apologies, sirs. I’m Aiba Masaki, sirs. Pleased to meet you."
The hostess gave Aiba a cool look and focused on Nino. "If you'll follow me this way sir, we'll have refreshments brought into the office while you complete your paperwork. "Aiba, could you see to Matsumoto-san's comfort?"
"Oh, yes! Which one is Matsumoto-san?"
Jun blinked out of his daze. "That would be me, Aiba-san."
Sakurai smiled approvingly as Aiba led Jun to a nearby chaise, chattering happily. "He is improving in his manners," he noted with pride.
"You've been a good influence," the hostess noted as she preceded Nino. "Your presence will be greatly missed."
"I will of course continue my professional duties here," Sakurai responded.
"That's very generous, Sakurai-san," She opened the mahogany doors that led into the office and gave the man a gracious smile. "I know the others will be happy to hear it."
Sakurai sat primly at the desk and Nino took the seat beside him. "I will miss them, but I’m pleased to be serving my purpose dutifully."
Nino squinted at the man, assessing his composed posture and slick responses. "So what exactly should I expect? I never read the book."
"I can teach you, sir," Sakurai said with a gentlemanly bob of the head. "But in short, I am at your beck and call."
"What will you do whenever I'm not becking or calling?"
"Study. And support my fellow Husbands and Wives."
"Sakurai-san runs a very popular support group for new and long-term Husbands and Wives," the hostess supplied helpfully as she laid paperwork and a pen in front of Nino.
Nino read none of it and signed where she pointed. "And which are you? New or long term?" He asked her.
"What?"
"Are you a new Wife or long-term?” Nino asked her pleasantly, “Have you had a Spouse?"
"I... no. No, I haven't. The Guild has been my spouse."
The hostess smiled uncertainly, a typical matchmaking did not escalate to a Marriage Contract so quickly. There were usually Dates involved and enough time to pass for both parties to be certain. It wasn’t unheard of, of course, but it was downright shocking that Sho, their most fastidious unwed Husband, would leap into a contract blind. And now this Spouse was asking about her history?
"Mmm," Nino slid his gaze to Sho. "And what about you?"
"I have had no Spouse before, no."
"Never?"
Sakurai shook his head. "Never."
"Sakurai-san is descended from a very long line of well-bred Husbands and Wives," the hostess explained. "That makes him very expensive."
Nino tipped his head toward the hostess, "What if he's no good at it?"
Her eyebrows shot up. "That's... not possible. He is word perfect in every aspect of proper etiquette."
"But he's never been tested."
"I assure you, Ninomiya-san," Sakurai said calmly. "I will not disappoint you. My parents were excellent teachers. Strict, but good. I have long been familiar with the tenants."
Nino smiled at the other man, satisfied that Sakurai was just as he expected--immune to being easily flustered. "You'll have to explain it all to me. I'm pretty much clueless."
Sakurai's tone was curious. "Forgive me, Ninomiya-san, why did you send in an application then?"
The hostess quietly closed the portfolio open before her, maybe this wouldn’t be happening after all.
Nino had a blyth answer ready on the tip of his tongue, but looking into Sakurai’s warm eyes he found he couldn’t simply blame his mother or Jun. He’d chosen to fill out the application with honesty. He’d chosen to walk through these doors. He’d chosen Sho at first glance, holding that stupid book and completely ignoring everyone else in the ballroom.
He did try to sound uninterested when he answered. Like the words weren’t being ripped from the coldest, deepest part of himself that he wasn’t acknowledging until that very moment.
“I guess, because I’m lonely.”
The Marriage Contract normally took hours to complete, with caveats and negotiations over such things as stipends, living quarters, and sexual safety. Nino agreed to everything the Guild and Sho stipulated without comment -- even when it came to the more explicit addendums. “Permanent marks are forbidden. The Husband prefers to bottom, but will switch at written or verbal request of his Spouse. Third party involvement must be negotiated prior to any such liaisons.”
The hostess had left them alone as Nino worked through the more than fifty pages of legalese. It wasn’t until the last addendum that he couldn’t hold back the amusement that bubbled up into laughter. “Really?”
“What?” Sho stiffened defensively. “Which one?”
“A library card. To multiple institutions.”
“I like to read, sir.”
“Ohhh, I definitely don’t like ‘Sir’. Call me ‘Nino’. Everyone does.
Sho nodded, “How would you like to call me?"
"Oh," he blinked. "I get options?"
Sho's answering smile was charmed. "Of course, Nino. The contract goes both ways after all."
"Mmm, what’s common?"
"There is no approved or disapproved list. It up to mutual agreement between the parties."
"What would you like to be called?"
Sho blinked. "Me?"
"Yes, you," He gave the man a poke in the knee.
Sho blinked again. "...Sho…-kun?"
Nino chuckled and nodded, "Okay then. Sho-kun." He put his chin in his hand and propped his elbow on the back of Sho's chair. "But what do you want to call me?"
"I want to call you whatever you wish to be called."
"C'mon. You've spent your whole life planning to be someone’s Husband. You must have fantasized about how you'd address them."
"I should like to call you... Nino-san."
"Nino-san and Sho-kun, then." Nino signed the last page of the contract and sat back with arms folded his chest, feeling accomplished.
“Um, sir--Nino-san?” Sho said after a moment, gesturing to the contract and looking very concerned.
“Mmm?”
“You didn’t initial about the library cards.”
"Sho-kun!" The door to the office burst open and Aiba came whirling into the room, beaming ear to ear. "I'm getting Married!"
"Eh?" Nino saw Jun blushing out in the hall. "J? I thought we weren't here for you.”
"Shut up," Jun muttered.
Sho stood up and gave Aiba a hug. "Congratulations, Aiba-san," he said with a genuine smile. "But you have forgotten your etiquette."
"Ah. Oh. Sorry.” He started backing from the room. “I’m very sorry. I was just so excited!"
"You're going to make J so happy," Nino cackled.
"Shut up, Nino," Jun groaned again. "Aiba-kun, come. The hostess is waiting for us.”
Sho looked around what was to be his bedroom. It was a good size with nice floor-to-ceiling windows and a full walk-in closet.
Other than that, it needed work.
"I, uh, I started to clear out the room last night, but clearly didn’t get far," Nino explained, scratching the back of his head nervously as he eyed the spare room piled high with boxes of clothes, old games and other things he'd never bothered to unpack.
Sho smiled at him and maneuvered his chest of belongings to lean it against the only clear space against the wall. "It will do nicely, Nino-san."
"I don't really know what you need... if you make a list, we can go get whatever you need."
"Is there a bed?" Sho asked, shifting his attention to the task at hand.
"Uh, yeah. I think it's over...there?" He gestured to a pile of boxes tipping over.
"Ah. And is there bedding to go with it?"
"I think so?" he squeaked.
Sho nodded, finding this nervous side of his Spouse an endearing complement to the confident man he’d first met. "Very well. Would it be all right for me to move some of these boxes?"
"Yeah. Yeah, of course" he nodded and immediately joined him in the room. "I'll help." He scooped up a box and then turned in a circle. "Uh... I better find somewhere else for these. Maybe the music room..."
"Nino-san, you don't have to help. I can do this on my own. Truly."
"It's my stuff. Here, grab a box and follow me." Sho frowned but relented, he grabbed a box and followed Nino.
They took a turn down the hallway and down a set of stairs, "The music room is down here in the basement." He opened the door to reveal a full recording studio and music suite. "The laundry is over here. We can just stack the boxes along the back wall here."
Sho forced himself not to gape at the room. The rest of the house was sparsely decorated and showed little personality, and other than the array of gaming equipment and wires exploding from the entertainment system, hardly looked lived in. This single room told him more about Nino than anything he’d been able to dig up on the internet. "Yes... Okay, certainly..."
The room was lit by an assortment of funky lamps that gave the room a warm glow. It was easy to imagine a sleepy Nino sinking into the overstuffed leather couch and bundling up with the fuzzy red blanket after a late night of working. There were sheets of music haphazardly spread out next to a soundboard, scribbles of messy writing in the margins.
And the instruments…
"Do you play anything?"
"I... play piano, yes."
Nino smiled and brushed past Sho, his eyes sparkling, "The baby grande over here is my newest piece."
"Oh. It's beautiful." He smiled, "I hope I may have the chance to play it sometime."
"Of course. Help yourself. I mean, my house is yours now. Right?"
"I wouldn't dream of doing anything without your permission, Nino-san."
"Well," he paused his mouth curving into a perplexed frown. "Can't I just give you permission to help yourself to anything?"
"I think, until I am accustomed to your ways, I will ask permission."
"Okay," Nino shrugged and started back up the stairs. “Works for me."
Sho smiled, more relieved than he'd expected to be. "I hope you will let me hear the music you create, too."
"Oh. That, yeah." He shrugged a shoulder as they went back into Sho's room. "You may not like it. Gamer music is not exactly top ten on the charts."
"I would like to hear it, Nino-san. I love music of all kinds."
"I'll go turn some on while we work."
"Excellent." Sho gave a genuine smile, certain it would put his new Husband at ease.
The man didn’t notice, running a hand through his hair as he went down the hall to turn on the speaker system that ran through the house. Now that they were alone together, it was finally starting to sink in that he was wed. A Marriage was for life--or until Dissolution--and Sho knew he’d never seriously consider that. It simply just wasn’t done in his family.
Dutifully, he returned to the bedroom to retrieve another box.
Nino set the music to play the soundtrack for Dragons of Draynor and grabbed his phone from his pocket. "This is all your fault," he said when his mother answered.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"His name is Sakurai Sho and you'll love him."
"Sakura--oh! You mean you finally did it? You finally went to the Guild and found yourself a Husband? Praise be!"
Nino made a face out the window, "You know I wasn't prepared."
"Don't be silly. There is nothing to be prepared for." He could hear her flipping through pages. "Sakurai... Sakurai... ah! Yes! I thought I knew that name. His family has been the official wed into the Ikuta Clan several times this past century. Oh, very nice. Very nice indeed, Kazunari. He will take good care of you. Thank the Gods. I’ve been waiting for years to get a phone call from the police telling me that my son had keeled over dead from a mix of too much caffeine and too little sunlight."
"It's not like the man exudes sunlight, Kaa-chan."
"Perhaps not, but at least I can trust him to make you eat your vegetables."
"Pfft. No one can make me eat my vegetables."
"If anyone can, I trust Sakurai-san can." He could tell she was grinning. "I trust it was Matsujun who finally dragged you down to the Guild Hall? I'll have to send him a note of thanks."
Nino cackled, "At least that part backfired. He walked out of there with a Husband of his own."
"He did? Who!"
"Aiba Masaki. He's like a little puppy."
"Aiba-san? That's not a name I'm familiar with. Do you think he and Matsujun will get along?"
"Fuck no. Aiba-san will wreck him. And I'll gladly watch every minute of it."
"Kazunari, language," his mother tsked. "Be nice. Matsujun is a good boy."
"I'm just pointing out the facts. Literally. His Husband is his exact opposite and since you and he conspired in this whole getting Married business, I think I'm entitled to gloat when his puppy-Husband drops one of his precious rings in the pancake batter."
She sighed. "Kazu, what am I to do with you? I'll just have to meet this puppy-Husband for myself and see what he's like. You, meanwhile, are going to make sure Sakurai-san has my number on speed dial -- you did give him a phone, yes? -- so that he can call me any time you're being an obstinate little beast."
"Oh, uh... no. Doesn’t he have one of his own? We're still working on clearing out that 2nd bedroom so he has a place to sleep tonight."
"Oh, honestly. You didn't even prepare a proper room for him first? Nino!"
"I didn't plan on getting Married yesterday! Be glad I cleaned the toilets."
"I thought I taught you to be ready for any eventuality. Even if you didn't intend to Marry, what if you'd had visitors? Hmm? What if someone came by and needed to stay with you for a few days? Would you like making them sleep in a dusty old room full of boxes?"
"Kaa-chan," he whined.
"Ah ah ah. No whining, Kazunari. You go and make sure Sakurai-san is comfortable, then you make sure to get him a phone. A nice one. And clothes. He'll need a proper wardrobe. Since Matsujun has his own Husband to clothe now, maybe he'll help you set Sakurai-san up. At least then the poor man won't be forced to wear thrift store t-shirts and torn jeans every day."
Nino looked down at his outfit. "What's wrong with t-shirts and jeans? And don't worry, he's getting a considerable stipend."
"Good." She sighed, but it was a fond sigh this time. "I am genuinely glad, Kazu. You know I worry about you."
"You shouldn't. I'm not a kid anymore, you know."
"Sometimes it's easy to forget."
Nino felt an inward twinge of regret for not being more mature and grown up like his older sister (already on her second Masters degree and three children). He knew his mother felt like she'd done something wrong in raising him.
"I'm fine. I'll bring Sakurai-san by the house soon so you can meet him yourself."
"Good! I look forward to it." He could hear his mother's smile, "I'll talk to you soon, Kazu. I love you."
"Love you too," he replied and ended the call. He looked around at the modest white-walled condo he'd chosen primarily for the giant basement and sighed as he pocketed his phone. "Sakurai-san?” He called, “My mother said we should get you a cell phone."
