peresekat: (Default)
Akihiro Suzuki ([personal profile] peresekat) wrote2017-04-18 01:34 am

(no subject)

Well, that's a hell of a way to start a new job.

Looking after idols was supposed to be a step down on the difficulty scale. They're not supposed to have enemies or risky connections, especially not relatively new ones like this. The only real obstacle is supposed to be personality quirks and the one Akihiro had been assigned to seemed pretty easy to manage. At least he hadn't ended up shadowing the loud blond one or the sickly redhead. Both of them seem like a pain for very different reasons.

But somehow this guy already has a stalker, the sort of stalker that corners him when he's supposedly alone with a roll of duct tape in her bag, a pair of scissors slipped up her sleeve, and fuse that's already lit and burning down fast. The scuffle had only taken a few seconds to resolve but it had clearly left quite the impact on his charge. That's the only reason he can figure that the two of them are all the way out in Hinohara now, laying low in some rental house or another until Mitsuki feels up for heading back.

Well, Akihiro won't complain. It's basically a vacation for him, too, considering that watching after someone in tiny little village is much easier than doing the same thing in Shinjuku or Shibuya or anywhere else idols tend to preform. It's quiet and he has booze and the guy he's watching is easy enough to get along with. He's set to have a pretty good week, and that means it's hard for him to maintain any veneer of professionalism. So when they're settled in after dinner and the sun is most of the way below the horizon, it only feels natural to offer Mitsuki a cocktail with a casual, "Here."

... Wait, is this kid old enough to drink? Well... whatever.
otokogi: (yes i am yes i am yes i am)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-07 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Not that he wasn't paying attention before, but Mitsuki perks right up when Akihiro mentions having traveled to America. "Did you get to see much of America? What was that like?" Of course there are dreams of a world tour some day but for now IDOLiSH7 are pretty small time, so the odds of him seeing somewhere that far away any time soon are slim.

He makes his way to the kitchen, starting to investigate the cabinets both out of curiosity in general but also to find the gin. "I'm better at ordering than mixing but I still know what gin tastes like." His answering grin up at Akihiro gives the lie to his slightly huffy tone; it's all in jest, right?
otokogi: (well you can tell everybody)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-09 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
Mitsuki hands over the whiskey then eyes it uncertainly when Akihiro suggests it. "Change is good..." He looks from the bottle to Akihiro, less uncertain and more thoughtful. He's trying to establish a particular level of maturity here but his bodyguard doesn't seem like the kind guy who'll judge him for having to discard a little of that. "I've never had whiskey, though, so I'm taking your word for it!" Hopefully his enthusiasm makes up for the gap in his experience. He abandons his search for a new drink in favor of getting down a clean glass. If he were at home, he'd rinse this one, but dirty dishes are a problem for future Mitsuki.

He moves closer, looking up as he listens, fascinated by the description of America. It says a lot about what Akihiro values, too, because some parts of that don't sound so bad to Mitsuki. Only some, though. "That'd take some getting used to. I like talking to people, even strangers, but you have to be respectful too. Nobody wants to hear your private conversation while they're on the train. Don't they get embarrassed?" At least, he would, but his job requires him to be different in public and in private.

"Movies make Los Angeles and New York look like completely different countries sometimes, so it's not surprising, but it's hard to imagine travelling for that long. Then again, even just the flight to get to America is something like ten hours long, right?"
otokogi: (go ahead and tell everybody)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-13 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
Beer and sake do the job just fine more often than not but he's learning to appreciate liquor too, including a minor expansion of his horizons tonight. He's glad it's coming with a mixer, though, and he nods to Akihiro as he takes the glass. He sniffs at it--Coke bubbles with a definite liquor aroma--then sips. It's definitely stronger; this one's not going to go nearly as fast at the gin and juice. He cradles the glass in his hands as he leans next to Akihiro, still looking up at him.

Maybe it's just the circumstances of the job, but Mitsuki's not sure he's ever seen him smile this much. It's nice and keeps Mitsuki smiling, too.

"Hmm, yeah, eventually! We'd have to get really, really famous to tour all the way over there, but just a vacation would be fun too. Maybe even moreso, since if it was work I wouldn't be able to have very much downtime. You probably didn't get to either, huh?" He laughs and tilts his head. "Or do you always get to hang out drinking with your clients?"
otokogi: (then he broke that mold)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-13 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Ohhhh no. Mitsuki can feel the whole atmosphere change after his question. He didn't want to do that but even before Akihiro speaks, he understands that he crossed some kind of line. Considering how important boundaries are in his own profession, he feels a little like he should've anticipated that, but Akihiro doesn't seem upset. He also doesn't back off, and Mitsuki's almost embarrassed at how relieved he is by that.

The name thing just has him making a face--clearly the client wasn't Japanese--but it turns into a proper frown when Akihiro starts talking about whoever comes after or Mitsuki wanting him gone. "What if that's not what the client wants, though? Sure, you work for your own company and my management more than for me, but they're not the ones here right now. You might've saved my life! You deserve a chance to work through that just as much as I do, or at least to unwind with a drink and somebody to talk to." Sure, he's probably projecting a little trying to imagine how he'd deal with laying low like this if he couldn't be casual with Akihiro, but he feels pretty strongly about it regardless. They're safe here. Why can't they both be off the clock?