Sho's head popped out of his room. "A phone? That would be very helpful, yes. My previous one remains property of the Guild.”
"Right. Then we can do that tomorrow." He started helping Sho with the boxes again. "How are you set on clothing?"
"I have two changes of clothes."
Nino blinked slowly. "Is that enough?"
"Provided you have some kind of laundry facility...?"
"It's behind the door on the left in the music room."
Sho smiled. "Then I can launder them easily enough. Though I would appreciate some additional clothing to supplement my wardrobe. I'll need more casual wear and some formal attire, as well as any sexual gear you may want me to model."
Nino nearly dropped the box of old music books, "You--what--model?"
"That is sometimes part of the relationship when a pair weds, yes." Sho tilted his head. "It's not necessary, of course. If you have no sexual interest in me, you have no obligation."
Oh, there was interest aplenty, Nino thought, his eyes dropping once more to Sho's mouth. He gave himself a shake, "I--what--no. Wait--what about your sexual interest?"
Sho blinked. "Mine?"
"Hai. What if a Husband or Wife isn't sexually interested?"
Sho tilted his head again like a curious bird. "I'm sorry?"
"If you don't want to have sex with me?"
"I don't follow."
Nino blushed fiercely. "I...I guess, I don't... it doesn't matter. I have a lot to learn still."
Sho smiled kindly, glad to be past the strange questions. "It's all right, Nino-san. I'll teach you anything you want to know."
"I guess," he cleared his throat. "What are my responsibilities as your Spouse? Is that even the right term?"
"You're expected to clothe, feed and house me, and treat me with respect. You're not allowed to beat me, though corporal punishment for severe transgressions can be negotiated."'
"That seems... official."
"It can be done in an official contract, or an unofficial written agreement." Sho laid a hand on Nino's arm. "Daijoubu, Nino-san. The contract just allows for reasonable corporal punishment," Sho explained. "Anything specific would need to be worked out between us. For example, when is spanking okay versus using a belt?"
"Spanking?" To his ever growing embarrassment his voice cracked.
"That's right. Where should this box go, Nino-san? It appears to be full of old magazines."
"Here. Uh, here with the others." Nino bit his lip and glanced at Sho again. "Do you want that?"
"Putting this box with the others?"
"No. I mean, um," He shifted his weight. "Do you want to do that kind of thing? Do you want to get spankings? Is that a turn on?"
Finally. Finally Sho blushed.
But his silence was almost worse than his matter-of-fact responses. "I don't know you well enough to read your expression," Nino teased.
Sho blushed a little darker. "I don't quite know how to answer that, Nino-san," he admitted.
"Maybe you could tell me another turn on instead?" He offered and then quickly did an about face, retreating up the stairs for more boxes.
Sho stumbled after him. Turn-ons? Nino was interested in his turn-ons?
Nino picked up another box, "Ah, look. See there is a bed."
"Ah. Good! It looks very comfortable. May I try it out?"
"Yeah. Let's just clear off the rest of these boxes..."
They worked together in silence until the bed was cleared. Sho smiled as he plunked himself down on the bed. "Oh, it's very comfortable, Nino-san.”
Looking at him, Nino felt a moment of disorientation. He had a Husband. his Husband. "Um. Would you like a nap?”
"Oh, no." Sho sat up quickly. "I should finish unpacking."
"That can wait, can't it? If you're tired."
"I really should do it, though."
"I don't mind a little untidyness."
"Yes, well, as your Husband it's my duty to make sure that your home is tidy, even if you don't mind when it's not."
"You can keep your space however you want it, though," Nino insisted.
"Technically my space is still your space, Nino-san," he reminded. "I have no claim on it."
Nino didn't like the sound of that, "I'm giving you that room. You can paint it in black and yellow polka dots if you want and I won't say a word."
Sho wrinkled his nose reflexively. "Eww."
The expression on his face was utterly endearing and Nino found himself grinning at the other man.
Nino cracked open a fresh can of beer and slid it into Sho’s waiting palm as they ate take-out at the dining table off of plates. “This is so damn good,” Sho said, slurping from his bowl of noodles. "Ah, gomen, Nino-san. That was unprofessional of me."
"What was? Expressing an opinion?"
"Expressing it in such vulgar fashion."
"Damn is vulgar?" he chuckled, getting another beer for himself.
The flush in Sho’s cheeks darkened. "Nino-san doesn't think so?"
"Not even close. You're gonna hear a lot worse than that here."
"Am I?"
"Oh yeah. I swear like a fucking sailor when I'm gaming." Sho gasped. "What?" Nino blinked at him. "Fucking?"
Another gasp. "Nino-san!"
"Are you offended?" His eyes sparkled.
"No, of course not. Just... startled.”
"Guess they don't swear like that out at the guild, do they?"
"Not often, no."
"Think you'll get used to it?"
“"It is my duty to get used to it, Nino-san. And I think it will not be so bad."
"You’ve been looking forward to this."
"I have wanted a Husband or Wife for some time, Nino-san. You have granted that wish."
"Why did it take so long? You don't exactly seem picky."
"I'm not picky. I'm expensive."
"But still," Nino glanced at him. Probably it was inappropriate to ask, but he did it anyway. "Why didn't you get Married sooner?"
Sho didn't answer for a while, turning the beer can over in his hand. When he did, his voice was soft. "I don't know."
"You must have had a lot of offers," he prodded gently.
"I had a few," Sho admitted quietly.
"So what happened? Were they not offering enough? Did the contracts fall through some how?"
"I don't know,” he repeated.
Nino's brow furrowed and he frowned to himself. "How do you not know?"
"I just don’t. There were several I went on Dates with. A few that made a Proposal but then, the contracts were never completed for one reason or another.”
“That must have been a blow to the ego, huh?" He took a few more bites of food, and then shoveled another serving of noodles into Sho’s bowl.
“This beer is excellent. Surprisingly good,” Sho said instead and then drained the entire can.
"Well, consider it one of the things you can help yourself to."
"I can help myself."
Nino furrowed his brow, "Huh?"
Sho blinked at the can, then at Nino, then grinned. "Really?"
"Hai. Yeah, anything in the kitchen really. That's not saying much though."
"I shall go to the store and stock your pantry, Nino-san." The emphasis Sho put into his words made Nino grin.
"That's not really necessary," He waved his hand. "I usually just order in."
Sho gave him a look of horror. "Oh no, Nino-san. I'll cook for you. It's not required, but it's healthier."
“Has my mother gotten to you already?” He narrowed suspicious eyes at his new Husband.
“Gotten to me?” he echoed, confused.
"I guess I don't mind if you cook for me. I mean, you have to have something to do, right?"
"Oh, I think I'll have plenty to do, Nino-san." Sho reached for his can of beer and finding it empty, sank into a pout.
A moment later, Nino gave him another can and a smile, "We should make a shopping list."
Sho's eyes lit up. "Oh! Yes! I adore making a list."
Nino gave him a long look, trying to judge if he was serious or not and then found a pad and pen from his junk drawer.
"Here ya go. List away."
The pleased sound Sho made was adorable. "What foods does Nino-san like?" he asked, taking a seat at the kitchen counter and writing the date in the top right hand corner of the list.
"Um. Melon bread..." Nino started.
"Melon bread, yes," Sho said, making a note. "Also milk, tea, udon, miso, butter, mayonnaise, corn, mushrooms..."
"Ramen. I like ramen," Nino offered.
"Ramen, hai. Soba, too. Pork cutlet. Chicken breast. Carrots, celery, various wines..." The list was filling up quickly.
"What do you like?” Nino sipped at his beer and folded his legs beneath him in the chair.
"Hmm?" Sho looked up as he took another drink of his beer.
"What foods do you like to eat?"
"Oh." Sho blinked a few times. "I...don't know. I never thought about it."
"Well," Nino smiled, "Think about it."
Sho frowned, furrowing his brow. "Um...I like...omelet rice?" He looked to Nino for confirmation.
"Then you should probably add eggs and ketchup to that list."
Sho beamed. "That's right. Smart, Nino-san." He scribbled the additions to the list
"One thing I do have is rice."
"Oh? What kind?"
"Uh. The regular kind?"
Sho chuckled and started adding various rice varieties to the list.
"We should also make a list for other things you’re going to need, right? Like that phone. And some clothes."
Sho blushed.
"You're turning pink," Nino grinned, sipping his beer.
"Am I?" Sho touched his own cheek.
"What’s embarrassing about buying clothes?”
"I'm still not used to the idea of having someone who wants to buy me clothes."
"Well, to be fair, it’s only been less than a day.”
"Has it?"
“How quickly my Husband forgets,” Nino mourned.
Sho stared at him before taking another long swig of his rapidly vanishing beer. "I have a Spouse," he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, you have a Spouse," Nino smiled, amused.
Sho gave him a beaming smile, “Cheers!" he raised his half-empty beer can in a toast before downing the last of its contents.
Nino lifted his can in cheerful companionship. "Here. Have another."
Nino leaned against the doorway of the kitchen with his phone pressed to his ear, waiting for Jun to pick up. When he did--eight whole rings later-- there was no time for preamble. "How do I get my Husband to bed?"
"...what are you talking about?"
"He's refusing to go to bed and he's bigger than me."
"Refusing to go to bed? What? Why? What did you do?"
"He's kinda... drunk."
"He's what?" Nino knew he was mad by the clipped pronunciation of ‘what’.
"We had some beers and were talking and stuff and now he's kinda in that belligerent stage."
"You got your shiny brand new Husband drunk on your first night together."
Nino pictured Jun hitting his head against a wall. "He's never even had a beer before. Was I supposed to stop him?"
"Oh my God."
Nino changed his mental picture to a brick wall. "He got all red-cheeked and cute,” he admitted to make Jun feel better.
"That's no reason to get the poor man drunk his first night out of the Guild. Good Gods. What's he doing now?"
"He's hanging upside down over my couch. He's musing about folding towels."
“Well, get him up--He's what? How do you muse about folding towels?"
"He can fold them into animals apparently. He took classes. Plural. Wild stuff, J."
"Whatever. That's a side issue. Right now you have to get him to bed, get him hydrated, and make sure he has aspirin."
"Yes, but how?"
"I don't know! Offer him some towels to fold?"
"That wouldn't--" he paused. Maybe that would work. "Hey, Sho-kun? Do you want to fold some towels right now?"
Sakurai looked up with a bleary but hopeful expression. "Really?"
"Hai. I'll bring you any size you want. Right to your bedroom."
Sho stumbled upright and managed to keep from falling flat on his face. "Y'promise yer not jus' tryin' t'get me t'go t'bed?"
"No, i swear," Nino hung up on Jun and hooked an arm under Sho's to help him to his feet.
"Hmm... okay." Sho smiled and rested his head on Nino's shoulder as the other man helped him toward his room. "'vnever been drunk 'fore."
Sho radiated heat and Nino stifled a shiver. "What do you think so far?"
"'Sweird. Kinda... floaty."
"Mmmm," he squeezed Sho's arm. "What kinda towels do you want?"
"I need... the big... the fluffy bath towels..."
"Right big fluffy ones. I have hand towels too. And washcloths."
Sho made a face as Nino helped him topple into bed. "Too small."
"Okay, the big ones then. Should I warm them in the dryer?"
"Mmm, yes please. Not too hot."
"Okay then, You get comfortable and I'll be right back with towels."
"Hai. Ni-san?" Sho took Nino's hand as he drew back and smiled up at him. "Thank you, Nino-san."
"You're welcome," Nino was glad Sho was drunk so he wouldn't notice the blush climbing his neck. He extracted himself and went to load a bunch of towels into the dryer. While it was running, he gathered a giant glass of water and aspirin and put them by the bed.
"Wassat?"
"Water and medicine for you."
"Medicine? Wha' medicine?"
"For your imminent hangover."
Sho made a weak sound. "Issit gonna hurt?"
"Probably.” Nino sat on the edge of the bed and brushed his fingers across Sho’s brow. He pouted and leaned into his touch. "But the aspirin will help."
Sho made a face as the aspirin started to melt on his tongue before he managed to swallow. "Yuck."
"Water," Nino pressed the glass into his hand. Sho gulped it down quickly. "Good job," Nino brushed hair away from his eyes and put the glass on the newly rediscovered nightstand.
Sho smiled. "Am I? Doing a good job?"
"Yes. So far, yes," He smiled.
"I'll try to stay good," Sho promised. "I will."
"You'll be great, Sakurai-san." Nino assured him. "I know it."
"I'll try. I'll do everything I can."
"It'll be a great Marriage, yeah?" Nino stroked his hair, trying to believe his own words.
"It will,” Sho said around a yawn
Bzzzzzzzz.
"Wassat?" Sho asked, blinking in confusion.
"The dryer, pet." Nino blushed when he realized what he said. He leapt to his feet. "I'll be right back."
"No, I should... I'm the Husband..."
"Stay here," Nino quickly retreated. He went down the hall, muttering to himself. "Ugh. Pet? What was I thinking?"
The next morning Sho found himself with a raging headache nested inside a bed of towels. With the perfect timing of someone Guild trained, Nino had appeared with aspirin and water in hand. There was a bleary conversation, and Nino kept insisting Sho stay in bed not worry about making breakfast. Sho had worried though. As soon as his head hit the pillow he began running through potential menus in his mind. Once he thought of the perfect First Breakfast of their Marriage, he’d get up and right to work.
The next time Sho woke up, it was late afternoon. The sun shone through the windows of his room, warming his little nest of towels and blankets. His headache was blissfully gone, though the fuzzy feeling and foul taste in his mouth was almost as unbearable. Faintly, he could hear the distant sound of piano music.
"Hmm...?" He blinked his eyes open and listened for a minute to the soft strains of music before forcing himself to sit up. The warm towels fell away as he climbed out of bed and sought out the music, oblivious to the wrinkled clothes he still wore from the night before.
Stepping out into the bare, empty hallway, he blinked a few times, reorienting himself to the place. He turned toward the basement and Nino's studio. He found his new Husband seated at the grand piano in the basement studio, and hovered in the doorway as he watched Nino's hands dance over the keys. He was clearly playing a tune, but it was in progress; not finished or polished. He was hearing the first chords of something new, and Sho felt oddly privileged to for opportunity.
The music abruptly stopped, but Nino didn't look up. He made a note on some paper, "So, what do you think?"
Sho blinked in surprise. "You knew I was here?"
Nino looked up, the mere corners of his lips curling up. "Did you like it?"
"Very much." Sho stepped a little deeper into the room. "Is that video game music?"
"Mmm. I'm starting a new project, just getting a feel for it right now."
"It sounds... expansive."
"Hai, it's a co-op multiverse game."
Those words meant nothing to him. "I'm sorry?" He moved closer. "Aiba-kun was the gamer at the Guild. I don't really know them at all."
"Oh," Nino's shoulders slumped. "I'd hoped we could play together.
"I'm a fast learner!" Sho noted hurriedly. “Teach me how to play and I'll soon be skilled."
"Maybe... you don't really seem like the type anyway."
Sho frowned deeper. "Show me, Nino-san. Show me, please. I'll prove myself to you."
"Well, what kind of games do you like?" he made a few more notations on his paper.
"Chess. Checkers. Monopoly. Old Maid."
Nino hummed and said nothing for a few moments while he tried out a few notes on the piano. "Strategy games, then. Except Old Maid. How old are you?"
"Almost thirty. Why?"
"Cause I'm pretty sure the last time I played Old Maid was with my grandfather and I was seven."
"It's a fun game," Sho protested. "We play it a lot at the Guild."
"Weird."
"I will have to play it with you next time you have guests, Nino-san." Sho didn't know why he felt so defensive about a childish card game, but he felt he needed to stand up for his old home somehow.
"Um. Okay... if you want," his expression was clearly perplexed.
"It's quite fun. Childish maybe, but fun. And games are supposed to be fun." Sho cleared his throat. "I apologize, sir. I didn't mean to be argumentative, especially given all your kindness."
"Don't call me sir," Nino cringed. "It's okay. I shouldn't be judgy about card games."
"I really would like to learn about your favorite videogames, si- Nino-san. It is a slave's duty to be his Master's perfect foil."
"I'd rather have a companion, I think."
Sho smiled, genuinely pleased. "I would like that, too, sir."
"Good," he hesitated. "Don't call me sir, remember?"
"Yes. Of course. Sorry, si- Nino-san."
Nino took a breath and rubbed his arm. "How did you sleep? Are you feeling better now?"
Sho smiled brightly. "Much better, Master Nino-san, thank you. Your generosity is most appreciated."
“It's not generosity, ne? It's... responsibility."
"It's kind of you to think of it like that." Nino wrinkled his nose at the compliment, so Sho deftly change the topic. "Will you play some more of your music?"
"Yeah, sure, but... don't you want to eat? You must be hungry."
"Ah! Food!" Sho beamed. "You keep playing and I'll make us an early dinner."
Nino chuckled at his sudden exuberance. "Sounds good."
It took a few moments before Sho realized he was staring at Nino, grinning like an idiot. Flustered, he retreated to the door, "Hope you like pasta?"
He didn’t even wait for Nino’s answer and was halfway up the stairs before he realized Nino had been grinning stupidly at him too.
Bounding up to Sho from behind, Aiba looped an arm through his elbow at the end of the House Guild meeting and tugged him toward the refreshments. "Sho-chan, tell me everything.”
Sho smiled dreamily. "Nino-san is wonderful. He's so talented."
"He's a musician, isn't he?"
"Hai! He does music for videogames. I didn't know it could be so orchestral! Did you know he did the main theme for Final Fighters IX?"
"No," Aiba smiled. "I didn't know."
"Is that a video game?" Ohno piped from behind them.
Sho nodded as he handed Ohno a glass of wine and began unobtrusively filling a plate of hors devours for his friend. "It was one of the biggest sellers of last year."
"You must be proud," he smiled, his eyes focused on the food.
"Very proud. And now he's working on the theme for the sequel!" Sho puffed up proudly and began filling himself a plate. ”There may even be a movie.”
Aiba gave him a knowing smirk, "So... tell me more. Details! C'mon."
"What do you want to know?" Sho took a prim sip of his wine and followed Ohno to a bistro table at the back of the ballroom.
“Well…”
"It’s just us, Sho-kun. Right, Oh-chan? You can tell us anything."
"Have you fucked yet?" Ohno asked around a mouthful of stuffed fig.
"No." Sho frowned at his food, too embarrassed to admit his true worry: that his Husband didn’t find him attractive. Sex wasn’t always a part of a Marriage, but Sho had always expected that his match would have similar sexual appetites.
There was a beat of awkward silence before Aiba shrugged, “Marriage doesn’t have to be about sex.”
“It’s more important that you’re happy,” Ohno agreed.
“Jun-kun waited almost two whole weeks,” Aiba continued. “He said he wanted to get to know me better first, and--”
“Aiba--”
“Really, I think it was hotter because of the waiting.”
“Anticipation,” Ohno agreed.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he nodded. “Your Nino-san is probably just letting the anticipation build.”
“Aiba--Keep your voice down,” Sho ran a hand down his face. It wouldn’t do for the newly wed President of the House Husbands and Wives Association to be overheard discussing problems in the bedroom. “Everything’s fine, really. We’re just taking our time.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” Ohno hummed, “Toma-kun and I didn’t stop for three months straight after we Married. But then we didn’t touch each other for weeks.”
“See. Every couple is different,” Aiba said reassuringly.
For a surreal moment, he heard himself saying those same words to countless other Husbands and Wives in their moments of fear or uncertainty. He could take his own advice, couldn’t he?
“Maybe Nino-san is a sexual powerhouse deep down,” Aiba had continued unabated, “and he’s just not sure you can handle it yet.”
Sho nearly choked on his wine as he imagined the look on Nino’s face at being described as a ‘sexual powerhouse’.
“I could ask Jun-kun, if you want? Maybe they’ve talked about you.”
Wouldn’t that be great? “No. No, thank you. I think you were right the first time, every couple is different. Nino’s just taking his time.” He turned the glass in his hand, trying to convince them he was just as confident as they were. But Nino hadn’t been intending to get Married at first sight and people were known to have regrets after impulsive decisions.
What did it matter that Sho’s heart skipped a beat every morning when Nino came into the kitchen with sleep-mussed hair and hands outstretched for Sho’s coffee. Even after Sho made sure to have a mug ready and waiting just the way he liked it (three sugar, no cream), Nino still took his first sip of coffee from Sho’s mug of pure black.
That had to mean something. Right? The drowsy, happy glow in Nino’s eyes certainly didn’t seem like regret.
“Wow,” Aiba observed.
“You fell hard.”
Sho blinked out of his Nino-haze, “Huh?” In unison, his two friends gave identical love-lorn signs.
“Shut up.”
"I don't see the problem." Jun sipped his drink, then added a little more vodka before settling down next to Nino on the sofa. "It's perfectly natural. And he's a very attractive man."
"You've seen his mouth, right?"
"Yes, Nino, I've seen his mouth."
"It's insane."
"It's a mouth, Nino. Everyone has one."
"Not like that they don't," he took a swig of his drink.
“I see your Husband has been redecorating,” Jun observed, nodding to the tropical houseplant now perched next to Nino’s gaming console.
“Every day he comes home with a new plant, names it, and then uses a label maker to put both the nickname and the scientific name on the back.” Nino’s voice softened, “He gets very excited to show me his latest purchase.”
“Cute,” Jun smirked at Nino’s obvious adoration and sipped his own cocktail. He idly fiddled with the joystick of the controller Nino had tossed into his lap. "You know I suck at Mario Kart. Put on some Zelda."
"Sho-san is practicing with Zelda."
Jun chuckled. "You've got him practicing video games?"
"He wanted to."
"Really? He's been here a month and he's already gone native."
Nino sighed, "I teased him for liking Old Maid his second day here, and he's been determined to master video gaming."
"Wow. That's dedication." Jun took a deeper pull off his drink. "He must really want to impress you.
"He's very serious," Nino sighed.
"That's not surprising. He's a Sakurai, after all."
"I know." His mother had gone into great detail about his Husband’s pedigree. "He's just so fucking unshakeable."
"That's what the family line is known for."
Nino scowled, and threw back the rest of his drink. "You're supposed to be helping."
"Am I? Sorry, help you to what? So far all you’ve done is complain about how sexy your Husband is. I fail to see the problem."
“It’s a distraction,” Nino insisted.
Jun finished off his drink and reached for the vodka to pour himself another. "Why don't you just talk to Sho-san?"
"Talk to him? With words?"
Jun stared at Nino. "No," he deadpanned. "With fish."
"Wher'my gonna get fish?"
"Oh my God you idiot, YES, words!" Jun smacked him upside the head. "He's your Husband, you are his Spouse. Words are how people communicate. So communicate."
"He's not good with words."
Jun snorted. "I think you've got that backwards, buddy."
He whined, "It's not... okay to lust after him."
"Says who?"
“Have you and Aiba done it?” Nino dropped his controller to make a lewd gesture with both handsjust in case Jun didn’t know what he meant in their inebriated state.
"None of your business!"
"Th’ why the hell’re you encouraging me?"
"My sexual habits have nothing to do with your obvious need to get laid."
"Don't deflect. Deflector!" Nino poked Jun hard in the chest.
"I'm not the one deflecting."
"Why haven't ya slept with ‘im if sleepin’ with your new Husband issa normal, huh?"
"Because unlike you, I have a healthy sex life and don't spend my time lusting after my pretty House Husband."
"...could I sleep with yer House Husband?"
"No!"
“Hah! You do so care.” Nino toasted himself and poured another drink.
"Why don't you just tell Sho what's going on in that weaselly little brain of yours?
"Because it's persum--person--presumpshus of me."
"Oh it is not. Just say you're feeling sexually frustrated but you don't know how to talk to him about it."
"And then he'll wanna do stuff." Nino dragged his hands over his face. "That's--that's---"
“That’s what you want, Nino, isn’t it?”
"I hate you," he groaned. "I fucking hate you."
Jun grinned. "I love you, too, Nino.
"Go home."
"Are you going to talk to Sakurai?
"Yes-- No. Maybe....ugh. Yes. Okay."
Jun grinned as he stood up and grabbed his coat. "Good. I'll expect a report tomorrow."
"You're getting all the gory details. Prepare yourself."
"I can't wait." Jun winked and headed for the door. "Sweet dreeeeams."
"You're the worst kind of people."
Jun just laughed as he left, phone already pressed to his ear to call for a taxi.
Almost a week after Sho’s meeting at the Guild all of Sho’s plants were beginning to wilt from overwatering and he was beginning to feel physically uncomfortable. No, not uncomfortable. ‘Almost constantly horny’ was a better description.
It was the third night in a row that Nino had invited him to play video games after dinner, and then proceeded to cuddle up against his side. Not just cuddle but nearly crawl into his lap. And then out of it again. Leaning against Sho’s knee one moment and then sinking to the floor to sit between his legs the next. Just as soon as Sho had schooled his mind back to focusing on the game, Nino was squirming around again.
"Nino-san, are you uncomfortable?" Sho asked, trying to keep the strain out of his voice.
"Mmm? What?" Nino hummed, his thumbs flying over the controller as he took aim at a zombie bursting through a paned glass window.
"You seem to be moving around a lot."
"Hmm? I didn’t notice."
Sho hadn’t done anything but notice every centimeter of space between them. Or not, where the case may be. "Would you like a massage perhaps?"
“After we kill a few zombie hoards, maybe."
Sho steeled himself and turned his attention back to the game. But in a matter of minutes, Nino stood up and stretched, only to get back on the couch and put his head in Sho's lap. He contorted into an impossible position and kept playing.
Sho bit his lip. "Nino-san, are you sure you're comfortable?"
"Uh huh. This is great."
Sho shivered. "Ah. Good."
"Where even are you?" Nino asked, using his avatar to look around on screen.
"Oh. Oh, sorry. I'm afraid I'm a little distracted, Nino-san. Would you rather continue without me? I'll be happy to cheer you on."
He pouted, twisting his head to look up at Sho, "Do you not like it?"
"I do! I like it a lot, Nino-san. Really." He hesitated. "You're very good at it. Much better than me."