Actually... "What if I said you were fired until tomorrow morning? Then the rules wouldn't apply."
otokogi: (go ahead and tell everybody)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-14 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
Mitsuki's really only shaken up by what happened if he stops to think about it, but talking about Akihiro's work has him thinking about it, at least a little. Sure, a lot of his gigs may be just accompanying CEOs to other countries, but technically he does risk his life for a living. He deserves to let his hair down, too.

"In that case, if for some reason you stop working for us, I'll have to make sure we exchange numbers! Hopefully it won't come to that, though." Mitsuki certainly has no complaints, anyway.

He knows the contract that has Akihiro protecting him isn't that easily set aside but he's extremely pleased that Akihiro's willing to play along. It feels like the balance between them shifts a bit and he likes that. He lifts his glass and taps it against Akihiro's. "That's more like it! And what happens in the safe house stays in the safe house. Your reputation's safe with me." And then it's bottoms up.
otokogi: (stand up now and face the sun)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-14 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
His reputation, his company's reputation, it's all the same thing, more or less. Either way, it's not a concern. Mitsuki knows on some level that he probably shouldn't be so free either but Akihiro's not the only one taking the night off.

That doesn't mean Mitsuki's not going to react to a comment like that, though. "Good, good, as long as you remember it's just a persona. Not that I can't be cute but it's not all I am, you know? I hope some day I can show the fans more of my other sides, but it's too soon now." And that's his cue to push off the counter, intent on making another drink because if he's going to shed the cute persona for the night, he's going to do it properly.

He stops when Akihiro says he doesn't have his phone, though, setting his glass down and getting his own out of his pocket. "Here! You can put your number in mine, then I'll message you. Problem solved." He should probably have it anyway but there hasn't really been a need of it before now, and now it feels more like a social request than a professional one.
otokogi: (won't hide my tail or turn and run)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-14 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
Akihiro's affirmative response is enough for Mitsuki. He's trying to stay aware of himself and his tendency to talk more when he's been drinking, but if he's going to let himself be comfortable he can't be bothered to be too careful.

He glances at the entry before tucking his phone away and taking Akihiro's glass. It seems safe to assume he'll want the same again so Mitsuki retrieves another can of Coke and makes another pair of drinks. The whiskey's right there, why not keep drinking that? Once they're done he offers Akihiro back his glass. It's no stronger than the one he made them earlier; Mitsuki's a quick study. As an afterthought he grabs the bottle before leaving the kitchen. If they're willing to forego the mixer, this will save them both a trip later on.

"It's worth it for the fans. If they're happy, I'm happy. The reverse is true, too, it's hard when people don't like you, but I just want to reach as many people as I can." He's not going to think about the ones who dislike him, not tonight. Instead he nods as he follows Akihiro back toward the living room. "It's hard to find a balance between who you really are and who they want you to be, even if that person is still a part of the real you. The cute one shouldn't be drinking whiskey with a good-looking older guy in a remote cabin, but the real me is doing exactly that, so the cover story is probably that I'm at some onsen or resting at home."

And that is certainly too much talking because it's only when he's done that Mitsuki realizes everything he's just said. It's all true, of course, Akihiro is older than him and he is good-looking, but if he'd been thinking a little more he might have at least tried to find a more sophisticated way to express that. Instead he moves right on without waiting for a reaction, leaning in close to Akihiro's shoulder when he sits down.

"Smile!" There's a phone right there suddenly, waiting for a smile so Mitsuki can get a picture of the two of them together. "For a contact photo."
otokogi: (i'm the man i'm the man i'm the man)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-15 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
Mitsuki takes a minute to appreciate the photo before lowering his phone, but he doesn't quite get the chance to set it on the table before Akihiro's got a hand in his hair. Apparently his comment didn't go unnoticed. He's caught off guard but only for a minute, then he ducks away from Akihiro's hand. Only far enough to be able to turn to face him, though.

"Oi! I can accept cute but I'm no kid! I may be younger than you but I'm still a man." He's no more serious than Akihiro but with one hand on his hip, he's doing his best to look tough even while grinning (and turning just a little pink, not entirely from the liquor). "Experience is just a matter of opportunity, but you can have the opportunity to experience me kicking your ass if you say that again."
otokogi: (god made my mold different from the rest)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-16 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Akihiro's not wrong. The agency had given them all a briefing on what to expect of their bodyguards when they started working with them and it included a part about professionalism, but Mitsuki's gotten used to living in the dorm with the other members. Professionalism there means not killing each other but after that, and especially where friendly contact is concerned, the limits are pretty much theoretical. He knows it ought to be different here and it was, for a while. Mitsuki's not too buzzed to know that whatever boundary existed a few hours ago is crumbling fast but he just doesn't care.