"Well, yeah. Because you've never played before,” he sat up and gave Sho a pat, before resting his head on Sho's shoulder and unpausing the game. Leaving Sho with no choice but to continue on.
Sho bit his lip. "Are you comfortable, Nino-san?"
"Mmm.”
“Maybe you’re not sleeping well?" He could hear the strain in his own voice as Nino yet again began to squirm into his lap.
“Nope. Definitely not,” Nino agreed amiably, and then gave a little yelp of success at a kill shot in the game. “There’s something wrong with my bed, I think.”
“Oh, we could-- you could-- take a nap.”
"But the zombies--"
"Will still be here after you nap."
"Yes, but," he wriggled a little closer to Sho. "You wont play with me."
Sho shivered at the innuendo. "I will if you want me to, Nino-san."
Nino's lips curved into a crooked smile, "Are you cold?" Finally, finally, he abandoned his controller to the floor.
"No," he answered with as much composure as he could muster.
"You're shivering a lot," Nino ran his hand along Sho’s arm, leaving goosebumps in his wake.
Sho bit his tongue to hold back a whimper. "I’m fine, Nino-san. Quite comfortable."
Nino didn’t say anything, but ran a speculative hand back up his arm, finger tips grazing across Sho’s collarbones. He wished Nino would meet his eyes so he could get some clue as to what he should do next to get Nino to keep touching him.
He gulped audibly when the other man tucked his head into the crook of Sho’s neck, breathing in deeply. “You smell good.”
“Thank you,” His voice was raspy to his own ears. Suddenly he remembered he had hands and in the next heartbeat realized he didn’t know what to do with them. All the years training and studying for this very moment and his mind had gone utterly blank.
Nino’s curious fingers found the pulse at Sho’s neck and then trailed up to tip Sho’s chin toward him. Inhaling sharply, Sho held his breath as he neared, close enough to feel the heat of Nino’s lips and then the other man was stretching away, snatching Sho’s long forgotten controller from his side and slipping out of Sho’s reach like water.
“I think the battery’s about to die,” Nino announced, unlatching the back and wandering to the bookshelf.
He might as well have been speaking Italian.
Sho just stared at his back, dazed by the sudden lack of body heat and blood rushing in his ears and uncomfortably further south.
Nino shifted his weight and Sho hungrily followed the line of his hip, down to his ass and then, catching himself, he abruptly stood up. “I think--” his voice caught and he cleared his throat, feeling an embarrassed heat begin to climb his neck. “I think that’s just as well, Husband. It’s time I called it a night.”
Nino twisted to look at him and Sho couldn’t read the expression he wore, “You said you’d play with me. If I wanted you to.”
“Yes,” he nodded, trying to reign in the racing of his heart and reminding himself to show restraint no matter how it was killing him one tenuous moment at a time.
“Okay then,” Nino turned back to his shelf of games, plugging Sho’s controller into the charger, his face barely visible in profile. “Sleep well, Sho-kun.”
A dismissal cold enough to freeze the hours of ardor in his veins. “Goodnight,--” he exhaled and walked toward the hall and his bedroom. “Just… goodnight.”
“My son is very taken with you,” Ninomiya Kasumi smiled serenely as Sho helped her into her designer coat in the entryway. Nino had excused himself to gather a few of the demos he wanted her thoughts on, leaving Sho alone with her for the first time since she’d arrived at their home for dinner.
“As you say. We’re both grateful that you would grace us with your company this evening,” he bowed respectfully, schooling the irritation from his voice. After all, the cause of it wasn’t their guest.
“You can cut the deference bullshit they’ve trained you to. I’ve wed a Husband or three myself, Sho-san.” She reached up and patted his cheek, “You’ll be happiest when you’re as much yourself as you can be.”
“I--” His brow furrowed in confusion, “I am happy.” She wasn’t trying to give him a roundabout lecture about their behavior that night?
“To be this young again,” she gave him a bemused smile, tinted with nostalgia. “You boys will work yourselves out. I’m sure of it.”
Standing more erect, Sho suppressed his desire for the whole evening to come to an end from showing on his face. “I thank you for your graciousness. You must know how embarrassed I am.”
“Don’t be.” She assured him, grinning the same endearing smile as her son, “All my wrath falls squarely on his shoulders for causing you trouble at all. You’re a sweet boy and too good for him by far.”
“I heard that,” Nino groused, coming back into the room with a canvas bag full of recordings.
“Kazunari, you said ‘a few’!”
“Yeah, and then I added a few more. Just for fun,” he flashed her a smile and wrapped an arm around Sho’s waist, leaning warmly into him. “Goodnight, mother.”
“What kind of son kicks his own mother out?” she groused good naturedly and accepted the bag, well aware her driver was waiting down below.
“This kind.”
“Goodnight, Nino,” she said pointedly. “Sho-san, I welcome you to our family.”
“Thank you, Ninomiya-san. I look forward to having you for dinner again.” He stepped forward to escort her out, but Nino quickly intercepted and held open the door before they could engage in yet another exchange of goodnights and well-wishes.
“Goodnight, mother.”
“Let us know you’ve arrived safely home,” Sho said, bowing his head respectfully once more.
“I’ll text you!”
Nino closed the door with finality and turned his back to it, only to find his Husband walking away. He lunged forward a few steps, hooking his fingers into the belt loops of Sho’s slacks and pulling him bodily backward. “Where are you going?”
Sho didn’t give, but he’d at least stopped striding toward the kitchen. Nino moved instead, pressing against the smooth planes of Sho’s back, hands possessive on his hips. “That went well, don’t you think?” He smiled against the nape of Sho’s neck.
“What--” Sho shook him off, spinning around to stare fiercely at Nino, his eyes sparked with long banked frustration. “What were you thinking? Touching me in front of your mother like that? You don’t--we haven’t even--!”
Nino stood there, mouth agape and feeling like he’d absolutely ruined everything, but Sho didn’t give him a chance to gather his thoughts.
“What do you want from me, Nino?! If you want to fuck just say so! I can’t stand this--this game you’re playing. I’m not a character in one of your video games you can toy with and manulipate. I’m supposed to be your husband.” Now he was the one crowding in close to Nino, his cheeks flush with heat and coal-dark eyes burning with intensity. “Was it all for show? ” Nino had his back to the wall now, the wood at his back a cool contrast to the body heat radiating from Sho. “Are you just trying to prove something to your friends and family? Just tell me what you want,” he hissed.
“You,” Nino mumbled with eyes focused on Sho’s chest, feeling wholly inadequate as he tried to form an explanation. He hadn’t expected Sho to get angry. He slid his hands up Sho’s torso, “I want you and I--I thought if--”
“We’re wed. You have me,” Sho growled. “That’s not good enough.”
A lump climbed in Nino’s throat and he exhaled sharply. “I don’t want--sex shouldn’t be--” He met Sho’s eyes warily. ”I’m a little in love with you, Sho-kun. I don’t want sex with you to be because of some contract. I want you to really want me.”
“You were trying to seduce me?” Sho blinked. “Me?”
“Kinda? My methods haven’t exactly been successful.”
“Your efforts were valiant,” Sho said seriously. He still held Nino boxed in against the doorway, but the aggravation had melted away like chocolate in the sun. “It’s no fault of your own that the Sakurai’s hold themselves to the highest level of self-restraint.”
Nino bit his lip. Was he going to say nothing at all about his confession? “I hadn’t heard that about your family line.” He began to develop an exit strategy and made to duck under one of Sho’s arms. “I’ll start cleaning up.”
Sho’s hand clamped hard around Nino’s bicep and spun him back, meeting him with a searing kiss. Nino clutched at his shirt, drinking in every delicious moment.
“I’m a little in love with you too,” Sho whispered when they parted.
“You mean I’ve been miserable for no reason?” He kissed Sho to punctuate the remark.
“We’ve both been miserable,” Sho agreed, continuing to exchange hungry kisses as he guided them down the hall. “No more.”
“No more,” Nino moaned, derailing their trek to the bedroom when he squeezed Sho’s ass with both hands and Sho pinned him against the hallway wall with another breath-stealing kiss.
Jun was about to hang up his phone and ask for the check when the line picked up and he heard a breathless ‘Hello’ from Nino on the other end. “I don’t suppose you’re on your way to brunch, are you?”
“Hmmm-MMM? Brunch?” he squeaked.
Already seated, Jun narrowed his eyes, “You forgot, didn’t you?”
“No, no, I--” He cleared his throat, “We got distracted. We’ll leave soon. Really soon. I promise.”
“It’s not like Sho-kun to let you be late.”
“Make me late is more like it.”
“Shhh!”
“You know what,” Jun couldn’t help but smile, especially since Nino couldn’t see it. “Nevermind. You have a good afternoon with Sho. We have time to catch up later.”
“Much later,” Nino agreed, and then, like the rude weasel he was, left Jun with nothing but a dial tone in his ear.
Pairing(s): Sho/Nino
Genres: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Nino’s been a bachelor far too long. How will he get along with the House Husband he accidentally-on-purpose marries after just one matchmaking event.
Warning(s): Some language, lots of talk about sex.
Author's notes: I started a bunch of different stories, and this is the one that stuck. I went with the arranged marriage prompt. Hope you enjoy it!
Nino had circled around the room once, an elegant ballroom made over in ostentatious cream and gold for the Matching Event, and gave each potential Husband a brief once over from a distance. It wasn't fair that Jun was once again tugging him out of his seat in a non-descript corner to force him into actual conversation. He had only agreed to send in an application as a Suitor for the express purpose of stopping his mother and Jun from nagging about his future romantic prospects. Not to actually meet anyone.
"I'm in the middle of a quest, you know," he grumbled, shoving his phone into a pocket.
"It's a game, Ninomiya," Jun sighed. "This is real life."
"I agreed to come, didn't I? There was nothing in our negotiations that said I had to participate."
Jun rolled his eyes, looking twice as elegant as any other man in the room even when he did so. "You're an idiot, Kazu. I'm not going to bring you here just so you can sit on the sidelines with your nose buried in a damn game. That's why you're here in the first place - because your mother doesn't think you'll be able to look after yourself since all you do is play that damn game."
"Puzzle and Dragons," he supplied.
"Huh?"
"That Damn Game is called Puzzle and Dragons."
"What. Ever." Jun tightened his grip on Nino's elbow and towed him along.
"I already told you. You can just pick one out for me."
"I'm not picking out your Husband, Nino. Unless you'd like me to get one who's exactly like me."
"Ew. No. You don’t really think one of these guys is going to suit me, do you? They’re practically robots."
"All I care about is finding one who's going to make sure you shower at least once a week and eat more than instant ramen."
"I love instant ramen," he pouted.
"Yes, which is why you look like a victim of the superflu half the time."
"I do not! I sparkle.”
"Shut up. Now for heaven's sake, don't embarrass me. And don't even think of embarrassing your mother."
Nino's mother was his weakness. "How long will this take?"
"It depends on how picky you are," Jun hissed as they passed a small group of men and women, chatting softly with glasses of champagne in hand. A Husband and three Suitors, Nino appraised through the corner of his eye, all of them painfully formal.
"Okay, good then," He smiled, figuring he'd pick the first one that looked even a little nice. “Easy.”
Jun sighed audibly. Again.
"How may I help you, sirs?" A well-dressed hostess of middling age approached the pair, her eyes large behind thick glasses and a leather bound portfolio clasped in her manicured hands.
"We're here to find a competent,mannerly House Husband to make sure this idiot doesn't forget basic hygiene," Jun answered blandly. “Ninomiya Kazunari and guest.”
Nino thought maybe he should have been insulted, but he just didn't care enough.
"Of course, sirs.” She opened her portfolio and made a note. “A drink while you mingle?”
“Yes, please,” Nino gave her a winsome smile. Alcohol would surely make this whole experience less awkward.
The hostess led them through a variety of attractive young men that were milling around with other Suitors. "Have you met anyone you'd like to interview further, sirs?"
Jun looked expectantly at Nino, brow arched.
Nino cast his gaze around the room, "Um, I'll talk to whoever you recommend."
The hostess smiled politely, “You were issued a special invitation to this event. All of the House Husbands in attendance fit the criteria of your perfect match.”
“All of them?” Nino said skeptically.
"Oh for fucks--That one.” Jun pointed to a young man who was sitting quietly on a sofa between two bookcases, reading a leatherbound novel.
Nino followed his gaze and unconsciously wet his lips. The man wore a pensive look in his eyes, completely ignoring the dozen guests milling around. "Looks quiet," he said approvingly, hoping that would buy him some good will from Jun.
"Yes, he won't interrupt your gaming," He replied with another roll of his eyes. "Be polite," he added as the hostess, surely she’d given her name at some point, escorted the dark-haired young man back to them.
"Sirs, this is Sakurai," she introduced him. "He is very intelligent, well-bred, and extremely learned in the duties of a quality House Husband. Excuse me while I fetch your drinks." She bowed and swiftly made her exit.
The one named Sakurai bowed deeply. "Greetings, gentlemen."
Nino and Jun bowed and then there was a beat of silence while Nino stared at Sakurai's mouth. Jun elbowed him.
"Nino!" he blurted. "I mean, I’m Ninomiya. You're here for me. I mean, we're here for you--No, no, I mean--" he could feel his ears turn pink. "I mean, I'm here to pick a Husband."
Sakurai smiled kindly and dipped his head in assent. "Of course, sir. What duties would you wish performed?"
"Erh... Cleaning? Cooking?" he couldn't take his eyes off Sakurai's mouth. "Sex things?"
"Nino!" Jun hissed, smacking the smaller man on the arm.
"Hey! Ow!" Nino rubbed his arm. "That's...that's part of it, isn't it?"
"Didn't you read the book I gave you?" Jun demanded.
Sakurai nodded. "I am, of course, skilled in all manner of home arts, including those of a sexual nature."
"I'm sorry, Sakurai-san. My friend here is a rude little runt who doesn't know how to act in polite company," Jun apologized, bowing deeply and forcing Nino to follow suit with an iron grip behind his neck.
When Jun let him up again, Nino smiled at the man. "He's right, you know."
"I think your size is more than adequate, sir." Sakurai smiled.
Nino tipped his head, his lips curling into a smirk, "You have a response for everything, don't you?"
"It is one duty of being a House Husband, sir: always be prompt and polite with your responses."
"Sakurai is the ranking member on the Home Husbands Advisory Council," the hostess said with a beaming smile as she returned,proffering a tray of champagne flutes. "His knowledge of the Spousal Arts is unmatched."
“There are others just as skilled,” Sakurai replied smoothly, brushing off the compliment.
"Okay." Nino barely resisted a dismissive shrug.
"Shall I arrange a private interview suite, sirs?"
"Not necessary," Nino replied, not taking his eyes off Sakurai's face, looking for any hint of lost composure. "I pick him."
Jun blinked in surprise. "Nino, there are others you can talk to, too, you know. I know you don't want to be here, but still."
"No, it's not about that," he waved Jun off. "I pick him. He's perfect."
Sakurai's lips curled into a kind smile as he bowed his head. "I am honored that sir would say such a complimentary thing."
“You haven’t even talked yet!”
Nino ignored Jun's sputtering. "Now what happens?" he asked the hostess.
She looked between Jun and Nino for a moment, clearly wondering which man he should address, before settling on Nino. "If sir is quite certain he wishes to sign the Marriage contract with Sakurai, I can fetch the necessary paperwork. Um... Sakurai is... quite expensive, sirs."
"Not a problem," Nino waved a hand.
"Are you quite sure...?"
"This is Ninomiya Kazunari," Jun said with a sigh. "His mother is Ninomiya Tsubuki."
"Hey, I earn my own money too," Nino protested.
"Making wagers on how quickly you can beat a particular level of some stupid videogame is not 'earning money.'"
"I make music too. Video game music is still music."
"You are a composer, Ninomiya-sama?" Sakurai said with interest. "I am skilled on the piano, if you feel that may be of use to you."
"Look, see, he's already going to be helpful."
"Shouldn’t you at least..." Jun sighed, giving up. "He's fixated now."
"You should feel free to look around, J," Nino chimed. "Maybe someone will strike your fancy."
"I'm not here for me, idiot. We're here for y-"
"Sakurai-san!" A whip-thin young man with sandy hair that fell over his eyes came bounding toward them. "Are you being Matched?!"
"Aiba-san, remember what we have said about proper behavior in front of guests," Sakurai chastised, though without any venom.
The man blushed and gave them a flustered bow. "My apologies, sirs. I’m Aiba Masaki, sirs. Pleased to meet you."
The hostess gave Aiba a cool look and focused on Nino. "If you'll follow me this way sir, we'll have refreshments brought into the office while you complete your paperwork. "Aiba, could you see to Matsumoto-san's comfort?"
"Oh, yes! Which one is Matsumoto-san?"
Jun blinked out of his daze. "That would be me, Aiba-san."
Sakurai smiled approvingly as Aiba led Jun to a nearby chaise, chattering happily. "He is improving in his manners," he noted with pride.
"You've been a good influence," the hostess noted as she preceded Nino. "Your presence will be greatly missed."
"I will of course continue my professional duties here," Sakurai responded.
"That's very generous, Sakurai-san," She opened the mahogany doors that led into the office and gave the man a gracious smile. "I know the others will be happy to hear it."
Sakurai sat primly at the desk and Nino took the seat beside him. "I will miss them, but I’m pleased to be serving my purpose dutifully."
Nino squinted at the man, assessing his composed posture and slick responses. "So what exactly should I expect? I never read the book."
"I can teach you, sir," Sakurai said with a gentlemanly bob of the head. "But in short, I am at your beck and call."
"What will you do whenever I'm not becking or calling?"
"Study. And support my fellow Husbands and Wives."
"Sakurai-san runs a very popular support group for new and long-term Husbands and Wives," the hostess supplied helpfully as she laid paperwork and a pen in front of Nino.
Nino read none of it and signed where she pointed. "And which are you? New or long term?" He asked her.
"What?"
"Are you a new Wife or long-term?” Nino asked her pleasantly, “Have you had a Spouse?"
"I... no. No, I haven't. The Guild has been my spouse."
The hostess smiled uncertainly, a typical matchmaking did not escalate to a Marriage Contract so quickly. There were usually Dates involved and enough time to pass for both parties to be certain. It wasn’t unheard of, of course, but it was downright shocking that Sho, their most fastidious unwed Husband, would leap into a contract blind. And now this Spouse was asking about her history?
"Mmm," Nino slid his gaze to Sho. "And what about you?"
"I have had no Spouse before, no."
"Never?"
Sakurai shook his head. "Never."
"Sakurai-san is descended from a very long line of well-bred Husbands and Wives," the hostess explained. "That makes him very expensive."
Nino tipped his head toward the hostess, "What if he's no good at it?"
Her eyebrows shot up. "That's... not possible. He is word perfect in every aspect of proper etiquette."
"But he's never been tested."
"I assure you, Ninomiya-san," Sakurai said calmly. "I will not disappoint you. My parents were excellent teachers. Strict, but good. I have long been familiar with the tenants."
Nino smiled at the other man, satisfied that Sakurai was just as he expected--immune to being easily flustered. "You'll have to explain it all to me. I'm pretty much clueless."
Sakurai's tone was curious. "Forgive me, Ninomiya-san, why did you send in an application then?"
The hostess quietly closed the portfolio open before her, maybe this wouldn’t be happening after all.
Nino had a blyth answer ready on the tip of his tongue, but looking into Sakurai’s warm eyes he found he couldn’t simply blame his mother or Jun. He’d chosen to fill out the application with honesty. He’d chosen to walk through these doors. He’d chosen Sho at first glance, holding that stupid book and completely ignoring everyone else in the ballroom.
He did try to sound uninterested when he answered. Like the words weren’t being ripped from the coldest, deepest part of himself that he wasn’t acknowledging until that very moment.
“I guess, because I’m lonely.”
The Marriage Contract normally took hours to complete, with caveats and negotiations over such things as stipends, living quarters, and sexual safety. Nino agreed to everything the Guild and Sho stipulated without comment -- even when it came to the more explicit addendums. “Permanent marks are forbidden. The Husband prefers to bottom, but will switch at written or verbal request of his Spouse. Third party involvement must be negotiated prior to any such liaisons.”
The hostess had left them alone as Nino worked through the more than fifty pages of legalese. It wasn’t until the last addendum that he couldn’t hold back the amusement that bubbled up into laughter. “Really?”
“What?” Sho stiffened defensively. “Which one?”
“A library card. To multiple institutions.”
“I like to read, sir.”
“Ohhh, I definitely don’t like ‘Sir’. Call me ‘Nino’. Everyone does.
Sho nodded, “How would you like to call me?"
"Oh," he blinked. "I get options?"
Sho's answering smile was charmed. "Of course, Nino. The contract goes both ways after all."
"Mmm, what’s common?"
"There is no approved or disapproved list. It up to mutual agreement between the parties."
"What would you like to be called?"
Sho blinked. "Me?"
"Yes, you," He gave the man a poke in the knee.
Sho blinked again. "...Sho…-kun?"
Nino chuckled and nodded, "Okay then. Sho-kun." He put his chin in his hand and propped his elbow on the back of Sho's chair. "But what do you want to call me?"
"I want to call you whatever you wish to be called."
"C'mon. You've spent your whole life planning to be someone’s Husband. You must have fantasized about how you'd address them."
"I should like to call you... Nino-san."
"Nino-san and Sho-kun, then." Nino signed the last page of the contract and sat back with arms folded his chest, feeling accomplished.
“Um, sir--Nino-san?” Sho said after a moment, gesturing to the contract and looking very concerned.
“Mmm?”
“You didn’t initial about the library cards.”
"Sho-kun!" The door to the office burst open and Aiba came whirling into the room, beaming ear to ear. "I'm getting Married!"
"Eh?" Nino saw Jun blushing out in the hall. "J? I thought we weren't here for you.”
"Shut up," Jun muttered.
Sho stood up and gave Aiba a hug. "Congratulations, Aiba-san," he said with a genuine smile. "But you have forgotten your etiquette."
"Ah. Oh. Sorry.” He started backing from the room. “I’m very sorry. I was just so excited!"
"You're going to make J so happy," Nino cackled.
"Shut up, Nino," Jun groaned again. "Aiba-kun, come. The hostess is waiting for us.”
Sho looked around what was to be his bedroom. It was a good size with nice floor-to-ceiling windows and a full walk-in closet.
Other than that, it needed work.
"I, uh, I started to clear out the room last night, but clearly didn’t get far," Nino explained, scratching the back of his head nervously as he eyed the spare room piled high with boxes of clothes, old games and other things he'd never bothered to unpack.
Sho smiled at him and maneuvered his chest of belongings to lean it against the only clear space against the wall. "It will do nicely, Nino-san."
"I don't really know what you need... if you make a list, we can go get whatever you need."
"Is there a bed?" Sho asked, shifting his attention to the task at hand.
"Uh, yeah. I think it's over...there?" He gestured to a pile of boxes tipping over.
"Ah. And is there bedding to go with it?"
"I think so?" he squeaked.
Sho nodded, finding this nervous side of his Spouse an endearing complement to the confident man he’d first met. "Very well. Would it be all right for me to move some of these boxes?"
"Yeah. Yeah, of course" he nodded and immediately joined him in the room. "I'll help." He scooped up a box and then turned in a circle. "Uh... I better find somewhere else for these. Maybe the music room..."
"Nino-san, you don't have to help. I can do this on my own. Truly."
"It's my stuff. Here, grab a box and follow me." Sho frowned but relented, he grabbed a box and followed Nino.
They took a turn down the hallway and down a set of stairs, "The music room is down here in the basement." He opened the door to reveal a full recording studio and music suite. "The laundry is over here. We can just stack the boxes along the back wall here."
Sho forced himself not to gape at the room. The rest of the house was sparsely decorated and showed little personality, and other than the array of gaming equipment and wires exploding from the entertainment system, hardly looked lived in. This single room told him more about Nino than anything he’d been able to dig up on the internet. "Yes... Okay, certainly..."
The room was lit by an assortment of funky lamps that gave the room a warm glow. It was easy to imagine a sleepy Nino sinking into the overstuffed leather couch and bundling up with the fuzzy red blanket after a late night of working. There were sheets of music haphazardly spread out next to a soundboard, scribbles of messy writing in the margins.
And the instruments…
"Do you play anything?"
"I... play piano, yes."
Nino smiled and brushed past Sho, his eyes sparkling, "The baby grande over here is my newest piece."
"Oh. It's beautiful." He smiled, "I hope I may have the chance to play it sometime."
"Of course. Help yourself. I mean, my house is yours now. Right?"
"I wouldn't dream of doing anything without your permission, Nino-san."
"Well," he paused his mouth curving into a perplexed frown. "Can't I just give you permission to help yourself to anything?"
"I think, until I am accustomed to your ways, I will ask permission."
"Okay," Nino shrugged and started back up the stairs. “Works for me."
Sho smiled, more relieved than he'd expected to be. "I hope you will let me hear the music you create, too."
"Oh. That, yeah." He shrugged a shoulder as they went back into Sho's room. "You may not like it. Gamer music is not exactly top ten on the charts."
"I would like to hear it, Nino-san. I love music of all kinds."
"I'll go turn some on while we work."
"Excellent." Sho gave a genuine smile, certain it would put his new Husband at ease.
The man didn’t notice, running a hand through his hair as he went down the hall to turn on the speaker system that ran through the house. Now that they were alone together, it was finally starting to sink in that he was wed. A Marriage was for life--or until Dissolution--and Sho knew he’d never seriously consider that. It simply just wasn’t done in his family.
Dutifully, he returned to the bedroom to retrieve another box.
Nino set the music to play the soundtrack for Dragons of Draynor and grabbed his phone from his pocket. "This is all your fault," he said when his mother answered.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"His name is Sakurai Sho and you'll love him."
"Sakura--oh! You mean you finally did it? You finally went to the Guild and found yourself a Husband? Praise be!"
Nino made a face out the window, "You know I wasn't prepared."
"Don't be silly. There is nothing to be prepared for." He could hear her flipping through pages. "Sakurai... Sakurai... ah! Yes! I thought I knew that name. His family has been the official wed into the Ikuta Clan several times this past century. Oh, very nice. Very nice indeed, Kazunari. He will take good care of you. Thank the Gods. I’ve been waiting for years to get a phone call from the police telling me that my son had keeled over dead from a mix of too much caffeine and too little sunlight."