"Haha, nope! This is all from the mean streets of Ginza! Hiya!" He steps back and throws a straight punch forward into the air, cradling his glass in his other hand. He's got a strong base when he does it, and chances are it'd actually hurt pretty bad if it connected with anyone, but there's a roughness to it that belies his complete lack of training. Sure, the punch would hurt the target, but with the way Mitsuki locks his elbow means there's a pretty good chance he'd be hurting too.

That's what he gets for trying to show off. Mitsuki's not sure what kind of training, if any, Akihiro's had, but he wants to prove he's more than just a cute face.
otokogi: (then he broke that mold)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-17 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Mitsuki just laughs, a quicksilver change from the face he made when he punched. "It is, I was joking! That's where my family's cafe is." Which says a lot about the reputation of font chocolat, but he couldn't be thinking less about that when he sees Akihiro stand up.

The careful praise, which is how he takes Akihiro's reaction, isn't unexpected, but the movement is. The fact that Akihiro moves behind him tells him he's not looking to spar and Mitsuki almost releases the pose, but then there's a hand on his shoulder and another on his arm, sliding down to his elbow. Mitsuki relaxes his arm just the little bit it takes to unlock the joint as Akihiro speaks. His touch and tone carry the easy confidence of someone who's said this before, and the thought that's been skirting the edges of Mitsuki's thoughts for a while now is suddenly front and center: Akihiro's not just good-looking, he's really attractive.

Of course, what he's doing right now is probably just a professional courtesy, or at best the kind of advice he'd offer a friend since he's 'off the clock.' Doesn't change the way Mitsuki suddenly feels warmer than he did a moment ago, though, or the awareness he has that Akihiro's arms are basically around him. He turns into that a little, just enough that when he lifts his head he can see Akihiro from the corner of his eye.

"Better like that? I'll tell Yamato to thank you the next time I punch his lights out." That's not exactly self-defense but it really is the most likely use of this information, for better or for worse.
Edited 2017-05-17 00:03 (UTC)
otokogi: (but i still gave my best)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-17 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Mitsuki nods when Akihiro remembers who Yamato is, then gets briefly distracted by his laugh. It's very close, and Akihiro's still holding on to him. Luckily Akihiro's comment about Yamato is enough to get him to focus back up.

"That's him. He's a great guy most of the time but he likes to call me a kid, too. Sometimes even a girl. He thinks it's funny to make me mad because he's really hard to rile." The fact that it's often mutual antagonism doesn't seem all that important, but Mitsuki also doesn't want to come off as whiny. Besides, there might be something to be learned here.

"I've tried kicks but he's faster than me. He's got really long legs so he moves and I end up falling on my ass. With a punch, even if he dodges I still have some control." He makes small motions as he speaks, leaning forward with his torso and moving his arm back and forward a little, a kind of mini-punch, before settling back into his center of gravity again. He tries not to move far enough to dislodge Akihiro's hands but even if he does, he doesn't step any further away.
otokogi: (been through the worst)

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-17 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
It wouldn't surprise him to hear that anyone can see him as a girl; in fact, it happens more often than he'd like to admit. Yamato's just the worst for it. There's a moment's hesitation on Mitsuki's side when he wonders if Akihiro's laugh is echoing that same sentiment, but when he speaks and makes it clear it's more about Yamato's behavior, he laughs himself and relaxes again, allowing Akihiro to make whatever adjustments he thinks are necessary. Mitsuki will do his best to remember them, he really will, but he's lightly buzzed and thoroughly distracted.

"Mmm, neither really, he only does it to me. He sees himself as an older brother so I think to him it's that kind of thing. He gets even angrier than I do if anybody else says something but with him it's all words." It's not the kind of older brother to younger brother relationship Mitsuki's used to, but Yamato's an only child so of course he'd have no idea how to be a proper sibling.

"Akihiro, d'you ha--" His question is cut short when he feels Akihiro's leg and foot alongside his. It makes him jump a little and move his own leg in response but Mitsuki overcompensates, ending up crossing his legs and upsetting his balance. If Akihiro doesn't let go, he's either going to end up Mitsuki's savior or they're both going down; he's not sure which is the more embarrassing outcome.
otokogi: (be a king when kingdom comes)

lmk if I messed up how they landed, I can edit

[personal profile] otokogi 2017-05-18 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Lots of people have someone like that in their life. Not everybody has someone who reacts like Mitsuki does, though, so it makes sense that it'd take a little longer to decipher.

It seems Akihiro decided to go with savior and Mitsuki's grateful. He braces his feet on the floor again as soon as he's able, testing his stability while he still has the support of Akihiro's hands. He's not injured, far from it, but he is embarrassed and extremely self-conscious now. It recedes a little when Akihiro laughs even though Mitsuki can't see his face but he's still aware of the fact that he's nearly sitting on Akihiro and that it's his fault they fell. He's not in a huge rush to move, though.

At least, not until he realizes that he's... wet? Mitsuki looks down to see that he's now wearing most of his drink. That's enough to get him to start to stand up, being much more careful with the glass this time. "Ahhh... sorry! Did I get any on you?"

He's tugging the wet fabric away from his skin when Akihiro follows up to the question Mitsuki was about to ask before they fell and he decided to bathe in cola and whiskey. "Do you have any siblings?

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