"It's not like the man exudes sunlight, Kaa-chan."
"Perhaps not, but at least I can trust him to make you eat your vegetables."
"Pfft. No one can make me eat my vegetables."
"If anyone can, I trust Sakurai-san can." He could tell she was grinning. "I trust it was Matsujun who finally dragged you down to the Guild Hall? I'll have to send him a note of thanks."
Nino cackled, "At least that part backfired. He walked out of there with a Husband of his own."
"He did? Who!"
"Aiba Masaki. He's like a little puppy."
"Aiba-san? That's not a name I'm familiar with. Do you think he and Matsujun will get along?"
"Fuck no. Aiba-san will wreck him. And I'll gladly watch every minute of it."
"Kazunari, language," his mother tsked. "Be nice. Matsujun is a good boy."
"I'm just pointing out the facts. Literally. His Husband is his exact opposite and since you and he conspired in this whole getting Married business, I think I'm entitled to gloat when his puppy-Husband drops one of his precious rings in the pancake batter."
She sighed. "Kazu, what am I to do with you? I'll just have to meet this puppy-Husband for myself and see what he's like. You, meanwhile, are going to make sure Sakurai-san has my number on speed dial -- you did give him a phone, yes? -- so that he can call me any time you're being an obstinate little beast."
"Oh, uh... no. Doesn’t he have one of his own? We're still working on clearing out that 2nd bedroom so he has a place to sleep tonight."
"Oh, honestly. You didn't even prepare a proper room for him first? Nino!"
"I didn't plan on getting Married yesterday! Be glad I cleaned the toilets."
"I thought I taught you to be ready for any eventuality. Even if you didn't intend to Marry, what if you'd had visitors? Hmm? What if someone came by and needed to stay with you for a few days? Would you like making them sleep in a dusty old room full of boxes?"
"Kaa-chan," he whined.
"Ah ah ah. No whining, Kazunari. You go and make sure Sakurai-san is comfortable, then you make sure to get him a phone. A nice one. And clothes. He'll need a proper wardrobe. Since Matsujun has his own Husband to clothe now, maybe he'll help you set Sakurai-san up. At least then the poor man won't be forced to wear thrift store t-shirts and torn jeans every day."
Nino looked down at his outfit. "What's wrong with t-shirts and jeans? And don't worry, he's getting a considerable stipend."
"Good." She sighed, but it was a fond sigh this time. "I am genuinely glad, Kazu. You know I worry about you."
"You shouldn't. I'm not a kid anymore, you know."
"Sometimes it's easy to forget."
Nino felt an inward twinge of regret for not being more mature and grown up like his older sister (already on her second Masters degree and three children). He knew his mother felt like she'd done something wrong in raising him.
"I'm fine. I'll bring Sakurai-san by the house soon so you can meet him yourself."
"Good! I look forward to it." He could hear his mother's smile, "I'll talk to you soon, Kazu. I love you."
"Love you too," he replied and ended the call. He looked around at the modest white-walled condo he'd chosen primarily for the giant basement and sighed as he pocketed his phone. "Sakurai-san?” He called, “My mother said we should get you a cell phone."
Sho's head popped out of his room. "A phone? That would be very helpful, yes. My previous one remains property of the Guild.”
"Right. Then we can do that tomorrow." He started helping Sho with the boxes again. "How are you set on clothing?"
"I have two changes of clothes."
Nino blinked slowly. "Is that enough?"
"Provided you have some kind of laundry facility...?"
"It's behind the door on the left in the music room."
Sho smiled. "Then I can launder them easily enough. Though I would appreciate some additional clothing to supplement my wardrobe. I'll need more casual wear and some formal attire, as well as any sexual gear you may want me to model."
Nino nearly dropped the box of old music books, "You--what--model?"
"That is sometimes part of the relationship when a pair weds, yes." Sho tilted his head. "It's not necessary, of course. If you have no sexual interest in me, you have no obligation."
Oh, there was interest aplenty, Nino thought, his eyes dropping once more to Sho's mouth. He gave himself a shake, "I--what--no. Wait--what about your sexual interest?"
Sho blinked. "Mine?"
"Hai. What if a Husband or Wife isn't sexually interested?"
Sho tilted his head again like a curious bird. "I'm sorry?"
"If you don't want to have sex with me?"
"I don't follow."
Nino blushed fiercely. "I...I guess, I don't... it doesn't matter. I have a lot to learn still."
Sho smiled kindly, glad to be past the strange questions. "It's all right, Nino-san. I'll teach you anything you want to know."
"I guess," he cleared his throat. "What are my responsibilities as your Spouse? Is that even the right term?"
"You're expected to clothe, feed and house me, and treat me with respect. You're not allowed to beat me, though corporal punishment for severe transgressions can be negotiated."'
"That seems... official."
"It can be done in an official contract, or an unofficial written agreement." Sho laid a hand on Nino's arm. "Daijoubu, Nino-san. The contract just allows for reasonable corporal punishment," Sho explained. "Anything specific would need to be worked out between us. For example, when is spanking okay versus using a belt?"
"Spanking?" To his ever growing embarrassment his voice cracked.
"That's right. Where should this box go, Nino-san? It appears to be full of old magazines."
"Here. Uh, here with the others." Nino bit his lip and glanced at Sho again. "Do you want that?"
"Putting this box with the others?"
"No. I mean, um," He shifted his weight. "Do you want to do that kind of thing? Do you want to get spankings? Is that a turn on?"
Finally. Finally Sho blushed.
But his silence was almost worse than his matter-of-fact responses. "I don't know you well enough to read your expression," Nino teased.
Sho blushed a little darker. "I don't quite know how to answer that, Nino-san," he admitted.
"Maybe you could tell me another turn on instead?" He offered and then quickly did an about face, retreating up the stairs for more boxes.
Sho stumbled after him. Turn-ons? Nino was interested in his turn-ons?
Nino picked up another box, "Ah, look. See there is a bed."
"Ah. Good! It looks very comfortable. May I try it out?"
"Yeah. Let's just clear off the rest of these boxes..."
They worked together in silence until the bed was cleared. Sho smiled as he plunked himself down on the bed. "Oh, it's very comfortable, Nino-san.”
Looking at him, Nino felt a moment of disorientation. He had a Husband. his Husband. "Um. Would you like a nap?”
"Oh, no." Sho sat up quickly. "I should finish unpacking."
"That can wait, can't it? If you're tired."
"I really should do it, though."
"I don't mind a little untidyness."
"Yes, well, as your Husband it's my duty to make sure that your home is tidy, even if you don't mind when it's not."
"You can keep your space however you want it, though," Nino insisted.
"Technically my space is still your space, Nino-san," he reminded. "I have no claim on it."
Nino didn't like the sound of that, "I'm giving you that room. You can paint it in black and yellow polka dots if you want and I won't say a word."
Sho wrinkled his nose reflexively. "Eww."
The expression on his face was utterly endearing and Nino found himself grinning at the other man.
Nino cracked open a fresh can of beer and slid it into Sho’s waiting palm as they ate take-out at the dining table off of plates. “This is so damn good,” Sho said, slurping from his bowl of noodles. "Ah, gomen, Nino-san. That was unprofessional of me."
"What was? Expressing an opinion?"
"Expressing it in such vulgar fashion."
"Damn is vulgar?" he chuckled, getting another beer for himself.
The flush in Sho’s cheeks darkened. "Nino-san doesn't think so?"
"Not even close. You're gonna hear a lot worse than that here."
"Am I?"
"Oh yeah. I swear like a fucking sailor when I'm gaming." Sho gasped. "What?" Nino blinked at him. "Fucking?"
Another gasp. "Nino-san!"
"Are you offended?" His eyes sparkled.
"No, of course not. Just... startled.”
"Guess they don't swear like that out at the guild, do they?"
"Not often, no."
"Think you'll get used to it?"
“"It is my duty to get used to it, Nino-san. And I think it will not be so bad."
"You’ve been looking forward to this."
"I have wanted a Husband or Wife for some time, Nino-san. You have granted that wish."
"Why did it take so long? You don't exactly seem picky."
"I'm not picky. I'm expensive."
"But still," Nino glanced at him. Probably it was inappropriate to ask, but he did it anyway. "Why didn't you get Married sooner?"
Sho didn't answer for a while, turning the beer can over in his hand. When he did, his voice was soft. "I don't know."
"You must have had a lot of offers," he prodded gently.
"I had a few," Sho admitted quietly.
"So what happened? Were they not offering enough? Did the contracts fall through some how?"
"I don't know,” he repeated.
Nino's brow furrowed and he frowned to himself. "How do you not know?"
"I just don’t. There were several I went on Dates with. A few that made a Proposal but then, the contracts were never completed for one reason or another.”
“That must have been a blow to the ego, huh?" He took a few more bites of food, and then shoveled another serving of noodles into Sho’s bowl.
“This beer is excellent. Surprisingly good,” Sho said instead and then drained the entire can.
"Well, consider it one of the things you can help yourself to."
"I can help myself."
Nino furrowed his brow, "Huh?"
Sho blinked at the can, then at Nino, then grinned. "Really?"
"Hai. Yeah, anything in the kitchen really. That's not saying much though."
"I shall go to the store and stock your pantry, Nino-san." The emphasis Sho put into his words made Nino grin.
"That's not really necessary," He waved his hand. "I usually just order in."
Sho gave him a look of horror. "Oh no, Nino-san. I'll cook for you. It's not required, but it's healthier."
“Has my mother gotten to you already?” He narrowed suspicious eyes at his new Husband.
“Gotten to me?” he echoed, confused.
"I guess I don't mind if you cook for me. I mean, you have to have something to do, right?"
"Oh, I think I'll have plenty to do, Nino-san." Sho reached for his can of beer and finding it empty, sank into a pout.
A moment later, Nino gave him another can and a smile, "We should make a shopping list."
Sho's eyes lit up. "Oh! Yes! I adore making a list."
Nino gave him a long look, trying to judge if he was serious or not and then found a pad and pen from his junk drawer.
"Here ya go. List away."
The pleased sound Sho made was adorable. "What foods does Nino-san like?" he asked, taking a seat at the kitchen counter and writing the date in the top right hand corner of the list.
"Um. Melon bread..." Nino started.
"Melon bread, yes," Sho said, making a note. "Also milk, tea, udon, miso, butter, mayonnaise, corn, mushrooms..."
"Ramen. I like ramen," Nino offered.
"Ramen, hai. Soba, too. Pork cutlet. Chicken breast. Carrots, celery, various wines..." The list was filling up quickly.
"What do you like?” Nino sipped at his beer and folded his legs beneath him in the chair.
"Hmm?" Sho looked up as he took another drink of his beer.
"What foods do you like to eat?"
"Oh." Sho blinked a few times. "I...don't know. I never thought about it."
"Well," Nino smiled, "Think about it."
Sho frowned, furrowing his brow. "Um...I like...omelet rice?" He looked to Nino for confirmation.
"Then you should probably add eggs and ketchup to that list."
Sho beamed. "That's right. Smart, Nino-san." He scribbled the additions to the list
"One thing I do have is rice."
"Oh? What kind?"
"Uh. The regular kind?"
Sho chuckled and started adding various rice varieties to the list.
"We should also make a list for other things you’re going to need, right? Like that phone. And some clothes."
Sho blushed.
"You're turning pink," Nino grinned, sipping his beer.
"Am I?" Sho touched his own cheek.
"What’s embarrassing about buying clothes?”
"I'm still not used to the idea of having someone who wants to buy me clothes."
"Well, to be fair, it’s only been less than a day.”
"Has it?"
“How quickly my Husband forgets,” Nino mourned.
Sho stared at him before taking another long swig of his rapidly vanishing beer. "I have a Spouse," he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, you have a Spouse," Nino smiled, amused.
Sho gave him a beaming smile, “Cheers!" he raised his half-empty beer can in a toast before downing the last of its contents.
Nino lifted his can in cheerful companionship. "Here. Have another."
Nino leaned against the doorway of the kitchen with his phone pressed to his ear, waiting for Jun to pick up. When he did--eight whole rings later-- there was no time for preamble. "How do I get my Husband to bed?"
"...what are you talking about?"
"He's refusing to go to bed and he's bigger than me."
"Refusing to go to bed? What? Why? What did you do?"
"He's kinda... drunk."
"He's what?" Nino knew he was mad by the clipped pronunciation of ‘what’.
"We had some beers and were talking and stuff and now he's kinda in that belligerent stage."
"You got your shiny brand new Husband drunk on your first night together."
Nino pictured Jun hitting his head against a wall. "He's never even had a beer before. Was I supposed to stop him?"
"Oh my God."
Nino changed his mental picture to a brick wall. "He got all red-cheeked and cute,” he admitted to make Jun feel better.
"That's no reason to get the poor man drunk his first night out of the Guild. Good Gods. What's he doing now?"
"He's hanging upside down over my couch. He's musing about folding towels."
“Well, get him up--He's what? How do you muse about folding towels?"
"He can fold them into animals apparently. He took classes. Plural. Wild stuff, J."
"Whatever. That's a side issue. Right now you have to get him to bed, get him hydrated, and make sure he has aspirin."
"Yes, but how?"
"I don't know! Offer him some towels to fold?"
"That wouldn't--" he paused. Maybe that would work. "Hey, Sho-kun? Do you want to fold some towels right now?"
Sakurai looked up with a bleary but hopeful expression. "Really?"
"Hai. I'll bring you any size you want. Right to your bedroom."
Sho stumbled upright and managed to keep from falling flat on his face. "Y'promise yer not jus' tryin' t'get me t'go t'bed?"
"No, i swear," Nino hung up on Jun and hooked an arm under Sho's to help him to his feet.
"Hmm... okay." Sho smiled and rested his head on Nino's shoulder as the other man helped him toward his room. "'vnever been drunk 'fore."
Sho radiated heat and Nino stifled a shiver. "What do you think so far?"
"'Sweird. Kinda... floaty."
"Mmmm," he squeezed Sho's arm. "What kinda towels do you want?"
"I need... the big... the fluffy bath towels..."
"Right big fluffy ones. I have hand towels too. And washcloths."
Sho made a face as Nino helped him topple into bed. "Too small."
"Okay, the big ones then. Should I warm them in the dryer?"
"Mmm, yes please. Not too hot."
"Okay then, You get comfortable and I'll be right back with towels."
"Hai. Ni-san?" Sho took Nino's hand as he drew back and smiled up at him. "Thank you, Nino-san."
"You're welcome," Nino was glad Sho was drunk so he wouldn't notice the blush climbing his neck. He extracted himself and went to load a bunch of towels into the dryer. While it was running, he gathered a giant glass of water and aspirin and put them by the bed.
"Wassat?"
"Water and medicine for you."
"Medicine? Wha' medicine?"
"For your imminent hangover."
Sho made a weak sound. "Issit gonna hurt?"
"Probably.” Nino sat on the edge of the bed and brushed his fingers across Sho’s brow. He pouted and leaned into his touch. "But the aspirin will help."
Sho made a face as the aspirin started to melt on his tongue before he managed to swallow. "Yuck."
"Water," Nino pressed the glass into his hand. Sho gulped it down quickly. "Good job," Nino brushed hair away from his eyes and put the glass on the newly rediscovered nightstand.
Sho smiled. "Am I? Doing a good job?"
"Yes. So far, yes," He smiled.
"I'll try to stay good," Sho promised. "I will."
"You'll be great, Sakurai-san." Nino assured him. "I know it."
"I'll try. I'll do everything I can."
"It'll be a great Marriage, yeah?" Nino stroked his hair, trying to believe his own words.
"It will,” Sho said around a yawn
Bzzzzzzzz.
"Wassat?" Sho asked, blinking in confusion.
"The dryer, pet." Nino blushed when he realized what he said. He leapt to his feet. "I'll be right back."
"No, I should... I'm the Husband..."
"Stay here," Nino quickly retreated. He went down the hall, muttering to himself. "Ugh. Pet? What was I thinking?"
The next morning Sho found himself with a raging headache nested inside a bed of towels. With the perfect timing of someone Guild trained, Nino had appeared with aspirin and water in hand. There was a bleary conversation, and Nino kept insisting Sho stay in bed not worry about making breakfast. Sho had worried though. As soon as his head hit the pillow he began running through potential menus in his mind. Once he thought of the perfect First Breakfast of their Marriage, he’d get up and right to work.
The next time Sho woke up, it was late afternoon. The sun shone through the windows of his room, warming his little nest of towels and blankets. His headache was blissfully gone, though the fuzzy feeling and foul taste in his mouth was almost as unbearable. Faintly, he could hear the distant sound of piano music.
"Hmm...?" He blinked his eyes open and listened for a minute to the soft strains of music before forcing himself to sit up. The warm towels fell away as he climbed out of bed and sought out the music, oblivious to the wrinkled clothes he still wore from the night before.
Stepping out into the bare, empty hallway, he blinked a few times, reorienting himself to the place. He turned toward the basement and Nino's studio. He found his new Husband seated at the grand piano in the basement studio, and hovered in the doorway as he watched Nino's hands dance over the keys. He was clearly playing a tune, but it was in progress; not finished or polished. He was hearing the first chords of something new, and Sho felt oddly privileged to for opportunity.
The music abruptly stopped, but Nino didn't look up. He made a note on some paper, "So, what do you think?"
Sho blinked in surprise. "You knew I was here?"
Nino looked up, the mere corners of his lips curling up. "Did you like it?"
"Very much." Sho stepped a little deeper into the room. "Is that video game music?"
"Mmm. I'm starting a new project, just getting a feel for it right now."
"It sounds... expansive."
"Hai, it's a co-op multiverse game."
Those words meant nothing to him. "I'm sorry?" He moved closer. "Aiba-kun was the gamer at the Guild. I don't really know them at all."
"Oh," Nino's shoulders slumped. "I'd hoped we could play together.
"I'm a fast learner!" Sho noted hurriedly. “Teach me how to play and I'll soon be skilled."
"Maybe... you don't really seem like the type anyway."
Sho frowned deeper. "Show me, Nino-san. Show me, please. I'll prove myself to you."
"Well, what kind of games do you like?" he made a few more notations on his paper.
"Chess. Checkers. Monopoly. Old Maid."
Nino hummed and said nothing for a few moments while he tried out a few notes on the piano. "Strategy games, then. Except Old Maid. How old are you?"
"Almost thirty. Why?"
"Cause I'm pretty sure the last time I played Old Maid was with my grandfather and I was seven."
"It's a fun game," Sho protested. "We play it a lot at the Guild."
"Weird."
"I will have to play it with you next time you have guests, Nino-san." Sho didn't know why he felt so defensive about a childish card game, but he felt he needed to stand up for his old home somehow.
"Um. Okay... if you want," his expression was clearly perplexed.
"It's quite fun. Childish maybe, but fun. And games are supposed to be fun." Sho cleared his throat. "I apologize, sir. I didn't mean to be argumentative, especially given all your kindness."
"Don't call me sir," Nino cringed. "It's okay. I shouldn't be judgy about card games."
"I really would like to learn about your favorite videogames, si- Nino-san. It is a slave's duty to be his Master's perfect foil."
"I'd rather have a companion, I think."
Sho smiled, genuinely pleased. "I would like that, too, sir."
"Good," he hesitated. "Don't call me sir, remember?"
"Yes. Of course. Sorry, si- Nino-san."
Nino took a breath and rubbed his arm. "How did you sleep? Are you feeling better now?"
Sho smiled brightly. "Much better, Master Nino-san, thank you. Your generosity is most appreciated."
“It's not generosity, ne? It's... responsibility."
"It's kind of you to think of it like that." Nino wrinkled his nose at the compliment, so Sho deftly change the topic. "Will you play some more of your music?"
"Yeah, sure, but... don't you want to eat? You must be hungry."
"Ah! Food!" Sho beamed. "You keep playing and I'll make us an early dinner."
Nino chuckled at his sudden exuberance. "Sounds good."
It took a few moments before Sho realized he was staring at Nino, grinning like an idiot. Flustered, he retreated to the door, "Hope you like pasta?"
He didn’t even wait for Nino’s answer and was halfway up the stairs before he realized Nino had been grinning stupidly at him too.
Bounding up to Sho from behind, Aiba looped an arm through his elbow at the end of the House Guild meeting and tugged him toward the refreshments. "Sho-chan, tell me everything.”
Sho smiled dreamily. "Nino-san is wonderful. He's so talented."
"He's a musician, isn't he?"
"Hai! He does music for videogames. I didn't know it could be so orchestral! Did you know he did the main theme for Final Fighters IX?"
"No," Aiba smiled. "I didn't know."
"Is that a video game?" Ohno piped from behind them.
Sho nodded as he handed Ohno a glass of wine and began unobtrusively filling a plate of hors devours for his friend. "It was one of the biggest sellers of last year."
"You must be proud," he smiled, his eyes focused on the food.
"Very proud. And now he's working on the theme for the sequel!" Sho puffed up proudly and began filling himself a plate. ”There may even be a movie.”
Aiba gave him a knowing smirk, "So... tell me more. Details! C'mon."
"What do you want to know?" Sho took a prim sip of his wine and followed Ohno to a bistro table at the back of the ballroom.
“Well…”
"It’s just us, Sho-kun. Right, Oh-chan? You can tell us anything."
"Have you fucked yet?" Ohno asked around a mouthful of stuffed fig.
"No." Sho frowned at his food, too embarrassed to admit his true worry: that his Husband didn’t find him attractive. Sex wasn’t always a part of a Marriage, but Sho had always expected that his match would have similar sexual appetites.
There was a beat of awkward silence before Aiba shrugged, “Marriage doesn’t have to be about sex.”
“It’s more important that you’re happy,” Ohno agreed.
“Jun-kun waited almost two whole weeks,” Aiba continued. “He said he wanted to get to know me better first, and--”
“Aiba--”
“Really, I think it was hotter because of the waiting.”
“Anticipation,” Ohno agreed.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he nodded. “Your Nino-san is probably just letting the anticipation build.”
“Aiba--Keep your voice down,” Sho ran a hand down his face. It wouldn’t do for the newly wed President of the House Husbands and Wives Association to be overheard discussing problems in the bedroom. “Everything’s fine, really. We’re just taking our time.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” Ohno hummed, “Toma-kun and I didn’t stop for three months straight after we Married. But then we didn’t touch each other for weeks.”
“See. Every couple is different,” Aiba said reassuringly.
For a surreal moment, he heard himself saying those same words to countless other Husbands and Wives in their moments of fear or uncertainty. He could take his own advice, couldn’t he?
“Maybe Nino-san is a sexual powerhouse deep down,” Aiba had continued unabated, “and he’s just not sure you can handle it yet.”
Sho nearly choked on his wine as he imagined the look on Nino’s face at being described as a ‘sexual powerhouse’.
“I could ask Jun-kun, if you want? Maybe they’ve talked about you.”
Wouldn’t that be great? “No. No, thank you. I think you were right the first time, every couple is different. Nino’s just taking his time.” He turned the glass in his hand, trying to convince them he was just as confident as they were. But Nino hadn’t been intending to get Married at first sight and people were known to have regrets after impulsive decisions.
What did it matter that Sho’s heart skipped a beat every morning when Nino came into the kitchen with sleep-mussed hair and hands outstretched for Sho’s coffee. Even after Sho made sure to have a mug ready and waiting just the way he liked it (three sugar, no cream), Nino still took his first sip of coffee from Sho’s mug of pure black.
That had to mean something. Right? The drowsy, happy glow in Nino’s eyes certainly didn’t seem like regret.
“Wow,” Aiba observed.
“You fell hard.”
Sho blinked out of his Nino-haze, “Huh?” In unison, his two friends gave identical love-lorn signs.
“Shut up.”
"I don't see the problem." Jun sipped his drink, then added a little more vodka before settling down next to Nino on the sofa. "It's perfectly natural. And he's a very attractive man."
"You've seen his mouth, right?"
"Yes, Nino, I've seen his mouth."
"It's insane."
"It's a mouth, Nino. Everyone has one."
"Not like that they don't," he took a swig of his drink.
“I see your Husband has been redecorating,” Jun observed, nodding to the tropical houseplant now perched next to Nino’s gaming console.
“Every day he comes home with a new plant, names it, and then uses a label maker to put both the nickname and the scientific name on the back.” Nino’s voice softened, “He gets very excited to show me his latest purchase.”
“Cute,” Jun smirked at Nino’s obvious adoration and sipped his own cocktail. He idly fiddled with the joystick of the controller Nino had tossed into his lap. "You know I suck at Mario Kart. Put on some Zelda."
"Sho-san is practicing with Zelda."
Jun chuckled. "You've got him practicing video games?"
"He wanted to."
"Really? He's been here a month and he's already gone native."
Nino sighed, "I teased him for liking Old Maid his second day here, and he's been determined to master video gaming."
"Wow. That's dedication." Jun took a deeper pull off his drink. "He must really want to impress you.
"He's very serious," Nino sighed.
"That's not surprising. He's a Sakurai, after all."
"I know." His mother had gone into great detail about his Husband’s pedigree. "He's just so fucking unshakeable."
"That's what the family line is known for."
Nino scowled, and threw back the rest of his drink. "You're supposed to be helping."
"Am I? Sorry, help you to what? So far all you’ve done is complain about how sexy your Husband is. I fail to see the problem."
“It’s a distraction,” Nino insisted.
Jun finished off his drink and reached for the vodka to pour himself another. "Why don't you just talk to Sho-san?"
"Talk to him? With words?"
Jun stared at Nino. "No," he deadpanned. "With fish."
"Wher'my gonna get fish?"
"Oh my God you idiot, YES, words!" Jun smacked him upside the head. "He's your Husband, you are his Spouse. Words are how people communicate. So communicate."
"He's not good with words."
Jun snorted. "I think you've got that backwards, buddy."
He whined, "It's not... okay to lust after him."
"Says who?"
“Have you and Aiba done it?” Nino dropped his controller to make a lewd gesture with both handsjust in case Jun didn’t know what he meant in their inebriated state.
"None of your business!"
"Th’ why the hell’re you encouraging me?"
"My sexual habits have nothing to do with your obvious need to get laid."
"Don't deflect. Deflector!" Nino poked Jun hard in the chest.
"I'm not the one deflecting."
"Why haven't ya slept with ‘im if sleepin’ with your new Husband issa normal, huh?"
"Because unlike you, I have a healthy sex life and don't spend my time lusting after my pretty House Husband."
"...could I sleep with yer House Husband?"
"No!"
“Hah! You do so care.” Nino toasted himself and poured another drink.
"Why don't you just tell Sho what's going on in that weaselly little brain of yours?
"Because it's persum--person--presumpshus of me."
"Oh it is not. Just say you're feeling sexually frustrated but you don't know how to talk to him about it."
"And then he'll wanna do stuff." Nino dragged his hands over his face. "That's--that's---"
“That’s what you want, Nino, isn’t it?”
"I hate you," he groaned. "I fucking hate you."
Jun grinned. "I love you, too, Nino.
"Go home."
"Are you going to talk to Sakurai?
"Yes-- No. Maybe....ugh. Yes. Okay."
Jun grinned as he stood up and grabbed his coat. "Good. I'll expect a report tomorrow."
"You're getting all the gory details. Prepare yourself."
"I can't wait." Jun winked and headed for the door. "Sweet dreeeeams."
"You're the worst kind of people."
Jun just laughed as he left, phone already pressed to his ear to call for a taxi.
Almost a week after Sho’s meeting at the Guild all of Sho’s plants were beginning to wilt from overwatering and he was beginning to feel physically uncomfortable. No, not uncomfortable. ‘Almost constantly horny’ was a better description.
It was the third night in a row that Nino had invited him to play video games after dinner, and then proceeded to cuddle up against his side. Not just cuddle but nearly crawl into his lap. And then out of it again. Leaning against Sho’s knee one moment and then sinking to the floor to sit between his legs the next. Just as soon as Sho had schooled his mind back to focusing on the game, Nino was squirming around again.
"Nino-san, are you uncomfortable?" Sho asked, trying to keep the strain out of his voice.
"Mmm? What?" Nino hummed, his thumbs flying over the controller as he took aim at a zombie bursting through a paned glass window.
"You seem to be moving around a lot."
"Hmm? I didn’t notice."
Sho hadn’t done anything but notice every centimeter of space between them. Or not, where the case may be. "Would you like a massage perhaps?"
“After we kill a few zombie hoards, maybe."
Sho steeled himself and turned his attention back to the game. But in a matter of minutes, Nino stood up and stretched, only to get back on the couch and put his head in Sho's lap. He contorted into an impossible position and kept playing.
Sho bit his lip. "Nino-san, are you sure you're comfortable?"
"Uh huh. This is great."
Sho shivered. "Ah. Good."
"Where even are you?" Nino asked, using his avatar to look around on screen.
"Oh. Oh, sorry. I'm afraid I'm a little distracted, Nino-san. Would you rather continue without me? I'll be happy to cheer you on."
He pouted, twisting his head to look up at Sho, "Do you not like it?"
"I do! I like it a lot, Nino-san. Really." He hesitated. "You're very good at it. Much better than me."
"Well, yeah. Because you've never played before,” he sat up and gave Sho a pat, before resting his head on Sho's shoulder and unpausing the game. Leaving Sho with no choice but to continue on.
Sho bit his lip. "Are you comfortable, Nino-san?"
"Mmm.”
“Maybe you’re not sleeping well?" He could hear the strain in his own voice as Nino yet again began to squirm into his lap.
“Nope. Definitely not,” Nino agreed amiably, and then gave a little yelp of success at a kill shot in the game. “There’s something wrong with my bed, I think.”
“Oh, we could-- you could-- take a nap.”
"But the zombies--"
"Will still be here after you nap."
"Yes, but," he wriggled a little closer to Sho. "You wont play with me."
Sho shivered at the innuendo. "I will if you want me to, Nino-san."
Nino's lips curved into a crooked smile, "Are you cold?" Finally, finally, he abandoned his controller to the floor.
"No," he answered with as much composure as he could muster.
"You're shivering a lot," Nino ran his hand along Sho’s arm, leaving goosebumps in his wake.
Sho bit his tongue to hold back a whimper. "I’m fine, Nino-san. Quite comfortable."
Nino didn’t say anything, but ran a speculative hand back up his arm, finger tips grazing across Sho’s collarbones. He wished Nino would meet his eyes so he could get some clue as to what he should do next to get Nino to keep touching him.
He gulped audibly when the other man tucked his head into the crook of Sho’s neck, breathing in deeply. “You smell good.”
“Thank you,” His voice was raspy to his own ears. Suddenly he remembered he had hands and in the next heartbeat realized he didn’t know what to do with them. All the years training and studying for this very moment and his mind had gone utterly blank.
Nino’s curious fingers found the pulse at Sho’s neck and then trailed up to tip Sho’s chin toward him. Inhaling sharply, Sho held his breath as he neared, close enough to feel the heat of Nino’s lips and then the other man was stretching away, snatching Sho’s long forgotten controller from his side and slipping out of Sho’s reach like water.
“I think the battery’s about to die,” Nino announced, unlatching the back and wandering to the bookshelf.
He might as well have been speaking Italian.
Sho just stared at his back, dazed by the sudden lack of body heat and blood rushing in his ears and uncomfortably further south.
Nino shifted his weight and Sho hungrily followed the line of his hip, down to his ass and then, catching himself, he abruptly stood up. “I think--” his voice caught and he cleared his throat, feeling an embarrassed heat begin to climb his neck. “I think that’s just as well, Husband. It’s time I called it a night.”
Nino twisted to look at him and Sho couldn’t read the expression he wore, “You said you’d play with me. If I wanted you to.”
“Yes,” he nodded, trying to reign in the racing of his heart and reminding himself to show restraint no matter how it was killing him one tenuous moment at a time.
“Okay then,” Nino turned back to his shelf of games, plugging Sho’s controller into the charger, his face barely visible in profile. “Sleep well, Sho-kun.”
A dismissal cold enough to freeze the hours of ardor in his veins. “Goodnight,--” he exhaled and walked toward the hall and his bedroom. “Just… goodnight.”
“My son is very taken with you,” Ninomiya Kasumi smiled serenely as Sho helped her into her designer coat in the entryway. Nino had excused himself to gather a few of the demos he wanted her thoughts on, leaving Sho alone with her for the first time since she’d arrived at their home for dinner.
“As you say. We’re both grateful that you would grace us with your company this evening,” he bowed respectfully, schooling the irritation from his voice. After all, the cause of it wasn’t their guest.
“You can cut the deference bullshit they’ve trained you to. I’ve wed a Husband or three myself, Sho-san.” She reached up and patted his cheek, “You’ll be happiest when you’re as much yourself as you can be.”
“I--” His brow furrowed in confusion, “I am happy.” She wasn’t trying to give him a roundabout lecture about their behavior that night?
“To be this young again,” she gave him a bemused smile, tinted with nostalgia. “You boys will work yourselves out. I’m sure of it.”
Standing more erect, Sho suppressed his desire for the whole evening to come to an end from showing on his face. “I thank you for your graciousness. You must know how embarrassed I am.”
“Don’t be.” She assured him, grinning the same endearing smile as her son, “All my wrath falls squarely on his shoulders for causing you trouble at all. You’re a sweet boy and too good for him by far.”
“I heard that,” Nino groused, coming back into the room with a canvas bag full of recordings.
“Kazunari, you said ‘a few’!”
“Yeah, and then I added a few more. Just for fun,” he flashed her a smile and wrapped an arm around Sho’s waist, leaning warmly into him. “Goodnight, mother.”
“What kind of son kicks his own mother out?” she groused good naturedly and accepted the bag, well aware her driver was waiting down below.
“This kind.”
“Goodnight, Nino,” she said pointedly. “Sho-san, I welcome you to our family.”
“Thank you, Ninomiya-san. I look forward to having you for dinner again.” He stepped forward to escort her out, but Nino quickly intercepted and held open the door before they could engage in yet another exchange of goodnights and well-wishes.
“Goodnight, mother.”
“Let us know you’ve arrived safely home,” Sho said, bowing his head respectfully once more.
“I’ll text you!”
Nino closed the door with finality and turned his back to it, only to find his Husband walking away. He lunged forward a few steps, hooking his fingers into the belt loops of Sho’s slacks and pulling him bodily backward. “Where are you going?”
Sho didn’t give, but he’d at least stopped striding toward the kitchen. Nino moved instead, pressing against the smooth planes of Sho’s back, hands possessive on his hips. “That went well, don’t you think?” He smiled against the nape of Sho’s neck.
“What--” Sho shook him off, spinning around to stare fiercely at Nino, his eyes sparked with long banked frustration. “What were you thinking? Touching me in front of your mother like that? You don’t--we haven’t even--!”
Nino stood there, mouth agape and feeling like he’d absolutely ruined everything, but Sho didn’t give him a chance to gather his thoughts.
“What do you want from me, Nino?! If you want to fuck just say so! I can’t stand this--this game you’re playing. I’m not a character in one of your video games you can toy with and manulipate. I’m supposed to be your husband.” Now he was the one crowding in close to Nino, his cheeks flush with heat and coal-dark eyes burning with intensity. “Was it all for show? ” Nino had his back to the wall now, the wood at his back a cool contrast to the body heat radiating from Sho. “Are you just trying to prove something to your friends and family? Just tell me what you want,” he hissed.
“You,” Nino mumbled with eyes focused on Sho’s chest, feeling wholly inadequate as he tried to form an explanation. He hadn’t expected Sho to get angry. He slid his hands up Sho’s torso, “I want you and I--I thought if--”
“We’re wed. You have me,” Sho growled. “That’s not good enough.”
A lump climbed in Nino’s throat and he exhaled sharply. “I don’t want--sex shouldn’t be--” He met Sho’s eyes warily. ”I’m a little in love with you, Sho-kun. I don’t want sex with you to be because of some contract. I want you to really want me.”
“You were trying to seduce me?” Sho blinked. “Me?”
“Kinda? My methods haven’t exactly been successful.”
“Your efforts were valiant,” Sho said seriously. He still held Nino boxed in against the doorway, but the aggravation had melted away like chocolate in the sun. “It’s no fault of your own that the Sakurai’s hold themselves to the highest level of self-restraint.”
Nino bit his lip. Was he going to say nothing at all about his confession? “I hadn’t heard that about your family line.” He began to develop an exit strategy and made to duck under one of Sho’s arms. “I’ll start cleaning up.”
Sho’s hand clamped hard around Nino’s bicep and spun him back, meeting him with a searing kiss. Nino clutched at his shirt, drinking in every delicious moment.
“I’m a little in love with you too,” Sho whispered when they parted.
“You mean I’ve been miserable for no reason?” He kissed Sho to punctuate the remark.
“We’ve both been miserable,” Sho agreed, continuing to exchange hungry kisses as he guided them down the hall. “No more.”
“No more,” Nino moaned, derailing their trek to the bedroom when he squeezed Sho’s ass with both hands and Sho pinned him against the hallway wall with another breath-stealing kiss.
Jun was about to hang up his phone and ask for the check when the line picked up and he heard a breathless ‘Hello’ from Nino on the other end. “I don’t suppose you’re on your way to brunch, are you?”
“Hmmm-MMM? Brunch?” he squeaked.
Already seated, Jun narrowed his eyes, “You forgot, didn’t you?”
“No, no, I--” He cleared his throat, “We got distracted. We’ll leave soon. Really soon. I promise.”
“It’s not like Sho-kun to let you be late.”
“Make me late is more like it.”
“Shhh!”
“You know what,” Jun couldn’t help but smile, especially since Nino couldn’t see it. “Nevermind. You have a good afternoon with Sho. We have time to catch up later.”
“Much later,” Nino agreed, and then, like the rude weasel he was, left Jun with nothing but a dial tone in his ear.
Thank you
Date: 2021-11-13 04:24 am (UTC)And of course it had to be Sho who was always perfect in his job.
I wonder if Sho really got his library card. It was nice that they had overlapping interests like the piano. Cute how Sho started from being prim and proper to blushing at Nino's advances.
Their mutual pining is satisfying to read!
It's also so cute that Jun ended up getting married to Aiba. Nino's mother was also quite a character.
Thank you for writing this!
Sho-kun, make him late some more!
- icecreamsuki
no subject
Date: 2021-11-13 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-11-16 09:38 pm (UTC)Having Jun as his long suffering friend was great (I wonder how Jun coped with puppy Aiba as his husband?)
And finally, Sho’s labels on his house plants was the perfect touch.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-17 09:25 am (UTC)The concept of House Husbands were really interesting and I love how they worked together and made their relationship work.
I also love Jun and Nino's relationship together really, such a lovely friendship they have hahahaha
Thank you for writing this dear anon! I had a great time reading it!
no subject
Date: 2021-11-17 10:50 am (UTC)I'm glad that Nino made sure that the other wanted to go further and not forced him to anything (because that would have made me uncomfortable) so I could enjoy the story until the end a lot.
Thanks again :D